Swamp Thing #30 Review

Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Jesus Saiz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Savagely Decent

Swamp Thing has been one of the highlights of the New 52.  Charles Soule has taken it and somehow made it better.  I'm not Alfred Einstein, but I think it's the personal side of the Swamp Thing mythos that's elevated the title.  Yes. we still get the Avatar of the Green, but we also get a heavy does of Alec Holland and a colorful cast of characters gathering around him.  This has been showcased in the current " The Gift of the Sureen" arc which this issue is part 2 of 3.  So is this issue more Empire Strikes Back or Troll 2?  The answer may lie somewhere in between.

Smallville: Lantern #4 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Marcio Takara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 3, 2014

It's Like That Cause That's the Way It Is

Superman is confused about the powers of the Ring and John Sterwart has little answers.  Oliver and Chloe are up to sleuthing, one more than the other.  How does Batman stay in shape and what is the plural of Otis? All this and more in Smallville: Lantern #4.

Last issue of Smallville: Lantern was out of this world.  While the first two issues of the mini were more setup, everything came to a head in Issue #3.  Prometheus, the Manhunters and the History of the Green Lantern Corps, all in one issue.  While it's probably impossible, I was hoping for more jaw dropping excitement this week, but Bryan Q. Miller is back to setup.  That's not a bad thing, just not what I was hoping for.

Green Arrow #30 Review

Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art by: Andrea Sorrentino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Oh Father, Where Art Thou

Like Hansel, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino are so hot right now.  Green Arrow is the bell of the ball, if the ball is a great looking, awesomely written comic book.  Lemire has added so much to the Green Arrow mythos and Sorrentino has been there every step of the way making it look fantastic.  I swear I'm not their PR man, just a guy who loves the heck out of their comic.

Top 5 Fridays: Badass Team-Ups We'd Like To See

For this inaugural Top 5 Fridays, I want to bring you something special.  Well something I came up with awhile ago, and sat on until now.  You know special.  This week we'll be looking at Team-Ups that we at Weird Science would love to see.  Now I'm not talking about an ongoing series, I just mean like a one-shot, or just a two part story arc, nothing spectacular just enough to wet my whistle with some awesomeness.  Just something fun where we can hang out at the water cooler, and talk about how two of our heroes had an unexpected adventure together.  That's what people do at water coolers right?  Come to think of it, when was the last time you saw a water cooler besides inside some sort of doctors office?  These are a lot of questions, but for now I only have the answers to Top 5 Badass Team-Ups We'd Like To See.  Enjoy.

DC Comics Cancels The Final Two Issues Of Superman Unchained

Remember back in the day when Frank Miller, and Jim Lee were giving us All Star Batman and Robin?  I'm sure you remember because the series was never finished, and for a lot of you, there's a bit of contempt on the subject.  Let's relive history for a moment, only this time with The Man Of Steel.  The Superman Unchained series that debuted for Superman's 75th anniversary, and debuted hard with the hype train riding behind it, was cut short, and was announced to only be a nine issue series.  If that wasn't disappointing enough, DC has announced today that the final two issues have been put on hold, and may be put out at some future date.  But like All Star Batman and Robin, I wouldn't hold your breath.  So for us this means that Superman Unchained with end with issue seven, and we'll be left with an incomplete story, and wondering why we ever got excited about this title in the first place.  (which I always thought should of been called "The Man of Steel, to go with the release of last summer's Man of Steel movie, but that's just me.)  So for all you Superman fans who were hoping for finally having a decent Superman title, all I can tell you is that Action Comics is still good, and Superman is getting better, and we should be thankful for what we still have.  I guess that's all we can do.  Maybe next year we'll all get lucky and DC will put out the final issues of All Star Batman and Robin, and Superman Unchained, and we'll all have our confidence in our favorite publisher restored.  Or not, and we'll keep reading anyway.

Batwing #30 Review

Written by: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by: Eduardo Pansica
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Underground Fallout

Luke goes invisible and does his Jean Claude split attack.  Menace looks like a monster, but at least he doesn't kill children.  A laser knife gets you a disguise and so much more. Batwing picks door number three, but doesn't like the surprise waiting for him.  All this and more in Batwing #30.

