The Legend of Wonder Woman Chapter #17 Review

...Make a Liar Tell the Truth

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

Last chapter ended with Diana finding out where the Duke of Deception was from a guy that kind of looked like he was about to melt...you know, like in Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Yea, that's pretty messed up and I can't wait to see what Diana does to him...the Duke, not the guy who looks like he's about to melt...that guy has enough problems!  Of course, that wasn't the only thing that happened.  Etta had to deal with Pamela Smuthers and while the safety of the world might hinge on if Diana can stop the Duke, I might want to see Miss Smuthers get hers just a little bit more.  Hey, it's not my fault that Renae De Liz made Etta such a great character, is it?  No, it is not!  So, with all these things on the line, this next chapter just has to be great, right?  Hold your horses and let me review it before you go asking me questions like that!  Geez...

The Legend of Wonder Woman Chapter #16 Review

Pass the Mic

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: February 24, 2016


I'm back in my never ending quest to catch up on this great Digital First book.   Last chapter showed Diana and Etta heading off to France and while Etta got a little bit of bad news, I was still pretty excited to get to story moving along.  Actually, having Etta's entertainment career sidetracked a bit is a-ok to me if it means she will be staying by Diana's side.  Renae De Liz has a star on her hands and the more we get, the better!  So. does this next phase in the origin of Wonder Woman live up to the greatness (and even the hype that I've tried to generate) that has come before it?  Let's find out...

We Are Robin #11 Review and *SPOILERS*

Heroes

Written By: Lee Bermejo
Art By: Jorge Corona, Rob Haynes, Trish Mulvihill, Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This series is one of my favorites from the DCYou and while I think it took a bit of a misstep in its Robin War crossover, besides that we've pretty much gotten gold every month and I'll be sad to see it go.  Luckily though, we're going out with style as the story has moved away from Nests and Talons to good old fashioned teenage angst.  Yeah, being a teenager is a pain in the ass and I've loved the way that Lee Bermejo has portrayed these characters to reflect that aspect, while piling being a hero on top of everything else.  It's just been a blast and with the introduction of the Jokers Gang in this story arc, we not only get the origin of the Jokerz Gang from Batman Beyond's time, but we finally get a foil for our heroes that seems right.  When we last left our Robins, Smiley and his gang had occupied Middletown High and man were they packing some serious weapons.  Let's jump into this issue and see if our Robins can start working together again to take this threat out before they or anyone else gets hurt in this delicate situation.  Let's check it out.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Characters/Teams I Want In Legends Of Tomorrow Season 2

Welcome back to another installment of Top 5 Fridays! You know what seemed like a huge gamble? Legends of Tomorrow. Don't get me wrong. The team behind the scenes has worked wonders on The Flash and Arrow, and the cast is very good and full of actors who breathe life into the characters they play... That being said if the show failed to get ratings it could have made people question the creation of other Superhero shows due to its big budget. Thankfully it did succeed and now were getting a second season! The news of this sent my inner child on a wishing spree of characters I want to see in season two, so that's what we'll be talking about today! As per usual, this list is made with my personal opinions and choices, so if you don't see someone you want, I apologize. With that in mind, let's hop into the Waverider and get this list started!

Justice League 3001 #11 Review

Don't Call Me Guy

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Art by: Scott Kolins, Hi-Fi and Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 28, 2016

With all of the hoopla surrounding this whole Rebirth thing just around the corner, Justice League 3001 has really slipped off of a lot of people's radars.  It did not make the Rebirth cut, but nobody is protesting it being canceled either.  I'm actually shocked it wasn't cancelled when the DC You came around in June so this whole 3001 run feels like a bonus to me and I always enjoy a little bonus now and again.  So, what have DeMatteis and Giffen done with the bonus time?  They just turned the book upside down and inside out by giving fans a totally female Justice League that has been pretty damn awesome! Well, bonus time is almost over as this is the penultimate issue of the series.  Is it good and does it set up the series for an awesome conclusion?  Let's find out...

Batman #51 Review and *SPOILERS*

Gotham Is....

Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia, Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've got our Bat back in action and everything is finally right in the world!  While I didn't mind the concept of Jim Gordon rocking the bat moniker, it just didn't come together the way I think it was originally intended and because of it we couldn't wait to get Bruce back in the cowl...... which we have... which leads to everything being right in the world!  Woo!  Okay, let's calm down now and check out some Batman back on the beat and back in our hearts with this issue as we start winding down to Rebirth.  Let's check it out.

