Lobo Annual #1 Review

Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Robson Rocha, Guillermo Ortego and Blond
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 29, 2015

Little Orphan Lobo

I have not been a huge fan of Cullen Bunn's Lobo run, mainly because I expected so much from it.  I am not talking about the character at all...this new fangled Lobo is just fine with me, I'm talking about Cullen Bunn.  I have the utmost respect for Bunn as a writer and when Lobo came out, it was finally my chance to review one of his books.  Unfortunately, the run up until now has been mediocre, generic and very disappointing.  The first arc basically boiled down to Bounty of the Month stories and the current arc looks to continue the same.  So, is this Annual another been there done that story or does it finally give fans a story they've been waiting for.  Let's find out...

DC Comics: Bombshells #2 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Marguerite Bennett
Art By: Marguerite Sauvage
Digital Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 1, 2015

If You Haven't Seen It, It's New To You

Let's get back to this statue inspired series, where we find the women of DC Comics taking care of business during America's fight with the Nazis.  In the previous issue we saw that Batwoman was taking care of Gotham on and off the baseball field and after wondering if her life really had meaning.....which was really felt like a slap in the face to her girlfriend Maggie if you ask me, Batwoman was recruited by Commander Amanda Waller to help end the war.  It looks like Waller is recruiting the best of the best, so let's get into the next issue and see if Wonder Woman joins the fight.  Let's check it out.

Batman: Arkham Knight #24 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend, and John Rauch
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 31, 2015

Friendly Fire

This book continues to be one of my favorites week in and week out because of a couple of factors.  Peter J. Tomasi's writing, of course, is the major reason, but it's just as much what he doesn't write than what makes the page.  It sounds funny to say it, but he really seems to be trying to make this book legit.  Listen, I've read enough of these tie-in books (and a bunch of them of the digital variety) to know that sometimes the creative teams rely too much on the hype of the source material and in turn use the book as an easy paycheck.  I'm not saying they mail it in...actually, I am.  This is not one of those books and Peter J. Tomasi and Viktor Bogdanovic are not one of those creative teams.  Speaking of Viktor, his art is another reason this book rises above the others.  He is a rising star and it's cool to hang with him on the ground floor before he becomes a big shot, wearing an over sized bow tie, riding around town in his rickshaw.  That's what big shots do, right?  Anyway, last issue of Arkham Knight featured Batman teaming up with Deadshot to take down Killer Croc and investigate what the hell Penguin is doing with Stagg Industries and this whole Project Meta thing.  Does this issue continue the fun of the best buddy pairing since Riggs and Murtaugh?  Let's find out...

Top 5 Fridays: Characters I Want To See In Gotham By Midnight

Welcome back to another Top 5 Fridays!  This week has pretty much been the week of Annuals, but my favorite of the bunch had to be the Gotham by Midnight (you can find the review HERE). I'm not much of a fan of the horror genre, but Midnight is definitely the exception.  It's a nice crime drama where the ghosts become the criminals and it's one of the books I look forward to most when its time for new comics.

In the issues since the DC You started, we have had Kate Spencer, the Manhunter in past continuities and in the Annual, the Gentleman Ghost became the criminal that had to be taken down.  Add that to Corrigan's offer to Batwing in Batman Eternal and the cast continues to grow.  With those thoughts in mind, I began to wonder what other characters could fit in this title!  Reminder: this is my list and if you don't like it you can make your own. ENOUGH BABBLE! Let us begin!

Batgirl Annual #3 Review

Written by: Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart
Art by: Bengal, David LaFuente, Ming Doyle and Mingjue Helen Chen
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 30, 2015

Over the River and Through the Woods

It's Annual week here at Weird Science and I got the brunt of the work this time.  It's not that I don't enjoy an Annual issue once and a while, but I am a very lazy man and these issues are so long. It reminds me of a quote from Mike Tyson who said, "I don't understand why people would want to get rid of pigeons. They don't bother no one."  Wise man that Mike Tyson...wise beyond his years.  While this Annual sadly has nothing to do with pigeons, it does have a lot to do with Batgirl and her catching up with some pretty fun Gotham guest stars.  It's one of those Annuals that isn't necessary reading, but...let's discuss it below in the review, shall we?

He-Man: The Eternity War #8 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Pop Mhan, Mark Roberts
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 29, 2015

No Way Around It, Eternia Is Screwed

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Eternia beckons us back to it's war torn land, where in the last issue we saw that Skeletor had created a paradox while in service of Hordak, when the dark lord was conquering Etheria.  It seems that Hordak originally sent Skeletor back in time with the power of the Havoc Staff, to kidnap Adora as a baby, but the trip was one way and Skeletor ended up raising Adora as his own with the help of Shadow Weaver.  Eventually though, Skeletor got sick of servicing and challenged Hordak...... where he obviously was terribly murdered and the perverted skull of Skeletor became the top of the Havoc Staff.  That's right, Skeletor was stuck in a loop where he would forever go back in time only to die and have his skull send an earlier version of him back....... That is until now.  Skeletor was given a vision of the events that would eventually play out and used the Staff to escape to Eternia and now he'll use that knowledge and power to travel to Despondos with She-Ra to collect the power that Hordak stored there during his exile.  So let's get back into the Eternity War and see what Skeletor and She-Ra are up to and how Prince Adam is coping with his decision to destroy the Sword of Power.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl #42 Review

Written by: Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher
Art by: Babs Tarr and Serge LaPointe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 28, 2015

Gonna Set this Town on Fire

I was really impressed with last month's Batgirl.  It was my first Batgirl issue I've reviewed on our site (I took it over from Eric after the Convergence Break) and while I haven't agreed with everything Stewart, Fletcher and Tarr have done with the character, I was fully in after last month.  I loved Jim Gordon telling his daughter he was the new Batman and the added drama of him going after Batgirl, but I think I was even more excited about the introduction of Livewire as Bab's new villain.  While we only got a little taste, her look was Superman: The Animated Series and just awesome.  I couldn't wait for this issue to see if the fun would continue.  Well, did it?  Let's find out...

Gotham By Midnight Annual #1 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Christian Duce, Lee Loughridge
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 29, 2015

I Would Do Anything For Love......But I Won't Do That

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's odd.  Annuals are a real mystery to me because while sometimes I loathe them for interrupting the storyline that I'm invested in at the time, other times I love the break and just enjoy an extended one-shot.  Yeah, we also get Annuals that play into the stories that we're dealing with and I love those uses of the Annual books, but here we're getting the former and since we've mostly been dealing with a monster of the week scenario in this title, I'm happy as hell to get into a one off story, especially since it deals with one of my favorite guilty pleasure villains .....Gentleman Ghost!  Let's see if we can get behind this re-imagining of the character and if Precinct 13 can take Gentleman Jim Craddock down.  Let's check it out.

The Flash Annual #4 Review

Written by: Van Jensen
Art by: Bong Dazo, Norm Rapmund and Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 29, 2015

Time After Time

It's the fifth week of July and we all know what fifth weeks mean, right kids?  Yep, it's Annual time and while I have a bunch of Annuals to read and review (ugh!), The Flash was on the top of my pile and for good reason...I love it!  I am a huge fan of Robert Venditti, Van Jensen and Brett Booth's run on the Flash and while others haven't been too keen on the Professor Zoom arc going on right now, I have enjoyed the hell out of it so far.  Annuals can be tricky, however, and you never know what you're going to get.  It could be a one-shot out-of-continuity story, a direct continuation of the current arc or a side story that expands the book itself.  This Annual is kind of a combination of all of those, focusing on Professor Zoom and his timeless hate for The Flash.  Is it any good?  Let's find out.

