Weird Science DC Comics: 2016-06-19

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Advance Review: Cryptocracy #1 - Just for the Hell of it Review

The Truth is Right Here

Written by: Van Jensen
Art by: Pete Woods and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 29, 2016
Publisher: Dark Horse

We are changing things around here at the old Weird Science offices and as of right now, I'm not sure what day will be our "Just for the Hell of it" review day. That's the day we expand beyond our usual DC Comics realm into the world of comics at large to bring you reviews such as this one...Cryptocracy by Van Jensen. So far, I have loved almost everything we've gotten out of DC's Rebirth, but I do miss Van and was so glad to get the opportunity to review his new Dark Horse book, Cryptocracy. If you like conspiracy theories, the Illuminati, Men in Black and the X-Files, you should pay attention because Van obviously shares your interests and is writing a comic filled to the brim with just that...and more. Hopefully, I have your attention because here comes the review...

Alright, we are here once again to gawk at this week's covers and then yell at me about what you liked better. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I'm not talking about this guy below:

It's funny...the frequency of the Beholder is "Very Rare", yet every module that I ever made had at least eight of them in it! What can I say, I'm a sucker for the classics. Oh well, on with the DC Comics Best Covers of the Week...

Top 5 Fridays: Jody's Top 5 Current Marvel Series

Welcome back to another MARVELous edition of Top 5 Fridays! To those who have not seen the news, we here at Weird Science are going to dedicate every Monday to Marvel comics. I know it seems like a big shock to everyone, but truth is some of us writers are actually friends of Marvel as well as DC. Yes, we write about DC and our love for it, but we won't deny our love for mutants, super-soldiers, and web-heads. While we have already chosen who will be reviewing what, I thought it would be cool to let you readers know what current series I go to pick up on the Marvel side of things! As always this list is based on personal opinion, so if you don't see a series you like, I apologize. Enough talk! Load up your web shooters and let's swing into this list!

Zoinks!

Written by: Sholly Fisch
Art by: Dario Brizuela, Franco Riesco and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 20, 2016

This book is not one that we were reviewing on our site, but after reading Scooby Apocalypse (don't hate me people), I was looking for a little Scooby fix and this is where I found it. In the spirit of the old Scooby team-ups (Kiss, Harlem Globetrotters.etc), this comic is a whole bunch of fun and with the DC characters involved, fits right with the Weird Science Get Fresh Crew. This issue is the second part of a Shazam/Marvel Family story that started off really good. Do we continue the fun this week? Let's find out...

Sister, Sister

Written by: Sterling Gates
Art by: Carmen Garnero, Sandra Molina and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

The Adventures of Supergirl is back for another print edition and that means that I'm back to review it. I'd love to say something funny like "I just flew in from Cleveland and boy, my arms are tired", but I can't fly and if I could, I wouldn't be caught dead in Cleveland. I kid because I care. What does any of this have to do with Adventures of Supergirl? Nothing at all! I just need something to write in this introduction paragraph before I get to the review. Now that we've taken care of that, on with the review...

Jim and Eric are back with what we will call (for now) the DC Spotlight for the week of June 25th. This episode they review the Flash #1 and Justice League #52 and they loved one of those...can you guess which? Remember, this is just a sampling of what you will find on the regular weekly podcast which comes out each and every Sunday so if you like what you hear, listen to that as well. Enjoy!

Weird Science DC Comics Presents...Marvel Mondays?!?

That's right, folks! Starting this Monday (June 27th), the Weird Science Get Fresh Crew will devote every single Monday to reviewing Marvel Comics. Why would we do such a thing? Here are a list of reasons...

We are insane
Most of us are Marvel fans as well as loving DC Comics
There is a severe lack of Bloodsport references in the current Marvel reviews
There is a severe lack of curse words in the current Marvel reviews
There is just a severe lack of current Marvel reviews
We want to give Marvel fans the chance to yell at Eric
We are insane

After reading those reasons, I'm sure that you would agree that we really have no other choice but to do this. Stay tuned to find out when and if this means we will start doing a weekly 7+ hour Marvel Podcast. See you on Monday!

Aquaman #1 Review and SPOILERS

Man…Or Aquaman?

