Chris Beveridge Comic Reviews

Milligan does a solid job writing this and has largely done his homework, but it's Coker's artwork that really sells it even more. The style, the angular look with certain character designs at times, the heavy darks and the general roughness of it all is very inviting and gives it an authentic feel that heightens the atmosphere.

A Calculated Man is off to a very solid start. What we get here is a familiar concept to be sure with what it's doing but it's executed well. The combination of the dialogue and the look for the amusingly named Jack Beans is a draw from there while getting to see things from the WITSEC site of things helps to give it some balance. But this issue mostly focuses on background and introduction while allowing Jack to manipulate a situation to his advantage. The gifted genius trope is pretty familiar but it can be played with well depending on how you approach it. I think Tobin and Albuquerque have a solid take here that could work well as time goes on with it and I'm interested in seeing what kinds of twists and turns are brought into it.

I enjoyed the first issue a good bit but this one really cemented my enjoyment in a larger way. The addition of Vera and getting past the setup phase of it all helped a whole lot and made it a lot more engaging. Jack is a delight as he tries to be truthful while also hiding things so openly that you have to admire it even if it could blow up in his face spectacularly. It's got a lot of well-executed moments in terms of character but it also delivers that right in the action department as well. It's really smartly done and hopefully avoids the trap of being too smart for itself as it progresses.

A Calculated Man works its familiar premise well and with a character that hits all the expected notes. That's not a bad thing when it can be infused with the charm and personality to it that takes it to another place. There's a lot to like with what's been built up in the first two issues and that carries through well with this one so that it flows well and you're in the rhythm of what Jack is doing, how his handlers are coping with it, and what Keys group is doing. It's got a good nod and wink to the whole thing and it leaves me really enjoying it and looking forward to seeing more of what it can do and become.

A Dark Interlude is full of potential and intriguing material. I have no idea of the real intent since we have an unreliable narrator right from the start but that just adds to the mystery to me and has me keen to see if it can pull this off. At the same time, it's a strong book visually that delivers a great looking experience from a talented artist that digs into some neat corners for fears and design work. I'm not sure how to really feel about a book like this but wanting to come back for more is definitely the best thing I can say about it.

This series is really quite interesting and I hope I'm at least half right on what it's really all about. I'm definitely curious about the Fearscape series but I don't want to touch that until this one is done since I'm really enjoying going through this discovery experience. O'Sullivan's got some really neat and creative writing tricks going on here to tell the tale as he wants to and Mutti's artwork delivers in spades across the board. This isn't a work for everyone but it's one that's really caught my attention and has drawn me in more and more.

I'm definitely feeling mixed on this book even though I know that all the table setting done at the start is for a purpose. It was just something that put me too much in the real world when I wasn't expecting it and was filled with stuff I hear too often already.

A Walk Through Hell has some interesting moments here and it definitely has me wondering where it's all going in classic Ennis fashion. But at the same time it frustrates a bit with some of the real world elements, which I'm not against including but it means it's not something I would have gone to look for directly because I get enough of it in the real world. Sudzuka's artwork is definitely strong here with what it does and there's a lot to like just in the weirdness of it all, that uncertainty as to why and how it's all happening. I'm definitely in for the full run but have mixed hopes as to how well the questions will be answered and whether I'll actually like those answers.

Stuff's happening. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure what relates. I don't see a hook to really hold me in a big way with it here outside of my own general interest in this kind of story, albeit one that I wish was told with a bit more meat and engagement with its readers on it. Sudzuka's artwork continues to be a draw as he has to deal with some interesting things in the present storyline but Ennis' scripting and layout of the story is leaving me more and more frustrated.

There continue to be interesting moments in A Walk Through Hell and some really disturbing things, such as what's under the little kid's coat from the cover, but it's not holding up well as a full on narrative. As a police procedural there's a lot of interesting things in the flashback side that's being explored and I'm enjoying pieces of that, coming from my enjoyment of shows like Mindhunter and a lot of UK murder mystery dramas. But the tension has been let out of this bag for a bit now and it's needing to do something significant in order to really engage me.

I like the ideas and artwork for it but the execution just isn't holding me here.

I know part of me is reading this just because I want to know what the gimmick of it all is and that kind of does a disservice to what Ennis is trying to do. But I'm struggling with what he's trying to do so I'm latching onto what works for me, which is waiting for that moment of discovery where it clicks while enjoying a lot of really good artwork from Sudzuka. I'm curious to see what changes Driscoll's presence will have on what's going on as there's some potential there to shake things up, which feels much-needed at this point.

