Ryan Ottley's run re-introduces the classic Spider-Man formula. There's good comedy, MJ, The Lizard, Spidey's bad run of luck, and more.

The Amazing Spider-Man is one of the most fun runs from Marvel right now. It's written in the classic Spider-Man manner.

There's personal development in this issue all around, especially with MJ, but the lack of action and web-slinging drags down the pace.

Art by Ryan Ottley has grown on me and the colors by Laura Martin are top notch. Laura adds some Winter magic to the issue making the city feel alive, rather than just a still backdrop.

Avengers #1 has all the necessary elements for a good team up comic. It isn't a home run hit, but appears to be gradually loading the bases for things to come.

Avengers #2 packs the action #1 lacked, but answers questions too quickly. Despite that, it ends on a high note and I can't wait to see what Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness bring us in the next issue.

Not much happens in this issue other than a surprise ending where Loki reveals what he believes to be the "father of the Avengers".

McGuinness delivers some jaw-dropping art of a dying celestial in the issues opening sequence, while Aaron reveals all the mystery surrounding their past. Avengers #5 kicks everything into high gear as Loki reveals the rest of his plan to Captain America and the Avengers begin their counterattack.

It feels like little creative plotting went into the construction of this.

Published with a spine and a binding that feels more like a trade paperback than a single issue, you know DC is putting a lot of love into this Black Label series. Batman: Damned has all the makings to become a timeless classic. I’ve never read a Batman comic so close to equalling Batman: Year One. This issue comes pretty damn well close to it, if not for a few pages of narration. Azzarello and Bermejo have created something that could stand the test of time. 

The biggest failure of Book 2 is the chaotic method of storytelling. Azzarello has attempted to do too much at once without advancing the plot.

This series reminds me a lot of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and is off to a promising start.

Black Panther #1 is a completely new story and the perfect jumping on point for movie fans who have never read a comic. No backstory is required. Longtime Black Panther fans might find it hard to digest how far from tradition this Black Panther story is, but if you're willing to go in with an open mind you will be rewarded.

Action sequences feel vanilla and supporting characters lack personality.

Unless you are entirely new to the series, save your money and hop on with Issue #2 instead.

This issue might read better in trade format, but for a single issue, it's a bit thin.

Border Town reminds me of Stranger Things, but with Aztec mythology underneath

There's a lot of action, childhood trauma, and self-discovery. The ending of the story is touching and brilliantly executed.

If you're looking for a spy thriller that grabs your attention an doesn't let go, pick up Cemetary Beach.

If you're looking for a chilling tale to read this Halloween and have a bit of patience, this might be the right title for you.

Cold Spots #4 brings the series closer to a resolution while increasing the stakes.

Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar have put together a spectacular comic that should excite old fans and new readers alike.

Antonio Fabela's coloring in Cosmic Ghost Rider is my favorite in all of comicdom right now and I hope to see more of his work at Marvel.

Cover is one of the better ongoing titles by Bendis. It has a unique plot and suspenseful pacing. Art and colors leave much to the imagination and at times feel like an incomplete rough draft.

Bendis has an interesting concept on his hands, but the story and art feel a bit to thin to justify the $3.99 cover price.

Crowded ends the first arc of the comic, but don't worry, the series doesn't complete here. Crowded #6 gives us some interesting revelations that make us question why Charlie has such a large Reapr campaign on her head.

DC’s Nuclear Winter Special is well worth the $9.99 cover price. It has a few touching stories perfect for the holiday season. The nuclear winter and time traveling thematic added some spice to the typical Winter Special setting. Other than a few misses, the majority of the stories are fantastic and better than most annuals and specials.

Deadpool #8 brings the outrageousness and ridiculousness you could only ever read in a Deadpool comic.

Doctor Strange has traveled the cosmos before, but I feel like Waid has drifted too far off the path of mysticism that makes the character so unique in the Marvel universe.

Issue #8 is full of unnecessary drama. It's a bit messy and focuses on typical cliche plot points that drive Strange apart from his allies while overcoming his enemies.

I haven't played Dragon Age, but the comic reads great without having done so.

Exorsisters is easily one of the freshest and most satisfying takes on the dark fantasy genre in a long time.

I'd like the have seen more chaotic mayhem ensue in the story, but the character development of this issue adds depth to the series.

Dan Slott's plot is ambitious in scope, but attempts to do too much at once. Cameos feel superficial and suspend belief, such as when Sue Storm is exchanging dialogue with the Griever and just goes invisible to whisk Franklin out of her grasp.

