Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Flash #22 (The Button Finale)

Jim and Eric put the spotlight on the Flash #22 - The Button Finale.  Hear what they thought about it and the crossover in general.  If you like what you hear, check out the big podcast which comes out every week where they review a ton more books.

Royal City #3 Review and **Spoilers** (Image)

Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Jeff Lemire Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: May 17, 2017 Cover Price: $3.99        After a second issue slump I’m hoping this third issue of Royal City picks me back up and wraps me in its rural sadness. The family is pretty well established at this point it’s just a matter of getting down to the things that make them tick and possibly bring them together. So let’s jump in and see where this third issue actually takes us.

Vampirella #2 Review and **Spoilers** (Dynamite)

Send In The Clowns

Written by: Paul Cornell
Art by: Jimmy Broxton
Published by: Dynamite
Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 12, 2017


After her subterranean resurrection (mind you, aren’t they all?) in the 0 issue and her wanderings through a Los Angeles that seems to be a weird mix of Christian mythology and A Clockwork Orange stylings in issue 1, this issue sees the plot thicken as, instead of merely encountering the denizens of this strangely passionless hedonistic paradise, Vampirella and her new sidekick come up against the forces of the order Vampi is dedicated to destroying. The result is somewhat baffling, reasonably exciting and never less than entertaining.

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Characters That Can Fight Dr. Manhattan

Welcome to another exciting edition of Top 5 Friday! I know it has been awhile since one of these have gone up, but after the conclusion of The Button, my mind began to race like Jay Garrick at the end of the story arc. The clock is counting down towards him a big showdown between the DC universe and Dr. Manhattan, with Superman being the main target. While it is very easy to say that a Man of Steel can stand up to the Nuclear Man of Tomorrow, I don't think he is going to be the one that defeats him. With all of the stories and mysteries going on, I began thinking up a list of potential candidates that could stand up to the threat of Manhattan, which is what we will be going over today. As always this is an opinion based list, so if you don't see a character you wanted, I apologize. With the introductions out-of-the-way, let us dive into this week's list...

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

This List is Infused With Fumes from Hard Water

All the online chatter about DC Comics pertains to the Flash #22 and the conclusion of a crossover titled "The Button," but I want to determine how good or bad a comic is based solely on its cover! So let's just hop right to it!

Flash #22 Review

Big Moments, Little Answers

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Howard Porter, Hi-Fi and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

It's here!  The ending to the Button is the biggest thing since the Rebirth Special and even though I haven't been the most positive when it comes to the entire story so far, I have jumped on the hype train and can't wait to see what comes next.  Seriously, this may technically be a "crossover", but it's so much more than any so-called Event we've seen so far (no offense Justice League vs Suicide Squad).  I don't even want to waste time in this introduction, so I will jump right in.  Was it worth the wait?  Let's find out...

Batwoman #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Business as Usual

Written By: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
Art By: Steve Epting, Jeromy Cox
Letters By: Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It’s no secret that I’ve been displeased with the return of the Batwoman comic so far. Perhaps my expectations were too high at the beginning of the book but I’m begging for this book to change things up even a little bit to make it better. Instead, we’ve gotten boring storytelling, forgettable characters, and only semi-enjoyable art. I wasn’t a huge fan of Marc Andreyko’s run with the character but it was a hell of a lot more fun than this comic has been so far. I need something to keep me going because at this point, it’s a chore to deal with this book. However, things could always turn around. At least, I certainly hope so. Let’s just jump right into the latest issue and just hope for the best.

Justice League/Power Rangers #4 Review

Justice League/Power Rangers #4 Review

Writer: Tom Taylor

Art Team:  Steven Byrne

DC/Boom

Release Date: May 17, 2017

Cover Price: $3.99

How the Rangers Got Their Groove Back

For some reason all DC related crossovers, without #1’s on the cover, were delayed last month but we get back on schedule here in May with issue #4 of Justice League/Power Rangers. If you recall where we left events, the team of Lord Zedd and Brainiac have hightailed it off ‘DC’s Earth’ with the Power Rangers coins and inter-dimensional transporters.  This forced the Justice League and Power Rangers to Switzerland in pursuit of a means to chase these dastardly devils responsible before more trouble strikes.  So let’s see if Cyborg is finally handy for something besides taking calls in the Watchtower, join me inside.

