Legends of Tomorrow Season 1 Episode 7 "Marooned" Review and **SPOILERS**

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Starring: Victor Garber, Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh et al.

Story By: Anderson Mackenzie & Phil Klemmer

Directed By: Gregory Smith

First Aired: March 3, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Hey everybody! Ready to tuck into another installment of Papi Nacho’s recaps and reviews of Legends of Tomorrow? Well tough luck! He had better things to do and asked me to fill in for him. If you’re not reading my recaps of the Flash and Supergirl every week, then you should know I run a tight ship! I don’t stand for all of this tomfoolery and nincompoopery that the other writers on this website allow. Sit up straight! I have been tasked with writing a review of Legends of Tomorrow and by god almighty I will mold each and every one of you into a Legends of Tomorrow review-reading automatons, or my name isn’t Reggie Eisenhower! Now face forward and read on to receive the episode recap, if you consider yourself worthy!

Batgirl #49 Review and **Spoilers**

Knock, Knock

Written by: Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Babs Tarr, Horacio Domingues, Roger Robinson, Ming Doyle, James Harvey, Serge                            LaPointe and Steve Wands
Cover Price:$2.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

Of all of my reviews, this was the hardest one for me to start.  I actually spent a whole night trying to put together the right introduction paragraph and nothing came out right.  The funny thing is, it really had nothing to do with the actual issue.  Well, of course it did, but more so the reactions that other reviewers had about it.  I usually don't like to spoil the big plot points of an issue in my reviews, but I'm going to go against that in order to better explain myself.  In this issue, Stewart, Fletcher and Tarr (yes, there are other artists involved, but this is all about Team Batgirl) erase The Killing Joke from existence...kind of.  Call me what you will, but I still like the Killing Joke and while the focus has shifted to Barbara's treatment in it, I think it is still one of the best Joker stories ever written. Because of that, when I saw the reactions to this issue, I immediately went on the defensive and thought I should be the lone defender of a book that even it's author has shied away from in recent years.  My introductions were full of pleading, confusion and even anger, but none of them felt right.  In desperation, I messaged Brenden Fletcher about this issue and the Killing Joke and his response not only let me write this review, but showed me just how much the character of Batgirl means to him and his partners.  I respect that and because of Brenden, respect every other reviewer of this issue.  I know it's hard to believe such a negative asshole like myself feels that way, but it's true.  So, with my introduction finally done, let's get on with the review...

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Plot Points That Sounded Cool, But Weren't

Welcome back to another exciting installment of Top 5 Fridays! Have you ever read a story that had one plot point that seemed dumb? Now with that thought in mind, has that plot point come out of left field and doesn't make sense to the story? More often then not, there are actually cool sounding plot points in stories, but when they are actually brought to page it doesn't work out. From execution to logic holes, a Plot Point could fall into infamy if the writer isn't careful. Today I'll be going over such plot points that have bothered me in recent arcs. This is just my opinion, so if you enjoyed any of these that is 100% fine. Let's begin...

Swamp Thing #3 Review and **SPOILERS**

When You Wish Upon a Disembodied Hand

Written By: Len Wein

Art By: Kelley Jones, Michelle Madsen

Letters By: Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: March 2, 2016

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We return once again to the hazy swamps of Houma, Louisiana, where Swamp Thing likes to hang out. Do you think he sticks around the swamp because his name is Swamp Thing? Like, if his name were Beach Thing, would he be made of succulents and cacti and palm trees? What if he were Drug Thing, then he’d be an assemblage of marijuana and poppy flowers and magic mushrooms. Which, come to think of it, isn’t too far off from his current composition. In this issue, Swamp Thing gets to hang out with Zatanna, and another secret friend from his past that I’m pretty sure died. He did come back to life, but he could only hang out in the realm of Dream, and plus he had been turned into a raven. I guess that’s “story over continuity,” right? Token nods to past events and characters but eradicating everything we knew? Makes sense. This issue gave me lots of food for thought, and if you’re interested in examining my brain poops, then read on!

Midnighter #10 Review

Baby, You Make Me Wish I Had Three Hands

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Hugo Petrus, Aco, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

There are times in one's life when you look around and wonder why you don't love something that everyone else seems to love.  For me, it was the Nintendo Entertainment System, but that's not a good example here because I was dead wrong...it was awesome and I was just being a very early version of a hipster prick.  Yea, I had to get the Sega Master System to prove that all my friends were wrong, but while they were battling King Slender for the VWA Championship, I was playing Ace of Aces.  I know the timing is not balls on accurate here, but you get the point, right?  No, well then you passed the test and realize that all this is just a dream...or is it?  Actually, I'm sorry to tell you this, Mr. Quaid, but you've suffered a schizoid embolism - we can't snap you out of your fantasy.  Think about it, your dream started halfway through the introduction.  Everything after that, the NES, the Sega Master System, King Slender - are all elements of me having absolutely nothing to say about Midnighter.  Harry told you not to fuck with your brain, but you didn't listen.