I'm along for this ride as long as it goes on because I really want to get some answers to see if Ennis can tie it all together. I can see the big picture idea here easily enough with what I think it is but I also know not to entirely trust myself with his stories. There are some good bits here in exploring the agents' lives and issues, as well as the sidebar about identity and all, but it feels more soapbox-y than anything else. Sudzuka gets some good stuff to work with here as I love the detail of where Shaw and McGregor are in the warehouse but I also have a strange affection for their stakeout location with its starkness.

I really hope there are answers to all of this, and I kind of hope that there isn't too much more left to the run. I want to know what the point Ennis is trying to make and I'm invested enough in it to keep going, but it's sapping my will to continue with installments like this.

A Walk Through Hell continues to be a book that leaves me the most frustrated with it after reading it. There's always this sense of some progress to it but then it makes these swerves that has me unsure of where it's going and how much longer it's going. I like a lot of pieces of what we've gotten over the run and in this installment as well, but as a whole, it still feels like it's missing something to really bind it all together in a way that just makes it click and work. The parts just aren't adding up to a solid whole but at the same time I can't stop reading because I want some closure and finality to it all.

On some level, it still feels like Ennis is writing this to get his own demons out or just to engage in depravity and darkness because it sells on some level. There is appeal in it but when there's no real meat to what's going on, an empty string that's binding it all together so weakly, it feels forced. I continue to struggle with this book because it feels like it should have that magnificent hook that ties it all right and it makes sense as to what's going on. But the further I get the more I fear it's going to be a kind of wishy-washy nonsensical piece of pseudo-philosophizing that won't connect well and it's going to feel like a waste of time. Yet, I cannot look away…

I really hope the next issue is the last issue as I want some sort of closure to this book. I want to understand what's going on but it feels above my pay grade and I haven't gotten a clue. We've been treated to a lot of dark material and uncertainty, some interesting flashback stories to cement what's really going on in some regards, but it's also just a lot of murky material that hasn't gone as all out as it needs to. I've been curious and hopeful for something that will make all of this click but I really suspect it just won't happen at this point.

A Walk Through Hell had some interesting moments along the way and some weird twists while working with an intriguing setup that kept me coming back as I wanted to know more of what the real deal was. As we get to the real deal there's not much to it other than evil is here and evil is going to win and has been for quite some time. The interesting material doesn't quite make it worth it in the end as you can find this in other works but it's just so overly grim and hopeless that it left me with feelings of regret over the project after spending this much time with it. I knew it wasn't going to end well but this ending just feels pointless.

I'm doing my best to keep my Secret Wars books to a minimum, but A-Force is easily a must check out book.

Though not quite as bright and outwardly appealing as the first installment was, A-Force has a solid second issue that reveals more of the problems plaguing the area - both with the rifts and the way the society works. The cast is large enough that most everyone gets their moments, several with good quips that stand out or just expressions that says a lot, but it also means that we don't get a lot of really meaningful material. Most of what we get comes from Nico and the newcomer as Nico rambles on about things, but even there it's still somewhat superficial. But the book is a smooth and fun read with a great cast performing mostly as you'd expect, just with a few tweaks for the concept of the event series overall. While it won't get me to read the book when it launches post-Secret Wars, I'm definitely enjoying what we get here in this otherworld.

Though I'm still enjoying A-Force a good deal I'm also at that stage where it's feeling like this part of the act is weak as there are so few answers still. The action component of it is good and there's some good emotional moments as well as it hits the right beats but there's too many unknowns.

A-Force moves along well here in bringing parts of the story to conclusion and all we're left with for the next round is a whole lot of holding the forces of evil at bay as long as they can. There's plenty to like with it as several of the characters get to do a little speech material, such as Loki and Nico, and there's some decent if brief moments for Singularity as well with all her child-like ways in this world. The concept overall is one that I like, and I really like the characters and setting, but the execution has boiled it all down to something simple and something that you expected simply because Loki is Loki, no matter what.

Absolute Batman came out of the gate strong and has been finding its place since then to varying effect. I'm definitely glad that this shorter arc handled it well in bringing in another artist and doing something in just a couple of issues instead of decompressing it big time. The result is something tighter and disturbing but also showing more ways that the visual presentation can go. I'm curious but wary of what's ahead since it feels like it's going to lean into regularly bringing in more name characters when what I want is more backstory, more time with Bruce and his friends, and just seeing how he's going to set himself up and establish his rules going forward.

