Detective Comics #651 (1992) Review

"A Bullet for Bullock"

Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artists: Graham Nolan, Scott Hanna, Glenn Whitmore
Cover Price: $1.25
Release Date: August 18, 1992

Review by Joey Casco of TheWineStalker.net

Presented with Detective Noir-ish narration, Harvey Bullock asks for Batman's help to find whoever is trying to assassinate him. The two aren't each other's biggest fans, but they must work together to stop these attempted murders of one of Gotham's finest. The heat is on as blood will be shed and doughnuts will be dropped.

My Hero Academia Volume 17 Review

A True Hero

Mangaka: Kohei Horikoshi
Translations: Caleb Cook
Lettering: John HuntCover Price: $9.99

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Review by Luke Hollywood

The "Internship Arc" (consisting of a total of 4 volumes so far with the release of volume 17) is definitely Horikoshi's most ambitious story arc so far in this series, with a much larger scope than the shorter arcs that we are used to in this manga. This has granted him the opportunity to really delve deep into some of the supporting cast, something I really praised him for in my review for volume 16. However, as nice as that momentary shift in the spotlight was, the volume ended with the main objective of the heroes of rescuing Eri from Overhaul's clutches remaining unaccomplished, and leaving a certain Tintin-esque hero's whereabouts unknown. Adorning the front cover of this volume with all his stoic might, Lemillion promises a return to the main event in this volume. It's up to Mirio Togata to save the girl and win the day for the heroes, but how much is he willing to sacrifice to put a smile on her face?  Read on to find out!

Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 127 - Superman #123 (1997)

Electric Youth

Hello, denizens of Metropolis! In this episode, amateur electricians Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) read an issue of Superman in which he wasn't quite feeling himself: vol. 2 #123 from 1997, by Dan Jurgens and Ron Frenz! After some creator bios and a little backstory to explain how Superman contracted this condition, our technicians go through every page of this seminal issue, lending their vocal bleats and sarcastic commentary along the way. After a music break, our pair return to close out the bios for Jurgens and Frenz, and then talk about some other instances where Superman changed his look--usually not by choice! It's a transformative episode, you don't want to miss it!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week: February 6, 2019

Judge a Book By its Cover

Call me old-fashioned, but I think a comic book cover should 1) draw the eye, and 2) entice a potential reader with the contents of said issue. That's how I judge DC Comics' covers every week, and I often say as much in my copy. Trust me, I know you don't read it. You're not reading this, either. Anyway, here's two covers with awesome, pin-up worthy images that did not make my list because I don't think they satisfy my two criteria. But I'd take a poster of either!

Batman #64 variant
Sean Murphy

Harley Quinn #58 variant
Derrick Chew

Adventures of the Super Sons #7 Review

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Art team: Carlo Barberi, Matt Santorelli, Protobunker, and Rob Leigh
Covers: Dan Mora
Release Date: 2/6/19
Cover Price: $3.99
Reviewed by: Jon Wayne

Last time we saw the World’s Finest sons, they had been captured by Tommy Tomorrow along with Rex Luthor and Joker Jr, and taken to the juvenile prison planet of Takron-Galtos. And while I was down on the last issue for various reasons, this planet sounded awesome and had me excited. How will our boys escape? Let’s dive in and find out.

Suicide Squad Black Files #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

The Suicide Squad is Inept. Call in the Suicide Squad.

Writers: Mike W. Barr, Jai Nitz

Artists: Philippe Briones, Scott Eaton

Inks: Wayne Faucher

Colorists: Gabe Eltaeb, Guy Major

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Will Conrad with Ivan Nunes

Group Editor: Jim Chadwick

Editor: Harvey Richards

Cover Price: $4.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I must admit, as this weird mini/maxi-series has gone along, I’ve anticipated each issue more and more. Not always for the most altruistic of reasons, though. I cannot wait to get back inside that Soultaker and see what they’re paying for gas. You can check it out by reading my review of Suicide Squad Black Files #4, right here!