Batman and Robin Eternal #22 Review

My Parents are Dead!

Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Art by: Fernando Blanco, John Rauch and Corey Breen
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

Last week's issue of Eternal was one of my favorites of the series and best in a long while.  When it ended with Damian showing up (with a few days to kill?  I love that reference) and the fact that Genevieve Valentine was also returning this issue (with a few days to...write?), I was actually looking forward to this issue more than I could have imagined only weeks ago.  I am not a hard man to please, all I need from Eternal is to have good art and a story that doesn't step all over itself and make everything I've already read a damn mess.  That doesn't seem that crazy, so why has it been so hard to come by?  Like the number of licks of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know.  However, we aren't here to talk about the past (unless it's a Batman Flashback of course), but to see if this weeks Eternal is any good.  Well, is it?  Let's find out...

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Ep 60: Eric Shea's (Sort of) Day Off

Eric was sick as a dog, but instead of taking the week off, Jim forced him to get out of bed and record the podcast...sort of. With the help of Reggie, they recorded an abridged version of the podcast with reviews of Batman and Robin Eternal #21, Justice League #48, Superman: The Coming of the Supermen #1, Superman/Wonder Woman #26 and Superman #49.  While that doesn't seem like a lot, it still was almost 4 hours long!  Enjoy!

Batman Beyond #10 Review and *SPOILERS*

Things........ and Stuff

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: March 2, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Time to get back to the future because something has to be done about YOUR kids...... that's right, all of this is happening because your kids screwed up somewhere down the line and now all of us, Tim Drake and all the residents of forty years from now have to deal with it....... at least I think that's the plot of Batman Beyond.  Anyway, in the last issue of Batman Beyond, we saw Tim Drake go to Metropolis to find young Matt McGinnis before he went and did something stupid like get himself killed, but from the way it looked at the end of that issue, it might just be Tim who's on the chopping block........... or at least the Splicer block.  That's right, our hero came across the big bad splicing doc himself, Dr. Cuvier and he's got his eyes set on transforming Batman into something a little more animalistic.  We've got all that and Matt McGinnis stumbling upon the stasis tubed bodies of the Justice League Beyond and shocking the shit out of us because they're all still alive.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the Justice League can be the turning point for this dark world of the future or if Batman will have a whole new set of problems on his hands.  Let's check it out.

Green Lantern #50 Review and *SPOILERS*

Mirror Match

Written By: Robert Venditti
Art By: Billy Tan, Vincente Cifuentes, Mark Irwin, John Livesay, Alex Sinclair, Tony Avina, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've finally reached the epic #50 and with it our confrontation between Hal Jordan and Zero Hour's Parallax.  We've been leading up to this for awhile with Hal Jordan questioning himself about how useful he actually is after his nephew Howard was hurt by the terrorist: Sonar and he wasn't able to protect him............. and Parallax figuring out of nowhere that he has to go to Earth to kill Hal Jordan so that he doesn't destroy Coast City for some reason.  Yeah, I don't quite understand Parallax's motivations, but he's all crazed up on ultimate Green Lantern power like he was in the 90's so maybe he's just not thinking straight.  Anyway, we've got the confrontation between these two going on in this over-sized fiftieth issue and I can't wait to see how our current Hal Jordan plans on defending himself against the crazed power of the entire Corps.  Let's jump into this issue and find out.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter 11 Review

Can't you Hear My Heartbeat?

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Mike S. Miller, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 1, 2016

Year Five may be the Year of the Villains to some, but if you are like me, this year has stalled and turned into the Year we repeat things and stall a bit.  Whether it's Batman and Superman arguing about killing the Joker for the thousandth time or Catwoman telling Batman she's outie 5000 a couple weeks in a row, I really want (and need) this book to take a jump forward and get my adrenaline pumping again.  Last issue was a good start as we got some of the classic feel of characters being straight up murdered, but it ended with Catwoman...you know, I said it above.  So, does this issue put the car back in drive or are we just going to sit in one place and rev our engines like that kid in High School who can drive before everyone else because he flunked twice?  Don't be that guy, kids.  Hit those books.  On with the review...