It's a light-hearted issue written in good fun with a sweet ending, but rather light on action.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this issue as much as I did, but it's like reading an unaired episode. Firefly is in great hands with Greg Pak.

The first issue primarily serves as a backdrop to the times and sets the tone of the series, but lacks a focal point.

Fans of cyberpunk that have the patience to read through it twice may find it a notable new addition to the genre.

With Hardcore, Diggle and Kirkman have created a story with a lot of forward momentum that entertains and begs the reader to turn the page. I can't wait to see what the next issue has in store.

Anyone looking for a limited series that requires no prerequisite reading should consider picking this up. DC clearly put a lot of resources into making this title a worthy book. It's not a hastily produced cash-grab like we see in so many other limited series.

King distracts readers a bit by letting Mann's artwork tell most of the story, which results in a quick read, but with sparse relevance.

The dialogue and story ramble on unnecessarily and doesn't maintain enough inertia to hold my interest.

House of Whispers needs more character of its own by exploring its horror and voodoo roots. Right now it feels like a loose secondary plot to The Dreaming.

The Immortal Hulk is a horror of the week kind of comic, and I'm loving every minute of it.

Al Ewing has created another smash hit of an issue as The Immortal Hulk continues to be one of the best comics of the year.

This is the Hulk that we all deserve! If you've ever wanted to jump back into a Hulk comic, you won't want to miss this run!

Infinity Wars Prime is deserving to be on your pull list and I think you might be surprised how good it is.

A lot of the creative effort appears to be used to decide which characters merge with who and the implications of that, which results in less creative efforts being put into the rest of the story.

It pushes the limit of the genre without going off the edge into overpowered ridiculousness that we often see in team comics.

Justice Dark #6 is a well drawn, colored, and written book, but spends too little time showing the awesomeness of spectacular battles and too much on exposition detailing planning and small talk between characters.

The cover price is a bit over the top at $7.99 for a 50-page comic without a spine, but you are getting exceptional quality in the art department.

Vita kicks off the story with an action-packed catastrophe at an airport, where Livewire comes to the rescue just in time. The public still treats her like public enemy #1, but she is trying to make amends. Art is sharp, clean, and modern, which fits the character well.

If you're into mystery, drama, and adventure, and don't mind some angsty teenage dialogue, The Lost City Explorer's deserves a read.

I hope this comic doesn't keep us waiting too much longer and starts pushing the Earth subplot into the main storyline.

The end result is that it feels more like a mix-mash of stories reminiscent Marvel's Strange Tales format than a solo title.

In Martian Manhunter, Steve Orlando is exploring the depths of J'onn J'onzz soul and in so doing has treaded new ground for a character not yet fleshed out by the DC Universe. Anyone seeking to know more about this often seen but rarely understood superhero will find Martian Manhunter a worthy starting point.

Rosenberg gives us an unexpected twist ending that might upset some who aren't patient enough to see where the story leads.

It's a good intermission to provide more struggle to the story, and show not everything is solved magically in an issue. It isn't action-packed or as exciting as the previous 7 issues.

The knowledge gained in this issue could be summarized in a few sentences and you wouldn't be missing any plot advancements.

Stefano Raffaele's zombie art oozes with macabre delight. The atmospherics and aesthetic of this series are spectacular! If you like the zombie genre, stop reading this review and buy the book already, it's worth it.

Middlewest is the most visually explosive comic book I've ever read. Anyone who loves good art or fantastical stories should pick up this title.

It's a suitable start with a rather brief fight with Rhino, but it doesn't leave me excited for more.

If wedding reception dialogue sounds entertaining, this is the book for you; otherwise, I'd pass until we see if Issue #2 turns our surprise ending into something greater.

Daniel Johnson does an impressive job of mixing the absurd with reality in a believable manner. His characters are flawed and relatable. The artwork is some of the best you will find in any action-adventure title.

The series does what it does best in delivering action, but it's beginning to become a bit repetitive in its storytelling.

Reading Old Lady Harley is like being on a roller coaster ride. It might be a lot of fun, or it might make you nauseous, or both.

Outer Darkness is an exhilarating journey from start to finish and should be on every sci-fi fan's pull list.

The Outer Darkness is perfect for Star Trek fans looking for something new and exciting.

This series gets perverted quickly, as our main character goes undercover in a sex robot brothel in order to sabotage the owner.

The majority of the comic is about the Yakuza deliberating amongst themselves and doesn't maintain enough inertia to propel Pearl into a captivating comic.

This issue is clever, action-packed, and has a lot of heart. If you've ever enjoyed a Spider-Man comic, pick up this annual!