Joshua Williamson Signs Exclusive Contract With DC Comics

Holy Crap!  This is such awesome news.  Joshua Williamson is such a great writer and while I was already looking forward to his upcoming run on The Flash, it's the fact that he is coming out with a Vertigo book (Frostbite) that makes me even more happy.  With the recent troubles at Vertigo, you really couldn't ask for a better writer to jump on and get things rolling than Williamson.  Seriously, Nailbiter, Ghosted and Birthright are all awesome and I'm sure that Frostbite will continue the trend. Again, I can't give DC Comics enough props for grabbing Williamson and hope this is still just the beginning.  Now that I am done gushing, here is the official press release...

Deathstroke #17 Review

Love is a Battlefield

Written by: James Bonny
Art by: Tyler Kirkham, Arif Prianto and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 28, 2016

I have been taking a bit of flack lately for being a Deathstroke fan (or Deathstork as somebody who thought they were more clever than they actually were put it) and I guess that is a fair and unfair thing to say.  I say that because it has been pretty common for my introductory paragraphs to mention that up until a year or so ago, I could have cared less about Deathstroke, Deathstork, Deathdork or even Breaststroke.  He was just a badass that would fight the Teen Titans, show up in Arrow, etc. have his fun and then be gone.  So, when DC announced they were giving the character another solo go, I agreed to review it on a lark and because of our stupid mission statement of trying to review every book that DC Comics puts out each week.  If you asked me then, I probably would have told you that I drew the short straw and laughed about it being my lot in life.  How else would you explain my past review queue being filled with books like Stormwatch, Katana and Klarion?!?  After a bit of a rough patch to start, however, I found myself enjoying Deathstroke for the simple fact that Tony Daniel and James Bonny were giving readers a straight up action movie style book that wasn't trying too hard to be something it wasn't.  Is it the best book of the New 52?  No, but if you like it, it has been one of the most consistently enjoyable reads month in and month out.  Granted, if you don't like what this book is cooking, then you can change that "enjoyable" to "awful" and that is totally within your rights.  Because of that, though, it's in my rights to like it. In conclusion,  please don't fall into the trap of thinking you're better or smarter than me because you like Grant Morrison and I prefer James Bonny...at a fancy dinner party, we'd both be looked at as the "morons who read comic books" and that doesn't bother me one bit.  As Pat Benatar boldly said at the Yalta Conference way back in 1945, "We are strong, no one can tell us we're wrong, searchin' our hearts for so long, both of us knowing... Love is a battlefield."  

Black Canary #11 Review and **SPOILERS**

Black Canary Über Alles

Written By: Brenden Fletcher

Art By: Sandy Jarrell, Wayne Faucher, Lee Loughridge

Letters By: Marilyn Patrizio

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 27, 2016

**Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom**

I could swear I just reviewed this comic book…what gives? Looks like they’ve double-shipped Black Canary for the month of April, probably to make ample room for Geoff Johns’ Rebirth comic coming out May whatever-the-hell-it-is. Twenty-fifth? Somewhere around there. So my guess is we’ll get an twelfth issue in a couple of weeks that will act as Dinah’s swan song, and maybe set her up for whatever she’s got going on after June. Works for me, this last arc has been strange, to say the least, and I don’t mind wrapping it up double-time. That doesn’t mean there can’t be some surprises left, but can anyone confirm it? Perhaps by way of a review or recap that might tell us whether or not there were big reveals or twists in this issue of Black Canary? Does such a thing exist? Why yes, indeed, it does, and you can see for yourself if you read on!

Grayson #19 Review

Yeats Don't Fail Me Now

Written by: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Art by: Roge Antonio, Jeromy Cox and Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

I have gone on record more times then I can count (>3) that Grayson was one of the best books of the New 52/DC You and that it was a shame that a bunch of Nightwing fans sat it out in protest.  Sure, the name had changed, but the song remained the same and that song was not Stairway to Heaven or even Since I've Been Loving You.  Nope, that song was...let me think of something clever...I got nothing.  Wait, how about, "Dick Grayson's super power is being a nice guy and we are getting that in spades here."  I know it's a long title, but if we give it a catchy chorus, I think it could catch on.  Besides trying to become the next Katy Perry, I just want everyone to know that this series was great and I think everyone should give it a try.  I did say "was" and while that might sound harsh, having Tom King (and Tim Seeley to a lesser degree) leave the book for newcomers Lanzing and Kelly to finish still feels wrong to me.  I know that they are only here to get to what will be the Nightwing reset called Rebirth, but I wish they would have let the original creative team finish what they started. However, like they say...If wishes and dreams were peaches and cream then we'd all shit rainbows.  They say that, right?  On to my review for Grayson #19...

