Teen Titans #11 Review

Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Ricken
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Do the Creep

This is my third review of Teen Titans since taking over the book from Eric in June and I'll admit that I am already losing my patience.  While I like this issue more than last month's, that's not saying much.  Will Pfeifer has taken a cool idea (the Titans vs the Elite with Superboy's future in the balance) and really hasn't done anything with it.  Pfeifer has one of the coolest cast of characters at his fingertips, but doesn't seem to want to do anything cool with them.  Last issue, Raven found out what the Titans have to do to clear Superboy's name and that bit of information promised to at least lead to some action.  Did the Titans finally do what they set out to do, or did the Elite get in their way again?  Let's find out...

Batman: Arkham Knight #28 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by:Robson Rocha
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 28, 2015

Test Score

I really enjoyed last week's issue of Arkham Knight.  In fact, I gave it a 10/10 and I stand by that score.  It's still surprising, though, because it was a Tim Drake story and I have never been a member of  "Team Drake"...until now.  Peter Tomasi made me a fan and at the same time reminded me of how much I love Robin as well.  This issue ends "The Apprentice" mini arc and I have been looking forward to it since I read the cliffhanger last week showing Tim under attack from some baddie wannabes.  Did this issue live up to my expectations?  Let's find out...

Prez #3 Review

Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Ben Caldwell, Mark Morales, Sean Parsons, Jeremy Lawson
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26th 2015

*spoilers below, score and summary are at the bottom*

Inauguration day!

Last issue of Prez was an outstanding issue that started running with the story and began to set the tone for politics instead of the society building from the first issue. This issue is not as high in entertainment as the last one, but has way more dark political satire in it.

Top 5 Fridays: DC You Titles YOU Should Be Supporting!

Welcome back to another Top 5 Friday!  If you haven't seen the recent article on DC's July sales (click here if you want to), then you have seen the sales have been pretty bad, especially with the newer titles.  This makes me sad, as there are actually some gems in that pile.  That's why on this week's Top 5, I'm going to run down the DC You series that I think you should be supporting!  This list will not include any series that are still running from the New 52, such as Batman and Superman, because those have a smaller chance of being cancelled.  ENOUGH TALK!  Let's begin!

Deathstroke #9 Review

Written by: Tony S. Daniel and Jame Bonny
Art by: Eduardo Pansica, Sandu Florea, Arif Prianto and Fahriza Kamaptura
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Swords Out, Guns Out

The issue opens with some Deathstroke inner monologue getting everyone up to speed on the recent God Killer events and continues with some crazy bloodshed on Paradise Island.  While Hessia makes small talk with Slade, we get to see some of the God Killer sword's power.  It's pretty impressive, but not as much as Wonder Woman just ripping through Lapetus' Onyx Army.  As far as opening scenes go, this may be light on story, but boy it was heavy on action.  If you are a fan of this book, you know what that means...gallons of blood and severed limbs galore.

Justice League 3001 #3 Review

Written by: J.M. Dematteis and Keith Giffen
Art by: Howard Porter and Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 27, 2015

Super Buddies for Life

Justice League Three Thousand and whatever number you want to insert in has been one of my favorite books since it launched way back during the crusty old days of the New 52.  I won't say it's a guilty pleasure because while it's a pleasure to read, nobody on this end feels guilty in the slightest. Instead, I've done my best to shout from every roof and mountain top to get people to read this book. Is it because J.M. DeMatteis promised me the spare change he found in his couch cushions? No. Does Howard Porter take me to Sizzler every Friday Night for Steak and Unlimited Shrimp?  Boy, I wish and don't get me started with what I heard Keith Giffen does because the answer is a big, fat NO!  The reason I've pushed this book on the unsuspecting masses is simple...it's damn good.  It's a cool mix of humor, action and intrigue and it's position just outside the rest of the DCU (DC You?) gives it an all bets are off kind of vibe.  Seriously, you never know what's going to happen and even as you say "Oh no they didn't", they already did, girlfriend.  Now that's my kind of party.   So, what craziness happens this month and is it worth the price of admission (which is somewhere between the cushion change and a Sizzler meal)?  Let's find out...

