Star Wars: Darth Vader #20
Written by: Greg Pak; Art by: Raffaele Ienco
Published by Marvel Comics
Star Wars: Darth Vader continues to “wow” me.
This time around, an unsuspecting, yet obvious character is reintroduced whose mission is to give Darth Vader his comeuppance; Padme Amidala’s Handmaiden Sabe. It’s a great complication to Darth Vader’s missions to find Luke Skywalker and eradicate Crimson Dawn. Despite this, Vader is always one step ahead of his many opponents cementing his well-deserved reputation of being the most formidable power in the galaxy. (- Anthony Sword)
Grade: A-
Detective Comics #1052
Written by Mariko Tamaki; Art by Max Raynor
Published by DC Comics
Detective Comics continues its Arkham Tower story, with this issue taking a closer step to ending. Psycho Pirate regains control of the situation by making everyone forget about the riot. But Dr. Meridian had made a phone call, that leads the Bat family closer to solving the mystery of Arkham Tower.
Arkham Tower has felt claustrophobic and the story itself has felt a bit trapped. With this issue, the story expands out of the tower a bit, giving everyone room to move. We even get to know Dr. Meridian.
Max Raynor’s art really delivers action and the final panel really grips you. (- Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
Secret X-Men #1
Written by Tini Howard; Art by Francesco Mobili
Published by Marvel Comics
Secret X-Men is a bit of a romp. Tini Howard goes heavy on the humor and hijinks at the story opens.
The book works quite well whenever Sunspot and Cannonball are at the center of the action. Now while these characters have vastly evolved since their 1st appearance in the New Mutants back in the 80s, their friendship continues to be a highlight. I’ll also give the plot premise high marks for its Shi’ar empire backdrop.
Francesco Mobili’s fluid artwork is electric and only enhances the drama. Unfortunately once the fully assembled X-team is deep into the mission there is a bit of a letdown. The stakes needed to be higher. There wasn’t enough chemistry between the other characters. Perhaps this is the reason why none of these mutants were elected to the primary X-Men team at the Hellfire Gala.
All and all, as a one shot issue, I would recommend reading it.
Aside from Roberto’s snark and Sam functioning as his “straight man” sidekick, you quickly lose interest in the other characters. ( – Eugene Johnson)
Grade: B-
Superman: Son Of Kal-El #8
Written by Tom Taylor; Art by Cian Tormey
Published by DC Comics
This book has been nothing short of excellent thus far and this issue is no different. I really love Tom Taylor’s take on the character and each and every issue really is something special. We get to see that Henry Bendix’s plan for the people of Earth is coming to fruition and there is nothing much people could do to stop it.
Cue Jon Kent.
Jon does try his best. But he actually may be over his head. We get to see scenes of Jon struggling to comprehend just what the world leaders want from him. We get to see a different aspect of the character as a result and it is quite intriguing. Tom Taylor seems to have a really good idea of where he wants this series to head and he is executing it quite well. The art by Tormey is decent here as well. Overall, this is a good issue of this series. ( – Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Batman / Catwoman #10
Written by Tom King; Art by Clay Mann
Published by DC Comics
This was a really cool issue as we get to see the three separate storylines happening in this series converge. I love the way that Tom King handles the script here and the whole thing really works well. We also get to see a whole lot of other things happen that I could not believe.
One of the things we get to see is the battle that Catwoman has. Selina has to fight against the Joker and her own daughter here who is Batwoman. We get to see the Joker’s plan click into place as we get to learn just what relationship he had with Catwoman.
Batwoman finds out as well. This is an action packed issue and I was happy to see that. I was also happy to see that artist Clay Mann is back on the title. The book is better for him being here. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Batgirls #3
Written by Michael Conrad and Becky Cloonan; Art by Jorge Corona
Published by DC Comics
I really love this book. I really love the idea of taking all of the Batgirls and putting them all in one book working together. It has led to this being a lot of fun. There is a lot of enjoyment to be had in each of the characters interactions. I am enjoying the plot as well, which gives us a different sort of take of super heroics.
