Weird Science DC Comics News: Memorial Day Edition

Memorial Day.  A time for us in the United States to remember those who died serving our Country.  Since it's roots as "Decoration Day" following the Civil War, it's also become the second biggest weekend to grill meat.  I must admit that I eat more than I do on any other day that isn't Thanksgiving, July 4th or a couple random Tuesdays.  On the menu; burgers, hot dogs, sweet corn, Amish macaroni salad and baked beans.  For many people, this holiday is a big Movie weekend.  Here is my list of top movies released on Memorial Day Weekend:

5. Rocky III
4. Back to the Future III
3. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
2. Return of the Jedi
1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade





The funny thing about this list is I only saw one of these during the Memorial Weekend they were released.
That was Rocky III.  I did see Temple of Doom on opening
weekend...in June...in England.  I was visiting my Grandparents and I
ended up going 5 times.  I did love it, but it was more about having something better to do than hangout with my 70 year old Grandparents that I had just met for the first time at 13 years old. Ah memories.  Why didn't I go see Jedi on opening weekend?  It didn't come to my theatre in Quakertown.  All my friends' parents took them to see it in Allentown, Montgomeryville and Hecktersburg (I made up the last town since most of you reading won't know or care about such superfluous information).  Not mine.  My Mom didn't drive and my Dad wasn't big on such nonsense.  So what did I do?  I lied to my friends and bought the book novelization by James Kahn.  Seriously, I was like Bart when the Itchy and Scratchy Movie came out.  To tie this all together, I finally got to see it the same summer in England as a Star Wars triple feature.  Between each movie there was an intermission where I bought and ate scotch eggs and drank black currant juice. Man, I had some really bad gas by the time Jedi started.  I loved every minute of it, even the Ewoks and then went back to my Grandparents and probably clogged their toilet.  The moral of this story: Buy American.  Okay...

On With The News




A Rose by Any Other Name

The official name of the Batman vs Superman movie was revealed this week and it is  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  I don't like it.  What did that little "s" is Vs do to anyone?  I'm starting a twitter protest #BringBacktheS.  I also hate the Dawn of Justice subtitle, but maybe it's just overflow from the "s".  The best subtitle for any movie ever: Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.  Nothing will ever top it.

Pour Some Out

Yes, the axe fell on six titles this week.  When the August solicits were released they included the final issues for All Star Western, Batwing, Birds of Prey, Superboy, Pandora and Phantom Stranger.  I was shocked most by Superboy until I looked at it's sales.  15,382 is pretty bad, especially for a book like Superboy. Eric has review duties for it and has liked Aaron Kuder's recent issues, but I think the damage was done.  The book is a mess and I hope it gets a reboot down the line.  I feel the same for Birds of Prey.  With the right team (creative and actual superhero), I think this book could do better.  I guess you can say that for any failed book, though.  Let's hope the last BOP issue kills off Condor.  Man, he is annoying.



Wonder Woman and Oracle...

Here's some news I can get behind.  The August solicits weren't all doom and gloom as Sensation Comics featuring Wonder Woman was announced.  Here is the actual solicit:


SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #1
Written by GAIL SIMONE and AMANDA DEIBERT
Art by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and CAT STAGGS
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 Variant cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
On sale AUGUST 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
DIGITAL FIRST
Diana Prince: Amazon warrior, ambassador to Man’s world, or champion of women in need? All of the above! This digital-first anthology series will bring some of comics’ greatest talents to Themyscira, and give them leave to explore Diana, her world – and ours!
Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver kick things off when Oracle calls for help after the entire Bat-Family gets sidelined. But when Wonder Woman steps into the breach, Gotham City’s criminals get the surprise of their lives! Then, Amanda Deibert and Cat Staggs take Diana to school, where she meets her biggest fan!


I have told everyone who will listen (2 people) how much I loved the digital (and canceled)  Adventures of Superman title and how DC has been getting too dark and gritty.  Well, this looks like the answer to my prayers.  A digital first title that's all ages, has Gail Simone doing Oracle, features art by Ethan Van Sciver and Cat Staggs (everyone needs to check out her Smallville Covers!) and actually seems like fun.  Fun in a DC book?  I'm in.


Dot...Dot...Dot

This is NONSENSE

I told you All Star would be canceled in August...Swamp Thing will be next...Sandwiches You'll Like is one of my favorite documentaries...I hope people buy Booster Gold's Futures End so we get an ongoing...My 11 year old is reading Futures End and his review for #3 is "too explainy"...speaking of Futures End, can they make Ronnie Raymond more of a dick?...anything termed "philly cheesesteak" should never have peppers on or in it...Marc Andreyko's Wolf Spider is what Catwoman should be...my favorite comic this week was Batman Beyond 2.0 #21...