Weird Science DC Comics: 2017-04-09

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 Review and Spoilers (Dark Horse)

Written by: James Stokoe
Art by: James Stokoe
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 26, 2017
Publisher: Dark Horse
Review by: Repairman Jack

**Score and Non-Spoilers at Bottom**

My timeline with the Aliens franchise has been a little backwards. I remember seeing a lot of the third and fourth movies on cable when I was younger and never really cared for them, but I eventually came around to the first two movies and gained an odd appreciation for the series. I wouldn’t say I’m an enthusiast or a huge fan of the series, but I was definitely interested in this book when it came across for an advance review. With art and story from James Stokoe, Dead Orbit promises to be a thrilling and claustrophobic tale, so let’s find out how this first issue does.

Written by: Matt Kindt
Illustrated by: Tyler Jenkins
Lettered by: Jim Campbell
Cover by: Tyler Jenkins
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

Green Grass & High

The first issue did an outstanding job of luring me into the world and I was ecstatic to delve back into these characters with the brand new issue. The cliffhanger leads you to believe all things don’t seem so bad for Robert, the sheriff of Grass Kingdom. Only time will tell what this all means for our cast of characters. Let’s find out what everyone is up to at the moment.

Rose Colored Glasses

Writer: Meredith Finch
Artist: Ig Guara
Release Date: April 12, 2017
Cover Price: $3.99

Image and Meredith Finch look to bring us yet another fantasy story with a powerful monarch and a few rebels working to fight back. To say I’m a little worn out on these fantasy stories would largely be an understatement. It seems to be the current trend with a new announcement from Image coming every other month. With that being said, I’m doing my best to go into this with an open mind as I’ve liked what I’ve previously read by Finch.

I'm too Imaginary for this...

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Jorge Santiago, Jr.
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017
Publisher: Action Labs Danger Zone

Guys, Calvin and Hobbes got dark. Or at least this version of the pairing did at least. We get Spencer and Locke who are now a buddy cop duo, only one is an imaginary panther. As they set out on a murder mystery that brings Locke back to some old stomping grounds, we learn more about this long time friendly pairing.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 & Supergirl #8

Jim and Eric get back to it with the weekly spotlight...this time featuring Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 and Supergirl #8. See what they thought of both and if you like what you hear, check out the big weekly podcast which comes out each and every Sunday. Enjoy!

Super Powers #6 Review

Incoming Parademons

Written by: Art Baltazar & Franco
Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017
Review by: Mark Fossas

Check out Mark's awesome podcast, Nation of Nerds, HERE

All things must come to an end and this fun, bright, and silly mini-series has. The Justice League must face off against an army of Paredemons led by Darkseid.

Better Than All the Rest (This Week)

Boy, there's a lot of news coming out of DC Comics since WonderCon a couple of weeks ago! New events, new creative teams, new directions...but you know what I haven't heard a lot of news about? The covers! Specifically: will the comics continue to have them? Because if comic books stop having covers, then I'm out of a job! Looks like I'm safe for this week, so let's take a look at five of the very best comic book covers that came out from DC Comics on Wednesday!

Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 Review

Three's Company

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini and Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

It's Red Hood and the Outlaws time again and while I have really enjoyed this book since Rebirth started, I want the Outlaws Trinity NOW!!! No more preludes or individual character issues for this guy. I WANT RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS KICKING ASS AND TAKING NAMES...and then kicking more ass. Is that so much to ask? Let's jump into this issue and find out...

Aftermath or Origin Tale? You Decide!

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Ian Churchill, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Where we all thought that the last issue of Superman was going to be the book that gave us all our answers to what actually went down in the Reborn arc, it seems that Action Comics is the place to be because it even spells it out on the cover. Hopefully, it's telling the truth because goddamn do I need me some answers. So yeah, if you're not in the know, we previously saw Superman, Lois and Jon in the clutches of Mr. Mxyzptlk, who planned on taking Jon and making his parents forget about him as payback for Superman forgetting about him when he was captured by Mr. Oz......... Well, none of that went down and instead we had the red energy of the New 52 Superman and Lois join with the blue energy of the Pre-Flashpoint versions and when that happened, it merged the timelines, making everything you know and hold dear........ continuity. Yeah, there might be some exceptions and we really don't know what that means, but hopefully we'll find out with this issue of Action Comics. Let's check it out.

