5.0
|
100 Bullets: Brother Lono | 1 issues |
5
|
100 Bullets: Brother Lono #8
Mar 1, 2014 |
Just like the previous issues, the finale is gorgeous. Risso's art and layouts are very engaging. The action is brutal and reflects a nihilistic outlook on the world. The brutality of man, the horror of violence, the inability to change one's own nature: these are all rich themes, worth exploring, and potentially evident inBrother Lono. Yet the story does not engage any of them on a meaningful level. And that's just too bad. |
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6.0
|
2020 Force Works | 1 issues |
6
|
2020 Force Works #3
Jun 3, 2020 |
If it weren't for the issue's modern style, it wouldn't be difficult to think this was a relic of the 1980s pulled from a back issue bin. |
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4.0
|
2020 Ironheart | 2 issues |
4
|
2020 Ironheart #1
May 20, 2020 |
It's an awkwardly positioned issue with awkward delivery and, while not all of that is the fault of these creators, it all results in a read that never manages to find the gas pedal. |
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4
|
2020 Ironheart #2
Jun 17, 2020 |
There's potential present here, but it's not realized and what's left will only satisfy readers desperate to find more of Riri. They deserve better. |
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3.0
|
4 Kids Walk Into A Bank | 1 issues |
3
|
4 Kids Walk Into A Bank #1
Apr 29, 2016 |
From the basic idea to the crisp visual notes, whatever you imagine based on that cover is bound to be better than what is inside. Boss is a real talent with great promise, one to be watched as he refines some of the skills and influences on display here. Yet the script squanders what he and the other visual collaborators bring to the table. There is no pushing back against the rigid grids and dense dialogue of the comic as it continues, and it collapses under its own weight. No matter how good 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank may sound, it's better to wait for the next thing. |
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6.0
|
A Walk Through Hell | 1 issues |
6
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A Walk Through Hell #1
May 16, 2018 |
Whatever nuance this narrative lacks, it makes up with skillful horror storytelling. |
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6.0
|
A-Force | 1 issues |
6
|
A-Force #1
May 20, 2015 |
For readers excited about Secret Wars and the epic superhero tales promised, A-Force #1 is a mixed bag. The tone and story are consistent with big crossovers, but share some of their failings as well. Consistent presentation of those ideas is where the issue really has troubles though. If Molina and Cheung's work improves, then A-Force may be one of the most fondly remembered series of this entire event. |
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6.7
|
Abbott | 3 issues |
8
|
Abbott #3
Mar 28, 2018 |
It's a promising climax that pushes this miniseries forward into its final couple of issues (and hopefully an ongoing series). |
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6
|
Abbott #4
Apr 25, 2018 |
It's a whole lot of filler for a good bit of killer at the end. |
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6
|
Abbott #5
May 30, 2018 |
The final moments of this miniseries exude anti-climax. All of the hallmarks of a big moment are there, but what actually occurs on the page has little to do with the events that came before. |
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6.0
|
Absolute Carnage (2019) One Shot | 1 issues |
6
|
Absolute Carnage (2019): Immortal Hulk #1
Oct 2, 2019 |
While the final page of this issue is an absolute showstopper, it's ultimately one big reminder of what readers have been discovering across two series in the past year, albeit a well-written one. |
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6.8
|
Action Comics (2016) | 5 issues |
4
|
Action Comics (2016) #997
Feb 14, 2018 |
Character inconsistencies (Skeets doing the exact opposite of what he just advised between pages) and ample clichs (a villain explaining their plan in excruciating detail) make for a tedious issue of filler that leaves us looking for to Action Comics #1000 as a light at the end of this tunnel. |
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4
|
Action Comics (2016) #998
Feb 28, 2018 |
It's another disappointing chapter before the big shake up. |
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8
|
Action Comics (2016) #999
Mar 14, 2018 |
Action Comics #999 is an excellent end point as the torch is passed to a new team next month. |
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8
|
Action Comics (2016) #1003
Sep 26, 2018 |
Action Comics #1003 is yet another strong entry in this Superman renaissance. |
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10
|
Action Comics (2016) #1004
Oct 24, 2018 |
No issue has better defined why Brian Michael Bendis is the right writer to steer the Superman line of comics than Action Comics #1004. |
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6.5
|
Adventureman | 4 issues |
6
|
Adventureman #1
Jun 10, 2020 |
It's easy to imagine Adventureman becoming a hit when collected, but as a single issue reading experience it doesn't offer much to satisfy or hook readers"providing something that feels more like a lengthy sample than a rousing first chapter. |
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8
|
Adventureman #2
Jul 8, 2020 |
The second issue begins to lay the groundwork for how pulp fiction and the comic book reality will interact, and it offers a satisfying invitation to watch these worlds merge even without a cliffhanger. |
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6
|
Adventureman #3
Aug 12, 2020 |
There's no doubt that the Dodsons' artwork provides plenty for readers to enjoy, emphasizing the blend of pulp fiction and Claire's reality with stylish flair here. However, Adventureman is struggling to maintain momentum and offer a clear conceit to readers, and that poses a serious long term problem for a serialized story like this one. |
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6
|
Adventureman #4
Oct 7, 2020 |
The opening sequence of Adventureman #4 is astounding. It's a thesis on power as its heroine grapples with ever growing abilities and form, and it's delivered in the familiar grammar of superhero and pulp genre tales as summoned by the Dodsons. What follows is a mixed bag of events, exposition, and threads that never quite feel like they are part of the same story. |
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5.0
|
Adventures of the Super Sons | 2 issues |
4
|
Adventures of the Super Sons #3
Oct 3, 2018 |
Rex Luthor's gang of childish supervillains prove to be an entertaining distraction for most of an issue that runs in circles. |
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6
|
Adventures of the Super Sons #4
Nov 7, 2018 |
While the story is competently told, there's little that will stick and that makes it difficult to recommend this story, even if it lacks obvious flaws. |
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5.0
|
Age of Conan: Belit | 2 issues |
6
|
Age of Conan: Belit #4
Jun 12, 2019 |
While there might be an epic tragedy bound up in the threads of this mini series, it's served as a buffet, rather than a feast. |
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4
|
Age of Conan: Belit #5
Jul 24, 2019 |
This was a strange, largely directionless series, one that will be quickly forgotten beneath the continuing onslaught to Conan spin-offs. |
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6.0
|
Age Of X-Man: Prisoner X | 1 issues |
6
|
Age Of X-Man: Prisoner X #4
Jun 5, 2019 |
While this miniseries is all set to go out with a bang, it's unfortunate how long it took in arriving at its destination with little else to add. |
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4.0
|
Alien (2021) | 1 issues |
4
|
Alien (2021) #1
Mar 24, 2021 |
Alien #1 is a serviceable introduction to a new era of Alien comics; setting itself clearly within the timeline of the early (and most popular) films, and providing readers with a new lead character and problem to address. |
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7.0
|
Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone | 1 issues |
7
|
Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone #1
Oct 8, 2014 |
*This grade is based on the quality of craftsmanship in this issue. I would not recommend it to anyone who has not read Prometheus: Fire and Stone, but do not want to judge the creators for what was most likely outside of their control. |
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8.0
|
Alienated | 6 issues |
8
|
Alienated #1
Feb 12, 2020 |
Wherever the mysteries of the plot and ambitions of the creators lie, Alienated #1 promises that the best is yet to come and earns more than sufficient credit to keep us reading throughout 2020. |
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6
|
Alienated #2
Mar 18, 2020 |
There's still an interesting story present in these pages, but many of the best features have been dialed back to the series' detriment. |
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8
|
Alienated #3
May 29, 2020 |
This nuanced, well-paced exploration outpaces a clunky introduction and some familiar tropes to make the issue read as something exceptional. |
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10
|
Alienated #4
Jul 8, 2020 |
Alienated #4 increases the stakes and demands of its story in a shocking fashion, and if it can pay off the trials of this issue, it will be one of 2020's most compelling new series. |
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8
|
Alienated #5
Aug 12, 2020 |
The penultimate issue of Alienated offers abundant visual spectacle accompanied by character arcs filled with tragedy, setting the stage for a riveting finale to one of 2020's best miniseries. |
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8
|
Alienated #6
Oct 2, 2020 |
After five stirring issues of mounting emotions and trauma, some temporary peace is found"that will have to be enough, as it so often is in life. |
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10
|
Aliens: Dead Orbit | 1 issues |
10
|
Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
Apr 19, 2017 |
Stokoe is a cartoonist who both adores genre and studies his craft. This is what makes him the perfect artist to tackle an adaptation like Aliens: Dead Orbit. The chills and style of films are captured through Stokoe's own eyes. The gap between the thing and the thing itself is closed because Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 is not an imitation, it is its own work of art " and a thrilling piece of comics storytelling. |
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8.0
|
Aliens: Fire and Stone | 1 issues |
8
|
Aliens: Fire and Stone #1
Sep 24, 2014 |
The final panel makes for an almost perfect ending to this issue. Reynolds uses a silhouette to once again display the terrifying xenomorph anatomy, but to also emphasize the sharp terrain surrounding it. Broken rocks lie across the earth like broken glass jutting upwards. Everything about the panel indicates a sense of imminent danger and the colors of a setting sun reveal that the story will only grow darker. This issue serves only as an introduction to the story that Roberson and Reynolds are interested in telling. Yet it presents the imagery and ideas of that story in a manner that has left me entirely convinced I want more. There's no doubt in mind that this comic exists for a good reason. |
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4.5
|
All-New All-Different Avengers | 2 issues |
4
|
All-New All-Different Avengers #1
Nov 14, 2015 |
All-New, All-Different Avengers is anything but what the title describes. It's bland, unimaginative, and poorly assembled. The best thing to be said about it is that it is a perfectly readable Avengers comics, but we already have five decades worth of those. |
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5
|
All-New All-Different Avengers #6
Mar 7, 2016 |
Excluding the potent combination of favorite characters, All-New, All-Different Avengers is a superhero comic that looks and tastes like the paste you were told not to eat in preschool. Consuming it won't hurt you, but it certainly isn't going to do you any good either. |
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8.4
|
All-New Hawkeye (2015) | 1 issues |
8.4
|
All-New Hawkeye (2015) #1
Nov 14, 2014 |
What gives Prez so much to play with on a small scale though is Lemire's script. He is exploring the consequences of surrendering three gifted, but traumatized children away. Lemire separates the story in two parts, showing what led to a split in the present and what brings the two heroes back together after 20 years. The result is something that reads like a breakup story, even if the romantic element was never there. Clint and Kate's codependence and partnership dissolves in a shockingly human manner that may strike close to home for some. As a result All-New Hawkeye is a comic that, much like its predecessors, sophisticatedly presents the problems we go home to after the day job is over (even if that day job is being a superhero). |
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6.5
|
All-New Inhumans | 2 issues |
7
|
All-New Inhumans #1
Dec 3, 2015 |
All-New Inhumans #1 is visually engaging in most panels though and finally gives readers a reason to care about this new team hitting the scene at Marvel Comics. |
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6
|
All-New Inhumans #5
Apr 4, 2016 |
The course of All-New Inhumans #5 isn't to provide so much of value that missteps like these contorted faces can be easily overlooked, but that they call into question why to read the comic in the first place. The appearance of Spider-Man and plot points on weaponization provide footholds to an ongoing plot with some merit and visual charm, but none of it distinguishes All-New Inhumans in any marked way. The most interesting concept in the entire comic, the Skyspears, is a lesser version of something currently being published at Image Comics. If there is really a call for Inhumans stories, then fans could expect worse than this, but that's assuming there was ever a call to begin with. |
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7.0
|
All-New Wolverine | 1 issues |
7
|
All-New Wolverine #1
Nov 14, 2015 |
Despite some flaws in the art, All-New Wolverine #1 is a good start that delivers a clear direction for the character and shows just how much can be done with her in only a couple dozen pages. Whatever comes next should be a very fun adventure. |
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5.0
|
All-New X-Men | 1 issues |
5
|
All-New X-Men #32
Sep 18, 2014 |
The characterization of these young heroes is excellent still and it's enjoyable to watch them interact under Bendis' words and Asrar's images. However, the clunky introduction of a new character and fractured stories detract from that experience. All-New X-Men #32 is an uneven collection of beginnings ranging from the exciting to the confusing. |
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2.5
|
All-New X-Men (2015) | 2 issues |
3
|
All-New X-Men (2015) #1
Dec 3, 2015 |
The best part of All-New X-Men #1 is the solicit, once you open the comic itself the promise is quickly unraveled to leave only disappointment. |
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2
|
All-New X-Men (2015) #4
Feb 23, 2016 |
All-New X-Men is a hastily assembled comic book on every level. Characters are sketches of teenagers and a single issue only manages to focus on a single, shrug worthy conflict between two of its characters, while the rest are banished to the background in one note appearances (e.g. Bobby is gay! Hank is smart!). The artwork passes the test of sufficiency, but provides no literal or metaphorical depth for readers to invest themselves in. It's certainly a comic, but there's not much more worth saying than that. |
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9.0
|
All-Star Batman | 1 issues |
9
|
All-Star Batman #1
Aug 10, 2016 |
Plenty can be said about the thematic hooks and character pieces set up in All-Star Batman #1, but it is a comic that is at its best and most interested in its genre. Even the exploration of secret histories, redemption, and mentoring all are core themes to the genre itself. This is a comic filled with great costumes, thunderous fights and chases, and plenty of bigger-than-life concepts. It is a comic that even at its darkest revelation is still fun (at least in the lead story). It is a comic that looks every bit as cool as you want a Batman book to look. In that regard, it has the potential to be the best Batman comic any of these creators have ever worked on as it possesses a clear understanding of both the character and the world he operates in. It is far too early to make that sort of declaration, but it is exactly the right time to check out All-Star Batman. |
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2.0
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) | 5 issues |
2
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) #1
Oct 23, 2019 |
A dull premise and inability to live up to its own promises leave The Amazing Mary Jane dead on arrival. |
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2
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) #2
Nov 20, 2019 |
After a dismal first issue, The Amazing Mary Jane continues to walk a path towards a new genre, something that might be described as "anti-comics." |
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2
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) #3
Dec 11, 2019 |
Even an issue that is less dull than prior installments is so poorly assembled that it's impossible to ever accept the story it presents or be entertained by various elements of artifice that desperately seek to be entertaining. |
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2
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) #4
Jan 8, 2020 |
The Amazing Mary Jane is a story that makes as little sense as the one being produced in its page. |
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2
|
Amazing Mary Jane (2019) #5
Feb 19, 2020 |
The Amazing Mary Jane #5 delivers exactly the sort of ending readers would reliably have predicted at the end of #1: a supervillain smashup to save the successful endeavor of Mary Jane and her new friend Mysterio. |
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7.5
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2014) | 2 issues |
7
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #7
Oct 8, 2014 |
Amazing Spider-Man #7 is a fun double feature. Both the A and the B-story should delight plenty of fans (although the B-story may horrify even more). This is a Spider-Man story at its least serious in direct juxtaposition to what seems to be the very dark tone of Spider-Verse. For now theres plenty of space for quips, smackdowns, and team ups though and Gage knows how to write a fun-loving webslinger with the best of them. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #9
Nov 7, 2014 |
Amazing Spider-Man #9 is a slow start to a still promising event. Slott has shown before that he has a great grasp of how to make overstuffed superhero stories function, and Coipel and Camuncoli are more than ready to put their best work on display. Assuming the series only gains momentum from here, there is a lot to look forward to in Spider-Verse. |
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7.5
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) | 8 issues |
6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #14
Jul 4, 2016 |
Amazing Spider-Man #14 is a comic that fits well within the parameters and expectations of its storytelling influences. It reads much like an issue of Amazing Spider-Man from decades ago with an excellent grasp on tone and pacing. However, it is dated in some regards and lacks the panache of many artists who told those stories. Those aspects prevent the best elements of this issue from setting a standard for serialized, corporate superhero comics. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #795
Feb 7, 2018 |
Amazing Spider-Man #795 is a fine, but totally forgettable issue that doesn't build much anticipation for what comes next. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #796
Feb 21, 2018 |
Slott and his collaborators have done a lot with this supporting cast over the years, and Amazing Spider-Man #796 reminds us that it has been for the best. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #797
Mar 7, 2018 |
Amazing Spider-Man #797 is a thrilling first chapter that sets the stage for Slott's big finale wonderfully. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #798
Apr 4, 2018 |
It functions as both a response to expectations for a Spider-Man comic and a reminder of why so many readers love this franchise in the first place. There's a promise at its core too: Dan Slott will go down as one of the greats. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #799
Apr 18, 2018 |
This is how you craft a penultimate issue. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #800
May 30, 2018 |
There is so much to unpack throughout the 80 pages of Amazing Spider-Man #800. Guest stars, tragic twists, epic battles, and a greatest hits collection of artists fill these pages. |
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10
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #801
Jun 20, 2018 |
Every page is in service to a concept of humanity's basic ability for good, one that it captures in a truly amazing fashion. |
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5.5
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) | 12 issues |
6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #1
Jul 11, 2018 |
It's in the last moments of the issue that promises are made about the relationships, villains, and themes that will populate what is still to come. There's no reason to believe that Amazing Spider-Man won't achieve them all given some time. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #2
Jul 25, 2018 |
It's an unfortunate sophomore installment that is boosted largely by a choice of great C-list villains and Ottley's excellent work in two action sequences featuring those choices. |
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4
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #3
Aug 8, 2018 |
After three issues, there are fewer reasons than ever to hope this series will improve and it may soon be time for even diehard fans of the webhead to jump ship. |
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4
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #4
Aug 22, 2018 |
While there's an obvious love for Spider-Man lore and plenty of ideas simmering in subplots, they don't have much to offer in this issue and can't provide enough hope for the future of a relaunch that has already lost most of its luster. |
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4
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #5
Sep 12, 2018 |
This has been a deeply disappointing relaunch and the best thing to hope for is that #6 provides an opportunity for a fresh start in the wake of a story that served as more as a jumping off than a jumping on point. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #6
Sep 26, 2018 |
After a very disappointing opening arc, hope springs eternal as Amazing Spider-Man begins to course correct. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #7
Oct 10, 2018 |
Gags, action, and a moment of genuine goodwill all land well and make for the first issue of this new volume to really click. If this keeps happening, then Amazing Spider-Man will be a series to watch. |
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8
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #8
Oct 24, 2018 |
This is the best issue of the new Amazing Spider-Man so far and sets up even more good things to come. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #25
Jul 10, 2019 |
While mileage will vary for different readers depending on their appreciation of the great artistic lineup, this issue turned what could have been a fun, minor celebration of all things Spidey into a mediocre cash grab. |
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4
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #26
Jul 24, 2019 |
Fred Myers is the best part of the current Amazing Spider-Man run. His charm is every bit as magnetic as it was in Superior Foes of Spider-Man providing some much-needed fun for this cardboard presentation of Peter Parker. |
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6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #27
Aug 14, 2019 |
The spark of Superior Foes of Spider-Man is alive in Amazing #27. Not only is this incarnation of Boomerang recognizable, the non-stop banter and tonal fluctuations of his past series are on full display. |
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4
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #28
Aug 28, 2019 |
Even with many of the beloved Superior Foes in session, this is yet another storyline in The Amazing Spider-Man that deserves a pass. |
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6.0
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) Annual | 1 issues |
6
|
Amazing Spider-Man (2018) Annual #1
Sep 19, 2018 |
An offering of action sequences, alien gaslighting, and a great splash page will give fans of these two characters something they will likely enjoy, but there's not much to lend this story depth or legs. |
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5.0
|
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows | 1 issues |
5
|
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
Jun 3, 2015 |
Renew Your Vows #1 is an uneven issue from all creators involved. Slott capably embraces the fun and strangeness of this period in Marvel Comics history, but his pacing leaves something to be desired. Kubert and Dell, on the other hand, are at the top of their game as long as they are portraying characters in masks. The story's arrangement as a prologue leaves a lot of interesting ideas to be explored and time to iron out the flaws. It's an issue filled with potential, but it's fulfillment is far from certain. |
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6.0
|
American Gods | 2 issues |
6
|
American Gods: My Ainsel #1
Mar 14, 2018 |
The new chapter of American Gods remains a solid adaptation, but never transcends its roots when transferred into its new medium. |
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6
|
American Gods: My Ainsel #2
Apr 11, 2018 |
The end result is an issue that is competent, but doesn't feature a plot well suited to the medium it's working in though. |
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6.0
|
American Ronin | 1 issues |
6
|
American Ronin #1
Oct 7, 2020 |
It's indulgent to the extreme with characters occupying the highest echelons of wealth and engaging with related vices. What might normally seem lascivious is fun when framed with curious new layouts |
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6.7
|
American Vampire: 1976 | 6 issues |
6
|
American Vampire: 1976 #1
Oct 7, 2020 |
American Vampire 1976 reestablishes the series and prepares for one final push, even if that effort delivers some tedium in its initial outing. |
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6
|
American Vampire: 1976 #2
Nov 12, 2020 |
It's enough to keep this long-time fan of the series engaged, but doesn't provide any reassurances that this story was worth the wait. |
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6
|
American Vampire: 1976 #3
Dec 9, 2020 |
Regular references to the past fail to charge the present moment with additional tension; it's time for this story to pick up the pace. |
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6
|
American Vampire: 1976 #4
Jan 13, 2021 |
Combine that expository dump with hamfisted explanations of the series' metaphors from Gerald Ford and it's clear that American Vampire is struggling to bring itself in for a landing on the page as well as in this particular segment of the story. |
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8
|
American Vampire: 1976 #5
Feb 10, 2021 |
American Vampire is prepared for a very big climax and now it's time to see whether or not it can deliver on so much promise. |
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8
|
American Vampire: 1976 #6
Mar 10, 2021 |
There's no knowing where the story goes from here or who, if anyone, might make it to the end in one piece. Yet the excitement detonated in the final pages of American Vampire 1976 #6 calls back to the series' highest highs; it's time to wrap up this modern (and maybe final) Vertigo classic with a bang. |