It was a given that any exploration of the Joker would be both a big thing and something you couldn't trust. I always liked the way that you couldn't pin down the Joker's past in various iterations, and that the man himself may not even know at this point. It just added to the disturbed aspect of the character in a way that I liked. So a new iteration of it here as a kind of semi-immortal alternate of Batman and Bruce himself is just perfect for the Absolue timeline. There is a lot of dialogue here, a lot of good narration to be clear, and some fantastic artwork that takes us through the kind of layered takes on who this person is. It's a slow build to an expected end, but it's an absolutely fantastic journey that really does just start us off with this character. I'm definitely more intrigued than I expected based on the minor nods from before and the cover artwork that we got here. It's got more potential than I expected at this point, so I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing how it'

I’m very glad that the second part didn’t just continue directly from the first, nor trying to keep a similar thing going. We get to look at this team-up in a very different way, and with it loaded with meaning for Bruce with the reason behind it all. Normally, so many blank backgrounds would annoy me, but it works so well here with these two characters and this place to make such a huge impact as the fight unfolds. Definitely a lot to like with that, but the character and heart of the story is what truly drives it, and the team here just maxes out on its own excellence with the final product.

This special is the kind of thing that as much as I do enjoy it, it's something that's going to be of limited appeal. It's not a book report per se, but it's essentially playing at a variant of that. Exploring the history of Arkham before it became Ark M is certainly interesting, and ties well into the exploration of the Joker in the main Absolute Batman series recently, but it also feels like it's overly complicating things that don't need to be. I really like what we get here, especially the artwork and the tease of what's to come, but I can't shake the feeling at times that it felt more like homework than storytelling.

Naturally, there's a tease and connection at the end with the escaped Rogues that Grodd is quite literally leading Wally to, but that's just setting up what's to come and it could go any number of ways once it unfolds, so I'm trying not to pre-judge it. I do like this issue in that it's taking time to focus on character more than anything else, and getting Wally settled at least for the moment and making new connections. It may not be as stylish as the past couple of issues, but Lemire feels like he's settled in a bit more and it helps that it's a bit more of a linear story than what we had before. I'm feeling a touch more hopeful regarding it at this point as this installment does a lot of heavy lifting.

This series continues to feel like one that's just a bit undercooked still and has taken time to get to where it feels like it's meaningful. And even then, only barely because of the promise of a cosmic treadmill of some sort in the next installment. It feels like a lot of standard quasi-inversion stuff thanks to the Rogues and Wally working with them, but that's something that has happened often in the mainline books. Mostly, the fun has been seeing how Wally gained his powers here and his time with Grodd, who provides something new. Beyond that, it has a lot of been there and done that kind of feeling about it. I know I shouldn't expect more from Lemire, as his DC work tends to underwhelm me, but I had hoped that unfettered from continuity that he could have done something more interesting, having enjoyed his other works outside of DC.

I'm still struggling with the Absolute Flash series overall, as I'm not quite sure what it is that Lemire wants to say here, or present so differently as to be radical. We got that with the first trio of books, and something like Absolute Martian Manhunter, but this still feels similar to Green Lantern, where it's changed things, but isn't saying anything new. It's fun with great artwork and it moves at a decent pace, but I'm still looking for more. The tease we get toward the end offers that potential for more, but it really needed to hit things out of the gate stronger to keep people interested. It's a splashy and fun title, but it's lacking the depth of an Absolute Batman or Absolute Superman, which is a shame since the property can be so much.

There are obviously more questions than answers at this point and that's just fine, but I wish the book had operated in a more linear fashion because the back-and-forth doesn't make it cool and mysterious; it makes it frustrating and disjointed. The flashback side of things work well here to see what was going on in the town with Abin Sur's arrival and just how strangely chaotic it could be while also leaning on an almost religious-like experience at one point. There are a lot of things to still figure out with all of it, but I'm curious to see more of what happened that led to Hal's fleeing and Jo gaining a ring, but also to understand what the black hand is all about since a different book made mention of the Darkstars and that has me excited to see the Absolute version of that property.

