Odyssey was an official selection of SXSW, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and more, and is currently at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Odyssey lands on Video on Demand today, 4/28. Cineverse has provided GeekDad with a digital code to give away to one lucky reader. Simply fill out the form below, and you will be entered to win. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Tuesday, 4/27, after which a winner will be randomly drawn. Sorry, U.S. residents only.

'Odyssey' Digital Code Giveaway

'Odyssey' Digital Code Giveaway

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Odyssey is on VOD 4/28 from Cineverse.

Harley Quinn #61 – Elliott Kalan, Writer; Carlos Olivares, Artist; Marissa Louise, Colorist

Ray – 8.5/10

Ray: Last issue introduced us to the newest version of Harley – Bat-Quinn, a ruthless vigilante who seemed to be the latest manifestation of Harley’s mental illness. But this issue makes clear it’s not just Harley having a breakdown after her breakup with Ivy. That becomes clear when we’re met with a pink-skinned Harley wearing normal clothes. It seems like after DC KO, the leftover Alpha Energy allowed Harley to split into two people, one her angry side and the other her logical side. Which leads her landlady to ask…where the funny side? After both sides make clear they really have no interest in reuniting with the other, Bat-Quinn goes off to meet with Althea Klang, who makes pretty clear she’s not interested in this Harley – especially after seeing her brutally beat perennial villain Captain Blimp. It’s an interesting take on Harley’s identity crisis, but taking all the humor out of Harley seems like a dicey proposition long-term.

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #5 – Erica Henderson, Writer/Artist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Erica Henderson’s reinvention of Harley and Ivy’s first meeting and their genesis as a couple has been a lot of fun, but this issue brings in one of my favorite obscure characters in the DCU – Ma Hunkel, the tough-as-nails blue-collar momma who was actually DC’s first female superhero. With a little extra Brooklyn energy, she winds up taking in the two temporarily as they recover from the previous issue’s events. Ma runs a busy mixed-use building where she looks after several foster kids off, the books, and she wastes no time putting Harley and Ivy to work and digging into the insecurities that lead to their self-destructive behavior. Harley takes it well, Ivy…less so, but after some encouragement from Harley, she joins her and tries to keep an eye on the kids. It backfires in epic fashion as another major Bat-rogue shows up. This is one of the most entertaining issues of the series so far.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #3 – Chris Condon, Writer; Jacob Phillips, Artist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Of the three new Vertigo books that have launched so far, this is the one with the most straight-forward feel. It’s a classic noir mystery by a pair of creators who are masters of the genre. Even when there isn’t anything supernatural going on – so far – the sense of suspense and dread carries the day incredibly effectively. When we last left off, Ezra Cain was investigating the disappearance of a hardworking immigrant, and traced it to the factory of a man named Hans Huber. He sees strange things outside, such as a man with apparently metal legs, and then gets knocked out – only to be met by Huber, who puts on quite the show. You have a “kidnapping victim” who claims simply to be married to his work, and a criminal mastermind who claims to be a humanitarian. Cain does his best to seek answers, but is eventually forced to walk away with his life.

From there, Cain goes into friendlier quarters – sort of. He’s reunited with some old friends, but the drink-up is set at a police bar – and we know Cain has a tricky history there. As a former cop who was drummed out of the force, he still has some friends but a lot more enemies. An encounter with his former chief results in a brawl that nearly gets him killed, and it comes to light that Cain was fired for interfering in what likely would have been a fatal beating for an innocent boy. Many officers still hold a crudge, considering Cain a “Rat”, and he’s marked the second he walks into the bar. The tension in this scene is excellent, and even if this issue doesn’t really have any more reveals about the supernatural mystery that’s been set up, it does an amazing job of establishing the world we live in, as well as the way the various plots in the background might be starting to intersect.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 – Kelly Thompson, Writer; Hayden Sherman, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist

Ray – 10/10

Ray: This series is like a puzzle box, revealing piece after piece of Diana’s backstory in hell with each issue. The opening segment from this installment, featuring Circle and Aphrodite, recontextualizes Diana’s past and her relationship with the world around her in a way I never thought possible. But there’s no time to reflect on that, because we’re thrown back into the battle against Veronica Cale’s army. The mysterious skeleton infused with magical flame that Diana faced last issue is one of the scariest villains of the series so far, but there’s also a huge twist to its presence – it’s actually Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna’s father, trapped in a hell of his own making ever since he was forced to make an impossible choice years ago. Diana is able to penetrate the magic and make her way to the limbo where his soul was held – something only possible because of the unique mix of Goddesses that forged her.

