Batman Beyond 2.0 #30 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel
Art by: Phil Hester
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 23, 2014

Better Off Dead?

Mark of the Phantasm has been a Tour de Force for fans of the Batman Animated Universe.  Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel have produced such a great story by cherry picking some great moments and expanding upon them to make them even better.  I have loved every minute of it.  This week we get the penultimate issue of the arc and it takes a bit of a dark turn that is a shame, but really sets up for an emotional and explosive finale.

Last issue ended with Terry arriving to save Jake and finding him in full out Joker Gas mode.  If you expected Terry to just call it even and leave, you would be wrong.  What kind of hero would that make him?  As he tries to rescue Jake, Bruce informs him that the Phantasm is on her way.  I love Terry's reaction

Harley Quinn #10 Preview

Written by: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Marco Failla
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 27, 2014

There are No Rules

The first rule of Skate Club is…you do not mess with the Mistress of Mayhem! Harley stumbles across an underground fight club where big money winds with a body count. She’s in…and she’s making Sy Borgman her agent for the fights. But what happens when love gets in the way?

Smallville: Chaos #12 Review

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Agustin Padilla
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 22, 2014

Not the End

If you have read my past reviews, you know that I'm a huge Smallville Fanboy.  It's been such a consistently great book from Season 11 to the many awesome minis that followed.  This issue ends the Chaos arc and while it's been entertaining, something about it has been bothering me since it started.  I think I finally have put my finger on that something.

Top 5 Fridays: MULTIVERSITY EDITION Top 5 DC Comics' Elseworld Stories

This week's Top 5 Fridays is inspired by Grant Morrison's Multiversity, that hit shelves this week and made me think of all my favorite Elseworld stories and I figured I can't always be dumping superhero costumes all over your sweet faces.  Yeah that sounded weirder than I would of liked, but no regrets people!  Just look forward and continue with what you were doing.  While none of these picks that you're about to read will ever be as odd as what Grant Morrison is going to give us for his Mulitversity run, I still think they ought to be mentioned and thought about as we dive deep into the Multiverse.  Hell a lot of these picks are probably some of your favorites because when you come right down to it, comic book consensus is pretty straight forward with what's great and what's shit.  But who knows, maybe I have shitty taste.  Let's find out as we dive into this week's Top 5 Fridays: MULTIVERSITY EDITION Top 5 DC Comics' Elseworld Stories.......... I'm always saying dive, I think I might have a subconscious pool fetish...... Weird.

Supergirl #34 Review

Written by: Tony Bedard

Art by: Karl Moline

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: August 20, 2014

Late to the Party

I took this book from Eric this month because it is a Doomed chapter.  In fact, it's Superman Doomed [Last Sun] chapter 3 The Girl Who fell to Earth.  Don't get me started on DC's naming conventions for this event because they are so convoluted and just awful.  You know what else is awful?  This book.  It's not a good Supergirl issue at best and an awful and awfully outdated Doomed chapter at worst.  It really has no reason to exist.

Red Hood and The Outlaws #34 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: RB Silva, Cory Smith
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Thank You, But Our Princess Is ON A MURDER RAMPAGE!

Last issue of Red Hood and The Outlaws was a Starfire heavy issue, dealing with a bit of her back story, like how she apparently ran an intergalactic underground railroad, freeing slaves across the galaxy.  Once we got out of flashback territory we jumped to Abu Dhabi, where we found out that apparently all the scum of the universe hang out in human disguises and Starfire is looking for blood.  Luckily she came across one of her old torturers, so the whole blood thing might work out.  Oh and Arsenal and Red Hod got their asses handed to them by Man-Bat, but that really didn't do anything for the story, except make me giggle.  Let's check out where Starfire's rampages take her this month.

The New 52: Futures End #16 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: August 20, 2014

We've Got Answers People!!!!!

Okay for this recap you'll need to know that Stormwatch was killed off with the exception of Hawkman and SHADE sent out Ray Palmer, Amethyst and Frankenstein to find out what happened.  Frankenstein now has one of Hawkman's arms attached to him and the Nth metal is changing him and he even slept for the first time causing him to have visions of an awful future.  Hawkman, Amethyst and Frankenstein crash landed on an alien planet looking for a surviving Stormwatch member and we found out that Brainiac has taken over The Engineer and imprisoned our three heroes.  An evil geneticist named Ethan Boyer has escaped from prison and has made Rampage rampagier to keep Superman busy as he sets up shop again in Metropolis.  On Cadmus Island a mysterious stealth OMAC attacked Grifter and Fifty Sue and him decide to hunt it down only to find out that there are more things going wrong on Cadmus Island.  Maybe since Mister Miracle escapes his cell all the time, he'll figure out what the problem is first.  Or maybe he's the one causing it.  Let's get to this issue because we're finally given some answers to the questions that have been plaguing us.