Deathstroke #15 Review

She Blinded Me With Science

Written by: James Bonny
Art by: Tyler Kirkham, Arif Prianto and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 24, 2016

I have enjoyed the hell out of Deathstroke and even more so since James Bonny took over and Tyler Kirkham jumped on art duties.  It's been all about the fun and if you want an example of what I am talking about, travel back in time to last month (or just buy a copy of the book now) and watch as Slade dismembers a bunch of guys, fights a Lex Luthor AI driven robot and then finds an army of Bizarros.  Yes...Bizarros!  With that kind of cliffhanger, how could I not be waiting with bated breath for this issue?  Well, now that it's here, did it live up to the hype that I made up in my head because I am a nut and a Deathstroke fan?  Let's find out...

The Weird Side #9

Story and Art by: Paul B.

This week was a huge sick fest for the Get Fresh Crew.  First, Eric (kind of) called in sick for the podcast and now I hear that Paul has felt like crap all week as well.  However, unlike Eric, Paul has come through with this week's Weird Side, which is awesome as usual.  Let's all hope that Paul starts feeling better and Eric grows a pair.  A big, hairy pair.  I kid 'cause I care.  -Jim

Suicide Squad's Most Wanted: Deadshot & Katana #2 Review

Tragedy

Written by: Brian Buccellato, Mike W. Barr
Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend, 
Diogenes Neves
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 24, 2016

 Boy have I been trying to avoid writing this review... Kidding. Seriously though while the last issue had a few problems, I not only enjoyed it, but also see that there is some real potential for the series. Katana's story lacks character, but damn the action of a badass samurai leading a revolution against an evil battalion of snake fetishists is just awesome to look at. Deadshot's Mission was a bit flat, but it opened up a character piece on one of our favorite member's as we now are heading into his past to learn, "Who is Deadshot?" Add these two stories with some amazing art and this obvious cash grab was a pretty fun read. You have my attention Buccellato and Barr...but the question is can you keep it? Let's dive on in and find out...

Lucifer Season 1 Episode 6 “Favorite Son” Review and **SPOILERS**

Director: Eriq La Salle

Writer: Alex Katsnelson
Release Date: February 29, 2016 

Let’s catch up!

Not only was last week’s episode borderline offensive and racist it was also boring as shit! Case of the week bullshit with boilerplate ethnic gangs, two dimensional crime victims/participants that meanders all over the place. I checked out on about 3 minutes in, note to the writers, scrap this case of the week bullshit. Find one season long crime for these assholes to investigate, let spend some quality time with the cast and most importantly, let’s get into to who the fuck Lucifer is and what the fuck his deal is. At this point am hoping the writers are stalling with this time consuming/corny as fuck case of the week bullshit and holding on to the good Lucifer story shit for sweeps week.

If not? Well then I will be the fuck up out of this bitch and you should be too.. You can always hop over to Sleepy Hollow to see case of the week mixed with occult/supernatural done proper bruh.

Programing note: From here until eternity or eventual cancelation I will be calling Lucifer, Luci, because it makes me laugh.

Supergirl Season 1 Episode 15 "Solitude" Review and **SPOILERS**

Indigo Girl

Starring: Melissa Benoist, Calista Flockhart, Mehcad Brooks et al.

Story By: Rachel Shukert

Directed By: Dermott Downs

First Aired: February 29, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I guess I’ve been doing a good job recapping CW’s The Flash every Tuesday-ish for the last few weeks, because Weird Science DC Comics’ Managing Editor of the TV Show Recap Department, Jody Cardona, asked if I would take up similar duties on CBS’ Supergirl. I’m always glad to help out where I can, but there’s one wrinkle: I haven’t watched Supergirl in three months. I started watching it regularly, but after five or six episodes I found it wasn’t grabbing me like Arrow and the Flash, and there’s lots of flipping television out there so I had to make some hard decisions. Yet from what I can tell, it got really crazy—and therefore really Reggie-friendly—with the very first episode I missed where Hank Henshaw revealed himself to be the Martian Manhunter. I’ve been meaning to check in on the show again, and thanks to the internet’s ceaseless drive for content, I have a golden opportunity! Has my opinion turned around after only one episode? Read on, if you care! I mean if you dare!

Gotham Season 2 Episode 12 "Mr.Freeze" Review and *SPOILERS*

Frozen at the Funny Farm

Director: Nick Copus

Writers: Ken Wodruff

First Aired: February 29, 2016

*Non spoilers and score at the bottom*

It's been a very long time since we've been to our favorite crime infested city, and longer since I reviewed an episode. To be frank, I've been enjoying this season a whole lot more than last. It really has found it's footing as it started as the crime drama with constant unnecessary batman references, to a show that isn't afraid of going too "comic book". The midseason finale ended the wrath of Theo Galavan as Jim shot him in the head before leaving the city for a while to have things cool down. Galavan is taken to Indian Hill, which turns out to be an institute running bizarre experiments that require dead bodies...it looks like it's going to be a whole lot stranger going forward. But enough about the future, lets look to the present. In the final moments shown last year, we saw a very familiar man with a very familiar freeze gun... Prepare to go cold blooded...

