I really enjoyed this special. Ace only briefly appeared on the original show so it's nice to finally see him in an adventure. I enjoyed his Indiana Jones adventurer portrayal here more than the Dimension X wrestler in the Archie series, which was his biggest role until now. I only wish at least one of the Turtles accompanied April. Now I only hope for Ace to return more so he can finally meet them as well.
The backup story was pretty good too and was also tied in tied the regular story. The return of Mona Lisa was a welcome addition to this special. I usually find these overpriced specials rather disappointing, but this one truly captured the essence of the Turtles as I remember. I've never been able to follow the regular series, so I'm glad this retro series is around giving us old school turtle fans some new adventures in the more familiar setting. more

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. I'm also glad to see Pharm, Graft and the Chained being put away before they got too monotonously overused. I really hope we don't see them again for a while. Especially Luthor's mother, who added nothing but a lame unwanted new character.
I must confess I'm not really looking forward to the Brainaiac arc much because Williamson is likely going to try and leave it off where he'll expect us to get his next event, which I will not do. I washed my hands of events long ago and still have no desire to ever waste money on one again. Plus the fact that Brainiac isn't really interesting as a villain anymore. He's too much a machine now. He's like a Star Trek borg, monotonously overused characters I also grew weary of long ago.
Anyhoo, I'd say for the most part the book earns a decent ranking. I really have to say though I'm hoping Lex will get it through his hairless head after this umpteenth time trying to reform that he just can't. Even though he's a lot softer than he used to be we all know it won't last. Nor will Supercorp, which I'm no fan of either. I'd really prefer if it was some attempt of his to get under Superman's skin like he originally thought.
And though I'm not looking toward the Brainiac story with anticipation who knows? It just may surprise me. But I really wish Williamson would focus more on stuff like this and less on making another event. more

If IDW is reading THIS is how you do the Transformers. 2 factions of big robots at war and nothing is safe. Starscream shows his disregard for any life here by tearing Skywarp apart for spare parts, showing he cares for robot life no more than humans. Optimus Prime meanwhile shows he's the complete opposite, concerned for his fellow Autobots, but also willing to risk himself to get the power the hospital needed to save his new friend Spike.
Every issue of this series delivers, and these days you can probably say that about fewer comics than ever. I have no difficulty whatsoever believing the talk that this series is crushing the competition. As long as comics like this are still being made then good comics are still possible, even today. more

Johnson's nailed it once again. 2 great thrill-filled issues. This is what Transformers should be. The flimsy hodgepodge of the IDW's Transformers became so tiring and utterly disappointing I could hardly stand it. It's so good to see the Transformers as I remember. Autobots waging their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons.
This series is a bit more a bloodbath than most series though, but way more thrilling. Starscream is shown at his worst here. A true madman, showing just why Megatron would never allow him to usurp him. I also enjoyed Duke's cameo. After seeing this and hearing of his upcoming mini-series I decided I'm in.
Hard to believe. We have a Transformer comic this thrilling, and Megatron is still yet to even appear. more

You really can't get a new series off to a better start than these first couple of issues. Only 2 in and this is one of the hottest books around. I feared the slow dull slice of life Transformers IDW gave us killed Transformers in comics for good. But the action and excitement I remember from Marvel, Dreamwave and those weekday afternoons in the 1980s are here again. Thank you Daniel Warren Johnson. Keep up the good work, please. Every issue of this series leaves me eager for the next. more

How does Johnson do it? Search me. I'm just glad he does. He's proving to be the best TF writer since Simon Furman himself. Transformers comics haven't been this good since the Dreamwave days. I'm not the least bit surprised to hear how this book is trampling the competition from Marvel and DC. But that's because Skybound cares about entertaining the fans. Something they stopped doing years ago.
Poor Reflector didn't last long did he? This issue featured the Autobots' first real victory, but it was short lived, seeing as they rushed into a challenge way more dangerous. I doubt even Megatron's fusion cannon will be enough to stand against Devastator.
Like issues #1-4, this one just left me calling for more. It truly doesn't get any better than this. more

This book shows just how violent and sadistic the Dreadnoks can be. Quite a start to the issue alone. Meanwhile we get some insight to Cobra Commander and his hate of the world he turned his back on. It looks like he and his future allies will have to clash before forming their alliance. Their mutual interest in Energon will probably be what seals the deal. But we'll have to wait till next issue to find out, won't we?
I've got to say I haven't been so into G.I. Joe in comics in 20 years. It's good to have it and Transformers back on top again. more

Williamson seems to be combining the origins of Cobra Commander here. By making him start out in Cobra-La, but keeping him a human from the outer world as well. That promises an interesting character already. This book also answers one question many of us have been asking, where is Magatron? The next question is how he was found. This introduction should also pave the way for an interesting relationship between these 2 villains for years to come, whether they be allies, enemies or both.
Most of all Kudos to Williamson for coming up with a way to introduce Cobra-La into a comic, something never done successfully before as it's so controversial for many fans.
I look forward to seeing the Commander's quest to build his empire. This should be good. The Energon universe is on a roll. Let's just hope it stays on the glorious path its on and avoid the mistakes of IDW. more

This is a lot different from the Duke I grew up with who always commanded respect. But I'm really enjoying it nonetheless. It also gave a great introduction to just a few of the many Joes to yet be introduced in this universe. And just as before this issue ends with the promise of more excitement in #3. Looking forward to it.

This series shows much promise. After Duke's cameo in Transformers I had to see what becomes of him. This gives us a bold new start for G.I. Joe that still remains pretty faithful to its roots, just as Transformers is doing. I expected good things from this book and it did not disappoint. So that gives me high expectations for the rest. I'm real excited because this is the first I've been into G.I. Joe comics since last time Image had the rights 20 years ago. I only hope they don't blow it. more

I never was too big on the multi color Kryptonites as they always seemed mostly like one of the cheesy concepts of the Silver age that I felt they were right to get rid of post-crisis, but this issue actually made it work. The bad guys knew the only way they could win Superman to their cause was to send him into an enraged frenzy. While it's nice to have Lena here Luthor's mother has already worn out her welcome. The biggest "Boo" in this issue was to her claim that she created Lexcorp. But today no straight white man is allowed to accomplish anything like that. It has to be a gay or black one or a woman. I always preferred the story of his parents being drunks he arranged a fatal accident for.
All in all it was still a pretty satisfactory issue though. I really have to say though I hope all this stuff with Pharm, Graft, whichever is which (has anyone else noticed how Williamson switched them around a couple of issues ago?) and especially Luthor's mother gets resolved by next issue. Frankly as villains this pair is growing stale. I think they reached the peak of their villainous worth in this story.
Finally there's Lena. I have a funny feeling she's going to be this Brainiac Queen I've been hearing about. I'm not really looking forward to that so I hope it doesn't drag on. more

A great penultimate chapter to this great story. It really captures the spirit of those times. Venditti has proven once more trough this series that he is one of the best Superman writers of modern times. I look forward to the conclusion.

Another thumbs up issue. This series is off to such an entertaining start. It's interesting to see the first in Peter's family to learn his identity is his daughter. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this will probably only help them grow closer. I'd like them to keep it a secret to themselves for the time being. I'd say little May is already developing into a promising original character. Hopefully in time Richard may too. I think it will also be interesting as well seeing father and daughter keep this secret from their own family for now. One thing though, if little May was afraid of Spider-Man in black now, just wait till this reality's Venom shows up (And that's inevitable, just a question of when).
I enjoyed the Shocker's debut as Spidey's first supervillain and it was a hilarious first two encounters. Let's see how encounter 3 goes. Many notice his lack of Spidey sense, which should have been triggered several times this issue alone. There are 2 possibilities. One, He has yet to develop some of his abilities, or 2, The spider wasn't 100% perfect and some of the powers he was supposed to develop are missing (and if that's the case he may over time discover a couple of new original ones no other Spidey before has had; And I admit that would be pretty cool).
It seems Wilson Fisk is the villain he always is at heart, but here he is still having to answer to others. Something our Kingpin never does. But like him odds are that won't last. I look forward to seeing him climb in status to becoming the Kingpin (yet another inevitable thing).
Then there's Jameson and Uncle Ben. I never gave much thought to what they'd be like if they met. A relationship I'm sure very few have thought of. That's why Hickman was so clever at thinking it up. It seems meeting and actually becoming friends with a guy like Ben Parker actually mellowed an old hardnose like Jonah out. I look forward to their take on Spider-Man as he grows in popularity. Will they agree he's a hero or a menace? Or will they disagree? So much to look forward to.
One final thing I'd like to know is what happened when that burglar showed up 20 years ago in this reality? There was no Spider-Man to allow him to escape at the arena, nor capture him later. But Apparently Uncle Ben didn't surprise him this time either. I'm really hoping to know what happened there. Did he get anything or search, give up and leave before anyone saw him? This series holds so much promise for interesting and exciting things ahead. Let's hope rather than screwing it up, as Marvel tends to do anymore, that this exciting trend will continue. more

This is the best issue yet. It has a real patriotic Superman feel to it. One that shows why it's important he fight for the American way. Back in those days it would be what you'd expect in a Superman story. Him fighting a Soviet agent who hates America right in front of the White House with the security of the nation at stake. All the while Superman shows he bears no malice toward Metallo or his nation. All what you'd expect from Superman in those days. It shows that even when he fights for the American way he has no hate for another nation, which today's too easily offended claim and some even convince themselves is what the term "the American way" represents.
Enough about the cold war and old world issues though. The issue was well made and Lex's intervening made a great twist. And we all know he only did it to get something for himself. Looking forward to the meeting in #5 and to see how Metallo plans to make his ultimate move. This story has only improved as it's been told, and that's an extreme rarity in this day and age. more