Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five #13 Review - Print Edition

Finish Him!

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Mike S. Miller, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 13, 2016

As far as Batman has been concerned, Year Five has been a slow burn with him pretty much remaining in the shadows.  Of course, nothing brings a hero out of hiding quicker than his mentor and father figure being straight up murdered!  It's all part of Superman's plan and it is totally messed up. Throw Damian into the mix and the line between right and wrong and justice and revenge starts to get blurry real fast and that's what this issue is all about.  Will father and son end up seeing eye to eye and what will poor Zsasz do?  Let's find out...

Batman '66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel Chapter #4 Review

Memories light the corners of my mind

Written by: Ian Edginton
Art by: Matthew Dow Smith, Wendy Broome and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

I'm back for the campy fun that is Batman '66 Meets The Avengers Steed and Mrs. Peel and if you are a fan of both franchises, this book is made just for you.  I really mean that.  I know that it's a sign of insanity to think that creators are making something just for you, but seriously, I think Ian Edginton and Matthew Dow Smith are doing just that.  I'm sure that they knew that little Jim Werner used to lay in front of the television in his footie pajamas watching reruns of both of these shows and were just waiting for the chance to put both properties together to make it twice the fun.  THAT IS WHAT'S GOING ON, RIGHT?!?  So, now that we know why this book was made, we can move on to the review itself.  Now that we have the Cybernauts and Lord Ffogg at odds with our two favorite Dynamic Duos, is this issue as fun as the first three?  Let's find out...

New Injustice 2 Gameplay Trailer Reveals Wonder Woman and Blue Beetle

There was a whole lot of reveals today at the Injustice 2 Panel at the San Diego Comic Con.  Along with the awesome announcement of a Injustice 2 Digital First comic written by Tom Taylor came a new gameplay trailer revealing Wonder Woman and Blue Beetle as playable characters.  Continue on to watch the trailer...

DC Comics Announces Injustice 2 Comic Book Written By Tom Taylor

Now this is some good news!  I actually was talking to Eric the other day and told him that I didn't know if I wanted an Injustice 2 comic.  What the hell was I thinking?!?  The second I saw the news that Tom Taylor was writing this, I was all in!  Tom Taylor back on an Injustice book...Fuck Yea! Here is the the official press release... 

Top 5 Fridays: My Top 5 Problems with Civil War II

Welcome back to another exciting installment of Top 5 Fridays! If you're a Marvel fan, you might have been like me when Civil War II was announced: Excited, but confused. What could cause this war so soon after All-New All-Different Marvel? Could it be just as good as the original Civil War? Issue one was released and I loved it... But as the series went on, I began to question more and more things, and soon I ended up having more problems with the story... Don't get me wrong, if  you're enjoying it, that's fantastic! I just have a few pretty large issues with the storyline... Now if your ready... Let me explain...

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Batgirl & The Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1

Eric and Jim get together to talk about Batgirl & the Birds of Prey Rebirth #1 or just "Birds" as they like to say. With the uproar over the Killing Joke, do they like it, love it or hate it? Spoiler: It's not the later! Check it out and if you like what you hear, join us for our weekly podcast that goes up each and every Sunday.

PREVIEW: Red Hood and The Outlaws: Rebirth #1

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 27, 2016


When a shocking encounter with Batman solidifies the Red Hood’s status as a villain, Jason Todd goes deep undercover to take down Gotham City’s criminal underworld from the inside. Along the way, Jason meets two unlikely allies: a disgraced Amazon warrior named Artemis and a half-baked Superman clone called Bizarro—and the DCU’s “Dark Trinity” is born! 

I can't wait for this book and it's not just because of Red Hood, but also the "Dark Trinity".  While I'm not sure how much we will see of Bizarro and Artemis right off the bat, Scott Lobdell has a cool idea going into this book...one that has me excited more for this book than most of the others. 

FIRST LOOK: Supergirl #1

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Brian Ching and Michael Atiyeh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 7, 2016

“REIGN OF THE CYBORG SUPERMAN” part one! Supergirl is back and working for the DEO to defend National City! As Kara Danvers, average American teenager and high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth. But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself face-to-face with her father: the sinister Cyborg Superman!

Okay, this story sounds crazy, sexy, cool!  I can't wait to see what Steve Orlando can do with Supergirl and by the looks of it, he is swinging big!  Cyborg Superman?  Awesome!

