Just For The Hell Of It Podcast Ep 1: Breakfast Cereal

Eric, Reggie and Jim get together for this Pilot Episode of the Just for the Hell of It Podcast to talk about Breakfast Cereal.  They discuss their favorites and least favorites as well as mascots, toys, commercials and much, much more.  If you want to email any suggestions, comments or questions, do so at justforthehellofitpodcast@gmail.com

The Other Saved By the Bells – Saturday Morning Weirdness

The above image is owned by Total Shape

We all know about great and irredeemably stupid live Saturday Morning comedy/drama Saved By the Bell: originally the Disney Channel’s Good Morning, Miss Bliss and then moving to NBC and the sunny shores of Bayside, California; on through a summer season at Malibu Sands Beach Club and weird last-season cast changes and into the College Years; finally culminating in the shameful New Class, which is not spoken of in polite circles. But there were a bunch of also-rans, pretenders to the throne of Samuel “Screech” Powers that were, at times, even more delightful because they were so unabashedly insipid. Wish you could have seen them! So long now. What’s that? You want me to write about these “other” Saved By the Bells? Well, I guess it’s my own fault for bringing them up in the first place. Read on to see what little I remember of these other shows!

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Romantic Shipping in DC Television

Welcome back to another romance filled Top 5 Fridays! Last week we covered Bromances, and while everyone loves them, sometimes we want a little romance in our lives, especially during the Valentine's Day season. For fans, we find ourselves pairing off characters that could one day become a couple for our favorite comics and TV shows. We call this shipping, and we'll be covering that today. Now while people do pair off characters in comics as well, I will be only covering television as I really don't ship much in comics. However its not just the DC television shows, I'll be spanning to any show that was on the air. As per usual, this is my list so I apologize if you don't see a couple you like. ENOUGH TALK! Let's sail these ships...

Starfire #9 Review and **SPOILERS**

Underwater Ladies’ Picnic

Written By: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Art By: Elsa Charretier, Hi-Fi

Letters By: Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 10, 2015

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

That Starfire, she’s a pip, isn’t she? Though I’m sure that, with Jimmy Palmiotti’s recent announcement that this comic will end at issue number twelve, people are leaving the book in droves—but I still like the spunky, naïve Kori we’ve been treated to in this book. If her incarnation in Red Hood and the Outlaws was too sexualized and mercenary, then this is the bubbly, silly counterpart to that. If I had my druthers, I’d choose the latter, and will be sticking with this ride to the bitter end! Who’s coming with me? I said, who’s coming with me??! Read on if you want to enjoy more stories of an orange woman constantly on the verge of committing a sex crime!

Red Hood/Arsenal #9 Review and *SPOILERS*

Down and Out In The Gotham Underground

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Javier Fernandez, Jose Villarrubia, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

First off, I just want to say how strange it is that we get this whole new series calling itself Red Hood/Arsenal when we get Joker's Daughter joining the team within the first six issues of the series...... not that I'm really complaining, it's just something that struck me when I was thinking about how to start this review and I figured I'd throw that out there........ It's just weird.  I know that these characters aren't "Outlaws" anymore, but keeping the previous name for the series just seems to make more sense when Red Hood and Arsenal aren't are only main characters anymore.  Another reason I decided to go into this title rant is because of how much I despise the Gotham Underground and talking about it seemed terrible to me so I figured I'd ease my way in.  So yeah, our characters are all stuck in "The Nethers", where Jason is taking on a group of mercs called The Iron Rule, Roy is searching for Joker's Daughter, who is being held prisoner by the former ruler of the Underground: Charon, who on top of wanting to make Duela pay for dethroning him, wants his lava monsters to sink all of Gotham into the underground.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Scott Lobdell can make the Gotham Underground interesting or if it just remains something that I hope to never see again.  Let's check it out.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Prequel Chapter 5 Featuring Lex Luthor Review

Sexy Lexy

Written by: Christos Gage
Art by: Joe Bennett, Sean Parsons, Hi-Fi and Deron Bennett

Cover Price: Free with purchase of 20 oz. Dr. Pepper or Diet Dr. Pepper or “Doc” Pepper’s Slam BLAST!! or Ms. Pepper’s Cherries Jubilee or Ms. Pepper’s Cherries Jubilee BLAST!!