Chinese Hell Ain’t Swell

Writer: Gene Luen Yang

Pencils: Viktor Bogdanovic

Inks: Viktor Bogdanovic and Jonathan Glapion

Colors: Mike Spicer

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Bogdanovic and Spicer

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

There’s been a lot of Internet commotion over Marvel lately—no, not that internet commotion, surrounding the interior artwork of a certain X-Men comic book magazine. No, I mean the other, less recent Internet commotion from when Axel Alonso told an audience at WonderCon that comics retailers were making them kill off all lesbian characters, or something like that. To be honest, I only read headlines. The gist of it was that Marvel was going to pull back on its aggressive diversity in comics campaign due to sluggish sales. Now, I don’t read a lot of the big Marvel books, so I can’t speak to their quality (though I suppose I am therefore culpable in their low sales numbers), but I do read New Super-Man, which would seem to fit neatly into any definition of diversity on comic books. And I love it. But the sales do suck. So maybe there’s something to this unpleasant claim about diversity diminishing sales, but it seems to me that if you keep catering to the entrenched fan base, then you’re only forestalling the end of the industry. Or maybe not! All I know is that New Super-Man is great, and you can read my gushing all about the latest issue, right here!

Liar Liar

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Matias Bergara, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

This may be a Superman Reborn Aftermath issue, but I can't be the only person who would gladly put that aside to get to the main draw...Emerald Empress. I want to know what's going on with her and how it ties into the who Saturn Girl/Rebirth story, but I know that may be asking too much. Is it, though? Can't a guy get some solid answers? Let's just get to it and find out...

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Man, why's Black Canary gotta go and do things the hard way for? In our previous issue we saw Dick Grayson making an appearance so that he could track down a meta calling herself Gemini, but Dick's stay in Gotham didn't last long........ neither did Gemini's powers either because her teacher Blackbird is apparently teaching metas to use their powers to a greater capacity, only to take them from her pupils once they do. So yeah, it was off to Roulette's meta fight club for Black Canary so that she could go undercover alone and hopefully flush Blackbird out and get to the bottom of what she's up to. Let's jump into this issue and see how Black Canary's faring now that she's without a team and on her own. Let's check it out.

By the Grudge of My Forbears

Story: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan & Karl Kerschl

Script: Brenden Fletcher

Pencils: Adam Archer & Msassyk

Inks: Sandra Hope & Msassyk

Colors: Msassyk

Breakdowns: Rob Haynes

Letters: Steve Wands

Cover: Karl Kerschl

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

There’s something about being a kid that just brings you closer to the paranormal. I suppose part of that tendency is owed to the fact that little kids don’t know what the hell is going on in general, so they’re more likely to encounter the unexplainable. I also think little kids are more prone to be poking around abandoned houses and drainage systems that are hotbeds for creaky noises and freaky shadows. Or, you could be like the kids at Gotham Academy and basically be possessed by ghosts and beset by monsters on a regular basis. I wonder what the scamps are up to now? Let’s take a look at my review of Gotham Academy Second Semester #8, shall we?

Always Bet On Waller

Writer: Rob Williams

Pencillers: John Romita Jr. and Eddy Barrows

Inkers: Richard Friend and Eber Ferreira

Colorists: Dean White and Adriano Lucas

Letterers: Pat Brosseau and Carlos M. Manbual

Cover: Romita, Friend & White

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I’m so confused about where we are with this book, and I’m not sure whether it’s because the story is complex or that I checked out along the way. What about the freaking Annihilation Brigade??! That was such a dicktease, not once but twice so far in this series we see a weird-looking group of Russian metahumans—we’ve even gone so far as to learn all of their names—yet we have yet to really see them in action. Maybe we need to switch gears and let them get their own arc? You know Killer Croc could use a break, he probably hasn’t eaten a human being in weeks. Well, we’re going to conclude this recent story arc and hopefully find out what it’s all about. Or hopefully get a clue. Read my review of Suicide Squad #15, now!

