Weird Science DC Comics: 2020-04-19

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Wonder Woman Earth One Vol. 1 (2016) Review

Beautiful Beginnings

Written by: Grant Morrison
Art by: Yannick Paquette, Nathan Fairbairn and Todd Klein
Cover Price: $22.99
Release Date: April 12, 2016

I will start this review by declaring my undying love for Wonder Woman, but also admit that I am no scholar when it comes to her history. For Christ's sakes, there's a whole lot I don't know about my own wife's past, so when dinner party conversation turns towards William Moulton-Marston or even George Perez, I excuse myself and try to find the guy handing out the cocktail weenies. I do love me some weenies. Again, no scholar. However, I have been around the block a few times and know enough to realize that Wonder Woman has had a varied past that includes multiple origins and interpretations that sometimes blend together and sometimes don't. That usually is a recipe for disaster, but Wonder Woman always seems to rise above it all to remain the shining light of beauty, power and wisdom. I think this book is a prime example of just that. Grant Morrison combines her mixed history into a new version, but never forgets to give fans the character they know and love. That's all fine and dandy, but is it any good? Let's find out...

Teenagers With Attitude

Written by: Kyle Higgins, Steve Orlando and Mairghread Scott
Art by: Hendry Prasetya, Daniel Bayliss, Corin Howell, Matt Herms, Jeremy Lawson, Ed Dukeshire and Jim Campbell
Cover: Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 13, 2016
Publisher: Boom! Studios

Like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that I just started reviewing recently, I was not a big fan (I was beyond the targeted age range) of the Power Rangers when they hit the scene. I actually had a friend who was into them, but that was more of a Pink Ranger thing than anything else, but because of him, I knew a bit more about the show than I admitted to anyone else. If truth be told, I actually liked it for it's over-the-top goofiness, but until this review, haven't really dealt much with them over the years. So, why am I reviewing this issue? Mainly because I love Kyle Higgins and haven't been able to review any of his books lately since he is not doing much of anything at DC Comics these days. Since I can force the Power Rangers into our whole "Saturday Morning Weirdness" concept, it's all a free pass to get back to reviewing one of my favorite writers and hopefully get a few smiles and laughs along the way. With all that being said, if I come across as a moron concerning the Power Rangers mythos, please forgive me since I am a big dummy. On with the review...

Memorable

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: John Timms, Bill Tortolini and David Curiel
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016
Publisher: 1First Comics

I am a huge Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin gray fan, so it upset me when this book slipped by me weeks ago. Sure, we are pretty much an all DC Comics site, but I try to stay in the know and this sort of thing is why. I guess I was a big dummy at the beginning of March, or at least blind. We can agree, I was probably both. While I am never going to change my IQ for the better (believe me, I've tried), I finally opened my eyes and saw the awesome Amanda Conner cover for this book as well as three of my favorite creators (John Timms being the third) printed right there in bold letters. So, it shouldn't be any bit of a surprise that I would grab the opportunity that Just for the Hell of it Monday presents and review this #1 issue.

Flaunt the Goods

Written by: Zac Gorman
Art by: CJ Cannon, Ryan Hill and Marc Ellerby and Crank!
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 13, 2015
Publisher: Oni Press

Way back when (actually in September 2015), I reviewed Rick and Morty #1 (HERE) and really enjoyed it. Well, last night I couldn't sleep and ended up watching six episodes of the cartoon and right then and there, decided to get back to reviewing the series for our Just for the Hell of It Mondays thingee. The one thing that I like about this series is that it does have a continuous storyline which also made me go back and read issue #1 again. Damn you, Zac Gorman, making me work and all. Now that I am up to speed again, here is my review for Rick and Morty #2...

Back to the Future #1 (2015) Review

But Marty, Everyone Calls You Chicken!

