Charlie Ridgely Comic Reviews

At 40 pages, 20th Century Men can be a challenging and sometimes unfulfilling read. There's a lot going on and not all of it is immediately interesting.

The changes between time periods feel jarring, but all of the different stories are at least well written and wonderful to look at. It's a big, dense read.

20th Century Men remains very heavy and very dense, qualities that operate as both a hinderance and a major selling point.

David Messina's original tale is a delightful one to look at, with expertly drawn action sequences and some great facial expressions that really help tell the story.

The first issue of a comic has to give you something to latch onto, some kind of hook that will bring you back. A Thing Called Truth seems like it wants that hook to be its mystery, which ultimately feels a little underwhelming.

The characters at the center of the story are a joy, and the book as a whole will go as far as they can carry it.

I'm so much less concerned with where this is going than the journey it takes to get there, so it's nice to see the series take time to stop and smell the lavender.

While the final pages are satisfying, there's a lot more left in the tank.

As he has done many times in recent years, Cates is able to find the delicate balance between a story that's just off-the-rails mental, and one that earnestly and wholeheartedly connects to its readers. It's as jaw-dropping as it is thoughtful and compelling. You don't find that often.

Everything in Absolute Carnage #2 works in unison to provide an immensely enjoyable read and a harrowing story that you won't want to miss.

Ryan Stegman was born to draw Absolute Carnage. Page after page is stunning and he continues to prove that there was no one else up to the venomous task at hand.

Absolute Carnage continues to be a rowdy, twisted event that leaves you craving more after each and every page.

After a long wait, Absolute Carnage ends pretty abruptly.

Somehow, someway, these "Absolute Carnage" tie-ins continue to exceed expectations.

Definitely a fun read but lacking a little focus.

This iteration of the character is still fun and enjoyable, but the smart writing of the first couple of issues has morphed a bit into that stereotypical Deadpool style, inserting a random joke in just about every line in order to reiterate that, yes, this is Wade Wilson.

There are genuinely compelling characters and fun artistic flourishes throughout this first issue, enough to have me give the second installment a chance.

With some fun artwork and a compelling lead, this is yet another solid entry into the Absolute Carnage event.

It's almost as if this exists outside of the continuity of the main book, which gets more tedious than exciting the longer it goes on.

It's easy to see that the ongoing series that connect are rather strong, and Absolute Power does enough to keep you invested in them.

The majority of the main story in this annual is focused on a space queen hitting on Eddie Brock because he's strong-willed. That's not a stretch and I don't really think you need to know anything else about this issue to pass on it.

Yes, the whole comic is about Nightcrawler's life as a successful actor. Yes, it's as boring as it sounds.

Just like the first issue, Amazing Nightcrawler remains a strange question mark for the X-Men franchise.

It's definitely an improvement over the first two issues, but that wasn't exactly a high bar.

Once you realize this book doesn't exactly have much of a purpose, it's really hard to get invested in anything going on.

If you've somehow been keeping up with this Nightcrawler saga, the conclusion won't disappoint.

Sure, it takes a while to get through some of the clunky, uninteresting backstory bits, but there's something enjoyable at the core of the book and in the soul of its leading man.

In trying to build such a massive world in such a short amount of time, things begin to feel lifeless, even when that world is clearly intriguing.

This "episode finale" might have felt more impactful if the issues leading up to it had been stronger and more coherent.

It's actually a good bit of fun.

The story is already going in circles after just two issues, but with the great characters that's sometimes easy to look past.

Amazons Attack #1 is a wonderful start to a new chapter in tale of Wonder Woman's storied people. It has some room to grow moving forward, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if readers look back on this entry as the start of a brilliant new era for Queen Nubia and the Amazons.

It's not often a companion book is as good strong as its flagship, but Amazons Attack comes pretty close.

Amazons Attack does an incredible job of keeping tension bubbling below the surface, even when there is so much happening right in front of you.

An already engaging saga gets even more intriguing as it digs deeper into the mystery beneath the surface.

The messaging of Amazons Attack continues to impress, perfectly toeing the line between subtlety and over-explanation.

Amazons Attack never stopped being poignant and powerful, keeping its aim true from beginning to end. That said, its end is a bit weaker than its start, but it sticks the landing better than most limited runs do these days.

This is a mostly enjoyable spy thriller, with some witty dialogue and exciting action scenes.

It looks though the book wants to be Jessica Jones but falls a little short.

It's hard to look at from time-to-time, but it's still a fairly smart little spy story. It's just not nearly as smart as it thinks it is.

Some of the action sequences are great throughout this book, and the dialogue between the key characters remains a major strength. But no matter how good some individual elements may be, Amber Blake still has an incredibly difficult time keeping one's interest.

All-in-all, this is a promising start to potentially one of the best Ant-Man and Wasp team-ups we've ever seen.

It's a beautiful and impactful tale that I certainly didn't expect, but I'll surely be reading again.

This book rises above the tropes while simplifying things down to molecular levels. It's a fantastic read, just in time for its big screen counterpart.

A genuinely exciting story mixed with bright colors and smooth artwork makes for another A+ installment to this series.

In a world where monologues are the norm for exposition-heavy debut issues, Antarctica makes the case that less is definitely more.

Antarctica is so well-paced, making its thrills and intrigue the main attraction while slow-releasing the deeper plot points a little at a time.

A little more focus and this story would soar.

There's a simpler version of Antarctica out there that tells the same tale but in a way that connects to the reader much more easily.

The Annual is about as interesting as it can be, given its premise, but it doesn't do much to inspire any intrigue or excitement.

