Special: Justice League Vs. The Fatal Five, The Hustle, Hellboy Mini-Reviews

Justice League Vs. The Fatal Five

Synopsis: The Justice League faces a powerful new threat, the Fatal Five. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman seek answers as the time-traveling trio of Mano, Persuader and Tharok terrorize Metropolis in search of budding Green Lantern. This may drastically change the destiny of the universe.

My thoughts: This is a really good introduction to the Legion of Superheroes into the DCAU of movies. Now this is technically not canon to the shared universe but it's a starting point for people so they can put them in the mainline series and not miss a beat. The writing was strong and the JLU style animation is always welcomed as is the voice of our main cast. DC could've done better but not that much better as this is a pretty good movie overall.

Final verdict: 4 teenagers from the 31st century out of 5.

The Hustle:

Synopsis: Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway have winning chemistry as a pair of con artists plying their trade in a stunning seaside town in the south of France. Josephine Chesterfield (Hathaway) is a glamorous, seductive Brit with a sprawling home in Beaumont-sur-Mer and a penchant for defrauding gullible wealthy men from all corners of the world. Into her well-ordered, meticulously moneyed world bursts Penny Rust (Wilson), an Aussie who is as free-form and fun-loving as Josephine is calculated and cunning. Where Penny amasses wads of cash by ripping off her marks in neighborhood bars, Josephine fills her safe with massive diamonds after ensnaring her prey in glitzy casinos. Despite their different methods, both are masters of the art of the fleece so they con the men that have wronged women. Wilson's talent for physicality and Hathaway's withering wit are a combustible combination as the pair of scammers pull out all the stops to swindle a naive tech billionaire (Alex Sharp).

My thoughts: It wasn't completely unwatchable, but it was completely un-funny and even though Anne Hathaway deserves better she did nothing to redeem this movie either. It's a stinker.

Final verdict: 2 gender-swaped remakes out of 5.

Hellboy:

Synopsis: Hellboy is back, and he's on fire. From the pages of Mike Mignola's seminal work, this action packed story sees the legendary half-demon superhero (David Harbour, "Stranger Things") called to the English countryside to battle a trio of rampaging giants. There he discovers The Blood Queen, Nimue (Milla Jovovich, Resident Evil series), a resurrected ancient sorceress thirsting to avenge a past betrayal. Suddenly caught in a clash between the supernatural and the human, Hellboy is now hell-bent on stopping Nimue without triggering the end of the world.

My thoughts: It doesn't touch the animated or Del Toro films. But it didn't need to in order to be good, but it didn't quite reach that either. It seems this movie was made due to the success of R rated superhero movies lately and they decided to give Hellboy that treatment except with a low budget it all just kind've looked forced and mildly cringy. This movie is a big ol' meh at it's core.

Final verdict: 3 demons out of 5.

Special: Top 10 DC Comics Christmas Stories

Who doesn't love a good Christmas story? Luckily the fine folks over at DC Comics have produced a stunningly amazing amount that it was hard to narrow down to just ten but I'll do my best!

10. Silent Night, Deadly Night

From: Batman #239 (1971)

Starring: Batman

Story: Batman follows up on a number of robberies that have plagued a number of Gotham City Santa's. Turns out the culprit is a man that was recently laid off from a toy company that wants to give his niece a Merry Christmas, upon hearing this Batman tells him he was still wrong to do it but he escapes to take revenge on his former boss, an old guy in a wheelchair. Batman arrives too late as the man beats his former boss within an inch of his life before he realizes what he's doing is wrong... Somehow Batman still lets him go saying they'll worry about his legal troubles next week and that he's already given him a present by not killing the man... Let that sink in. What the hell were you thinking Batman??

9. Superman's Christmas Adventure

From: Superman's Christmas Adventure #1 (1940)

Starring: Superman

Story: In this story Clark Kent and Lois Lane spot a spoiled entitled rich kid while out Christmas shopping so that night Superman decides to kidnap the child and go all "A Christmas Carol" on him showing all the poor kids and how they go without even a broken toy. While that's happening two guys decide to ambush Santa to make him change his ways, after he doesn't and has the elves beat them up they turn their sights on Lois! So naturally Santa and Superman team up to take them down and save Lois from being shot into space or something? Man this is weird, but in a good way. This book was also given away at Department stores... Oh and there are a butt ton of Superman toys advertisements... Like in the comic itself, not ad pages so that makes sense.

8. The TT's Swinging Christmas Carol

From: Teen Titans #13 (1967)

Starring: Robin (Dick Grayson), Kid Flash (Wally West), Aqualad (Garth), Wonder Girl (Donna Troy)

Story: Yet another Christmas Carol-esque story from DC, this time starring the original Teen Titans! Here the titans learn of a nefarious plot by a Mr. Scrounge in which he is buying fancy European cars and importing them as scrap metal before rebuilding them as fancy cars at his junkyard. What a meanace! How dare he not pay duty on his overseas purchases. So as it turns out the Titans decide to "haunt" him to teach him a lesson and everything is going swimmingly until his goons shoot down Wonder Girl in the third act. The Titans put up a fight but end of getting captured. Luckily Scrounge already learned his lesson and lets the Titans go... It's a Christmas miracle!

7. Metropolis Mailbag

From: Superman #64 (1991)

Starring: Superman

Story: In this touching tale Superman shares with Lois a Christmas tradition of his, reading kids letters to him. Their basically like letters to Santa but instead to the world's strongest man. Anyways one of those letters are from a young fan that asks Superman to save his Dad's life as he's got a brain tumor. Superman goes to tell the boy that he can't in fact fix that but it's too late. The boy's father already passed away. But it's not all doom and gloom in this issue. No Superman also reunites a long thought deceased WWII survivor with her sister and thanks to a Daily Planet strike a lot of kids won't get Christmas presents but Superman gets some cash from Bruce Wayne and carries around a sleigh to deliver presents with reindeer from the zoo and a fake Santa.

6. The Silent Night of The Batman

From: Batman #219 (1969)

Starring: Batman

Story: Look at that beautiful Christmas-y cover! Oh wait... This looks nothing like Christmas... Okay so this tale from Batman #219 amounts to nothing more than a back-up story and a really weird one at that... But weird in a good way! So basically it's Christmas Eve and Batman is making his patrol rounds when the bat signal comes on. He goes to visit the Commissioner who tells him he shone the bat signal to tell him to take the night off because everyone is in the Christmas Spirit. Batman scoffs but relents and spends the night singing Christmas Carols with the GCPD meanwhile citizens stop short of committing crimes or in some cases killing themselves because they think they see Batman... But nope! He's singing.

5. Be Good For Goodness' Sake

From: Justice Society of America #55 (2003)

Starring: The Flash (Jay Garrick), Alan Scott (Former Green Lantern, known as The Sentinel here), Wildcat (Ted Grant), Hawkman.

Story: The JSA are on a mission in a small New Hampshire town which leads them to meeting the local mall Santa when some goons come in to rob the place and take some hostages while they are at it. The JSA team captures most of them but one is about to get away when the Mall Santa doing their best Paul Blart impersonation says "not in my mall" and cold clocks him after he pulls a knife cutting off their Santa beard revealing Santa's real identity as Ma Hunkle, the original Red Tornado! Turns out she faked her death to go into Witness Protection... Oh comic books. You so crazy.

4. Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

From: Christmas With The Superheroes #2 (1988)

Starring: Deadman

Story: Here's one of the most popular, if not most popular DC story that fills you with the yuletide spirit. We get a glimpse on how Deadman spends the holidays. Mostly finding Scrooge-type characters and making them give back to the people they mistreated over the last year. He also makes time for self pity after taking control of a few meat sacks to know what spending time with loved ones over the holidays feels like... But of course that's wrong of him to steal other peoples joy. It's then he meets a girl that can actually see him. She tells him all about the reason for the season, essentially be good for the sake of being good. Don't do the right thing because you'll get something out of it, do it because you know you should. Thus Deadman doesn't need to go all "A Wonderful Life" on us.

3. One Perfect Gift

From: The Flash #73 (1992)

Starring: The Flash (Wally West), The Flash (Jay Garrick), The Flash (Barry Allen)

Story: Look at that cast! Haha. Mark Waid finally cracks our list with this story from The Flash. Wally (the current Flash at the time) and old man Jay Garrick are having a little Christmas get together when they leave on patrol, mostly to get Wally out of the house. They come across a pregnant lady in labour who was struggling to get to her husband who works at a department store but was going to help rob it since he was being laid off that night (Christmas Eve). Wally goes to stop the husband from making a grave mistake and Jay stands back and delivers doctors, nurses and equipment to the street to help the woman in labour. At the end of the issue a knock at the door is greeted by the face of the man in red... But it's not Santa Claus... It's Barry Allen! What a twist to cap off this festive issue (Barry had died 8 years prior and hadn't been seen since).

