Saturday, August 13, 2016

Batman: The Telltale Series Episode 1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Just Another Night in Gotham


*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Telltale has been making games for a while now and they have often been praised for their storytelling. However, I would have to admit that for a long time, I held a negative bias towards Telltale and their games. I love video games and one of the biggest components is the actual gameplay and Telltale tends to focus more on the story with the occasional quick time event (Occasionally there is some exploring of a small area). However, after eventually breaking down and playing a few, I came to love the games along with everyone else. So, when the announcement of the studio taking a run with Batman came out, I became incredibly excited but yet, also very worried. They were going to do an original story and the question becomes, how will they do? What will they change? So many questions raced through my mind before this game was finally released and I sat down and played through the first episode in one night. So how was it? What was the story like? Let’s find out.

Dungeons & Dragons #3 Review



Out, Damned Spot!

Written by: Jim Zub
Art by: Nelson Daniel and Neil Uyetake
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 13, 2016
Publisher: IDW

I have really enjoyed the start of this new Dungeons and Dragons tale and not just because I am a huge Minsc and Boo fan...okay, that does help a whole lot, but there is more to it as well.  Jim Zub and Nelson Daniel are putting together a comic book that also feels like a D&D adventure that I would have loved to play as a kid and makes me want to get the dice bag out as an adult.  It's not all about the crazy locales, hideous monsters and over the top action that some comics of this ilk have resorted to, but the main focus has been on the characters and their interactions.  If you have ever played D&D ,you know that's what it's all about.  Heck, I spent days just making up characters with intricate back stories and character sketches with no intent of ever using them in a campaign and when me and my buddies got down to playing, some of the best times we had were just the group hanging out in a tavern just talking.  That said, it's always fun to slay some hideous beast in a gloomy, haunted forest with a glowing +2 dagger of venom!  All this leads back to Jim Zub's book which has grabbed my attention and made me smile every time I've read it.  So, does that continue with this issue?  Let's find out...


Friday, August 12, 2016

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Story Arcs I Want As DC Animated Movies


Welcome to another cinematic Top 5 Friday! After the Killing Joke, I've been on a bit of a DC Animated Movie kick. How could I not? They are friggin great! The animation is superb, the voice actors are on point,  and they can tell a great story in a short amount of time. While I may have said what my favorites are, I felt that it was time for me to express what my story arcs I want to see made into these gems. Long time fans of the site remember that Eric did a similar list a while ago, but just like I always say: This list is opinion based, so if you don't see something you want, I apologize. Enough talk! Let's dive on in!

FIRST LOOK: Suicide Squad: War Crimes Special #1



Written by: John Ostrander
Art by: Gus Vazquez, Carlos Rodriguez and Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 31, 2016

When a retired American politician is taken to Europe and tried for alleged war crimes, the USA must recover him from an allied nation before terrible truths are revealed. Enter the Suicide Squad, who storm the Hague itself to save America from her own dark secrets. The writer who started a revolution, John Ostrander returns to the Suicide Squad for the first time in a decade to tell one of his boldest and bloodiest stories ever. 


Wonder Woman ’77 Chapter 22 Review and **SPOILERS**


Bring Me a Higher Love

Written By: Mark Andreyko
Art By: Tom Derenick, Carrie Strachan
Lettered By: Wes Abbott
Digital Price: $0.99
On Sale Date: August 11, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

So I saw Suicide Squad this week. My feelings about it are that one of the best things I saw was the trailer for the Wonder Woman movie on a theater screen. Gods, that looks so awesome. When she catches that mortar on her shield and then later is doing super slow-motion ninja swordplay…why am I even mooning about it? Just take a look, save me some typing.

And now that you’ve seen that inspiring tidbit, read my review of Wonder Woman ’77 Chapter 22! Which probably won’t be inspiring, but…just read on, read on.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: All-Star Batman #1 Review



Jim and Eric meet up to give you their review of Scott Snyder's new All-Star Batman #1.  Do they like it?  Do they hate it?  Why does it lead to a discussion about prison oatmeal and homeless guys on the side of the road?  If you like what you hear or at least curious about what could possibly be talked about in a 7+ hour podcast episode, join us for our regular weekly podcast posted every Sunday Night where we talk about every single DC Comic that came out this week.  