More questions are answered of a sort with this issue and it continues to build a clearer picture of what went down and why Jo and Hal are in the situation they're in now. I like what both of them bring to the table and each story has a lot going for it where you want more of them. The artwork is still a big draw, especially as I like how they handle Abin Sur, and just the weird otherworldly aspect of a lot of hits a sweet spot. The outside world is starting to encroach on the series now, however, which will introduce its own complications and new versions of familiar names such as Hector Hammond. I'm again curious but cautious about how the series will go forward, but it's definitely improved the more it's gone on.

There are a lot of fun little moments seeded throughout this issue, especially the Abigail one for me, but I liked getting a handle on Jo at this point. She's always been a compelling character and this iteration of her presents some solid flaws to work with because of her upbringing and how she took things to heart in a way that she shouldn't have, at least so strongly. It's a pretty dense issue with a lot going on, a lot of changes, and the exploration works well in covering a ton of ground. I'm still wary of the larger Green Lantern side of things because even with all the explanations we've had it still doesn't feel as solid as it should. But this helps make it easier to connect with the characters involved, at least.

Absolute Martian Manhunter definitely has the potential when this opening storyline is done to be truly special. All the pieces are falling into place and it's providing both a good challenge and an engaging read without being so obscure and heavy-handed about it. I absolutely love the artwork and cannot praise it enough, especially with how it's intertwining with the lettering to handle all the thoughts and other expressive areas. I'm glad it got extended for another six issues and can't wait to see what's being built out here and where it can go because it is quite open-ended. At this point, I want to see more of this awkward integration of our two leads, but I really want to see John make some progress with his family because it would be so welcome to have things go positive there than to continue spiralling downward for the entire run. John needs a non-professional win!

I can't get over this book at all. It's really taking me back to an era that I didn't think I'd see again and has me wanting to pull out copies of the '90s run on Shade the Changing Man and revisit Animal Man as well post-Crisis. Absolute Martian Manhunter is doing some amazing work that's likely still being overshadowed by the big-name characters, but this is the book you do not want to miss and should already be hounding the publisher over for glossy coffee-table-sized hardcovers to be produced in the next year. This is the stuff that you dream of being produced more regularly and just can't get enough of.

Getting back into the series after a few months away is welcome, and I think the gap is a positive overall since you're not overdoing it with the work. It's a series that definitely hits better in small doses, and to get the kind of quality out of it that the first six issues presented to be sure. Camp is definitely moving events forward while still holding onto the past, but that's not a surprise. There are intriguing possibilities ahead, but I'm admittedly more curious to watch as John tries to figure out his life with his family. Rodriguez just does amazing work here with the layouts and designs, and the wispy nature of the artwork combined with the color design is simply fantastic. It's the kind of thing that after decades of reading comics that scratches a rare itch to see being done and it resonates. Really good stuff that has me keen to see where this next storyline goes.

A lot of the time, I just feel like this book is over my head in some ways, but when I do re-reads later, it ends up sinking in more than the first time through. That initial experience is kind of joyous, though, in its discovery, to see the first teases of it and what it all means before getting the fuller meaning. It’s obviously a visual delight, and that stands out in a huge way, but it’s so well-scripted with so many careful moments to deliver the larger message that it becomes repeatedly engaging because of it in a way most other books tend not to be. I can’t wait for more, and to reread it again as a full work to enjoy the larger connections that become exposed.

Absolute Superman doesn't have any Superman for the most part here and that's just fine. What we get is something that digs into Brainiac's origins pretty well here and it makes him tragic and understandable, though obviously you don't side with him and what he does. But you can ese why his path has made him this way and why the madness only grows. A familiar sight among many variations of Brainiac over the decades, though this has a real haunting quality to it. I do like getting some quality time to dig into this and to explore more aspects of what he's up to for his boss, and it gets pretty disturbing with what he does to the Omega Men that show up here. It certainly is grim and very well illustrated with some detail that makes the whole thing really horrifying. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of how this Brainiac operates, especially with its current captirve.

I've struggled with a lot of parts of Absolute Superman overall, and certainly the last few issues, but the culmination of events here is just fantastic. It hits in a big way, and with such intense and gorgeous visuals for Kal, that it resonates deeply. We get some solid closure for certain events here, and it puts Kal in a place where he really has to decide who he wants to be going forward, even if others like Martha want him to be a certain thing. That's definitely a push on her part, but he still has to make the choice and then embrace it. Right now, he's still in a place where so much feels lost, especially with Sol, that moving in any direction is going to be hard. But he's done right by not just the people he knows, but by himself for not ending Ra's when given the chance, and it'll help define who he is going forward more than most things.

