Top 5 fridays: Best Character/Character Reimaginings from the New 52

A few weeks ago, I saw this in the comments of DC's Facebook Page.
This is a comment I can assume practically EVERYBODY sees by this point. I replied to it, but of course this led to many more people jamming it down my throat that "New 52 stinks!" The New 52 is what got me back into comics. This was a chance to grab new readers, as well as clean up some of the mess(Don't deny it, the DCU was becoming a mess) and it did succeed! There were fantastic things that came from this new DCU, and I don't think they get the love they deserve. This week and next on Top 5 Fridays, I'm going over things spawned from this new universe that are actually good! This week we'll be honoring the new characters and character reimaginings that turned out pretty well! Enough talk, LETS BEGIN!

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 Review

Written by: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Stephane Roux and Paul Mounts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 18, 2015

Lust in the Dust

I'm still not sure that I've wrapped my head completely around the whole DC You "Story Trumps Continuity" thing, but this book is making me see the light.  Taking place during a missing panel of the awesome Harley Quinn and Power Girl arc in the regular Harley book, this is a story that can now be told.  Since I've yelled at anyone who will listen (2 people tops) about how great the Harley and PG story was, my excitement level for this book has been through the roof.  Did it live up to my personal hype?  Let's find out...

Prez #1 Review and *Spoilers*

Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Ben Caldwell, Mark Morales, and Jerry Lawson
Cover Price: $2.99
Release date: June 18, 2015

SickStarter!

When DC said they were changing things up we expected some minor changes, but they really stepped out of their comfort zone with this book. Prez is a satirical book that critically analyzes the future of America and possibly this nations downfall. This is a book that i'm sure no one wanted, but still got. While at first this may seem like a pointless book and a franchise DC is desperatly trying to bring back (like how they did with teen trillionairs) This book is actually fantastic and I did not know we needed this until now. This book is something you might have to reread a few times to fully grasp, but upon my first read I understood most of what was going on.

Superman/Wonder Woman #18 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke
Cover price: $3.99
Release Date: June 18, 2015

Taken Six...The Truth

I like Superman and Wonder Woman being a couple.  I know I'm not the only one, but I also realize that there are those who hate it with a passion.  Luckily, those against it aren't forced to buy this book and can leave it to us fans.  Everyone is happy then, right?  I know that isn't the way things work nowadays, but a guy can hope.  Of course, being a big fan doesn't mean I'm always happy with every issue.  On the contrary, I've been pretty critical with this book and have gone on record as saying that it hasn't been the same since Charles Soule left.  I love Peter Tomasi as a writer so I've given him plenty of time to get settled in, but my patience is waning.  Did the two month long Convergence layoff and the fact that this issue is part of The Truth help get this book back on the top of my pull list?  Let's find out...

Doctor Fate #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Paul Levitz
Art By: Sonny Liew, Lee Loughridge
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Don't Toy With Fate

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time for Doctor Fate to get all up in our faces with his own title, but don't go expecting that bad ass Doctor Fate from Earth 2 here.  No, instead we'll get a Earth-0 version who's just a kid dealing with kid things..........like going to med school......okay maybe not everyday kid things, but younger things that I don't fully understand anymore because of my age and my shut-in nature.  What we saw from the Sneak Peek is, Anubis is tired of all of us sucking the way we do and is going to cause a flood to wipe out mankind....... or New York, either way, you get the gist.  Now only if we had a Doctor Fate around to save our asses.  Let's get into this issue and see if we do.

Secret Six #3 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Gail Simone
Art By: Dale Eaglesham, Jason Wright
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

The Burbs

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Holy shit, it's been awhile since we've seen the Secret Six in action.  I really dig this book and I hope that people not knowing when it comes out doesn't affect the sales because I would hate for this title to be cancelled.  Hopefully, from here on out Secret Six is put on a regular schedule because in all honesty, I've forgotten what went down before this and had to go back and reacquaint myself with this team.  Yeah, it's not that big of a deal, but it's just not convenient and I'm all about things being convenient......... Why did my 7-11 have to shut down?!.......How am I going to eat?  My personal dilemmas aside, let's get back to some Secret Six fun and see what the team are up to after escaping Mockingbird ........ Yeah, I don't recall anything about Mockingbird before, but let's go with it.  Let's check it out.

