All-Star Section Eight #3 Review

Written by: Garth Ennis
Art by: John McCrea and John Kalisz
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 15, 2015

Weapon of Choice

I don't know if I should admit this, but I love All-Star Section Eight.  I know it's not for everyone (including my man, Jay Yaws, at Batman-News who has washed his hands clean of it!), and I'm not really sure what my love says about me as a person.  This book is lewd, crude and upsetting almost all the way through and yet, I find myself laughing the whole time.  Maybe it's because I had no expectations about it going in, but I don't think that's quite it.  I think it's all a sense of humor thing and where you sit mentally.  I am in fact, an eight year old when it comes to what I find funny.  If you are like me and laugh anytime someone farts or says something like, "You have to do that longer and harder", then this book might be for you as well.  I am not saying I'm proud to like All-Star Section Eight, but I do want your pity.  Please don't judge me.  Now, on with the review...

Gotham Academy #9 Review

Written by: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Karl Kerschl, Serge Lapointe and Msassyk
Cover Price: $2.99

*Spoilers below, no spoilers at the bottom along with the score*

Calamity Strikes!

After the previous issue was more set up than story, this issue picks the story up from there and completely runs with it. This issue opens with Olive wandering the woods analyzing the note she had received last issue. Then the Detective club finds her and begin to investigate the monster that has been terrorizing campus. That is right kids, it is time to get into the Mystery Machine van for some Scooby-Doo adventures. 

Batman: Arkham Knight #26 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi

Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend and John Rauch

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: August 14, 2015

It's a Date

I have gone on and on about how much I have enjoyed this book and one of the biggest reasons are the side characters.  Recently, Deadshot has been great as Batman's new buddy and Amanda Waller's eyes and ears.  They have fought Killer Croc, crazy experimental mud monsters and themselves.  Last issue seemed to end the fun as Lawton was arrested by Gordon, but we did get a peek at the Penguin, Harley Quinn and even the Arkham Knight.  While I was a little disappointed with the issue, I was hoping that this week's finale to the Suicide Blues arc would get back to the business of kicking ass. Well, did it?  Let's find out...

Starfire #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Murder, Monsters and Grocery Shopping

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Starfire trying to find a life for herself has just been riddled with problems.  I know that moving and starting someplace new always has it's tribulations, but goddamn Starfire can't catch a break.  After finding a place to live, a hurricane comes and sweeps it away and if that wasn't bad enough, we also saw some sort of underworld monster come to the surface and that's never a good thing.  The only positive that seems to have come from heading down to Key West is that Kori seems to have really found a friend in the local Sheriff, Stella Gomez and I'm sure once her brother gets over his death wish because he lost his love years ago, he'll be on board with the friend thing too....... or maybe more.  Anyway, let's head back down to the Florida Keys and see what else could possibly go wrong with Starfire's move.

Green Arrow #43 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ben Percy
Art By: Patrick Zircher, Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Robots Are Racist

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Let's head on back to Seattle where our hero has really been letting me down lately.... We've had Green Arrow slacking in the hero department and we've even had Oliver Queen slacking in the responsible business man department.  Not only has a slew of racially motivated murders taken place that Green Arrow hasn't been able to solve, Oliver went and signed a deal with a guy to create terrible robots for the police department, creating panic in the streets as tentacled drone monsters racially profile the people of Seattle and even murder folk.  At the end of the last issue, we finally saw our hero taking action, but he disappointed again by getting himself caught by the evil Mr. Zimm and his racist robot.  Hopefully this issue does something to enhance my Green Arrow experience because as of right now, I haven't been a fan of anything that we've seen.  Let's check it out and see what happens.

Justice League United #12 Review

Written by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Travel Foreman and Jeromy Cox
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 13, 2015

Know Your Role

I agreed to take over this book to review from Eric months ago mainly because Eric had grown tired of doing it.  I wasn't thrilled by the idea of doing it, but when Eric gets tired, he gets cranky and the next thing I know, creators are yelling at us on Twitter.  The funny thing is that during Convergence, DC announced the change that this book would undergo and Eric immediately wanted it back.  He tried to take it by force by claiming diplomatic immunity, but I told him, "It's just been revoked" after shooting him in the head.  That's how we get shit done on our site.  Anyway, the idea of a rotating roster of heroes and villains joining together to rid the Zeta Beam of anomalies sounded confusing but cool and after reading last issue...it was confusing but cool.  It wasn't as good as I was hoping, but it showed promise.  I was hoping that this issue would give us a better understanding of what is going on while maybe letting Etrigan say a rhyme or two.  Did it give me any of those things?  Let's find out...

