Exercises like this are a real indicator of the skill of a creative team, and she must subtly alter characters and situations, but do so in an organic manner, so that everything appears to flow naturally from one small, (but highly significant) DEVIATION.

So many people in comic shops go right past the My Little Pony titles. Many of them mistakenly believe that every issue will basically be a retelling of the same story. That prejudice keeps readers from having the opportunity to experience some excellent storytelling. The MLP titles have given some great writers and artists to work 'outside the box' of more mainstream 'mask and cape' titles. One of the interesting things about these titles is how the creative team manages to write for young readers and sophisticated adults at the same time.

Tony Fleecs' artwork is more than competent. His Ponies look exactly like they do on TV. It was interesting to note this with characters like Spitfire and Soarin, who aren't in the comics very often. The effort to get even relatively obscure characters correct speaks well not only for him, but for the entire IDW creative team.

This is the third issue of a six-issue limited series. This is one of the unfortunate aspects of this series. Often, a series needs more than six issues to find its readership. Given a longer run, Star Trek Waypoint could be a great companion to IDW's ongoing Star Trek.

Waypoint is an anthology series, giving many different storytellers the opportunity to present original work set in one of the Star Trek Universes. Those universes are incredibly diverse and lead to a variety of different types of storytelling, appropriate for a vast array of audiences.

This issue does not cast any great light on modern American political discourse. Fans/supporters of neither candidate would be offended by this story arc. It is an amusing little 'slice of life' in Ponyville.

This is yet another example of IDW refusing to treat My Little Pony like a ‘kiddie comic.'This label has consistently taken risks, including the Sombra story line, the ‘Friendship is Magic' miniseries, and more.They have presented complex, multi-issue story arcs, and executed them well.The writing has been consistently excellent.

The next issue is the 50th in the series. Comic fans remember that certain issues (50, 100, 200, etc.) are treated as "special," points where something memorable is scheduled to happen. It is likely that IDW intends to deliver something special in January's 50th issue of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Using his magic, Discord solves the problem in his own unique way, and gives the Princess a wonderful birthday. It's a light-hearted romp and an opportunity to look at one of the Franchise's most serious characters in a less serious light.

For readers who want to get a brief exposure to the MLP universe outside of the Ponies themselves, this is a nice jumping on point, so make sure to check it out at your local comic shop!

A first issue of any new comic is interesting. The writers need to establish new characters, place them in the setting, establish the tone and the themes of the comic, and so on.This is different in that the writers are not only doing that, they are building an entire new world in which to tell their stories. This is a fascinating effort from two incredible talents. It will be worth following to see if they can maintain this level of quality. For the time being, head out to your local comic shop this March to pick up the first issue and see how you like it!

This is a fascinating world " Frank Miller Meets Walt Disney. If that genius combination appeals to you, head out to your local comic shop and give this series a read!

Lunacek and Juren are writing about complex and grown-up topics here. They are integrating many complex and difficult themes; they are not writing Animal Noir as a kid's comic. This is definitely worth the read, so head out to your local comic book shop and pick up the series as soon as you can!

Many people complain that comics don't take enough risks. They complain that comics need to go into different places to tell stories that challenge the readers. This is the comic that they are asking for. Animal Noir does more than merely entertain. It asks hard questions, and readers may not be comfortable with the answers.

This comic is very fast-paced, and is deliberately meant to be a fun read. For anyone in search of a good, light-hearted, but seriously badass read, look no further!

Will team members keep on going? Will new leaders succeed in their new roles? Will the team succeed in their new mission? Will they hold together? Yes, definitely.

Giannis Milogiannis' artwork drives on. It is unique among GI Joe artists, and unrepentantly focused on the soldiers more than the hardware, on interaction more than action, and above all, on the characters more than on the spectacle. This is definitely a must-read for any and all GI Joe fans.

There are so many reasons why you should buy this comic, so head out to your local comic shop and give it a read!

