Justice League: Last Ride #6
Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Miguel Mendonca
Published by DC Comics
This book has been one issue after another full of action, with our heroes constantly on edge, this book has everything a Justice League fan could ask for. A book with the title Last Ride makes me a little nervous, but what a thrill it has been.
The book opens with a revelation from the villain behind it all. And that’s just the beginning. The League is up against the ropes. You can’t count them out as long as Batman is scheming. Let’s just say you have not read a Batman that extols the virtues of intergalactic day trading. As things start to unravel, we get an unexpected return that might save the day.
I love what Zdarsky and Mendonca are doing with the Justice League. Zdarsky balances what each member brings, and how well they work together. All while showing how old friends can grate on each others nerves, but true friends make it work, even when there is chaos. Mendonca’s art just brings the intergalactic battles to the fore while showing each Justice League hero at their best.
Is this the best Justice League book? I think it is, at least until the next issue of Justice League Infinity. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A+
Batman ’89 #3
Written by Sam Hamm; Art by Joe Quinones
Published by DC Comics
At the end of Batman Returns, an increasingly unhinged Catwoman has cornered Max Shreck in the Penguin’s lair, preparing to kill him. Batman, in an attempt to stop her, says, “We’re the same, split right down the center,” and rips off his mask, putting Bruce Wayne and Batman in the same space. That scene comes back to haunt this issue of Batman ’89, in which we see our first look at Harvey Dent’s damaged face, literally split down the center. Quinones’ depiction of Dent’s face, melted by sulphuric acid, its flesh pulled and twisted, evokes the haunted minstrel images of Lovecraft Country on Dent’s Billy Dee Williams-inspired visage. And credit to Hamm for finding a different take on what will become Two-Face, here represented as a quantum mechanics split of reality of happenstance, a world where certain events act as precarious crossroads where things could have gone one way or another. As if on the turn of a coin! And it’s all the wilder to have this walking travel of literal split personalities emerge just as Catwoman has returned, which some more callbacks to the movies. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #15 (War of the Bounty Hunters)
Written by Alyssa Wong, Art by Minkyu Jung
Published by Marvel Comics
Doctor Aphra’s involvement with Han Solo’s Carbonite Block comes to an end as she and her partners in crime fight their way off of Crimson Dawn’s flag ship The Vermillion. Once more, we finally see the end of Death Stick, the character with the most final panel appearances in all of comic book history!
But fear not, Aphra’s spoils reveal information that will open up a brand new set of adventures that will keep Han Solo’s old flame Qi’ra for a long time to come. Aphra never fails to please. The dialogue and images are always consistently solid and just plain fun. It’s impossible not to love Doctor Aphra. ( – Anthony Sword)
Grade: A-
Strange Adventures #12
Written by Tom King; Art by Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner
Published by DC Comics
This has been an incredible run thus far. The previous eleven issues have all been a really solid and involving story about a character that many people have written off. The creative team have taken this to a really great level of quality.
Adam Strange has had a bunch of secrets during this series. Those secrets have now been revealed. Mister Terrific has finally gotten his way and he has exposed all of Adam’s deepest and darkest secrets and brought them into the light.
Did Adam commit actual war crimes? It seems to be the case! Adam must be held account for his actions and things aren’t looking too good for him. There is also a big war happening and Adam could be of some real use.
Mister Terrific may in fact be wrong in his accusations! But if he is, then what is going to happen? Only one person knows for sure if Adam is innocent. That person is Alanna Strange and she might hold the key to saving everyone.
The story by Tom King is pretty great. I love the risks that he takes with this series and it is very well done. The artwork by Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner is pretty awesome as well. This was a great concluding chapter to an excellent series. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Ka-Zar Lord of the Savage Land #2
Written by Zac Thompson; Art by Germáin García
Published by Marvel Comics
Ka-Zar Lord of the Savage Land #2 packs a lot of plot into a story about a family communing with nature. Writer Zac Thompson does his best to make these protectors of the Savage Land interesting. But the choices are not bold enough.
Yes, Ka-Zar’s and his partner Shanna’s new powers unite them with the land, but the writer offers little explanation to their power’s origin or scope. There are just too many mysteries.
It’s bad enough that their son Matthew is withholding major information that could make their lives easier. And, while Ka-Zar and Shanna are not the first couple to be oblivious to their child’s actions, their deficiencies as parents are extraordinary. If they keep this up, they are going to have a lot more to worry about than walking trees or giant spiders.
The best moments of the book continue when father, mother and child interact. Germáin García artwork remains solid. His illustrations are a welcome throwback. This issue is an improvement, but there is still a long way to go. ( – Eugene Johnson)
Star Wars: War Of The Bounty Hunters #5
Written by Charles Soule; Art by Luke Ross
Published by Marvel Comics
What is essentially the final issue in the story of Han Solo and Boba’s journey to Jabba the Hutt is too busy to give the story the ending it deserves.
Once again there’s way too much dialogue to explain why everyone is doing what they’re doing. Especially from the character that should be talking the least: Boba Fett. Perhaps the biggest disappointment in this issue is that Darth Vader ends his pursuit of Luke Skywalker due to external forces. Not by his own choice, which is always the right call for character development.
This issue is generally driven too much by plot, and not enough by character, save for Boba Fett and valance’s final scenes. It’s very much in keeping with Boba Fett and is the best sequence in this issue. ( – Anthony Sword)
Grade: B-
Superman and the Authority #4
Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Mikel Janin
Published by DC Comics
This was as really fresh and exciting series. I really loved the way the whole plot worked itself out here and the events that happened in these four issues. This was truly something special and I hope we get more from this creative team soon.
