Spencer & Locke #3 Review

Up and AtomWriter: David PeposeArtist: Jorge Santiago, Jr.Publisher: Action Lab ComicsRelease Date: June 21, 2017Cover Price: $3.99

Going into the third issue of Spencer and Locke I’m hoping to get payoff from the cliffhanger from the first issue. I was a bit disappointed to not get any as the cliffhanger itself came out of nowhere. That being said the previous issue was fine on its own, but I think I’m going to need something on the delivery end or the book is going to seem more like a set of ideas and not a collective story. So does it deliver on the first issue? Or do we get another issue of a fun idea but not in service of the book as a whole? Let’s find out.

Plastic #3 Review

Small Picture

Writer: Doug WagnerArtist: Daniel HillyardPublisher: Image ComicsRelease Date: June 21, 2017Cover Price: $3.99

Although the book has been confusing it’s had an air of dark comedy mixed with a level of insanity that speaks to me. After the protagonist previously escaped what was intended to be his demise, he’s now on a search for his sweet Virginia. Will he make his way back to his sweet plastic lover? Will he get his revenge on the ones who dare to touch his sweet beloved? Find out after the jump!

Old Guard #5 Review

In With The New

Writer: Greg RuckaArtist: Leandro FernandezPublisher: Image ComicsRelease Date: June 21, 2017Cover Price: $3.99

It’s been a rough road overall when it’s come to Greg Rucka’s Old Guard. I felt it started out pretty slow and had a tough time really selling me on the story or characters. As it’s gone on though, I feel it’s really done a lot to bring it around and I’ve come around to enjoying it. The sad news though, is I’m coming around on it just as this first arc is coming to a close and the book goes on a break. So will the end of this arc be the continuation of the trend or will it go out as it came in?

The Wild Storm #5 Review and Spoilers

It's not a Tumor...Yes it Is!

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


I am beginning to wonder if Warren Ellis is deliberately structuring this series on a three issue cycle in which we get two issues of conversation-heavy set-up and world-building followed by an issue of balls-to-the-wall full-blooded action. Last issue was impressive more for its art and dialogue than anything else. This issue is no less skilfully written but is less impressive and (say it quietly) just a little monochrome compared to the last couple of issues’ technicolour spectacle. That is not to say it’s poor. By no means. But it is a more cerebral talky installment and, while this series continues to be one of the most intelligent and well-written comics currently on the market, there are nevertheless niggles here. Allow me to explain.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Batman #25 (War of Jokes & Riddles)

Jim and Eric get together to talk Batman #25, the beginning to the War of Jokes and Riddles.  Don't hate them, they are only being honest.  If you like what you hear, come on over to our big podcast we release every Sunday Night.

Throwback Thursday: Batman #23.1 The Joker Review

The Joke's on Us

Written by: Andy Kubert

Art by: Andy Clarke

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 4, 2013

Another look back at Villain's Month, this time checking in on the Joker.  I was not a big fan of this issue (as you will see), but decided to go back to it in honor of the War of Jokes and Riddles starting this week.  This review is from September 4, 2013 so excuse it if it's a little brief...we really were trying to figure out this whole reviewing comics thing! - Jim

Throwback Thursday: Detective Comics #27 Review and *SPOILERS*

Holy Giant Sized Issue Batman!

Written By: John Layman

Art By: Jason Fabok

Cover Price: $8.99

Release Date: January 8, 2014

This issue came out three years ago and it was a big deal...Detective Comics #27!  Get it?!?!  Well, DC went all out and made it an over sized Anthology with some kick ass creators.  It may have kicked off Gothtopia, but the reason I included it this week is because of Scott Snyder's story that ties into the beginning of this week's All-Star Batman #11.  Also of note was Eric bringing up the point that Killer Croc is white in the "dream world" of Gothtopia...he caused a bit of a stir way back when with it. -Jim

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 6/21/17

Double Your Jorge Jimenez, Double Your Fun

Wow! It's a first since I started doing this list for the Weird Science DC Comics Dot Com website: the same artist appears twice! At least, I think it's a first. Might not be. In any case, Jorge Jimenez appears twice on this list of Best Covers of the Week, though he's not number one. Who is number one? Well, you'll have to read on to find out!