Let ‘Er Rip

Writer: Robert Vendetti

Penciller: V. Ken Marion

Inker: Dexter Vines

Colorist: Dinei Ribiero

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Mikel Janin

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Okay, so Kyle’s a Green Lantern, Guy and Arkillo have buried the hatchet, the Green Lanterns and Sinestro Corps are working together, Ganthet and Sayd are more energetic and engaged since leaving the nursing home...looks to me like the stage has been set for everything in this series to be okay for everyone forever! Yep, no more conflicts or sticky situations for the Green Lantern Corps, they’ve ironed out the kinks and you can expect business as usual in this title from now on. Why, I bet this most recent issue is all about interior decoration and setting up the volunteer fire department on Mogo. Let’s take a look together when you read my review of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #18!

Dogs Day

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Bilquis Evely, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

I have been a huge fan of the early Wonder Woman story since Rebirth started. Sure, I liked the Lies enough, but while that part has floundered a bit (in my opinion), the Year One/Godwatch story has stepped it up. Of course, you can't have one without the other, but I love seeing what lead to all the troubles in the later years and always get excited when it's back to the beginnings. So, does this issue continue the goodness? Let's find out...

Black Hole Stun

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Neil Googe, Ivan Plascencia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

Iris West: Agent of Black Hole? Really??? That sounds cool and all, but I can't be the only one going into this with one eye (or both) looking at the Button story right around the corner. I know I shouldn't even say that, but it's true! However, I always give each and every book a fair shake and Joshua Williamson has been kicking ass lately so he deserves the benefit of the doubt as well. So, is this a place holder one-shot before the big story or is this a fun, kick ass story featuring a gal I always like to see more of? Let's find out...

FREEDOM!

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Ivan Reis, Scott Hanna, Joe Prado, Marcelo Maiolo, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've come to the end of our journey when it comes to this first arc of the JLA and in that time we've seen........ Well, we've seen the Extremists come from Earth-8 and seriously kick the shit out of our heroes before teleporting to the country of Kravia, where they quickly took over with the approval of the government and in the previous issue, we saw the JLA lead a resistance to take back Kravia from these invaders from a parallel dimension. Yeah, I thought that the JLA entering foreign soil would start a damn war, but apparently none of that matters because they've split up to take on each of the Extremists and with that freeing areas of the country, while Batman, Vixen and the freedom fighter leader named Bogna take the fight to Lord Havok himself. Let's jump into this issue and see how our heroes plan on winning the day. Let's check it out.

Victories and Repercussions

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Even though we had that Titans Annual shoved in the other week that had nothing to do with our main story right now, we're back and ready to finish off "Made In Manhattan" and finally find out what's going on with Bumblebee and what the Fearsome Five are up to........... Yeah, we know they're collecting and selling off powers, but maybe there's more to it than just that....... maybe. In our previous issue, we saw Nightwing and Wally head on over to Meta-Solutions after hours so that they could dig around and hopefully find some nefarious shit that they could haul the Five's asses to jail with and you know what?....... They found it. Too bad that they were all powered up and took our heroes to school.... the school of hard knocks. Let's jump into this issue and see if the rest of the Titans and even Bumblebee can make a difference when the Five are ready to play. Let's check it out.

Forget Me Not

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Marcio Takara, Marcelo Maiolo and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

While Detective Comics may not be heading off to the Button story or getting Reborn like the Superman side of things, it is still one of the most consistently enjoyable books of Rebirth. Sure, people have argued that Batman has taken a bit too many beatings within these covers, but I contend that will make the payoff all the better. The League of Shadows may not be real in Batman's mind, but the devastation that Shiva is handing Gotham is and I can't wait to see what Ra's al Ghul has to say about it after showing up in the Batcave at the end of last issue. Will Batman join up with his old enemy to take down their common foe? Will Cassandra join her mother or kill her outright? Will I stop asking questions and just get on with my review? Yes...Yes, I will.

