Saturday, July 15, 2017

Regression #3 Review



Let's Talk...

Writer: Cullen BunnArtist: Danny Luckert, Marie EngerPublisher: Image ComicsRelease Date: July 12, 2017Cover Price: $3.99

So far Regression has been an interesting read with it blurring the lines of what is real and not. It’s been a pretty straight forward horror story based around the idea of split personalities or possession, but where it differs, for the most part, has been from its art. This is possibly the first comic in a while where the art tells a lot more of the story than the actual dialogue, but as much as it gives it more than doubles on the confusion. Constantly wondering what is going on and what exactly is real, the question is how long until that method continues to be satisfying. Without some kind of progression in what we can understand it can quickly become a mess of just a lot of questions. So I go into this issue wondering if this is the issue that it becomes a little monotonous or will we start to get more of a grasp on what’s transpiring? Find out along with me, after the jump.


Weird Science DC Comics Podcast Spotlight: Dark Days - The Casting #1



Jim and Eric turn that spotlight on the big book of the week...Dark Days: The Casting.  It's a dense book that bothered Eric a little more than Jim and it's up to you to pick who is right.  It's the fight of the century!  Actually, it's just a lot of talk and a little nonsense, but in the end, one thing is true...Eric said Duke would be "The Signal".

Friday, July 14, 2017

Top 5 Fridays: 5 Questions I asked during Dark Days Prelude


Welcome to another dark edition of Top 5 Fridays! This week we got the second chapter of the Dark Days saga and... It's a dense slog that I can't put down. The concepts in the story are so good, but the dialogue and pace make it difficult to enjoy completely. If there is anything I truly enjoy about this series so far, it's the questions I form from them. In two issues, I formed a variety of questions to theorize around, and I'm going to go over them. If you enjoy the Dark Days story and have answers to these questions, or even want to add your own theories, leave comments below! With that out of the way, pull out your thinking caps and let's dive in.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #6 Review


“Conclusion: Benediction and Commencement”


Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Jeremy Haun
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Michael Marts
Cover Artwork: Billy Tucci
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 3, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor


Hello readers! We’ve reached the end of this fantastic miniseries. Let’s see how things pan out for Jason Todd in his quest for vengeance.


Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #5 Review


“After School Activities”


Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Jeremy Haun
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Michael Marts
Cover Artwork: Billy Tucci
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 6, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor

Gotham’s forgotten bastard son’s got his hands full at the moment. He’s about neck deep in Russian mob entanglements. But don’t worry, if there’s one thing that Batman always taught him and that’s be prepared for every foreseeable scenario. This one’s no different because Jason’s staring down the barrels of several drawn guns aimed in his general direction. Desperate times call for desperate measures as Jason’s able to create a distraction and grab the head muscle at gunpoint after shooting a chunk of the guy’s foot off. Jason’s able to convince the rest of the Ivgene Clan’s members that the authorities are enroute so he’s able to vacate the premises in haste.


Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #4 Review


“Higher Learning”


Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Jeremy Haun
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Michael Marts
Cover Artwork: Billy Tucci
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 1, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor


Picking up where we last left off, Jason Todd’s been a busy body as of late and on the move. We open in Somalia, Africa where a group of mercenaries have been surprised by the local Somalian militia. It is only a little later that we learn that Jason Todd had tipped the locals off to the wetwork outfits’ whereabouts. After eluding the locals, Jason convenes with a contact in the area named Rip. Turns out, Rip’s been teaching Jason Todd the ins and outs of machinery that’s of the land and flying sort.


Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #3 Review


“School”


Writer: Judd Winick
Artists: Jeremy Haun
Colorist: Brian Reber
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel
Editor: Michael Marts
Cover Artwork: Billy Tucci
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 4, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor


We begin with Jason Todd in a full on hand-to-hand training session, though to be fair, this exercise is accentuating the lethal kind. For the past few months, Jason’s been under the tutelage of a German named Egon. Meanwhile, Talia al’ Ghul is having a rather intense conversation with one of her privileged employees. It seems that Talia’s gotten more than she’d bargained for in terms of dealing with Jason. She has clearly underestimated the great lengths that Jason Todd is willing to go to take out his former mentor.


DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 7/12/17

Four Variants and a Wonder Woman

Boy, there were a lot of covers to choose from this week! But only five ever make the cut, for some arbitrary reason I haven't made up yet. But there is a sixth cover, in a special "honorable mention" style category. What the heck am I going on about? You'll have to read on to find out!

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Injustice 2 #14 Review and **Spoilers**



Wedding Crashers

Writer: Tom TaylorArtist: Bruno RedondoPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: July 11, 2017Cover Price: $0.99

With the previous issue having a lot of setup, with a fair amount of darkness thrown in as expected from Tom Taylor’s Injustice series, I’m going into this issue expecting a quick and action packed read. With Damien up to some dark and nefarious business at the Wayne mansion and the rest of Ra’s’ team looking to crash Dinah and Ollie’s wedding I really just can’t see the issue going any other direction from this point. Find out after the jump just what goes down and my thoughts on the whole ordeal.



