Justice League Beyond 2.0 #24 Review

Written by: Christos Gage
Art by: Dexter Soy
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 12, 2014

Love Line

The Justice Lords crossover event was spectacular.  Between this book and the companion Batman Beyond 2.0, Kyle Higgins and Christos Gage have expanded on the Beyond Universe by showing how big and interconnected it is.  Of course, BB Beyond focused on Terry McGinnis and his "street level" adventures in the Justice Lords Timeline, while this book featured League against League in ours. Because of that, JL Beyond was the big fight, huge explosion, pop corn affair and I loved it.  As far as endings go, however, this issue kind of drew the short straw.  The event pretty much ended last week and so did the momentum.  Luckily, Gage takes what could have been a mop up issue and turns it into a study on love, relationships and family. Unfortunately, it's also the end to this great series.

DC Comics' Justice League Beyond 2.0 Canceled

Canceled actually is a loaded word, but it sure makes a better headline.  After reading today's wonderful "Justice League Beyond 2.0 #24" it struck me that the series might be ending.  I searched the  intrawebs and could not find anything except a CBR interview from a couple months ago about Batman Beyond going weekly starting with issue #25.  So, I sent a tweet to writer, Christos Gage and he confirmed that the series is indeed over with today's issue.  He is working on a TV Show that he couldn't talk about right now and had to cut back on comics. Congrats to Christos...for making me sad.

Smallville: Chaos #6 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller

Art by: Agustin Padilla, Daniel HDR and Marcelo Di Chiara

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: July 11. 2014

Radio Free Multiverse

Smallville: Chaos has been a grab bag of great stories.  It's been so fun waiting to see which story lines Bryan Q. Miller focuses on and even more fun reading them.   This week it's Lex, Lois and Clark and Booster Gold.  Sounds like a great time to me.  However, this is the middle issue of the event and it feels like it.  Whether it's the calm before the storm will play out later, but it definitely is a setup issue.

Lex and Otis are still up to no good in Antarctica.  Lex has garnered many titles during his lifetime, but I never thought "slave driver" would be one of them.  Of course, the way he treats Otis, "best friend" won't be one of them either.  Lex called out to his other (better?) halves in the multiverse, but no one came a knockin', but he has something better in mind.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 DC Characters Connected To God

Like I've said in the past these lists every week are for the most part inspired by things happening in the New 52 that week, or something going on in my own life.  Well I was asked recently by friends to officiate over their wedding and in order to do so last Saturday I became a ordained Minister.  Yeah it's a bit crazy because religion normally gives me the wigs, but for a friend I'll do almost anything.  So I got to thinking this week about how religion normally is something I don't ever want to be apart of, but in comics I love the characters that are connected to the Judeo-Christian god and even others.  So for this list I don't want really devout religious people claiming how there is only one god, because that list would suck and I don't want you pressuring me into making a sucky list.  So leave you're misconceptions about god at the door, and put on your superhero cape because we're entering the world of superheroes and the gods that encompass that world.  Besides I'm the Minister here, so trust me and this week's Top 5 list as we explore the Top 5 DC Comics Characters Connected To God.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Gail Simone
Art By: Fernando Pasarin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Deadline To Doom!

Last time in Batgirl we saw our hero trying to take down Knightfall's various criminal operations, but every time she'd stop one thing Knightfall would up and move the operation somewhere else.  So it's been a hard time for Barbara Gordon, not to mention the fact that her father's in prison and her boyfriend is suing her father for shooting him.  Bad times all around, but Knightfall plans on setting one of those things right.  She's not about to let a low life hood sue the honorable Commissioner while he's down, no to make things right she sends her lieutenant Bone Crusher to make Ricky an offer he can't refuse.  Either drop the lawsuit or suffer the consequences.  Well I guess Ricky wasn't fast enough for them because the next day he received his brother's severed hand in the mail.  Enough is enough in Batgirl's mind, it's time to finally take down Knightfall and her entire criminal organization.  She receives help from Black Canary and Huntress who made her debut in Batgirl at the end of last issue.  But will Batgirl want this mystery woman's help?  Let's find out.

Infinity Man and the Forever People #2 Review

Written by: Keith Giffen and Dan Didio
Art by: Tom Grummett
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

The Alien says, "Skreee"

This is usually the part where I tell you a bit of what happened last month, but not that much happened and what did was a bit confusing.  I'm not fully schooled in the New Gods and I'm pretty much a dummy when it comes to Infinity Man and the Forever People.  With that said, I actually enjoyed the first issue.  Why?  Personality.  And as Jules Winnfield said, "Personality goes a long way."