Hayden Sherman is one of the best artists in the business, and it’s amazing how they manage to make a scene set in a literal void just as compelling as the battle sequence before that. The work they do with facial expressions alone is amazing. While Diana once again does the impossible and finds a third way when told she has only the choice between two bad options (and possibly forges a life-long ally in the process), Cale continues to escalate her war and deputizes her one remaining soldier – Giganta – to capture Barbara Minerva. Could this be the dawn the new Cheetah we’ve all been looking forward to (and maybe dreading)? If so, this will be one of the few cases where we’ve really gotten to know Barbara before her transformation. Another new threat emerges in the end, letting Sherman once again show off their skill with creatures, and it’s another phenomenal issue from beginning to end.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Absolute Flash #14 – Jeff Lemire, Writer; Haining, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 10/10

Ray: This series has probably been the most character-driven of the Absolute line until now, but as it enters its second year, Lemire and new artist Haining have escalated the threat level and doubled down on the lore, resulting in one of the most stunning issues in the entire line so far. Wally and Linda, in trying to find answers about the true extent of Wally’s powers, have found themselves in the Mirrorverse, a twisty visual place that feels something like a carnival funhouse straight out of Hell. They’re pursued by hundreds of homicidal mirror clones of the Mirror Master, all single-mindedly stalking them. To illustrate just how bizarre this place is, Haining plays with the format, requiring readers to flip the book and even briefly read it manga-style to understand the dialogue and putting us in the shoes of our confused heroes as the world shifts around them. (This also has the unfortunate side effect of not making this issue very digital-friendly).

As they run for their lives and continue to explore this strange world, it becomes clear it’s not just a maze – it’s a gateway. Wally and Linda get clues from the outside world, including a look at the bizarre creatures that inhabit the Speed Force. The mirrors almost seem to be taunting them, showing them glimpses of the life they could have had – Linda’s long-missing older brother is glimpsed in a bad situation, and Wally gets a clue as to the location of his father, who sacrificed himself to the Speed Force in the conclusion of the last arc. Meanwhile, the duo gets an unexpected ally in the form of the original Mirror Master, Sam Scudder, who not only didn’t intend for things to get this far – but has surprising ties to the man who began it all. This issue is one of the best of the entire run, reminding me a little of the brilliant Court of Owls labyrinth issue that helped to put Scott Snyder on the map in 2011.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Justice League Unlimited #18 – Mark Waid, Writer; Clayton Henry, Artist; Tamra Bonvillain, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Last issue introduced us to a very intriguing new concept – a supervillain amnesty program by the Justice League, as the heroes realize that they’ll need everyone’s help to deal with Darkseid’s upcoming next move. It was simply teased last issue, but this one makes clear what’s going on. It applies to everyone except the worst psychopaths like Joker, but there are conditions. For one thing, every former villain is tethered to the Phantom Zone and can be shunted there if they betray the team or violate the no-kill rules. For another, each reformed villain has a “parole officer” among the heroes. And finally, it’s secret until they know it’s a success. Several of the younger heroes, particularly Air Wave and Judy Garrick, are skeptical about this – and I love the choice of Plastic Man to sell them on it. Not only is he a reformed villain himself, but he’s hilarious.

There are a lot of subplots in this issue, some setting up other books. Guy Gardner is taking his leave from the team, heading back to fulfill a larger purpose with the Green Lantern Corps – but first he gets to explain that purpose to Ted Kord, leading to the funniest moment of the issue and a great tribute to one of the best JL runs of all time. Meanwhile, Booster, J’onn, and Mary Marvel kick off their hunt to Superman – which leads to them finding Superboy instead over in Waid’s other title. Meanwhile, the villains have their own challenges, as one fails his first test and Giganta, Starro, and others face crucibles. But Luthor, who has his full memories back, has his own plan for this opportunity, and it’s a brilliant example of how Luthor is always thinking two steps ahead of everyone else. He doesn’t betray the League – but he does force their hand in a way only he would think to do.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Green Lantern #34 – Jeremy Adams, Writer; Ig Guara, Montos, Artists; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Jeremy Adams has now split this book into two narratives, with Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner essentially swapping places. Kyle is back on Earth, along with young thief Odyssey – and he doesn’t have any time to get used to it, as he’s immediately mopping up escapees from the ScienCells. His first opponent is Gridlock, a massive alien terrorist who wants to detonate Earth, and the opening fight is action-packed with a pair of newscasters calling balls and strikes. But as soon as that’s over, there’s another problem – money. While Kyle insists they need to get jobs, Odyssey immediately gets approached by a shady talent scout and winds up getting impromptu Hollywood stardom. It’s a fun little twist that adds a new element to the story – Kyle has always been based in LA, but in a part far away from the big power brokers. Well, now it’s coming to him, whether he likes it or not.

