Grass Kings #4 Review **SPOILERS**

 

Pinball Wizard

Written by: Matt Kindt
Illustrated by: Tyler Jenkins
Lettered by: Jim Campbell
Cover by: Tyler Jenkins
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

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

Tons of great books were released this week and it was hard to choose which book to review. Grass Kings grabbed my attention the most. This book is a gem over at Boom! Studios who are known for publishing a licensed properties. The collaboration between Matt Kindt (currently writing X-O Manowar!) and Tyler Jenkins has been astounding. There's a weird mystery here involving two rival towns that intrigue me. Plus the illustrated art style is unique and fitting for the story being told. Not an art style you see often in mainstream comics. After getting my books I had to dive into the world the gentlemen have built. Thanks for joining me while I put my thoughts down....

Daredevil #21 Review

Crime No More!

Written by: Charles Soule

Art by: Goran Sudzuka

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: June 7, 2017

I believe this is the story Charles Soule has been building up to this whole time. It feels and reads as if he finally has gotten all of Daredevil's back story in alignment with where he needs him to be in his life as Matt Murdock and as Daredevil. So without further adieu here is the start of no more crime in New York City...maybe?

Iron Fist #4 Review

Fist Full of Hollers

Written by: Ed Brisson
Art by: Mike Perkins
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 7, 2017

The Trial of the Seven Masters intensifies this issue as we start to get answers to the motivations behind the people of Lui-Shi. Last issue Danny had been poisoned, had his guide killed in attempts to frame him, and was rendered unconscious with a mysterious shadowed figure coming to his aid at the last possible second. Let us see how The Iron Fist is fairing now in this issue.

Top 5 Fridays: Injustice 2 DLC Character Predictions

Welcome back to another kombative installment of Top 5 Fridays. Fun Fact: I'm not just a fan of superheroes on paper and television, but in video games as well. As such, one of my most played games right now is Injustice 2. I love the story, the characters, and the badass battles between them. As with most games nowadays, Injustice 2 revealed there were going to be a whopping nine DLC characters to be added into the game, starting with Red Hood, Starfire, and Mortal Kombat's Subzero. At the end of their first reveal trailer, the background revealed silhouettes of the remaining six, and that is what I'll be going over: Who I think they are! As always, this is an opinion-based list, so if you don't see a character you were hoping for, I apologize. With that out of the way, LET'S FIGHT...to read this week's list!

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Dark Days - The Forge #1

The spotlight is on Dark Days: The Forge and it has Jim and Eric pretty pumped.  Eric will be more pumped if he gets a definitive origin of Hawkman when all is said and done and Jim is just ready for a classic good time.  See what they have to say and if you like it, check out their regular weekly podcast as well as check out their Patreon account for more fun and nonsense!

Throwback Thursday: Batman and the Outsiders #1 Review

Karate Chop!

Written by: Mike W. Barr
Art by: Jim Aparo and Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $0.60
Release Date: August 1, 1983

I figured for one of my Throwback reviews, I'd go back to my review for the Batman and the Outsiders I did a while back. Why go back to a do a flashback review of a flashback review?  Because Batman and the Outsiders were in Dark Days: The Forge, that's why.  Spoiler Alert...I really enjoyed it.

Throwback Thursday: The Amazing Spider-Man #350 (1991)

The Amazing Spider-Man #350 (1991) - Throwback Thursday

 

Writer: David Michelinie

Art Team: Erik Larsen, Randy Emberlin, Bob Sharen

Letterer: Rick Parker

Marvel Comics

Release Date: August 1991

Cover Price: $1.50 

Throwback Thursday
@bmur3660’s First Comic Book

I know, I know most of your initial responses to seeing this article on a Thursday are god damnit Branden your Marvel nonsense is now infecting my god damn week on more than just Mondays.  Well there’s a reason behind all this nonsense that will come to fruition in the future but in the meantime this article is a teaser of sorts and a hint of what’s to come.

Long story short I got a random DM from Jim earlier this week asking me “what was the first comic I ever read/owned?” Much like that awkward first kiss with a little tongue involved it’s just something you don’t forget, and the Amazing Spider-Man #350 (a Giant Sized issue nonetheless) came right to mind immediately. Buried in the depths of my mom’s basement, I decided to do what any hard working American would, downloaded it off Comixology instead of entertaining looking for that nonsense, to bring you some thoughts. Jump in and see what’s up.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 6/14/17

A Week of Wacky

Boy, there are some crazy-looking covers in the list this week, the recently-published Looney Tunes crossover books must be infecting every creative. I'm not complaining, though! Sometimes a cluttered, creepy cover is the best thing to sell a comic book. So let's stop vacillating and start critiquing covers, shall we?