2. Yes Tyrone, There Is A Santa Claus

From: Infinite Holiday Special #1 (2006)

Starring: Batman, Superman

Story: Okay so this is a very short, but oh so sweet tale. A young boy named Tyrone writes to the Daily Planet to find out if there is a real Santa or not, once Clark reads it he knows he needs to show him that anything is possible so he dresses up in a Superman Santa Suit and flies over with a sleigh full of gifts. When he arrives Batman is there to talk him out of it, he tells him he's a hero and needs to act like it... Afterall what would people think if he can take a night off from saving the world to play dress up with some kid. Superman takes his advice and changes but decides Tyrone should still get some presents but when he returns he finds Tyrone stricken by "Bat-Santa" that came to give him presents. Batman sees Superman and gives him a wink. The issue closes with Superman decking Batman and we get the "elseworlds" stamp indicating that this is a non-cannon story, but cannon or not it was a fun ride.

1. Merry Christmas, Justice League - Now Die!

From: Justice League of America #60 (2001)

Starring: Plastic Man, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash (Wally West)

Story: Mark Waid makes his second appearance in the Top 3!? This time at the top spot. While visiting friends Plastic Man tells an unbelieving boy that Santa Claus is not only real but a member of the Justice League! The evil Neron gives kids presents before Christmas, which of course they accept, only to find out they come with a dark twist. Santa and the JLA go to help but the JLA are turned to coal so it comes down to Santa who beats the hell out of Neron's evil elfs and demons before finally succumbing. But Santa had a trick up his sleeve, knowing Neron needs to trade and bargain he gives him a gift and refuses anything in return.. So when he opens his parcel of socks and underwear he explodes! Santa then turns the JLA back to their normal self and accepts an invite to join the league.

Special: Central Intelligence/Batman: The Killing Joke/Jason Bourne Mini-Reviews

Central Intelligence:

Synopsis: The story follows a one-time bullied geek, Bob, who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of former "big man on campus," Calvin, now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he's getting into, it's too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than Calvin can count.

My thoughts: Odd pairings have been a staple in movies for eon's but Central Intelligence takes it to a new level. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable and adds a new level of humour to the scripted laughs even if the movie follows a formulaic and predictable plot.

Final verdict: 4 odd-couples out of 5.

Batman: The Killing Joke:

Synopsis: Based on the acclaimed DC Comics graphic novel, take a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime. Now escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker sets out to prove that one bad day can make anyone just as insane as he is. Featuring the return of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker and Tara Strong as Batgirl, witness the birth of a super villain, the fortitude of a hero and the punchline that will leave you speechless!

My thoughts: The Internet hate machine will have you believe that this movie is full of unsettling sex and violence but that's anything but the case. Sure the prologue was a little long in the tooth and the relationship was surprising but not entirely out of left field. The animation was a great nod to Bolland's art and the voice acting is top notch as you would expect. Definitely in the upper echelon of DCAU movies.

Final verdict: 5 severed spines out of 5.

Jason Bourne:

Synopsis: Bourne remains on the run from CIA hit squads as he tries to uncover hidden truths about his past. When former CIA operative Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) hacks into agency databases to uncover evidence about its illegal assassination programs and on Bourne's recruitment, Bourne begins to understand who he truly is. After Parsons' breach, CIA Director Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) orders CIA cyber head Heather Lee (Alicia Vikander) to find the pair.

My thoughts: Not the strongest in the Bourne series but the movie gives you just enough of that old Damon/Greengas nostalgia that it makes you forget that this film can't hold a candle to the original or Damon's last romp as Bourne. But there is enough excitement and well choreographed action scenes that the film moves along as a steady pace, although it is a bit uneven at times.

Final verdict: 4 Vegas car chases out of 5.

Special: Checking In On Batman And Robin Eternal (#21 - #26)

Hope you're all caught up with Batman And Robin Eternal, if you're not click HERE to go to my last post which covers issues #15 to #20 with links to the previous 3 articles as well! But for now let's move forward to our stunning conclusion

Issue #21 picks up with how Bruce handled dealing with a newly orphaned Harper and her younger brother, they also flashback to a scene shortly after Bruce and Dick thought they defeated Mother. Bruce decides to head back to Europe to tie up some loose ends but really he's going to meet Mother's first "child" who knew her backstory. We find out Mother's parents were brutally murdered in front of her by the military. She was also stabbed multiple times while pretending to be dead, once the soldiers left she arose from the pile of bodies and killed every single one before coming across a girl her age who took her in, unfortunately the girl's parents were less than thrilled and hit her causing Mother to lash out and "free" her. Once Bruce leaves Mother appears to kill the woman. Back in Gotham, Batman tries to scare Harper's father into taking care of his children, but deep down he knows it won't work and he deletes all traces of the case.

We then head back to Spyral HQ where the Robin's are trying to devise a plan to stop Mother but it's not going well. They figure since Batman couldn't defeat her what chance do they have? Damian pipes up with a speech about how Batman didn't want them to be as good as him or to be him but to be the best versions of themselves they can be. He wanted them to choose their own path and be better than him. After that they get to work to do whatever they can to even attempt an attack on Mother. Mother is meanwhile in the arctic circle when Orphan shows up with Harper and Cassandra. Mother thanks him before disposing of him rather violently. She then shows her army or Orphans that have no feelings, a flaw the previous one had... She then starts the satellite to turn everyone under 20 into her soldiers.

We open up on Cullen listening to his voicemails from Harper when Spoiler steps in saying she's going out to help with the riots. Tim Drake then enters out of nowhere and explains that he needs Spoiler to guard Scarecrow in Arkham, they're sure Mother will go for him. Cullen insists he goes as well so Tim brings him through a magic door which leads them to Midnighter's house where Batgirl, Batwoman and Catwoman all signed on to help as well as Katana and Black Canary. They are sent to attempt to stabilize the riots throughout the world while Dick goes after Mother. Scarecrow tries getting in Spoiler's head but she's grown a lot as a character and shows that she's not worried about her fear controlling her, at that point Red Hood comes in to take Crane (through a magic door) to his old facility to get him to make a toxin to counteract Mother's formula after some banter back and forth, Scarecrow eventually agrees to do it to avoid Mother finding him.

All over the world the bat family are being overcome with the kids attacking. Midnighter decides to leave Cullen in charge at home base so he can watch over Scarecrow freeing Spoiler to go help hold the line. Meanwhile Mother starts sending in her army of Orphans as well so if they were having difficulties with the kids, things just got a lot harder. At Mother's base Dick shows up just in time for a plane to come crashing down, From the wreckage comes Azrael, who tells Dick he's come to take his own life and Mother's. Dick thinks Mother needs to be brought forward and be brought to justice so they start fighting. Elsewhere in the base Mother is speaking to Harper about how Batman tried to hold her back by keeping her in her old life but now she's giving her a chance to start again and the first step is killing Cassandra!

Scarecrow finally finishes his toxin but Cullen tells Midnighter that the Bat Family is losing to the Orphans so they can't release the toxin. Midnighter decides to use his doors to get all of the Orphans to him in Crane's facility where he can handle it leaving the bat family to set off the toxin and save the infected kids from more violent outbursts. Word of the failure leaks back to Mother who immediately requests the second set of cities be infected but she's interrupted when Dick appears, whil fighting with Azrael, Dick convinced him that by killing Mother he continues to live the way she would want him too so Azrael decides to help Dick.

Dick tries to convince Harper not to kill Cassandra but to everyone's surprise Cassandra tells Harper to do it, that's when Harper bens down and tells her she was never going to hurt her, rather she was stalling to learn the electrical grid so she can shut it down so she does, unfortunately Mother is ready to go on back up generators when Azrael knocks out knocks out her antenna stopping her attack. She calls forth her Orphans but at the same time Cullen summons the rest of the bat family to Dick's location and a fight breaks out. Knowing she's lost Mother sets her base to self-destruct as they are hanging over an active volcano. The Bat family has the magic doors to get out but Mother will be left to parrish and she won't ever see time for her crimes, just then David Cain, the original Orphan appears and stabs Mother. Dick tries convincing him to give Mother to him so he can take her to the authorities but David throws himself and Mother into the volcano but first he apologizes to Cassandra and tells her to live her life. A while later Harper confronts Batman about the choice not to tell her about what role he played in her past. She tells him she's going to school and doesn't know if she'll return to being Bluebird but she's happy she has his support if she does. He also runs into Cassandra who is doning a cape and hood as well, though she now goes by Orphan. The series ends with Batman and his 4 Robin's going to stop a criminal, all their strengths playing off each other.