Kill Shakespeare – Past is Prologue: Juliet is a fascinating concept, well written, and well-executed.

This is an unusually well-polished issue from a pair of relative newcomers, and definitely one you need to check out.

This is a new creative team without much comic book experience, but it is difficult to tell that based on the quality of their first effort. The writing, like the artwork, demonstrates professional maturity. Both of these storytellers resist the lure of the conventional to tell a story that, while far from the mundane, still exists within the realm of possibility.

Either choice is well worth it. This miniseries is a celebration of many great franchises.

Revolution has been an interesting event, and it will be interesting how the different creative teams at IDW handle these changes in their respective franchises.

Harris and Currie have enough moxie to take a risk like this; they have the talent and experience not only to pull it off, but to make it special.

The artwork is not standard X-Files artwork.It is clearly aimed at a younger readership, YA as compared to adult.The colorist likewise kept tighter control of the palette, with less shading and an almost cartoonish feel.It is appropriate for the characters, artwork and storyline.

Broxton is a skilled artist, and he is working to simultaneously convey both post-apocalyptic science fiction and quasi-gothic claustrophobia. His work at some points looks like a mixture of painting and drawing. He uses grainy textures to mix claustrophobia and darkness into a potent gothic aura that permeates the last eight pages of this short comic.

If you have not read the first three issues, it may be hard to "jump in" at the last issue, but with writing and artwork of this quality, a trade paperback is sure to follow.

For those with a basic knowledge of the franchise, little background is needed to simply start with this issue. The pace of the story is very fast, and things are pretty much self-explanatory. On the other hand, for those unfamiliar with Stockman, Bishop, and the Earth Protection Force, it might be a difficult jump-in. If you're a fan of the Turtles, or if you just like a really good siege story, this is fine reading.

Illustrated by: Damian Couceiro, Kevin Eastman, Bill Sienkiewicz

It is the mark of a great storytelling to take minor events and make them fascinating. It is the mark of great storytelling to take minor characters and make readers care.

TMNT Universe has established itself as a different take on the Universe of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.Instead of placing itself as part of the ongoing story line, it is an opportunity for talented artists and writers to stretch and explore not only major characters and relationships, but minor characters as well. It is a place for them to "play in someone's sandbox," to explore the Turtle's universe without worry of disrupting continuity. This issue is well worth the read.

This is definitely an issue for any and all TMNT fans, so get out to your local comic shop and give it a read!

Overall, this is a unique and entertaining story that any TMNT fan is going to enjoy.

Despite a wide range of variant covers showing them all together, that does not happen (YET).This issue is a set-up, explaining how these heroes all come together, and who they will have to fight.

The writing challenge was to find a plausible way to bring both groups together. As time and dimension travel is common for both IDW's Turtles and DC's Dark Knight, this was not unexpected. Manning has done a solid job bringing these groups together and uniting them in common cause. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop these relationships.

In this case, the Batman characters are in the Turtle universe, but it is clear that both franchises are equal partners.

Not to get overly technical, a coda is an end movement to music or dance, often a separate piece, and an opportunity to revisit leitmotifs, dancers, etc. one last time.This is Manning and Sommariva's opportunity to take this unique collection of characters out for one last metaphorical spin across the floor. They do not waste the dance.

They are working to interest and engage readers, and they succeed brilliantly.

Comics like Darkness Visible are a compelling argument for longer standard issue comics. It's well- written and well-illustrated, but needs to be longer.This is a talented creative team with a story to tell; they deserve the space to do it.

This creative team has been working to create a detailed and plausible alternative universe. In this issue, they are creating a plausible and believable history to support it. This is an important issue to the series, so you don't want to miss out on it!

Despite the limitations imposed on these storytellers by the format, this issue is still a masterclass on dialogue and character development.

Eastman and Waltz have established themselves as a great writing team. They place the characters in moments of repose in order to give the readers a different way to look inside them. Too often, comics are concerned with making sure that there is enough action. Eastman and Waltz are making sure that there is enough character development.