Written by: Bob Gale, John Barber and Erik Burnham
Art by: Brent Schoonover, David Witt, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Dan Shoening and Luis Antonio Delgado
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 21, 2015
Publisher: IDW Publishing

I'm continuing my 80's retro Just for the Hell of it Mondays with a comic book based on my favorite 80's movie of all-time, Back to the Future. I am a bit upset that I missed doing this on Back to the Future Day (10-21-16) when it came out, but we are a DC Comics site and this is an IDW book. So, I may be late to the party, but I brought cocktail weenies and everyone loves cocktail weenies! This mini series is not the full blown sequel I thought it was going to be, but instead, a collection of stories that fill in some of the cracks in the movies. If that's not exciting enough, they are written by Bob Gale who was a writer on all three films as well as co-producing them and the animated series. Because of Gale's involvement, I was hoping the two stories in this premier issue had the Back to the Furture magic I love. Well, do they and does it translate into a good comic book? Let's find out...

The Secret of...

Written by: Hope Larson
Art by: Brittney Williams, Sarah Stern and Jim Campbell
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 13, 2016
Publisher: Boom! Studios

These are the kind of books that I'm glad we have our Just for the Hell of it Mondays review reprieve. If you are new to our site, we are a DC Comic site (hence the "DC Comics" in our name) and while we enjoy reading and reviewing every single comic from our favorite publisher, we...Okay, some of you are already rolling your eyes because in fact, we may read and review every comic that comes out each and every week from DC Comics, but we don't always enjoy them. I even suspect that Eric may be going insane because of our strict review guidelines and his stable of books. So, we decided a while back that we would open up Mondays up as a day to review whatever the hell we please. Somehow, though, I can't always kick my DC habit and that's where this review comes in. First, Hope Larson writes it and she will be writing Batgirl when Rebirth hits and I want to get familiar with her beforehand and second, there is a Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy first look in the issue, so I was going to buy it just for that anyway. I guess there is a third reason...it looks kick ass! So, how was it? Let's find out...

Track or Catch...Nobody Rides For Free

Written by: Jhonen Vasquez and Eric Trueheart
Art by: Aaron Alexovich, Megan Lawton, Simon Troussellier, J.R. Goldberg and Warren Wucinich
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 19, 2015
Publisher: Oni Press

I am back with another review of Invader Zim from Oni Press and while I type this, my youngest son is busy watching the show. He actually saw the comic as I gathered my stuff for review and wanted to know what it was. After assuring him (maybe lying a wee bit) that is wasn't "something old", I put on episode one and he is still watching it after five minutes which is a win in my house. So, I will keep you updated as I review Issue #2 of Invader Zim.

Space Sharks

Written by: Joey Comeau and Ryan Pequin
Art by: Mike Holmes, Ryan Pequin, Zack Sterling, Steve Wands and Mirka Andolfo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 24, 2016
Publisher: Kaboom!

This is what I love about our Saturday Morning Weirdness, I get to pick comics to review, and as long as I can shoehorn them into somewhat fitting the concept of Saturday Morning cartoon funness, it's all good. It's kind of like a just for the fun of it Saturday thingee and I have a lot of fun doing it. That all leads into reviewing Bravest Warriors, the outer space adventure by Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time. This one came out a while back and the funny thing is, I bought it for my son Ethan at the time since he was such a huge Adventure Time fan, but I'm not even sure he read it. I'd ask him, but then I'd have to talk to him and if you knew Ethan, then you'd know why that isn't happening right now. Teenagers! Well, it's time to dust it off and make that $3.99 count for something...a glorious Weird Science Saturday Morning Weirdness review...

Mighty Morphin Character Time

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Hendry Prasetya, Matt Herms and Ed Dukeshire

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 2, 2016

I have to thank Kyle Higgins before I continue with my review. After reading Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0, I went back and marathoned the entire first season of Power Rangers and while my wife rolled her eyes every time she went through the room, I had a great time. I haven't really watched it since it first aired when my kung fu kicking friend, Brett, made me watch it with him back in the day. He watched it for the martial arts (he has like six black belts in things I can't even pronounce) and Amy Jo Johnson while I watched it because I was too lazy to get up and go home. I wouldn't admit it then, but it is such a fun show and I'm glad I was lazy and also that I decided to read and review this series. Is this issue as good as the #0 and will I now spend every waking hour catching up on everything Power Rangers? Let's find out...

