Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Titans #11 (Lazarus Contract Part 1)

Jim and Eric get together for a belated spotlight to talk about Titans #11.  See what they say about the start of the Lazarus Contract and try to help them solve the mystery of Pizza Fish.

Regression #1 Review

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Danny Luckert Marie Enger
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 10, 2017
Cover Price: $3.99

It continues to be my shtick to go into these number ones knowing relatively nothing beforehand and it has sometimes been an absolute surprise. With Regression I knew nothing until finding out it was written by Cullen Bunn. I’ve been kind of mixed with what I’ve read of his, but nothing has gone too far positive or negative to have any real swaying effect going into this.

World War Tank Girl #2 Review

Wilco Foxtrot

Written by: Alan Martin
Drawn and Lettered By: Brett Parson
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017
Review by: Ryan Douglas

I hope you’ve given this title a chance if you’re reading this review. These Tank Girl miniseries’ have been hidden gems in the list of comics coming out each month. Between the clever writing, great artwork, and the publishing quality. This is a book you read when you want to step away from books that involve friends fighting friends, space battles, or Jem & The Holograms. You’ll get plenty of laughs and great action. Let’s catch up with our displaced goofballs.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 5/10/17

My Very Aunt

Here's the definitive and inarguable list of best DC Comics covers of the week, a little later than normal. I was busy! But I still compiled a nice batch of static images in glorious four-color. Or in RGB since you're looking at a screen. Let's just get to the list, it's been a long day.

All-Star Batman #10 Review

Miami Nice

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Rafael Albuquerque, Jordie Bellaire and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

Hello party people...that's right, I am taking over All-Star Batman from Eric!  He just hadn't been enjoying it as much as I have and so I gave him Red Hood and The Outlaws (which is a great book) so that I could be the All-Star Batman man going forward.  It should be an easy transition since this issue starts a new arc, "The First Ally" and while the idea of an Alfred-centric story sounds cool, I am more excited that one of my fav artists, Rafael Albuquerque, has jumped on as well.  So, did my trade pay off big time?  Let's find out...

Supergirl #9 Review

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

I have not been a huge fan of this book since it started which is a shame because I love Supergirl as a character.  However, I won't let that love cloud my vision and make me believe this run has been good.  Even if Steve Orlando writes a strong Supergirl, the story surrounding her is anything but strong.  With Batgirl back this issue (and in an increased role), there is hope that this issue can turn it all around.  So, does it?  Let's find out...

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #20 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Hal Done a Bad Thing

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Penciller: Rafa Sandoval 

Inker: Jordi Tarragona 

Colorist: Tomeu Morey 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Sandoval, Tarragona and Morey 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I can no longer remember the details, but I do remember the feeling of being caught in a lie as a kid. That wave of nausea, a sort of prickling feeling in the back of the head as your mind races while considering a cover-up. Of course, it rarely worked. I recall that my brother was accused of lighting fire to a garbage can, and he lied and said a dog came by and ignited it. I mean, the gall of him! We see a similar situation with Hal Jordan and this week’s issue of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. Wanna know about it? Read the comic book! Or check out my review, it’s cheaper.

Wonder Woman #22 Review

Blind Date

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Mirko Aldolfo, Romulo Fajardo Jr and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

With Greg Rucka leaving Wonder Woman after issue #25, I am interested to see how naturally he ends both "Godwatch" and "The Truth".  I guess "ends" is not the right word..."combines" may be more appropriate.  I have loved the Year One/Godwatch story and the last couple of issues have really tied into what we are seeing in the present in a way that makes both stories stronger.  So, do we get even more of that awesomeness as Rucka's run nears it's end?  Let's find out...

New Super-Man #11 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Giant Monsters Ain’t Just for Tokyo 

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Billy Tan 

Inks: Tako Zhang 

Colors: Ying Zhan 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Philip Tan/Elmer Santos 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I can feel it in my bones, folks, this book is not long for this world. A real shame, if you ask me, because it has been such a pleasant surprise in DC’s Rebirth…uh, period. But let us not cry over spilled soy milk! For however long it lasts, New Super-Man is still available today. So let’s check out my review of issue #11, and rejoice while we can!

Superwoman #10 Review

Where's My Super Suit?

Written by: K. Perkins
Art by: Stephen Segovia, Art Thibert, Josh Reed and Hi-Fi
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

If you listen to our podcast, you know how impressed I was with K Perkins and the job she did turning this book around last issue.  My guess is that DC gave her the last shot at making something good out of the mess and I think she did just that...and then some.  After last issue, I am fully on the Superwoman trolley and can't wait to see how Perkins deals with a non powered Superwoman.  Of course, with Steel (and especially Natasha) already in the book, I have already guessed what we will get.  So, will we see a super suited Lana blasting into the sky this issue and is it as cool as it sounds?  Let's find out...