I can totally see how some folks may not like Ferreyra's artwork after what we've had recently, but it's perfect for trying to reorient here for the moment. Kal's look works well, as does the way his costume has changed, and trying to deal with everything. The montage-like aspect of the issue may frustrate for some, but telling so many little moments for him in the weeks after helps to show more of who he is in this period and some of the ways the world is changing with him there. The best moments for me are watching him with Ra's, as he attempts not to be like how Krypton was with death sentences handed down for the smallest of things. Ra's committed huge crimes to be sure, but Kal still wants to find a way and that presents a core truth of the character in a different way. I'm excited to see what's next for the character from the teases here as well.

The Wonder Woman book continues to be pretty much the one that's strong with each issue in a way that I cannot deny. Even when it does a short two-part story to help fill in the blanks with a guest artist, it does so in a way that plays to its strengths and feels essential and truly part of it, rather than just lightly fleshing out something. This issue sets up some really engaging characters and concepts to work with and does so with strikingly beautiful and vivid designs with color work that makes me crave a large oversized library edition on some truly high-quality paper. Can't get enough of it.

I can't sing the praises of this book enough from top to bottom. The writing is fantastic, the worldbuilding is thoroughly engaging as it blends into the story rather than an infodump, and the artwork is some of the best that Sherman has produced. Just some of the ways that Diana's face is presented hits such a sweet spot of conveying so much while being such a fantastic blend of classic and modern design blows me away. I cannot get enough of this book and will deal with any wait between issues to do so. It's one of the best things DC Comics is putting out, period. I hope that, should it ever get put to animation someday, it gets a distinctive anime studio to do it in order to capture the uniqueness of Sherman's work.

There were so many little moments of delight throughout this, especially from the point where Batman and Wonder Woman just sit on a ledge after first meeting and talk. The pairing is ideal as they're very different, but have natural similarities as well. I wasn't expecting too much of a threat from all of this as it's more just a kind of prodding by Cale in the end, but it's very solid in showcasing the characters and just how well they work together. The artwork was just fantastic as Sherman always is with Diana, but I was really curious to see how they'd tackle Absolute Batman after working n Dark Patterns. It reminded me a lot of Frank Miller's Dark Knight work in a way with the kind of tactile feeling it creates and the sense of oomph and impact, but within the nature of the Absolute franchise. Really strong stuff that just clicked perfectly for me.

With a five-issue story to work with here, I’m just plain excited. Sherman has some fantastic layouts in this that really capture the imagination with how it works, and it works so well for advancing the moment and the story. I just love the look of all the locations, the characters, everything about it. Thompson’s script is welcome in that it’s not trying to be quippy or flippant, and it engages in good dialogue between characters that feels more natural than a lot of others, while avoiding big dense blocks of material. Really excited to see what these new characters will be like as it continues to unfold.

I've been a big Superman fan for the past twenty-five years since he was rebooted and it's a love that will never die. Contrary to the way many comic fans seem to feel, I don't find this character to be too powerful, to disconnected from people or too bland to be interesting to read. He's the eternal boy scout in the eyes of many, but it's not been so clear cut for many years now and these shades of gray that have entered have been fun. Between the supporting cast that always grows and the core characters themselves which have evolved well over the years, Superman is a character that still resonates for me. I liked the main story here pretty well and it makes me wish I had seen some of the previous issues rather than jumping in with this one. But it was very easy to get into it, very accessible, and it had a number of good, if short, supplemental stories that adds to the overall Superman mythos by people who have a real love of it.

Action Comics has a very hard road ahead of it because of how it's going to redefine his origin, but it allows for a lot of fun as well if it's done right. Morrison does a decent job here of laying down the basics while trying to have things actually happen, which was the main complaint about the first issue of Justice League. The flip side is that things do seem rushed here, but it fits with the personality we're seeing from Superman in that he wants to be a man of action, to get things done and make things right.