Batwoman #4 Review and *SPOILERS*

Doomed to Repeat Them

Written By: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
Art By: Steve Epting, Jeromy Cox
Letters By: Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It’s no secret that I haven’t been the biggest fan of this series so far despite my love for the character. It’s been so overwhelmingly repetitive and has had readers begging for more Monster Men stuff. MONSTER MEN STUFF! This is how bad things have gotten! However, this month the first story arc of this series comes to an end. While we may have had ridiculous backstories that didn’t hold any weight and a fist fight that seems to start end and start again with every issue, we have finally reached the end of the story arc. I have to keep telling myself that something will legitimately happen in this issue to make me continue buying this book. I want to be recommending this book to all my friends but I just can’t do it because the book isn’t good enough. However, this issue could (hopefully) change everything. Let’s dive in and pray to whatever you believe in that it is good.

Justice League #23 Review

Don't Call Me Sweetie!

Written by: Tom DeFalco
Art by: Tom Derenick, Tony Kordos, Andy Owens, Trevor Scott, Batt, Adriano Lucas and Josh Reed
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

Justice League fans gets another reprieve from Bryan Hitch and I'm telling you, it feels like Christmas in June!  Of course, just because we aren't getting the Hitch nonsense, doesn't mean we necessarily are getting anything better, but the odds are always in our favor there.  This issue has Tom DeFalco jumping onboard and taking the League for a spin.  So, is it any good?  Let's find out...

Super Sons #5 Review

Fight! Fight! Yawn!

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Alisson Borges, Hi-Fi and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

I have really enjoyed Super Sons because I love Damian and Jon.  Sure, the Kid Amazo story wasn't the greatest, but now that it's over, things are about to get even better, right?  I mean, Tomasi has two awesome characters whose dads just happen to be the World's Finest to play with so it really should be a slam dunk.  So, how do my favorite little heroes deal with being grounded and moving to the big city?  Let's find out...

Wonder Woman / Tasmanian Devil Special #1 Review

Wonder Devil

Writer: Antony Bedard
Artist: Barry Kitson, Ben Caldwell
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: June 21, 2017
Cover Price: $4.99


With Wonder Woman and The Tasmanian Devil we possibly get the oddest combination from these cross-over’s. With Taz’s speech usually consisting of gibberish as he runs around causing havoc I struggled to really think of a way that this combination could work. So does the issue pleasantly surprise or does it end up similar to Taz himself; a bunch of gibberish and havoc? Find out after the jump.

Trinity #10 Review

Space Garbage

Written by: Francis Manapul
Art by: Francis Manapul and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

I usually try to stay positive in these introductions, but this book has been a complete mess.  It has consistently looked great, but the story has been all over the place and it hasn't helped with jumping between stories randomly throughout it's run.  This month we continue the Dead Space story and since I wasn't a fan of the beginning, I was not expecting much here.  Did Francis Manapul surprise me?  Let's find out...

Lobo/Road Runner Special #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

In Summation, Aliens

Writer: Bill Morrison 

Artist, Interior and Cover: Kelley Jones 

Colorist, Interior and Cover: Michelle Madsen 

Letterer: Rob Leigh 

Back-up Script and Art: Bill Morrison 

Back-up Letterer: Saida Temofonte 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: June 22, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Another unlikely team-up from the Looney Tunes titles coming this month, I think that in the interest of full disclosure I should say outright that I like the character Lobo more than the Road Runner. I thrilled to the exploits of Wile E. Coyote and that rascally bird as a kid, but by the time I was the wizened age of ten I found such physical humor beneath me. But Lobo, that’s comedy for real thinkin’ people! So let’s see how this peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes and check out my review of Lobo/Road Runner Special #1, right here!

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #9 Review and **SPOILERS**

Into the Belly of the Gross

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: June 21, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

For most of us, our ability to handle “gross” increases as we get older. It’s partly a genetic thing, I suspect, an inherent way that we grow into the role of handling shitty diapers and other viscous fluids that expel from the average one year-old baby. It’s also a matter of familiarity, in that we’ve handled enough gross things by the time we’re twenty so that some stray vomit doesn’t make us instantly retch. Except in the case of bugs, where my wife is as afraid of a bug today as she was thirty years ago. Figure that one out! Meanwhile, we’ll be figuring out the latest issue of Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye, right here!

Aquaman #25 Review and **SPOILERS**

The Damp Knight

Story: Dan Abnett 

Art, Color and Cover: Stjepan Sejic 

Letterer: Steve Wands 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: June 22, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Did I read that right? Stjepan Sejic is handling the art in this issue? Suddenly, I feel sort of underdressed to read this comic book. Well, it’s guaranteed I’ll be blown away by the visuals here, but what about the story? You can find out by reading my review of Aquaman #25, right here!

Green Arrow #25 Review

Green and Narrow

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Otto Schmidt and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

I enjoyed the Rise of Star City arc that just finished, but looking back at it, it did feel like one extended bit of setup.  Now, that isn't something that upsets me if what it's setting up is cool and that's why the start of the Broken Arrow story is so important.  The slow burn can continue, but I really hope that Ben Percy gives us some answers.  So, does he?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn #22 Review and **SPOILERS**

Your Mommy’s Alright, Your Daddy’s Alright

Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner 

Artist: John Timms 

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: June 22, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I can’t remember the first time I invited my parents over to visit my apartment. Frankly, it doesn’t happen a lot now, given that we live in New York City and I have a one-bedroom. Sure, they can come over, but they’ve got to sit in the bathtub and watch TV via a mirror positioned on an opposing wall. They have been here, though, and thought it was nice enough. If they dropped by, my mom and dad would likely have a different impression, because in the “midst of life” there’s basically crap everywhere. And given what I love and do most of the time, 99% of it is comic book-related. What are we here for again? Oh yeah, my review of Harley Quinn #22! Well, here you go.

Superman #25 Review and *SPOILERS*

Fell On Black Days

Written By: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi

Art By: Doug Mahnke, Patrick Gleason, Jaime Mendoza, Mick Gray, Joe Prado, Ray McCarthy, Scott Hanna, Matt Santorelli, Wil Quintana, John Kalisz, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 21, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've come to the end of our Black Dawn arc and with it....... possibly the end of Hamilton County?  I haven't looked ahead to see what the future of this series will bring, but I know that Action Comics is moving the Kent family to Metropolis so it stands to reason that this series isn't far behind in doing so.  In our previous issue, we saw Manchester Black take full control of Superboy with some black ooze nonsense that we saw coming out of the cow Bessie previously and at this point........ that's all I really want to know about...... What is this black ooze?  Hopefully we find out here in the final battle as Superboy leads the Super Elite against Superman, Batman, Robin, Frankenstein and his Bride.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

All-Star Batman #11 Review

Sub-stitute Teacher

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Rafael Albuquerque, Jordie Bellaire and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

I really liked the start of the First Ally arc last issue and while I am sad to hear this will be the last story that Scott Snyder tells here, I am pretty sure it will go out with a bang.  We have a couple more issues left and since I am a huge Alfred fan, I am planning on soaking these up and can't wait to see what Snyder has up his sleeve.  We already have seen that Alfred has a darker past than imagined and I want more, more, more!  So, do we get just that or do I have to be content with playing my Andrea True records to get what I want?  Let's find out...

Nightwing #23 Review and *SPOILERS*

Double Cross Apple Sauce

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Minkyu Jung, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: June 21, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Where I was originally wary of this Blockbuster arc because of how close it seemed to Chuck Dixon's original run of Nightwing, when he first went to The Blud, I have to say that after reading last issue I was all on board because it seemed that Tim Seeley was all about telling his own story with familiar names and faces thrown at us that we'd be excited for, but we'd see enough of a new story to keep us interested.  In our previous issue, we saw Roland Desmond come to town and start working for Tiger Shark at one of the Casinos and where it seemed that Roland was all happy to start working a legit job, it didn't last long because Tiger Shark wanted to use the Blockbuster inside of him to kill of the city's new vigilante.  That's where the story twisted though because instead of going and beating our hero to a bloody pulp, he asked for Nightwing's assistance in taking down Tiger Shark instead.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Tim Seeley can continue keeping us guessing and on the edge of our seat as we move forward with this Blockbuster arc.  Let's check it out.

Green Lanterns #25 Review and *SPOILERS*

Mama, Volthoom's Going Home

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Alex Sollazzo, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 21, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's taken us a long ass time to get here, but it finally looks like we're going to get some Volthoom coming out as the First Lantern in this book and I couldn't be happier......... even though his continuity has been changed since we originally saw him in the New 52 Green Lantern book.  That doesn't matter right now because after so many false starts, it looks like Simon and Jessica are going to learn the truth about who's been driving Rami around and we're going to get some answers about what's up with the first seven Green Lantern rings and what it means for them being created out of Volthoom's Travel Lantern.  Let's jump into this book and see if this over-sized anniversary issue gives us everything we were hoping for.  Let's check it out.

Batman #25 Review

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana?

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin, June Chung and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 21, 2017

While I haven't been the biggest fan of where Tom King has taken this book since the great I am Gotham arc that started his Rebirth run, the War of Jokes and Riddles has been on my radar for quite some time.  It just sounds so cool and with so much Bane going on in this book recently, I am ready for some Joker and Riddler action.  Even with my hype, however, I am still a bit in the dark about where this story is going and since it's lasting so long, I am sure I am not alone.  So, does this beginning keep the excitement level on high or am I already looking for exit stage right?  Let's find out...

Injustice 2 #11 Review

Cousins...

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Mike S. Miller, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 20, 2017

After are quick little stint with Tim Kord and the Blue Beetle it seems were off in a new direction this issue with Kara Zor-El. After Red Hood I’d say she is easily the most interested I’ve been for a character showing up after first seeing the games roster. So how is this intro handled and how is the direction of the new arc? Find out after the jump.

Injustice 2 #10 Review

Blue Moon

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Vicente Cifuentes, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 13, 2017


After yet another amazing issue of Tom Taylor's Injustice 2 I am knees deep in the hype I have for where this comic moves forward. After a funny and character driven issue turned to a shock I’m really interested in the direct follow up to some of what we saw previously. Find out just where the story goes and what I think of it after the jump.

Injustice 2 #9 Review

Scarab Fever

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 6, 2017

Before taking over the reviews for Injustice 2 I wanted to do some catch-up on the two issues Jim was “too busy” to review. I figured it’d help to get the feel for the different flow and format of the comic and how to review it with two issues that were already previously released rather than trying to cut my teeth on the newest issue. So find out after the jump how I’ve felt about the series to this point and how my general feelings have been about this second iteration of the Injustice series including issue number 9.

PREVIEW: Superman #25

Written By: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi

Art By: Doug Mahnke, Patrick Gleason, Jaime Mendoza, Mick Gray, Joe Prado, Ray McCarthy, Scott Hanna, Matt Santorelli, Wil Quintana, John Kalisz, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 21, 2017

“BLACK DAWN” part six! The extra-sized finale to “Black Dawn” reveals the villain tearing the Super-Family apart and destroying everything the Man of Steel holds dear!

Goddamn, the solicits are weird this week!  I think everyone reading Superman right now knows who the bad guy of this arc is already.  

PREVIEW: Nightwing #23

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Minkyu Jung, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: June 21, 2017

“BLOCKBUSTER” part four! It’s an all-out crime war in Blüdhaven and Nightwing must confront an old enemy if he wants any hope of peace. What he discovers, though, reveals a truth about Blockbuster more shocking than he could have imagined!

Okay, the solicits are screwed up allover the place this week!  This is part two of Blockbuster in case you were wondering.