The group Superman has put together has been battling against the Ultra-Humanite and his team of evil-doers. The battle is pretty intense and not everyone will survive. We get to see the struggle Superman and the members of the Authority are having here.
We also get to see the struggle that they all have keeping it all together. The group is falling apart and Superman is doing his best to try to hold onto things. It is proving to be tougher than he thought possible it seems.
The whole book comes to an incredible conclusion here. Things really do go to hell at the end of this and it really has one heck of an ending. It is both shocking and emotional. It really does hit the reader hard.
Grant Morrison writes a great script as always. The story is smart and fast and doesn’t let up. The artwork by Mikel Janin is the best work of his career thus far. I love the way this ended and I have to say that it really was a satisfying conclusion.( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Second Coming: Only Begotten Son #6
Written by Mark Russell; Art by Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk
Published by Ahoy Comics
This second series is just as good as the first one was. It may been even better. The creative team really pushes the concept, especially in this final issue of this “season.” I found myself laughing at the craziness of it all, and I loved also how sincere and poignant the whole thing is.
In this final issue, Jesus has been through a lot on earth. He is just about to give up and return back to heaven. He has had it with humanity and need to look out for himself. Sunstar then comes to him to make a difference. But can he?
Mark Russell is firing on all cylinders with his story and dialogue. The storytelling by Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk is perfect. The whole book works on another level too. I loved every second of it. More please and soon. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Batman: The Impostor #1
Written by Mattson Tomlin; Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Published by DC Comics
By turns gritty, dark, and brutal, Batman: The Imposter delivers on its promises as a Black Label imprint. What else can you say about a book that begins with a severely injured Batman bleeding out on the doorstep of Dr. Leslie Thompkins? And that this Dr. Thompkins describes taking on a childhood Bruce Wayne who, after his parents’ murders, is filled with a bottomless rage amid his several mental health diagnoses. Not merely content to do another Batman story about Bruce’s trauma, Tomlin creates a parallel story track focused on how Batman’s activity has rattled the cages of Gotham’s elite. All that collateral damage from factory explosions, am I right? Sorrentino matches Tomlin’s prose with moody, sharply detailed art that feels like this leaped right off the storyboard for upcoming film The Batman. (A movie that Tomlin co-wrote.) Even this Bruce, about a year into his war on crime in Gotham, looks a good bit like Robert Pattinson. While I prefer my Batman as having his life and mind in order by being Batman, this depiction of this near-psychotic, battered and bruised Dark Knight with an apparent death wish is pretty well done. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Batman: The Audio Adventures #1
Written and Illustrated by Various
Published by DC Comics
This is another one of those anthology books that DC is putting out that feels like a lot money with lesser talent. It’s got tons of talent in this book. The talent comes from the new HBO Max podcast with the same name. Sadly, none of it amounts to much of anything.
The stories are just a mixed bag to be honest. The best one is the Catwoman story written by Dennis McNicholas and drawn by Emma Kubert. That one had a lot of character that the other ones just did not have. It could be that it is very well drawn by Kubert.
The only other one that gave me any sort of enjoyment was the story with the Riddler and Miss Tuesday. It is written by Dennis McNicholas and Heidi Gardner and drawn by Jacob Edgar. It had some amusing moments. The rest fell flat. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: C
Blue and Gold #3
Written By Dan Jurgens; Art by Cully Hamner
Published by DC Comics
It’s quite a feat to have Ryan Sook take a break and have Cully Hamner step in. This book does not miss a beat. Cully Hamner’s work is exceptional as usual. Here the characters are expressive, the action is fun. Hamner’s work in this issue has a Gil Kane feel to it.
With Booster’s money problems being live streamed, he finds himself in a battle with the alien queen from the first issue. A tussle that eventually leads to his partner Blue Beetle admitting that they may not have the backing that they expected. The battle leads to what may seem like a shocking murder, but really is a fake out.
Dan Jurgens just has a way with this duo. We could easily have a story with easy jokes full of supposedly meta humor. A story like that would be shallow. However, Jurgens brings enough depth to their friendship that this book manages to be more. It still has humor and heart, but you have the give and take of two old friends. A heck of a fun read. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Hardware: Season One #2
Written by Brandon Thomas; Art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz
Published by DC Comics
Curtis Metcalf’s battle with Edwin Alva continues in this revisiting of the Milestone Comics hero with the powered suit of armor. Alva has framed Metcalf with being the person behind the Big Bang – an event at an anti-police brutality protest where a number of Dakota’s Black residents gained metahuman abilities. Metcalfis preparing to take the fight to Alva and steal the evidence proving his mentor’s hand in the event. My big concern with this new crop of Milestone books is that they appear to demand that you read every title in order to stitch everything together. Also, if your prior knowledge of Milestone characters is hazy, I’m not sure whether the presence of characters in this issue would make much of any sense. That said, this issue is full of big action and desperate actions, if a bit unwieldy with the plot. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana Special #1
Written by Jordie Bellaire; Art by Paulina Ganucheau
Published by DC Comics
This 80-page giant collects the Young Diana storyline that ran in the back pages of the current Wonder Woman arc. Read all in one shot, this book simultaneously does the “Young” trend of showing your favorite character but as a kid, while also presenting it in the anime-influenced uwu / kawaii styling that you see everywhere with young people. Even more so when it’s groups of fans who grew up with cartoons such as Adventure Time, Steven Universe and now She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. The story itself, about hidden histories and dealing with traumatic events, falls flat in some places and butt rises to worthwhile conclusions overall. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Compass #5
Written by Robert Mackenzie and Dave Walker; Art by Justin Greenwood
Published by Image Comics
I loved this entire miniseries. The past four issues have led to this series finale quite well. All of the various characters have been trying to obtain the Cauldron of Eternal Life over the course of the series. Unfortunately, the Cauldron has now fallen into the wrong hands. This leads to everything in the series getting turned on it’s head.