Martian Manhunter #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Rob Williams
Art By: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

A Weapon, Conspiracy Theories and Biscuits

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

With all the titles that we've craved to see since the beginning of the New 52, I never thought that Martian Manhunter would be stepping out on his own before Booster Gold or Shazam, but you know what?  I'm usually wrong so none of this should really come as a shock to me.  Anyway, I've never been one to think that Martian Manhunter was interesting enough to hold his own title and even after getting berated by a buddy of mine who's a huge Manhunter fan, I still stuck to my guns and dismissed the idea........... Yeah, this is a really negative opener, but bare with me.  After reading the sneak peek for this issue, I was really shocked at how much I enjoyed the hell out of it and hopefully I'll have to eat my words and this Martian Manhunter title will rock our socks off and be a long standing title.  Only time will tell so let's quit dilly dallying and check out some Martian Manhunter!

Black Canary #1 Review

Written by: Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Annie Wu and Lee Loughridge
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Screaming For Vengeance

If you read our "Weird Thoughts" articles on the sneak peeks last month, you may have been surprised with how much I loved Black Canary.  I was surprised myself, but Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu had me so excited for this book for a number of reasons, but mainly because it rocked...and rolled.  If there is anything I like as much as comic books it's music, so a book combining them both is right in my wheelhouse.  Now that the first issue has arrived, is it heading to the top of the charts or was the sneak peek just a one-hit wonder?  Let's find out...

Robin: Son of Batman #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Patrick Gleason
Art By: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, John Kalisz
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Bat Whistle 

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Don't get me wrong here, I love Robin and I'm really happy to have Damian back from the dead and getting back to his super heroics, it's just....... I love Batman and Robin.  Yeah, that's not the best way to start off with a title like this because it seems like I'm already dismissing it, which I'm not.  It's just that I was so happy to have the Batman and Robin title get back on track, only to have it immediately cancelled was like a punch to the gut.  Batman isn't dead yet, but still I guess Damian is going off on his own......which says wonders about Bruce's parental abilities.  So don't go expected any cries from a boy over his father's passing.  No, just straight up Robin, doing his thing.  Let's get into this issue and see what that thing is.  Let's check it out.

Doomed #1 Review

Written by: Scott Lobdell
Art by: Javier Fernandez and Ulises Arreola
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

He's Got Radioactive Blood

It's funny, but for a book that is just starting, I've already gone through a range of emotions about Doomed.  I wasn't a huge fan of the Superman Doomed Story, so when this book was first announced, I was not looking forward to it at all.  Then I read the sneak peek last month and I was so impressed that it suddenly jumped to the top of my "most anticipated" list.  Now that it's here, do I have yet another emotion to add to the list?  Let's find out...

Justice League of America #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Bryan Hitch
Art By: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Wade Von Grawbadger, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Things!........and Stuff!

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Here I was, thinking that this book was going to be a bridge to tie together the time that the Justice League first got together to that jump they did to the present in their early issues........ Yeah, I was wrong.  So I guess what we'll call this is further adventures of...... just not in the current continuity....Justice League.  We've got the core seven members that we started with, but this is obviously a story that takes place after Forever Evil because Cyborg is rocking his slimmer look, so where it fits in, I don't know, but we'll go with it just because who doesn't love seeing the Justice League?  Let's jump into this story and see what Bryan Hitch has in store for us with this all new Justice League of America book.  Let's check it out.

Injustice: Year Four #7 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Mike S. Miller
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 16, 2015

Instant Replay

Injustice Year Four is in full swing and while it is the "Year of the Gods", I didn't think the "Gods" would be "God, let's get this story going" and "God, what happened to this book".  While I liked last week's issue enough, it was because it seemed to be setting up this issue for a good, old Injustice fight.  Fans of this book know what that means...bloody, over-the-top action and a crazy death or two.  Instead, we get more setup.  That's not always a bad thing, but here it's hit or miss.  After saying all that, I didn't hate this issue.  Did I like it, though?  Let's find out.

Robin: Son of Batman #1 Preview

Written By: Patrick Gleason
Art By: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015


The son of a Bat and a Demon, Damian al Ghul has set out to forge his own destiny – and atone for the shameful Year of Blood! Will he be aided or hindered by the behemoth Goliath? And what mysterious legacy trails behind him? Join writer/artist Patrick Gleason as he chronicles the globe-hopping adventures of ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN!


I loved Patrick Gleason's art in the entire Batman and Robin run and I'm really interested to see his writing chops with the character as well.  While I'm more of a fan of Batman and Robin being together, I guess I'll take what I can get and make up the time we spent without Damian in our lives.

Wonder Woman #41 Preview

Written By: Meredith Finch
Art By: David Finch, Jonathan Glapion
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015


A daring new direction begins with the arrival of a brand-new villain! But while he may be new to us, he’s not new to the world he seeks to tame. And speaking of villains, Donna Troy’s quest to destroy Wonder Woman ratchets up another gear (if that’s even possible!), while the games of the Gods bring dark portents to the ultimate Amazon!


And here I thought that Donna Troy was squared away!  I'm looking forward to Wonder Woman......because this issue will be my first WW review and because I want to see where Diana gets her new duds...... I'm sure there are other reasons, but it's mostly those two.  Bring on Wonder Woman!

Old Time Tuesday: The Adventures of Superman ep 19: The Yellow Mask Escapes

I'm back with another Old Time Tuesday episode of the Adventures of Superman radio program.
Episode 19 originally aired on March 25, 1940 and boy what a time that was.  While America was over a year away from joining World War II, Truth or Consequences had just premiered on CBS radio, Joe Louis was about to KO Johnny Paychek to retain his Heavyweight title and Clark Kent must turn into Superman to save Lois Lane once again.  Simpler times indeed.  Enjoy.

Puppet Master #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Awhile ago, I used to do a segment here called Just For The Hell of It Mondays, where I'd find fun or odd videos dealing with DC Comics and put them up here so anyone looking to have a smile could find them.  That went on for a long time until eventually I thought I'd found every decent thing that was out there and was frankly, getting a little bored with it.  So good old JFTHOIM's have been gone from Weird Science for awhile now, but after talking with Jim about what JFTHOIM's could be, we decided that even though this is a DC Comics only website, we could do anything.......... You know, just for the hell of it.  With that in mind, I decided to finally begin slowly turning this comic site into a horror site and what better way to do that then reviewing a recent comic based off of one of my all time favorite horror series...........that's right, we're looking at the first issue of Puppet Master.  Oh man, this should be fun.  Let's get back to Just For The Hell of It Mondays with it's new format, where we do anything we like.  Let's check it out.

Superman/Wonder Woman #18 Preview

Written by: PETER J. TOMASI
Art by: DOUG MAHNKE
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

The epic new storyline “TRUTH” continues! As the pressure mounts, a relationship is tested!

Boy, if the sneak peek is any indication, the relationship is going to be more than "tested"...It looks like it might be over.  I haven't been  ahuge fan of the "TRUTH" story line so far, so I hope this is the issue that gets me excited for it.  Despite what some people think, I have a soul and want to love every comic I read.

Prez #1 Preview

Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Ben Caldwell
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Meet Beth Ross, the first teenaged President of the United States. In a nation where corporations can run for office, the poor are used as human billboards, and tacos are delivered by drone, our only hope is this nineteen-year-old Twitter sensation. But the real question isn’t whether she’s ready for politics – it’s whether politics is ready for her. Don’t miss the start of this new, 12-issue miniseries! 

I don't know what to say about Prez.  This is one of those books that really shows what the DC You is all about.  Even if it isn't for me, someone out there will love it.  Maybe it will even get someone out there into comics for the first time.  I will be reading it, but Joel has the honor of reviewing it.  We'll see what he thinks about it on Wednesday. 

