Red Sonja/Tarzan #3 Review

Jungle Boogie

Written by: Gail Simone
Art by: Walter Geovani
Colors by: Adriano Augusto
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Publisher: Dynamite Comics
Publication Date: 4 July 2018


I have to say that this title has been a marvelous retreat from the madness of the world in recent weeks. Every time I open up my issue of it I leaf through its luxurious artwork, I lose myself in a world of early 20th Century London, and the heart of the jungle. A strange combo to be sure, but add in some sinister villains, time travel and a hard-drinking redhead and you'll soon find your daily troubles easing away as you get lost in the story...

Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 97 - Young Romance #1 (1947)

Mooches Get Smooches

Hello, romanticizers of four-color funnybooks! In this episode, love doctors Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) tackle the mysteries of love, when they read the first romance comic book ever published: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's Young Romance #1 from 1947! After the needed run-down on Jack and Joe, our heartstrong pair discuss the conditions that created the romance comic, and then read all four (or five?) stories contained within the first one--with special emphasis on "The Plight of the Suspicious Bridegroom" and its unconvential storytelling device. Then, after an informative break, our duo talk about other romance comics and why they practically vanished in the 1970s. All this, and some listener mail! This episode will surely make you swoon!

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week: July 4, 2018

Happy Birthday, Country!

While I'm sure more than a few Americans skipped the comic shop on New Comic Book Day in favor of some grilled hot dogs and canned beer, there were still a slew of new books on the stands yesterday! And you know what that means: a slew of new covers as well! And I picked five of them, ordered them in preference from least to most, and posted that list below! Check it out.

Batman #50 Review

Do You Take This Bat In Unlawful Matrimony?

Written By: Tom King

Art By: Mikel Janin, June Chung, Clayton Cowles, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Trish Mulvihill, Becky Cloonan, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, Frank Miller, Alex Sinclair, Lee Bermejo, Neal Adams, Hi-Fi, Tony S. Daniel, Tomeu Morey, Amanda Conner, Paul Mounts, Rafael Albuquerque, Andy Kubert, Tim Sale, Jose Villarrubia, Paul Pope, Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, Jordie Bellaire, Ty Templeton, Keiren Smith, Joelle Jones, David Finch, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Greg Capullo, FCO Plascncia, Lee Weeks

Cover Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 4, 2018

The event that a lot of Batman fans have been waiting for is finally here and.......... well, it turns out that DC already had the New York Times spoil the hell out of this book.  Whether you were able to avoid the news on the internet or not, you have to admit that the Batman/Catwoman wedding is the thing that all DC fans have been talking about lately...... (mostly because there's nothing going on over there but delays) and it's finally here to excite, titillate and make most single folks wonder if life if better on the other side.  Let's jump into this issue and see if Batman can put his mopey-ness behind him and get happy with Selina Kyle.  Let's check it out.

Batman #50 Review Will Go Up @ 3:00 AM EST

DC Comics asked all review sites to hold off publishing their reviews of Batman #50 until 3 AM EST to let those going to and having Midnight release parties get and read the issue before it's...you know, SPOILED!  I know that sounds funny after what happened this weekend with the New York Times article.  However, we are following the embargo only for the shop owners who are likely to take a huge hit for this and those who haven't and don't want to be spoiled until they have the issue in their hands.  See you at 3 AM EST!

The Unexpected #2 Review and Spoilers

Trying To Make Amends

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Cary Nord and Wade von Grawbadger
Letters by: Carlos M Mangual
Colors by: Jeromy Cox
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

This series surprised me last month. That first issue was a rip-roaring full tilt ride into multidimensional madness and it was populated by a range of interesting new characters who, although they spoke with the overblown idiom of most Steve Orlando creations, nevertheless managed to intrigue the hell out of me. That half of them were dead by the end of the issue seemed to me to be a bold statement of intent from the creative team. Put bluntly, these guys are not messing around. The question is… where do we go from here? For once, I have no actual idea. And I kind of like that. Buckle up then, pilgrims. It's going to be a bumpy ride. Probably…

The Curse of Brimstone #4 Review

Filled to the Brimstone 

Storytellers: Eduardo Pansica and Justin Jordan
Art by: Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Rain Beredo, and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018

I forget about the existence of this book on such a regular basis that I'm shocked I read it for this review. Last we see Joe and Annie, they defeated the Salesman and began a trek across the country where they plan to save other towns in the Salesman's ledger. Decent premise going forward, but does it hold up? Continue on to find out.

Green Arrow #42 Review

Writer: Mairghread Scott
Artist: Matthew Clark
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

What DC Said:

It's Parasite Season for Green Arrow. The Emerald Archer must hunt down the power-sapping purple powerhouse-alone, in a maximum-security prison, running low on arrows-and after the tapeworm terror has feasted on a buffet full of metahuman criminals. Prison reform, Ollie? You shoot arrows in people; that's straight up medieval!

Deathstroke #33 Review

Father of Mine

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Ed Benes, Richard Friend, Dinei Riberio and Willie Shubert
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

What DC Said:

Forced to team with Deathstroke, a man he loathes, Damian Wayne must discover the truth of his lineage. Is he really Bruce Wayne's son, or is Slade Wilson his true father? As Batman draws closer to finding them both, Deathstroke must complete a hit, while Robin shadows the killer for hire.

Catwoman #1 Review

Copycat Killer

Writer: Joelle Jones

Artist: Joelle Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99


I am a Catwoman fan, so getting a solo book back makes me so happy!  Yea, it's on the heels of one of my least favorite books out there and will probably be affected by the whole wedding controversy, but who cares...I get a Catwoman solo book again!!!  Yea, I am a selfish man.  Was it good?  Let's find out...

Harley Quinn #45 Review and **SPOILERS**

Harl Hath No Fury

Writer: Sam Humphries 

Artist: John Timms 

Colors: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Guillem March and Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Variant Cover: Frank Cho 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Harley Quinn, the series, has been sort of…weird for the last couple of months, as it had to tread water in wait for the new writer, Sam Humphries, to take the helm. Well, he’s here now, and Harley Quinn has gone straight to Apokolips. How do things fare from here? Have a look at my review of issue #45 and find out!

Shade the Changing Woman #5 Review and **SPOILERS**

You're Tearing Me Apart, Loma!

Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated By: Marley Zarcone
Additional Inks By: Ande Parks
Back-Up Art By: Jamie Coe 
Colors By: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letters By: Saida Temofonte
Cover By: Becky Cloonan
Edited By: Jamie S. Rich and Molly Mahan
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

It's funny when I think of this book... and the rest of the Young Animal "pop-up" imprint.  I find it both hard to believe that it's lasted this long... and that after next month, it's not going to be around anymore.

Certainly been a love/hate experience... but, it's going to be one that I'll miss when it's gone.

Without further ado... the penultimate issue of Shade the Changing Woman.

The Man of Steel #6 Review and **SPOILERS**

I Know What You Did This Summer

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis 

Artist: Jason Fabok 

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Josh Reed 

Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair 

Associate Editor: Jessica Chen 

Editor: Michael Cotton 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Now we come to the payoff! The final issue of the inaugural miniseries marking Brian Michael Bendis’ landmark run on Superman, the most famous and first superhero on the planet! No pressure, though! Have a look at my review of The Man of Steel #6, commencing now!

Nightwing #46 Review

Tech War

Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: Chris Mooneyham
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

What DC Said:
A new high-tech corporation setting up shop in Blüdhaven claims to be the cure for what ails the crumbling city. But Night-wing learns it’s a very hostile takeover when he runs afoul of their metahuman operative, a digital phantom impervious to physical attack. Luckily, Nightwing has his very own I.T. backup: Batgirl! But can the two work together after their meeting in BATGIRL #25, also in stores this month?

Green Lanterns #50 Review

Lousy Rings!

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Mike Perkins, Andy Troy, Pete Pantazis, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 4, 2018

It's time to see what Dan Jurgens can do on this Lanterns title since we're now forced to live in a world that he's not doing Action Comics anymore...that's just my own personal gripe, pay no mind.  Anyway, It's an all-new, all different world for the Green Lanterns, as in I have no idea what we're playing with besides for this issue taking place after Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #50 so with that... hopefully, there are no spoilers in this issue to what went down there.  Alright, Let's jump into this issue and see what Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz are up to.  Let's check it out.

Justice League #3 Review

Ultra Violet Unleashed 

Written By: Scott Snyder

Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez, Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 4, 2018

The world of DC Comics has become a strange place ever since the Source Wall was broken and that strangeness is coming in full effect with this series, where we learned in the previous issue that in order to achieve all the Totality has to offer, you first have to access the seven hidden forces of the Universe...... which just happen to become unlocked when the Source Wall is broken.  See there?  Domino effect.  Anyway, in the previous issue we saw that Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom have already accessed the Still Force and the Ultra Violet Spectrum.  That's two down, let's see if any of the other forces are unlocked here.  Let's check it out.

PREVIEW: Batman #50 (Non Spoiler!)

Writer: Tom KingArtist: Mikel JaninPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: July 4, 2018Cover Price: $4.99
Here is a look at some of the Covers and art from Batman #50.  No matter where you are on the fence and if the issue has been spoiled for you, you can still look at the pretty pictures, right?

PREVIEW: Green Lanterns #50

Written By: Dan Jurgens

Art By: Mike Perkins, Andy Troy, Pete Pantazis, Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 4, 2018

“Something is amiss.” That’s what the Guardians believe. But even they cannot see the darkness growing inside the Central Power Battery…an infection. One that will have enormous repercussions within the entire Green Lantern Corps. Making matters worse, in light of recent events, Jessica Cruz questions her place within the Green Lantern Corps, contemplating leaving it behind. And her partner Simon Baz is stung so much by her confession, he may let her go…

PREVIEW: Justice League #3

Written By: Scott Snyder

Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez, Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 4, 2018

John Stewart: Ultraviolet Lantern? Believe it! Under the influence of the Ultraviolet Spectrum, John Stewart engages in some ultraviolence against his teammates Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Meanwhile, the rest of the League investigates the scene of the fallen Source Wall fragment, and encounters not only a horde of giant monsters, but a pair of longtime archenemies using stolen Atom technology to literally get under their skin. Best to stock up on Cortizone for that sort of itch! All this and…the Turtle? Yep.

PREVIEW: Nightwing #46

Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: Chris Mooneyham
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018

Cover Price: $3.99

A new high-tech corporation setting up shop in Blüdhaven claims to be the cure for what ails the crumbling city. But Night-wing learns it’s a very hostile takeover when he runs afoul of their metahuman operative, a digital phantom impervious to physical attack. Luckily, Nightwing has his very own I.T. backup: Batgirl! But can the two work together after their meeting in BATGIRL #25, also in stores this month?

PREVIEW: Green Arrow #42

Writer: Mairghread Scott
Artist: Matthew Clark
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

It's Parasite Season for Green Arrow. The Emerald Archer must hunt down the power-sapping purple powerhouse-alone, in a maximum-security prison, running low on arrows-and after the tapeworm terror has feasted on a buffet full of metahuman criminals. Prison reform, Ollie? You shoot arrows in people; that's straight up medieval!

PREVIEW: Deathstroke #33

Writer: Christopher Priest
Artist: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

Forced to team with Deathstroke, a man he loathes, Damian Wayne must discover the truth of his lineage. Is he really Bruce Wayne's son, or is Slade Wilson his true father? As Batman draws closer to finding them both, Deathstroke must complete a hit, while Robin shadows the killer for hire.

PREVIEW: Catwoman #1

Writer: Joelle Jones
Artist: Joelle Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99


The wedding night’s barely over, but Catwoman’s back on the streets, this time to expose a copycat who’s pulling heists around Gotham City. As Selina cracks the whip on her former criminal cohorts, she’s attracting unwanted attention from one of Gotham’s most dangerous groups. The mob? Nope. Try the GCPD. And as if the Bat-Bride didn’t have enough problems, don’t miss the debut of an all-new villain determined to make trouble for all nine of Selina’s lives. Don’t miss the start of an all-new monthly series written and illustrated by Eisner Award-nominee Joëlle Jones!

PREVIEW: Harley Quinn #45

Harley the Hammer

Writer: Sam Humphries 

Artist: John Timms 

Colors: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Guillem March and Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

Variant Cover: Frank Cho 

Assistant Editor: Andrea Shea 

Editor: Alex Antone 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

-->While on a tropical vacation, Harley Quinn is kidnapped by two Female Furies from Apokolips—and they’re making her an offer she can’t refuse: join the Furies, get super powers and do anything she wants! It’s a sweet deal, and all Harley has to do in return is hunt down rogue Fury Petite Tina. The bad news: Petite Tina is anything but petite! Hope that hammer got an upgrade, Harley.

Well, it's here folks! That Harley Quinn/Fourth World crossover we've been anticipating. Have a look at some preview pages, right here! 

PREVIEW: The Man of Steel #6

O Where Have You Gone, Lois and Jon?

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis 

Artist: Jason Fabok

Colors: Alex Sinclair 

Letters: Josh Reed 

Cover: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Sinclair 

Associate Editor: Jessica Chen 

Editor: Michael Cotton 

Group Editor: Brian Cunningham 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

-->The fate of Lois Lane and Jon Kent is revealed! Metropolis’ survival hangs in the balance! And Superman must somehow put an end to Rogol Zaar’s rampage! It’s do-or-die time for the Man of Steel in the final chapter of this explosive miniseries!

Finally, we find out the true fates of the missing Kents, just in time to render this miniseries moot. Have a gander at some preview pages, right here! 

PREVIEW: Shade the Changing Woman #5

I Don't Really Care, Do U?

Written By: Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated By: Marley Zarcone
Additional Inks By: Ande Parks
Back-Up Art By: Jamie Coe
Colors By: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letters By: Saida Temofonte
Cover By: Becky Cloonan
Edited By: Jamie S. Rich and Molly Mahan
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: July 4, 2018

The Madness is rising all around the Earth and reaching into space, but without feelings to process everything that’s going on, Shade’s anhedonia could turn deadly for not only herself but the rest of the world. But how can she care when she doesn’t have any emotions?

Come on Shade––have a heart! Have a look at some preview pages below!