Fantastic Universes

"Batman: the Smile Killer" Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Andrea Sorrentino Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Steve Wands Review by Kendra Hale  Mr. Smiles’ Playhouse Batman: The Smile Killer  is a book that I’ve been dying for, after the fever dream that was  Joker: Killer Smile . The story of  Ben Arnell, a doctor with the best of intentions. brought down by Joker, was a wild ride.  Killer Smile  left us with a cliffhanger, and in this issue, we finally get the follow-up. Strap in kiddos. because it’s a wicked and wild ride, as we see Batman fully step into the spotlight… or does he? One Man Can’t Save This City Alone Someone’s talking through the airwaves to young Bruce, telling him stories of Mr. Pouts. Whispering in his ear that all will be well, no more sadness. Just do as I say. Batman’s dealing with Joker on a level that has him questioning what reality is. Is Gordon the police Commissioner, or a Child Psychologist? Could Ben Arnell be right. and...

Article by Steve J. Ray Harley Quinn’s star has never been higher. Comics, movies, TV… and now her second digital-first online series. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red is a new 14 part comic which will be written and drawn by some of the finest talents in comics. Don’t believe me? The first story, “Harleen : Red” is by Stjepan Šejiċ and Gabriela Downie, the same wonderful people who gave us  Harleen . Here’s the full press release: DC PRESENTS HARLEY QUINN: BLACK + WHITE +  RED First Chapter of DC’s Newest Digital First Series Available Now Future Chapters to Feature Stories by Harley Quinn Co-creator Paul Dini, Eisner Award-Winners Saladin Ahmed, Erica Henderson and Joe Quinones, Fan-Favorite Team of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Chad Hardin, Along with Comics’ Most Dynamic Storytellers DC proudly announces the launch of its newest Digital First series,  Harley Quinn: Black + White +  Red !  Publishing each Friday and spanning 14 chapters, this digital se...

"Harleen : Red" Writer and Artist: Stjepan Šejiċ Letterer: Gabriela Downie Review by Kendra Hale The Other Side Of The Glass Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red #1.1 starts off a series that comes out every Friday in digital format, and gives us little ten-page stories from Harley's world.  When I saw that the first story was by Stjepan Šejiċ and Gabriela Downie, the team that gave us who gave us, literally one of the best Harley Quinn stories ever, I jumped at the chance to get back into that world, even if only briefly.  Harleen was one of those stories that not only gave us a fresh look at how Harleen Quinzel became Harley Quinn, but also new views on all of the characters that made up her life. "Harleen: Red" lets us dive right back into that beautiful world.  Red Is The Color Of... We catch up with Harley in Arkham Asylum. She's with Dr. Leah, who's struggling to find out why, when Harley's alone in her cell, she talks to someone and uses t...

"The Parliaments Of Life" - Part Four Writers: Ram V and James Tynion IV Artist: Kyle Hotz Color Artist: June Chung Letterer: Rob Leigh Review by Steve J. Ray Justice League Dark #23 has made me just about as happy as any comic-book ever could. Ram V and James Tynion IV have been teasing this for months, and new regular artist, Kyle Hotz, has been adding fuel to the fire. This issue is shocking, horrific, and is both nostalgic, yet fresh as a daisy at the same time. Ever since this title relaunched, a little under two years ago, it has remained at the very tip-top of my pull-list. I'm fortunate enough to be able to read these books days before they're released, for review purposes, but this is one of the comics that I will still go out and pay cold, hard cash for. I've frequently gone on the record as being a huge fan of Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben, Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala. I know for a fact that some of thos...

R.I.P. Dennis O'Neil

Article by Steve J. Ray We're now just a couple if issues away from the mega-hyped and greatly anticipated "Joker War" event. Now, to add even more highly combustible accelerant to the conflagration, DC Comics have announced Batman: The Joker War Zone , a 48-page one-shot anthology comic. Here's the press release for this double sized blast of bellicose bombast: BATMAN: THE JOKER WAR ZONE #1 The Future of Gotham City Starts Here! New Stories written by James Tynion IV, John Ridley, and Joshua Williamson! Gotham City is a battleground as The Joker takes over the Wayne fortune and wages a street war against the Dark Knight and his allies! Enter the “war zone” on September 29 with short stories featuring characters like Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, and Luke Fox… and see how they’re fighting back in a city under siege! Also, the brutal full debut of the mysterious new anti-hero known as Clownhunter! Batman: The Joker War Zone  #1, a 48-page one-shot anthology c...

Article by Steve J. Ray Everybody knows that Batman celebrated 80 years of continuous publication in 2019. This milestone was marked with two landmark versions of Detective Comics #1000 . It's also no secret that the Dark Knight actually made his debut in issue #27, so it's only fitting that DC Comics should celebrate 1000 issues of Bat goodness in Detective Comics #1027, coming September 15. Here's the full press release from DC Entertainment: DETECTIVE COMICS #1027 CELEBRATES THE LEGACY OF BATMAN! 144-Page Issue Honors Batman’s first appearance in  Detective Comics #27 Light the Bat-signal, because Detective Comics #1027 is headed your way this September 15! In honor of Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27 on March 30, 1939, this special 144-page celebration is poised to truly spotlight the “Detective” in  Detective Comics . Batman and his allies will have a mountain of mysteries to solve, taking them from the seediest corners of Gotham City to the fa...

Article by Steve J. Ray Rub some sunscreen on your circuits, because DC’s favorite cyborgs are hitting the beach in DC Cybernetic Summer on July 28! In this sizzling summertime anthology special, Harley Quinn and Sy Borgman conquer a truly titanic water slide, Cyborg, Superman, and Cyborg Superman find it difficult to have a conversation, much less a fight, and Batman tries everything to escape a summer cookout—even taking on the omnipotent Brother Eye and his newly infectious O.M.A.C.s! It’s not just the cyborgs hitting the surf! Flashes from across the multiverse gather for a race to claim the fastest flash in the multiverse! Mercury Flash from Earth-44 is out to win it all this year, the only person standing in his way is…Barry Allen! And Red Tornado’s on a camping trip with his wife Kathy and his daughter Traya, but he’s distracted by Justice League matters! When a threat emerges, will Red Tornado be able to protect his family? Catch all these and more sunburnt stories, ...

The Spider-Man Clone saga is one of the most reviled story lines ever. It featured the return of Spider-Man's clone Ben Reilly, but also dragged Spider-Man through one of the strangest, series of conspiracies and narratives that the franchise have ever seen. But... is it really as bad as the internet would have you believe? Come with us as we review the Clone Saga story arc by story arc as we uncover how one of comics' most infamous series holds up today. "The Greatest Responsibility" Amazing Spider-Man #406, Spider-Man #63, Spectacular Spider-Man #229 Writers: JM DeMatteis, Howard Mackie, Tom DeFalco Artists: Angel Medina, Gil Kane, Sal Buscema Review by Eric Lee This arc is the climax of the Clone Saga, where we see Peter give the mantle of Spider-Man to Ben Reilly. But before we get to that crucial scene, we start off with Ben in the Matrix. Just kidding, it's a virtual reality simulation where Ben's mind is hooked up to a computer. So.....