FIRST LOOK: Supergirl: Rebirth #1

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by:Emmanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Michael Atiyeh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 17, 2016


Supergirl turns to the shadowy organization known as the D.E.O. (Department of Extranormal Operations) to restore her lost powers once and for all! But as a fateful experiment sends Kara Zor-El rocketing toward the sun, disaster strikes at home in the form of the lost Kryptonian werewolf Lar-On! All the epic action of the brand new Supergirl series starts here!

August can't come quick enough!  I really can't wait for this book and if you have any reason to question why, then look below.  It's no secret that DC kind of screwed the pooch last year by not having a Supergirl book on the shelves when her TV show debuted so it's great to see they aren't making the same mistake twice.  

DC Comics Announces Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Postage Stamp

If there is one thing I think about when I someone says Wonder Woman, it's postage stamps!  I have to admit that I didn't even think that my kids knew what postage stamps were, but in fact, they did!  Go figure!  Well, it looks like it's Wonder Woman's time to join the likes of Bud Abbott, Johnny Appleseed and Clara Bow with her own stamp.  I think they look good and will not make any stamp related jokes.  Here is the official press release.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #31 Review

She's So Raven

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Marco Santucci, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 19, 2016

Things are heating up in the old Injustice Universe and it looks like we are headed for one hell of a conclusion.  As someone who hasn't played the video game, I can't wait to see how it all ends, but yes, it's all going to be very bitter sweet.  I have been reviewing this book for all these issues and years and now it will just be over.  Sure, we may get a Injustice Two book, but I don't know about you, but it just won't be the same as this book that surprised the crap out of me and has easily become my favorite video game tie-in ever.  EVER!!!  As far as where we are right now, while the Regime continues to have trouble in the ranks, Batman has taken the fight to the streets, space and the Hall of Justice.  Like I said...things are heating up!  So, how is this chapter?  Let's find out...

New Suicide Squad #22 Review and **SPOILERS**

I Dream of Harley

Written By: Sean Ryan

Art By: Ronan Cliquet, Blond

Lettered By: Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: July 20, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

January 2016

Mr. DC: Seems there’s a Suicide Squad movie coming out this summer, ladies and gentlemen.

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

Mr. DC: We’ve got to do more with this New Suicide Squad title, it’s stagnating.

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

Mr. DC: Unchain Jim Lee from the toy sculpting division and chain him to the illustration division. We need a talent like his to put our best foot forward.

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

March 2016

Mr. DC: So, ladies and gentlemen, how goes things at the office?

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] GREAT SIR!

Mr. DC: And what about this New New Suicide Squad book? Has Jim Lee begun working on it?

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

Mr. DC: Great! What is his progress?

Mr. DC’s Most Obsequious Lackey: He has been thinking about it, sir!

Mr. DC: Thinking about it?

Mr. DC’s Most Obseqious Lackey: Yes sir!

Mr. DC: [sighs] Tell him to stop thinking about it and start putting pencil to paper, or he will get no water rations for a week!

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

May 2016

Mr. DC: Everything seems to be going swimmingly with Rebirth, ladies and gentlemen, but the board is most concerned with the New Suicide Squad Rebirth title. The film is going to be tremendously popular by all accounts.

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

Mr. DC: [pauses] Well…how goes it?

Mr. DC’s Most Obsequious Lackey: Swimmingly, sir!

Mr. DC: Do you have anything I can see?

Mr. DC’s Most Obsequious Lackey: [produces a large sheet of paper with one pencil mark in the center and hands it to Mr. DC]

Mr. DC: [squinting at the page in scrutiny] What am I looking at here?

Mr. DC’s Most Obsequious Lackey: The incredible work of superstar artist and DC co-publisher Jim Lee, sir!

Mr. DC: What…what is this?

Mr. DC’s Most Obsequious Lackey: Harley Quinn’s eyelash, sir!

Mr. DC: [sighs] Just pull a story out of inventory. Maybe we’ll get a Jim Lee Suicide Squad comic book in time for the sequel.

Mr. DC’s Lackeys: [in unison] YES SIR!

Mr. DC: Jeeves, bring my rickshaw around. I’m going to Friendly’s for a sundae.