I Ate Baby There

Written by: Jhonen Vasquez
Art by: Aaron Alexovich, Megan Lawton, Simon Troussellier and Warren Wucinich
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 8, 2015
Publisher: Oni Press

It's Saturday and that means...cartoons! Well, I guess that's not really the case anymore since today's kids are spoiled rotten with their 24/7 cartoon shows and networks that are always on so that Dad can't watch the Walking Dead because it's not appropriate and nobody has a bedtime anymore and with Dad's crappy job, we only have one television set. At least I work, dammit! Come home to dirty dishes and...Oh boy, I don't know what happened there. I should probably delete that, but I'm too lazy...You hear that I admit it, I'm lazy! You happy now?!?!...I really have to work on a few things, but today I'm going to review a comic that I'm sure will put me in a better place. I haven't watched the Invader Zim cartoon in quite some time, but when I was looking for something to review for our Saturday Morning Weirdness, I saw it and decided to do it. Yea, there isn't really a great story behind it, but I have to fill that word count minimum we have for our introductions. Almost there...Almost there...and Bam! On to the review...

Simple but Effective

Written by: Brad Meltzer, Sal Giunta, and Larry Hama

Art by: Jim Lee, Mirko Colak, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and John Kalisz

Cover Price: $0.99

Release Date: April 22, 2020

It has been a little while since I last posted my last review due to the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus, but I’m happy to be back for this small issue and I hope all of our readers are doing their best to remain healthy during this trying time. We are back with a digital-first issue as DC has released a small duo of stories that honor our men and women in uniform. I will be breaking the review into two parts and will rate them separately before putting the scores together for the final score. Let’s jump into this issue and see where they take us.

Do Protocol Droids Dream of Electric Shaak?

Written by: James Robinson
Art by: Tony Harris and Joe Caramagna
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: April 13, 2016
Publisher: Marvel

I know that we are a DC Comics site and that Marvel is supposed to be the enemy of all we hold sacred, but I'm not a dick and I love me some Star Wars. To prove that, I saw The Force Awakens twice in the theater and still haven't seen Batman v Superman. Actually, that is more because of my lazy and cheap nature, but the facts are the facts. So, with the opportunity that Just for the Hell of it Mondays brings, I am going to review this book because...well, because it's Star Wars. Also, I haven't reviewed a James Robinson book since the excellent Airboy and while I expect more robots and less huge penises here, I'm sure I'll get over that fact early and enjoy it all the same. Well, did I? Let's find out...

Not Bogus

Written by: Brian Joines

Art by: Bachan, Jeremy Lawson, Jim Campbell
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Publisher: Boom! Studios

If you haven't guessed from our site's name, we here at Weird Science are big movie fans and it shouldn't shock you that we are fans of the Bill & Ted movies in particular. I don't know where you stand, but Eric and myself have talked at length about Bill & Ted and especially Bogus Journey. Both of us had a very similar love-hate relationship with it...we hated it the first time we saw it, but gradually grew to love it more than Excellent Adventure. I mention this because Go to Hell is a sequel to the Bill & Ted's Most Triumphant Return comic (I reviewed the first issue of that HERE) which is a sequel to Bogus Journey. That being said, this series is even more tied into Bogus Journey which is a strength, but also it's biggest weakness...at least in this premier issue. What am I talking about? Let's get on to the review and I'll explain it more...

The Bionic Man #1 (2011) Review

We Can Rebuild Him

Written by: Kevin Smith and Phil Hester

Art by: Jonathan Lau, Ivan Nunes and Simon Bowland
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 24, 2011

Growing up, I was a big Six Million Dollar Man fan. I'll admit it, I was a bigger fan of the awesome doll (wristband included!), but I watched the TV show and to this day, it may have my favorite intros of all-time. When this comic came out five years ago, I was not a comic book reader, but I still bought, read and enjoyed it. However, I only got through four issues and never looked back...until now. It took me a while, but for this week's Just for the Hell of It reviews, I am heading on back to the Bionic Man to see if I enjoy it as much today as I did back then. Well, did I? Let's find out...