Titans #11 Review and *SPOILERS*

Wally West...... The Time Machine

Written By: Christopher Priest, Ben Percy, Dan Abnett

Art By: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Carrie Strachan, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Oh boy, if you haven't been reading the Deathstroke book, you're in a real need for a catch up..... Well, maybe not, but it's kind of messed up that Deathstroke's book continues in Titans, but I guess we'll have to go with it because we have ourselves a big bad crossover happening right now with the Lazarus Contract, taking place in Deathstroke, Teen Titans and our first installment here in Titans.  Going into this all you really need to know is that Deathstroke has recently been all about his family and making sure that they're........ Well, doing stuff.  I can't exactly say he wants them safe, but he's willing to go the extra mile to do things that he thinks will show his children that he loves them without actually saying it.  Alright, let's jump into this issue and see how the Titans' hunt for HIVE is going and if we'll do anything to deal with Bumblebee's stolen memory.  Let's check it out.

Action Comics #979 Review and *SPOILERS*

The Borg is Back!

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Patrick Zircher, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Hank Henshaws' getting himself a little Superman Revenge Squad together and I couldn't be happier.  Whenever villains get together to take out their rival, it brings a smile to my face and with the exception of Blanque, I'm all about this team coming together.  In our previous issue we saw the continued use of the Crystal Font so that Superman could find out what was wrong in his life that he couldn't quite put his finger on and while he didn't come up with any answers, fans of Superman totally saw a revised timeline that had elements of both the Pre-Flashpoint Superman the the New 52 Superman........... and yeah, New 52 Superman's history kind of got the shaft in the merger between Supermen, it was still there and for the most part, Clark Kent's history made sense for everything we've seen over the past six years.  Let's jump into this issue and see how his life will change now that some of his worst villains are out for revenge.  Let's check it out.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #10 Review and *SPOILERS*

Head Games!

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Man, I've just been loving me some Red Hood and the Outlaws since Rebirth came into our lives, but my biggest problem with the series so far is that we're ten issues in and we still really haven't seen our new Outlaws team, actually work as a team.  Sadly, this issue will be no exception, but I'm getting ahead of myself.  In our previous issue we saw our Outlaws head to the war torn country of Qurac, where they were immediately shot down and separated.  Jason Todd was captured and placed in a building, get this........ right across from where he died as a boy at the hands of the Joker.  Yeah, that doesn't make much sense since he died in Ethiopia, but we'll go with it and in his fucked up state of being where he is, he starts having delusions of the day he died.  Bizarro and Artemis aren't doing much better because our big blue dumbbell has become a sort of Moses for the people of the village he landed in and now must take them to his partners and Artemis has gotten one step closer to the Bow of Ra because when she comes to she's tied up in front of the one person who is able to use it.  Only problem, she killed her years ago.  Let's jump into this issue and find out how Akila is sill alive, if Bizarro will be able to lead his people to freedom and if Jason will finally be able to get over his death.  Let's check it out.

Suicide Squad #17 Review and **SPOILERS**

Kneel Before Squad

Story: Rob Williams 

Penciller: Tony S. Daniel 

Inkers: Sandu Florea & Le Beau Underwood 

Colors: Tomeu Morey 

Lettering: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Daniel and Florea 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Last issue was a real breath of fresh air to me, after being mired in that Justice League crossover, followed by some virtually incomprehensible fluff that looked like it was drawn in the dark. That mess is behind us, and if the solicits are something to go by then we’ll be dealing with Russia’s Annihilation Brigade in this issue! So let’s not dilly-dally! Read my review of Suicide Squad #17, right here!

Gotham Academy Second Semester #9 Review and **SPOILERS**

Partnering With Two-Face

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: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

This will be our last arc together

Words will only make us cry

This will be our last arc together

There’s no better wayyyyyyy

We can say goodbye

Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

Exinsectialist Dilemma

Storytellers: Lee Allred & Michael Allred 

Colorist: Laura Allred 

Letterer: Nate Peikos of Blambot 

Cover by: Michael & Laura Allred 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

This is it, folks! The moment we’ve all been waiting for! Team Allred on another book!! I don’t care what the comic book is, if Mike and Laura are involved, I want in. The involvement of Mike’s brother Lee is no deterrent, either, but—oh that Allred artwork! I want to tattoo it on the inside of my eyelids. I want to convert the classic works of Renaissance painters into Michael’s chunky lines. So clearly, I am not going to be objective when it comes to the look of this comic, but is it a good story? You’ll have to read my review of Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1 to find out!

Shade the Changing Girl #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

That (Crazy) Girl

Written by: Cecil Castellucci 

Illustrated by: Marley Zarcone 

Inked by : Ande Parks 

Back-up illustrated by: Audrey Mok 

Colored by: Kelly Fitzpatrick 

Lettered by: Saida Temofonte 

Cover by: Becky Cloonan 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: May 10, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

What’s this? Reggie reviewing Shade the Changing Girl instead of Chris?! The ol’ Ace is otherwise indisposed this week, so I’m pinch-hitting because I am a great guy like that. Don’t worry, we’re both still recording a segment for the Weird Science DC Comics podcast—it’s just the written review that’s changing. So let’s not dawdle with a long preamble, let’s hop right into my review of Shade the Changing Girl #8!

