Kill or Be Killed #5 Review

Dog Day Afternoon

Written by: Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips, Elizabeth Breitweiser
Cover Price: $3.99
In Stores: January 18, 2017
Review by: Ryan Douglas

Check out Ryan’s podcast, Columbus Comics Corner HERE.

Sometimes we can get bogged down with the busy shipping schedule of the main two publishers, DC and Marvel. When it comes to creator owned comics, sometimes we have to wait a little longer for the creative team to not feel rushed and release their best work. In the case of Kill or Be Killed it’s been just over a month since the first arc finished. This is the title I’ve been chomping at the bit to return. It’s finally here and I’m eager to see what Dylan’s been up to since where we left off.

EARLY PREVIEW: Super Sons #1

Li'l Superman and Bat-kid

 

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi 

Art by: Jorge Jimenez 

Cover by: Jorge Jimenez

Variant cover by: Dustin Nguyen

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: February 15, 2017

“When I grow up” part one! The sons of Batman and Superman have graduated to their own monthly comic—but if they want to survive, they’re going to have to share it! Writer Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN & ROBIN, SUPERMAN) teams with rising-star artist Jorge Jimenez (EARTH 2) to bring you the adventures of the World’s Smallest. This debut issue looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers—except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!

The moment we've all been waiting for! The Jon and Damian team-up from Superman a few issues back got us all excited for this series that was teased at the beginning of Rebirth. But will it be an awesome series like the Odd Couple or will it be a tired and worn-out premise driven into the ground like that New Odd Couple? Find out February 15! In the meantime, some preview pages and cover images to salivate over.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Multiverse Earths I Want Continued

Welcome back to another multiversal Top 5 Fridays! This week we watched the Superman of earth prime join his fellow Superman of the multiverse in preparing to fight a threat against them all. If you are a long-time reader of the site, you probably know that I am a huge fan of the DC multiverse, so I have been excited for this current story arc when it was first seen in the solicitations. Reading the issue made me want to go back and take a look at one of my favorite series in the past few years, The Multiversity. While reading Grant Morrison's look into the New 52 Multiverse, it made me realize how few stories there actually are for most of the worlds that were presented to us. That's why in today's Top 5, I will be covering what Earths I believe should get a continuation of their stories. As always this is an opinion based list, so if you don't see something you like, I apologize. With that out of the way, let's hop in our Ultima Thule and travel this multiversal list!

THE WILD STORM #1 - New Interiors and Variants!

On February 15, THE WILD STORM, DC’s newest pop-up imprint curated by Warren Ellis, will debut with it’s flagship title of the same name. The series will be written by Ellis with art by Jon Davis-Hunt

 

Below are a few early unlettered pages along with two new variants from Jim Lee and Tula Lotay.

‘INJUSTICE 2’ PREQUEL COMIC BOOK SERIES SET TO LAUNCH APRIL 11

DC Taps Critically Acclaimed Artist Bruno Redondo to Spearhead Digital First Comic and Adds Artist to Growing Talent Roster

DC Entertainment revealed today all-new details for the highly anticipated INJUSTICE 2 comic book series inspired by the upcoming videogame. Set to make its digital debut on April 11, Injustice fans can dive into the earth-shattering universe before the game launch via the prequel comic, which will debut new chapters every week. DC also announced that fan favorite artist Bruno Redondo will join series writer Tom Taylor as the book’s lead artist.

Redondo previously worked with Taylor on the hugely successful Injustice: Gods Among Us comic book series in 2013 and has recently reached an agreement with DC to create comic book content solely for the company’s DC and Vertigo imprints.

Read on for some quotes from the creators and a cover image from the forthcoming comic book series!

Lost Boys Pop Culture Podcast Ep 1: Nintendo Switch, Circuses and Monopoly

Welcome to the premier of the Lost Boys Pop Culture Podcast. Yep, one podcast isn't enough so Jim and Eric are starting another one...maybe. Listen to them talk about trips to the circus, their hate of Monopoly and what they think about the Nintendo Switch. If that's not enough, hear them talk about Jerry Rice, discount supermarkets, The Black Adam movies and their top 5 Pixar movies. Enjoy!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 1/18/17

Aquaman Over Everything

I don't know what happened this week, folks, but three of the five covers I picked have Aquaman on them. So based on this study of one sample, I'd say that if you have Aquaman on your comic book cover, you have a 60% chance of getting on this definitive list. Of course, this weighs Aquaman unfairly, but it doesn't have to. There's no reason Aquaman can't be on the cover of, say, Batgirl. He could be in the background eating a bisque or something. Or put Aquaman on the cover of Shade, the Changing Girl, have him all tripped-out and grooving through a psychedelic ocean. I'm telling you for your collective benefit, comic book artists. Any edge you can get in this highly competitive weekly contest is worthwhile!

He-Man/Thunder Cats #4 Review

He-Man/Thunder Cats #4

Writer: Rob David & Lloyd Goldfine

Art Team: Freddie E. Williams II & Jeremy Colwell

DC Comics

Release Date: 1/18/2017

Cover Price: $3.99

The Villain “Bro-mance” Issue

Having just crossed the halfway point of this crossover series from childhood lore I find myself actually enjoying this title more than I previously imagined I would.  Now understand that I’m a sucker for over the top action, sprinkled with touches of comedy, so if this sounds like something you’d be entertained by feel free to jump in at any point with that understanding and you’d be A.O.K.  With that being said we last left our groups of heroes gathered for a funeral while the Skeletor/Mumm-Ra bro-mance blossoms and flourishes before our very eyes.  Can our hero warriors recover and regroup in time or are the bad guys finally destined to chalk one up in the W column, let’s find out.

Aquaman #15 Review and **SPOILERS**

Mr. President, Tear Down That Aquarium

Writer: Dan Abnett 

Artist: Philippe Briones 

Inker: Wayne Faucher 

Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letterer: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy & Gabe Eltaeb 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: January 18, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Here we are at the final act of “the Deluge,” and before I jump into my review, I want to say from the outset that I really liked how this arc was paced. It began with a two-part story where Aquaman fought Shaggy Man, then another two-parter disguised as two one-shots all about Mera getting up to speed, and then four issues of “the Deluge,” which has been an enjoyable (if sometimes silly) tale of big action and light intrigue and maybe more than a few characters whose names I will never remember but I liked how it moved along, is my point. I mean, this arc, all told, was eight issues—one issue longer than the opening arc that I groaned was a bloated rip-off—but it doesn’t feel like I’ve been slogging along in place the whole time. So hats off to the creative and editorial team at Aquaman, the last eight issues have been engaging and consistent, and if more of my comics followed this formula I’d be happier for it. So without further ado, I submit my review for the final part in “The Deluge,” Aquaman #15!

Harley Quinn #12 Review and **SPOILERS**

Stand By Your Psychopath

Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner 

Artists: John Timms, Chad Hardin 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Amanda Conner & Alex Sinclair

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: January 18, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

The things you remember from childhood are often ridiculous: I can recall my eighth grade Social Studies teacher telling the class that jealousy was nothing to feel flattered by, that it is corrosive to relationships. Thing is, I can’t remember in what context he gave that advice, or really anything else he said in that class. I wonder if he was going through a painful divorce or something at the time. In any case, I adopted this point of view for some arbitrary reason, and have applied it as much as possible in my relationships. To wit: seeing someone gleefully spectate a brawl for her affections gives me the heebie-jeebies, and while I understand it’s just a goofy cover and not actually indicative of the exact contents of the comic book, I can’t help but cringe a little within. But what about those contents, how do they muster? Only one way to find out! Read my review of Harley Quinn #12, right here!

Super Powers #3 Review

It's a Crisis!

Written by: Art Baltazar and Franco
Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

Super Powers has quickly become one of my go to books for smiles and fun.  I like smiles and fun so that is a very good thing.  It's a bonus that this is one of the rare "all-ages" books that is good for both young and old readers.  Seeing who will pop up week in and week out is so much fun and newer readers get the bonus of a character roster plucked from every age of DC Comics.  So, does this issue keep the fun train rolling?  Let's find out...

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

It’s Heaven Underground

Written By: Jon Rivera 

Story By: Gerard Way & Jon Rivera 

Art By: Michael Avon Oeming 

Colors By: Nick Filardi 

Letters By: Clem Robins 

Cover By: Michael Avon Oeming and Nick Filardi 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: January 18, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

You know, ever since Chris mentioned (on the podcast’s Young Animal segment, every week whether there’s a comic out or not!) that the title of this series is tailor-made for a K-Pop style anime theme song, it’s all I can think of when reading this comic book.

Damn you, Chris Sheehan. Either get out of my head or let’s write this damned theme song so I can put the thing to rest. In the meantime, read my review of Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #4, just below this text!

Superman #15 Review and *SPOILERS*

Get Your Supermen Together, It's Time To Go

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason

Art By: Ryan Sook, Ed Benes, Clay Mann, Jorge Jimenez, Dinei Ribeiro, Ulises Arreola, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Let's get Multversal up in this and take our Superman on a ride with the Justice Incarnate.  That's right folks, in the previous issue our Pre-Flashpoint Superman was met by not only the Red Son Superman, but all the heroes who came together during Grant Morrison's Multiversity story because they have themselves a threat on a Crisis scale......... Well, maybe not a Crisis scale, but it's a pretty big deal because someone is going throughout the Multiverse and snatching up certain Supermen....... and from the looks of it, siphoning their power for his own use.  Poor Captain Carrot seemed to get his power taken away from him at the end of the previous issue and at the moment, we don't know if this can be reversed........ So we might now be living in a Multiverse without a Captain Carrot....... Yeah, I know, calm down.  Let's jump into this issue and see what Superman and the Justice Incarnate plan on doing to not only stop this scourge, but to also save Kenan Kong, who was kidnapped.  Let's check it out.

Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo and Amanda Waller #6 Review and **SPOILERS**

But I Don’t Wanna Come Back to Life!

Cover Art: Mike Huddleston 

Cover Colors: Rico Renzi 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: January 18, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

You know, if I was a vicious psychopathic killer on Death Row for a series of grisly and shocking murders, and Amanda Waller asked me if I’d like to be in the Suicide Squad, I think I’d tell her no. Even if she outfitted me with a brain bomb against my will, I’d just run into the nearest crowd, start murdering randomly, and force Waller to pop my cork. I didn’t murder an entire orphanage of children in front of a dozen weeping nuns so I could work for “the Man,” okay? And while it might not seem like someone that forces himself sexually on a family dog, making the daughter watch until they slit her throat in ecstasy, has a code of ethics, we do. At least, I assume we would, if I was a psychopathic killer. Instead, I’m a run-of-the-mill comic book reviewer! And I prove it with my review of Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo and Amanda Waller #6, right now!

Raven #5 Review and **SPOILERS**

That San Francisco Repeat

Writer: Marv Wolfman 

Penciller: Diogenes Neves 

Inker: Ruy Jose 

Colorist: Blond 

Letterers: A Larger World 

Cover Artist: Stephanie Hans 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: January 18, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

San Francisco! It’s a hell of a city. I’d move there, but it’s as or more expensive than the place I currently live. And I live in a golden tower!

Okay, I got nothing. Here’s my review of Raven #5, hopefully that makes amends.

Trinity #5 Review

Let the Sun Shine In

Written by: Francis Manapul
Art by: Francis Manapul and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

Trinity has been a hit or miss book for me and it pains me to say that I've been leaning towards the later lately.  It always looks fantastic, but the slow burn story devoid of real answers is trying my patience and while I know that this comic isn't written only for me, I can still act like it is. Is this the Black Mercy, the White Mercy, why is Mongul in the dream and what the heck is Poison Ivy gaining in all of this?  Tell Me!!!  So, does this issue give us a peek behind the curtain or are we still left out in the dark when it's all over?  Let's find out...

Nightwing #13 Review and *SPOILERS*

Face The Facts

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Marcus To, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Man, Nightwing just can't catch a break.  Not only does his day job description only read "Volunteer", but he's also caught himself up in a murder conspiracy concerning former D-level villains from Gotham.  Now, there's no time for him to have a look deep inside of himself and find out who he really is on his own terms because he's too busy playing hero again with a bunch of criminals who desperately need his help in finding out who's murdering folks and framing them for it...... and why.  As we ended last issue it looked like we finally got the why, after learning that the men being found dead were all involved with running illegal guns, but it seems that the killer hasn't made himself known yet because while Nightwing was busy taking on Orca....... who really had no point to this story, his best suspect and lead ran away and went and got himself killed.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Nightwing and the Run-Offs can find this masked man setting them up for murder before he strikes again.  Let's check it out.

Green Arrow #15 Review

Reign of Arrows

Written by: Benjamin Percy
Art by: Juan Ferreyra and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

I have been enjoying Green Arrow and while I might like things to be a little more fun, I can deal with Ollie fighting for his name while also trying to save Seattle.  Last issue introduced Malcolm Merlyn as the "Arrow Killer" and while I was hoping it was something a bit more original, it is legacy and that's what Rebirth promised.  The Dark Archer making an appearance also put Ollie back on the right side of the law which I prefer and sets up this arc to get more and more interesting from here on out.  So, does it all pay off in part four of the Emerald Outlaw?  Let's find out...

Green Lanterns #15 Review and *SPOILERS*

Anxiety Lantern

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Tom Derenick, Miguel Mendonca, Scott Hanna, Blond, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Even though I wasn't a fan at how the Phantom Lantern story arc ended.......... or how most of the issues to that arc seemed to just be padded out fight scenes that went nowhere.  I have to say that I'm still interested in this book because while I'm afraid that it will let me down in the end, I still always want to give it that chance to impress me as well.  I'm a fickle mush head, I know but I really care about Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz (probably care more about them than any rational person should) and I want to see them do great things and as I see it, each issue is a chance for them to do just that.  Hopefully, that's this issue.  Let's jump into this and see where our cliffhanger with Rami being taken over by Volthoom takes us here and let's see if Jessica has made any headway with her anxiety since she put on the Phantom Ring and found out definitively that she's supposed to be a Green Lantern.  Let's check it out.

Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

Brave New World

Written By: Joshua Williamson

Art By: Robson Rocha, Jay Leister, Daniel Henriques, Sandu Florea, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Poor, poor Lost Prisoners.  Here I was thinking that the team that Maxwell Lord sprung from the Catacombs would be the focal point of this series, but since they got their asses handed to them in the previous issue by the Justice League and Suicide Squad....... Well, I guess they're pretty much out of the picture.  Well, all except Lobo that is.  Yeah, even though Batman went and blew his head to holy hell, we all know that it takes more than that to take the Main Man down.  As we left our previous issue we saw Maxwell Lord take possession of the Heart of Darkness, become what I'm calling "Lord Eclipso" and then take control of the Justice League.......... All except for Batman that is because he was too busy doing all that head blowing up.  Let's jump into this issue and see how Maxwell will save the world now that the Justice League are under his control and now that there's nobody to really stand in his way.  Let's check it out.

Batman #15 Review

Up on the Rooftops

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mitch Gerads and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

It is no surprise that I have been upset with the last couple issues of Batman.  I have been vocal about my disappointment over the way that I am Suicide ended and how the current Rooftops story began. While it was nice to see Bruce and Selina do the Cat and Bat-tusi, I wanted answers that we didn't get.  However, Catwoman did promise to tell Batman the whole truth come morning so I couldn't wait for this issue to arrive to see what's what.  Now that it's here, does it give me what I want and make everything alright?  Let's find out...