Everything about this comic seems like a home run, especially for me, so why was it such a letdown? Don't get me wrong, Avengers #1 is a solid book. But with all the hype Marvel is putting behind it, solid isn't quite enough.

I had my reservations about the new Avengers series after the first issue, and the second installment did a lot t alleviate that. However, it also did a couple of things that got me worrying even more.

All-in-all, Avengers is heading in a potentially exciting direction, but the road to the finish line is riddled with pot holes.

Jason Aaron did well to split the Avengers up with this issue, as he finally got the chance to highlight the character work that makes his writing so special.

The bigger this Avengers series gets, the more absurd it becomes.

Avengers #6 finally brought the Final Host saga to an end, but its conclusion is so muddled and messy that I almost feel more joy that the arc is over than contentment for having read it at all.

This is the kind of series he was meant to write, and I'd love to see more of it.

This is finally shaping up to be the Avengers book that I'd been hoping for when Aaron and McGuinness signed on.

The first arc of Avengers was clunky, dull, and lacked a compelling villain. With one issue, Jason Aaron has turned all of those problems around and set Avengers on the right path.

This is a very fun book with a couple of final act teases that will get you genuinely excited for what's to come.

There's a lot to like about what happens in this Avengers, and no reason why it couldn't spawn several spinoff series.

While I've enjoyed the Avengers as of late, Aaron can reach another level when he's really focusing on a single character and their journey.

From vampire mythology to Ghost Rider's demonic history, Aaron knows exactly what to do with these darker properties. Every moment works.

Nothing especially fantastic going on, but any comic that puts Robbie Reyes at the forefront is going to be exciting.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for vampires and demons in comics, but this Avengers arc is really working.

Avengers remains one of Marvel's biggest roller coasters, as some issues are absolute home runs while others struggle to land on two feet.

There are times where it's hard to be invested because you're dealing with characters you don't really have any attachment to, but the satire of the issue makes it all worth it.

One of the strengths of this series is its ability to give a voice to characters we aren't use to hearing from.

There are some faulty steps at the beginning and end of the issue, but all around well-written, well-illustrated, and a good deal of fun.

That's what makes this book so solid, its ability to bring these different pieces together for a coherent and enjoyable experience. Plus, any comic with all of the Avengers goofing off in a hot tub gets bonus points in my book.

Nothing ever dives too deep below the surface, but it's a wonderful ride nonetheless. Can we get this version of the Avengers all the time?

There's a lot going on in this latest issue of Avengers, and most of it is off the rails in the best possible way.

Despite the story not really moving too much, you'd be hard pressed to find a more fun and frantic team up than Aaron's latest.

It's hard not to be excited for what's to come, even if not much has happened over the last couple of issues.

It's not always exciting nowadays when a great book pulls the "now we're going to space" card, but it really works for Aaron here.

Jason Aaron really enjoys playing in space, and he makes great fun for readers out in the great unknown.

With some rad new character designs and Aaron's impeccable take on Silver Surfer, Avengers #29 is a great entry to the series.

The Starbrand has been overused in Marvel team books for too long, but Aaron takes the idea in an entirely new direction here.

When all is said and done, No Road Home introduces an exciting new story that could prove to be a game-changing affair. Then again, it could also turn out to be just another Avengers off-shoot.

With a team of gods, androids, and immortal beings, Hawkeye shouldn't be the most interesting character on this Avengers roster, providing the inner monologue that narrates the entire book. But, here we are, and it seriously works.

It's got a solid roster and good villains, but Hawkeye and Rocket are the ones that really elevate it to new heights

There's nothing necessarily bad going on, but it's certainly a lot less interesting than previous weeks.

What started as an exciting new team of Marvel heroes turns into a split-up story following the framework of many average events in recent memory.

This issue of No Road Home is almost a completely different book from the rest of the series, and it finds a way to work on multiple levels.

There's good stuff happening in No Road Home, but its hidden beneath several layers of meh.

With some great (and beautifully illustrated) fight scenes, and a few very sincere and meaningful moments, this stands out as one of the better entries in the No Road Home saga.

There is almost no consistency in the quality of story and dialogue in No Road Home from issue to issue, and unfortunately #9 is on the lowest end of that spectrum.

It's hard to think of one good thing this finale has going for it. The coloring was pretty good? That's all I got.

The issue was pretty fun, as most of the series has been to this point, but that's all there really is to it.

Even if you're a diehard fan of the back-breaking villain, there is no reason to waste your time reading this book, let alone pay for it.

Bane Conquest has no idea what it is or what it wants to be, making for an all-around mistake of a series.

Bane: Conquest has been going on for so long, and the story has been so convoluted, that here in the final issue I've completely forgotten what the book is even about.

Overall, a slightly above average experience, which is more than I can say about a lot of other comics on the shelf today.

Like many issues in this series, Batman Beyond #18 is a totally lackluster affair. The art can be fun at times, and the dialogue is never too bad, but the tone of the book never really feels right.

Issue #19 does a better job of being enjoyable, and the narrative moves more cohesively at a much better pace than issues past. That said, there are still plenty of issues here.

All in all though, this is a good step in the right direction.

This isn't the worst the series has been, and the smooth line work and bright colors keep things moving quickly, but it's certainly been better.

The new spin on Scarecrow isn't completely original, but it's fresh and written well enough to get you excited about what's to come.

The excitement has finally picked up in Batman Beyond, and issue #23 easily stands out as one of the better issues of the new series.

The conclusion of the current Batman Beyond arc came fairly abruptly, but it makes for an enjoyable read nonetheless.

There isn't much story to tell with this issue, but Jurgens' writing of Joker Beyond makes it worthwhile.

This is one of those issues that reminds you how exciting the Batman Beyond property can be.

This issue has a bit of an anticlimactic end, but still a great progression for the characters involved.

The writing is fine, the art is fun, but Sins of the Father is just a simple story that likely won't matter in the long run.

If you're trying to limit your Gotham-related stories to just one or two a month, you can do better than this one.

Up to this point I've felt that Batman: Sins of the Father was standard at best, but mostly pretty mundane. Issue #3 broke that trend and actually delivered an interesting comic, one that long-time Batman fans are sure to enjoy.

In a series that started off very bland, reading through this issue is effortlessly refreshing.

Issue #5 of this video game-inspired series regressed to the mean a bit after an outstanding issue last time around.

If you're a fan of the character, this is definitely worth picking up.

True fans of the character, and those who have been paying good attention to the series up to this point, will be rewarded. Others may have a difficult time, but should enjoy the character work nonetheless.

Batwoman is the kind of story that comes with a complexity that's mostly fantastic, but also a tad frustrating.

All-in-all, Batwoman #14 is a solid entry to the series, but not nearly as strong as some of the issues that have come before.

First of all, let's get this out the way: Batwoman #15 is the most beautifully illustrated and lettered issue of the series, up there with some of the best looking comics DC has put out in the last couple of years. I was hoping the writing of the issue would match, and it does from time to time, but it's inconsistent.

Batwoman has been in a valley for a couple of issues, and I was VERY worried about this big "vs. Batman" fight distracting from the quality of Kate's story. However, it proved to be exactly the opposite, and the inner battle of a symbol versus your own family quickly became a powerful message.

Batwoman remains perhaps the most beautiful DC comic on the shelves, but the start of this latest arc isn't anything special from a story perspective.

It's a touching tribute to this character, and the journey she's embarked on over the last 18 issues. Even if you haven't read any of the series to this point, this book is worth picking up. As intended, you will put it down with more joy in your soul than when you first opened it.

The execution is a little inconsistent in the back half, but man is The Big Burn playing with a stellar idea.

This Black Cat run continues to surprise.

Black Cat #1 is a simple, grounded, but exciting series that gives an underutilized character the chance to shine on her own. It's not perfect, but it gets better as it goes along and certainly well-worth your time if you're looking for a new series to try out.

Everything at work in this book was already great, but adding in a crazed Merlin and a trip to the Sanctum Santorum make it even better. It's time to add this one to your pull list.

It feels like Black Cat lost a little of the magic of its first two issues here in the third installment.

Equal parts espionage thriller and slapstick comedy, Black Cat is about as well rounded as it gets.

There's plenty of action, humor and excitement packed into Black Cat, especially in #5, but none of those reasons are why the book continues to work so well. Sure they help, but the success is all about the way Felicia's character is written.

This iteration of Felicia continues to be devilishly entertaining, even when there's not much else going on around her.

There are some wonky flashbacks throughout this issue and they deter a bit from the action and pacing of the overall story.

Black Cat has been quite good since it launched, but this second arc is starting to wear out its welcome.

This book doesn't need a new Marvel A-lister to pop in every week, Black Cat is just fine on her own.

Shoe-horning Wolverine into every possible story is very annoying, and his inclusion here is frustrating on principle. But to be honest, he and Black Cat actually make a pretty enjoyable duo.

It eventually spirals into yet another version of the "people in Marvel comics get Iron Man armor" stories, and that's just something no one wants to see again.

This entire issue is a fight with Iron Man in super suits and nothing more. It's not a comic about Felicia Hardy. Doesn't Tony Stark already have his own series?

The result, at least in this week's debut issue, is a fantastic exploration of a character readers have known for years, making him seem both brand new and entirely familiar.

Only two issues in and this is already shaping up to be a fantastic run.

Ewing's Black Panther continues to be the kind of serialized, satisfying story we all love to read.

It gets a little denser than previous issues, but it's still leagues ahead of other current superhero sagas.

This comic book continues to both impress and surprise.

This character's journey is layered, engaging, and gives even more weight to the rich history of Wakanda.

There's a scene in this issue where T'Challa has to directly wrestle with the fact that he has only spent real time in a small part of the country he once led, which sends him on an assignment to experience live in a different corner of Wakanda. Yes, this is in an effort to make him a better Panther, but it's the core of what this entire series is about as well.

The story isn't necessarily as tight as it was when this new series first started, but Ewing's study of T'Challa as a mannot as a king or leaderis as fascinating as ever.

Black Panther is wading into the waters of much bigger Marvel stories, and it's unclear so far just how well the series is incorporating those ideas.

For a series that was so grounded for the majority of its run, the finale of Black Panther felt like such a strange way to bring it all home.

The swings are maybe a little too hard at times, and the book can occasionally get bogged down in its own heavy exposition. But at the core there's something really exciting here.

There are so many good ideas at play in Blasfamous, but way too many of them are being explored simultaneously.

This is a case of execution not being able to keep up with ambition.

There are moments in Blood Commandment that get entirely too bogged down in dense conversations about faith and mortality.

There are lulls here and there, but overall the execution is solid and the ideas are fantastic.

Blood Commandment explores some fantastic ideas at the intersection of horror and religion. Few modern vampire stories have been able to dive so deep into those different realms with so much success. The only thing working against Blood Commandment is how many words it takes to get there.

Cable excels at giving Nate and Nathan enough similarities from shared experiences without making them different generation copies of one another. Getting those two right is half the battle, and this Cable series clearly made them a point of emphasis.

The role in the overall event unfortunately takes priority over the series story from time to time, making for a frustrating narrative.

Unfortunately, this series so often finds whatever excuse it can to cram in as many popular X-characters as possible, and it reverts to being a bit of a mess.

There's so little to dig into or care about overall, but the little nuggets between those two leads serve as reminders that the entire series could've been a lot stronger.

When I was finished, I literally thought, "Wait, it's over already?!" It's so expertly crafted. More than anything, Steve Rogers actually stands for something again, and we would do well not to take it for granted.

There are so many underlying themes throughout even just this issue, but they're handled so well and presented so clearly that there is never any mess or confusion, only a thrilling and engaging story.

Captain America #1 teases a promising new exploration of Steve Rogers, which should be worthwhile for the beloved character's fanbase. If it wants to actually achieve anything new or interesting, though, there's still a lot of work to be done. For now, it's spending too much time talking about stories and not nearly enough time actually telling one.

The first issue of this new Captain America run left a lot of room for the series to grow, but somehow its sophomore effort is even worse.

There are a few pages in this issue dedicated to talking trash about Nazis, and that is awesome. It's also, unfortunately, the only enjoyable sequence in the whole thing.

Steve's character is about the only thing this book as going for it, and for someone whose alter ego is the series title he isn't given nearly enough to save the story from itself.

As the villain of the series takes shape, the overarching tale actually makes a lot of sense. I see where this is going and I can appreciate it, but getting there is as big of a drag as ever.

I get what Straczynski is trying to say with this series, and the idea is admirable, but the execution has simply been missing from the very first page.

Captain America abandoned the exposition-heavy soapbox of the obvious that it spent its first six issue on, only to trade it on for a new story that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Ultimately, it doesn't really feel like this story has anything to do with Steve Rogers, he's just thrust into a supernatural situation because he has a good heart.

It's time for a fresh start, for both the character and the creative team.

This issue, much like most of the series before it, is largely a mess.

This issue was smart, and sometimes powerful, even if the story was at a bit of a stand still.

Champions continues to impress me more and more with each passing issue. This annual edition, which serves as a bridge between two different arcs, is easily one of the best issues of the entire series.

All told, this book is a solid read for the teen or preteen comic fan in your life, but it's nothing worth getting excited about.

If every issue of Champions were more like this one, leaning more on the quality of the relationships than the quirky teen jokes, the book would have a lot more people talking.

This issue sets up a great ride for the Champions going forward.

Champions #20 is a solid issue on many fronts, no matter how old you may be.

This book is quickly becoming a must-read for any and all comics fans.

While the title will never carry the same weight as the Avengers, these Champions are starting to become the premiere team-up at Marvel, and more people should start paying attention.

Thankfully, however, we at least get little moments with each Champion at some point in the book and, although the ending is a bit messy, it's still another exciting edition to an already stellar series.

This is a wildly emotional book, and everyone should buy it, read it, and share it with someone else. Everyone.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, because it's worth repeating: Champions is one of Marvel's best team-up books. If you're not already, you should be reading it.

No doubt about it, this is a really great read that will keep you engaged at every turn.

Champions is a perfect blend of the wackiest stuff comics has to offer and the importance of genuine teenage friendships.

It's hard finding new and exciting ways to explain just how good Champions really is. This is Marvels finest team-up book currently in print. Period.

Everything about Champions works, on every possible level, and superhero comics just don't get much better. I'd be fine if this series never ended.

I'm running out of ways to say that Champions is one of best books of the year. That's it; that's my whole review. Just go buy it and read it and love it.

It's rare that a team of young heroes is this relatable and written this well, this consistently.

I don't know if I can love this book more.

From Kamala Khan to Victor Alvarez, every single character gets their time in the spotlight and helps make Champions one of Marvel's best ongoing series, month in and month out.

Champions is wonderful in every sense of the word.

Sam Alexander has never been better, which helps a lot in the absence of Kamala and Miles.

This thoughtful character study masquerading as an action team-up is just as superb as it when it first began, if not more so.

All in all it's still a very satisfying end to an even more satisfying story. Hopefully these characters won't be away from the spotlight for too long.

You can't help but be a little disappointed by what could've been, even if what we got was still pretty solid.

Thankfully, the writing (mostly) overpowers the poor artwork, and the issue is a solid take on the characters.

If you're a die hard fan of the franchise there is maybe something to be found here, but even that feels like a stretch.

What we have here isn't the best comic on the shelf by any stretch, but it's a good time from the first page to the last, and that's all you need every now and then.

Titan's debut issue of Conan the Barbarian may not be the very best we've seen from Conan over the years, but it's much closer to the character's best than his worst. It's a strong, if uneven first issue that plants the seeds for some exciting adventures ahead.

This take on the character doesn't bring anything new to the table, so it's easy to feel like maybe you've read it before.

The third issue of Titan's new Conan series is a major step forward from the first two. None of them have been bad, but this issue shows off the potential that a Conan story can possess.

The start to this issue feels somewhat rushed and abrupt after the last arc concluded, but Zub really finds a great rhythm here once he gets going.

Mixing the old school, barbaric violence with green and ghoulish supernatural elements is just a killer combo for Conan.

The Conan character work is what worked so well in the early issues of this series. The more recent issues have excelled at delivering on some fantastic supernatural elements. Conan the Barbarian #7 brings those things together for arguably the most compelling issue of the series so far.

Zub knows what was so enjoyable about the Conan of the past and continues to find ways to tell new stories with the character.

This series continues to be everything it intends to be, while delivering some excellent art and exciting endeavors.

Previous arcs fell a little short, but this snowbound adventure is really hitting the mark.

Conan's arctic arc remains the strongest of this run to-date, though this issue is slightly weaker than the couple that came before it.

Cosmic Ghost Rider is exactly what you'd expect: delightfully delicious mayhem.

With each page, Cosmic Ghost Rider only gets more and more insane.

Cosmic Ghost Rider is wacky in all the right ways, and every panel is nothing short of thoroughly enjoyable.

The emotional impact of CGR has never been felt as much as it is in this issue, with the story of a father wrestling with his shortcomings being brought to the forefront.

Wonderful finale for Cates and company.

What a delightful throwback to pulpy TV monsters.

This issue of Crowley leans more on the action than advancing the story, but that's totally okay when the action is this fun and gnarly.

The action slows down in this issue, but the character beats make up for it in multiple ways.

Count Crowley continues to be one of the most enjoyable comics on the shelf every month.

Crowley is a deeply lived-in character that never ceases to earn your attention and adoration. The supporting cast is as good as ever. And the narration is top-notch, as always.

If there was a new issue of Count Crowley every month for the next hundred years I would gladly pay up every month until I died.

Dastmalchian has also developed a real knack for balancing multiple story threads and knowing exactly when to pivot between them for maximum effect.

This Count Crowley arc-ender lacks some of the focus of the rest of the series, trying to do a few too many things at once.

David Dastmalchian's Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter may be a much more meta, much less fantastical approach to the wild horror concepts that Dark Horse has been known for over the years, but it's still a very enjoyable introduction to what could be the publisher's next great, twisted hit.

This book will be an absolute blast when it's collected and you can actually sink your teeth into large chunks at a time.

The story of the series needs to start going somewhere soon, but the ride is enjoyable nonetheless.

Count Crowley ends its first arc just as well as it started.

A top tier monster book with a heavy, near-perfect ending.

This is bland all-around and it's difficult to see how it gets more interesting from here.

These two issues feel like totally different approaches to beginning the same story, but if there's one thing they do have in common, it's that they both possess the ability to make 24 pages feel like 42.

With a simplified plot, Cross to Bear has found a way to shine a little brighter.

It's strange for a book to make its most interesting narrative turn in the second half of its finale.

Between his big ideas and Geoff Shaw's grounded work, it's easy to buy into what Crossover is selling.

The narrative is solid and the art is great, but the hook gets too distracting throughout this issue for it to be as excellent as its predecessors.

Cates really starts to find a more concrete voice as the narrator in this issue, and it absolutely does wonders for the book.

Just as the series starts to slow down a little much in its fifth issue, Cates and Shaw ramp up the excitement and keep everything engaging.

This issue is an absolute hit parade of some of the post popular characters from Image's history, and they all have a fun part to play.

An essential read for anyone who considers themselves a creative.

It's easy to see how this could get into "jumping the shark-meta" territory in the not too distant future, but it's entertaining enough for the time being.

I think there's still a little too much going on for a monthly series, but the individual plots continue to get more interesting.

Crossover borders on being too self-indulgent about half the time, and issue #10 largely falls into the wrong half of that equation. It's entertaining, but it does little to move the story along.

Despite the ultra-meta narrative spiraling out of control, Cates' character work is as fascinating as ever.

Seeing Negan come face to face with Robert Kirkman (and call him out for the death of Glenn) is a wonderful exchange to witness.

Crossover might be entirely too self-indulgent, but it hits a sweet spot for creators.

Against all odds, Cyber Force has found a way to do what its other old school Image counterparts like Savage Dragon and Spawn have always failed to accomplish: be relevant and interesting in the 21st century.

Cyber Force #2 is a lot more world building that you might want out of a second issue, but it's an enjoyable read and it seems like the payoff will be worth the wait.

This is how Damage should look, feel, and read, each and every month. It's a bit sad that that doesn't happen.

In its second issue, Damage continues to be one of the bigger surprise stories out of DC this year.

With a fantastic appearance from Wonder Woman and another spreading of bread crumbs offering just one more hint at the larger mystery, this comic was a lot of fun. However, in the final few pages, the story circled back to a trope that we've already seen in its short run.

Definitely an exciting ride that's worth the read.

To put it plainly, Damage is going off the rails fast.

This book has gotten stale rather quickly, and running through even more tired tropes with random combinations of DC's all-star roster isn't going to help.

In issue #7, Damage finally adds a layer of depth and humanity to its story, which the series has desperately needed for several issues. Still, even with that helpful note, the book still struggles to be anything more than a Red Bull-fueled romp through the DC character library.

The story as a whole still isn't entirely engaging, and has fallen well-short of its potential, but this issue manages to stand out as one of its better installments.

It's a shame that Damage had to go through several other stories before finally finding its own voice, because the latest issues have an actual story about Damage's journey that is surprisingly intriguing.

Damage still doesn't know exactly what it wants to be, which presents a pretty substantial problem as we get into the second and third arc of the series.

As I've said before, the book is at its lowest point when entire issues are nothing but an excuse for this massive being to fight popular DC characters, with little to no story involved. That's what happens again in this issue, and it's just not an enjoyable experience.

This is boring action at its best, though the ending is a bit better than expected.

As much as I've complained about having big-name guest stars in the book, the juxtaposition of Batman as a sort of villain actually does a lot to advance the story. By the end though, it feels like just another issue stuck in the same stale circle.

Damage has been a mostly subpar comic to this point, but it could've been so much more had it tried this out earlier.

The character isn't bad, and I wouldn't hate to see him again in another book, but the Damage series was ready to sail off into the sunset.

The Detective Chimp-centric bookends are a fun ride, but can't save the utter mess that falls in-between.

Dawnrunner is by far the closest we've come to a worthy Pacific Rim successor.

Every layer that gets peeled back in Dawnrunner presents another biting, engaging element for the overall story.

Dawnrunner continues to be such a fresh entry in the pantheon of kaiju vs mech stories, and it feels like things are just getting started.

This series pulls no punches and goes for the hardest story choices, knowing that the risk outweighs the reward. And boy, that big creature design in the final pages is a stunner.

Some of the character beats are decent, but none of it feels like it has anything to do with Dead by Daylight.

When it's all said and done, it feels like nothing much has really happened, and that that probably won't change too much over the final 12 months.

It's certainly taking a complicated route to get their, but Dead Man Logan might actually turn out to be something worth while. We'll see.

This is simply a fun superhero comic with some solid art and not too much to say. There are definitely worse ways to spend your time.

Dead Man Logan is a perfectly fine comic that's honestly a little more engaging than the premise has any right to be.

It's not a horrible book, and certainly better than some of the lead-ins to the other Wolverine's return, but it's not very interesting either. It's time to put Old Man Logan out to pasture.

Dead Man Logan has spent quite a long time being dull and feeling utterly unnecessary, but this issue represents a wonderful change in the story.

This is way better than anything these OML titles have put out in a while.

It's definitely worth keeping up with this series for the last few issues.

. It's time for this story to end, but it seems to be going out on a fairly high note.

It honestly kind of works, in a brutal violence meets Wacky Racers sort of way.

This penultimate issue of Dead Man Logan starts a bit rough, keeping with the same dull tones and topsy turvy dialogue that has plagued this Logan run for some time.

This series had a really tough time staying interesting throughout, but the final road to its finale was actually quite compelling.

If 90s nostalgia is all you're after, this looks like those books you've been missing. Otherwise, there's not a lot of new or even interesting ground being covered.

To put it nicely, Demi-God is just bad.

This isn't your granddaddy's Doctor Strange, making for a fun and enjoyable read with a lot of promise going forward.

Between Aaron, Cates, and Waid, it's easy to see that we're in the middle of pure resurgence of Strange, and that my friends is an incredible feeling.

Doctor Strange #3 is a wonderful example of how to keep a great series standing on its on, while also dropping some slight ties to the connected universe at large.

Waid attempts to use some non-linear storytelling to aim the story in a new direction, and it takes a few pages for the technique to finally work. However, once the story figures out where it's going, Doctor Strange gets firing on all cylinders, and reinvigorates the excitement that fans found in its first issue.

Doctor Strange continues to be one of the most interesting Marvel books on the market right now.

Still, despite the changes, this book is a lot of fun to read, and the sleek, colorful art style remains the perfect vehicle for the antics of Stephen Strange.

Doctor Strange in space was a really fun, enjoyable comic series. However, two issues into this "Two Doctors" arc, a lot of that fun is already starting to disappear.

This new run of Doctor Strange started out very strong, and the tale of his space travels was a fantastic followup to Cates' Earthbound story. However, things started getting lost in the shuffle with the "Two Doctors" story, and they only get more convoluted here.

Nothing really happens in the book when all is said and done, but it will stand out as one of Strange's more interesting character studies.

Mark Waid and a talented horde of artists (led by Jesus Saiz) have created a wonderful issue that encapsulates everything Stephen Strange should be, while also setting up for what could be a fantastic arc in the coming months.

This issue of Doctor Strange is both a high and low for this series. Everything about the book, from its art to its less-than-stellar conclusion, feels entirely too rushed.

Waid and his creative team are attempting to flip that notion on its head, and the first issue is quite promising. We'll see where it goes from here, but I'm genuinely intrigued. Job well done.

All in all, this is a middle of the road outing for the Sorcerer Supreme, but there seem to be brighter days ahead.

Doctor Strange is always fun when he's off in another realm and dealing with creatures that are beyond the comprehension of our space and time. That's exactly what's happening here and it works extremely well.

Doctor Strange #15 is a beautiful issue to look at. The splashes of Dormammu and Galactus' joint destruction are spellbinding. The story, however, doesn't exactly hold up to the art.

Things wrap up in a slightly surprising, entirely somber way that may or may not have you wanting more.

If this book can keep its simplicity, it will keep its charm.

I'm not sure this new direction for Doctor Strange is an exciting one or if we're being set up for a total bore. Either way, the journey there is pretty exciting.

Sadly, this comic isn't really worth the time.

After a rough outing last month, Ducktales was surprisingly entertaining with this issue.

Nonetheless, the art is alright, and the issue is a passable kids comic that will keep children invested for solid chunk of time.

There are two stories in this issue, one that follows the rise of a serial killer and another that deals with a demonic possession cult. Both are absolute home runs that you will be thinking about for days. What a disturbing little treat this book is.

Good golly gracious, Dwellings is just the cat's pajamas.

These issues continue to be as entertaining as possible.

Aside from a final page twist, this is another largely uninteresting installment in a largely uninteresting event.

Christopher Priest's mind is one of a kind.

There is nothing in this smuggler's life worth exploring, but this book tries its hardest to convince you otherwise.

Eve Stranger is essentially a millennial version of Jason Bourne with even more hints at secrets layered in its first chapter.

This should be a playground to explore new facets of the character and break some new ground, but it all largely feels like retread of things we've already seen before.

Beyond a handful of engaging panels, there's little here to compel interest in the next issue or even the next page.

If you're not on board with Fantastic Four yet, it's time to reevaluate your relationship with comics as a whole, because you're missing something fantastic.

Once again, Fantastic Four manages to be one of the most fun, feel-good, exciting comics Marvel is publishing.

It is a very, VERY long issue, but the pacing helps it move pretty quickly, and the dialogue is second-to-none. Fantastic Four continues to be one of the most marvelous books around.

Reading this book, it's easy to see why so many people fell in love with the Fantastic Four.

How does one find anything negative to say about Fantastic Four? It's beautiful to look at and one of the purest comic stories we've seen in a long time. More, please.

Combine Doom with the unconventional storytelling taking things back and forth in time to preserve the surprise, and you've got another hit on your hands. I'm ready for more of this.

With issue #6 being the conclusion of an arc, FF has a hard time wrapping the story up neatly, but it's not quite as noticeable thanks to some great character work and dialogue.

This is easily the weakest installment of this new Fantastic Four series to date, but that's okay because Slott has raised the bar pretty high to this point. The crossover is just a small misstep on a nearly perfect series. That all said, it's still a mostly enjoyable read.

A perfect blend of action and comedy: the perfect balance for the FF.

Dan Slott has done a great job in bringing the characters of Fantastic Four to life over the last 11 issues, but none more so than Ben Grimm.

You'll smile ear to ear on multiple occasions, which makes this book well worth your time.

Going into the past is often a bad idea in the world of comics, but this is most definitely an exception.

With a blend of classic FF antics and new space-age characters, this is a great kick off to a seriously exciting ride.

Is it possible the Fantastic Four are just as compelling (if not more so) when they're stranded a totally unknown part of the universe on a seemingly perfect world governed by fear and vengeance?

It's incredibly gratifying to see them get back to the basics of what made them such beloved heroes in the first place.

This remains one of the most exciting Fantastic Four stories in some time.

This final installment of the "Point of Origin" saga was truly a great way to end the story, giving all parties closure while also setting up a great new direction for the next arc.

From start to finish, this Fantastic Four run has been, well, pretty fantastic.

Dan Slott has proven over the last year that he's a great Fantastic Four writer. The problem here is that the Fantastic Four are only in their own book for a few pages.

The saving grace here is that some of the tertiary FF characters that Slott has made great over the last several issues play prominent roles here, and it's exciting to see them flourish.

Let's chalk it up to a bland crossover experience and move on, yeah?

When there aren't event books happening, this remains such a fun read.

This one's a must-read for Marvel fans.

It could be an incredible launching point for stories from all over the universe, a device that connects the rich history of the Fantastic Four.

Franklin Richard's losing his powers is one of the best decisions Slott has made with the FF.

Nothing about the Fantastic Four should ever be traditional, and the last issue of this arc broke from tradition in the best of ways.

Crossovers hardly ever capture the essence of the characters the tie-ins are supposed to represent, but Slott finds an interesting way to tell this FF story as a parallel to previous King in Black issues.

Tie-ins are rarely ever as good as the main book their spinning from, and that's definitely the case here.

This series is playing the long game with Reed and Ben's relationship, and it's absolutely working.

It takes a bit to speed up, but this new arc shows a lot of promise.

The wedding of Doom is a pretty interesting concept, especially the way Slott puts it together.

The action is decent but there's just a lot of it, ironically leading one of Fantastic Four's most action-packed issues to feel like a bit of filler.

There are some great family moments sprinkled throughout and, if nothing else, this is a wonderful reminder of what makes Kang such a good villain (and why his variants will never be able to compare).

Ben Grimm remains the most fantastic part of Slott's FF run. He's written so well and continues to be the beacon of hope the team, and the readers, need Ben to be, in spite of whatever is happening to him.

It's fun to throw in a little Halloween flair with Jo and Nick, but it doesn't mesh well with what Slott is doing with the rest of the series.

This court case delivers, with a fantastic villain in the Wizard and a well executed guest appearance from Jennifer Walters.

The lawsuit saga has been a great exploration of the First Family, even if it ends rather abruptly.

Making the leader of the Fantastic Four even less likable is only so sustainable, but the final page establishes that this won't last too long, making the turn much more enjoyable.

The small character moments in this issue are where it shines the brightest, and where Slott has been the most successful throughout his time with the Fantastic Four. But there's a lot of moving pieces and complicated plot devices with this arc that bog down the overall narrative.

Each individual storyline has its moments but there is entirely too much going on to care too much about any of them, save for Ben and Reed's interactions.

Nothing on these pages is compelling, despite being competently written and well-illustrated. You forget it as soon as you close the comic.

I have no doubt there will be something worthwhile in this story's conclusion, but the journey there has become tiresome.

The rushed pacing of this final issue is a bit of a shock to the system and honestly doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

There's nothing especially exciting about this issue, but Reed Richard's inner-monologue throughout the whole thing makes it worth the read.

Reed's inner monologue is sincere and relatable, but it's the only thing interesting about the issue as a whole.

Ben Grimm has been the best part of the current Fantastic Four relaunch and this one-shot does even more to prove that.