He-Man: The Eternity War #9 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Abnett, Rob David
Art By: Pop Mhan, Mark Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

As we all saw in the previous issue, it looks like our heroes are fucked.  Not only has Prince Adam broke his Sword of Power because of what the power of He-Man might turn him into in the future, but Skeletor betrayed She-Ra when he left her locked in the dark dimension of Despondos after the two teamed up to gather power against Hordak........ So yeah, our heroes are out of the picture and after Hordak laid claim to the Eyes of Grayskull, he showed Eternia his true power when he activated them and destroyed the future world of Primus.  That's right, the Eyes of Grayskull are like a deathray that can access all of space and time....... so game over man!  I really don't know where we can go from here because as Hordak proclaimed at the end of last issue, he's the master of the Universe and after the display he showed, I'd have to agree with him.  Let's jump into this issue of The Eternity War and hopefully see how our Masters escape certain death.  Let's check it out.

Gotham By Midnight #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Juan Ferreyra
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

TV Will Rot Your Brain

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Our Precinct Thirteen is in a heap of trouble because while hunting down and killing supernatural beings that threaten the lives of humanity is a great way to spend your time, the paperwork is a bitch and a lot of questions have been raised by Internal Affairs as to what the Midnight Shift is all about.  I would have thought that Sergeant Rook's time with the group might have swayed his opinions, but it turns out that getting put face to face with monsters and almost dying doesn't bond people the way I would have thought.  If that wasn't bad enough, it seems that our team hasn't quite recovered yet from Sister Justine's death and the idea that Jim Corrigan can go all wrath of god out of nowhere and vaporize everyone around him.  It's a weird working environment, but I hope it continues as our team faces a new threat, while dealing with their current problems.  Let's check it out.

Aquaman #43 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Cullen Bunn
Art By: Trevor McCarthy, Jesus Merino, Guy Major
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

There Is No Atlantis, Only Thule

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I have not enjoyed Aquaman since the new creative team took over and man is that a bummer because that's exactly when I started reviewing it.  Aquaman has been cast out of Atlantis because an ancient city is forcing itself into our world and when it does, it begins poisoning the world it surrounds.  So obviously, since the problem started in the ocean, Aquaman took it upon himself to destroy the threat, but in his quest of destruction he found that there were innocent people that were inhabiting these forceful cities.  Since our Aquaman is a hero, he's all about saving the innocent, but this causes problems in his kingdom and all we know is that Arthur has been on the run from his people ever since........ Well, that and he has some bad ass new powers as well.  This story doesn't sound bad when summed up, but each issue has been hard to follow with the tidbits it releases and the artwork hasn't done much to help you understand the story that we're dealing with.  Hopefully that ends here and we can get back on the Aquaman trolley, but I'm not holding my breath.  Let's jump ito this issue and check it out.

We Are Robin #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Lee Bermejo
Art By: Jorge Corona, Rob Haynes, Trish Mulvihill
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Learning To Fly

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Who's ready to get back to Gotham and see how our street Robins are faring in a city turned upside down by a army of hobos?  Well, you better get ready because this shit is going down.  After having Duke Thomas initiated into the Robins after fending off said hobos and then being interrogated by a man that Duke thought was a police officer, only to find out that it was their mysterious benefactor "The Nest" in disguise, our band of Robins got together to take down the threat posed to the city in the form of bombs planted around monuments and important buildings.  Hopefully this trial by fire goes smoothly and we can get to know our Robins a little bit better.  let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Batgirl #43 Review

Written by: Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Babs Tarr and Serge LaPointe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Cereal Killer

While our site has been tagged as Batgirl haters, nothing could be further from the truth.  Both Eric and myself are huge Batgirl fans, we just had some relationship problems with the new direction if the character.  Actually, it was Eric who didn't enjoy it and in an effort to get a different point of view, I took over the book.  I don't know if that did the trick, if the book suddenly got better or a bit of both, but since taking it over in June, I have really enjoyed it.  While I wish that the Livewire story would have lasted longer we get to start a new one with something great...Alysia.  That's right, Babs' old roommate is back and it's such a cool callback and was one of the better reveals in any book recently.  Did it lead to another fun issue?  Let's find out...

Cyborg #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: David Walker
Art By: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Ray McCarthy, Scott Hanna, Adriano Lucas
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Be All You Can Be

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Booyah Bitches!  It's time to get back into action with our favorite techno titan Cyborg and even though I wasn't completely sold on this series after last month's first issue, I have to stay open minded because man did I beg DC to give me a Cyborg book and it just doesn't feel right to bitch after begging for so long.  In the previous issue, we had Cyborg going to his daddy to check out all the new things that his body can do after May's Sneak Peek, but after his father was more interested in the data than in his actual son, Cyborg got fed up and went to go have coffee with his friend Sarah......who he then completely blew off when the opportunity to talk about football with an old acquaintance appeared.  Nobody's getting any attention in this book, but with a battle waging out in space between the Technosapiens and the Tekbreakers, somebody better start paying close attention to what trouble they'll bring to our title character.  Let's jump into this issue and see if we can gleam any new details about what's really going down with these aliens and how it connects to Vic.  Let's check it out.