The lead character, Shahidah El-Amin has quite a path ahead of her in this issue. She fights for her life. She fights for eternal life. It leads to one hell of a conclusion. It also leads to a possibility of another series. I’m all for it’s the art and the writing are both great and this is a fantastic ending. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Ninjak #4
Written by Jeff Parker; Art by Beni Lobel and Javier Pulido
Published by Valiant Comics
Talk about a change-up! Not only does the plot thicken for Ninjak as Daylight shows even more of its power and threat to Ninjak, our spy ninja is deeply out of his element. We’ve seen Ninjak mostly in control throughout the series, but now we see the tables turned on him as powerful telepath Siphon breaks through his mental defenses and identifies him. Pulido’s innovative cartooning gives way to Lobel’s more realistic pencils, but thankfully the color work remains consistent. The next arc should be heavy with lots of scrapes for Ninjak to get out of, and lacking the upper hand. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Kang The Conqueror #3
Written by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing; Art by Carlos Magno
Published by Marvel Comics
Kang the Conqueror #3 provides another strong entry to the entertaining origin story of a master time traveler. Writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly weave a tale that brings Victor Von Doom into the center ring.
This saga has been as much about the Kang’s many mentors, like Apocalypse and Doctor Doom, as it has been about Nathaniel Richards’ progression into sinister villain.
Carlos Magno’s artwork continues to give this saga heft. The action sequences literally break the frame. This is indeed an issue you do not want to miss. ( – Eugene Johnson)
The Joker #8
Written By James Tynion IV; Art By Guillem March
Punchline Back Up Written by Sam Johns & James Tynion IV; Art by Rosi Kampe
Published by DC Comics
Well all this time I’ve been calling her Lady Bane and she has a name. Her name is Vengeance, but I have to be honest and admit, Lady Bane is better.
Guillem March gets to stretch his grisly side in this issue, as Vengeance gets a bruising origin story. But first she kidnaps James Gordon, and it is brutal. When given the chance, DC Comics tend to have more graphic violence than Marvel, and this book is as bloody as you will find without going Black Label. But this issue feels like Guillem March at his best. There are a couple of pages that feature Vengeance and a car door. With a lot of other artists they might be ho-hum. Under March’s hands they are physical and violent. We see a page reimagined from Knightfall, and while it’s replaying an image we have seen a thousand times, it’s powerful here.
Tynion has crafted a story that is, unlike most previous issues,barely about Gordon. The Joker’s appearance here serves only as a catalyst for what will happen in future issues, but it’s brief. His story is all about Vengeance. As an origin it’s not particularly original. But everything else in this issue clicks.
Then we come to the Punchline back up. It’s women’s prison setting makes it somewhat unique, but other than that it lands flat. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
I Am Batman #2
Written By John Ridley; Art By Stephen Segovia
Published By DC Comics
It’s almost unfair to expect other books to be this tightly written. To manage multiple subplots, while including analogues for real life events, lay that into the current Bat event, and somehow not have it come out messy or overly convoluted. All it takes is getting an Oscar winning writer to come write your monthly comic.
As Seer is driving Gotham into a misinformation driven rage, and the Scarecrow is driving Fear State, a young man murders Anarky, one of Gotham’s vigilantes. Jace Fox’s Batman decides to find Seer and stop the madness.
John Ridley has written a tense, suspenseful, action packed tale. He lays out the stakes, and dives into how these events are affecting people all over Gotham. Somehow, it’s never boring, but it’s driven. His Jace Fox is determined, yet empathetic to Gotham’s citizens. Seer is written as a reflection of sorts on the modern day fascination with conspiracy theories. Yet the story never feels too obvious or on the nose.
The art by Stephen Segovia is a great fit for this story. It’s gritty without being impenetrable. It’s got flash yet never overtakes what the story is trying to do. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Black Panther: Legends #1
Written by Tochi Onyebuchi; Art by Setor Fiadzigbey
Published by Marvel Comics
Black Panther: Legends #1 is treat. Writer Tochi Onyebuchi takes a character steeped in the trapping of social justice and uses it to ask even bigger questions about our humanity. While it is a traditional T’Challa origin story, this version focuses on his time as a teenager, before assuming the mantle of The Black Panther. Young T’Challa also has a white adopted brother, Hunter. It is a welcomed addition. Even though T’Challa and Hunter are raised by the same parents, they experience the world differently. Setor Fiadzigbey’s artwork simmers and compliments the drama. Whether you are new to The Black Panther or well-schooled in this epic character’s mythology, you don’t want to miss out on this tale. ( –Eugene Johnson)
Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton #5
Written by Kyle Starks; Art by Chris Schweizer
Published by Image Comics
This has been a great miniseries thus far. I love pretty much anything Kyle Starks creates but I have to say that this is really something special. This issue is something else though. It was probably the quickest read of the year. It is also one of the most entertaining .
The whole issue is just one big Kung fu battle. It is funny and fun and the action scenes are well choreographed by artist Chris Schweizer. I loved the way this comic book ended too and it really set up the concluding moments coming up next issue. Well done as always. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Clear #1
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Francis Manapul
Published by ComiXology
Well, this is another breath of fresh air from Scott Snyder. He writes a great book here in collaboration with his artist Francis Manapul. Together, they look into a place where a person can actually manipulate their own personal reality. The creative team then takes us to some strange places.