Special: Check In On Batman And Robin Eternal (#16 - #20)

Hey everyone we've arrived at our penultimate post on DC's weekly series, Batman And Robin Eternal. We'll be back with the finale at some point in April but for now if you need to catch up you can find write-ups on issues 1 - 5 HERE, 6 - 10 HERE and 11 - 15 HERE.

Issue #16 kicks off with a flashback to the battle a young Dick Grayson and Batman face with Scarecrow. Dick as Robin saves the day and Batman leaves him to finish taking Scarecrow in so he can conclude his business with Mother. We then get reacquainted with Tim and Jason who were captured by the Master of St. Dumas, the master explains how he was able to perfect the super soldier mix by avoiding all the unnecessary steps Mother/Crane's toxin required, worst of all Jason is currently undergoing that treatment. Azrael breaks free and is able to disconnect the master giving Tim enough time to pull Jason from the memory of his death at the hands of The Joker.

We then get to Dick and Helena in current day at Spyral HQ where they are trying to get some answers out of Orphan. Helena wants to know how deep Mother's agents are in Spyral and Dick wants the answers about Batman's past with Mother. It's then we flashback to Batman and Mother in the past, Batman seemingly killing the parents of one child who has been chosen as Mother's next project. When she arrives she mentions this child isn't going to be the next Robin, it was just a test, then they realise the parents aren't actually dead so Orphan and Batman go at it, Before Batman blows the place up. Unfortunately Mother and Orphan are still capable of fighting and despite Batman seemingly defeating Orphan, Mother uses the child as bait as she threatens to kill him if Batman does not stop the fight. Batman is then over powered by Orphan and left with Mother's orders to have him killed. Back to present day Harper breaks into Spyral HQ to have a talk with Orphan herself, turns out that Orphan has plenty of info for Harper about what her "friend" Cassandra was sent to Gotham to do. The issue ends with Jason and Tim arriving at HQ with the much needed info for Dick.

Picking up in the past, Orphan and Batman continue fighting and Batman does eventually win, he's speaking with Mother about who was targeted to be the next Robin and she shows him a video feed of 2 small time criminals, we then cut back to present time where Orphan informs Harper that it was Cassandra that was sent to kill her parents so she can become the new Robin, she of course only killed her Mother since that's when she went off the grid but the sting of knowing her new friend killed her mother and worst of all Batman knew about it and didn't do anything about it stung. Back in the past the Egyptian police storm the building and the kid rats Batman out as the one who killed everyone so he's forced to flee without Mother. Back at HQ the Robin's discover the virus is going to be used in schools to get kids to bend to Mother's will, and of course Spyral HQ is a school so it hits there first. Tim and Cassandra are safe in a soundproof room but with Harper wandering off, her status is not so certain.

As it turns out the room was not very soundproof at all so Cassandra and Tim started attacking Dick and Helena. Luckily Doctor Netz was in the same roof and discovered Scarecrow's fear gas formula in Tim's info which reverses Mother's voice, unfortunately it also comes with the downside of the fear images, although diluted. Jason finds Harper who accidentally broke Orphan and his associate out while trying to kill them and soon he meets up with Cassandra and Dick who went to find them. Harper also shows up and Cassandra slaps a crane gas on her, only as it turns out Cassandra is also what Harper fears most! Tim, Helena and Doctor Netz are running to shut down Mother's voice, but first they have to figure out how before Mother uses Spyral's satellite to broaden the scope of her attack.

Finally Jason tries to separate Cassandra and Harper from each other but it doesn't go well. Meanwhile Dick goes toe to toe with Poppy, Orphan's associate while that very same Orphan goes after Helena's team. Tim and Dr. Netz continue ahead and Helena tangles with Orphan. Luckily Tim is able to shut down Mother's transmission before too much harm comes but Poppy and Orphan are able to overload Helena and Dick's hypnos so they are knocked out cold, they grab Harper and Cassandra and run when they awake Helena explains that they have the satellite codes since half were in her hypnos and the other half were in Dick's. The reason for this was the satellite was built so that they can wipe the world's mind of Dick being Nightwing so he can go back to his old life when the time was right. Speaking of right timing issue #20 ends with Damian Wayne showing up at the remains of Spyral HQ to help out.

Special: 2015 In Review: Best Comic Series of 2015

10. Wytches

Last year: #10
Publisher: Image Comics
Issues released last year: #4 - #6

Horror can be a difficult genre to truly pull off in the comics medium, but Scott Snyder and Jock deliver absolute dread in their first arc of Wytches. The series is packed with suspense, and the stakes climb higher and higher until the story hits a gut-wrenching, gasp-out-loud crescendo of a conclusion. Few comics can make me cry, but I'll admit I wept openly as this six-issue arc drew to a close.

9. Silver Surfer

Last year: #8
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #8 - #15

Plain and simple, Silver Surfer is the most possible fun readers can have from a monthly comic book series. Dan Slott loves Norrin Radd (and his companion Dawn Greenwood) and it shows in each and every issue. And if ever there was an artist worthy of illustrating the Jack Kirby-created cosmic character, it's Mike Allred -- realizing full-well that long legacy includes industry legends John Buscema and Mœbius.

8. Batman And Robin Eternal

Last year: Unranked
Publisher: DC Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #13

As a fan of Batman and the various versions of Robin, I've been loving this weekly series. The story is focused and the flashbacks to the early years of Batman and Robin remind me of how much fun that era of Batman can be.

7. Fight Club 2

Last year: Unranked
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #8

Readers, and viewers, of 'Fight Club' probably thought there wasn't much room for a sequel, or even if there was, that it could never deliver a story with the same kind of impact. Palahniuk proves them wrong on both counts, using a different medium to tell the story of his dual personality protagonist that opens up all new storytelling potential; potential that Palahniuk uses effectively to continue and build the character's evolution. Like the novel and film, readers are made to think and question what they see, and in doing so are rewarded for it; the comic even uses elements from the original story that makes readers rethink what they thought they had already seen, skillfully applying the very same trick that the original novel and film had done so brilliantly. This comic has the distinction of being a sequel that no one thought needed to be told, until they actually read it.

6. Howard The Duck

Last year: Unranked
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #1 - #5 & #1 - #2

Chip Zdarsky is one of the strongest comedic talents working in comics. Taking the reins of 'Howard the Duck' alongside series artist Joe Quinnones, Zdarsky incorporated meta, self-referential humor into the Marvel Universe, while maintaining the integrity of every character (and there were a ton) that made guest appearances. And we got to see a Howard/Rocket Raccoon team-up-- which we can all agree was long overdue.

5. All-New Hawkeye

Last year: #9
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Issues released last year: #21 - #22 & #1 - #5 & #1 - #2

The long-awaited finale to Matt Fraction and David Aja's run on 'Hawkeye' arrived this year and, boy, did it live up to expectations. The battle for Barton's apartment building reaches its bloody climax with an energy and pacing that's masterful. Along the way, every character in the book gets their chance to kick Tracksuit Dracula ass, including Pizza Dog. For fans of 'Hawkeye,' this two-part series finale was absolute perfection. Then Jeff Lemire came in and lived up to expectations even if it hasn't been quite as good as Fraction's run.

4. Batman

Last year: #2
Publisher: DC Comics
Issues released last year: #38 - #47 & 1 Annual

On the heels of what some thought to be Scott Snyder's definitive Joker story ('Death of the Family'), he delivered another with 'Endgame,' and then shook up essentially everything in the Bat-world immediately thereafter with the still-unfolding 'Superheavy.' Making no pretense that the status quo will remain forever changed, Snyder flips every Batman trope that he can, while he can, and every issue teaches readers to expect only one thing: the unexpected. Greg Capullo takes all of Snyder's larger-than-life ideas and somehow fits them into each issue, all while colorist Danny Miki makes them look even more impressive. This comic continues to demonstrate amazing writer / artist synergy, and even amidst a controversial stab at a new Batman, it's never been stronger.

3. Nailbiter

Last year: #3
Publisher: Image Comics
Issues released last year: #10 - #18

In amazing fashion, this comic seems to be riding the fine line of all the intriguing emotions that go into your questions about killers. To add a personal touch, imagine living in a place where your entire town could be in on a joke, or could possibly be covering up something. The constant fear that at any point you, or someone in your family, or one of your friends could snap simply based on the legendary history of your city. It’s almost as if due to where you are born you are condemned to fail or snap. That is something I picked up on, the conditioning and effect the town has on its residence, the ripple effect it causes making everyone a candidate for something gruesome, the fact that everyone has that dark side that at any moment could be released.

