Batman '66 #50 Review (Spoilers)

Written By: Jeff Parker

Art By: Leonardo Romero

Cover Price: $1.99

Release Date: December 24, 2014

The Villain of Vapor Street

I can’t honestly say that I have ever seen a proper map of Gotham City but I imagine that the actual amount of space that the city takes up must be enormous if media is to be believed. In addition to being a city of New York sized proportions (interestingly enough located in New Jersey), there’s also several sections of the city that only show up in specific media (i.e. Arkham City). In Batman ’66 #50 we get to see one of those sections of the city—specifically Old Gotham, the city’s first borough. 

Aquaman #37 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Paul Pelletier
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

Ape Call

I'd sum up Jeff Parker's run on Aquaman as "fun".  There is nothing wrong with that.  In fact, I've really enjoyed it.  Seeing Arthur at his High School reunion was one of my favorite Aquaman moments ever and there are many more bits like that since Parker took the book over.  Of course, that kind of paints a pretty narrow picture of Jeff Parker and it seems that this Maelstrom story is his answer to just that.  Aquaman is involved in some pretty serious business.  Atlantis (the actual place) is rejecting him and the reason is crazy and very personal.  Arthur learned recently that his Mother is alive.  What What?  That one sentence has turned Aquaman's world upside down.  It's that big.  Last month's issue featured a guest spot from Martian Manhunter and the information he gleaned from him has lead to this month's awesome guest star...Gorilla Grodd.  It's off to Gorilla City for a little monkey business and if Aquaman isn't careful, he may just go bananas.  I'm really sorry for that.

Weird Science Best of DC Comics 2014 Awards

And the Winner is...

2014 was a pretty good year for DC Comics.  We got the end of Forever Evil, Batman's Zero Year and three new weekly books.  Damian Wayne returned from the dead and Charles Soule jumped ship to Marvel.  Here at Weird Science, we added two writers (everyone say hi to Jody and Daniel) and continued with our unfortunate promise to review every damn book.  I'd like to take this time to thank everyone who put up with our awful puns, 80's movie references and song lyrics.  It still makes me laugh that a short, old guy and a tall, headband wearing guy could write anything that anyone sane would want to read, but we appreciate it so much.  I don't want to start crying like a little baby, so let's get on with our picks for the best of 2014.  

Top 5 Fridays: What We're Looking Forward To From DC Comics In 2015

It's that time of year again where we forget about everything awesome that we were given in the previous year and shout out to whoever will listen "What You Got For Me Now?!"  Yeah, we're a bunch of assholes that way but what are you going to do, huh?  Change fanboys and fangirls.........Unlikely.  For this Top 5 Fridays we'll be looking at the things that I want this year and possibly some things that other people on this site want to see but it's not like I'm taking a poll or anything so hopefully they see something they like.  I'm going to keep this opener short so we can just get on with 2015 and the things that we're looking forward to from DC Comics this year.  Let's check it out.

Earth 2 #30 Preview

Written By: Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson
Art By: Andy Smith
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 7, 2014




As the Avatars of Earth 2, led by Green Lantern, try to defend the planet from the forces of Apokolips, find out how these heroes became the protectors of their world and possibly its only hope for survival.


I was really disappointed with last week's World's End but like a child with wide eyes and chocolate all over it's face, when I look at this cover I can't stay mad at it..........That was a lie, I genuinely dislike children.  Anyway, I really hope that this issue gives us a little more background to............ Well everything that last issue of World's End did, because that's what we really need to start trusting people again.  I'm looking forward to seeing an entire issue of the Avatars going up against the Furies so hopefully this issue doesn't disappoint.

The New 52: Futures End #36 Preview

Written By: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Art By: Scot Eaton, Scott Hanna
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 7, 2014




How much will the Nth metal change Frankenstein? Will he still be the monster we all love to fear? His journey will push him to face every part of his past, even as he faces the question of his own mortality. First stop: the House of Mystery and the Justice League Dark.


Now are we talking about a more internal walk through Frankenstein's past or a straight up "I'm going to retrace my footsteps" walk?  Because if it's simply telling us stuff we've already read in JLD, then I'm going to be really pissed off but if we see the JLD of the future or have a spirit walk through stuff we haven't seen yet, well bring it on you brilliant bastards!  I see we have Fifty Sue and King Faraday's group on the cover and right now that is the worst story coming at us in Futures End but I hope that after Lana gave Fifty Sue that "I'm talking now" slap that she gave her last issue that this becomes a story we can all get behind.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to it and I'm looking forward to Fifty Sue not scaring the hell out of me anymore.