Constantine: The Hellblazer #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV

Art By: Ming Doyle, Vanessa Del Rey, Ivan Plascencia, Lee Loughridge

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: August 12, 2015

On Her Majesty's Supernatural Service

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've got a ghostbuster on the loose........ no, wait.... that would be terrible in Constantine, but we do have some sort of monster that's killing off Constantine's ghosts and after spending the previous issue trying to gain enough power...... and ghost bait to take on the Johnny Bartlett wannabe.... that's a Frighteners reference in case you didn't know, Constantine found himself in over his head.  Even though Gaz begged him throughout the issue to go get someone named Georgie to help him take on this threat and save his ghostly ass, John went and fucked Gaz over again by getting him killed.......again.  Hopefully that won't be the end of Gaz because I love him haunting John and just telling him that everything he wants to do is a terrible idea.  Let's jump into this issue where Constantine heads home to London to look up Georgie and hopefully put an end to his murderer of ghosts.  Let's check it out.

New Suicide Squad #11 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones and Blond
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Lazarus Brit

I don't think I am saying anything special when I tell you that the most important thing about a team book is...the team.  I know, mind blown.  I guess that's why I have enjoyed the New Suicide Squad, especially the last couple of issues.  Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Black Manta are three of my favorite villains and put Harley Quinn and Parasite into the mix and we have a team I can get behind. I also have enjoyed the League as the Taliban-like extremist group and what they are doing to the three undercover Squad members.  Last issue, Boomerang couldn't stand seeing kids going to school with no recess and it lead to him being attacked by Manta.  It seems like Black Manta has gone too far down the rabbit hole and while I think he's playing, we'll all have to wait and see.  Does this issue continue the generally good vibes I've had about this book?  let's find out...

Red Hood/Arsenal #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Denis Medri, Tanya Horie
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

(555) R-E-D - A-R-S-E

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This is a very strange series for me because I loved Red Hood and The Outlaws and while this maintains the humor and the over the top action, it hasn't really hooked me yet. One of the reasons might be because we keep switching back and forth between artists and as anyone who's obsessed with comics can tell you, if a book doesn't find a look and stick with it, readers aren't happy campers.  Anyway, we're back with the artist from the first issue here and I hope I can get behind it because the art was the main reason that I had a hard time getting into that issue......... Well, that and I don't really care for our heroes' redesigns.  It is what it is I guess, but before we get into this issue just let me tell you that in the previous issue Jason and Roy began working for a government "fixer" named Tara Battleworth and all seems like Pinatas and RC Cola for our heroes because they're helping people and making a shit load of money doing it.  Let's see if they continue their hot streak of being gainfully employed or if they find themselves on welfare.  Let's check it out.

Batman/Superman #23 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes and Beth Sotelo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Crazy? Insane?

I think that the best and worst thing about the Truth story is the fact that each book involved is telling it's own unique story.  While it annoys me that the books don't line up as neatly as I'd like, each writer gets to tell their own bit without being fully tied down to what the others are doing.  No book shows this as much as Batman/Superman.  While the other books deal with corrupt cops and hacker groups in the clouds, Greg Pak sent Superman underground to fight Ukar, the King of Subterranea.  It was a cool shout out to Pak's Action Comics run, but an odd choice for the overall story.  While this book hasn't been the strongest in the Truth lineup so far, I have to admit that I was looking forward to this issue if only to see what new craziness Pak  cooks up for the former Man of Steel.  Well, how crazy did it get?  Let's find out...

Earth 2: Society #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Daniel H. Wilson
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Tornado Warning

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Oh boy, it's time to get back to Earth 2...... Well, the planet currently called Earth 2..... You know because of Convergence and all that.  Anyway, Earth 2, the place where our parallel heroes now call home and as of last issue, the place that Terry Sloan is trying to terraform into the previous Earth 2.... Yeah, I can see how that could be confusing, but just go with it.  So far, we've jumped into this series a year after the refugees of the destroyed planet crashed landed on this Telos world and began calling it home, but as we've been given the current Terry Sloan madness story, we've also been given flashbacks to "Crash Day" and exploring who our heroes are now and what they've been through.  It's been a slow go so far, but hopefully this issue will give the story a nudge and get it to start going.  Let's check it out.

