Andy Hall Comic Reviews

Rafer Roberts (Harbinger Renegades) and Mike Norton (B.R.P.D.: Hell on Earth)are juggling a lot of balls in this story. Few other people would bring all these clashing concept and characters together. In other hands, the wheels would be coming off this thing by page three, but Roberts and Norton balance the story out so that is easy to follow despite all the different elements. The jokes are actually funny and come in a mix of visual gags, weird situations and the verbal clash of personalities among the good guys as well as the villains.

There are a lot of theories floating around out there over the real identity of Mr. Oz. I haven't been taking part in them, mainly because, so many of them would be so disappointing if they turn out to be true. Williams drops another clue in this issue as he makes it clear that Mr. Oz is smarter than Luthor and there are so few characters who fit that bill. It looks like all the wild speculation will end next month when it looks like Mr. Oz will reveal himself.

This really is one of the best opening acts of a mainstream character's storyline in a long time. Jurgens and Bogdanovic are really starting strong with all the prologue actions.

I really want to see where this goes. Jurgens and Bogdanovic are well-practiced in comics and especially Superman stories. They have told some of the best and this is shaping up to join them.

Is this a perfect issue? No. But, this issue has almost everything that you would want from a Guardians books. The team is back together again and while they fight and bicker among themselves like old times, there are a lot of changes that they will have to face among each other. This is a good read for while you are in line or waiting for the trailers when you go see the Guardians' movie this weekend.

I'm glad that this is the end of this story arc and really want to see where we are going from here.

If you are reading books like Ms. Marvel and Faith, you should be adding this to your pull list.

I'm glad that while, Alters isn't giving up on trans issues, it is clear it will not be a book only about those issues. It has been a very inclusive book so far and I hope to see that continue as it tackles more issues that are usually shied away from in mainstream comics.

This has been a quick and fun story arc that Slott and Immonen have put together. It doesn't have the operatic complexities of Slott's Clone Conspiracy story, but by focusing on the anger Peter Parker and Norman Osbourne have for each other, the rest of the battle just become a proxy for their ideals which are quickly lost in their own fight. The first issue of the arc was a little shaky for me, but the end is well worth it. Go back and read all four together.

Despite the let down of the art, I still recommend picking up this book. Ahmed story is clever enough to stand on it's own merit. The subject is clearly chosen to get people more excited about the upcoming Venom movie. Ahmed delivers a compelling single issue tale that provides a unique look at a classic story-line without revising it.

Spider-Man and Peter Parker are both in good hands with this creative team. This is a good thing, since despite the book's name this was the adventure of Peter Parker this month. Fortunately, Parker proved that he doesn't need a costume to be amazing.

This is not to say that Russell's art is bad, it is good throughout most of the story, but it is just lacking that spark of something. And in this case, where the art

This is truly a fun story and if you missed the first issue, it would be worth your while to dig through the back issues in your local comic store to pick it up along with this one. Then sit back with a glass of your favorite drink to enjoy the story.

The creative team continues to have fun with this series, despite having a very serious undertone to the book. I hope that Jordie Bellaire will be returning to the series next issue and return the book to the expected excellence.

If you didn't pre-order this book, you should definitely consider picking up a copy from the shelf when you visit your comic book store this week. Even if you aren't a big horror fan, there is enough going on to grab you.

Once again, Paul McCaffrey's art does a lot of the world building in the details of many of the scenes. Look for what the background characters are doing and the ads he places on walls to get a real feel of the horror of trying to keep your humanity when all around are monsters.

I'll be willing to keep on following Aquaman if they can hold him to this new way. If they can break Arthur out of the continuing repeating story; if they can find a new path for Aquaman to follow; If Aquaman can be Atlantis' inspiration instead of it's king, then maybe it will lead to more kids diving into the ocean again.

If you are at all interested in French comics or just want to take a break from the usual men in tights, you should pick up Atar Gull. It is a story that works on many levels and you will find yourself reflecting on it long after you have finished the last panel.

If you are familiar with Atomic Robo, you can be assured you are in for a fun ride with humor and adventure. Clevinger and Wegener are careful with their placement of humor so that it works to support the drama of the story and not undercut it. The advantage they have in building these five issue arc is that they make it easy for new reader to jump on board and join in the fun without having to worry about all the previous adventures. If they like the story they can always go through the back catalogue.

One of the things that is great about the Atomic Robo stories is that new readers can pick up any story and have no problems following the five issue arcs. At the same time, each of these arcs, which can stand alone, pay off for people who are more familiar with these characters. Celvinger and Wegener have practiced this storytelling skill and it really pays off. It is a shame that Marvel and DC have lost this skill and sometimes make it such a high bar for newcomers to enjoy their stories.

I get that Waid and del Mundo wanted to explore what is happening with Thor, but couldn't they have had a way to work in any other Avengers? I love Thor and read her title regularly, but when I read the Avengers I want all the Avengers not just the solo story of one of them.

As I wrote above, this is the third chapter in the six-issue story arc and next chapter is in the Champions coming out in two weeks, before shifting back to the Avengers. I'm not really a fan of these multi-title story arcs, but Waid is handling everything very well and giving each team their share of the spotlight.

This book is a fun read. It is funny and filled with double crosses. It is clear that everybody is looking out for themselves in this book. I just think I wanted to like the book more than I actually did.

