Friday, November 18, 2016

Top 5 Fridays: Top 5 Comics I'm Thankful For


Welcome to a very special edition of Top 5 Fridays! In less than a week, many of us will be gathering around the table with friends and family to shovel food into our mouths. Despite this tradition, we must always remember why the holiday is called Thanksgiving and not National Food Coma Day. It is a day of thanks, and to remember what we are thankful for. Before you scroll past this post, no I'm not going to do something cheesy and spew emotional moments in my time here as a writer. What I am going to talk about though is comics that came out this year that I'm thankful for just existing. As always, this is an opinion-based list, so if you don't see a series/issue you like on this list, I apologize.
With the usual talk out of the way, let's dive in!

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Green Lanterns #11 & Green Arrow #11


Jim and Eric go green as they break down this week's Green Lanterns #11 and Green Arrow #11.  Can you guess which one they liked more?  Also find out all about Jim's kids obsession with flipping bottles, what happened to Jim's PSN account and other nonsense!  If you like what you hear, come on over to the main podcast that drops every Sunday Night where the boys discuss every book DC released this week.



DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 11/16/16

Pro Tip: Put Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman on the Cover

Another week, another dollar. Actually, for my paycheck, that would be pretty generous. But there's another thing we get to look at weekly: all of the swell new covers wrapping DC Comics! I picked five of my favorites, and if your fall outside of these choices, then I am sad to tell you that your eyes are broken or you are somehow unable to appreciate aesthetic beauty! How sad for you!




Wednesday, November 16, 2016

He-Man / Thunder Cats #2 Review


Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats??? Noooooooooo!!!

Written by: Lloyd Goldfine & Rob David
Art by: Freddie E Williams
Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 16, 2016
Review by: Branden Murray


He-Man is something that for whatever reason still gets me excited even at my advanced bitter old age. I loved the ongoing comic series DC was putting out a few years ago, I adored the cartoon, had all the toys, and even the movie was my jam as a kid. Anyway, in a very fine issue one of this crossover, our writing team (Lloyd Goldfine & Rob David) almost broke lil’ Branden’s heart when poor Adam looked to be up shits creek without a paddle, at the end of his own sword nonetheless, before a last second assist from “the Power of Grayskull”. From there things ended poorly for everyone but Skeletor, who was able to dispatch Mumm-Ra, allowing him to get his boney hands on the Sword of Power. It took the persistent bastard 35 years by my count to get this sword so I say kudos, however the story must continue, so let’s see what’s brewing here in issue two of the He-Man/Thundercats crossover … very light on Thundercats so far might I add.

Injustice: Ground Zero #7 Review


Scales or Venom?


Written by: Chris Sebela
Art by: Daniel Sampere
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: November 15, 2016
Review by: Dillyn Chadwick

Check out Dillyn's Podcast, DC Bros. Podcast HERE

Dillyn here back again with another Injustice: Ground Zero review. Last issue was a huge improvement and brought the series in the direction I wanted it to go. So let’s take a look at #7 and see if we can stay on that track.

Suicide Squad #6 Review and **SPOILERS**



Ooh, I’ll Give You Such a Pinch!

Writer: Rob Williams 
Penciller: Jim Lee 
Inkers: Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Matt Banning, Jim Lee 
Colors: Alex Sinclair 
Letters: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Lee, Williams and Sinclair 
Back-Up Artist: Carlos D’Anda 
Back-Up Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 
Back-Up Letterer: Josh Reed 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Here’s the Gravediggaz, “1-800 SUICIDE,” featuring a very young, pre-Wu Tang Rza!
Weird that there’s a Busy Bee song with the same title that is wildly different. Here’s my review of Suicide Squad #6!

Aquaman #11 Review and **SPOILERS**



But I Want My False Flag Operation Now!

Writer: Dan Abnett 
Artist: Philippe Briones 
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 
Letterer: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennesy & Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I want Aquaman to get an Aquacat. No, I don’t mean a catfish, I mean a new kind of sea life that has the body of a fish and the head of a cat. And maybe the two front paws of a cat, that would be cute. It could leap out of the water with a “mew!” and submerge all the way to Atlantis to curl up on Arthur’s lap. Should there be an Aquadog? I don’t think there should be an Aquadog. Just an Aquacat, that’s all that matters. I regret to inform you that this issue has no such Aquacat. But it does have some wacky Aquaman action and by that I mean you get to see him with his face swollen up like an overripe beet. But let me not give away everything in the intro! Read on for my review of Aquaman #11!

