Dastardly and Muttley #1 Review and Spoilers

Written by: Garth Ennis
Art by: Mauricet
Colours by: John Kalisz
Letters by: Rob Steen
Price: $3.99


Two titles featuring anthropomorphic dogs in one week? There must be something in the water. I have fond memories of Dastardly and Muttley. WWI aviators obsessed with ‘catching that pigeon’ and generally coming a cropper through a combination of bad luck, the pigeon’s ingenuity and their own ineptitude, the duo is popular enough that a DC Hanna-Barbera comic all of their own seems like an inevitability. Not that this is their first outing, mind you. They featured in the astonishingly ill-conceived Wacky Raceland, which, despite some rather tasty Leonardo Manco art, still managed to be a mostly incomprehensible mess. This is better. Much better…

Astro City #47 Review and Spoilers

G-Dog!

Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Mike Norton
Colours by Peter Pantazis
Published by Vertigo Comics
Price $3.99


Astro City’s longevity is in part due to its creators’ willingness to take risks with its subject matter. In breathing new life into the superhero genre by looking at it from a series of strange, unusual or bizarre perspectives, its writer Kurt Busiek manages to make familiar concepts fresh and archetypal heroes touchingly human. The risk is not so much that Busiek will find himself re-treading old ground, but rather that he might end up looking a bit silly in the process. And nothing says ‘silly’ quite like an anthropomorphic superhero. In this 47th issue of the book’s Vertigo iteration, the focus is on G-Dog, a super-powered melding of human and corgi. So, do we get something akin to the sublime Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew or something closer to the decidedly less impressive Loony Toons/DC crossover specials? There’s only one way to find out…

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week 9/6/17

B-B-B-Balloon is the Word

Hey, another week of beloved DC Comics! And it's not a fifth week this time, so there was a wealth of covers to pick from for this list...unfortunately, I still struggled to pull something together by the end. It's not that every other cover was bad, per se, but they just didn't require special noting. Which ones did? Read on to find out!

Savage Things #7 Review and ***SPOILERS***

Not Really In The Rescue Business

Written by: Justin Jordan

Art by: Ibrahim Moustafa, Jordan Boyd, and Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

***NON-SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM***

All I can really say to introduce this title is that it has been absolutely nuts so far. Every panel on every page has meant something for the story. There is no wasted space, and Justin Jordan keeps the story pumping right along the whole way. Throughout this, I’ve never really known what was going to happen next aside from more crazy action. Going into this seventh issue, I’m hoping to see that continue once again.

Justice League #28 Review

Future Imperfect

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Batt, Brad Anderson, Richard Starkings and Comicraft's Jimmy
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017


While I haven't been the biggest fan of Bryan Hitch's Justice League run, I have enjoyed this Legacy story that he is ending with.  It's all about the future children of the Justice League who I really like and while I don't think it will happen, I wish we'd get more of them in the future.  This issue continues the story, but does it continue the fun?  Let's find out...

Doom Patrol #8 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Real Life, Real Estate

Writer: Gerard Way 

Penciller & Cover: Nick Derington 

Inker: Tom Fowler 

Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain 

Letterer: Todd Klein 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Hey, I didn’t know if it was going to happen, but it’s here: a new Doom Patrol issue, almost a month after the last one drawn by the Allred’s. Missed it by a week. You know what? We’ll give it to you, Doom Patrol. You’ve kept what’s close enough to a monthly schedule, and if I have to wait a mere five weeks for the next issue, I won’t complain, either. Unless this issue sucks. You can find out by reading my review of Doom Patrol #8, right now!

Shade the Changing Girl #12 Review and **SPOILERS**

Beware Your Heart

Shade the Changing Girl #12
"Maybe. Also. Dead."

Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Pencils By: Marley Zarcone
Inks By: Marley Zarcone and Ande Parks
Covers By: Becky Cloonan & Matt Taylor
Letters By: Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

I've spent much of the past few days trying to digest and process the season/series finale of Twin Peaks.  A sometimes frustrating psychedelic delight whose ending felt like slamming into a brick wall at high speeds.  So much build... so many layers... and it's just over.

Then I remembered I've got another ending to discuss.  That's right, this is the final (for now... they say) issue of Shade the Changing Girl.  We've followed the adventures of this young avian-in-a-human-body for the past year... and more often than not, it's been a great time.  Will we get a resolution?  Will Shade live on?  Will we just have to use our memories to keep us warm?

You'll have to read on!  Please join me, as we pull the curtain on Shade the Changing Girl.

Harley Quinn #27 Review and **SPOILERS**

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Babe and Switch

Writer: Frank Tieri 

Artist: Elonora Carlini 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Jill Thompson 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Okay, something funny is going on…the solicit for this issue on DC Comics’ website became unsearchable until Tuesday, and Amanda Conner hasn’t done the main cover. Is this a Harley Quinn comic from an alternate timeline? Let’s find out, in my review for issue #27, right now!

Deathstroke #23 Review

Double-Edged-Sword

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Diogenes Neves, Jason Paz, Jeromy Cox and Willie Shubert
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017


It's time to jump back into the Defiance story and while I understand why this book went monthly, it sucks waiting thirty days for each issue. Christopher Priest is writing such a good story and while I like seeing a "changed" Deathstroke, I am having fun watching just what he defines as such. I'll also admit that I'm waiting for him to go 100% back to his old ways. So, what messed up things does Slade do this month in the name of redemption? Let's find out..

Superman #30 Review and *SPOILERS*

Saving Fear

Written By: Keith Champagne

Art By: Ed Benes, Tyler Kirkham, Philip Tan, Dinei Ribeiro, Tomeu Morey, Sunny Gho, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

While the last issue of Superman was something that I couldn't wait for when it was announced, after reading it, it seems that the only reason to actually get the issue was for the cliffhanger, where Superman allowed Parallax to take him as its host and Sinestro showing up to take back what he feels is rightfully his.  Hopefully, there's more to this issue now that Sinestro and Parallax in the body of Superman have to duke it out to see who truly is the master of fear.  Let's jump into this issue and see how Superman comes out of this one.  Let's check it out.

Green Lanterns #30 Review and *SPOILERS*

Willing To Fight

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Carlo Barberi, Matt Santorelli, Ulises Arreola, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Let's travel back ten billion years in the past so that we can see Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz and the original six Green Lanterns take on Volthoom.  Previously, we saw Jessica trying to train the six Green Lanterns to use their rings so that they might stand a chance against the First Lantern, but even with the training, it seemed like everyone was all about saying the hell with taking on a madman like that.......... that is until they find out that in Volthoom's rage in the Guardians keeping him from his Travel Lantern, he destroyed a planet.  With the knowledge that their lives would never be safe in a Universe that Volthoom is alive, the six band together with Jessica and Simon and go out in pursuit of the mad First Lantern.  Let's jump into this issue and see how their assault against an impossible opponent goes.  Let's check it out.

Nightwing #28 Review and *SPOILERS*

The Mind of Minos

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Javier Fernandez, Miguel Mendonca, Diana Egea, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The walk through Spyral Lane continues with this issue after Nightwing, Huntress and the Skull Girls broke into St. Hadrians to find the captured Skull Girl, Lotti, but the rescue didn't go as planned because when we left last issue we saw that the Tiger that Nightwing has been facing in this arc, isn't Tiger at all, but some hard light hologram and it seems now that it's taken Tiger's memories for its own, now it wants our hero's memory as well.  Let's jump into this issue and hopefully end this Spyral nonsense so that we can get back to Bludhaven and Run-Offs.  Let's check it out.

Batman #30 Review and *SPOILERS*

The Joke That Is Kite-Man

Written By: Tom King

Art By: Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Jordie Bellaire, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

It's Jokes and Riddles time again and............. and I'm just getting tired of this damn story.  Let's just get to this damn thing because for this issue we have the second part of the Kite-Man interlude and I'm just going to fill you in on what happened last issue real quick so we can just go into this.  Previously, we saw Bruce Wayne invite the Joker and the Riddler to his home for dinner so that he can decide who he wants to give a billion dollars to so that they can win the war and after hearing all about how the Joker just wants to choke Batman to death, while the Riddler wants to not only kill Batman, but everyone in his family as well, Bruce Wayne ends the dinner and makes a joke to Alfred about how his mother would be appalled because he didn't even offer them coffee or sherry........ Yeah, it was a bit of nonsense and something tells me it won't end there.  Let's jump into this issue and see who Bruce Wayne sided with and find out who will win the War of Jokes and Riddles.  Let's check it out.

Green Arrow #30 Review

Out of Order

Written by: Ben Percy
Art by: Otto Schmidt and Nate Piekos
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017

The Hard Traveling Hero story continues and this issue we get to see Ollie teamup with Hal Jordan which may not make sense much in the current state of things, but it's certainly legacy and isn't that what Rebirth is supposed to be about?  So, while I know I will love seeing Oliver and Hal back together again, will the story get a bump from it?  Let's find out...

Cyborg #16 Review and *SPOILERS*

Virtual Digital Reality

Written By: John Semper Jr.

Art By: Allan Jefferson, Will Conrad, Wayne Faucher, Ivan Nunes, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Goddamn, it feels like forever since I've had to dive into the world of Cyborg and you know what?....... forever didn't last long enough because if you've been playing along at home, you'll know that I haven't been a fan of this book in a long time and I actually dread going back in and having to decipher what the hell is going down with our hero and his nonsensical battle with Anomaly and the OTAC virus.  That being said, I guess I have to do it and I should stop complaining and just get to it, but beforehand, just let me tell you that we left the previous issue with the evil Cyborg of this strange world that our hero finds himself in calling out our Cyborg for a fight to the death, since like we learned in Highlander, there can be only one and our hero finds himself unable to say no because Exxy has been infected with the OTAC virus and now it's up to Vic to get the cure from his doppelganger.  Let's check it out.

Bane: Conquest #5 Review and *SPOILERS*

The Game Is On

Written By: Chuck Dixon

Art By: Graham Nolan, Gregory Wright, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

What's going on with Bane and all his conquesting you ask........... Well, last we saw, Bane and Dionysus were having themselves a little bet on who could take down a Russian crime family faster.  Bane decided to go with brute force, while Dionysus was going the brains route....... and I guess, brains don't like to lose so they cheat by sending in the damn police to where Bane is currently doing his thing.  If that wasn't enough, Catwoman also happens to be at this location so that she can acquire information on the crime family for the Russian feds and to make sure her mission is a success, she sounds the alarms so that everyone comes a runnin', guns blazing at the big ass dude with the luchador mask.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Bane can survive his little bet with Dionysus and if he'll go up against Catwoman as he makes his escape.  Let's check it out.

PREVIEW: Batman #30

Written By: Tom King

Art By: Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Jordie Bellaire, Clayton Cowles

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

“THE BALLAD OF KITE MAN” part two! In our second “War of Jokes and Riddles” interlude, it’s the making of a super-villain! He’s been pushed by Batman to snitch on The Joker, and cajoled by The Joker to betray Batman—now, the flunky who would be Kite Man finally snaps. He’s lost everything, and a life of crime is the only way to go.

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #30

Written By: Sam Humphries

Art By: Carlo Barberi, Matt Santorelli, Ulises Arreola, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

“OUT OF TIME” part five! Jessica, Simon and the first seven bearers of green rings face Volthoom in the past as he holds the Guardians of the Universe hostage. As Lantern after Lantern falls, is there any chance of stopping the First Lantern from rewriting reality?

PREVIEW: Nightwing #28

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Javier Fernandez, Miguel Mendonca, Diana Egea, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 6, 2017

“SPYRAL” finale! Mr. Minos has returned to hijack Nightwing’s brain and steal all his superhero secrets! Will Huntress and Nightwing be able to save every superhero in the world—or will Mr. Minos’ scheme shatter Nightwing’s mind beyond repair? who seems both foreign and familiar...

PREVIEW: Superman #30

Written By: Keith Champagne

Art By: Ed Benes, Tyler Kirkham, Philip Tan, Dinei Ribeiro, Tomeu Morey, Sunny Gho, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017

“A MINUTE LONGER” part two! This looks like a job for...Sinestro?! Thrust into the anti-matter universe of Qward, Superman’s only hope is the former greatest of the Green Lanterns.

Injustice 2 #22 Review

Injustice #22 Review

Writer: Tom Taylor

Art Team: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus

DC Comics (Digital First)

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Cover Price: $.99

Batman & Son

Injustice 2 has arrived this fine, borderline Fall, Tuesday (for New Yorkers anyway) to cheer us all up after a long holiday weekend. You may ask, “How does a a title centered around a bad Superman, and world destruction, cheer you up Mr. Weird Reviewer guy”?. “Well”, I'd’ say, “all that credit goes to Tom Taylor and the art team, I just review the damn thing”.  Why don't you just jump inside to find out what the hell Im talking about already.

PREVIEW: Doom Patrol #8

Eat Shit

Writer: Gerard Way
Penciller & Cover: Nick Derington
Inker: Tom Fowler
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Todd Klein
Variant Cover: James O’Barr
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

What is S**t, and why is everyone eating it? Cliff doesn’t like it, but Casey can’t get enough. Sure, Cliff doesn’t like a lot of stuff, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong to be suspicious this time around. Meanwhile, we find out where Lotion the cat got off to, and how his journey has changed him. Life on the streets has made him an entirely different animal!

Glad to see this issue looming ahead, I always have a good time with Doom Patrol. You can have a good time with some preview pages, below! 

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #27

Uhh...Anything Goes?

Writer: Frank Tieri
Artist: Elonora Carlini
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Jill Thompson
Variant Cover: Frank Cho & Sabine Rich
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

Looks like this one is so hush-hush, they didn't even write a solicit! Actually, the internet rumor is that some election-related story was solicited here, but it got delayed. So here's a fill-in by Frank Tieri, I guess? Have some preview pages!

PREVIEW: Shade the Changing Girl #12

Pulling the Shade

Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Pencils By: Marley Zarcone
Inks By: Marley Zarcone and Ande Parks
Covers By: Becky Cloonan & Matt Taylor
Letters By: Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: September 6, 2017

Shade’s Earthly wanderings reach a dangerous crescendo, as the Metans descend on Hollywood. Can Loma escape by hiding out in Honey’s body, or will that just mean Honey goes with Megan’s body to a Metan jail? Plus, learn the fates of Lepuck, River, and Teacup in the brain-melting conclusion of our first story arc.

This is it, the conclusion of Shade the Changing Girl! Oh, don't look so surprised. It's not likely to be back soon, if ever. So luxuriate in the preview pages today! 

PREVIEW: Justice League #28

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Batt, Brad Anderson, Richard Starkings and Comicraft's Jimmy
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017

“LEGACY” part three! An outside threat has followed the League’s children back from the future in order to destroy them. His name is Arthur Curry, and he will not stop until they are all dead!

PREVIEW: Deathstroke #23

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Diogenes Neves, Jason  Paz, Jeromy Cox and Willie Shubert
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 6, 2017

“Defiance” part three! As the team begins to crack under Slade’s harsh leadership tactics, Defiance is called into action after a cruise ship gets hijacked on the open seas! It’s sink or swim for Deathstroke’s new squad when they’re put to the test against impossible odds!