Midnighter #2 Review

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Alec Morgan, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Allen Passalaqua
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Loud Revenge

I am already a fan of Midnighter.  Last month's premiere issue was exciting, mature and a tad bit confusing.  Writer, Steve Orlando, didn't hold any hands and just dropped the reader into Midnighter's world cold and let him sort out the details.  By the end, I wasn't even sure that I liked Midnighter as a hero (or a person for that matter), but I knew I liked the book.  Did this second issue continue the trend?  Does Steve Orlando show us a more tender side of Midnighter?  Will I stop asking questions and get on with my review?  Yes, kind of and a big yes!

Justice League: Gods and Monsters - Batman #3 Review

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis with Bruce Timm
Art by: Mathew Dow Smith and Jordie Bellaire
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 3, 2015

Chopped

I have to admit it, I've never read and/or reviewed a "daily" comic.  The reading part is easy, I just sit back, kick up my feet and enjoy the ride.  The review part is a little more tricky.  I'm not exactly a wordsmith, so coming up with something to say in these introduction paragraphs gets harder as each day passes.  Sure, I could tell you how much I've loved the first two issues of Justice League: Gods and Monsters - Batman.  I could tell you that J.M. DeMatteis is giving readers a dark, mature elseworlds story that is as much a horror comic as anything I've read in years.  I could even mention that Matthew Dow Smith's moody art would fit right alongside such books as American Vampire and the Walking Dead.  Knowing myself, I'd probably end with something like, "The first two issues have been such a pleasurable surprise that even though I only had to wait a day for this finale, It felt like forever."  However, I won't bore you with my ramblings...let's just get to the review.

Batman: Arkhman Knight #20 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend and John Rauch
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 3, 2015

The Squad is Back in Town

This issue starts a new arc and while I enjoyed last week's "quieter" issue, I'm glad to get back into the swing of things.  It's no secret that I love this book, but I'm surprised by how much time Peter Tomasi is taking to tell his story.  Maybe he didn't get the memo that the game this comic is based on came out two weeks ago, or maybe he doesn't care.  Don't get me wrong here, I am glad he's taking a slow burn approach (maybe it's because I don't plan on playing the game anytime soon), it's just surprising in this day and age.  I'm sure that a good deal of readers now know who the Arkham Knight is and I am eager to see how Tomasi deals with that.  If this issue is any indication, it's by giving us a kick ass story with awesome guest stars and incredible art.  Sound good to you?  Alright...let's discuss this issue.

Top 5 Fridays: Story-Arcs of The New 52 Part 2

Welcome back to Top 5 Fridays! This week I'm going to be wrapping up my Top 10 Favorite Story-arcs of the New 52.  Just a reminder this is the second half of a two part list.  If you haven't seen part one, or just want a recap of what I have chosen so far, click HERE.  As usual these are my opinions, and if you don't like what you see, I apologize. Enough talk, lets begin!

Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #41 Review

Written by: Adam Beechen
Art by: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Kevin Nowlan and Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 2, 2015

Split Personality 

In my last review of Sensation Comics, I mentioned that I love this book because it's a chance for writers to throw caution (and continuity...and sometimes sanity) to the wind and write the Wonder Woman story they want to write.  Some use that as a ticket for camp, pure fun and sometimes it even gives them a soapbox to stand on.  Not every story hits the mark, but it's nice to have a place for them to exist.  That being said, it's even better when we get a different take on Wonder Woman that does hit the mark.  That's what we got in the first part of this two part story by Adam Beechen.  He showed that when the "fun" is over, there are real world consequences for those not wearing capes and masks. He also touched on the idea of what exactly makes a hero...or a villain.  I know that sounds like a lot of serious stuff on one plate, but the story and the retro feeling art of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez made it feel like it came straight out of the Bronze Age of comics and I liked it a lot.  So, it's no surprise that I couldn't wait to read and review this finale.  Was it a great ending to the story?  Let's find out...