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8.8
|
American Vampire: Second Cycle | 4 issues |
8
|
American Vampire: Second Cycle #1
Mar 20, 2014 |
American Vampire is back and as good as ever. Snyder and Albuquerque have a clear grasp of what worked in the original series and have continued to build on those elements. Any pacing problems are an effect of creating an introduction to a series with such a large history, which should leave the reader with nothing but a sense of optimism about where this comic is going. The characters should be a bit more pessimistic though" |
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9
|
American Vampire: Second Cycle #2
Apr 17, 2014 |
Second Cycle #2is a masterclass of tension and horror. It uses each scene to make the reader feel more trepidation, until it unleashes the monster that has been hidden the entire issue, then starts the process all over again.American Vampireis typically used as an example of how the horror genre can be effectively utilized in comics. Issues like this are the reason why. |
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9
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American Vampire: Second Cycle #3
May 22, 2014 |
There should be no doubts amongst readers concerning Snyder and Albuquerque's ability to craft an effective horror story with a human core. If there were,Second Cycle #3should dispel them. This is a great link in a great opening story toAmerican Vampire: Second Cycle, whetting appetites and building suspense at the same time. |
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9
|
American Vampire: Second Cycle #4
Jul 10, 2014 |
American Vampire: Second Cycle #4 is an excellent conclusion to the first story arc of the new series. It presents the best aspects of the series in its well defined characters, striking visual sense of action and horror, and grand sense of mythos. It manages to bring all of these elements together to create a climax that is a satisfying pay off to the tension and stakes built over the first few issues. Furthermore, it serves as a thesis statement for American Vampire: Second Cycle as a series – presenting what it is about and showing that the creative team is fully capable of delivering on the series' promise. American Vampire has returned and, based on this story, its second act should be even better than the first. |
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4.0
|
American Way: Those Above and Those Below | 1 issues |
4
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American Way: Those Above and Those Below #6
Feb 21, 2018 |
It is a story told, but not told well. |
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5.0
|
Analog | 6 issues |
4
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Analog #1
Apr 4, 2018 |
No matter what you come looking for in Analog, there's guaranteed to be a better option somewhere else on the comics store shelves. |
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4
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Analog #2
May 9, 2018 |
After two issues there's even less in this new series to be intrigued by than it seemed at first glance. It may be time to let this idea fade away instead of making copies. |
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4
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Analog #4
Jul 18, 2018 |
This issue fails to be either a great single story or intriguing part of the ongoing narrative. Instead, it's just a reminder that there is potential within these pages, but also that it's bound to be wasted. |
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6
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Analog #5
Aug 15, 2018 |
It's the best installment in the series so far, but that's still not high praise. |
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6
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Analog #9
Oct 16, 2019 |
Analog #9 may be an uneven outing, but the rush towards the finish line prevents it from ever being boring and that makes for an overall improvement in a series that never found its footing. |
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6
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Analog #10
Mar 25, 2020 |
I suppose Analog #10 offers a perfectly adequate definition for "fine." |
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7.0
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Angela: Queen Of Hel | 1 issues |
7
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Angela: Queen Of Hel #1
Oct 28, 2015 |
The present as presented by Kim Jacinto and Israel Silva is something mediocre though. Jacinto applies a heavily detailed linework inspired by artists of the 90s in order to create something that feels far less realistic than what she is aspiring towards. There's nothing confusing about the action or drama shown in the present, but it alludes any sense of the organic or natural. If it were not for Hans' work in this issue, it could be tossed away. Yet the rich colors and beautiful love story shown in the past makes the present feel like a narrative worth paying attention to. |
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5.0
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Annihilation - Scourge | 2 issues |
6
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Annihilation - Scourge: Nova #1
Dec 4, 2019 |
It's still a plot machine that does little to distinguish itself from so many similar events across the past decade of Marvel comics, but at least it's good for a few moments of levity and doesn't overload the reader with excessive captions. |
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4
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Annihilation - Scourge: Fantastic Four #1
Dec 4, 2019 |
This issue certainly connects the dots, but watching the creators draw that line doesn't leave much room for fun. |
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9.0
|
Ant-Man | 1 issues |
9
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Ant-Man #1
Jan 5, 2015 |
Ant-Man #1 is that perfect debut that manages to both introduce the character to unfamiliar readers and tell a compelling story in the course of a single issue. It is a caper that transforms a comedy into an emotionally invested drama and a seemingly straightforward superhero story in New York City into something much more exciting and original. It starts by giving readers what they want, and then delivers something far better. Spencer and Rosanas have created a great start here made all the more exciting by how much the series has yet to grow. |
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4.0
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Ant-Man & The Wasp: Living Legends | 1 issues |
4
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Ant-Man & The Wasp: Living Legends #1
Jun 6, 2018 |
As an introduction to who these characters are, the issue is serviceable, but it provides nothing beyond that. |
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8.4
|
Archer & Armstrong | 1 issues |
8.4
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Archer & Armstrong #25
Oct 31, 2014 |
Theres a long history of anniversary issues in the world of superhero comics. Archer and Armstrong #25 shows the full potential in creators celebrating the series that fans love to read every month. |
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8.0
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Archie (2015) | 1 issues |
8
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Archie (2015) #2
Aug 19, 2015 |
Archie #2 continues to deliver on all of the best elements of the first issue. It's accessible, fun, and an absolute visual delight. While the series is not delivering anything new, that's never its intent. It plays it safe and executes each page of high school tomfoolery and melodrama with grace, producing a comic that is enjoyable for all ages. |
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7.0
|
Archie Meets Batman '66 | 4 issues |
8
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Archie Meets Batman '66 #1
Jul 18, 2018 |
This is a real treat of a first issue, one that encourages readers to just enjoy themselves for as long as it lasts. |
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6
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Archie Meets Batman '66 #2
Aug 15, 2018 |
All of the right elements are still in place, but there's simply not enough of them to maintain momentum here, much less accelerate. |
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6
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Archie Meets Batman '66 #3
Sep 26, 2018 |
There are still some fine moments, including a top-notch pairing of '66 riddles and fisticuffs, as well as some very well written jokes. Yet Archie Meets Batman '66 chooses to live and die by a style crafted over almost a century, and minor flaws in this installment add up in a big way. |
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8
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Archie Meets Batman '66 #4
Oct 31, 2018 |
The scheme bringing the protagonists of Gotham City and Riverdale is finally unveiled and it's very bit as colorful and fun as what fans of the classic Batman '66 series might expect. |
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9.0
|
Archie vs. Predator | 1 issues |
9
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Archie vs. Predator #1
Apr 14, 2015 |
If you're still wondering whether the editors at Dark Horse and Archie Comics lost their minds teaming up for this series, stop. This is an idea that only seems crazy until you read the results. Archie Versus Predator #1 is a comic that only captures what makes these franchises great, b |
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8.0
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Archie vs. Predator II | 5 issues |
8
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Archie vs. Predator II #1
Jul 24, 2019 |
Archie vs. Predator II #1 delivers what might have seemed impossible, a rewarding sequel to a story that slaughtered its core cast and setting. |
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6
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Archie vs. Predator II #2
Sep 18, 2019 |
A lot of page space in Archie Vs. Predator II #2 is devoted to working through the concepts laid out in the prior issue, which results in a lackluster follow up. |
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8
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Archie vs. Predator II #3
Oct 23, 2019 |
As far as the mainstream of comics go, this issue at least feels fresh and that counts for a lot when discussing properties that are quickly approaching their centennial anniversaries. |
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10
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Archie vs. Predator II #4
Dec 4, 2019 |
With so many highlights, this is a comic that is pure joy to read, embracing the superficial joys of genre fare. |
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8
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Archie vs. Predator II #5
Jan 22, 2020 |
It's a finale that's a lot of fun and a little poignant, far more than we could have asked for from Archie vs. Predator II. |
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4.0
|
Archie: 1941 | 1 issues |
4
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Archie: 1941 #2
Oct 17, 2018 |
A handful of striking visuals boost this otherwise bland experience, but a well framed silhouette isn't nearly enough to salvage this miniseries. |
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8.4
|
Arkham Manor | 1 issues |
8.4
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Arkham Manor #1
Oct 24, 2014 |
Arkham Manor #1 is an exciting start to a series that is packed with potential. Duggan and Crystal have created a scenario that gets at the very heart of this 75 year old character, touching upon ideas that are rarely recognized in Batman comics. Just as important, here they show the skills to tell that story in a way that is visually striking and always engaging. This could be the beginning of a beautiful series. |
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8.0
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Assassin Nation | 1 issues |
8
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Assassin Nation #4
Jun 19, 2019 |
With only one issue left to go, there are still plenty of surprises and Assassination Nation #4 provides the bounce board to set up this miniseries as one of the absolute best comics of 2019. |
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8.3
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Astro City (2013) | 7 issues |
8
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Astro City (2013) #9
Feb 14, 2014 |
Astro City # 9 serves to continue this newest volumes first long-form arc nicely. Busiek draws out all four of the central character's conflicts setting the scene for a dramatic finale. Whether it will make a statement about the issues that continue to lie under the comic's surface is yet to be seen. |
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6
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Astro City (2013) #10
Mar 14, 2014 |
It's difficult to fault Busiek for tackling a complicated and important issue in the pages ofAstro City. He has successfully handled a wide variety of thematic material in the comic before. But his attempt to discuss feminism here falls flat, adding nothing new to the conversation. The story is meant to feel positive and it does, but resembles an "after school special" type of message. With very few compelling visuals for Anderson to sink his teeth into, this issue is remarkably ordinary. |
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8
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Astro City (2013) #11
Apr 10, 2014 |
Astro City #11 is a return to form for the series. It evokes empathy for normal people by setting them side-by-side with superheroes. When the comparison is made, it's hard to tell the difference between those with and without superpowers. |
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10
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Astro City (2013) #13
Jun 12, 2014 |
Astro City #13 is an achievement to be celebrated. It not only tells a story worth reading, re-reading, and then reading once more, but it does so by taking full advantage of its chosen medium. Busiek and Anderson have always told stories about the small pleasures of life and what it means to be human, and they have told them very well. But here they take a message about the value of human relationships, not matter their form or brevity and tell it in a way that ensures readers will concentrate on that message. Art is all about relating, whether it be an emotion, an idea, or a very specific message. Astro City #13 relates an idea and uses every tool at its disposal to do so. It's a testament not only to the value of human contact, but of comics. |
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8
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Astro City (2013) #14
Aug 14, 2014 |
Astro City #14works because it's a story focused on its characters. Its themes concerning greed, disability, or even something as specific as the 2008 financial crisis may function, yet the comic only truly succeeds by providing readers empathy for Ellie, her friends, and even her enemies. |
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8
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Astro City (2013) #51
Apr 4, 2018 |
This is difficult material from start to finish, and the entire creative team handles it admirably. |
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10
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Astro City (2013) #52
Jun 27, 2018 |
Astro City #52 is a tremendous conclusion both to Michael Tenicek's story and this volume of the series. It reminds us that superhero comics are not fantasy but a representation of the greatness that lies within us. |
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7.0
|
Atlantis Wasn't Built For Tourists | 4 issues |
8
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Atlantis Wasn't Built For Tourists #1
Aug 19, 2020 |
This is not simply a team and series I want to keep my eye on for future developments; I'm already on board for whatever comes in issue #2 because Atlantis Wasn't Built for Tourists is a confident debut that promises only greater thrills ahead. |
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6
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Atlantis Wasn't Built For Tourists #2
Oct 14, 2020 |
Now that so much exposition has been dumped, let's just hope that issue #3 picks up the pace again. |
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6
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Atlantis Wasn't Built For Tourists #3
Nov 18, 2020 |
The final few pages and introduction of a new ally makes it clear that the time for explanations has ended and the payoff readers have been waiting for since this series' excellent debut is just around the corner. |
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8
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Atlantis Wasn't Built For Tourists #4
Dec 9, 2020 |
Whether or not the drifter returns, Atlantis Wasn't Built for Tourists will remain a thrilling detour for comic book readers. |
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3.0
|
Avengers & X-Men: Axis | 4 issues |
5
|
Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1
Oct 10, 2014 |
Axis #1 is nothing special. It is not offensive, but also lacks any notable features. Kubert's art still provides plenty of spectacle for readers to enjoy with lots of characters engaged in a broad battle. The drama that is supposed to be in those panels is non-existent though. The Marvel universe may be briefly changed by some fallout of this issue, but Remender and Kubert never craft a reason for readers to invest in or care about this story. It reads like another event comic that does nothing to distinguish itself from all of those that have come before. |
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4
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Avengers & X-Men: Axis #2
Oct 16, 2014 |
However, this issue carries the multiple problems of its predecessor and, refusing to alter its course, reads like a continuation of an already unimpressive comic. Change may never be permanent in superhero comics, but that doesnt mean it cannot occur within individual stories. Change is the lifeblood of drama and the quicker Axis focuses on altering the status quo, no matter how temporary it may be, the better the series will be. |
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2
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Avengers & X-Men: Axis #3
Oct 21, 2014 |
Despite all of the cynicism and skepticism from readers about events, "The Red Supremacy" was not destined to be a bad comic. The fault for that lies with the storytelling. |
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1
|
Avengers & X-Men: Axis #6
Dec 1, 2014 |
Axis #6 isnt disappointing because it is such a singular disaster; there are plenty of other great comics to read. It isnt disappointing because it represents the death of superhero or event comics; that kind of fatalistic assertion is ridiculous. Its disappointing simply because even given the incredible talent and resources at Marvel Comics, no one even bothered to try. Comics deserve more than this mediocre effort. |
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8.0
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Avengers (2012) | 1 issues |
8
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Avengers (2012) #40
Jan 16, 2015 |
For those invested in Hickmans Avengers epic, this will be a significant issue bound to shock and awe readers as much as the heroes witnessing these events. Despite some flaws on the periphery, Avengers #40 is the story of two characters and the conclusion of that story is executed perfectly. It is tragic and raw and signals the beginning of the end for Earths Mightiest Heroes. |
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4.0
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Avengers of the Wastelands | 1 issues |
4
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Avengers of the Wastelands #5
Jun 3, 2020 |
It's a disappointment, to say the very least. |
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2.0
|
Avengers Standoff | 1 issues |
2
|
Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha #1
Mar 11, 2016 |
This might just be a matter of luck with the two best Avengers books both being written by Al Ewing. Excluding Avengers Standoff #1 though, the entire set hits a much more consistent set of highs. Even with the generally lackluster and safe comic All-New, All-Different Avengers, there's something to be said for reliable entertainment. There appears to be greater attention and effort being paid to the Avengers right now. Well, it's that or Ewing just makes this group look good. |
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5.0
|
Avengers Undercover | 1 issues |
5
|
Avengers Undercover #10
Sep 12, 2014 |
Avengers Undercover and Avengers Arena have both been surprising highlights in Marvel's lineup - consistently good comics. Yet the conclusion to this story doesn't live up to what came before it. There are engaging characters and ideas present, but not enough space for most of them to do anything memorable. The series may have been forced to conclude earlier than planned, but that doesn't make this rushed finale any more satisfying. |
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4.0
|
Avengers: Shards of Infinity | 1 issues |
4
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Avengers: Shards of Infinity #1
Apr 4, 2018 |
It's the sort of offering you might imagine giving to someone for a free first comic if they had never read a superhero story before. |
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9.2
|
B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know | 5 issues |
10
|
B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #6
May 9, 2018 |
It's worth reading as saying anything more would be to spoil the experience and this issue is an experience, even as it attempts to return to normal. |
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8
|
B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #7
Jun 13, 2018 |
Following the massive revelation of #6, this issue does a good job or reestablishing a status quo. Every moment reminds readers who the protagonists are and what roles they play. |
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8
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B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #8
Jul 11, 2018 |
While even greater things await on the horizon, but for now this issue provides a much needed breather. |
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10
|
B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #9
Aug 8, 2018 |
This is one of the true turning points in the stories of the B.P.R.D. and it will have repercussions for years to come. |
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10
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B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #10
Sep 12, 2018 |
No recent issue in the Mignola line of comics has better captured the entropy of Hell coming to Earth than this one; you have been warned. |
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6.0
|
Back to the Future: Tales From The Time Train | 1 issues |
6
|
Back to the Future: Tales From The Time Train #5
May 9, 2018 |
The addition of several canine companions and their own absurd rules makes this a perfectly tolerable licensed comic book. |
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8.0
|
Bad Karma | 2 issues |
8
|
Bad Karma #1
May 13, 2020 |
Bad Karma #1 is a great read from start to finish because it's built on excellent character work. |
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8
|
Bad Karma #4
Feb 24, 2021 |
The stakes continue to climb in Bad Karma and this is clearly a story with little in the way of happy endings, despite the clear love and affection that binds its core cast of characters together. |
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8.4
|
Baltimore | 2 issues |
8.4
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Baltimore: The Cult Of The Red King #1
May 7, 2015 |
Issue one ends abruptly, almost as if it were cut off mid-sentence. The story appears to be written as a whole that was only broken into installments after being completed. However, this first chapter provides plenty to invest readers and drive the narrative forward. Baltimore: Cult of the Red King #1 doesn't rush to the action, but takes time to carefully describe its cast, as well as their world and mission. It is a tonal overture that promises a horrifying story to come. |
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8.4
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Baltimore: The Cult Of The Red King #3
Jul 1, 2015 |
Baltimore: Cult of the Red King #3 shows just how far the series has come in five years, and will leave readers stunned with its final sequence. The stakes are higher than ever, and Mignola and Golden have not lost track of the thematic core of the story. It is a comic about reflections and dualities: humanity and inhumanity, life and death, heat and cold. Even without this enormous cliffhanger, the issue gives readers every reason they might need to return for more. |
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7.6
|
Bang! | 5 issues |
8
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Bang! #1
Feb 19, 2020 |
It's a perfect example of how to hang a story on a conspiracy, withholding information yet still offering plenty of reasons to anxiously anticipate Bang! #2. |
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8
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Bang! #2
Mar 18, 2020 |
It's a great introduction to Thomas Shaw, but still feels small as a follow up. |
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8
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Bang! #3
Sep 2, 2020 |
With each issue so far adding a fully developed protagonist in the midst of their own drama and adventures to the cast, it's hard to wait for issue #4 to arrive. |
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8
|
Bang! #4
Oct 7, 2020 |
Now that Bang! has finished with its introductions, readers can anticipate seeing just how far this modernized League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will go to celebrate and explore the films, novels, and shows that have infused it with meaning and so much fun. |
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6
|
Bang! #5
Nov 4, 2020 |
It's more fun to imagine the lives of this quartet than to watch them play out and that's perfectly fine because the first four issues were outstanding. |
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5.7
|
Basketful of Heads | 7 issues |
10
|
Basketful of Heads #1
Oct 30, 2019 |
This issue is enough for now and will deliver quite the treat to any readers who save it for Halloween night. |
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8
|
Basketful of Heads #2
Nov 27, 2019 |
If Leomacs builds out the remaining sequences of the series as well as he does in Basketful of Heads #2, then the collected story is bound to become a fall favorite for fans of horror comics. |
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6
|
Basketful of Heads #3
Dec 18, 2019 |
Much of the comic is spent in conversation with June and her new companion. A few of the jokes land and the surreal nature of their relationship is amusing, but that initial appeal doesn't cover just how long this lasts. |
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4
|
Basketful of Heads #4
Jan 22, 2020 |
It's time to keep moving forward or jump ship, because no matter how good Leomacs makes this comic look, it still needs to deliver a story possessing some points of interest. |
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4
|
Basketful of Heads #5
Feb 26, 2020 |
The big twist of Basketful of Heads arrives in this issue and it lands with the same resounding thud as one of those heads. |
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4
|
Basketful of Heads #6
Mar 25, 2020 |
In my review of the first issue of Basketful of Heads, I compared the series charitably to an 80s slasher flick. That comparison has been borne out by subsequent issues, but in a consistently less appealing fashion. |
