Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 113 - Insane Clown Posse: Halls of Illusion #1 (2002)

Welcome to the Dark Carnival

What's up, ninjas! In this episode, Juggalos-in-training Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) check out the world of the Wicked Clowns when they read Insane Clown Posse: Halls of Illusion #1, published by Chaos! Comics in 2002! After some biographies for creators Jesse McCann and Gerardo Sandoval, they provide a detailed history of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope's often misunderstoof group. Then, they go through every page of the comic, with the usual throat-shredding panache. After a break, containing the song upon which the comic is based, the hatchet-swinging two close out their look at ICP, provide a brief history of clowns, and talk about other famous comic book clowns through history. Plus: a bunch of listener mail! It's better than catching a bottle of Faygo to the head, you don't want to miss it!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week: October 31, 2018

These Magazine Covers Are Haunted

WooOOOooo! Not only does Halloween fall on New Comic Book Day this year, but it's a fifth week! That means it's the spookiest possible situation for this column: a dearth of regular books and a bunch of Hanna-Barbera crossovers. But I still made a list! Whether it's a trick or a treat is for you to decide.

Batman Secret Files #1 Review

Do You Want to Know a Secret?

Writer: Various (see below)
Artist: Various (see below)
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

It's another Annuals week and...well, this ain't an Annual!  I mean, it still kind of feels like one and it is priced like one...but it isn't one.  So, is this non-Annual any good?  Let's find out...

Doom Patrol #12 Review and **SPOILERS**

Advanced Delays and Deceit

Dungeon Masters: Gerard Way, Nick Derington, Jeremy Lambert 

Barbarian: Dan McDaid 

Druid: Tamra Bonvillain 

Cleric: Todd Klein 

Sorcerer: Molly Mahan 

Fighter: Mark Doyle 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Folks that have read my reviews of Doom Patrol, or listened to the Young Animals segment I recorded with Chris for the Weird Science DC Comics Dot Com Podcast, know that my enthusiasm for this series waned to the point of anger due to egregious delays. The story was truncated, “Milk Wars” happened out of order, and any momentum the book might have had was killed before it had burped out its sixth issue. So here we have the final issue number 12, so made to pad out the second volume of the trade collection, or perhaps to satisfy a contractual obligation. It’s a lame thing to trickle this issue out so long after the fact, but I can’t blame the comic book—it’s just the innocent ink and paper dragged into this mess. So I’m going to my best to review Doom Patrol #12 without my personal baggage, and see how this book stands on its own merits!

Injustice vs Masters of the Universe #4 Review

Eternia Is... 

Writer: Tim Seeley
Art Team: Freddie Williams II, Jeremy Colwell, Wes Abbott
DC Comics
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99


I've been enjoying this mini-series a lot since its release and not just for the multi-layered story occurring, but because the art has been a joy to look at as well. Things looked to really be reaching a tipping point at the end of the last issue with He-Man and company storming Superman's base of operations, setting in course of action a wild series of events, that will continue here in this issue.  So lets waste no more time and get down to business discussing the latest installment of Injustice Vs. Masters of the Universe.

Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound Special #1 Review

Fight the Power

Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Rick Leonardi, Ande Parks, Steve Buccellato, Wes Abbot
Price: $4.99
Release Date: October 31, 2018

Review by: Joey Casco

Please go check out Joey's awesome site TheWineStalker.net

Let me start this off with a warning. I thought that this was going to be a ridiculous book. What I found was one that faces several very real problems in America today, as it was when this issue takes place (1972), and it focuses on one very polarizing... uh... "political" issue in particular. If you're boycotting Nike then you're not going to like this because it's clearly making a statement that you're not going to agree with.

Nightwing/Magilla Gorilla Special #1 Review

How Much for that...

Writer: Heath Corson
Pencils: Tom Grummett and Tom Derenick
Inks: Cam Smith and Andy Owens
Colors: Pete Pantazis
Letters: Carlos M Mangual

Nightwing/Magilla Gorilla? Are they just throwing darts at a random list of properties at the DC offices? Why not the more obvious Detective Chimp or Gorilla Grodd? Where exactly is the common ground shared by these two characters that caused Heath Corson to leap from his chair one day in a fit of inspiration with this story that needed to be shared with the world? Prove the cynic in me wrong Heath Corson, prove me wrong. . .

