Wonder Girl #7
Written by Joëlle Jones; Art by Leila Del Duca
Published by DC Comics
It’s been a rough go for Yara Flor off the page. The CW declined to move forward with a Wonder Girl TV show last year, and DC decided to cancel this title early. Yara arrived in DC Future State as she who will one day succeed Diana as Wonder Woman, and I was hoping to see more of her in various media. Maybe DC decided to pull the plug as it continues to prepare for the War of the Amazons crossover, and thought that perhaps this title about Yara coming into her powers reached a decent enough conclusion. Maybe not.
As truncated as the story is, this issue does feature Yara turning her back on the Olympians and reuniting with the Esquecidas tribe of warrior women, plus the two previous Wonder Girls – Donna Troy and Cassie Sandsmark. What’s more, Yara discovers who killed her mother and massacred the tribe, and why.
If only we’d had more time to sit with the emotional weight of these moments, not to mention other gendered themes around abuse and destiny. Yara yells at a character about how she never felt at home anywhere given her life as half-god and half-human, cut off from both of her peoples. Yet we didn’t get to spend much time with those feelings, or for Yara to engage in the sisterhood that now appears before her at the gates of Olympus. Let’s hope we see more of that in the upcoming Trial of the Amazons: Wonder Girl #1, which is listed in the “to be continued” graphic slapped on the final page. This beautifully drawn book deserved more. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: B-
Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace #1
Written by Garth Ennis; Art by Garry Brown
Published by DC Comics
Do I care about The Suicide Squad breakout character Christopher “Peacemaker” Smith? Not really, even though I like John Cena and how good he has become at using his I-know-I-look-like-an-action-figure looks to comedic effect. Do I care enough to read about this F-lister in a DC comic? Nope. But then tell me it’s a Black Label series from Garth Ennis, the man keeping war comics alive with dark stories of broken warriors? OK, I’ll give it a turn.
And now I wish I hadn’t, because this just felt like overkill on overkill in a way that wasn’t even close to entertaining. Especially because this story plays out almost entirely in illustrated renderings of Peacemaker in a conversation with a military psychiatrist at a military cemetery, ascertaining whether the Delta Force soldier is fit for service in a new unit. The psychiatrist doesn’t read like a real person, especially someone of her acculturation. Furthermore, Peacemaker’s idea of peace in this story is horrific, and the trauma of his childhood creating the sociopathic killer for the sake of righteousness, yet what is the reader supposed to take away from this story beyond what feels like knockoff-American Sniper talk of wolves and sheep? This is exactly the kind of stuff I worry about with the Black Label series.
A big plus, however, is Garry Brown’s art, which has to swing between ’90s hyper-violence and creative ways to show two people talking on a park bench. But Brown’s greatest achievement are the close-ups of Peacemaker’s face, with a thousand-yard stare and uses of hatchwork and more to depict someone so closed off from his own humanity but ready to enforce brutality for a self-perceived greater good. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: C-
New Masters #1
Written by Shobo; Art by Shof
Published by Image Comics
Nigerian brother Shobo and Shof Coker’s sci-fi series finally arrives after the duo won the 2019 Creators for Creators Grant. Taking place in a far-flung future West Africa, the “new masters” of the title refers to the alien colonizers who occupy the land. But it also may refer to a motley crew seeking an ancient artifact that could tip the scales of power for planet Earth.
It’s a fun read, seeing this society from the vantage points of scavengers, black market hustlers, to politicians and warriors. First we meet Ola, a teenage girl with a cybernetic arm who scavenges old alien ships for obsidium, a raw element mined by the Jovians (as in, people from Jupiter) to power, well, everything. This plucky teen gives all the visuals of Rey in The Force Awakens but without the resentment and a lot more joy of the hunt. Shobo creates lived-in characters at first glance, while also layering in authentic West African speech and food. (Context clues help a lot, but go ahead and keep your search engine handy if you’re unfamiliar.) Shof’s art moves briskly, and his choices of off-kilter panels in some moments really capture the action within and forces the eye to move with it. Pick this one up now and get in on the ground floor of this new entry in Afrofuturism. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A
Rockstar and Softboy (One-Shot)
Written and illustrated by Sina Grace
Published by Image Comics
Well, that was delightful!
Sina Grace’s story of two gay male BFFs living in Los Angeles adds all the lived-in experiences and pop culture references (with snarky side notes) that you’d expect if you spend any solid amount of time in gay circles. But once you see their friend walk into the apartment and transform into a talking cat, you know we’re not in old-fashioned Hollyweird anymore. Instead, the magic – we later meet witches, faeries, vampires and zombies – is as real as musician Rockstar and game developer Softboy’s friendship.