The book is all about connectivity and it connects on many levels. There is a mystery that starts off the book and gets everything into play. The book then takes on a neo noir feel. It is great. The writing and art are both fantastic and we get characters that we instantly care about. It doesn’t get much better than this. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
ET-ER #1 (Oneshot)
Written by Jeff McComsey and Dan Panosian; Art by Javier Pulido and Shawn Crystal
Published by AWA
This book generally isn’t something that I would personally seek out. That being said, it is a well crafted book about an intergalactic medical facility. It is quite charming and sinks it’s hooks into you quite easily. The script is mighty fine and I quite enjoyed it.
There are two stories that are contained in this issue. They are both fairly unique but I have to say I really enjoy the art of Javier Pulido. The story drawn by Shawn Crystal is okay but I enjoy Pulido more as an artist. The characters are a lot of fun too. Hopefully we get to see more of them in the future. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A–
Titans United #2
Written by Cavan Scott; Art by Jose Luis
Published by DC Comics
Titans United feels generic. It isn’t bad. It just is. Two issues in and it feels like it was created for people who only know the Titans from the current HBO Max series. But in doing so it never manages to rise above average.
As the Titans fight off a Kite Man that has gained superpowers. Conor Kent goes digging in the Bat Computer and finds a connection with the events of the previous issue. A visit finds a doctor full of information and secrets. As the Titans question him, he is mysteriously murdered. What mysterious conspiracy are they uncovering? And what is bringing Starfire’s sister, Blackfire, into the mix?
The plot is trying to mix action with a slow reveal. The intergroup squabbles that tend to happen with the Titans are also there. But it all feels very paint by numbers. As if it has been done before. This book brings nothing new to the table. Even the art feels fine, but kind of a generic DC style. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C+
Mazebook #2
Written and drawn by Jeff Lemire
Published by Dark Horse Comics
What’s real, and what’s imagined in this book? Will seems to drift between reality and visions. He has visions of the maze holding his missing daughter, Wendy. He hears from a talking dog, even. But this all comes after a disastrous meeting with his ex-wife, Wendy’s mother, and not receiving any more phone calls at 3:12 a.m. He swears he didn’t imagine Wendy’s voice on one of those calls, even though his smartphone shows a record of the calls and that one of those calls – in which he heard Wendy say she’s trapped in the maze – lasted about 40 seconds. As of now I’m following Will’s journey, but it may be a while before I believe him. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Batman Urban Legends #8
Written by Alyssa Wong, Dan Watters, Christian Ward, Brandon Thomas;
Art by Vasco Georgiev, Nikola Cizmesija, Christian Ward, Cian Tormey
Published by DC Comics
At some point, DC decided that if you like Batwoman, or Tim Drake, or Red Hood, then you absolutely positively must want to read an Anthology full of other characters. Sometimes it’s a bit of a drag. But the opening Batwoman story makes it worth it.
As part of Fear State, Batwoman, in her kitchen living her best Kate Kane life, gets visited by her ex Renee Montoya. Cassandra Cain is on a viral video, committing murder. The story is sharp, and tense as any story set during Fear State needs. It even gives us a cliffhanger with the promised return of Red Alice. The art really pops, especially when we get to juxtapose Batwoman and the Cassandra Cain Batgirl. The story has some continuity issues as far as Fear State and when it takes place, but that feels almost expected at this point with so many writers and artist taking part in these Bat events.
The rest of the anthology is empty at best. A fun story full of quirk and humor featuring Professor Pyg. We have an Azrael story that brings nothing to the table for a character that stopped having a purpose ages ago. A Future State version of the Outsiders with hint of Fear State is the least interesting thing I could think of. Fear State, Future State, Gotham State, Penn State, no more State stories in the DC Universe, for Pete’s sake. ( –Alex Vaello)
Grade: B-
Future State Gotham #6
Written By Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver; Art by Giannis Milonogiannis
Published by DC Comics
This issue features Peacekeeper Red AKA Red Hood bringing Batman into prison as a part of a plan to stop Warmonger from bringing havoc to Gotham. So apparently nothing much changes in the future.
To its credit, this issue moves along breezily. The problem with this series continues. It moves along, with some occasional moments that seem interesting, but it feels empty. The villains have no interesting motivation. The destruction of Gotham is upon us again, even in the future. It’s that bag of chips that is full of air and hardly any chips. The chips may taste fine, but you’re left feeling unfed and unsatisfied. ( –Alex Vaello)
Grade: C-
Red Room #4
Written and Illustrated by Ed Piskor
Published by Fantagraphics
This book is a pretty wild story that just keeps getting wilder with each issue. The universe that Ed Piskor is creating is something else and I honestly can’t get enough of it. I hope he continues on this book for as long as he can.
This issue in particular caught me off guard, as it is done almost in a “Tales From The Crypt” style of storytelling from the EC Comics days. It also focuses on the character of Donna Butcher, who is the queen of the Red Rooms.
There are three stories with three great titles: the first one is “Cyclical Territory” and it is a gruesome tale. The same came be said for the next two stories, the story “Pure Evil” and “Snuff Said.” They are all fairly brutal.
We get to see Donna Butcher’s origin as it were. Her tale is brutal to witness. It is also strangely compelling. By the end of the book, we get to see her enact a bit of revenge. It is very pointed and extremely horrific.
What can I say about Ed Piskor that hasn’t been said before? He writes and Illustrates one hell of a series here. The scripts are tight and the action is perfect. Overall, this is another great issue of a series that never disappoints. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Justice League #68
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Ram V; Art by Scott Godlewski, Sumit Kumar
Published by DC Comics
There are currently three titles that feature the Justice League in one form or another. Four if you count Blue and Gold. The fact that the main Justice League title has become the least entertaining is a real bummer. Bendis’ Justice League has the trappings of the epic that the best League stories aim for. But they get bogged down in wrapping up loose ends from his other work.
