Batman: Arkham Knight #21 Review

Written by: Peter Tomasi
Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend and John Rauch
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 10, 2015

Earning the Name

I really enjoyed last week's issue of Arkham Knight, mainly because of one big thing...the Suicide Squad.  Well, I guess it was the All-New Suicide Squad to be exact.  Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang and Deadshot have gotten the band back together (minus Amanda Waller and her bombs) and are going after Bruce Wayne.  Their inclusion in this book made everything feel so fresh and new and I couldn't wait to see what would happen this week.  Of course, I was also hoping to see more of the Arkham Knight himself, but because of how this book has been going, I wasn't expecting much on that front.  So, was this another kick ass issue?  Let's find out...

Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team Up this November

In a story that sounds too good (or crazy) to be true, DC Comics and IDW have announced that a Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle crossover miniseries will be hitting the shelves this November. The six-issue monthly will be written by James Tynion IV (who is suddenly getting a whole lot busier) with art by Freddie E. Williams II.  

DC Comics Announces Batman & Robin Eternal Weekly Book

We all knew that there would be another Batman weekly and while I heard whispers that it would be called "Eternal: Year Two", that is not the case.  Instead, fans will get six months of Batman & Robin Eternal starting on October 7th.



James Tynion IV will be the head writer with contributions from Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley, Geneveive Valentine, Steve Orlando, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Ed Brisson.  Tony Daniel was announced as the lead artist with Paul Pelletier and Scot Eaton joining in as well.  Anybody who read Batman: Eternal (or Futures End and World's End for that matter) knows all about the revolving creative team concept of DC's weekly books.

Top 5 Fridays: DC Videogames That Should Happen

Welcome to another edition of Top 5 Fridays. I've had a lot of fun with Batman Arkham Knight and while talking to a friend, a topic came up.  What DC game should come next?  Well this week's list is going to be what DC video games I believe should happen!  As usual, this is my list so I apologize to anyone who doesn't like my thoughts. Enough of the nonsense LETS BEGIN!

All-Star Section Eight #2 Review

Written by: Garth Ennis
Art by: John McCrea and John Kalisz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 9, 2015

BUENO

Without any prior knowledge of Section Eight, last months premiere issue floored me.  I loved it in the way that I used to love Mad Magazine as a wee lad and the rude and crude humor hit home with this forty something going on ten year old.  It isn't a book for everyone, but it was definitely for me.  Watching Garth Ennis skewer the Dark Knight had me laughing out loud and as a man without a soul, that is something I rarely do.  John McRae's art added to the gritty, dick joke come to life story and in the end, I had my surprise favorite of the DC You.  This month, Six Pack and the team focus on the Green Lantern Corps and I couldn't wait for another funny and highly inappropriate issue to make me laugh and wince.  Well, did it?  Let's find out...

Red Hood/Arsenal #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Paolo Pantalena, Tanya Horie, Blond
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

Game On

*Non Spoilers and Score At Bits and Pieces*

It's time to check in on our two remaining Outlaws...... you know, since Starfire went and got her own title and all that......... Red Hood and Arsenal!   I love these characters together, but I got the real feeling that Starfire was an intricate part of this duo's dynamic because for whatever reason, the first issue felt a bit off.  Yeah, we had the over the top action, quippy lines and Roy and Jason continuing their BFF status, but still..... just a little off.  I know that I wasn't really a fan of the art of the first issue and the costume redesigns weren't the greatest, but there seemed to be something more making me miss Starfire as part of the team.  Anyway, in the last issue we had Red Hood and Arsenal stop a political hostage negotiation gone wrong and in return they were offered a job by a government "fixer" who could use men with their talents.  Let's see if our duo take Miss Battleworth up on her offer or if they simply continue working the leads and beating skulls where they need beating.  Let's check it out.

Catwoman #42 Review

Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Art by: David Messina and Lee Loughridge
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

Catfight

Of all the books that survived the DC You transition, Catwoman is the one that came back the least new user friendly.  While it may have been hard for new readers to understand what was going on, for fans of Genevieve Valentine's run, it was business as usual.  Of course, by business, I mean the "Family Business" as Selina continued running the Calabrese crime family in her grey area quest to clean up Gotham.  While things weren't exactly going great for Selina already, the news of Batman hit her hard last issue.  It was my favorite reaction to Batman's reported death in any book and Selina promised herself that she was going to get down to the bottom of it.  That promise should mean more Catwoman starting with this issue and after all we've been through, I didn't know if that's what I want from this book anymore.  That's probably the biggest compliment I could ever give Valentine.  So, does more Catwoman mean a better issue?  Let's find out...