This month Giffen and Didio continue the charm and give us a little more introduction to the team.  They do this through interaction, dialogue and narration.  While I usually scoff at narration being the lazy way out, I don't mind it here.  The team (and book, in general) is so "out there" that some straight talking narration helped me out greatly.  Of course, the interaction between the team pays off as well, especially since Giffen and DiDio make it a blast.  If only there was more of a story...

Worlds' Finest #25 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Paul Levitz
Art By: Tyler Kirkham, Joe Weems, Art Thibert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

OPERATION: SAVE THIS BOOK

Last time we looked at the Worlds' Finest duo they were continuing their streak of being awful superheroes, well mostly Huntress.  She was on the hunt for a terrorist she had let get away and even take a hostage, while Power Girl tried to fix the nuclear reactor she had somehow shorted out with her Universe bridge she and a team of scientists created so that the duo could finally go back home to Earth 2.  It wasn't a thrilling issue and the hostage ended up saving the day.  So now it's time to get the Universe bridge in order and to say farewell to our heroes, at least say farewell to them in Earth-Prime.  The two are going home, and with that hopefully saving this title from the cancellation chopping block, because it has just been awful.  Let's check it out.

A New Look And A New Creative Team For Batgirl #35

Well it certainly seems like there's a shakeup at DC Comics with all the new titles being dropped, all the new creative teams being announced and it looks like Bagirl is getting the same treatment.  MTV News without my teenage informer Kurt Loder has announced today that Gail Simone is moving on from the Batgirl title to work on another unannounced DC property.  Her replacements will be the writing team of Cameron Stewart and Brendan Fletcher, while a unknown artist Babs Tarr will debut on the title starting with issue #35.  So brand new creative team, and with that a brand new look for our *insert Batgirl nickname here*.  Yes the team will be getting rid of all of Barbara Gordon's belongings in a fire, forcing the hero to start again with a more realistic cost effective costume.  This team is going to have big shoes to fill with Simone's departure and I hope they're up to the challenge of changing the minds of a legion of committed stubborn fans just like me.

All this before Comic Con, I have to wonder what will be left for DC to announce when they get to San Diego.  Also I have to wonder what the New 52 will look like after the titles dramatically change in October.

Superman/Wonder Woman #10 Review

Written by: Charles Soule
Art by: Paulo Siqueira and Pascal Alixe
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Let Me Put My Recap On

This book should be made for me.  I have enjoyed the Doomed story and I LOVE Superman/Wonder Woman.  Two great tastes that go great together, right?  Maybe, but the World may never know.  Instead of being a great Doomed story or a fantastic Superman/Wonder Woman issue, Charles Soule plays catchup and gives us neither.  Don't get me wrong, it's not a total disaster.  If you're a new reader you may even love it, but fans keeping up with the event or this book (or hopefully both) may wonder why they are taking a walk down memory lane.

The issue starts with the usual recap page, a Daily Planet article by Lois Lane.  I've seen some people criticize these pieces, but I like them.  I've read every page of the event so I don't really need it. but it's nice to get everyone up to speed.  The problem here is, the rest of the issue is mainly recap, even recapping this recap.  I understand the need to help out readers who can't read every book and also be new reader friendly. but this issue is a bit ridiculous. After all that, I still  have to give kudos to Charles Soule.  He still manages to progress the story a bit, mainly with Lois Lane.

Superboy #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Aaron Kuder
Art By: Jorge Jimenez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

During the last issue of Superboy we saw Jon Lane Kent and his new friends from STAR Labs infiltrate a NOWHERE installation to find the body of Kon.  Well of course they were met with some resistance, which left Superboy missing an eye.  By the end of the issue I was left flabbergasted with what I was reading, but this issue thankfully drops a bit of knowledge on us and lets us know what the hell we were looking at.  So basically Superboy beat back the resistance and entered a chamber in the NOWHERE facility where he thought he had found the body of Kon, but when he touched it a giant temporal explosion emitted from the two, and we were left with a room full of parallel Superboys.  Like I said it will explain what the hell happened, and I will try to convey that knowledge to the best of my abilities.  So as much as I hate using this word let's check out the penultimate issue of Superboy and enjoy it while it's still here.  

New Suicide Squad #1 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Jeremy Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Batter Up!

The Suicide Squad is dead.  Long live the Suicide Squad.  The NEW Suicide Squad, that is.  There may be some new members, but the song remains the same.  Take some of the most popular DCU villains, throw them into over-the-top situations and watch the craziness ensue.  It's mindless fun, but isn't that the point?