Batman / TMNT Adventures #6 Review

Batman / TMNT Adventures #6 Review

Writer: Matthew K. Manning

Art Team: Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons, Matt Herms
DC/IDW

Release Date: May 10, 2017

Cover Price: $3.99

The Epilogue of the Future

Well after a strange random month off in its publication schedule we jump back into the world of Batman TMNT Adventures to get a glimpse of its final issue, or ‘the Epilogue’ as it’s called by fancier people than me, to see how everything wraps up apparently at some random point in this comics future. So, with most of the big guns already handled and dealt with in previous issues, who’s left for our heroes to tussle with? Jump in and find out with my delayed review and response to Batman TMNT Adventures #6. (Note: Review delayed because title not placed in my pullbox last week. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!)

Trinity #9 Review

Good Looking Garbage

Written by: Francis Manapul
Art by: Francis Manapul and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

I really want to like this book.  I am a Francis Manapul fanboy and with the Justice League having some "problems", this was going to be my Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman teamup fix.  Well, that was the plan, but something happened on the way to the Watchtower.  Long story short...This has been one of my biggest disappointments of Rebirth.  I cant sugar coat it, it hasn't been good.  However, I am hoping this first chapter of the "Dead Space" story will change all that.  Manapul is on story and art and I am crossing my fingers that this is the issue that puts Trinity on the top of my pile.  Well, is it?  Let's find out...

Super Sons #4 Review

Kid Presentable

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

Super Sons has been one of my go to fun books since it came out.  The awesome interactions between Damian and Jon had me hooked immediately and the art has been outstanding.  It's a good thing, because I'm not sure how I feel about the "Kid Amazo" story as a whole.  My main gripe is the mystery around Reggie's powers.  It feels like it's all being forced on us without enough explanation and as I say, "Not getting pertinent information does not a good mystery make."  Actually, I don't talk like that, but I hope you get my point.  On top of all that, the Damian/Jon interactions have gotten a little stale and I need something new here.  Does this issue give me what I want to keep this book among my favorites?  Let's find out...

The Wildstorm #4 Review

Written by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Jon Davis-Hunt
Colours by: Steve Bucellato
Published by: DC Comics
Price: $3.99

I’m not sure whether I’ve pointed it out before, but The Wild Storm is what was in the old days called a maxi-series. Each issue’s cover features a strip of numbers below the title running from 1 to 24 with the current issue’s number picked out with an arrow of the kind I used to use when keeping score at snooker as a spotty youth. I mention this simply to remind everyone that we’re currently only a sixth of the way in to whatever Warren Ellis has planned for this reimagining of the Wildstorm universe. Or, to put it another way, don’t let last issue’s explosion of action, glorious though it was, fool you into expecting more of the same this time round. For some, there’ll inevitably be a bit of disappointment at this and I understand that. I don’t want you to think, however, that we’ve returned to an issue of people talking wittily at one another about things of which they’re already aware but about which the reader doesn’t have a clue. Oh, no. This time around, we begin to get… information.

Teen Titans #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

Messing with the Timestream... Again... Still...

Teen Titans #8

"The Lazarus Contract, Part 2"

Story By: Priest, Benjamin Percy & Dan Abnett

Script By: Benjamin Percy

Breakdowns By: Phil Hester

Pencils By: Khoi Pham

Inks By: Wade Von Grawbadger

Colors By: Jim Charalampidis

Letters By: Corey Breen

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

Heyyy, it's crossover time.

Been looking forward to seeing both teams of Titans in the same book... let's find out if it was worth the wait!

Green Arrow #23 Review

Seeing Red

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Juan Ferreyra and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

I have really been enjoying the Rise of Star City so far, but I will admit, it's time to get to the meat and cheese of the story.  Ben Percy has done a real good job of setting up the Four Horseman as a legitimate threat and Rebirth readers already know how disgustingly bad the Burned and the 9th Circle so it's time for some major Team Arrow vs Team Broderick in a knock down, drag out fight, right?  Let's find out...

Justice League #21 Review

End This Now!