Throwback Thursday: Batman Eternal #1 Review

Batman Weekly or Weakly?

Written by: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, John Layman and Tim Seeley
Art by: Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson and Nick J. Napolitano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 9, 2014

Since we got Dark Days: The Forge this week, I thought I'd travel back to what was a year long Batman event...Batman Eternal.  This first issue got us up and running and as you'll read, I was pretty pumped.  It may not have turned into the GCPD book I was hoping we'd get, but at least I started out excited.

Supergirl #10 Review

Not So Super

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

I have not been a huge fan of this book since Rebirth.  Actually, I've pretty much have hated it and it's such a long list of reasons that I am not sure it can ever come around.  Poor dialogue, confusing and forced situations, bad characterizations, silly stories...the list goes on and on.  Last issue ended with Kara, Barbara and Ben stuck in the Phantom Zone with Xa-Du on their tail.  It wasn't great, but I do love me some Xa-Du and will take him anytime I can get him.  So, is this issue any better and am I suppose to be rooting for the Phantom King?  Let's find out...

Flash #24 Review

Time Bandits

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Pop Mhan, Ivan Plascencia, Hi-Fi and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

Okay, so what is going on with Reverse Flash?  Is it really him?  Is he dead?  Is he alive?  Who am I talking to and why is it only in questions?  So, what are Kid Flash and Reverse Flash up to?  Is Iris okay?  Will Hal and Barry head off into the future?  Enough questions, let's find out...

Wonder Woman #24 Review

Beginning of the End

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Bilquis Evely, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

Greg Rucka's run is coming to an end and I am really interested in how it all ties together.  We still have a bunch of things to see and figure out before we say goodbye to Greg and I am hoping it continues here.  I say "hoping" because after seeing the Truth story in the last issue, it seems like we don't have much more to say in this Godwatch story.  So, what does Rucka do to make this issue meaningful?  Let's see...

Action Comics #981 Review and *SPOILERS*

Fighting Blind

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Jack Herbert, Hi-Fi, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

While we still haven't had the Revenge Squad in full effect, we seem to be getting towards that and the possible death of Superman because goddamn, how the hell could our Man of Steel possibly go up against Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, Blanque, Mongul, Metallo and now General Zod at the same time?  In our previous issue we saw our hero get on the trolley about at least Eradicator and tracked the villain to Belle Reve, which was being surrounded by the Black Vault at the time and it was only when Superman entered that he also found out that Cyborg Superman is still alive and kicking, but he didn't have a chance to put the big hurt on the cyber doppelganger because he was too busy losing his damn mind because of the affects of the Vault, which caused him to see his friends and family all zombified and telling Clark that it was his fault.  Let's jump into this issue and see what the Superman Revenge Squad will do now that they've got General Zod on the roster and how Superman will escape the Black Vault.  Let's check it out.

New Super-Man #12 Review and **SPOILERS**

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There’s a New New Super-Man in Town

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Billy Tan 

Inks: Haining 

Color: Gadson 

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Philip Tan/Elmer Santos 

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Ah, New Super-Man…my favorite book coming from DC Comics right now. I know you aren’t long for this world, but I have enjoyed the time we’ve spent together so much. I haven’t tried to jealously guard your greatness, no I have done my level, effortless best to spread the good word about Kong Kenan and the rest of the Justice League of China, but to no avail. Let’s not lament the lack of New Super-Man in the future, but celebrate the existence of the comic today! And we can do that in my review of issue #12, right ‘ere!

Red Hood and the Outlaws #11 Review and *SPOILERS*

Amazon Showdown!

