Superman/Wonder Woman #24 Review

What a Sucky Liar

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke, Ardian Syaf, Tom Derenick, Jaime Mendoza, Jordi Tarragona, Mark Irwin, Will Quintana and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

The Superman/Wonder Woman book has been hit hard by the whole Truth storyline.  Of course, Superman doesn't have his powers or identity, but that's the least of the power couple's problems. While Diana dealt with Clark's depowerment with grace and discretion, Superman has been a self centered prick and went so far as to dump everyone's favorite Amazon.  While Lois Lane fans could be seen dancing on the rooftops, I had no idea where this book would go without the world's great power couple not being...you know, a couple.  Peter Tomasi skirted the issue a bit by having them maintain their working relationship and that's what lead them to team up with Parasite and take on Mr. Bend.  Last issue ended with Parasite kicking much ass and Wonder Woman being taken prisoner in a power sucking suit.  Where does that leave Superman?  Right in the middle of the shit!  I really enjoyed last month's issue and while I haven't been looking forward to any of the Truth Superman titles lately, I wasn't upset that I had to read and review this here.  So, does this month's issue continue the fun and maybe, just maybe, make me slightly more positive about the state of Superman books in general?  Let's find out...

Top 5 Fr-aturdays: Top 5 Things I Want From DC Comics In 2016

Welcome to this weeks Top 5 Fr-aturday(Thats a new day deal with it!). The New Year has come in and the comics have already begun rolling out as we approach the end of current storylines and go back to some of the status quos in the case of Batman and Superman. Now I'm a dreamer so I actually have been thinking what I want to see in comics this coming year, so I thought, "Why not make that the list!" This list will be ranging on a variety of wishes, such as character development, plot points and setting. As per usual this is my list, and if you don't like something I apologize. Enough talk! Lets begin!

The Flash #47 Review

Running With The Devil

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Jeromy Cox and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

This is an issue of endings.  One, the finish of the Professor Zoom storyline, is something I've been eager to read since putting down the last issue, but the other is a thing I've been dreading.  I am talking about Brett Booth leaving this book and I don't care what Reddit says, I love his art.  Maybe it's an acquired taste, but I've got the fever and the only cure is...  You get the idea.  The Flash is one of my favorite books and while I usually sound like a crotchety old man on our podcast, things are always a little brighter when I get to talk about it.  That should be proof enough of my fandom and while  I'm sure that will continue on, I will certainly miss the sense of speed and crazy panel layouts that Booth brought to this book.  So, it's with an odd combination of excitement and sadness that I dive into this issue.  Was it a great ending and sendoff?  Let's find out...

Superman: Lois and Clark #3 Review

I'll give you the horror show

Written by: Dan Jurgens
Art by: Lee Weeks, Scott Hanna, Sergio Cariello and Lee Weeks
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

This book may have only arrived a couple of months ago, but it is already my favorite Superman book on the shelves.  That could be taken as an indictment on the state of affairs at DC lately, but instead I want to remain positive and say it's because Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks are just that darn good.  This book is making things right and not just with Superman, but also with Lois Lane.  I'd argue that Lois fans have suffered more than any others since the New 52 began and I hope they haven't given up and gone home because they'd be missing their favorite character acting like...their favorite character.  Imagine that.  So, does all of this goodness continue this month or did I jump the gun with my praise?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn and Power Girl # 6 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Justin Gray, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

Art By: Stephane Roux, Moritat, Elliot Fernandez, Flaviano, Paul Mounts

Letters By: Marilyn Patrizio

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 30, 2015

Looks Like You Got a Spot of Harley Quinn in Your Power Girl Comic Book

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Finally we arrive at the answer of the unasked question: What happened to Harley Quinn and Power Girl when they were temporarily whisked away by Clock King’s portal staff in Harley Quinn #12? You remember that, don’t you? No? You don’t remember this little scene from a comic book that came out over a year ago? Well that’s a relief, because I didn’t even read it. I inherited this book from Jim and I’ve been reviewing it as a standalone story, because that’s what it is. A goof. A laugh. A poke in the ribs and a sly wink and a chortle. One that costs, all-told, twenty-four bucks. Has it all been worth that much? Read on to find out!

