All-Star Section Eight #1 Review

Written by: Garth Ennis
Art by: John McRea and John Kalisz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

What a Sixpack

I have no history whatsoever with Hitman or Section Eight and while that may not seem like the proper thing to announce before reviewing this book, I don't think I'm in the minority, so deal with it people.  I did read last month's incredibly funny sneak peek and suddenly, I went from reviewing this book out of duty to anticipating it's release.  Crazy characters and over the top, but cartoony violence are the order of the day and I want thirds.  I'll go into a bit more detail below, but if you enjoyed last month's preview, you will enjoy this book.

Detective Comics #41 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul
 Art by: Fernando Blanco and Brian Buccellato
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Harvey

I love Batman.  Most people do, but there are those (let's call them jerk offs) that complain that DC Comics is a bit too Batman heavy.  Here at Weird Science, we don't negotiate with jerk offs,  If you do, the jerk offs win and who wants that?  I like all the Batman books and don't mind the Dark Knight being the focus of other books as well.  So, with everything that's happened to Batman recently (original and unleaded version), it's no shock that he has been featured in even more books than usual.  Again, haters gonna hate, but I've enjoyed every one so far because each has offered it's own unique perspective.  None so more than Detective Comics.  How do Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul deal with the changes in Gotham?  Is it good?  Let's find out...

Batman: Arkham Knight #17 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Ig Guara, Julio Ferreira and Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 12, 2015

Lay it Down 

Last week, Peter Tomasi continued his Bane of Existence arc with more Bane (or course), some Poison Ivy and the Arkham Knight. The Arkham Knight?  If you are wondering why that's a question, then you haven't been reading this book.  After all these issues, we have only gotten glimpses of the title character...until last issue.  Tomasi lifted the veil a bit and showed off the Knight's camouflage shorts, his ruthlessness and his intellect.  He knows whats going on in Gotham and seems to have an intimate knowledge of Batman and his associates both good and bad.  A week later and I am still trying to guess who it is and can't wait to see more.  Well, I'm going to have to wait at least another week because he (or she) is MIA this issue.  Did the issue make up for the absence?  Let's find out...

Top 5 Fridays: Heroes I Want To See In Justice League: Gods and Monsters Season 2

This week, Machinima has been releasing the shorts for the Justice League: Gods and Monsters. After watching the trilogy, I can safely say that the world of Gods and Monsters is a nice new addition to the multiverse of DC's media, but also worthy of the season 2 its been renewed for. For season 2, there will be 10 new shorts set in the universe, and this weird scientist hopes that we get some more members to the league! What other darker morally grey heroes march in the universe Bruce Timm concocted? With that in mind, let us dive right in to what I think could be fantastic choices for the world!

Catwoman #41 Review

Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Art by: David Messina and Lee Loughridge
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Nine Lives

I don't care what you think of the new direction of Catwoman (actually I do, but bear with me), Genevieve Valentine must be commended for taking a character and a book that was becoming a joke and turning it into a smart, thrilling crime drama.  I was worried at first, but I was won over fairly quickly and this book has been rising up my pile ever since.  That's why, when Selina put the catsuit back on at the end of last issue, I surprised myself by getting worried once again about this book. Valentine has sold me on the pantsuit crime boss Selina so much that I'm not sure I want the "real" Catwoman anymore.  Is this issue the best of both worlds?  Let's find out...

Constantine: The Hellblazer #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV
Art By: Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascensia
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Going Down

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time for Constantine to get back to his Hellblazer roots and get back to the darkness that seemed to be lost with him living in a world of superheroes....... Yeah, he's still living within the DC You, but the heroes bit looks like it's going to be played down, instead of our hero traveling to Earth-2.  It's funny to me because while a lot of people had problems with John being so prevalent in the superhero community, that Earth 2 story was one of the finest to come out of the previous series.  At this point I'm just writing for writing sake because I like to have a recap section, but since this is a first issue there's nothing really to talk about.  So let's quit the jibber jabber and get into Constantine: The Hellblazer and see how our old pal John is doing.  Let's check it out.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles: Episode #2 "Bomb" Review

Hope

It's time to head back into the world of Justice League: Gods and Monsters! The next member up to bat is the leader of the League, the man of tomorrow himself, Superman. Despite me enjoying the new Batman, the Superman AND Wonder Woman of the world have a harder mold to break. As Bat-mite put it, "Batman's rich history allows him to be interpreted in a multitude of ways," but this does not apply to Superman. We have seen Superman as a communist, a Nazi, and even a minion of Darkseid, but in the end he keeps snapping back to either one of two types of Superman; the perfect hero or the mad dictator. After 75 years of doing this dance, people tend to get a little bored with these outcomes! This leads to my main concern and question going into this short. Can this break the molds laid out from over 75 years of character history? Lets dive right in and find out!