Written By: Dan Abnett

Art By: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessey, Gabe Eltaeb

Lettered By: Pat Brosseau

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: June 22, 2015

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

One thing I’ve always liked about Aquaman is that he can be traced back to a specific American state. Places like Gotham and Central City, it’s sometimes implied where they are roughly positioned on a U.S. map. Arthur Curry’s birthplace is Amnesty Bay, which (despite not being a real place) is in Massachusetts. So that really begs the question: is Aquaman a Red Sox fan? Does he celebrate Patriot’s Day? Does he speak with a New England accent??? Because if he does, well that changes just about everything. I’m going to need to read every issue aloud from now on. I’ll use my best Kennedy family inflection: “Er, ah, Ocean Mastah, I’m gonna knawck your blawck off y’got me so wicked pissed awf!” I just made him ten times more awesome. “Mera! Er, ah, Bleack Meanta is creatin’ a clustah in the watah! Theah’s fish all ovah the place, it’s a real shit show!” I suggest you read my review using your best New Englander voice, so you’re in practice for the next issue of Aquaman. Read on!

Harley Quinn #29 Review and SPOILERS

Repo Kaiju

Written By: Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Art By: Chad Hardin, Alex Sinclair

Letters By: Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

On Sale Date: June 22, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I think I like Harley Quinn best when a story arc has ended and a new one is about to begin. I get giddy with anticipation for whatever wacky violence will ensue, and since it’s Harley Quinn virtually anything can happen. Will her adventures happen in Brooklyn or take her to the far-off land of the Bronx? Will she travel through time or float around in outer space? Will there be sexual innuendo? Well, we can kind of infer that last bit, but in nearly every other respect this comic book is more like a stream-of-consciousness Robert Crumb comic than your standard capes n’ tights fare. And I love Zap! Comix, so maybe that’s why this speaks to me. Or maybe it’s the fact that Harley’s always eating at Nathan’s Frankfurters on Surf Avenue. Or maybe if you read on to my review, you’ll find out how I really feel!

Nine Lives

Written by: Ian Edginton
Art by: Matthew Dow Smith, Jordie Bellaire and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

I don't think I'm the only one who scratched his head is disbelief when this book was announced, but after reading the first issue, I was looking forward to this one. Of course, I am one of the few that this book is targeted at being a fan of both the Batman '66 show as well as the Avengers. So, did this chapter continue the fun of the last one and is it good enough for me to recommend it to just about any comic fan? Let's find out...

We Bought a Zoo of Mind-Controlled Animals

Written By: Tony Bedard

Art By: Miguel Mendonca, Diana Conesa, Tony Aviña

Letters By: Corey Breen

Cover Price: $2.99

On Sale Date: June 22, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

One time I sat around a dinner table with my parents and their first cousins, who are around the same age, listening to them talk about Facebook. I would rather have had bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails. They half marveled, half complained about its intrusive nature, the seemingly spurious yet eerily targeted advertisements appearing on their feed, and the shocking reveal of their peers’ shitty politics. They simultaneously denounced “stalking” other profiles on Facebook while admitting to doing the same. I swear I was going to jump out the window. What hath Mark Zuckerberg wrought!? And the worst part is, as “in the know” as I think I am, I know there are generations behind mine so adept at computing that what I do has more the effect of a Rube Goldberg machine than anything sensible or efficient. But I have learned from the embarrassment we suffer at Baby Boomers’ constant rumination on this digital world: I’m damn sure not going to complain about it. One thing I will complain about, however, is Teen Titans. But will I do so for issue #21? Read on to find out!

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

Written By: Marv Wolfman
Art By: Felipe Watanabe, Daniel HDR, Julio Ferreira, Oclair Albert, Adriano Lucas, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This series is almost like a "Be Careful What You Wish For" situation because where I was begging DC to put out a Cyborg book for years, now that I've got it, it really wasn't what I hoped it would be. Just a bunch of Technosapiens, who we don't really get a clear case of who or what they are and how they were connected to Cyborg's new operating system, just that he was some sort of mechanical Jesus, who was destined to be the savior of the their species....... It was weird. So yeah, besides for those strange aliens, it seems that it's also all been about Cyborg hacking things and while I know that's a part of his wheelhouse, it's also kind of boring. That's about it though with our Cyborg series, at least from my perspective and now we get to our final issue........ which is also weird because nothing in this says "The End" or "Not The End" like writers like doing so maybe this is just our temporary stop until Cyborg picks back up at some time in the future. Hopefully that series finds its footing better than this one though. Let's jump into this final issue and see what's what now that Cyborg spent the previous issue making sure that the Technosapiens weren't in any of his systems. Let's check it out.