Weird Talk: The Weird Science DC Comics Message Board

I spent the entire New Years Eve working on redesigning our site and unfortunately, ended up going back to our normal look.  However, I wanted something new and exciting to ring in 2016, so I jumped into the Weird Science Time Machine and traveled back to 2002 and grabbed a Message Board and brought it back for everyone's enjoyment.  You will see it on the bottom of every page on our damn site and it will stare at you until you join in on the fun.  I have set up basic categories to start with and if things take off a bit, I will add subcategories to better organize things.  The reason I am doing this is because we do love hearing from readers of the site and listeners of the podcast about anything they want to talk about.  Plus, I won't have to stalk people as much anymore!  So, I will leave you to talk amongst yourselves (and me, Eric, Reggie, Joel, Jody...)


JIM'S NOTE: I have changed things around a bit and have placed the message board on it's own page.  You can get there by hitting the link on the right side navigation menu.  I may put it back on every page, but like the pirate who was asked why he had a steering wheel on his lap said, "Arrr...It's driving me nuts!"

Black Canary #6 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Brenden Fletcher

Art By: Annie Wu, Lee Loughridge

Letters By: Steve Wands

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 30, 2015

Industry Rule #4080

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This is it folks! The music event of the century! Burnside hometown sensations Black Canary (the band, not the character) and Bo M (the band, not the euphemism for poop) face off in an axe-grinding battle to determine which is the least inferior representation of punk rock in the series. I mean, here’s the inherent problem with depicting the life and times of a touring rock band in a comic book: you don’t hear comic books. You read them. While the magic of our imaginations allows us to hear whatever music we like while reading, it’s never been clear to me whether Black Canary sounds like Siouxsie and the Banshees or Ace of Base. Maybe the music doesn’t matter, baby, as long as the comic swings—so does the latest issue of Black Canary (the comic book, not the rare bird) swing? Read on to find out!

Batman and Robin Eternal #13 Review

My Kind of Scum

Written by: James Tynion IV

Art by: Marcio Takara, Dean White and Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 30, 2015

I may have lost a whole lot of faith in this book, but I have to admit that I was looking forward to this issue all week.  Why?  James Tynion, that's why.  I still haven't figured out if he is the best writer of the Eternal bunch or if him and Scott Snyder just save the best bits for his issues, but I'm guessing it's a combination of both.  He couldn't have come at a better time as we just hit halftime, are down by a couple of scores and I really need a pep talk to head back out and win this one.  So, did Tynion pull a Vince Lombardi or a Chip Kelly?  Let's find out...  (For all you non American readers, just insert something great and something over hyped and bad into the name slots above and go with it)

Justice League #47 Review and *SPOILERS*

Justice League Just Got Syndicated 

Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Out of nowhere, Justice League goes and gets caught back up with our other books on the second to last day of the year.  It's a 2015 miracle!  While the year might be coming to a close, it seems that the Darkseid War is just getting started...... and yes, while Darkseid actually dying seemed like it was one hell of a big deal, that seems to be the least of our problems, especially since the Justice League are going against everything that I yell at the page and going to try to get some answers out of the Crime Syndicate.  Besides for that though, there wasn't much else really going on in our previous issue besides for Superman putting down his pie and going after Steve Trevor for hitting on Wonder Woman and Grail going and taking the Anti-Life Equation for herself.  Let's jump into this issue and see what's going down and where this chapter to the Darkseid War takes our story.  Let's check it out.

He-Man: The Eternity War #13 Review and *SPOILERS*

He Has The Power

Written By: Dan Abnett, Rob David
Art By: Tom Derenick, Mark Roberts, Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 23, 2015

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

When we started this little Eternity War I couldn't of imagined the journey that this creative team was taking us on.  Shit's flying at us left and right, things that I knew were shoved in my face while they were telling me that I don't know shit and it appears that anyone and everyone could be on the chopping block.  Hell, we even had our title character taken over by King Hiss, while Skeletor killed Hordak and took the not only the power of the Evil Horde for himself, but also the power of Grayskull........ not to mention those time and space death rays that are the castle's eyes.  Yeah, all seems lost as our Masters try to beat back the darkness and hopefully we'll get to see the return of the light here because I'm about to break out my sign that reads "The End Is Nigh" because right now, that's the way it looks.  Let's jump into this issue and see if King Adam can take back control of his body and let's hope that Skeletor doesn't destroy the Universe before he gets the chance.  Let's check it out.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five #2 Review