Earth 2: Society #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Daniel H. Wilson

Art By: Jorge Jimenez, John Rauch, Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

World Building

*Non Spoilers and Score At Bits and Pieces*

Welcome Back to Earth 2!  The world that was destroyed and then remade from the ashes of Convergence and as we saw in the first issue, a world where Terry Sloan is public enemy #1.  Taking place a year after Convergence........ for the most part, our story showed us Dick Grayson in his role as Batman as he chased after Sloan because....... as we saw in our year previous flashbacks, Sloan made the escape ships that fled the original Earth 2 crash land on this new planet......when they weren't meant to land.  So thousands of people died because of Sloan's order and in the end of the issue, he managed to give Batman the slip.  Let's get into this issue and see what we can find out about this new world and hopefully see a few more heroes.  Let's check it out.

Constantine: The Hellblazer #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV
Art By: Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

The Frighteners

*Non Spoilers and Score At Bits and Pieces*

If you would have asked me a couple of months ago if I was looking forward to Hellblazer, I would have told you that I liked the way Constantine was and re-branding it and getting a new creative team was crazy......... Yeah, I'm tired of being wrong all the time.  After last month's first issue I was completely sold on this getting back to the roots of Constantine style that this title is taking and even though I would have told you a couple of months ago that I was afraid that the art wouldn't do it justice......... again, the wrong thing we just talked about.  After seeing the tone that these creators took in the first issue, all my worries were put to rest as Constantine hit on anything that pleased him and dicked over an old acquaintance .......... a demon, but an old acquaintance nonetheless to prove that he wasn't one to be trifled with.  Just a great tone setting issue that any Constantine fan should check out.  As the issue closed, the ghost of Gaz told Constantine that something was out there killing the ghosts that haunt him.  Let's see what our brash Brit is going to do about his ghostbuster problem.  Let's check it out.

Justice League United #11 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Travel Foreman and Jeromy Cox
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

United We Fall

Of all the books that made it out of the New 52 into the DC You, Justice League United may be the one I was most looking forward too.  It also may be the one with the biggest changes.  I know that's a lot to say with what's happening with Batman and Superman at the moment, but JLU at least belongs in the discussion.  Coming right out of Convergence, this book is welcoming a cavalcade of what appears to be a thousand characters, combining them into crazy teams and throwing them into a fray that I'm still not sure I can explain.  In fact, going into this issue, I can't say that I knew much except that Jeff Parker was writing and Travel Foreman was on art.  While I love both of them, was this issue the start of something special or just a Convergence hangover I'd like to forget?  Let's find out...

Justice League of America #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Bryan Hitch
Art By: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

I'll Be Damned

*Non Spoilers and Score At Bits and Pieces*

Wow, did we get a lot thrown at us last issue.  We had the Infinity Corporation invite Superman to New York, so he could witness a great big room full of dead..... hims.  At some point in the future the world was going to be destroyed and it all hinged on the death of Superman........ Which the Infinity Corporation knew because they kept pulling dead Supermen from different future timelines to double check their hypothesis...... So yeah, room full of dead Supermen.  If that wasn't enough, we also had the rest of the Justice League invited to a location to fight Parasite, Wonder Woman disappearing, Hal and Barry getting sucked in a wormhole to Oa......possibly and the Infinity Corporation disappearing completely before the god Rao showed up on Earth........... I don't care who you are, that's a lot of shit!  With the ancient god of Krypton making his appearance on Earth, we ended the last issue with Superman getting all worship-y, so let's get into this issue and see how the people of Earth feel about someone coming to their planet and telling them that they're the true god..... because that always works out well.  Let's check it out.

Gotham Academy #8 Review

Written by: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8th 2015

*Spoilers ahead*

Paying it forward?

Last month in Gotham Academy we were put on hold from our main story so we could see Damian Wayne beat everyone up. There was small mentions of something bad happening to Olive. This month we find out exactly what happened. We have a cold cold open at a funeral and we see our main characters sad because Olives' mother had passed away. The fourth page in and I am already tearing up because Maps is upset trying to comprehend the whole situation. The book drops the funeral scene fast and then quickly jumps all over the place. We see our mysterious heart throb Tristan again and how he is playing into the life of Olive.

Batman/Superman #22 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, Blond, Dean White and Beth Sotelo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

Subterranean Homesick Blues

I want to lay it all out on the table before starting this review...I have not been impressed with the "Truth" story.  As a whole, I think it's been disjointed and lackluster, but individually, it's had it's moments. Take this book for example.  Last month's issue had some good moments (Lex and Clark's interaction, Superman pimping out the Batbike) and some bad (Lois and Cark's phone conversation was the worst).  The issue ended with Clark calling out Batman by possibly igniting an entire city block, but it did get his attention. It was a pretty cool ending that had me somewhat excited for this issue.  Now that I've read it, has my opinion of the Truth changed at all?  Let's find out...

