Green Arrow - Benson Sisters Out, Lanzing and Kelly In

When DC Comics' January Solicits came out this week, Jackson Lanzing and Colin Kelly were listed as writers for Green Arrow #48 instead of Julie and Shawna Benson.  Since Lanzing and Kelly have worked on Green Arrow recently, it was unclear whether or not this was a fill-in job or a permanent deal.  Well, it is more of the later as the Benson Sisters have announced they are officially off the book after December's #47.

Justice League: Odyssey #1 Review (Second Opinion)

With Style

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Stjepan Sejic and Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 26, 2018

Review by: Joey Casco

Check out Joey's blog and YouTube Channel: 

http://www.TheWineStalker.net

https://www.youtube.com/c/JoeyCasco

Welcome to the complete mess called the Ghost Sector! It’s a far-off area in the cosmos where a shit-ton of worlds that were bottled up (in classic Brainiac fashion) on the planet Colu were freed during No Justice. “Worlds that should NEVER have been freed” and their life forms are in constant fear as their worlds are just falling apart within the chaos of the Ghost Sector.

Weird Science DC Comics Best Books of the Week 10/20/18

Another week, another bunch of books and a good thing that some were good, right?!?  We have a couple of crossover events going on at DC and things are going pretty smooth overall.  Well, maybe not overall, but it's getting there.  Here are the books we deemed worthy of our Best Books of the Week...

Sideways #9 Review

Storytellers: Max Raynor and Dan DiDio
Art by: Max Raynor, Daniel Brown, and Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 16, 2018

I feel like it's been months since I read the last issue of this series. Obviously, it isn't the case; this is a monthly book. I just feel so lost reading it. I'm bored with the characters, I don't feel anything for them, and the story is so uninteresting.

Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 111 - Vartox Week!

In Space, No One Can Hear You Flirt

Greetings, Eternals! In this episode, Brutal Exterminators Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) examine one of the weirdest characters in DC Comics' pantheon: it's Vartox Week! A discussion of every appearance of Vartox, with special concentration on Superman #281 by Cary Bates and Curt Swan, and Power Girl vol. 2 #7 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Amanda Conner! Without skimping on the requisite creator bios, our swoon-proof mortals detail every issue in which Vartox appears, even if only for a panel. Plus, they detail the mysterious film origins of this character–both the origins and the film being mysterious! This episode is so chock full, you'll need a Hyper-Ear to listen to it!

Best DC Comics Covers of the Week: October 17, 2018

Not a Lot to Go Around

Sometimes you've got so many covers to choose from, you need to convene a committee. Other times, you're glad that five shone through at all. This is one of those weeks! But boy, do I have five covers I've picked arranged in a list, you bet!

Throwback Thursday: Batman / TMNT Adventures #1 Review (2016)

What if 90’s Batman met Nickelodeon’s Ninja Turtles?

Written by: Matthew K. Manning
Art by: Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons, & Leonardo Ito
Publisher: IDW/DC

Release Date: November 9, 2016

Cover Price: $3.99

Review by: Branden Murray

Were you a fan of the first Batman/TMNT comic crossover that wrapped up in the middle of the year? Oh good, because that’s exactly what you’re getting more of in their latest mashup, presented in partnership by IDW and DC Comics. While this title, called Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1, isn’t a continuation of the previous crossover, I still looked forward to the title because of the quality of its predecessor. Early bonus points are also awarded for pulling off art styles from iterations of two different cartoon eras, based on the preview pages anyway. I mean this looks so damn good I’d whistle at it walking down the street. So without further hesitation let’s get into this book and see these various ninjas do their ninja thing. 

Throwback Thursday: Puppet Master #1 Review (2015)

The Killer Eight Are Full of Hate..... and Now They Have A New Comic!