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter 34 Review


Black Magic Woman

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Tom Derenick, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

As we get closer and closer to the end of this Year, Brian Buccellato is upping the action ante big time, but I have to commend him for taking his time with the story.  I was actually afraid that this Year would be a mad sprint to the finish line, but steady wins the race seems to be the mantra we can all live by.  That being said, I couldn't wait to see how the world would react to seeing footage of Superman being a cold blooded murderer...you know, himself.  Finally, the Man of Steel would be exposed and the Resistance's ranks would swell to the point of busting at the seams.  Of course, I kind of knew that wasn't going to really happen, but a man can dream, right?  So, what does happen and is it any good?  Let's find out...


Teen Titans Go! Chapter #34 Review



'Elo Luv

Written by: Derek Fridolfs
Art by: Derek Fridolfs, Jeremy Lawson and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 9, 2016

The best thing about the Teen Titans Go! book is that you can jump in and out whenever you feel the urge and never really miss a beat.  That's only one of the reasons I really like it, though, with the others ranging from being all-ages appropriate, hilarious and...really hilarious.  Did I mention that it's hilarious?!?  This chapter features Derek Fridolfs on double duty as the writer and artist.  So, how did he do?  Let's find out...


Earth 2: Society #15 Review and *SPOILERS*



Rise of The Planet of The Humanites


Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Tony Harris, Wade Von Grawbadger, Angel Hernandez, David Calderon, Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Holy Shit, did you see how fucked up Captain Steel got in the previous issue?  I mean, one of Ultra-Humanite's brainwashed children just went and tore into his insides until that they became his outsides and I know that we're only dealing with comics here, but I was mortified as hell by that scene.  The thing is though, I don't know anyone who really loves Captain Steel as a character and I don't know if putting him on death's door was a way to get people on the Captain Steel trolley or if Dan Abnett simply doesn't like the character either and is killing him off to free up some panel play for some likable characters....... This isn't a Captain Steel book though so let's get down to business.  In the previous issue we saw our Wonders take on the Ultra-Humanite's genetically altered children and goddamn did our heroes get their asses kicked.  It seems that everyone wants to get their hands on Fury's Pandora Casket....... formerly the Pandora Vessel, I don't know why they changed the name of it, but that doesn't matter.  What matters is, whoever gets their hands on Fury's box will be able to reshape the world to however they see fit............ somehow........ Fury's box...... ha ha.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

New Super-Man #2 Review and *SPOILERS*



(Dummy)

Written By: Gene Luen Yang
Art By: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend, Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom* 

It's time to continue the adventures of the New Super-man! Our first issue had us follow Kong Kenan as a shocking act of defiance against a super villain caught the attention of Dr. Omen, who is in the middle of making her own Justice League for China. She believes that Kenan is the perfect candidate for being the New Super-man, which he obviously accepts. As soon as he gets his new powers, though, Kenan really can't control them and begins firing heat vision everywhere. Dr. Omen, a little bit worried about how the lab is going to hold up, calls in the other two members of her Justice league: The Bat-Man and Wonder Woman of China.

This book really surprised me if I can be entirely honest. This seemed like it was going to be a miss on paper, but when I actually got the first issue, I actually had fun with it. The art was good, with the exception of Muppet neck Kenan, and made the world feel very unique. Sure, Keenan is still a little bit of a jerk, but I definitely can see him turning into one amazing hero add to the DC universe.  Can the creative team keep it up? Let's dive in and find out!

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 Review


Top of the World, Ma

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

The Red Hood and the Outlaws Rebirth issue was a huge surprise to me, not because it was so good, Lobdell made me love it.  He didn't use smoke and mirror, pomp and circumstance or shock and awe.  Nope, he just gave fans a greatest hits tour of Red Hood's origin story along with a pretty interesting plot seed to show where the book was going.  While I would have loved to see Bizarro and Artemis show up right away, Lobdell did one better by reminding me why I love Jason Todd first and foremost.  That's right...I'm a Jason Todd fan and am proud of it! That being said, I'm not going to give a high score because of that.  Nope, that shit has to be earned.  So, does Lobdell earn it or burn it this issue?  Let's find out...
but because of the way Scott


Detective Comics #938 Review


Jacob and the Batman

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson, Al Barrionuevo, Adriano Lucas and Marilyn Patrizio
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

I have been a huge supporter of this book from the moment it was announced, but even I have to
agree that it is getting to a "shit or get off the pot" point when it comes to action.  Sure, I have loved the interactions between the team and am intrigued by Colony and it's very personal connection with Kate Kane, but I want some punches and kicks and I want them from every single member of the team.  Last issue's cliffhanger points directly to just that, but you know how that can go, right?  So, do we get more talking or do we get some ass kicking?  Let's find out...