Gotham Academy #7 Review and *Spoilers

Written by: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher

Art by: Mingjue Helen Chen

Cover Price: $2.99

Release date: June 10, 2015

Class is Bat in session

*Non Spoilers and score at the bottom*

Gotham Academy has been one of my favorite titles coming out of DC comics currently. It has definitely been one of the better books that has gone under the radar It was hard waiting the two months for the next arc for our favorite Pizza Club detective team to return, but once we finally got our classmates back, it was a filler issue. There is nothing wrong with this issue, it was just kind of a let down.

New Suicide Squad #9 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones and Blond
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

The Boys are Back

I have enjoyed Sean Ryan's run on the New Suicide Squad, but I've had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't too keen on the makeup of the team from the get go.  If I'm right (or even if I'm not), he's not the only one.  It's not that the Team was bad per se, it's just too safe, too main stream.  That's why I was so excited when DC announced that the Squad would be changing and that change was pretty damn drastic.  I was counting the days until this new team would make it's debut.  I'm still counting because this issue is not that debut.  It's funny, because not only do we not get the new members (except for a cool cameo), we don't even get all of the old members.  This issue basically has three members...Black Manta, Deadshot and Captain Boomerang.  I'll admit, I was surprised, but not as much as when I finished the issue.  Why?  Because this is the best issue of the New Suicide Squad yet.

Red Hood/Arsenal #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Denis Medri, Tanya Horie
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Back To Business

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Outlaws No More...... Well, at least that's what we're going with right now because after Starfire went and ditched her best buds Jason Todd and Roy Harper, these guys seem to have split up as well...... The romance died and then the bromance died.  Well anyway, it's a brand new series for our duo, as they try to reclaim the magic that us over the top, action loving fans saw in the Outlaw series.  Hopefully they can capture that and all of us can say Outlaws Shmoutlaws, Red Hood and Arsenal is where it's at...........Even though I thought Crux would have made a cool addition to the team, but that's neither here nor there.  Let's check out this new series and see if it lives up to it's predecessor or if Kori was really the heart of the team.  

Harley Quinn #17 Review

Written by: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by: Chad Hardin and Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Strong to the Finish

Harley Quinn has been one of my favorite books since it hit the stands because of it's crazy humor, pop culture references and...Harley.  She is such a great character and Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner have turned her into solid gold.  In a DC Comic landscape that seems to be getting crowded with "all-ages" books (though I disagree with what some people define as such), it's a breath of fresh air for a book to wear it's fart and dick jokes on it's sleeve and pump it's inappropriate fist in the air.  However, one can't live on dick jokes alone (or can they?!?) and this book is at it's finest when it also has a strong story to support the madness.  That's what I'm hoping we have with this Gang of Harleys story.  Thanks to Harley Quinn #16 and the awesome sneak peek, I'm already in love with the team and can't wait to see the fireworks fly.  I know it will be fun, but is it good as well?  Let's find out.

Starfire #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Settling In

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Leaving the Outlaws behind, it's time to see Kori out on her own and making a life for herself as an actual citizen of Earth.  I'd probably recommend asking Superman how he went about it, because being an alien from another world doesn't exactly come with a credit score.  Yeah, it's time to get Starfire situated and that means finding a place to live, so let's check out this new direction for our slave princess with her brand new creative team........ brand new as in not in the Outlaws........You get what I'm going with here, right?...........Let's check it out.

Earth 2: Society #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Daniel H. Wilson
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, John Rauch
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Welcome Back Earth 2!

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time to get back on track!  After seeing one of the best titles that DC had to offer, run through the mud do to event after event, we can finally get back to some sort of normalcy.......well, as normal as we can get on a new planet with two suns........ that bit doesn't matter here though.  Yes, Earth 2: World's End got really rough due to characters and events having no continuity and then Convergence coming in and doing a number on the characters and continuity again........ So all in all, Earth 2 has had it rough for a long time.  Hopefully that's all about to change here because it's just one issue each month and it can take it's time to flesh out the characters again and give us some semblance of a understandable story.  Yeah, this is all very harsh, but Earth 2 was my favorite title at one time and I'd like to see it return to it's former glory.  So let's check out our Wonders on their new world and find out what's going down.

Batman/Superman #21 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes and Ulises Arreola
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Depowered

I have been looking forward to this issue since both Batman and Superman #40 hit the shelves and blew every one's collective minds. With everything that's happened, this book has to be the most affected...Bruce is dead and Clark doesn't have a secret identity and is depowered.  Not quite the World's Finest we are all used to, huh?  I'm usually not open to drastic changes like this, but I'm keeping an open mind and remaining optimistic.  Did this second chapter of The Truth reward my patience?  Let's find out...

Batman #41 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCD Plascencia
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

What It Takes

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time to see the all new Batman dawn his cowl.......... er, I mean helmet and take to the streets and let people know that the Dark Knight is still keeping them safe.  Yeah, not much to say leading into this, all you need to know is that Batman died at the end of issue #40 and because we all know that Gotham needs a Batman, Powers International has built a robotic Batman suit and apparently Jim Gordon is going to be the one to fill it.  So let's check out the new status quo for Batman and see how it will affect the rest of the DC You.  Let's check it out.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles: Episode #1 "Twisted" Review

Justice

The first of the three animated shorts based in the Justice League: Gods and Monsters universe was recently released on Machinima's YouTube Channel. This universe, and yes its a universe due to how much is being put into it,  has been intriguing me since the moment it was first announced. However, in my intrigue, a few questions came up that could tear enjoyment from the universe. Questions like, "Could Bruce Timm (the legendary mind behind the DC animated universe) really work his magic again," or "Could a darker Justice League be pulled off without it drawing influence from predecessors(Justice Lords and Injustice Regime)," filled my mind. After watching this though, I have begun to push questions like that out of my mind.

Harley Quinn #17 Preview

Written by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Art by Chad Hardin
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 9, 2015

They’re here – the Gang of Harleys has arrived! Because the world demanded more Harley Quinn, Harley has answered the call – will a dozen more Harleys do the trick? Meet Carli Quinn, Harley Queen, HanukQuinn, and many, many, MANY more in a story that will have your sides splitting!


Jimmy and Amanda have turned me into a huge Harley fan, so what could be better than a whole Gang of Harleys?!?!  A Memory of Harleys?  A Flange of Harleys?  A Murder of Harleys? Actually, it doesn't matter because it's Harley and like the Goonies, that's good enough for me.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Gotham By Midnight #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Ben Templesmith
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 25, 2015

Life and Death

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

In the last issue of Gotham By Midnight, we saw the culmination of all the entities that The Midnight Shift have fought in this series, when we found out that the thing plaguing Gotham City is actually the physical manifestation of all the suffering the first settlers of Gotham caused to it's native people.  The stolen children, disease, death, everything that our heroes have dealt with is a tragedy that was dealt to the original tribes of the area.  After Sergeant Rook looks like he dies when a plant grows out of his head, Jim Corrigan Spectres up and the fate of Gotham is on the line when the manifestation of a past genocide demands justice from the spirit of vengeance.  Will Gotham be burned for it's past evils?  Let's get into this because the genocide entity and The Spectre are Godzilla size and I want to check this out.

Injustice: Year Four #6 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Rodondo, Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 9, 2015

Amazon Prime

Injustice Year Four has had it's ups and downs and unfortunately, the downs have been the last two issues.  It has't had that Injustice feel that has made this one of my favorite books for all this time and it's mainly been the characterization that has hurt it.  Superman seems too evil, Batman too scared and Harley Quinn too crazy.  That last one may seem funny to some, but it sums up my problems with this Year.  Everything has been played for effect and it all has come off as forced.  I can thankfully tell you that this issue starts the healing process.  It is better, but is that enough to get me excited for this series again?  Let's find out...

Old Time Tuesday: The Adventures of Superman ep 18 The Wolfe Versus The Yellow Mask

Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for...well, actually, it's been some time since I've put out an Old Time Tuesday post, but it's back. Some may not know, but I am a huge fan of Old Time Radio and Adventures of Superman is one of my favorites.  So, in an effort to show some "nonbelievers" how great the theater of the mind can be, I offer you The Adventures of Superman ep 18: The Wolfe Versus The Yellow Mask.  This episode was first aired on March 22, 1940.  Just sit back, close your eyes and enjoy!

Starfire #1 Preview

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Art by: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Preview via Hit-Fix

From the writers of the outrageous smash hit HARLEY QUINN comes former Outlaw Starfire in her all-new ongoing series! She’s an alien warrior princess trying to find peace on Earth, and she’ll fight anyone and anything to get it!