Batwoman #34 Review

Written by: Marc Andreyko
Art by: Moritat and Jeremy Haun
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Done and Done

I begged Marc Andreyko not to do it.  Granted, he has no idea who I am and my mind powers aren't as effective as I'd like, but I still begged him.  Creative teams have quit and fans have stormed the message boards in support of Kate and Maggie as a couple.  Now it appears to be over.  It breaks my heart, but I do have to admit that the reason Kate ends it is unselfish and great, but it doesn't hurt any less.  Maybe after Futures End September it will be revealed that it's all a dream.  I beg you Marc Andreyko.

Teen Titans #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Will Pfeifer
Art By: Kenneth Rocafort
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Bunker and Beast Boy #1

Last issue we saw the relaunched Teen Titans take down a terrorist group that hijacked a bus of children and planned on driving the bus now full of explosives into the New York STAR Labs.  Pretty much the issue felt like a weak start to the series.  Yeah the team saved the day, but they only took out masked mooks and the head of the terrorists got away in the end.  After reading this issue it seems that the only thing that really mattered to last issue besides the planned attack on STAR Labs, is that Bunker threatened a homophobic asshole at the end of the issue and the DC interwebs went nuts with people uploading and re-chirping the video.  So let's dive into this issue and see if our heroes have a more super heroic feel than last.  

Infinity Man and the Forever People #3 Review

Written by: Keith Giffen and Dan Didio
Art by: Jim Starlin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Dream a Little Dream

There are sometimes when I can't figure out a comic and it drives me insane.  Call me crazy, but I don't enjoy feeling like a dummy.  I get that enough in my everyday life.  There are other times when I can't figure out a comic and I love it.  Infinity Man and the Forever People is the later.  I'm having too much fun reading it and Dan Didio and Keith Giffen are opening a whole new world for me to enjoy with them.  It's kind of like the difference between laughing with me or laughing at me.  Didio and Giffen are laughing with me...at least I hope so.

Batman and Robin #34 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi
Art By: Patrick Gleason
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Family Reunion

Last issue of Batman and Robin we saw our Caped Crusader go up against the Justice League to retrieve a Batsuit meant for battling the forces of Apokolips, aptly named The Hell Batsuit.  But our hero was overpowered and he returned home to the Batcave, but instead of simply giving up and eating Alfred's soup, we see that he's called the entire Bat Family to his aid.  So get ready to have Red Hood, Red Robin and Batgirl join us for Robin Rises Part 2.  Let's check it out.

The Multiversity #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Grant Morrison
Art By: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 20, 2014

Peeling Back The Layers of Confusion

It's time to take a trip throughout the New 52 Multiverse and to do so we'll being shucking and jiving through the mind of Grant Morrison "The Man of Layers" to do it.  Now it seems that's I'm in the minority here because I wasn't a fan of of Morrison's run on Action Comics, but the good news is that my favorite of his issues was dealing with the Superman of Earth-23 and now we're finally back to dealing with him and countless others for this behemoth of a comic.  Months ago I would of sworn that this series was never going to happen, but I'm glad I was wrong because I love the Multiverse and hopefully we can peel back those layers to Morrison's mind and come out knowing what the hell we read.  Let's check it out.

Justice League United #4 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Jeff Lemire
Art By: Mike McKone, Cam Smith
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 13, 2014

Remembering A Hawkman

When we last saw the JLU team, the main zeta beam had taken some damage which caused a problem making Adam Strange and his girlfriend Alanna to be zeta-ed back and forth with each other and to solve the problem the Rannian's zeta-ed Alanna back to Earth to get her out of the equation.  Martian Manhunter got into the mind of the Ultra baby that had grown to an Ultra toddler and convinced the genetically engineered weapon that the JLU were it's friends and in the end Hawkman made the ultimate sacrifice by taking the damaged core of the zeta beam high into the sky, so that when it finally exploded it wouldn't harm any civilians or his new team.   So we're left with Byth escaping with Lobo and Hawkman dying.  Well we'd think that if we hadn't already seen him regenerate two missing arms and come back from the dead, between this and Futures End.  So don't worry Hawksters, I wouldn't count our winged warrior out just yet.  Okay let's check out what this month has in store for us with Justice League United.