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4
|
Basketful of Heads #7
May 29, 2020 |
There may be a better form of this story to be told, but the story here explains most of its best elements without a moment for reflection and the result is a comic capable of luring readers in with style, but incapable of delivering much excitement. |
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5.5
|
Batgirl (2011) | 2 issues |
4
|
Batgirl (2011) #35
Oct 9, 2014 |
Batgirl #35 illustrates that comics function as a collaborative medium and have to be judged as such. Tarr and Wicks provide outstanding work, but the flaws in the script still ruin the experience. It's impossible to recommend this issue on the strength of the art alone when the dialogue, gender presentation, and plotting are this troubled. It's an unfortunate disappointment, but one that needs to be acknowledged. As much as I wanted to see this concept succeed, I cannot honestly say that it does. The problems inBatgirl #35 are too big to not discuss. |
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7
|
Batgirl (2011) #36
Nov 13, 2014 |
Batgirl #36 reveals a learning curve, one that shows the promise of this title and creative team. The incredible strength of Stewarts layouts, Tarrs art, and Wicks colors are consistent and make for one of the most visually engaging comics released this month. Although there are still issues with the plotting and scripting of the series, they see marked improvements in this issue. Theres a lot of potential to be found in this series and evidence that is being more fully realized as it continues. |
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4.0
|
Batgirl (2016) | 1 issues |
4
|
Batgirl (2016) #1
Jul 30, 2016 |
I want Batgirl to be great. I want this series to continue being a "go to" recommendation for superhero comics. All of the wanting in the world doesn't stop Batgirl #1 from being what it is though, and what it is is an uninspired and dull superhero comic that fails to recognize the most interesting elements of its own existence. |
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8.5
|
Batman (2011) | 11 issues |
7
|
Batman (2011) #28
Feb 13, 2014 |
Batman #28 is still an enjoyable issue. It features a nicely told action sequence, introduces the boisterous Bluebird, and should stoke plenty of interest in Batman Eternal. Now let's get back to "Zero Year", already. |
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9
|
Batman (2011) #29
Mar 14, 2014 |
Batman #29is a pleasant surprise. It takes a story that has been done dozens, if not hundreds, of times before by some of the most talented creators in comic history and finds a way to make it new. Snyder and Capullo have captured a new perspective on Batman's origin by juxtaposing it with a larger disaster, and it works very well. Capullo also captures a new visual sense with the help of FCO Plascencia on colors. "Zero Year" was announced almost one year ago, and the biggest question from fans was, "do we need another Batman origin story?" After readingBatman #29the answer is, clearly, "yes." |
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8
|
Batman (2011) #30
Apr 17, 2014 |
Batman #30is not a perfect issue. The exposition and opening cipher slow the reading experience and don't work on multiple levels. But the parts of the issue that do work, work very well. From the beautiful establishing panels of Gotham to the Riddler's mad master plan to the tower-tumbling action sequence,Batman #30offers excellent moments that create clear stakes for "Savage City". Despite its unevenness, it's a great introduction to the final part of "Zero Year". |
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9
|
Batman (2011) #31
May 29, 2014 |
At its heart, Batman #31 is an adventure story. It features death traps, vicious wildlife, a power mad dictator, and feats of derring do. It is bright, fun, and absolutely thrilling. This is Batman at his absolute best. |
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9
|
Batman (2011) #32
Jun 26, 2014 |
This is how you prepare a great conclusion. |
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10
|
Batman (2011) #33
Jul 23, 2014 |
Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, and the rest of their team have crafted a tale that not only distills what makes the character of Batman so beloved, but one that makes him feel brave and new after 75 years. Stunning. |
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8
|
Batman (2011) #34
Aug 13, 2014 |
Batman #34 serves as a great return to the current timeline. It not only presents a well told, self-contained story, but mayintroduce Batmanreaders to three great comics talents as well. Whenever the regular Batman team decides it is time to move on, editors would be wise to consider the fine work here when seeking a new creative team. |
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8.4
|
Batman (2011) #35
Oct 8, 2014 |
Batman #35 is a great package. From the first page of the feature to the last page of the backup it manages to be consistently engaging and is always well told. Theres no doubt that Batman would sell well no matter what creative talent was attached, but Im skeptical that it would garner this high of sales and this much acclaim without creators like Capullo, Snyder, Miki, Plascencia, Tynion, and Jones. Month after month, they bring their absolute best to these pages, making Batman one of the best superhero comics on the stands. |
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9
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Batman (2011) #40
Apr 29, 2015 |
But they still have more stories to tell. In that regard, Batman #40 serves as both a conclusion and a launching point for a brand new tale. Whatever comes next, theres every reason in the world to be excited. |
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8
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Batman (2011) #43
Aug 12, 2015 |
While Batman #43 is still laying down tracks for the rising action bound to follow, the promises made between and during the exposition are incredibly exciting. Mr. Bloom's reveal is the clear, standout moment of the issue, but there is a lot to love here. Capullo and Plascencia are still effortlessly delivering each action and emotion-oriented beat. Snyder continues to bring Batman to wilder places with enough death traps and introspection to satisfy all sorts of fans. It's the promise offered by both the talent of this team and the best moments of this issue, that ensures Batman's place as one of the best superhero comics coming out today. |
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8.4
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Batman (2011) #46
Nov 11, 2015 |
Batman #46 is a middle chapter, which is something many superhero comics struggle with. The task of moving 3-4 plots along, setting up future revelations and events, and continue to build tension and action is difficult to manage in a single comic that should be fun to read on its own as well. Yet Capullo and Snyder pull it off with aplomb. They understand how their story ought to function, which allows them to focus on the individual strengths of each scene. Action and romance alike are beautifully presented here, making the wait between each issue absolutely worth it. |
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4.0
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Batman (2016) One Shot | 1 issues |
4
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Batman (2016): Secret Files #2
Jul 31, 2019 |
While this might be worth picking up to peruse for Risso's pages, the collection rates a big "keep it." |
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1.0
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Batman And Robin Eternal | 1 issues |
1
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Batman And Robin Eternal #1
Oct 13, 2015 |
The finished product does not communicate any of that potential though. Batman & Robin Eternal #1 is a finely tuned piece of marketing. There is at least one respectable name (i.e. Scott Snyder) attached under the title of "plotter", one fan favorite character returning, some art that makes for a fine advertisement (but fails to work sequentially), and loads of hype that sound fantastic on paper. This has all of the elements needed for DC Comics to sell it, but none of what is required to actually function as an enjoyable or even readable comic. The approach to a weekly comic here is comparable to that of factory farming, the gross production of a McRib. Get the meat from bone to table as quickly and cheaply as possible, and spend money to make it look good on the menu. |
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4.0
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Batman and the Signal | 2 issues |
4
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Batman and the Signal #2
Feb 21, 2018 |
There's real heart to Thomas as a character, but this mini-series provides no room for readers to find it, which is a real shame. |
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4
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Batman and the Signal #3
Apr 25, 2018 |
There's no real tension or drama to a story that insists on explaining itself, and that's what leaves this entire arc best left forgotten. |
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4.0
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Batman Beyond (2015) | 1 issues |
4
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Batman Beyond (2015) #3
Aug 5, 2015 |
Batman Beyond #3 is functional. It delivers plot and action so for a basic understanding, but it never really matters. Rather than a tale written in the present about the future, it reads like a relic of the past. Overscripted and serviceably presented, Batman Beyond is part of a workmanlike tradition in comics that has no place in the future. |
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5.0
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Batman/Superman (2013) | 1 issues |
5
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Batman/Superman (2013) #18
Jan 25, 2015 |
Batman/Superman #18 is an imperfect continuation upon an interesting concept. Pak is placing both of his leading characters under tremendous pressure, and detailing their emotional responses excellently. Lazy plotting and characterization like Batman's in this issue detract from the impact of that situation. Syaf's artwork tells the story well, but has begun to appear rushed under a monthly schedule with several inkers. This is an issue that would have been well served by one or two more weeks to iron out the wrinkles. |
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10
|
Batman: Creature of the Night | 1 issues |
10
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Batman: Creature of the Night #4
Nov 27, 2019 |
The final installment of Batman: Creature of the Night completes a fine companion piece to Superman: Secret Identity, well-considered, brilliantly illustrated, and deeply humane, even if it might be wise to re-read the first three issues before returning to the finale. |
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5.0
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Batman: Damned | 2 issues |
6
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Batman: Damned #1
Sep 19, 2018 |
Batman: Damned is not so much read as relished, enjoyed for individual elements that do not add up to a stronger whole. That level of craftsmanship affords it the label of interesting, even if it would not ordinarily be categorized as good. |
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4
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Batman: Damned #3
Jun 26, 2019 |
Despite its superficial appeal, Batman: Damned earns a big "keep it." |
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8.0
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Batman: Kings of Fear | 3 issues |
8
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Batman: Kings of Fear #1
Aug 22, 2018 |
Fast-paced action, iconic designs, and nightmare sequences all build into an unforgettable reading experience. This won't change how you think about Batman, but it will certainly raise your expectations for how the vigilante is depicted. |
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8
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Batman: Kings of Fear #2
Sep 26, 2018 |
Using fear gas as the basis for a showcase of Kelley Jones' Batman artwork proves to be a great idea as the second issue of "Kings of Fear" tosses reality to the side in about half of its pages. |
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8
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Batman: Kings of Fear #3
Oct 24, 2018 |
As this showcase continues, it is only increasing its capacity for fun while Jones remains the stylistic dynamo readers have come to know across so many years of great Batman stories. |
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9.0
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Batman: Universe | 6 issues |
10
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Batman: Universe #1
Jul 10, 2019 |
Batman Universe isn't about some grandiose philosophy or intense personal statement here"although the character's history still holds meaning"this series is about telling the best Batman story imaginable, and that's exactly what it is doing. |
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8
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Batman: Universe #2
Aug 14, 2019 |
Batman: Universe serves as a love letter to both the DC universe and Batman's ability to adapt to any genre or setting. Superhero comics are rarely any more fun than this. |
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10
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Batman: Universe #3
Sep 11, 2019 |
Batman has not been this much fun to read in years, and Batman: Universe continues to be the perfect introduction to a character that is so much more than the darkness surrounding him in other modern stories. |
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10
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Batman: Universe #4
Oct 9, 2019 |
Each installment of Batman: Universe continues to thrill in a variety of ways marking it as the must-read Batman comic to read 2019. There's simply nothing better out there. |
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8
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Batman: Universe #5
Nov 6, 2019 |
Even with some notable flaws, Batman: Universe delivers one of this week's best pages in a spread that details a submarine's innards and the adventure occurring within. It's the sort of storytelling that reminds you why you love superhero comics. |
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8
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Batman: Universe #6
Dec 4, 2019 |
This is a Batman story that recognizes why the character can go anywhere and appeal to almost anyone; it's incredibly fun and a fitting conclusion to the best Batman comic of the Rebirth era. |
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8.5
|
Beasts of Burden | 4 issues |
8
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Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men #1
Aug 22, 2018 |
Whether or not you've ever heard of Beasts of Burden before, this introduction offers a great starting point, one that already appears to be leading to even greater thing. |
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8
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Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #1
Apr 7, 2021 |
Occupied Territory appears to be another outstanding entry from one of the best creator-owned franchises in comics today. |
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10
|
Beasts of Burden: The Presence Of Others #2
Jun 5, 2019 |
There is a lot to unpack from this short story, both in how it examines relationships between human beings and their companions, as well as how it bodes for where Beasts of Burden goes next. This series has always been great, and yet it is somehow still getting better. |
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8
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Beasts of Burden: Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men #2
Sep 26, 2018 |
This issue feels like a genuine turning point for the entire story, one that is offering ample depth for its characters and setting, all while establishing much darker twists and turns to come. |
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4.0
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Berserker Unbound | 4 issues |
4
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Berserker Unbound #1
Aug 7, 2019 |
Luke's journey was the standout storyline in this issue, reminding us that, at this point in his story, he is still desperate to learn as much as he can about the Force, even if it means taking advice from possible criminals. |
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4
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Berserker Unbound #2
Sep 4, 2019 |
Considering the lack of originality found in this concept and how dedicated the series is to explaining such a simple idea, it's hard to appreciate even the bright spots in Berserker Unbound thus far. |
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4
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Berserker Unbound #3
Oct 2, 2019 |
It's a distracting jumble that would make it impossible to read a story with a bit of nuance, so it may be for the best that Berserker Unbound doesn't possess any. |
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4
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Berserker Unbound #4
Nov 6, 2019 |
Berserker Unbound #4 delivers a series of climactic moments"often delivered in attention-demanding splash panels"that are all entirely unearned by the story preceding them. |
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8.0
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Beta Ray Bill (2021) | 1 issues |
8
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Beta Ray Bill (2021) #1
Mar 31, 2021 |
Beta Ray Bill #1 makes a clear statement that almost 40 years after the characters debut in The Mighty Thor #337, there are still many incredible tales left to tell. |
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2.0
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Betty & Veronica (2016) | 1 issues |
2
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Betty & Veronica (2016) #1
Jul 20, 2016 |
Betty and Veronica #1 is a comic about young women that has absolutely no idea how they act, speak, think, or look. The titular characters are idealized versions of a girl next door bombshell designed for older men. They are defined by the gaze and ideas of someone outside of their world, and who appears to have no interest in understanding their experiences. At best it is a terrible misunderstanding of the subject matter. At worst it is an insult to anyone who might have found a rare form of kinship in a comic supposedly about young women. |
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6.0
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Birthright | 2 issues |
8
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Birthright #8
Jun 10, 2015 |
Birthright #8 may read like a middle chapter, but it still has plenty to offer. In its combination of five distinct plotlines, there are both excellent visual and character-based elements. The final page also lands on another thrilling cliffhanger. It's a fun twist on fantasy that continues to provide plenty of content in every 20 page package. |
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4
|
Birthright #32
Oct 10, 2018 |
There's not much to note beyond needless sacrifice and droning conversation in an issue that serves as a perfect jumping-off point. |
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7.0
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Bitch Planet | 1 issues |
7
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Bitch Planet #1
Dec 10, 2014 |
Its clear that Bitch Planet seeks to invert the exploitation genre in order to tell a story steeped in feminist ideals, but it falters in its first issue. Although its clear that women are being exploited by a patriarchal society, the women in this issue are never given an opportunity to define themselves outside of their victimhood. Furthermore, issues of race and body image have to be carefully considered as well. Intentional or not, this issue perpetuates stereotypes of race and weight through its imagery of the prison population. There is promise to be found in this premise, but the execution is lacking here. Bitch Planet #1 doesnt achieve its goal of being something fresh and bold, but only serves to reinforce the problems currently facing women in comics and society as a whole. |
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6.0
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Black Badge | 3 issues |
6
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Black Badge #1
Aug 8, 2018 |
Black Badge is an example of a comic where the elevator pitch holds more promise than the executed premise. |
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6
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Black Badge #2
Sep 19, 2018 |
There's still potential in Black Badge, but the series doesn't move toward realizing it in its second outing. |
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6
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Black Badge #10
May 15, 2019 |
It is a well-told bit of comics, but one that does not offer many reasons to pick up Black Badge #11. |
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7.0
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Black Canary (2015) | 1 issues |
7
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Black Canary (2015) #1
Jun 22, 2015 |
Black Canary #1 is a jumble of elements that fail to make a significant impression based on the story, but it moves so fast and looks so good that the failings in the script can easily be overlooked. None of the flaws present are fundamental to what comes next. Given some revision and a bit more thought, it's a series that could easily match the gorgeous layouts, artwork, and colors on display with a streamlined story of equal merit. As Black Canary continues, it could afford to take some advice from one of the greatest performers to ever hit the stage: "A little less conversation, a little more action, please." |
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8.0
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Black Cloud | 3 issues |
8
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Black Cloud #8
Apr 4, 2018 |
This is some of the best, wild and weird storytelling you'll find at Image Comics right now. |
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8
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Black Cloud #9
May 9, 2018 |
Characters themselves, along with color work, continue to light up these pages and make each step forward worthwhile, especially as the series prepares itself for a leap. |
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8
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Black Cloud #10
Jun 27, 2018 |
Black Cloud has certainly been an interesting series and one that will likely be worth revisiting, for readers and creators alike. |
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6.0
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Black Hammer: Age of Doom | 1 issues |
6
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Black Hammer: Age of Doom #2
May 23, 2018 |
Mysteries and minor dramas among the primary cast continue to captivate, but take up too little of this issue for it not to feel distracted and wandering in its approach to the narrative. |
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2.0
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Black Knight (2015) | 1 issues |
2
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Black Knight (2015) #1
Nov 19, 2015 |
Much like Pizarri and Tieri, readers who decided to pick up this issue will be inclined to get through it quickly. There are no rewards to be found here and the more quickly it is set aside, the better. |
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2.0
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Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands | 1 issues |
2
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Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #6
Apr 4, 2018 |
This is a textbook example of how not to tell a superhero story at almost any level. When you throw hamfisted social commentary on top, it becomes an undeniable disaster. Keep it. |
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9.0
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Black Magick | 1 issues |
9
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Black Magick #1
Oct 27, 2015 |
Black Magick #1 is a top-notch debut from Image, the most inventive publisher in comics today. It delivers on character, premise, artwork, and ideas, a comic that can satisfy any reader looking for a great crime or horror story. Wherever the mysteries of this debut lead Detective Rowan Black, it's bound to be a satisfying read. |
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7.0
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Black Panther (2016) | 4 issues |
6
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Black Panther (2016) #1
Apr 6, 2016 |
Whether that is enough is difficult to say. This is a debut issue with charm and style, but it also falters in its telling. Stelfreeze's envisionment of the world of Wakanda is captivating, while what is happening within the country's borders often leaves much to be desired. The stories of the Dora Milaje provide interest, while Black Panther's narrative and self border upon being tedious. The elements of a powerful story are present, yet the Silver Age influence without top-notch Silver Age style may put those elements to waste. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2016) #170
Feb 28, 2018 |
Black Panther stays on top as one of Marvel's best series, delivering plenty of action and suspense in an issue worth reading twice. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2016) #171
Mar 28, 2018 |
It's a great climax before the final issue of this arc. |
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6
|
Black Panther (2016) #172
Apr 18, 2018 |
All of the essential elements of a superhero comic are in place and executed well enough, but this has proven to be a superhero comic capable of far more than monthly updates. |
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8.0
|
Black Panther (2016) Annual | 1 issues |
8
|
Black Panther (2016) Annual #1
Feb 21, 2018 |
This Black Panther Annual collects three stories from three of the most significant writers to ever address the character, and each reads perfectly as being a piece of their substantial runs. |
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6.9
|
Black Panther (2018) | 18 issues |
8
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Black Panther (2018) #1
May 23, 2018 |
Even larger thematic issues loom. Coates and Acua are addressing slavery, a slavery perpetrated by T'Challa's own people, that will require a deft touch and raise far more difficult questions than those in the plot itself. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #2
Jun 27, 2018 |
Each element of this series is building a new monument and legacy to an already celebrated character, and it's clear this new series is something special. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #3
Aug 22, 2018 |
Whether you're coming to Black Panther for a meditation of colonialism, superhero spectacle, or T'Challa at his absolute best, you're bound to be satisfied by this new installment. |
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6
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Black Panther (2018) #4
Sep 26, 2018 |
There is plenty that occurs in Black Panther #4, including an action-packed escape sequence featuring some surprising changes to the status quo, but none of it feels like a distinct issue. |
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8
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Black Panther (2018) #5
Oct 31, 2018 |
For any readers who have been on the fence, these pages make it clear Black Panther is a comic to watch closely as it continues. |
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6
|
Black Panther (2018) #12
May 29, 2019 |