Black Canary #1 Preview

Written by: Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Annie Wu
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Dinah Lance hits the road! After years as a soldier and vigilante, the LAST place Dinah saw herself is on stage…but she’s quickly learning she’d die to protect the gang of misfits she’s fallen into. And she just might have to – for some reason, the newly rechristened band Black Canary seems to be a magnet for trouble…and Dinah’s not gonna believe it when she finds out the reason why! Martial arts, super-spies, and rock ‘n’ roll combine, from Brenden Fletcher (BATGIRL) and Annie Wu (Hawkeye)!

If you have been following our little site and/or our podcast (latest episode HERE *wink wink*) you know that Brenden Fletcher isn't our biggest fan.  It all stems from us not liking the new direction of Batgirl and Brenden not liking us for not liking the new direction of Batgirl.  Of course, Brenden is not in the business of making Eric and myself happy, but Eric and myself aren't in the business of making Brenden happy either.  However, if he did like us, he'd probably be happy to know that I think this book looks great.  I loved the sneak peek and while he told me personally to never tweet him again, if you know him, let him know Jim from Weird Science says hi and I'm looking forward to Black Canary this week.

Justice League of America #1 Preview

Written By: Bryan Hitch
Art By: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques, Wade Von Grawbadger, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015


It’s massive widescreen JUSTICE LEAGUE action and adventure from superstar writer/artist Bryan Hitch! In this extra-sized debut issue, the League comes up against an armada of aliens heading for Earth that claims to be a peaceful religious tribe. But something sinister is lurking in their ranks...something with ties to ancient Krypton!


This is a very odd title to be throwing into DC's line up.......... you know, since we already have a Justice League title, but in this Story Over Continuity world we live in, I guess it makes sense.  The way I'm looking at it is, these are the stories of the Justice League that we missed when the title went from Five Years Earlier to the present and with that in mind I can get past my continuity OCD and get on board and just enjoy the JLA kicking ass and taking names.

Dr. Fate #1 Preview

Written By: Paul Levitz
Art By: Sonny Liew
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015


You thought global warming was bad? Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of Dead, is preparing the flood to wash the world away. Standing in his way? An overwhelmed Brooklyn med student who’s been handed the helmet of Fate, without an instruction manual.


I'm really on the fence with this book, which is weird to me because I love Dr. Fate, but if this title is the way that the Sneak Peek presented it, it's just another title that is simply talking down to a younger generation, hoping that kids will get on board with younger characters, cartoony art and bright colors.  Hopefully I'm wrong here because we've got enough of that going on lately and Dr. Fate is something that I really want to get completely on board for.  Hell, it happened with me changing my mind from the Sneak Peek to the first issue with Constantine: The Hellblazer, I really hope that's the case here.  

Secret Six #3 Preview

Written By: Gail Simone
Art By: Dale Eaglesham, Jason Wright
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 17, 2015


Her name is Strix. What is her secret?


I think a better solicit would be a recap of what's gone down in the first two issues of this book because I've read them and reviewed them and I have no idea where we left off.  Secret Six #3 has certainly been a long time coming and it's cool if we get a Strix-centric story....... if that's what this solicit is implying, but we've already seen her in Birds of Prey and Batgirl, so it kind of seems like a shame that we won't get some more info on the characters that weren't really featured during the New 52.  Either way, I remember really digging this book when the first two issues came out and now with Dale Eaglesham on art, I have to think that this will become one of my favorite titles........ that is, if it comes out on time.

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 23: Batman, The Truth and the DC YOU

While Jim and Eric tried to tighten things up last week, they are back to their old ways.  This podcast took three tries and two days to record and is a long one indeed!  The longer format gives them a chance to talk about the new Robo Batman, The Truth and every other book this week.  We also learn that Jim's laptop may or may not have porn on it and that Eric's 7-eleven is closing soon. Thankfully, Dan's Geek News and Ryan's Other side segment break up the nonsense.