Taking it to...You Know the Rest

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Iban Coello, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 29, 2015

A week has passed since the beginning of Injustice Year Five and I am almost over the fact that last week's number one spoiled the crap out of the Injustice Year Four Annual which still hasn't come out yet.  As I'm writing this, it's less than twenty four hours away and I have to admit, kind of knowing what's going to happen has me pretty stoked for the issue. It also has me pumped up for this issue. Year Five looks to be the "Year of the Villains" and if that doesn't sound awesome than maybe you should stop right now.  I'm going to continue because I love villains and the "anything can happen" nature of this book makes it even more exciting when bad guys are involved.  Brian Buccellato didn't pull any punches last issue, ending with Doomsday showing up in town with a few days to kill.  Is this issue as good or better than last week's or is it a disappointing follow-up like the movie sequel I referenced earlier?  Let's find out...  (Bonus points if you know the movie)

Introducing "The Weird Side" Weekly Comic Strip

It is my pleasure to announce the beginning of a new weekly comic strip by Paul B called "The Weird Side".  Every Tuesday, Paul will take us on a journey into everything Weird Science where we may get a glimpse at little Eric Shea's worst birthday, the origins of Jim's fear of flushing toilets,  the Secret Origin of the Get Fresh Crew and so much more.  I hope you enjoy it and if you have an idea for a future strip, let us know in the comments below.  Here is a little sample...

Justice League #47 Preview

Written By: Geoff Johns
Art By: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

Super-star artist Jason Fabok returns as the second act of “DARKSEID WAR” begins! As the members of the Justice League struggle with their new Godhood abilities, Wonder Woman must turn to the beings that have fought the Anti-Monitor before: the Crime Syndicate! Plus, what secret does Grail hold that will change Diana’s world forever?

While the story seemed to stall a bit in the previous issue, I'm still all about getting all I can out of the Darkseid War because even when Justice League slips a bit and isn't the best........... It's still the goddamn Justice League and it's almost impossible to make that suck.  
I don't know what going to the Crime Syndicate is going to do, since we already saw the League go to them before for answers, with nothing to really show for it, but I am happy as hell to get to see see Super Woman and Ultraman again........ not to mention having Jason Fabok back on the book drawing them. 

The Flash #47 Preview

Written by Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Jeromy Cox and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

Professor Zoom's endgame goes into effect as we learn the dark truth behind Nora Allen's murder!

That is a short, but sweet solicit that promises one of the biggest moments ever for Barry Allen.  It's all a bit bittersweet, though, as this is Brett Booth's last issue on Flash. He is one of my favorite artists and while he was "only" my runner-up for Artist of the Year for 2015, his partners in crime; Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse and Pat Brosseau were all my picks in their respective categories. That just shows you how much I love the look of this book and from the preview pages, this issue is no exception.  And... the dark truth behind Nora Allen's murder!

Batman & Robin Eternal #13 Preview

Preview via ComicVine

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Marcio Takara, Dean White and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 30, 2015

This is where we usually include the solicit for the issue being previewed, but since DC has been running the same solicit for what seems like months, you get me talking more than usual.  Lucky you!  I try not to be too negative in these previews and each week brings new hope that I will jump back on the B&R Eternal trolley and while my hopes have almost always been dashed, having Tynion on this issue may be just what the doctor ordered.  Actually, this preview kicks ass more because of Marcio Takara's art more than anything.  It looks like we will get a heavy dose of Cassandra Cain this week and I'm always up for that.

Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #1 Preview

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Ethan Van Sciver, Jason Wright
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 13, 2016

Picking Up Where Green Lantern: LOST ARMY left!  As the Universe around them reaches entropy, the Green Lantern Corps must find a way home!  Along the way, they'll face dying gods, worlds torn asunder and a desperate group of survivors whose only hope are these cosmic heroes.