This is another example from the current Black Panther run of a chapter that might function well as part of a collection, but lags as a single installment. |
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8
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Black Panther (2018) #13
Jun 26, 2019 |
While the overall scope of the issue is limited, each page pays dividends. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #14
Jul 31, 2019 |
For those who have been with Black Panther since Coates first arrived, this is likely one of the series most rewarding issues and one that promises even more with its next installment. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #15
Aug 28, 2019 |
Daniel Acua's depiction of travel through time and space is every bit as dazzling as readers would hope, though, and open doorways to a future where Wakanda's adventures span across both. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #16
Sep 25, 2019 |
After more than a year of carefully laying groundwork, the master plan behind this current volume of Black Panther is revealing how well this epic is prepared to deliver. |
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6
|
Black Panther (2018) #17
Oct 30, 2019 |
With few visual hooks and little connection between the scattered moments of this issue, the only call to continue rests in the last few pages. It's likely not enough for some readers to return. |
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4
|
Black Panther (2018) #18
Nov 27, 2019 |
We would be much better off reading an essay covering this same material than a superhero comic that fails to excite or stimulate even once at a cover price of $3.99. |
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6
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Black Panther (2018) #19
Dec 18, 2019 |
Black Panther is a competently created comic book and delivers familiar beats, but it still struggles to rise above an overwhelmingly large herd of similar material at the end of 2019. |
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4
|
Black Panther (2018) #20
Jan 22, 2020 |
Good ideas stretched across far too many issues and lacking a strong visual component is making it difficult to stick with this series. |
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6
|
Black Panther (2018) #21
Feb 26, 2020 |
Aerial battles (and, similarly, space-bound ones) can be difficult to illustrate in comics, and that's the core issue with Black Panther #21. |
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8
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Black Panther (2018) #22
Mar 25, 2020 |
While Black Panther has been meandering around its point for some time now, it has refocused itself in these pages and reset expectations for a showdown between King T'Challa and Emperor N'Jadaka by clarifying what that conflict is really about. |
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6
|
Black Panther (2018) #23
Feb 24, 2021 |
For now readers can receive reminders as to what was happening before a long, unplanned hiatus and prepare for the finale to Coates' run. |
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8
|
Black Panther (2018) #24
Mar 24, 2021 |
While Coates hasn't clearly threaded the needle connecting race and nationality in this coalition, it's easy enough to simply enjoy the spectacle of this battle and the incredible collection of characters on display. |
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6.0
|
Black Science | 9 issues |
8
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Black Science #9
Oct 7, 2014 |
Although Black Science #9 is a somewhat uneven issue that jumps between a variety of threads working to move each forward just a little, it still manages to be an exciting new chapter in the series. Remender and Scalera continue to bring their best work to each page of this comic, providing a deeply human cast of characters set in a thrilling adventure. Taken individually, each segment of this issue can be read as a showcase for what makes Black Science a great comic. |
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8
|
Black Science #9
Oct 7, 2014 |
Although Black Science #9 is a somewhat uneven issue that jumps between a variety of threads working to move each forward just a little, it still manages to be an exciting new chapter in the series. Remender and Scalera continue to bring their best work to each page of this comic, providing a deeply human cast of characters set in a thrilling adventure. Taken individually, each segment of this issue can be read as a showcase for what makes Black Science a great comic. |
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8
|
Black Science #36
Jun 6, 2018 |
With the end for Black Science in sight, the series still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, even in a quiet issue like this one. |
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6
|
Black Science #37
Jul 11, 2018 |
It will be interesting to see how this story is finally resolved, but that doesn't make the beginning of the end any more satisfactory. |
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6
|
Black Science #38
Sep 5, 2018 |
Black Science is at its best in moments of sturm und drang and high adventure, and there's enough present here for the issue to get by. Yet so much of the page is spent in captions and monologues that stretch points with minimal depth too far. |
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4
|
Black Science #40
May 29, 2019 |
This is one series that should have ended while the getting was still good, quite some time ago. |
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4
|
Black Science #41
Jul 17, 2019 |
The notion of "order vs. chaos" is simplified to the stuff of metal posters here, dragging out the ending of the series just a bit longer with nothing of value to be added. |
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4
|
Black Science #42
Aug 28, 2019 |
Disappointment is largely developed by expectation, and the combination of 6 years and 41 issues makes this a notable disappointment from Image Comics. |
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6
|
Black Science #43
Sep 25, 2019 |
The over-sized finale of Black Science arrives far too late in the series' run to have much impact. |
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4.0
|
Bloodshot (2019) | 1 issues |
4
|
Bloodshot (2019) #3
Nov 20, 2019 |
Bloodshot #3 creates an effect similar to a traveling rollercoaster, providing a predetermined set of thrills with no encouragement to look around or remember once the ride ends. |
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8.4
|
Bloodshot: Reborn | 1 issues |
8.4
|
Bloodshot: Reborn #1
Apr 16, 2015 |
Bloodshot Reborn #1 isn't a typical spin-off series. It's a story that thoughtfully follows up on what has come before. Lemire and Suayan are clearly invested in this story, addressing trauma and responsibility in a meaningful way. It's the perfect combination of compelling and challenging for a fresh take on this bloody character. |
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10
|
Bloodstrike (2018) | 2 issues |
10
|
Bloodstrike (2018) #23
Jun 27, 2018 |
This brief run on Bloodstrike is unlike anything in comics, and we're lucky to have this retroactive history. |
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10
|
Bloodstrike (2018) #24
Aug 1, 2018 |
The action sequences are simply unbeatable in comics today and Fiffe manages to reimagine at least one common trope in a manner that will leave jaws on the ground. |
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8.0
|
Bodies | 1 issues |
8
|
Bodies #1
Aug 6, 2014 |
With such a great range of storytelling styles, Bodies #1 is an excellent showcase for artists. Spurrier has written a comic that has very little room to set up four interesting stories. So the artists involved are tasked with carrying the story forward and hook readers on this high concept. The assembled artistic team does so admirably and no one contribution is greater than that of Lee Loughridge. He is capable of discerning the unique needs of the story and art in each plot, enhancing the work and drawing forth the most important elements. In doing this he not only proves his importance to this one endeavor, but the incredible value colorists can add to every comics page. |
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8.0
|
Bog Bodies | 1 issues |
8
|
Bog Bodies OGN
May 29, 2020 |
It's the surprising depth of this slim volume that makes it easy to recommend. Readers seeking out crime comics will certainly find plenty to love in this story's sudden violence and relatively realistic approach to terrible acts. |
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4.0
|
Book Of Death One Shot | 1 issues |
4
|
Book Of Death: The Fall Of Bloodshot #1
Jul 22, 2015 |
Fall of Bloodshot #1 is a bold pitch for future Bloodshot series, but it's something that should have only been shown to Valiant editors. A great deal of effort is put into thinking of interesting new spins on the assassin, but there's not nearly enough space to show any of them. This is a well drawn bird's eye view of a potentially great comics. |
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6.0
|
Books of Magic (2018) | 1 issues |
6
|
Books of Magic (2018) #9
Jun 26, 2019 |
This issue offers current and possible new readers an excellent jumping-on point with a tale that stands alone, while still building out The Books of Magic's mythology. |
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10
|
Border Town | 3 issues |
10
|
Border Town #1
Sep 5, 2018 |
Border Town #1 declares itself one of the best new comics of 2018 with an entirely earned sense of bravado. |
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10
|
Border Town #2
Oct 3, 2018 |
From the slightest character notes to the boldest monsters, Border Town remains an absolute winner. |
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10
|
Border Town #3
Nov 7, 2018 |
Border Town continues to astonish on every page and shows no sign of stopping. |
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4.0
|
Breathless | 1 issues |
4
|
Breathless #2
May 2, 2018 |
Issues of health insurance and freelancing feel separate from everything else in the story, tacked on to remind readers that reality isn't great either, as if that was a truly necessary reminder. |
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5.0
|
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome | 4 issues |
6
|
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #1
Jul 25, 2018 |
While it takes plenty of time in doing so, the newest Britannia series sets up a great mystery that will compel fans further into the series. |
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4
|
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #2
Aug 22, 2018 |
It's a disappointing second chapter, one that does little to play on its premise or move the story along. |
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6
|
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #3
Sep 19, 2018 |
As a mystery there is still plenty to pick apart and enjoy, but there's little else to be savored beyond the historical presentation by this chapter. |
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4
|
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #4
Oct 31, 2018 |
While it's possible to see the individual elements that make this story engaging, including another impressive set of backdrops for this era, the overall construction of the story is lacking in its climax. |
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9.0
|
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier | 1 issues |
9
|
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #1
Sep 30, 2014 |
Theres a lot to like in the debut of Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier. Every collaborator involved is bringing their best work to the comic and it shows. Together, they are telling a story that is unlike anything else on the stands. |
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6.0
|
Byte Sized | 1 issues |
6
|
Byte Sized #1
Dec 9, 2020 |
As a first chapter there's no reason to stop, but with a whole month between this and Byte-Sized #2, it's questionable how many readers will think to continue the story in 2021. |
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8.5
|
C.O.W.L. | 3 issues |
8
|
C.O.W.L. #4
Aug 25, 2014 |
C.O.W.L. #4 represents what this series is all about. Much of the first three issues was used to set up characters and conflicts. The drama thus far has been a slow burn, but here it begins to ignite (sometimes literally). Higgins and Reis have carefully laid the groundwork to tell a complicated and nuanced story, and reader's patience is going to be rewarded starting here. There are plenty of good superhero comics being published today, but very few great comics about the systems we create and operate within. That is what makes C.O.W.L. a unique comic and one worth reading. |
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8.4
|
C.O.W.L. #5
Sep 23, 2014 |
With Reis excellent eye for juxtaposition capably framing the characters and ideas behind C.O.W.L., there's a lot to be excited about moving forward. Although it may still lack some of the depth and realism of The Wire, it is beginning to capably address the same complex themes as that episodic masterpiece. It will certainly not be an easy task, but Higgins, Siegel, and Reis seem up to it. |
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9
|
C.O.W.L. #10
May 14, 2015 |
The most disappointing element of C.O.W.L. #10 comes in the letters column, with the announcement that the series will not continue past #11. Yet this issue feels like the set up to a proper conclusion. It arranges all of its characters into significant positions, and then leaves them teetering on a precipice, ready to define themselves and readers' perceptions of this comic. |
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6.0
|
Captain America & The Invaders | 1 issues |
6
|
Captain America & The Invaders: The Bahamas Triangle #1
Jul 3, 2019 |
This is an issue whose mileage will vary wildly based upon one's nostalgia and knowledge of the past. |
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4.0
|
Captain America (2012) | 1 issues |
4
|
Captain America (2012) #25
Oct 5, 2014 |
Captain America #25 is very similar to last weeks Thor: God of Thunder #25 in that it works so hard to set up the next big thing that it fails to be its own thing. Remender is so interested in pitching All-New Captain America #1 that he fails to effectively conclude the story hes written so far. Both of these issues mark the end of highly successful and much lauded runs, but fail to live up to the standards they established for themselves. |
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8.0
|
Captain America (2018) | 4 issues |
8
|
Captain America (2018) #1
Jul 4, 2018 |
It tactfully addresses the greatest anxieties of the United States today and blends them into the zeitgeist of Marvel Comics. |
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8
|
Captain America (2018) #2
Aug 1, 2018 |
It's a smart take that utilizes the history of Captain America well, carefully raising complexity and resisting any urge to deliver trite answers or resolutions. |
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8
|
Captain America (2018) #3
Sep 5, 2018 |
The result is the best issue of this new volume, one that skillfully blends Coates' rhetoric with the most stirring bits of superhero and spy action so far. |
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8
|
Captain America (2018) #4
Oct 10, 2018 |
As Captain America zeroes in on some very specific action, the series delivers its most limited and most exciting issue so far. |
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10
|
Captain America (2018) Annual | 1 issues |
10
|
Captain America (2018) Annual #1
Sep 19, 2018 |
This Annual takes a classic superhero story and executes upon it with great purpose in a manner that makes it feel both timeless and exactly like what readers might need in 2018. |
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2.0
|
Captain America: Steve Rogers | 1 issues |
2
|
Captain America: Steve Rogers #1
May 27, 2016 |
If there's one bit of hope to be found in Captain America: Steve Rogers #1, it's this: Even though the last page has set so many people at one another's throats, the comic should also stand a chance of bringing them together. This comic presents a reading experience so lacking in any notable form of quality that anyone who bothers to pick it up ought to be able to put it down and say "That was fucking garbage." Whatever your specific reason for stating it, it's a clear conclusion. There's no need to fight about why this comic is garbage when we can all just acknowledge this tire fire together and move on. |
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10
|
Casanova: Acedia | 1 issues |
10
|
Casanova: Acedia #1
Jan 20, 2015 |
Casanova is back and its so damn good. |
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2.5
|
Casual Fling | 2 issues |
3
|
Casual Fling #1
Feb 10, 2021 |
It's hardly for mature readers because there's nothing mature in the content or conception of Casual Fling. Rather, it's half an idea produced before finding a purpose. |
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2
|
Casual Fling #2
Mar 3, 2021 |
It's unclear what Casual Fling expects to deliver as all it can seem to provide is disappointment. |
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8.0
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye | 6 issues |
8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #1
Mar 21, 2018 |
This comic is not strange for the sake of being strange, it provides a world that could only be imagined in comics and readers should be prepared for quite the trip. |
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8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #2
Apr 18, 2018 |
It's difficult to know where it's going or whether there's a pay off, but the ride is worth taking for its own pleasures. |
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8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #3
May 16, 2018 |
With only a few issues left, Cave Carson is still promising great things ahead. |
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8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #4
Jun 20, 2018 |
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye is one far out comic that never loses touch with reality. |
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8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #5
Jul 18, 2018 |
As the end approaches, the big picture keeps getting bigger for this series. |
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8
|
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #6
Aug 15, 2018 |
As Young Animal enters the rearview mirror, Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye holds a proud place in its history. |
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7.0
|
Cemetery Beach | 2 issues |
8
|
Cemetery Beach #1
Sep 12, 2018 |
There is no doubt that individual elements of Cemetery Road are great; Howard produces some of the best action sequences of 2018 and Ellis' dialogue is in top form. Yet the narrative lacks clear form and there seems to be little call for reading the story in monthly installments rather than waiting for it to cohere in a more fitting form. |
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6
|
Cemetery Beach #2
Oct 17, 2018 |
There is a great deal of craft on display here, but it still feels decidedly part of the wrong format. |
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6.5
|
Chained to the Grave | 2 issues |
7
|
Chained to the Grave #1
Feb 3, 2021 |
Chained to the Grave offers an entrancing walk away from the standards of horror and Western comics alike summoning something largely original with a lot of potential to be explored as this twisted adventure continues. |
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6
|
Chained to the Grave #2
Apr 7, 2021 |
Chained to the Grave is one of the most inventive new series on shelves in 2021; every few pages adds something new to this sprawling horror saga from the Old West. |
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9.2
|
Chew | 2 issues |
8.4
|
Chew #45
Dec 2, 2014 |
Despite that misstep, Chew #45 is another great installment in the series. It provides all of the twists and heartbreak of a great tragedy, without losing the wacky, comedic tone that defines the series. Layman and Guillory walk a tightrope to craft what is the best written funny book currently on the stands. |
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10
|
Chew #50
Jul 1, 2015 |
Chew #50 is a lot of things. It's funny, action-packed, surprising, and a joy to read. But above all else, it's just really bad ass. |
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6.0
|
Children of the Atom (2021) | 1 issues |
6
|
Children of the Atom (2021) #1
Mar 10, 2021 |
Only at the end of the issue do readers even understand what story is being told, which raises a lot of questions, but no more compelling reasons to continue reading. |
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4.0
|
Civil War II | 1 issues |
4
|
Civil War II #3
Jul 16, 2016 |
Civil War II #3 puts 5 pages of story in a 24 page comic, which leaves this "turning point" feeling just as weightless and inconsequential as you might expect. It's fine to look at, presenting the standard "superhero style" of the day with plenty of character dramatically posing. However, start to ponder on what you're actually looking at and you'll find it's a lot of refined filler covering a singular plot point. Try not to think about how much it cost after that realization. |
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9.3
|
Clue: Candlestick | 3 issues |
8
|
Clue: Candlestick #1
May 22, 2019 |
If the rest of Clue: Candlestick is as charming and challenging as its first issue, then it might be time to reassess the original game given the quality of adaptations it has continued to inspire. |
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10
|
Clue: Candlestick #2
Jun 19, 2019 |
With only one issue left to go, Shaw promises a satisfying conclusion, one that has he already laid out through his puzzles and careful attention to detail. If #3 meets the high bar set by this issue, then Clue: Candlestick may be the best mystery comic of 2019. |
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10
|
Clue: Candlestick #3
Jul 17, 2019 |
The conclusion of this enthralling mystery does not disappoint, fulfilling every promise offered by the incredible first issue. |
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8.0
|
Coda | 1 issues |
8
|
Coda #1
May 2, 2018 |
Matias Bergara brings it all together with a perfect balance of the fantastical and ugly, a sensibility revealed in a cursing, fighting Pentacorn that will likely have readers begging for more. |
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7.0
|
Conan / Red Sonja | 1 issues |
7
|
Conan / Red Sonja #4
Apr 30, 2015 |
This is by no means a bad comic. It's bound to appeal to fans of Conan, Red Sonja, and the genre which they're most comfortable in. It's written and drawn with admiration for the concepts, but fails to deliver anything beyond that admiration. The result is an entertaining diversion, but nothing memorable. |
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6.0
|
Conan the Barbarian (2019) | 1 issues |
6
|
Conan the Barbarian (2019) #7
Jun 26, 2019 |
A mixed-bag that rewards a quick read without too much consideration. |
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7.0
|
Constantine: The Hellblazer | 1 issues |
7
|
Constantine: The Hellblazer #1
Jun 10, 2015 |
John Constantine is back and in good form. Doyle, Tynion, and Rossmo capture the essence of Alan Moore's creation and spin him into a perfectly suitable corner of the DC Universe. Constantine: The Hellblazer is mean, funny, and beautiful to behold. It's just too bad that so much of the story is over-told when it is already being shown so well. |
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4.0
|
Convergence: Suicide Squad | 1 issues |
4
|
Convergence: Suicide Squad #1
Apr 16, 2015 |
Some pleasant surprises have emerged from "Convergence" in its first two weeks, but this is not one of them. The elevator pitch behind this story is a slam dunk that's rendered completely inert by excessive exposition and uneven art. It's readable, but not much more. |
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8.0
|
Convergence: The Question | 1 issues |
8
|
Convergence: The Question #2
May 7, 2015 |
Ultimately, Rucka and Hamner deliver one of Convergence's best stories, focusing on character over spectacle.Rucka restates his affection for both characters and allows them neat, peaceful, resolutions. The conclusion feels true to both characters, while also reflecting a nostalgic urge to provide a happy ending. |
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8.4
|
Copperhead | 1 issues |
8.4
|
Copperhead #1
Sep 9, 2014 |
Copperhead #1 opens a window to a desolate planet that is rich with history and ideas. There is a lot occurring in the background and details of this comic. It's a story I only expect to grow and improve as it delves further into the world created by Faerber and Godlewski. |
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9.7
|
Copra | 6 issues |
10
|
Copra #1
Oct 2, 2019 |
COPRA #1 is a masterclass in comics storytelling, a must-read issue whether it's your first or thirty second issue. |
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10
|
Copra #2
Nov 6, 2019 |
COPRA #2 is a roundhouse kick to the ocular nerve, increasing stakes without forgetting its sense of humor (and the unadulterated joy of action comics). It doesn't get much better than this. |
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8
|
Copra #3
Dec 4, 2019 |
Even an interstitial issue like this one can feel essential in COPRA where no page is ever without purpose. |
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10
|
Copra #4
Jan 1, 2020 |
This issue sets up a lot of what is to come in COPRA, but reminds us all that the reason we're reading is for this brilliantly illustrated set of characters who are at risk when the action returns. |
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10
|
Copra #5
Feb 5, 2020 |
With the promise of a long saga ahead, COPRA #5 delivers a perfect introduction to its next big story. |
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10
|
Copra #6
Jun 3, 2020 |
It is one of the most compelling comics I have read all year, carefully pacing the turns of pages so readers might believe they can catch a breath before coming upon another page so impactful that it alone could define an issue of another series. |
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6.0
|
Cosmo, The Mighty Martian | 1 issues |
6
|
Cosmo, The Mighty Martian #1
Nov 13, 2019 |
Tracy Yardley's cartooning is excellent, but it ultimately presents a fine surface to a largely hollow concept. |
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6.0
|
Cover (2018) | 2 issues |
4
|
Cover (2018) #1
Sep 5, 2018 |
There isn't enough to Cover #1 to provide much interest in the future and if this idea is to really take off, it will need to readjust its approach quickly. |
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8
|
Cover (2018) #2
Oct 17, 2018 |
As Cover shifts its focus from establishing connections to the comics industry to the work of spycraft, the premise clicks into place and every idiosyncrasy becomes much more interesting. |
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3.5
|
Crime Syndicate (2021) | 2 issues |
4
|
Crime Syndicate (2021) #1
Mar 3, 2021 |
Competence does not cover the lack of new ideas in this issue and so there's only one question left for readers to ask themselves: What's the point of reading issue #2? |
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3
|
Crime Syndicate (2021) #2
Apr 7, 2021 |
There's nothing of substance or interest to be found in these pages as readers are left to ask, once again, "Why does this comic exist?" |
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8.5
|
Criminal (2019) | 8 issues |
10
|
Criminal (2019) #5
Jun 5, 2019 |
Only one issue in to what is promised as the longest Criminal story yet, and "Cruel Summer" already reads as being truly special. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #6
Jul 10, 2019 |
It serves to place this story more firmly within the shared mythos and timeline of the series' fractured narrative, and sets up additional tension for the three central characters involved thus far. However, it lacks the drive that made Criminal #5 such a compelling hook for what is intended to be the series' longest story to date. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #7