Justice League of America #6 Review and *SPOILERS*

Aegeus Shmegeus 

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Andy MacDonald, Hi-Fi, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Our team still can't trust each other it seems, but it comes off very forced and all we have to go on from the last issue is that The Atom went off to go face our villain Aegeus by himself, when all Batman sent him to do was shut down the power grid........... So yeah, Atom went and tried to play hero all by himself, it doesn't mean that Black Canary has to get all up in Batman's face about it.  Anyway, our heroes are pinned down by Aegeus' troops, while Lobo is out of commission thanks to one of our baddie's myth weapons, while Atom stares him down and hopes for the best.  Let's jump into this issue and see if our JLA can finally work as a team and if The Atom will live to shrink another day.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #10 Review and *SPOILERS*

Brainwash Blitz

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, John Rauch, Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

In our previous issue we saw Black Canary's time undercover as she infiltrated Blackbird's School for Gifted Youngsters, where we actually saw Blackbird teach Black Canary a thing or two about her powers and gave her some new skill sets when it comes to the Canary Cry.  All good things must come to an end though because after weeks of watching and waiting, Dinah uncovered Blackbird's plan of stealing her students powers after they've reached a certain height.......... and that's where you'd think the Birds of Prey would be called to come in a sling out some ass whoopins, but no, Dinah got another kid involved named Owen, who had mind control powers and after he got his powers taken from him, Dinah went and chugged on the Kool-Aid and was all about all things Blackbird from then on out.  Thankfully, Black Canary had been gone awhile so the Birds and her Emerald Archer boyfriend got on the case to track her down and with the help of the now powerless Gemini and Bludhaven's hero Nightwing, they might just have a shot.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the Birds can pull Black Canary away from the Dark Side.  Let's check it out.

Detective Comics #956 Review

This is the End?

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Marcio Takara, Marcello Maiolo and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

Well, this is the final issue of the League of Shadows and while I can't say it was horrible, I also can't say I loved every bit of it either.  I do love Cassandra Cain and am glad she's gotten some attention here, even if it lead to a final fight between her and her mother.  What am I talking about?  I love that BECAUSE it lead to a final fight between her and her mother, Lady Shiva!  Of course, the whole Detective Squad is with her after last issue's cliffhanger and while I don't think we will find out how they all go dressed, I do expect some good, old fashioned ass kicking.  So, does the League of Shadows arc end on a high note?  Let's find out...

Injustice 2 Chapter #5 Review

Up and...

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Daniel Sampere, Juan Alberan, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 9, 2017

I have been so into the return of Tom Taylor to the book that he made famous and he hasn't disappointed at all.  It's all about the characters and I stand by my statement that Taylor writes the best Harley Quinn there is.  Of course, this book comes down to Batman vs Superman and while that is still the case, having another (more violent) Batman out and about makes things really interesting. So, what do we get this week?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Titans #11

Written By: Christopher Priest, Ben Percy, Dan Abnett

Art By: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Carrie Strachan, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

“THE LAZARUS CONTRACT” part one! When Deathstroke discovers that Wally West’s return holds the key to bringing his son back from the dead, he’ll stop at nothing to do just that! Don’t miss the debut chapter of the epic crossover event that you’ve been waiting for!

PREVIEW: Action Comics #979

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Patrick Zircher, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

“REVENGE” part one! Superman, Lois and Jon return to their lives in Metropolis while Eradicator, Cyborg Superman, Metallo and Mongul unite to destroy the Man of Steel!

PREVIEW: Red Hood and the Outlaws #10

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

“Who is Artemis?” part two! After getting shot out of the sky by the Bow of Ra, the Dark Trinity finds itself stranded and separated in the war-torn country of Qurac. While Artemis squares off against her long-forgotten foe responsible for the Bow of Ra’s disappearance, Bizarro comes across a group of innocent refugees looking for a savior. Meanwhile, Red Hood faces a crisis of conscience when he’s forced to relive the trauma of his own death and comes face to face with his greatest enemy—himself!

PREVIEW: Justice League of America #6

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Andy MacDonald, Hi-Fi, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

“MYTHIC” part two! Aegeus’s mythic horde continues to steamroll over the battered landscape of Penn City, and the only thing standing in their path is…the Atom?? Also: Lobo is laid out, his healing factor neutralized, and the only thing that could possibly save him requires a level of violence that we may not be allowed to print!

PREVIEW: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #10

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, John Rauch, Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 10, 2017

“Blackbird” finale! The Birds now know how the mysterious new metahuman known as Blackbird has turned also-rans into dangerous killers…but what’s her endgame? And are they prepared for the terrible secret of what her powers can really do?

PREVIEW: All-Star Batman #10

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Rafael Albuquerque, Jordie Bellaire and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: May 10, 2017

“The First Ally” part one! When the Dark Knight is taken down by a new enemy whose attacks he cannot counter, he uncovers a plot spanning generations…whose mastermind might be one of his closest allies! But who is the First Ally?

The first Ally?  That would have to be Ally from "Kate and Ally" right?  What?  That's spelled "Allie"?  Oh, I get it now...Ally McBeal it is!  She did have that dancing baby that everybody loved so I guess I'll give it to her. What?  It's not that either?  Oh well, I give up...