The Flash #43 Review

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse and Wendy Broome
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Too Fast for Love

I have been very vocal about the Venditti/Jensen/Booth run on The Flash.  In a nutshell, I love it. Sure, every story has it's ups and downs, but I have enjoyed almost every moment from Reverse Flash, Wally West and the Savage Lands of the Speed Force up to the current Professor Zoom arc. Speaking of that, I will admit that I was never a big Professor Zoom fan and if you are like me, have no fear.  Why?  Because this arc also features his Barry Allen hate club that I like to think of as the "New Rogues".  They were introduced in the Flash Annual last month and I can't wait to see them go toe-to-toe with The Flash.  Well, the wait is over because it all starts this month.  Was it as good as I was hoping?  Let's find out...

Justice League of America #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Bryan Hitch
Art By: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

All Over The Place

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Okay, it's time to jump back into JLA with all it's intricate stories going on.  In the previous issue it seemed like we got a reprieve on the brain busting when we simply dealt with Rao coming to Earth and blessing everyone of us.......... No, really!  That dude came down and his profits and him went around the world to all the hospitals and cured everyone.  Of course, Batman was wary of this living god and he put Cyborg to task to find a way to stop Rao through the many contingencies that he's collected over the years and Superman went around spreading the good Kryptonian word.  I know we're dealing with story over continuity here, but it's funny to me to think that this went down in the same world that the Truth is going down in.  As the story ended, it looked like Rao doesn't like to share his worshipers though because Wonder Woman awoke in a destroyed Olympus...... so it looks like the other gods aren't going to be any help here when shit goes bad.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the story is all over the place again or sticks with a single piece to this story.  Let's check it out.

Superman #43 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Gene Luen Yang
Art By: John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, Scott Hanna, Dean White, Leonardo Olea, Blond
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Chatty Cathy......Err...... Lois.

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Who's ready for more of the Truth?  So far, this prequel story to this crossover arc has been my least favorite, but it looks like we'll finally be getting something that resembles the rest of the story here.  In the previous issue, Superman, Jimmy, Lois and a blue haired girl named Condesa went up against an organization that claimed that it was going to reveal Superman's secret identity to the world if he didn't play ball and while this doesn't sound like that bad of a story, it was riddled with ridiculousness, like a flying bus that took you to a secret campus in the clouds.  Yeah, it all became Harry Potter out of nowhere, but after defeating the organization's leader Hordr_Root and destroying the campus with a solar flare, we saw something come up to Clark during his flare out and suck on him......er... um.... siphon his power.  So it looks like we finally get the de-powerment of the Truth story, let's see if we find out who let the cat out of the bag with Clark's identity here.  Let's check it out.

Grayson #11 Review

Written by Tom King with Tim Seeley
Art by: Mikel Janin and Jeromy Cox
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Sword Fight

Dick Grayson is my favorite comic book character.  Like others, I was very upset when DC canceled Nightwing for what seemed like a gimmick in Forever Evil.  Kill Dick Grayson?  Only Dan Didio could be so bold!  However, when Grayson was announced, the Dick camp seemed to split in two and I fell into the any Dick is better than no Dick side of the fight.  How could I say I was a Dick Grayson fan and not at least check out his new book.  I am so glad I did because Grayson is 1 of my favorite books and one that I look forward to each month.  The secret is that Tom King has given us a Dick Grayson book first and a Spyral/Spy book second.  It is exciting, fun and is never afraid to poke fun at itself, but most importantly, Tom King just nails the characterization of his lead character. I often joke that Dick's super power is being a great guy and Tom King must agree with me.  Last issue ended with a crazy cliffhanger showing that Dick was indeed the Spy Killer...or did it.  I know that Spyral has ways of making their agents do crazy things, but the timing seemed really off.  So if it wasn't Dick ready to Kill Agent 1, who was it and did it make another kick ass issue?  Let's find out (kind of, because I'm not spoiling everything like Eric does in his reviews!)