Scooby Apocalypse #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Rime and Rime Again

Scooby Apocalypse #3
Terror Incognita!
Written by: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Howard Porter, Dale Eaglesham, Hi-Fi, & Nick Napolitano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: 07.20.2016

I still remember the uproar when this title was announced... it's rare that so many childhoods are wiped out with one stroke of a pen.  This didn't really affect me, as I never really dug the old Scooby-Doo... in fact, the only iteration of the gang I liked was the (admittedly lackluster) A Pup Named Scooby-Doo from the late 80's!  With that now stuck in my head, I'm hoping that somehow Red Herring will be revealed as the mastermind of the Nanite plague!

Green Lanterns #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Green With Rage

Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Tom Derenick, Robson Rocha, Jack Herbert, Neil Edwards, Tom Palmer, Jay Leisten, Keith Champagne, Hi-Fi, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

In our last issue of Green Lanterns, we did something that I really appreciated.  We slowed the hell down and just talked about some Hell Towers and Rage Seeds...... and dealt with a little bit of rage infected folks...... simple.  In the issue before that one, we got bitch slapped with so much new Lantern information that my head was spinning and when you have a melon the size of mine, you want to keep your head as still as possible because you're always risking a broken neck...... Yeah, my head's pretty big.  Really though, there isn't a lot to say about this other than our Lanterns are finally getting into some action as they try to figure out why the world is becoming infected with rage.  You think it has something to do with that giant ass Hell Tower that sprouted up in middle America?....... or wherever the hell it was?  Yeah, it's a good bet, but let's find out for sure by jumping into this issue and seeing if the Lanterns can keep telling us snippets of information without overwhelming us, while also staying interesting.  Let's check it out.

Green Arrow #3 Review

Burn Me Once...

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Juan Ferreyra and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

Green Arrow has suddenly become one of my favorite books out these days and because of that, it is easily my biggest surprise of Rebirth.  Ben Percy has turned this book into something special and has won me over big time.  I've enjoyed the hell out of Otto Schmidt's art and while I am upset to see him go for now, getting Juan Ferreyra on the book is sure to make up for that real quick.  So, does Percy and Ferreyra keep the good times rolling along now that Oliver has lost everything?  Let's find out...

Justice League #1 Review

Sucking the Power

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Tomeu Morey and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

I don't think it's a secret around these parts that I didn't like the Justice League Rebirth issue.  I hope it's also no surprise that I am hoping things turn around on this book really quick.  The Justice League book should be the shining light of the whole DCU and while DC found the New 52 in need of a tuneup, the problem was never with this book.  I know that following Geoff Johns may feel like a no win situation, but Bryan Hitch made himself an easy target by giving us a Rebirth issue that felt more in line with his canceled Justice League of America book than anything else.  As a reader of that book, it felt like a slap in the face, but even those fresh off the boat had to feel the sting of an issue with way more going against it that going for it.  This issue starts off the series proper and I'm just hoping Hitch gives readers something fun they can look forward to every two weeks.  Well, did he succeed?  let's find out...

Batman #3 Review

Go Go Gotham!

Written by: Tom King
Art by: David Finch, Danny Miki, Jordie Bellaire and John Workman
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

I think that most people have gotten the wrong idea about what I think about Tom King's Rebirth Batman.  Let me set things straight...It is good, but I keep waiting for great.  I like it while I want to love it.  That being said, if I was a betting man, I would lay down Eric's next check that this book will eventually be great and make me fall in love with it.  Tom King is just too damn good and I am a huge fanboy.  However, It's time to time for me to put my fanboy card away and review this week's Batman.  Is this a step in the direction we all know this book is heading?  Let's find out...

Aquaman #3 Review and **SPOILERS**

We Can Be Friends Despite the Attacks On Each Other’s Sovereignty

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Philippe Briones, Gabe Eltaeb

Lettered By: Pat Brosseau

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: July 20, 2015

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

One reason I think surface dwellers have a problem with Atlantis is because it is nothing like the city of Atlanta. There’s no nice restaurants, no permissive strip clubs, and no Freaknik. In fact, it really seems like a haughty, boring kingdom where you have to keep looking over your shoulder, in case some royalty floats by and you’ve got to kneel. Atlanta’s got a pretty kick-ass Aquarium, you know! We don’t need to get the bends hanging around some baroque SeaLab just to look at a swordfish! I think that if Atlantis wants to make nice with us surface folk, they should do more to promote tourism. Maybe get a baseball team or something. Let Starbucks open a franchise. Get with the program already. So how are Atlantean-surface dweller relations right now? Read on to find out!