Release Date: February 3, 2016

After reading the first four Dr. Pepper prequels in this series, I have come to the conclusion that they are nice little distractions that set the overall tone for the Batman v Superman movie with great art and writing, all for the price of a soda.  Really, how can you go wrong? I guess if you don't like soda, you could be left outside on the front lawn while all the cool kids are partying inside the house.  Yea,they're partying with "Doc" Pepper and Ms. Pepper and you're missing it.  Come on, just grab a soda and join the fun...all the Presidents are there...Jimmy Carter is passed out on the couch.

Constantine: The Hellblazer #9 Review and **SPOILERS**

The City of Dis and Dat

Written By: Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV

Art By: Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia

Letters By: Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 10, 2016

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

You know what’s unfair? You don’t see any crazy neo-conservative moralistic groups campaigning against Constantine: The Hellblazer. Sure, the knitting club will organize a ten-person boycott of the Olive Garden for a television show called Lucifer, but John Constantine is straight up hanging out in hell, carousing with demons, and the comic gets no hate. It’s inherent blasphemy, not to mention proud sodomy and blatantly making amoral behavior look cool, should put this comic at the top of any concerned parents’ list. I want everyone reading this excerpt right now to go purchase one copy of Constantine: The Hellblazer—for the low price of two dollars and ninety-nine cents!—and expose it someplace conspicuous that an authority figure might see it. Bring it to school and read it during lunch! Roll it up and stick it in your back pocket when you go to church! Because if we can get just one lame unprogressive protest group to zero in on this comic book, sales will skyrocket. It’s a great book, and if you’re not convinced you can read my review!

The Flash #48 Review

Burn Notice

Written by: Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Art by: Jesus Merino, Guy Major and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

I have been a fan of Robert Venditti and Van Jensen's run on the Flash and that goes hand-in-hand with being a Brett Booth fan as well.  I've come to realize that Booth's art on this book was a love it or hate it affair and I'm glad that I fell on the former side because I'm usually so negative that it's nice to be the guy smiling once and awhile.  That fact made this issue a somber affair as this is Jesus Merino's first issue since taking over for Booth.  I didn't stay somber for very long, however, as this issue features the Rogues and I can't help but get excited anytime I see my favorite villains up front and center like this.  So, with all this craziness going on, was this issue good?  Let's find out...

Gotham Academy #15 Review

Eggcellent!

Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Zac Gorman, Eduardo Medeiros, Rafael Albuquerque, and Helen Chen
Art by: Adam Archer, Zac Gorman,  Eduardo Medeiros, Rafael Albuquerque, and Helen Chen.
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

The Pizza Club is still all about their yearbook as Maps and Olive continue gathering stories and at Gotham Academy they expect more than the standard "Most Likely to Fall in a Vat of Chemicals" copy that plays at Gotham High across town...nope, this is serious business. This anthology-like story arc is fun enough, but is the overall story good enough to actually hang out with later or will you just sign "See you this summer," and then immediately forget about it?

Black Canary #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

Safe European Home

Written By: Brenden Fletcher

Art By: Sandy Jarrell, Lee Loughridge

Letters By: Steve Wands

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 10, 2015

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Last issue artist Annie Wu rocked my world—with rock!—and I was looking forward to what she might cook up for issue number eight…turns out she’s not on this issue. I suppose after that incredible issue she deserves a break, and the person replacing her is no slouch! It’s Sandy Jarrell, who I know from Batman ’66 but he’s done a lot of other work besides (according to his website.) So we know the art will be capable, but can this comic achieve the greatness of the last issue (or two) without the work of Wu? Hey, that rhymed, it’s true! One fish, two fish, red fish, blue! Forget this Seussing, read my review!

Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Saving Douchebags, Who Don't Want To Be Saved

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Ethan Van Sciver, Jason Wright, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Take my hand and journey with me to the Universe that existed before our own.......... and when I say "our own", I mean our heroes' own.  That's right, we're dealing with a Universe that's destined to die to create the one we all know and love, where Batmen swing through the streets of Gotham and Supermen lose their powers and have their identities revealed, destroying their lives........... okay, maybe not that last part because no one loves anything about that, but what I'm getting at is our Green Lantern Corps are stuck in a Universe that is on the......... edge of oblivion and they, with a city the size of a planet are all that's left in this barren void as they try to find a way to survive and for our Lantern heroes, they're trying to pull a Dr. Sam Beckett hoping that they might make it home....... possibly with some kind of leap............ Man, I miss Quantum Leap.  So our Corps, with this planet full of strangers will need to work together to find a way out of this Universe, but from what we saw in the previous issue with Muk Muk being murdered by some mysterious attacker, well I'm guessing that teamwork will be a difficult proposition.  Let's jump into this issue and see what's what and if we can find out who killed poor Muk Muk and broke my heart.  Let's check it out.