Justice League: Gods and Monsters - Batman #2 Review

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis with Bruce Timm
Art by: Mathew Dow Smith and Jordie Bellaire
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 2, 2015

Bloody Consequences

I usually start out my reviews by telling y'all my general feelings about the book and a little recap of the last issue.  It feels a bit odd to do both here since I reviewed the last issue yesterday.  That usually means that I was lazy and waited a month or so to review the last issue and finally got it done in the eleventh hour, but not this time.  Nope, this book is being released daily.  I guess weekly books weren't good enough for DC, huh?  I joke because I care...care about the DC Digital First line of books which is partly why I'm reviewing this book in the first place.  Someone has to spread the word, but it makes it so much easier (and pleasurable) when a book is as good as this one.  While last issue was mostly setup, I liked everything that J.M. DeMatteis gave us and along with Mathew Dow Smith's excellent artwork, this book went from not being on my radar (thanks mainly to DC's lack of support) to being a must read.  I know that's a lot of praise to heap on one digital issue, but I really liked it.  Is the second issue as good or better?  Let's find out...

Detective Comics #42 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul
Art by: Fernando Blanco and Brian Buccellato
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Learning Curve

When the New 52 ended and the DC You was ushered in, nobody was more affected than Batman fans.  Sure, you could argue that Superman had an equally drastic change, but you'd be wrong.  Remember, this is my review so what I say goes!  The whole Bat world has been turned upside down and while this has happened in the past, I think we can all agree that Jim Gordon as RoboBatman is pretty damn drastic.  That being said, I like it.  It's too early for me to say I love it, but I like it.  It's mixed the books up and given the writers something different to play with.  Take this book for instance.  Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul had already been pushing Detective Comics into a more Harvey Bullock-centric story, but this new status quo has put him front and center.  Add in Renee Montoya and we have ourselves the closest thing to Gotham Central than we've had in a long while.  Of course, we still get a heavy dose of Bat Chappie, but it's a more street level version than the main book and I that's one of the reasons this was my favorite Bat book of the first month.  Did that trend continue this month?  Let's find out...

The Omega Men #2 Review

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Barnaby Bagenda and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Omega Be Praised

I know it's a bit controversial to say nowadays, but one man's terrorist is just another man's freedom fighter.  It's all about perspective and that's exactly what Tom King's Omega Men has been all about. The most interesting thing about it, however, is that I'm not sure which side I'm on yet.  King is taking his time showing us the Omega Men themselves and the thing that has defined them early on is the (supposed) execution of Kyle Rayner.  Not a great way to get anybody to support your cause.  So, what do we learn about this group of antiheroes this month and did it make me rally under the Omega Men flag?  Let's find out...

He-Man: The Eternity War #7 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Edgar Salazar, Jason Gorder, Denis Freitas, Rob Lean, Mark Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

The SkeletorPoint Paradox

The war rages on as the Eternians try to beat back the forces of Hordak and even though He-Man took back Mount Zoar, they're far from the end of this conflict.  In the last issue, He-Man saw a vision of the future in which he uses any means possible to take down his foe, but the man he became because of it was one that rivaled the evil that he fought back.  With this knowledge and the guidance of the Sorceress Teela, He-Man broke his sword and reverted back to Adam.....What this means for our Master of the Universe, I'm not exactly sure, but our heroes better come up with something fast because while this was going on, Hordak was given the Eyes of Grayskull from Evil-Lyn; who wasn't about to follow a Skeletor who decided to flip flop to the side of good.  So yeah, bad times all around.  Let's check out this issue and see if the tides can be turned and if our heroes have a shot at surviving this Eternity War.  