Batman #42 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

It's Time For Crime To Bloom

*Non Spoilers and Score At Bits and Pieces*

It's time to step back into Gotham and see how Jim Gordon is dealing with his new role as Batman.   In the last issue we saw the events that led Jim to agree to take on the pseudo mantle of the Bat, all while seeing his unveiling against a psionic energy monster.  As it turns out, the thing that really pushed Gordon over the edge in becoming the Armored Crusader was the fact that he couldn't bare the thought of putting in some younger recruit to take his place, when they're careers were so short and they're were just starting families.  Batman's not a job that comes with a pension plan because putting on the cowl most certainly means death.  With that in mind, Jim chose to take on the burden and do his best to honor the city's former protector.  I just don't know how long that will last because as the last issue closed we saw that Bruce Wayne just might still be kicking around.  Let's dive into this issue and see how the former Commissioner is doing in his new role and what's going on with our former Batman.  Let's check it out.

Fanboy Theories: What happened at the end of Arkham Knight?*SPOILERS*

SOMETHING ELSE

So it's been about two weeks since the release of Batman: Arkham Knight, and if you had a chance to beat it, lets just say that ending was one hell of a way to go out...but that's not all. As many people know to get the TRUE ending, one must complete the game at 100%. That means every villain is put away, every person is saved, and every DAMN RIDDLE solved...Needless to say, I did this challenge...and now I'll be going to give my thoughts.

BEFORE THAT HOWEVER: I want to say that this Fanboy Theory will be SPOILING the 100% ending to Batman Arkham Knight. If you haven't beaten the game, get to it!

Injustice: Year Four #10 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Xermanico
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 7, 2015

Any Which Way But Zeus 

I haven't been a fan of this Year of Injustice.  If you have read my previous reviews, that's no big surprise.  Neither is the reason...the characters.  Things have just felt out of place this year whether it's Harley Quinn trying too hard for laughs or a handful of other characters acting not quite like themselves.  Unfortunately, if you don't care for the characters, the action and story fall flat and that's what has been happening.  I keep hoping that things will turn around because I love both Injustice and writer Brian Buccellato, but so far, I keep ending up disappointed.  Last issue ended with Sinestro showing up to ruin Superman and Wonder Woman's fight to the death and maybe give the book the spark it needs.  Well, did it?  Let's find out...

Doomed #2 Preview

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Javier Fernandez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 15, 2015

The secret origin of our Doomed hero is revealed! Plus: Tons of stuff gets smashed!

Starfire #2 Preview

Written By: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015


Florida is so nice this time of year…the warm weather…the beach…and Starfire beating the crud out of the bad guys! You should really try to get down there and see for yourself.


While I wasn't completely sold on this series from it's first outing, the cliffhanger did get me interested in what's coming next and I did love Emanuella Lupacchino's art.  Hopefully Starfire gets a little more grounded in this series, so I don't hear her Teen Titans Go counterpart when I imagine her talking in this book.

Justice League of America #2 Preview

Written By: Bryan Hitch
Art By: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015


The JLA learns more about the armada of religious zealots that has arrived on Earth – and their stunning ties to Krypton!


Holy shit, did this book throw a ton of things at us all at once last issue.  Hopefully, we'll slow down a bit here and just simply deal with Rao coming to Earth because I don't need another case of comic overload that I went through last issue.

Gotham Academy #8 Preview

Written by: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

Classes are suspended for a funeral. So, is it really true that grieving students get all A’s?

Looking at the solicit up above, I expected some goofy "funeral"...possibly for one of Maps D&D characters, but that's not the case.  From this preview, it looks like this issue might be a 4 tissue out of five affair.  I don't know if that will make a great issue, but Karl Kerschl's art looks great and Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher haven't let me down yet.  I still think that's a crazy solicit, though.  I guess Olive will get all A's.

Constantine: The Hellblazer #2 Preview

Written By: Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV
Art By: Riley Rossmo
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015


Somebody is killing the only friends John has: the ghosts that haunt him! How can you kill what’s already dead? John is going to find out and make this adversary pay!


This sounds like it's going to be John Vs. The Frighteners and you know what?  I dig it.  Yeah, it's probably not Constantine going up against Jake Busey, but the first issue of this series really put any uncertainties I had about the comic at ease and I'm up for anything at this point.  It's like George Michael's been tellin' ya.  You gotta have faith.