It’s Regular Show absurdity built into a very queer landscape. It’s also cool to see this kind of complementary, open, casually sex-positive, but platonic nonetheless friendship that I have seen many a time in queer spaces. And then it’s combined with the silliness of these two BFFs unleashing a literal Party Animal and then transforming into superheroes to defeat him. If you catch the vibe of this story early enough, just roll with it. And don’t be afraid to pop open Spotify to listen to “Keep An Eye On Dan” by ABBA if you don’t know the song offhand. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A
Black Panther #3
Written by John Ridley; Art by Juann Cabal & Ibrahim Moustafa
Published by Marvel Comics
After all the run-and-gun, cloak-and-dagger pyrotechnics of the first two issues, Ridley and Cabal slow the pace down a bit to settle in more on character. Which is a tall order for a character such as T’Challa, who doesn’t exactly lead with his feelings. It’s all too easy for him to deflect sleeper agent Omolola’s question about how he’s feeling by saying his station and role as Wakanda’s king demand his actions regardless of his feelings. But he later says that he can’t talk about it because he’s still working it out.
Cabal’s art remains fluid with strong command of perspective and layering in panels. And then, we go to Mars – to the terraformed, mutant stronghold of Arakko, where Storm serves as regent. Any time Storm shows up, it’s bound to be fireworks. Moustafa takes over the art for the scenes on Mars, and his more photorealistic style juices the issue even more. The diversity in his faces between Storm, T’Challa and Gentle is excellent. Not to mention his rendition of Storm in her new costume featuring a cape made of thunderclouds and lightning, and most prominently her large gray mane – of natural hair. More realistically drawn Black natural hair in superhero comics, please!
For the 200th issue of a Black Panther solo series, this super-sized effort contains the main story from Ridley, Cabal and Moustafa, followed by two bonus stories. Whenever you can land Juni Ba (Image’s Monkey Meat) to work on something for your title, you advertise that on the cover. (Which Marvel did.) Ba’s “A Tall Tale of Tricks,” of a young T’Challa dueling with a trickster god in order to save Wakanda’s founding goddess Bast feels like many a griot story, and Ba’s art begs you to drink it in. And then Ridley and artist Germán Peralta’s “The Wakandan” introduce a new hero from a future time in Wakanda’s history who emerges from a splinter tribe, with intriguing questions of Wakanda’s folly – something that seems unimaginable for characters (and readers) who look to Wakanda as a paradise of Black achievement. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A+
Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond (One-Shot)
Written by Jed MacKay; Art by C.F. Villa
Published by Marvel Comics
Often one-shot issues offer up storylines that writers would never have the time to explore during an ongoing series. That is more our loss than theirs, especially with the pairing of Mary Jane Watson and the Black Cat. Who needs Spider-Man when you have MJ and Felicia mixing it up. Mary Jane brings calm and calculated decision making. The Black Cat brings no holds barred fire.
Spidey takes a much needed backseat role in this romp through NYC. Who needs Spidey when you get MJ and the Black Cat in your corner. Initially I had reservations about the chemistry that they would have. Writer Jed Mackay does a great job adding a lot of layers and dimensions to both characters. The plot was a little weak, but the dialogue between them was excellent. The artwork does not tamper down the characters’ pinup appeal. It is a Spider-Man comic after all. Yet, the characterization was done very well. The ending made me look at both MJ and Felicia differently. It was an enjoyable read. This title really should have extended this into a limited series. They make a great team. ( – Eugene Johnson)
Grade: B+
The Human Target #4
Written by Tom King; Art by Greg Smallwood
Published by DC Comics
This series has been truly an enjoyable read. I have to say this is a hell of a mystery that moves really fast. Tom King is writing an interesting script that has a lot of twists and turns to it. I don’t know where this is all going but I am interested to find out. The story has a lot of character development too and it is a heck of a lot of fun.
Christopher Chance now has eight days to figure out who it is that killed him. He has no idea where to turn. His next suspect that he is looking into us the Blue Beetle. But he can’t have anything to do with it. Or can he? The story is very interesting and the artwork by Smallwood is quite good. This is a solid chapter of this series. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Batman/Catwoman Special #1
Written by Tom King; Art by John Paul Leon and Various
Published by DC Comics
This book is pretty great but it also pretty sad. It is artist John Paul Leon’s last issue of a comic book that he drew before he passed on. The work he did in this issue is pretty great and he was a fantastic talent. This issue serves as a testament to all of that. It also has a pretty good script by Tom King as well as some other notable artists working on it.