Batman: Arkham Knight: Game Review *SPOILERS*

IT ALL ENDS HERE
Console Played: PlayStation 4

Six years ago, I saved up money and purchased Batman: Arkham Asylum for the Xbox 360.  It was an amazing game that made the player feel like a true ninja badass, with a twisting story, epic boss fights and fantastic acting from all the characters.
Two years after that adventure, Arkham City was released to critical acclaim, with it upping the ante in almost every respect, making it darker and more amazing as the story went on.  In the end, it killed off one of the most important character in the Batman mythos, making most wonder, "HOW WILL THERE BE A SEQUEL?!"
Four years after the release of what is considered one of the greatest video games of all time, the story of Batman comes to a close in Batman: Arkham Knight.  After such a long history of successes, including Arkham Origins, can the Dark Knight pull out a good game one last time (HA!)?  Lets find out!

Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #40 Review

Written by: Adam Beechen
Art by: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Kevin Nowlan and Alex Sinclair
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 25, 2015

Collateral Damage

I really like Sensation Comics because it allows a slew of writers a chance to tell their own Wonder Woman stories.  Even before Dan Didio told fans that DC Comics would be a place where story trumps continuity, this was one of the places to see it in action.  The excitement of a book like this is grabbing it on a Thursday without any idea of where or when the story will take place.  World War II era France?  1960's swinging London?  Far Future Venus?  Why not!  Of course, the backbone is always having our favorite Amazonian Princess front and center and that is alright with me.  It's a celebration of everything Wonder Woman and everyone is invited.  Of course, sometime the writer decides to celebrate by looking at what inspires Wonder Woman and how she inspires the world around her.  This week, Adam Beechen does that...kind of.  Instead of showing the eternal struggle between hero and villain, he shows what happens afterwards in a real world way.  It's certainly different, but is it also a good read?  Let's find out...

Green Arrow #42 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ben Percy
Art By: Patrick Zircher, Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

The Future of Law Enforcement, The ED-209......... Er, I Mean The Panopticon 

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's time to head back to Seattle to see what our Emerald Archer is going to do about the string of murders that have been taking place in his city, apparently perpetrated by a racist vampire...... Yeah, I haven't seen any fangs or anything, but there's certainly a Lost Boys feel to him, that's for sure.  So we've got that going on and Oliver Queen being terrible at his job...... you know his actual job, not the one that requires a mask....... or maybe you think it's the other way around.  Nonetheless, Oliver Queen really should have been paying attention to the board meeting when Queen Industries decided to merge with a despicable dude, who we then found out was working with that Klu Klux Klampire.  Hopefully, Green Arrow gets his shit together here and puts an end to the awfulness that's been going on Seattle.  Let's check it out.

Bat-Mite #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Corin Howell, Mike Atiyeh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

A Hawkman For A New Generation!

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Who's ready for a little rib tickling fun?  Hopefully all of you because we're dealing with the ridiculous Bat-Mite and his further adventures in helping superheroes during his exile from the 5th Dimension...... That premise alone is worth the money in my opinion, but will the laughs be there and will they satisfy?  That's the question.  In the last issue, we saw Bat-Mite go from helping Batman, to getting caught up in his own adventure dealing with the terrible Dr. Trauma, who kidnaps people and sells them to wealthy folks, who want a new body.  That's right folks, she's a swapping bodies and since her's is getting a little rough around the edges, she plans on swapping bodies with Hawkman......because that's the obvious choice right?  Let's see if the little imp can save one of my favorite underrated heroes from this terrible villainous plot and possibly see if Hawkman will get a new sidekick.  Let's check it out.

Bizarro #2 Review

Written by: Heath Corson
Art by: Gustavo Duarte, Kelley Jones, Michelle Madsen, Francis Manapul and Pete Pantazis
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

He's My Favorite Honkey!

This book was my first true taste of what the DC You could bring us and is still one of my favorite books of the first month of this brave new world.  It doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Bizarro fan, but Heath Corson does such a good job that even those turned off by Bizarro talk (I'm looking at you, Eric) can still enjoy it.  The secret ingredient in this tasty recipe?  Jimmy Olsen.  In fact, this is just as much a Jimmy Olsen book as it is a Bizarro one and the two come off as a comic book version of Crosby and Hope.  For you younger readers, that is a huge compliment. So, did this second issue live up to the hype I created in my mind?  let's find out...

