Arbaz M. Khan Comic Reviews

This is one of the best not quite-sequels to a book I've read. A Dark Interlude holds a societal antidote while making it go down easy. Pick it up at your store before they run out.

Reeder's miniseries reads like a lot of fun, but definitely layers itself in the subversion of cliches.

Tynion's run seems to be based on this assessment of the duality of Batman. Tynion is constantly playing with the idea of two: The horror and the action. The Batman and the villains. The hero and the human. It's this great escalation of the people who have influenced this mythology. While I do find it problematic that there are images that feel like objectification of two female characters, the story appears to be striving to enrapture us within the basic absurdity of Batman. Despite this, we all have to bear witness to the designs of our Dark Knight.

The fascinating aspects of this issue were seeing a clash of intention versus execution. Whilst Tynion has written certain characters to be human beings the art style offers its own bipolar take on Tynion's writing.

It genuinely feels like a rushed product done by DC, and it shows. There is a remarkable talent in this book, but not giving them proper time to have foresight into their creative output truly damages their work. While it is a detriment, this book does offer some fun for those who want to stick with it.

Graced with the art of Jorge Jimenez, this book executes despite average panel layouts. Moreso, it is interesting linework that he offers, yet still maintains an odd quirk signaling of the comic book industry (One that my previous reviews have exhaustively focused on). Truth be told, this was the issue that gave faith in Tynion's run. Not because of Bruce Wayne, but because of Selina Kyle.

Keith never skips a beat in the exciting return of this miniseries.

The power of Keith has never been through the ability to draw such wondrous spectacle, but to take it with such absurdity and yet have a wonderfully humane depth that no one gave it credit. These are the moments that truly make me happy when I have the privilege of reading comics alone by myself. But the truth is, "no one is alone."

This entire book has managed to continually up the ante with how it can enthrall its audience. It's some of the most prestige issues on shelves today, and each is better than the last.

For all the sadness ends usually bring, this one brings great relief. Eulalie's journey, for all intents and purposes, is over. It's weird to read the end and then look out into the world with so much anxiety and fear around us. A world that is imperiled by an unknown entity creeping into our routine lives and making tantamount disruptions. But during these moments, we can all look to the sky and believe in the black stars above. May the Black Stars Above guide our way.

From the outset, Crossover really shows off the confidence it has in itself. To focus on something so intimate rather than a spectacle is something I haven't seen sinceThe Leftovers (Go see it, changed my life). Overall, Cates has set a precedence of taking great feats of spectacle and making them resonate through the emotional relationships that tie them together.

Despite a lack of depth within this issue, Venditti gives some fantastic visual cues for this comic book. There are fun colors and images that make this worth the buy, especially for people who have read previous issues.

Hopkinson has proceeded with such a thrilling story that Stanton just knocks out of the park.

Genuinely, this book excels in its ability to offer a subtle critique of our mythos of James Bond. It's really when I witness the humanity of Bond that I care about the character in earnest. This book definitely succeeds in its ability to create a long-form artistic critique of a mythos.

This book manages to hit its stride for a general audience and those who have been wondering where this book was going. While many of its detractors were aghast at giving Bond a slower pace initially, the team behind Bond managed to do wonders for comic book storytelling. I am not only hooked, but maniacally laughing at how great this series is once the payoff has started to hit. This is genuinely a fun and cool book -- just understand what I mean when I say Bond is a danger.

I'll say it now: Ayala and Lore have managed to craft one of the best Bond comics in a long time. It's as character-defining and meditative as Ales Kot's run while still allowing for a huge new breath of life with the character of Brandi Keyes. Genuinely a fun time, and a much-needed hero with all that is happening.

In earnest this series finds itself broiled in cliches that are common within these dystopian epics. However, the fine craft of these creators manages to elevate the book beyond cliche with nuanced execution. It is definitely worth an investment, but looking to be into the long haul.

Judge Dredd has always been at its best when the tale allows the reader to get out of it what they put into it. Some can take his conservatism as seriously as others, while others can take it for the rocking joke that it always is. Dredd has always been horror and a joke at the same time, which unfortunately fits the time we're currently living in extremely well.

Overall, this is yet again a wonderful addition to the Killadelphia tale. The narrative alone is enough bang for your buck, but Alexander's artwork really make this worthwhile reading.

Truth is, Bendis has found the closest thing to success he has in a while by being back with Maleev. His art style consistently accents what Bendis tries to communicate, and the art is always stellar with this duo. Now if only Bendis could help make it more dynamic.