Action Comics #961 Review and *SPOILERS*



Something New!


Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Stephen Segovia, Art Thibert, Arif Prianto, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

If you loved the Death of Superman and the Reign of The Supermen story arc that followed it, then boy do I have a series for you........ because goddamn do I feel like I'm having deja vu here with this Action Comics title.  Issue after issue it seems to be the same thing over and over again.......... and the terrible thing is, I really couldn't tell you what's going on here besides for Superman and Doomsday beating the holy hell out of each other.  While that description could be pretty accurate on the surface, we've also got Mr. Oz watching everybody on a monitor somewhere...... being all creepy and we've also got a Clark Kent running around the action, who apparently isn't Superman, never has been and doesn't have any powers.  Yeah, I have no idea what's going on there, but hopefully now that Wonder Woman's entered the mix and our battle has left Metropolis we can start getting some answers to why this is all going on.  Let's jump into this issue and see if I get my wish or if it turns out like all my disappointing birthdays, where some asshole has to break out the trick candles. Let's check it out.

The Flintstones #2 Review and **SPOILERS**



Prehistoric Ennui

Written By: Mark Russell
Art By: Steve Pugh, Chris Chuckry
Lettered By: Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: August 10, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

If the Flintstones was really just a take-off from the Honeymooners, then wouldn’t a proper “reboot” of the franchise rightly take-off from some decade-old sitcom as well? For instance, a Flintstones today might be based on 30 Rock—heck, it’s already got “rock” in the name! It would be the story of television producer Liz Limestone, who works for Jack Diplodocus and wrangles temperamental actors Jenna Mastoney and Tracy Morgranite, to create a live weekly comedy show that people watch on shale televisions or whatever. Look, I never claimed to be a creative genius, I just plant the idea seeds. Another good idea is to rip-off Seinfeld. Call it Stonefeld. Did I earn a paycheck yet? Kramer as a pterodactyl. Boom. Why don’t we look at issue number 2 of the Flintstones while I wait for Burbank to come knocking on my door.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #2 Review and **SPOILERS**



The B-B-B-Boys Are Back in Town

Written By: Robert Vendetti
Art By: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Tomeu Morey
Lettered By: Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: August 10, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

There’s something about that “and the” conjunction that really supports the first part and minimizes the second. I think it’s the “the,” personally, because if you just say “Echo and Bunnymen” then the Bunnymen sound less like the supporting cosplay act for some striking New Wave artist with a very stiff hairdo. But when you say “Josie and the Pussycats,” suddenly the Pussycats sound like…well, pussycats. I think even worse is “featuring,” if your name is preceded by the word “featuring” on the marquee then you are likely the lamest but most available coffee shop acoustic diddler or unshaven white rapper given the time frame. Seems to be the reverse on television, though, you get that “featuring” business before your name it’s basically an admission of your royalty. What to you think the best preamble is? Presenting? “Presenting Mr. Pedophile Arsonist.” I have to admit, it gives the name a little more gravitas. Truthfully speaking, though, it’s no Hal Jordan. So allow me to present to you, my review presenting Hal Jordan Presents the Green Lantern Corps #2!

Wonder Woman #4 Review


Year Won

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Nicola Scott, Romulo Fajardo Jr and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 9, 2016


It's an even numbered issue of Wonder Woman so that means we all get the Year One story and you get...me!  Yep, no Eric Shea with his spoilerific rundown and overuse of the word Boosh and...well, I'm not really sure what else he does.  I hear he does good stuff, though.  I have really enjoyed what Greg Rucka has done with Wonder Woman and especially what we have gotten in this Year One story.  So, now that Steve Trevor has crashed the Paradise Island party, will the story get even better?  Let's find out...


