SDCC: Map of the Multiverse

I saw this and thought it was so cool that I'd post it.  It's the map of the Multiverse for Grant Morrison's upcoming "Multiversity" series. He said that the map will come with a guidebook that explains each Earth and it's inhabitants and I can't wait.  He did say that Earth 6 is Stan Lee's Just Imagine Universe and it's opposite of Jack Kirby's.  Nice.  I was already looking forward to the series, but this has me pretty stoked.

Batman #33 Review

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

One Hell of a Year

Zero Year is coming to an end and I have a little confession.  Perhaps it's more of a revelation, but it's something I need to get off my chest.  I haven't really enjoyed Zero Year.  I know I'm in the extreme minority here.  It's not an individual issue thing, but more of a feeling as a whole.  Maybe it's fatigue because I was pumped at first and my enthusiasm has waned as each month passed.  Trust me, this isn't one of those "hate something to be cooler than you" things.

Batman Beyond 2.0 #26 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel
Art by: Craig Rousseau and Phil Hester
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 26, 2014

Who's Behind the Mask

I've been a fan of BB 2.0 since issue one and have sung it's praises ever since.  In fact, this is one of the books that I could be accused of being a fanboy of.  You know what?  I don't give a rat's ass because it's been as good as every word I've used to praise it. However, this isn't the same book.  With Justice League Beyond 2.0 ending it's run, BB has gone to a weekly release and in the process has transformed into a monster of a book.  It feels bigger and more important.  The Mark of the Phantasm story may have just started, but to me, it's just as impressive as a certain Bat story with a Zero and a Year attached to it.  Am I crazy?  Most people would say yes, but I likes what I likes and I really likes this book.  Forgive me if this review is on the short side because I don't want to spoil too much.  Trust me, it's well worth the $0.99 cent admission price if you are a fan of any sort of comics.  Just go and buy it now.

Smallville: Chaos #8 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Agustin Padilla and Marcello Di Chiara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 25, 2014

 Crisis Management

Spoiler Waring!!!  If you have not read last week's Smallville:Chaos #7 there are spoilers ahead.  Spoiler Waring!!!




Last week, we got a little more of the Eclipso story, but everyone came ways from that issue with one thing on their mind...Darkseid. Yes, he didn't do much except sneer at the camera, but what a sneer.  From that second, I waited with baited breath for this issue to be released.  It's here, I've read it and yes, Darkseid is in it.  However, he's not the best part of this issue.  If you've read my past reviews, you may guess who I thought was.

Catwoman #33 Review

Written by: Ann Nocenti
Art by: Patrick Olliffe, John Livesay and Tom Nguyen
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 25, 2014

Turn Off the Gaslight When You're Done

I don't know what the hell I just read.  I don't consider myself an Einstein or Newton by any means, but I have a basic understanding of the English language.  I can usually follow the pretty pictures in a book and get the gist of what's going on.  I'm a college graduate for Christ's sake.  Yes, it was from West Virginia University, but it's still kind of a college.  So why for the life of me can't I understand what I just read?  I'm going to go read the issue a couple more times and I'll be back to hopefully shed some light on the riddle that is Catwoman #33.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Zombies In DC Comics

With this week debut of the rebooted Star Spangled War Stories and introducing G.I. Zombie as it's strange protagonist, it seems like the perfect time to talk about the undead folks of the DC Universe.  Since the beginning of the 2000's it seems like zombies are everywhere and I've had countless arguments with Jim about if the zombie craze has ended or if it's still cruising along.  Well I guess Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray agree with Jim on the subject as we now have another character that sports the lifeless characteristic.  Hopefully this series takes off and sticks around for awhile because who doesn't like a good patriotic zombie story?  That's right nobody even knows what that is and that's why we'll pick this book up to experience it for the first time.  With that let's take a look at the roster that G.I. Zombie will join, in this week's Top 5 Zombies In DC Comics.  It's not a huge roster, but it's probably bigger than you think and I'll be running down our Top 5.  Let's check it out.

Superman #33 Review

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

Mama I'm Coming Home

In two issues it's obvious that Geoff Johns is here to right the wrongs of the New 52 Superman.  Whether it's the early arrogance of the younger Superman or recent developments like ClarkCatTropolis, you can rest assured that Johns will do what needs to be done.  The surprise here is the slow and subtle approach he's taking to do it.  After two issues, this book is more about Clark Kent than Superman. When we do get to see the Man of Steel, it's not in action, but trying to help his new super friend, Ulysses.  I'm one of those guys that loves watching Superman punch his way out of a problem, but I'm really enjoying the start of this run.

Secret Origins #4 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Jeff Lemire and Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Stephane Roux, Denys Cowan and Ian Bertram
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

New or Knew?

The idea that any of the stories in this series are "secret" is pretty laughable.  This book serves best as a primer for new fans wanting to know the origins of DC's most popular characters.  Learned fans will find slight (and I mean slight) variations to the origin stories they have read over and over again.  Because of that, the only reason to pick up this book is if you truly love some or all of the characters featured and/or you've been living under a rock and don't know their origins.  Personally, this month I'm in the first category.  I have read (and seen) the three origins, but I love Harley, Ollie and Damian, but is that enough to enjoy this issue?  Let's find out.