Aug 21, 2019 |
Criminal #7 is yet another reminder that this genre-based series is not defined by its story, but by the immense imaginations and interests of two of the form's modern masters. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #8
Sep 25, 2019 |
Criminal #8 is one long exercise in foreshadowing and constructing tension. While each issue of the current arc has focused on an individual connected to the upcoming heist, the time spent with Jane here is as much about what is to come as what is currently occuring. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #9
Oct 23, 2019 |
With a small, but exciting story at its center, and two characters who continue to reveal their depth and complexity, Criminal #9 is bound to keep longtime readers satisfied before "Cruel Summer" pulls its many threads together next month. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #10
Nov 27, 2019 |
Connecting both of the best halves of Criminal, #10 shows how the small and large moments of life are never too far apart and can build greater, and more affecting, stories together. |
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8
|
Criminal (2019) #11
Dec 26, 2019 |
The final issue of this story will have the final say, but nothing can negate the visceral enjoyment of a well executed heist comic like this one. |
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10
|
Criminal (2019) #12
Jan 29, 2020 |
This isn't just Criminal at its best, it's the best that crime stories can offer. |
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9.0
|
Criminal Special Edition (One-Shot) | 1 issues |
9
|
Criminal Special Edition (One-Shot) #1
Feb 25, 2015 |
That connection is an uncomfortable one, and it's intended to be. Brubaker and Phillips have never pulled any punches in Criminal. Their heroic figures are always destined for a tragic end, and the ugliest characters they present tend to enjoy success. The irony and cruelty contained in Criminal isn't just a play at classic EC crime comics though, it's a funhouse mirror reflection of humanity. Criminal Special Edition isn't a story that we are supposed to be able to view as pure fiction; that's Zangarr's tale. The world of Teeg Lawless is the same one we're trapped in, one filled with criminals and comics fans just like us. |
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4.0
|
Crude | 1 issues |
4
|
Crude #4
Jul 18, 2018 |
This comic is a bludgeon, but never in the way it seems to think of itself. |
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4.0
|
Cult Classic: Creature Feature | 1 issues |
4
|
Cult Classic: Creature Feature #1
Oct 16, 2019 |
It's clear that this comic is a love letter to genre, but its own rambling nature prevents it from evoking any strong reactions. |
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8.4
|
Curb Stomp | 1 issues |
8.4
|
Curb Stomp #3
Apr 23, 2015 |
Curb Stomp #3 is a penultimate issue that leaves no doubt that this series is ending. It lands angry, hard, and fast. Ferrier and Neogi aren't interested in providing relief or escape. They're sprinting to the finish line, and when this comic ends, there is no doubt that it will end. The violence and unrefined nerve of the series may not appeal to anyone, but it's pure in a way that most comics will never be. |
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4.7
|
Curse Words | 6 issues |
6
|
Curse Words #13
Apr 18, 2018 |
Body horror runs rampant and a general lack of caring about even the most horrific circumstances provides the entire affair with some great (but not good) laughs. |
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6
|
Curse Words #16
Sep 19, 2018 |
This far into the story the spectacle of Curse Words has begun to wear off as all of its extraordinary designs have become expected and the long-term plans at its center may not be enough to maintain momentum. |
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4
|
Curse Words #22
Jun 19, 2019 |
In spite of so much happening on the page, this reads as a story that has wondered well past its period into an ellipsis. |
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4
|
Curse Words #23
Jul 24, 2019 |
This issue reads like tidying up before the big finale and fans can only hope that this overstuffed issue of narration is worth what comes next. |
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2
|
Curse Words #24
Sep 4, 2019 |
If these quick, ugly twists were part of a shorter, more gonzo effort, they might be easily overlooked, but Curse Words #24 does nothing to earn the years of story that led to these final moments. |
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6
|
Curse Words #25
Nov 27, 2019 |
The final few pages are the best in Curse Words #25 as they're the only ones that don't look much like the past year of magical battles, and they allow the series to go out on a good note, if not a high one. |
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4.0
|
Curse Words One Shot | 1 issues |
4
|
Curse Words: Summer Special #1
Aug 22, 2018 |
This issue is only for fans who are already dedicated to the series and possess a completionist mentality. |
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8.0
|
Damage | 1 issues |
8
|
Damage #1
Jan 17, 2018 |
Damage #1 is a damn cool comic. It's the kind of book you want to cut out pages from and post to your door in middle school. That's not a slight either. This slam-bang beat-'em-up formula is played to perfection and is everything Metal advertised itself to be. It's all about wild-looking characters tearing about cities and foes. That concept works in these pages because it has artists capable of pulling it off. Damage is all about impact and it plants its big moments like a punch. It's a reminder of how this sort of comic is supposed to be done. |
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8.0
|
Daphne Byrne | 5 issues |
8
|
Daphne Byrne #1
Jan 8, 2020 |
Kelley Jones' exaggerated forms and atmospheric set pieces bring the world to life, providing a clear tone that fills the narration and dialogue with life as they exist in such a specific and clearly defined world. |
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8
|
Daphne Byrne #2
Feb 5, 2020 |
Even when Daphne Byrne fails to deliver on elements of character, the world of the story is so rich as to ensure readers will want to return for another peek next month. |
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8
|
Daphne Byrne #3
Mar 4, 2020 |
Daphne Byrne #3 ratchets up the tension. With its characters established and the nature of its supernatural encounters better defined, things go from fearful to downright terrifying in these pages. |
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8
|
Daphne Byrne #5
Jun 17, 2020 |
Daphne Byrne #5 is bound to thrill readers who have been waiting to see how each facet of this psychological thriller would play out, while setting the stage for something truly macabre next month. |
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8
|
Daphne Byrne #6
Jul 16, 2020 |
While it leaves the door open for a sequel it also makes the denouement to this particular story read in an abrupt fashion, but that's still only a minor hiccup in, perhaps, Hill House Comics' best original series so far. |
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8.9
|
Daredevil (2014) | 4 issues |
8.4
|
Daredevil (2014) #8
Sep 17, 2014 |
There's only so much space for fun given the start of this issue though. The actions of the Purple Man loom over every panel like Stilt-Man's shadow. When the story comes full circle, Waid and Samnee do not back away from the tone struck in the opening of the issue. Instead, they use the same tools that serve the first five pages so well in order to craft a second sequence that is every bit as chilling. Whatever comes next, it ought to fill readers with equal levels of excitement and apprehension. If there's a lesson to be found in Daredevil #8, it's that any villain can be very bad (in a good way) given the right circumstances. |
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9
|
Daredevil (2014) #9
Oct 16, 2014 |
Its easy to be cynical about superhero comics, and that cynicism is often not wrongly felt. Yet in the case of Waid and Samnees Daredevil, nothing could be further from the truth. In every page and story beat, it is clear that this comic is being written with a completely genuine interest in the characters and the ideas they express. This is a story about dealing with pain and building a better future, and it is told with complete honesty. Its a big, bold metaphor for something many of us can relate to on a deeply personal level. Although its fun, its also incredibly human. Waid, Samnee, and Wilson are giving their all to this story and Daredevil #9 is an example of superhero comics at their absolute best. |
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9
|
Daredevil (2014) #16
Jun 24, 2015 |
Daredevil continues to surprise and astound with each issue. All of the madness introduced in #16 would overwhelm lesser talents, but Samnee and Waid juggle these plots almost with ease. Each significant moment lands, and the impact of some are enough to take your breath away. This is the setup for what looks to be a finale every bit as good as the series preceding it. |
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9
|
Daredevil (2014) #18
Sep 3, 2015 |
Waid, Samnee, Wilson, and all of their other collaborators have created a truly legendary version of Daredevil, and Daredevil #18 is an excellent capstone to their accomplishment. It manages to walk the fine line between spectacle and catharsis, providing a fine ending to this last adventure and, more importantly, addressing the thematic core of the series. In these final pages, Daredevil lands exactly on the point of why it has mattered so much for so many comic readers, and why it's likely to continue doing so for a long time. |
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6.0
|
Daredevil (2015) | 1 issues |
6
|
Daredevil (2015) #1
Dec 1, 2015 |
Daredevil #1 is a great start to a new series, and would have been even better if all of the story had been included. |
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8.5
|
Daredevil (2019) | 24 issues |
10
|
Daredevil (2019) #5
May 15, 2019 |
Daredevil #5 is the rare mainstream superhero comic that forces itself outside of mainstream conversation. It refuses to play by the rules of the game, removing the gloves and pretense of boxing in order to confront the real costs of violence. The result is not pleasant, but it demands readers' attention and engagement. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #6
May 29, 2019 |
This take on Daredevil is only getting more complex and every sign indicates that Zdarsky and co. have what it takes to construct an all-timer. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #7
Jun 19, 2019 |
A Daredevil comic focused on the absence of Daredevil is turning out to be far more exciting than even skeptics might have believed. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #8
Jul 17, 2019 |
This relaunch continues to interrogate all of the underlying issues that have made Daredevil a resonant character for decades, and it is only getting better. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #9
Aug 7, 2019 |
Daredevil #9 reads like an indie film, and that's a great thing in this instance. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #10
Aug 21, 2019 |
As a culmination of the story so far, a meditation on failure and sacrifice, and set of tension-ratcheting compositions, Daredevil #10 thrills. It secures the series place as one of the absolute best superhero comics of 2019. |
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6
|
Daredevil (2019) #11
Sep 11, 2019 |
Many marks of quality are still there, but after so many dynamite issues one that's simply fine stands out like a lawyer wearing a devil mask. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #12
Oct 2, 2019 |
Daredevil #12 provides a satisfying resolution to #11's cliffhanger, one with multiple phases and great moments for all characters involved. |
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6
|
Daredevil (2019) #13
Nov 6, 2019 |
The worst issue of Daredevil still packs more to critique than most comics contain for praise, but that doesn't make this misstep any less of a misstep. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #14
Dec 4, 2019 |
Daredevil #14 reminds readers why this is one of the smartest superhero series published today after a brief detour through melodrama. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #15
Dec 18, 2019 |
The two narratives slowly build together and deliver an excellent pair of fight sequences at the end. While the artwork and aesthetic may lack the clear identity of prior Daredevil runs, the ideas are as strong as they've ever been in this series' storied history. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #16
Jan 1, 2020 |
The addition of Jorge Fornes on art provides a much needed punch-up of style and presentation, one that readers should hope to see continue as every issue of this series should look as excellent as this one. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #17
Feb 5, 2020 |
This run on Daredevil continues to enhance and interrogate its moral and systemic subjects with each new issue, and that has developed one of the best superhero comics to be found. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #18
Feb 19, 2020 |
It's a masterful piece of superhero comics. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #19
Mar 4, 2020 |
Daredevil has been one of Marvel Comics' premiere series and the first half of this climax promises that there's still plenty for readers to anticipate. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #20
Jun 10, 2020 |
Daredevil is the rare superhero series capable of rising to meet a historic moment, and in doing so it might offer us a vision of genuine heroism. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #21
Jul 22, 2020 |
An explosive climax can easily lead to a messy denouement, which makes Daredevil #21 an essential turning point for one of Marvel's most impressive series given the choices it must address. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #22
Sep 23, 2020 |
Courtroom drama, discussion of land buys, and a visit to church are each sequences packed with drama, and that's what makes Daredevil a much more compelling superhero comic than most other series, even when nobody throws a punch. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #23
Oct 21, 2020 |
Daredevil #23 reveals some of the mystery and goodness wrapped up in that faith, and decides to reward it in a truly stunning sequence between two of Marvel's most recognizable characters. It makes for a divine read. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #24
Nov 25, 2020 |
Even as Daredevil #24 moves to repeat the best beats from "The Devil, Inside and Out," it still promises to explore new territory in the same satisfying, character-driven fashion that has made every issue of Daredevil so far a must-read. |
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10
|
Daredevil (2019) #25
Dec 2, 2020 |
It's rare to find a Marvel superhero comics that can deliver a genuine epiphany, but that's exactly what Daredevil #25 does. Bravo. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #26
Jan 27, 2021 |
Issue #26 is another satisfying installment, especially considering its tie-in status. |
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8
|
Daredevil (2019) #27
Feb 10, 2021 |
Even with so much chaos and unexpected symbiote storytelling, Daredevil remains one of the most compelling character studies in comics today, superhero or otherwise. |
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9
|
Daredevil (2019) #28
Mar 10, 2021 |
Yet another stirring issue that embraces the superhero genre without denying the maturity of its own subjects. Well done. |
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8.0
|
Daredevil (2019) Annual | 1 issues |
8
|
Daredevil (2019) Annual #1
Aug 26, 2020 |
It's another excellent installment in the most riveting character portrait of Matthew Murdock since Samnee's name was on the title. |
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4.0
|
Dark Knight III: The Master Race | 1 issues |
4
|
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1
Nov 25, 2015 |
The singular flaw underlying almost every other flaw in The Dark Knight III #1 is that it is dishonest. The Dark Knight III #1 is a comic constructed to safely imitate greater works. It bears the names of Andy Kubert and Brian Azzarello, but never takes advantage of their substantial strengths, trying to twist them to be something they are not. The result is perhaps the most negligible comic featuring Frank Miller's name to date. |
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8.0
|
Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child | 1 issues |
8
|
Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1
Dec 11, 2019 |
This is The Dark Knight Returns updated for a new generation by conversion to a rollercoaster ride. It may not have much to say, but Gramp's approach ought to have you more concerned with who's getting punched and how hard. |
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2.0
|
Dark Nights: Death Metal One Shot | 2 issues |
2
|
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Rise of the New God #1
Oct 28, 2020 |
Rather than selling readers $6 to be told that superhero comics are very important, the creative team could have made an effort to tell a story that captures all of the power, creativity, and significance they speak to in dialogue balloons. They do not even try. |
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2
|
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Trinity Crisis #1
Sep 9, 2020 |
There are some genuinely excellent panels in this comic book, but they don't offer enough to justify reading this headache. |
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7.5
|
Days of Hate | 4 issues |
8
|
Days of Hate #3
Mar 28, 2018 |
Following the fireworks of the first issue, Days of Hate has gone further and further down its philosophical rabbit hole. This is a good thing for the series though as it shines in dialogue. |
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10
|
Days of Hate #4
Apr 25, 2018 |
As quiet and unhurried as this section of story is, it's simply astounding how it raises the stakes and builds tension for what comes next. |
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6
|
Days of Hate #7
Aug 22, 2018 |
Days of Hate settles back into its narrative much like a fresh episode of television after a break, complete with a caption denoting how much time has passed. |
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6
|
Days of Hate #8
Sep 19, 2018 |
Days Of Hate is paced in a novelistic manner, one that benefits a reading of the first collection, but can make the breakdown of its second half seem questionable at times. |
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2.0
|
DC Universe: Rebirth | 1 issues |
2
|
DC Universe: Rebirth #1
May 26, 2016 |
Calling DC Rebirth a superhero story is dismissive of superhero stories, and that's a category with a very low bar for entry. It's an advertisement that you're supposed to buy for $2.99 so you can get excited for a lot of other comics that will also cost $2.99. |
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6.0
|
DC/Hanna-Barbera | 2 issues |
8
|
DC/Hanna-Barbera: Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1
May 30, 2018 |
If you can only read one of these Hanna-Barbera comics, make it this one. |
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4
|
DC/Hanna-Barbera: Superman/Top Cat #1
Oct 31, 2018 |
This issue is the rare fifth week crossover that should simply be skipped altogether. |
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10
|
DC/Looney Tunes | 1 issues |
10
|
DC/Looney Tunes: Lex Luthor/Porky Pig #1
Aug 29, 2018 |
This is Russell at his absolute best, hammering on a wide range of issues through a lens that feels like it shouldn't work, but absolutely does. |
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4.0
|
Dead Body Road | 1 issues |
4
|
Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #4
Sep 23, 2020 |
In the midst of this poorly paced mode of storytelling is a conversation about old flames that lacks enough personality to even land a joke. Keep it. |
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8.0
|
Dead Dog's Bite | 2 issues |
8
|
Dead Dog's Bite #1
Mar 3, 2021 |
It is unclear how the mystery or metatextual threads of this story are being woven, but Dead Dog's Bite #1 presents a very convincing case to chase this narrative wherever it may lead. |
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8
|
Dead Dog's Bite #2
Apr 7, 2021 |
Dead Dog's Bite #2 proves that the idiosyncratic debut was no fluke. |
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8.0
|
Dead Eyes | 1 issues |
8
|
Dead Eyes #4
Jan 15, 2020 |
Dead Eyes #4 fulfills all of the promises and ideas of its debut in what is hopefully only the first of many stories to come. |
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4.0
|
Dead Kings | 1 issues |
4
|
Dead Kings #1
Oct 17, 2018 |
There's a fascinating notebook packed with ideas on this world, but the introduction in this issue falls far short from producing any desire to pick up the second issue. |
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8.0
|
Dead Rabbit | 2 issues |
8
|
Dead Rabbit #1
Oct 3, 2018 |
. There are a million directions for this concept to go and its debut provides a very sure footing for whichever way it chooses. |
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8
|
Dead Rabbit #2
Nov 7, 2018 |
Even in this amplified world of master thieves and ominous mobsters, there's a strong strand of truth that makes every joke and injury hit home. |
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8.2
|
Deadly Class | 12 issues |
9
|
Deadly Class #7
Sep 16, 2014 |
This is all indicative of why I really love Deadly Class. You can pick out a single sequence and spend an entire review digging in to how it works (or very rarely doesn't). The panel composition, Lee Loughridge's colors, draftsmanship, narration; all of it is consistently complex and effective. It's a comic book I could discuss every month and always find new things to explore. Remender and Craig have invented a story that is interesting simply by the virtue of how it is being told (although the story itself is also fascinating). It's a comic that constantly challenges and reinvents itself, an exemplar of creator-owned comics. |
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10
|
Deadly Class #8
Oct 15, 2014 |
Deadly Class #8 is a tour de force, a terribly beautiful meditation upon pain and depression. Through this outlandish narrative, Remender, Craig, and Loughridge have constructed a story that is emotionally true. It acknowledges what it means to be in pain, what it is like to hide its origins, and the difficulty of seeking and obtaining help. It is does not aim to provide easy answers or solace, but it is a true story. It is authentic in the way that matters most, in reflecting what it is like to be human. In telling that truth, it provides some small opportunity for relief and understanding by showing its scars. |
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9
|
Deadly Class #10
Jan 5, 2015 |
Unlike the awful climax that occurs in the comic store, its unnecessary and unfair to delve into the final pages of the second half of Deadly Class #10. Remender and Craig have been building to this confrontation since the first issue of the series and leave a perfect cliffhanger for readers. Deadly Class #10 is the mounting storm, tearing into both the daylight and darkness of Marcus life, building to this climax. Whatever comes next, only two things are certain: it will be messy and it will be must-read comics. |
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10
|
Deadly Class #13
May 27, 2015 |
Remender has never let his characters off easily and he isn't interested in happy endings. What he, Craig, and Loughridge are interested in in Deadly Class is something less cathartic, but more significant. It's a tale that no matter how big and crazy it gets is always grounded by humanity. That's why Deadly Class #13 hurts so good. |
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9
|
Deadly Class #15
Aug 5, 2015 |
Deadly Class continues to be one of the best comics hitting store shelves month-after-month. Remender and Craig are delivering a world populated with fully realized characters commenting on social troubles through incredibly exciting sequences filled with action, drugs, and mayhem. No series is better at combining the ludicrous with the deeply human than Deadly Class. |
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7
|
Deadly Class #28
May 25, 2017 |
Deadly Class #28 is an example of how a creative team can keep a dozen plates spinning. Some will slow and begun to wobble, but others will whirl at such a thrilling speed as to distract readers. There is no consistent theme or purpose to this issue as a single piece, but as one chapter it includes enough good to outweigh the bad. Craig's layouts and Jordan Boyd's colors on the beach are enough to justify the price of entry. What comes next as these plates begin to collide will be far more interesting, but for now it is beautiful enough to know the story has led us to a brief respite with characters we care about this much. |
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8
|
Deadly Class #32
Mar 14, 2018 |
As almost every major character in the series so far meets, plans shatter and copious quantities of blood spill. It's a crackling start to what's bound to be another status quo-shattering story for Deadly Class. |
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8
|
Deadly Class #33
Apr 11, 2018 |
In the chaotic, character-filled battles of Deadly Class, each new issue has a consistent method of offering just enough to keep readers going. |
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8
|
Deadly Class #34
May 23, 2018 |
Wes Craig seems to possess an infinite number of ideas on how to depict violence in comics. Each new issues surprises ,and #34 does so in multiple ways. |
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10
|
Deadly Class #35
Jun 20, 2018 |
This arc's conclusion is a powerful reminder as to why fans first fell in love with this messy series. |
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4
|
Deadly Class #41
Nov 6, 2019 |
Reading one page narrated in the fashion of Marcus' journal is stupefying; several of them strung together borders upon the coma-inducing. |
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6
|
Deadly Class #42
Dec 11, 2019 |
When the entire school is on display and events tell the story, Deadly Class can still be an engaging affair. It's just unfortunate that it has an albatross named Marcus hung about its neck. |
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4.0
|
Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan | 1 issues |
4
|
Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan #5
Feb 21, 2018 |
The final issue of this mini-series reads more like epilogue than finale. It wraps up the story (to some degree), but fails to deliver anything close to catharsis or impact. |
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3.2
|
Death Of The Inhumans | 5 issues |
2
|
Death Of The Inhumans #1
Jul 4, 2018 |
Some Marvel fans are likely to be saddened by the choices made, but that's not the result of "shocking" choices, nor this hollow vehicle of a story. |
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2
|
Death Of The Inhumans #2
Aug 1, 2018 |
Whatever thrills that might have been embedded in this shoddy idea are ripped away with bizarre tonal leaps, moving from theatrical sturm und drang to a "rad" one-liner. Keep it. |
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4
|
Death Of The Inhumans #3
Sep 5, 2018 |
The series is still primarily a charnel house, but it's not without its moments. |
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4
|
Death Of The Inhumans #4
Oct 3, 2018 |
There may be a worthy discussion of what this series could have been, but with only one issue left it is clear that it will never reach any potential that might have existed. |
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4
|
Death Of The Inhumans #5
Nov 7, 2018 |
This is a series that alters very little and does so in an incredibly tone-deaf fashion. |
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6.7
|
