Michael McGale's Comic Reviews

Reviewer For: DC Comics News Reviews: 30
8.1Avg. Review Rating

9
Supergirl (2016) #9

May 10, 2017

Fun, fast, and snappy, this issue has momentum and charm and doesn't waste a panel keeping the plot moving. Our heroes get to be funny, smart and badass, in a tight and beautifully drawn issue.

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7
Kamandi Challenge #4

Apr 26, 2017

Fast, fun but without much depth and not above succumbing to the lesser clichs that come with the story matter and not necessarily to the issue's credit. However, lots to look forward to, with more action in store and hopefully more of a hook than thePlanet of the Apes, "God damn you all to Hell!" ending I think most readers would be expecting.

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8
Kamandi Challenge #6

Jun 28, 2017

The Kamandi Challenge continues to delve into strange and wonderful situations fueled by the bizarre wasteland culture propagated by the animal-people who rule it. The book moves at the same breakneck speed as its previous issues, however that doesnt lend much to the deeper aspects of the interesting characters were introduced to each week.

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7
Kamandi Challenge #7

Jul 26, 2017

This issue is more fast-paced, action-packed fun involving even more lovable, hilarious wasteland characters spouting from the woodwork to help out Kamandi reunite with his parents. The Bulldog Britanneks are brilliant, the sequence in the frozen wasteland is beautiful, and despite the chilling setting, Kamandi's story seems to be heating up even further.

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8
Kamandi Challenge #8

Aug 23, 2017

Moving swiftly forward with its usual breakneck pace, but reaching new depths as the madness unfolds, this latest issue of Kamandi is another excellent installment to the madcap wasteland caper. Enjoy a sort of ancient Greek epic and witness the beginning of the end to Kamandi's sanity.

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10
Kamandi Challenge #9

Sep 27, 2017

The Kamandi Challenge #9 is something special. Tom King and Kevin Eastman, Freddie Williams II took a singular, unique approach to the Challenge and produced a thoughtful story that appreciates the atrophy of Kamandi's odyssey (yes that is a cheap callback to last week's issue), and ultimately pays respects to the awesome legacy of its creator Jack "the King" Kirby.

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8
Kamandi Challenge #10

Oct 26, 2017

Moving swiftly forward towards stranger shores, The Kamandi Challenge #10 is a wonderful response to last month's issue; packed full of more wonderful animal friends and robot enemies, explosive scenarios and at least one big dramatic reveal, this issue is well-written, beautifully drawn and reveals even more about Kamandi's hidden past and the fate of his lost family.

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10
Kamandi Challenge #11

Nov 22, 2017

This is personally my favourite issue of the Kamandi Challenge so far. With a Sci-Fi edge and packed to the brim with wonderful fighting companions, this book boldly drags Kamandi kicking and screaming to a place no one can hear him, launching him closer to his missing parents.

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10
Kamandi Challenge #12

Dec 30, 2017

This is a playful, heart-filled and satisfying conclusion to the chaotic adventure that Jack Kirby began over four decades ago. The story itself ends in a glowing tribute to Kirby as the enigmatic, limitless creator of so very many beloved characters, and it finally gives the well-deserved happy ending to Kirbys young hero; Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth.

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8
DC / Looney Tunes: Lobo/Road Runner #1

Jun 21, 2017

Totally fun, funny and creative re-imagining of the classic cartoon characters which brought them into the perfect part of the DC universe, bringing together an utterly satisfying crossover.

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8
Suicide Squad (2016) #17

May 10, 2017

The anatomy of Kryptonians aside, this issue was a treat to read. The action sequences with Zod were so enjoyably brutal but still served a bigger purpose for the team, and I'm excited to see his relationship with the Squad develop in the coming issues. Wallers spy games are also playing out well, with a gripping atmosphere and impactful suspense.

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9
Suicide Squad (2016) #29

Nov 8, 2017

A straightforward story with some excellent action sequences and lot of beautiful artwork and character interaction, this issue of Suicide Squad felt very strong to me and was totally entertaining.

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7
Suicide Squad (2016) #30

Nov 26, 2017

A lot of brilliant moments from the Squad faves, especially Harley and Katana in this issue. Red Wave's evil plans for Earth are certainly about as drastic as it gets for the Suicide Squad, however this reviewer doesn't expect it will turn out to be one of the great DC villains any time soon and hopefully issues will expand more on the Argent/Task Force X history in the future.

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8
Suicide Squad (2016) #32

Dec 30, 2017

The End of Task Force-X is a rollercoaster, both in the emotional sense and also just generally. Tensions within the team and emotional subtext beneath the bloodshed add something special to the last battle with the very big bad, Red Wave. Ending on the familiar themes of mistrust, contempt and vitriol between Waller, Flag and the Squad, the book reminds us of exactly who these characters are, to explain why not to expect happy endings for these super-villains.

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6
Nightwing (2016) #16

Mar 1, 2017

Excellent character work. The chemistry between Dick and Damian is wonderful and there is a lot to look forward to regarding Nightwing's legacy and his future with Shawn. I hope the coming plotlines can match the maturity we are seeing in these characters.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #19

Apr 19, 2017

If youre as attached to Damian Wayne as I am" especially after this arc " then youre going to feel a slight sting. The issue progresses everything weve seen in the arc so far, pushing Nightwing further out of his comfort zone and making the most out of close, personal interactions between the active characters.

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10
Nightwing (2016) #20

May 3, 2017

The final issue of the "Nightwing Must Die" arcis a brilliant read, with a deep and meaningful plotline that brings out the most in Nightwing and all the supporting characters. The Fernandez' artwork is stunning, Damian Wayne's dialogue is the best it's ever been.

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7
Nightwing (2016) #21

May 17, 2017

This issue provides a relaxed, irreverent but still fun and overall enjoyable beginning to a new arc. The chemistry between Wally and Dick is a crowd-pleaser, however its the strongest hook this book has to offer without a substantial villainYET.

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7
Nightwing (2016) #22

Jun 7, 2017

This issue is building up to something big, however the build-up itself falls a little flat here. That being said, this issue does introduce a great new character and provide Tiger Shark a little more time to ingratiate himself into Bludhavens underworld. Nightwing is a bit of a pervert but thats nothing new for dick at this point.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #23

Jun 21, 2017

This issue is representing the real beginning of the action in terms of the Tiger Shark element of the plotline and has propelled the plot forward and added some momentum to the arc as a whole. The artwork here is perfect and only makes me appreciate Roland even more as an enemy in this series. Only drawback is Dick making a really big deal about having to be an adult human being, including saying some pretty hurtful things to his partner.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #24

Jul 5, 2017

This issue is action-packed. Its funny, its quick and Nightwing gets to kick butt. Roland keeps getting better and better as a villain and Im looking forward to whatever the hell he does next.

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9
Nightwing (2016) #25

Jul 19, 2017

This issue gives a great resolution to the previous issues' sprung trap and pushes the big players of the story into new, interesting and dramatic roles. Now that Roland has replaced Tiger Shark as the Big Man of Bludhaven, I imagine things will be pretty tense in the big bad city.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #26

Aug 2, 2017

With unexpected twists and personal development out the whah-zoo, this issue of Nightwing fights to the centre of the Second Hand mystery while seeking answers for his friend's death, and lets the life of Dick Grayson: Ordinary Guy burn quietly away to nothing. The pressure is building in Bludhaven.

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7
Nightwing (2016) #27

Aug 16, 2017

With some unexpected twists and turns, this issue finally sees Dick make some progress in the right direction against the criminal group plaguing his city and his life. The criminal conspiracy of the Second Hand has given way to the clandestine espionage of Spyral, and with the spy organization "gone dark", the problems are sure to intensify in the following issues.

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9
Nightwing (2016) #28

Sep 6, 2017

The Spyral Finale is one of the strongest issues of the series. The dialogue between Nightwing and Mr. Minos is stellar, as it is generally across the whole issue. The artwork on Mr. Minos is fantastic, and the shifty-faced rob't might just be my favourite villain to appear in this Nightwing series after how well he was utilized in this issue. Moreover, the Defacer/Run-Offs subplot is only becoming more and more compelling as its members become increasingly vulnerable and relatable.

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10
Nightwing (2016) #29

Sep 22, 2017

Dark and fantastical, this issue of Nightwing will appeal to all the fans who crave a little more Westeros influence in their comic books. The Dark Nights: Metal story welcomes some beautiful and grotesque artwork for some incredibly intriguing enemies that blur the lines for the heroes and villains of the DC multiverse. The weight of the tension of the story, of Dick and Damien's relationship and their search for their father, adds a very real and moving dramatic element that shines through the arctic battle sequences and maintains throughout Dick's deep and thoughtful inner monologues.

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7
Nightwing (2016) #31

Oct 19, 2017

Spending more TLC on the most important characters in the Bludhaven right now, issue #31 Blood of the Orca" fleshes out the moral quandaries in effect here, establishes the relatively dire personal circumstances for Dick as well as Roland, and continues to explore the depths of the supporting characters of this arc.

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6
Nightwing (2016) #32

Nov 2, 2017

This issue moves the story forward and provides context to the current and future conflicts relevant to Nightwing and the Run-Offs, and the Run-Offs themselves are becoming more and more relevant each issue. However, with a lot of characters getting juggled around at once it definitely feels like some faces aren't getting enough spotlight, and I can only groan every time I get a flashback to the titular hero's parent-killing origin story.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #33

Nov 16, 2017

Action-packed and fast-moving, this explosive issue moves the story forward and provides more context on the now dual threat of Pigeon and Raptor, while lining up all of the players ready to deal with the rebellious pair. There isn't a lot of time spent expanding on the Run-Offs and they remain mainly on the perimeter of the story this time, however there is still a lot of great content from the villains as they make their move against Bludhaven.

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8
Nightwing (2016) #34

Dec 9, 2017

Tim Seeley's final Nightwing Rebirth issue is an exciting, emotional and overall excellent story that gives a fitting conclusion to Raptor, Shawn Tsang and the Run-Offs. It delivers some heavy moments between Nightwing and the key players that will have a lasting impact on the characters in issues to come, and ends Seeley's term as Nightwing's writer on a wonderful note.

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