The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Decades Covers Preview

The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 Celebrates Eight Decades of Chaos, Mischief, and Mayhem with Sinister Decade Variant Covers!

On April 29, DC will celebrate The Joker’s 80th anniversary with a landmark one-shot, The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1. Since his first appearance in April 1940, The Joker has become one of the most iconic and compelling characters in comic books and all of popular culture. Time and time again, his drive to sow discord and chaos has made him more than a match for Batman and his mission to protect the citizens of Gotham City.

As The Joker marks eight decades of criminal madness, fans can celebrate with a one-of-a-kind collectible tribute comic book with stories by Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, Paul Dini, Denny O’Neil, Scott Snyder, Tom Taylor, Jock, José Luis García-López, Mikel Janín, James Tynion IV, Riley Rossmo, and more. 

DC Comics Announces Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity Secret Files #1

In DC’s Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity by Kami Garcia, Mico Suayan and Jason Badower, Harley Quinn is hunting two serial killers: The Joker, a brutal psychopath who murdered her roommate and disappeared years ago, and the killer currently terrorizing Gotham City. Throughout the acclaimed series, Garcia has been consulting forensic psychiatrist and behavior analyst Edward Kurz, M.D., to ensure the accuracy of the story and of Harley’s methodology.

Batman/Superman #7 Video Review

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Throwback Thursday: Justice League/Power Rangers #1 Review (2017)

We’re Not In Angel Grove Anymore

Writer: Tom Taylor

Art Team: Stephen Byrne

DC Comics/Boom Studio

Price: $3.99

Release Date: 1/11/17

 DC Comics and Boom Studios have decided to kick-off the new year of 2017 by continuing a long running comic book tradition. You take two classic, but vastly different properties, that the companies have the rights to and then mash everything together to see what happens. In this latest round of crossover fever, we have in our red corner, DC’s own Justice League, and in the blue corner, we have Saban/Boom Studios the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.  So what’s it like to have these two powerhouses rub shoulders with each other? Does issue one strike a knockout blow or ride the back of variant sales to the land of split decisions? Let’s find out.

Throwback Thruesday: Animal Man Annual #2 Review (2013)

A-Man's Loss

Written by: Jeff Lemire

Art by:Travel Foreman

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: July 31, 2013

Animal Man Annual #2 isn't a book about a superhero.  There isn't a villain. No one saves the day. Animal Man Annual #2 is about a Father's loss and what he will do to get one last moment with his boy.  It is a touching issue that lets Buddy say goodbye and even if you haven't read every issue of this run up to this point, I think you should still check this out and cry along with me.  That's right... you will cry!

Throwback Thursday: Forever Evil #1 Review (2013)

Oh Shit Just Got Real...Real Evil!

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: David Finch, Richard Friend, Sonia Oback and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Eric Shea

We started our site in July 2013 and were just getting used to this whole review thing when Villains Month and Forever Evil hit in September.  Eric didn't even have internet when he wrote this review, but instead would get the issues on Saturday, write the reviews that afternoon, put them on a zip drive and drop them in my mailbox on the way to the bar that night.  Crazy times!  I can still smell the alcohol and shame coming off this review... -Jim

Throwback Thursday: Superman: The Coming of the Supermen #1 Review (2016)

Three Supermen and a Lois Lady

Written By: Neal Adams and Tony Bedard

Art By: Neal Adams, Alex Sinclair

Lettered By: Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: February 24, 2016


**NON-SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Let’s be honest with each other. You know why we’re here, reading the first issue of the Coming of the Supermen. First reason is to gawk at Neal Adams’ expert comic book artwork. The second reason is because we read Batman: Odyssey and we hope for another bonkers story from the fertile loam that is the mind of Neal Adams. Don’t kid yourself. You secretly liked Batman: Odyssey. Oh sure, you derided it at first, made fun of bare-chested Bruce Wayne and laughed at the dinosaurs. But a few days later, you took another look. A week after that, you flipped through some choice sections. And now it’s one of your yearly re-reads, along with Watchmen and the Illuminatus! Trilogy. You’re hoping you’ll hit paydirt and get another psychedelic romp through Superman’s most beloved and weirdest tropes. Well, I’ve got good news for you, buddy: you’ve come to the right place. Read on, intrepid traveler of the mindwaves!

Throwback Thursday: Bloodlines #1 Review (2016)

Fast Times at Pine Ridge High

Written By: J.T. Krul

Art By: V. Ken Marion, Sean Parsons, Andrew Dalhouse

Letters By: Sal Cipriano

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: April 6, 2016

**Non-Spoilers and Score At The Bottom**

We’ve had a lot of fun with that early 1990s DC Comics event Bloodlines this week, with Chris Sheehan’s full article about the relevant comic books and Justin F.’s review of the trading card set posted just this Monday (give ‘em both a look!) All around the internet, there have been digital groans and acronym chortles that DC Comics would be resurrecting what is largely regarded as a creatively bereft, bone-headed gimmick that was rightly abandoned by successive creative teams. Of course, it hasn’t been exactly fair to deride Bloodlines #1 just based on its association, because it’s only just hit the stands today. So does it validate any of this assumed hate, or have bitter fans once again prematurely judged something based on almost no information? Hmm…why can’t both be right? You’ll find out if you keep readin’!