Gotham Underground is ridiculous.  A huge multi-leveled city underneath Gotham being ruled by various crazy looking gangs?  With Palmiotti and Gray writing it, count me in!  It is so much fun which is no shock to fans of both writers.  However, all is not fun and games.  The Underground arc and the tragedy happening to Luke is changing him.  He has become ultra-violent and bent on revenge.  I'm sure Batman is going to have a Dr. Phil sit down with him in the near future, but until then I am enjoying the body count.  This issue continues everything I've enjoyed so far with the added bonus of a little Rat Catcher, a little more Menace and a great cliffhanger.

Phantom Stranger #18 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Fernando Blanco, Norm Breyfogle
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 2, 2014

When Kryptonian's Cry

Here we are yet again, looking at a book that's out of order in continuity, and leaves me scratching my head, and looking like an idiot.  It's not as bad as some other titles, but this issue takes place after Forever Evil, and I have no idea how that ends yet.  When last we left The Phantom Stranger, the JLD, and him had defeated Felix Faust, The Son's of Trigon, and escaped Project Thaumaton before it was whisked away to another dimension.  So there aren't any real spoilers in this issue to give away what happened in Forever Evil #7, with the exception that Superman is in this issue, and the Crime Syndicate are gone.  So we'll take a gander into the future and see what happens post Forever Evil.

Stormwatch #30 Review

Written by: Sterling Gates
Art by: Jeremy Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Where Have You Been All My (New 52) Life

Stormwatch ended last month with issue #29 and like the entire New 52 run, it was horrible.  I know what you're thinking, "Hey Dude, how did Stormwatch end last Month when there is an issue this Month?"  First off, don't use the word dude, no one says that anymore.  Stormwatch #30 is a reboot of the reboot going back to the original team before the reboot.  Understand?  Well, the only thing you need to know going forward is that this is the best Stormwatch issue of the New 52 and can be read and understood by anyone.  It would be a great jumping on point except that it's the last issue of the series.  Now I'm getting confused.

Aquaman and the Others #1 Review

Written by: Dan Jurgens
Art by: Lan Medina
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

The Boys (and Girls) are Back in Town

When the Others were first introduced in Aquaman I was a huge fan. The interaction between them and Aquaman was great and I loved the uniqueness of the members.  Unfortunately, by the time they were featured in the Aquaman Annual, I was done.  Well, maybe I jumped the gun a bit because after reading this issue I am back on board.  Aquaman and the Others #1 may not be a perfect, but it made me like the team enough to want to see more.

Dan Jurgens jumps right into the fray.  He spends less time explaining who The Others are and more on what they should be...a team.  You see, the Others each have an Atlantean artifact of power, but low and behold, they aren't working.  To make matters worse, each of them is being attacked by mysterious operatives intent on getting said artifacts.  The solution to making the artifacts work as they should is a little stroke of genius. It gives the team such an organic reason to come and stay together.

Detective Comics #30 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
Art By: Brian Buccellato, Francis Manapul
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

A Brave New Gotham

Alright time to jump back into Gotham City with Detective's new creative team, Francis Manapul, and Brian Buccellato.  These two will be taking the reins from here on out, and you can expect a new kind of storytelling than you've been used to.  John Layman breathed new life into a disappointing book and made it something that the fans would want to read again, but we're heading into new territory as the creative team behind the New 52's Flash take over, and put their own spin on the Dark Knight Detective.  So buckle yourselves into the nearest Batmobile, and let's cruise into this new era of Detective Comics.

Action Comics #30 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Aaron Kuder, Jed Dougherty and Karl Kershl
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Ghost Adventures

Before I go into any sort of detail I must warn you that this issue takes place after the end of Forever Evil and Superman/Wonder Woman #7.  WTF!?  This has become a DC trademark with the recent out-of-order "First Contact" releases pissing my man Eric off.  Unlike Eric, I'm going to trudge forward and review this issue.  I guess I'm just a better man.  I will try not to spoil too much, but certain things are bound to come up that could ruin things so beware and continue at your own risk.  