This issue shows Batman and Catwoman before they became costumed superheroes. It is an odd, yet strangely moving story. We get to see that Selina and Bruce knew each other all along. It is funny and well and the artwork is great by the other artists in this issue as well.
This is a special issue indeed. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Task Force Z #4
Written by Matthew Rosenberg; Art by Eddy Barrows
Published by DC Comics
This book is turning out to be better and better with each passing issue. I love how dark this book seems to be getting as well and it is really a macabre time. The Red Hood is leading an army of the dead. He never saw that one coming. He also didn’t see coming that they might actually turn against him.
But that is what happens here! The Red Hood scrambles to keep it all together but the team is falling apart. He has no idea what he is going to do. That is when he has an idea. It is truly a last ditch attempt that he does and it leads to one head of an ending. The story is a good time and the artwork by Barrows is especially good. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B+
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #4
Written by Brandon Thomas; Art by Ronan Cliquet
Published by DC Comics
This series has been pretty decent for that most part. It doesn’t break any new ground for sure but I have to say that there are some interesting things happening. They just don’t seem to be happening too quick is all. Still, it is fun to watch the two heroes go back and forth with each other.
Green Arrow and Aquaman find themselves at an odd place at the beginning of the issue. The two of them experienced a loss at the hands of Scorpio and now must find a way to regroup. They seem to get it together and formulate a plan. It is interspersed where they end up. The story is okay and the art by Cliquet is decent. Not a bad read. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B
Night of the Ghoul #4
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Francesco Francavilla
Published by ComiXology
I really love what Scott Snyder is going with his work lately. This book is a pretty exceptional read from the very first page. The book goes back and forth in time to tell a really compelling narrative.
This is a classic horror kind of comic book that really delivers on the goods. After the events of the last issue, our main character is trying to survive the Ghoul. He is also trying to piece together the mystery of what this old film means. This takes him into some really dark places especially by the end of the issue. The writing is good and the artwork by Francavilla is awesome and perfect for this book. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Clear #4
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Francis Manapul
Published by ComiXology
This book has a lot of creativity bursting on every page. I have to say that the creative team really have a concept on their hands that can literally do anything that they want it to. They use it to their advantage as much as they can here.
This issue shows is Sam Dunes getting more and more involved in the mystery of the book and some of the surprising consequences. This whole book plays like a cyber noir. We get to see Sam getting deeper and deeper into the mystery. I have to say, it is great to see Scott Snyder really knock this one out of the park. He takes the script and does work like he has never done before. Same for Manapul. The artwork is out of this world and it shows on every page. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
We Have Demons #3
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Greg Capullo
Published by ComiXology
I really have to hand it to this creative team. They take a book about spiritual light and dark and they turn it into one balls to the wall adventure. It also feels very personal and just awesome.
We get to see all of the threads from the past two issues come together here. There is an energy source coming to earth and our main characters mean to intercept it. Yet, they experience betrayal in many ways. They find themselves in quite a predicament and they have their backs against the wall. Can they possibly win their fight against some incredible odds? Or will it all go to hell in a hand basket?
The story is fantastic and the artwork cannot be beat. This is a great first season of this book. I hope there is more to come. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Superman and Robin Special #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art by Viktor Bogdanovic
Published by DC Comics
I loved the Super Sons series. Now that the two of the characters are a bit older and more skilled, it is a sheer blast to catch up with both Jon and Damian and see where they are at.
It is even more of a hoot that it is writer Peter J. Tomasi who is writing them! He did such a great job defining them that is wonderful to see him back. A secret from Jon’s past is back and Jon has to deal with it. He decides not to do it alone. So he enlists the only person who he knows he can trust with something so sensitive: Damian Wayne.
So with that, the Super Sons are back in action and all is right in the world. The script is great and the artwork by Viktor Bogdanovic is impressive. Well done. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Frontiersman #5
Written by Patrick Kindlon; Art by Marco Ferrari
Published by Image Comics
I was hoping for something fun with this book but it honestly goes nowhere.
Thank god that this is the end of the first arc. I don’t see how this book can continue on from here as it became old by issue 2. Still, here we are. All of the previous issues lead to this one. This issue right here is a bloody battle royale.
The only good thing that I can say about it is that artist Marco Ferrari has done a hell of a job here with the artwork. This book features a big life and death battle but I don’t care about any of the characters. So by the end of the book, I felt nothing.
The whole thing feels like one big empty void. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: D
Joy Operations #3
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Stephen Byrne
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Brian Michael Bendis is doing work that is a bit better these days.