Hal, meanwhile, has even higher-stakes adventures to pursue, as he’s back in space with the help of Jayna of the Wonder Twins. She wants to find her brother (last seen backing Aquaman up against Dagon), and he wants to find answers about his visions from the Book of Oa. But someone doesn’t want him to get those answers. The Guardians, who were recently brought back from oblivion, have suddenly turned secretive and aggressive – and when Hal arrives on Oa, they quickly try to kill him. This is out of character even for them, and it creates a bizarre dynamic as Hal and Jayna run for their lives. The ending brings in a new player who I don’t recognize at first, but he looks like an an intriguing addition. Overall, this issue is a good start for the new format and promises some entertaining new dynamics as two of our favorite Lanterns adjust to the reshuffle.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

The Flash #32 – Ryan North, Writer; Gavin Guidry, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Ryan North wasted no time making his mark on this title, with an issue that firmly brought Wally West back to being a family man and a hero of the people. The problem is, the people like him a little too much. A shady online content creator has started a contest for people to film themselves getting rescued by the Flash, and now they’re throwing themselves off rooftops and doing other risky stunts to force the rescue. Wally is being run ragged, has to cut out of family dinners every fifteen seconds, and he’s getting increasingly frustrated. But then something weird happens. He recognizes one of the people throwing themselves off rooftops – it’s his long-time enemy, Captain Cold. At first, I assumed that it was a guy in a costume, but no – it’s the genuine article, and he knows something that he needs to get Flash’s attention about. He knows about the bigger threat facing the city – and it could be cataclysmic.

This issue feels like a hard reset for Captain Cold’s characterization, ending his time as an A-list supervillain and bringing him back to the work-a-day crook with a sense of honor he used to be. That’s very welcome, especially as he and Flash are hilarious as they snark and insult each other through their investigative mission. With a new priority, Flash starts taking pre-emptive measures to keep people safe – essentially yanking people out of the way of streets and off rooftops before he even knows if they’re jumping or not. This leads to a lot of hilarious visual gags – but even the fastest man alive can’t be everywhere, as he learns the hard way. North does an excellent job of getting across just how stressful this situation is for someone like Wally, and the stakes escalate massively at the end of the issue. This feels very much in the vein of the best Flash runs, particularly those by Johns and Waid so far.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Batman: Detective Comics #1108 – Tom Taylor, Writer; Pete Woods, Bruno Adbias, Artists; Lee Loughridge, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: In only one issue, Tom Taylor did a great job of establishing a new mystery and a new character dynamic in this title, with Green Arrow and Black Canary moving to town, as well as a shady AI company moving to bump off whistleblowers one by one in anticipation of acquiring Queen Industries. Last issue saw the trio of heroes celebrate Wildcat’s life as Canary took over his gym, and then go to pay tribute to another fallen comrade – Prion, a mystery vigilante they all knew when they were young. This issue finally shows him in full, as the trio encounter him in a flashback, and the young bird-themed vigilante helps to foil a hostage situation before departing, his mysteries intact. There’s now a new puzzle involving a mystery girl who paid his grave a visit despite him having no known relatives, but there’s no time to focus on this question – because Klep Corp is about to strike again.