Arrow Season 4 Episode 19 "Canary Cry" Review and *SPOILERS*

Eulogy

Director: Laura Besley

Writers: Wendy Mericle & Beth Schwartz

Air Date: April 27, 2016

Remember how the showrunners promised that this season was going to be a lighter tone? I guess lighter for Arrow means the death of a character from the very first episode! We finally learned who was in the grave at the end of the first episode of the season: Laurel Lance! What is it with Canaries dying in Star City?! Joke aside, it was a very emotion heavy moment when Laurel told Oliver how she felt about him, and with the death of his best friend and former lover, we know he’s going to be tempted to go back to the dark side and kill Damien(but let’s be honest, he deserves it at this point.) So how will everything play out in the wake of Laurel’s death? Let's find out…

Teen Titans #19 Review and **SPOILERS**

Get Back to Where You Once Belonged

Written By: Greg Pak

Art By: Ian Churchill and Alvaro Martinez, Norm Rapmund and Raul Fernandez, Tony Aviña

Letters By: Corey Breen

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 27, 2016


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

Who is Cassie “Wonder Girl” Sandsmark? Who is anyone? Are we the people we project to the world, or the personality that is perceived by others? I suppose the question ultimately is: do we define ourselves, or do our circumstances define us? History would tell us that it’s the latter, yet our innate ambitions are what spurs us to become the types of people that history may record. It’s all about who controls the narrative—the meekest accountant became a wild west gunslinger at the turn of the last century, depending on how convincingly he spun a yarn, and in the twenty-first century we control our narratives by narrowing the information willingly released to social media. We can all seem happy, active, full of life for our Twitter and Facebook profiles, all the while seething with a sense of impending doom and falsity that wells within the pits of our stomachs and slithers upwards to entwine our taxed metaphorical hearts. Weird Science DC Comics Blog doesn’t do that; at this site we own up to the fact that our self-awareness is a curse, not a gift, and our narcissism and continual reflection are banes to an actually happy and fulfilling life. Would that we were all born turtles. What does this have to do with this issue of Teen Titans? Not much, but it’s more entertaining than the book. I’ll try to maintain that streak if you’ll read on!

Justice League #49 Review and *SPOILERS*

Agendas

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

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's so weird having only issue #49 coming out today after just having the Darkseid War Special.  I don't know if this story is just so big and epic that it stays a constant thought in my mind, but it certainly doesn't feel like it's two months behind everything else............ Which hopefully it can catch up quick because I hate the idea of this continuing when Rebirth comes out and changes the game the way I hope it will.  Anyway, in the previous issue..... and I guess the Darkseid War Special too, our heroes were waging a battle against Mobius in the streets of Gotham, while Cyborg and Jessica Cruz were trying to free themselves from within Volthoom.  If that wasn't enough, we also had Grail give Steve Trevor what appeared to me to be the Anti-Life Equation so that he can fulfill a prophecy about the first man on Themyscira causing the end of the world.  Yeah, it's all bad news bears for our Justice League, what with them teaming up with the totally untrustworthy Crime Syndicate and half our heroes not really taking part in the battle because they're too busy thinking about god things....... well, all except for Lex Luthor, who entered the scene in the previous issue's cliffhanger, rocking his Darkseid powers and an army of Parademons.  Let's jump into this issue and see if our heroes are any closer to saving the day or if things continue to look grim.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl #51 Review

Overtime

Written by: Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Eleonora Carlini, Minkyu Jung, Roger Robinson, Serge Lapointe and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

Brenden Fletcher is a team player.  His buddies have left him and he is left to finish up Batgirl and get her ready for the big Rebirth this Summer.  This issue comes hot off the heels of the big #50 from a couple of week's ago and I'd be lying if I told you that these next few issues already feel a bit anticlimactic going in.  That is, of course, before reading them so it wouldn't be fair to just write them off, right?  Right!  That's why I am here to see what Mr. Fletcher has up his sleeve to tide the time before Rebirth hits.

The Dark Knight: The Master Race #4 Review and *SPOILERS*

Bruce Wayne vs. The World

Written by: Frank Miller, Brian Azzarello

Art by: Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert

Cover Price: $5.99

Release Date: April 27, 2016

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This series has so much promise to it. The Dark Knight Returns was a great story, but Strikes Again has dragged it through the mud. The first two issues were great, but the third disappointed especially when the issue was delayed for 2 months… Now we reach issue 4, the halfway point of this conclusion, and the world isn’t looking too good. After Quar, leader of the Kryptonians from Kandor, begins attacking capitals across the globe and demand control. Bruce and Carrie travel to the Fortress of Solitude and wake up Superman from his best imitation of World of Warcraft’s Lich King. Superman agrees to step in, but instead of fighting Quar, he now has a new enemy… HIS DAUGHTER?! So what happens when the Last Son of Krypton goes up against the Last Cult of Krypton? Let’s find out!