Challenge Accepted

Written by: Eric Powell
Art by: Brian Churilla, Michael Garland and Ed Dukeshire
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 4, 2014
Publisher: Boom! Studios

It's Monday and that means that I get to review whatever I choose and I am going with a retro feel today, starting with Big Trouble in Little China. I have probably only watched the movie five or six times, but I can say that the first time was in the theater. I loved it right away for it's mix of over-the-top action, kung-fu and mysticism, but after seeing it, it kind of just faded in with all of the other movies...wedged somewhere between Gung Ho and The Golden Child. I really didn't hear a whole lot of people talking about it until the mid 90's when youngsters like Eric Shea grabbed ahold of it and made it into the cult classic it is today. With all the 80's revivals, I'm shocked that there hasn't been a sequel yet (Eric's "Big Trouble in the Big Easy" doesn't count...or does it?), but that's where this comic comes in. The story is a collaboration between Eric Powell and John Carpenter and that should be enough for fans to get excited and jump right in. It was for me and here is what I thought...

Superman: Man of Tomorrow #1 Review

What a Sucker!

Written by: Robert Venditti
Art by: Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, Adriano Lucas, and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: April 20, 2020

With the comics industry in a shutdown, there has been considerable debate on what each company should do. Going digital is a scorching take with arguments on the pros and cons of it getting people fired up in a time when we really all need to relax. Well, DC Comics is trying something out that harkens back to those simpler days of 2013 or so by making every day New Comic Book Day with a full slate of daily Digital First books hitting the... computer. I was a massive fan of the entire week Digital First line-up when it was going strong, so I am all about this. Of course, DC is going to start with the Trinity, and the first book up is Superman: Man of Tomorrow by Robert Venditti and Paul Pelletier. Is it any good? Let's find out...

Adventures of Superman #27 (2013) Review

Flowers for Bizarro Part 3 of 3

Written by: Christos Gage
Art by: Eduardo Francisco
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 29, 2013

Bizarro has been given a new lease on life. Thanks to a medical breakthrough he has been able to think and act normal. No more talking like a caveman or doing the opposite of what he says or Superman does. No, he is actually becoming equal to Superman, but more importantly, he has become his friend.

I am Bad...Good

Written by: Christos Gage
Art by: Eduardo Francisco
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 21, 2013

Bizarro has been a good guy all along. His brain was just wired wrong. Can the World get used to this "cured" Bizarro? More important, can Bizarro find his place in this World?

Bizarro No Like...or Does He?

Written by: Christos Gage
Art by: Eduardo Francisco
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 14, 2013

In my mind, getting to write Adventures of Superman must be a blast. The opportunity to write fun little Superman stories with your favorite villains seems like a dream come true. Christos Gage gets two of Superman's funniest villains for one story...Bizarro and Toyman.

Batman Beyond 2.0 #6 (2013) Review

Bad Guys and Gals

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Tony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 19, 2013

Can an issue start with more tension than this? It appears that Rewire has killed Batman (directly from the last issue) while the Police and Dick Grayson arrive a little too late. What follows is a lot of explosions, a return of a great Batman Beyond Villain and tons of edge of your seat action. Kyle Higgins and Tony Silas know what they are doing.

Power Struggle Part 5 of 8: The Art of War

Written By: Christos Gage
Art by: Iban Coello
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 12, 2013

The last issue featured the return of Superman Villain, Jax-Ur. This issue gives a few answers and a whole bunch of fighting. Jax-Ur was Krypton's greatest military technician (sorry Zod) and he has been given a lot of time to plan...and he is pissed.

Beyond Thrilling

Written By: Kyle Higgins

Art By: Tony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 5, 2013

Kyle Higgins has gone on record that he is a huge Batman Beyond fan. Just like his run on Nightwing, his love of the character comes through loud and proud and the result is a comic that "gets" it.

The Truth

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 4, 2015

I have done my best to tell everyone who will listen how good this book is. It is such a great combination of art and story that all comic book fans can enjoy, but especially a group that DC Comics rarely writes for...little girls. I can only imagine the frustration of a DC Comics fan who wants to pass on his love of comics to his daughter, only to find nothing but inappropriate female lead books on the shelves these days. I know that girls do not have to be shoehorned into reading “girl books”, but it’s a magical moment when you read something that feels like it's made “just for you”. What can be better than seeing that Wonder Woman isn’t just a superhero who saves the day, but a girl who has the same feelings and problems as you? I just wish Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon would make a book about a mid-forties guy trying to slog through life...where is my book!?! Actually, that's the joy of The Legends of Wonder Woman, it is truly a book for everyone and while I may sound like I've been put on DC’S payroll, I am just really enjoying this book and unfortunately, that's something I can't say often these days. On with the review…