Red Lanterns #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Charles Soule
Art By: Alessandro Vitti
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

Cantina Scene

Last issue was a real downer for us Guy Gardner Red Lantern fans because Atrocitus went on an all out offensive strike crippling our heroes.  First when the team went to rescue Rankorr, they found him driven insane.  But what's an insane Red Lantern between friends when they can just bathe him in a magic blood pool?  But Atrocitus took care of that as well, by poisoning the blood on Ysmault, which looked to me like he scabbed it over and to add insult to injury he destroyed the Red Lantern's statues and power battery.  So it looks like the war might be over before it ever really started.  Let's take a look at what this issue has in store for us as we ebb closer to the all out war between the two Red Lantern factions.

Justice League Dark #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
Art By: Andres Guinaldo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

Dead Man Don't Wear Plaid

Last issue of JLD we saw Nightmare Nurse possess Zatanna, which the entire team took great offense to.  Constantine opened a portal to "The Between" to try to suck Asa out of Z, but ended up sucking the entire House of Mystery in instead.  Nightmare Nurse finally let's Zatanna go and was willing to sacrifice herself to the living consciousness of "The Between" to see her friends escape.  Thankfully it didn't come to that and before Nightmare Nurse escaped we found out that the living consciousness is her father and in the end of the issue with her old host Alice Winter's permission she allowed Asa to re-enter her.  So all is well and it seems like the team can get back to normal and even take a little break.  Hopefully nothing bad happens here, let's check it out.

The Flash #33 Review

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Brett Booth
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

It's Tricky

The Flash has been one of my favorite books in the New 52.  Why?  Because The Flash is just so much fun.  Whether he's running fast, cracking wise or even showing up late (I know it's cliche, but it's so Flash), I love Barry Allen.  Since Venditti, Jensen and Booth have taken over, the stakes have gone up.  The Flash isn't just racing against the villains of Central City, but himself as well.  He's been ripping the Speedforce apart at the seams and is trying to right his own wrongs.  Mix in Wally West and Barry really has his hands full. The problem is, it's becoming less and less fun.  I'm not saying it's bad because it isn't.  It's just not as fun as I like.  Unfortunately, this issue continues the trend.

The New 52: Futures End #12 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Art By: Jesus Merino, Dan Green
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

Back To The Future.... The Far Future

Last week in the world of Five Years From Now we saw our trio of space cadets Hawkman, Amethyst and Frankenstein crash land on an alien world inside some metal crater, in search of a possible living member of Storm Watch.  Grifter's tech guru Justin finally decided that Cole has been gone long enough and it's time to abandon their base and go head over to the long missing Voodoo's place.  Mister Terrific went on TV to try and flush out Batman Beyond by telling the populace he's an illegal alien from another Earth and the JLA try to get the Firestorm band back together, but it seems like getting Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch to be friendly again and want to be inside each other is a lost cause.  So let's check out this week's journey to Five Years From Now.

Batman and Robin #33 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi
Art By: Patrick Gleason
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

The Road To Apokolips

We're finally back to the Batman and Robin moniker and it's about time as we continue our journey to discover the ultimate fate of Damian Wayne in Robin Rises.  Last week in Robin Rises: Omega, Batman fought against the forces of Glorious Godfrey and the Apokoliptian shock troops to recover the body of his son.  Leave it Ra's to fuck things up by putting a sliver of the Chaos Shard into Robin's sarcophagus and getting the attention of Apokolips.  The fight seemed to be in Glorious Godfrey's favor until the Justice League arrived to help send the horde back to where they came from.  In the end of the issue Batman beat the hell out of Shazam for cutting his grapple line before he could follow Godfrey and his son's body to Apokolips and then beat the hell out of Luthor for simply making a dick comment.  That issue ended with Batman pretty much saying the hell with you guys, I'm going to Apokolips.  So let's see if Batman gets his way or if the Justice League is strong enough to keep the Caped Crusader from committing suicide by going through with this undertaking.  Let's check it out.

Star Spangled War Stories: G.I. Zombie #1 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Scott Hampton
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 23, 2014

Can You Give Me a Hand?

I have to admit, when I first read that Star Spangled War Stories was coming out I wondered what the DC higher ups were smoking. While war comics have a rich tradition, they haven't fared well in the New 52, to say the least.  My frown turned upside down when I heard who was writing it, however.  Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray are two of my favorite writers and with All Star Western Canceled (boo!) as well as Batwing (double boo!), I was worried I wouldn't get my monthly Palmitotti-Gray fix.  I am no longer worried.

Batman: Eternal #15 Review

Written by: Ray Fawkes
Art by: Dustin Nguyen
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 16, 2014

Creep Show

I must admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Batman: Eternal as a whole.  It's not the revolving writers or artists, but something that runs deeper that bothers me.  While DC keeps telling us that this book is important in the now and future of The New 52, it just doesn't seem that way to me.  I know that timelines are wonky, but big happenings in this book haven't had the impact they should in other books and guest stars have shown up even if it doesn't make sense in their own stories.  That being said, I have enjoyed a bunch of individual issues and this one is one of them.