Secret Six #13 Review and **SPOILERS**

Family Splatters

Written By: Gail Simone

Art By: Tom Derenick, Jason Wright

Letters By: Travis Lanham

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 27, 2016

**Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom**

Last month, I initiated the Beg Greg Berlanti to Make a Secret Six TV Show campaign with a sensible pitch and a plea to put Catman on television. It’s a brilliant idea, considering the Suicide Squad have been requisitioned for a summer blockbuster and the Secret Six is always made up of characters no one else wants to use, anyway. I have seen no picket lines or heard of any petitions in support of my concept, so I figure everyone must be in the planning stages of what is going to be the most important media demand of the year! While you are all sewing your Scandal Savage and Strix costumes, I want you to think about the best ways we can bring more visibility to our movement: what can we do, and where should we do it? I can think of no better way to prove the viability of a Secret Six TV show than for every neighborhood, town and village in America to form its own Secret Six crime-fighting club, comprised of the area’s most noble outcasts. Think you can get that done before the final issue of Secret Six is out next month? I know you can! Now read my review to get pumped for the campaign!

The Flash Season 2 Episode 19 “Back to Normal" Review and **SPOILERS**

Written By: Brooke Roberts & Katherine Walczak
Directed By: John F. Showalter
First Aired: April 26, 2016

It's been a week our time since Barry Allen fucked up not one, but two versions of earth because he is a petulant little asshole who decided to go all George W. Bush and launch a preemptive war, based on hubris and bad intelligence, ultimately leading to disastrous consequences. 

In case you forgot, Barry decided, despite the objections of everyone he loves and trusts, to open up some portals and go after a diminished and dying Zoom only ending up getting ganked for his own speed and providing the cure for Zoom's speed sickness, thus making his adversary even more powerful. 

What a fucking asshole.

Superman/Wonder Woman #28 Review

The Story Formerly Known as Super League

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Ed Benes, Alex Sinclair, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

Here we are, at the midpoint of the Super League story...or is it the Final Days of Superman?  It makes me think that during an editorial meeting, someone (probably a lowly intern speaking out of line) mentioned, "I really like seeing these Final Days of Superman" which caused Mr. DC to spit out his coffee (which smelled a lot like Irish Whisky, btw) and yelled, "Stop the presses!" like only he can do.  Thus, the Final Days of... banner on the top of this issue looking like it was supposed to be there all along. My other theory involves elves in a tree that bake cookies on the side so you see why I went with the first one.  While I think that the name change was last second, reading the first three chapters of this crossover showed me that the story was not.  Peter J. Tomasi (I've always wondered what the "J" stood for...I'm going with Jaguar) is taking his time putting the pieces together to give us a really good story to send us off into Rebirth.  Sure, there have been some issues here and there, but we are asking one man to right all the wrongs that have plagued the Superman books for years and when you cook that kind of goulash, the kitchen is bound to get a little bit messy.  This issue picks up after Wonder Woman showed up at the Fortress of Solitude looking for some answers and boy, Superman has some 'splainin to do.  Does that make another great issue of (insert the name you prefer here) ?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn #27 Review and **SPOILERS**

Love Maims

Written By: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Art By: John Timms, Alex Sinclair

Letters By: Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 27, 2016

**Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom**

I encourage anyone that hasn’t watched a roller derby competition to check one out, if feasible. I went to one years ago thinking it would be sort of a goof, and with the intention of watching girls fight. Turned out to be a pretty engaging sport that isn’t hyper-violent or sexualized, except perhaps in the derby players’ assumed names. It’s sort of like football, on roller skates, and played in a circle—and instead of a ball, one of the players is the ball. None of that is important to know, however, when reading Harley Quinn. The roller derby matches in this comic book are primarily slugfests where Harley reaps vengeance on some bullying woman or another. Indeed, last issue they dispensed with the whole derby aspect with Skate Club, which is like Fight Club but on roller skates. We left her just as she was about to tackle a new competitor, the enigmatic and totally not like Deadpool at all Red Tool! How do you think she’ll fare against this challenger? Where are those Diamond shipping numbers again?! Oh, never mind, you can read my review to find out!