Raven #3 Review and **SPOILERS**



Soulicon Valley

Writer: Marv Wolfman 
Artist: Alisson Borges 
Colorist: Blond 
Lettering: A Larger World 
Cover By: Annie Wu 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I had a few novelty magic tricks as a kid: a fake matchbox that made a penny disappear, or the old color-changing scarf gimmick. More than magic tricks, I had novelty pranks, like flies in ice cubes, or whoopee cushions, or joy buzzers. I must have gotten five joy buzzers before I realized that whatever “shocking” effect they were supposed to elicit during a handshake did not actually exist. I really must have been some kind of jaggov as a kid, handing out garlic gum or leaving fake dog poo around like some kind of cut-rate Soupy Sales. I probably should have had my ass kicked. Maybe that’s why Raven’s somewhat reserved with her magic powers, she doesn’t want to be the precocious Sabrina-esque brat that uses her demonic witch abilities to levitate a can of Diet Coke from the fridge. Let’s see what Raven’s up to now, I’m sure she’s using her terrifying abilities judiciously and to great effect for the benefit of all!

Superman #11 Review and *SPOILERS*



Team Building


Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, Mark Morales, Christian Alamy, John Kalisz, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I love young heroes and I love getting the chance to see them grow into the heroes that they are....... which means that I should love the hell out of this book because heroes don't get much younger than Damian Wayne and Jon Kent or as they prefer to be called, Robin and Superboy.  The previous issue really hit all the right spots when it comes to me liking a comic and I hope beyond hope that it continues here because from what we got that issue, I don't think I've been as excited for a comic as I am for Super Sons, which we see the beginnings of here.  So we've got Damian Wayne, not trusting Jon Kent and after their fathers got involved in Damian's little kidnapping of Superboy, it looks like these little rascals are going to have to go through some crazy ass boot camp so that they can prove to their fathers that they're able to work together.  Let's jump into this issue and see if they can pull it off or if this pairing is doomed to fail before it ever begins.  Let's check it out.

Green Lanterns #11 Review and *SPOILERS*



You'll Have To Pry It Off My Cold, Dead Finger


Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Robson Rocha, Jay Leisten, Cam Smith, Blond, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Is it weird that I kind of feel for Frank Laminski?  I mean, I understand all about not getting something that you feel you deserve and that pissing you off, but old Frankie boy had it dangling right in front of his face, only to have it yanked away and given to someone else....... I'm talking about a Green Lantern ring in case you haven't been reading.  Finally though, after all his years of training and waiting we saw Frank get his hands on a power ring in the previous issue, but it was the Phantom Ring that doesn't need to choose its wearer and we also saw that this unique ring also has the ability to cycle through the emotional spectrum depending on how the bearer is feeling at any given time.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Frank goes with the whole "hero" thing that he seemed to be all about before or if Volthoom and him go straight up baddie here.  Let's check it out.

Doctor Fate #18 Review and *SPOILERS*



No Fate


Written By: Paul Levitz
Art By: Brendan McCarthy, Mark Harrison, Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

This series has been the bane of my existence for a long ass time now and I'm so happy that it's finally ending here because seeing Doctor Fate like this was just a kick to the balls every month when I would have to open this book to see what kind of nonsense and whining Khalid was up to and the reason it killed me to do that was because we already had a bad ass Doctor Fate going on in Earth 2 and seeing one that was so much less than what we were used to seemed like a terrible slap to the face.  Really, I blame the writing because Khalid could have been a pretty cool character, but he never got a chance to shine and at this point I'd rather bury this series than have to go through the time to make him a viable character, but maybe that's just me.......... Well, no........ I've seen the sales, people aren't happy with Khalid, but maybe now that he's traversing the threads of destiny we can see him go out a hero that we can all look fondly back on............ but I doubt it.  Let's jump into this final issue and check it out.

Cyborg #5 Review and *SPOILERS*



What Do You Call A Female Cyborg?...... A Cyborg, Duh!


Written By: John Semper Jr.
Art By: Allan Jefferson, Derec Donovan, Scott Hanna, Guy Major, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I wish this Imitation of Life would just hurry up and stop being an imitation already because even though this is the fifth issue, it seems like we've been spinning our wheels for awhile here, with little to no progress, besides for the big bad of the series taking over Dr. Silas Stone's life and even that's been really going nowhere........ I mean, unless you consider the fact that he's making the real Silas watch as he does it as progress, to me that's just prolonged torture.  So anyway, what I'm trying to say is, I just want more from this series because it just doesn't seem like a lot has happened.  Let's jump into this issue of Cyborg and see if that can change here.  Let's check it out.

Nightwing #9 Review and *SPOILERS*



Dream Warriors!


Written By: Tim Seeley
Art By: Marcio Takara, Marcelo Maiolo, Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 26, 2016

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that we're done with Raptor and the Monster Men, I really hope that we can get Nightwing back to the way that we all want him to be.......... and if you think he's been fine this whole time....... Well, I'm not talking to you.  This series has been weird so far and felt off to me, but since this is a Nightwing book, I'm going to give it some leeway and just hope beyond hope that it finds its footing because I really want to like this book........ It's just been really hard.  So let's jump into this one-shot story and see why Superman has come to Gotham and why he needs Nightwing's help.  Let's check it out.