This arc so far is a little lighter than the previous one – there’s a fantastic segment with the three vigilantes in Batman’s hatchback car with secret Batmobile abilities – but there are no shortage of high stakes as well. The last surviving whistleblower is under 24/7 guard, but his transport van suddenly goes rogue and seemingly drives off a bridge with him and several guards in it – hinting at a massive hacking operation. Batman takes charge of keeping him safe after the rescue, but now it’s Green Arrow’s time to turn the screws on the villain. There’s a really satisfying moment when Queen faces off with the head of Klep Corp and lets him know exactly what he thinks of his offer, even if we never see the words involved – we can guess. But then, the main mystery that’s been set up comes back in a big way, and one character’s actions at the end throw everything we know so far for a loop.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Superman #37 – Joshua Williamson, Writer; Dan Mora, Artist; Alejandro Sanchez, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Josh Williamson continues to do the impossible, making Superboy Prime not just a legitimate lead character, but one of the most entertaining and human ones out there. He’s settling into a new life as the primary Superman with Kal-El missing, but he’s starting over in a lot of ways. He has a low-rent job at a comic book store, most of the other heroes don’t trust him, and even those who give him a fresh slate are awkward around him. That’s definitely the case for Ma and Pa Kent, who open their house to him for lunch, but are clearly ill at ease – especially with a Justice League team led by Power Girl hovering menacingly overhead. Complicating things even more, Prime is running into trouble at his new job, showing up late frequently due to superhero things. It’s interesting to see how this very human plot rattles him, something Superman never really had to deal with.

At the core of this story is his desire for a new start, one where he’s not judged for his past crimes in a past continuity, and that leads him to Gotham – where he seeks help from Damian Wayne, who was probably just as disliked by fans as Prime when he first appeared. Damian has made a huge recovery from that, of course, but he’s not quite so generous towards Prime at first. As they battle a particularly menacing version of Clayface, with some great visuals by Mora, they do come to some sort of an understanding. This issue is hilarious in places, with Prime having a sense of meta-awareness that is really unique in characters and leads to some amazing one-liners, but there’s a surprisingly personal touch to the whole thing that really makes it work. The ending promises a surprising new villain – one who has an unexpected personal connection to Prime as well.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

End of Life #3 – Kyle Starks, Writer; Steve Pugh, Artist; Chris O’Halloran, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Of all the new Vertigo books to come out of this first wave, this one has the most straightforward plot, but it makes up for it with a ton of humor and some surprising emotional honesty. Eddie Stallion, on the run from his own criminal syndicate after accidentally robbing them, has reunited with his dying hitman father as the two try to reconcile amid their ongoing dislike for each other. Despite the tension, Eddie finds himself in a very awkward situation while helping the old man, and while the dark humor involved could go very wrong in lesser hands, the scene surprisingly works. There’s a great scene between Eddie and another resident of the small town that will be all too relatable for anyone who’s dealt with an aging or sick parent towards the end of their life, and the book manages to get really emotional when it’s working with these themes.

But this is ultimately an assassin comedy, and Eddie is never allowed to forget that he’s a marked man for too long. He tries to go about his daily life in the town, insulting plenty of people along the way, but it’s not long before the next villain shows up. In the form of a man in a chicken suit who only says the words “Big Cock” over and over again. This scene is absurd, but there’s also a level of over-the-top action and violence that reminds me a lot of the great recent action-comedy Bullet Train. Most of Kyle Starks’ best work has this same level of absurdity to it, and Steve Pugh’s art is just cartoony enough to work no matter the context of the scene. The story itself is a little bit of a slow-burn, with each issue usually containing one showpiece fight scene, but the small cast of characters and the setting are all compelling enough that it works and has me excited for the next issue every month.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Catwoman #86 – Torunn Gronbekk, Writer; Davide Gianfelice, Artist; Patricio Delpeche, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Much like Nightwing, this is a continuing run, but one that has suddenly taken on a much darker tone. That’s because we’re returning to one of the darkest stories in DC history, and bringing back Selina’s arch-nemesis – Black Mask. The sadistic crimelord tortured Selina’s sister into insanity years ago, and Selina struck back hard. Now he’s back for revenge, and Selina’s return to Gotham has turned into a nightmare. She visits an old friend of hers, only to find him brutally murdered and herself framed for the crime. All of a sudden, she’s on the run with only a few people she could trust. She instantly seeks out Holly, her old friend and the one she was trying to help out with her most recent hype – but even from their brief text conversations, Holly is acting oddly. The meeting between them in Holly’s loft is when this issue takes the turn from unsettling to deeply disturbing.

