A DC Comics Comic Book Review Site. We try our best to be honest. Please note that Gabe's opinions are his own and don't always reflect the opinions of Weird Science as a whole. Also, Gabe is extremely Sus and may not have a life!
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The Flash #800 Review
Written by: Jeremy Adams, Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson,. Geoff Johns, Si Spurrier
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Todd Nauck, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Scott Kolins, Mike Deodato Jr.
Colors by: Matt Herms, Ivan Plascencia, Luis Guerrero, Trish Mulvihill
Letters by: Rob Leigh, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover art by: Taurin Clarke
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: June 6, 2023
The Flash #800 celebrates the milestone number with five short stories revved up to speed you on your way to fun and excitement. We find a gang of criminals playing the Flash-version of Almost Got 'Im, Impulse acts impulsive (duh!), Barry and Iris go out on a heartwarming date night, Zoom's origins and mission are explored, and Wally and Linda have a very troublesome date night of their own.
Steelworks #1 Review
Written by: Micheal DornArt by: Sami Basri
Colors by: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Cover art by: Clay Mann, Alejandro Sánchez
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: June 6, 2023
Steelworks #1 makes way for the grand opening of Steelworks Tower and John Henry Irons's plan to supply the citizens of Metropolis with all the power, tools, and defensive capabilities needed to make the Super-family unnecessary.
Shazam #2 Review
Art by: Dan Mora
Colors by: Alejandro Sánchez
Letters by: Troy Peteri
Cover art by: Dan Mora
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: June 6, 2023
Shazam #2 finds Billy Batson struggling with the fallout of his outburst in front of a live audience as the Captain. When Psycho Pirate comes to town to steal priceless art, Billy may have found the cause of his uncharacteristic emotional outburst... or has he?
Is It Good?
I like Shazam #2. I like Shazam #2 because Mark Waid and Dan Mora do everything right with a character I like, and that's the best you can hope for out of DC Comics right now.
When last we left Billy Batson after reacquiring his SHAZAM powers, he raced off to save lives during a disaster, only to lose his cool and sound like Captain Jerk in front of a live-streaming audience. Now, Billy is racked with self-doubt, fearing his reacquired powers are affecting his mind, and his recent string of heroics are bearing unpleasant consequences (property damage, legal civil fallout, etc.). Plus, pressures at school and home are turning Billy's day into a lowdown, no good, pretty rotten day.
Suddenly, Psycho Pirate shows up at the local museum to nab the Mona Lisa on tour, giving Billy hope that a villain is behind his unexpected outburst. Unfortunately, Billy finds that answers never fall into your hands so easily.
Why do I like what Waid and Mora are doing in this issue? everything about this issue works. Billy embarks on the classic hero's journey as he seeks to overcome the greatest challenge anyone can face - the unknown. Billy struggles to keep his powers from doing wanton damage and his emotions from lowering his inhibitions so low that he does the unthinkable. Billy can't help but be a hero, but his biggest enemy right now is himself. That sort of internal conflict is ripe for dramatic storytelling and character growth.
As a bonus, Waid executes the fine art of teasing out a mystery beautifully. You know there's a problem, little hints are dropped to give the reader clues for speculation (don't skip the prologue), and Waid draws you along the path to discovery without spilling the beans too quickly or teasing not enough to create frustration. Comic writers should take note of how well this issue is structured to create the desired effects of intrigue, entertainment, satisfaction, and anticipation.
Is it all rainbows and sunshine? Almost entirely, yes. Sure, there are little nitpicks. For example, the visiting T-Rex alien legal officer is a bit silly, but it instills a flavor of Silver Age charm that's quite enjoyable. If you don't like Silver Age silliness, you may find the alien's visit corny.
How's the art? Forget it. Just forget it. There's nothing to critique. Dan Mora's art is glorious. It's bright and fun, serious when it needs to be, dramatic when necessary, and always exciting. Mora's art crackles with energy on every level.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Shazam #2 is a treat. Filled with fun action, powerful art, and a masterfully constructed mystery to keep you guessing without frustrating, Shazam #2 is a near-perfect blend of modern comic storytelling with a Silver Age twist you won't find anywhere else.
9/10
Batman #136 Review
Art by: Belén Ortega
Colors by: Tomeu Morey
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Jorge Jiménez
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: June 6, 2023
Batman #136 finds Batman acclimating to life in Gotham after his return from an alternate dimension, minus one hand. As he struggles to portray an image of stability and strength, Bruce's doubts about who controls his mind create cracks that slowly but surely widen.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 Review
Art by: Darick Robertson, Norm Rapmund
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Wes Abbott
Cover art by: Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: June 6, 2023
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 drops the scales from Jon Kent's eyes when he learns how terrible an Injustice world can be from the lips of the people he trusts the most. Unfortunately, not everyone is trusting enough to let Jon roam as he pleases.