Catwoman #49 Review

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Written by: Frank Tieri
Art by: Inaki Miranda, Eva De La Cruz and Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

I have really enjoyed Frank Tieri's run on Catwoman so far.  He has taken her from the Gotham mob scene, put her back in the catsuit and the places she and most of her fans are more familiar with.  That doesn't mean things are any easier as she quickly found herself wanted for a murder she didn't commit and on the run with a million dollar bounty on her head.  Last issue ended with Killer Croc seemingly ready to cash in and while I love that Tieri is throwing a bunch of Gotham's least finest into his story, I really have taken a liking to the more user friendly Croc.  So, I couldn't wait for this issue to see if the cliffhanger was a red herring and if not, how Selina was going to get out of that very precarious situation.  So, which was it and was the issue itself worth the wait?  Let's find out...

Arrow Season 4 Episode 13 "Sins of the Father" Review and *SPOILERS*

Civil War

Director: Gordon Verheul
Writers: Ben Sokolowski, Keto Shimizu

First Aired: February 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Remember in between seasons 3 and 4, the producers of Arrow said that the show would have a much lighter tone than the last two seasons? Nothing says lighter tones then the premonitions of death, crazed anarchist killers, terrorists that cripple fan-favorites, and most importantly a blood lust that ROTS the inside of its victims! Joke aside, we have a very big issue with the Lazarus sickness in Thea. Last week Nyssa offered a deus ex machina cure to Oliver that she got from Japan...all he has to do is kill Malcolm Merlyn...Now while Malcolm is a giant douche, but Oliver doesn't kill anymore...How can Oliver help his sister and prevent a League of Assassins War, while keeping everyone alive? Lets dive in and find out...

Arrow: The Dark Archer Chapter #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Don’t Go Down to the Basement

Written By: John Barrowman and Carol E. Barrowman

Art By: Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Kyle Ritter

Letters By: The Unknown Letterer

Digital Price: $0.99

Release Date: February 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It’s funny, I read this chapter just moments after watching this week’s episode of Arrow, where Malcolm Merlyn faces off with [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] [REDACTED] and then Oliver [REDACTED] his [REDACTED] and gives the [REDACTED] to [REDACTED]. It’s sort of weird to read this now that I know what happens much further into the future. But it’s been a pretty engaging story so far, and what we’re looking for here is insight into the character, not insight into this season. So what truth bombs do you think were dropped in this chapter of the Dark Archer? Guess what, you don’t have to think! You can read my review!

Batman/Superman #29 Review

The Finest Indeed

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Robson Rocha, Julio Ferreira, Blond and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

Tom Taylor is back for the second part of his Batman/Superman story that gives us the classic duo involved in a murder mystery that became very personal for Superman by the end of last issue. Throw in Lobo and a bounty on Batman's head and you got a setup for a pretty cool story that I was looking forward to, mainly in hopes of getting answers to the slew of questions I had after reading last month's issue.  Well, did I get the answers I was hoping for and was the issue good with or without them?  Let's find out...

Harley’s Little Black Book #2 Review and **SPOILERS**

Red, Black and Green. Know What I Mean?

Written By: Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner

Art By: John Timms, Mauricet, Hi-Fi

Letters By: Marilyn Patrizio

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: February 10, 2015

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

One thing you don’t hear from any of the presidential hopefuls is their political positions on Harley Quinn. Do they approve of her clothing, or would they force her to mend them? Is she an American citizen, or should she have to be Naturalized being that she comes from the land of Bonkersonia? Most importantly: will any candidate attempt to stem the gushing tide of Harley Quinn titles issuing from DC Comics? Because let me tell you, dear reader, anyone attempting that will be sorely disappointed. I heard Jimmy Palmiotti asked for a break on Harley Quinn and DC Comics kidnapped his poodle and sent tufts of fur until he turned in twelve scripts. Printing problems almost delayed the last issue of Harley’s solo title, but Dan Didio and Jim Lee went down to the plant and colored several hundred thousand copies with magic markers. Harley Quinn is a force of nature, you can accept it and allow Harley to wash over you like a cascading fountain of poop jokes, or you can prepare yourself for a fight to the death. And it’s more than likely you will lose. Read on for some no-nonsense Harley Quinn reviewin’!