That’s the tone that Black Mask brings to every story he’s in, so it’s not a surprise, but he’s not the only major player here with a grudge against Selina. There’s a second villain as well, one whose grudge is just as personal, and she’s out for blood as well. The first part of Gronbekk’s run mostly involved original characters and created a whole new mythology for Selina’s time abroad under different identities, but now she’s making up for lost time by bringing in a lot of players from Selina’s past books. I’m particularly happy to see the return of Slam Bradley, one of the most underrated DC characters (who most recently starred in a stand-alone Tom King book that was pretty fascinating). This book takes a distinct turn into pitch-black noir and promises to go even darker next issue, as Black Mask seems determined to track down everything Selina has left to lose and put it all on the table.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Nightwing #137 – Dan Watters, Writer; Denys Cowan, Penciller; Norm Rapmund, Artist; Francesco Segala, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Although Dan Watters is technically continuing his run from the previous arc, the addition of Denys Cowan and a new direction makes it feel like a fresh run – and one that has taken a massive step up in quality. A new Mayor has quickly turned Bludhaven into a much darker place, as the haunted city’s ghosts are coming to the surface. In the previous issue, Nightwing’s attempts to figure out who was attacking people on the city’s new freeway led to a horrific car crash as he was attacked by what might have been a ghost. Now the whole city is blaming Nightwing for the tragedy, and he’s not so sure himself. At the same time, a new threat is emerging – a mysterious sniper is targeting people around the Bludhaven Bridge, a century-old span. And when part of the bridge’s foundation is exposed, it reveals long-buried bodies that were entombed in the structure itself.

One of my favorite things about this new run is that it makes Bludhaven feel like a character in the story in the same way the best Gotham stories do. This is a deeply cursed city, with its foundations built on innocent blood, and now those ghosts are coming home to roost. Batman guest-stars in this issue, not pursuing Nightwing for his supposed crimes but checking in on his son as Nightwing clearly starts to become more and more driven to the expense of everything else. There are some great scenes between them that drive home that despite the strong differences they have, these two are clearly family and love each other. That kind of complex dynamic also drives the villains, as there’s a deeply tragic story behind the snipers and a twisted desire at the core. This issue has a psychological complexity to it that I really wasn’t expecting, and these first two issues have been home runs.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Lobo #2 – Skottie Young, Writer; Jorge Corona, Artist; Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: In an action-packed first issue, Lobo faced a fate worse than death – mass marketing. He found out that his bounty-hunting business had been taken over by a massive corporation, which now controlled his services. They still wanted him to hunt and kill for them – they just wanted him to do it in a more image-friendly, commercial way. So Lobo is now the star of a bounty-hunting reality TV show – whether he wants to be or not. That means a makeover to give him a very 90s-influenced suit of armor, as well as a whole lot of canned lines he’s supposed to repeat when claiming a bounty. Not only does he hate all of this, but he keeps ruining takes when he quickly kills his bounty instead of bringing them in with TV-friendly tactics. It’s pretty clear the partnership isn’t working – and Lobo wants everyone to know that. So it’s no surprise when the dreaded retooling comes down the pipe next.

It’s pretty clear Lobo isn’t a good hero or even an antihero, so there’s only one thing to do – pit him against a hero. And that’s how Emperor Aquaman winds up with a bounty placed on his head. Reading this issue after an issue of Jeremy Adams’ title is a bit of a head-trip because…this is not the same character. This version of Aquaman is a boastful bruiser clearly inspired by some of his cartoon appearances, but thankfully not the most infamous one. That’s the thing about this title and most of Young’s work in general – it’s best understood as a comedy and a bit of a parody. This is his first attempt to write a comic in the main line of the DCU, and because of that, it’s going to be a bit rough when it comes to characterization in places. But despite that, it’s a really funny take on Lobo with some fantastic action, and any fans of I Hate Fairyland will continue to have a great time.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Batwoman #2 – Greg Rucka, Writer; DaNi, Artist; Matt Hollingsworth, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Greg Rucka’s writing has always kept its secrets close to its chest, introducing us to a new status quo and letting his taciturn characters parcel out information at their pace. That was definitely the case for the first issue of this title, which saw Kate Kane seemingly voluntarily checked into a Greek sanitarium, seeking peace and healing after a final battle with Alice apparently killed her sister once again. Kate seemed reserved, haunted, but it soon became clear that the place she was secured in wasn’t a place of healing at all. It was a hideout for a cult, and she was the subject. The growing evidence that something was wrong eventually led Kate to launch a breakout, donning her Batwoman costume for the first time in a while to investigate. But as the opening to this issue makes clear, she’s not alone in the Greek Isles. Jacob Kane is watching – and he wants to make sure Kate stays put.

