Avengers Inc. #5leaves the door open with Janet and the crew for the future in case Ewing decides to feature them in one of his upcoming titles or maybe a new series featuring them. After all, this recurring pattern occurs in the quiltlike nature of his work. I loved seeing Janet headlining a comic book with top billing and even more with a writer who enjoyed writing her. More than likely, Ewing will view this as a speed

Blood Hunt #1 by MacKay and Larraz plunges the Marvel characters and readers into one of the darkest nights of comics. With vampires overtaking the world and a new leader ruling them, the Avengers must resort to mystical and supernatural forces to combat the undead threat. As the endless night continues, the Marvel universe must survive against the vampiric horde or never see daylight again.

Combining fantasy horror with RPG flourishes, Cemetery Kids Don't Die crafts a solid first issue as it sets up the overwhelming odds the teenagers must overcome to succeed. The series is perfect for not only horror fans but fans of fantasy and RPGs as well. Once you start reading, it's hard to let go.

Deadpool #1is a solid first issue for what to expect from Ziglar and Antnio. Filled with humor and action, it will satisfy fans of the character. I cannot wait to see where the pair takes the regenerating degenerate in the future.

Detective Comics still stands as one of the most fascinating titles out of the Batman office, where it still follows through on its intense atmosphere and tone with a primary focus on character psychology. Even with the run a year in, Ram and others demonstrate that there is still much more to be explored in the series while charting its course to the finale of its opera. 

Doctor Strangecontinues a solid run with another successful issue as the team shifts the focus from the large-scale action of the previous arc while still exploring the main character. MacKay still strongly focuses on characters and their relationships, as Beyruths guest work aligns with the previous artwork.Doctor Strange #12is the first part of a smaller-scale story filled with excellent writing and great art.

Doctor Strange #13 continues the strong and artistically excellent series by MacKay and Ferry. The pair have proven that they have yet to run out of ideas as they embark the character on a new fantastical adventure. The series is as magical as ever and has me digging through my dice pouch and exploring my manuals. This story is truly a love letter for TTRPG fans like myself.

Duke #2 further demonstrates the fertile potential of the Energon Universe and the longevity within it. I am highly impressed with Williamson and Reilly showcasing beloved characters in new light and circumstances, as nothing truly feels untouchable to the universe. The pair enormously respect the material but never let it prevent them from charting into new territories. Before this, I would not have considered myself a G.I. Joe fan, but now I understand why the brand has lasted so long.Duke #2continues the strong streak from the other titles of the Energon Universe, making each release feel essential. Considering where the latest issue lands, the team demonstrates the vast possibilities of where Duke and the series can go and might end up. There is still a way to go before the iconic G.I. Joe team forms, but the pair is making the journey incredibly worthwhile.

Hack/Slash: Back to School #3continues to demonstrate Thorogood's artistic strengths and distinct creative style. The series delivers heart, gore, and comedy to horror fans. It is easily one of the more visually striking titles on the stands. Whether you are a long-time fan of Cassie Hack or looking for a new entryway into a long-running series, Thorogood's current mini-series will perfectly fit your needs. It's a bloody and hilarious good time.

Hack/Slash: Back to School #4by Zoe Thorogood ends on an intense and tragic note. Perfect for fans of past titles, the horror genre, or Thorogood's previous works, the issue will expertly break your heart after such a fun and exciting ride. While the series could have only ended on a bittersweet note, Thorogood made it worth it to experience that painful stinging that would eventually arrive.

I Heart Skull Crusher #1 is an exciting debut to a new series perfect for sports manga and anime fans and comic book readers looking for a fun time. Campbell and Zonno do an excellent job crafting an exciting world with a strong narrative premise. So cue the training montage in a wasteland full of screaming pain ball, water bandits, and grit. 

I Heart Skull-Crusher #2is a solid follow-up to the premiere issue as Trini works harder to achieve her dreams. The combination of tones, settings, and strong visuals make it an enjoyable and thrilling book to read. With heartfelt conviction and hard work, you can truly achieve anything.

John Constantine Hellblazer: Dead in America #1 exceeded my high expectations and proves how Spurrier and Campbell are in the hall of fame for Constantine's creative teams. Considering the deeper ties to the original The Sandman and a fan-favorite character showing up at the end, the pair demonstrate their passion for the overall series and the necessity for telling the story right now.

Man's Best #1 provides an emotionally engaging and heart-tugging science fiction story. Staring three sweet and delightful pets, Pichetshote and Lonergan, chart an exciting new story in the debut issue. Maybe we don't need to travel to the stars to find humanity; we only need to look at our pets.

Pichetshote and Lonergan further develop the world ofMan's Best #2in engaging and fascinating ways while further exploring the emotional bonds of the pets on a deeper level. Their journey for survival involves tackling the planet's dangerous threats, operating as a team, and connecting. Athos, Porthos, and Lovey are still some of the cutest animals in current comics, and you cannot help but fall in love.

The most impressive aspect of Rise of the Powers of X #1 is its ability to stand independently despite utilizing what came before. It could have been easy for the series to try to recapture the lightning in the bottle of Powers of X, but I am glad the series exists as its own unique beast. As Krakoa ends, Rise of the Powers of X #1 provides an impressive and exhilarating path towards that point.

Rise of the Powers of X #3 has the characters making Faustian bargains to protect their respective interests. As the machines get closer to their goals, Xavier believes he needs to make difficult choices to save mutants. Only time will tell whether this will actually the machines.

The Deviant continues as another strong original series by Tynion that is not afraid to look at and critique these serious topics through a queer horror lens. Even if January has arrived, each new issue feels like a new Christmas present, and I get more excited towards its release each month. There is no horror comic book series like it on the market right now.

I still have a lot to think about The Deviant and the themes it explores. I appreciate Tynion and Hixson crafting a queer horror tale that dives into the murky waters to see what lies beneath the surface. The Deviant pulls off the masks of the monsters who haunt us and forces us to see them as they are. Monsters may not exist in the world, but others deem some humans monstrous.

Tynion and Hixson build upon the previously established substantial character work while developing more of Michael in The Deviant #5. Although the issue reveals some of Michael's past, it also creates further questions that tie into the relevant and current explored themes. Tynion and Hixson demonstrate the alienation and fears one can hold when one sees oneself as the “deviant.” 

However, The One Hand does not exist in a vacuum and co-exists with The Six Fingers by Dan Watters and Sumit Kumar, which serves as a sister series focusing on the killer. This decision provides a fascinating opportunity where not only is the killer's identity known, but it also makes the mystery more about how Ari will discover the killer and capture him. Ram and Laurence provide an original and suspenseful mystery you want to take advantage of. 

As Ari and the One Hand Killer slowly approach each others orbit, the mystery becomes more unexplainable when investigated with traditional logic and facts. The cage that Ari built to protect himself must be opened to examine the resurgence of murders. He is investigating unknown waters and hopes not to drown because of the forces he cannot comprehend.

The Six Fingers serves as an excellent companion series and can stand on its own as a great psychological horror comic. Watters and Kumar take the reader into discovering the psychological mind and reasoning of the murderer through a great curveball of a narrative. The question of why drives the story's heart, and eventually, Johannes and the reader will discover the reason for the murder as they probe deeper into the unknown.

The Six Fingers #2 stands as another powerful issue from Watters and Kumar that will have readers question what they know about Johannes. The light at the end of the tunnel slowly extinguishes while the darkness envelops the reader more. Eventually, the abyss can only look back at you.

As the hidden underbelly of Neo Novena opens itself to Johannes, his understanding of his role as the right hand starts to become clearer to him and the reader. Watters and Kumar in The Six Fingers #3 do not give straight answers but masterfully start putting the pieces from the previous issues together while having the readers draw their conclusions on what has happened. The mystery of Johannes and his role as the right hand has gotten much more complicated and existentially interesting in the best ways possible.

Despite five years since the previous miniseries ended, Zdarsky and Anka return in full force in their strong follow-up The Whisper Queen: A Blacksand Tale #1. With an exciting new trio of characters with a thrilling emotional and action-filled adventure, the issue lives up to the massive built-up hype. Mature in its storytelling and art, the story feels like the best type of fantasy. So, journey to the Blacksands and follow the party on their upcoming travels.

Transformers #5rises to even higher heights as the first arc ends in the next issue. Johnson hints that the only way to beat the Decepticons is by focusing on the shared humanity between the Autobots and humans. Considering how Megatron is currently off the table, humanity has not seen the worst with what the Decepticons offer. It truly takes a miracle to improve on perfection, and Johnson already has.

MomokosUltimate X-Men #1provides a fresh twist on the mutant mythology within the new Ultimate Universe. The series will please not only long-time fans but fans of her previous Marvel work as well. With a bold visionary approach to the long-running mythology, the upcoming story possibilities are limitless.Ultimate X-Menis truly ultimate.

As the Ultimate universe slowly expands, Peach MomokosUltimate X-Menis one of the boldest and most visually gorgeous comics distributed by one of the big two publishers. I am highly invested in the series and need to know how she will translate beloved stories, characters, and story elements through her distinct lens. I cannot wait to see in what new directions she goes next.

The creative team has charted a fascinating course in uncharted waters for the beloved franchise. They show why the Universal Monsters have lasted so long while connecting to different people across generations. As the original movie celebrates its seventieth anniversary in 2024, this comic is a perfect reminder of its well-earned legacy in the horror genre.

As a big Dracula fan, I was inquisitive to see how Tynion and Simmonds would tackle such an iconic monster and film while bringing their touches. Universal Monsters Dracula succeeds with its final issue, where it pays homage to the original movie but still has the series be able to co-exist with Browning's classic. It has genuinely felt gothic in both word and art, where some of the most beautiful and ghastly images can co-exist on the page. Simply put, the final issue gave me much to sink my teeth into.

In addition,X-Men Forever #1satisfactorily fills in the crucial details left unanswered inThe Rise of the Powers of X. Instead of simply solving, Gillen bridges the gap between his two series as he showcases the decisions and choices made by the characters, which leads toThe Rise of the Powers of X. The mys