Strange Adventures #1 Video Review

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Daphne Byrne #3 Review

Writer: Laura Marks
Art: Kelley Jones
Colors: Michele Madsen
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

Prepare for the horror of falling asleep reading a comic book, because Daphne Byrne is back to make you keep nodding off.

The Flash #750 Review and *SPOILERS*

Cash Grab

Written By: Joshua Williamson
Art By: Rafa Sandoval, Stephen Segovia, Jordi Tarragona, Arif Prianto
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover Price: $9.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The Flash has hit a new milestone in regards to numbering and so you know what that means? We get a huge 80-page issue with a bunch of short stories in it. Now, going through each of these short stories would be excessive and wouldn’t really give a proper feel to how the book actually reads. However, there is a true 30-page issue that serves as the next installment of The Flash book so I will be reviewing that as normal. However, in regards to those short stories, they’re actually pretty good. Not the greatest thing in the world but simple and entertaining for the most part. There is also a short epilogue for the Flash Forward storyline with some interesting things in it if that is a storyline that you have been following. So I wanted to recommend these things if that’s what you are interested in as this review will mainly focus on the actual issue that was released with this 80-page issue. So without further ado, we return to The Flash and his conflict with the mysterious new Paradox villain. Here’s hoping it all goes well.

Justice League #42 Review

Faster Than The Speed Of Sight

Written By: Robert Venditti

Art By: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, David Baron, Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: March 4, 2020

The world is in peril now that the Eradicator has chosen to make Earth into his New Krypton..... I guess General Zod's wasn't cutting it for him.  To accomplish his goal of creating a new Krypton, the Eradicator has created genetically engineered Daxamites to carry on the Krypton legacy, but to also take on the Justice League and eradicate everyone on Earth so that they can start fresh with their own perfect planet.  Even though they've had their weakness of lead bred out of them, they're still susceptible to magic and hopefully, with the help of Madame Xanadu, our Justice League will be able to overcome....... they'll just have to get Wonder Woman out of the villain's grasp first.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Superman: Villains #1 Review

Where Are All The Villains?

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jody Houser

Art By: Michael Gaydos, Riley Rossmo, Scott Godlewski, Bryan Hitch, Cully Hamner, Steve Lieber, Jim Mahfood, Ivan Plascencia, Gabe Eltaeb, Alex Sinclair, Dave McCaig, Nathan Fairbairn, Dave Sharpe, Clayton Cowles, Tom Napolitano, Troy Peteri, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $5.99

Release Date: March 4, 2020

Ever since we found out that Superman was going to reveal his identity to the world (again), I've been waiting for the reactions from his villains because it feels like this could be the worst thing possible for Superman to do when he has friends and family that will constantly be in danger because of the choices he made.  Obviously then, this is the issue that I've wanted to see now that we've had Superman see the reactions from his friends and family, where they were way too okay with it in my mind, but now it's time to see what the villains think and what they're reaction to this bombshell will be.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Batman #90 Review and *SPOILERS*

The Past Comes Back

Written By: James Tynion IV
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey
Letters By: Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Tynion’s run with Batman has been pretty good so far. However, we’ve arrived at a spot where the story seems to have stalled a little bit. That’s not exactly what you want from your first story with this character but we will see how things change in the coming issues. For me personally though, I need to have some reveals in this issue. We’ve been introduced to everything that is happening and we’ve been given mystery upon mystery but we still don’t have any concrete answers. So, from this issue going forward, no more leeway will be given. The deadline has been met and now I need something more from this book and I think most readers will agree with me on that point. However, I’m not too worried as I’m sure Tynion will bring the book back to a place we want it to be. Let’s jump into this new issue and see if that is an accurate prediction.

PREVIEW: Justice League #42

Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

The Justice League suffers defeat after defeat in the ever-tightening grip of the Eradicator. But do the heroes have a greater plan? It's up to the Flash to outwit and outrun the onslaught of Daxamites, but his next step may be his last.

PREVIEW: Justice League Odyssey #19

Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Will Conrad
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: March 4, 2020
Cover Price: $3.99

Lost beyond the edge of the universe, the misfit team of Justice League Odyssey crosses paths with Epoch. The Lord of Time has a great plan to solve everything, but it might be the single most dangerous thing anyone has ever done. As Jessica Cruz and her team try to figure out if he's a genius, or crazy-or both-time is running out. A new threat is closing in on them, in the form of Darkseid's latest generation of lethal New Gods.

