Faith #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Ghostbuster!?

Writer: Jody Houser
Art: Joe Eisma, Andrew Dalhouse
Fantasy Sequences: Marguerite Sauvage
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: February 1, 2017

***NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT BOTTOM***

Faith has been a comic any new reader can pick up, understand the plot, and learn a life lesson. I gave high praise for the previous issue and hope to do the same for this new issue.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Hanna-Barbera Characters/Stories I Want To See in Comics

Welcome to another cartoonish edition of Top 5 Fridays! If you haven't heard the news, at the end of March we will be getting a preview of the next wave of Hanna-Barbera Beyond comics. While I am sad to see that Future Quest could be on the chopping block of cancellation, I am happy to see that DC isn't afraid to continue to explore the world of Hanna-Barbera. I don't think it's a stretch to say that a lot of people know and love the characters, so seeing them be reborn onto the page ha been nice. It made me think about what characters or storylines I would like to see in a future wave of Hanna-Barbera, so that's what I'm going to talk about today. As always this is not an opinion based list, so if you don't see a character you like, I apologize. Enough talk! Let's grab our bowls of cereal and check out this lineup!

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Superman #16

Jim and Eric spotlight Superman #16 and while it seems like it wants to be a big story, they are not fooled. Does that mean they don't like it?  You'll have to listen to find out.  If you like what you hear, come and check out our regular podcast where we talk about (almost) every book that DC Comics puts out every week.  Enjoy!

Weird Science Pop Culture Podcast Ep 1: Fast Food, Doctor Who and Ben Affleck

Don't call it a reboot...actually, go ahead because it kind of is.  Welcome to the first (third?) episode of the Weird Science Pop Culture Podcast where Jim and Eric talk about Black Manta Casting, Doctor Who, Ben Affleck stepping down as Batman director and the most important thing ever...Taco Bell's Naked Chicken Chalupa.  Also, the Keeper or Crapper segment, What You Talkin' 'bout Willis (Sushi Kit Kats) and a top five of fast food innovations.  Enjoy. 

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 2/1/17

It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn't Have Left You

Sorry there was no "Best Covers" list last week, it was a short week for me and in a rush to get my other comics work done, I neglected this. Luckily, no comic books shipped with covers last week! So that was a lucky break. What's what? You say last week's comics did have covers? Well sucks to your asthmar! I'm sure the covers last week were splendid, but let's not dwell in the past! Take a look at what DC Comics covers are indubitably the best for this week!

First Look: SNAGGLEPUSS by Mark Russell and Howard Porter + Hanna-Barbera Showcase

Just as I was getting depressed over Future Quest's cancellation, I get this news. DC has just announced they are going to be showcasing a few new Hanna-Barbera comic series at the end of March. While all the series are interesting, especially the Snagglepuss preview we got, the highlight for me is the reveal that THE JETSONS is among those in the showcase! I loved watching the Jetsons growing up, and with the family of the future being written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, I'm sure they will be a riot. Read the official release below...

Aquaman #16 Review and **SPOILERS**

Player 2 Has Joined the Game!

Writer: Dan Abnett 

Penciller: Brad Walker 

Inker: Andrew Hennessy 

Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letterer: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy & Gabe Eltaeb 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: February 1, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Well, “The Deluge” is over, what do ya wanna do now?

Read my review of Aquaman #16? Well, don’t mind if you do!

Midnighter and Apollo #5 Review

Apollo in a Bottle

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Fernando Blanco, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

Now that Midnighter has gone to hell, taken care of Mawzir and fought his way through countless demons, it's time for him to scoop up Apollo and take him home, right?  Well, we all know that it's not going to be that easy, especially after seeing last issue's awesome cliffhanger.  Neron's not just going to hand over Midnighter's man and I hope that they will fight for him.  Midnighter kicks so much ass, but Neron's?  I have to see that!  So, what happens and is it good?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn #13 Review and **SPOILERS**

The Joke’s On You

Writers: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti 

Artists: John Timms, Chad Hardin 

Layouts: Bret Blevins 

Colors: Hi-Fi, Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Amanda Conner & Alex Sinclair 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: February 1, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

So here’s something interesting: I saw it intimated online that the Joker featured in this story arc is one of the three Jokers discovered by Batman when he sat in Metron’s chair during the Justice League’s “Darkseid War” story line. That would be strange since, as we’ve discussed on the podcast and as will be revealed in this review, this Joker ain’t the real Joker. So if a fake Joker is one of the three Jokers teased by Geoff Johns, then what does that mean for the other two Jokers? I look at Harley Quinn as having its own continuity, that doesn’t really impact the regular DCU. Does it matter? Do we care? Oh, I dunno. Read my review of Harley Quinn #13 while you think about it.