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 33

ep 33: "Eric wants a Sleepover" With not a lot of news, but plenty of Listener Mail and Comic Books, Jim and Eric get down to business and talk and talk and talk...  While they couldn't remember the name of seminal band, Sugar Ray, they did remember Welcome Back Kotter, Guns and Roses and Third Eye Blind among other nonsense.  They are also joined by Reggie for his Recklessness and Ryan Clark's Other Side segment featuring Welcome Back #1.  All that was missing is a stuffed crust pizza and a Puppet Master movie to make this a throwback sleepover extravaganza!

Justice League 3001 #3 Preview

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Art by: Howard Porter
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

It’s the Super-Buddies versus Giant Turtle Olsen starring in...Who the hell cares what it’s called? It’s Giant Turtle Olsen! You are so welcome. Oh, and the Justice League will show up too. I mean, it being their book and all…And hey, did we mention Giant Turtle Olsen?

I love this book!  I can't wait for this issue and I really can't wait to see Turtle Jimmy.  I once again want to direct you to my Top Five characters I want in Justice League 3001 (Here).  Two down, Three to go.  Please buy this book because I don't want to have to live without it!

Injustice: Year Four #17 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Xermanico and Rex Lokus
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 25, 2015

No Chicken of the Sea Here

Year Four of Injustice has been so up and down that I would think it's getting dizzy by now.  I don't know about you, but I have not been a big fan recently and I think it's actually because of the thing I was most looking forward to...the Gods themselves.  Growing up, I was a huge mythology nerd, so the thought of them standing with and fighting against my favorite comic book heroes sounded awesome.  Unfortunately, the reality hasn't been so great.  The whole dynamic just feels off and seems forced in for this "Year" before we move on with Year Five's finale.  Like I said, though, there has been some "ups" along the way and it usually involves some bash-em up action.  So, which direction did this issue go?  Let's find out...

He-Man: The Eternity War #9 Preview

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Pop Mhan, Mark Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015


Snake Men can’t save you. He-Man can’t save you. The Past, the present, the future—there is no escape from Hordak. He is…the Master of the Universe! Teela’s visions show destruction and fear throughout the cosmos and the fabric of creation—only those with darkness already in their hearts are spared by joining the Horde in its anarchy. But with these visions clouded, King Adam may still be able to turn the tides of time to save us all—but by attack, or surrender?

This solicit isn't lying.  At the end of the last issue we pretty much saw that Hordak runs this bitch and with the Eyes of Grayskull at his command, all of time is at his mercy........ poor, poor Primus.  I can't wait to continue the adventure of The Eternity War because it's been an unbelievable ride.

Jem and the Holograms #2 Review

Written By: Kelly Thompson
Art By: Sophie Campbell
Colors By: M Victoria Robado
Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 29th 2015



*Spoilers ahead, score at the bottom*

BATTLE OF THE BANDS!

The second issue of Jem and the Holograms starts off with the introduction to our rival band, The Misfits. It shows the band performing their new song for the news station. Then in an interview the lead singer Pizzaz tells more about the battle of the bands contest they are holding. Pizzaz shows agitation during the interview and then shows us she is a real bitch. We see a man named Rio doing a Buzzfeed type article over the Misfits so he has been tailing the band around messing with Pizzaz because she is easily tempered. We see our first debut of Jem and Holograms in the music video they made for the battle of the bands contest that is getting a ton of views that scare the Misfits. Rio then goes to track down the mysterious Jem. We then see our favorite four sisters visiting the orphanage their father left them and they help with the children. Rio shows up and interrupts Jerrica music lesson for the kids to tell her about how much he liked the video and wanted to know who Jem was. Of course Jerrica is Jem and dances around it until Rio asks Jerrica on a date, which is way sweeter then cartoon show Rio ever did. We see Kimber interact with one of the Misftit band members on a date then the Misfits find out and now she is in big trouble.

Elfquest #2 Raid at Sorrow's End Review

Here we are, another Monday and another Just for the Hell of it Review. On our recent podcast (HERE), I said that my pick for the week was between the Bruce Wayne Agent of Shield Amalgam book and Elfquest #2.  Surprise!  Elfquest #2 for the win.  It's not that the first issue was a huge hit numbers wise on the site, it's more personal than that.  Elfquest is one of Eric's favorite things and he has been pushing it on me since I met him.  So, to make the little guy feel important, I read and reviewed Elfquest #1 and really enjoyed it.  Don't tell Eric, though, because he would get a big head.

Puppet Master #4 Review and *SPOILERS*

I just couldn't stay away from this Puppet Master series, even though I was originally going to do a bunch of different horror books on a schedule, this just cried to be reviewed....... or I cried to review it.  Either way, this series has been really fun so far and I can't wait to get back into it.  So for this Just For The Hell of It Mondays, we'll be continuing the adventures of our murderous puppets as they find out that their torment of being trapped within wooden bodies might not be as eternal as they originally believed.  Let's check it out.

Batman V Scoobyman: Dawn Of Mystery Trailer

In the spirit of Just for the Hell of it Monday, I present to you Awkwardly Timed Videos Batman V Scoobyman: Dawn Of Mystery Trailer.  Unlike lazy guys like Eric and myself, they have new videos on their channel each and every weekend.  That's right, while you're playing shuffle board and eating finger sandwiches, videos are being posted.  So, check out the video and subscribe to their channel. Enjoy!

Teen Titans #11 Preview

Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Ricken
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Red Robin draws closer to proving Superboy’s innocence! But with the Titans trapped behind bars, in a prison built to house superpowered criminals, how will the truth ever be revealed?

I really want to like this book.  I love the team, I just wish it was a bit more fun.  It also isn't helping that it seems to have a revolving door art team recently, but I will be reading and reviewing it and I hope I love it to death.  I guess we'll see on Wednesday.

Prez #3 Preview

Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Ben Caldwell
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015


President-elect Beth Ross assembles a cabinet including her former boss, a disgraced congressman, and an anti-Smurf intellectual. Plus, Congress scrambles to pass pork-barrel legislation. Literally. And Boss Smiley imprisons his critics in a gerbil cage.

It's no secret that Prez isn't doing well.  It's a shame because it really is a fun book that is unlike anything that DC is putting out right now.  Maybe that's the problem, nobody knows what to make of it.  I might just be in that boat as well, but I will be reading this on Wednesday and Joel will be reviewing it on this site.  

DC Comics Estimated Sales For July 2015

This is my first go at talking about DC Comics sales, but it's something that I've wanted to do for long time so what the hell, let's get into it.  For this I decided that I was only going to do the main superhero books...... because they're the ones I like the best.  I also decided that I wasn't going to put down the collected digital books because I'm still holding out hope that DC will one day release the individual digital sales and make my year.  So let's look at how the sales are doing for our favorite comic book company in this segment that I'm calling "Checking The Numbers" and we'll see if our favorite heroes are pulling their weight in the comic book shops.  Let's check it out.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 8/22/15

As Aaron Lewis once sang to the masses, it's been a while since I have put together a best covers article on the site.  I'd like to point to numerous reasons for the long delay, but there really is one culprit...our weekly podcast.  My weekends are now so full with the preparation, then recording, then editing and finally releasing of said podcast, that I really don't have a ton of time to do the other things I like.  Things like spending time with my family, showering and yes, putting out the Best Covers of the Week.  However, going forward I am going to try real hard to at least shower and then maybe add in the Best Covers of the Week to the site.  So, here I go with what I hope is the (re)start of something cool.

Gotham By Midnight #8 Preview

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Juan Ferreyra
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015


Two of Gotham City’s top news anchors seem to be swaying the minds of the public with sinister supernatural intentions.

I'm a habitual TV watcher and I'm dumb as hell so I can totally get behind this Terror of The Boob Tube story because how else am I supposed to get my information besides from the sweet voices of people on the TV?........ Read?...... Bah!

Superman #43 Preview

Written By: Gene Luen Yang
Art By: John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, Scott Hanna, Leonardo Olea, Dean White, Blond
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015


Before “Truth”: Superman’s very existence is threatened, and Lois Lane must make the toughest choice of her life!

I'm really looking forward to this issue because it feels like we can finally get into the real "Truth" part of this story now that Superman has had his powers siphoned away from him.  This is probably where he has some sort of emotional breakdown and cuts his hair real short because........ well, because it seems that's what people do..... I don't know.

Aquaman #43 Preview

Written By: Cullen Bunn
Art By: Trevor McCarthy, Jesus Merino, Guy Major
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015


Since his exile from Atlantis, Aquaman has been exhibiting strange new powers. Now learn the secret of these powers as the former king comes face-to-face with Poseidon! And as the Atlantis of old wages war on Earth, the forces behind Arthur and Mera’s estrangement are revealed! All is not what it seems...

This book has been such a disappointment for me because I don't really understand the story and the art isn't doing us any favors on that front either.  I hate to say it, but this is just a mess.  Hopefully this will be the issue to turn everything around because I would love to enjoy Aquaman again.