Catwoman #41 Preview

Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Art by: David Messina
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Preview via Comics Alliance

She’s still Gotham’s queen of crime –– but now, in order to work all the angles, Selina Kyle is back as Catwoman!

Batman/Superman #21 Preview

Written by: GREG PAK
Art by: ARDIAN SYAF
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

The epic new storyline “TRUTH” continues! In this chapter, what are the consequences of a bond broken?

I am so close to referencing A Few Good Men right now, but it just seems too easy.  The Truth had a pretty low key start last week in Action Comics, but this issue looks action packed, Pee Wee.  I am still not sure what to think of Superman's new status quo, but Greg Pak hasn't let me down yet.  And now, Mae West doing Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men: "You can't handle the truth, Big Boy!"

Detective Comics #41 Preview

Written by: Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul
Art by: Fernando Blanco
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015

Following the events of “Endgame,” get ready to ride with the GCPD in a whole new city! Harvey Bullock is leading a Bat task force, but what are his duties, and can he be trusted? And what kind of welcome awaits his new partner, Renee Montoya? 

The new DC You may mean something different to everyone, but here at Weird Science HQ, it means we are mixing up our review duties.  I am taking over Detective Comics and after reading that awesome sneak peek last month, I'm very happy about that.  I haven't reviewed a Buccellato/Manapul joint since they were on The Flash and while Francis seems to be taking this one off, I trust Buccellato implicitly.  It doesn't hurt that I'm also a big fan of Fernando Blanco so color me excited for this Wednesday to arrive.

Gotham Academy #7 Preview

Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan
Art by: Mingjue Helen Chen
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015


Special guest student Damian Wayne drops by the academy – and he is not pleased to meet his new classmates!

I love everything about Gotham Academy and while Karl Kershl's art was one of the reasons I started reading and reviewing it, I'm keeping an open mind with Mingjue Helen Chen jumping in.  The idea of Damian having to deal with Maps sounds great and I can't wait to see the sparks fly.  Thank god I only have to wait a few days!

Batman #41 Preview

Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015


The all-new Batman makes his debut! Who is he, and what happens next? Find out here as a new era begins in Gotham City!

What do you have for us now Scott Snyder?  Jim Gordon has taken over the role of Batman, with a special police sanctioned robot suit and while this sounds ridiculous and very off putting.......... I can't wait to see how it's going to turn out.  It's weird, this feels like when Batman had his back broken and Jean Paul Valley took over and mechanized the bat suit, but I don't know if it's because of Snyder writing this that I have more faith in it or if I'm just curious to see how it will work with a less violent character 20 years later.  Either way, it's sure to be top notch.

Indie Spotlight: Man Vs. Rock Vol. 1 Review

Written by: Victor DeTroy and Kevin Bieber
Art by: Jared Lamp
Where to Buy: Official Website, Amazon, Comixology, Ecrater
Release Date: Out Now!

Rock of Ages

This review will hopefully be the start of something beautiful.  Sometimes being an all-DC website and podcast can get me down in the dumps.  Sure, I love Batman and Superman, but nowadays, everything at the major companies seems to be getting more watered down in an attempt to appeal to the masses. While DC claims to have a book for anyone, what about a guy who wants a laugh out loud satire with lots of F-Bombs, dick jokes and sex?  Where's that book DC?   That book is out there and it's called Man Vs. Rock and it is the subject of this weeks Indie Spotlight review.

Red Hood/Arsenal #1 Preview

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Denis Medri
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 10, 2015


These brothers in arms face off against incredible odds while burning their way through the underbelly of the DC Universe – and it’s only a matter of time until they get gunned down in return!


Red Hood and The Outlaws was one of my favorite series and I know it was over the top action movie ridiculous, but that's the reason that I loved it so much............ I have a feeling that while this will continue the tone of the previous series...... I won't enjoy it nearly as much.  I don't like our heroes' new costume designs and the art in general is something that I just can't get behind.  Hopefully the story just really grabs me and I can get beyond my initial cosmetic complaints, but I doubt it.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 22: Justice League, DC You and The Truth

This week the boys try to tighten things up, but they still get involved in nonsense.  They talk about all the books released this week including Justice League, Action Comics, Bizarro, Batman Beyond and so much more.  There is also Dan's Geek News and Ryan Clark's Other Side segment featuring Spiderman: Renew Your Vows #1. The DC You is upon us and Jim and Eric have very mixed feelings about it!