Action Comics #43 Review

Written by: Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder
Art by: Aaron Kuder and Tomeu Morey
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Alien Nation

I am not one of those people who hate the Truth story because of what it represents...a depowered and exposed Clark Kent/Superman.  Granted, I prefer my superheroes at the top of their game, but the concept is intriguing and if nothing else, gives the writers something original to play with.  What I haven't liked is the reality of it.  The story just hasn't been that good and took over a bunch of my favorite books.  This is one of them.  Since Greg Pak took over Action Comics, it has been my favorite Superman book on the shelf and the fact that it is struggling is more of an indictment against the Truth than Pak, in my opinion.  The story of Superman vs the Metropolis Police Department has gone from bad to worse and last month culminated in Clark punching a cop in the face. While that sparked some ridiculous news reports (FOX News Here), I just didn't like it.  Did this issue continue the downward spiral or did Pak and Aaron Kuder stage a late game comeback?  Let's find out...

Batman #43 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Quid Pro Quo

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

What a cliffhanger we were left with in the previous issue of Batman.  After fighting a super powered gangbanger, who received his powers from a new threat named Mr. Bloom, we saw Jim Gordon go and meet up with Bruce Wayne.  After our initial shock that Bruce Wayne was alive and well and for some reason working at a Rec Center, we were blown away again as we saw Jim Gordon introduce himself to Bruce as being Batman.  That's the first day of Being Batman 101, you don't go telling people your secret identity.  It's time to go back to Gotham and find out why our favorite hero is still alive and well, working with kids and why Jim Gordon would meet him in private.  Let's jump into this issue and get all the answers.......... not to mention our introduction to Mr. Bloom!  Let's check it out.

Batman/Superman #23 Preview

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Vicente Cifuentes and Ardian Syaf
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

“Truth” continues as Superman must learn to depend on the new Batman’s help—but can he trust him?

New Suicide Squad #11 Preview

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

An extremist offshoot of the League of Assassins has taken what was once a shadow war into broad daylight, attacking a crucial energy concern with a view to trading power for super-weapons of mass destruction. It’s up to new “recruits” Deadshot, Boomerang and Manta to save the world without blowing their cover.

Sean Ryan has used this arc to convince me that I don't want that new Suicide Squad team they announce those many months ago.  I don't know why he's spending all his time just trying to convince me of anything, but those comic book writers are a funny lot.

Injustice: Year Four #15 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran and J.Nanjan
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 11, 2015

For God's Sake!

While Year Four of Injustice has been a bit of a disapointment, the action packed last couple of issues have turned the tide a bit.  After a lot of slow moving setup, the Year of the Gods finally shifted into high gear with cool battles and deaths that fans of Injustice expect.  Last issue ended with Hecules being killed and Shazam changing back into Billy Batson for no reason of his own.  While we didn't see the who and why, I think it was pretty obvious that it was Zeus' doing, but I still couldn't wait to see it with my own eyes.  Now that the issue is here, did I enjoy everything my peepers saw?  Let's find out...

New Suicide Squad #10 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones and Blond
Release Date: July 8, 2015

I Decided Long Ago...

While the New Suicide Squad has had it's ups and downs, this new arc is definitely part of the ups.  So, if you're like Janet Jackson and ask, "What have you done for me lately?", this book can respond, "Give you a kick ass soft reboot that will make you want to keep this team."  However, you are not Janet Jackson (or are you?) and this book can't talk (or can it?)  Now that we have that straightened out, let's jump into the review and see if this issue continues the good vibrations.

Starfire #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

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

Weathering The Storm

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The hurricane has come and the people of Key West had no time to evacuate their homes.  Hopefully an alien Princess, who recently made herself a resident is up to the task of saving them.  That's right, with Starfire's new series, she's moved down to Florida, began getting her life together and as anybody knows who has ever had to do it....... Moving in a storm is the worst.  Let's see if Kori can weather the storm and hopefully make a life for herself in her new community...... If there's any community left by the end.  Let's check it out.

Starfire #3 Preview

Written By: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015


Starfire picks up the pieces and finds her new home in the aftermath of the storm! But while our hero helps her community heal, a creature from the underworld emerges to threaten all she hopes to protect! What is this creature’s hidden motive? And why does it seem to get bigger every time Starfire punches it?


What are the chances that Starfire would move to ground zero of an underworld monster emergence?  Kori just can't catch a break.  I'm still iffy on this series, but hopefully this issue cements my opinion of it favorably.

Action Comics #43 Preview

Written by: GREG PAK
Art by: AARON KUDER
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

“Truth” continues as Superman defies the Metropolis police and faces a new threat from the shadows!