Arrow Season 4 Episode 18 "Eleven Fifty-Nine" Review and SPOILERS

When I See You Again

Director: Rob Hardy

Writers: Marc Guggenheim & Keto Shimizu

Air Date: April 6, 2016

*This review contains spoilers! Score at the bottom!*

Why yes this is late. Sorry, but it’s called college final projects. Moving on. This season really has been a big improvement from last season, with it being darker at times, but not afraid to be a little more comic-book. However despite that promise of the show’s direction of being lighter, there has been one big terrifying thing looming in the background: A grave. Throughout the season, the list of Who is in the grave kept getting shorter, but this episode? We learn who it is! Last time we had the episode end with Malcolm agreeing to get Darhk out of prison and his secret weapon is apparently Andy! What could this mean for our team? Who will die? Why you reading a review for an episode that came out 3 weeks ago?! Let's dive in and see what's happening!

PREVIEW: Justice League 3001 #11

Written by: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Scott Kolins
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

Now that the Justice League is aware of Lady Styx’s ultimate plan, the team is forced to stand its ground to save the human race from extinction. Little do they know that Eclipso is hot on their tails! Plus, the Justice League may have a traitor in its midst.

I am going to miss this book when it's gone.  It's been a hell of a run, especially for such a unique book as this.  I just hope that someone gets Sinestro off the pole before it's all over.  Get him off the pole!!

PREVIEW: Superman/Wonder Woman #28

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Ed Benes
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

In part four of “THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN,” Wonder Woman and Superman encounter the being that was discovered in BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31. But will this person be Superman’s savior—or destroyer? And what is Ulysses’s role in all of this?

That is one weird solicit.  I thought the story was called "Super League"?!?  Hey, I like the whole "THE FINAL DAYS OF SUPERMAN" thing, it just got sprung on me out of nowhere.   Also, I almost forgot about Ulysses and the solar (super?) flare, but it looks like it's all coming back home to roost.  I just want to see what Superman has to say about not telling Diana that he's dying and making her knock on the front door to the Fortress of Solitude to find out...Oh Snap!

PREVIEW: Batgirl #51

Written by: Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Eleanor Carlini, Minkyu Jung, Roger Robinson, Serge Lapointe and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 27, 2016

After the events of issue #50, Barbara Gordon is at a crossroads in her life -- will new horizons beckon her away from her home in Burnside?

This issue looks like it's starting the transition between the New 52/DC You into Rebirth and I am looking forward to seeing how Brenden Fletcher does it.  I really enjoyed the #50 issue and know that Fletcher will say farewell to Babs in style with the next couple of issues.  

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #27

Written By: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Art By: John Timms, Alex Sinclair

Letters By: Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: April 27, 2016

Harley’s known for her even temperament and economy of language—oh, we can’t even finish that sentence. Let’s face it: she’s crazy, and she talks too much. So what happens when she discovers a nemesis even more insane and more hyper-loquacious? It’s Harley vs. the unbelievable Retool! 

It's Harley vs. Red Tool in the showdown of, uh, this month! Who is more murderous? Which character makes the most quips? Let's settle this at the box office, people, where all important conflicts are (apparently) resolved!

PREVIEW: Teen Titans #19

Written By: Greg Pak
Art By: Norm Rapmund, Ian Churchill
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: April 27, 2016

Life got confusing enough for the Teen Titans when Cassie Sandsmark discovered her true heritage. But now, the DC Universe’s greatest demigoddesses clash over the fate of Cassie’s soul! Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to “Who Is Wonder Girl”—and discover whether Cassie will walk with the gods...or stand with the Titans! Guest-starring Wonder Woman! 

Cassandra and her sister Wonder Woman are helping Cassie learn about her Ancient Greek heritage, and the rest of the Teen Titans have been allowed to hang out, too. This concludes this storyline, so I guess we get one more "so long, folks" issue before Rebirth? I guess we'll find out!

PREVIEW: Secret Six #13

Written By: Gail Simone
Art By: Tom Derenick, Jason Wright
Lettered By: Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: April 17, 2016

The League of Assassins presses in on Strix and threatens to kill her friends in the Secret Six if she doesn’t cooperate. She is then confronted by twisted replicas of her teammates, who she must face in combat one at a time. If she is beaten by any of them, the corresponding real member of the Six will be killed. Disoriented and alone, what chance does she—or her teammates—have to survive?

The League of Assassins has kidnapped Strix and is trying to brainwash her? They don't know what they're in for! Last issue ended with the emergence of Elongated Man, and I can't wait to see where it goes!

PREVIEW: Omega Men #11

Written By: Tom King

Art By: Barnaby Bagenda, Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Letters By: Pat Brousseau

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 27, 2016

Crippled and desperate after their brutal defeat on Karna, the Citadel brings an all-out war to the Omega Men as the team attempts to unify all the worlds of Vega in a last stand against their conquerors.