Death Of Wolverine | 3 issues |
8
|
Death Of Wolverine #1
Sep 2, 2014 |
After months of advertisements and promotions all screaming that Wolverine will die, I'm surprised to say this, but I'm excited to read The Death of Wolverine. Soule and McNiven share a grasp of the character and understand what it will take to make this story work on its own merits. Wolverine is going to die. We knew that already. This comic may give us a reason to care. |
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7
|
Death Of Wolverine #2
Sep 10, 2014 |
The Death of Wolverine #2 maintains the strengths of the first issue, but begins to squander that momentum on tangents and cameos. It feels like the events of this issue could probably be skipped without any major effect on the overall story. However, McNivens art alone makes this issue worth picking up. |
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5
|
Death Of Wolverine #4
Oct 16, 2014 |
The Death of Wolverine is one of the better event series to be released in the past few years. It may not succeed in its intended purpose, but it is enjoyable and (relatively) succinct. Its a cut above most event series, managing to be entertaining without ever becoming aggravating. |
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4.7
|
Death or Glory | 3 issues |
6
|
Death or Glory #1
May 2, 2018 |
This is a comic that yearns to be political, but possesses no clear comprehension of what its politics might be. The best reason to keep following her story is that it is simply fun to watch. |
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4
|
Death or Glory #2
Jun 6, 2018 |
The second issue of Death or Glory loses a lot of speed from its debut. |
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4
|
Death or Glory #3
Jul 4, 2018 |
When things are moving, Death or Glory is a great comic to look at, but there's not much there when any level of scrutiny is provided. |
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5.5
|
Death's Head (2019) | 4 issues |
6
|
Death's Head (2019) #1
Jul 31, 2019 |
Death's Head is a series with all the right pieces (characters, talented creators, ideas) and it will improve if it can find a clear direction following this messy (re)introduction. |
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6
|
Death's Head (2019) #2
Aug 21, 2019 |
Much of #2 reads as an extended explainer, setting up future plot elements, but never providing an entry point to enjoy the characters or their adventure. That overstuffed quality downgrades a story with many quality elements. |
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4
|
Death's Head (2019) #3
Sep 18, 2019 |
Death's Head #3 features several well-paced action sequences and plenty of pithy dialogue. |
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6
|
Death's Head (2019) #4
Oct 30, 2019 |
Unbalanced, but more charming than dull, Death's Head offers a fine slice of fan service for a small, but dedicated segment of Marvel fandom. |
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6.0
|
Deathbed | 1 issues |
6
|
Deathbed #4
May 16, 2018 |
Characters insist on explaining exactly what they are experiencing and why it matters, as if the pages are not doing that same work and then some. It's a downer set beside some of Rossmo's most enthralling layouts and designs to date. |
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7.0
|
Deathlok (2014) | 1 issues |
7
|
Deathlok (2014) #1
Oct 31, 2014 |
Deathlok #1 is a generally competent comic book. Edmondson includes a lot of information in a twenty-page script and it all combines into a tight plot. Perkins action is often exciting. Theres not a hook to any of these characters yet and the sequences sometimes fail to relate important information. The result is a mixed bag, one that could develop into a great series, but is hard to recommend based on this issue alone. |
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7.3
|
Deathstroke (2016) | 9 issues |
8
|
Deathstroke (2016) #34
Aug 1, 2018 |
This story is all set up for a truly explosive ending next month. |
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10
|
Deathstroke (2016) #35
Sep 5, 2018 |
As both a Deathstroke and Batman narrative, this story has been tremendous in how it humanizes both men without ever diminishing the genre elements that define them. A must read. |
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8
|
Deathstroke (2016) #44
Jun 5, 2019 |
Deathstroke is far from over, but this issue marks a significant transition in the series and an ending of sorts. |
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8
|
Deathstroke (2016) #45
Jul 3, 2019 |
Deathstroke remains one of the best series from the entire Rebirth lineup, even if it's the one most dedicated to its own continuity. |
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6
|
Deathstroke (2016) #46
Aug 7, 2019 |
Deathstroke is weaving the genes of two parents stories together, with one proving to be far stronger than the other. |
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6
|
Deathstroke (2016) #47
Sep 4, 2019 |
Readers who have appreciated Deathstroke from #1 are likely to recognize motifs and ideas that call to how excellent this series can be at its best; we can only hope it's on its way back to those heights. |
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6
|
Deathstroke (2016) #48
Oct 2, 2019 |
Deathstroke remains a uniquely challenging work in DC Comics' current lineup, but has hit a low point after years of highs. It's disappointing, even as the quality remains higher than most of its contemporaries. |
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8
|
Deathstroke (2016) #49
Nov 6, 2019 |
It looks like Christopher Priest's redefining run with Deathstroke will end on a high note. |
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6
|
Deathstroke (2016) #50
Dec 4, 2019 |
It's still a general pleasure, one packed with puns and genuinely surprising moments of action, but it's also clear that the best days for Deathstroke were already in its past. - |
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8.0
|
Decorum | 7 issues |
10
|
Decorum #1
Mar 11, 2020 |
This is the sort of comic that can make even the most cynical critic remember why they fell in love with the medium. I suppose the only response for that is: Thanks. |
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8
|
Decorum #2
Jun 10, 2020 |
The ideas, characters, and narrative being explored is unfurling at such a slow pace that it might be best not to worry about it until a collection appears. |
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8
|
Decorum #3
Jul 22, 2020 |
The "slowest" issue of Decorum so far still offers an enthralling comic book. |
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6
|
Decorum #4
Aug 19, 2020 |
For today Decorum #4 is a visual delight that suggests readers return when #5 is released because Decorum is clearly designed to be read as a whole, but readers are left with only pieces to read for now. |
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8
|
Decorum #5
Oct 7, 2020 |
As both a continuation of Decorum and a self-contained read, issue #5 delivers an excellent afternoon read. |
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8
|
Decorum #6
Dec 16, 2020 |
Decorum, even in the form of space opera, remains a thrill to experience. |
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8
|
Decorum #7
Mar 31, 2021 |
Decorum has defined its endgame and that portion of this series appears ready to exceed the already excellent groundwork established across six issues. Bring it on. |
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8.0
|
Defenders (2017) | 1 issues |
8
|
Defenders (2017) #10
Feb 21, 2018 |
The Defenders #10 is ultimately more a survey than a narrative, but these broad strokes offer a great retrospective on a Marvel writer who will be missed. |
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7.9
|
Descender | 8 issues |
9
|
Descender #1
Feb 3, 2015 |
Descender #1 is a stunning debut. Lemire and Nguyen are holding up a mirror to post-9/11 politics and encouraging us to consider our world not only through the lens of science fiction, but through the eyes of a child. It is a beautiful introduction that promises a thoughtful exploration of how we respond to tragedy and adversity without ever losing sight of the hope and wonder of existence. |
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8
|
Descender #5
Jul 9, 2015 |
Descender #5 is a beautiful comic, that's art makes the pain of the story seem all the more potent. While Lemire struggles some in creating a compelling political system, the core story of the series is compelling as ever. The characters are well-realized, and their pain is easily shared with the reader, for better or worse. |
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8
|
Descender #27
Feb 21, 2018 |
Descender #27 more than rises to the occasion of establishing the facts needed to understand whatever awaits Tim-21 and his companions next. |
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6
|
Descender #28
Mar 21, 2018 |
Descender completes its origin story this month in a tale that provides plenty of answers, but not much else. |
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8
|
Descender #29
Apr 18, 2018 |
There is an incredible sense of momentum surrounding this series, and Descender #29 manages to carry that between all of its many divided plots and characters. |
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8
|
Descender #30
May 30, 2018 |
Even as this issue pushes the plot forward, it never loses track of the many ways its character are alone even as they're surrounded by one another. |
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8
|
Descender #31
Jun 27, 2018 |
No matter what happens, this has set up an interesting finale for next month. |
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8
|
Descender #32
Jul 25, 2018 |
The final issue of Descender doesn't pull any punches and delivers on the exact prophecies and logic it has provided foreshadowing on for the past year. |
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7.4
|
Despicable Deadpool | 7 issues |
6
|
Despicable Deadpool #294
Feb 14, 2018 |
While this showdown helps to clarify what has made Duggan's long run with Deadpool transformative, it's ultimately stalling for time between more substantial issues. |
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8
|
Despicable Deadpool #295
Feb 28, 2018 |
This one hurts, and it shows how far Deadpool has come as a character in the past few years. |
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6
|
Despicable Deadpool #296
Mar 14, 2018 |
It's standard action, give or take a comedic impalement. |
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8
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Despicable Deadpool #297
Mar 28, 2018 |
This is the best possible version of a Deadpool comic. |
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8
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Despicable Deadpool #298
Apr 11, 2018 |
It delivers on all fronts, while still building momentum for what comes next. Based on the final page, things will only get crazier from here on out. |
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8
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Despicable Deadpool #299
Apr 25, 2018 |
This is Deadpool in its absolute best form, offering a story worth remembering in addition to some very exciting panels. |
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8
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Despicable Deadpool #300
May 9, 2018 |
Despicable Deadpool #300 offers a poignant, bittersweet conclusion, one that captures the tone of this run perfectly. |
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7.0
|
Detective Comics (2016) | 1 issues |
7
|
Detective Comics (2016) #938
Aug 13, 2016 |
There is nothing being done in Detective Comics that has not been done before or better, but it is delivering an entertaining combination of elements. The mix of characters, regular delivery of exciting moments, and inclusion of sympathetic villains provides plenty to chew on. This isn't a comic that soars, but it does fulfill its promise as a Batman-team-up comic. |
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4.0
|
Diablo House | 1 issues |
4
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Diablo House #4
Apr 18, 2018 |
What purpose does this comic serve? Even if that question is answered in #5, it's probably not worth finding out. |
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8.0
|
Dick Tracy Forever | 3 issues |
8
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Dick Tracy Forever #2
May 29, 2019 |
All of the classic characters, settings, and dialogue are still present, but Oeming's brilliant sense of style makes it feel like an idea that could have been invented yesterday. |
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8
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Dick Tracy Forever #3
Jun 26, 2019 |
With only one issue left to go, Oeming has shown Dick Tracy to be a hero suitable for every generation. |
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8
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Dick Tracy Forever #4
Aug 7, 2019 |
Dick Tracy: Forever is a love letter to how characters evolve to reflect the times in which they exist, and it clarifies the potential of even an old school law enforcement agent to adapt for new challenges and ethical dilemmas. It's a symbol for how comics greatest characters can seemingly continue forever, when assisted the right, modern artistic talent. |
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6.5
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DIE!DIE!DIE! | 4 issues |
8
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DIE!DIE!DIE! #1
Jul 11, 2018 |
If you like violent comic books, then you will likely enjoy this one. There's a story about conspiracies and secret agents, but it all functions as window dressing for the series to reach its title. |
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8
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DIE!DIE!DIE! #2
Aug 22, 2018 |
The second issue of Die!Die!Die! doesn't slow down in the slightest. While the level of gore and action is no longer shocking, the method in which they are delivered and twists from within the limited cast of characters upset the stock tropes of the genre. |
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4
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DIE!DIE!DIE! #3
Oct 3, 2018 |
There is simply nothing there making a large section of this issue a waste. When it returns to the spy action it stuns, but the cost for reaching that point may simply be too high. |
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6
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DIE!DIE!DIE! #4
Oct 24, 2018 |
Every page and gory detail of this series continues to stun, providing a big reason to check it out, if only the scripting would get out of the way. |
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8.4
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Divinity | 1 issues |
8.4
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Divinity #1
Feb 11, 2015 |
Divinity #1 pushes the scope of Valiant ever further, striking into the territory of surrealistic science fiction. It is a beautifully designed introduction and one that plays to all of Kindts strengths as a writer. While it may be unclear where Abram Adams journey may lead, it is certain that it will be an experience worth reading. |
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6.0
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Doctor Doom (2019) | 1 issues |
6
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Doctor Doom (2019) #1
Oct 9, 2019 |
Doctor Doom #1 opts simply to be fine, perfectly okay, not too bad, even. However, it's worth remembering that the opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference. |
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5.0
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Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows | 2 issues |
4
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Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #2
Apr 4, 2018 |
Everything about this issue is sad, but that's not a theme or idea, just this series' state of being. |
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6
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Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #4
Jun 6, 2018 |
There was a spark of a great idea here, but it was never expanded or shortened to a story that could accomplish its goals. |
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6.7
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Doctor Strange (2015) | 3 issues |
6
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Doctor Strange (2015) #10
Aug 6, 2016 |
And so Doctor Strange #10 is an effective entertainment. The monsters are scary and the action is enjoyable enough. It lacks in impact in spite of the many consequences explained at its conclusion. Everything is terrible, but it rests on the foundation of a story that never gives you very many reasons to care. Reading this comic might be a fine way to spend a little time, but it will flicker out of your skull as quickly as it entered. |
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6
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Doctor Strange (2015) #389
Apr 25, 2018 |
Readers are forcefully told to go out and read other comics while attempting to enjoy what is in front of them, and diminishes every positive quality about this one issue as a result. |
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8
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Doctor Strange (2015) #390
May 23, 2018 |
The considerably reduced scope of this farewell issue gives the central characters from the past year a much needed chance to breathe. |
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4.0
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Doctor Strange (2018) | 1 issues |
4
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Doctor Strange (2018) #16
Jul 24, 2019 |
Various characters float in space; individual encounters are provided too little detail or a unique enough perspective to leave much of an impression. The result is an unnecessary issue with little to offer even on style points. Pass. |
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6.0
|
Dodge City | 1 issues |
6
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Dodge City #4
Jun 27, 2018 |
The Jazz Pandas arrive at the end of their season and manage to find happy, if not highly dramatic, resolutions to their personal conflicts |
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6.0
|
Doom Patrol (2016) | 2 issues |
6
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Doom Patrol (2016) #11
Apr 25, 2018 |
There are so many great ideas spinning that it hits a level similar to Morrison's classic run. However, the ending sputters in a truly dissatisfying way as it attempts to simultaneously end and deliver a to be continued for an event that already occurred. |
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6
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Doom Patrol (2016) #12
Oct 31, 2018 |
There are still great ideas in this issue and series, but its an open question whether they'll ever find their way onto the page in a format worth trusting again. |
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8.3
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) | 7 issues |
10
|
Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #1
Jul 3, 2019 |
If you've ever loved the Doom Patrol, in any of their many, many forms, then Weight of the Worlds cannot be missed. |
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8
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #2
Aug 7, 2019 |
It's a quick status quo reset with some interesting new devices included, but no acknowledgement of the notable changes that have occurred or why they were so quickly reset like an inconvenience. In spite of that speed bump, this remains a stunning issue of Doom Patrol, one packed with a variety of styles and approaches to the page, all of which support this wonderfully eccentric story. |
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8
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #3
Sep 4, 2019 |
If every issue of Weight of the Worlds is prepared to experiment with form and style like this one, Doom Patrol will continue to provide the best, weird adventures at DC Comics. |
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10
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #4
Oct 2, 2019 |
The positivity on display throughout the issue, especially in its surprise hero, also makes this a homerun"the best issue of Doom Patrol since it relaunched and that's saying something for a series where each installment flirts with perfection. |
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8
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #5
Nov 6, 2019 |
It's ultimately a nice, but forgettable, installment. |
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8
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #6
Dec 11, 2019 |
Weight of the Worlds divides its attention between Cliff's story and the rest of the team's adventures this week. The former plays like a highlight reel, building towards a big change with a series of well-selected moments that provide a blend of action and escalation with each new segment. |
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6
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Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (2019) #7
Jul 8, 2020 |
It's not an awful ending for Doom Patrol, but it fails to deliver on the series' original promise. |
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5.7
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Dr. Strange (2019) | 6 issues |
4
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Dr. Strange (2019) #1
Dec 26, 2019 |
Any promise embedded in this new premise is forgotten and ignored, and it raises the question of why a relaunch was needed in the first place if this was all that could be offered in a new #1 issue. |
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6
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Dr. Strange (2019) #2
Jan 29, 2020 |
Even if the core conceit of this story still doesn't quite click, it's still an enjoyable, if basic, issue of superhero comics. |
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6
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Dr. Strange (2019) #3
Feb 12, 2020 |
Beyond a few excellent panels, there may not be much special about Dr. Strange #3, but it certainly delivers a monthly dose of the Sorcerer Supreme that will satisfy most dedicated fans. |
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6
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Dr. Strange (2019) #4
Mar 4, 2020 |
The monster designs in Dr. Strange #4 are the most exciting thing about an otherwise dull "walk and talk" approach to problem solving here. |
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6
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Dr. Strange (2019) #5
Jul 8, 2020 |
Even if it reads like a recap playing the hits, all of those settings offer plenty of eye candy and promises an exciting showdown still ahead. |
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6
|
Dr. Strange (2019) #6
Aug 5, 2020 |
Dr. Strange provided a new setting and supporting cast with plenty of potential for its hero, but readers will need to await his next series before discovering whether that potential will be utilized well. |
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5.0
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Drax (2015) | 1 issues |
5
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Drax (2015) #6
May 5, 2016 |
Drax #6 is a comic that does a lot of work to bury its strengths. The pencil work of Hepburn and Hanna, reminiscent of James Harren's fast and mean qualities, is something to value. Yet every chase and action beat is buried in text and designs feel either rushed or are focused on characters that do not appeal to their style. There's some enjoyable violence to be found in Drax, but the series will make you dig for it. |
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8.4
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E Is For Extinction | 1 issues |
8.4
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E Is For Extinction #2
Aug 26, 2015 |
E is for Extinction is not just one of best Battleworld miniseries so far, but one of the best X-Men comics published in years. Morrison may be the source for many of these ideas, but Burnham, Culver, and Villalobos are demonstrating a true mastery of the material. If we're lucky, this won't be the last time we see them all playing with the oddest superheroes in Marvel's stable. |
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8.7
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East of West | 6 issues |
7
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East of West #13
Jun 30, 2014 |
East of West #13 shows off its chops as a Western in its desert chases and fight sequences. Even the more psychedelic elements read like a peyote inspired trip in the Mojave Desert. As the science of the Endless Nation emerges on the final page, the great potential of the series is brought into focus as so many genre elements are blended together to create an ominous spectacle of great potential. For whatever stakes were lacking in this issue, the war that is now beginning has been clearly grounded, setting a course for the series to pursue to even greater highs. |
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9
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East of West #16
Jan 5, 2015 |
Even in those quiet moments at the end of East of West #16, it is clear the story has changed. Year One was an introduction to a wide, new world. It carefully constructed history, politics, and religion into a cathedral-like structure. Year Two has set that structure on fire. War has arrived. The action, the impact, and the drama of East of West have all been elevated as the world approaches its end. Hickman and Dragotta have revitalized the series in this introduction to Year Two. They are starting to blow this world up and it appears that as things get worse, East of West will only get better. |
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8
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East of West #39
Oct 17, 2018 |
As East of West begins to write its ending, with only seven issues remaining, it is clear that the series is as strong as it ever was. |
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8
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East of West #43
Oct 9, 2019 |
Even with so much occurring, East of West #43 delivers a well-balanced introduction to the apocalypse. It appears the series is ready to end as well as it began"brilliantly. |
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10
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East of West #44
Nov 27, 2019 |
It's a stirring, exciting issue by itself, one made only more powerful by knowing that whatever comes next will be final. |
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10
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East of West #45
Dec 26, 2019 |
East of West #45 secures the series place in a pantheon of excellent original comics epics. It fulfills the promises of the very first issue, offering readers both a vision of apocalypse and unexpected rays of hope. |
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4.0
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Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror | 1 issues |
4
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Edgar Allan Poe's Snifter of Terror: Season Two #2
Nov 13, 2019 |
There's nothing terrifying, sinister, or even entertaining about this particular collection of comics and other materials. The vast majority of this issue is dedicated to two comics that it's almost impossible to recommend. |
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8.5
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Edge of Spider-Geddon | 4 issues |
8
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Edge of Spider-Geddon #1
Aug 15, 2018 |
The sequel to Edge of Spider-Verse is shaping up to be just as much fun on an issue-by-issue basis as its presentation of a punk Spider-Man's world offers up plenty of new takes on characters. |
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8