The Flash #4 Review


Ride the Lightning

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Neil Googe, Ivan Plascenscia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

With every issue of Joshua Williamson's Flash that I read, I become more and more a fan.  It doesn't hurt that I am both a big fan of the Flash as a character and Joshua Williamson as a writer and also that Williamson is lifting the veil a bit about what he is doing with Barry and his world.  While I complained that the earlier Rebirth issues were full of recap and catchup, I realize now that they were also filled with some pretty kick ass setup that is already paying off in spades.  Now that we have the Speed Force storm and it's new Speedsters in full effect, the future looks even brighter and yes, I will be wearing shades.  So, does that promising future start now and will I continue wearing my 90's wrap around shades like a cool ass Jose Canseco?  Let's find out...


Superwoman #1 Review and **SPOILERS**



Super Powers More Likely than STDs in the DCU, Say Doctors

Written By: Phil Jimenez
Art By: Phil Jimenez, Matt Santorelli, Jeromy Cox
Lettered by: Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: August 10, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Naw, it’s a bird…if you mean “bird” as a derogatory term for a WOMAN! What’s the matter, Chester? That flap your necktie, the idea of a woman having super powers? Does that curdle your shoe trees, huh bud? A little unsettling to have a lady behind the heat vision? Oh sure, you might point to Supergirl, or Power Girl, or Big Barda, or Wonder Woman, or Wonder Girl, or Poison Ivy as other super-powered females in the DCU. But none of them wear the Superman “S” on their chest! Except for Supergirl. Look, I’m trying to make a point here, okay? This concept of a woman with powers is mind-blowing and if it turns you off, then maybe you need to check your privilege! It costs a dollar, you can leave it with the girl in the lobby and retrieve it after my review of Superwoman #1. Be sure to retain your ticket!

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

PREVIEW: Red Hood and the Outlaws #1



Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

“Dark Trinity” part one! When a turf war puts Black Mask in Red Hood’s crosshairs, Jason discovers that the False Face Society is not what it seems, and that the organization is about to auction off a powerful weapon. As criminals from all over the globe descend on Gotham City, Jason must prove that he belongs amongst the city’s worst in order to gain access to this Dark Summit!

Dark Trinity...Dark Summit...Dark Chocolate.  If this book is so dark, then why is it putting such a big, bright smile on my face?!?  As you can guess, I can smell what Scott Lobdell is cooking and I am heading back for seconds.  It looks like Jason is continuing to get into places that Batman can't and no, I don't mean Sizzler.  Batman can get into Sizzler, he just chooses not to.  That is a Bat Fact, by the way.


PREVIEW: Detective Comics #938



Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Raúl Fernández and Alvaro Martinez
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

“Rise of the Batmen” part five! Batman, Batwoman, and the entire team take the fight to the deadly Colony! Those highly trained operatives took the Bat-team apart on their own turf…so how will they fare when the Colony is in its element, with all their weapons trained on our heroes?

This series has already had just about everything to get fans excited and this issue looks to add balls to the wall action to the checklist.  Boy, I would love to see the General get his ass kicked four ways from Sunday...but I also want to see much more of him...as long as he gets his ass kicked.


PREVIEW: Wonder Woman #4



Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Nicola Scott, Romulo Fajardo Jr and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 9, 2016

“Wonder Woman Year One” part two! Paradise has been breached, Ares stirs, and the Amazons must answer with a champion of their own…one who is willing to sacrifice her home amongst her sisters to save a world she has never seen. 

I am so glad I picked the Year One story to review and it's not because it's better than the "Lies" story, it's because it is just as good!  Plus, I am a complete sucker for origin stories of any kind and seeing this one is just so damn exciting.


PREVIEW: The Flash #4




Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by:Neil Googe, Ivan Plascenscia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

“Lightning Strikes Twice” part four! The leader of the science-terrorist group Black Hole has weaponized the Speed Force, leading to a final confrontation with The Flash and his new league of citizen speedsters.  

After a slow start, the Flash is quickly becoming one of my favorite Rebirth titles.  I love what Joshua Williamson is giving us and each issue shows more and more that he's been setting things up from the first page he wrote.  That's called good writing, son!


PREVIEW: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #2


Welcome Back to That Same Old Place That You Laughed About

Written By: Robert Vendetti
Art By: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Tomeu Morey
Lettered By: Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: August 10, 2016

“Sinestro’s Law” part two! As Sinestro’s grip around the universe grows tighter, Guy Gardner takes on the mission to bring the Green Lantern Corps back from the edge of oblivion to reclaim their role as protectors of the cosmos.

Hmm...somehow I feel like "Guy Guardner" and "bringing stuff back from edges of oblivion" are conceptually converse to one another, but maybe he's changed his wild ways since chilling out in that other boring-ass dimension. And I seem to recall we left Hal on some weird planet fighting two members of the Sinestro Corps--things are heating up folks! And the only thing that will douse this fire is THE ANTI-MONITOR!!! No, just kidding, please don't let it be the Anti-Monitor.

PREVIEW: Action Comics #961




Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Stephen Segovia, Art Thibert, Arif Prianto, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016


“Path to Doom” part five! With his family’s safety hanging in the balance, Superman confronts Doomsday to finally bring the beast’s destructive rage to an end. To save his wife and son, Superman must overcome the monster that once killed him, or die trying!

Alright.......... this pretty much sums up every issue so far of Action Comics.

PREVIEW: All-Star Batman #1




Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, Dean White, Steve Wands
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 10, 2016

“My Own Worst Enemy” Part One! Superstar writer Scott Snyder explodes into an all-new Batman series alongside legendary artist John Romita Jr., re-imagining some of the Dark Knight’s greatest villains. First up: Two-Face! Batman must take Two-Face to a destination out of Gotham City, but the duplicitous villain has a two of spades up his sleeve. Every assassin, bounty hunter and ordinary citizen with something to hide is on their tails with one goal: kill Batman! Handcuffed together on the road to hell, this is Batman and Two-Face as you’ve never seen them before!

Two-Face is one of my favorite Batman villains and I'm happy as hell that we're finally getting him back in the mix........ but what do you think the chances are that we get an explanation about Two-Face looking like he killed himself in the Batman & Robin series?........... That good huh?

Trump: The Complete Collection Review



If Only Trump Was Successful

Featuring Work By: Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder, Al Jaffee, Jack Davis, Mel Brooks, Arnold Roth, Russ Heath, and Wally Wood
Edited By: Dennis Kitchen
Cover Price: $19.99
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Published By: Dark Horse/Kitchen Sink Books

My father had a copy of Harvey Kurtzman’s Jungle Book, one that must be a small pile of yellowed paper chips and dried binding glue by now, that I thumbed through very carefully several times throughout my childhood. Dad said Kurtzman was hysterically funny, but I didn’t get any of it. I didn’t understand the properties being satirized and thought the jokes went on for too long. It wasn’t until I read a reprint of MAD #1 that I began to understand his genius, a sense of humor and comic (book) timing that was just perfect. It didn’t hurt, of course, that he was aided by many of the best comic book artists of the time, but it was mainly Kurtzman’s show. And from there, I sought out as much of his work that I could, thumbing through reprints of Two-Fisted Tales and mishandling my dad’s paperback collection of Help! magazine, a publication Kurtzman produced for Warren from 1960 to 1965. I read about the magazine collected in this book, Trump, but never actually saw either of the two published issues in the wild. Well, Dark Horse/Kitchen Sink Press has remedied all of that with Trump: The Complete Collection, and you can read what I think of it right here!

PREVIEW: The Flintstones #2


Written By: Mark Russell
Art By: Steve Pugh, Chris Chuckry
Lettered By: Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: August 10, 2016

Bone Depot, Tarpit, and other big box stores get Bedrock whipped into a buying frenzy while Fred gets trapped in a vitamin pill scam. Plus, Fred and Wilma experience a crisis of faith when they discover the bird god they worship also makes a great record player needle. 

Well, we've met the Flintstones, now let's learn about the things that make them tick! We'll approach the questions as anthropologists: What did they eat? What was their religion? How much was a six-pack of tube socks at Tarpit in their time? By sifting through shards of their pottery and their petrified droppings, we can gain a clearer picture on these prehistoric times, while all they had to do is adjust the stork neck antenna and whack the granite box television a couple of times.