Superman and Top Cat Special #1 Review and Spoilers

Revenge of the Green

Written by: Dan Didio, and J M DeMatteis
Art by: Shane Davis and Michelle Delicki, and Tom Mandrake
Colours by: Dean White, J Nanjan and Hi-Fi
Letters by: Travis Lanham
Price: $4.99

Along with Scooby Doo, Hong Kong Phooey and Captain Caveman, Top Cat was a Hanna-Barbera cartoon that became a staple part of my childhood in the 70s. So, when the call came out from Weird Science Towers for people bold, crazy or stupid enough to review the latest round of DC/Hanna-Barbera specials, I got my request in quickly. Not having read any of the solicits for these issues (I mean, really, why would you?), I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Would this one-off special be an overly earnest disappointment, a right-on politically correct 'satire', a rollicking good-time adventure or something else entirely?  There is only one way to find out…

The Wild Storm #18 Review and Spoilers

Still Waiting...

Written by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Jon Davis-Hunt
Colours by: Steve Buccellato
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Cover Price: $3.99

That time is on us once more. It's issue 18 of The Wild Storm. We're three-quarters of the way through the 24 issues and at the end of the series' third story arc. As I've remarked in previous reviews, this arc has been a little disappointing. The sense of threat – and consequently drama – engendered by the first twelve issues just hasn't been there this time around and, although it's been fun seeing Ellis and Davis-Hunt set up a Gen-13 series that will probably never happen, the repetitive nature of Lynch's road trip, along with the somewhat underwhelming revelations happening elsewhere, have seen my enthusiasm for this title dip a little. Don't get me wrong. It's still one of the best comics on the market at the moment. But, will this issue get me all fired up again? There's only one way to find out…

Deathstroke/Yogi Bear Special #1 Review

Better than the av-er-age comic?

Writers: Frank Tieri and J.M.DeMatteis (Backup)
Artists: Mark Texeira and  Tom Mandrake (Backup)
Colorists: Jeromy Cox and Hi-Fi (Backup)
Letterers: Wes Abbott and Travis Lanham (Backup)

Man Vs Wild. Genetically Enhanced Assassin vs Bear. Five dollars for a crossover special vs spending it on literally anything else. These are the great showdowns of history. Does this particular special do enough to warrant your money?

The Terrifics Annual #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

Stagg’s Snag Gets Out of the Bag

Writers: Gene Luen Yang, Mark Russell, James Asmus 

Pencils: Joe Bennett, Evan “Doc” Shaner, José Luís 

Inks: Matt Santorelli and Richard Friend, Jordi Tarragona 

Colors: Hi-Fi, Nathan Fairbairn 

Letters: Tom Napolitano 

Cover: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, and Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Assistant Editor: Andrew Marino 

Editor: Paul Kaminski 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Other New Age of Heroes titles have gotten Annuals, so I suppose it’s not a crime for The Terrifics to have theirs. Mind you, this one contains three stories: one at the normal comic book length of 20 pages, then two that come out to 20 pages. So I have that to deal with. Well, no sense hemming and hawing over it, nothing to do but get to my review of The Terrifics Annual #1, which has been posted below for your convenience!

Justice League Dark and Wonder Woman: The Witching Hour #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

All the Way Hecate

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Artists: Jesus Merino, Fernando Blanco & Miguel Mendonça 

Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Letters: Rob Leigh 

Cover: David Yardin 

Variant Cover: Riccardo Federici 

Assistant Editor: Dave Wielgosz 

Editor: Chris Conroy 

Group Editor: Jamie S. Rich 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

This is it, the final toll of the Witching Hour! I’m thrilled to see how this wraps up, so let’s jump right into my review of Justice League Dark/Wonder Woman #1, right here!

Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

Here Come the Lords

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Artist: Howard Porter 

Color: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Tom Napolitano 

Cover: Howard Porter and Hi-Fi 

Variant Cover: Francis Manapul 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Wait, this is where the story begins? Then what happened in Aquaman and Justice League last week? Not to mention Titans, and whatever other books got caught up in this event already. Looks like this is going to be the yarn for the long haul, so let’s just settle right into what we’re told is the opening salvo to “Drowned Earth,” Justice League/Aquaman #1, which I’ve reviewed right here!

Heroes in Crisis #2 Review and **SPOILERS**

Yes Father, I Shall Become a Rat

Writer: Tom King 

Artists: Clay Mann & Travis Moore 

Colors: Tomeu Morey & Arif Prianto 

Letters: Clayton Cowles 

Cover By: Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey 

Variant Covers By: Ryan Sook 

Associate Editor: Brittany Holzherr 

Editor: Jamie S. Rich 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Do you think they’ll kill Wally West…again??!

Find out when you read my review of Heroes in Crisis #2, right here!

PREVIEW: DC/Hanna-Barbera: Nightwing/Magilla Gorilla #1

Written by: Heath Corson and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Tom Grummett and Tom Mandrake
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: October 31, 2018

When a famous Hollywood talent agent is found brutally murdered, suspicion and evidence seem to point to his most famous client, Oscar-winning actor Magilla Gorilla. Dick Grayson, already in Tinseltown to meet with said agent, senses something suspicious. Donning his Nightwing costume and joining forces with the simian suspect, he’s got one night to prove that this monkey doesn’t belong in a cage. Plus, part three of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.

PREVIEW: DC/Hanna-Barbera: Superman/Top Cat #1

Written by: Dan Didio and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Shane Davis and Tom Mandrake
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: October 31, 2018

It’s Superman versus super food with Top Cat caught in the middle. While searching for his missing friend Bennie, TC uncovers a dietary danger that threatens the healthier portions of mankind, and it’s up to the Man of Steel to stop the probiotic menace of Kalien! In the salad bar, no one can hear you scream. Plus, part four of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.

PREVIEW: The Terrifics Annual #1

A Trio of Terrifics

Writers: Gene Luen Yang, Mark Russell, James Asmus 

Pencils: Joe Bennett, Evan “Doc” Shaner, José Luís 

Inks: Matt Santorelli and Richard Friend, Jordia Tarragona 

Colors: Hi-Fi, Nathan Fairbairn 

Letters: Tom Napolitano 

Cover: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy and Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Assistant Editor: Andrew Marino 

Editor: Paul Kaminski 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

-->It’s three startling Terrifics tales, kicking off with a deadly nightmare at Stagg Manor! When a plot to steal Plastic Man’s powers goes awry, the Terrifics’ new home and everyone in it are at the mercy of stealthy plastic monsters. Looks like Sapphire picked the wrong day to host a Halloween dance for her Stagg Industries internship program! Next up, discover the secret origin of Java the caveman, and the secret he’s keeping will shock you. Last but not least, we uncover Tom Strong’s hidden adventure in the Dark Multiverse—hold on to your holy socks!

Hey, an anthology comic of stories starring the Terrifics! This could be cool, though I'm sure people will hate it. Have a look at some preview pages, right here!

PREVIEW: Wild Storm #18

Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Jon Davis-Hunt
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

You can never go home again, but John Lynch needs to go somewhere to begin the last act of his life. Jack Hawksmoor never really had a home, especially since he became something other than human.  As the war between IO and Skywatch gets hot, Marc Slayton has somewhere for Lynch to go, and Jenny Sparks may have a new home for Jack Hawksmoor...and Angela Spica.

PREVIEW: DC/Hanna-Barbera: Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound #1

Written by: Mark Russell and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Rick Leonardi and Tom Mandrake
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: October 31, 2018

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early 1970s, Green Lantern and Huckleberry Hound join forces to take a stand on the issues of that era. Returning from recent duty in Vietnam, veteran Marine John Stewart—now a member of the Green Lantern Corps—contemplates what, if anything, he should do about the issues tearing his country apart. Meanwhile, Huckleberry’s comments against the Vietnam war have left him a celebrity outcast, and a visit back home to Mississippi puts him face to face with the Civil Rights Movement. What can one man—and one hound—do? Plus, part two of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.

PREVIEW: Injustice Vs. Masters of the Universe #4

Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Freddie Williams II
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

Superman scoured the Multiverse for heroes who might threaten his rule-but he dismissed Prince Adam. Will he rue that decision now that he's facing He-Man in the Oracle? Plus, Darkseid's attack on Eternia has reached the walls of Castle Grayskull!

PREVIEW: Heroes in Crisis #2

Leave it to Batman

Writer: Tom King 

Artists: Clay Mann & Travis Moore 

Colors: Tomeu Morey & Arif Prianto 

Letters: Clayton Cowles 

Cover By: Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey 

Variant Covers By: Ryan Sook 

Associate Editor: Brittany Holzherr 

Editor: Jamie S. Rich 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

-->Suspected of murder, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] find themselves on the run from the super-hospital called Sanctuary —with each thinking the other one is the real killer! It’s up to Batman to solve this heinous crime, but suspicion falls on him when Superman and Wonder Woman ponder just how much Sanctuary’s A.I. is telling them. Meanwhile, [REDACTED] tries to make a shady deal to hide from the Trinity, while [REDACTED] searches out an old friend to help him out of this mess—and only gets deeper in trouble.

Looks like a mystery is afoot! Check out the previews for some clues. 

PREVIEW: DC/Hanna-Barbera: Deathstroke/Yogi Bear #1

Writer: Frank Tieri, J. M. DeMatteis
Artist: Mark Texeira, Tom Mandrake
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

In Yellowstone Park, legends speak of a spirit bear referred to as "the Yogi," which few if any have actually encountered. Real or not, when a bear seems to have graduated from stealing picnic baskets to kidnapping actual campers, Ranger Smith decides it's time to stop this menace-so he calls on the services of Slade Wilson-a.k.a. Deathstroke-to get the job done. Plus, part one of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.

PREVIEW: Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1

Get Your Feet Wet

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Artist: Howard Porter 

Color: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Tom Napolitano 

Cover: Howard Porter and Hi-Fi 

Variant Cover: Francis Manapul 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

-->“Drowned Earth” part one! The Ocean Lords—ancient sea gods with a grudge against Aquaman and Wonder Woman—invade the Earth with an alien army and flood the globe. As Batman, Superman and the Flash race to stop the waters from rising and turning everyone into aquatic monsters, Mera seeks the advice of an old enemy, and Arthur must face down Black Manta…or lose his connection to the ocean forever!

Alright, so looks we're all underwater now! Get your floaties and have a look at dem preview pages, seen? 

PREVIEW: Batman: Secret Files #1

Writer: Tom King, Jodie Bellaire, Ram V., Cheryl Lynn Eaton, and Tom Taylor
Artist: Various
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 31, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

Delve into Batman's case histories and discover brand-new stories by some of comics' most exciting talents. The BATMAN team of Tom King and Mikel Janin provides a framing sequence, setting up our hand-picked teams of creators to take a look at Bat-mysteries past and present. Featuring a bevy of Batman villains, including a look at how the Scarecrow's fear toxin affects the common man, and a special story written by Tom Taylor with art by Brad Walker that teams the Dark Knight Detective with Detective Chimp.

PREVIEW: Justice League Dark and Wonder Woman: The Witching Hour #1

Hecate the World Away

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Artists: Jesus Merino, Fernando Blanco & Miguel Mendonça 

Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Letters: Rob Leigh 

Cover: David Yardin 

Variant Cover: Riccardo Federici 

Assistant Editor: Dave Wielgosz 

Editor: Chris Conroy 

Group Editor: Jamie S. Rich 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: October 31, 2018

-->The deadly finale of “The Witching Hour” arrives as Zatanna battles for Wonder Woman’s soul—and the rest of the Justice League Dark battle for their lives! Hecate is more powerful than the Greek Gods...and no matter who wins, the Earth will lose its chance of surviving the war that’s coming!

This is it, the sense-shattering finale! Take a gander at some of those preview pages right here, why don'tcha