Sean Ryan does a good job introducing the team and the new Director, Mr. Sage.  Mr. Sage seems to be putting together his "Villain Fantasy Team" and it comes off as hilarious.  I'm sure things will get darker in the future, but if this vibe remains, I'll be happy.

Green Lantern Corps #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Van Jensen
Art By: Bernard Chang
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Love Is A Battlefield.  Yeah I Just Made A Pat Benatar Reference

We're finally at the end of Green Lantern: Uprising, and when last we left it appeared that the Green Lantern Corps had won the war.  The Durlan's made their assault on the planet Zezzen, where the Lanterns and the Outer Clanns fought them back, and eventually captured or killed the remaining Durlan forces.  But in the end back on Mogo, Hal Jordan received a distress call from John Stewart claiming that it wasn't over.  So let's dive into the final chapter of Uprising to see what Lantern Stewart meant by his call, and find out the ultimate fate of the universe.  Let's check it out.

Grayson #1 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

Agent Dick

Dick Grayson has gone through more changes than (insert pop diva here) during a concert.  Robin, Batman, Nightwing...and like a great acrobat, he always lands on his feet.  That doesn't mean things don't get hairy.  Forever Evil stripped him of his secret identity and his life.  However, you can't keep a good Dick down.  When this book was announced there was a huge outcry.  Dick Grayson, a Secret Agent?  Preposterous!  Listen, I'll do almost anything to keep Dick Grayson going in any book, but even I was skeptical.  Then I read Nightwing #30 which was a lead in to this book and became despondent.  I'm relieved to tell you, Dick is a great Secret Agent and this is the start of what could become a really damn good book.

The New 52: Futures End #10 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Art By: Art Thibert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

I Like 'Em Big.......... Barda Big

For our quick weekly recap, last issue we saw that Cadmus Island is a glorified prison for Earth 2 super humans, and that the team Grifter was recruited for want him to use his ability to spot deception in these captives.  Red Robin's girlfriend Madison went to ask her father some questions at his prison in Metropolis, but her visit was cut short when Rampage showed up to break out some inmate named Ethan Boyer, also helmeted Superman wrecked up the place and let the two villains escape.  Back at Terrifitech we saw that Mister Terrific has a working Brother Eye overseeing his experiments, and finally in deep space Ray Palmer cut off the arm of the dead Hawkman to attach it to Frankenstein.  Only problem with that is Hawkman wasn't dead, and after the two dimensional jump scare we realize that he's not a zombie, and we now have a witness to what massacred Stormwatch.  Alright boys and girls let's jump five years into the future and see what the world of tomorrow has in store for us.

The Flash Casts Robbie Amell as Firestorm

These casting reports keep coming in.  Today, the CW announced that they had cast Firestorm for the upcoming Flash TV series and they are keeping it in the family.  Robbie  Amell, who stars in the CW show "The Tomorrow People" and is the cousin of Arrow star Stephen Amell, will play Firestorm starting with the third episode of the debut season.  I didn't watch "The Tomorrow People" so I can't say much about Robbie, but he sure looks dreamy.

Batman: Eternal #13 Review

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2014

Nanobots Part Deux

Batman: Eternal is not my favorite book.  I'm trying to be honest here, folks.  It started like it was shot out of a cannon with more plots and characters than you could shake a stick at.  Some have been touched on since while others have seemingly been abandoned.  This issue gets to the "greatest hits" if you will.  Jim Gordon, The GCPD vs Batman, Stephanie Brown and...Red Robin and Harper Row? Well, three out of four ain't bad.

It's a family reunion at Blackgate Prison.  Last issue ended with the "stunning" reveal that Jim Gordon, Jr. was alive.  At least it was stunning to his Father.  After blaming Batgirl for his sons death, Gordon really has egg on his face.  Gordon, Jr. has gone through quite a bit of trouble to see his Dad and he has a plan to free him.  He has to pick between his psycho Son and the City that hates him.  It's nice to see a little more Gordon and we get a peek at a failed Father and the Son that thinks he's doing the right thing, even when it's wrong.

Injustice: Year Two #14 Review

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Mike S. Miller and Tom Derenick
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 8, 2014

Resistance

I'm beginning to see the big picture.  Injustice: Gods Among Us was all about the shock and awe.  Tom Taylor had to get people reading and what better way than go big, crazy action.  He also had to battle the stigma of being a video game adaptation, which he did by writing awesome characters involved in an awesome story.  Naturally, it was awesome.  Year Two is a bit different.  Tom Taylor has earned the right to tell a slower, character rich story.  Yes, there has been some crazy action, but that has been the exception rather than the rule. Taylor is building up to something huge and my guess is that will lead into Year Three.  Because of this slow burn, I think Year Two will read better as a collected work, but I'm still enjoying every digital release as well. This week we get more buildup, setup and character moments.