2. Grayson

Last year: #7
Publisher: DC Comics
Issues released last year: #6 - #15 & 1 Annual

The art is amazing and this James Bond-ish take on Dick Grayson works great. While I'd love to have Nightwing back, I'm really enjoying this series.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Last year: #5
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Issues released last year: #42 - #53

After four years of top-notch storylines, twists, turns and character development, IDW’s ongoing TMNT series celebrated its 50th issue in 2015. To Eastman, Waltz, Curnow, Santolouco, Smith and anyone else who has worked on this series over the last four-plus years, I tip my hat to you.  You guys and gals have put together something truly special, and I hope you realise how much us Turtle fanboys and girls out here appreciate it.  I think I speak for everyone when I say that I absolutely cannot wait to read the next fifty issues.  Turtle power!

Special: Checking In On Batman And Robin Eternal (#11 - #15)

Hey folks we're back with another look at the ongoing weekly series Batman and Robin Eternal. For a complete recap click HERE for issues #1 through #5 and HERE for the last instalment, issues #6 through #10. Now onto this post...

So in issue #11 we learn about The Sculptor who, when we left off, Grayson and Blue Bird had just met inside David Cain's house. Turns out The Sculptor sculpts children for Mother and after the ballet incident Mother is on her way back into hiding. The Sculptor wants to help our heroes so she tells them they need to do a mind meld (Sculptor is a telepath). Grayson warns that given his hypnos implants his brain and hers may be fried so Blue Bird decides to do it instead. Sculptor shows her images of David training his daughter Cassandra in unorthodox fashion, such as telling her not to speak since words are all lies and killing many men in front of her so she gets numb to the feeling. We also learn that David was one of Mother's "children" and that he was training Cassandra behind her back since he wanted to demonstrate his way was more effective however Mother disagreed and told him never to go against her again. He plans to show her however "when the time is right" (now perhaps?). She then shows her Batman meeting with Mother to find the new Robin but during this time Grayson gets concerned so he breaks the connection. When Grayson finds out what Sculptor was showing her however he demands that they mind meld so he can see regardless of what may happen,

In the mind meld Sculptor shows Grayson how it all started. David and her were Mother's first children... Her Adam and Eve and that she has since discovered a chemical that can do the work that years of training and telepathic suggestion has done thanks in part to Scarecrow's fear toxin. She also shows Dick that Batman was trying to replace him and in fact was ready to kill for Mother, the link then broke and Grayson and Blue Bird were off to stop Mother since Sculptor have her all the information that was needed to find her before she becomes myth again.

Next up we have Cassandra returning to the Nursery, the place where she and many other children were made to serve Mother's purpose. She of course runs into her Dad who is carrying out Mother's final order, kill all the previous Children. David blames Cassandra for the genocide since months prior she escaped and gave Batman the information he needed and he returned her a copy to give to Grayson in case anything happened to him, which obviously it did. It's then that Grayson and Blue Bird arrive to help out with the fight. It's then that Mother appears and informs them that there is a nuke in the Nursery about to go off and kill them all.

We then get a flashback to that original case Batman and Robin (Grayson) worked on versus Scarecrow. We learn Scarecrow wanted out of his deal with Mother and wanted Batman to lock him up in Arkham as protection. Batman declines, wanting to use Scarecrow for his own gains to catch Mother and only then will he stick him in Arkham. Flashback to today and Grayson is left dueling David Cain (Orphan) while Cassandra and Blue Bird make a run for the control room in hopes to shut down the nuke and hopefully stop the robots that Orphan set to destroy them all, before sending them just after the 2 females in hopes of stopping them. At the control room they learn there's a jet that can get them out in time however it can only be started with David's eye. Luckily Grayson was able to subdue him and stop the robots at the same time. So they jet off with an explosion in the background and head to Spyral HQ in England to get some answers.

Finally we check in on Tim Drake and Jason Todd. Drake shows up at the gates of the Church of St. Dumas dragging Todd proclaiming him to be his tribute to St. Dumas and his allegiance to the group. He gets taken to see the leader while Todd is placed in a cell. Todd eventually escapes his cell and as it turns out it was all a ploy to place an electromagnetic charge in the building to stop the church and more importantly Azrael. While Drake was with the leader and Azrael in the royal chambers Todd was able to get his hands on Project Ichthys, the project being developed for Mother, we also find out Jean-Paul Valley (Azrael) was a product of Mother's. Too bad for Drake and Todd the leader was still able to subdue Drake and turn the project on which cause Todd to remember his past... Specifically his dealings with Joker that became his last as Robin. We also learn that Scarecrow told Mother, as Batman commanded, that he needed a new Robin that she should make a deal with him. So as it turns out the whole Batman wanting the perfect ward created was simply a ploy to get closer to Mother.

That about wraps up issues #11 to #15. It's getting to a nice conclusion as we rush in to the final 11 issues. No more is the book plagued by slow pacing however the art continues to be a mess in some parts, at least the flashbacks are the areas that different artists jump on the book but some of them are just sub par for a big book like this. One thing I will say is despite me commenting previously that they show us all our characters in quick succession so we don't forget about them from issues 10 to 14 we only get one mention of Todd and Drake and it's an off the cuff mention by Mother stating she'd like for them to be in the Nursery getting nuked as well. We definitely need them to be shown more to properly follow along though perhaps the book's overview had their story ahead of the others and hopefully now they've caught up with each other. We'll see you in 5 weeks when we check in on issues #16 through #20 in the penultimate article!

Special: Checking In On Batman And Robin Eternal (#6 - #10)

And we're back! This isn't exactly what I expected when I took on this project since issue #13 came out last week but I wanted to stick to my Christmas themed specials in December and in January I usually do end of year lists but I still have time for those so stay tuned! We'll try to stay on track from here on out so in 2 weeks you'll have your next "Checking In".

So last time (link HERE) we found out that the mysterious Mother runs a human trafficking ring and has ties to Batman. We also know that she can control anyone with the help of nanobots. Dick Grayson and Tim Drake also aren't on speaking terms since Grayson thought Drake and his parents were being controlled. We also met a new character, kinda named Cassandra Cain who unfortunately can only say "Mother" she's hanging out with Harper Roe. Grayson doesn't want them being harmed so he's keeping them tucked away, a notion Harper is none too pleased with.

Issue #6 opens with Grayson and Jason Todd discussing the events of last issue. Roe and Cain are still holed up in an apartment Grayson has kept in Gotham under an alias. Drake is still not speaking to Grayson and Todd is being told about one of the first cases Batman worked with the first Robin (Grayson) which involved Mother. Batman and Robin went to Prague and Grayson recounts that's when Batman cut him out so he decides he must go there and re-investigate from where Batman cut him out.

In Prague, Grayson decides to send Roe and Cain to the theatre to watch Sleeping Beauty performed and keep an eye out on the lone name left on Cain's list of people Mother infected, all the others have disappeared or died. Meanwhile Grayson will continue to monitor Orphan's signal to try to find their whereabouts since so far he's the only link to Mother but when the signal sends Grayson to the Ballet he quickly realises it's a trap and sure enough Mother is there to greet him.

Meanwhile in Gomorrah Drake and Todd are chasing down leads of their own that Drake discovered by following the data Cain provided. They're chasing down some black market kingpins but when they find him in a church he appears to have been affected by some sort of fear gas which leads us to question Scarecrow's involvement since he was the bat villain Batman and Grayson were chasing all those years ago. Back in Prague Mother tells Grayson he can follow her and learn everything or go help Roe and Cain who are in the middle of a fight for their lives against the entire ballet. Mother further states that if Grayson does not go with her he will never see her again, but Grayson still elects to help his friends and after the battle Cain runs off after having a horrible flashback of a throat slash, not clear if it happened to her or if she did it just yet. Grayson and Roe head back to the Prague batcave to hope to shake loose some clues as to where Mother is heading next.

Todd and Drake next find themselves in Santa Prisca investigating The Order of St. Dumas.Turns out The Angel of Death that the black market kingpin mentioned right before dying has killed 10 black market men, all had business with The Order of St. Dumas so they're hoping by heading to their HQ they will get answers, or at least a run it with the Orphan, instead they run into Bane. After a small tussle between Bane and Todd. Drake proposes an alliance since both want to find and stop this Angel of Death. Upon entering the Order's building they hear a voice speaking to them claiming to be The Angel of Death before finally revealing himself to be Azrael.

Azrael and his holy warriors go toe-to-toe with Drake, Todd and Bane and Azrael seems to have them beat even when Drake runs a patch through to his cave and discovers Azrael's real name and the connection between the Church and Mother. Drake gets his mind scrambled by Azrael and Todd is left to rescue his younger Robin. Meanwhile Roe finds all she needed on a muddied up paper trail so her and Grayson, impressed by Roe, now realising why Batman kept her around. They go to investigate a Stephen Cain who appears to be behind all this (Cassandra's father?) but upon arriving in his house they are greeted by a lady who calls herself The Sculptor, she's been waiting for them to arrive.