Some years ago, there was a TMNT miniseries on the Mutanimals " it was published as a trade paperback. Readers who remember and appreciated that story arc will be similarly enthralled by this.

This is a fascinating story arc, containing equal amounts of action and character development. The plot, characterization, and dialogue are outstanding, and the artwork is truly superior.

These are different and interesting takes on the standard characters. Dynamite is clearly taking some risks here in order to bring new life to these franchises. It will be interesting to see how each of these characters is developed and how they are brought together.

Sovereigns and Dynamite's new revival of the Gold Key titles are breathing new life into old favorites, but this is not mere nostalgia. These titles are new and they are challenging readers to expand their concepts of these characters.

Like Dorothy, readers are in for a trip into a different world.There is not only a crisis to avert and a mystery to solve, but there is a new and different world to explore.This new world is surreal, equally fascinating and frightening.This promises to be an interesting ride.

If Salvatore Dali and Jacques Derrida were to write a mystery, it would be The Electric Sublime.

While this creative team's work can be called bold or even iconoclastic, the best word to describe The Electric Sublime is brilliant.

Robinson and Feister have both brought their 'A Game' to Grand Passion, and it shows.

Fans of Sin City need this comic. This is what happens when you let storytellers of tremendous skill and talent create.It is smart, fast, and sexy. In Grand Passion, brilliant plot, fascinating characters and amazing dialogue combine with tremendous artwork to produce one of the best noir comics of the past few years.

Not only for the good that the funds raised by this book will do, but for the simple quality of the artwork and writing, ranging from Shakespeare and JK Rowling to Paige Braddock, G. Willow Wilson, and Gerry Duggan, it's all top-notch.

This creative team has impressed in the past; it looks like they are ready to do so again.

As much as the October Faction is a story about monsters and those who hunt them, it is a story about monster hunters and those who love them. This is not just a story about monsters; it is a story about family. Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster in the beloved and legendary TV series) said at a con that while the Addams Family were monsters that looked like normal people, the Munsters were normal people who looked like monsters. The Allan family is still trying to figure out which description fits them.

Comics have long addressed complex social issues, from Kevin Keller's gay marriage to transgender heroes (Alan Moore's Camelot 3000, published in 1982-1983, featured Sir Tristan of Tristan and Isolde reborn as a female and having to cope with the difficulties of that transformation). Frank Miller's Holy Terror (about Islamic terrorism) was deemed too impolitic for publication as a Batman story, so he had to re-write it. Given this backdrop, Byrne stands in good company.

It will be worth it to see how well they continue with this most difficult task. They have gotten off to a most auspicious start.

Star Trek fans, especially those who like Johnson's earlier work, will definitely want this.

This issue feels like the beginning of a limited series. Although the characters are different from their Next Generation originals, there is continuity to them that is intriguing.Cates is setting things up for major reveals, and although this is a one-shot, it seems evident that he has more planned, and I can't wait to see what it is.

Craig Yoe and his team continue to maintain the important link to our shared comics legacy.Rather than merely providing some early Superman and Batman comics, they have shown readers that the universe of pre-code superheroes was diverse and vibrant – and, in its own way, just as rich as the modern era.

This one-shot is a great chance for readers to watch an experienced team of storytellers give insight into a fascinating character.

Many of the stand-alone stories give writers an opportunity to explore relationships between characters, or the dynamics of a team. It is interesting to watch a talented writer use the opportunity to give a character introspection. Although there are many conflicts in this story, the greatest one may be the internal conflict of Windblade. It is well worth reading, not merely as a part of the event, or as part of the ongoing Transformers saga, but as a fascinating look inside the mind of a conflicted diplomat.

For those interested in checking out the tie-in to the new SyFy series, this is a great place to join in. For those who like something different in supernatural/horror action, this is a refreshing change. If you just want to read a well written story, this is a great choice.