Green Arrow #38 Preview

Written By: Andrew Kreisberg, Ben Sokolowski
Art By: Daniel Sampere, Jonathan Glapion
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 7, 2015




After a near-death experience at the hands of John King, billionaire Oliver Queen must fight a foe he can’t just beat with sheer force!


I am looking forward to this so much and it's not just because Green Lantern is guest starring.........Even though DC decided to not even have that in the solicit.........  Wouldn't that be a selling point?  Anyway, I'm looking forward to this because since I've taken over reviewing this title when the new creative team took over, I've been completely wrong about everything and I'm hoping that if I just go with the flow and stop jumping to conclusions I might just come off like I'm not a complete moron.  I'm serious, I went along saying that Merlyn was the politician because his name was Arthur King and Arthur King was the name of the old Merlyn but then I went and found out that this dude's name was John King, not Arthur King........ If that wasn't enough I then went on speculating about having Malcolm Merlyn being the assassin like in the show and completely forgot about Tommy Merlyn..... I'm just a big bag of wrong and maybe after I'm done reading this issue I can get over that streak of nonsense.

Lobo #4 Preview

Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Alison Borges, Reilly Brown, Nelson DeCastro and Vicente Cifuentes
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 7, 2015



Continued from the pages of last month’s BATMAN/SUPERMAN #17! Lobo’s on mission to save Earth, and he doesn’t have time for distractions – especially from the Last Son of Krypton! Get ready for Lobo versus Superman!

We found out that Lobo wasn't Superman's Joker in the last issue of Batman/Superman, but Lobo's back for round two.  I have been waiting patiently for Cullen Bunn to cast his "make everything awesome" spell on this book and this preview is very promising. Seriously, Lobo is after a guy from Metal Gear Solid.  Awesome. There are a handful of artists on this issue so hopefully it's consistent, but what I see here looks great.

Earth 2: World's End #13 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson
Art By: Scott McDaniel, Tyler Kirkham, Jack Herbert, Vincente Cifuentes, Jorge Jimenez, Robson Rocha, Guillermo Ortego, Stephen Segovia, Jason Paz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 31, 2014

Throwing Things At You....... Just Because

Last issue in World's End we saw that Huntress is a bit beyond reaching in her new persona of Famine............Reaching as in "Hey, talk to me girl" and not in the physical sense.  Even if it was in the physical sense it wouldn't be too much of an issue because man did Huntress go and get real ugly.  Dick Grayson has taken a turn for the worse since Barbara's death and spent last issue beating the hell out of the guys that killed his wife and then waiting for a tidal wave to come and take him to the great beyond.  Hopefully I get what I want and Barbara comes back as the Spectre and saves Dick but I'm not going to hold my breath on that.  Finally we saw Huntress join her Fury sisters in the war with the avatars and on Apokolips we saw that Terry Sloan had set his ship to explode and Mister Miracle and Fury were back on the "I want to save the Earth" front.  Let's see what this issue has in store for us as we continue these stories and see if Flash, Hawkgirl and Jimmy Olsen can get this Earth's survivors to the Project Beyond bunker.  Let's check it out.

The New 52: Futures End #35 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Art By: Jesus Merino, Stephen Thompson, Dan Green, Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 31, 2014

You're Grounded!

Welcome back to Five Years From Now or maybe in a few hours, Four Years From Now...........I really don't know how time works between what I'm living and what my favorite heroes are living.  So while It might not be New Year's Eve in the DC Universe this is our final foray into the future for 2014 and with it our final recap of things you'll need to know this year.  First Madison Payne and Jason Rusch are the new Firestorm and last issue they came in contact with the new Dr. Polaris who's actually Dr. Yamazake, who if you've been reading Futures End know; hates anything Super or Justice Leaguey.  Fifty Sue has been put on a mission with a bunch of King Faraday's other agents to recover some DNA samples from Cadmus Island that broke off the main island and fell into the ocean but before the mission can start Lana Lang freaked out when Sue or Sequel as she's calling herself these days pushed her weight around and disintegrated Ethan Boyer's hand.  Out in space our Stormwatch team have returned and had to confront Father Time and SHADE and after pulling the alien parasite that actually is Father Time out of his host, Ray Palmer has decreed himself the new leader of SHADE but before the letter heads could be changed at the Ant Farm, Frankenstein was shot and right now it looks fatal.  Finally we have Batman Beyond and Plastique getting a little closer than I would of originally suspected and Brother Eye sending his Batman.Joker monster back in time to stop Batman Beyond before he can alter the future................So we've got a Terminator scenario going on.  That's all you should need to know, so let's check out what this issue has in store for us this week.