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Scott Hanna, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

Speaking of Endless...It's Justice League time once again and while I am a fan of Groundhog Day and Edge of Tomorrow (You know, Live Die Repeat), the first issue of this time jumping story left me wanting fifteen minutes back myself.  I'm hoping this issue gives us a little more in the ways of rules and character development because I didn't quite understand the time travel parameters and really, had no investment at all in the villain, if he can even be called that.  I guess the guy wants to kill the Flash and blow up anything else that gets in his way, so yea...villain it is. So, did this issue give me what I needed to finally enjoy an issue of Justice League?  Let's find out...

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

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I Got So High I Could Hear My Eye

Written By: Jon Rivera 

Story By: Gerard Way & Jon Rivera 

Cover & Interior Art By: Michael Avon Oeming 

Cover & Interior Colors By: Nick Filardi 

Letters By: Clem Robins 

Back-up Words By: Mark Russell 

Back-up Art By: Benjamin Dewey 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

You know, it’s sort of tough to maintain a comic book titled Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye when the titular character doesn’t even have said cybernetic eyeball. I expect that will be remedied soon, however, based on the solicits and because I don’t think they’d jerk us around like that. Am I a naïve milkbaby? Read my review of issue #8 to find out!

Harley Quinn #20 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Parents Just Won’t Comprehend

Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner 

Artists: John Timms, Joseph Michael Linsner 

Back-up Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Paul Dini 

Back-up Pencils: Bret Blevins 

Back-up Inks: J. Bone 

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Amanda Conner & Alex Sinclair 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

So that arc with the cannibals is finished, such as it is, so now we begin a brand-new story arc in Harley Quinn! Well, not “brand new” since you know Palmiotti and Conner seeded it months ago as per the routine. But I have it on good authority that this begins that future Bat-fan assassinating Harley Quinn thing that was the highlight of so many recent issues! So let’s not delay and dive right into my review of issue #20, right now!

Aquaman #23 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Let’s You and Me Discuss Politics

Story: Dan Abnett 

Pencils: Philippe Briones 

Inks: Wayne Faucher 

Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letterer: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennesy & Gabe Eltab 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Let me tell ya, folks, based on mainstream media reports and Twitter activity, America is completely polarized and in terrible jeopardy! Step away from the computer monitor for ten minutes, however, and things seem a little less bleak. I’ll definitely say that people seem more aware of current events, even veritable illiterates I know are wondering about the immediate screaming headlines. So now is a great time for an issue of Aquaman about Atlantean politics, right? Right? Ahh just read my review of issue #23 and let’s stop being coy about it.

Superman #23 Review and *SPOILERS*

Monsterville, USA

Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason

Art By: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, Keith Champagne, Wil Quintana, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: May 17, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This Black Dawn arc has been one hell of a roller coaster ride so far and has taken everything we've known about Hamilton County and flipped it on its ear........ That's a saying right?  Anyway, as we've previously seen, the townsfolk of Hamilton County aren't what they appear and it all seems to do with Jon Kent and his powers.  Yeah, we still don't know what was up with Bessie's milk and how that was connected to Jon's powers, but we do know that Cobb and Kathy Branden are somehow behind it and have systematically taken out anyone who might interfere with what they're doing.  That led us to seeing Superman finding a complex underneath the scary mansion in Dead Man's Swamp, where we saw Batman, Robin and a whole slew of other people being kept in stasis tubes, while Lois discovered that their friends aren't who they appeared to be.  Let's jump into this issue and see what Tomasi and Gleason have in store for us now.  Let's check it out.

Green Lanterns #23 Review and *SPOILERS*

Jessica's In A World of Shit

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Blond, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: May 17, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I've noticed lately that it seems like Sam Humphries is just doing anything he wants with this Green Lanterns book whether it makes sense to the continuity or not and while I'm all for a writer trying new things to tell an interesting story, the things that have come before are just as important to me and it's because of this....... and the fact that Earth's sector was wrong in the last issue of this book that I've really not been enjoying this title as much as I thought I would when it was first announced for Rebirth.  I can only hope though now that we've got our Lanterns on Mogo, going through some basic training like every Lantern should, that things will pick up and this will start feeling like a proper Green Lantern title soon.  Yeah, I don't really expect that, but Rebirth is all about hope and I'm keeping mine strong because no one wants to go around being a Negative Nancy all the damn time.  Let's jump into this issue and see how the training is going for our Lantern heroes and see what Volthoom is up to now that he has Rami's records on how he made the original Green Lantern rings.  Let's check it out.