Jacob has always been a fairly ambiguous character. Rucka wrote him as Kate’s primary partner in heroics, often serving as the man behind the hero. But under Tynion, he was a more sinister figure who wanted to bring military-style policing to Gotham. Here, he’s clearly concerned with his daughter, but it’s not clear how much he knows about the sinister goings-on at the center. He’s clearly horrified when Kate breaks free, but she soon finds herself pulled into a brawl with cultists. The overarching villain of the arc, Mr. Gores, gets a little more spotlight this issue as it becomes clear he’s not truly a part of the women-dominated society that runs the facility. As the issue wraps up, we get a clearer picture of where Kate’s mind is right now – and it’s not good. I could quibble with the pace of this series, but it works to create a sense of tension as we build towards a much bigger conspiracy.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Deathstroke the Terminator #2 – Tony Fleecs, Writer; Carmine Di Giandomenico, Artist; Ivan Plascencia, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Last issue kicked off with a bang, as we were introduced to an older Slade Wilson, still doing his thing – taking contracts, killing anyone in his way, and battling with other DC mercs like the Body Doubles. But behind the scenes, his daughter, and his loyal attache Wintergreen were discussing his future – and if there’s ever a possibility for Slade to be anything but a killer as he gets older. Well, it seems like the answer is a resounding no. Things have gone to hell for Slade, as his contract turned out to be a trap, Wintergreen was murdered, and Slade was framed for the killing. His money is gone, the authorities are hot on his trail, and every hitman in the DCU has been notified that the biggest bounty in history is on his head. And naturally, there’s only one thing left for Slade to do – kill everyone who gets in his way until he gets to the bottom of who’s placed a massive target on his head.

This entire issue takes place over a very short period of time, with Slade fighting his way through all comers, along with some flashbacks to his past. There’s a great segment with Wintergreen set right when Slade lost his eye to Adeline, on the heels of another tragic loss. It’s a fascinating look at the fatalistic way Slade views life, which is actually an asset to him here. He wastes no time getting back on his feet and reacting to what’s happened – as well as planning to kill whoever is in his ear, manipulating him now. The flashbacks are almost like breathing room before the next wave of attackers comes, as Slade tries to get information out of them before silencing them for good. The ending brings in two more elite enemies – one of which was pretty easy to predict, the other one is a big surprise and I wasn’t expecting to see any time soon. A very fun read, perfect for adrenaline junkies.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Wonder Woman #32 – Tom King, Writer; Daniel Sampere, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: It’s a new era, as the Wonder War begins. Damian Wayne and Jon Kent are dead, the heroes of Earth have been vanquished, and only Wonder Woman and Trinity stand alone against the woman who has conquered Earth – the Matriarch. The daughter of a lost Amazon and the Sovereign, she was born in blood and rose to power to finish her father’s work – and that’s an interesting little commentary on the state of things. Much of this issue takes place in the conquered White House, as the white-haired Amazon explains to a reporter what she believes and what she intends to give to the world. She’s a terrifying villain, promising fascism and oppression with a smile, and representing a philosophy that under any other circumstance would hate her. She hasn’t had to destroy most of her opposition – she’s simply disarmed them and let them surrender with only token opposition from many.

Meanwhile, Lizzie and Diana are on a mission to Themyscira. It still belongs to an Amazon – but the Matriarch has turned it into a fortress of evil, populated by an army of Spartan guards. There isn’t all that much dialogue in this segment, but King makes what there is count. There’s an incredibly creepy series of segments where the Matriarch seemingly meets with some of the strongest, most brutal villains in the DCU, like Bane and Mongul. Is she testing her strength against them…or is she seeking a mate who is up to her standards? Given some of the dialogue about a “Woman’s duty”, it’s a plausible if unsettling option. The contrast between the action-packed scenes on the island and the dialogue-driven ones in the White House is interesting, but the end of the issue delivers a massive status-quo shift that has the potential to change everything going forward. This run continues to deliver on all levels.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Superman Unlimited #12 – Dan Slott, Writer; Lucas Meyer, Artist; Giuliano Peratelli, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Dan Slott is one year into his first big DC gig in almost twenty years, and he’s wasted no time making an impact. His Superman run has been defined by big status quo changes, and he’s introduced a ton of new elements. Kryptonite is now commonplace, a Latin American country is in possession of a massive meteor and has become a world power, and its shady President Castilho has now created an army of Kryptonite-powered Super-soldiers of his own. Additionally, an experiment is infusing animals with the isotope – including a chimp who escapes and befriends Bibbo Bibbowski, being given a name that will be very familiar to old-school fans. Like the 90s Superman era that inspires it, there’s a little bit of everything. Except one thing – Superman. He’s missing in action, and his son has some big shoes to fill. Which is why it’s a good thing there’s not just one Jon Kent around – there are two.