Batman: Eternal #39 Review

Written by: Ray Fawkes
Art by: Felix Ruiz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 31, 2014

Keys to the Kingdom

So much has happened in Baternal to lead to this point that it'd be foolish for me to even think I could explain it in a paragraph. This weekly has got to the "you've read it or you haven't" point.  The other problem with giving it a nice and clean synopsis is the book has been far from that.  Plot threads have popped up only to be shoved aside or forgotten completely, while others get more time than they deserve.  Throughout all this mess, the big question has been who the Big Bad is.  Commisioner Bard? Hush? Someone else? Eric Shea of Weird Science? Mike Reno of Loverboy?  Just when you think you know, the book shows all the villains to merely be David from Lost Boys. Who is this book's Max?!?  I want to know, dammit.

WE GET IT, IT'S A BATMAN REFERENCE!: Review for Gotham season 1 part 1 with *SPOILERS*

I'm going to say this right now. I like this show. I really do. But like any other show, this has flaws, big, small and sometimes REALLY FREAKING ANNOYING! It constantly tries to remind you that its a show in the Batman universe. Edward Nygma doesn't need to constantly be spewing riddles right out the gate. You didn't need to rename the creepy girl with the plants Ivy. HOW CAN YOU GET A NAME LIKE CAT FROM SELINA! So why did I keep coming back to the show? The answer is that I believe that one of the most interesting things about Batman's stories isn't about Batman, but of the city he protects. Gotham City is one of, if not, the most iconic comic book cities of all time. If you actually think of the amount of heroes and villains that actually preside in the city, you'd be surprised that there wasn't a series sooner. Despite it being a cesspool of crime, we tend to forget there is some good in a citizen or two, including James Gordon. It seems like a great idea to center a show around the origins of such characters both good and bad, even if it doesn't have a vigilante wearing a bat suit. So does FOX's new crime drama feel like it's a part of the Gotham mythos, or just an attempt to cash out on "bat-fame".  In all honesty, it's  a little of both. Join me as I give my review of the series Gotham so far.

Batman '66 #49 Review

Written By: Jeff Parker
Art By: Richard Case
Cover Price: $1.99
Release Date: December 10, 2014

Bats, Books, and Crazy Crooks

From the time Batman '66 first launched it was clear what this book was meant to be--a forum for writer Jeff Parker to continue the adventures of Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder, that were first started in the 1966 William Dozier TV series, Batman. During that time Batman and Robin fought many criminals played by a variety of guest stars. As the series progressed, it was decided that Batgirl would be featured in some episodes in order to attract more female viewers. Batman '66 #49 continues that tradition, presenting a tale of the Bookworm, originally portrayed by Roddy McDowall, facing off in a library against the one and only, Batgirl.

Injustice: Year Three #14 Review

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Xermanico and Juan Albarran
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 30, 2014

Heart's Desire

Injustice has made it's name for crazy death and destruction.  That's what pushed Year One into the stratosphere and what still keeps the machine moving forward.  Tom Taylor has done so well as the conductor, but now his time is ending.  Yep, this is Tom's last issue and while it still doesn't seem right, this issue (and the first part of the "For the Man Who's Lost Everything" story line) did.  After all the death and dismemberment, Taylor leaves the book with Superman and the World at peace.  Not the tyrant driven peace, either.  I don't know how if these last two issues will change Superman or the story going forward, but I certainly loved them and they serve as a fitting end to Tom Taylor's run.  Thanks for a great book, Tom.

Batman: Eternal #38 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Andrea Mutti
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

Tag Team Back Again

While my relationship with Batman: Eternal has run hot and cold, I'm starting to get really irritated with all the dangling plot threads.  Nanobots, Spoiler, Cluemaster, etc are still out there, but Tim Seeley is giving us a Rogues Gallery team-up that sounds like a fanboy dream come true.  Bane, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Clayface, Mr. Freeze and Joker's Daughter (?!?) are trying to take advantage of the Gotham chaos and only Batman can stop them. It's a little detour that isn't as good as it sounds, but luckily ends fairly quickly.  I just hope the other plot points get resolved soon too.