From the shadows, eh?  I can't tell you how much I love this preview.  While I have been disappointed by the Truth story so far, this issue looks to remedy the thing I have hated the most...that damned police officer in Action Comics.  Now everyone (especially Eric) can see that I was right...he was a Shadow Monster!  I win again.

Gotham Academy #9 Preview

Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

If the gang thought it was hard to keep up with their homework before, now there’s a werewolf on campus at Gotham Academy! Talk about distractions!

Boy, the solicits for Gotham Academy don't give you much, do they?  That's okay since the book has been consistently good so you can rest assured that while the solicit is generic, the book is far from that.

Star Trek/Green Lantern #2 Preview

Written by: Mike Johnson
Art by: Angel Hernandez
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

The comics crossover event of 2015 continues here! Hal Jordan meets Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise for the first time as six Lantern rings choose new bearers! But which Trek characters - and which alien races - will be selected? Iconic franchises collide for the first time in this all-new galaxy-spanning epic!

While a lot of crossovers of this nature can end up feeling really forced, Mike Johnson is hitting all the right notes here.  I am not a huge Star Trek fan (Star Wars all the way!), but I really enjoyed the first issue.  Johnson knows his Trek, but more importantly, can present it to fans and nonbelievers alike.  Of course, there is also the Green Lantern factor which I'm a huge fan of, so no matter what side of the fence you're coming from, this book has something for you.  Check it out on Wednesday!

Deathstroke Annual #1 Review

Written by: Tony S. Daniel and James Bonny
Art by: Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 29, 2015

Slade and Diana's Bogus Journey

This book has been hit or miss for me.  The art has been a hit, while the writing...well, you get the picture.  Since Tony Daniel has been doing both, I have spent the majority of my reviews praising and complaining about the same person and that's just confusing for a dummy like myself.  I often end my comments by saying if the writing could catch up with the art, this could be the best book on the shelves today, but sadly, we are far from that dream.  However, with this God Killer arc, it at least seems possible.  Having Deathstroke go up against a god (or gods ?!) is exciting and teaming him with Wonder Woman is awesome, but there is still a lot of work to be done before this book can sit at the DC Comics adult table.  Unfortunately, this issue is not the game changer I've been looking for.  Sure, it's a fun issue that brings to mind one of my favorite movies, but in the end, it is pretty much unnecessary.  What am I going on about?  Let's find out...

Red Hood/Arsenal #3 Preview

Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Denis Medri
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015


Red Hood and Arsenal are open for business! After working for the mysterious Tara Battleworth as on-staff outlaws, Roy and Jason have decided to branch out on their own as freelance problem solvers, investigators, and general butt-kicking specialists. But when the sinister corporate scourge of Underbelly rears its ugly head, can our heroes overcome pure evil and corruption made manifest?

I've said it a million times, I don't like talking negatively about people's art.  I have to say this though even if it makes me uncomfortable..... I really prefer the artist we had in the previous issue to the one we have here.  It's weird, it's like the two artists are switching off from month to month and as far as I'm concerned now, this series is like the Star Trek movies.  You should only get the even numbered ones.  Hopefully the story kicks serious ass because I cannot get behind the artwork of our heroes in costume at all.

Earth 2: Society #3 Preview

Written By: Daniel H. Wilson
Art By: Jorge Jimenez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015


The utopic society of Earth-2 begins to show cracks as the new world reacts to the assassination plot that’s left a huge power vacuum on the planet. Which hero can step up to fill the void?

I don't know what this solicit is talking about because we better be dealing with some sort of terraforming situation going on like we had at the end of the last issue.  I don't know what this comic is trying to be....... but right now it's not trying to be something that keeps my interest.  At this point I would have to say that this comic needs to pull some sort of magic out of it's ass to keep people reading because all over I see people dropping this title.  I still love the characters, but we need to move past all that World's End and Convergence nonsense because people weren't fans of that and anything resembling a connection between this and those is just going to piss people off.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 31

Episode 31: With fewer books to talk about, Jim and Eric keep it under three hours.  Eric shows his excitement that Charles Band follows him on Twitter and Jim gets upset at a listener mail making fun of his voice.  They also talk about all the DC Comics that came out this week, discuss the news, read listener mail and bitch and moan.  Reggie's Recklessness features his opinions on the Killing Joke and Ryan reviews This Damned Band #1.  Dan got food poisoning so there is no Geek News this week, but Jim threatens to do it himself...as Dan.