Reckoning War Alpha #1 is a solid comic book, and utilizing multiple art styles feels necessary when juggling the different stories. In spite of that quality, the issue has moments where Reckoning War already starts to feel like a bit of a chore.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby changed an entire industry with the debut of the Fantastic Four 60 years ago. To celebrate the anniversary, Marvel Comics assembled some of today's best and most notable artists to recreate Fantastic Four #1 and the beloved wedding of Reed and Sue from Fantastic Four Annual #3. It's a nice gesture, but the final product yields mixed results.

Partnered with some home run character designs and a plot that perfectly toes the line between humor and heartbreak, Barfly #1 is easily one of the greatest single issues of any comic I've read this year. Go get yourself a copy and bask in its glory.

Each page is equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking, following a character you want so desperately to just get a win.

Real American Hero #252 is a fun, breezy standalone issue that makes for a great read, leaving you hoping for more stories like this in the future.

This Castle and Nick Fury story is beyond bleak, but it's the kind of reflective saga that is impossible to ignore.

Ghost-Spider is actually a really unique and intriguing blend of styles.

Ghost-Spider continues to be a frustrating read.

It's just disappointing that the story doesn't give you much to focus on and the art is pretty inconsistent.

These should be fun characters, but they're written in a way that tries to emulate those that have come before, and it lands with a thud.

Scott Lang and his companions each provide interesting insight to their adventure, and they make it worth the read. The story itself, not so much.

There is such a thing as too many tie-in books, and this is a prime example as to why.

I feel like Giant-Man had something to say. Unfortunately, the story is so muddled throughout that it's hard to actually get anything out of it other than frustration.

Throw a Crossroads Devil on the train and you've got the recipe for another great addition to this already stellar Hulk story.

Monsters & Protectors doesn't offer much in the way of Godzilla, or any other kaiju for that matter. It's very light on the action, but the story it spins with its adolescent leads makes it a great comic for younger readers.

The second issue is more all over the place than the first, making it a little harder to keep up at times, even though it's contained to mainly one location.

Each week this book gets harder and harder to follow.

Doom, gloom, and high-octane action are fun and all, but there's just something that clicks so well when the story focuses on the style of He-Man that most people fell in love with. More of that would certainly be welcomed.

The overall story of this series left intrigue at the door a while ago, but this issue is fairly enjoyable nonetheless.

You won't find anything incredibly deep or thought provoking here, but it's a fantastic and fun adventure that doesn't try to be anything it isn't.

This issue is very backstory and exposition heavy, but Ottley's stunning art gives you a lot to enjoy while getting through the onslaught of information.

The book sometimes loses its story in its visuals, but there's never a point where it isn't exciting.

When this "Starship Hulk" story first began, it felt like a saga that could overstay its welcome rather quickly. It stuck around entirely too long, spiraling into a mass of nonsense and unreadable action.

If you're hoping for something of real substance, this comic probably isn't for you. But if wild comic book action is what you crave, this is the place. Hulk vs. Thor has wild for days.

Hunt for the Skinwalker doesn't deliver a perfect debut, but does it really have to? The good far outweighs the not-so-good in this first issue, and it's easy to see the potential of what the series might become in the months ahead.

A lot of the big ideas were stuffed into that debut issue, allowing Hunt for the Skinwalker #2 to tell a much simpler, more effective story.

This is the issue that really sells you on how interesting Hunt for the Skinwalker can be, and unfortunately it's the second-to-last chapter we're set to receive.

I'm all for an ambiguous ending, but Hunt for the Skinwalker takes that concept to an entirely new level.

Hunt for Wolverine: Dead Ends is a surprisingly enjoyable comic, given the disappointment of 3 of the 4 mini-series leading into it.

The chemistry is odd, the story is fairly bland, and it's all around an uninteresting book.

All-in-all, it's a fine book that you won't be mad you spent time reading, but don't expect anything too spectacular.

Simply put: Adamantium Agenda is the weakest entry in the Hunt for Wolverine saga, and it's not even close.

All in all, a boring conclusion and even more boring book.

"Claws of a Killer" attempts to blend action, horror, and mystery elements in a comic about a search for Wolverine. Surprisingly, it does a pretty good job.

This mix of X-Men and zombies had a solid start, but issue #3 marked a steep decline for the miniseries.

Worst of all, unlike the other "Hunt for Wolverine" series, Claws of a Killer concludes with an utterly anti-climactic ending, making you feel like you've seriously wasted your time over the last four issues.

It's a shame that such a good great cast of characters is being wasted in a Wolverine-centric event.

This second issue proves what I noted after Weapon Lost #1: this is far and away the best of the Hunt for Wolverine series of minis.

With a couple of great twists and callbacks to Marvel Comics of old, this issue is high on my pull list this week.

It would be really nice to see these four get together in another book down the line, because Soule knew the exact way to balance the group, and it worked on nearly every level.

What an enjoyable return to Fairyland this turned out to be!

Some of its elements may seem familiar, but there's enough soul and originality throughout the pages of the first issue that it consistently feels fresh and exciting.

It's got dark humor in droves and a character at the heart of the story that you can't help but love, in spite of her own absurdity.

I Heart Skull-Crusher has yet to hit a rut, but issue #3 is definitely the lowest point of the series so far. It's still a delightful issue packed with hilarious characters, there's just not as much focus on display when it comes to balancing it all in the end.

I Heart Skull-Crusher was a ton of fun out of the gate but, while it remains a very solid read, it's showing some signs of struggle as it gets into the actual meat of the intended story.

I Heart Skull-Crusher is firing on all cylinders right now.

It's honestly a brilliant way to show people, both young and old, that being yourself is the best thing that you could possibly be. Share this comic with other people.