Catwoman Annual #2 Review

Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Art by: Pat Oliffe, Tom Nguyen and John McCrea
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

Parallels 

I'll give Genevieve Valentine full credit for taking an awful Catwoman book and turning it into an awesome Selina Kyle one.  The direction of the character had been set forth in Batman: Eternal, but Valentine has taken the concept and run with it.  Readers of the regular series have gotten a first person view as Selina has quickly climbed the ranks of the Gotham Underworld and claimed her place as not only the head of the Calabrese Family, but Gotham itself.  A real testament to the power of her storytelling is that this Annual comes after only three issues, but is so good because it adds so much to her young run.  It's the story of Eiko Hasigawa, the Daughter of Gotham's Yakuza Crime Lord.  It's the story of Catwoman.

Red Hood and The Outlaws Annual #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Tom Derenick, Wayne Faucher, Walden Wong
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

The Night The Reindeer Died

One thing I really hate about Annuals are for the most part I don't have any recap to do in this section of the review and it just seems empty and bare.  So I'll tell you a story about what happened to me the day before Christmas.  I was sitting at my computer writing reviews (watching porn) when I get a knock at my door and to my surprise an eighty year old possibly Russian woman is standing there wanting to know if I could drive her to the hospital to visit her husband.  Now you should know that her accent was so thick in the beginning of the conversation that I had a hard time understanding her and I thought she said that her husband was dead and that she wanted me to call the hospital.  So after hearing the question again and then explaining that I don't drive because I'm legally blind and that my girlfriend was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping, she told me that I could come to her door later to pick her up and then I tried telling her that we were busy with wrapping gifts later and then she told me that tomorrow morning was fine as well.  After explaining Christmas was the next day and that we couldn't give her a ride, she wished me a Happy Christmas and went back home.  I've never seen this lady before or after this and I'm just cynical enough to tell you that I thought that she was gathering information for her Russian criminal son to come back and rob the place and I'm just naive enough to tell you that I also thought that this was some sort of supernatural Christmas test that I failed.  So let's get on to Red Hood and The Outlaws!

Secret Origins #8 Review

Written by: Tom King, Tim Seeley, Jeff Lemire, Duffy Boudreau and Ann Nocenti
Art by: Stephen Mooney, Travel Foreman and Roger Robinson
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

Prelude to a Recap

In the spirit of Secret Origins, I have a few secrets I want to get off my chest.  George Washington was the first President of the United States, the capital of Rhode Island is Providence and log xy = log x + log y.  What, those aren't secrets?  As Rainier Wolfcastle said, "That's the Joke".  This issue of Secret Origins is a bit different.  We get a prelude to Grayson, a synopsis of the entire New 52 Animal Man run and...Katana.

He-Man: The Eternity War #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Pop Mhan, Mark Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 24, 2014

Let The War Begin!

Before this Eternity War went and got He-Man and The Masters of The Universe all rebranded and renumbered we were strolling through the past of Eternia and the origins of our Princess of Power and like many stories like to do........ They were all entwined.  Now don't think that I wasn't a fan of this because I loved all the stuff with King Grayskull and seeing how Adora went from her Hordak brainwashed past to her current role of She-Ra.  It was a grand ride that I'm thankful I was apart of.  I hoped everyone read up on those issue because it all leads here boys and girls.  The Evil Horde has been spreading their Fright Zones across Eternia in preparation for their master Hordak's return and we begin this war knowing that our Siblings of Power are now together but we saw that the Horde had gotten their hands on a vial of He-Man's blood............ What will it all mean?  Let's find out here.  Eternity War Ahoy!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 12/27/14

I don't want to offend anyone, so I'm going to stick with the generic "Happy Holidays" this week.  I guess I could be like Eric, who says, "Merry Holidays".  He also says things like "Top of the Easter to you" and "Good Afternoon Halloween".  Eric sure is strange. Usually a Holiday week means only a few comics, but not this year.  DC dropped a crap load of comics on us on December 24th (That's the day Eric wishes people a "Winsome Christmas Eve") and it's been a struggle to get all those reviews up while celebrating the Holidays.  While we're still not close to being done, I have at least looked at the covers.  I'm good like that. There are some really good ones, including more Ryan Sook coolness, a bloody Deathstroke, and a Gorilla Grodd sighting.  Next week there is only going to be the three books hitting the shelves, so I won't be doing a best of the week.  Instead, I will undertake the task of bringing you the Covers of the Year.  I'm a glutton for punishment.  Enjoy the covers.