Nightwing #21 Review and *SPOILERS*

Boys Night Out!

Written By: Michael McMillian

Art By: Christian Duce, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: May 17, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that Dick is back in Bludhaven and Dr. Hurt is defeated, it's time to get back to some city super heroics.... especially since Shawn Tsang found out that she was indeed not pregnant and decided that she needs some space from our hero for a bit.  So yeah, Dick has plenty of time on his hands to be the protector of Bludhaven and can work through some of this relationship frustrations by pounding on some baddie's faces.  With this being a one-shot before we get to our next arc, there isn't a lot to say going into this, but we do have Wally West showing up and that's always a good time.  Let's jump into this issue and see what Nightwing's been up to and how he spends his time when a buddy of his shows up in town for a few hours to thrill.  Let's check it out.

Batman #23 Review

In the Afterlife...

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mitch Gerads and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

This is the issue that was supposed to come out earlier, but was replaced by the Rooftops arc that gave Catwoman more development leading into the I am Bane story.  I understand the reasoning, but at the time, this Batman/Swamp Thing crossover issue was cancelled and that bummed me out.  I love Batman and I love Swamp Thing and who could pass up these two great tastes that taste great together?!?  The answer...nobody!  So, I was so excited to hear we would eventually get it and it seems "eventually" is now.  So, was it worth the wait?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Batman #23

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mitch Gerads and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

“AFTERMATH”! In the wake of Bane’s attack, Batman must face the destruction left behind and follow through on his promises to Gotham Girl and Catwoman by making the most crushing sacrifices yet.

PREVIEW: The Flash #22

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Howard Porter
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 17, 2017

“THE BUTTON” part four! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party—and it’s not who anyone suspects! It’s a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!

Injustice 2 Chapter #6 Review

The Assassin Squad

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 16, 2017

I'm sure if you have read any of my past Injustice Reviews (there are a ton of them), you know that I am a big, old fanboy.  That may give you pause when it comes to my scores and really, I have no problem with that.  I do tend to score this book higher than most.  There are only a few books out there that I can say that about, but this is one of them.  However, I do so because it's just so damn good...especially when Tom Taylor is writing it.  So far, Injustice 2 is technically in the setup phase, but seeing Batman trying to pick up the pieces of a shattered world while fighting off a mysterious new (old?) threat has been fun.  Plus, there is a bunch of Harley and I can never get enough of Tom Taylor written Harley Quinn.  So, does this chapter continue the goodness?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Aquaman #23

Let's Have a Swim-In

Story: Dan Abnett 
Pencils: Philippe Briones 
Inks: Wayne Faucher 
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 
Letterer: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennesy & Gabe Eltab 
Variant Cover: Joshua Middleton 
Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

“CROWN OF ATLANTIS” part one! Beleaguered by ceaseless conflict with the surface world and rising frustration with their outsider king, the people of Atlantis take steps to depose Arthur from his throne. And he won’t let go without a fight! The next major movement of the AQUAMAN saga begins here!

Hmm...this seems like it might be relevant to current real-world events...or perhaps not. Check out some preview pages and let me know what you think!

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #20

Back to the Suture

Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner 

Artists: John Timms, Joseph Michael Linsner 

Back-up Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Paul Dini 

Back-up Pencils: Bret Blevins 

Back-up Inks: J. Bone 

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Amanda Conner & Alex Sinclair 

Variant Cover: Frank Cho & Sabine Rich 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: May 17, 2017

“FUTURE KILL” part one! You’ve seen her story begin to unfold in prior issues…who in the world is Bat-Fan, and why does she think Harley Quinn must die to save existence itself?! And in the backup story “Harley Loves Joker” part four, Harley’s mistakes have forced her to hide out with The Joker in a low-rent motel…unfortunately, they’ve had to bring their entire goon squad—and a pack of very poorly behaved hyenas—along!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! This crazy Slays of Future Past story that's been teased for like five issues is finally coming to bear! I can't wait to read it. Get hyped, look at some preview pages below!