Flash #26 Review


It's a Speediful Life

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Howard Porter, Hi-Fi and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

The Flash is one of those books that I hope is good every time I read it.  I know that really should go for every book, but Barry Allen Flash is my second favorite character and I want to like this book so much.  The truth of the matter, however, is that I don't.  Sure, it's better than it's start at the beginning of Rebirth, but it still hasn't gotten to the point where I can say it's great.  Heck, I'll take consistently good and die a happy man.  Seeing Howard Porter on art this week makes me hope that I may be able to do just that.  Is that the case or do I have to keep trudging through this cosmic play we call life?  Let's find out...


Justice League of America #10 Review


Dream Warriors

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Andy MacDonald, Hi-Fi and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

I picked up this book to review from Eric in a trade for Batman.  I know that sounds crazy, but here I am, about to review my second issue of JLA for the site.  Of course, I have been reading and discussing it on the podcast so I know what's going on and that isn't much.  This book seems stuck between being all about social justice and telling a comic book story and the problem is, it's doing neither well!  This issue takes us back to Vanity, but will Ray find out you can never go home again?  Let's find out...


New Super-Man #13 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Two I-Chings Are Better Than One

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 
Pencils: Billy Tan 
Inks: Haining 
Color: Gadson 
Letters: Dave Sharpe 
Cover: Philip Tan/Elmer Santos 
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

It’s Neewww Suuuper-Maan week! It’s Neewww Suuuper-Maan weeeeek! Boy, when this comic comes out, everything is just a little brighter. Of course, it helps if you read this before Dark Days: The Casting, because that book is creepy as hell. But not New Super-Man! Let’s dive into my review of issue #13 and wallow in the viscous sludge of a good comic book. Maybe “viscous sludge” wasn’t the best phrase to describe something pleasant, but you get the idea.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #24 Review and **SPOILERS**

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The Sentence for Murdering a Killer is Death

Writer: Robert Vendetti 
Artist: Ethan Van Sciver 
Colorist: Jason Wright 
Letterer: Dave Sharpe 
Cover: Van Sciver and Wright 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

We’ve got a hot-headed Green Lantern, an orderly and militaristic Green Lantern, a loudmouth brawling Green Lantern, and a sensitive goofball Green Lantern…uh, plus two other Green Lanterns that aren’t normally in this series. What we’re missing, however, is a swashbuckling Green Lantern in the model of Flash Gordon. Someone that cruises around in a flying dildo, skewers ugly aliens with his ring constructs, and grabs half-clad damsels onto said flying dildo for future space adventures. Because “Space Opera” doesn’t have to mean “Space Soap Opera.” Capisce? Okay, enough venting in the intro, let’s check out my review of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #24 and see if I’m made to look the fool!

Supergirl #11 Review


Breaking Rules

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

I have not been a huge fan of this "Escape from the Phantom Zone" arc, but it's not because Batgirl is in it (which I love) or that the big bad is Xa-Du (again...love), but because I can't get a grip on Steve Orlando's version of the Phantom Zone.  Do the criminals (and others) have powers?  Don't have powers?  Kind of have powers?  Can people die?  Not die?  I have more questions, but I'll spare you my ramblings.  Orlando has been so inconsistent with his story that it makes me not care since it seems like he doesn't.  However, I can overlook some of this if it's all in the name of a good story.  Does this finale turn it all around and make it a good story?  Let's find out...


Suicide Squad #21 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Be My Nihilist

Story: Rob Williams 
Art: Gus Vazquez 
Color: Adriano Lucas 
Lettering: Pat Brosseau 
Cover: Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira & Adriano Lucas 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Now that Harley Quinn is in charge, do you think she’ll make them all dress like her? Maybe in crop tops and Daisy Duke cutoff jeans? I suppose this might be okay for Deadshot or Enchantress, but something tells me I don’t want to see what’s happening under Captain Boomerang’s coat. Brrr. Let’s see how Harley is doing in her new role by reading my review of Suicide Squad #21! Right here!

Action Comics #983 Review and *SPOILERS*



The Hell With The Phantom Zone, This Is The Danger Zone!


Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Viktor Bogdanovic, Jonathan Glapion, Mike Spicer, Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The Superman Revenge Squad has made their presence known and it couldn't be worse for Superman because after the affects of the Black Vault, that Zod tried to use to release his phantom armies, our Man of Steel has been stricken blind.  Yeah, six big bad bullies against a blind Superman doesn't seem like the fairest of fights and boy it wasn't.  After Superman confronted the Revenge Squad once they came to the Fortress of Solitude looking for him, we saw our hero beaten to the point of death, but thankfully his recently put together allies, The Super League have come to his aid and hopefully, evened out the odds a little bit.  Let's jump into this issue and see how the Super League fare against the Revenge Squad and see if any of them are able to go up against the Man of Steel's toughest foes.  Let's check it out.

