Youngblood #9 Review

Bloodline

Written by: Chad Bowers
Art by: Jim Towe
Colors: Juan Manuel Rodríguez
Letters: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image
Release Date: 14 February
Reviewed by: Andrew McAvoy

This issue continues the storyline of this arc as we see how everything is going in Youngblood’s Tokyo HQ. It starts with a poisoned dart...don't say you weren't warned!

Ninja-K #4 Review

London Calling

Writer: Christos Gage
Art: Juan Jose Ryp
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Publisher: Valiant
Publication Date: 14 February 2018
Reviewer: Andrew McAvoy

Billed as the perfect jumping on point! A new story! A new arc! At the height of 1970s Britain, MI-6’s covert “Ninja Programme” has just activated its first female agent: NINJA-G! This issue explores her background, and I'll let you in on a secret...its pretty enjoyable.

Cold War #1 Review

Cold War Kids

Co-creator and writer: Christopher Sebela
Co-creator and artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: Aftershock
Publication Date: 14 February 2018
Reviewer: Andrew McAvoy

I remember reading the solicits for this title and getting pretty excited. It's fair to say that Aftershock pretty carefully cultivate their choice of books and when they release a new title I always think its worth trying. Let's see if the actual content matched my expectations.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Supergirl #18

Check out our Patreon.  For as little as $1 a month, you can help support the podcast! This week's Patreon Spotlight: Sideways #1 and Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1

Bonus Ep - Weird Science Pop Culture Podcast Ep 1: Star Wars, He-Man and Love Dolls

This is the first episode of the rebooted Weird Science Pop Culture Podcast that will be a Patreon Only Show.  If you want to check out this and all the other shows we do, head over to our Patreon Account and see if there is something that interests you

Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 77 - Heartbreak Comics (1984)

Ohh Canada!

 

Hello and good day to you, comics enthusiasts! This week, our North American hosts Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) travel North of the border and read a tale of romance, betrayal, and tough-as-nails milkmen in Heartbreak Comics (1984) by David Boswell! After some biographical details and a brief introduction to the World's Toughest Milkman, they detail all 40 pages of Heartbreak Comics, including voices for all the strange characters in this world. After cleaning up some spilled milk, our pair deliver a history of Canadian comics dating back to the 18th Century and continuing almost to the present day! Plus: a piece of listener mail! It's better than a Tim Horton's Maple Claw! Okay, it's not that good, to be honest.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 2/14/18

Classic Variants

There were a bunch of DC Comics out this week, and they all had covers--some of 'em had two! And you know what, folks? I had trouble paring the list down to five. So I pared it down to six! There's an honorable mention at position six, mainly because I liked it personally. But I think this is a new cover artist for DC Comics! How about that? I have a gift for finsing new talent, and I don't even get paid for it. Being able to bestow the high honors of belonging  to this weekly list is payment enough.

Supergirl #18 Review

Written by: Steve Orlando and Jody Houser
Art by: Carmen Carnero, Michael Atiyeh, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

While I haven't been a fan of this Supergirl run, I have enjoyed it more since Jody Houser jumped on.  I'm glad because Supergirl is one of my favorite DC heroes and I want to be able to sit back and enjoy her adventures.  So, can I do that with this issue?  Let's find out...

The Wild Storm: Michael Cray #5 Review and Spoilers

Shallows

Written by: Bryan Hill, with Warren Ellis
Art by: N Steven Harris, Dexter Vines and Andy Owens
Colours by: Dearbhla Kelly
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

What happens when you cross The Wicker Man with Jaws and set the resulting hybrid in a world where DC's best-loved heroes have become dark psychopathic versions of themselves? If, like me, you've never really thought to ask that question before… tough. Because you're about to find out…

Deadman #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

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On the Way to Nanda Parbat

Written, Drawn and Colored By: Neal Adams 

Lettered By: Clem Robins 

Cover By: Neal Adams 

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

What’s in store for Deadman now? Maybe he’ll slide into another dimension? Perhaps Boston Brand will wind up in the actual city of Boston? Maybe…just maybe Deadman is going to head into space??? It’s a Neal Adams book, so all assumptions are off! Check out my review of Deadman #4, right here!

Ragman #5 Review and **SPOILERS**

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What, These Old Rags?

Writer: Ray Fawkes 

Artist: Inaki Miranda 

Colorist: Eva de la Cruz 

Letterer: Josh Reed 

Cover: Guillem March 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Last time we left Ragman, uhh…his dead buddy’s little son was menacing him or something? I seem to remember some kind of macabre scene like that. We begin the last act of the miniseries with this issue, so check out my review of Ragman #5, at the link!

Flash #40 Review

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

I have really been enjoying this Flash series as of late.  It's been a ton of fun and even though I wish Joshua Williamson would put some of the past villains to bed already, the upcoming Flash Wars looks like so much fun!  Speaking of that, am I the only one who thought it was starting as soon as this issue?  I know I am a dummy, but it seemed that way to me.  Instead, however, we get a continuation of the arc that started weeks ago and was interrupted by the Annual that set up the Flash War.  Crazy!  Still, getting back to Grodd (again, I thought he was just going to be in the Flash War story!) is never a bad thing and it looks like that's whats going on here.  So, does the fun continue?  Let's find out...

Shade the Changing Girl/Wonder Woman Special #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

2% Impressed
Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated By: Mirka Andolfo
Colored By: Marissa Louise
Lettered By: Saida Temofonte
Cover By: Frank Quitely 
Cover Price: $4.99
On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

What do you do if you want a book heavy on identity politics and gender roles, but don't want to patronize Marvel Comics?  Well... I guess you could spend FIVE BUCKS on this.

Hey, with prices like that you might think you're supporting Marvel anyway!

Anyhoo... onward to Milk Wars.

Justice League of America #24 Review

This is the End

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Neil Edwards, Daniel Henriques, Andy Owens, Hi- Fi, and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

I am so ready to end this whole Might Beyond the Mirror/Queen of Fables/Tsaritsa story by now.  It had such a disjointed setup to get to here that by now, I am having problems keeping things straight.  The way things have progressed, it seems I am not the only one!  Besides all that, I am just not having fun with the story as a whole and adding Promethea to the mix is not an instant win, but the exact opposite.  Steve Orlando is really playing the Devil's Hand with such a beloved character and I can only hope he doesn't disappoint.  Of course, the fact that he didn't have the decency to reach out to her creators before throwing her in last issue's cliffhanger doesn't give me high hopes of that!  So, is this issue any good?  Let's find out...

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #38 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Zod’s Might

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Artist: Ethan Van Sciver 

Colorist: Jason Wright 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Rafa Sandoval/ Jordi Tarragona/ Tomeu Morey 

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Hal and Kyle were pummeled to mucus by Zod and his family (plus the Eradicator) last issue, so I figure this issue they get wiped up with some Kleenex? Take a look at my review of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #38, as follows!

Suicide Squad #35 Review and **SPOILERS**

Hack is Back

Writer: Rob Williams 

Pencils: Eduardo Pansica 

Inks: Julio Ferreira 

Colors: Adriano Lucas 

Letters: Pat Brosseau 

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver and Jason Wright 

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Here’s a new story arc, so it’s a whole new bag! Though Rob Williams is back after a brief hiatus, so maybe it’s an old bag. Let’s find out, in my review of Suicide Squad #35, right now!

New Super-Man and the Justice League of China #20 Review and **SPOILERS**

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New Fish

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Brent Peeples 

Inks: Matt Santorelli 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Philip Tan with Rain Beredo 

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 14, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Man, am I excited for this series! Admittedly, the last couple of issues fell a little flat (and I think it was because Gene Yang was preparing this series), but this should be Kenan and the Gang untethered from that Ministry of Snoozery or whatever it was that kept breaking their balls all the time. Dr. Omen and them, you know what I mean. This is the team going freelance, and I can’t wait to see it! So let’s stop waiting, and read my review of New Super-Man and the Justice League of China #20, served piping hot!

Sideways #1 Review

I Don't See Any Wine-Tasting! 

Written by: Kenneth Rocafort, Dan DiDio, and Justin Jordan

Art by: Kenneth Rocafort, Daniel Brown, and Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99 
Release Date: February 14, 2018

Unlike Damage and The Silencer, Sideways appears to be the only New Age book to spin out of the METAL storyline; don't fret, it doesn't spoil the story of the event in any way, shape, or form.

Detective Comics #974 Review

Break Up The Band

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Philippe Briones, Allen Passalaqua and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018



The cliffhanger of the last issue of Detective really had Clayface fans worried.  However, after the Annual (which seemed only there to make Basil look like an ass), I figured we had seen the last of Clayface, at least for now.  Of course, there is still the whole thing with Kate killing him and how Batman will deal with that as well as if this was what the Future Tim tried to warn everyone about.  With all that, this issue has to kick ass, right?  Let's find out...

Wonder Woman #40 Review and *SPOILERS*

Swan Dive

Written By: James Robinson

Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino, Carmen Carnero, Ray McCarthy, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Hi-Fi, Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

We've reached the end of our "Swan Song" arc with this issue and while I wasn't the biggest fan of the previous issue, I really thought that Silver Swan would have lasted a little while longer than just a three issue arc.  I guess that's my fault for not following solicits...... or hoping for more.  In our previous issue, we saw Silver Swan confront Wonder Woman after committing a bunch of murders and where it looked like our Amazon Princess had finally met her match, things got crazy when Jason showed up to back up his sister, where it looked like he got his throat sliced, causing Wonder Woman to lose her cool and slice through Silver Swan's wing.  After an explosion erupted, we ended last issue with all three characters falling from the sky.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Jason's alright and if Wonder Woman can calm Silver Swan back into sanity.  Let's check it out.

Titans #20 Review and *SPOILERS*

This Is Your Brain On Drugs

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Paul Pelletier, Andrew Hennessey, Adriano Lucas, Carlos M. Mangual 

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that the Titans have disbanded, we saw in the previous issue that Roy has continued crime fighting on his own and is going up against Intergang and a new drug called Bliss.  Which may prove to be too much for our recovering addict, but from where we left off last issue, Roy might not get the chance to fall off the wagon because it looked like Intergang filled him full of holes.  Let's jump into this issue and see how Arsenal is doing.  Let's check it out.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #19 Review and *SPOILERS*

Date Night

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Marcio Takara, Rob Schwager, Felix Serrano, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 14, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Smarty Pants Bizarro continues with this issue, where hopefully we start finding out what our former lovable big cloned lug has on his mind now that he's a super genius.  Previously, we saw Bizarro do a whole lot of things in order to obtain synthetic Kryptonite to keep his IQ up, but this synth K, which our hero has been bathing in isn't quite right and it's making Bizarro quite paranoid and causing hallucinations.  Let's jump into this issue to see if we gleam anything new out of this story or if it's going to spin its wheels a little bit more.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #19 Review and *SPOILERS*

Who Is Oracle?

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Marcelo Maiolo, Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 14, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that our heroes are back from their Paris one-shot, it's time to get back into a proper arc and to my surprise, it seems to be all about Calculator again.  Hopefully, the Bensons can put this information broker baddie back on his game and make him a serious threat this time instead of someone who just bullied and blackmailed Gus into working for him.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Action Comics #997 Review and *SPOILERS*

End Of The Line

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: February 14, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time for another Booster Shot as we continue this arc that has seen Superman travel to an alternate past of Krypton, the future of Gotham and now finally a decade into his own future on the planet Jekuul, where Zod and his family have made it into the New Krypton.  While that's been going on, Lois and Jon have been having their own adventure in saving Lois' father, General Sam Lane, who's been captured behind enemy lines and is facing a firing squad.  Hopefully, everyone in our Super Family can come through in their mission and get back home to where they belong.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1 Review

Wild Life

Written by: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson, and Grant Morrison
Art by: Doug Mahnke, Howard Porter, Jorge Jimenez, Jamie Mendoza, Hi-Fi, Alejandro Sanchez, Wil Quintana, and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

I really don't know what to expect from this issue.  I was excited to see Grant Morrison jumping on the Metal event because the whole thing felt like a Morrison tribute in the first place.  I know that some people (Eric Shea included) don't share that excitement with me but to each his own.  That being said, I am looking for this issue to give us some answers to the overall Metal picture as well as set us up for next issue's finale.  Does it do both of those things?  Let's find out...

New 52 Review Podcast Ep 22: Legion of Superheroes Vol 1 - Hostile World

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PREVIEW: Flash #40

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 14, 2018

“PERFECT STORM” part two! Gorilla Grodd is after Central City’s Speed Force, and The Flash is on the run! But the one thing Barry Allen can’t outrun is the truth…and his nemesis knows a terrible secret about the Fastest Man Alive.