All's Well That Ends Well

Written By: Ray Fawkes
Art By: Ramon Bachs, Mat Lopes, Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It was a long road getting Damian through his Year of Blood........ and then an even longer road getting him through his Year of Atonement, but we've finally reached the end of our series before Damian goes off and leads the Teen Titans to greatness....... hopefully. In the previous issue, our young hero took down Suren Darga, the heir to the Lu'un Darga legacy and the born enemy of the Al Ghuls. Suren Darga's main goal was to bring about the end of the world and to resurrect his father, but after Damian slapped some sense into the boy by telling him that his father didn't give a shit about him because he would have to sacrifice himself in order for his father to live....... Well, Suren got himself off the apocalypse trolley and before he could be tortured by Talia Al Ghul, Damian decided that the boy deserved a second chance and took him along with Maya and himself to go wherever the road..... or Goliath took them. Let's jump into this final issue and see where that road or bat monster went. Let's check it out.

Rainbows and Bloodshed
Written By: Brian Buccellato and Mike W. Barr
Art By: Viktor Bogdanovic and Diogenes Neves
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Well, it's been a long war, but its time for things to come to a close. The last time saw our sword wielding warrior of virtue, Katana had learned what Kobra was trying to harness as a weapon: The Aurakale! He used these colorful beings to create the metahuman Halo! Deadshot, on the other hand, learned that his replacement had kidnapped his daughter and has challenged him to a duel to see who is the better Deadshot. While it's made perfectly obvious that this comic was made just to boost interest for the movie, I won't say that it's completely a waste of space sell out. There were fun action scenes in Katana's half of the book while Deadshot's story alone carried the series. So does this series close properly or will it fall back into the trope of lame sell out issues? Let's find out...

Let's Make a Deal

Written by: James Bonny
Art by: Paolo Pantalena, Arif Prianto and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

It's that time of month again...Deathstroke Time!!! That means all sorts of fun things like severed limbs, pools of blood, daughters hating fathers, fathers doing everything to save daughters and one crazy ass mind powered son that infuriates me every time I see his jerk off face. Good times, people. If you didn't read last issue or don't remember what happened because you don't take care of yourself by eating right including some sort of fish three times a week, I will tell you. The Wilson Family went off to take care of the Lawman and his associates, but after Rose was mind controlled (again), Jericho had to use mind powers to free her and she ended up a little worse for wear. Actually, she is dying and the issue ended with Ra's al Ghul offering his assistance and only wants one thing in return...Deathstroke's soul!!! Imagine the music that comes after a big statement like that. You know, "Da-Da-Dummmmmm" Go back and read that sentence again and say the sound effect out loud and then we will get on with the review. Okay, we're all on the same page now? On with the review...

A Super Man

Written by: Dan Jurgens
Art by: Tom Grummett, Danny Miki, Mark Morales, Scott Hanna, Gabe Eltaeb and Carlos M.
Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Justice League has been plagued with delays for a while and while Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok squeezed out the Darkseid War just as the buzzer sounded, these last two issues have suffered because of it. Last week's #51 was more of a prelude to the New 52 Titans Hunt book than the Titans Rebirth it claimed and this week's #52 takes place before Action Comics #957...which came out two weeks ago. Talk about thing that make you go hmmm. That being said, I liked last week's Justice League book for a fun trip down (a not so remembered) memory lane and as for this issue, the more I get Lex in that kick ass Superman Battle Suit, the better. Seriously, just getting him in that suit gives the book a 4 or 5 out of 10 to start and then we just go up or down from there. Well, not exactly, but I do love the suit. So, where do we end up by the end of this issue? Let's find out...

Mud Room

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas, and Marilyn Patrizio
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Detective Comics was one of my biggest surprises of Rebirth so far. I knew it was going to be fun, but the whole team concept really clicked with me, plus...it was so damn fun. The Rebirth #1 left me wanting more of just about everything and was the first book that made me glad about the twice a month shipping schedule. So, did the first proper issue of James Tynion's run continue impressing me with it's fun team concept and did someone give Clayface a zipline? The answer is both yes an no. Let me explain...