Doomsday hates Polar bears and hits Icebergs like his the Titanic. Superman gives the Ghost Soldier a tour of the World and then some. Harrow can raise the dead, and that means...Elephant Attack! Superman's weakness is that he cares too much.

Earth 2 #22 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 2, 2014

Training Montage

Don't Get Too Excited About The Cover

Last time we visited the war torn parallel world of  Earth 2, Superman was killing folks.  Yeah I know he does that here, but I still have to tell ya it happened.  Commander Khan of the World Army retreated to a new secret HQ on the Earth 2 home of the Amazons.  What's that called?  Well Amazonia of course.  There we were treated to a three way video call to the remaining heroes of Earth 2, and them coming up with a plan to save the world.  It's never fully discussed but I think they're putting all their bets on the new Kryptonian Val.  Hopefully he won't let us down.  For a bit of a downer though we also found out that Mister Terrific, Mister Miracle, and Terry Sloan are under Bedlam's mind control, and helping those devoted to Darkseid in creating a boom tube big enough to transport Earth to Apokolips.  Pretty grim stuff.  Let's see if this issue turns the tides of war.

Batman '66 #29 Review

Written by: Tom Peyer
Art by: Chris Sprouse
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: March 5, 2014

The Butler Did It?

This issue has a few good things going for it, but most of all it is a story that could have been lifted right from the television series.  Seriously, what's better than an episode with mistaken identities, especially when done for nefarious reasons?  

This issue features Alfred's cousin Egbert who is an identical match to Alfred in looks, but his opposite in morals.  He is getting out of the Wayne Foundation Halfway House for the Halfway Corrupt (hilarious) and quickly comes up with a plan for the easy life.  That involves bonking Alfred over the head and taking his place.  The rest of the issue involves Egbert almost discovering the secrets of Wayne Manor and Batman and Robin discovering the secrets of Egbert.  It is really fun.

Larfleeze #9 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Scott Kolins
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 26, 2014

Family Functions Are The Worst

Last issue of Larfleeze we saw the entire House Of Tuath-Dan come together for the first time in what I'm assume is a insanely long time.  The reason for the family reunion was to discuss what they were going to do about Larfleeze, and as you would expect they all figured that death was the best solution for the orange monkey.  At the end of the issue the one member of the House of Tuath-Dan who didn't want to attend the meeting, found Larfleeze, and made him come to the family function, and all hell breaks loose.  Let's see if the guru of greed is bested by the god like family from another dimension.

Adventures of Superman #49 Review

Written by: Steve Niles
Art by: Matthew Dow Smith
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 31, 2014

Ghosts of Krypton

Never build a house on an Indian Burial Ground and never build a Moonbase on a...you'll have to read to find out.  Steve Niles gives us a quick little one-shot about space travel, the Man of Steel and ghosts.  It's not bad, but it's not a story that will stay with you very long after you finish.

Adventures of Superman is unique title that allows varied writers to give Superman a spin around the block. To me, that is it's greatest strength, especially when the creative team is unfamiliar.  This week we get Steve Niles, the author of 30 Days of Night and Matthew Dow Smith who has done art on Nightcrawler, Doctor Who and Stormwatch to name a few.  I'm not a big horror guy (my co-writer Eric is, big time) so I haven't read Niles work and am not familiar with Smith's.  Treading new ground always excites me.

Just For The Hell Of It Mondays 3/31/14

Yeah I got gypped out of having a Just For The Hell Of It Monday on April Fools Day, but will I let that bring me down?  Of course I will I'm a very fragile person.  But nonetheless I will bring you something that you might know, but not everyone, I'm counting on not everyone, to know this to be real, but doesn't seem like it could actually be possible.  A pseudo April Fools video, which I remember when it aired, and remember laughing my ass off, at the absurdity of it all.  So for your enjoyment, a pre fools day funny, from the animated series Justice League Unlimited.  Stick around for the month of April, I've got a theme I'm going for and I think you'll like it.  Boosh!

The Royals: Masters of War #2 Review

Written by: Rob Williams
Art by: Simon Coleby
Cover Price: $2.99
Release date: March 12, 2014

This Means War

I'll admit, I wasn't quite prepared for The Royals when I read last months first issue.  A book set in an alternate World War Two where the Royal families of the World have Super Powers?  Very strange and also very intriguing.  So, I picked it up on a whim and read it.  Guess what?  It was really good.  Rob Williams' story seemed larger than life and had enough mystery to keep the reader guessing about what was really going on while Simon Coleby's art was equally unique and impressive.

DC Universe vs The Masters of the Universe #6 Review

Written by: Keith Giffen and Tony Bedard
Art by: Pop Mhan and Eduardo Francisco
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 26, 2014

Cracking Skulls

I have enjoyed the DC Universe/Masters of the Universe mashup that Giffen and Bedard have given us. While it will never be mistaken for a cerebral read with layers and hidden meanings, it has been good, exciting fun.  I don't know about you, but that's something I look for in comics and unfortunately in our gritty is better world, it is sometimes hard to find.  After the ending of last issue, I couldn't wait to see the final battle between Orko's mind controlled minions and the combined forces of The Masters and DC Universes. Well here it is, but was it worth the wait?

Suicide Squad: Amanda Waller #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Jim Zub
Art By: Andre Coelho
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 26, 2014

Building The Wall

Here we go with a one shot again, but this time we'll move away from a good character, or an evil character and go towards someone that lives in the grey.  Amanda Waller, or The Wall, or as I like to call her Sweet Sassy Mo Lassy, but that's a thing between her and me, and I don't want to hear any of you call her that.  This is a weird one shot for me personally because I really didn't like Team 7, and I find that she's the least interesting part of Suicide Squad, so to have a book actually feature her seems like a nightmare.  But let's quit the bitchin' and dive into the story.  Just so you know this issue takes place before Forever Evil, so we get a pre Crime Syndicate world for this story.  

Aquaman #29 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Paul Pelletier
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 26, 2014

Outrageous!

Jeff Parker knows how to write "fun".  From the very first line of this issue, he gives readers a book that makes you smile.  It's as if he took everything Geoff Johns left for him and put it in the Silver Age Writing Machine, cooked it for a few hours and Alakazam...best of both worlds.  This issue is a prime example of that.

Aquaman has had his problems lately.  He's always late for meetings, kills ancient Atlantean protectors, but this issue takes the cake.  As seen in last issues cliffhanger, he can't find his trident.  Yes, he left his mighty weapon unguarded and it was "borrowed" by Dr. Evans who used it to open a gate...to Hell.

Batman Beyond 2.0 #17 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Thony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 29. 2014

"Neo World Order"

The Beyond Universe has been so good as individual titles, but they have been disconnected a bit.  The last issue of Justice League 2.0 ended with the promise of the Justice Lords and a fully combined arc with Batman Beyond 2.0.  The arc starts with this issue and I can tell you, things are a a bit strange.  Strange, indeed.

Weird Science DC Comics News: Week of March 26, 2014 Edition

Hello folks, It's been a couple of weeks without a news column, but now after not one person requested it, it's back!  The reason for the lapse is two-fold.  I got lazy and then I got real lazy.  However, the news waits for no one, not even an unpaid DC Comics blogger.  Go figure.  Now, without further ado...

On With The News



DC Announces Teen Titans: Earth One


With so many spots to fill to get the New 52 up to, I don't know, 52 books maybe, you would think we'd get some more announcements than Star Spangled Glorious Stories Concerning War and Forever Infinity People of the Past, but no.  DC announced this week that Jeff Lemire and Terry Dodson would be giving us the Teen Titans: Earth One graphic novel.  I am not a huge fan of the Earth One books, so this is not huge news for me.  I know Eric here at Weird Science loves the Teen Titans (almost as much as Gilmore Girls), but I bet he's not even that excited.