I've really been very curious and very much dreading the reworking of Superman's origin story and while I liked aspects of the first issue, the costuming and personality left me even more uncertain. With this issue, it shifts things up to a really intriguing section of the five years earlier storyline with Luthor's involvement, his first encounter with the ship that may or may not have brought him to Earth and a look at the overarching villain that may be orchestrating things against Superman. There is a lot of ground covered here with some really neat little twists and even Superman's personality is starting to grow on me more as his captivity here really worked well in getting me closer to him. Between this and the main Superman book in the present, I still haven't gotten a real handle on who he is, but both of them are making me want to know more about him.

With the reworked origin of Superman being one of the more delicate areas to handle in the post-Flashpoint universe, I'm very glad to see that they're taking some good chances here in really changing some key parts of his origin while also sticking to things that work well. The new incarnation of the Krypton story is one that I hope we get more of because I love the visual design of it all and want to see more. At the same time, I'm really enjoying the young Clark storyline because it gives us such a different view of him. He doesn't have many Superman moments here which is unfortunate, but getting more into who he is at this stage is important, especially as it contrasts where he is in the other main Superman book, which holds some similar and familiar emotional echoes for him. This is definitely one of the few books that's a same-day purchase for me for as long as they do the five years earlier arc.

Action Comics doesn't have much in the way of meat here, but it does tantalize a bit more. Luthor's reactions to how the alien is going against what he agreed to with it is amusing, but all it does is reinforce in his mind that aliens are bad and not to be trusted. The use of Corben and Irons helps to build the supporting cast from the start of Superman's career rather than later additions and we get to see how Lois is handling some of these changes in a personal way. The Terminauts are kind of all right overall, but I do like that it's working its magic fairly well when it comes to the capture and acquisition of artifacts and other things since it's classic Braniac overall, just with some mild tweaks. I'm still expecting a twist or two along the way, but this issue delivers decently with what it wants to do, it just doesn't completely captivate or draw you in totally.

I didn't hit subscribe on this series but I'll be back to it down the line when I can read arcs in full.

I'm looking forward to seeing more, but the Superman book is where I'm really excited for the moment.

Adam.3 is one of those series that offers up a lot of teases and quirks that are interesting, such as some of the naming conventions that go on, the .3 of the title itself, and just the nature of the whole natural environment and technology that's included which leaves you wanting to know more of the world building. It's a little rough getting into Adam's speech patterns at first and interacting with the other creatures on the island, but as it progresses it starts to come together better and, while never feeling natural to me, flows in a way that makes a lot of sense. The book has a kind of simplicity to it in terms of story so far, but it's something that works to its advantage because of the quirks and teases that come into play that gives hope that it's something more. This is a beautiful looking book that has Kolins using his talent and technique in a great way, giving it some fantastic vibrancy and life about it that draws you into it. I'm definitely all in for what I hope is the

Adam.3 has a strong second installment that builds upon what we've gotten so far and manages to make it even more engaging and intriguing. This is the kind of book that I wish was hitting weekly in digital form because there's so much that I want to know and see explored that waiting a month for a new installment makes me get anxious.

Javier Garcia-Miranda

Adam.3 has a very solid issue here as the emotional impact of what's going on is given a bit more weight and we see the final turn with Adam that's leading into the finale for this miniseries next time around. It's another book that really does take Kolins strength in design and layout combined with the energy coming from the movement of the characters and just paints it beautifully. His writing style feels a bit more streamlined here as well, giving it a smoother flow with just a touch less jargon - or perhaps it's just becoming more comfortable to read after four installments. The finale is definitely something to look forward to and I'm already excited to read this again in full in one sitting to really take all of the energy from it and run with it.

This issue is a bit of a mixed bag but just watching Superboy-Prime go through the emotional spectrum is worth it.

As a Blackest Night tie-in, Adventure Comics is pretty decent here as it covers what it's like from the inside of someone who is controlled by one of the rings. After the events of the fifth issue of Blackest Night, we got a clearer picture of what's going with those that Nekron can control, so this one separates us from the main story for a bit to focus on just a couple of characters and only one that's been controlled. I've generally liked Conner Kent, he was my favorite during the Reign of the Superman arc way, way back, and this story works nicely overall, though it again highlights just how convoluted a character can get over the years, almost to the point where it's just plain silly and too easy to manipulate.

The Adventures of Supergirl is a book I'm looking forward to because I enjoy the character but really don't want to get involved in the mainstream sprawl of the DC universe. Heck, I don't even know where this character stands, if at all, in the current continuity as I prefer the fringe and disconnected books. So getting a weekly taste of the character - from Sterling Gates no less - with some really great artwork and color work from Bengal is like the best of both worlds. Though there's far too much familiar for me here, it does what it has to and it does it well and that's what counts. I'm excited to see what's next.