Old Time Tuesday: Adventures of Superman ep. 16 The Prison Riot

Originally airing on March 18, 1940, Clark and Lois are off to visit the Wolfe and Keno in the Big House.  Could it be Shawshank?  Nope, its San Miguel Penitentary.  Why did Perry White send them?  Listen to find out.  Enjoy!

Injustice: Year Two #16 Review

Written by: Tom Taylor

Art by: Xermanico

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: July 22, 2014

Dawn of War

I think I've overstated it already, but Injustice: Year Two has been a slow burn affair that is more about building tension than over the top action.  Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute of it.  However, I'm guessing that I'm in the minority.  People who wanted big explosions and shocking deaths have either walked away each week disappointed or dropped the book altogether.

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #3 Review

Written and Illustrated by: Jiro Kuwata
Translation by: Sheldon Drzka
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: July 19, 2014

Holy Funeral Batman!

I am so glad DC decided to release Jiro Kuwata's Batmanga.  A week ago, I wasn't even aware of it, but now I'm hooked.  This issue closes the Lord Death Man story and even though it is a bit more violent, I could see it as a very spooky Batman '66 episode.  However, I have a feeling that Lord Death Man wouldn't have made it past the censors.  Such a shame.

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #10 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Tom Derenick
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 21, 2014

Heroes and Villains

Okay, I've ripped this book a bit in the past few weeks.  While others may be judging it as a video game tie-in first, I am looking at it strictly as a comic book.  I don't play the game and I never will.  I know I sound like a dick, but it's the truth.  The first nine issues served as a primer to the series.  They were inconsistent and ended with a "now let's get to the real story" type of ending.  I cried shenanigans and almost stopped reading the series then and there.  As you can see, though,  I'm back.  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment...or am I?

Going Ape: Our Fascination With Gorillas In Entertainment

As I'm writing this Dawn of The Planet of The Apes is the #1 movie in America, so it seems appropriate to finally talk about why we love these apes so much.  Now we as people have had a love for our hairy genetic second cousins for almost as long as there has been modern entertainment.  From King Kong, to the newly released Dawn of The Planet of The Apes.  We look at them and we see our darker more animalistic selves and can't help but be drawn to them.  Well I know I can't, I've seen every Kong movie, every Planet of The Apes movie and have a weird obsession with Gorilla Grodd.  It would seem though I'm not alone, so let's look at DC Comics and their sure fire way to raise the sales of a book during the Silver Age of Comics.

Just For The Hell Of It Mondays: Batman's Fucking Metal!

I haven't been this hyped up for a video in awhile.  It's Batman and it's metal!  I'm not going to spend a lot of time bitching about things like I normally do because you just gotta go check this out because it's going to blow your face off and you'll sit there all faceless and say thank you.  Let's check it out.

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #2 Review

Written and Illustrated by: Jiro Kuwata
Translation by: Sheldon Drzka
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: July 12, 2014

Sometimes, Dead is Better

I was pleasantly surprised by the first issue of Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga (which I will just call Batmanga from now on).  It is a goofy slice of Japanese Batman fever that was translated into English for the first time for this Digital First series.  While it is one of the most unusual picks for a digital series, I'm glad DC took a chance with it.  

The second issue continues the fun with a little more color and a bigger price tag.  I usually don't dwell on pricing in my reviews, but I'm scratching my head a bit at this.  The first issue was $0.99 which is a great price to get readers to try it out, but this issue is $1.99.  I'm not saying it isn't worth it because I personally think it is, but that steep a price tag for such an unknown niche title seems crazy.  I guess DC thinks that anything with Batman will sell no mater what.  I hope they're right because it would be a shame for this title to be ignored after taking so long to get to our shores.  Okay, I just jumped off my soapbox and am ready to put on my reviewing shoes. Yes, I have a pair of reviewing shoes.  Don't judge me.

The Royals: Masters of War #6 Review

Written by: Rob Williams
Art by: Simon Coleby
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014

(War is Over)

The Royals: Masters of War is a series that should be getting more attention.  There really is nothing quite like it nowadays and maybe that's the problem.  Alt-history meets super powered Royal Families during World War II? Not an easy sell to the masses, but I dare you to open up any issue of the series and try to put it down.  Rob Williams' writing is thought provoking yet accessible while Simon Coleby's art is breathtaking.  It all ends here with issue #6 and believe me, Williams and Coleby do not disappoint.

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #1 Review

Written and Illustrated by: Jiro Kuwata
Translated by: Sheldon Drzka
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 5, 2014

Batmanga!

Well, this one kind of snuck up on me.  I was not aware of "Batmanga", let alone that it was going to be released weekly as a DC Digital First.  After seeing a couple of issues released and looking into it's history, I decided to give it a whirl.  I'm glad I did.