The review is much of the same, mostly set-up still although I'm glad they are touching on all the story lines in each book, even just a bit to keep your mind fresh as to what each of our characters are doing. The fight with Azrael was pretty boring as far as action sequences go but the ballet brawl was well worth it. They also appear to have creative teams shuffling through every two issues or so which is good to keep the tempo of the series going positively. The art has never been awful and in the last post I spoke negatively about the Steve Orlando scripted issue but really this book hasn't been bad, it just hasn't progressed as quickly as I would like. But there is that old adage that you can't rush greatness, not that I think this book will get there but with Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV mapping out the book the storyline has to be worthwhile at least.

Comic Shop Corner: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

This week's hot book: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Synopsis: DC Comics and IDW team up for the crossover you never saw coming as two of the greatest entertainment icons meet for the first time! In Gotham City, a series of deadly raids leads Batman to believe he’s up against a group of highly trained ninjas known as the Foot Clan! Somehow, they’ve crossed over to another dimension and are determined to take advantage of the situation while looking to get back home. But they haven’t come alone: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo are hot on their trail. Get ready for excitement as heroes and villains from both worlds clash and team up in an epic battle that threatens the very fabric of reality!

Why check it out? Uh do you need another reason? Look at the title. Written by James Tynion IV (Batman and Robin Eternal, The Woods) and drawn by newcomer Freddie Williams II this book has gotten great reviews early but again it's the TMNT in Gotham... You should've bought this already!

Special: Checking In On Batman And Robin Eternal (#1 - #5)

Okay folks so I apologize for this special being stupidly late but I didn't have as much free time as I expected to on Sunday, let alone yesterday, but I'm here now wrapping out what I hope will be the first of many posts of this ilk where I check in on a comic book series after 5 issues or so, what better place to start than with Batman and Robin Eternal, DC's follow-up weekly series to last year's hit Batman Eternal.

In case you didn't know Bruce Wayne is without memories so he has no idea he's Batman, instead the police department have put Batmen out on the street, mostly robots but some have police inside, like Commissioner Gordon moonlighting as Batman in the main Batman title. Dick Grayson on the other hand has been out spying on the spy organization Spyral by infiltrating them as an agent but reporting back to Bruce, who is no longer there obviously. For his next mission Spyral has sent him back to Gotham where he meets up with his old pals Tim "Red Robin" Drake, Jason "Red Hood" Todd and Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon. He also meets Harper "Bluebird" Roe for the first time as well as her new friend and roommate Stephanie "Spoiler" Brown.

The plot flashes back to one of the first cases that Dick and Batman ever worked on together, it was a giant human trafficking ring run by a mysterious woman named Mother, Batman has ties to her somehow, but Grayson doesn't know how. All he has to go on is a recording he found of Bruce advising that if he's watching this video he's no longer around to help and they need to clean up "his biggest mistake".

Grayson's unsure who he can trust since he finds out Mother can control anyone at anytime thanks to some nanobots. His immediate thought is that Tim and/or his parents could be suspect, seeing that he was the only one who wasn't orphaned... Did I forgot to mention that orphans are Mother's favourite? Anyway when Tim finds out about this he's none too happy, he and the rest of the Bat-family feel betrayed by Dick, rightfully so.

Will the gang be able to get to the bottom of this and overcome their differences? Will Bruce get any shred of memory back so that he too can help out? And who's the mysterious woman Mother? Also can the mysterious woman in black going around seemingly testing the Bat-Family be trusted? After all she can only say "mother" and that's about it. For what it's worth Harper seems to trust her new friend.

As far as the review goes, as with most weekly series the book is pretty slow moving. Which is disappointing given my excitement but again not all that surprised. The art is constantly in flux but Manapul did issue #5 which was awesome, though Steve Orlando's dialogue isn't the strongest in that issue or the preceding one. Overall it's still good, still has me pumped but enough set up already let's get into the dirty details and the action!

Special: Top 10 Critically Acclaimed PS4 Games

Hello everyone! This week I finally got a PS4 and although I currently only have 2 games for it (MLB 15 The Show; Yu-Gi-Oh!) I decided to take a peak at what other people recommend which cause me to dig in depth so here my friends are the top 10 critically acclaimed PS4 games as of this writing (Friday September 18, 2015). Which games would you recommend? As always hit me up at twitter @DonnyForTheWin or in the comments below!

10. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remastered
Rating (8.4)

Summary: Two RPGs - Now in High Definition. Over 200 hours of gameplay, including the International version content never before released in North America. Relive the fateful journey with fully remastered HD visuals and rearranged music.

Praise: Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is already great way to play these classic RPGs on the PS3 and Vita, and the even prettier PlayStation 4 version comes with the visual improvements you’d expect for the new-generation platform.

9. Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition
Rating (8.4)

Summary: The definitive edition of this action game arrives with enhanced 1080p graphics at 60fps, new features and all the original DLC included. Chain together stylish combos with up to 8 unique weapons. Traverse the demonic world of Limbo as you join Dante and Vergil in the legendary rebirth of the Devil May Cry franchise.

Praise: The Definitive Edition is an already fantastic game perfected and shined up brighter for an audience that didn't come in nearly the droves that it demanded the first time. DmC walked the walk and talked the talk of an envelope-pushing experience on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. On the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it's the chaotic, anarchic Devil May Cry the new generation needs and deserves.

8. Axiom Verge
Rating (8.4)

Summary: A failed scientist dies in an accident, only to awaken in a mysterious, alien world. Where is he? How did he get here? And why do the fundamental laws of reality appear broken? Life. Afterlife. Real. Virtual. Dream. Nightmare. It's a thin line. It's Axiom Verge

Praise: Its story is simple, yet subverts convention with its attitude. The exploration loop is incredibly satisfying, and combat feels both tight and adaptable, like a complex dance where the partners both accentuate each others strengths, allowing any weak points to fade into the background. I could go on, but honestly, the next sentence sums everything I need to say up quite nicely. You really, REALLY, should play Axiom Verge.

7. OlliOlli2: Welcome To Olliwood
Rating: (8.5)

Summary: OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood plucks the iconic skater from the street and dropping him squarely in the middle of the Big Screen’s most bodacious cinematic locations.

Praise: OlliOlli2 is what happens when a developer takes in feedback and does its best to employ the best of said feedback. There isn’t one aspect of the original OlliOlli that wasn’t improved in some way, shape or form in OlliOlli2. The new visual style is incredible, the mechanics are as close to perfect as you can get, the soundtrack is packed with amazing songs and artists that complement the gameplay and there’s exact parity between the PS4 and PS Vita versions of the game. In short, OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood is nothing short of a masterpiece.

6. Dark Souls II: Scholar Of The First Sin
Rating (8.7)

Summary: Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin includes the 3 previously released DLC packs - Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the ivory King - along with additional features. All versions of the game include the following features (Existing Dark Souls II owners will receive a patch to implement these elements): Additional NPCs added for an enhanced story experience. Parameter adjustments for improved game balance. Augmented item descriptions. Improved online matchmaking functionality.

Praise: Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin certainly comes off as a definitive version worth checking out. The changes in enemy placement can be a bit jarring at first, but I think you’ll agree that these changes keep the overall game feeling fresh, regardless of how many hours you devoted to the original game. And if you’re coming off of Bloodborne, and wanting more From Software goodness, than Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin certainly fits the bill.

5. Batman: Arkham Knight
Rating (8.7)

Summary: Batman confronts the ultimate threat against the city he has been sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to congeal an imposing array of super villains, including The Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to summarily destroy The Dark Knight. The game introduces Rocksteady's uniquely-designed imagining of the Batmobile drivable for the first time in the franchise. Batman: Arkham Knight offers gamers a complete Batman experience as they rip through the streets and soar across the skyline of the iconic Gotham City.

Praise: The Bat could not have hoped for a better send off. Graphically astounding, narratively compelling, and featuring two utility belts full of new gadgets. This is bat-time very, very well spent.

4. Bastion
Rating (8.9)

Summary: The goal of the game is to construct a safe haven in the wake of the Calamity, a cataclysmic event that shattered the world into a series of floating islands. As players journey into the wild unknown in search of survivors and supplies, they will confront strange beasts, forge an array of customizable weapons, and gain new powers from specially-brewed spirits. The entire play experience of Bastion is dynamically narrated, gradually revealing a rich backstory as the narrator reacts to the player's actions in real time.

Praise: When the credits first rolled all those years ago, I simply sat in my chair, completely blown away at what I had just experienced. While it may have taken a few years to find its way onto the Sony platform, Bastion still stands as proof to what a small team of creative and passionate individuals can accomplish, and that video games as a medium have an infinite amount of potential. Hopefully, we can all stick around long enough to see what comes next.