This issue picks off from last issue, with a tense stand-off between the United Order and the League. Are we getting an epic confrontation? At least a resolution driven by character and intergalactic politics? Nope. Just a big letdown of a scene. In Hippolyta’s own words, disappointing.
Meanwhile Naomi’s parents just realized that their daughter could be in danger hanging around the League. In a moment that feels contrived, they drag her back home. Speaking of contrived, the League headquarters are instantly rebuilt by the Flash. So all that destruction in recent issues was ultimately pointless.In the final portions of the main tale, Lois Lane’s previously never mentioned little brother and Checkmate are having their own adventure, which will soon require intervention from the Justice League.
In the back up, the Justice League Dark’s adventure leads them to Atlantis. Ram V and Sumit Kumar pack as much action and mystery as they can into a few short pages. I’m reminded of how Jimmy Hendrix was at one point second billing to The Monkees, for some reason.
Bendis League stories are proving to be empty and pointless. The accompanying art has been fine, but his League stories feel aimless. The back up tale lifts this issue to a C. ( – Alex Vaello)
Adventureman #5
Written by Matt Fraction; Art by Terry Dodson
Published by Image Comics
I loved the initial four issues of this series. I am glad to see that they are continuing it with this. The original was full of adventure and fun and this picks up directly where that one left off.
New York City has something strange going on. There seems to be a strange kind of apocalypse happening and it is something unlike anything that we have seen before. Things aren’t looking too great at the start of this book. That is when Claire decides to try the Adventureman hero on for size and to see what she can do. There are many mishaps along the way here and a lot of them are pretty comical. I enjoyed seeing some of the antics of Claire getting ready as the hero here.But, by the end of the issue, Claire comes face to face with the evil that defeated her predecessor. Can she possibly defeat it? Or is she in for the biggest defeat of her life? Only time can tell and things get crazy by the end.
The writing by Matt Fraction is very good and very spot on. I loved everything about theses characters and you do care for them. The art by Dodson is the best of his career. Overall, this is a pretty great issue and a good start for a new series. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
BRZRKR #5
Written by Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt; Art by Ron Garney
Published by BOOM! Studios
What makes us feel alive?
We know what makes us alive. A beating heart, brain function, breathing. But there’s a different between being alive and feeling alive. The things that breathe the persistence, the passion, the drive, the purpose for us, in that ineffable it of life that we call a soul. Do you even feel alive when you’ve lived for 80,000 years and suffered every kind of death, tragedy and horror imaginable?
This is the central question in BRZRKR #5.
The issue picks up with Unute’s research scientist visiting him at his home. Over 200-year-old scotch and Etta James records, Unute and the scientist discuss forming more of a connection for her to gain new insights into studying this half-mortal, half-god, immortal warrior. Nothing else seems to be working, to get at why he is what he is, where his abilities come from, and how he might finally die. It’s a love scene, of sorts. A lesser story would have turned the situation into one where things got sexual between the pair. But instead, Unute tells of his own experiences with love, uncovering the sadness you’d expect with an immortal loving anyone who will grow old and die. But beyond that, this demigod with supernatural powers of killing is subjected to a terrible truth that befalls any attempt to create a child.
And so Unute cuts himself off from love. From the thing that, for many of us, makes us feel alive. Unute’s body regenerates like new every time, but does the mind heal? What is the psyche of a man whom we see get drawn and quartered, and beheaded on one occasion, and impaled and burned on a pyre on another? That’s the mystery, the scientist believes, and perhaps in those walled-off emotions and memories the true nature of his power exists. We’ll have to wait for another issue to see what was unlocked, but here we see him glow bluish-white and destroy the room of machines he’s hooked up to. What did she find? What did she unleash? ( – Marvin Pittman)
Radiant Black #8
Written by Kyle Higgins; Art by Marcelo Costa
Published by Image Comics
Radiant Black #8 is a quick and breezy read. The art is bright and energetic, the pace is snappy. Yet it leaves a reader feeling a little empty. Eight issues in and a lot of questions have not been answered. Radiant Black 8, and the series as a whole, feels like it is stalling a bit while it parcels out answers.
The Radiants have been flung across the globe. Radiant Black, who we know as Marshall, and Radiant Purple are in Moscow. Having used up all her energy, Radiant Purple is unable to immediately transport back to the other Radiants. Meanwhile, Radiant Yellow and Red don’t quite have the upper hand on their attacker. Radiant Purple gathers herself together and the Radiants reunite.The Radiants confront their attacker, who continues to hint that there is more danger than they can imagine. Radiant Black suddenly develops yet another power and their tormentor has disappeared. But the feeling that this is far from over hangs in the air.
Eight issues in, and the best issues from this series are the ones that hone in on a particular character. The issues that focus on moving the plot, that focus on the fight scenes just don’t work as well. We don’t know much about the Radiants. The story inches along, it has its excitement, but this issue feels a bit stalled
As always, Marcelo Costa’s art takes us onto the world of Radiant Black . It’s warm and inviting. The action scenes are energetic with a clear vision of the what they are trying to convey.
Ultimately Radiant Black #8 continues to tease a story ever so slowly. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B-
Harley Quinn #7
Written by Stephanie Phillips; Art by Riley Rossmo
Published by DC Comics
Harley Quinn #7 is a bit of an odd duck. It’s a cross over with Fear State, presumably takes place at around the same time frame. Yet with Harley Quinn having involvement in the main Bat title, this title is following its own path. In theory, Harley Quinn should still have that same Coney Island quirkiness as her previous run. But this run wants to have the zany adventures but remind the reader that she is in Gotham. It almost works but not quite.
We start with villain Keepsake starting his own Faux Gallery to take advantage of Gotham City’s chaos. When Hugo Strange plants the idea that to control Gotham, you must control Poison Ivy. This is sure to send him on a collision course with Harley Quinn.
Our Harley Quinn is away from Gotham on a meditative retreat. This provides for some quality Harley hijinx. Yet while slightly humorous, it just feels like filler. Riley Rossmo’s work does serve to highlight the humor and absurdity of Harley surrounded by Mother Nature. While Harvey is out in her nature adventures, Hugo Strange is playing some old tricks. Appearing as Batman, he’s causing havoc and adding to the fear all over Gotham. While we have seen this before, I appreciate Hugo Strange’s depiction. He’s clearly insane, but a manipulator to the end.Meanwhile, out in the woods, The Gardener, who we’ve seen in the main Bat title appears. Promising to lead Harley to Poison Ivy. This points to this title’s involvement with the main Fear State event.
This book wants to have Harley Quinn squarely in Gotham but zany. There really is no reason why this can’t happen. Yet the two styles don’t quite mix here. Especially when this book is being force fed into another Bat event. I’d love to see Stephanie Phillips and Riley Rossmo doing Harley without necessarily tying in to a Bat event. Harley Quinn #7 is fine but feels like it could be much better. Ultimately, I’d have to give it a C-. ( – Alex Vaello)
Stillwater by Zdarsky & Pérezr #10
Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art by Ramon K. Perez
Published by Image Comics
This book has been nothing short of excellent. The creative team have taken their concept and really run away with it. Every panel of this book oozes with creativity. I love the direction we are heading in now as well. It is very strong. We got to see a bunch of strange things up until now about the adults in Stillwater. We have gotten to see how they interact with each other and even flow so, what their desires are. This particular comic book issue focuses on another group in the town: The children.
That’s right, we get to see how the children of Stillwater view everything that is going on around them. Their viewpoint is very entertaining as it feels completely honest. The creative team really capture their characters well here. But this also plays into the bigger story that happens to be going on as well. We get to see what part the children play in the overall storyline of the book. We also get a bit more forward momentum of the main storyline as well.
Chip Zdarsky writes a really great script as usual. It is smart and well thought out . The artwork by Ramon K. Perez is perfect as well. I love this book and I look forward to seeing where we go from here on out. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Icon & Rocket: Season One #3
Written by Reggie Hudlin, Leon Chills; Art by Doug Braithwaite
Published by DC Comics
There is a moment halfway through Icon & Rocket: Season One #3 in which I felt as if maybe they were about to attempt to tackle things that are maybe too big to handle on the comic book page. I can say that this issue hit just right. It tells a story within it’s universe yet it easily relates to our own without seeming out of touch.
Icon and Rocket are aiming to attack the drug trade in all its many facets. But this attack has many repercussions that reverberate around the world, all the way to the White House. Meanwhile, Icon provides Rocket with sound advice on what happens next. Back at the White House, the President is getting informed on alien life on Earth, including a sly nod at an alien that arrived in Kansas back in 1939. We also get a little information on the antagonist that can take on Icon.
At the same time, Icon is informing Rocket that he knows blowback is coming. He knows that he is not ready to face his enemy, but made a stand to help Rocket. But little does she know that at moment, her mother is in danger. Leaving us with a heck of a suspenseful cliffhanger.
This issue really lays out the stakes for Icon and Rocket. It also does a great job of realistically laying out the consequences of their heroism. The scenes could have easily come off as hokey or clumsy under the wrong hands, But here it lays out its premise cleanly and clearly. Icon & Rocket: Season One #3 continues to fly high. It gets an A grade from me. ( – Alex Vaello)
Checkmate #4
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Alex Maleev
Published by DC Comics
Checkmate #4 has a lot going for it. A spy mystery thriller dressed up in superhero action. While it pulls off the trick and gives us a bit of suspenseful fun, it suffers a bit from pacing. It has the feel of a chapter within a chapter and not a fully realized issue.
On behalf of Leviathan, Guardian and Merlyn appear at the satellite that used to be League headquarters. Green Arrow and Manhunter are ready and waiting. In the scuffle, a sample of the Guradian’s blood is left behind, which provides some clues.
Meanwhile, Lois catches Clark up to speed. This scene features some of Bendis strength. Dialogue that is entertaining, is more than exposition, and manages to capture a character’s essence. This Lois and Clark scene is fun, and it’s a bit of a bummer because I feel like there just was not enough of these small moments during Bendis’ Superman run. But here Lois has a discovery of a long lost brother, which was already revealed over in Justice League, lessening the shock here. The last third of the book is dedicated to Leviathan getting the drop on Checkmate’s hideout. These pages really utilize Alex Maleev’s strengths. The action uses the shadows, is suspenseful, yet it is clear and fun to follow.
Checkmate #4 is probably the most action packed issue of this series. A lot of Bendis work at DC felt unfocused or misguided. Checkmate comes closest to working with his strength. Alex Maleev continues being a top craftsman. Checkmate #4 gets a B+. ( – Alex Vaello)
Detective Comics #1043
Written by Mariko Tamaki, Matthew Rosenberg; Art by Dan Mora, Darick Robertson
Published by DC Comics
Detective Comics #1043 is one great action packed issue While the magistrate and Simon Saint make appearances, it does not feel heavily tied into Fear State. You can probably follow along without knowing every single beat of Fear State.
Mayor Nakano is at City Hall, late into the night. He finds himself negotiating with Simon Saint. The Magistrate is the monster he invited in but may not be able to control. Now the Mayor has his doubts. Alone in his office he is nearly assassinated. With the Magistrate and Batman in pursuit, the Mayor is kidnapped. Batman rescues the Mayor and is on the run. The escape takes them to the sewers. Once there, Batman and Mayor Nakano are separated. With Batman desperate to find him, the Mayor makes a discovery that hints at the return of a recent villain that we did not expect back so soon.