Green Arrow #11 Review


Express Yourself

Written by: Benjamin Percy
Art by: Juan Ferreyra and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016


I don't know about you, but the sudden appearance of the Trans Pacific Railway was a bit too much for me at the start of last issue, but by the end, I was getting used to it enough. Why?  Because there were more things to worry about in the story besides the engineering marvel that appeared out of nowhere.  Seriously, the story had more holes in it than a horse-trader's mule and we all know how crazy that can be, right?  So, going into this issue I had high hopes that not only would Ben Percy be able to give us a compelling story, but one that made everything we've already gooten make some better sense.  Is that what we got?  Let's find out...


Justice League #9 Review



The T(errible) Virus

Written by: Bryan hitch
Art by: Neil Edwards, Daniel Henriques, Tony Avina and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

I don't know if you've heard, but the Justice League hasn't been my favorite book since Rebirth started.  It's not a big surprise, really.  The book has been a complete mess of poor characterizations, shitty dialogue and stories that never seem to have a satisfactory ending.  If we get one more, "I don't think that's the last we'll see of them" ending, I might just jump off a bridge.  I guess I could just drop the book, but that's not a big enough gesture to make up for the crap that I (and everyone else still reading...you are out there, right?) have had to endure.  There is always hope and I'll go with that when I ask if this issue can somehow turn it all around and turn this frown upside down.  Well, did it?  Let's find out...


Trinity #3 Review



Back Alley Deals

Written by: Francis Manapul
Art by: Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Brad Anderson and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

I made the declaration that this book was "My Justice League" after the excellent first issue. It may not have all the characters that DC's flagship title has, but the quality was leaps and bounds better than anything we've seen since Rebirth started.  The second issue, unfortunately, started showing some chinks in the armor and just wasn't as good as the first. So, does this issue get back on track by taking the White Mercy train to Gotham or does that just muddy up a story that really needs things to get...less muddy?  Let's find out.


Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #2 Review and **SPOILERS**



Take This Job and Shove It

Written By: Gerard Way & Jon Rivera 
Art & Cover By: Michael Avon Oeming 
Interior and Cover Colors By: Nick Filardi 
Letters By: Clem Robins 
Back-Up By: Tom Scioli
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I’ve been thinking of all the things I might do if I had a cybernetic eye, and all I can come up with is that I would use my X-ray vision to look at people’s nakedness. I understand I could also check out people’s heart rates, maybe pull some information from a clandestine database regarding whatever I view, but I would be using it primarily to look through clothing. I suppose this makes me a terrible person, but how could I not do this? I’m sure it would become so perfunctory that I would be inured to seeing people nude all the time. On line at the grocery store, lazily looking at the pimpled butt of the octogenarian in front of me; paying for my items while scrutinizing some unusual moles on the cashier’s chest. Just part of life, me and my cybernetic eye and the fact that I know what everyone’s junk looks like. Cave Carson isn’t so crass, however, he uses his cybernetic eye for…well, I’m not sure what he uses it for. It’s about time we got some answers about this so-called cybernetic eyeball, don’t you think? Let’s take a look at issue #2 and find out what’s what!

Batman #11 Review


The Great (Es)Cape

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin, Hugo Petrus, June Chung and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016


It's another issue of I am Suicide and going into this one, my head has been swimming with theories.  Was that really Batman?  Is Catwoman really a mass murderer?  Why the hell did Tom King decide to revive Punch?  Actually, that last one makes me laugh and that's not something that Batman books have been known for in the past couple of years. That being said, I hope we get some answers this issue that sheds a little light on Batman's overall plan to take Psycho Pirate from Bane.  Well, do we?  Let's find out...


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

PREVIEW: Superman #11




Written By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason
Art By: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, Mark Morales, Christian Alamy, John Kalisz, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016


“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER” part two! Superman and Batman are up against the ropes, and it’s up to Superboy and Robin to save the day— but can they work together long enough to get the job done?

If this story arc is anything like what we're going to get in "Super Sons" then 2017 can't get here soon enough because I want that series now!

PREVIEW: Nightwing #9




Written By: Tim Seeley
Art By: Marcio Takara, Marcelo Maiolo, Carlos M. Mangual
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 26, 2016


“FACING DESTINY”! In this single-issue tale, Nightwing is being attacked in his dreams by Dr. Destiny, and the only person who can help him is Superman! But following Nightwing’s confrontation with Raptor and the aftermath of “Night of the Monster Men,” can Nightwing trust a Superman he doesn’t know—or will his lack of trust get them both killed?!

Now that we're done with Raptor, hopefully that means we can finally move on to Nightwing being Nightwing and in my mind, that means leaving Spyral behind too.

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #11




Written By: Sam Humphries
Art By: Robson Rocha, Jay Leisten, Cam Smith, Blond, Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

“THE PHANTOM RING” part three! The Phantom Ring has been claimed, but is its new bearer friend or foe of the Green Lantern Corps?

I can't wait to see what old Frank Laminski has in store for us now that he's achieved his dreams and become a Green Lantern.......... Well, a Phantom Lantern, but one who's really all about that Green.

PREVIEW: Cyborg #5




Written By: John Semper Jr.
Art By: Allan Jefferson, Derec Donovan, Scott Hanna, Guy Major, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 16, 2016

“THE IMITATION OF LIFE” part six! Led by Silas Stone, S.T.A.R. Labs takes drastic measures to decommission Cyborg! Confound inside his immobile body, Cyborg seeks help from an unlikely ally who, with help of virtual Victor, must break into S.T.A.R. Labs to reactive Cyborg.

While I love Cyborg, I can't say that this series is something that has really grabbed me and that sucks because the previous series didn't do it for me either so here I am just sitting here, waiting for a book about Vic Stone that just knocks my socks off.

PREVIEW: Aquaman #11



Waiting to Exhale

Writer: Dan Abnett 
Artist: Philippe Briones 
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb 
Letterer: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Brad Walker, Andrew Hennesy & Gabe Eltaeb 
Variant Cover: Joshua Middleton 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

“THE DELUGE” prologue! Aquaman’s mission to unite the sea and surface has taken a great leap forward. But N.E.M.O.—the secret terrorist organization—has other ideas. Black Manta deploys the agents of N.E.M.O. to provoke hostilities between Atlantis and America. The Deluge—the prophesied, all–out global war—is about to begin...

I have been enjoying the slower burn of this story as late, and it looks like one (or maybe two) more issues will slide into place until that prophecy where a giant Mera antagonizes Atlantis with a Xebellian army comes to pass. That's what the prophecy looked like last issue, anyway. I seem to also recall something about the end of all life on the planet. Well let's not get too rash, we'll see where it goes and when all life on the planet starts dying out, we'll step in and stop her.

PREVIEW: Suicide Squad #6



Mama Weer All Crazee Now

Writer: Rob Williams 
Penciller: Jim Lee 
Inkers: Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Matt Banning, Jim Lee 
Colors: Alex Sinclair 
Letters: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Lee, Williams and Sinclair 
Variant Cover: Lee Bermejo
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

“THE BLACK VAULT” part six! With the secret of the Black Vault revealed, Rick Flag and Amanda Waller come to blows over what to actually do with it—assuming they can even control it! Can “The Wall” give up the deadliest weapon in the world—maybe in the galaxy? And what effect is the Vault having on everyone in Belle Reve?

Uh oh, from the preview it looks like things are going to get a little anxious at Suicide Squad Headquarters...which is Belle Reve Prison by the way! This could get dicey!

PREVIEW: Raven #3



Something Wicked This Way Comes

Writer: Marv Wolfman 
Artist: Alisson Borges 
Colorist: Blond 
Lettering: A Larger World 
Cover By: Annie Wu 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

“The White Carnival” part three! San Francisco goes on high alert when a strange, glowing orb begins to consume the city itself! Can Raven save her new friends and her new home from this mysterious and powerful force?

Well, the solicit fairly well tells us where we left off, so I'm gonna guess the answer to this question is...yes? Yes, certainly and eventually Raven will save her new friends and her new home from this mysterious powerful force. I mean, it's sort of what heroes do.

PREVIEW: Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #2



I've Only Got Eye For You

Written By: Gerard Way & Jon Rivera 
Art & Cover By: Michael Avon Oeming 
Interior and Cover Colors By: Nick Filardi 
Letters By: Clem Robins 
Variant Cover By: Matt Taylor 
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: November 16, 2016

Something is rotten in the subterranean state of Muldroog, the ancestral home of Cave’s wife Eileen (a.k.a. Princess Mazra P’thrall), forcing Cave to step out of adventurer retirement to solve this mystery. To do that, he must to steal a massive piece of mobile technology and recruit an old friend for this mission. Also in this issue: How Cave got that cybernetic eye. And explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.

Hey, this solicit is already answering a bunch of questions I had from the previous issue! Seems like a good time to me, especially since Wild Dog should be getting into the mix. I was a little tentative on the first issue of this book, but now it's do or die time: this must be either the greatest comic book of all time, or it will be considered an artistic nightmare with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Or maybe it will just be a fun read, I'd take that too.