Extended Fight Sequence

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Patrick Zircher, Ulises Arreola, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Goddamn did the last issue of Action Comics just wow the hell out of me. I mean, there I was just sitting back thinking to myself what fun it would be to see Lex Luthor take on the Superman moniker, when all of a sudden I was transported back to '92 and besides for the fact that I was instantly wearing Zubaz Stripes, I was having a great time seeing how our current story was mirroring the Death of Superman and also the Reign of Superman story arcs from that grungy time of the 90's. If you thought that was all we got though, you'd be buggin'. We also had Clark Kent come out of nowhere and he may or may not know that he is actually Superman and he also may or may not know about his own apparent death. It was a strange inclusion to this story, but I got to tell ya, I need to know the answers to what the hell is going on in this series and that gets me excited because I haven't needed to know shit about Superman for awhile now and it's a good feeling. If all of that wasn't enough, we were introduced to the real Doomsday containment/burial suit and all. Let's jump into this issue and see if our new Superman can get along with Lex Luthor long enough to take down this monster or if history will repeat itself and our hero will have to go out swingin'. Let's check it out.

Heavy Footed

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

While i was a little disappointed with the Flash: Rebirth #1, it was only because it seemed to more concerned with catch-up and recap than doing anything fresh or new. Since doing my review, I have come to grips that the Rebirth #1's may not have been for me and were more for people who skipped the New 52 and were jumping in the book and needed some recap. I have come to grips with it, but that doesn't mean that I like it. I am a selfish man and want new and fresh from my Rebirth books and like Veruca Salt, I want it now! Is Joshua Williamson listening? Let's find out...

Who's Got Answers?

Written By: Greg Rucka
Art By: Liam Sharp, Laura Martin, Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

As we all saw in the Rebirth issue of Wonder Woman, things might not be as cut and dry as we believed them to be from her origin to her even being the God of War. Yeah, it's a little confusing right now for us and Wonder Woman apparently, but hopefully now that our Queen of the Amazons is out and about and trying to hunt down answers for herself, we'll get to find out what the hell we've been reading about for the past five years. I'm all for having new ideas for a character, I just hope that when everything is said and done that this wasn't all a St. Elsewhere, where all of Wonder Woman's exploits were actually in the mind of a young autistic boy staring at a snow globe....... Does anyone still remember St. Elsewhere? Anyway, let's jump into this issue and see where Wonder Woman's hunt for answers takes her now that nothing seems to make sense in her own recollection of events. Let's check it out.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #27 Review

Nowhere to Run to, Baby...Nowhere to Hide

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Tom Derenick, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 21, 2016

Last issue of Injustice was one of my favorite since Brian Buccellato took over this book and one of the best period. So much was thrown at the reader...Batman left dead to rights, Barry saving him, Bruce asking for a little paradox and then the feels of knowing what Alfred knew all along. It was really great and if you haven't read it, I suggest you do so now. We aren't here to talk about the past though, and there are a lot of things that are going to have to be dealt with. The biggest is what the Regime will do to Barry or at least try to do. I am so excited to find out, I'm going to stop my introduction paragraph and get down to business. On with the review...

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Patrick Zircher, Ulises Arreola, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

“PATH TO DOOM” Chapter Two

Luthor and Superman must put aside their differences and face the common threat of Doomsday, as Jimmy Olsen and the Planet staff try to uncover the truth: who is the man claiming to be Clark Kent?

THEY SAID IT: “Superman is synonymous with the word ‘superhero’,” says artist Patrick Zircher. “He’s the greatest. Drawing ACTION COMICS fills me with a passion to make great comics.”

NOW SHIPPING TWICE MONTHLY!

Goddamn, did the last issue of Action Comics just "Wow" the hell out of me with all its callbacks to classic Superman stories, while adding a shit ton of new things that got me interested to the point where I actually NEED to know what's going on with Superman and that's a cool feeling because it seems like it's been a long time since I needed something out of a Superman comic.

Happy Birthday to Nobody

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Marco Santucci, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 15, 2016

While I have enjoyed the hell out of Injustice: Year Five, the one thing we haven't gotten enough of is Batman. He's been hanging out in Alaska, bidding his time, waiting until he builds a semblance of a team before taking on the Regime head on. Of course, Superman knows this and uses a little of the ultra-violence to draw the Dark Knight out of the shadows. It's brutal, heart breaking and shows just how far Superman has fallen. So, does all that also mean that this issue is worth your time and money? Let's find out...

This is becoming a weekly event and while it is starting to feel a bit like gloating, I am so happy that DC Comics can be happy about something for a change. Weird Science inside sources have told me that everyone at the DC Burbank offices are in such good moods that things that normally piss people off aren't even causing a frown. For instance, sources said that someone took Geoff Johns' Green Lantern AND Aquaman hats and he just laughed it off and went hatless for 2 whole minutes! I also heard that when Dan Didio's normal shipment of White Castle was delayed, he didn't make the PR department do pushups until it arrived. And finally, Jim Lee was heard saying that he might just get back to work on that All-Star Batman and Robin book within the next five years. Good Times, folks, Good Times! Here is the official press release...