Wonder Woman #26 Review and *SPOILERS*



Put Away Childish Things


Written By: Shea Fontana
Art By: Mirka Andolfo, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Now that Greg Rucka's run to Wonder Woman is over, it's time to see what Shea Fontana brings us with her story "Heart of the Amazon".  It's got to be odd just jumping in for an arc and after the complete love or complete hate for Rucka's run, I think this will be an interesting breather from what we got previously and really, I'm just looking to have fun with this arc.  Hopefully, that's the case, but with not really needing any kind of backstory on what we've been dealing with in Wonder Woman, let's just jump in and see what Shea Fontana and Mirka Andolfo has in store for us.  Let's check it out.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #12 Review and *SPOILERS*



Bizarro Cloned On A Wednesday


Written By: Scott Lobdell
Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Even though things have not progressed as fast as I would have hoped in this series because of how it feels like this team has just gotten started, I guess that's the feeling of being spoiled by twice-monthly issues, I have to say though that this is one of my favorite titles coming out of Rebirth and while you can say that I'm biased because of how much I love Jason Todd and Bizarro, I think it has to do with how well the story telling and the art have been since the series began.  We had our Jason Todd story, then we had our Artemis tale and now that it looks like Bizarro is dying, it seems that we'll now deal with him before we get into some serious Outlaws action.  Let's jump into this issue and see what the fate of Bizarro will be, especially since the Outlaws have Solomon Grundy to go up against here.  Let's check it out.

Superwoman #12 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Hot Flashes

Script: K. Perkins 
Pencils: Stephen Segovia 
Inks: Art Thibert 
Letters: Josh Reed 
Colors: Hi-Fi 
Cover Art: Ken Lashley/Hi-Fi 
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

At the end of last issue, we saw Lana Lang fail in capturing Skyhook. So maybe this whole issue will be a training montage so she can beat Skyhook in the big skiing competition? That’s sure to save the Teen Lodge! Take a look at my review of Superwoman #12 and find out!

Gotham Academy Second Semester #11 Review and **SPOILERS**


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Where’s Your Manor?

Story: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan & Karl Kerschl 
Script: Brenden Fletcher 
Pencils: Adam Archer 
Inks: Sandra Hope 
Background Paints & Colors: MSASSYK 
Breakdowns: Bob Haynes 
Letters: Steve Wands 
Cover: Karl Kerschl 
Cover Price: $2.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I have a feeling this is the second-best issue of Gotham Academy Second Semester ever! Because it’s the second-to-last one! Mwah ha haa! Okay, that was mean. But seriously, this book needs to be put down to stop the hemorrhaging. We’re almost there, so look at my review of issue #11, right chea!

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #12 Review and *SPOILERS*



Cats Have Claws and Roses Have Thorns


Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson
Art By: Roge Antonio, Allen Passalaqua, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey has been a series that has really disappointed me because while I was all about it when it was announced, it seems to be more about jokes and quips than actually making these characters stand out or even propelling them to the type of status that I believe they deserve.  Hopefully, that changes, but I doubt that the jokes will because the Bensons's seem to be all about those and their Star Wars references.  In our previous issue, we found out that Gus was working for the Calculator to bring down the Birds of Prey, but with a bit of a twist at the end we discovered that The Calculator's family had been kidnapped by a company that he sold plans about to Catwoman so that she could put together a heist.  So now, it's up to the Birds of Prey to convince Catwoman to give back what she stole so that an innocent family can be saved.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the Birds can stand against the Cat.  Let's check it out.

Titans #13 Review and *SPOILERS*



HIVE's Endgame


Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: V. Ken Marion, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Josh Reed
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

While I love the characters in this book and was pumped beyond belief when it was announced for Rebirth, I have to say that this series has been a little slow lately........ Well, it's been slow a lot and now that Wally West has a heart problem after the events of the Lazarus Contract, I don't see it speeding up anytime soon........  Plus, it seems that one of our Titans is a traitor and after spending so long establishing that these characters are not only friends, but consider themselves family, that's a bit of a harsh direction.  Hopefully everything turns around and we find out that this was all a big ruse, but as of right now, Titans has gone in a direction that I find myself having a hard time being excited about, even though it has some of my favorite characters in the DCU in it.  Let's jump into this issue and see if the Titan's assault on a HIVE facility leads to them getting Bumblebee's memory back or if this is all just a stop for a bigger journey ahead of our heroes.  Let's check it out.

Bug! The Adventures of Forager #3 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Slave to the Rhythm

Storytellers: Lee Allred & Michael Allred 
Colorist: Laura Allred 
Letterer: Nate Peikos of Blambot 
Cover By: Michael & Laura Allred 
Variant Cover By: Aaron Conley 
Cover Price: $3.99 
On Sale Date: July 12, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Oh, flew in from the Kanga Rat Murder Society
Didn’t see Sandman last night
On the way Orion sat right next to me
Man, that guy is too uptight
I’m back in the Jack Kirby oeuvre
You don’t know how lucky you are, uh
Back in the
Back in the
Back in the Jack Kirby oeuvre