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Edge of Spider-Geddon #2
Aug 29, 2018 |
While the last few pages move too quickly towards resolution of a very tragic battle, it still makes for a stunning reintroduction of one of the best new Spider-people at Marvel Comics. |
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10
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Edge of Spider-Geddon #3
Sep 19, 2018 |
We can only hope this team is given a chance to do more with Spider-Ben and Spider-Pete, as this is a tremendous issue of superhero comics that deserves a future. |
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8
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Edge of Spider-Geddon #4
Sep 26, 2018 |
With every issue of Edge turning out this well, the prologue may very well turn out to be the very best part of Spider-geddon. |
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6.7
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Edge of Spider-Verse | 3 issues |
10
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Edge of Spider-Verse #2
Sep 16, 2014 |
I want a series featuring Gwen Stacy, The Spectacular Spider-Woman written by Jason Latour and illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez. I really, really want it. Marvel Comics has captured lightning in a bottle with this issue. It's sleek, smart, and so damn cool. I simply don't have enough superlatives for what Latour and Rodriguez have created here. So I'll leave it at this: buy Edge of Spider-Verse #2. And after you too fall in love, make sure to write in and let Marvel know that you want an ongoing Gwen Stacy, The Spectacular Spider-Woman series. |
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2
|
Edge of Spider-Verse #3
Sep 24, 2014 |
Theres no compelling story for this Spider-Mech to be involved in though. An overabundance of exposition, a lack of clear setting, and various extraneous elements all worked to push me between bewilderment and weariness. There are things to like in Edge of Spider-Verse #3, but theyre lost in the confusion of this comic. |
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8
|
Edge of Spider-Verse #5
Oct 16, 2014 |
Despite its lack of a traditional plot, Edge of Spider-Verse #5 succeeds. It leans on its ideas and their visual presentation, giving readers images that they can chew on. For readers and critics preoccupied with story, this may be disconcerting, but I found it to be an appealing stretch of a mainstream superhero comic. There are a lot of appealing factors within a comic besides plot. |
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8.0
|
Ei8ht | 1 issues |
8
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Ei8ht #3
Apr 16, 2015 |
Albuquerque focuses his work primarily on the foreground, resulting in a dreamlike atmosphere. It's purposeful and works well with the ever shifting landscape of the comic. The colors swirl loosely around the panels, opening events up instead of confining them. Ei8ht presents a world in which change and discovery are the only constants, and it's the presentation of that world in which the series is at its best. |
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8.0
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Empyre: X-Men | 4 issues |
8
|
Empyre: X-Men #1
Jul 22, 2020 |
While this may not be essential, it is already one of the most engaging event tie-ins to be published in living memory"and it could set a new standard if the next three issues retain the momentum and approach found here. |
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8
|
Empyre: X-Men #2
Aug 5, 2020 |
Everything that occurs here provides some insight into the "Dawn of X" line as this tie-in continues to read more like an excellent X-title. |
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8
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Empyre: X-Men #3
Aug 12, 2020 |
Empyre: X-Men has quickly emerged as the highlight of Marvel's summer event and delivers all of the strange joy readers of X-Men and "Empyre" comics alike could hope for in a miniseries like this. |
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8
|
Empyre: X-Men #4
Aug 19, 2020 |
There is a very low ceiling for expectations of superhero event tie-ins, and Empyre: X-Men has destroyed those low expectations like Explodey Boy sitting on an oil tanker. |
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7.3
|
Endless Winter (2020) | 3 issues |
6
|
Endless Winter (2020): Superman #1
Dec 9, 2020 |
A flashback and aside to Gotham City may serve the larger event, but don't provide any notable connection to the Man of Steel's quest to care for his adopted family and world making this an inessential entry. |
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8
|
Endless Winter (2020): Black Adam #1
Dec 23, 2020 |
Black Adam Endless Winter Special #1 is a lot of fun, providing readers both an enjoyable, mindless diversion and appropriate penultimate chapter for the more expansive story at play. |
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8
|
Endless Winter (2020): Justice League #2
Dec 30, 2020 |
While I'm unsure whether Endless Winter will be a memorable event, I know that I won't forget enjoying this read"that's a lot more than can be said of many other superhero events released in 2020. |
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7.0
|
Euthanauts | 2 issues |
8
|
Euthanauts #1
Jul 18, 2018 |
It's not a perfect first issue, but it certainly offers plenty of hooks to keep you going. |
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6
|
Euthanauts #2
Aug 29, 2018 |
There is a lot of promise to be found in the premise and its presentation, but this issue doesn't move in a direction of realizing it. |
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6.0
|
Evolution | 1 issues |
6
|
Evolution #6
Apr 18, 2018 |
There is charm to this series, but it's often left muddled upon the page. |
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6.5
|
Excalibur (2019) | 20 issues |
6
|
Excalibur (2019) #1
Oct 30, 2019 |
There's still an immense amount of potential given the characters and magical concepts in Excalibur, but #1 reads like an old band ready to play just the hits even if we've heard them all before. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #2
Nov 20, 2019 |
Excalibur is a perfectly fine X-Men comic featuring an unexpected assembly of familiar heroes and anti-heroes with an ongoing battle to justify at least one action sequence and a handful of juggled subplots in each issue so far. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #3
Dec 4, 2019 |
Excalibur has slowly, but surely, discovered what works in its pages and finally delivered a standout issue. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #4
Dec 18, 2019 |
Excalibur #4 offers a thrilling side adventure beneath the Earth's crust, spotlighting a couple of this series' most interesting heroes, even as events surrounding England and Otherworld become a bit muddled. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #5
Jan 8, 2020 |
The character bits in Excalibur #5 offer a reminder as to why this series still offers plenty of promise, even after multiple false starts and an opening volley of plots that all landed with a thud. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #6
Jan 22, 2020 |
Excalibur #6 continues to emphasize character and relationships, and that continues to reveal the best this new series has to offer. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #7
Feb 12, 2020 |
It seems like every member of Excalibur is given at least one moment in the short span of twenty pages, and they all have something big to look forward to when the next issue arrives. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #8
Mar 4, 2020 |
While this reads like stretching out a thread, the thread itself is still strong. |
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4
|
Excalibur (2019) #9
Mar 18, 2020 |
There are genuinely good concepts present, but the writing or art often undermine them (and one another) on the page and only leave hope for improvement as a cause to continue reading. |
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4
|
Excalibur (2019) #10
Jun 10, 2020 |
Even having recently returned to collections of the original Excalibur and understanding the influences and tropes this story is building from, it's difficult to concern oneself with the events and characters on the page. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #11
Aug 19, 2020 |
Perhaps Excalibur is finally ready to crest its storytelling hill, but readers will have to wait one more issue to find out. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #12
Sep 16, 2020 |
Excalibur #12 takes one of the most poorly designed and written relics from Marvel Comics in the 90s and transforms the Externals into a compelling piece of its narrative. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #13
Oct 21, 2020 |
Excalibur #13 is easily the best crossover entry to "X of Swords" thus far. It weaves together a number of notable threads from its core series and, although the story focuses entirely on the Braddock siblings, provides space to move the entire cast's story forward. |
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4
|
Excalibur (2019) #14
Nov 12, 2020 |
After more than a dozen chapters of intricate and interesting build, it's disconcerting that the high-stakes game now reads like an episode of Whose Line Is It Anyway? |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #15
Nov 25, 2020 |
The battle sequences are rich and fulfilling, but readers can't help but notice this issue is primarily treading water before the climax arrives. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #16
Dec 23, 2020 |
The result is an accessible collection of characters with more than a dozen hooks to excite readers about what may come next. |
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7
|
Excalibur (2019) #17
Jan 27, 2021 |
Excalibur #17 does a remarkable job capturing the wild, reality-traversing energy found in the original series. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #18
Feb 10, 2021 |
Excalibur #18 begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to Betsy during "X of Swords" and...well, that's about it. |
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8
|
Excalibur (2019) #19
Mar 24, 2021 |
The definition of magic and purpose of Excalibur are still clumsily executed at times, but issue #19 emphasizes the series' core strengths found in its characters and readiness to pursue absurd ideas. When those are leading, it's easy to overlook any faults in this comic book. |
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6
|
Excalibur (2019) #20
Apr 7, 2021 |
There's plenty of good to be pulled from this new arrangement, much like the reset between Kwannon and Betsy, but the execution here pushes that opportunity into the future rather than seizing it. |
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6.8
|
Exiles (2018) | 8 issues |
8
|
Exiles (2018) #1
Apr 11, 2018 |
This is how you introduce a new superhero team; long live the Exiles. |
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8
|
Exiles (2018) #2
Apr 25, 2018 |
There's still far more to love than dislike in this issue, but if the pace doesn't increase soon then minor flaws may grow to be major ones. |
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6
|
Exiles (2018) #3
May 9, 2018 |
Many of the best moments in Exiles #3 come in quick, quiet panel gags occurring within a fraction of a page. These moments are a welcome reprieve from the larger narrative. |
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6
|
Exiles (2018) #4
Jun 13, 2018 |
The ideas and artwork are great, but suffer from unfortunately excessive writing. |
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6
|
Exiles (2018) #5
Jul 11, 2018 |
There is so much potential in Exiles, but it continues to stop itself from achieving greatness. |
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8
|
Exiles (2018) #6
Aug 8, 2018 |
This very fast-paced series slows just a little bit and the results are excellent. |
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8
|
Exiles (2018) #7
Aug 29, 2018 |
Events continue to race along, but the weight of history is heavy in what continues to be one of the absolute best looking superhero comics to debut in 2018. |
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4
|
Exiles (2018) #8
Sep 12, 2018 |
Skip Exiles #8 and come back for the next actual step in their ongoing saga. |
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6.2
|
Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles | 5 issues |
9
|
Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1
Jan 3, 2018 |
Exit Stage Left feels essential at this moment. It is a story nominally about the past, but truly about the present -- the best sort of historical narrative. Russell is pushing himself in a new direction, leaving playfulness behind for a more rigorous narrative, and he is perfectly matched with Feehan and Morales. Wherever this series leads cannot be good, but the comic itself seems bound for greatness. Prepare to laugh even while you know tears can't be far behind. |
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6
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Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #3
Mar 7, 2018 |
There's still plenty of wit and charm to be found, but this issue feels like a misstep. |
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4
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Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #4
Apr 4, 2018 |
Discussion of game theory and how that paradigm shifts alters individual world views is fascinating and a worthwhile reminder of what this series is capable of. Yet the interest in drawing parallels between bunkers, bombs, and homophobia ultimately loses out to hate speech and tired tropes. |
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6
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Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #5
May 2, 2018 |
Unlike The Flintstones, this series seems to be running out of ideas and momentum well before it is complete. It's probably for the best that it will only be six issues. |
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6
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Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #6
Jun 6, 2018 |
Wordplay remains a highlight of the series along with a few visual gags, but there's not as much beneath the surface as the narrative suggests. The result is an enjoyable enough comic with an original premise, simply one not worth lingering on. |
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4.0
|
Extraordinary X-Men | 3 issues |
5
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Extraordinary X-Men #1
Nov 5, 2015 |
Ramos and inker Victor Olazaba add some much needed energy to the issue. Ramos' designs and style lend themselves naturally to this team of varied body shapes and costumes. Each member stands out with a unique silhouette. Action sequences speed across the page with bodies that truly feel as though they are in motion. Exaggeration almost gets the better of Ramos, but is reined in by Olazaba's smooth inks. As a result Extraordinary X-Men is a comic with plenty of style attempting to cover a disappointing lack of substance. |
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4
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Extraordinary X-Men #7
Feb 22, 2016 |
Looking beyond the final scene of Extraordinary X-Men #7 when considering quality is fruitless though because that scene distills everything you need to know. It's a slapdash construction of something that ought to be dramatic, but is actually baffling. Not only does it rely on reader's already having formed a connection to the material, but that these same readers be okay not knowing what came before or concern with its quality. This is a comic built with no ability to evoke a reaction beyond the jaw dropping display of its own blunt manipulations. |
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3
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Extraordinary X-Men #13
Aug 27, 2016 |
Somehow Extraordinary X-Men #13 has transformed the story of a superpowered, adoptive family hopping across dimensions and fighting apocalyptic futures into something entirely stale. There's not a new idea or fresh visual to be found in these pages. While some moments are well-rendered, it's a lacquer that cannot cover the rotted interior for more than a moment. While this issue may be technically well assembled, it is a hollow rendering of something comics readers enjoyed decades ago. |
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7.3
|
Fables | 9 issues |
8
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Fables #138
Feb 20, 2014 |
Fables #138 reminds readers that Willingham is just as capable of crafting short 22-page comics as he is at building eight issue epics. Although continuity confuses the beginning and ending of the issue, the story at its center is wonderfully told. It infuses a classic fairytale narrative with new ideas, and then twists its resolution like a dagger. Those fourteen pages alone make this comic worth the price of admission. |
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7
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Fables #139
Mar 27, 2014 |
Fables #139is a perfectly typical issue ofFables. It capably introduces new characters, blends humor and fun into most pages, and never forgets to assert dramatic stakes worthy of the reader's attention. Although this individual issue is nothing special, it is still a well crafted comic that services the opening ofFablessecond to last story arc. |
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6
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Fables #140
May 15, 2014 |
Fables #140 features a few highlights in a generally lackluster issue. Its purpose in foreshadowing the natural conclusion of the series is well served, but the story itself does little to add to the overall richness of its fictional universe. With little characterization or stakes, this is issue is at best a necessary stepping stone to the epic conclusion which begins next month. |
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8
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Fables #141
Jun 19, 2014 |
Much like the television series Game of Thrones, Fables takes time to set the scene and re-establish its characters before beginning a major story. Furthermore, the creators have made this process this engaging for audiences. Not much new is revealed, but the act of becoming reacquainted with the world and characters of Fables still feels exciting. Now that "Happily Ever After", the last Fables story ever, has begun, the creative team will be challenged to increase the stakes and keep track of these many characters. Based on the excellent work done in Fables #141, there's no reason to doubt that Willingham and Buckingham are up to the challenge. |
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8
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Fables #142
Jul 17, 2014 |
Despite the slow pacing and enormous amount of groundwork being established, Fables #142 still manages to succeed. It takes advantage of 141 previous issues to help create tension and build its stakes. Willingham and Buckingham have always created real consequences in a medium often associated with a lack of change. In doing so, they have guaranteed that the promises of this issue, both in terms of scope and impact, will be believed by readers. There may be no resolution here, but the increasing drama still provides plenty of action. |
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8
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Fables #143
Aug 22, 2014 |
Babe doesn't want you to turn the last page. I still wish I hadn't. |
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7
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Fables #144
Sep 19, 2014 |
The truth is that I'm afraid about whatever comes next in Fables. The series has always held consequences for its characters, but only now does it feel as it Willingham and Buckingham are actively punishing them. Fables #144 doesn't read like a modern fable, it reads like a horror story. |
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6
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Fables #145
Oct 16, 2014 |
The stakes of the story are still high, but it needs to retain what little momentum it has left and build from that in order to keep this story interesting. There are still five issues left in Fables and no reason to wait until issue 150 to move the story forward. |
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8
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Fables #150
Jul 24, 2015 |
"Farewell" stands as a testament to the mighty legacy of Fables. It is every bit as large as the series that preceded it, and packs all of the feeling and skill that led Fables to so much success. It is not always a perfect goodbye, but such a thing may not even be possible for so great an undertaking. "Farewell" is perfect where it counts though. The final battle, the final panel, and the final line are all exactly what is needed. They are reminders of why Fables is so beloved, and are bound to linger fondly on the minds of its readers. In its final moments, Fables #150 summons the ethos of "Happily Ever After" as well as all of the fairy tales that inspired its creation. |
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4.0
|
Faithless | 5 issues |
4
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Faithless #2
May 22, 2019 |
Despite pushing the exclusivity and luxury of the fashion on display, every character appears to be dressed in the roughest of initial ideas. Most of the setting and individuals in them appear flat on the page, never providing much of an invitation for readers to be tempted either. |
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4
|
Faithless #3
Jun 19, 2019 |
This issue, like much of Faithless so far, reads like a storyboard, a concept ready for some life to be poured into it. |
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6
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Faithless #4
Jul 17, 2019 |
While Faithless may not work as anything highbrow, it does have the ability to inspire when playing for the supernatural slasher audience. |
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2
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Faithless #5
Aug 21, 2019 |
There is no clear direction or purpose to what is occurring in these pages, and no evidence that this will change. Keep it. |
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4
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Faithless #6
Sep 25, 2019 |
A lack of concern for characters, an inability to clearly construct tone, and absence of something worth saying make the promise of Faithless' return in 2020 one more thing to not anticipate in comics. |
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3.0
|
Falcon (2017) | 2 issues |
4
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Falcon (2017) #5
Feb 14, 2018 |
Falcon #5 stumbles across the finish line as a disappointment that doesn't provide many reasons to keep reading. |
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2
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Falcon (2017) #6
Mar 14, 2018 |
At the start of its second arc, nothing in Falcon improves, and what little charm there was is lost to some exceedingly disappointing decisions. |
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7.4
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Family Tree | 11 issues |
8
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Family Tree #1
Nov 13, 2019 |
This story of a young girl who grew into a tree and the subsequent collapse of society features both an exciting plot and a much more intimate portrait of how scary it is to feel alone, even as we are surrounded by others. |
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8
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Family Tree #2
Dec 18, 2019 |
Family Tree remains a contemplative, yet undeniably thrilling, new story on the nature of family in an increasingly uncertain new century. |
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8
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Family Tree #3
Jan 22, 2020 |
Family Tree #3 does an excellent job of opening up its world in more ways than one and continues to do right by the promise of the series debut. |
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6
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Family Tree #4
Feb 19, 2020 |
It's still an exciting showdown and one that provides a notable pivot in the story's momentum as Family Tree #5 feels as though it could go in a dozen different directions. |
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8
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Family Tree #5
Mar 18, 2020 |
This was certainly the most exciting issue in the series to date and it promises more of that excitement in a very different form; I can't wait to see how that looks. |
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8
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Family Tree #6
Jun 17, 2020 |
Family Tree continues to grow, emphasizing a compelling cast of characters capable of exploring conspiracy and mythos without relying upon the mysteries to keep readers engaged. It's a rousing return and one that has me ready to read whichever angle Family Tree #7 has to offer. |
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8
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Family Tree #7
Jul 16, 2020 |
Even as Family Tree #7 begins to understand its approach in balancing each element of its own story, those elements are impactful enough that any misgivings are easily ignored. By the final page all that's left is a desire to see more of every part of this branching narrative. |
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8
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Family Tree #8
Aug 26, 2020 |
Family Tree remains a perfectly paced adventure that can indulge its strengths without ever losing sight of the odyssey ahead"the third volume already promises to be even more thrilling than the uncanny adventure so far. |
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6
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Family Tree #9
Oct 21, 2020 |
Family Tree still evidences a cast of compelling characters and offers a sense of growth at the very end, but issue #9 is still expanding on the prior issue's cliffhanger which makes this a not-entirely-fulfilling read in single issue format. |
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6
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Family Tree #10
Dec 23, 2020 |
Issue #10 doesn't read much differently than early installments of The Walking Dead as wary strangers encounter one another and slowly establish trust. |
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7
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Family Tree #11
Feb 17, 2021 |
It's a regrettable distraction from an otherwise potent build to the series' upcoming climax. |
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8.0
|
Fantastic Four (2018) | 2 issues |
10
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Fantastic Four (2018) #1
Aug 8, 2018 |
Fantastic Four is once again the world's greatest comics magazine. |
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6
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Fantastic Four (2018) #2
Sep 12, 2018 |
After making small moments seem grand in #1, the series has managed to make the epic seem unfortunately dismal here. |
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6.0
|
Fantastic Four: Grand Design | 2 issues |
6
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Fantastic Four: Grand Design #1
Oct 30, 2019 |
Fantastic Four: Grand Design is dense, lovingly crafted, but ultimately incapable of recreating the magic that inspired it from so many decades ago. |
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6
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Fantastic Four: Grand Design #2
Nov 27, 2019 |
It makes for a fascinating conclusion to the story, one that's bound to make readers familiar with this chronology squint and chuckle, often at the same time. |
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7.5
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Farmhand | 13 issues |
10
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Farmhand #1
Jul 11, 2018 |