3. Shovel Knight
Rating (9.1)

Summary: Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. It's a hot mashup of new and old! You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this land with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and quest for his lost beloved. He wields a Shovel Blade: a multipurpose weapon whose techniques have now been lost to the ages. Always honest and helpful, Shovel Knight is a shining example of the code of Shovelry: Slash Mercilessly and Dig Tirelessly! But, between Shovel Knight and his beloved stands a cadre of villainous knights. These terrible foes, known as The Order of No Quarter, have been dispatched to prevent Shovel Knight from reaching the Enchantress, and will pursue their mission at any cost. If you love games with perfect platforming, beautiful art, infectious music, crazy bosses, humor and levity, and real heart... Shovel Knight is for you!

Praise: Luckily Shovel Knight is generous with its placement of checkpoints, allowing a measure of modernity where it could have easily opted for the old school Nintendo-hard approach. Likewise, the only real consequence to dying is the loss of some of your treasure which, taking a page from the Souls games, can be recovered upon returning to the spot you died at previously, provided you don’t die again that is. In fact this idea of recovering your own gold can potentially add more to the game, as it encourages revisiting the often precarious situation that killed you in the first place for the opportunity to gain back your hard earned treasure. Unfortunately, there were occasions where the treasure I dropped ended up in a place that made it impossible to recover (such as the point-of-no-return in a bottomless pit) which detracts from an otherwise smart take on dying in a platformer that doesn’t rely on lives and 1-Ups.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Rating (9.2)

Summary: With the Empire attacking the Kingdoms of the North and the Wild Hunt, a cavalcade of ghastly riders, breathing down your neck, the only way to survive is to fight back. As Geralt of Rivia, a master swordsman and monster hunter, leave none of your enemies standing. Explore a gigantic open world, slay beasts and decide the fates of whole communities with your actions, all in a genuine next generation format. Also known as "The Witcher III: Wild Hunt"

Praise: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt sets a new standard for open world RPGs. Its shockingly cohesive world is as beautiful as it is demanding, and it's packed full of mature content that throws you from one emotional response to the next. Its storytelling is superb, its combat is grippingly refined, and its often unforgiving nature only lends itself to a brilliantly rewarding experience. In an industry that's flooded with so many by-the-book open world titles, Wild Hunt stands out as a true labour of love from a developer that's uncompromisingly passionate about its creative freedom. Geralt's incredible adventure is nothing short of a masterpiece.

1. Bloodborne
Rating (9.2)

Summary: Bloodborne is an action RPG in which you hunt for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like a disease. Peril, death and madness infest this dark world, and you're tasked with uncovering its darkest secrets which will be necessary for you to survive. Armed with a singular arsenal of weaponry, including guns and saw cleavers, you'll require wits, strategy and reflexes to dispatch the agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city's underbelly. You will utility holy chalices to access an array of vast underground ruins, chock full of traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer on your own or with other people.

Praise: Bloodborne may not be a Souls game and it doesn't fall into the horror genre, but it captures everything that makes the series so satisfying, so terrifying and so magical.

I want to keep playing, I want to discover its secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry.

Praise: Bloodborne may not be a Souls game and it doesn't fall into the horror genre, but it captures everything that makes the series so satisfying, so terrifying and so magical. I want to keep playing, I want to discover it's secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry.

Comic Shop Corner: September 2015

First Wednesday of the month so let's count down some comics!

28. Justice League United #13
Last ranking: 27 (out of 27)

Guest artist Paul Pelletier joins the JLU for a special storyline that sees Stargirl and the team of Steel, Robotman, Batgirl and Vandal Savage enter a war zone that's at once very familiar and utterly weird. Plus: the long awaited return of a legendary DC Comics hero.

27. Secret Wars #6
Last ranking: 20 (out of 27)

THE FINAL WAR!

26. Secret Six #6
Last ranking: 23 (out of 27)

What is the Secret? Actually, there's more than one-and the answers are revealed here. The true identity of Mockingbird was only one of the secrets, and it's not even the most shocking. Plus: A marriage that should not happen is proposed. A person you thought was long gone returns. And at least one of the Six is not the person you think they are. (Okay, it's the dummy.) From this point on, all bets are off.

25. TMNT Color Classics #9
Last ranking: 26 (out of 27)

"City at War, Part Seven." While Splinter faces off with the Rat King in the dark sewers, the TMNT are given an ominous invitation to a meeting with Karai!

24. Gotham By Midnight #9
Last ranking: 25 (out of 27)

As the Midnight Shift is dragged in for interrogation by Internal Affairs, Dr. Tarr makes a startling discovery that might change everything for Corrigan and The Spectre. But will it be too late?

23. The Paybacks #1
Last ranking: NEW!

Heroism doesn't come cheap, so when superheroes borrow money to finance their genetic enhancements or crime-fighting supercomputers, their debts make student loans look like IOUs! Enter the Paybacks, a repo squad composed of bankrupt former heroes here to foreclose on everybody's secret lairs! From the team that delivered the acclaimed Buzzkill!

22. Bat-Mite #4
Last ranking: 19 (out of 27)

There's a new bad guy in town: Gridlock, the villain who's stuck in the past! And now, he's out to stop the future from coming! Booster Gold, the hero from the future, obviously can't allow that, but when he seeks Bat-Mite's help in finding this purloiner of progress, it doesn't take much of a prognosticator to predict that he's going to regret it.

21. TMNT Amazing Adventures #2
Last ranking: 22 (out of 27)

The adventures continue! The Turtles face a new, all-powerful foe. To survive they'll have to turn to... Shredder?? Bonus story featuring a comic book made by Mikey!

20. Lobo #10
Last ranking: 21 (out of 27)

Lobo is finally face-to-face with Sinestro! But did our favorite bounty hunter bite off  more than he could chew when he agreed to kill the leader of the Yellow Lanterns?

19. Harrow County #5
Last ranking: 18 (out of 27)

After uncovering Harrow County's twisted history and her own bizarre connection to the populace, Emmy forges a new and profound connection to the land and its creatures-but a familiar and sinister presence lurks just over the county lines . . .

18. Justice League of America #4
Last ranking: 13 (out of 27)

As The Flash struggles to get back to the present, the rest of the team regroups for a rematch against the overwhelming forces of the Church of Rao. And, as foreshadowed in issue #1, they must also consider how to prevent the seemingly inevitable death of Superman!

17. Silver Surfer #14
Last ranking: 14 (out of 27 - July)

THE LAST DAYS - "UNIVERSE 2.0" Given unheralded new power, the Silver Surfer is tasked with REMAKING THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE! From the laws of physics to the origins of new life itself, what strange new cosmos will Norrin Radd will into being? Meanwhile, Dawn Greenwood has a far less intimidating task. All she has to rebuild... is Planet Earth. Plus, if the Surfer, Dawn, and Toomie were the only survivors of the previous cosmos to make it into the void... why are they not alone?!

16. American Vampire: The Second Cycle #10
Last ranking: 16 (out of 27)

Vampires in space! The war against the beast takes to the vast vacuum of stars, but who is inside the space suits (and what they find inside the space ship!) must remain to be seen. AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE continues to suck every last drop of dread from the century's most dramatic decade.

15. Fight Club 2 #5
Last ranking: 5 (out of 27)

Since he was discharged from the mental hospital, Sebastian has been a do-nothing cog in the world's largest military-industrial corporation: Rize or Die. Marla searches for clues among the various clubs that have spun off of Tyler's original fight clubs, and she discovers that Project Mayhem is not a boys-only enterprise-not anymore.

14. Action Comics #44
Last ranking: 11 (out of 27)

The epic "Truth" arc reaches its finale as Superman makes some brutal choices and discovers the source of the Shadow Warriors.

13. Hip-Hop Family Tree #2
Last ranking: 15 (out of 27)

Hip Hop jumps from the streets into the record business in this issue documenting the first rap songs on wax by acts like the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious five and Kurtis Blow. Discover the secrets that took place to make Hip Hop culture the global phenomenon that it grew into.

12. Justice League #44
Last ranking: 2 (out of 27)

Darkseid versus Anti-Monitor! A corrupted Superman versus Lex Luthor! Myrina Black versus Grail! This chapter of "Darkseid War" has it all-plus an ending that will change the League forever!

11. Deadpool Vs. Thanos #1
Last ranking: NEW!

We all know Thanos-the man who single-handedly made bejeweled gloves into THE deadly weapon of choice for mass murder. But did you know he shares an ex with Deadpool? No, not Vanessa-I refer to the cosmic "lady" known as DEATH. And when everyone in the universe stops dying, both of her former beaus take an interest. Can the pair overcome one's overwhelming hatred of and annoyance by the other? Or will Thanos finally let Deadpool die once and for all?

10. Deadpool Vs. Thanos #2
Last ranking: 11 (see above stupid)

Also see above... Stupid.