The back up tale features art by Darick Robertson. It’s well worth reading just for that. But the story , and it’s final reveal, is not as interesting as it thinks it is. It seems to be pointing to yet another tale in a genre that already feels exhausted.
Mariko Tamaki gives us a fast paced tale with Batman in full action mode. She writes it in such a way that it is not weighed down by it being part of Fear State. Dan Mora’s art is sharp, with a Gotham City full of sharp edges and action that jumps off the page. Detective Comics #1043 gets a B+. ( – Alex Vaello)
Robin #6
Written by Joshua Williamson; Art by Gleb Melnikov
Published by DC Comics
Robin #6 continues Robin’s adventures in a fighting tournament. After six issues, the things I have liked about this series include Damian Wayne’s moments in reckoning with Alfred’s death, his run in with the Bat family, the return of Connor Hawke, and the brief reunion with his Ras Al Ghul. The actual fighting tournament has been the least interesting part. This sixth issue focuses heavily on that tournament, much to its detriment.
After ten pages of various side characters battling it out, neatly depicted by Gleb Melnikov’s art, we get background on Flatline. Her ties to Lord Deathman make her an interesting character to follow. Ravager shows up with Connor Hawke, in which we are reminded of Robin’s antagonism towards Connor and the main mission on the island. A battle with multiple combatants serves as a distraction. Damian has stolen a book from Mother Soul. Just has he is about to reveal Mother Soul’s secret, we find a giant hook from Respawn.
Joshua Williamson gets the general notes of Damian Wayne right. He’s petulant, but just because he is wounded. Arrogant, but almost deservedly so. But the Lazarus tournament has proven to be a tale that lacks tension. It has a lot of fat that needs trimming, and issue 6 suffers for it. Melnikov’s work goes a long way to making the tournament fight scenes interesting. But the best fight scenes not only move plot along but reveals character. The fight scenes here just barely do either.
I hope issue #7 brings us a conclusion to the tournament saga. Robin #6 gets a C+ ( – Alex Vaello)
Frontiersman #1
Written by Patrick Kindlon; Art by Marco Ferrari
Published by Image Comics
Well, this is a strange one. This book is billed as a blending of Green Arrow and Concrete. Talk about two characters who I never thought would go hand in hand with each other. It isn’t bad however and it does have some potential. The book stars an unlikely hero called the Frontiersman. We see a bit of the legend behind him. We also see that he has retired and is done with the life of the hero. But just as he thinks that he is out, something pulls him back in.
Or tries to, at the very least. He is eventually talked out of retirement by an environmentalist group to be a spokesperson. We get to see the setup surrounding that and it does have some interesting moments. But this also makes him a target for some of his old enemies. Of course, they look to take advantage of knowing where he is. They also want to make sure that he gets what is coming to him. Frontiersman then has to fight back reluctantly.
The story is pretty decent, yet feels a bit off. I am not sure how this is going to work for an ongoing series or where it can go, but maybe it’ll prove me wrong. The art is decent enough for sure, and it may have some tricks up it’s sleeves. Or at least, I hope the creative team does. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B
Wonder Woman :Black and Gold #4
Written by Andrew Constant, Paul Azaceta, Sina Grace, Andrew MacLean, Sherri L. Smith;
Art by Nicola Scott, Paul Azaceta, Leonardo Romero, Andrew MacLean and Colleen Doran
Published by DC Comics
Wonder Woman is many things, an idea that I have discussed many times in covering any books bearing her name.
Wonder Woman :Black and Gold works as a means to unpack all the many things Diana of Themyscira is. And this time, we look at Wonder Woman as a peace warrior, a champion for life. But when you’re an immortal demigoddess, life exists in many forms, on many planes of existence.
So we see In “Prayer,” written by Andrew Constant and art by Nicola Scott. In a story that outdoes the environmentalism of last issue’s story “Beat the Heat,” Wonder Woman saves a family out camping from a griffin that attacked and swiped its talons at their RV. However, she had to kill the griffin. \As the family, shaken but alive, drives away in the damaged RV, Diana is left behind with the fallen chimera. Scott beautifully renders Wonder Woman’s sadness at killing this beast of magic that could not adjust to the what humans had become and how they – we – have damaged the world for its other creatures. Diana prays to Athena to carry the griffin into an afterlife where it may fly “endlessly, tirelessly, joyfully, knowing that they are loved completely.” The griffin’s face, before illustrated in a death rattle, looks content as Wonder Woman’s lasso bursts into flame around its body. Wonder Woman had to end the griffin’s life, but by her prayer she ushered it to a better afterlife.
“Whatever Happened to Cathy Perkins?” written by Sina Grace and art by Leonardo Romero dig back into Wonder Woman’s phase as a non-powered, mod dress-wearing, karate-chopping action spy. It was the 1960s, and a fun time. And so her old shopgirl buddy Cathy appears and takes Diana to their old boutique, along with old enemies and old fashions. Turns out Cathy made a bargain with a spirit spell that keeps the stage 4 lung cancer at bay. Wonder Woman has to impress upon Cathy that life comes with no shortcuts. She grants Cathy a new view of life in her twilight years, one in which death is earned and an important
“Love Failed” written and drawn by Andrew MacLean, focuses on how people gain life and liveliness from being in community with others. Diana, in one of her lives, is helping an introverted co-worker get out there more. But when Wonder Woman stumbles upon a nefarious cult led by an alien siphoning people’s psychic energy. You gotta cut those folks out of your life. In Diana’s case, she had to punch her way out and then devise a proper bit of justice. But Diana isn’t only a champion of life by apprehending bad guys, though she does plenty of that. She also have to give life to others.