Shade the Changing Girl #5 Review and **SPOILERS**

Shade the Changing Girl #5
"girl Furious"
Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by: Marley Zarcone
Inks By: Ryan Kelly
Colors By: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letters By: Saida Temofonte
Cover By: Becky Cloonan
Variant Cover By: Jenny Frisson
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: February 1, 2017

You ever try and attribute human qualities to things that shouldn't have any?  Over the past couple of months I've really enjoyed Shade the Changing Girl... and kind of saw it as trying to actively "be better" in light of Doom Patrol's apparent disinterest in actually hitting store shelves.  Like as though the book itself was taking advantage of the line's star book being behind schedule.  Silly?  Perhaps... Ridiculous?  Maybe... but then again, these are the Young Animal books we're talking about... anything's possible here!

Green Lanterns #16 Review and *SPOILERS*

Fear The Batman

Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Neil Edwards, Jay Leisten, Keith Champagne, Blond, Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Since we had that one-shot last issue dealing with Jessica's anxiety and now that we're moving into Gotham City so that our heroes can have themselves an old fashioned superhero team-up, it doesn't look like we're going to be dealing with Volthoom taking over Rami's body anytime soon.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all about having a team-up with Batman, I just find it kind of odd that we left the Phantom Lantern arc with this gigantic reveal and have yet to do anything with it.  Maybe, Sam Humphries is letting it marinate by leaving that plot just sitting there so when we finally get it, it will be so damn delicious we won't be able to help but just eat it up.......... I don't know what I'm talking about anymore....... I think I'm hungry.  Anyway, let's move on to Gotham, where Batman has an urgent situation that only our Green Lantern heroes can handle.  Let's check it out.

Nightwing #14 Review and *SPOILERS*

A Safe Haven

Written By: Tim Seeley

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

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

After our False Face killer went and set our hero up for attempted murder.......... Well, it seems that the entire police force is out and about and looking for Nightwing.  Thankfully, with our cliffhanger showing Detective Svoboda entering the scene, it looks like our hero will have a little police support after all........ and well, DeFacer, but since she seems to only use spray paint, I don't know how much help she'll actually be.  Let's jump into this issue and see how our Bludhaven arc ends and what the future will hold for Dick Grayson in this city.  Let's check it out.

Superman #16 Review and *SPOILERS*

Prophecy of Doom

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Tony S. Daniel, Clay Mann, Sandu Florea, Seth Mann, Dinea Ribeiro, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

With Superman going all one man army corps on Prophecy last issue, leaving the rest of our Supermen that they collected throughout the issue seeming like they had absolutely nothing to do...... thus making the issue come off as pointless....... Well, I wasn't too happy with it.  Yeah, there were some cool moments and I'm sure that there will be some explanations here, but as an individual issue, it came off a bit lackluster.  Here we are though, the last issue to this Multiplicity story arc and I really hope that our heroes pull something out of their collective asses to turn this arc around for me because where I originally thought it was going to be epic, with it only being a three issue story and with the second issue to that arc being "meh", well I need this one to come out and pull out all the stops to make this a story worth remembering.  Let's jump into this issue and see if that's the case and find out the fate of all our Supermen.  Let's check it out.

Green Arrow #16 Review

Two Weeks Till Retirement

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Otto Schmidt and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

While I think it's funny that Green Arrow has grown a propensity for ending his book by letting the bad guys slip away while he turns his back on them, I really liked what we got at the end of last issue...Emiko!  Yep, my favorite character in this book is back and I can't wait to see what happened with her during her time away.  She didn't go to summer camp, you know!  She was hanging with her mother and who knows what that might mean.  So, I've been waiting for two weeks to find out and now that the book has arrived, was it worth the wait?  Let's find out...