Injustice 2 Chapter #1 Review

Back in the Saddle

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: April 11, 2017

To say I was excited about the return of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo to an Injustice book is a huge understatement. The original Injustice comic is still one of my favorites and this is coming from a guy who never played the game. That's going to be the case with Injustice 2, but that in no way is stopping me from finding out what's going on in the Injustice world with my two favorite creators. I could go on and on about all of this, but I am so eager to jump right in and so I will. Here goes...

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Ivan Reis, Scott Hanna, Joe Prado, Marcelo Maiolo, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 12, 2017

“THE EXTREMIST AGENDA” finale! The new JLA’s first adventure comes to a (multiple-)earth-shattering conclusion as Batman and his team takes the fight directly to Lord Havok.

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 12, 2017

“Blackbird” part two! The Birds need answers about the mysterious Blackbird, who’s handing out massive increases in power to Gotham City’s most dangerous metahumans…and to get them they’re sending their own dangerous metahuman, Black Canary, undercover into the world of black-market super-powered fights! Roulette rules this world with an iron fist…will she give up the secrets Dinah needs? And at what price?

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Ian Churchill, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017

“Superman Reborn Aftermath” part one! Following the epic struggle against [REDACTED], Superman examines his entire history—the birth of Jon, the marriage of Lois and Clark, their lives at the Daily Planet—to discover who tried to destroy his life. Who is waiting in the shadows? Who is Mr. Oz? All questions the Man of Steel cannot answer alone. It is time for him to unite the entire Superman-Family!

We Three Supermen

Writer: Gene Luen Yang

Pencils: Viktor Bogdanovic

Inks: Viktor Bogdanovic and Jonathan Glapion

Colors: Mike Spicer

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Bogdanovic and Spicer

Variant Cover: Bernard Chang

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

“COMING TO AMERICA” part two! Superman meets Super-Man! As the battle with China White and Lex Luthor intensifies, the Man of Steel steps in to settle things once and for all. Can the combined might of three supermen turn the tide? Don’t miss the fate of Central City’s own Avery Ho, repercussions from the “Superman Reborn Aftermath” story in ACTION COMICS, and a new member of the Justice League of China!

I absolutely adore this comic book, so it will be at the top of my stack come New Comic Book Day! Even if two of the teases from this solicit are given away on the cover. Check out some preview pages anyway!

No Lanterns, No Peace

Writer: Robert Vendetti

Penciller: V. Ken Marion

Inker: Dexter Vines

Colorist: Dinei Ribiero

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Mikel Janin

Variant Cover: Kevin Nowlan

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

“THE PRISM OF TIME” part one! The Green Lantern Corps has united with their once mortal enemies the Sinestro Corps, but there’s a storm brewing on the horizon as an enemy from the future arrives to rip the two apart. There will be no peace in this time.

I'm looking forward to this new story arc, now that a premise has been firmly established! It's been a long time coming, but this book seems to have some real direction now. Check out some preview pages, right here!

You Might Get What You're After

Writer: Rob Williams

Pencillers: John Romita Jr. and Eddy Barrows

Inkers: Richard Friend and Eber Ferreira

Colorists: Dean White and Adriano Lucas

Letterers: Pat Brosseau and Carlos M. Manbual

Cover: Romita, Friend & White

Variant Cover: Whilce Portacio with Alex Sinclair

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: April 12, 2017

“BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE” finale! Fueled by vengeance, Harley Quinn travels to Rustam’s stronghold to take on the traitor Deadshot and his entire team of villains all by her lonesome. But help comes from a most unexpected place in this thrilling conclusion to the most shocking Suicide Squad story of the Rebirth era!

Well, this story arc is coming to a conclusion. Hopefully we'll find out what the heck it's all been about! Scan the preview pages for clues.

Navigation

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Rose Colored Glasses

I'm too Imaginary for this...

Friday, April 14, 2017

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Incoming Parademons

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Three's Company

Aftermath or Origin Tale? You Decide!

Liar Liar

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Dogs Day

Black Hole Stun

FREEDOM!

Victories and Repercussions

Forget Me Not

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Back in the Saddle