Written By: Shawn Gabborin

Art By: Michela Da Sacco

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 1, 2015

Publisher: Action Lab

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The Puppet Master series really took a hit after it's fifth installment when Paramount and Full Moon went their separate ways.  Without the big company backing them, the series went downhill, which really shouldn't have been a problem because it's the fifth installment was supposed to be "The Final Chapter".  That didn't stop the fans from crying out that they wanted more puppet adventures though and I know personally because I was one of them, but it was never the same as it was during the early to mid 90's.  The budgets were next to nothing and of course, the films suffered because of it, but that doesn't matter here.  We've got a whole new comic series dedicated to the stringless terrors and this time, it's the only limitation is how far the writer and artist are willing to take it.  So let's put a smile on my face, as we get into this first issue of Puppet Master and see if the puppets have a real place in the 21st Century. 

Throwback Thursday: He-Man: The Eternity War #1 Review (2014)

Let The War Begin!

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Pop Mhan, Mark Roberts

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: December 24, 2014

Before this Eternity War went and got He-Man and The Masters of The Universe all rebranded and renumbered we were strolling through the past of Eternia and the origins of our Princess of Power and like many stories like to do........ They were all entwined.  Now don't think that I wasn't a fan of this because I loved all the stuff with King Grayskull and seeing how Adora went from her Hordak brainwashed past to her current role of She-Ra.  It was a grand ride that I'm thankful I was apart of.  I hoped everyone read up on those issues because it all leads here boys and girls.  The Evil Horde has been spreading their Fright Zones across Eternia in preparation for their master Hordak's return and we begin this war knowing that our Siblings of Power are now together but we saw that the Horde had gotten their hands on a vial of He-Man's blood............ What will it all mean?  Let's find out here.  Eternity War Ahoy!

Throwback Thursday: Damian: Son of Batman #2 Review (2013)

All Growed Up

Written and Art By: Andy Kubert

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 27, 2013

So in part one of this four-part storyline, which should not be anything but epic.  We saw Damian Wayne witness the death of Batman, and go on an all-out murder fest of all things crazy in Gotham.  But what's this?  At the end of the issue, we see a very livid Bruce Wayne confronting Damian about his activities.  So whether I missed something completely obvious, or we're in store for some bitchin' plot points.  Let's go see.

Throwback Thursday: Clean Room #2 Review (2015)

It’s a Nice Day For a White Monkey

Written By: Gail Simone

Art By: Jon Davis-Hunt, Todd Klein

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 18, 2015

*Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I hope everyone that read Clean Room #1 and expected a fictional exposé of a sinister cult is feeling apologetic, as it was conclusively shown that Astrid Mueller’s pyschic lifestyle club that is totally not anything like Scientology was completely above board and beneficial for everyone except for Chloe Pierce’s fiancée Phillip who blew half his face off. Also people in Astrid’s inner circle seem to have giant foul-mouthed monsters surrounding them that only Chloe can see. And Chloe may or may not have been driven insane from reading a novel without punctuation. Okay, so things were left a little weird with the first issue, but now is the chance to make things right and sensible so we can feel safe and secure in our work-a-day worlds! It isn’t fair to have a comic book world so strange and then I still have to pay three-fifty for coffee. Keep reading to enter the unknown world of Clean Room together.

Throwback Thursday: Arrow: The Dark Archer #1 Review (2016)

All the World Loves an Arrogant Prick

Written By: John Barrowman and Carol E. Barrowman

Art By: Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Kyle Ritter

Letters By: The Unknown Letterer

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: January 13, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

If you’re like me, you had a terrible holiday season. Yes, it was nice to see friends and family, I enjoyed giving and getting gifts and eating lavish feasts with my loved ones. But Arrow was on hiatus the whole time, left on a pretty dire cliffhanger that would be considered cruelty had I not elected to watch the show of my own free will. Well, John “Malcolm Merlyn” Barrowman and his sister Carole have helped to ease the pain of withdrawals, and while Arrow returns only a week from today, I still welcome the digital dosage. Eric was going to review this comic, but he took the tablet into the bathroom for three hours and all he was able to talk about afterward is the cover shown above. So it’s left to me to review this Arrow tidbit, and you’ll find I have if you read on!

Throwback Thursday: Adventures of Supergirl #1 Review (2016)

Family Affair

Written by: Sterling Gates
Art by: Bengal and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 11, 2016

When Adventures of Supergirl was first announced, I really was afraid that it was DC Comics' attempt at putting a band-aid on the snafu of having a major network television show featuring a wildly popular character without having any book to support it.  Oh, Snap!  Of course, when Sterling Gates was announced as the writer, my fears were immediately assuaged and turned to joy like a bunch of my favorite artists were announced as well.  All that being said,  I am a big fan of Supergirl the character, but haven't watched the show past the first episode.  It really has nothing to do with the show except that I have five kids that are always watching what they want to watch.  So, is this comic my chance to enjoy Supergirl until her Rebirth series starts up?  Let's find out...

Damage #10 Review

Anyone See the Justice League? 

Writer:Robert Venditti
Art Team: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, Hi-Fi, Tom Napolitano
DC Comics
Release Date: October 17, 2018
Cover Price: $2.99

Damage trudges on, having seemingly 'solved' his dilemma with Col. Jonas, now pursuing new goals like trying to destroy the facility that made him what he is.  This latest twist to the story differs a little bit from the first arc in the fact Ethan now has slightly more control over Damage than he did previously, and the Justice League is hot on his tail. So with that all being said let's see what else we get here in the latest issue of Damage.

Teen Titans #23 Review and **SPOILERS**

Officer Down?

Writer: Adam Glass
Breakdowns: Bernard Chang
Finishes: Scott Hanna
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover: Nick Derington
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: October 17, 2018 

It's one of those good news, bad news situations.  First, Roundhouse is back... which, ehh, all things considered isn't all that bad a deal.  What kinda sucks is that he can't help but to speak like a complete and total douchebag.  The good news?  At least now Wallace can stop complaining... right?  C'mon, he's going to stop whining... right?  He's just gotta!

New Challengers #6 Review

Double Cross

Writer: Aaron Gillespie & Scott Snyder
Art Team: V Ken Marion, Sandu Florea, Dinei Ribeiro, Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 17, 2018

I was honest and open in stating that I had huge issues in understanding what happened throughout the story the last issue and even a quick re-read didn't make things totally clear.  That was a bit of a downer for what had slowly turned into a series I was beginning to enjoy, especially for a penultimate issue setting up our finale. So let's jump back in here and see if we can go out with a bang why don't we.

Aquaman #41 Review and **SPOILERS**

Water is Strange When You’re a Stranger

Writer: Dan Abnett 

Pencils: Lan Medina 

Inks: Vicente Cifuentes 

Colors: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letters: Steve Wands 

Cover: Riccardo Federici 

Variant Cover: Joshua Middleton 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Well, Atlantis is high and dry, part of the air-breathing land walkers that they hate so much…what’s that? You say there’s a new event this November and Atlantis gets drowned again? But it only just bobbed to the surface! Fine, then—let’s see what’s happening in Aquaman #41, you can find out about it in my review.

Justice League Dark #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

The Vines That Bind

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Pencils: Alvaro Martínez Bueno 

Inks: Raul Fernandez 

Colors: Brad Anderson 

Letters: Rob Leigh 

Cover: Riley Rossmo 

Variant Cover: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, Fco Plascencia 

Assistant Editor: Andrew Marino 

Editor: Rebecca Taylor 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Here’s the penultimate issue of this Witching Hour event, and I think it’s been pretty great so far! Right now, however, is where the whole thing could seriously falter if not handled well. You can find out whether or not that happens by reading my review of Justice League Dark #4, just below!

Harley Quinn #52 Review and **SPOILERS**

Triumph of the Swill

Writer: Sam Humphries 

Artist: Sam Basri 

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco 

Variant Cover: Frank Cho 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

How much do you wanna bet that there’s a reference to the Golden Age character Red Bee in this? I’m betting there is. Find out if I’m right in Harley Quinn #52, which I’ve reviewed right here!

Lucifer #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

Written By: Dan Waters
Illustrated By: Max Fiumara & Sebastian Fiumara
Colors By: Dave McCaig
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover By: Jock
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

If you're following along with the Sandman Universe segment on the weekly podcast, you'll know that I have done my damnedest to remain as willfully ignorant of all things Sandman... in order to provide the opinion on how a potential newbie might "receive" the books from the imprint.

It affords us the opportunity to discus such subjects as accessibility... and just how important already being a fan of these properties might be going in.

So... Lucifer, eh?  Are we talking the Biblical Lucifer?  Are we even going to find out?  Let's take a look...

Green Lanterns #57 Review

Putting The Toys Back In The Toy Box

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Mike Perkins, Hi-Fi, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 17, 2018

Now that this arc has established what happened to Cyborg Superman when the Fortress of Solitude was destroyed in the Man of Steel mini and also re-establishing that the Phantom Ring is still out and about, it's time to end not only this story, but this series.  That's right, it seems that Green Lanterns is ending out of nowhere so that Jessica can do her thing in Justice League Odyssey and Hal Jordan can go off and be the space cop that Grant Morrison wants him to be.  Where does that leave us?  Let's jump into this issue and find out.

Nightwing #51 Review

All-New Nightwing

Written By: Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza

Art By: Travis Moore, Garry Brown, Hi-Fi, Nick Filardi, Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 17, 2018

Now that issue #50 established who Dick Grayson...... or... Ric Grayson is going to be for the foreseeable future, it's time to continue his journey of self discovery and see what kind of man that he'll become now that he's completely put Nightwing and the Bat Family behind.  Let's jump into this issue and see if douchebag Dick Grayson gets a little less douchey or if likes the way it feels on him.  Let's check it out.

Batman #57 Review

Dead End

Writer: Tom King
Artist: Tony Daniel, Mark Buckingham, Andrew Pepoy, Tomeu Morey and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 17, 2018

I have been enjoying Batman a little more since the end of the Cold Days arc, but that may be a bit of a backhanded compliment.  Yea, I am not a fan of this run, but I try not to let that bias my opinion on an issue-by-issue basis.  So, going into this Beast of Burden finale, I am breathing in deep, clearing my head and jumping in.  How was it?  Let's find out...

Justice League #10 Review

Release the Kraken

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Francis Manapul and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 17, 2018

I have really been into all the Justice League books so far and while The Witching Hour story is nice for those magic loving fans out there, I've been waiting for Drowned Earth to start.  I just like the big book doing big things and the idea of Old Gods (Space Gods?) flooding Earth sounds like the beginnings of something really big.  Well, the wait is over and I am here to give you the what's what on this Drowned Earth Prelude happening in Justice League.  How was it?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #57

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Mike Perkins, Hi-Fi, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 17, 2018

And after that, it’s Hal Jordan versus the Cyborg Superman for all the marbles in the heart of Coast City! You might recall that the last time Cyborg Superman visited that town, things did not turn out well…

Final Issue

PREVIEW: Nightwing #51

Written By: Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza

Art By: Travis Moore, Garry Brown, Hi-Fi, Nick Filardi, Deron Bennett

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 17, 2018

And while Nightwing struggles to uncover the truth behind the “fear germ” that is killing people in their sleep, he must also try to overcome his own sudden struggles with heights and vertigo. He has lost his primary skill set as a hero and will have to focus on his brilliance as a detective instead. And a distracting love triangle certainly isn’t helping him focus...This new storyline spins out of events in BATMAN #55. Don’t miss the start of a new direction in Nightwing’s crimefighting career!

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #52

The Hapless Captain

Writer: Sam Humphries 

Artist: Sam Basri 

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Julian Totino Tedesco 

Variant Cover: Frank Cho 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

-->Trapped in a future he doesn’t understand, Captain Triumph can’t battle his way out of our modern world, as all his efforts lead to disaster. That causes him to butt heads and trade punches with his would-be protector, Harley Quinn. Can Harley talk her way out of this clash? And more importantly, where’s she getting a time machine so she can send Captain Triumph home?

Oh, I'm sure she'll figure it out. And you can figure out some of them preview pages, you bet!