Death of Hawkman #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

Despero, Ruler of The Universe 

Written By: Marc Andreyko
Art By: Aaron Lopresti, Rodney Buchemi, John Livesay, Blond, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This mini-series has been pretty run of the mill so far and while I still find myself enjoying it for the most part, I really hope that the excitement level picks up drastically because even with my enjoyment, that run of the mill aspect makes this a series that I actually forget about each month.  In our previous issue we saw shit get real for our heroes, Hawkman and Adam Strange because Despero went and blew up a goddamn moon of Thanagar so that he could get to the newly discovered deposits of Nth Metal there and after that, he became a goddamn god with the amount of Nth Metal covering his ass.  Let's jump into this issue and see if our heroes can stand against a threat this huge on their own.  Let's check it out.

Justice League #14 Review

That's No Moon

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

This story is called "Regroup" and that is what I hope this is all about.  I'm not talking about the Justice League when I say that, either.  Nope, I'm talking about Bryan Hitch!  I can only hope that the month off he got with Tim Seeley writing the Justice League vs Suicide Squad tie-ins allowed Hitch to reset his batteries, figure out what he wants to do with this book and...Regroup.  I'm not expecting miracles, but I am hoping for better characterizations, dialogue and maybe a definitive ending to at least one of his future stories.  Please, no more Dr. Who ripoff "this planet is under our protection" or "...something tells me this isn't over" bullshit!  PLEASE!!!  So, are my hopes and dreams fulfilled right here and right now?  Let's find out...

The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Time Is Not On Captain Atom's Side

Written By: Cary Bates, Greg Weisman

Art By: Will Conrad, Ivan Nunes, Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Poor Captain Atom just can't catch a break.  Not only did he have to suffer by exploding in the previous issue and being sent back to 1994, but he also had to endure all the time travel shit from his New 52 continuity.......... maybe.  Yeah, it's a little fuzzy about what all went down with Captain Atom previous to this mini, but all I can tell you is that our hero's suffering isn't over yet.  So yeah, we've got ourselves a time travel story on our hands and even though I love time travel stories, there's so much opportunity to screw up the continuity because of it that it scares the hell out of me that this is what we're dealing with.  Hopefully Cary Bates and Greg Weisman broke out the white board and made sure that everything worked out in the end because I really want to enjoy this story and I don't need the Continuity Kid inside of me yelling at shit while I'm paging through this series.  Let's jump into this issue and see how well Nathaniel Adam is dealing with the 90's now that he's perfectly human again and the world is devoid of superheroes.  Let's check it out.

Cyborg #9 Review and *SPOILERS*

Anomaly's Secret Origin

Written By: John Semper Jr.
Art By: Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos, Guy Major, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The Imitation of Life arc continues to imitate a Cyborg story with this issue.......... Well, that's a bit harsh, I'm only trying to get at that this story arc has been going on for a long time now and it's really just doing the same old things over and over again.  Cyborg fights a cyborg, Frankenstein references littered throughout and finally, our hero being no closer to stopping the big bad that's been impersonating his father........ who we found out last issue is called OTAC.  I'm just getting a bit bored with this and want to do other things with Cyborg because on top of all that other stuff I just mentioned, we're spending a whole lot of time just chilling in STAR Labs and it's getting old.  Hopefully this backstory to the big bad of this series will bring me around and make me a fan, but at this point, that doesn't seem likely.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Batman #16 Review

Batty Batty Batty

Written by: Tom King
Art by: David Finch, Jordie Bellaire and John Workman
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

Now that the two part "Rooftops" interlude is over, it's time to get back to the meat and potatoes with "I am Bane"!  It's been a month since Batman trash talked Bane as he left him screaming for Venom at the end of "I am Suicide" and I want to see what the big guy is up to.  I also want to see if Batman is finally going to get to helping Gotham Girl now that he has Psycho Pirate.  I know that Tom King is working on a long term story here, but he's got to give us some of that, right?  Well, let's find out...

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #16

Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Neil Edwards, Jay Leisten, Keith Champagne, Blond, Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“DARKEST KNIGHT” part one! It’s the Dark Knight/Emerald Knights team up you’ve been waiting for! Simon and Jessica travel to Gotham City to help Batman with a mystery even he can’t solve! People all across the city have been gripped with fear. Is it Scarecrow? Is it the Sinestro Corps? Can these Justice League teammates work together to solve the mystery?

For everything that we've been dealing with in the Green Lanterns series, I never thought we'd actually get them going to Gotham and having an old fashioned team-up with Batman.  Yeah, I'm all for galactic threats and the Green Lanterns facing them, but at the end of the day, it's the smaller stories that I find myself enjoying the most.