Superman #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

He'll Suck You Till You're Pure

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Besides for Superman telling his son in the previous issue that his mother would be proud of him even though he burned her cat alive......... which really, the act was way less disturbing then Superman saying that after the fact....... Well, besides for that, I've really been digging this Superman title and its focus on the Pre-Flashpoint Superman and his family.  It's a wonderful change from what we got in the past and I really hope that it stays this Superman family book for the duration.  Yeah, it would probably be tough to keep that up, but a boy can dream can't he?  Anyway, in our previous issue we saw some strange thing gather up the blood of Jon after his father and him were attacked by a gigantic octopus monster in the Arctic, where it then took the blood to the Fortress of Solitude and used it to assimilate a body, making the Eradicator.  Yeah, shit is really getting all Reign of Supermen on our ass with all these Superman titles, but hopefully this can bring us something we've never seen before and boy does it have the chance to start here because after Jon fell out of a tree in the previous issue and sustained a concussion, Lois and Clark took him to the Fortress to check him out with some Kryptonian technology.  Let's jump into this issue and see how Clark deals with being face to face with the Eradicator once again.  Let's check it out.

PREVIEW: Justice League #1

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Tomeu Morey and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“THE EXTINCTION MACHINE” Chapter One

The oceans rise. The earth quakes. And an ancient power rises to reclaim not just the world, but the universe itself—and not even the combined might of the Justice League can stop it. An all-new era begins with this epic by comic book legend Bryan Hitch (JLA, The Ultimates) and master storyteller Tony S. Daniel (BATMAN: R.I.P., DEATHSTROKE). 

PREVIEW: Green Arrow #3

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Juan Ferreyra
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“THE DEATH AND LIFE OF OLIVER QUEEN” Chapter Three: In #3, Green Arrow’s enemies learn he is still alive when the Emerald Archer—now Emerald Outlaw—breaks into Queen Industries to learn why his entire world has betrayed him. But the deadly assassin Shado—formerly Oliver’s ally—is dispatched to finish him before he gets too close to the shocking truth behind his fall from grace. 

Green Arrow is my sleeper hit of Rebirth and from talking to a whole lot of people, I'm not the only one.  Ben Percy has turned this book into an action-filled adventure movie with great characters and a surprising sense of humor.  This issue begins Juan Ferreyra's run on art and while Otto Schmidt had been killing it, Juan is such a kickass artist that I'm sure it won't miss a beat.  I can't wait for Wednesday! 

PREVIEW: Superman #3

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“THE SON OF SUPERMAN” Chapter Three: In #3, with a touch that means death, the Eradicator proves he’s a match for Superman, but his super-powered offspring may be more than anyone can handle—including the Man of Tomorrow.

Goddamn, this is a strange solicit...... Well, at least we know we've got Eradicator.  That's something.  

PREVIEW: Batgirl and The Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Claire Roe, Allen Passalaqua, Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“WHO IS ORACLE” Chapter One: Batgirl and Black Canary are together again, working a case that strikes right at the heart of their partnership! Someone’s uncovered the greatest secret Barbara Gordon ever kept: her time as Oracle, the most powerful hacker on the planet. And not only do they know her secret, they’re using her name to sell dangerous information to criminals! Now one of those deals has brought some major heat to Gotham City…Helena Bertinelli is out of Spyral, wearing the hood of the Huntress, and making mafia blood run in the streets! Everything you thought was hidden will be revealed if the Oracle has their way…      

While I was never a fan of Batgirl of Burnside or Black Canary's foray into Rock and Roll, I do have to admit that I really look forward to this series and the team it's presenting.  Why you ask, because it just seems like a good time and that's all any of us want at the end of the day.

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #3

Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Tom Derenick, Robson Rocha, Jack Herbert, Neil Edwards, Tom Palmer, Jay Leisten, Keith Champagne, Hi-Fi, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“RAGE PLANET” Chapter Three: In issue #3, Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz are trapped in the bloody and monstrous Rage Tower with their rings drained. Now, they must work together if they’re going to escape. Can the new protectors of Earth find common ground—or are they doomed to give in to the anger that’s growing between them?