The Batgirls have come to a conclusion! They believe that the new street artist known as the Tutor has taken over the people of Gotham City in a sense. We get to see the girls really start to barrel down on him. Can they stop this villain before he gets too out of hand? Or have the cowled crimefighters set their sights too high? The story is great and the artwork by Corona is just plain awesome.
This is a well done book. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B+
Scumbag #12
Written by Rick Remender; Art by Roland Boschi
Published by Image Comics
This is one heck of an irreverent comic book. It is one that is done right though. Rick Remender writes some really fun and excellent scripts here. This issue has to do with Scorpionus taking over the world finally and having it remade in their image. It is a pretty sick world view and it looks like all hope is lost.
Ernie has been framed for crimes that he actually did commit. He has to try to get out of it so he can then save the world. But can he do it? It is tough to say as he has his hands full. Sister Mary has a contract to take Ernie out.
But can she fulfill it? The story is good and the artwork really does rock here.
This is a fun book month in and month out. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Strange Love Adventures #1
Written by Devin Grayson, Rex Ogle, Stephanie Phillips, Ram V
Art by Geraldo Borges, Pablo M Collar, Scot Eaton, Jon Sommariva
Published by DC Comics
Well, here we are. Another exhausting holiday tome. I really wish DC would take the time to develop just one of these stories and make it something good rather than just have 8 or so middling ones.
There are a couple that do stand out which I have to say I did enjoy. The story featuring Peacemaker and his bro, Eagly written by Rex Ogle and art by Geraldo Borges worked very well.
The other two I enjoyed were the Batman story, “Dinner for Two” written by Ram V and artwork by Phil Hester and the story with Bat-Butler Alfred Pennyworth written by Devin Grayson with artwork by Roger Robinson are both well-told stories.
There is a comical one with Sgt. Rock, but besides that and the previously mentioned stories there isn’t much happening here (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: B-
Suicide Squad: Blaze #1
Written by Simon Spurrier; Art by Aaron Campbell
Published by DC Comics
This is an interesting book. I really like the way that writer Simon Spurrier writes these characters. He has a take that is instantly likable and interesting. There is a meta human on the loose that is as strong as Superman, except he has none of his morals. This is a problem for the people on Earth.
It is a problem that the Suicide Squad has to contend with. But they can’t take this guy on with their normal powers. They have to level up in a sense. They do so with the procedure known as Blaze, which gives them all an abundance of power to take him on. That is where the action of this book starts. It is well written and the artwork really is Aaron Campbell’s best work.
I am enjoying where this is going. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Hellboy and BPRD 1957: Forgotten Lives #1
Written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson; Art by Stephen Green
Published by Dark Horse Comics
A new Hellboy book is always a cause for celebration and this one is no different. You have to love the characters that Mignola created. They really are wonderfully put together and fit into any circumstance. This issue follows Hellboy and Professor Trevor Bruttenholm teaming up to go to a Potter’s Field in New York.
You just know by the set up that things are going to get crazy. And they do, of course. There is a spectral being that is haunting the graveyard and they aim to find out just what it is.
Of course, being a Hellboy comic, there is more to this set up than meets the eye. The pair figure out the mystery and it is done in a satisfying way. The story is well written and the artwork by Stephen Green is fantastic. I love these characters so much. (– Lenny Schwartz)
Grade: A
Wonder Woman #784
Written by Michael W. Conrad & Becky Cloonan; Art by Marcio Takara
Published by DC Comics
Just as Wonder Woman was besieged by the duplicates from the Image-Maker’s mirror-verse, she then is beset by the mysterious Shining Knight. This fellow, with super-strength and invulnerability, is being mind-controlled by Doctor Psycho. As Diana and the Image-Maker battle, our villain makes the whole appeal that Diana herself is from the mirror-verse and that she should rule it with her and destroy the regular world. Yikes!
I appreciated this issue for its attempts to have Diana reconcile with her return from the dead, and that it’s untidy. Even though he’s deluded, the Image-Maker strikes true about Diana’s feelings of displacement in the world since she returned from death. And developments in the issue show that she’ll be less alone in that journey between Deadman and another old, once-dead friend sure to throw another wrench in things with Steve Trevor.
Not that Diana will have time for that, as the impending Trial of the Amazons prelude wraps up with a secret plot by the Bana-Mighdall’s Queen Faruka II to over thrown the Themyscirans simmers and Artemis is caught in the middle of both sisterhoods. Again! (– Marvin Pittman)
Grade: B
Last Flight Out #4
Written by Marc Guggenheim; Art by Eduardo Ferigato
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Action-packed, tense, a little bit funny and a whole lot of mean. Guggenheim has crafted a story about family disappointments against an apocalyptic backdrop that keeps you wondering when everything’s going to go wrong, again.
The plan for Dr. Caewood and a team of soldiers to find his daughter in the ruins of Chicago, and bring her to the “last flight out” Tevat Noah III arc spaceship carrying what’s left of Earth’s human population, has hit so many snags already. And just as the reader depends on the military unit’s leader to get us through the story alive, you’ll still be dreading when the other shoe drops.
Ferigato uses close-up panels amid establishing images to establish the action and characters moving in space very well. While this issue gets away from the father-daughter dynamic at work in previous issues, this comic continues to kick hard. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: B+
Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer #3
Written by Casey Gilly; Art by Joe Jaro
Published by BOOM! Studios
Are we really supposed to believe Buffy when she says her falling out with Willow and Tara simply came down to their lives going in different directions and drifting apart?
These kinds of stories would say otherwise. But until we know for certain, look, it’s Spike!
And he has a coven of witches with him who are attempting to re-ignite the sun and drive the vampires away. Meanwhile, there’s even more to Thessaly, Willow and Tara’s daughter, than meets the eye about her powers – as a Slayer and a witch. Wild combo.
Combine all that with some mean beatdowns and the vampires setting a trap for the witches and the last living Slayer, and things are about to get popping. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: B
Monkey Meat #2
Written and Illustrated by Juni Ba
Published by Image Comics
If the previous issue presented what felt like a setup to a storyline or two, like a normal comic book, this issue obliterates that premise. Rather than a continuation of some story with a main character or two, we dive deeper into this late-stage capitalism, super-corporate world in which Monkey Meat International has turned from cans of monkey meat to an all-owning corporation using actual magic and twisting nature inside-out.
Ba loves telling tales, so we get the story of Haricot, a do-nothing pushover failing at college whose abusive parents ship him off to Monkey Meat Island. There he has a chance encounter with a monkey dressed like Joe Pesci in Goodfellas that roughs him up. But don’t worry, because Haricot gets a can of Soul Juice that we saw get made in the first issue, and destructive shenanigans ensue when you’re possessed by a dark god and anime-fight an evolved monkey guard from the first issue.
And, as usual, there’s someone in a suit ready to take you into a conference room and propose a great deal to sign your soul away. Again, an entertaining and scathing work. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A
Apache Delivery Service #2
Written by Matt Kindt; Art by Tyler Jenkins
Published by Dark Horse Comics
The thing about hunting/survival stories is that the conflict often turns into “the hunter becomes the hunted.” Ernie, our Navajo soldier called “Apache” by his unit in the Vietnam War, had been busy tracking the Viet Cong for targeting. Meanwhile, he was being tracked by Sobrat, a former soldier tracking the legend of a missing trove of Nazi gold hidden somewhere in the jungle.
Then together they are hunting the gold, but it turns out there’s a killer in the jungle and stories of witches protecting the caves and the gold. Dark Horse bills this title as a jungle horror story. Jenkins lines up the art often in line with Ernie’s POV in this land of death, corpses, skeletons and rot, for such is the battlefield when the entire country has become one. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A
Moon Knight #8
Written by Jed MacKay; Art by Alessandro Cappuccio
Published by Marvel Comics
Ah, my beloved Cappuccio returns to draw this issue, yet there’s little of his glorious Moon Knight to witness here. That’s because Moon Knight has been locked up by Mayor Wilson Fisk amid the Devil’s Reign crossover. (Ah, comics.)
But lucky for us, Dr. Badr AKA Hunter’s Moon, a zealous Fist of Khonshu, is operating Mr. Knight’s Midnight Mission to protect those who travel at night.
Unlike Moon Knight, who cloaks himself in moonglow white, Hunter’s Moon wears a black bodysuit accented with golden armor. But the white hood and cloak remain, allowing Cappuccio to continue his sweepingly beautiful images. This issue gets more abstract and fantastical, studying the nature of gods and mortals, stories and legends, vengeance and justice.
But perhaps Hunter’s Moon isn’t the adversary he once was. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: A
Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #4
Written by Marieke Nijkamp; Art by Enid Balám
Published by Marvel Comics
Nijkamp brings her signature mix of snarky lampshading of superhero genre conventions while mixing in actual human pathos and stakes. It’s revealed that a revamped Circus of Crime – wow, all the way back from the 2012 Hawkeye series – is behind the Resort Chapiteau and its brainwashing of its wealthy visitors into committing crimes and/or turning over their riches. And they went after Susan Bishop because they learned of a signet ring that unlocks a safe containing a sliver of a cosmic cube.
Yipe! Didn’t they remember that Susan’s sister, Kate, is MFin’ Hawkeye?
Big action is sure to follow next issue in a showdown at Bishop Manor.
Balám brings exuberant artwork of long limbs and just-enough-cartoony faces and poses to make it feel a little more real than you’d expect. ( – Marvin Pittman)
Grade: B+
Justice League 2022 Annual #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Sanford Greene
Published by DC Comics
The League gets ready to welcome back Wonder Woman.
But a surprise party turns chaotic when a confused OMAC crashes the party. That’s only the beginning has there is more than one visitor from the time stream.
Bendis’ League work as been uneven. However a large portion of this issue gives way to what he does best. There are moments of camaraderie and fun banter in this unique group. Highlights include a fun scene between Naomi and Wonder Woman that I hope leads to their characters being paired to team up.
Sanford Greene’s art brings a sense of chaos, yet the action stays clear and consistent. I would have liked to have seen his work in previous issues.
While largely self contained, this issue appears to be setting up Bendis’ Justice League/Legion of Superheroes series. Your interest in this issue may vary on if you have enjoyed the Bendis run and are interested in the crossover with Legion. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B-
Batman: Urban Legends #12
Written by Vita Atala, Ram V, Mohale Mashigo, Mark Russell
Art by Nikola Cizmesija, Anand RK, Artist Deyn, Karl Mostert
Published by DC Comics
This month’s Urban Legends has plenty of good to offer. It opens with a pretty good Batman/Zatanna story that gives us a Batman that is squarely not in his territory, and definitely has to give way to Zatanna.
While the other two stories, just didn’t quite stick and are not as memorable, they concluding chapter is brilliant. Mark Russell is a sharp writer who has a clear voice and uses it to tell a story with a clear point of view. Suffice to say you will never see Ace the Bathound the same again. Ace has been captured, and we meet a group of tortured animals, and their all too human, all too familiar torturer.
Just a sharp story. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
Black Manta #6
Written by Chuck Brown; Art by Matthew Dow Smith
Published by DC Comics
Black Manta’s series concludes with a generic battle against a villain with past ties with Black Manta. All we’re missing is a “You and me, we’re not that different” villain monologue.
As a set up to future adventures with Black Manta, and an opportunity to expand the character, this issue and the series as a whole, has worked in parts.
But the villain as never seemed all that interesting, the stakes not quite right for this book. The art just feels stiff and lifeless for what should have been a grand adventure. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade:C+
Future State Gotham #10
Written by Dennis Culver; Art by Giannis Milonogiannis
Published by DC Comics
The Next Joker proves to be a formidable villain as he takes on Peacekeeper Red and Batman. Sent by Hush to kill Tobias Whale, Joker shows to be a creepy, monstrous villain.
Future Gotham as moments but as a whole it’s not very compelling. Most of the characters featured play better in other titles. The only thing that stands out is the Next Joker, and he feels like a monster figure that has been done before. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
I Am Batman #6
Written by John Ridley; Art by Ken Lashley
Published by DC Comics
This issue presents a fascinating view of the New York City of the DC Universe. A city that apparently has not had a superhero, while Gotham, Metropolis, and various other cities are up to their elbows in criminals and vigilantes.
John Ridley has a clear plan for Jace and his Batman. This issue does a lot of setting up of Batman and his place in this New York. It’s meticulous but nevertheless fascinating. Ridley’s dialogue, along with Lashley’s art, is full of foreboding. Is Batman a solution or a harbinger of darker villains to come? ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
The Joker #12
Written By James Tynion IV; Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Published By DC Comics
This series is presenting James Gordon as the man who is stays calm and can view the playing field with a clear eye. Even when everything seems chaotic. This issue has some big revelations, and under a lesser creative team, you might think they are cheap gimmicks. With only two issues left, I have faith that Tynion will bring this to a satisfying conclusion.
I have to take a moment and admire Camuncoli’s work, particularly in the opening pages with Vengeance jumping out of a plane and throwing a guy out of his truck.
Absolutely ridiculous but it definitely set a tone. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: B+
Titans United #6
Written by Cavan Scott; Art by Jose Luis
Published by DC Comics
Superboy Conor Kent becomes Black Zero. Under the control of Blackfire he battles his own teammates. As the tide of this battle turns, Blackfire’s plans come into focus.
Jose Luis art really drives this book. The action scenes are energetic and powerful. But the plot has been done before. There’s not a line of dialogue, a single story beat, that stands out as fresh and unique. This series is strictly for people who only know the Titans from the HBO series, but I can’t imagine it will make them want to keep reading comics. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
Radiant Black #12
Written by Kyle Higgins and Meghan Camarena; Art by French Carlomagno
Published by Image Comics
This issue presents us the origin of Radiant Pink. Eva was a Twitch Streamer who finds herself with more power than she can imagine.
Even though a Twitch Streamer co-wrote this, I can’t say there’s anything particular interesting here.
Radiant Black as a series just repackages stories that have been done before, and I can’t say it works all the time. There isn’t anything that stands out about this issue ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
X Deaths of Wolverine #2
Written by Benjamin Percy; Art by Federico Vicentini
Published by Marvel Comics
Moira MacTaggert is on the run as Mystique hunts her down. Meanwhile a terminator like Wolverine is on the move.
This second issue provides a lot of the story beats of the first issue. There really isn’t a lot of information given or progress made. The action scenes are fine with more of the terminator style Wolverine.
If you liked the first issue, there’s more of the same, but this already feels like a two issue story being stretched out to five issues. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: C
Devil’s Reign #4
Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art by Marco Checchetto
Published by Marvel Comics
Devil’s Reign is bringing in all these amazing ideas, juggling a lot of characters, yet it never feels overstuffed. The sign of a great crossover event.
Zdarsky has a touch with Daredevil. He knows Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk and this feels like a culmination of his work. This issue’s conclusion gives the reader a lot to look forward to.
Checchetto’s art lays everything out clearly yet impactfully, so important when you’re balancing so many characters. ( – Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Maestro: World War M #1
Written by Peter David; Art by German Peralta
Published by Marvel Comics
Peter David’s Maestro trilogy, an apocalyptic Hulk tale, concludes with this series. It was been quite a thrill ride. While Doctor Doom recovers, the Abomination comes out of stasis. Namor schemes against Maestro, a scheme that will involve the original Human Torch.
If you have come this far, this first issue will keep you going. It’s great to have Peter David finish this tale. German Peralta’s art is appropriately epic in scope.
I’d be remiss if I did not mention the kind words that Peter David shared regarding George Perez in this book.
A sentiment for an all time great. (– Alex Vaello)
Grade: A
Archie: Love & Heartbreak Special #1
Written by Stephanie Cooke, Sina Grace, Thomas Pitilli
Art by Matt Herms, Jack Morelli, Thomas Pitilli, Lisa Sterle, Iolanda Zanfardino
Published by Archie Comics
I’ve been a fan of Archie Comics for 54 years. I’ve been a member of the Archie Club for half a century! Still have my badge and press card. I’ve gotten to know a number of Archie creators personally, interviewed a few, written articles about others, wrote 13 chapters of the big Archie 70th anniversary book in 2011 and contributed in various ways to several other Archie-related books. I even played the role of Jughead onstage at nostalgia conventions opposite some of the original stars of the Archie Andrews radio series…TWICE!
I think it’s safe to say that I’m fairly familiar with Archie Comics.
The new Archie Love and Heartbreak Special is NOT your father’s Archie… or, considering the eternal teenager’s now 80+ year history, your great-grandfather’s Archie!
The book presents a clever format, with three separate stories, by various different writers and artists, all taking place on the same evening at an outdoor carnival or fair being held in Riverdale. While Archie himself is floating around the edges of each individual story, the first one headlines “Bughead” (the unfortunate portmanteau coined on TV’s Riverdale to denote the relationship of Betty and Jughead), the second highlights Dilton, and the third, Kevin Keller.
That first story is a gem and easily the best in the book. The credit for it reads “Story and line art by Thomas Pitilli.” (The credits for all three stories use the term “line art.” Am I missing something here or is this just a backhanded tip of the hat to colorist Matt Herms, credited with the book’s splendid computer color?) The back matter says that the “story feels both modern and classic simultaneously,” and I would agree with that assessment. I could easily imagine this one as drawn by Harry Lucey back in the proverbial day. Both Juggie and Betty are recognizable and in character from the comics but also with enough nods to Riverdale to make CW viewers happy. It’s a sweet friendship story with some lovely artwork and a cute ending.
The second story also has a cute ending, but unfortunately, that’s about all the two have in common. Archie is roaming the fair bickering with some dark-haired young lady who is allegedly supposed to be Veronica Lodge. Looks nothing like Ronnie, however, nor does she sound like her to my brain reading her dialogue. To win an argument, Archie suggests she leave him to finish her date night with Dilton, the town’s perennial geeky, glasses-wearing nebbish. There follows a series of misadventures that neither enjoy before this girl—whoever she is—pays Dilton a backhanded compliment while saying something else to the side, a bit more self-centered and in slightly smaller type, as though whispering.
I admit I don’t know Kevin Keller that well. I was there at his debut and his initial mini-series but haven’t much kept up with him since then. I have to say, though, Kevin—who is gay in case you didn’t know—never seemed quite as effeminate before as he comes off here. The story has him overthinking and overtrying in his awkward efforts to impress a new crush at the carnival. There isn’t much to it, really, but no doubt relatable to pretty much any reader of any age or any orientation. An added nice touch is that Archie is still wandering around carrying the giant stuffed animal he had way back on page one. Even “Bughead” shows up again to tie everything together in the final panel.
In the end, not much actual love and no real heartbreak to speak of is found in the Archie Love and Heartbreak Special but definitely a fun night at a colorful fair running into some old friends. As with any event like this, my takeaway is a mixed bag. It was really nice to spend some time with Jughead and Betty and to keep running into Archie. Said hi to Kevin and his friend, but wasn’t thrilled watching Dilton get willingly manipulated by some strange girl.
Still, not a bad evening as far as it goes.
Booksteve recommends. (– Steven Thompson)