In a way, I am glad that Barbarella has been away from the world of comics for so long. The three decade break in her adventures allows her to be introduced to a new generation almost free from preconceptions. She gets to define herself as she pleases almost despite the adventures she is on. In many ways, that is Barbarella at her core.

All in all, this is a fun Batgirl adventure. Not too slight, but it won't go down as one of her all time great storylines. If you are following the character all the time, you won't be disappointed and even if you are starting with this issues, it isn't too hard to get into the swing of the story.

King's work on Batman has been impressive since he took it on. I really want to see where he is going.

The art remains fantastic throughout the book and really sells the menacing tone of this book.

Even with King's misstep with parallelism, this book is still at a level that few others are touching. I can hardly wait for the two weeks until the next issue.

After this, there is only one issue between us and the wedding of Batman and Catwoman. I have to say I am really curious about who will show up for issue number 50, but the crime-fighting couple will have to survive the Joker a little long to be able to say, "I do." That is if there is still a church left standing in Gotham.

While I think that the League of Assassin needs to all go on a cruise and take a vacation from all the Batman books for a while, I am intrigued to see where this story is going.

These Prelude to the Wedding stories have been fun. It is interesting to see how the various members of the Bat-family pair off with the big guns of Batman's rogues gallery. Batman and Catwoman's marriage plans seem to be the worst kept secret in Gotham. It is hard to see how the city will survive the ceremony.

This book is a must buy. If you haven't added it to your pull lists pick up this first issue and you will be convinced. One of the best things about these limited Batman stories is that even if you haven't bothered with the character in the past or find the Bat-family drama too confusing, these stories drop all of that away and focus on what is important to the character.

I really wanted to like the series. Maybe I wouldn't be as hard on the comic if I never saw the show, but I have to figure that they are writing the comic for fans of the show and not just trying to develop a new fan base from scratch. Either way, the readers deserve to get something much better than what is being served here.

While, I've found that the previous Scarlet Spider books had their ups and downs, bring the clones together for this fight was worth it. This was the first issue of the series that I really liked from beginning to end. I have to say that if it wasn't for the creepy mask, I'd almost prefer Ben's new costume, but there is something wonderfully 90s about his classic outfit.

This has been a really fun and enjoyable series so far and I am looking forward to seeing how the second half of it turns out.

If you haven't figured out how it ends, well then you never saw either of the cult classics this series is based upon. Because even though Jack never drives faster than he can see, Lo Pan gets one last twist in. And it's a doozie.

Unlike some of the other comics, you don't have to have seen the movie in order to enjoy this book. It sets itself up pretty well as an independent story. But for those who know and love the movie there are additional payoffs. If you are looking for something enjoyable and fast to read, this could be the fun book for you.

If you missed the first three issues, this is a good point to jump on the series if it sounds interesting to you. The first three missions were clearly just to get you up to speed on the characters and this world. But after an action packed start, this book slows down as it has to introduce a lot of characters. They do that in a way that doesn't slow the story down too much, and keeps the tension high.

I am sorry that this is the last Black Panther book where Stelfreeze will be the main artist for a while. But I am excited to see what the combination of Coates storytelling and Wilfredo Torres' art will bring starting next month.

This is a fun book that launches a new adventure for the character. If you are familiar with Black Panther, you get to see a story featuring the younger version and you can see where the brashness of youth will wear into the responsibilities of being a king. If you are new to the character and want to get a jump on it before the movie comes out, well this book is tailored for you. Fortunately it is well tailored and launches what appears to be a fun adventure story.

I'm not completely sold on the tidy wrap up at the end, but I'd love to see Samnee and Waid take another turn at telling a Black Widow story again. This has been a fun series and a good focus on a character that everyone seems to love, but is so rarely used well.

This really has been a fun ride. I hope that we will see more adventures set in the school in the future. Fish and Dorkin have shown that they can produce a limited series with a big impact. I'd love to see what they think of next.

I know that if you don't read Valiant books, you must be sick of how much people praise them. This book is a good entry point. It is a single stand alone story. It isn't connected to any of the big events that the rest of the books are gearing up for. If you want to give Valiant a shot, this issue should be the one you pick up to try.

This book is a good look at the excesses of the 90's and is interesting for a number of reasons. If you are a Liefeld fan, you probably already have this. If you want to find out what all the fuss is about when people talk about 90's comics, this is a prime example of the good and bad. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to dig out some old Jesus Jones and Blind Melons cds to complete this trip down memory lane.

Many times, when people say that a comic book was written for kids but adult will enjoy it too, they mean that there are jokes that play at being kinda dirty, but will go over the kids' heads. Here is it just a fun story that everyone can enjoy because despite the fantastic (in both senses of the word) setting, the characters are charming and relatable to people of all ages.

There is only one more issue to go after this one. Now that Axia has solved most of the mysteries, can he save his beloved Rome from the threat that it has brought upon itself?

Clearly, if you are curious about the X-Men or haven't read one of their books for a long time, this series is one place to start. I'm not sure how much of the other X-Men we'll see, but you'll at least get to know one of their cornerstones. If you have been missing Cable, this should be a natural pull for you.

Have to say that I like it when comics do stuff like this. Just hop from one world to another in each issue. They give you enough to understand the basics of this world, but always leave you wanting more. I hope they continue with this even after Cable wraps up this story line. I don't care if Cable ever ends back in "modern" New York.

Well there is only one more piece of the time sword left and thanks to some Celestial tech using Mayans, Cable has a better idea of where it is than Conquest. Looks like this story arc is going to draw to a close with a bang.

I'm really struggling to find something I like about this issue.

It is disappointing, in a way, that they could have done almost anything in turning this game into a story and yet they chose the most basic one. Even setting it on a distant planet and in the future are elements that they have introduced, but fail to take advantage of in any way.

I understand that they want to get a jump-start on Secret Empire, but did anyone really think this was the way to do it?

With these early issues, Bunn and Torres are building the tension in a way that reminds me of the best suspense/horror movies. They lead you from normal to unusual to disturbing at such a deliberate pace that you are never sure when the world they build became one of of inescapable horror. You get the feeling that if Dan ran now, he could escape what's coming, but he can't leave those who are important to him behind.

If you are looking for a good place to start a Conan Story this issue is a good place. You really don't need the first chapter of the story, as that isn't as important to the set up as this one is. And it looks like next issue should really ramp up the action with Conan hunted by the Turanian army and everyone hunted by the devil in iron.

One other thing, if you are skipping the letter pages in these books, stop. Go back and read them. Usually, letter pages are places where the creators can either praise themselves through the letter choices or use them to explain away mistakes. Rarely, do the creators engage with their fans in such a fun way. It takes on the feel of a convention panel, down to the cosplay.

While, nothing in this book is likely to impact the main story lines, it is a fun read. It manages to fill in a lot of holes that readers may have had about Sizzajee's court and how the rivalries got started. It is also fun to see how important the courtiers see themselves before Sizzajee makes sure each of them know they are under his thumb. Hope you don't name your main course Jane.

The action packed train-ride of this story arc is quickly coming to an end and I can't wait for the next issue to see how this ends.

I can only hope that the 4m3rich4n people end up with a president who can lead them out of this mess. It makes you look back in fondness at the President Roombo administration.

Bunn and Doe are clearly enjoying playing with the unexplored parts of this story. To be fair, many of the stories from the earliest part of the Bible are so spare that they leave you with more questions than answers. This story has been so entertaining because Bunn and Doe are willing to play in the grey areas.

This book offers a great insight into Kirby for readers who have never read one of his books. While both of the original stories subvert some of the greatest characters that Kirby created for DC, they do so in a way that truly honors his stories and what he was about. And as a comparison they are juxtaposed with two shorter stories that Kirby himself wrote on similar themes.

These and other questions are likely to become more and more irrelevant as the transformations continue. This is a really fun limited series. You really get the feeling that Ennis is getting to let loose with all the silliest ideas for ending the world that he couldn't figure out how to work into Preacher or Judge Dredd. As long as Jabberjaw will play a bigger role in the remaining four issues, I'm willing to see where he is going to take us, unless, of course, I get raptured first.

This issue leaves the table set for the return to the first issue of the book with the Thanagarian invasion of Rann. (See what I mean about all the flash-back-forward stuff?) That leaves out heroes with the full plate of defeating the more powerful than ever Despero, stopping the planetary invasion, rebuilding Thanagar and fixing Adam's marriage. And they only have two issues to do it in.

This series has been a real roller coaster with a number of unseen twists like Lemire is a master at introducing. If you've given up on the series, I hope these last couple issues have inspired you to go and pick up the back issues or at the very least buy the trades.

Christian Duce (Justice League, Wonder Woman '77) and Fernando Blanco (Midnighter and Apollo, Army of Darkness) take full advantage of the chaos in the story to lay out three separate incredibly kinetic fights. Each fight is visually different in terms of layout and style but they all work together in service of the story. And they put Gordon in a Hawaiian shirt.

Let's hope they manage to weld the classic and modern together better soon. If they can just get out of their own way, this could well be a classic story to match the artwork of this comic. I was really hoping to like this book, which makes its failing all the more glaring to me.

I like the way that IDW has come at publishing the Dirk Gently comic books. Instead of running one long series going from mystery to mystery, they instead break each story up into five chapters and publish them as mini-series each with their own titles. This makes it easy for readers to know where they are in any particular story and if they want to pick up the rest of the series.

If, as some people claim, we are in a new golden age of comic books, people like Jeff Lemire are the stars. This final chapter doesn't have the big battles against gods and monsters. Yet it is one of the most dramatic and manipulative (in a good way) books I have read in a long time. Lemire is doing something really amazing with the deconstruction of super heroes in his Black Hammer books. He is laying out all their faults, but he exposes that those faults are what truly makes them heroes.

Overall, this issue wraps up this adventure with the Doctor well and leaves the reader ready to hop in the TARDIS to see where Spurrier will take us next.

The quality of the Doctor Who books varies greatly between all the books from teams that get their Doctor and his adventures spot on to ones like this book which is hit or miss. You really have to find a team that you like and follow them across the books rather than follow the version of The Doctor you like on television.

Kaplan, Timpano and Dispenza work together like a great trio. They seem to be feeding each other ideas and inspiration. It is especially impressive since both Kaplan and Dispenzea are new comers to comics. If you aren't reading this you should be. The first couple issues are available in trade for a quick catch up.

This is a great issue in what has been a really entertaining series, so far. If you are a fan of independent books, this one might have slipped under your radar. But if so, it would pay off for you to pick this up and enjoy the journey.

This is a book where the rational and the irrational are at constant war with each other. It is clear that Boone would always side with the logical, the real question is, can he remain true to his commitment to it?

Tynion and Donovan certainly pack a lot of punch into their comics and this is no exception. If you like comics that really convey big ideas that will be churning in the back of your head all day, this is the book you want to read. Andy while this book serves as a definitive end to all three series, they have left themselves wiggle room to come back in for another look.

Nobody would expect the reader who pick up this book to understand or even be interested in the sport of fencing. But that is what is so impressive about the book. It takes a sport that most people don't follow, and invest its characters with so much drive and life that it makes you care.

Aftershock keeps putting out interesting stories from different genres and from so many perspectives. It is good that they are not letting themselves be pigeon holed into one or two genres as many indie publishers are. They are quickly building a number of must follow series for comic book lovers willing to go beyond the DC " Marvel border. This book should be on your pull list.

I was not a great believer in the Generations idea when I first heard it. But this book has really turned me around on it. I almost wish that there could be a Hulks mini-series that could take place during one of the many times that General Ross had to be pulled back to the Pentagon to explain how he could lose 100 helicopters and 300 tanks in a "training" exercise or what ever excuse he kept giving.

I really enjoyed this story and how it brought the Marvels together " without compromising the tragic death of Mar-Vell. (I re-read that story right after my first read of this issue). If there is anything that does bug me, it is that Stohl's dialogue for Mar-Vell is more stilted than under Roy Thomas or Starlin. But that is a small quibble.

This book is worth a read and it would pay to go through the bins to find the other issues of the series as well.

Only two chapters left after this to see if Ennay, Bud, Sal and Sarge can escape the Chicago mob and the Demonstrators. Will they make it to San Francisco? Can they ever find acceptance?

If you've been following along for the whole series this issue will pay off in spades. If you just picked this off the shelf out of curiosity about all the praise the series has been getting, go back to your comic store and rifle through the back issue shelves until you find the other five issues. You'll be so glad you did. You know what they say about a good ending leaving you wanting more? Not only does this do that, but you know what some of the more is yet to be explored.

If you are a fan of Briggs Land, Postal or even TV's Riverdale or Twin Peaks, you should be picking up Grass Kings. It has that small town with an unseemly underbelly vibe down pat. But I wouldn't write this off as a knock off of those other works. Kindt has something up his sleeve and I want to be there when he starts to pull out the aces.

I want to see Baal and Augusto keep on working on future Green Hornet series, but I would like to see them paired with a writer who is interested in doing more with the characters. Poor Kato is so underused in favor of the bland Swashbuckler that I really felt sorry for him. If you've gotten this far in the series, you might as well pick this issue up for completeness, but if you didn't read the previous issues, I'm not sure what is here for you.

As much as it mocks the comics of the 80s and 90s, Mahfood clearly loves them too. You should pick this book up. If you aren't reading it, get the first two issues of Grrl Scouts along with this one. You won't regret it.

Clearly, this book is powering it way to an action packed series end in two issues. It looks like the Guardians will play a major part in the Infinity event books that will follow. I have to admit that I have been dipping in and out of this series, so maybe it is time for the guardians to take a break for a while. Either way, this looks like it will be a do not miss finale.

This is a fun one-shot that is a good read, especially if you want a good Guardians story to get yourself psyched for the upcoming movie.

I really can't wait to see how Roberts is going to pull this all together.

How this story plays out into the coming war between the Renegades, the psiots under Solomon, and Omen's H.A.R.D.Corps will be interesting to see. It looks like they are clearing the game board of any unnecessary pieces in order to launch the second Harbinger War. It will be interesting to see who is going to make it to the start of the war. If anything, last issue proved that Roberts can be brutal in his housecleaning.

If you are following any Valiant titles, you really do need to be reading this series. If you aren't reading Valiant, you need to ask yourselves why not?

The problem with this issue is that it can't stand on its own. It is solely an interstitial chapter in the ongoing tale that is Harrow County. As part of a larger story of Emmy coming to learn more about herself and the world around her it is fine.

It looks like next issue will wrap up this arc and I am not only looking forward to seeing how this story ends, but I really want to see where Venditti and Hitch will lead the character once they have completed their reintroduction. Who knows? Maybe this version of Hawkman will stick around for a while. I hope he does.

This issue really is a satisfying conclusion to a epic reintroduction of one of DC's Golden Age characters. Carter Hall comes out if this as a fully realized person. If I have one disappointment in the series is that I was really hoping for a bigger opportunity to showcase Hawkgirl. I get that there was so much to do in the first 12 issues, but I really want more than the occasional help from a character that is almost integral to Hawkman himself. I can't wait to see where Venditti and Hitch will take us from here.

Next issue is the last one for this run of Iceman. And despite how this series wraps in that one, it has been an overall success. Iceman has often been the overlooked joker of whatever group he's in. This series has really given the character a chance to grow into a full person and dealt with a lot of issues that not only gay characters face, but ones that should resonate with all readers.

While it is too early to tell how the series will work out, Imaginary Fiends reminds me of the early issues of Harrow County. Even when everything is bright and sunny, you know there is something creepy in there, even if you can see it right now.

This is a book that definitely deserves a look at. It sets up the premise and danger right away. There may be something on the ship filled with guilt-wracked survivors and there is literally no place for them to go, because the ship is the last thing left in existence. Neither of these creators are big names in the industry, but after reading this book you may wonder why.

The expressive way that Juan uses Wing Chun does recall Bruce Lee. But while there are references to Bruce Lee, Juan is his own character and more flawed that Lee was in any of his movies. I really enjoy watching Juan overcome those flaws on his way to be worthy of becoming the Spirit of the Earth. The biggest mystery I am left with in this issue is which spirit fixed Juan's window between issue 2 and 3.

The series clearly shows its roots in Bruce Lee movies, anime and other martial arts comics, but like the characters in the story, they have intertwined these elements and come up with something new. This is especially impressive in light of the clear missteps that occurred in Marvel's Iron Fist series on Netflix. Sapolsky and Chuong avoided the pitfalls to bring an interesting and new story to life.

It looks like next issue should be the last in the hell-bound Las Vegas for Iron Fist and hopefully he'll be able to bring some semblance of normalcy to it before he leaves. If not maybe we'll get to see him do the flinging dragon snot and the unbalanced panda twist in one of his next fights. Overall, this has been a good story and an interesting tie-in to Dr. Strange: Damnation.

I really enjoyed the shift in the story. It is clear from the first couple pages that Jareth is retelling his own origin story. The determination shown by Sarah is contrasted with that of his own parents. That may go far in explaining his fascination with Sarah, but in the end it doesn't make it less creepy.

Will John Carter be able to reconcile with his wife? What will he find when he confronts his son? I guess we'll find out together.

I am interested in seeing where this story leads. It is an interesting take on the ideas that Burroughs presented in the Barsoom stories without being a complete retread of the more traditional swashbuckler takes.

While letterer's don't usually get much recognition for what they do, Jack Morelli really sells the Sabrina cut and paste spell joke well. I loved the old-school labels. It helps make the book such an enjoyable read.

Orlando and Tan go a great job on both the first half and the second half where all the action and danger live. However they only have one page to introduce us to Renzi who is the mcguffin at the heart of the second half. The quick change of all the cast around Kamandi leave both him and the readers with abandonment issues.

As I said, superficially Khaal can read a bit like Heavy Metal meets Conan. And it embraces those tropes, but there is something interesting if you want to look deeper at this book.

If you only know the Kingsmen from the movie, this six issue mini-series is a great place to meet the originals. If you are a fan of Millar's comic, there is plenty going on here that you can dig through and enjoy.

Kull has long been one of the second tier Robert E. Howard characters. While there are some people who really love him, I'd generally prefer a good Conan story instead. (By the way, am I the only one who remembers that Kull uses an axe, not a sword) Like many Kull stories, Kull Eternal has a number of good ideas, I'm just not sure that reading them month to month (or in this case, biannually) is best. It might make more sense to wait for IDW to put out the trade than to have it on your pull list.

If you've heard about the Lazarus series and were wondering if you'd like it, these one shots of the X+66 may be your perfect way in. Each comes with an introduction of who the characters are and their importance to the main story, but they each stand alone so you can get a real feel for this world. It might be worth spending the $3.99 before deciding on whether or not to go for the trades.

Lois Lane is an interesting character in comics. She's long been an inherent mass of contradictions: an independent woman who always needs to be saved; smart enough to uncover well-hidden illegal syndicate but can't figure out that Clark and Superman are the same person; etc. Ruck and Perkins are giving us a better Lois Lane. In the process, they show how a non-powered person can effect change in a world full of super-heroes.

Higgins and Fornes have really done something interesting in their interpretation of what was really a boring Gold Key hero. It is an engaging story. One that will keep you coming back with new questions about this world and it's hero. Hopefully they have some answers just as interesting.

Crety's art references everything from Blade Runner to the Silver Surfer and Batman the Animated Series to 1984. But as with the writing, these add to the fun of re-reading this book. It is a book you will want to read again and again.

If you are a diehard Aquaman fan, I can see how you would love this series. If you aren't, there really isn't a reason to pick this book up unless you are a fan of confusing imaginary politics. I would really love to see Mera star in a book of her own where she single-handedly has to take down one of the classic Aquaman villains. As it is, this book only give a little more depth to what is happening in the main Aquaman title.

This book is an interesting start to the limited series. I think that Kirby would enjoy what this team is doing with one of his characters. Scott was always one of Kirby's most morally complex characters, a feature that often got downplayed by other writers as they tried to separate him from the Fourth World mythology. I look forward to seeing the rest of the series.

This is one of those stories that has the feel that it could go off the rails any second. Yet it also has the feel of a roller coaster that allows you that illusion, all the while is guiding you safely through the experience. Rosenberg and MacDonald are experts at making you feel like anything can happen next, all the while knowing guiding the tale along exactly as they planned.

Still the core of this book is the students. While the first issue focuses on Zatanna, I'm hoping that we will see her friends Sebastian Faust, Enchantress, Sargon the (soon to be) Sorcerer and newcomer Pia Morales each get a chance to step to the foreground and not just be her Scoobies. It is interesting to roll these characters back and give the readers the story of how the come to be the characters we've become familiar with.

I don't know why Karma thinks her company needs mutant protection from the supernatural, but we should all be glad that she does. It strikes me that for all the times big businesses in the Marvel Universe hire on squads of mutants to protect their assets and project their brand, it usually causes them more trouble than the team is worth. Let's hope that Xi'an has better luck than most.

Overall, this has been a really great story arc and I love the way that Chang and Humphries (Uncanny X-Force, Green Lanterns) have constructed the story. Despite some issues with it, I really appreciate the way that Dick want to be on his own and create an identity for himself outside Batman's shadow. This has been a really fun joyride, full of unexpected twists. I can't wait to see if and how Nightwing is able to get himself out of this.

I get the sense that this all has a very different feel in the game. But it looks like this is a case where moving from one medium to another needs more adjustment to the different form. Maybe fans of the game are getting more out of this book than I am. There are plenty of comic books out there featuring a spunky woman anti-hero, there is nothing that really stands out in this book.

I am not sure who will be more disappointed in this story, hardcore fans or people who have heard so much about Penny Dreadful and try the comic to see what all the fuss is about.

Really there is a much simpler and better story to tell. What if Abin Sur had crashed on the Planet of the Apes and given his ring to Cornelius? You could have Sinestro trying to teach him how to use the ring as well as Cornelius trying to prevent the destruction of his world.

If you've tried Eclipse, you know you can trust Kaplan to deliver a great story. (If you haven't read Eclipse, open a new browser window to order it.) This book proves that he isn't a one idea wonder.

Is time drawing nigh for this small town of XXX people? This story arc may signal the end of Eden or of Laura's iron-fisted rule. There is only one way to find out for sure.

There are plenty of comics I buy and end up on my "I'll get to you" pile. This is not one of them. It is deceptively simple in some places, but it is clear that this is only setting things up for a more complex follow through. Quarry may not realize that he's knee deep in trouble with this hit, but we do. All through subtle clues strewn throughout the issue. This is how a master storyteller begins a tale.

Simonson has used this series to explore what message are behind the Norse myths. They are not just a bunch of stories for children, but they have something important to show us about ourselves. He also is great at subverting our expectations of these characters and giving them real depth and pathos in this half-life of a universe. I can't wait to see how he will bring this all to its end.

It was such a stroke of genius to pair Grace and Simeone together that whoever thought of it at IDW deserves a raise. There has been a recent revival of cyberpunk stories in the 2010s, which might make readers tired of the genre. They should try this series out to see what it can be when done right.

Ewing and Libranda have clearly done a great deal of research into the Inhumans' history and they are using all of their various past adventures to play into this one that risks the very future of their race. They are laying the groundwork for a very big pay off as the series goes along. So far, the series is paying off each issue, lets hope all these issues lead to something different and unexpected for the Royals.

I really do hope that IDW gives Horton another chance to tell more stories set on Satellite. I would like to see what happens when he doesn't have to suddenly cram everything together. I think this issue could have been great if it had more room to breathe and not have to shortcut itself.

Two more issues left and I'll be getting them for the art, but I hope the story starts to pull through as well.

This series had real ups and downs for me, but I think that the second half of the series really improved on the set up in the first two books. If you skipped this series for some reason, it really pays off to see if you comic book dealer still has the back issues on the shelves. If not, then there is always the inevitable Valiant collection of the series.

Will the government manage to roll up on Scarlet and her forces or will the revolution spread to Salem and Eugene? In many ways, this book feels much more on the pulse of the people now than in the earlier versions. It is a book that you should really be picking up and reading, even if this is your starting point. This review has already been quote heavy, but I'll end on one last. Scarlet, above all others, knows that happiness is a warm gun.

Despite these flaws, the book is an exciting read. Dealing with the continued fallout of Harada's fall, Secret Weapons looks at those who have been made the most vulnerable in the aftermath. It ends on a great cliffhanger that will leave you wanting the next book right away.

There are still plenty of mysteries to unravel, as wounds are healing, not the least of which is who are the real secret weapons and what is their target. This book continues to stand out on my pull list and I cannot wait for the next issue.

This is a funny book. You can't help seeing the images of the little child Trump in his big boy clothes trying to boss everyone around and not laugh. But underneath there is a real insight into the president that I don't think would be available in a standard biography. The tweets seem to offer a fascinating, unwitting insight into the differences between Trump's public and private personas.

Based on how this story is going so far, I'd love to see an ongoing Shadowman series out of Valiant. Both the characters and the setting are so different from most of the Valiant universe, that I'd be willing to take the time to explore this pocket of it.

DIDio is better than this. I really have no interest in the next book and I am a sucker for a good origin story. If the plot doesn't get any better, all of Rocafort's great art will be wasted. If it does get better I may be tempted to pick up a future issue. It would take a lot of rave reviews for that to happen, but it is possible.

Boom! Studios is releasing this book as a hard cover only right now and I usually have a hard time justifying the expense that comes with the format. But in this case, it is worth it. I believe that Siegfried II is also available in hardcover. I don't think you can get the hard cover of the first volumes unless you go through 3rd parties. If you can get these, do it. You won't regret having these are part of your collection.

This is really what I like about the Annuals, when they are done well. You get a couple of stories that stand alone and are not part of some multi-book storyline about the end of the universe. You just get to spend time with a character that you either love or are curious about. Either way, there are worse ways of spending a summer afternoon.

So now that Mile's romantic interest Barbara knows that the wild school rumors of Miles' running an underground casino, selling mutant growth hormone and /or being a 21 Jump Street cop are all fake will she figure out what he really does when he sneaks out of the dorm? Will Pete convince Miles to hang up the tights forever? Will Miles and Miles team-up?

I just hope that they keep the series grounded for a while before Alpha Flight decides to give Quill a spaceship and send him on his way.

If your kids love the cartoon and you are trying to turn them onto comics, you could start with this. But don't they deserve better?

I'm not loving either story in this book. If there is a reason to buy it, buy it for the art. Both Eaton and Briones are having a lot of fun in this book and you should enjoy all the work they put into it. I just wish that the great art in both of these tales, were serving a better story. This book is only scheduled for a six issue run. It will be interesting to see if these stories can merge by the end.

I dislike when a story jumps from title to title. It forces readers to buy news books with the bait that they might like what is happening in a book that they don't read. Unfortunately what usually happens is that they get a story that fits one title best and leaves all the others hanging.

Perkins has a lot of experience with the various Super- titles and this seems like a slight stumble after a strong outing last issue when she took over the title. Let's be honest, this title has been a mess for a while and she has a big job on her hands turning this around. I really want to give her the benefit of a doubt and see if she can make this a consistently compelling title.

My one complaint with the series is that the first issue had a story line set in a different timeline where Tarzan protects the humans from the apes on the Planet of the Apes. This story seems to have been dropped from the second and third issues. I am hopeful that Walker and Seeley can tie that thread back in. They have two issues left.

I can't say enough about how much I love Fernando Dagnino's (Suicide Squad, Justice League: Generation Lost) art through the whole series and he doesn't let up at the end. Everything is lush and vibrant. His ape faces are great. I could tell the difference between Zira, Cornelius, and Caesar in every panel they were in. They all looked like individuals, which is often hard to do with humans in comics, let alone our simian cousins.

I will say that I found the art and color work to be the highlight of this book. The plays of the violent splashes of red against the dark and usually dull colors of the rest of the books are great and startling. The art really kept me going through this book. I am probably going to get the second issue with the hopes and Hill will be able to turn this around.

In some ways, I prefer to catch The Black Beetle stories in the collected form due to the semi-irregular publishing schedule of the book. And this series certainly benefits from keeping the cliff hanger endings of each chapter, while letting the reader indulge in binge reading each addictive chapter. While having a slightly different feel than other Black Beetle stories, Kara Bcek is a great place to read the Black Beetle and decide if these adventures are for you.

This six-issue series has started off right and been a lot of fun so far. I really want to continue to follow this story. It is an inventive looks at both of these characters who tend not to be paired as partners with one another as much as with other superheroes (ahem, Superman). It will be cool to see them getting used to working together.

I am mostly recommending this book based on the art. Wonder Woman clearly needs more to do and the plotting is still a little slow. But the art is on target. It is one of those books you will pull from your collection just to follow all the detail work. Let's hope the pace picks up with the next issue.

Gess' (L'Esprit du 11 janvier) art also reflect the sources of the time having strong Modernist elements throughout. His strong use of black and shadows reminds me of Alex Toth's art. It always draws your eyes to the point he wants to make.

I'm not going to go into details about the backup story, A Murder of Crows. But, Daniel de Filippis and Emanuele Ercolani do an excellent job packing too much story into the final five pages of the issue.

The Dark Metal titles hearken back to the 90s when comics were very art-driven and this book really sells the value of that approach. The dynamic and dramatic art really sells this book. But enough with the background let's see if Chamberlain can control Brimstone or if the demon will burn the world down.

Like many an unwanted character, Etrigan demands that you pay attention to him as he acts out for the sheer joy of chaos and menace. While he has gone back to speaking in rhymes, they are not the cutesy bits of doggerel he has spat out in the past. Now he only speaks in rhymes when he is happy, as he is when he takes on other demons in battle. Now if only we can find out who brought Hell to Earth…

Can the ghostly Jason Blood figure out how to stop the slow expansion of Hell throughout the southwest before his fraying leash on Etrigan gives way? Can he and Xanadu find a way to stop this spread of Hell on Earth? There is only one way to find out. Keep on reading.

This has been a really fun series both for readers who haven't had a long exposure to these characters and for those who have been following them for years. I really like the way this miniseries both introduced and grew these characters. Having a definite end to the series allows the writers and artist to challenge themselves to tell a story quickly with little room for waste. Sometimes in ongoing series, it seems it can take several issues to work through a plot point. You can't do that in these miniseries and the strengths of these artists shine here.

I was concerned that these new books would go off the rails in the way that some of the later Lucifer series did. But so far these teams have managed to find a balance between Gaiman's version and their own vision of what these people and places are like. Sometimes it takes two or three issues for a book to find their way. Spurrier and Evely know what story they are telling right out of the gate.

It is an interesting world that Palmiotti and Brito are building. I just wish they felt more confident that people could catch on with less spoon-feeding. There are a number of books looking at similar issues and doing it with better grace. If you find ideas they present interesting, check out books like Magnus where they are carried out in a more subtle way.

The good thing is there is only only more issue. Not sure who is reading it, but their misery ends soon.

I can only hope that, Carol Danvers starts to act like herself once she gets back in space. I really want to see where Captain Marvel is going. I just hope the trip is worth this price of admission.

If you haven't been reading Thor, I'd recommend not only picking up this issue, but grabbing the last two from the back issue shelves of your comic book shop. You'll appreciate the great work.

I love the way that Freire mixes the classical elements of London architecture with the Egyptian elements in the visions and the cultists. It is a clever interplay of styles, especially after his dark vision of the Egyptian afterlife as the book opens.

This is a gripping title launch and I'd be interested in seeing where this goes. I can't think of many comics that have been headlined by a woman killer who becomes determined to take the fight to her enemies, while trying to be a good mom.

You can tell you are reading a book by new talents because there is rawness to the story and the art that speaks of vibrancy. I am glad of that because much of this book feels like a retread of ideas we've seen before. I have a real hope that they can turn this from something generic to something special by focusing on Daisy and Heather against their ending world.

The XII is being distributed digitally by Alterna Comics. At this point, I don't see that they have put this on their schedule of comics on newsprint for physical distribution.+

They have succeeded in making me interested in checking out the trades to see more of the story. Although I am still open to the idea of a 21st Century version of Inspector Gadget…

In a lot of ways, this book relies on a great deal of pre-Countdown continuity, which can be a very high bar for a lot of newer readers. Especially ones who have been raised to always find an easy entry point for a comic. But these guys are worth it. Pick up a copy and start reading. Don't worry if you don't get every nuance right away. Once you get going, you will enjoy the ride.

Honestly, this title has been a pass for me, mainly because it had this down in the dumps feeling for so long. It also shed characters that I was interested in because I hadn't seen them for a long time, mainly because it didn't seem to know what to do with them. This issue was a needed relief from that. If Abnett and Henry can keep this up, it might make me add this book back to my pull list.

I truly enjoyed this story of loss, loneliness, friendship and reversal. You probably have to talk to your comic book store guy or gal about ordering this. I didn't see it when I was looking through the order forms. But it is worth the effort to find this rewarding book.

The problems with this book and series are the most common ones that plague adaptations of TV shows and movies. I really had hopes they would have overcome them. Sadly, they didn't.

You will spend hours going through this book repeatedly " all the time wondering how long it would take for your 9-year-old self to break your Strato-Squad Helmet while playing with your brothers and friends. I truly never knew I wanted all this junk until I saw it laid out page after page. Keep your eyes open and you may see some of these toys endorsed by famous comic book artists (although names have been changed to protect the guilty).

I have to confess that I really haven't followed Turok since I was a kid, which was the Gold Key run, I think, and saw occasional books with him pop up. I know that everyone from Valiant to Dark Horse and even Dynamite have tried to revive and re-launch these characters. I don't know how successful this run will be, but this strange mix of technology and races may prove to be a version that can last.

If you've been curious about the Avengers (or at least this version), this issue is a good starting point. You get a good mix of character development and their histories, but doled out in manageable amounts and a little action to boot. If you aren't sure who the characters are and how they belong together, this issue will set you up pretty well for the future. If you are conversant with the current state of the various Avenger teams, this is a nice break from world-ending battles.

This book is a fun adventure and one of the better more recent Valrian and Laureline adventures. If you seen the trailer for their movie this summer and want to get to know more about them this is as good a starting point as any. After all, the series spans roughly 40 years of publication.

The Archie horror books, I'm including Sabrina in with them, although I'm not sure if that is official, have all been really interesting takes on the classic monsters and Vampironica is shaping up to takes its place among them. I only hope that they can fix the plotting issues and make the exposition flow more naturally in the future.

When I first saw this book, my eyes rolled so hard, the optometrist had to fix them with a crowbar. But really the first two issues have really turned me around on it. I'm not saying it is at the top of my pull list, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seem buying it at my LCS.

Will the mutants survive? Will Logan's band of super-healing mutants be able to take on all the drug-fueled death squads? Will the government be overthrown? Will Domino get her payday? Will I care?

We are only a third of the way through this 12-issue series, where Hill and Hama have managed to ramp the action each time. It doesn't take a genius to see where this series is going as Michael works his way up through the DC powerhouses. But where is leads Cray himself is another question entirely and I am all in for that ride.

If they can keep the plot's pacing moving in the upcoming issues, I would definitely say that this book should be on your pull list. As is stands right now, if you are curious about the title or have been an old fan of it, you should pick it up. It is still pretty easy to dive into the story.

Pick this up from your local comic book store for a good, fun read.

I really want to see where Fontana plans on taking Wonder Woman from here. The art, however, has really been the downfall of this run. I would score the book higher, but honestly I am getting tired of DC and Marvel not paying attention to a fundamental element of their books.

The art issues that Wonder Woman has steadily suffered lately may be due to the rush of having to produce this book twice a month. I would rather deal with having to wait two extra weeks, if it means getting better art in this book.

This is a much more compelling version of Wonder Woman than is currently in her own book. And if you are not following the Conan books by Dark Horse, here is a great introduction to a classic character. Take advantage of this series to become acquainted to these great heroes.

This has been a great series so far, and with only one more chapter to go, we'll all have to wait a month to see how Simone and Lopresti are going to wind everything up. DC seems to have put a lot more thought into their team ups with other publishers and that has paid off in well-crafted stories that benefit the characters from both. Reader got to see another side of Diana and a side of Conan that is rarely brought to light in his stories. I hope this is something that they will continue to explore after this series ends.

I have liked how both the Gold and Blue teams have each shaped a different niche and identity for themselves. In some ways, I would have hoped they would have more time as separate teams before they were thrown in a big story together. In some ways, this story threatens to undo some of the work that has been done over the past year and just jumble all the X-men together and say "Look, they are all still buddies. We can mix and match as we like." I was enjoying the different feel the teams have and hope they can get back to that once this Mojowar is done.

If you haven't been reading Valiant or X-O Manowar, this series is an excellent jumping on point. You get to learn what takes Aric from being a savage Visigoth to becoming the most dangerous man in the universe, with or without his armor. That is a trip worth taking.

I have always admired Valiant's ability to tell individual stories that work within their universe as stand alone stories, but still function in their larger designs as well. This is a more coherent universe than either DC or Marvel at this point. It really is a shame that more people are not taking a chance on these books.