Simon DelMonte's Profile

Joined: Jul 26, 2017

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Gargoyles #12 Apr 14, 2024
8.0

Greg sticks the landing and sets up the next miniseries, though I would prefer not starting the numbering over.

Gargoyles #12

By: Greg Weisman, George Kambadais
Released: Mar 20, 2024

At last, the Manhattan Clan is reunited! And it's a good thing, too, as they're going to need all hands on deck to prevent New York's crime bosses from combining their resources to wreak havoc on the city! It's the FINAL ISSUE of this series - as well as the prelude to new adventures to come!

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7.5

A lot of interesting ideas swimming around here, but there might be too many, and the massive delays don't help. Nor does knowing that any ideas Johns sets up will have to finished by someone else when this is finally done. Still, Janin's art is amazing as usual.

Justice Society of America #9

By: Geoff Johns, Mikel Janin
Released: Mar 20, 2024

The JSA scour Europe on the hunt for Ruby, the daughter of the Red Lantern! But can they catch up to her before she burns the Earth in search of her father?

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8.0

Very entertaining, if a bit disappointing that Mora only does the second story. Waid writes a great Joker, and he and Pugh have a lot of fun with the Rock of Eternity.

Batman / Superman: World's Finest #25

By: Mark Waid, Dan Mora
Released: Mar 20, 2024

Join Batman and Superman as the World's Finest team celebrates 25 issues of World's Finest! This oversized special issue takes our heroes around the DCU and beyond--with a special lead story that will at last showcase the first meeting between The Joker and Lex Luthor. The World's Finest villains form an unholy alliance and will send chills down th...

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8.5

Best thing Jurgens has written in ages. Incredible art. Not entirely sure where Batman and the rabbi came from, but in a time of antisemitism, it's very welcome. And this feels adult, not in terms of the language but in its sensibilities.

The Bat-Man: First Knight #1

By: Dan Jurgens, Mike Perkins
Released: Mar 6, 2024

The year is 1939. The world, still reeling from the horrors of the First World War, is on the brink of tipping into an even more gruesome conflict, as fascism is on the march--and gathering strength in America's darkest corners. Against this backdrop, a series of violent murders has begun in Gotham, and the recent emergence of the mysterious vigila...

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8.5

Strong if somewhat predictable ending. Love me that Rossmo art and have for years, but DC still hasn't really found that one book he can stay on long term. And Vendetti is just an underappreciated talent. But what next? These miniseries are all fun but that seems to be the end for them.

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #6

By: Robert Venditti, Riley Rossmo
Released: Mar 13, 2024

The pieces have all fallen into place, and Wesley knows exactly who is behind the theft of his journal. But is the Sandman too late, and will his dark dream descend over the entire world?!

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Outsiders #4 Apr 7, 2024
7.0

The art is stunning and the attempts to question the very premise of the superhero are interesting, but where is this headed?

Outsiders #4

By: Jackson Lanzing, Robert Carey
Released: Feb 14, 2024

Luke Fox assembled the Outsiders to brave the unknown. To discover the forgotten, to bring the hidden to light, and to use the truth underneath them all to find a better way forward. Little does he know the Drummer has a plan of her own--and she's one step closer to bringing it to fruition! Something happened at the turn of the millennium that shoo...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Immortal Thor #8 Apr 7, 2024
7.0

This series has two issues: things are not happening fast enough; it's not worth five bucks.

Immortal Thor #8

By: Al Ewing, Martin Coccolo
Released: Mar 13, 2024

Thor confronted his mother Gaea about her machinations in Midgard... and the dark secrets she had kept from him. Meanwhile, a trap was prepared - baited with blood vengeance, laced with insidious poison and carefully set by she who perhaps cared for the Odinson best. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR...and of the women who loved him.
Rated...

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Simon DelMonte rated Ape-ril Special #1 Mar 27, 2024
7.5

Ape-ril Special #1

By: John Layman, Karl Mostert
Released: Mar 20, 2024

GET READY TO GO BANANAS IN THIS APE-IC ADVENTURE! CAUTION: An ape-surd amount of bad ape puns are incoming. Please be ape-vised. Gorilla Grodd's recent incarcer-ape-tion in the pages of The Flash has left a void that Monsieur Mallah is more than happy to fill. Ape-sembling a group of the DCU's most sinister simians, Mallah forms the Legion of D(oo-...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Gargoyles #11 Mar 17, 2024
7.0

Maybe having to wrap the plots in 12 issues so we can clear the decks is not the best idea.