Batman: Eternal #19 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Emanuel Simeoni
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 13, 2014

False Face

Last week, Tim Seeley gave readers a good time with two great team ups, a little OZ action and action figures.  Yes, action figures. This week continues the fun and also does a great job of pushing the Eternal story forward.  The art may not be my cup of meat, but it didn't ruin the issue...or did it?  Let's see, shall we?

Injustice: Year Two #20 Review

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 19, 2014

I've Got Something In My Eye

Injustice: Year Two has been all about the slow burn build up towards the inevitable War between Team Batman and Team Superman. While people have complained that this Year hasn't had the crazy action of Year One, I've enjoyed the character building that Tom Taylor has given fans.  Well, the War is on and Taylor is still working more character moments than deaths and it's paying off.  Last issue we got Hal Jordan becoming a Yellow Lantern. It was so good because it made so much sense in the context of the book. This issue continues the trend and instead of shocking, it's a heart felt tear jerker.  It's also one of the best issues of Year Two so far.

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #14 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Tom Derenick
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 18, 2014

Who Cares?

When we last left Earth-44 a couple of issues ago, the Team of Flash, Cyborg, Zatanna and Mecha Superman were up against the behemoth, Arcane Doomsday.  The thing was is beast mode after demolishing Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Shazam without breaking a sweat.  It looked real bad for everyone on Mecha Earth.  However, Mecha Supes gave us a little "this is our Independence Day" moment and the team looked ready to fight Doomsday to the Gates of Hell if need be.

Just For The Hell Of It Mondays: Grayson

This week's Just For The Hell Of It Mondays we'll be looking at a trailer for a fan film entitled Grayson, where our heroes live in a world where Batman has been murdered and finding his killers are a grown Robin's driving motivation.

Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #3 Review

Written by: Art Baltazar and Franco
Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 6, 2014

Shazam!

I know that most of you reading this right now are not little kids.  I am far from a little kid, myself.  You know why I love Tiny Titans?  Because it makes me feel like a little kid again.  Yes, I enjoy the New 52 with it's mature story lines and dark and gritty heroes, but sometimes I like to lay on the floor, kick my feet up and read Tiny Titans.  If I had enough hair, I'd probably twirl it as I read.  I guess if you have kids, you could also get this book for them, but do yourself a favor and read it with them.

Weird Science DC Comics News: Week of August 13, 2014 Edition

Hi there party people.  Welcome to another edition of Weird Science DC Comics News.  I have been pretty lazy the past couple of weeks, but there also hasn't been a ton of news.  Well, I'm back and ready to report on stories that everyone already has.  I'm good like that.  In personal news, I'm having Beans on Toast for lunch and then Chili for Dinner. So, if you are in the Quakertown, PA area and see a brown gaseous cloud...run!  I know that I write about food all the time, but I had the new McDonald Shake Fries yesterday.  I had the Ranch and my son, Raef, had the Buffalo.  Mine tasted like Ranch Doritos which I'm a fan of, but by the end of the bag, I was pretty sick of them.  Raef liked his even though they were a bit too spicy for him.  Overall, I'd give the Ranch a 6/10 and Raef gave the Buffalo an 8/10.  I am allergic to garlic so I can't have the Parmesan Garlic flavor, but Raef is going to try them next week.  If anyone from McDonalds is reading this, when are we going to get real flavors like Cheddar Cheese, Bacon and Cheese, Nacho Cheese and BBQ? Get on it, guys!  What?  You didn't come here to hear about Shake Fries?  Okay...

On With the News

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #5 Review

Written and Illustrated by: Jiro Kuwata
Translated by: Sheldon Drzka
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: August 16, 2014

Mount Batman

In the last issue of Batmanga, mild mannered Dr. Denton's skin regeneration machine went horribly wrong, destroying his face in the process.  He then went mad, destroying anything with a face around Gotham.  Batman and Robin tried stopping him, but the issue ended with the Dynamic Duo almost being killed by a booby trap set by...Dr. Faceless!

Jiro Kuwata's Batmanga is a whole bunch of campy fun.  I've said it before and I'll repeat it, this book is a mix of Batman '66 and an old radio serial put through a Japanese manga blender.  Jiro Kuwata may not have had a full grasp of the characters when doing these issues, but that's all part of the fun.  Being a big Robin fan, I love his tough and in-charge version of the Boy Wonder.  On the flip side, it's neat to see a Batman who isn't always on top of everything.  Kuwata's Batman is a bit soft, often scared, but still gets the job done. It always keeps me smiling while reading.  That and the crazy stories.