Old Time Tuesday: Power Records Batman "Stacked Cards"

This is something I wasn't aware of until about five minutes ago.  Power Records released a bunch of comic book records (I hope most
of you know what a record is) in the 70's.  One was a Batman record released in 1975 of which this is the first story.  The original record came with a comic so you could follow along while listening.  Powerrecordsproject has made videos out of these that are like a lowtech motion comics.  They are also awesome.  Enjoy the first story, "Stacked Cards".

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #8 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Javier Garron
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 7, 2014

Where's Batman?

After a slow start, Infinite Crisis has picked up momentum and has turned into a fun little book.  I don't mean sparkly unicorn fun.  No, I mean fun as in Atomic Bane with his crab hands about to kill Gaslight Catwoman.  Now that's fun and that's how last issue ended.

Old Crabhands is about to finish the job when Batman gets involved.  Batarangs, punches and kick, oh my.  Unfortunately for Catwoman and Batman, Bane is kicking their asses.  Until Sir Harold comes up with a plan, if that's what you can call it.  he sends Damian and Wonder Woman to help Bats and Cats while he takes on the reject from the Thunderdome alone.  Of course, when you have a GL Ring, you're never alone.

Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #2 Review

Written by: Art Baltazar and Franco
Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 2. 2014

Treehouse of Solitude

It's time for another all ages fun time with the Tiny Titans.  Seriously, after reviewing all the dark books on my plate each month, it's so nice to sit down and have some fun.  I'm no soothsayer, but if you you have a heart I predict you'll love this book.

Phantom Stranger #21 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Fernando Blanco, Cliff Richards
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 2, 2014

Breaking The Law, Breaking The Law...... Of God

When we last walked into the weird world of Phantom Stranger, he and Spectre were taking out some
garbage in the form of The Sin Eater, down in Heaven's Basement.  It was one of those ultimate bad guy moments where Sin Eater and his dog master Non planned on collecting an army of souls that weren't ready to move on, and creating cracks in reality that would eventually cause Heaven's Basement to collapse, and cause Heaven to crash it's dimension into Earth, destroying both worlds.  It makes sense if you think about it metaphysically.  But that won't be a problem now because our heroes prevailed, and after Sin Eater's mind was consumed by the souls that cling to life, Phantom Stranger carried him away to hopefully get the redemption he believes he will eventually deserve himself.  While all the hubbub was going on in Heaven's Basement, Zauriel the Archangel who suffered greatly during Project Thaumaton died, leaving Dr. Thirteen wondering what to do now that an angel has died on his property.  So let's check out this story while we still have a Phantom Stranger to talk about.

Brandon Routh Makes His Arrow Debut

Well it seems that the DC Television Universe keeps getting bigger while Brandon Routh's career keeps getting smaller.  Whoa!  Hold on there I only mean that he's been cast to play the minuscule master of miniaturization on Arrow............ and he doesn't have a lot of work.  But no matter the debacle that was Superman Returns, the people over at DC Entertainment want to give the once Superman a shot at another hero, and he'll get it in Season 3 of Arrow starting October 8th, when he'll tackle the role of scientist Ray Palmer who in the television continuity will be taking over Queen Consolidated.  Hopefully it turns out better for him than it did for Summer Glau.

With The Flash airing October 7th, and all the other DC properties hitting the airwaves this fall, it's certainly a good time to be a fanboy.  Even though I really only trust the shows that will be on The CW.  Season 2 of Arrow was amazing and I expect big things for both Flash, and Arrow Season 3 this year, so become the couch potato you've practiced your whole life to be, and get ready for badass superhero fun this fall.

New Lobo And Trinity Of Sin Titles Announced For October

Competing for story supremacy today Comic Book Resources and Newsarama broke the news of two new titles coming to your local comic book shops in October.  We've got the new Lobo, and the world's greatest sinners The Trinity of Sin joining the ranks of the New 52.

Just For The Hell Of It Mondays: Getting Folksy With Doctor Fate

When I was reading this week's comics I was given a double dose of awesome in seeing that *SPOILER* Val-Zod fixed Doctor Fate's helmet, and once he lays off all the crazy I'm hopeful that we'll be seeing a badass active Doctor Fate in the future.  As for the double dose I was talking about and also talking about the future, we also saw that *SPOILER* Doctor Fate is alive and well in Futures End.  Even though he's at that point incarcerated on Cadmus Island, I'm just happy to know that he survived a homicidal Superman of Earth 2, and also survived the Earth 2 War Futures End keeps talking about.  So yeah it was a good week.