The Dreaming #6 Review and **SPOILERS**

Don’t Ignore Dora

Written By: Simon Spurrier

Illustrated By: Bilquis Evely

Colors By: Mat Lopes

Letters By: Simon Bowland

Cover By: Jae Lee & June Chung

Edited By: Molly Mahan

Associate Editor: Amedeo Turturro

Assistant Editor: Maggie Howell

Executive Editor: Mark Doyle

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

It’s the sixth issue of The Dreaming, and if I know my modern comics publishing, it means the first story arc is over! I can’t wait to find out what happens to Judge Gallows and Dora and them, so let’s not babble on about it! Hop right into my review below!

Green Arrow #49 Review

Misery Loves Company

Written By: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing

Art By: Javier Fernandez, John Kalisz, Andworld Design

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 6, 2019

Count Vertigo has broken out of prison and has taken his powers to the next level, putting not only our two heroes in danger, but the city of Seattle as well.  If that wasn't enough for Oliver's plate, the Count is also asking about Roy Harper.  Oh yeah, this time it's personal as we jump into this issue to see what our Emerald Archer will do when he's confronted by not only one of his biggest villains, but also the grief that he's tried so desperately to hide.  Let's check it out.

Deathstroke #40 Review

Assault IN Arkham

Written By: Christopher Priest

Art By: Fernando Pasarin, Carlo Pagulayan, Trevor Scott, Jordi Tarragona, Jason Paz, Jeremy Cox, Willie Schubert

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 6, 2019

It's time to finish up our Arkham arc and goddamn do I hope that everything comes together smoothly in wrapping up all the craziness that this story has thrown our way.  We've got VR therapy sessions, aliens, cursed daughters and a double your pleasure, double your fun Two-Face going on here and I'm worried some of this will get lost in the shuffle of the pages in this book.  Let's jump in and see if Priest can make our favorite assassin sane.......... or find out that that was never really the plan.  Let's check it out.

Justice League #17 Review

Blame It on the Sh'anne

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jim Cheung
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: February 6, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

After last week's big Annual, I am really pumped for the Justice League book again.  Having Scott Snyder back on script this issue makes me even more excited.  So, is the start of this second phase of the JL story good?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn #58 Review and **SPOILERS**

Bat Pat on the Back

Written By: Sam Humphries

Artist: John Timms

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Guillem March & Arif Prianto

Variant Cover: Derrick Chew

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea

Editor: Alex Antone

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

The team-up you weren’t asking for! And which we’ve actually seen before. But this is, I think, the first time Sam Humphries and John Timms have handled the idea—and it’s definitely a somewhat rare opportunity to see Timms render Batman. So take a chance, and dive into my review of Harley Quinn #58, right here!

Young Justice #2 Review

My Grand Pa The God

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis

Art By: Patrick Gleason, Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Alejandro Sanchez, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 6, 2019

I guess since it's where we left off last issue, it's time to go to Gemworld.........  I don't like Gemworld. Despite my personal dislike though, I'm all about jumping into this issue because I need Brian Michael Bendis to tell me what the hell is going on with the characters in this title and how and why anyone knows who each other are.  In case you don't know, it's actually been a bit of contention about what DC was doing with some of these character and the idea that they've been erased from people's memories.  So with that in mind, I can't wait to find out the answers that we just have to get........ Right?  I mean, there's no way that they'll just not address the elephant in the room...... Right?  I'm not trying to be cute as if we get these answers or not in this issue, I just need to know that there's a reason for this title.  Anyway....... let's jump into the issue.

The Green Lantern #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

We Had to Destroy the Culture in Order to Save It

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Liam Sharp

Colorist: Steve Oliff

Letterer: Tom Orzechowski

Cover: Liam Sharp & Steve Oliff

Variant Cover: Tom Raney with Alex Sinclair

Associate Editor: Jessica Chen

Editor: Brian Cunningham

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

More Jim-infuriatin’ stories from the verdant Lantern Corps! Looks like this one has a spooky vampire…check out my review of The Green Lantern #4 and let’s see what’s happening!

Batman #64 Review

Running on Empty

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Guillem March
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: February 6, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

It's time to start the Batman/Flash crossover and while it really does throw a wrench into the Nightmares arc going on in this book, I haven't really been digging it much so I don't care too much.  Plus, I do like it when Batman and Flash get to hang with each other.  So, does Joshua Williamson get the party off on the right foot?  Let's find out...

PREVIEW: Justice League #17

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jim Cheung
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: February 6, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

After the disastrous events of the Justice League Annual, Martian Manhunter decides to take matters into his own hands and negotiate a peace with Legion of Doom leader Lex Luthor. Traveling to a distant moon, the two enemies face their intertwined pasts in a showdown for the fate of the Multiverse. However, before either of them can lay claim to the power of the Source Wall once and for all, an unexpected threat forces them to unite...or risk death at the ends of the cosmos.

PREVIEW: Batman #64

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Guillem March
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: February 6, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

“THE PRICE” part one! The two greatest detectives in the DC Universe take on the one cold case that will tear them apart!

As chief architect of the Sanctuary program that cost so much for so many, especially Wally West, Batman will be held accountable…by the Flash!

A cold case from the Justice League’s past has mysteriously re-opened, and Batman and the Flash—the only two heroes who stand a chance of cracking the case—are at each other’s throats! Our heroes must combat a demon from the past while burying their own inner demons in the process…and neither the World’s Greatest Detective nor the Fastest Man Alive will ever be the same again! But who is really pulling the strings here? And how does Gotham Girl fit into all this? Friendships will be tested and blood will be spilled in this titanic crossover event…

PREVIEW: Adventures of the Super Sons #7

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Carlo Barberi, Matt Santorelli
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: February 6, 2019
Cover Price: $3.99

Locked in an intergalactic juvenile detention facility, Superboy and Robin meet the youngest...and meanest...Green Lantern ever! Well, sort of a GL. Mostly a GL. Really more of a trainee, but don't tell the bad guys, okay? Plus, Joker Jr. returns...the clown who may be the boys' last, best hope to stop the Gang!

PREVIEW: Young Justice #2

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis

Art By: Patrick Gleason, Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Alejandro Sanchez, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 6, 2019

The new teen super-team unites as Robin (Tim Drake), Wonder Girl, Teen Lantern and Jinny Hex join forces to help Amethyst free Gemworld from those who control it. In another section of the strange dimension, Connor Kent and Impulse find themselves taken captive—but if this is really Superboy, why isn’t he putting up a fight with his friend and former teammate against the bad guys?

PREVIEW: Deathstroke #40

Written By: Christopher Priest

Art By: Fernando Pasarin, Carlo Pagulayan, Trevor Scott, Jordi Tarragona, Jason Paz, Jeremy Cox, Willie Schubert

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 6, 2019

Deathstroke’s son Jericho breaks into Arkham Asylum in an effort to free him, but Slade Wilson is caught up in his own conflict with the return of Dev—a.k.a. “Death Masque”—and the realization that his hallucinatory trip into outer space may have been more real than previously advertised! Meanwhile, Two-Face has Rose dead to rights—is there anyone left to save her?

PREVIEW: Green Arrow #49

Written By: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing

Art By: Javier Fernandez, John Kalisz, Andworld Design

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 6, 2019

The city of Seattle has been weaponized against Green Arrow in a mind-bending cataclysm! Trapped inside Count Vertigo’s psychotic maze, Green Arrow, Black Canary and Indigo Riot have no escape—and no way to appease the villain’s impossible demands! The key may come from Oliver Queen’s past—but can Green Arrow face his own grief and emerge unbowed? This issue features a shocking ending that will set the stage for the future of GREEN ARROW!

PREVIEW: Suicide Squad Black Files #4

Magic Can Be Tragic

Writers: Mike W. Barr, Jai Nitz

Artists: Philippe Briones, Scott Eaton

Inks: Wayne Faucher

Colorists: Gabe Eltaeb, Guy Major

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Will Conrad with Ivan Nunes

Group Editor: Jim Chadwick

Editor: Harvey Richards

Cover Price: $4.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

In part four of “Revenge of Kobra,” Katana finally escapes the deadly dimension of the Soultaker, only to find herself trapped in the body of Lady Eve! Now she must save Halo and the Suicide Squad from King Kobra and his wife, the impostor Katana-—even though the Squad and Halo see her as a mortal enemy!