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now it's time to get to one of my favorite books in Rebirth and while this story has been taking its time in keeping our Outlaws from being an actual team, the fact that I love Red Hood and Bizarro and find the art in this book some of the best art at DC right now have helped out a lot.  In our previous issue, Jason had finally put his past of dying behind him and came face to face with General Heinle, who up until this point we all believed to be a madman with the Bow of Ra, who turned its powers against his own people, but after a bit of threatening from Jason, we found out that the reanimated Akila, the former mad Shim'tar of Bana-Mighdall is the one with the Bow killing folks and now she plans on turning its power on the rest of Qurac.  She might actually stand a chance too because besides for having the Bow of Ra, she also had Artemis drink the Kool-Aid and has her right on her crazy trolley.  Let's jump into this issue and see if we can get our Outlaws together and working as a team or if the Bow of Ra will destroy everyone.  Let's check it out.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #22 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Admiral Bolphunga the Unrepentant

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Artist: Ethan Van Sciver 

Colorist: Jason Wright 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Van Sciver & Wright 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Shouldn’t this be retitled to Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps now? Or even Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps led by John Stewart and the Sinestro Corps with Soranik Natu in Sort of a Lieutenant Position But John Stewart is Still in Charge? Sure would save the cover artists a lot of time. For now, let’s check out the beginning of a new story arc in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #22 in my review, right here!

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #11 Review and *SPOILERS*

Miscalculation 

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey has been picking up in my mind and I couldn't be happier about that because with so many team books in this Rebirth era of DC that don't act like a team, I'm happy to just get one at this point.  In our previous issue, we saw the Birds, Nightwing and Green Arrow take out Blackbird and get Black Canary out of her mind control whammy that she was under and at the end of the issue we saw that the new Oracle Gus planned on betraying our team to his mysterious cohort.  Let's jump into this issue and see what's up with Gus and if he'll continue being a part of the team after all of this is said and done.  Let's check it out.

Superwoman #11 Review and **SPOILERS**

-->The Boogey Man is a Crime Boss

Script: K. Perkins 

Pencils: José Luís 

Inks: Ray McCarthy 

Letters: Josh Reed 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Cover Art: Ken Lashley/Hi-Fi 

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Okay, I’m gonna level with you: I haven’t been reading Superwoman regularly since I stopped reviewing it last December. I’ve read a few issues, and thought I’d read the most recent issue…but I didn’t. I think I get the gist of what’s going on, however, owing to the good storytelling of the comic, but…if I get something wrong, don’t break my balls too much, alright? And besides, I’m sure to be kinder on the final score given that I’ve shown up late to the party. Let’s see if that’s something to congratulate or condemn in my review of Superwoman #11, right here!

Suicide Squad #19 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Gave Proof Through the Night

Story: Rob Williams 

Pencils: Neil Edwards 

Inks: Sandu Florea 

Colors: Tomeu Morey 

Lettering: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Tony S. Daniel & Tomeu Morey 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017 

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Um, why is Tony Daniel on the cover but not the interior? Right at the conclusion of a story arc that he drew?

REGGIE NO LIKE.

But that doesn’t mean the issue is necessarily bad…or necessarily good. Find out which I think in my review of Suicide Squad #19, right chea!

Bug! The Adventures of Forager #2 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Bring Me A Dream

Storytellers: Lee Allred & Michael Allred 

Colorist: Laura Allred 

Letterer: Nate Piekos of Blambot 

Cover By: Michael & Laura Allred 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

It’s time to bug out again with Bug! The Adventures of Forager! How long do you think I had that sweet pun in storage? Okay, you got me. I just made it up. And come to think of it, I think I used something similar if not identical last month. It gets better from here, I promise. Just read my review of issue #2.

Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny Special #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

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I Shoulda Made That Left Turn Mid-Century

Writer: Sam Humphries 

Penciller, Interior & Cover: Tom Grummett 

Inker: Scott Hanna 

Letterer: Josh Reed 

Colorist, Interior & Cover: Steve Buccellato 

Back-Up By: Juan Ortiz 

Cover Inker: Karl Kesel 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I have heard it lamented that Looney Tunes cartoons aren’t really on television anymore. It’s sort of too bad, because they seem so timeless and hilarious, even on reflection. It’s not like I think kids today should have the same upbringing as me, hell if Looney Tunes somehow contributed to the crappy adult I’ve become, then it’s for the best that children don’t know Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck as intimately. Thing is, Looney Tunes cartoons were already old when I was a kid—many of them were old when my parents were kids—and yet I still thrilled to their exploits long past the time that I should have known better. So if kids aren’t into Bugs Bunny anymore, then I guess the best thing to do is pair the character with the most popular folks in DC Comics’ stable…the Legion of Super-Heroes? Uh, okay, this is sure to be strange. Check out my review of Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny Special #1, aquí!

Justice League of America #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

How To Make a Monster Man

Written By: Steve Orlando

Art By: Felipe Watanabe, Scott Hanna, Hi-Fi, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I really hope that at some point going forward that this series will be able to be something that I don't dread to read.  I mean, it's never a painful experience and it's usually pretty quick, but I know it's probably going to have something that fucks up continuity, something that doesn't make sense, bad dialog, forced tensions in the team and all of that precedes each issues' time to get its preach on by telling you about some injustice that's forced into the story.  I just want to have fun and see our heroes doing something that seems worthwhile and makes sense, but we're really haven't been given that so far and at this point, I'm starting to think that it will never happen.  I'm still hopeful, but I'm also a sucker so take that hope as you will.  Let's jump into this issue and see what our JLA team are up to and if it will be nonsense or not.  Let's check it out.

Gotham Academy Second Semester #10 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Foxy Lady

Story: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan & Karl Kerschl 

Script: Brenden Fletcher 

Pencils: Adam Archer 

Inks: Sandra Hope 

Background Painter & Colors: MSASSYK 

Breakdowns: Bob Haynes 

Letters: Steve Wands 

Cover: Karl Kerschl 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: June 14, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I love to count! Ah! Ah! One! Two! Three! Three issues left for Gotham Academy Second Semester, including this one! So this begins the last opportunity to go out with a bang, I’d expect. I mean, the last issue is the real last opportunity, but by all rights we should be setting up that blockbuster ending with this issue. So let’s see how #10 does, huh? Read my review, right here!

Titans #12 Review and *SPOILERS*

REAL WORLD: Titans Tower

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Kenneth Rocafort, Dan Brown, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that the Lazarus Contract is complete we can get back to our normal Titans book....... The only problem is, I don't know if I want to continue on after what we had at the end of that crossover.  Most of us in my mind started reading this book because the classic Wally West was brought back in the DC Rebirth Special and this was the title featuring him and with that, this being an important book in the long run.  Yeah, I'm sure people got on the Titans trolley because they're classic Titans fans and I'll go with that too, but this title so far has been a Wally fest, but now our speedster hero has himself a pacemaker due to Damian Wayne and some time travel nonsense and he doesn't seem to be able to really push himself to the level that he was did and possibly he's not really able to be The Flash anymore.  That's no fun, but let's hope for the best as we get into this story and see what our Titan heroes will be up to for the summer.  Let's check it out.  

Dark Days: The Forge #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Something Metal This Way Comes

Written By: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV

Art By: Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, John Romita Jr., Scott Williams, Klaus Janson, Danny Miki, Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper, Steve Wands

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: June 14, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Well, The Forge is here and that means that we're taking our first steps into DC's big summer event "Dark Matter" and at this point.......... I couldn't be happier.  Yeah, we've been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff since the beginning of Rebirth, but really, it's only been dribs and drabs throughout the first year with a lackluster event and a couple of crossover to keep us satiated for what's to come when we finally find out what the Watchmen have to do with Rebirth.  This though, this feels like an event that I can get behind because it's going to be lasting a bit, it has its own series title and from what we've seen, things are definitely going to be coming out of this to get us to our next big dose of awesome in the Doomsday Clock.  Till then though, let's jump into The Forge and see what Snyder and Tynion have in store for us when we look into the dark mystery that Batman has been focused on since the beginning of the New 52.  Let's check it out.

Martian Manhunter / Marvin the Martian Special #1 Review

Get Your Ass to Mars

Written by: Steve Orlando and Frank Barbiere
Art by: Aaron Lopresti, Jerome Moore, Hi-Fi and Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

In one of the first of the DC/Looney Tune crossovers we get Martian Manhunter and Marvin The Martian. With being a long time fandom of the Looney Tunes that eventually lapsed I was all for jumping in on the nostalgia to see just what DC could give me in an interesting special. Then I saw the creative team and trepidation set in. So will the story exceed expectations or will my fears be met? Find out after the jump if this Martian meeting is worth its muster!

Detective Comics #958 Review

Magic Show

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 14, 2017

Now that the League of Shadows has gone away and we got a Spoiler issue to remind us she's still around, it seems time for James Tynion to start exploring his Detective Squad.  It looks like Azrael is first up and that is okay with me...I really like Azrael.  Maybe it's because I wasn't reading comics back in the day, but I think he's pretty cool and hopefully this story pays off.  Well, does it start off on a good note?  Let's find out...