PREVIEW: Lois Lane #9

Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Mike Perkins
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

In the wake of a second attempt on her life, Lois takes the unprecedented step of...telling Superman to back off. As the Kiss of Death circles for another try, Lois's search for answers takes her back into the political spotlight, while Renee uses a Gotham connection in an attempt to undo the damage she's done and find answers to another set of questions entirely.

PREVIEW: Strange Adventures #1

Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerads and Evan "Doc" Shaner
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020


Adam Strange is the hero of Rann, a man famous throughout the galaxy for his bravery and honor. After leading his adopted home to victory in a great planetary war, Adam and his wife Alanna retire to Earth, where they are greeted by cheers, awards, and parades. But not all is as happy and nice as it seems, as the decisions Adam made during battles on Rann come back to haunt his family and threaten the entire DC Universe. And now a surprise DC hero will have to choose between saving Adam Strange and saving the world.  A story like no other, Strange Adventures is an ambitious, thrilling, shocking, and beautiful 12-issue saga that will push Adam Strange to the breaking point-and beyond!

PREVIEW: Superman: Villains #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Greg Rucka, Jody Houser
Artist: Scott Godlewski, Steve Lieber, Bryan Hitch, Jim Mahfood, Cully Hamner
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

The Man of Steel's greatest villains react to the biggest news to ever rock the DC Universe. Lex Luthor, Mongul, Toyman, The Joker, and more of the world's greatest villains must come to grips with how the world changes now that the truth has been revealed by Superman. Some of comics' most unique and creative voices unite to tell a story that changes all the rules.

PREVIEW: The Dreaming #19

Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

A lost dream has returned to the Dreaming to rally the troops against the rule of Wan-but without Dream himself, do his subjects have the strength they need to prevail? Or has the unconsciousness of humankind already been changed forever?

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #71

Writer: Sam Humphries
Artist: Sami Basri
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: March 4, 2020
Cover Price: $3.99

Harley thought a little trip to Los Angeles would help her cope with grief, but grief followed her all the way to the West Coast. When a new friend of hers dies, she knows in her heart there is foul play at work. She'll have to put down her mallet and pick up a magnifying glass to prove her friend was murdered. And will Booster Gold help her investigation or only hinder it?

PREVIEW: The Flash #750

Writer: Francis Manapul, Geoff Johns, Mary Wolfman, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Scott Kolins, Stephen Segovia, David Marquez, Bryan Hitch, Francis Manapul, Riley Rossmo, Various others
Cover Price: $7.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

Beginning: "The Flash Age"! The story we've been building toward since issue #50 comes to a head! While a supercharged Speed Force wreaks havoc on Barry Allen's life, a new threat appears on the horizon in the form of the deadly Paradox. Destined to destroy the Flash's legacy, Paradox sends his herald, Godspeed, to trap the Flash family! Plus, in this special anniversary issue: tales from across the generations of super-speedsters by an all-star lineup of writers and artists!

PREVIEW: Daphne Byrne #3

Writer: Laura Marks
Artist: Kelley Jones
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

Daphne may have a lead on someone who can unravel the con she believes is being played on her mother. But is Daphne too late to prevent whoever it is from trying to take her under their wing? And does the mysterious spirit she calls Brother want to help her to save her mother? Or is he more interested in pushing Daphne to harness her seething rage?

PREVIEW: The Flash #750 Decade Variant Covers

Writer: Francis Manapul, Geoff Johns, Mary Wolfman, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Scott Kolins, Stephen Segovia, David Marquez, Bryan Hitch, Francis Manapul, Riley Rossmo, Various others
Cover Price: $7.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

It looks like The Flash #750 is going to do some big things for the Flash, but also the whole DCU as well.  One thing I love about these big issues are the Decade Variant Covers and I think that the artists they picked for The Flash #750 are all awesome.  Check these variants out!

PREVIEW: Batman #90

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 4, 2020

The mysterious master criminal known only as the Designer once brought together Gotham City's greatest criminals to plot the perfect crime, and now his plan has been unleashed upon the city in all its might. Batman will go to any length to uncover the grand design, but Catwoman is the one who holds the greatest secret. If Batman wins against the Designer, he will lose everything.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Ep 269: DC Comics, Hell Arisen, Cults Galore and Lots of Leagues

This DC Comics filled episode is all about the books!  Yea that means no mail, but that's just fine with Eric!  If you want to support us for what we do and get a bunch more shows, check out our Patreon (patreon.com/weirdscience) to listen to everything including this week's DC Comics Patreon Spotlight: Suicide Squad #3 & Leviathan Dawn #1

Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 Video Review

Check out my Video Review of Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel!