There's a comic buried beneath all that dialogue.The story concludes with a split among the factions that sees Rodimus and Ultra Magnus leaving to find the Knights of Cybertron and starting their own book, Transformers; More Than Meets the Eye.It also ends with me not wanting to read another Transformer comic book. And I'm a die-hard Transfan.

Please don't pay the $4 for this comic book. Save your money or donate it to charity.

I fully understand that a level of campiness resides in many iconic and beloved properties. The Batman television series did it. The Rocky Horror Picture Show grew a cult following because of its endearing oddness. But those examples are campy because they seem silly to us now. Trying to imbue a Transformers comic book with campiness might have seemed a great idea at first. However, this comic book with its less-than-devotional tongue-in-cheek look now comes off as insulting. Yes, the 80s did have some silly execution and sheer absurdity in its productions (like ALF"a show that I still love). Transformers vs. G.I. Joe flounders because it should have been a one-shot laugh like an Amalgam book (Darkclaw, anyone?); instead, it has become a four-issue series (with each issue having multiple covers) that wallows in poor design and execution rather than tell a dynamic story to venerate its title characters.

These books aren't doing anything special to hold-off theinevitable death of the comic book industry. In fact, they are speeding up the process.

Unfortunately, those people will end up getting very little value for their purchase.

The sad thing is that so many fans will buy this because they so love the characters, and IDW will have a success on their hands despite offering such a lackluster product.

I cannot recommend this book because it brought nothing new to the age old holiday. Both the story and the art felt clich and unlike a Halloween tale that I can't justify spending $4 on this book.

This book has a potential for fun and a unique premise that could go places. I hope the team on it can get their act together so as to capitalize on what they’ve got.

I’m jumping off from reviewing this book until I hear it improves. The work right now needs some overhaul to make the book as good as it could be.

Avoid this book at all costs.

And the artwork is bland and simple. Look at that cover. Red Hulk looks like a stoplight on steroids. How sad...

I got horror blue balls from this book. That's the same sensation when you getjazzed about a Stephen King story but find out that it's about a woman on anemotional journey and not about a giant spider from space fucking people up inthe sewers of Derry.

Like the last issue, there's not enough horror to be a funhorror book. And there's not muchelse circulating to keep me interested. When I reviewed issue 5, I though that this story may be too broad toencapsulate within the comic medium. Now I think that it's like the dud firework in the great big packagethat only shits a few sparks when lit.

The story matches the art in mediocrity. Halfway through the book I felt like I was being told another version of the Underworld story of magical creatures fighting one another. The Pound feels too familiar. I didn’t find much new in the story to be entertained or to want me to come back for the next issue.

So is it worth reading?The story does introduce those two mysterious twists. However, the Voltron force just stands around the entire issue. Where's the fun in having the five space explorers just stand around? Additionally the artwork is mediocre. Fight scenes with Voltron and the robeast get downright confusing.What is happening?If you are new to the Voltron universe, you won't have a clue about what's happening or the knowledge to say, hmmm, interesting. If you are a seasoned Voltron fan (meaning you hate Vehicle Voltron and know about Gladiator Voltron), there will be little here to get you excited. I will continue to read this book because I'm a diehard V-fan (yeah, both Voltron and Vagina"I'm looking at you, Princess). I hope that this book improves because we deserve great Voltron stories. And I hope this pans out.

I commend Brockton McKinney for assembling this book and getting it to print, a feat so few can do. However, he needs to be more Brockton McKinney and less everyone else. There's a great potential and future for Zoe Dare if she can be written as herself and not the summation of pop culture references.

There is a wonderful potential to this comic to be fun and humorous and crazy. Unfortunately, this series does not recognize any of that potential.

This is a great licensed product, and the potential to be ahybrid horror/comedy product is there. This filler issue just fails to deliver. I will give this book a few more issues to find its place. But if it keeps up this way, I'mjumping ship for some other 80s license like Caddyshack.

Go ahead and get pissed at me for this review. But you need to understand that your venom for my review comes from the same source as my anger at the horrible execution of such an awesome license. We want this book to be scary, funny, and exciting like the movie that began our love for the Ghostbusters. I say it can be done way better than this slop.

The story does not deliver anything new or inventive into the Ghostbusters canon.

While the artwork is just fine on the issue, the writing needed a great big slap of editing. As mentioned, the connection of the first issue's plot and this one's would have been better handled without all the nonsense in between. Somehow, Vrill managed to disappear. A cooler villain emerges at the conclusion of the book, and that does make for a decent ending. Unfortunately, it's not enough to save this issue from just being a mediocre story with a haphazardly penned plot.

Unfortunately, the positives do not outweigh the aforementioned negatives.

Due to the issues with the artwork and the overall lack of creativity in this annual's execution, I cannot rate it too highly.

The book has the possibility to be fun and tongue-in-cheek, but the whole story comes off as stale as the title character paints himself to be the perfect do-gooder. He goes way overboard, and the story suffers. There's no great cliffhanger to lure back those who may wish to read issue two.

So don't mind this book. Leave it on the shelf where you keep your untouched reruns of Lost in Space.

With no real charisma, no genuine scares, nor any comedic upswing to balance the rest, this concept falls terribly flat at its first issue. I couldn't help but think of Image Comic's far superior Witch Doctor series that has all the elements of fun. That would be a preferable read over this troubled story.

As far as the story goes, the premise of the book had never been fully realized before this Dynamite crossover interfered with the character development. The only elements of the occult in the book happen to be the spirits of the two recently deceased guiding Abbey through her paces. While the ending does hold some suspense, all the tension gets undercut by the lack of information helping the reader understand who Gail is. And at that point, no one really cares.

Yes, the ending was cool. No, it did not make up for the rest of the issue that felt flat and pointless. I stopped watching Doctor Who after David Tennant left; maybe now would be a good time to stop reading the comic books, as well.

I can understand the desire to adapt Poe's poems into interesting stories. The author was a master of the horror story. Likewise, his poems evoke such dark images that a mere reading sends the mind racing. Unfortunately, this comic felt rushed. None of the elements connected, and even the attempt at gore did provide much revulsion. Pass on this and just go read some Poe instead.

My main criticism with this and other horror comics is that there’s a lot of familiarity with the content. “Beta-Eden” plays on the same fears as the film Alien. “Child”, as previously mentioned, reads too close to a synopsis of Frankenstein. And “Life Species” was predictable. The strength of the issue was the opening story, which, too, was a variation on a similar theme. But a good variation nonetheless.

Nevertheless, I didn’t hate this book. Some of the horror elements had been fun, and I am a little partial to Washington Irving’s tale. Unless something on a real What-The-Fuck scale happens in book three, I won’t make it to book four.

As far as the story is concerned, nothing unique or different takes place in this issue. As mentioned, the avenging ghost theme becomes the focal point of the story. And, unfortunately, that is a tale told too often. Funny that so many creators and writers worked on something that would end up being so unoriginal.

Unfortunately this is a forgettable addition to the lore and the mystery of the Headless Horseman. Washington Irving's legacy has little or no need for such a predictable addition.

While the art works well, the writing does not foster any scares. Those aforementioned plot errors detract from the mood and atmosphere of the book. For trying to be a good first impression to incite thrills and chills, Grimm Tales of Terror fails.

For a second issue, this chapter makes great leaps of progress. The action, story, and gore build a suspenseful plot that will delight and sicken readers"and I mean that in the best way. Some minor editing would do this series a great service. Nevertheless, this book executes well.

I cannot go into detail more about the story without unfairly revealing plot elements that may spoil the ending for readers. Therefore, I will hope my word would be enough to deter readers from spending money on a failure of a book that does not tantalize nor frightens, as its intent ought to be.

There's a great voice to be developed in this title; however, the mismanagement of the red-haired woman gimmick continues to sink an otherwise fun book. I want to rate this comic higher, but the identity crisis befalling the narrative stunts any opportunity for horror or greatness.

Had this book taken just one plot point and explored it, it would have been a great comic. As it stands, this book confounds more than entertains.

I have to admit that at times the art did lag and look like something seen in a college newspaper.

I believe that there is a time and a place for this book to make a big impact on readers. This just isn't that time and that place.

For a team-up book, the chemistry of the team members feels so weak. In stead of the teamwork motivated action of an Avengers book or the uneasy alliance of a Batman/Superman team up, we have some characters that feel like they are forced to work together with no interest in wanting to be there or not wanting to be there. Instead, the characters feel indifferent, lukewarm, and bland.

I had high hopes that the story would show me somethinggreat with an unexpected twist like those beloved EC Comics. Instead I got a predictable executionof an already-told tale. That's ashame because Locke and Key is so good.

There are a lot of things that are interesting and some that aren't"and that leaves a reader with a meh feeling. For that reason, I must defer to a real middle-of-the-road score on this one. Nothing really made me want to put the book down, but nothing impressed me.

The back up story gave some humor with its tongue-in-cheek nature but ultimately failed to make a scathing piece of humor that I would come to expect from a demonic button.

What's up at IDW? Do they put no effort into making a story interesting? I know they can't kill a majorcharacter, so there's no chance of real risk. But there's no story element to make this comic worthwhile.

While this won't convert someone who isn't a Trek fan, it will appease regular fans/readers.

As a casual Doctor Who fan, I did like the reference to Bad Wolf. David Tennant fans will recognize the allusion. I hope it works into something great. But this is the Matt Smith Doctor. That's an old storyline from a past era of greatness. This is only an okay read.

Kerra and Jenn fight Zodoh the Hutt and his Stormdrivers asthe Hutt attacks Darkknell. Kerracomes face to face with Zodoh, and the two battle in zero gravity as Jennfights off the Hutt's fleet of ships.The story is serviceable yet forgettable. Likewise, the artwork is middle of theroad. Although at some pointsZodoh looked more like a brown MacDonald's Grimace than a Hutt.A very plain ending caps this series, and doesn't leave muchin the way of wanting more from the "Knight Errant" storyline.I do give props to the idea of the Stormdrivers. These ships create fowl weather thatgenerates moisture enough to flood a planet. This could have made a far more interesting conflict, butthe ships are as worthless as a pair of Stormtroopers on watch to fire on anyescaping life pods from a Corellian Corvette. What a shame that an opportunity was missed with that one.

But these "we're sorry for letting things go off the rails so we are putting things back" issues could be avoided with a decent editorial staff that plans for more than three issues into the future.We have had retconning events like these happen for ages in the comic book industry. I figured at some point we would move past them and get back to decent storytelling.

For fuck's sake. This is the lamest concept execution since Bob Villa did the traveling ice show version of This Old House. At least Salvador Navarro's art does a great job of capturing the likeness of The Lone Gunmen. For his work under duress of dealing with such shit of a concept, I give this book a 2 out of 5. Who runs IDW and allows this to happen? Someone in an executive board room thought this was a great idea? This is why the comic industry will never rise higher. No one applies even a scintilla of common sense to the source material.

By no means is this a bad comic, it just doesn’t achieve the potential of the interesting characters that make up the superhero group.

I don’t mind the artwork much, and found it rather workable for the nature of the comic. But the team seems too numerous and the characters are so hard to get a feel for because they are generic and unremarkable. The book would serve from a smaller roster and a few arks where readers get to see Youngblood tested.

The Hollows builds an interesting world, but not much else; an attractive but underwhelming first effort for a launching book.

The story, though, feels like its dragging. Issue one presented a brand new world for the readers to enter. Now that there’s some familiarity with the tree city, there’s a need for more urgency and peril to keep readers returning. Unfortunately, there is no such draw. The twenty-four pages of the book are enticing to look at, but offer only the barest elements of storytelling.

Sam Keith has a distinctive style, and the Asian influences in this book show an evolution to his craft. However, the art, coupled with a hasty told story, does not provide enough to make this book something I could recommend to anyone other than a Ryall or Keith fan.

Mind you, I liked the hell out of the opening. It was fast. It was different. It had potential. But like a ghost haunting a house, all the bad feelings and errors of the previous incarnation reappeared in a spectral form, plaguing this franchise and its reboot.

While this is a good improvement for the title, The New Ghostbusters still needs a lot to make it a must read.

I love the Ghostbusters, and I vow to plug this book all I can when the writing improves. Until then, I will warn everyone to stay away—even though you don’t listen.

I know that this series will be as outstanding as Mignola’s other works. The only problem is that a first issue has to have some bang to go along with all the words.

Not much of this story arc has been too captivating.

This one is a definite pass.

Dream Police improved since the last issue, but that's not saying much. Despite the characters getting slightly more depth and the conflicts being finely focused, there needs to be a greater risk driving the plot. The question of his missing partner makes Joe seem in a conundrum but not in mortal danger (or whatever threat level that equates to in a dream). Although I do like the progress, Straczynski seems to be pulling punches and overextending himself right now.

I hope that the crime in the last issue and the one in this issue connect in some way to make a great conclusion that will leave readers cheering the people behind the pages. For now, readers get a standard crime book with uninspired crimes in a slightly interesting environment.

While issue four vastly improves on the product, I fret that readers won't be able to jump on at this point to understand the implications of the plot elements. Because it took so long to get its momentum, this arc of Dream Police will have lost its readers early on before the integral parts began to fit and become more entertaining.

I’m disappointed with the look at direction this comic is taking after IDW’s other runs with Godzilla had been entertaining.

I wanted to score this issue higher because of the aforementioned handling of the story. However, the Godzilla deficit has affected the overall grade. I believe that this book is finally hitting its stride, but it better start delivering on the main character or else I will not review it anymore.

Overall, this is an improvement. But an improvement over mediocrity isn’t something worth noting.

The one drawback? The impending ‘love potion’ plot thread. Is this a needed gimmick in a book about giant monsters? Nope.

So while I want this book to outsell Justice League and Spider-Man combined, it never will when logical issues are sidestepped in the name of a rote story.

So now that you have my attention and have flexed your monsters, Mr. Swierczynski, please continue to keep the book focused on Godzilla, keep using the best monsters, and keep the destruction on a cataclysmic level. Doing that will keep me in Pavlov's dog mode for the next issue.

ust to close out this review properly, I will alert you that there are no monster fights in this issue, no human versus monster action, and no cliffhanger to make you salivate for the next issue. What a tragic fucking sad clown on black velvet disappointment.

Don't expect anything deep or thought provoking with this issue. Do expect monster fights and more monster fights. That's how a Godzilla comic book needs to be done.

Artwork aside, the story moves. There's a monster fight. There's a threat felt throughout the book. And there's a great cliffhanger leaving you burning to read the next ish. That's worth my four Washingtons.

What a disappointment.

Simply stated, this book is great read while sitting on the beach soaking up some rays and wishing that the waters would part and a giant kaiju would emerge.

I believe the ending lead into the next series Godzilla: Rage Across Time, but I am not sure because those last five panels made no sense in their sequential storytelling. For me, this ending proved to be a let down compared to the enjoyment of the previous issues.

I gave this book one point for the art and one point for theman-on-blue octopus chic sex.

If you are a Star Wars fan, you will like this book. If not, I can't say this book will beyour new favorite.

The kernels of some interesting story elements appear in the comic: elder gods, scientifically enhanced soldiers, and futuristic mob gang bosses just to name a few. The creative team behind this book throws way too much at the audience from the onset, resulting in a lot of confusing elements to be deciphered before a true enjoyment of the book could be achieved.

The look and concept of the comic, despite being quite unique, offer an interesting read.

At least the artwork is good. For that, I give it one point.

The female with the cosmic power can be a great plot device. With so many possibilities there, this could turn out to be a great story. Issue two presented a unique perspective, and I only wonder if it will continue on this path. Let's hope it doesn't devolve back into the clich feel captured in issue 1.

Otherwise, this book will be as forgettable as those Wizard of Oz comics where Dorothy and the female characters bop around in g-strings and pout over flying monkeys and other such thinly veiled racial epithets.

Solar did a great job with the new approach of having Erica adopt the mantle of the Man of the Atom and having her father as a spirit mentor, but the rapid advancement of her character stretches believability a bit too far.

Continuity note: Gold Key and Dynamite shit the bed when they changed Erica's costume in this issue"well after the costumed heroine made an appearance in Doctor Spektor #3 last month. Somebody needs a better editor.

Overall, this has been a very middle-of-the-road read.

Overall, Ash vs. The Army of Darkness captures the look and spirit of the film while providing new, additional stories in the Evil Dead universe. Give this book a read if you want to feel scared and laugh while doing it.

I did thoroughly enjoy the last issue, but the annual and issue #5 have me hesitant to continue with the series. Ash could be a smarmy, entertaining anti-hero, but this issue made him seem flat and indistinguishable.

Steve Niles can be a great writer. He just doesn't have the vision that this comic needs to make it the best translation of the source material. And, unfortunately, the comic suffers for that.

This was decidedly more fun than previous issues, and should satisfy Ash's fans quite well.

Unfortunately for the Kiss comic book solo issue one; I didn't get the same satisfaction as the solo album. Please, Chris Ryall, I know you can do better.

The shame of it is that the ongoing series has been imaginative and entertaining to a surprising and fulfilling degree. These solo outings have been a series of missteps that fail what has been established in the regular IDW Kiss comics.

This whole series reflects the band’s attempts at solo albums: they could be a whole lot better, but there are some things about them that will leave you pleased.

I had fun writing the preposterous plotline for the sake of this review. Therefore, I am endorsing this comic book for the sheer, wanton wackiness inscribed in the pages. While the “solo series” hasn’t been too terribly entertaining, this issue was just so out there that I respect it for taking a chance. It’s a shame that this got good in the last issue.

Though not stated outright, this has all indications that it may be the fictionalized story of Elizabeth Bathory, the woman who slaughtered virgins to bathe in their blood and remain young. Since everyone needs an origin story, this would make for an opportune topic for a dark fantasy book. At least The Blood Queen has a competent creative staff to make this book compelling.

Fritz Casas captures the fantasy/medieval setting quite well. I additionally enjoyed his portrayal of the magical spell taking form in the air around Elizabeth as she weaved her incantation. Unfortunately, the depiction of her orgasm while bedding down Sir Ferenc looked more like a singer caught mid-note belting out a Michael Bolton ballad.

For what had so far been an intriguing series, this issue makes a great misstep.

This book's slow burn of a build-up is now causing this title to smolder.

By no means is this an outstanding comic, but zombie fans will enjoy this. A first issue proves difficult to review because one never understands the full scope of how the story will progress. Scars does start off on a pace with interesting scenarios built that could lead to some good action.

One could purchase the novel for around $10 on Amazon.com. That is the equivalent of buying the abridged comic book adaptation’s first two and a half issues. You will enjoy the book more. If you know the book well, then this will be a pleasant addition to your Beagle collection. But do yourself a favor and buy the novel.

Here’s hoping for the latter.

There are many great stories waiting to be told in this comic book world. I know that with time the book will be entertaining because of its theme, which is pretty cool. For now, this chapter closes with a whimper and not a bang.

By the end the heroes confront Carnage after a walk throughtown akin to The Wild Bunch. Carnage overtakes the town in the waythe Joker taints the citizens of Gotham with his laughing gas. The townspeople have wide grins ontheir faces to signify Carnage's invasion. When the villain appears, he subdues all of the heroesexcept, you guessed it, Spiderman.So the story ends like Archie #627 (Archie Meets Kiss) where Riverdale has been turned into zombies; thetown has been turned into Carnage zombies.With the T+ rating, the book couldprovide some additional chills. But that's IF Marvel takes off the leash and lets things go crazy. That's a big IF. This is a good start for thisminiseries. I enjoyed thischapter, and I hope it gets better from here. Show me something crazy, and don't be afraid to take somerisks, Marvel. And please don'tlet me be right about the heroes selected for this book being chosen becausethey are the movie flavor of the month.

Unique plot twists have made this a story that I’m looking forward to reading next month.

While not a great comic, this is a strong good book. Horror fans will enjoy the story despite some of the gimmicky plot devices employed by the story.

The Flash isn't an easy comic to write. When a hero has one set power, thathero becomes a challenge to keep interesting. My advice to this creative team is to treat each issue as a stand-alonebecause there are some readers (like myself) jumping on board in these earlyissues. When you have a comic thatthe hero isn't in until the last page, you are setting the book up for failure.

Anyway, this book won't disappoint Flash fans.

For a "New 52" book, this issue feels new. I had a blast reading it, and I enjoyedthe barriers that Barry must face to be the hero and save the day.

There's a promise of something amazing building up in thestorylines of this comic. The mainproblem is that the storytelling in this particular Godzilla books needspolishing.

I hope that the creative team does not forget theforeshadowing of the war to come on the last pages of Legends issue three. I sure haven't"

Godzilla fans will enjoy this story, but outside readers may not be as entertained.

Although $4 might be steep for the comic book equivalent of a yearbook, at least readers get to look back and laugh at all the fat, awkward pictures from years past. Seriously, the fans will enjoy this little collection. Sure, IDW won't ever be like Marvel and have the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. fighting Godzilla like they did in the 70s, but at least IDW had the balls to get the rights to all of the monsters in the G-Universe.

Let's hope the parody ends quickly so Conner and Palmiotti can get back to making Harley Quinn the sadistic little temptress we all want her to be"minus the sour grapes attempt at jabbing the competition.

The story works okay. I just don't like the introduction of Ewing leading an army of zombies like the pied piper only to have that abandoned after a few panels. I thought the same of the ending of the first issue where the cliffhanger had no payoff in the second issue. And speaking of cliffhangers, we don't get one here. We are left with Alvarez going through the journal out of the loot taken from Ewing. Yawn.I know this is all setting up for next issue's climax, but give me something that makes me look forward to spending my money on the next issue.

So if you are a Kiss fan with a child, pick up this book and laugh at all the great nods to the Greatest band in the world. Everyone else, be aware that you might not like the book since you don't know why something like The Demon's boots eating things would be funny.

If you keep an eye out for the inside jokes and the nods to the adult rockers, you will get a kick out of this comic. While not the most entertaining kids book out there, this one does have some spirit, spunk, and face paint.

While this comic is goofy fun, it's nothing great or fantastic. You will get a kick out of the allusions to the songs and bands, but there's not much more other than some fun illustrations to keep you reading all night and partying every day.

You will enjoy the holidays even more when you get a little KISS under the mistletoe. So pour a cup of eggnog, pull up next to the fire, and enjoy this yuletide edition of Kiss Kids.

The period feel of the book reminded me of two great films: The Rocketeer and The Shadow. While the action took some time to get to due to lengthy exposition, I did find the book a good read.

It's been too long since I had fun reading a comicbook. Memorial reminded me of why I enjoy this medium.

I will champion this book because it has been a greatdiversion from the mask and cape comics that dominate the racks. But I will have a hard time defendingit if there's another hiccup in storytelling like issue #3.

Although this is the weakest issue, in my opinion, so far, this book is still so much better than other wastes of trees lining the shelves. Particularly those dealing with paranormal investigators.

Writer Dan Abnett knows the source material well, and he delivers a thrilling story of two powerful forces clashing in a gritty battle that will undoubtedly cost both sides heavy losses.

In the end the two elements that make comics what they are, art and storytelling, just don't work as well as they should have for this series. So the best assessment I could supply is outstanding concept but average execution.

Issue one proved to be fun and entertaining, but stories like this devolve into clich rapidly. I worry that such interesting elements will be dismissed or underutilized in future issues. Maybe, just maybe, this will be one of those fantasy stories that will be unique and create some enthralling scenarios to match the interesting characters. But that's a big maybe.

This book has all the makings of a great story, but the collapse at the conclusion leaves me bewildered. Sometimes I think that Silvestri may be getting too caught up in making something fast for the sake of selling its movie rights than he is in writing a story that entertains and succeeds as a comic book.

This book is good. It will be great when it overall breaks from convention.

Issue four of Magi brought forth a lot of promise and an outstanding execution that sets a standard for books of this kind.

This is a great book and deserves a read. I can see this comic one day becoming a film, so be sure to get in on the ground level with this story.

Only time will answer those questions. For now, the comic sufficiently piqued my curiosity and has me interested to see how this all will pan out.

I will give this book a decent rating for nostalgia's sake. However, the build-up to the two groups working together took too long, and the ending slammed together. This had the potential to be something for the ages; instead, it's a forgettable blip on the fanboy crossover list.

The story moves fast, works well, and supplies all thevehicles, characters, and action a reader could ask. Out of Cobra, AReal American Hero, and SnakeEyes, this book feels like the creativeteam jives. There are no hang-upsto provide explication. That's astrength when handling an action book like this. With the addition of some interesting tech and adult themes,this book can be the frontrunner of any 80s-lover's nostalgia kick.

This is the first Spawn comic I have read since the late nineties. I have to admit, for all the grief McFarlane takes, he kept this comic running. And well. For a recently rebooted product, the comic has a surprisingly engrossing story for being so light on the action.

Although I feel this book is a solid 3, I will look into the next issue to see how Hill will deliver. While this book did not succeed, Hill does have a great reputation as a writer for completing an idea.

Like the issue before it, Tales From the Darkside reads like it can be something great but gets mired in a middle ground of interesting premises with minimal punch that result in not much horror at all.

While not a must read, this is a fun read.

I have to give this comic a 3 out of 5, but it’s a strong 3--like a 3.9 kind of 3. Compared to the typical IDW Transformer comic book that’s like scoring a 5. So enjoy this story of the Autobot’s most diminutive warrior.

I enjoyed this collection. Of particular interest was the inclusion of Japanese Transformers like Dai Atlas. While the overall plot felt a little too familiar, *cough *cough, I found the plot threads to be a fun way to include a whole lot of familiar faces. The only persistent problem plaguing all manner of Transformers comics was the overabundance of dialogue and lack of action. I am so used to it that I feel it an inherent part of any Transformer comic.

Maybe it's the focus on the Dinobots , the inclusion of some great G1 characters, or Flint Dille's writing that make this book interesting. Nevertheless, this has been one of the more fun Transformers comics to come from IDW. While not great, the book is darned good. Pick this one up, for sure.

Although heavy with dialogue, the issue does sport some great moments and fun scenes to make Transformer fans glad they spent time with this collection.

Overall, this book aims for average and hits it with a crossbow bolt right on the bullseye. With some great room for character development and plot twists looming, I will stay with this book for another issue. But I cannot recommend making an effort to find this book in the stacks, otherwise.

While the script provides routine entertainment that one would expect from a Predator series, it offers little of anything new. One nominal token is the Engineer weapon, and that will play out in the oncoming issues. While issue one provides a serviceable story with one slight twist, we have a decent opening to a series that will hopefully pay off in some way with a good deviation from practice and some interesting new plot threads in this crossover with the Alien (Prometheus) storylines.

Best of all, the events in all of the Fire and Stone series are coordinating very well; the overall arc steadily builds to one great orchestrated movement assembling the three franchises into a breakneck space opera.

The Fire and Stone crossover event has produced some good stories for this universe of characters, but the Predator element feels like the weakest link in an otherwise strong chain.

The "Omega" storyline will be starting soon, and if the same consideration and development go into that series, Dark Horse will have another hit on its hands.

A solid read, but not memorable for its lack of commitmentto a departure from reality. (fornow)

Admittedly, I thought that another Oz based story would be cliché. But this issue has the series gaining its unique voice and developing some scenarios that make it more enjoyable to read than most horror books on the shelves. Great work to those involved in giving me something that I haven’t read or seen before, and something that has been a pleasant surprise.

All in all, I have enjoyed this comic more than expected. This has been one of my sure recommendations for the year. So far…

I know you can do better than this, IDW. Please, do better than this.

Where the previous issue showed improvement, this book falls right back into typical IDW Godzilla format with an abundance of talking and a lack of monster fighting.

This is one of the best iterations of Godzilla that IDW has done, aside from Half Century War. If the plot can include the titular character, it would be a perfect book all around.

Godzilla, Rulers of the Earth #6, along with Half-Century War, will be the proof that I will give to people who say that IDW can't make a good Godzilla comic. They have convinced me. Now the big problem I fear is the cut off of this book by the publisher for the sake of introducing a new book. That continuity break has happened before, and I hope it doesn't again. C'mon IDW, don't screw this up.

This has been an awesome battle to witness. Unfortunately, the safety is on and none of the kaiju are falling in battle. I understand that the licensing prevents the monsters from taking a critical hit, but the whole thing is starting to feel like a Pokemon battle. Despite that, pick up this issue and enjoy Jet Jaguar kicking a lot of kaiju ass. Mowry's Godzilla has been a monster to cheer for and run from!

In the meantime, enjoy the work that Mowry and Frank bring to this great on-going version of the King of the Monsters before IDW pulls the plug on this and replaces it with Godzilla: Age of Continuity Despair.

This series has built a great rhythm for monster battles and all out fun. The characters no longer govern the brunt of the book, and that's as it should be. If we could get past this Mothra nonsense and back the awesome kaiju, we will be okay.

I'm hoping that monsters aren't being used only as a gimmick but as a larger element of this arc. With issue 14 (the last of this series) closing in only four books away, I am anticipating a great climax from Mowry and crew. He built up a great series so far, and therefore I see no reason to doubt his conclusion.

Despite the heavy exposition and rising questions regarding the bigger picture, I did enjoy the action and intensity of #11. I would be better satisfied with more of a bigger ticking time bomb master plot that escalates from the smaller monster fights. Nonetheless, G:RoE continues to provide some great Godzilla entertainment.

For having to contend with a license character and all the restraints the parent company must impart, Chris Mowry delivered a storyline that allowed Godzilla to wreck and rumble. Sure, there were no major casualties because no kaiju can be *defeated* (killed). Nevertheless, he showed his knowledge of the subject matter and his ability to weave an arc that felt genuinely Godzilla.

I will award some points to this issue for using the Showa series MechaGodzilla. Such details as the rainbow ray and spinning missile fingers appear"and that deserves some acknowledgment. However, a proper balance of action and story make for a much better comic. I live in a world without Godzilla and plenty of government. I wish for twenty-two pages of Godzilla.

While we readers wait to see how that plays out, we still get a good, entertaining read every month in Rulers of Earth. Additionally, IDW has not yet shifted the continuity on the book, so the familiarity is there. For now. As Mowry continues to develop this alien invasion story, we look for the progression that will have Godzilla facing his foes and blasting his atomic breath on any monster or alien that stands in his way.

I have enjoyed several issues of this series, but hands down this is my favorite. Everything came together just right in issue 15.

Godzilla: RoE and Cataclysm have both been great reads with hit-or-miss installments. The great signs coming from IDW point to a constancy with continuity and a vision to take some bold steps. Little by little the IDW Godzilla comics have come together to add depth to the mythos of the title character. Although this issue does not compare well to others in this series, it is considerably better than the previous incarnations of Godzilla in the IDW-verse.

This is another issue where Godzilla plays only a supporting role, and some of the battles like the ones with Space Godzilla and Ebirah seem to come from nowhere. Worse yet, the teaser page with one of next month's cover shows Mothra. Readers will finally have to endure another episode of a giant worm crawling and shooting webs. Sigh.

With Godzilla squaring off Ebirah in the water and Megaguirus from the skies, the threat level doubles. Last issue the battle went space side, so readers cannot say that the book doesn't explore every possible setting with its kaiju. Although the Cryog ship seems to have exploded, those sneaky aliens may not be done. Plenty of dangers slowly make their way towards Godzilla, and the fights that will come of that confluence of monsters will be catastrophic.

RoE has hit a lull with its performance. There feels no sense of direction or any metaphoric ticking bomb to advance the storyline. For as unique as the monster fight pairings have been, one wonders if there is any endgame. For now, the book feels like its reverted to the monster fight of the month formula that signaled the stagnant phase of so many of the other Godzilla IDW titles.

But I don't think I could see horror comics in the samecategory as other books. They'retoo different. And way too Creepy.

With three good and one excellent story, this is a horror anthology that doesn’t fail. In fact, just one of these short stories outdoes most of the single story books filling the shelves.

Hit or miss art and good but nowhere near great storytelling make this an average issue. Not much offered in this volume of Creepy, even for the most diehard horror connoisseur. I do admire the tongue in cheek approach to the Valentine’s Day issue, yet I found most of the offerings in this issue forgettable.

Dark Horse does an excellent job with Creepy because they balance the old, the new, and the comic. This issue maintains that well, and I feel that this particular book would appeal to more than just the horror fan.

Nostalgia aside, Future Quest exceeds the atypical cash grab that has come about in comics lately when multiple universes intersect. Instead of just a means to sell a franchise or toy licenses, this comic delivers a well-crafted story that doesn't have the feel of a major crossover event.

Jeff Parker did an outstanding job with this issue, but this is one of those chapters that fills in back story. I know there's a better way to tell the tale. My scoring on this issue does not mean I have lost favor with the crossover; instead, I merely hate this technicality in story crafting that breaks momentum for the sake of issue 3.

Please get this book to read to a young person, and then reread it over and over for your own inner child.

The beautiful simplicity of the story lends itself to a wonderful bedtime yarn for children. So far, this series has been outstanding in its presentation and genuine quality. While the art looks like traditional Asian fare (think of a style as seen in Samurai Jack), the true value of The Storyteller: Witches comes from the choice of stories that entertain without having the need to default to the Western tradition of closing with a neat and tidy ending.

This is not a perfect comic book. But Kiss issue 1 does open up to the possibility that a great world can continue from this good start. My only concern is that this comes from IDW. We all know how IDW gets some of the best-licensed characters and turns out the blandest stories.

The best way to describe this issue was fun—flawed, but fun. I like that the four emblems of power representing the actual four members of the band have become a power source that will be transferred to others in different times and places. Maybe there may even be a little person version of Kiss in a future issue in honor of all the height-deficient cover bands.

As far as this story arc is concerned, the plot is not high concept, but it does have potential. I like that the Kiss force has taken root in women, but I hopes it not just for the sake of drawing some tits and ass. Don't get me wrong--I love tits and ass. But there needs to be a strong hook to make this a comic that I will recommend others to spend hard earned money on.

As stated in past reviews, the strength of this premise is that the Kiss power possesses people from different times and places. This opens the door to an infinite amount of locations, stories, and terrible-but-good Kiss puns. This comic really does bring the fun.

With issue 7, Kiss transcended kitsch and schlock and moved into a legitimate title with its own unique voice. Even if you don't know a lick of chords from any Kiss song, you will enjoy this comic for its story and art.

Although I cannot rate the book higher than a 3, I will say that it is a must-read 3.

The progression of this series has been ever upward, and the latest issue provided a great read balanced with the action one expects from these licenses. Next issue's conclusion will answer a great deal of open plot points that have me curious. I have grown to enjoy the writing and art these Fire and Stone series have provided, and I feel that these are the underrated licensed stories of the year.

I hope Dark Horse continues this idea and moves forward with additional storylines as string as these.

A perfect kickoff to your October reads, Grindhouse shows great promise with its opening and even more potential in the variety of scandalous entertainment waiting to be explored in future issues.

I can't wait for issue three: "Prison Ship Antares." The title alone piques my curiosity due to the potential of this creative team and such an interesting premise.

The book is definitely for mature readers, and the story is for an adult sensibility. Alex De Campi does indulge in the finer forms of the exploitative, but she never becomes strictly gratuitous. No, there's a damn fine story brewing in this interstellar penal ship and its motley crew. Pay particular notice to the Japanese inmate because she steals the show"which is challenging to do in such a provocative comic.

While waiting for the awesome sounding next issue, "Bride of Blood", check out the awesome little visual jokes Simon Fraser included in the issue. For example, when the inmates riot in the greenhouse, a banana and two apples appear on the floor in quite a phallic depiction. Also, the fight scene where the guard gets his face smashed into an inmate's boobs provided to be one of the best uses of motor-boating in comics. Try finding any other comic review that points something like that out!

Please keep in mind that this is an adult-oriented book. The content is graphic, but the writing and art is deliberate and engrossing. These are well-told tales done in a style and vein of the 70s exploitation films. Yes, there's an abundance of nudity and gore; however, to see that and overlook the expertly crafted stories would be shameful.

This continues to be an outstanding series with a masterful use of its tone. No book better understands or utilizes a theme like Grindhouse. Some of the endings could be a little better, but that's a simple observation on an otherwise fun comic book.

Alex De Campi must write each issue with a huge smirk because she knows she's not taking anything serious"or for granted. She delivers tongue-in-cheek stories that play up so well to the grindhouse theme. I only hope people understand this genre of exploitation and not make an ignorant fuss over the content.

Nevertheless, this has been a great comic, and I eagerly anticipate the latest issue each month.

Would I be interested in picking up a second issue? Hmmm. Maybe not. Die hard horror comic fans will want it, for sure. Art students, absolutely. This is one issue that everyone must own, but I don’t know if this is a series to subscribe to at your local funny book shoppe.

One would have to be a die-hard horror comic fan to grab this. The benefit is a collection of hard-to-find stories. Four dollars for forty-eight pages of classic horror is a good deal. And like I wrote before, these anthologies ought to be a required text for comic students. The comics reflect the time periods perfectly, but they also are so much of a guilty pleasure with their great art, colors, and stories.

Face it; these stories are about as scary as a penguin. The main reason to check out the book would be the artwork. The nostalgic draw does play into it, too. If you do enjoy horror books, you will get a kick from these collections. If not, then there won’t be a huge draw to get you to turn these pages.

Niles' version of Ash misses the anti-hero and sarcastic nature of the character. The plot for this arc, though, makes up for that. The escalating threat level adds some excitement to the book while the cliffhanger ending will have readers itching to get the next installment.

Somehow Steve Niles managed to make an inspiring turn from the work on the regular series to develop a story that has good adventure, true Ash dark humor, and a sense of fun lacking in the ongoing book.

I did chuckle when Ash challenged the attacking monstrous hand only to be smashed down from its swat. Nuances like this make me wonder why this miniseries stands out while the ongoing series floundered. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this issue.

This four-issue series has been a refreshingly improved story over the stories of the on-going series. I just can't figure out why this wasn't lumped into the normal ordering of the ongoing comic. Besides that, this was a hell of a fun four-part adventure for Ash and for the readers.

Aside from that, Satan's Hollow gets its point across well, and that point is to scare the hell into you. I look forward to the next issue. I only wonder why the publisher didn't stagger the release two months so the last issue comes out in October.

Satan's Hollow cleverly builds suspense and tension, and the book feels well plotted. The fact that there are six issues shows that some planning went into crafting this project. Now if only this series would have ended in October rather August.

Satan's Hollow has been a refreshing bit of original content that utilized its story so well with its illustrations and colors to make a great book and a shit-your-shorts scary story.

As a whole, this series provided great entertainment and fun. As far as conclusions are concerned with horror offerings, pulling off a terrifying end isn't easy. Just look at all the terrible endings Stephen King tacked on to brilliantly told stories. Satan's Hollow succeeds on the whole way better than what this last part would suggest.

I scored Ex Sanguine high due to the twists. The book is a mystery comic, horror comic, and adventure comic wrapped all in one. If only I could explain more of the story, you would understand my appreciation for this book that defies all the societal clichs about the vampire. Finally, a good Halloween read in the month of October.

This is a rare, powerful Vampire book done by a powerhouse team telling an amazing story. If you want an expertly crafted comic drawn amazingly well, treat yourself to this book. I guarantee that you will be surprised by a refreshingly different take on the now clichéd vampire.

While this comic gets an average rating, I am basing it against the previous, outstanding issues of the book. That means that this comic’s average rating would be the equivalent of an outstanding for most other books. Only two issues remain for this series, so jump on board and enjoy the fun and mystery that Ex Sanguine has to offer.

Overall this has been a hell of a mystery to uncover, and now the open plot has me salivating for the conclusion of this arc.

Overall, the five issues have been clever and fun. While the mystery hasn’t been the best part of the overall story, the chemistry between Saul and Ashley made this an anticipated read for the last five months.

The story culminates in LDB going on two interviews. Check out this book to see whathappened.

For the sake of this issue the story was about average. No great plot twists or surprises to threaten the continuity. Struble does his own thing with this book, and I respect that. I look forward to reading the next issue, but I hope the story kicks up somehow or I may lose interest.

Some may scoff that I frequently score this book high, but I find that it consistently succeeds in what it intends to do. This is a fast read, and I would almost recommend purchasing this in a collected edition. That way you could enjoy the story as a whole. But those who read this book every month know why it’s such a captivating read piece by piece.

LDB doesn’t try to cheer you up or tell you how you can improve your life. No, this comic is like a friend who stays with you and suffers with you until things get better. It’s great to have that type of empathy come from a comic book.

This is an unusual story told unusually well.

4001 AD: X-O Manowar kicks off the crossover with a boot to the ass of action and a firm push in the direction of robot debris filled panels that scream out the summer of 4001 AD came 1,985 years early, thanks to Valiant Comics.

With outstanding pencil work and a hell of an entertaining story, Alan Dracon is the fun, new must-read book that reminds us how good comic books can be.

Animal Man ismarvelous.

Normally I wouldn't reach for an Archie comic, but the Kissappearance earned my money. As abonus to the comic book version of Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter, I got a greatdose of fun.

With beautiful artwork and vampire threats, Bushido transports you back to feudal Japan to fight vampires and earn your honor.

This is one book that needs to be read, admired, reread, and thought about. It looks and reads beautifully.

Bushido has been a great Halloween read, and I have been excited to explore a new frontier not only in the Samurai guarded Japan, but also a dark, alternative past where menacing vampires stalk the night.

The series has built to a highly anticipated climax, and Kenchiro's destiny will be met in the next, final installment. Don't miss that"or this entire series.

Great setting, great premise, beautiful art, but average plot comprises this last issue that caps an otherwise great series.

This book made me happy. It's the same way I feel after watching The Lion, TheWitch, and The Wardrobe. Aw, hell. Don't ask. Justtrust me that this book provides an excellent example of visual storytelling.

Don't get me wrong"dinosaurs are awesome. They just need a better handling of writing to make them the menacing sauropods that we all know and love.

The book slows down considerably when the dinosaurs are not on the page. The pacing grinds to a halt as dense word balloons reveal humanity's reaction to the invading monsters. But the mayhem and carnage of the marauding dinosaurs resumes, as does the fun.

Despite some science fiction explication and a mysterious set of reptilian eyes haunting people on a space station, the book rocks with plenty of outrageous dinosaur carnage. This is some good stuff.

Gary Gerani's writing brings a great balance of dinosaur mayhem and scientific plight. Although this issue wraps up the story, maybe there's hope that the Dinosaurs will find some other way to Attack!

Despite the steep price, this collection does fit perfectly into homes with kids and for Disney aficionados who love the characters, the theme parks, or both.

Disney Magic Kingdom Comics #2Various Writers and ArtistsPublisher: IDW PublishingPrice: $6.99Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital

For an adult reader like me, I enjoyed every well-illustrated and colorful page of story in this book. Jim Henson would be proud that the creative team on this book faithfully captured his legacy. My only regret is that I didn't have a pint-sized audience to read this book to, but the kid hiding deep in my heart felt darn good after this adventure with the Fraggles.

Along with Peanuts, Fraggle Rock does outstanding work in charming its audiences while being quality reads, as well.

All of the reviewed issues of this series have been outstanding, and I would recommend picking up the comics or the soon to be released collection if you have some younger readers in the house. This would be a great introduction to the medium of comics, an excellent primer for teaching some life lessons, and a great and colorful distraction.

The team on this book made something fun and wonderful that readers of any age will enjoy. In a time where the pre-teen cartoon is nothing more than a nostalgic memory, Ghoul Scouts stands in to provide something fun and crazy for an age group that needs more than the hate-filled chat channels of popular video games.

If you have a child or a niece, nephew, or grandchild, or some cool kid who needs help getting excited about reading, put a copy of this book in their hands. The result will put a smile on both your faces.

Godzilla: Cataclysm takes its place with Gangsters and Goliaths, Legends, and Kingdom of Monsters as another rehashing of a problematic format.

Although the art got a little dicey to see at times, the presentation and detailing of the monsters made up for that in big ways. Coupled with a very imaginative and highly cerebral concept, this series now stands to be one of the best versions of Godzilla in comic form. There's a great deal to live up to in issue three, so let's hope this streak of brilliance persists.

Although the first issue did not express these ideas well, the last two issues have made this series stand out as cerebral, intense, and groundbreaking.

This penultimate issue of the series concludes on an interesting plot point with serious consequences that will be played out in issue five. With the momentum created by the first four issues and the metaphorical arguments suggested through the book, this series has stomped its place into Godzilla lore.

But I must say the concepts presented and the refrain from just throwing any such monster out for the sake of a gee-whiz factor made this entire series a refined and pleasing addition to the IDW selection of miniseries (like Half-Century War) honoring this wonderful monster at the anniversary year of his creation.

While the name has changed, the quality has not dipped. My one concern is that De Campi delivers on the set up but wanes on the conclusion. The next chapter (eagerly anticipated by this reviewer) will tell if the new arc rectifies that one, crucial flaw in an otherwise groundbreaking comic.

Overall, this book incorporated a great theme and format, and the artwork was broody and terrifying. With no happy ending, "Slay Ride" gave a tone of Greek Tragedy to this cautionary story.

This comic is entertaining and socially relevant. Any person enthralled by social media will find Hacktivist a smart book that delivers great storytelling through interesting characters and relevant social criticism.

Hacktivist gives readers the thrill of an espionage novel and the spectacle of a great character study; it's the closest comic book readers can come to a modern version of a Shakespearean History.

Our two protagonists have endured some amazing challenges that have taken them fully from their positions at the start. We now get to see how Ed and Nate will return everything back to the start"or as close to it as they can get.

This has been a great comic with plenty of character and plot, but the ending does not deliver on the same caliber as its predecessors.

That's monkey is bad ass.

Overall, this latest addition of stories succeeds in capturing some of the entertaining spirit of the film while appeasing fans until we can get some more tales from The Labyrinth. But with Henson and Bowie gone, can we ever return? Time to make a wish to the Goblin King.

Lee makes this guy look scary

Overall, I liked how Geoff Johns crafted a story that felt new, accommodating, and exciting. This kind of work gets me more acclimated to the 'New 52' (how long do I have to call it that?).

Kim & Kim will reach its tentacle arm from the back seat and pull you into its grasp with some Fifth Element styled art, standout characters, and entertaining storytelling.

Kim and Kim remembers to do the one thing that so many comics forget: be fun.

The premise of the entire storyarc sells this book. In this issue we get what Joe Hill isgreat at"making a story where people suffer at the hands of supernaturaltokens. Hill's Heart Shaped Box repeated a similar theme: a rocker buys a hauntedsuit and gets more than he bargained for. So for the teens of Keyhouse, the horrific response to the keys' powerswill provide great entertainment for readers who enjoy a blend of supernaturaland psychological horror.

I enjoyed reading the comic more than watching the Tim Burton film. I applaud the creative team for understanding the nature of the source material and making a story that complements it. This is simply a fun comic, a great read, and good overall comic book.

And best of all, Layman makes the Martians the focus of the book. Unlike IDW’s Godzilla in which the title character barely shows up amidst a boring plot, Mars Attacks balances the Martian invaders’ story expertly with the human fight for survival. I can’t believe how won over I am from a book that I thought I would cast off.

This must have been a great book to be on the creative team. I could just imagine how fun the brainstorming sessions went. That fun conveyed well on the pages of the finished comic. Now I worry about the Mars Attacks the Holidays crossover planned for IDW. I guess not everything can be a hit. But this comic sure was.

Here’s a great jumping-on point if you want to start up with Mars Attacks. I recommend it.

With consistently impressive artwork and a storyline that adheres to continuity, Mars Attacks needs to be one of those comics requested for your pull box every month. I want to say that this book is the reason why I love IDW Comics. I feel as though the creative team has freedom to explore any such story possibility it can imagine, but the people involved on Mars Attacks work so hard at responsibly handling such freedom.

This bears restating: for a comic with such a simple premise, Mars Attacks delivers one of the most unique comic book experiences every month.

Congratulations to the creative team on making all ten issues so far consistently great reads.

The silliness of the issue never devolves into stupidity. There's a whole lot of fun, but be sure never to take yourself too seriously when reading this issue. No, this comic doesn't look to be something groundbreaking or serious, but it does want to make you smile and amuse you for a while.

The adult in me enjoyed some entertaining characters that have a blend of Hogan's Heroes mixed with some Pinky and the Brain. For the kid in me, the stories and bonuses provided a great diversion. Overall, this book had the quality we came to enjoy from the Dreamworks films with some great new stories to add to the Penguin's canon.

This was a great story with a moral. Savage Dragon is a comic worth reading.

Jason Howard's pencils are just the perfect blend of cartoonish and monstrous. His depiction of Dereck and the lad's gizmos was almost as cool as the look of the small armed tyrannosaurus rex that uses a joystick to control his larger, robotic arms.

For a comic book written for a younger audience, Super Dinosaur has me, a middle-aged man, very excited and entertained. Really, though, how could you not love a comic about a T-Rex wearing armor fighting other dinosaur mutants?

Okay, I acknowledge that a seven-month delay exists between the release of issue #44 and the current offering. However, I am willing to concede some time because Powell runs the show himself. Because of the unparalleled quality in every aspect of this book, I will always give The Goon slack. I, like everyone else, would love to have monthly installments of the book. It's that damn good. I will be patient, though. Absence makes the heart grow fonder; I am very fond of this book.

For an opening issue, The Great Divide #1 gets edgy, bloody, and smart. With a little work on the execution of the character in a more associative role with the readership, this book could become one of the best shitty future stories out there.

I breezed through this issue because of its subtlety, but the comic has been sticking in my mind for some time after. Volume 2 is a great jumping on point for this story, and the genuine characters and effective mood will have you hooked from here on out.

And sometimes that's all one needs"a well produced comic that provides a break from the monotony of all the other formulaic comic book series.

This is not a cape and cowl comic, but it’s a great examination of someone with a life-altering power. Great story all around.

Don’t miss this book, and ask your comic book store to pull the following issues of this series. I promise you won’t be disappointed with this doctor’s house calls.

A necessary dip in the action for the sake of the bigger arc affects the comic only slightly. This is still a great read on all accounts.

This book should be a must buy for all horror comic fans and those wanting a palette cleansing from the cape and cowl funny books. Great writing, outstanding art, and a dollar cheaper price point than most books make Witch Doctor a consistently good buy. Aside from Eric Powell’s The Goon, no other book has me looking forward to Wednesdays.

Unfortunately, Mal Practice has been rather slow with the occult references and good jokes. Granted, there’s a funny Jaws reference at the end. However, having read the one-shots, I know that the creative team has more capacity than this to being Morrow through his current adventure.

Only one issue left in this series, so grab it while you can. You will enjoy rereading this book down the road.

Only a matter of time remains before this series gets picked up for a television or movie deal. And it deserves it.

Overall, this annual does everything a good annual should.

With such an in-depth window into this character, one wonders what the Armorines will bring in terms of conflict. No matter what tragedies will befall Aric, we readers are assured of a hell of a story told by a hell of a creative team.

After scoring a grand slam on this date with Valiant I need a sandwich.

Go out and read these 31 pages of testosterone and nitro mixed in a cocktail and served up on the nipples of Venus.

Okay, I understand that Valiant needs to get more people to read Ninjak. With orders for X-O reaching 25,000 a month, they sure as hell don’t need any more readers on that book. So I will tolerate this crossover for now in the hopes that Venditti brings us back to the excellent storytelling focusing on Aric that we had in issues 1 through 4.

Buy this book, anyways. It’s awesome, but not as great as its earlier issues.

Other than that, this is a brilliant book. I can’t recommend enough for everyone to follow Aric’s adventures. So far nothing has been cliché, and the use of a Visigoth soldier who is used to fighting Roman invaders as a character to fight invading aliens is a brilliant move. Although this issue feels devoid of action, the purpose could be the same as the calm before a great storm. Congratulations to Valiant for making this a near-perfect comic experience every month.

The potential of the story has dipped to a nadir with these past issues. I know that good things will be coming with the Vine War.

Still, the crossover did not carry any great momentum leading into this filler. I am giving it a 3 for that sake. But this 3 is the X-O equivalent to an IDW or Boom! 5.

Don’t worry if you haven’t kept up with XO so far. This issue would be a great jumping on point. You will be hooked from here on out. This Valiant revival has been expertly handled, and you, the reader, benefit.

Stop spending money on issues of My Little Pony: Friendship is Tragic just so you can fit in with all the hipster idiots who think they are so meta for liking a 1980’s toy retread. Reclaim your humanity by buying this book monthly because it will give you an opinion, a shot of confidence, and a lesson on how to fight the battle that just can’t be won.

Grab this book and learn what it means to be pumped up by a story of bravery and courage.

Anyways, this is a consistently great comic.

Once again, X-O proves to be a book that you need to make space in your pull box for on Wednesdays.

Okay, so this is a dip in quality, but a needed one. X-O Manowar still happens to be one of the most solid comic books on the shelves in your local comic book store. A three for this book is like a five for most books in the business.

I can't recommend this book enough. With excellent pacing, plot, and characterization, X-O Manowar delivers with one of the best-constructed monthly books on the shelves.

The Unity war has been a great place for Aric to prove that he's a hero to cheer.

I hope that there's a great readership for this book. The comic is worth every bit of its cost, and its action will leave you pumped up and ready to go out and conquer enemies, vanquish foes, and kick all kinds of ass.

X-O Manowar, a perfect synthesis of great art and well-constructed storytelling, consistently proves itself unparalleled among action comics.

For as long as I have reviewed this title, it has been outdoing itself on all aspects. Next month's 25th issue will be big, but don't wait until then to start treating yourself to one of the most deliberate and potent action comics that has the audacity to be brilliant.

Forgive me if I gushed a little too much in this review. By now readers should know that I don't like something unless there's a reason (hence, the fact that IDW and fans hate me for my reviews of that terrible Ghostbusters comic). The truth is, X-O deserves praise. Read my reviews of previous issues to see how I specifically point out areas of merit that make the book literary. Hell, just the action alone makes the book great. When there's intelligent writing mixed in, the book's a success.

Those are really debatable points, though. What I need to explain, as mentioned before, is that Venditti does a hell of a job connecting plot elements. No detail feels insignificant in this series. What does this mean to a reader? This shows that the writer has taken time to create an elaborate tale with orchestrated parts that converge into a greater story. And that's worth notice and your hard earned money.

My only minor gripe with this issue is that it is the second to not have Aric. We get an X-O armor, but I do miss the Visigoth leader and all his blunt charms. Needless to say, this whole series in this book and the other Valiant selections has been one of the best-orchestrated story arcs in comics in quite some time. The details and plot development has yet to fail in any way. Now I am impatient to know what will happen, but I just don't want this story to end.

The book's only flaw, which is nothing more than my personal gripe, is that Aric's absence weighs heavily. Otherwise, this is a superb action story.

Next challenge for Aric: Armorines. I will be there.

As X-O celebrates its thirtieth issue, I celebrate a comic that has yet to fail me in its execution. Venditti brings so much to this character while always leaving doors open for future conflict that will bring strife to Aric but joy to all the page turners.

Congratulations to Venditti, artist Diego Bernard, and the whole X-O crew for delivering a book that exceeded expectations for an entire year of issues.

As Venditti comes to the milestone fiftieth issue of the series, he continues a near-perfect run of storytelling with this series. I can only imagine what he has in store for the next fifty issues since the character has so expertly progressed this far in the first fifty.

These creatures pose a threat on an all-new scale to Aric. He cannot simply punch his way out of this problem. No weapon seems to work. To stop these creatures, the Visigoth king will need to use a swift masterstroke. Let's hope the price to protect his loved ones doesn't end up costing Aric a hefty price.

Achieving one issue of a comic is a milestone. Getting to number fifty deserves accolades, especially when the book redefines the action comic genre. But I will not let Venditti off the hook when he offers a placeholder episode like this. Work up to a big story milestone, like you have done before, Mr. Venditti. Do not temper your pacing with such a lull prior to the big moment. Build action with action. You have achieved it so well before, don't let us down now.

I wish I could elaborate more on details of the story, but doing so would reveal too much about the plot. All I can say is that the artwork is dark and brooding, the story presents a tale elegant and morbid, and the overall comic exceeds expectations. The Lord Baltimore comics, to the point, have all been excellent reads. “The Play” continues that tradition and cements Mignola as the preeminent horror comic author. Overall, this is a great one-shot.

The added detail of the setting makes this series outstanding, while this new chapter promises a hell of a fight for Baltimore and his crew.

You get your money out of this investment in excellent sequential art and storytelling.

Unfortunately, the confrontation comes in the last page. Where this could have been a two-issue fight, the real fisticuffs won't come until issue two. Yes, there's a whole comic of flashback and explication of Baltimore's origin. And, yes, it's still a good comic. Unfortunately, the good fight scenes and eerie atmosphere are sparse.

The backdrop of World War I Europe and the masking of the undead as plague proves a masterful stroke of storytelling that makes this book a must read. Yes, the art does seem to have the simple Mignola lines and forms, but it suffices for the purpose of the story. And what a story this is. The secret of the Infernal Train will have readers cheering and fearing for Baltimore and his quest.

Although not as well known as Hellboy, Lord Baltimore does have my vote for Mignola’s best work. If you like storytelling, you will be entertained by the Baltimore series, including “The Inquisitor”.

Stenbeck's art does a brilliant job capturing the blood and gore. Additionally, his work with shadows and darkness provides the ideal backdrop for a hero like Baltimore and his tale. Mignola and Golden end the "Chapel of Bones" chapter with a brilliantly visual and cinematic climax that trumps all the other Vampire hunters and their tales.

As Dustin can attest, the Mignola properties are some of the most underrated comic books available. If the comic writer/artist continues with such consistently great work, I will have to make those books my best of the month pick. Over and over and over…

I have covered a few of the chapters of the hero known as Baltimore, and I must say that this series has captured the monster-fighting sense of adventure better than its predecessors.

All of the Baltimore series have been great fun to read and defied clich by imbuing the hero with enough twists and turns to give readers a story that's exciting and new each issue. Hopefully the shocking cover will grab readers; if not, the story itself will. Don't miss this series.

Nevertheless, Baltimore defies convention with the character's setting and broad menagerie of menacing occult foes. I wonder why no one has optioned this to be a film. With mediocre hits like Hansel and Gretel, a Baltimore script would be smart and visual beyond measure and only add to the genre. If you don't believe me, check the final panel of the comic where the heroes walk line abreast towards the reader and get those cool chills that come from being pumped up with adrenaline.

Here we have another brilliant comic that does an outstanding job of keeping the spirit of the late creator’s intent. This is an outstanding book for everyone who needs humor and comfort.

I am content that Charlie Brown and the gang continue to have great stories told about them, and I am a fan of Kaboom for their perfect execution of the legacy created by a man named Charles Schulz who wanted to make the world a little better by drawing some funny pictures.

These tales are innocent and fun. I found myself smiling with a wide grin reading each one of these tales"old and new"in this monthly book. Kaboom! has done an amazing job of keeping the tradition of Charlie Brown as close to Schulz original vision. This is an outstanding all-ages book.

This is another issue that will please and delight readers of all ages. As always, the legacy that Charles Schulz started is honorably continued with this fine work of collected writers and artists.

What an amazing confluence of art and story. You won’t put down this book and have asmile. But you will be glad thatsomeone’s making a comic that makes you feel something.

Last issue had me close to tears with the origins of The Goon’s mother. This book has me laughing out loud because of its concise critiques. So many champion DC’s Animal Man for its ability to step outside the standard comic conventions. Take a deeper breath the next time you do because you will need to mention The Goon for doing the same.

Powell has talent. He’s sharing it, and we reap the benefits of what he can do. Please reward him for his work by checking out the book. Comics like The Goon will make other comics better by providing a great example.

The twists from this plot remind me of the build up to a great battle. Powell has not dropped once in his excellent deliver with this book, so I know that will be one hell of a fight. Every month this book is a must read.

Okay, so you are tired of me raving about this book every month, but you try to find a flaw in it. Add this to your subscription box to realize how ripped off you are every time you read a poorly plotted G.I. Joe book or an abysmally written Ghostbusters.

I, for one, am glad to have the Goon back again bustin' up all those supernatural bruisers. With this trip to Mexico, the Goon retakes his spot back at the top of the list of greatest comics on the shelf in current production.

This book gives me shivers at how great it is.

The art of the book is distinct, yet some parts do remind me of Katsuhiro Otomo’s work. There is great attention to detail, particularly in the buildings. Stokoe illustrates Godzilla with fearsome menace, and the additional monsters have just as much tenacity in their design. This is an amazing book that sadly ends with the next issue. For now, savor this example of how to perfectly execute a Godzilla story.

In an ending that bittersweet and climactic, Stokoe ends his run on this, the best Godzilla series ever published by IDW. We can only hope that the good sales on this book will guarantee Stokoe a monthly book.

After Eric Powell finished his run on The Goon, I thought I would not be able to find a book so literary in its execution. Harrow County just changed my mind.

As the rogue's gallery of the comic unite to battle the hero, the readers get brilliant storytelling that elevate the villain conglomerate motif above the clich that it has become. I don't know how Paulsey's reanimated corpse will play into the story, but that mystery drives me to find out. Based on past issues, I know the writer has a clever plan involved that will entice me, stupefy me, and entertain me. And elements like that make this book a consistent masterpiece of the medium.

There is no match for this comic in look or content.

Although I keep awarding this book high praises and scores every month, I never run out of positive things to say.People look back on comics in the 1990s and remember poly-bagged gimmicks.When people look back on comics in the early 21stcentury, they will remember compelling stories, magnificent illustrations;The Goonwill be the first example to define that era.

It's a damn shame that Image charges only $2.99 for thiscomic because it is worth so much more. I thank Seifert for being an excellent storyteller who clearly didn'trush this one. The layers anddetails are so brilliant and fresh that I am hooked on this comic forgood.