Batman Beyond #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Your Mind's EYE

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Welcome Back To The Future!  That's right folks, we're Thirty Five years into the future, where Brother Eye has still conquered the world, even though Tim stopped events in the past that led to this current holocaust.  Fate's a bitch apparently and now that Tim Drake is all Batman Beyond-ed up, it's up to him to save the future from Brother Eye and try to find his way home.  In the previous issue, we saw our hero go looking for Terry McGinnis's friends at a Brother Eye prison, known as The Lodge, but things might get a little more complicated than he hoped because after fighting a Superman borg monster, Tim depleted the Bat suit's energy cells and has to go in powerless.  At least he'll have some familiar faces around because as that issue closed we saw that Barbara Gordon was one of the residents of The Lodge.  Let's check this issue out and see what's in store for our out of time former Red Robin as he tries to fix the future.

Action Comics #42 Review

Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Aaron Kuder
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Me and Lorenzo Rolling in a Benz-o

Last issue of Action Comics left us with the cliffhanger of Clark fighting a shadow monster while the good people at the "Superman Block Party" were about to receive a bit of a police beat down.  It was the beginning of the Truth story and still my favorite issue of the arc.  Usually, I'd be recapping the other books (Superman, Batman/Superman and Superman/Wonder Woman) to get y'all up to speed, but no need here.  This story has been unique in that while it is an overreaching arc, each book has it's own individual thing going on.  That's a plus if you don't want to read every issue, but kind of a minus if you do since the overall story comes off a bit disjointed at times.  Is Action Comics still my favorite book int the Truth story?  let's find out...

Green Lantern #42 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Robert Venditti
Art By: Billy Tan, Mark Irwin, Scott Hanna, Tony Avina
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Stone Cold

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

In the last issue of Green Lantern, we traveled through space with Hal as we learned to accept his new role as outlaw/renegade and not only did we accept it, but we embraced it with all our hearts because man is Hal a bad ass in his new renegade persona.  After saving a member of the Monarchy of Ketleth Prime and securing his captor, Hal intended on taking the hostage back home and making sure that his former captor got what was coming to him.  All that changed though when the slaver whispered something to Hal and our former Green Lantern blasted off to Sector-0 in his ship "Darlene" and found out that the Green Lantern Corps were wiped out and that Sector of space was nothing more than a barren void.  Let's get into this issue as we see what Hal plans on doing next and hopefully find out what happened to the Corps.  Let's check it out.

Injustice: Year Four #9 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 30, 2015

Fighting Boredom 

I have reviewed over seventy issues of Injustice and I'm running out of things to say in these intro paragraphs.  Thinking back, I bet I've said I'm a big fan of this book about sixty five times, was hoping things would pick up about eight times and that I'm really getting frustrated with this book about three times.  The problem is, the last bit were in the last three weeks.  That's a roundabout way of telling you that I have not been happy with Year Four of Injustice.  I don't know what happened but the little story we've been given is full of poor characterizations and forced moments and I just want to wake up from this nightmare and get back to the Injustice I know Brian Buccellato is capable of giving us.  Is this issue a step in the right direction?  Let's find out...

Midnighter #2 Preview

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Alec Morgan
Cover price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Marina Lucas woke up this morning as a suburban martial-arts instructor…but when God Garden tech unexpectedly falls into her lap, she’ll end the day as the deadliest woman on the planet! That’s bad news for her – and worse for the Midnighter!

I really enjoyed the first issue of Midnighter.  It was smart, sexy and exciting...that's a combo I haven't seen since Paul Lynde sat in the center square.  Is this on?  Anyway, I can't wait to see what Steve orlando has in store for us this month, but looking at the preview, it's going to be damn cool.

Wonder Woman #41 Review and *SPOILERS*

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

Embracing The Woman in Wonder Woman

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Well, Donna Troy is taken care of and it's time to move on and start fresh........ and what better way than with a new outfit?  That's right all you wonderful Wonder Woman fans, Diana is getting a new look and hopefully she gets to enjoy it before another big bad comes careening towards her........ Yeah, it's doubtful, but one can always hope right?  Let's dive into this issue of Wonder Woman and see what's going down with the God of War herself.  Let's check it out.

He-Man: The Eternity War #7 Preview

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Edgar Salazar
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015


Journey back to Skeletor¹s first days as a member of the evil Horde, tasked with crushing the great rebellion on planet Etheria. Will Skeletor¹s past provide the key to defeating Hordak in the present?

Who doesn't love getting to know our villain's past?  Well....actually, a lot of people feel that finding out the origins of the villain make him less scary, but hopefully that's just in the case of horror films.......Me, I love all the background I can get.

Batman Beyond #2 Preview

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015


Thirty-five years in the future, Batman’s gotten himself caught in a P.O.W. camp where the enemy refuses to give up trying to crack the only “data source” he can access – the human mind! And this foe doesn’t care how many people he has to burn through to get there, including original Batgirl Barbara Gordon! To make his great escape, Batman will have to take down both his greatest hero and a traitor to humanity! Featuring the DC Universe debut of Batman Beyond-villain Inque!


I was really let down by the ending to Futures End because it came off as more of a cliffhanger to this series than an actual ending, but low and behold, Dan Jurgens went and made me a fan of this series from the very first issue.  I can't wait to see what the altered future holds and how our former Red Robin intends on saving it. Anything is possible and that's the appeal.

Bat-Mite #2 Preview

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Corin Howell
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015


Bat-Mite assists Batman on yet another case…whether the Dark Knight needs his help or not. This time, it leads the imp to the diabolical Doctor Trauma, who has terrible plans in store for Hawkman

This really seems like it should have been the solicit for the first issue, but even with that disappointment it doesn't matter because in this issue we'll be getting Bat-Mite helping out Hawkman and that sounds hilarious. 

The Omega Men #2 Preview

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Barnaby Bagenda and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

What do you do after the entire galaxy watches you murder the White Lantern Kyle Rayner? Run. 

I really enjoyed last month's premiere issue of Omega Men.  Tom King did a great job showing the reader the setting (which was like a more mature Star Wars) and while we got to see the Omega Men, I want more.  Much More.  Plus, there is that whole Kyle Rayner thing going on.  All that equals out to one of my most anticipated books this week.

Action Comics #42 Preview

Written by: GREG PAK
Art by: AARON KUDER
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 1, 2015

The Superman epic you never expected – “TRUTH” continues! Who will stand by Clark Kent?

Action Comics has been my favorite part of The Truth story so far and I have high hopes for this issue.  I'm really afraid for those people at the Superman Party, but Clark will save them, right?  Right??  Right???

Green Arrow #42 Preview

Written By: Ben Percy
Art By: Patrick Zircher
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015


Green Arrow strikes out against the forces that have been threatening to rip Seattle apart!

I really wasn't a fan of the first issue of this new direction for Green Arrow, but hopefully once I get to see Oliver suit up and take on what appears to be a white supremist vampire, I'll be able to put my fears to rest and root for the Emerald Archer now that he's back in Seattle.  

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 25: Superman, Teen Titans and Quato

This episode is intended to be more on the DC Comic tip.  Jim and Eric discuss television news, the Supergirl trailer and a little Batman: Arkham Knight.  Then they jump into this week's books and while Eric had a downer week, it's Jim's turn to shine.  They also talk ghosts, Quato from Total Recall and tell a bunch of Dick jokes.  Ryan Clark joins in with his Other Side review of the Wytches Trade Paperback and Dan gives us a spoiler edition of Geek News.