Justice League 3000 #8 Review

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Art by: Howard Porter
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 2, 2014

Cliffhanger Ruined in a Flash

I've had an on again, off again relationship with Justice League 3000.  I love the concept, the characters and the art, but have had real problems with the pacing.  DeMatteis and Giffen have such a cool story, but seem to be afraid to let it all out.  I don't mind a dangling carrot, but eventually I want to eat.  Last month, we got an all you can eat buffet of awesomeness.  More happened in one issue then had happened in the past 4 combined.  The real brains behind the Five made his presence known in a shocking display of cold hearted brutality and the Flash lost his head.  I couldn't wait for this month to continue the greatness.  While I liked it, the pacing issue reared it's ugly head again and there was the whole "Cover spoils the fun" problem.

Green Arrow #33 Review

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

Damian Who?

A little note before I jump into my review.  This week, DC Comics announced that a new creative team will start on Green Arrow in October with issue #35.  I am not here to question the powers that be or tell them that this is the worst decision that's ever been made in the history of decisions.  In fact, I'm not sure whose decision it was.  What I am sure about is that Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino turned a book that was a wreck into one of the top books in the New 52 and comics in general.  Seriously, since they took over there hasn't been a bad issue.  Lemire expanded on the Green Arrow Mythos, especially with the just finished Outsiders War arc and Andrea Sorrentino established himself as one of the best artists in comics today.  I will certainly give the new creative team their just due and I realize that creative teams change all the time.  It's the nature of the business is what they say, but it still hurts.  At least we get a couple more issues before we have to say goodbye.  So for now this is just a heart felt thank you to Jeff and Andrea for a wonderful run.

Okay, enough of the editorial mumbo jumbo and on to the review...

Batwing #33 Review

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

Gruesome Indeed

I have been a huge supporter of Batwing, especially since Palmiotti and Gray have taken over the book.  I thought that putting Luke Fox in the Batwing suit was going to launch this title into the stratosphere.  I still think people missed out on a fun title, but so did Palmiotti and Gray.  You see, they got away from what was such a fun book and made it like most of the other Bat books.  Grim and dark.  That's all fine and dandy, but I want the fun back.  Unfortunately, the series is ending next issue so my chances of getting the fun Batwing back are zero to none.  Especially when this issue is far from being that.  Nope, we get more dark and grim.  Oh well.

Weird Science: DC Comics News: July 4th Edition

Heloooooooo Everybody and welcome to Weird Science DC Comics News, the leading written podcast that's on a blog that wants to be a site.  For all you Americans out there, Happy Fourth of July Weekend.  To all you Canadians, Happy Canada Day.  I was in Canada once.  I went to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  I kissed the Stanley Cup (and got yelled at), saw a bunch of Rocket Richard pictures and had a grand old time.  Toronto was a really cool city, but our time there started with a weird breakfast.  Now, there was about 12 guys from my hockey team from the Philadelphia area on the trip, half of which were wearing Flyers Jerseys.  I'm a lifelong Penguins fan because I have good taste, but I digress. So, 12 meatheads, obviously from the Philadelphia area and the waiter comes over and says, "You guys from Toronto, eh?"  Okay, maybe he didn't say "eh", but I'd like to think he did.   We all just looked at him in confusion while he gave us our menus.  I looked at the menu and saw "peameal bacon".  I had never heard of peameal bacon, so when the waiter returned I asked him what it was.  He responded, "It's peameal bacon".  Then I said, "but what's peameal bacon" to which he replied, "It's peamaeal bacon."  I was going to get it anyway, but I thought maybe Ashton was in Toronto that day and I was getting Punk'd.  That's a lie, Punk'd was probably 6 years from gracing us with it's awesome presence.  I had my chance to try peameal bacon that day and let it slip through my fingers because of my ignorance and a pretty lousy waiter.  The moral of the story, The minute you discover a cock fighting ring in your basement, go to the cops, don't try to stop it yourself.  Those cock fighting guys are pretty tough.

Okay, enough about me.  Guess what we have this week?  Actual news!!!  I'm not talking about the Vampire Diaries writers doing the comic kind of news, either.  Nope.  Honest to goodness DC Comics News.  Imagine that.  And so, with plenty of Ado,


On With The News...