Yeah, this solicit isn't exactly right, in that there's nothing in this that goes on in the issue.  Pretty much, we're looking at Bleez showing up and our rookie Lanterns showing her what for...... and who doesn't want to see what these two can do against an actual Lantern threat?  

PREVIEW: Batman #3

Written by: Tom King
Art by: David Finch, Danny Miki, Jordie Bellaire and John Workman
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 20, 2016

“I AM GOTHAM” Chapter Three: Batman and Gotham strike out together to get to the bottom of the mysterious attacks against the city. Could this novel and headstrong new hero be everything Gotham City needs…at the cost of the Dark Knight? 

Again, what about poor Gotham Girl?  She is really getting the short end of the stick so far and I am getting tired of it. Wait until the Gotham Girl League gets started!  Then things will change...lower skirts and mentions in the solicits.  That's all we ask...and possibly a ham sandwich.  And some potato chips.

Thoughts from the Glasgow Comic Con...Featuring Pistol!

 

Oh those crazy Scots!  While the Weird Science Get Fresh Crew gets no respect here in the States, when we were offered passes to the Glasgow Comic Con, I knew who to call...Pistol!  Yep, I figured that our brother from another Country (that's a thing, right?) deserved some sort of reward for listening to our overlong podcast for as long as he has and plus, he reminds me a bit of Harry Styles!  So, Harry...I mean Pistol, headed off to the Con and this is what he had to say about it...

PREVIEW: The Hellblazer Rebirth #1

Safe European Home

Written By: Simon Oliver

Art By: Moritat, Andre Szymonowicz

Lettered By: Sal Cipriano

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: July 20, 2016

John Constantine’s lost weekend in New York City was fun, but London’s where his heart is—only a pissed-off demon and a curse on his soul stand in his way. Even Constantine’s questionable ethics are pushed to the limit when he puts eight million souls on the line to get what he wants….

Looks like John Constantine is back in jolly ol' England, and he's already put the lives of every London resident in mortal danger! I think he was living in New York City at least a few months before that happened. I guess he's just getting better with age, soon he'll be bartering the souls of entire species just for a packet of silk cut cigarettes. I had to write "cigarettes" because a lot of folks in the States wouldn't know what a "silk cut" implied. And I couldn't use the British slang for cigarettes in this case, because they call them f

PREVIEW: Aquaman #3

Mr. Curry Goes to Washington

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Philippe Briones, Gabe Eltaeb

Lettered By: Pat Brosseau

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: July 20, 2015

“THE DROWNING,” Chapter Three: In issue #3, Aquaman’s mission of peace is dealt a devastating blow when Atlantean terrorists attack the surface world in retribution for Black Manta’s deadly assault on their embassy.

Last issue took place over the space of one fight, so maybe this one will take place over the viewing of one episode of the Walking Dead. It will build, little by little, until issue #10,000 when an entire megaannum will take place in one issue. Aquaman's role will be relegated to one panel, and much of it will have to do with interstellar anomalies that cause nearly all life on Earth to die until a new species takes the top spot and runs itself to extinction, or is terminated by outside forces. And you'll get to see that happen three or four times in one issue!

Preacher Season 1 Episode 8 “El Valero" Review and **SPOILERS**

Written By: Sam Caitlin
Directed By: Kate Dennis
First Aired: July 17, 2016

Let's Catch Up:

When we last left the gang Jesse had just turned the entire group against him, Sheriff Root was looking for is son, and Quincannon was getting ready to bring the war to Jesse.  Oh and I still hung onto a shred of hope that this show was going to be something other than a new version of a beloved comic book destroyed by AMC. 

Caught up?  

Good, let’s get this fucker over with. 

New Avengers #13 Review - Marvel Mondays

Triple Play

Written by: Al Ewing
Art by: Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco, Jesus Aburtov and VC's Caramagna
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 13, 2016

This is an odd book for me to review.  I am not a huge Avengers fan and even if I was, I am not really that familiar with this team.  However, that is actually the reason I picked it...to dive head first into our Marvel Mondays experiment and see what I've been missing.  This issue is part two of the A.I.M vs S.H.I.E.L.D. story and if you are a fan of acronyms, then you need to jump on right now.  It's also a Civil War II tie-in and all of this had me intimidated a bit going into this review.  Did I overcome it and enjoy the issue?  Let's find out...