Justice League #13 Review

Master Chief

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher, Gabe Eltaeb and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

Tim Seeley did a really good job with lat issue's Maxwell Lord Rebirth issue so I was not upset at all to see his name on the front cover once again.  This time, we are getting a Steve Trevor story which is a-ok to me since I am a big fan.  If you are as well, then you have to have a smile on your face with the amount of exposure old Steve-O has been getting lately.  Of course, this time may not be a good thing as the world is being destroyed by Maxwell Lord, but if anyone can stop him...  Actually, I don't care what happens as long as it means something and isn't just another needless tie-in to grab more cash.  Well, is it?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad #5

Written By: Joshua Williamson

Art By: Robson Rocha, Jay Leister, Daniel Henriques, Sandu Florea, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

[REDACTED] has finally obtained that which [REDACTED] has sought all this time—it’s the means to utterly [REDACTED] the Justice League forever. Now, only [REDACTED] and the Suicide Squad stand in [REDACTED] path of total world domination. No pressure!

Now that the Lost Prisoners are out of the picture, let's see what the next leg of Maxwell Lord's plan to save the world is.......... You know, besides for instituting a mandatory eclipse face for all Americans. 

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #15

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Tom Derenick, Miguel Mendonca, Scott Hanna, Blond, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

“GHOSTS OF THE PAST”! Jessica and Simon head to Portland on a case that’s close to the heart: the murder of Jessica Cruz’s friends. And now that she has some ring-slinging experience, Jessica goes back to the one place she’s feared to return—and she won’t stop until she finds the killer. 

I don't know what the hell this solicit is talking about because this issue has nothing to do with all of that.  This is a more Jessica themed issue that deals with a day in the life of situation.

PREVIEW: Nightwing #13

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Marcus To, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

“BLUDHAVEN” part four! The Run-Offs abandon Nightwing, leaving him to fend for himself in the harsh streets of Blüdhaven. And he finds himself the next target of the Blüdhaven serial killer’s obsession!

Get your Blud up as we hopefully reveal the killer behind the Run-Offs conspiracy.  

PREVIEW: Superman #15

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason

Art By: Ryan Sook, Ed Benes, Clay Mann, Jorge Jimenez, Dinei Ribeiro, Ulises Arreola, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

“MULTIPLICITY” part two! Superman and New Super-Man fight alongside an army of Supermen from across the Multiverse against the threat trying to wipe them all out of existence! Plus, Jon and his neighbor Kathy investigate a hidden horror that seems to be growing in their town.

Our Multiversity expansion story continues as the Justice Incarnate and Superman continue their quest to find whoever is kidnapping Supermen across the Multiverse....... and hopefully fixing Captain Carrot....... Oh God, why don't they fix Captain Carrot?!

PREVIEW: Justice League of America: The Ray Rebirth #1

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Stephen Byrne, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: January 18, 2017

SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! Locked indoors, raised in the dark and told his medical condition could be fatal to himself and anyone he meets, Ray Terrill is dangerous. A freak. Broken. Or is he…? Witness the amazing power of realizing your true self and stepping into the light in this moving rebirth of a long-lost hero for a new generation.

This is the one-shot that I've been looking for because out of all the characters getting a little prelude to JLA, this is the one I really know nothing about.  

PREVIEW: Super Powers #3

Written by: Art Baltazar and Franco

Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 18, 2017

A peaceful day in Metropolis is interrupted when Brimstone comes to clear a path for Darkseid. This looks like a job for…Supergirl!? Yes, because Superman is out of town visiting his new baby brother! But villainous plots are afoot on New Krypton, too. Is anywhere safe for our superheroes?

I love Super Powers, I love Supergirl and I love the word "afoot"...Bam! This solicit is a winner.