New Suicide Squad #10 Preview

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015

What do you get when you take on an unstable breakaway faction from the League of Assassins? Dead Squad members, that’s what!

I can't tell you how much I loved last month's New Suicide Squad.  Actually, you can go see my review HERE and read for yourself.  I wanted the announced new Squad going in, but after reading the issue, I'm fine just the way things are.  

Batman and The Outsiders #1 Review

All right, we are back for another round of Just for the Hell of it Monday.  While Eric is trying to entice everyone with his horror nonsense, I am keeping it real up in the field with a DC Comics classic...Batman and the Outsiders.  Why pick this book?  Because I have been predicting over and over (in fact, I did it again on this week's podcast HERE) that DC would announce a Batman and the Outsiders miniseries sometime soon.  I guess I gave to wait a bit more...kind of.  DC did announce eight new minis today and among them is a Metamorpho book written by Aaron Lopresti and a Katana book written by Mike W. Barr.  "Mike W. Barr?  You mean the writer of Batman and the Outsiders?"  Yes, yes I do, voice in my head.

So, what better way to celebrate the announcement than hopping in the wayback machine and going back to the summer of '83 when a young Jim Werner was learning to battle Sucker MC's while wishing he could get through and shout pix-pix-pix on channel 11.  He became a lifelong fan of Dave Righetti and Grandmaster Flash and had no idea that Batman and the Outsiders was coming out. That young Jim was a real dummy.  But, enough about him...let's get on with the review.

Evil Dead 2: Beyond Dead By Dawn #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Who's ready for another horror comic review for Just For The Hell of It Mondays?  Well, you all better be because I'm doing one whether you like it or not.  This week we'll be looking at a book that came out of nowhere for me, especially since I've spent the majority of my life loving the film series it's based on and some how heard nothing about this book coming out.  I'm talking about the Evil Dead, but more importantly, my favorite installment to the film series, Evil Dead 2.  Yeah, we've seen Ash continue his adventures against the Deadites in comics for over a decade now, but this book is different in that it's a direct sequel to the events of Evil Dead 2 and the star of the book is Annie Knowby, who was actually the hero of Evil Dead 2 because of her being the one who actually opened the time tunnel and sent the evil back to whence it came at the end of the flick.  Now, I've watched that movie inside and out and I can't wait to see what the writer does here because even though Annie rocked her knowledge of the Book of The Dead, she did in fact die in the movie.  So let's check out this sequel and see if it honors Evil Dead 2 and if it's a competent continuation of the story, from another perspective.  Let's check it out.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters - Superman #2 Review

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Moritat
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 5, 2015

Dark Flight

I don't want to sound like a broken record (for you younger readers, a record is an analog sound storage medium that is played on a record player...what's a record player?  Oh, never mind), but I have loved everything about this Justice League: Gods and Monsters series.  The first part with Batman was a great horror take on the traditional story and the first issue of Superman has me excited for what's to come next.  As the first issue progressed, Superman went from a joyful little boy to an angry, introverted young man ready to erupt.  J.M. DeMatteis did such a good job showing us the how and why that I might erupt right with him.  While the story was great, Moritat's art might be better.  It complimented the story and helped show the change within Superman so well.  This second issue has a lot to live up to.  Does it succeed?  Let's find out...

Batman/Superman #22 Preview

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Ardian Syaf
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015


The Superman epic you never expected – “TRUTH” continues! Can Superman accept the truth about his new partner? Featuring the all-new Batman!

I haven't been the biggest supporter of the "Truth" story so far, but this issue looks like it might change my mind a bit.  I like seeing Superman working WITH the new Batman, plus this might clear up my major issues with Action Comics to boot.  I can't wait, because I want the believe.

Dr. Fate #2 Preview

Written By: Paul Levitz
Art By: Sonny Liew
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 15, 2015


The new Dr. Fate is already having trouble controlling the power of Nabu – and time is of the essence because he’s about to be tested by an ancient evil!

I love Dr. Fate, but the first issue of this series did little to make me invested in the characters of this title.  The art as well didn't impress me and Dr. Fate's alter ego of Khalid Nelson came off looking like Doug Funny with his hair drawn in.  Hopefully this next issue impresses because as of right now, Paul Levitz is continuing his run of disappointing me.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 26: Superman, Fourth of July, Kid n Play

Jim and Eric celebrate the 4th of July by talking about Kid n Play, James Hampton and Peanut Butter and Miracle Whip Sandwiches.  They also have time to discuss some DC Comics news and argue about all of the DC comic books that came out this week.  We also hear more about the Eric Shea/Ryan Clark feud in the Brightest Daycare Other Side segment and play a little game called guess the edit on Dan's Geek News.  Enjoy!