Into the Darkness

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: November 24, 2015

To say that I am enjoying The Legend of Wonder Woman is a gross understatement. You may already know that I am a huge sucker for the Digital First line and this book is a great example why. Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon are allowed to tell the Wonder Woman story they want to without the constraints of current and past continuity and so far, the results have been great. Unfortunately, they also seem to be going forward with little to no support from DC themselves and it upsets me to no end when I talk to someone about this book and get a confused look and a "I didn't know that was out" kind of comment. Of course, this might all change when the chapters are collected for the print edition, but why does DC even have a Digital First line if they are going to act like they are embarrassed by it? I guess I'm going to have to climb up on my old soapbox each week until things change, but since that's probably never happening, I can at least tell you about this week's chapter of The Legend of Wonder Woman. We are just getting to the point where Diana goes from being the cute, little princess of Themyscira to the cute, little warrior princess of Themyscira. Last issue, Hippolyta told Diana to know her role, but when our little heroine slipped out of the city gates, it was obvious that it fell on deaf ears. While the island is home to many wonders, there is still the growing darkness eating at it...a darkness that Diana can feel in her soul. It has read like a fairy tale, but fairy tales can get pretty dark before the happy ending. Is that the case here? And does it continue being great despite DC's cold shoulder (sorry, I still very upset)? Let's find out...

Stag Party

Written by: Renae De Liz
Art by: Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: November 20, 2015

When the first issue of this book hit the Digital First page, I was both surprised and excited. Surprised that it snuck up on me (and that DC allowed it too) and excited because I had been waiting since it was announced to read it. I was not disappointed one bit. The art and story combined to make this a great fairytale-like telling of Wonder Woman's origin and while De Liz herself told me that she never claimed it was to be the "definitive" origin of the character, if she keeps this up she may not have a choice in the matter. Yes, I think it is that good and beg everyone to give it a try. Okay, now that I have shown my true colors as a newly card-carrying De Liz/Dillon fanboy, I better get on with my review of this week's follow up issue. Will I keep yelling from the mountaintops about this book? Let's find out...

Smallville: Continuity #1 (2014) Review

Adventures in Space and Time

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller

Art by: Ig Guara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 29, 2014

I was a little critical of the last Smallville mini, Chaos. It started off strong but ended as too much of a setup than its own story, in my opinion. Well, since this first issue of Continuity is what it was set up, I may have to rethink everything. I should always remember the mantra, "In Bryan Q. we trust" and I won't get worried ever again. It also helps that Ig Guara's art kicks ass as well. I'll work him into the mantra real soon.

The Gold Standard

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Agustin Padilla and Daniel HDR
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 13, 2014

The first issue of Smallville: Chaos was pretty crazy. Of course, when Lex gets involved with funding super science it's bound to be interesting. The end of the issue promised the multiverse being back in Smallville in a huge way. Bryan Q. Miller delivers on that promise, but also gives us what I love best about this book...awesome costars. When I say awesome, I mean my favorite character of all-time and one that's been neglected by the New 52. It makes sense though because when there is multiverse action, Booster Gold is soon to follow.

Beware My Power...

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Marcio Takara
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 14, 2014

With everything that went down in the "Alien" mini, you would think that Bryan Q. Miller would give readers a little breather before hitting us hard with goodness. Well, he kind of does. The issue starts with a little Zod flashback (with classic "kneel before" line in tow) and also a great scene from Argo with some Flamebird name dropping. These two scenes are bound to pay more dividends in the future, but play second fiddle when "it" flashes across the page.

What is "it"? Well, I hate to spoil things, but the awesome cover by Cat Staggs that I've been drooling over for at least a month and the title of the book kind of spoiled it already. "It" is a ring. A ring of a certain...oh the hell with it, it's a Green Lantern ring and it is looking for a worthy successor.

Magically Delicious

Written by: Bryan Q. Miller
Art by: Daniel HDR
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: January 3, 2014

The DEO and Steve Trevor need a Magicks expert and Zatanna may just fit the bill. She is touring in London and her show is being ambushed by a heckler and maybe something more sinister. It's hard to use word magic when her mouth is covered, but lucky for her, London's favorite magic man may be able to lend a hand.

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