Gargoyles #11

By: Greg Weisman, George Kambadais
Released: Jan 3, 2024

With the Manhattan Clan back together again, Brooklyn and Katana ask Broadway, Lexington, and Angela to stand as their Seconds during the all-important Commitment Ceremony. The Clan has never felt stronger - which is a good thing, because a desperate Dino Dracon is about to make one last play to take over all of New York City!

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7.0

Well done, and I love how Waid handles Darkseid - who seems to be from outside the Multiverse, as has often been suggested - but what was the point of this? There just isn't much of a reason to revisit Kingdom Come anymore.

Batman / Superman: World's Finest #24

By: Mark Waid, Dan Mora
Released: Feb 21, 2024

RETURN TO KINGDOM COME CONCLUDES! With no way back to their own Earth, will Superman and Batman have to witness the tragic events that led to cataclysm--or are they fated to take the place of their doppelgangers?

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Wait, Marvel released both Spectacular Spider-Man with art by Humberto Ramos AND Spectacular Spider-Man with art by Humberto Ramos the same day?

Spectacular Spider-Man #1

By: Paul Jenkins, Humberto Ramos

The fan favorite team of writer Paul Jenkins and artist Humberto Ramos reteam for an ongoing series starring the Amazing Spider-Man! And the series kicks off with a bang - enter Venom!

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Clobberin' Time #2 Feb 27, 2024
3.0

Gross

Clobberin' Time #2

By: Steve Skroce
Released: Apr 26, 2023

The THING travels to Krakoa for a symposium on the Mutant and Superhuman Interconnection. While there, he teams up with Wolverine and is confronted by the mysterious plunderer from issue #1 - and the table is set for a battle for all creation and possibly Ben Grimm's greatest adventure.
Rated T

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7.5

Generally well done, but sort of low energy. Two qualms: we've really moved away from the biblical origins of Gog and Magog's names, and I don't see how this story leads to the actual Kingdom Come story. Good as this might be, I feel no reason that have revisited Kingdom Come yet again.

Batman / Superman: World's Finest #23

By: Mark Waid, Dan Mora
Released: Jan 17, 2024

The walls are closing in on the World’s Finest duo as Boy Thunder falls fully under the thrall of Gog in the universe of Kingdom Come! Superman and Batman race against the clock not only to keep Boy Thunder from becoming Magog-but to save the Multiverse itself!

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Speed Force #1 Dec 14, 2023
3.5

Feels like a badly assembled episode of the 2000s Teen Titans cartoon.

Speed Force #1

By: Jarrett Williams, Daniele Di Nicuolo
Released: Nov 15, 2023

Wallace West and Avery Ho: the young speedsters have been Teen Titans, Justice Leaguers, and above all, members of the Flash Family. As they become aware of mysterious changes happening to the Speed Force, they race to Keystone City, where they encounter old friends, new threats, and a chance to forge their own paths. Spinning out of the pages of T...

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Only read the Batwoman and Damian stories. The former is kinda sorta a Hanukkah story but like every other attempt to do anything with Hanukkah, it doesn't amount to much. And if you going to have someone coming crimes connected to Hanukkah, why not have some guts and do a story about antisemitism instead of just "oh it's the Riddler, ha ha." The Damien story was cute but I am disappointed that more

DC's 'Twas the 'Mite Before Christmas #1

By: Marcus 'MAS' Smith
Released: Dec 13, 2023

Written by Natalie Abrams, Michael W. Conrad, Josh Trujillo, Ethan Sacks, Zipporah Smith, Rob Levin, Sholly Fisch, and Jillian Grant Art by Marcus Smith, Gavin Guidry, Andrew Drilon, Soo Lee, Juan Bobillo, and others 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a...Bat-Mite?! Join all your DC fa...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Gargoyles #10 Dec 10, 2023

A strong well written comic made stronger by a twist ending!

Gargoyles #10

By: Greg Weisman, George Kambadais
Released: Oct 25, 2023

Brooklyn's attempts to lead the Clan have left him feeling disappointed and estranged from those he is closest to. But when news of a kidnapping comes in, it's up to Brooklyn, Lexington, and Broadway to save the day. Can they come together in time to make the daring rescue? Or will daybreak stop them in their tracks?

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Immortal Thor #3 Dec 10, 2023
8.5

Stronger than the first two.

And there are thought bubbles! And Ewing makes them work in 2023!

Immortal Thor #3

By: Al Ewing, Martin Coccolo
Released: Oct 25, 2023

THOR IN THE WILDERNESS!
As Toranos hunted him across the stars, the Odinson found himself trapped - marooned in a puzzle the size of a planet. In this place, the All-Father's crown - and even his own godly strength - availed him nothing. What power, then, would save him? This is the story of THE IMMORTAL THOR...and the time of the Trickster's ...

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4.5

So very bland. What happened to Steve Orlando? And why does Wanda look 19?

Scarlet Witch Vol. 1: The Last Door

By: Steve Orlando, Sara Pichelli

A new era begins for Wanda Maximoff, as she goes on a journey to help those in need with witchcraft and heroism alike!
There is a door that appears only to those who need it most, who have no one else in the world to turn to. On the other side is the witchcraft shop. If your hope is gone, there you will meet the Scarlet Witch! Wanda Maximoff is...

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8.5

A dream that actually feels like a dream. So few writers really know how to do that. (Inception, I love you but nothing there is even a tiny bit dream logic.) The only issue I have with this is reverting to calling Mary's alter ego Mary Marvel. DC's been trying to get rid of that for ages.

Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1

By: Mark Waid, Roger Cruz
Released: Jul 12, 2023

ENTER: TETH-SHAZAM?! Of all Earth’s heroes, Billy Batson is the only one in double danger-because he and the Captain are each haunted by their own set of nightmares! And if the World’s Mightiest Mortal can’t survive his own fears, what chance does the rest of the Shazamily have?

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Hawkgirl #1 Aug 15, 2023
6.0

Clumsy and overstuffed.

Hawkgirl #1

By: Jadzia Axelrod, Amancay Nahuelpan
Released: Jul 19, 2023

Kendra Saunders, the winged warrior better known as Hawkgirl, has been one of the DCU’s greatest heroes for a long time, serving as a member of both the Justice League and the Justice Society. But with the Justice League disbanded, Kendra decides she needs a fresh start and heads to Metropolis to begin a new life. That life is quickly interrupted...

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8.5

Star Trek: Day of Blood #1

By: Christopher Cantwell, Ramon Rosanas
Released: Jul 19, 2023

Day of Blood Starts Here! Immortal emperor of the Klingon Empire, Kahless II has consolidated power, raided ancient tombs and secret bunkers, taken the power of gods for himself, stolen the Bajoran Orb of Destruction, and commenced a slaughter across the stars. But this genocide of gods was just the beginning. For with the power he has stole...

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7.5

Still fun but padded.

Batman / Superman: World's Finest #16

By: Mark Waid, Dan Mora
Released: Jun 21, 2023

Batman and Superman versus machines! A.I. villains and heroes--Shaggy Man, G.I. Robot, Red Tornado, and Chemo among them--have launched a global cyberattack alongside Newmazo's soldiers. Batman, Superman, Robin, and Metamorpho, the Element Man, are unprepared for the onslaught. With millions of lives on the line, the World's Finest team must find a...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Nightwing #105 Jul 15, 2023
6.0

Anyone remember Lady in the Lake? A Philip Marlowe story shot from the PoV of Marlowe? What's that? You've never heard of it? Maybe that's because it's a silly gimmick. It certainly was here, great art in service of a rather bland gimmick and yet another dull and pedantic Tom Taylor story. This comic's gone from DC's best to its least exciting in the space of about a year.

Nightwing #105

By: Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo
Released: Jun 21, 2023

Masterminds Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo are back at it again to present Nightwing fans another special issue uniquely designed for them to be Nightwing for a day! This oversize story will feature Nightwing from his point of view, allowing readers to use his escrima sticks and leap through Blüdhaven! You don't want to miss this issue, as there'll ...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Power Girl Special #1 Jul 5, 2023
5.0

A confusing bore. For those of us who haven't been reading what's been up with Kara...Karen...Peggy?...it would have been nice to have something explain her latest status quo. But this isn't the Power Girl I remember from Johns's JSA series. She's anything but assertive, anything but powerful. And this was just dull enough that I stopped in the middle and realized I never finished it. I have more

Power Girl Special #1

By: Leah Williams, Marguerite Sauvage
Released: May 31, 2023

POWER GIRL TAKES CENTER STAGE! With new powers and a new mission, Power Girl faces a challenge unlike any she's experienced before in this shocking one-shot rising from the events of Lazarus Planet and Action Comics! With Omen's guidance, Power Girl now strives to battle the demons-literal and figurative-lurking within the minds of some of the grea...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Steelworks #1 Jul 5, 2023
7.0

Solid first issue by someone who gets the rhythms of comic book writing pretty fast. Though we all know that John Henry will be wearing the armor a lot more than he plans.

Steelworks #1

By: Michael Dorn, Sami Basri
Released: Jun 7, 2023

FORGING THE FUTURE! The Metropolis of the future is here today, but can it survive a terrorist who's out for revenge against its builder--John Henry Irons, a.k.a. Steel--and his company, Steelworks...and who possesses secrets that could undo everything John has worked so hard to build? While John's professional life is firing on all cylinders, his ...

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Star Trek #8 Jun 24, 2023
8.5

Love it just for Garak, Tom Paris at the wheel, and Data talking to Spot. Silly at times, but just keeps hitting all the really cool Star Trek notes. (Note to Lanzing and Kelly: you need to find a way to use characters from Prodigy before everyone forgets they exist.)

Star Trek #8

By: Collin Kelly, Mike Feehan
Released: May 17, 2023

The newly established Obsidian Council of Cardassia Prime has spoken: The time has come for Benjamin Sisko to stand trial for the atrocities he ordered and for his contributions to war crimes by the Federation during the Dominion War. Arc two of the critically acclaimed Star Trek flagship comic series continues here!

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Titans #1 Jun 24, 2023
6.5

Great art. But otherwise flavorless mush, with only three characters with any personality (Nightwing, Wally, and Cyborg, and hey, all of them have their own books), far too many instances of the Titans telling us they will do things differently, and oh good Evil Waller is in the wings. Taylor has no feel for making the Titans interesting, though I am starting to think I only liked them on the ol more

Titans #1

By: Tom Taylor, Nicola Scott
Released: May 17, 2023

The Dark Crisis is over, and the Justice League is no more. Now, a new team must rise and protect the Earth...Titans, go! The Teen Titans are ready to grow up. Each member joined as a much younger hero, certain that one day they'd be invited to join the Justice League. But the time has come for them not to join the League...but to replace it! Are t...

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7.5

With the time hopping put aside, the story is a lot more coherent, but I don't really know how these characters align with the last JSA comics from before Flashpoint. What happened to the third Dr. Midnight? Just who is Power Girl now? I am a bit lost even if I like the story (and love the art).

Justice Society of America #4

By: Geoff Johns, Mikel Janin
Released: May 24, 2023

Helena's journey through time continues! Each new time period gives her one more piece of the puzzle, but is Degaton too far ahead in his quest to eradicate the JSA to be stopped? Is this truly the end of the Justice Society?

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Simon DelMonte reviewed Star Trek Annual: 2023 Jun 21, 2023

Wacky heartfelt fun in the right key of Trek. Plus Data is your new DM.

Star Trek Annual: 2023

By: Collin Kelly, Rachael Stott
Released: May 31, 2023

Join the writers behind the critically acclaimed Star Trek series for an exciting romp through the history of Star Trek! The Theseus crew finally get a chance to relax. But just as everyone settles down, a strange signal comes in with a message that reads, "Mr. Scott. We have a problem. Bring help.- Jim." Upon finding the sourc...

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6.5

I read this two hours ago and it's fading from memory already. This version of Conner never pops, and the story is interesting only in fits and starts. The "preview" for an Alan Scott comic that will never be looks great and reads like we got lucky it was aborted.

Superboy: The Man Of Tomorrow #3

By: Kenny Porter, Jahnoy Lindsay
Released: Jun 21, 2023

Superboy's team-up with the Cosmoteers is yielding rocky results. While they're taking down many of Dominator X's labs, their team dynamics leave much to be desired. Can this new quartet pull themselves together when Dominator X unleashes his most monstrous creation yet...the hulking Infinity?!

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