Weird Science DC Comics: 2014-06-15

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Batman '66 Meets the Green Hornet #3 Review

Written by: Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman

Art by: Ty Templeton
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

On Track

Well, it took three issues, but I'm finally on board with this book. Don't get me wrong, the first two issues weren't awful, they just didn't have the spark that I expected from Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman, especially given the source material. I mentioned in my review for the last issue that I hoped that it was just the case of the two getting warmed up for the long haul of a 12 issue run. If this issue is any indication, they have warmed up and then some. The two give us the campy humor and funny dialogue I had hoped for and of course we continue to get Ty Templeton's awesome art. This may turn into something special after all.

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Thony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 21, 2014

What Do You Fight For?

The Justice Lords story has been really good in Justice League Beyond 2.0 and this book. We've got deaths (or did we?!), awesome action and jaw dropping reveals. However, what has made the story so good goes beyond shock and awe. Both Kyle Higgins and Christos Gage have really made the reader care about the characters. In this book, it's all about the Terrys. Of course, when Higgins is involved, there is always a good chance of some great Dick Grayson action.

Smallville: Chaos #3 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Daniel HDR and Agustin Padilla
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 6, 2014

Broken Record

Have you ever listened to a broken record? Do you even know what a record is? I'll clue you in, a broken record is annoying and can really drive you crazy after a while. It just keeps repeating and repeating and repeating. I'm sure you get the point. When it comes to Smallville, I am a broken record. Maybe I am annoying and really drive you crazy, but I'm going to repeat myself over and over. Smallville is an awesome comic, Smallville is an awesome comic, Smallville is...

So how this normally works is that I use things going on in DC Comics during the week to put together a Top 5 list, but when that doesn't happen I sometimes use things going on in my own day to day life. This week we're getting the latter, because every year at this time I go up to the Poconos to put flowers on my father's grave on the anniversary of his death. Now don't worry I'm not going to sit here and get my sad sackiness all over you, but I would like to take the time to talk about the best fathers in DC Comics. You know the ones that were there for our heroes, and nurtured them to become and maintain their hope inspiring selves. Now my father might not of been as great as any of these characters, but I do remember he

Batman: Eternal #11 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Ian Bertram
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

My Three Dads

Batman: Eternal is a weird little book. Although it takes place in the New 52, it just seems out of place and out of time. Maybe it's just me, but that feeling has made everything that happens seem less important...or even real. Then there's the problem of a thousand plot threads thrown together, multiple character introductions and the revolving creative teams. It just seems to make a book that is less than the sum of it's parts. This week we get a new creative team. I can't believe it. Tim Seeley and Ian Bertram jump in with an issue that probably would have been easily forgotten if it wasn't so bizarre. Is it any good? It all depends on where you're coming from.

Batwoman #32 Review

Written by: Marc Andreyko
Art by: Jeremy Haun
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 19, 2014

The Ex Files

Batwoman has existed just outside the main Bat titles. On one hand, it's disappointing that the major crossovers rarely include Kate and company since it might get more people into this excellent book. On the other hand, not being tied down by the other books has allowed Marc Andreyko (and J. H. Williams before him) to tell a more personal story that's allowed to breathe.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #32 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Justin Jordan
Art By: Brad Walker
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

Clive Barker's New Guardians

Last time in New Guardians we saw that Kyle wasn't killed in the events of Green Lantern: New Guardians Annual #2. The white energy recreated him on a dead world far from where we thought he perished on Earth. Trying to figure out what he is now, and what his new limitations are, Kyle decides to bring this world back to life, and we find that this world "Raga" was a sibling to the living world Mogo. But good intentions aren't enough here because we find out that Raga planned on killing the people of all worlds, and planting pieces of itself all over the universe, so there would finally be order. Kyle has to kill what he just gave life to, and we were left with an awesome issue. So let's take a look at this issue and see what the New Guardians, and Carol Ferris have been up to since the supposed demise of Kyle Rayner.

Supergirl #32 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Tony Bedard
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

Trying To Get Inside Supergirl

Well it's time to get semi upset again fans of the Girl of Steel. This issue takes place after next week's Red Lanterns #32, and what we're told is that Guy Gardner sent Supergirl away to have Saint Walker on Mogo try and remove her Red Lantern ring. But beside the inconvenience of this the important things to know going into this issue is that Supergirl stopped a alien race of world killers from nearly destroying an entire species of aliens. They have this whole thing where near genocide is a gift they give to people, so that race can become stronger for it. So obviously when they find out that Supergirl is a Kryptonian and with all the power she has, it kind of legitimizes their ideals. The Diasporans (The Bad Guys) set a trap for Supergirl for when she finally decides to return to Earth, and now it's just a waiting game for them. Let's check back in and see if Supergirl loses the red jewelry, and what her plans are for the future.

Batman and Ra's Al Ghul #32 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Patrick Gleason
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18,2014

Bring Out Your Dead

Batman and (insert guest star here) has been hit or miss. After Damian left us (I'm still sad), this book has struggled to find an identity and the revolving cast hasn't helped. However, it's been getting better each month and this issue brings it all together and gives us a bit of what we've waited for. The title says "Batman and Ra's Al Ghul", but "Batman and Ra's Al Ghul kick the crap out of each other" might have been more representative of what we get. Whatever you call it, I liked it.

The New 52: Futures End #7 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Art By: Aaron Lopresti
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

A Fight In The Park, Terrific

Alright stepping into Five Years From Now we'll go over information from last issue. Frankenstein, Amethyst, and Ray Palmer load up into Ray's shrinking ship "The Nan Knight", and use the Phantom Zone as a short cut to find out what happened to the Storm Watch team. But there trip was cut short when they are attacked by a Phantom Black Adam. Lois Lane meets up with Tim Drake and tries to out him to his girlfriend about his past, and Mister Terrific figures out that a homeless man that is stalking the park outside of Terrifitech might just be the mysterious Batman Beyond that broke into his company a few issues back. So let's see where this story takes us in this world of tomorrow.

Wonder Woman #32 Review

Written by: Brian Azzarello
Art by: Goran Sudzuka
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

Sweet Bondage Minotaur

Wonder Woman is just a quality book from beginning to end, from top to bottom. It's also deceiving in it's pace. While reading Brian Azzarello's masterpiece (too soon? I think not), I've learned the difference between a slow and a calculated pace. Wonder Woman moves at a calculated pace where everything matters. If you play chess, you'll love this book. I don't play chess because I'm a dummy, but I love this book. Seriously, tell your family and friends to jump on board the Wonder Woman train because we are nearing the final destination. Wonder Woman versus the First Born for Olympus and the World. I can't wait. Thankfully, I don't have too.

Red Hood and The Outlaws #32 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: RB Silva, Rafa Sandoval
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2014

Drop Kicking A Nuke

We're starting up fresh here boys and girls and Scott Lobdell is back holding the reigns of Red Hood and The Outlaws. Now say what you will about the other titles he's written for lately, but you can't deny that he wrote the hell out of Red Hood when the New 52 began. Last time we saw the Outlaws they were fighting Lobo for a Death Star type weapon, and guess what? The good guys won, and none of this makes a difference for this issue. So let's jump into this issue and see what Lobdell has in store for us now and in the future.

Constantine #15 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: ACO
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

Big Trouble In...... Well China

Last month in Constantine we were given a one shot ghost story that blew me away. It was fun, supernatural and like I said in that review actually reminded me of something we would see in the TV show Supernatural. It was just a real good time, so if you haven't picked it up yet make sure you do, because it's Constantine at his finest. But the point of the book was pointing Constantine towards his next story arc in finding the man that caused him to cast his first spell as a child, and the price for this spell was the death of his parents. So it's time to find out who that man was and get a little pay back. This leads Constantine to this issue to get the answers from a mage in Hong Kong named Graceful Moon. Let's join John Constantine and see if we can get some answers.

Phantom Stranger #20 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Fernando Blanco, Norm Breyfogle
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 4, 2014

Let's Get Naked And Wrestle

When we last stepped into the supernatural world of Phantom Stranger we were dealing with cracks in reality that threatened first Superman in Metropolis, and then Cassandra Craft in San Francisco. You know mostly ghosts and stuff creating terror and havoc. We find out that the cracks are being pulled open by the Sin Eater and his dog master Non. The two are gathering an army in the form of all the souls that cling to life and because of their obsession with all the things we do like read comics and such, they are stuck in Heaven's basement. In the end of last issue we saw Phantom Stranger and Madam Xanadu close the crack in reality over San Francisco, save Cassandra Craft, and we're shown the super powered team up for this issue in the form of Phantom Stranger and The Spectre. Let's see if these two powerhouses of God can close the rest of the cracks once and for all, and hopefully put a big hurt on Sin Eater.

Written by: Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman
Art by: Ty Templeton
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

Gumm Up the Works

I love Batman '66. I love Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman and I love Ty Templeton. So, it was with a heavy heart that I had to give Batman '66 Meets the Green Hornet #1 a low score. When all was said and done, I just didn't enjoy it. It didn't have the fun factor I expected from the combination of the campy source material and two guys that never fail to make me laugh. I did enjoy Ty Templeton's art, but that is pretty much a given when he does this book. This issue was an improvement, but it still felt flat. Heavy heart time once again.

Continuing the story this week is "Plane to Canyon City" which originally aired on March 13, 1940. Keep that date in mind when listening because Superman is a bit of a jerk in this episode. Not that he wasn't a jerk in the comics at that time as well. Enjoy the program.

Batman: Eternal #10 Review

Written by: John Layman
Art by: Riccardo Burchielli
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

The Pyg says...

While it's not my favorite book by any means, I have enjoyed John Layman's issues of Batman: Eternal. The story has come together as a more cohesive whole and turned into something I've really enjoyed. It hasn't hurt at all that Guillem March's art the past few weeks has been stellar. Unfortunately, we don't get March this week. To make matters worse, Riccardo Burchielli's art is damn near horrible. I can usually look past that if the story is good enough. This week, it's not.

Green Lantern Corps #32 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Van Jensen
Art By: Bernard Chang, Moritat
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

Durlans Are Everywhere Man

Here we are with PART 4 of Uprising, and shit is getting real man. Important information going into this issue are as follows. Last time in Green Lantern Corps, Sodam Yat was discovered alive in a Durlan prison, and we find out that the Durlan endgame is to take over the Daxamites and be damn near invulnerable with god like power when they decide to take over the universe. But don't worry about the big trifecta of bad guy's teaming up against our ring slingers, because in Green Lantern #32 the Durlans decide that they've had enough of the Khunds and Nol-Anj, and blow up all their war ships. Luckily Nol-Anj was able to escape, and tell the Corps that to maintain the power of the Daxamites they will have to consume the power of the living lava people of Zezzen. So let's jump into this Corps issue and watch John Stewart lead a group of Lanterns to the planet Daxam to warn the people before the Durlan purge.

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #5 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Tom Raney
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 6, 2014

Fade to White

Last week, I finally enjoyed Infinite Crisis enough to recommend it. Why? Because it finally gave me what I wanted from the series; crazy characters in fun situations. The Flash, Cyborg and Zatanna is a team you can give me anytime. This month puts that team on hold as we get back to Batman and his motley crew of freedom fighters. It may not be as much fun, but it's still just as good.

Justice League United #2 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Jeff Lemire
Art By: Mike McKone
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

Exposition Out The Ass

When last we joined the Justice League United team they were fighting a giant hybrid alien monster in northern Canada. Now normally all this would take is a few well placed arrows, a few shots of the cosmic staff, and a little mind play from the lovable Martian Manhunter. But this monster seems to be impervious to Foreigner's Head Games, and every time it's shot with the staff it changes matter, and becomes something new. One good thing to come from this fight though is that Adam Strange got his armor and jetpack we love him in. In the end the team and the monster are zeta'ed to Rann, and in the big bad's base by Thanagar, Hawkman fought Lobo and lost his arm in the process. Yeah a shit ton of things going on. Let's jump back into the adventure and see how our heroes fair on the planet Rann.

Welcome back to another thrilling installment of Just For The Hell Of It Mondays. For those of you who haven't been subjected to my nonsense before, this is where I throw out a random video dealing with something from the DC Universe whether it be movie clips, TV shows, or fan made content, and I usually talk a bit about it while bitching about whatever's going on in my day to day. But fear not gentle viewer for this week I really have nothing to bitch about except my utter confusion for what you're about to watch.

Birds of Prey #32 Review

Written by: Christy Marx
Art by: Robson Rocha
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 15, 2014

Suicide isn't Painless

So many people, like myself, have such fond memories of Birds of Prey. If you do, take a moment and think back to your favorite all-time moments right now. Okay, was anyone thinking of the New 52 Birds? I didn't think so. What started out as a promising reboot quickly turned sour. When Christy Marx took over, I had hopes again, but those were dashed as well. So now we are left with a couple of issues for this team (creative and super powered) until it's overdue death. Maybe the inclusion of the Suicide Squad will spice things up. Don't count on it.

Not gonna happen

As a Father of five boys, I never know what to expect on Father's Day. Unlike Mother's Day, this day is pretty hit-or-miss. Some years it's a big thing, other years it gets ignored. I have a feeling this one will be somewhere in between. I know my oldest son was planning on getting me an Xbox One. My wife got mad at him and told him not to spend that much money on a gift. I told him not to buy it because I'd rather have a Playstation 4, hint hint. The reason he wanted to buy it was because none of his friends have one and he wants someone to play games with online. Oh well, it looks like I won't be joining the next gen gaming crowd for a little bit, though my birthday is in a couple of weeks, wink wink. Enough video game talk (at least for a few seconds), we are here to talk about comic book news. If you have been reading my little column each week, you will know that news has been hard to come by. This week there is a bit of exciting news, but it comes from the movie side of things. When are we going to get some honest to goodness comic BOOK news? Probably not until late July. Until then, I will keep giving you what I can find as I wrap up the week gone by.

Detective Comics #32 Review and SPOILERS

Written By: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Art By: Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 11, 2014

Batman Vs. A Big Fucking Squid!

The hunt was on last issue for the person who murdered Elena Aguila. While the Dark Knight Detective's investigations lead him to Sumo, Detective Bullock's centered around Bruce Wayne being the main suspect. After following a tracer he placed on a car, Batman found cargo containers loaded with Chinese children that are to be used as mules, and pushers for the Icarus Drug. This also led to a confrontation with Sumo, who apparently only got rid of Elena Aguila's car, and after a proper thrashing dimed out The Squid as the person Batman wanted. So will Batman be able to uncover the murderer when Bruce Wayne is the main suspect? Let's find out.

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