Due to some machinations from their nemesis from the Fourth Dimension, Jon has been restored to his proper place in the timeline as a ten-year-old, after spending only months held captive instead of years. To prevent any timeline issues, the Jon we know has taken on a new identity as Tomorrow Man and is undercover as he tries to help his younger self deal with his trauma and control his powers before he accidentally destroys Smallville. There’s a reunion with his mother, as well as with Batman and Robin (which might be the meeting people have been most excited about since this story was announced), but it becomes clear it won’t be easy for the older Jon to keep his secret – especially with the Bats trying their best to find out the truth. Slott’s take on Clark Kent was great in the first ten issues, but right now it looks like his focus on Jon could be even more compelling.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

New Titans #34 – Tate Brombal, Writer; Sami Basri, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Tate Brombal took a big swing last issue, kicking off his new Titans run with…the old Titans. Last issue found the iconic characters from the Taylor and Layman runs in an odd loop, playing out the same patterns from the last few decades of comics. Dick is caught between Barbara and Starfire, Raven occasionally goes evil, and Terra constantly betrays the team. It was only Nightwing who realized something was wrong, somehow traced it back to the coffee – and was then surprised when he snapped out of the illusion and was met with a new Titans team of Jon Kent, Stephanie Brown, Yara Flor, and Kid Devil. But at first it seems these new heroes are attacking – killing several Titans right out of the gate. The illusion slowly starts to unravel, and it becomes clear this is all an illusion created by the most powerful Titan, Cyborg. Cyborg – but not Victor Stone.

This isn’t the first time Cyborg’s tech half has gone out of control, but this is a new wrinkle. Darkseid’s cosmic energy affected all the heroes who fought in the DC KO tournament, and in the case of Cyborg it gave him his full human body back. But it also created a fully autonomous, living cybernetic entity as Cyborg, and it’s got its own ideas of what needs to be done. Vic created the new Titans as a fail-save, and we have yet to see how they were recruited or what their role is supposed to be. But while Cyborg is the core of this issue, Terra is surprisingly the heart. We saw what her role was “supposed to be” in the illusions, but the character is ultimately a victim who has been manipulated by powerful figures her whole life. How she goes from where we last saw her to a member of this new team will be very interesting. This run continues to play its cards close to its chest, but it’s an intriguing start.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Absolute Batman #19 – Scott Snyder, Writer; Nick Dragotta, Artist; Frank Martin, Colorist

Ray – 10/10

Ray: Nick Dragotta returns to DC’s top-selling title at the moment, and it’s no surprise that Absolute Batman takes another level up with him. Jack Grimm is lurking in the wings, but this issue features the debut of Absolute Scarecrow. Now, Jonathan Crane is already one of the most evil Bat-villains and one of the scariest, but this issue takes him up to the next level. This version seems to be a ghoulish, disfigured sadist who in his first appearance, preys on a pair of farmers, manipulates them against each other, and leads them to a horrible end. He seems to just be doing this for fun on his way to Gotham – where Batman is up against the GCPD with only Alfred and Harley Quinn as his allies. There’s a great segment featuring Waylon, where we see what the former boxer is turning into with Bruce’s help, and how far Bruce has alienated himself from his friends following Bane’s actions.

Of course, Batman has another ally – but he doesn’t have the power he used to. Mayor Gordon is one of the few people who knows Batman’s secret identity, and he’s been following him since the start – and has known him since childhood. But with Martha Wayne now missing and linked to the Court of Owls, Gordon realizes that it’s well past time he came clean to Bruce. There is a lot of ambiguity in this segment, and a lot of mysteries yet to be revealed, but one thing is clear – this issue is a divergence point for the entire franchise, the kind that helps to make alternate universes like this so compelling. We’ve already been given a glimpse of what comes next, with the Robins emerging on the scene as an armored counter-balance to Batman’s influence, but this issue reveals who’s pulling their strings – and it’s a key villain from the DCU who is somehow even darker here than he is in his usual appearances. Every time I think I know where this book is going, it surprises me again.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes