Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Ep 15: Week 2 Convergence, Youtube and Wine Coolers

Jim and Eric are back again and they've brought some awful memories along with them.  Eric
remembers how his Dad snuck wine coolers into the movies with him and Jim doesn't know how old his kids are.  They find out that they have gone International on Youtube, but can't figure out where from and finally get to this week's books.  They disagree on some of the books, but agree that this week was a bit of a disappointment.  Join us, won't you?

Batman #40 Preview

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo and Danny Miki
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: April 29, 2015

The finale of “Endgame” is here! Batman risks everything against The Joker! Who will laugh last?

Joker is so hot right now, maybe he's the new Hansel?!?  I can't wait for this issue.  It's been a long time coming and with all the questions surrounding Endgame, I want answers...now!  On a personal note, this is the last Batman issue I will be reviewing on the site as Eric is jumping on in June so this is bound to be bittersweet for me.  Oh well, give him mecha suit Batman, I'll take Endgame.

DC Comics Television Round Up: Week of 4/25/15

We are closing in on the end for the heroes of the TV world! Only a handful of episodes remain for Arrow and Flash, and only two left for Gotham. This week our boys in Gotham are continuing a search of a serial killer, even though the killer swears to go after ANYONE the investigator's love. In Central City, The Flash goes after the shape shifting Everyman as Cisco and Joe head to Starling to investigate "Dr. Harrison Wells". Finally, we catch back up with Oliver after a brutal stabbing to his sister, its time for the Arrow to fall, but Al Sah-him to rise. Now enough of the blabbering, lets take a look!

Convergence: Wonder Woman #1 Review

Written by: Larry Hama
Art by: Joshua Middleton
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

Domesday

With the Convergence Event in full effect, one thing has been missing...Wonder Woman.  She is part of the Trinity, so it's been odd not seeing more of her.  Well, here she is in all her white jumpsuit glory.  What's funny is that even though I wasn't reading comics back then, I was aware of this Wonder Woman and while she doesn't get much love anymore, I kind of liked her.  I mean, who doesn't love a kung fu kicking super heroine?  Does this Convergence tie-in kick ass or is it just a weak reminder of days gone by?  Let's find out...

DC Comics Announces THE DARK KNIGHT: THE MASTER RACE

Before the announcement a quick recap...

Nearly 30 years ago, Frank Miller recreated Batman in the legendary The Dark Knight Returns miniseries. It depicted an older batman, where most superheroes either were forced into retirement or just flat out left the planet. The only hero left was Superman, who was forced to work for the president in diplomatic disputes. The miniseries ended with one of the most iconic and badass fights in all of comics; Batman vs. Superman. After the fight, he begins training a group of teens to be his bat army.

Throwback Review: Convergence: The Adventures of Superman #1 (2015) Review

Back to the Future

Written by: Marv Wolfman
Art by: Roberto Viacava
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

I have read every single Convergence tie-in so far, so I have become used to the formula that most of them have followed.  Insert Hero into City...Put Dome over City...Show life under the Dome...Telos gives a speech...Dome disappears...Set up the next issues's fight.  Some may skip a step or two, but for the most part, that's what we have gotten.  Enter Marv Wolfman.  He shakes things up in such a smart way and in the process, makes his lead characters (especially Supergirl) true champions. I would stress how good this issue was, but that's what reviews are for.  So, let's get on with it, shall we?

Convergence: The Flash #1 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Federico Dallocchio
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

Barry Didn't Choose the Dome Life...

If you have been following our site and/or our podcast, you will know that I jumped on this DC Comics trolley with the New 52.  Sure, I dabbled in comics before hand, but never got down on my hands and knees and...wait a second, what the hell I'm I talking about?  What I'm trying to say is that even though DC pushed this Convergence Event as a thing for old school fans, I think they were selling it short.  Take this book for instance.  Flash is my second favorite character (right behind Dick Grayson) and Barry Allen is my Flash.  When this Event was announced, this is one of the books I was looking forward too.  Old school, New School, No School (like Eric)...what does it matter, I couldn't wait.   Now that it's here, was it worth the wait?  Let's find out...

Fanboy Theories: The Hidden 7 Earths of The Multiversity

THE 7 HIDDEN EARTHS

OF THE

MULTIVERSITY!

I am practically in love with the DC Multiverse! So many different stories and versions of characters impress and challenge the imagination of the reader. What if the League was evil? Hop on over to Earth-3 and take a look. What if they were born in Victorian England? Join Earth 19's Wonder Woman and Batman to learn! The lovers of the Multiverse were given a gift from the brilliant Grant Morrison with his most recent series: THE MULTIVERSITY! We have seen a map of this multiverse, and in January, a guidebook to the crazy multiverse that makes up DC comics was released to the public. However, in both the map and the book, there was a missing piece...actually SEVEN missing pieces. There were 7 earths that were kept hidden! In this week's Fanboy Theories, I am going to explain what I think these hidden earths could be.

Weird Thoughts: DC Comics Convergence Event Week Two

Week Two of Convergence has come and gone and while I'm still positive about the Event, I wasn't as happy this week as last.  I'm usually a negative guy (listen to last week's podcast) so that isn't a huge surprise, but a couple of things really bothered me this week.  That's not to say that everything was shit stains and rotten eggs, no siree.  There was still some sunshine and rainbows as well.  So, here are my Weird Thoughts about Week Two of Convergence.