Frank Castle has never been in better hands than with Rosenberg and Kudranski.

Relay #1 is a complex world building story set in a dystopian-light sci-fi future. You would think this kind of setting would be depressing like most, but it actually has a hopeful feel to it because of a brighter color palette and a likable main character. Relay is worth picking up for the art alone, but I think you'll love the story as well.

Story-wise, I like where the series is going. I'm not too fond of the whole save the kid development, as it's an overdone cliche.

If you've already watched the Pickle Rick TV episode, I'd skip this issue.

Filled with meta-humor, Rick & Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons is a slow roll to start but ends on a high note. If you’re a fan of geek culture, Rick & Morty, or Dungeons & Dragons, this is a must read series.

There's plenty of fourth wall breaking meta humor dashed with some light action and a heavy sprinkling of Christmas flavor.

Sentry #1 is another home-run-hit for Marvel's Fresh Start. It is a humanizing and action-packed thriller that breathes new life into Sentry. If you've ever enjoyed a Jeff Lemire comic, go pick this up, I think you'll love it.

The Sentry draws you in like a spider to its web and doesn't let go. If you're looking for something different in the world of superhero comics, you'll love this.

This was a brutal and superb series, full of betrayal and violence with a personal touch.

There's a lot to unpack in this issue and implications that will reverberate through the rest of the series.

I'm not sure what the appeal of this series is, other than the fact that the main character is Spider-Gwen.

Star Wars: Lando - Double or Nothing #1 has great art, but fails to deliver an enticing story. This series is best suited for hardcore Star Wars fans or those who are specifically looking to learn more about the life and times of Lando and Ellthree.

Still a buy recommendation from me, but I can't help feeling that Barnes could do more to take it to the next level.

Snyder writes an action-packed page-turning thriller with The Batman Who Laughs

The Best Defense is my favorite event of the year!

Latour fleshes out a diverse planet reminiscent of the wild west that is about to be devoured.

There's a cliffhanger at the end, and I hope Al Ewing has a chance to delve further into exploring it.

If you're looking for a cosmic epic from Marvel, The Black Order #1 is a good place to start.

The Last Siege #1 is a superb work of atmosphere, action-packed storytelling, and medieval politics, that I can't help but love. I'm excited to see what Walker and Greenwood bring us in the next issue.

The story ends with a bit of an extraterrestrial twist, but other than that it reads like a Lifetime movie.

I felt underwhelmed with Millar's pick for the villain. It's ground that has been tread over and over again in many stories.

The Man of Steel #1 is a showcase of everything that makes comic books great! It's a promising start for Brian Michael Bendis and deserves serious consideration on your pull list. The only bad thing I have to say is that the issues cover art displays the Justice League, which is entirely absent from the issue.

Kot's takes us on a dynamic adventure jam-packed with violence, adventure, love, and sacrifice. This is the Romeo and Juliet of 2037, post-Nuclear Fallout America.

I hope to see a sequel or even a prequel to The New World, as it feels like we barely touched the surface of what this universe has to offer.

If you're into Batman, Starboy is a bit of a twisted version that hits all the good notes.

If you're new to Jason Aaron's Thor, I can't recommend this as a jumping on point. It feels like picking up a book halfway into the series.

Tony Stark: Iron Man #1 has everything you would ever want in an Iron Man comic.

The series continues to be happy-go-lucky, but there's a twist at the end that hints at a much darker reality on the horizon.

Schiti continues to create a jam-packed sensation of colorful artwork that compliments the playfulness of the eScape and Tony's digital escapades.

This is a modern masterpiece! Venom #4 is the best single issue of the year!

If you flicked through the first few pages and were turned off, don't be. The last two tales are worth the entrance price.

It's not a bad comic, but it isn't particularly great either.

It's a dark detective story full of exposition that explores contemporary social and political commentary.

This issue has it's fair share of humor with good chemistry between Magik, Stephen Strange, and his faithful assistant Wong.

The sidekick story is cliche and too convenient. I found the characters flat and uninteresting with a vague and dreamy art style that is unmemorable.

Reading Wizard Beach is a bit like going on a new ride at Disney World. It’s magical and eccentric fun with a bit of juvenility. This isn’t a comic you should take too seriously. It’s more of a beach read.

X-23 is a title for someone who wants good, clean, no-nonsense fun.

Mariko Tamaki shows us she is at the top of her game with X-23. It's one of the most consistently good comics of Marvel's Fresh Start and delivers lighthearted humor, dynamic action sequences, and emotionally charged stories.

It's a serviceable read that will entertain most Valiant fans, but It's certainly not the best arc of the series.