PREVIEW: Nightwing #14

Written By: Tim Seeley
Art By: Marcus To, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2107

“BLUDHAVEN” finale! The psychopath who’s been carrying out the killings in Blüdhaven has placed the blame on Nightwing! Now Dick Grayson must apprehend this maniac to stop the murders and to convince Blüdhaven he’s not a villain.

While I've been having a good time with this initial Bludhaven arc, I have to say that I'm happy that it's ending because I want to see what else this city has to offer or hero and what friends he'll have with him when this is allover.  

PREVIEW: Superman #16

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Tony S. Daniel, Clay Mann, Sandu Florea, Seth Mann, Dinea Ribeiro, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“MULTIPLICITY” finale! Superman, New Super-Man and Justice Incarnate make their last stand against their multiverse-spanning foe, and the Man of Steel discovers another clue to the truth of his existence.

I found the last issue to this story to be a little underwhelming so I hope that this finale comes out and ties everything together to make this a story that we'll all continue to talk about akin to the Multiversity that it takes its characters from.  

PREVIEW: Death of Hawkman #5

Written By: Marc Andreyko
Art By: Aaron Lopresti, Rodney Buchemi, John Livesay, Blond, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

As Despero’s insane scheme nears fruition, the casualties rise for both Rann and Thanagar—and to the mind-controlled survivors, only two men are to blame! But Hawkman and Adam Strange are not only intergalactic outlaws—they are perhaps the only two beings in the galaxy who can stop Despero and his army! But first, these two heroes must overcome insurmountable odds to save themselves and the populations of three planets as their mighty forces, led by Hawkwoman, come to exact vengeance upon them...

Despero's bigger and badder than ever now and I really hope that our heroes can pull a miracle out of their asses because after seeing how last issue ended, they're going to need one.

PREVIEW: Justice League #14

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“REGROUP”! Broken, battered and pinned down by a new alien threat, the Justice League is forced to confront long-simmering tensions between teammates before they can save the world. Grievances are aired and secrets are revealed in this special issue written and drawn by Bryan Hitch.

A Very Special Issue?!?  Is it about popping pills?  The changes in our bodies?  Are the Beach Boys showing up?  I wish!

PREVIEW: Green Arrow #16

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Otto Schmidt and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“EMERALD OUTLAW” part five! Implicated in the killing of several high profile Seattleites, besieged by a murderous cabal of crooked cops and demonized by a mayoral candidate willing to tear the city apart to get what he wants, all seems lost for Green Arrow. That is, until help arrives in the form of a long-lost ally. It’s the return of Emiko Queen!

Ben Percy is really adding to the roster of his book, but the best is a re-addition...Emiko!  I love Emiko so much and can't wait to see what the time off with her mother has done for her.

PREVIEW: Batman #16

Written by: Tom King
Art by: David Finch, Jordie Bellaire and John Workman
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“I Am Bane” part one! Bane is coming for Batman. Bruce must keep those he loves safe for five days in order to save Gotham Girl once and for all. But Bane will stop at nothing, and no one is safe.

Finally, we get to see Batman saving Gotham Girl!  It still feels a little off that he was "hanging out" with Selina before doing it, but better late than never.

PREVIEW: The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #2

Written By: Cary Bates, Greg Weisman
Art By: Will Conrad, Ivan Nunes, Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“Past Imperfect” part 2! An overload in the quantum field forced Nathaniel Adam back to the 1990s, leaving him stranded. With no powers and no clear way to get home, he wonders how his presence in the past might affect his future. But if he gets his wish…will that future include Captain Atom?

With all the Watchmen talk surrounding Rebirth, I'm really interested to see what this mini does to put Captain Atom back into the mix of DC heroes because who else would you want in your heroes' corner when shit gets all Manhattan on us than the character that he was based on?

PREVIEW: Cyborg #9

Written By: John Semper Jr.
Art By: Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos, Guy Major, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 1, 2017

“ESCAPE FROM S.T.A.R. LABS”! Vic discovers the origin of the cybernetic foe impersonating his father, but he might not live long enough do anything about it if S.T.A.R. Labs’ deadly security forces get to him first! With his Cyborg technology crippled, Vic must rely on a down-and-out thief to escape one of the most heavily fortified facilities in the DCU. 

Let's find out what the deal is with OTAC and how it pertains to Cyborg's father, Dr. Silas Stone.