Batman and Robin Eternal #19 Review

Fear Itself

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos, Rain Beredo, Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: Feb 10 2016

Okay, I wasn't a fan of last week's issue of Batman and Robin Eternal.  I'm hoping we can all put it behind us and get on with our lives and this series.  I always go into each issue with an open mind, but I have to admit, after getting everything off my chest last week, I was kind of excited to see what Tim Seeley had in store for us in his last two issues of the series.  I did enjoy his other issues so my hopes of something better weren't unfounded.  So, with the big mysteries of Eternal solved and behind us, what does Tim Seeley and Eternal have up their sleeves now?  Let's find out...

Batman #49 Review and *SPOILERS*

Brain Dead Batman

Written By: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV
Art By: Yanick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn, Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's been a long, hard road in getting Bruce Wayne to become Batman again, what with Jim Gordon taking the mantle of the Bat and Bruce simply digging his life with Julie Madison and his job working with children.  It's weird, as much as I want to get the Batman we all know and love back in action, I have to admit that I kind of feel sorry for Bruce as well because the life he's living now, without the memories of his parents death and what he previously did as the Dark Knight is a pretty awesome way to end his story and allow him to ride off into the sunset, all "and they lived happily ever after".  That might have been Bruce's end, but because people love the original Batman and that original Batman has the ability to print money for DC, Bruce was forced to start remembering his past because of Mr. Bloom's attacks on the city, his interactions with who I'm now claiming is the smartest man alive Duke Thomas and lastly because of his little powwow with the dionesium healed Joker in the last issue, Bruce now knows who he is and has to find a way to become The Batman once again and hopefully save the city in the process.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Bruce is able to throw his happy life away for the sake of others or if he's doomed to live that happy life, knowing that he previously could have made a difference............. Yeah, it's not too hard to imagine which of those options will go down.  Let's check it out.

New Suicide Squad #17 Review and **SPOILERS**

Big Trouble in Little China

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Juan Ferreyra

Letters By: Nate Peikos of Blambot®

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 10, 2016

**NON-SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

New Suicide Squad, new creative team, new reviewer! I’ve been an on and off fan of the Suicide Squad for years, though to be frank I haven’t been to “on” during much of the New 52. Sometimes I’d get an issue, take a peep, then see Joker’s Daughter or something and run away in tears. But Jim told me to dry my eyes, there’s some new blood on the squad: Tim Seeley from Grayson on writing and Juan Ferreyra from Gotham By Midnight on pencils and colors. I love Grayson, and I loved the art on Gotham By Midnight, so this should be a no-brainer, right? In fact, I’m not even going to bother reading this book, I’ll just give it a 10/10 score and be on my way…what’s that? You say that would be disingenuous of me? Well fine then! I’ll read this book, and you can read my review of it below, but if Joker’s Daughter ends up in here, then so help me I am going to be a real bitch about it!

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #8 Review and *Spoilers*

Bully Beakdown

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Iban Coello, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: February 9, 2016

I am a huge Injustice fan and have enjoyed Year Five so far, but I had to cry foul last week as we got an issue that was more catch-up than anything else.  With so little time left before the series is over, it felt odd to waste time rehashing Batman and Superman's grudge and explaining what the super pill is all about.  Hey, I'm all about giving new readers a jumping on point, but if you don't know these things yet, I don't know if this is the time to learn them.  Brian Buccellato redeemed himself a bit when we got a cliffhanger of a really pissed off Hawkman heading to Earth.  Hawkgirl's going to  have some 'splainin to do and it all goes down this week.  So, does this issue push the story forward or are we stuck treading water yet again?  Let's find out...