9. We Stand On Guard #3
Last ranking: 14 (out of 27)

What will torture look like in the future?

8. Batman Beyond #4
Last ranking: 9 (out of 27)

Everyone knew he wasn't good enough to be Batman, and now Tim's mistake has put humanity at risk. But when all seems lost, an old friend takes him back where it all started. Will a gift from the past give Tim what he needs to save the future?

7. Sex Criminals #12
Last ranking: 5 (Same issue resolicited)

Suzie and Jon continue the worst recruitment plan in the history of entertaining second-act montage sequences. Getting the band together never had so many fluids. By Hollywood jerkhole MATT FRACTION (ODY-C, SATELLITE SAM, Hawkeye) and literally a shed-full of car keys that somehow manages to draw comics.

6. Grayson Annual #2
Last ranking: 4 (out of 27)

When Dick comes home to find that the Batman he knew is gone, he seeks out his mentor, Superman. But both friends have changed since they last met. Can they find common ground and team up to stop Blockbuster's plans for Spyral?

5. Grayson #12
Last ranking: 6 (duh!)

For the first time since he faked his own death, Dick Grayson returns home to Gotham City. But will Spyral ever really let him go for good?

4. All-New Hawkeye #5
Last ranking: 4. (way back in June!)

A boy at odds with his big brother. A hero out of sync with his partner. Team Hawkeye, both past and present, is fractured. Things come to a head as Barney, Clint, and Kate learn what it means to carry the name Hawkeye.

3. Batman Annual #4
Last ranking: 6 (out of 27)

Batman is gone... but Bruce Wayne is alive? What does that mean for Gotham City? And who is Bruce Wayne without Batman? This special annual delves deeper into the mystery building, and whether or not Bruce can ever really escape from the shadow of the Dark Knight.

2. Batman #44
Last ranking: 3 (why have you not figured this out yet?)

It's the origin of new villain Mr. Bloom! In a tale from Bruce Wayne's past, Batman must investigate a vicious crime in the shadowy area of Gotham City known as the Narrows. Don't miss this special issue illustrated by superstar artist Jock (Wytches, GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE)!

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50
Last ranking: 1 (out of 27)

The epic conclusion to over four-years worth of storylines! The Turtles stand against Shredder for one final battle that will determine the fate of NYC, and the world, for years to come!

Comic Shop Corner: August 2015

Hey folks! We had an even 30 this month but looks like a few titles (Silver Surfer, Sex Criminals, All-New Hawkeye) got delayed until September so we'll roll with 27 this month due to double shipping last month and likely this month upcoming too... Let's hit it!

27. Justice League United #12
Last ranking: 25 (out of 28)

A mission to save our world from cosmic calamity has separated Swamp Thing from the Green, threatening to destroy him forever. Only an improbable team of heroes and villains, led by Poison Ivy, can traverse conflicting realities and save Earth's plant elemental from non-existence.

26. TMNT Color Classics #8
Last ranking: 23 (out of 28)

In "City at War, Part Six," the war for New York escalates as Karai and the Rat King enter the fray! (Originally printed as Mirage TMNT #55, Volume 1.)

25. Gotham By Midnight #8
Last ranking: 22 (out of 28)

Two of Gotham City's top news anchors seem to be swaying the minds of the public with sinister supernatural intentions.

24. Past Aways #6
Last ranking: 21 (out of 28)

Across space and time, the immortal Past Aways have battled their share of monsters-but a new beast has reared its ugly head, and the team may not be able to survive the onslaught of the terrible creature known as . . . celebrity!

23. Secret Six #5
Last ranking: 15 (out of 28)

After the initial attack on Big Shot's home (and the shocking revelation of one member's true identity), the team's suburban retreat has been exposed. As the team starts to fracture, this highly dysfunctional band of outcasts prepares for the next strike from Mockingbird!

22. TMNT: Amazing Adventures #1
Last ranking: NEW!

This new series will feature crazier stories in it's own all-ages continuity that draws inspiration from the hit Nickelodeon cartoon! Featuring backups from some of the finest cartoonists in comics today!

21. Lobo #9
Last ranking: 17 (out of 28)

As Lobo hunts for Sinestro and a big payday, only one more killer stands in his way: Wyvern Cross, possibly the only alien more deadly than the last Czarnian!

20. Secret Wars #5
Last ranking: 18 (out of 28)

OWEN REECE DIED FOR OUR SINS!

19. Bat-Mite #3
Last ranking: 19 (out of 28)

Bat-Mite and Robin! It had to happen...even if Damian fights it every step of the way! Does Bat-Mite really believe that Batman's son will welcome his efforts to coach him? Sadly, yes. Say hello to crime fighting's new Dysfunctional Duo.

18. Harrow County #4
Last ranking: 16 (out of 28)

Kept prisoner by a monster of her own creation, Emmy is forced to confront the truth about the evil witch of Harrow County and the power she wields!

17. Howard The Human #1
Last ranking: NEW!

Spend a day with Howard, a private investigator and the only human living in city full of animals. But not, like, criminals and lowlifes. We're talking elephants, apes, ducks and kitty cats. Catching a case, grinding a few gears, dodging some bullets and almost getting killed by an anthropomorchic monstrosity. It's just another Monday for Howard the Human brought to you by Skottie Young (ROCKET RACCOON) and Jim Mahfood (MIAMI VICE REMIX).

16. American Vampire: The Second Cycle #9
Last ranking: 24 (out of 28)

Trapped behind the wall, Felicia and Pearl must run from the horrors they find lurking in Area 51. Whether they make it out alive or become test tube experiments may not be up to them. AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE continues here!

15. Hip-Hop Family Tree #1
Last ranking: NEW!

The New York Times bestselling book series debuts as a  monthly  comic book (!) with new covers, artwork, a "director's commentary" section that describes the motivation, process, and research involved in making this masterpiece, plus other surprises! This first issue highlights the breakdancers, graffiti artists, DJs and MCs who formed hip hop culture beginning in the tenement rec rooms of the south Bronx in the 1970s. You'll discover who invented the term "Hip Hop". You'll see names you recognize like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa and you'll discover where they fit into the culture as pioneers... every month!

14. We Stand On Guard
Last ranking: 20 (out of 28)

The summer blockbuster from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and STEVE SKROCE continues, as the futuristic conflict between the Canadian freedom fighters and their American occupiers takes a shocking turn!

13. Justice League Of America
Last ranking: 13 (out of 28)

Churches of Rao are being built all over the world. A new world religion has appeared seemingly overnight. Sick people are healed. The world suddenly knows peace. So what's wrong with this picture? The Justice League is about to violently find out.

12. Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars #4
Last ranking: 8 (out of 28)

You guys understand this is NOT A SECRET WARS TIE-IN, right? It's nothing less than the TRUTH that THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW! THIS is how the ORIGINAL SECRET WARS really ended! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT! Which is your right. Parental Advisory

11. Action Comics #43
Last ranking: 9 (out of 28)

"Truth" continues as Superman defies the Metropolis police and faces a new threat from the shadows!

10. Magneto #21
Last ranking: 12 (out of 28)

With the Earth on the verge of destruction, the Master of Magnetism is determined to be mutantkind's savior once more... But at what cost? Parental Advisory

9. Batman Beyond #3

Last ranking: 11 (out of 28)

The world starts to give up on its new Batman as the secret of the cyborg Justice League is revealed. Plus, Brother Eye takes both a giant leap and one small step toward bringing down the final stronghold of humanity: Neo-Gotham.

8. Hero Cats Of Stellar City #7

Last ranking: 7

A new Hero Cat named Bandit joins the battle as our team is faced with their biggest challenge yet.  An evil alliance conspires to bring Stellar City to its knees.  Can the Hero Cats stop them in time?

7. Howard The Duck #5

Last ranking: 10 (out of 28)

While the world's greatest super heroes fight to save NYC - and possibly America and parts of Canada - Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves. Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with. RETAILER NOTE: This issue is a HOWARD THE DUCK #4 tie-in!

6. Batman #43

Last ranking: 7 (out of 28)

In the start of a new epic, a new villain stalks Gotham City. Will Batman be able to uncover the mystery of Mr. Bloom?

5. Fight Club 2 #4

Last ranking: 6 (out of 28)

Each time Sebastian's drifted off to sleep, Tyler's emerged to run Project Mayhem. The "Human Sacrifices" who've pledged their lives to fulfilling their dreams . . . becoming doctors, accountants, lawyers-even MBAs! . . . what they're really becoming are Tyler's slaves. And the ones who fail him? They die . . .

4. Grayson #11

Last ranking: 4 (out of  28)

It's Grayson versus...Grayson? To save Agent 1, Dick must face his most dangerous enemy yet: himself.