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

“LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE” Chapter One

A new storm brews over Central City and disproves the old adage about lightning never, well…you know. Just as Barry begins to feel overwhelmed fighting crime, a new speedster debuts—but just where did this amazing new friend come from?

FLASH FACT: “2016 is the 60th anniversary of Barry Allen becoming The Flash, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it,” says writer Joshua Williamson. “‘The Return of Barry Allen’ in FLASH #79 [1993] is one of my favorite comics of all time. It’s where I became a Flash fan for life.”

NOW SHIPPING TWICE MONTHLY!

I am so pumped to get this “LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE” story started, that while I waited, I only dealt with lightning themed things...I put Metallica's Ride The Lightning album on repeat, I watched my NHL - Tampa Bay Lightning 2003-2004 Stanley Cup Champions video and when they asked me what I wanted at the McDonald's Drive-Thru, I told them, "I'm gonna eat lightning, and crap thunder!" As you can tell, June 22nd can't come quick enough!

Written by: Brian Buccellato, Mike Barr
Art by: Diogenes Neves, Richard Friend, Viktor Bogdanovic
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

Kobra put the fate of the Earth at risk—and now he wants Katana and the Squad to work beside him to clean up his mistakes. As the fight on his ark heats up, they’ll all need to decide what is most important!

Oh, that cray cray Kobra Commander. I think that he's just mad that his shiny helmet keeps getting all smudged up. Seriously, he probably has to hire a guy to keep polishing it up and good workers are hard to come by. Then, just when he gets everything in order, G.I. Joe comes by and...What? That isn't this book? That's not even a DC Comics property and it's spelled differently? Oh, crap! I feel like a real fool right now. Here is the preview with no G.I. Joe in it whatsoever.

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Eddie Barrows
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 22, 2016

NOW SHIPPING TWICE MONTHLY!

“RISE OF THE BATMEN” chapter two
Batman and team find themselves in the crosshairs as the villain they’ve begun hunting turns the tables on them. Batman and Batwoman have the skills to survive, but do their young teammates? Is this where hero training ends in tragedy?

THEY SAID IT: “The ideas are boiling inside my brain,” boasts artist Eddy Barrows. “James and I intend to elevate Batman to a whole new level, with amazing and exciting stories, and artwork. To sum it up in one sentence—it’s going to be epic!”

This is already such a fun book and Tynion and Barrows are just getting started. While I hate the "They Said It" bit, I may have to agree with Barrows here. Seriously though, I am still waiting for They Said It: "Yea, I wasn't feeling too good the week of the deadline for this book so I kind of mailed it in." Or, "I'm not a big Batman fan, but I just got married and my new wife told me if I don't get some sort of paycheck soon, I had to give up this comic writing dream and go to work at her Father's car dealership." Here is the preview...

Road Trip 3: The Whole Ball of String

Written by: Sholly Fisch
Art by: Marcelo Di Chiara, Jeremy Lawson and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: June 9, 2016

I am really digging the Teen Titans Go! comic. After reading and reviewing a bunch of "serious" comics, it's just so nice to settle down and read something that only wants to put a smile on the reader's face. The best part is, it almost always succeeds! So, before you continue, go to your happy place and get ready for the party to begin...

Double Damage!

Written by: Jim Zub
Art by: Nelson Daniel and Neil Uyetake
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 15, 2016

I really enjoyed the first issue of Dungeons & Dragons so much that I am back again for #2. I mentioned in my last review that I will always give anything with Minsc and Boo a try and Jim Zub hooked me in with a cool story and a crazy cliffhanger...Ravenloft?!? I'll admit that I am a bit more old school than that, but I have opened up in my old age. Just stay clear of Dark Sun and I'll be okay. Reading the first issue got me psyched to play a little D&D, but that just isn't going to happen, so I had to wait for this issue to get my fix. Now that I've read it, is it Tomb of Horrors good or The Forest Oracle bad? Let's find out...

Navigation

Saturday, June 25, 2016

The Truth is Right Here

Friday, June 24, 2016

Zoinks!

Sister, Sister

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Nine Lives

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

All's Well That Ends Well

A Super Man

Mud Room

Extended Fight Sequence

Heavy Footed

Who's Got Answers?

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Nowhere to Run to, Baby...Nowhere to Hide

Happy Birthday to Nobody

Road Trip 3: The Whole Ball of String

Double Damage!