Superman: Lois and Clark #5 Review

Stone in Exile

Written by: Dan Jurgens

Art by: Neil Edwards, Scott Hanna and Jeromy Cox

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 24, 2016

I love this book, but it's really hard to figure out if it is all from the awesome story that Dan Jurgens is telling or if some is just the headache the regular DC YOU Superman books is giving me.  I can't rule out the later, but I give almost all of the credit to Jurgens.  A couple of months back, Eric said on our Podcast that he would enjoy a book with these characters just going through their daily routine and I am right there with him because if anything, Dan Jurgens has kicked ass in the character department. Then, instead of daily routines, we get some awesome action and mystery and it really doesn't seem fair.  While I'm not sure what will happen when Rebirth comes, I'm going to enjoy this book while I can and that time is now.  So, will that all continue this month with this issue?  Let's find out...

Wonder Woman ‘77 Chapter 16 Review and *SPOILERS*

I Like My Ivory Like My Eggs: Scrambled

Written By: Christos Gage and Ruth Fletcher Gage

Art By: Dario Brizuela, Kelly Fitzpatrick

Letters By: Wes Abbott

Digital Price: $0.99

Release Date: February 29, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It’s Leap Day! The one extra day every four years that anything can happen! Why, you might go to sleep in your own bed and wake up in Tahiti! Or you could fall into an open manhole right onto a pile of money! Or you might idly decide to look at what’s been “Just Added” at the DC Digital Store, and discover a new chapter of Wonder Woman ’77 has been released with no advance warning or fanfare! Wait, that’s true of every day in the year. Yep, a new chapter beginning a new two-part story came out today, and as usual it’s like someone farted into the wind. This one has not one writer, but two—and they’re a husband and wife team: Christos and Ruth Fletcher Gage! That’s an interesting hook upon which to promote a comic book, right? Hello? You still promote comic books, right DC? Wait a minute…this phone I got that’s supposed to be a hotline to DC Comics is just a banana and a tissue box! Well, if they’re not going to talk up their digital line, I suppose it’s up to me. Read on for my recap and review!

Superman/Wonder Woman #26 Review

Just Because

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Wil Quintana and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 24, 2016

When DC Comics announced Rebirth it was the death nail in a bunch of books, including Superman/Wonder Woman.  It's a shame and not only because I am a fan, but the shame is that this book got caught up in this whole DC You/Truth nonsense.  Peter Tomasi was pretty much kidnapped and hogtied by this crossover and by now, all the Superman books involved kind of run together in my mind.  So, instead of a great ending, this book is just a cog in the shit machine that was the DC You Superman and one of the main reasons that DC decided to get back to the "meat and potatoes".  I'll give Tomasi a ton of credit, however, because it's obvious that he hasn't given up.  He's making the best of a bad situation and this month's issue is exhibit A through Z.  Sure, it's not a perfect issue, but...how about we just start the review now.

DC Comics Estimated Sales For January 2016

Now that the holidays have ended and people have stopped buying comics as stocking stuffers and as gifts for people, who they've heard enjoy superheroes........... You know what?  Comics are a weird gift to get someone.  Trades I can see, but individual issues?  Anyway, with the amount of push that DC Comics received in sales for December, there has to be some sort of holiday miracle type situation going on.  For this list I'll only be putting on what we here at Weird Science consider the "main books" and I'll be omitting digital first collected issues.  So yeah, no fuss, no muss.  Let's get to checking the numbers.

Logan’s Run Adventure Comics (Malibu Comics) #1 Review and *SPOILERS* - Just For the Hell Of It Mondays

Thankfully, We’ll Never Fall Victim to a Youth-Obsessed Culture of Technological Distractions

Written By: Tom Mason and Chris Ulm

Art By: Barry Blair

Letters By: Clem Robins

Cover Price: $2.25

Cover Date: June 1990

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Logan’s Run February is finally at its close, and what a long, strange trip it’s been. Seriously. I’m not just quoting the Grateful Dead to be wistful, this examination of the initial novel and four adaptations has taken a lot more time than expected and has been supremely strange. I wish I could say I learned something from this venture, but if there’s anything to take away from this month of Logan’s Run, it’s that the human capacity for creativity is boundless, provided we think there’s a little money to be made. Unfortunately, in the case of these adaptations, the effort exceeded profit by a wide margin. But hey, I don’t want to give it all away in the intro, you’ll never know for sure unless you check out my review of Adventure Comics’ Logan’s Run #1, the comic book version of the original novel! And you can do so if you simply read on!