Convergence: Superboy and The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 Preview

Written By: Stuart Moore
Art By: Gus Storms, Mark Farmer
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015


STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS!! While Brainiac 5 struggles to break through the dome, Superboy tries to keep the Legion of Super-Heroes’ spirits up – until the Atomic Knights ride into town to cause mass destruction!


It looks like all is lost if even a twelfth level intellect can't crack The Dome, but when worst comes to worst, I totally believe that our Legion can overcome the Atomic Knights.......... Mostly because I don't really know the Atomic Knights and ignorance is bliss when rooting for cities to survive.

Convergence: Justice League of America #1 Preview

Written By: Fabian Nicieza
Art By: ChrisCross
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015


STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! With their heavy hitters sidelined, Elongated Man must lead the much-maligned “Detroit Justice League” against the overwhelming power of the heroes from the Tangent Universe!


Woah, woah, woah........ What are they talking about, the "heavy hitters sidelined?"  We're looking at some awesome heavy hitters.......... Well, we're looking at some awesome..............  Fuck it, I just love Justice League Detroit because of how ridiculous it was and all kidding aside, I really do love this roster and love seeing B list heroes getting time to shine.  After reading last week's Justice League International, I really look forward to seeing what this group of heroes are up to.

Convergence: Green Lantern Corps #1 Preview

Written By: David Gallaher
Art By: Steve Ellis, Andre Parks
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015


STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Say the Oath, save the world! If only being in the Green Lantern Corps was that easy. Hal has resigned, John is busy, and Guy is pissed. Together for the first time, they’ll save Gotham City or die trying!


While I enjoyed Green Lantern/Parallax for all the nostalgic feels it gave me, there wasn't much story there and I hope that this issue really packs a construct punch.  It's got the characters to do it............ I just kind of wish that we'd been able to get a Guy Gardner: Warrior out of something in this event but I'm probably the only one............ SOMEONE TALK ABOUT HIS VULDARIAN DNA!.......... Sorry, I look forward to this issue.

Convergence #3 Preview

Written By: Jeff King
Art By: Stephen Segovia, Jason Paz
Cover Price; $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015


Death comes calling as an injured Telos takes out his rage on the people of Kandor, while the Earth-2 team endures another brutal casualty. And major plans are set in motion as Green Lantern and the others follow Deimos into the lost city of Skartaris to find Rip Hunter and the missing Time Masters, who could be their only hope of escape from this apocalypse for Infinite Earths!


I actually love this solicit because it presents Telos as a child lashing out at something that didn't hurt him and that just makes me giggle............ Is that weird?  Anyway, the last two issues haven't really hit the mark that I expected from this series but I'm keeping an open mind that it will become what I want it to be............ As long as we keep the Earth 2: World's End stuff to a minimum.

Convergence: The Flash #1 Preview

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Federico Dallocchio
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015



STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Trapped in Gotham City, Barry Allen has nowhere to run. He fights on, seeking justice as well as a way to save the city, but he faces a Tangent Universe foe who thinks faster than even The Flash can run!


Barry Allen?  Tangent Universe?  I'm in!  I really can't wait for this issue and it will be a day one read/review for me.  I am a Barry Allen man through and through and the combo of Crisis on Infinite Earths vs the Tangent Universe sounds so damn cool.  Will we see Tia?  I sure hope so!

Convergence: Adventures Of Superman #1 Preview

Written by: MARV WOLFMAN
Art by: ROBERTO VIACAVA and ANDY OWENS
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 22, 2015

STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Superman and Supergirl attempt to free their city via the Phantom Zone but learn that if they succeed, a terrible fate awaits Supergirl in Crisis on Infinite Earths!

I love Superman and Supergirl so it's easy to guess that I am looking forward to this issue.  I'm looking forward to seeing the Crisis on Infinite Earths Heroes and this will be one of the first books I read and review this week.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 4/18/15

This week in DC Comics we got two Batmen staring at each other, a true Man of Steel and a whole bunch of other things converging with each other.  While I was a little disappointment with the week in general, I'm still on board the Trolley as we head into Week Three.  One thing that has hit me, however, is the amount of books each week.  Having half the the usual amount of books makes for some easy review days, but makes picking the best covers a little bit harder. So, with that in mind, here are my picks for Best Covers of the Week.

Note from Jim:  Sorry this week's Best Covers is a bit late, I had a bit of a football to the eye problem that put me out of commission for a day.  I really hope it doesn't happen again, but my lack of attention and my 14 year old son's lack of accuracy may strike again.

Five Questions With...Howard Porter

Welcome back to the oft forgotten and sometimes ignored Five Questions With...column.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks with all this Convergence stuff going down and while I have (mostly) enjoyed the Event, I can't wait to get back to my regular books.  One of those books is Justice League 3000. What?  That was cancelled and replaced by Justice League 3001?  I'd like to call that more of a rebranding in the effort to get more people onboard and if it succeeds, then I'm all for it.  However you cut it, I think it's one of the best books out there and a big reason for that is the guy we tricked into doing this interview.  Howard Porter is one of the best artists and I really haven't found anything he's done that isn't stellar.  He also has a great sense of humor and seems like a really cool guy. Check him out on Twitter @MrHowardPorter and enjoy the interview...