The Flash Season 2 Episode 13 "Welcome to Earth-2" Review and **SPOILERS**

On Earth-2 They Wear Hats On Their Feet and Hamburgers Eat People

Story By: Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and Katherine Walczak

Directed By: Millicent Shelton

First Aired: February 9, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

These past seven days have been the longest of my life. Not only did I have to work for a living for most of them, but it was also the time between the last episode of the Flash, which ended with Barry announcing “We’re going to Earth-2!” and the newest episode of the Flash, where they went to Earth-2! I’ve been waiting for an extended representation of Earth-2 on this show ever since they introduced the concept of the Multiverse last season, and it’s finally here! We’ve seen glimpses of an Art Deco world seemingly styled with a 1940s sensibility, but have never spent any appreciable time there. All that changes with this episode, which you can read about right here!

New Suicide Squad #17 Preview

Written by: Tim Seeley 
Art by: Juan Ferreyra
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

Gothamites Tim Seeley (GRAYSON, BATMAN ETERNAL) and Juan Ferreyra (GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT, BATMAN ETERNAL) visit the dark and unspeakably violent world of the Suicide Squad for a thrilling new storyline that begins here! Indentured super villain Harley Quinn has made covert contact with someone outside the walls of Belle Reve prison—and this mysterious savior has discovered the secrets of Amanda Waller and Task Force X.

This begins Tim Seeley and Juan Ferreyra's run on New Suicide Squad and I am looking forward to seeing what they have in store for fans.  While the voice inside my head says that it will be more inline with the upcoming movie, this preview says different. I guess we will find out tomorrow!

Batman/Superman #29 Preview

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Robson Rocha
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

This epic tale from another era in Clark and Bruce’s history continues! Someone has put a bounty on Batman’s head, and Lobo’s come to collect. Can Superman stop this intergalactic bounty hunter in time?

This is another issue that I have been waiting for since last month.  I want to see how Tom Taylor pulls this story of a giant space alien and Lobo together.  I have full faith in him that he will do it and can't wait to see how.

Catwoman #49 Preview

Written by: Frank Tieri
Art by: Inaki Miranda
Cover Price:$2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

Catwoman’s been on the run before, but now it’s not just the cops that are on her tail! With a bounty on her head, it seems like every member of the New York underground is gunning for her…and that includes some familiar faces from Gotham City! When sometime allies Batgirl and Killer Croc decide to get in on the chase, Catwoman might be all out of tricks. 

I have really enjoyed Frank Tieri's run on Catwoman so far and can't wait for this issue as well.  I've been waiting to see what's up with Killer Croc from last issue's cliffhanger, but Batgirl?!?!  Like I said, I can't wait to see this issue!

Batman and Robin Eternal #19 Preview

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Tony Kordos and Paul Pelletier
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: Feb 10 2016

Everything that can go wrong does in both the past and the present! Batman spent years believing Mother was dead…and when you see their blood-soaked confrontation, you’ll know why! Now that she’s returned in the modern day, Batman’s allies will find themselves under siege from a world-destroying weapon they never saw coming! And on top of everything…Harper Row learns a devastating secret that will change her life forever—and potentially make her the most dangerous foe the Robins have ever faced!

I'm hoping that now that the two big "mysteries" of the series have been revealed, Tim Seeley will get us started down the stretch run with some big time excitement.  All it will take is one kick ass issue to get me back on board and I hope this is it.

Starfire #9 Preview

Written By: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti
Art By: Mirco Pierfederici
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

Homeward bound, under-ground! Starfire and Stella journey underground to visit Atlee’s home—but it’s changed since she left! While things heat up near the Earth’s core, will Sol and Kori’s romance follow suit?

We saw Starfire smooching Grayson at the beginning of last issue, and Sol at the end, so who will she kiss this time? Looks like we're going underground, let's hope it's more like the cool underworld in Action Comics and not the insane Gotham underworld for Catwoman!

Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #2 Preview

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Ethan Van Sciver
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 10, 2016

As space begins to collapse around them, the Green Lanterns find there are many threats at the end of a dying universe. Some of those threats may even hide among the refugees the Lanterns now protect.

I really dug the first issue to this mini, mainly because it did the impossible....... it actually moved!  Yeah, that might not sound like much, but after waiting six months for Lost Army to go somewhere....... only to have it not really do a damn thing...... well, movement is appreciated.  Lousy Lost Army laying there like a dead fish.