Superman #42 Review and *SPOILERS*

Written By: Gene Yang
Art By: John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, Dean White, Wil Quintana, Tomeu Morey
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 29, 2015

Hogwarts For Hackers

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Welcome back to Superman, where it's time to get the TRUTH and nothing but the TRUTH..... kinda.  As we saw in the previous issue, this is a prequel to the depowered/identity exposed story that we're dealing with in Superman titles across the board and because of that, we have ourselves a very much powered Superman, rocking his New 52 look.  Which for being the last title to come out in the story, it was a little odd.  In the previous issue we saw Superman take down a advanced weapons sale........where he fought a gigantic 3D Printer of all things and we found out that someone knows Clark's secret.  Thankfully, we didn't deal much with the monstrous printer and the story mainly focused on Clark getting blackmailed by an anonymous texter, who was willing to keep Clark's secret as long as he played ball with whatever the texter wanted.  The issue closed with a girl named Condesa coming to The Planet, looking for Clark and Lois so she could blow the whistle on what's really going on with these weapons deals, which led to Clark getting shot.......... which normally wouldn't be a problem, but to take down that printer he went and solar flared again.  Dude's pulling out these solar flares like he gets money every time he does it.  I'm sick of it and maybe that one will be the last as we move further towards the TRUTH.  Let's check out this issue and find out.

Lobo #8 Review

Written by: Cullen Bunn
Art by: Cliff Richards and Blond
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 1, 2015

Same Old Song and Dance

I wish I could say that I love this book, but if truth be told, I barely like it.  The whole first arc devolved into an Assassin of the Month hunt and by the time we got halfway through, I had already lost interest.  I must not have been the only one because when June arrived, we were given a soft reboot of this book with Lobo back alone and ready for action.  Unfortunately, we still seem to be getting another (insert bad guy) of the month club...it doesn't matter who or what Lobo works for, we keep getting more of the same.  Does this issue change things up and make this book a little bit better or will it continue scraping the bottom of the barrel?  Let's find out...

Injustice: Year Four #13 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo and Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: July 28, 2015

Oh God, You Devil

Last week's Injustice was one of the better issues of Year Four and I enjoyed it's bash-em up action that was the closest this book has come to emulating the game it's based on in a long time.  While this "Year of the Gods" had gone pretty much unfulfilled up until then, the promise of superhero versus god battles finally came to fruition.  The issue ended with Wonder Woman getting the crap kicked out of her by Hercules and Superman taking a space nap after being knocked out.  The cliffhanger promised that Shazam would get involved again and really, how can you have gods fighting without Shazaam?  Did this issue keep the Injustice trolley riding down kickass avenue?  Let's find out...

Batgirl #42 Preview

Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart 
Art by: Babs Tarr 
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 29, 2015

Batgirl can barely hold her own in combat against the new Batman… so what happens when Livewire joins the fight with the intention of taking them both out?

I took over reviewing Batgirl on our site last month and I couldn't have been happier.  Actually, I am still a little upset with Barbara's non-reaction to Bruce not being Batman, but when she found out her father was Robo Batman, it opened up so many opportunities.  From this preview, it looks like some of those are coming home to roost and I can't wait. Plus, I have to give Fletcher and Stewart a big thumbs up for bringing in Livewire.  Thanks guys!  If this issue is half as good as last months, I'll still be satisfied.

Gotham By Midnight Annual #1 Preview

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Christian Duce
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 22, 2015


Get set for a tale of love and vengeance in this centuries-old mystery for the Midnight Shift – and the Gentlemen Ghost!

Oh man!  I love Gentleman Ghost...... He's a guilty pleasure villain of mine and with me not going back and doing any research about it, I'd say the last time that we saw him was in The Savage Hawkman #8 and man was that a long ass time ago.  Plus, I didn't really like him in that three-part story so hopefully here I'll be able to get the Gentleman Ghost I love.

Superman #42 Preview

Written By: Gene Luen Yang
Art By: John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 22, 2015


The Superman epic you never expected – “TRUTH” continues! Has Lois Lane betrayed Superman with the truth?

Not the truth Lois!  Anything but the truth!........  I really hope that we get more into the Truth story line that we're seeing in every other Superman title because while I enjoyed the previous issue enough, it came off weird that the last title to come out in the story line was a prequel.  Well, that and I want to see how Clark deals with getting shot like we saw in the cliffhanger.

Eric's Shirt of the Day: Kenner Super Powers

This is a little shoutout to the early days of the site when we had nothing to really say or do except take pics of Eric and his shirts.  I know, that's pretty pathetic, but one thing that isn't pathetic...Eric's Kenner Super Powers shirt.  I know what you're thinking...a grown man wearing this shirt is ridiculous and while I would normally agree with you, I've seen Eric get compliments for this shirt on numerous occasions.  I know it could be because he wears it a lot (I mean A LOT), but he does love it so please give him a break.  Okay, enough talk...on with the shirt.

Batgirl Annual #3 Preview

Written by: Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart 
Art by: Bengal, David Lafuente, Ming Doyle...
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 29, 2015


On her latest mission, Batgirl finds herself mixing it up with Helena Bertinelli of Spyral…but who is the mysterious Spyral agent who seems to be one step ahead of her at every turn without ever showing his face? She’s determined to crack this mystery – but Grayson is just as determined not to get caught! Plus: Batgirl visits Gotham Academy – and there are plenty of surprises in store for her!

Boy, I can't wait for this one.  Batgirl, Dick Grayson, Helena Bertinelli and Batwoman in one issue? Sounds like a dream come true to me.  This book will be the first I read and review tomorrow for sure.

Hip Hop Family Tree Three in One Review

Written by: Ed Piskor
Art by: Ed Piskor
Cover Price: Free (Free Comic Book Day Issue, sucka)
Release Date: May 2, 2015
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books

These are the Breaks...

As a white kid growing up in Quakertown, Pennsylvania in the 70's and the 80's, I was pretty much all alone in my love of hip hop.  Sure, people enjoyed the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight", but that wasn't real hip hop to me.  I fell in love with Spoonie G and Grand Master Flash and that lead to Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, N.W.A and so many other bands.  I used to call into Philadelphia's Power 99 FM and after requesting U.T.F.O.'s "Roxanne Roxanne", Whodini's "The Freaks Come Out at Night" or some other song I still love, the DJ (probably Lady B) would ask me if I wanted to give any shoutouts and I would yell, "Yea, I want to give a shoutout to my man, Snookie Duke, down on the corner" trying to sound cool and legit.  I used to record every time I was on, but sadly, those cassette tapes are long gone.  What isn't gone is my love for that era of hip hop and while I am a 40 year old father of five and a really pale white guy, I still identify with the music and it's creators.

What does any of this have to do with comic books and our site?  Nothing...except it is Monday and that means it's Just for the Hell of it Monday and that means I can review any damn thing I please. So, I have picked Ed Piskor's  FCBD offering, Hip Hop Family Tree Three in One to be my review this week.

Teen Titans #10 Review

Written by: Will Pfeifer
Art by: Felipe Watanabe, Trevor Scott and Dan Brown
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 22, 2015

Gone Rogue

I really want to like this book. I love the team, but the story has been the problem.  Actually, I can't say that since that would suggest that there is a story here.  Will Pfeifer has set up the foundation of a cool 80's teen drama with the Titans versus the Elite, but so far it's been unrealized potential.  Last issue ended with Wonder Girl and the rest of the Elite showing up at the Titan hideout, looking for both Superboy and a brawl. It really setup what could be a cool scene if not issue this month.  Was this issue the first step to turning this book around and making me a happy reviewer?  Let's find out...

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Episode 29: Cyborg, Sharknado and Soapboxes

Jim and Eric set a personal record by going over four hours...FOUR. FREAKING. HOURS.  It gives them plenty of time to talk about all of this week's releases from DC Comics, a whole lot of casting news for Arrow and Flash and of course, stuff nobody ever needs to hear.  Jim gets on his soapbox a couple of times and it's not just to see eye-to-eye with Eric...no, he has some real issues.  At least they are real to him, dammit!  They are also joined by Ryan Clark reviewing Archie vs Sharknado #1, Dan's Geek News and a new segment featuring their friend, Reggie.  So, free up your calendar and enjoy the podcast.