While I was notoriously not a fan of Lost Army, the idea alone of having Tom Taylor back in DC Comics gets me excited as hell for this book..... Plus, even though I was a giant Negative Nancy about Lost Army, I really wanted to like it and hopefully Edge of Oblivion gets me on that "Green Lantern Corps stuck in the Universe before our own" trolley....... You know that weird ass trolley right?  

Really though, after having a week of this being advertised at the beginning of our comics, I'm all about finding out what's with that zombie ass John Stewart because his dead eyes are haunting me.

Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death #1 Preview

Written by: Amy Chu
Art by: Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Ulises Arreola and Janice Chang
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 20, 2016

Life. Death. Poison Ivy has power over both. But can she keep her friends and hold down a regular job at the same time? As Dr. Pamela Isley, she joins the prestigious plant sciences department at Gotham Botanical Gardens, but things quickly get complicated when a fellow scientist is murdered and it looks like the work of Ivy. Don't miss the start of this new 6-issue miniseries!

Wow, this book looks so good!  I can't say that I am a huge Poison Ivy fan (please don't kill me), but I am now officially excited by this peek at what Amy Chu and Clay Mann have in store for everyone - Including those fans who have been waiting so long for this book to happen.  Well, we still have a month to go and after seeing this preview, it's going to seem like longer.

Batman: Arkham Knight: Batgirl & Harley Quinn Special #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Matthew Clark, Sean Parsons, Rob Schwager

Letters By: Travis Lanham

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: December 28, 2015

Something Wicked This Way Comes

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Looks like Santa forgot to drop off some presents on Christmas Eve, because today a brand-new comic book, never before announced or revealed, appeared as a digital title on the DC Comics website. But of course, it’s not tied into any big DC Comics properties, just fucking Batman and specifically the Batman: Arkham Knight video game and even more goddamned specifically the critically successful Batman: Arkham Knight comic book prequels. And with that, I have done more for this book than DC’s marketing department has done for the entire line of digital comics all year. What the hell is happening over there anyway? I don’t expect billboards and prime-time network commercials, but an e-mail, a Tweet, a fucking Facebook post would be something. Maybe this comic book stinks, huh? That would explain why DC doesn’t want to talk about it. If only there were some resource we could exploit, some way we could find out about this mystery comic…wait a second, I reviewed it! Read on!

Black Canary #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Brenden Fletcher

Art By: Pia Guerra, Sandy Jarrell, Lee Loughridge

Letters By: Steve Wands

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 21, 2015

The Battle of the Blands

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Some music is so sublime that you just need to see it performed live in order to believe it exists. Other acts you want to see live because they break their instruments and get naked on stage. Black Canary is a group that occupies part of the middle ground between these two extremes, a record-label created all-female band of talented musicians, one of whom is a telekinetic alien-type kid named Ditto, and another is our hero Dinah “D. D.” Lance, who has the Black Canary cry. Isn’t that a bit like juicing in sports? I mean, you have a super power to emit piercing sonic waves that can topple buildings, seems pretty unfair to the rest of us with stupid old normal voices. Dinah’s nemesis Bo Maeve, who once sung for the band that would be Black Canary, seems to agree with me, that’s why she went and had voicebox surgery at the end of the last issue. And then what happened? Read on to find out!

Weird Science DC Comics 2015 Year End Awards

The Weirdies

Another year is nearly at its end, and so our thoughts turn to the successes, the failures, and other achievements for 2015. Not our own, of course, we prefer to avoid acknowledging our own lives' pointlessness by scrutinizing the works of DC Comics! So how was 2015 for the publisher? The entire Weird Science DC Comics Get Fresh Crew of Jim, Eric, Ryan "Brightest Daycare," Reggie, Joel and Jody were corralled and made our individual picks for the Awards Ceremony which will be out separately from the regular Sunday Weird Science DC Comics Blog Dot Blogspot Dot Com Podcast (aka "Weird Out Loud" to jerks.) Read on and see what we've come up with!

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Ep 51: Not So Christmas Cheer

Jim and Eric get together the day after Christmas and they are not in a jolly mood.  Maybe they didn't get the presents they wanted or they are still reeling from last week's "Dildo Incident", but they certainly don't agree much.  Eric gives a sort of update on Stinky Jamie and Jim just wants to end it all.  They do manage to talk about a ton of books and continue being the #hardestworkingguysinpodcasting.  Enjoy!