3. Nailbiter #15

Last ranking: 3 (out of 28)

A shocking death unlocks the secrets of Buckaroo!

2. Justice League #43

Last ranking: 2 (out of 28)

"The Darkseid War" event rages on as Batman takes a dark journey into the depths of Godhood and unlocks the forbidden knowledge of the DC universe! Meanwhile, arch-enemies Superman and Lex Luthor must stand together in order to survive, and Wonder Woman leads the Justice League in an offensive against the Anti-Monitor and Darkseid! But what is Grail's true mission during this war--and what is the secret she holds over Wonder Woman?

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #49

Last ranking: 1 (out of 28)

A final battle looms as Karai decrees a "Gauntlet" battle between ancient foes Splinter and Shredderbut first the Turtles must defeat the Foot mutants- Koya, Bludgeon, Bebop & Rocksteady! With Leo making an unimaginable battle gamble, a second Turtle's life may be on the line!

Series Dropped: The New Suicide Squad

Series Finished: Edward Scissorhands, C.O.W.L.

Comic Shop Corner: July 2015

We'll do 28 this month since there's a bunch of issues double shipping this month as well as annuals.

28. C.O.W,L. #11
Last ranking: 30 (same issue)

Arc two comes to a close with a monster issue. All of Geoffrey's lies, secrets, and rationalizations have led to this. Plus, Radia's public stand against C.O.W.L.—will she win the independence she wants? And does Arclight have a future with C.O.W.L.? Or at all?

27. New Suicide Squad #10
Last ranking: 29

What do you get when you take on an unstable breakaway faction from the League of Assassins? Dead Squad members, that’s what!

26. Edward Scissorhands #10
Last ranking: 24

Whole Again concludes, as Edward realizes that only he can rescue his new friends, even though it might mean sacrificing his best chance to be “normal.” But what’s normal, really?

25. Justice League United #11
Last ranking: Unranked

The Convergence is over! Now, Alanna Strange, Stargirl and Equinox must assemble brand-new and wildly untraditional teams of heroes and villains to work together and stop another cosmic catastrophe before it happens. In this issue: Mera, Poison Ivy, Swamp Thing and Etrigan!

24. American Vampire: The Second Cycle #8
Last ranking: 27 (same issue)

With Skinner and Calvin leading the space race, back on Earth it’s time to face the most guarded stronghold in the country: Area 51! Felicia and Pearl go behind the fence to expose the nation’s extraterrestrial secrets. What do they encounter floating in the test tubes? You’ll find out here!

23. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Colour Classics #7
Last ranking: 26

In "City at War, Part Five," the TMNT and their allies must face their personal doubts, motivations, and mortality as the war for New York continues to explode out-of-control around them! (Originally printed as Mirage TMNT #54, Volume 1.)

22. Gotham By Midnight #7/Annual
Last ranking: 16

7: The responsibilities of the Midnight Shift can take its toll on even the bravest. What trials has Lt. Weaver endured – and has he reached his breaking point?

Annual: Get set for a tale of love and vengeance in this centuries-old mystery for the Midnight Shift – and the Gentlemen Ghost!

21. Past Aways #5
Last ranking: 23

Phil and his new student experiment with a novel form of time travel, Art begins a dangerous relationship with a 2015 native, and the impossible occurs when one of the immortal Past Aways passes away!

20. We Stand On Guard #1
Last ranking: NEW!

SAGA writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN teams with artistic legend and MATRIX storyboard artist STEVE SKROCE for an action-packed military thriller that will have everyone talking. 100 years from now, a heroic band of Canadian civilians must defend their homeland from invasion...by the United States of America! The hyper-detailed combat between badass freedom fighters and giant f***ing robots begins with a spectacular 40-PAGE FIRST ISSUE for the regular price of just $2.99!

19. Bat-Mite #2
Last ranking: 12

Bat-Mite assists Batman on yet another case…whether the Dark Knight needs his help or not. This time, it leads the imp to the diabolical Doctor Trauma, who has terrible plans in store for Hawkman!

18. Secret Wars #4
Last ranking: 22/21 (same issue)

All the Angels sing!

17. Lobo #8/Annual
Last ranking: 14

8: Lobo battles fiendish robotic surgeons in the horrific “flesh factory”!

Annual: Lobo’s faced murderers, thieves and tyrants as he slaughtered his way across the universe, but now he meets the one group that might shut down his work for good: the Sinestro Corps!

16. Harrow County #3
Last ranking: 13

Terrified by what she's learned of witches and monsters, Emmy takes shelter in an ancient graveyard, as she's hunted down by her own family!

15. Secret Six #4
Last ranking: 20

It's the Secret Six versus the Doom Patrol, fresh off their appearance in Teen Titans! As the Six hunt down the villain who has been targeting them, they uncover some startling secrets. What does the all-new Doom Patrol have to do with all of it?

14. Silver Surfer #13
Last ranking: 19

From the edge of Battleworld to the far reaches of the cosmos – every planet, moon and star has been extinguished. Except for the Surfer, Dawn and Toomie! How did they pull this off? And more importantly, can they figure out a way to bring everything back?

13. Justice League Of America #2
Last ranking: 18

The JLA learns more about the armada of religious zealots that has arrived on Earth – and their stunning ties to Krypton!

12. Magneto #20
Last ranking: 15

Earth is careening toward oblivion and Magneto is desperate to prevent mutantkind from meeting its untimely end… But could it be that the key to salvation has been right in front of him all along in the form of his daughter, Polaris?

11. Batman Beyond #2
Last ranking: 5

Thirty-five years in the future, Batman’s gotten himself caught in a P.O.W. camp where the enemy refuses to give up trying to crack the only “data source” he can't access – the human mind! And this foe doesn’t care how many people he has to burn through to get there, including original Batgirl Barbara Gordon! To make his great escape, Batman will have to take down both his greatest hero and a traitor to humanity! Featuring the DC Universe debut of Batman Beyond-villain Inque!

10. Howard The Duck #5
Last ranking: 9

While the world’s greatest super heroes fight to save NYC – and possibly America and parts of Canada – Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves. Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with. RETAILER NOTE: This issue is a HOWARD THE DUCK #4 tie-in!

9. Action Comics #42
Last ranking: 25

The Superman epic you never expected – “TRUTH” continues! Who will stand by Clark Kent?

8. Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars #3
Last ranking: 11

The war that's so secret, the rest of the Marvel Universe doesn't even remember it! Amid the chaos Deadpool dons...a new costume?!?! Plus: our heroes stage a huge attack on the gluttonous GALACTUS!

7. Batman #42
Last ranking: 2

More surprises around every corner as the all-new Batman hits the streets of Gotham City!

6. Fight Club 2 #3
Last ranking: 17

Tyler’s been around a lot longer than anyone realized . . . To gain admittance to the current generation of Project Mayhem, Marla is more than happy to provide Sebastian with plenty of bruises, and thus, the search for their son begins . . .

5. Sex Criminals #11/12
Last ranking: 6 (Issue 11 resolicited)

11: NEW STORY! NEW ARC! SAME OLD MATT AND CHIP.
Jon and Suzie have a gift: when they have sex, they stop time. And they’re not alone. Get on board the book that’s been called “hilarious” and “arousing” — by Chip’s mommy. OH! All these issues? They’re all in a sealed bag because 1000 totally random blank covers have been “customized” by Matt and Chip. Will YOU be one of the lucky ones (thousand)? Will YOUR copy be worth a million dollars one day because it is one-of-a-kind and unique (probably not)? YES! (No.)

12: Suzie and Jon continue the worst recruitment plan in the history of entertaining second-act montage sequences. Getting the band together never had so many fluids. By Hollywood jerkhole MATT FRACTION (ODY-C, SATELLITE SAM, Hawkeye) and literally a shed-full of car keys that somehow manages to draw comics.

4. Grayson #10
Last ranking: 8

For the first time since FOREVER EVIL, Dick Grayson comes face-to-face with Lex Luthor!

3. Nailbiter #14
Last ranking: 3

One of the biggest secrets of the serial killers is revealed!

2. Justice League #42
Last ranking: 10

The epic “Darkseid War” event storyline continues with the critically acclaimed team of Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok! As Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor maneuver toward inevitable war, Wonder Woman leads the Justice League against a force that holds the answers on how to stop it – but the price might be Batman’s soul! Meanwhile, Mister Miracle faces off against a mysterious hero who has been fighting in the shadows for decades!

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #47/48
Last ranking: 1 (Issue 47 resolicited)

47: The Stockman Swarm engulfs NYC searching high and low for the Turtles. The Turtles are on the run and desperate. Will they be able to find sanctuary before it's too late?

48: The Turtles take the fight to Baxter Stockman as both Karai and Shredder plan their final moves!

Series dropped: Postal

Series finished: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures