Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1

It's the Holiday Season and Jim and Eric gather to talk abut the DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1.  They also talk a bit about Christmas Parties, whisky balls and eating hoagies on the toilet.  And remember, nothing says Holidays like a pocket cookie and some sleeve potato salad!  Enjoy!!!

Top Five Fridays: Top 5 DC Comics Holiday Stories

It's Holiday time and while I am a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to this time of year, I know that most normal, non-grumpy people enjoy such things.  I also know that Mr. DC must enjoy the Holiday Season as well because we just got a big Holiday Special (review HERE) this week and the Batman Annual (yes, another review HERE) from last month was a Holiday themed book as well.  I may not be an "Honest Signal", but I can read the writing on the wall and am here to give you what you want...even if you didn't know it yet.  So, consider this list an early present and really, don't expect much else from me this year!  Bah Humbug!!!

Miniseries SAVAGE THINGS to join the Vertigo slate in March

This March, Vertigo will unleash SAVAGE THINGS, an action-packed espionage-horror miniseries from writer Justin Jordan (The Legacy of Luther Strode) and artist Ibrahim Moustafa (High Crimes). Read on for some more information and teaser pages from issue #1!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 12/14/16

Heroes Doing Hero Stuff

The Twelve Days of Christmas began Tuesday, but you get your twelve presents right now, in the form of a list of the best comic book covers of the week! Except there are only five of them. But I do have an honorable mention this week, for Supergirl #4 (which is a nice cover in and of itself) because it features Streaky, the Super Cat! I will champion Streaky to my dying days, and the inclusion of this kitty on any comic book cover will always be worth a mention. Yep, it's just that easy. Consider that, artists, if you want to be on this list. Just draw Hal Jordan petting Streaky and you're in.

HONORABLE MENTION

Hi Streaky!

Supergirl #4 variant

Bengal

Batman/TMNT Adventures #2 Review

Pretty in Pink Triangles 

Writer: Matthew K. Manning

Art Team: Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons, Serge Lapointe, & Leonardo Ito

IDW/DC  

Release Date: 12/14/2016

Price: $3.99

Review by: Branden Murray

What would you do if you could hop between different cartoon worlds at will with the help of triangle shaped portals that randomly arise? Did you answer; that you would cause enough trouble in both the worlds to make Shredder blush while filling your pants pockets like the monopoly man? If so I might assume you read and took your cues from the Batman/TMNT Adventures series.  So with our premise established lets dive into issue two and see if Batman and the Turtles can get their brains to stop acting like noodles and get to accomplishing some actual heroing shall we.

Suicide Squad #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

Just Set the Dial to “Save the Day”

Writer: Rob Williams 

Penciller: Jim Lee 

Inkers: Scott Williams, Richard Friend, Sandra Hope 

Colors: Jeremiah Skipper 

Letters: Pat Brosseau 

Backup Layouts: Giuseppe Camuncoli 

Backup Finished Art: Francesco Mattina 

Backup Colorist: Hi-Fi 

Backup Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Lee, Williams and Sinclair 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

What are the odds that the Suicide Squad doesn’t take one step outside of Belle Reve prison in this issue?

Read my review of Suicide Squad #8 to find out!

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #10 Review and **SPOILERS**

Welcome Back to That Same Old Place That You Laughed About

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Penciller: Ed Benes 

Colorist: Jason Wright 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver and Wright 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM** 

Imagine you could distill your essence into a piece of jewelry. What would it be? A clunky fraternity ring like the Green Lantern Corps wears? Or do you think it would be more of a wispy anklet, strands of white gold with a delicate clasp? Or perhaps a thick gold rope a la Big Daddy Kane? I think mine would be a headband, but a cool metal headband like Wonder Woman wears. Not a doofy shirt sleeve pulled over my forehead like Eric Shea wears. Make sure to e-mail the site at weirdsciencedccomics@gmail.com with a lengthy examination of what kind of jewelry would best embody you, if you could cram yourself into one piece. And now, my review of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #10!

Deathstroke #8 Review

Pure Energy

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz, Sean Parsons, Jeromy Cox, Hi-Fi and Willie Shubert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

I don't ever know what to say in these intro paragraphs for this book.  If you look at my scores, you'll
see that I rate this book pretty high and while that is a testament to Christopher Priest's writing ability, I can't say that I really enjoy it.  The who criss-cross applesauce double-cross story is growing old quick and the out of sequence storytelling is more confusing than it has to be.  Of course, these are just my opinions, but it's my review and I'll bitch if I want to...bitch if I want to!  So, does Christopher Priest continue writing a technically good book that is not my favorite or does he criss-cross me and make me a big fan?  Let's find out...

Wonder Woman #12 Review

What is It Good For?

Written: Greg Rucka
Art by: Nicola Scott, Romula Fajardo Jr and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

I consider myself a fan of Wonder Woman and while the recent finale to the Lies story left me wanting a lot more, I still am fully onboard with the Year One story.  I am a huge fan of origin stories and seeing Diana take her first steps in "Man's World" has been so good.  Last issue was particularly awesome as we witnessed Diana discovering more of her powerset at the same time she did.  Plus, the art totally kicked ass!  So, does the greatness continue or did this story arc take a Lies turn for the worse?  Let's find out...

Action Comics #969 Review and *SPOILERS*

Two Weeks Till Retirement

Written By: Dan Jurgens 

Art By: Patrick Zircher, Arif Prianto, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 14, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

While we may not be getting all the answers we want out of this Men of Steel story arc, we sure as hell found out what was up with "old red cap", who we saw in previous issues just hanging in the background, teleporting the Geneticron building away and then finally revealing himself to be an intergalactic bounty hunter of sorts, who goes around the galaxy and stops future threats.  This time around it seems that he's set his sights upon Lex Luthor, who from some fancy future seeing orbs believes that Lex is on the verge of becoming an even worse threat than Darkseid ever was.  Yeah, Superman has just been looking for a reason to hate Lex Luthor on this world, but even he can't let an innocent man be executed for crimes that he may never commit so now it's up to our Man of Steel to find where Lex Luthor and his kidnappers have gone so that he may save his once arch nemesis.  Let's jump into this issue and find out a little more about the Godslayer L'Call and maybe see how Superman is going to get to wherever they went.  Let's check it out.

New Super-Man #6 Review and **SPOILERS**

It’s a Family Affair

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Viktor Bogdanovic 

Inks: Richard Friend 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Viktor Bogdanovic and Hi-Fi 

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Given what’s going on in the news recently, what with President-Elect Donald Trump annoying China by speaking directly with Taiwan, the idea of a Chinese Super-Man is…interesting. Because they wouldn’t necessarily deploy him as a threat or deterrent, but perhaps as a diplomat, the way Superman is used often in the comics. Though considering the Chinese Super-Man is Kong Kenan, that probably wouldn’t go too well. Still, we could probably ply him with fast food and American-style pornography, which is about tied with German porn for Best in the World. But you shouldn’t underestimate Kenan, as you’ll learn in my review of New Super-Man #6! Right here!

Superwoman #5 Review

This One’s A Headcase

Written by: Phil Jimenez

Art by: Matt Santorelli, Jeromy Cox & Tony Avina

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

Here I come to save the day yet again by taking over a series from someone else. I’m the guy who is given the leftover pig slop that not even an animal will eat. That’s what Superwoman feels like when it was given to me to review. I regret taking this on but it must be done. For the fate of the DCU and the clamoring for better stories, I review a streak stain in the underpants of Mr. DC’s dirty laundry basket. This is Superwoman #5, unfortunately.

The Flash #12 Review

Date with Destiny

Written by: Josh Williamson
Art by: Davide Gianfelice, Ivan Placencia, Chris Sotomayor and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

I may be in the minority here, but I love the current Kid Flash, Wally West.  The best part about it is
that we are finally getting a heavy dose of Wally and it's made this book a bit more exciting.  Yes, I didn't really love the Godspeed arc as a whole, but this new Speed of Darkness arc is a different story altogether.  Shade, Wally and Barry trapped in the Shadowlands is pretty damn cool and had me actually looking forward to the Flash for the first time in a while.  So, did this issue live up to the hype in my head?  Let's find out...

Batgirl and The Birds of Prey #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

Fan Boy

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 14, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey has had kind of a slow start in my opinion and some of that might just be me being all spoiled with bi-monthly titles and this having the disadvantage of coming out monthly, but mostly I feel that it's been too jokey and the characters haven't really been acting like they should be.  I mean, we have some serious shit going down in this title, with people dying and our heroes seem like they spend most of every issue arguing with one another, then joking, crashing through windows and then simply letting the bad guys escape.  Not to mention that we've got like three stories going on here with Fenice trying to take down mob bosses in Gotham, a new Oracle working as an information broker for Fenice and ruining Batgirl's former persona in the process and for some reason two realtors, who keep trying to break into Barbara's new Watchtower.  It's a lot to take in, plus adding Huntress to the team and trying to get her to have a totally new personality is leaving us with not a lot going on each and every issue.  Hopefully that changes here though when we finally get to see who's behind the monitors and have Batgirl confront the person who stole her former identity.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Earth 2: Society #19 Review and *SPOILERS*

Planet of The Humanites

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Vincente Cifuentes, Rex Lokus, Travis Lanham

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 14, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The world has been reborn and man I couldn't be happier.  I've spent so long watching the heroes that I love be put in shitty situation after shitty situation and finally it feels like all of that suffering was worth it and that's simply because of the optimism that I have that they'll finally be able to be part of a world that isn't ravaged by war and could maybe be a part of something that would allow them to be more like the superheroes we love from Prime-Earth.  Yeah, I've been burned before, but I want these heroes to be able to have secret identities and to jump into action from their normal lives so much that I'll pretty much take anything that we get at this point as long as it seems to lead to that end.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the world is a safe place that our heroes can just integrate into or if the Pandora Casket and that strange voice that was counting down to cohesion has other plans in mind for these wonders.  Let's check it out.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #5 Review

Daddy Issues

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

The Dark Trinity is such a cool concept and thankfully, Scott Lobdell has taken it and turned it into
solid gold.  The best part?  We're only just getting started.  While I was hoping that the team would have already been formed and kicking ass by the 5th issue, I actually am glad my hopes and dreams didn't come true.  Why?  Because the character work that Lobdell has concentrated on since this series started has already paid off in fully fleshed out characters I care about.  It doesn't take much for me to care about Jason, but the fact that I like Artemis more than I ever have speaks volumes of what Lobdell has done in this series.  Sure, the whole Black Mask story is getting long in the tooth already, but I'm still intrigued to see what happens next.  So, what happens next?  Let's find out...

Supergirl #4 Review

Parents Just Don't Understand

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 14, 2016

Supergirl is one of those books that seems to slip out of my mind the minute I'm done reading it and then surprise me when it pops again a month later.  Maybe it's the hustle and bustle of these bi-monthly books, but I think there is something more than just that.  I am a big Supergirl fan, but Steve Orlando's story hasn't grabbed me yet and that actually does upset me.  The setup is there...Cyborg Superman and Supergirl working out daddy issues and proving you can go home again sounds like fun on paper, but the lack of likeable (and believable) characters along with a slow pace has got me bored already.  Of course, a cyborg arming heading off to take over Earth kinda sounds cool and that's where last issue left off.  So, does this issue get things rolling in a big way?  Let's find out...

Gotham Academy Second Semester #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

There’s Nothing Creepy About a Carnival at Midnight

Writer: Brenden Fletcher 

Artist: Jon Lam 

Letters: Steve Wands 

Cover: Mingjue Helen Chen 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Have I ever used this space to talk about the feature film Up the Academy? After the successful release of National Lampoon’s Animal House, publisher and proprietor of MAD magazine was approached by…oh, some filmmaking Canadians, I assume, to slap their name (and probably some dollars) on a movie about hijinks at a boys’ military academy. Ralph Macchio was in it, as well as some other vaguely familiar people that I’m not even going to both to look up. I actually rented this movie more than once as a kid and…it’s not very good. It’s something that might have run in afternoons on Nickelodeon in the 1980s, and still been one of their cornier offerings. Word has it that Gaines saw the movie and paid $20,000 to have all traces of MAD’s involvement scrubbed—but I think it must have been on the VHS box somewhere, since that was the reason I rented the movie in the first place. And I definitely recall the movie ending with the rascally kids driving down a long road upon which Alfred E. Newman is hitchhiking with a “What Me Worry?” sign. The film was terrible, still I wish the school in Gotham Academy Second Semester was more like the one in Up the Academy, if only for the quips. Read on for my review of issue #4!

Detective Comics #946 Review

Who's to Blame

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Julio Ferreira, Adriano Lucas and Marilyn Patrizio
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 13, 2016

It seems that the Bat Family runs through Detective Comics.  While Batman is off fighting Bane in Clayface, Batwoman, Spoiler, Cassandra Cain and more.  Pretty awesome, huh?  Of course, Batman in also in the house and that's not a great thing according to this arcs villains...the Victim Syndicate.  While Batman struggles to figure out who the First Victim is, he has declared war on Batman and everyone who has helped the Dark Knight in the past.  It's a good story, but I hope we get more of the Victim Syndicate this week as the last issue was so focused on Team Batman and Spoiler in particular.  Did I get what I wanted?  Let's find out...
his solo book, the gang's all here and it's awesome to get them every two weeks.  If you haven't been reading (shame on you, by the way), the gang includes

PREVIEW: Suicide Squad #8

It's Now or Never

Writer: Rob Williams 

Penciller: Jim Lee 

Inkers: Scott Williams, Richard Friend, Sandra Hope 

Colors: Jeremiah Skipper 

Letters: Pat Brosseau 

Backup Layouts: Giuseppe Camuncoli 

Backup Finished Art: Francesco Mattina 

Backup Colorist: Hi-Fi 

Backup Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Lee, Williams and Sinclair 

Variant Cover: Lee Bermejo 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

“THE BLACK VAULT” part eight! Harley Quinn goes sane! The prisoners and staff of Belle Reve Penitentiary have succumbed to the devastating effects of General Zod’s Black Vault, rendering them all insane. But it has the opposite effect on Harley, who must fight her way through a crazed Suicide Squad—with the help of the Enchantress—to stop Zod from waking and conquering the world. No pressure, right? And in a bonus backup story, learn how super-villains are conscripted into the Suicide Squad! The unlucky Killer Frost is about to find out when she arrives for her first day at Belle Reve. Her story continues from this month’s single issue of SUICIDE SQUAD directly into JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD #1!

Whoa! A lot to unpack here! Looks like they conclude this arc and also set up the Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover due to happen in a week! Well, I'm about ready for "The Black Vault" to be over, so I welcome this change in story. Read on to see some preview pages.

PREVIEW: Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #10

Hey, Everyone! It's Larfleeze!

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Penciller: Ed Benes 

Colorist: Jason Wright 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver and Wright 

Variant Cover: Kevin Nowlan 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

“BOTTLED LIGHT” part three! Trapped in a bottle by Larfleeze, the combined Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps find themselves in a race against time to escape from their bottled world as Kyle Rayner searches for a way to reunite with the Corps!

I see this arc is more like an action movie sequel where someone has to reassemble the defunct team, one member at a time, by visiting each individual at their completely indicative domicile or workplace and ask them. "Star Sapphire of sector 1417, if you could stop giving widdle girls their lost teddy bears, the Corps has need of you." I can dig that. I like Larfleeze, pain in the ass that he is. Keep peepin' for some preview pages!

PREVIEW: Superwoman #5

It's Going Down

Script & Pencils: Phil Jimenez
Inks: Matt Santorelli
Colors: Jeromy Cox & Tony Aviña
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover By: Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez
Variant Cover By: Ben Oliver
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: November 14, 2016

“WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?” part five! With her powers killing her every time she uses them, Superwoman must work with Steel to mount a last-ditch counterattack as Ultra Woman lays siege to Metropolis! Will Lana Lang be the second Superwoman to die protecting the City of Tomorrow?

I am strong...I am invincible...I am Ultra Womaaaan! This issue will actually be reviewed by Dillyn Chadwick of the DC Bros. Podcast, and you can look for that review bright and early tomorrow! But for today, have some preview pages.

PREVIEW: Gotham Academy Second Semester #4

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Writer: Brenden Fletcher 

Artist: Jon Lam 

Letters: Steve Wands 

Cover: Mingjue Helen Chen 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

When a mysterious circus sets up outside Gotham Academy, Detective Club is on the case! Even Headmaster Hammer seems to be keeping secrets about the Carnival Midnight, though, and Olive, Maps and company might find more lurking under the big top than they bargained for!

Hmm...do you think? Perhaps a carnival named "Midnight" isn't completely on the up-and-up? Might be something a little nefarious and spectral going on in there? Is it ever any other way in this comic book? Check below for some gawjiss preview pages.

PREVIEW: New Super-Man #6

A Lot on Kenan's "To Do" List

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Viktor Bogdanovic 

Inks: Richard Friend 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Viktor Bogdanovic and Hi-Fi 

Variant Cover: Bernard Chang 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: December 14, 2016

“MADE IN CHINA” conclusion! Kong Kenan is in the fight of his life against the insane Human Firecracker and his Starro bomb! New Super-Man must confront his darkest demons as he tries to save the Bat-Man and Wonder-Woman of China! Alliances will be tested, heroes will be forged—and the shocking fate of Kenan’s family is revealed!

This book has been a blast so far, and I expect the arc to conclude explosively. Of course, the Human Firecracker's prominence in the solicit might have something to do with that. This title has been consistently one of Rebirth's best surprises and I'm really looking forward to more. You can look forward to some preview pages, below!

The Clone Conspiracy #3 Review

Back for the First Time

Writer:  Dan Slott

Art Team: Jim Cheung, John Dell, & Justin Ponsor

Marvel Comics

Release Date: 12/7/2016

Review by: Branden Murray

Throughout Clone Conspiracy so far a pattern of sorts has seemed to emerge. That pattern seems to be that whatever questions, or cliffhangers, are brought up at the end of each Clone Conspiracy issue get flushed out, and addressed, immediately in the tie-ins, Amazing Spider-Man chief among the three.  The focus at first was on Doctor Octavius, before moving on to Kaine, so I was amped to see who or what would be the next reveal in the series. With that being mentioned as they say in Texas “tread” lightly reading because you might discover something below that spoils the events within if you’re not up to date. Sooooo … I can’t wait any longer … let’s see what’s up with the ol’ web head now.