When he is writing his own creations is usually when he is at his best. That’s exactly what we have here. This book is a lot more fun than it looks as I am liking the twists and turns that it takes very much. There seems to be something about it that is very different from most comic books as well.
Joy is having a very rough time of things. She doesn’t have much time to regroup or think things over too much as the head of the division realizes that Joy is headed straight towards her! Things get crazy and a big space battle erupts!
The story is pretty crazy and the artwork is very good.
Overall, this is another fine issue of this series. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Stray Dogs: Dog Days #2
Written by Tony Fleecs; Art by Trish Forstner
Published by Image Comics
This inventive series concludes in this issue. This was a really nice book with self contained mini stories. I love the creativity that the creators put forth here and that they really flesh out this world in a very cool way.
In one of the stories, it is almost a farewell to the characters from the previous book. It is a nice coda moment for sure Then, we get a chance to meet some of the new characters of the upcoming series. It is nice to see some really awesomely developed characters. We also get one last trip to the Master’s House of Horrors. It is a terrifying place that shows us what he was capable of.
The stories and artwork are all well done here. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B+
Action Comics #1039
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art by Riccardo Federici
Published by DC Comics
This current epic that has been happening in Action Comics has really been something else.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson has been writing one crazy story that only seems to get crazier and crazier. I love it and truly can’t get enough of it. My only complaint is that there is a month wait between issues(but it is still totally worth the wait)
Superman is still trying to figure out how he is going to get out of the situation that he is currently in on Warworld. While he is trying to do that, he discovers some of the history behind the place. It is completely fascinating to read. This issue also features the artwork of Riccardo Federici and it is spectacular as always. Well done from start to finish. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
House of Slaughter #4
Written by James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal; Art by Wether Dell’Edera and Chris Shehan
Published by BOOM! Studios
This has been a very entertaining and very satisfying spin-off series. They have taken what has made this book successful and have made something truly great. It stands on it’s own for sure, although it does have some excellent elements from it’s mother book.
This issue in particular takes this story and puts it into overdrive. Jace goes on the trial with something called The Ritual Hunt. This trial is life or death. Jace struggles for his life trying to keep things together. Meanwhile, Aaron is trying to figure out where his loyalties lie. It could go either way for the guy. Things get crazy and a bit out of hand. But it does lead to one hell of a last page. The story and artwork are both great here. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
X Deaths Of Wolverine #1
Written by Benjamin Percy; Art by Federico Vicentini
Published by Marvel Comics
Moira MacTaggert is on the run. Mystique is after her. With an assassin in pursuit, and the CIA also on the chase, Moira is desperate.
This issue does a solid job of setting up. The players are laid out, but the how and why is left up in the air. But the art and script does provide tension.
I don’t find myself explaining superhero stories often. But I remember the feeling of explaining a superhero plot out loud to a non reader and feeling how silly or convoluted comic books can be.
X-Men stories generally leave me the same way. X Deaths felt a little less so by focusing on Moira and making it an on the run story. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade:B-
Avengers Forever #2
Written by Jason Aaron; Art by Aaron Kuder and Carlos Magno
Published by Marvel Comics
The first issue presented an interesting premise with some promise. The second issue goes dark and grim, it seems to be with the idea of seeding Robbie Reyes as some sort of super Ghost Rider. But about three quarters of the issue is dedicated to the torture of Ghost Rider. And the dialogue that accompanies that torture is pretty standard cliches. It was as close to a “Me and you, we’re not so different” speech as you’ll find.
The art is detailed and brutal, and the last page seems to hint at an actual Avengers story, but this one was a rough go. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C+
Superman ‘78 #6
Written by Robert Venditti ; Art by Wilfredo Torres
Published by DC Comics
Superman and Brainiac battle it out, while millions of lives in Metropolis are in the balance. This final chapter proves to be the epic that was promised.
Venditti’s script rings true to the characters of the original epic. His Braniac would fit right in to the original films. I wish this issue had included more Lex Luthor.
Torres’ art captures the epic action. The are certain moments when he’s clearly drawing not just any Superman, but the Reeves Superman.
Superman ‘78 #6 is an excellent capper to an excellent series. I hope we get to visit this version of Superman soon. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade:A+
Justice League #71
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Phil Hester
Published by DC Comics
This issue concludes the Royal Flush Gang storyline. It provides some good action from Phil Hester, but it still feels short.
I think Bendis has left his mark in comics history, but his Justice League work never completely hit its mark. He’s introduced some ideas, but even in the Royal Flush Gang arc, there is a spark missing. The stakes do not seem impressive. It should. But his work feels constrained.
A back up story from Ram V provides a lot more depth and emotion. He really fleshes out Dr. Fate and Detective Chimp. Somehow the Justice League Dark back-up carries more emotional heft. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B-
DC vs Vampires #4
Written by James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg; Art by Otto Schmidt
Published by DC Comics
The fourth issue has different DC heroes realizing the depth of what they are facing. Oliver Queen visits the batcave and has a battle with Batman. Zatanna meets John Constantine for a revelation. This issue has a lot, but not all, of the involved players laying out their figurative cards.
When this series began I was a bit skeptical. Four issues in, it has won me over. The tension building is there. It’s balancing tones of superhero fiction with horror masterfully. Otto Schmidt’s work really flows back and forth in tone, and does it with ease.
My biggest complaint might be that this series might be a bit slow in getting to its point. But anytime a book gives you a vampire gorilla, it can’t be too bad. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A-
Deathstroke Inc #5
Written by Joshua Williamson; Art by Paolo Pantalena
Published by DC Comics
This issue features Slade and Black Canary uncovering some truths about TRUST.
This story reveals just a little about Black Canary and Deathstroke, but it gets caught up in its big conspiracy reveal. Which honestly falls flat. So far, this title and its villains does not provide any kind of surprise.
Paolo Pantalenas art might be the best thing in this issue. It really just follows Howard Porter and doesn’t deviate much. But the action really flows off the page in a fun way.
As a whole, this title is okay. It never rises or strive to rise above average. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade B-
Detective Comics #1050
Written by Mariko Tamaki; Art by Ivan Reis
Published by DC Comics
An idea that seems as unbelievable as Arkham Tower needs a strong story to overcome those objections. This issue provides that strong story.
As Huntress’ visions are overwhelming her, she elects to check into Arkham Tower, both for help and to investigate. Ivan Reis is always great building a setting , and with actions and expressions. His work does a lot of the lifting for a tightly woven story.
The last page reveal has me excited for the eventual match up with the Bat family. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Harley Quinn #11
Written by Stephanie Phillips; Art by Riley Rossmo
Published by DC Comics
Boy they really couldn’t wait to break up In continuity Ivy/Quinn relationship and just move on. I guess we’ll always have them in the HBO Max series.
As for this issue, Keepsake feels like a villain that will never go away. He comes off bland, with an uninspired design and just generally uninteresting.
The best thing about this group is the rest of the supporting cast and seeing Harley as the smartest one in the room without dumbing down the other characters.
Harley Quinn continues to be a bit of a mixed bag of a book. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B-
Robin #10
Written by Joshua Williamson; Art by Roger Cruz
Published by DC Comics
Under the spell of his grandmother, Damien Wayne is shown some of the Al Ghul family history.
Joshua Williamson’s script is a bit heavy on exposition. However he makes up for it with the suspense and the reveals as the story progresses. This issue is less about Damian and more about the Al Ghul legacy.
Roger Cruz’s work puts you in the story and gives the reader the stranger in an unknown land feeling. While I will maintain that the original fighting tournament storyline went on a bit too long, this issue lays out what will happen next in Gotham. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B
Static Season One #5
Written by Vita Ayala; Art by Nikolas Draper Ivey
Published by DC Comics
This fifth issue gives us the brawl we have been anticipating. Hotstreak continues to be mouthy but dangerous.
The script was given us a fully dimensional Static, with family and friends that we care about. This issue broaches what happens when Virgil does the right thing but the results don’t turn out as expected. As shown on the last page, we get a group of powered folks that may not be friendly.
Draper Ivey’s work is the driving force here. A splash page with Static in costume provides a cheering moment. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
The Flash #778
Written by Jeremy Adams; Art by Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, and Brent Peeples
Published by DC Comics
The Flash under Jeremy Adams has provided a fun family dynamic. With Wally West in one adventure, and his kids in another, this particular issue feels a little askew.
As Wally is on an adventure with the Justice League Dark, Irey has been kidnapped and Jai is to the rescue.
This set up gives us great action for Wally, but the kids part of things definitely feels like a B side story. However a last page reveal seems to hint that this will all tie in. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade B
Devil’s Reign #3
Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art by Marco Checchetto
Published by Marvel Comics
Luke Cage runs for Mayor as Wilson Fisk bears down on discovering what Matt Murdock did to him. Meanwhile, Otto Octavius unleashes his Superior villains.
I’m enjoying Devil’s Reign. It’s exciting to see Daredevil hanging with the Avengers. It seems that Matt’s secrets may unravel, and how the other heroes handle it should be interesting.
Checchetto’s work complements Zdarsky’s script. His action scenes really feel loud and fun. But the quieter moments work too. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