There is a whole lot to like about Farmhand #1, and it's apparent the series is just getting started. |
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8
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Farmhand #2
Aug 8, 2018 |
Farmhand remains an immensely enjoyable new series capable of capturing your attention in every panel for a dozen different reasons. |
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8
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Farmhand #3
Sep 12, 2018 |
Farmhand continues to expand upon a world that was already plenty vibrant in its debut and give readers a bushel of reasons to tap their feet until the next issue arrives. |
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8
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Farmhand #4
Oct 10, 2018 |
This is a series capable of being many things at once, leaping between tones with grace and delivering a compelling, complex experience in a single issue. |
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8
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Farmhand #5
Nov 7, 2018 |
Farmhand remains one of the best news series of 2018 and one whose return will be eagerly awaited. |
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8
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Farmhand #8
May 15, 2019 |
Farmhand #8 is a bridging piece that hinges on a single encounter, but it's another testament to how well conceived every element of the series is and why it stands out as a must-read in a very crowded field of new creator-owned series. |
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6
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Farmhand #9
Jun 19, 2019 |
The penultimate chapter of Farmhand's second season is dedicated to setting up a lot of dominoes in what is looking to be an epic finale. However, the arrangement of those pieces leaves little space for the typical humor and familial sincerity that make this series a must-read. |
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8
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Farmhand #10
Jul 24, 2019 |
No matter how big the conspiracy behind the Jenkins Seed may be, this has always been a story about how families survive and rebuild in the wake of trauma. That is what makes this issue and the entire second arc strong as Farmhand prepares for future fireworks. |
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6
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Farmhand #11
Nov 20, 2019 |
Even with Guillory's typically strong cartooning, this is a slow, transitory issue that does little with plenty of space resulting in an overall disappointment. |
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6
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Farmhand #12
Dec 18, 2019 |
It's enough to keep going as Farmhand builds to a revelation that it has spent far too much time hinting at with little reward. |
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8
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Farmhand #13
Jan 29, 2020 |
Farmhand #13 reads with a renewed sense of confidence and promises plenty of excitement for whatever comes next. |
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8
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Farmhand #14
Mar 4, 2020 |
Farmhand is as thrilling as ever, and still capable of offering plenty of humor and small, lifelike character work in each issue, which is why I know I'll be hooked on this series until it reaches its final climax"one that should be even more spectacular than what's in the pages of Farmhand #14 this week. |
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6
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Farmhand #15
May 29, 2020 |
Guillory balances the genuine familial emotions with comedic carnage in a fine fashion. Yet the final moments of Farmhand #15 cannot help but offer disappointment as the climax is delayed and that delay in turn isn't earned. |
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2.0
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Fight Club 2 | 1 issues |
2
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Fight Club 2 #1
May 27, 2015 |
Even both Stewart's contributions are occasionally buried under the inclusion of pills and flower petals that cover the page. It's a "cute" idea that adds nothing of value to the pages nor any depth to the story in this first issue. That lack of value is endemic of Fight Club 2's entire debut. It is a work without substance or meaning, beautifully realized before being quickly and mercifully forgotten. |
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4.0
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Fighting American: The Ties That Bind | 1 issues |
4
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Fighting American: The Ties That Bind #2
Apr 4, 2018 |
It's unclear who this comic is for as it lacks the artistic power of the original and undermines any nostalgic fondness that might still exist. |
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4.0
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Flash (2016) | 6 issues |
4
|
Flash (2016) #72
Jun 12, 2019 |
While it might feel like a nice slap on the back for liking The Flash, it really just reads as a bore. |
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4
|
Flash (2016) #73
Jun 26, 2019 |
"Year One" has emphasized Barry's relationships with two key characters, Iris West and The Turtle, yet it's clear in The Flash #73 that both of these essential individuals lack interiority or meaning outside of how they're defined in relation to Barry. |
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4
|
Flash (2016) #74
Jul 10, 2019 |
This story is very familiar with all of the most common tropes in Flash comics and seems to think that repeating every single one of them is the best possible way to tell a new story. |
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2
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Flash (2016) #75
Jul 24, 2019 |
All of "Year One" has been a slog and the final chapter serves as a summary of its substantial flaws. Keep it. |
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6
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Flash (2016) #76
Aug 14, 2019 |
Event Leviathan #3 may not be the strongest issue so far, but it certainly gives readers a lot to consider ensuring they'll want more. |
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4
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Flash (2016) #77
Aug 28, 2019 |
The Flash #77 is a drag. |
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2.4
|
Flash Forward (2019) | 5 issues |
4
|
Flash Forward (2019) #2
Oct 16, 2019 |
Flash Forward is shoddily assembled, but it's greater sin is being dull. |
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2
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Flash Forward (2019) #3
Nov 20, 2019 |
This series becomes ever more baffling with each issue as it insists on repeating its worst tendencies to returns that would be diminishing if there was ever any value to be found in the first place. |
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2
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Flash Forward (2019) #4
Dec 18, 2019 |
There's a joke to be made about a Flash comic lacking any momentum, but this issue doesn't merit the moment of concentration required to craft it. |
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2
|
Flash Forward (2019) #5
Jan 15, 2020 |
It's a slog, the latest in a 5-issue deep trench of slogs, and that's all readers can expect from whatever finale is yet to come. |
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2
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Flash Forward (2019) #6
Feb 19, 2020 |
Each step towards this conclusion has added nothing to the conclusion itself, just another requirement that readers drop three dollars to reach a tie-in to The Flash #750 where they can deposit even more money before the arrival of an appropriately priced Free Comic Book Day issue. |
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9.7
|
Flavor | 6 issues |
10
|
Flavor #1
May 16, 2018 |
Flavor #1 is everything that a first issue ought to be. It does not simply offer readers a thesis statement and sense of story to come. It delivers its style, setting, and characters intact from the very beginning. |
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10
|
Flavor #2
Jun 20, 2018 |
Flavor is one of the most imaginative and enthralling new Image comics in years, one that seems capable of delivering a great dish with every issue. |
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10
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Flavor #3
Jul 18, 2018 |
Delight, drama, tension, and mystery are all evoked with seeming ease throughout this thrill of an issue, a third installment that again declares Flavor to be one of the best new series of 2018. |
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8
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Flavor #4
Aug 15, 2018 |
Flavor continues to be one of the most colorful, inventive, and engaging new series of 2018; a must read for any fan of Image Comics. |
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10
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Flavor #5
Sep 19, 2018 |
It is yet another reminder of the potent range and abilities on display in this series, and why Flavor is one of the must-read new series in 2018. |
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10
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Flavor #6
Oct 17, 2018 |
It's a stunning end to a stunning issue, a perfect wrap up for the first collection of one of 2018's best new series. |
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4.0
|
Forever Evil | 3 issues |
4
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Forever Evil #5
Feb 11, 2014 |
It's impressive that an event comic is being published on a regular schedule from the same writer-artist team. It would be even more impressive if that comic were good. |
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6
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Forever Evil #6
Mar 6, 2014 |
Forever Evil #6 is a comic that may not know what it is supposed to be. Given the context of creator interviews and marketing, it ought to be read seriously and its events should be shrouded with importance. Yet in actually reading it, an air of camp is revealed. The silliness of concepts like the Murder Machine and Johnny Quick's loss of a limb directly conflict with the dark tone of the art and story. This cognitive dissonance doesn't make for a confusing read, but an enjoyable one. If not for Finch's poor output, it might have been an accidentally good comic. |
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2
|
Forever Evil #7
May 22, 2014 |
Forever Evil #7is a bad comic. The visual narrative is overwrought when it isn't entirely incoherent, and the story it is attempting to tell is nonsensical at best. If this is what DC Comics is publishing to get readers excited about comics, it's no surprise that so few people read comics. |
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8.4
|
Frankenstein Underground | 2 issues |
8.4
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Frankenstein Underground #1
Feb 18, 2015 |
Frankenstein Underground #1 has introduced another element to Mignola's every expanding pantheon of horror and adventure comics. It fits in perfectly alongside the likes of Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Baltimore, Sledgehammer '44, and all of the others, but never feels like an unnecessary mirror to any of its sister titles. Instead, Frankenstein Underground plays on similar concepts and themes, but sets itself up to explore them in a manner that feels entirely new. Mignola and Stenbeck are prepared to delve into the existential quandaries of existence and the horrors of a universe that is so massive as to dwarf even Frankenstein's enormous form. Frankenstein Underground is a series worth looking out for in 2015. |
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8.4
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Frankenstein Underground #5
Jul 22, 2015 |
Frankenstein Underground, unsurprisingly, is another fine addition to the Mignola-verse. It walks the seemingly impossible line between character-focused introspection and bombastic monster fights that all of these series do so well. It's visual storytelling and imagination are unlimited. Frankenstein holds a special place at Dark Horse comics and, while Frankenstein Underground gives him a proper conclusion, we can all still hope to see more someday. |
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6.0
|
Freedom Fighters (2018) | 1 issues |
6
|
Freedom Fighters (2018) #8
Aug 28, 2019 |
It's a reverse-Icarus tale, one where the flight of a son results in the punishment of his parents. That makes for an excellent, if broad, metaphor for the ways in which parents sacrifice to help future generations overcome oppression. |
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9.0
|
Friday | 2 issues |
10
|
Friday #1
May 6, 2020 |
Whatever comes next, Friday delivers a near-perfect introduction and leaves us with the welcome promise that there will be another chance to enter King's Hill, and briefly escape the confines of quarantine, very soon. |
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8
|
Friday #2
Nov 4, 2020 |
Friday returns to fill readers in on the foundational friendship between its titular hero and Lancelot Jones. The context enhances the first installment a great deal and offers readers plenty to consider about the current mystery, even if that mystery only returns in the final pages of this 39-page issue. |
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6.0
|
Future Quest Presents | 2 issues |
6
|
Future Quest Presents #10
May 16, 2018 |
There's not a lot there beyond the non-stop chase of the story, but that might just be enough. |
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6
|
Future Quest Presents #11
Jun 20, 2018 |
Whether or not you're familiar with The Herculoids, this comic is bound to read as a very odd experience. It simultaneously attempts to embrace the nostalgic fun of childhood adventure cartoons and a very dark story filled with death and petulant gods. |
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6.4
|
Future State (2021) | 12 issues |
8
|
Future State (2021): Swamp Thing #1
Jan 7, 2021 |
It should be fascinating to see what sort of judgment it delivers on a species bent on their own destruction as well their planet's. |
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7
|
Future State (2021): Suicide Squad #1
Jan 27, 2021 |
Even if the overall construction of Suicide Squad feels far too full"making it difficult to imagine any of these ideas receiving a satisfying conclusion"there's still enough on the page to deliver an interesting, if not gratifying, read. |
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4
|
Future State (2021): Nightwing #1
Jan 20, 2021 |
There's a story here, but the real question is why any reader should care given that it's already halfway through with no reason to desire it to have a future. |
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8
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Future State (2021): Legion of Super-Heroes #1
Jan 27, 2021 |
The overall effect is a thrilling reintroduction to the Legion as they return to prominence at DC Comics and Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1 makes clear that there's a bright future awaiting this franchise, even in their darkest days. |
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8
|
Future State (2021): Catwoman #1
Jan 20, 2021 |
Regardless of readers pre-existing knowledge, Catwoman #1 offers a perfect introductory point bound to thrill newcomers and die hard fans alike. |
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5
|
Future State (2021): Robin Eternal #1
Jan 13, 2021 |
The thrill of "Future State" has been to discover new ideas that don't rely on any canon or status quo to be presented; novelty is essential. There is nothing novel about Robin Eternal. |
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9
|
Future State (2021): Legion of Super-Heroes #2
Feb 24, 2021 |
This bizarre, further future collection of heroes was unlike anything readers were expecting, but they still summon the same threads of hope and camaraderie that have inspired decades of past Legion fans, so all I have left to say is, "Long live the Legion!" |
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4
|
Future State (2021): Swamp Thing #2
Feb 3, 2021 |
It's simply a disappointment. |
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6
|
Future State (2021): Robin Eternal #2
Feb 10, 2021 |
There's nothing spectacular to be found here, but it's engaging enough to warrant some consideration and that's a notable improvement on the mediocre start of Robin Eternal. |
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6
|
Future State (2021): Nightwing #2
Feb 17, 2021 |
Nightwing and the Next Batman team up and bring some other friends along for the ride in a second issue that is more entertaining than its predecessor, albeit still deeply flawed. |
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8
|
Future State (2021): Catwoman #2
Feb 17, 2021 |
The end result is a story that stands on its own, but also allows readers to yearn for more as this is a version of Selina Kyle whose story could sprawl far into the future. |
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4
|
Future State (2021): Suicide Squad #2
Feb 24, 2021 |
The entirety of Future State: Suicide Squad is quite a mess and while these two plots may be setting up something better in the future, they can't stand on their own storytelling legs. |
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4.0
|
G.I. Joe (2019) | 1 issues |
4
|
G.I. Joe (2019) #1
Sep 18, 2019 |
While the panel-to-panel narrative is well produced, there's nothing substantial enough to catch anyone's interest for long. |
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3.0
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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | 2 issues |
4
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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #250
Mar 28, 2018 |
It's a disappointing installment in a line capable of much better. |
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2
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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #251
May 2, 2018 |
This is a comic that has yet to encounter a military cliche it doesn't like. |
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6.0
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Gasolina | 1 issues |
6
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Gasolina #7
Apr 25, 2018 |
It's a fine return, if not a thrilling one. |
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6.0
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Ghost Racers | 1 issues |
6
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Ghost Racers #1
Jun 10, 2015 |
Ghost Racers #1 is another fun spin-off from Secret Wars, providing a unique genre and style amidst the very diverse collection of Battleworld comics. Gedeon is a great fit for the fast-paced action inherent to these characters, and Smith continues to make Reyes a sympathetic, relatable character. The first issue is flawed, but that doesn't stop it from being an entertaining introduction. |
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8.7
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Ghost Tree | 3 issues |
8
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Ghost Tree #2
May 22, 2019 |
Even as this ghost story grows bigger and more fantastic, the artwork infuses each moment with a remarkable sense of humanity. |
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8
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Ghost Tree #3
Jun 26, 2019 |
The ghosts and guardians lurking in this comic are brilliantly designed and deliver some spooky action at the issue's end, but this book is really about the living and better for it. |
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10
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Ghost Tree #4
Jul 17, 2019 |
Ghost Tree provides one of 2019's essential comics. |
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6.0
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Ghost-Spider (2019) | 2 issues |
6
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Ghost-Spider (2019) #1
Aug 21, 2019 |
Ghost-Spider #1 functions as an easy introduction to the current status quo of the "Spider-Gwen" story, but moves at a glacial pace that hinders it from offering much to new readers. |
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6
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Ghost-Spider (2019) #10
Jun 17, 2020 |
The newest volume of Spider-Gwen turned Ghost-Spider ends with a whimper. |
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6.0
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Ghostbusters: Crossing Over | 1 issues |
6
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Ghostbusters: Crossing Over #2
Apr 18, 2018 |
It's comfortable and fun for the right crowd, but doesn't have much more to offer than the reignition of very specific memories. |
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6.2
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Ghosted in L.A. | 12 issues |
6
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Ghosted in L.A. #1
Jul 10, 2019 |
There's a lot of potential if the series avoids being overly cutesy and allows itself to simply be with a charming heroine in future issues. |
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4
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Ghosted in L.A. #2
Aug 14, 2019 |
It's a disappointing and flat second installment. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #3
Sep 11, 2019 |
While multiple flaws continue to resonate throughout this installment, there's a lot left to like by the final page and encouragement to stick around, assuming you're still reading. |
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4
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Ghosted in L.A. #4
Oct 9, 2019 |
The final few pages of #4 intend to provide reasons to keep reading, but it doesn't appear that this series has anywhere interesting to go or a style that could make this walkabout in L.A. enjoyable. |
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8
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Ghosted in L.A. #5
Nov 13, 2019 |
It might have taken some doing to get here, but this series appears to finally have all of the right pieces in place and is moving towards a bright (or dark, depending on your perspective) future. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #6
Dec 4, 2019 |
While #6 doesn't have much of a clear focus, the character work on the page provides reason enough to keep going, as it's far more engaging than any of the ghostly mysteries that are deployed primarily to fill space here. |
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8
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Ghosted in L.A. #7
Jan 15, 2020 |
It's an issue that relishes the mundane life of this supernatural, found family, and the strongest issue of Ghosted in L.A. so far. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #8
Feb 12, 2020 |
Ghosted in L.A. is still delivering great character work, but there must be something worthy accompanying what's being said across 22 pages of comics each month. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #9
Mar 11, 2020 |
Pacing still creeps along, but there are enough questions raised that even an underplayed cliffhanger still resonates and provides momentum for a future climax. |
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8
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Ghosted in L.A. #10
May 20, 2020 |
Reflecting on my lukewarm response to much of Ghosted in L.A., it's now apparent that pacing was a big part of the issue. It's apparent because #10 is the first installment in quite some time that feels like it has a destination and is ready to get there. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #11
Jul 29, 2020 |
Ghosted in L.A. delivers a climax"pulling together both the mystery of Rycroft Manor's secret basement door and Daphne's ghost-hunting roommate"that never feels quite as climactic as it should. |
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6
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Ghosted in L.A. #12
Aug 26, 2020 |
Many of the flaws I have picked at across the previous 11 issues remain, but Ghosted in L.A. #12 is a very pleasant read and the value of that experience should not be understated. |
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8.4
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Giant Days | 1 issues |
8.4
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Giant Days #6
Aug 19, 2015 |
Giant Days #6 is an incredible amount of fun. It is a joy to tag along with these characters on their misadventures. And despite the generally low stakes, the issue never feels slight. Instead, it captures the whimsy and aimless propulsion of college-life, making you want to run ahead even if it's unclear why. There are good friends and good times to be had, and that's more than enough. |
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8.0
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Giant-Size Little Marvel AVX | 1 issues |
8
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Giant-Size Little Marvel AVX #3
Aug 5, 2015 |
Giant Size Little Marvel AvX #3 is exactly what it needs to be, a whole lot of fun. Not all of the gags land, but there are enough of them that the issue can rack up consistent chuckles and smiles. Its lighthearted nature is just the sort of palette cleanser superhero fans need against all of the Strum und Drang of events. |
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8.0
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Giant-Size X-Men (2020) | 1 issues |
8
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Giant-Size X-Men (2020): Magneto #1
Jul 16, 2020 |
The one-shot installments of Giant-Size X-Men thus far appear to be playing the long game, laying groundwork for future revelations and Magneto #1 is no exception. |
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8.0
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Giant-Size X-Statix (2019) | 1 issues |
8
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Giant-Size X-Statix (2019) #1
Jul 10, 2019 |
This would be a great standalone issue, and it's good enough to justify resurrecting the X-Statix for more issues to come. |
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8.0
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Gideon Falls | 2 issues |
8
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Gideon Falls #3
May 16, 2018 |
This issue does an outstanding job of connecting character to every element of the story making the work of the issue much more compelling. |
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8
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Gideon Falls #24
Aug 19, 2020 |
It's easy to get swept away in the affair tracing these panels so quickly that when the end arrives you can't wait to turn the next page. |
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8.0
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Giga | 2 issues |
8
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Giga #1
Oct 28, 2020 |
This is more than a good pitch, it's the rare idea that delivers upon the promises of grand ideas with a well told story and I, for one, am ready to read more. |
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8
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Giga #3
Mar 31, 2021 |
Each installment has carefully built upon the last by transforming exposition into key character elements or useful asides"after only 3 issues the world of Giga feels immersive. |
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4.0
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God Complex (2017) | 2 issues |
4
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God Complex (2017) #5
Apr 4, 2018 |
It's a comic about disconnect between mankind and machine that winds up being every bit as cold as the latter. |
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4
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God Complex (2017) #6
Jun 20, 2018 |
There is so much to this issue, but at the end so very little to say. Perhaps the |