In its first issue, Lost Soldiers enamors the reader into learning about the way men hurt and devour each other's souls whole. Ales Kot has always been a master at his craft, but he has evolved in his time since Zero. Even more than a writer, Kot is a diagnostician necessary in these unknowing times. I just hope we can all heal from this. But know: the past is a bullet.

As always, Ales Kot's work shows how great he can be at breathing life into his art. It may be a simple premise, but Lost Soldiers is not a book you want to miss.

In each bit of discussion, there is simply a magnificent stroke of technical mastery from the whole creative team. If that wasn't enough, the emotional rendering that each contributor brings is simply stunning with each passing issue of a series that is becoming one of the most important cultural reflections in some time. 

While this issue isn't necessarily the hardcore action-packed romp found in most soldier narratives, it speaks to the soul of anyone who's struggling to move past the violence. While the book deems itself Lost Soldiers, it's really about boys avoiding the violence put upon them through their own situations. Whilst our current set of wars and injustices can't be avoided, we need to listen to each other before we push one another away.

In earnest, this issue truly has offered nothing but some of the finest craftsmanship to give a fun reading experience.

"Necessary Evil" has been a unique story arc amongst a wonderful tapestry that has been created within this series. It's rare to see proper growth and evolution within a comic book series, but this book has beautifully matured while still maintaining that feeling of joy we all had when we were children. 

Overall, this series continues on its merry way to give readers a treat each time. All of the plot has allowed for a cool new revitalization of this series. I'm excited for what's next.

The beauty of this book is that it is brimming with hope for the future. Yes, it's apocalyptic and disparate, but there is such a fervent change of approach in this book. It has an understanding of nature and life that purports the entire drama of this story.  For a book that could have plummeted at any point, Thompson and Horn manage to soar with their narrative. The only true drawback is that it's more necessary than we thought. 

I am genuinely appreciative of 'No One's Rose' #2. It is a book that expands itself and makes us hope for a better world. It's good to see that people are standing up for themselves, and are in solidarity with each other.

Overall, this issue is a great progression into the plot. The next issue will definitely have more to offer the readers.

With this issue being the penultimate, there is some interesting setup for how this series will conclude. Overall, Zac Thompson and Emily Horn have managed to create a juggernaut of a series within the science fiction genre. 

No One's Rose has been a magnificent story, holding its reader accountable for our societal norms. This is a book that goes into looking at how our society can improve amongst all our doubts -- something we may need now more than ever.

In its first issue, Pantomime shows offhow it can depict such a unique perspective of life such as from those who are hearing impaired. It's a unique reading experience that really embraces the unique aspects of the comics art form.

While it's not common for first issues to display this much of a "slow burn", DC gives faith in Hill and Immonen to deliver a fine level of horror in the sea. This is genuinely a good book, that really lets us see how characters are important for the comics medium. Sadly, I fear what horrors Hill and Immonen have in store for them.

Protector is one of the most inventive comics on the shelves in how it blends things. For most sci-fi series, it is foundational to avoid the indigenous nature of people. But it is constantly imbuing the storytelling sensibilities of a fable into the world, and personally I'm more a fan of that than anything. This series is quickly becoming one of the favorite sci-fi books because it allows for the notion of belief in a new future. Yes, it's not hopeful, but it is one that has survived. Let's hope we survive ours now.

Successful in its ability to establish and set up the premise of Quantum and Woody.

Overall, issue #28 is simply a fun book that delivers further grandeur into the world of Redneck. 

More than just a collection of sex jokes, Zdarsky and Fraction have crafted a wonderful series dedicated to the relationships people have with one another in Sex Criminals. It's a beautiful rendering of characters that give us perspective into our own interior lives.

In one of the best reactions to an adaptation's success, Way manages to properly embrace the world of the TV show and channel it back into another successful comic. The book takes certain characterizations from the show and brings it into canon. It is such a joy to be able to get more Umbrella Academy in this medium, building on one of its most innovative characters from the series. 

There is simple and unique brevity and joy that happens within each page of Tales From the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death #2. It's a fun romp that doesn't take itself too seriously, and allows for an enjoyable read.

I'd say is that this book is a mix of two of my favorite Ryan Gosling movies,The Place Beyond the Pinesand Blade Runner 2049. What's cool about this book is that it really goes through the motions by giving both contemplative and subtle characters, while still managing to maintain itself within the genre.A really fun book that managed to enthrall me into the sci-fi genre. I just wish I had the next issue!

Overall this is a wonderful issue that is a lot of fun. Definitely worth the buy!

Christmas and Cole have made each issue a genuine joy to read. It's simple storytelling, but holds itself atop complex crafting that brings this fluidity. If you haven't picked up this series, start buying it, because it's so worth the money.

This creative team pushes and feeds the medium. While it's inevitable that changes can occur, it's inspiring to bear witness to a group that is willing to offer such creative risks at a high caliber of execution. 

Overall, go buy this book, get the trade, and try to support these creators where possible. Excited to see more.

Overall, Tartarus comes back with aplomb. While there are new creatives to this team, it continues to reach a level of excellence one can expect from a vision as unique as this.

An intimate debut that manages to embrace new readers, while still maintaining the essence of what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are.

An astonishing aspect of the TMNT series, heightened especially through Campbell's magnificent art, are these fantastic moments of using the art to convey the story. In a myriad of monthly books, it's easy to forget about these characters and rely on dialogue to convey a story.  But Campbell manages to enhance the TMNT story through always having these fantastic expressions within anthropomorphized characters. In every panel, I have felt what I'm seeing.

Simply put, this is a run that defines what comics is all about: fun. Campbell always adds new flairs to her series, and never relents on being distinguished in her creative voice. Every issue is a magnificent splendor for all involved.

This series has a prominent strength in its transitions and delving into the new world that has been established. The team behind TMNT has continued to allow for a prominent tone. While it's hard to course correct in a series, they manage to continually add pivots that yield into a fun direction that is a necessary getaway from our current mindsets. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #107 is simple summer fun. It's a fun ride, and really just a nice reprieve for what's occurring in the real world.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #108 is a fun issue with a lot more exploration and added dynamics.

Gay hit a home run here imbuing the nuances of race, gender, and classism in a simple and enthralling story. In truth, most stories with this much plot usually have little interest for people, but Gay is no sucker. Each piece she contributed has managed to layer and serve great purpose towards the characters, and all of this is captured within the first issue of this series. I am more than excited to see what she does with the rest of the series.

Overall, The Devil's Red Bride #1 is a wonderfully strong and potent delight. It offers as much nuance and depth in its narrative as anything in the Criterion Collection. The tale that Sebastian Girner has formulated is at once exciting and fervent in tackling the genre.

It is easy to call Moore a cynic of modern art, especially with his critique of superhero films. But it's not a desire for us to fail as people, but for us to be our own superheroes. The joy of Alan Moore, and of great art, is that it asks us as consumers to strive for elevation of our selves. LxG is the definitive reason why I can allow myself to be a better, more empathetic person. Moore was the first author in comics that asked me to look beyond my current imagination and to extrapolate that into the history of my cultural touchstones.

A strong indictment of how we inherit the violence in our world. With this being the second issue, Machado has cemented herself into the medium fantastically. For a "literary" reader like me, this is an exciting time to be reading a piece in an industry that's sadly heavily male-dominated. Despite it being from the big two publishers, I have to praise DC for allowing Machado to tell such a powerful and socially relevant book like this. Readers in the industry can subconsciously learn a lot from this book, and I'm excited about the discussion that ensues because of it. This is a nice salve for everyone's scars. Hopefully, together we may all see each other this way. Scars and all.

With barely any action, issues like these are usually failures in the hands of less adept creators. But the creative team offers great rhythm within the storytelling to really hone in on how people deal with certain tragedies. It is genuinely a blessing that we get to have some great breathing room, whilst still feeling a lingering danger for our characters.

The Recount offers a unique narrative that properly captures the emotive force that Americans are experiencing as a result of the recent elections, and hones in on the anger that comes as a result of people feeling disenfranchised from the institutions they uphold.

While this book is a fun and poppy debut of a miniseries, it feels more pastiche than anything. It is a great insight into how our culture has become almost paralyzed in our imaginations, while there is this new form of revolution in our air. Way and Simon do a masterful job of showing us that the revolution will not be televised. 

This story is one of the finest Westerns I've read in a long time. Cormac McCarthy fans are going to love this. This series manages to capture the aesthetic and themes of his finest novels and brings powerful visuals equal to Tom Ford and the Coen Brothers. Its only fault is that readers have to wait another month for the next issue. But, patience is a reward with this series. A compelling story, wholly unique and adding greater depth to the comics medium.

This issue has managed to assuage any doubts that this is a definitively unique Western experience. From pacing to art, the creators of this series are pushing to innovate the medium along with the genre they work in.

Overall, it's nice to have this adventure back in stores. It's wonderful to get a bang for your buck with two genuinely unique narratives. 

As always, 'Undone by Blood' manages to live up to its solid reputation. This has been a continual ramping up of the narrative, and it's continued to carry a through-line of excellence.

Undone by Blood has been one of the finest Westerns I've read in some time. While this is the end for Ethel, I'm excited for more Solomon Eaton.