In “Amazing,” written and drawn by Paul Azaceta, Diana gives a little girl life by a chance encounter. We first meet that little girl when she gets the drop on her older brother while wearing a Batman costume. Her brother, playing with Orion and Darkseid action figures, dismisses her because she’s a girl and therefore can’t be Batman. (We’ve heard this crap before, haven’t we?) But soon Wonder Woman appears out of their window in a fight with Giganta. Upon meeting the kids, Diana involves the girl dressed as Batman in tying up a knocked-cold Giganta like your mother asks you to place your finger on the bow while she’s wrapping a present. It has all the feel of a big sports star saying “hey, kid” and tossing them a game ball.
“Wing Woman” written by Sherri L. Smith and art by Colleen Doran does a similar uplift for the women in man’s world. It’s World War Two, and a pilot is flying off the New Jersey coast as part of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, or W.A.S.P. A Nazi jet roars past, and just as our pilot is about to bite the dust, Wonder Woman appears in her invisible jet. She saves the day and sets an example in this clever, evocative story that slides in a history lesson at the same time. Step into this anthology of short stories and keep leaning all the things Wonder Woman can be! ( – Marvin Pittman)
The Marvels #5
Written by Kurt Busiek; Art by Yildiray Cinar
Published by Marvel Comics
This story just keeps getting bigger, pulling in more and more of Marvel history. Aero, whose arm was withering away from the dark energy of the black dome over Siancong, is intercepted by the mysterious Warbird. But before Warbird says where she’ll take Aero to get her arm looked at, one of our extradimensional pals pulls from cosmic strings to put more of the heroes together.
Kevin Schumer, nephew of the Tinkerer and a non-powered man deeply out of his league, is still tagging along. His presence was demanded by Ace Spencer, a deep-cut Spider-Man villain from the early 1980s whose early appearances were lifted from Prince in Purple Rain.
Why is Ace saying Kevin and Black Cat have to stay on the Siancong case? They don’t quite entirely know, which means our extradimensional beings may be at work here. Ace says the fates of universes depend on it, however. As more kaiju appear around the world, Iron Man, Captain America, Reed Richards and others in the Avengers and Fantastic Four fold are trying to devise a way into Siancong, through the black dome. Lucky for them, Warbird arrives with the injured Aero, and Doctor Strange is able to cure her and isolate the black dome’s energies. Unfortunately, his struggle against the energy requires him to recharge and step away from the team.
Meanwhile, Captain America says he may know a guy who can get them into the dome. But first they have to go through Namor, who’s his usual crabby self. Lucky for them, Storm has joined the squad. But Namor is true to Cap’s world, and soon enough they are whisked through a cloud of smoke to that guy. Who is that guy? Welp, at least Marvel hasn’t spent decades blowing through its twisted continuities to the point that I’m left twisting in the wind. Oh, wait! ( – Marvin Pittman)
Snow Angels Volume 2 #4
Written by Jeff Lemire and Illustrated by Jock
Published by Comixology
This has been a lot of fun from the very beginning of the series. Now we are approaching the endgame for the book and things are just getting crazier. I am enjoying the twists and turns that the creative team is putting into this for sure.
The sisters are attacked at the beginning of this issue. There is a quick fight that leads to some tragic moments. But then suddenly, the two sisters are tragically separated! That means that they have to relay on themselves instead of each other for once! We get to see each of their struggles as the issue continues. The challenges get bigger and bigger. There are plenty of obstacles in their way that they have to overcome. It is hard for them but they do try to plow through. There is also an evil that is following each of them. It starts to become crazier and crazier where this book is headed. By the end, the two girls are in quite an unexpected place and neither of them might survive this landscape. The story by Jeff Lemire is quite good. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep this going. The art by Jock is truly great. Overall, I am loving this and I can’t wait to see how it all ends. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Star Wars #17
Written by Charles Soule ; Art by Ramon Rosanas
Published by Marvel Comics
This week, we arguably get one of the best War of the Bounty Hunter issues yet in Star Wars #17. Let’s start with the pacing. It’s restrained. Only two threads to follow, and each one takes time to pause and let tone perfect moments wash over us. These tone perfect moments are enhanced by stellar, cinematic artwork. There’s nothing fancy. No over-exaggerated poses or forced perspectives. Just good old, well framed images that capture every nuance without overstimulating our visual receptors. Just the way I like it when visiting with my old friends.
Lando Calrissian truly stands out in this issue. If it wasn’t for Luke and Vader dogfighting outside, I’d say that this is Lando’s issue. I don’t want to say too much about Lando because, if you’re a Star Wars fan like I am, I want you to feel the same warmth and emotion I felt when he had his alone time with the Millennium Falcon while everyone is desperately counting on him. His moment with Leia when she calls him out for being a scoundrel is a perfect scene that fills in a gap between The Empire Strikes Back and Lando Calrissian is captured perfectly.
The X-Wing v TIE fighter fight between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader contains one of the most eloquent lines in the entire series. I’m spoiling this one…Vader comments to Luke that his “Strength in the force has grown stronger”
Luke corrects him. “My connection to the force.” Vader’s flawed view of the force verses Luke’s understanding of it. THIS is Star Wars in every way. It doesn’t get any better. Luke’s icy maneuver to sideline Vader is also very clever and very Luke. I loved it. That’s not to say that this issue is without flaws. Some of the dialogue did make me cringe and spoon-feeds to the audience a tad too much. But, I’ve mentioned this a zillion times already in past reviews. That said, with everything this issue gets not ‘just right,’ but absolutely perfect. ( – Anthony Sword)