Also in this issue, the heist on Gemworld got the entire Suicide Squad Black team killed. With her new squad dead, Amanda Waller is out of magic bullets. Things go from bad to worse when Waller sends the regular Suicide Squad to catch Sebastian Faust. Can their technology possibly stand a chance against a foe whom magic couldn’t defeat?

Some more of this! Is it still the best value on the comic book stands today? Find out by reading it! But you can get a clue by looking at some preview pages, too.

PREVIEW: The Dreaming #6

Dora the Destroyer

Written By: Simon Spurrier

Illustrated By: Bilquis Evely

Colors By: Mat Lopes

Letters By: Simon Bowland

Cover By: Jae Lee & June Chung

Edited By: Molly Mahan

Associate Editor: Amedeo Turturro

Assistant Editor: Maggie Howell

Executive Editor: Mark Doyle

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

Finally determined to solve the riddle of herself, Dora is out for blood. But Judge Gallows, the usurper, has taken precautions to protect himself. As the whole of the Dreaming trembles with the sick new power he wields, the oldest brotherly feud in existence takes a wretched turn...a blood sacrifice is made...the chrysalis cracks...and a new thing, an impossible thing, an indomitable thing, is born at last...

Well, by rights this issue should end the first arc...I can't wait to see what's inside! You can get a jump on things, checking out the preview pages below.

PREVIEW: The Green Lantern #4

A Tale of Two Mavericks

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Liam Sharp

Colorist: Steve Oliff

Letterer: Tom Orzechowski

Cover: Liam Sharp & Steve Oliff

Variant Cover: Tom Raney with Alex Sinclair

Associate Editor: Jessica Chen

Editor: Brian Cunningham

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

In a bar on Rann, two shrouded strangers recount two blood-chilling narratives—one in which a Blackstar heavyweight demands access to a secret vault on planet Weirwimm, threatening its gruesome annihilation with Sun-Eaters; and the other about maverick Hal Jordan and his small cadre of GLs struggling to destroy those same Sun-Eaters. And the cliffhanger—as any TGL fan will tell you about this book—may stun you enough to buy two copies!

Ooh, spooky stuff! Seems like the wrong time of year for it, but what do I know. Have a look at some preview pages, yeah?

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #58

Written By: Sam Humphries

Artist: John Timms

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover: Guillem March & Arif Prianto

Variant Cover: Derrick Chew

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea

Editor: Alex Antone

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: February 6, 2019

Implicated in a crime she didn’t commit, Harley Quinn must prove her innocence by teaming up with the Caped Crusader himself—Batman! But can the Clown Princess of Crime and the Dark Knight coexist long enough to solve a murder? Or will the two frenemies end up being the death of each other?

Sure, why not? Have a look at those preview pages, you know the deal.

Batman #416 (1988) Review

Writer: Jim Starlin
Artists: Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo, Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $1.00
Release Date: January 31, 1988
Review by Joey Casco of TheWineStalker.net

Ya know, my wife kinda gives me crap for collecting Batgirl and Supergirl since the beginning of Rebirth (and now recently Young Justice) specifically for our oldest daughter, who is now 8 years old. But what my wife doesn't get is this: I was 7 when my father bought this comic book for me that I'm about to review. I still have it after 31 years.

My daughter gets so excited when I buy her a new comic book. And even though she might not read it intently and doesn't really get into what's going on other than the action (again, she's 8), someday she could open up a box of them and be filled with the same joy and nostalgia that I have when I go back to the issues from when I was a kid. There's something special about this form of literature. It's a time capsule that captures the culture of a moment with its art, dialect, and message. And of course stimulates the olfactory from the stock and the ink.

Oh, by the way, this is when Dick Grayson and Jason Todd find out that each other exists.