Now that we're getting into things more on its own and not just trying to introduce the concepts of the series, Adventures of Supergirl is clicking a whole lot better. There's definitely an ease and familiarity to the character that we get from Sterling's writing simply because he gets it and he gets her, just tweaked to this incarnation. Bengal's art is once again a delight, though I'll admit some frustration that we really don't get a lot of great views of Kara's face as she's often turning away or surrounded by so much text so as to be overwhelmed by it. I'm digging his artwork and the layouts in general but it just needs a little more to really drive home Kara, her costume, and the presence that she has.

The Adventures of Supergirl is fitting in smoothly as a guilty pleasure of sorts because it's able to work off of a lot of what's established in the show without having to do a ton of heavy lifting. We know the Fort Rozz side and this gives us a bit of a look at it before it went to hell. I like Caren and Moyer's story even if it has a few obvious plot holes to it and that it's so info heavy. But once again, Bengal is able to just drive it home in an engaging way with some great visuals and layouts that has such a dynamic design to it that the book just feels full of energy. This is a great little bi-weekly diversion of fun and lightness in the right tone of the show, something that could be difficult to capture well. I'm curious to see where the rest of the run will go and am definitely on board for the right.

Adventures of Supergirl sets us up on a fun new arc here that ties into characters that I enjoy and like to see how they can be re-interpreted. I'd certainly like to see how they could work this into the actual TV storyline as well since VRIL is a character that I just adore. Gates continues to find the right balance here in going for familiar comic concepts while sticking to the style and tone of the show as well as some of the name dropping and the like. Meyers' design in this issue is solid as well and it fits with what's being sought here, something fun and upbeat with an excitement and dynamic feeling about it that also just has the right color tones, with Rauch nails perfectly. It's an easily accessible book in the classic sense but delivers for longtime character fans as well.

Since the first storyline was three installments I figured we'd get more of the same here so this one just felt a little rushed by wrapping it up in two. I like the expansion on Winn's life with some of what he's been involved in over the years and I loved the off the cuff turtle reference from Kara in regards to James, a delightful little nod for the fans. With "classic" Vril Dox being a favorite of mine, this incarnation certainly isn't bad but it's not something that's going to excite me terribly, particularly considering the sad state of anything "Legion" related in the DCU at this point in time. Sterling captures the feel of the series well once again and Mhan's artwork is spot on with some great spreads and layouts that made it fun to just look over for the artwork alone.

Sterling Gates puts together a solid enough story here to carry it through and I definitely enjoyed it. But what really made me love it was Emanuela Lupacchino's artwork. Combined with the solid inks from McCarthy and a fantastic round of color work from Hi-Fi that just takes it all to another level, the book simply looks gorgeous through and through. I've liked what we've seen before to be sure with the previous artists, but Lupacchino brings a little something different with her details, the layouts, and just the feminine touch that raises it to another level. Great stuff all around.

Adventures of Supergirl delivers a certain kind of story that I'm looking for as a book that complements the TV show. Normally I avoid these kinds of books as I've avoided Flash and Arrow's digital tie-in books, but Supergirl is the kind of character that makes me want to read more about her without having to dig into the bigger DC Universe. Gates again nails the character right here and you can easily imagine Melissa Benoist going through all of this. And yes, I want a Bombshells TV episode. Lupacchino and McCarthy have been among some of my favorite artists of the past year with things they've worked on and both of them definitely bring a lot to this book with some great layouts with fun designs while working through a great range of mini-concept pieces for the character. Good fun all around that leaves me wanting more.

The series continues to be a good bit of fun with what it does and this issue is no exception, even if it is mostly setup for what's to come. I like the larger narrative that Gates is putting together as it really does blend well with Kara's discovery phase in the first season of the TV series. It also doesn't hurt to have a good bit of Kryptonian thrown around in here, something that the show needs to grab onto and work with. It's also a solid installment with Carmen Carnero on board for the artwork as she has some good panel layouts throughout and a very good flow for the dialogue, especially in that driving sequence. Definitely a good bit of fun that has me interested in seeing what's next in store for them.

Adventures of Supergirl has a solid enough entry here though I'll admit wishing it had a bit more meat to it. But it sort of follows the TV show design in that the end of the arcs is where the stronger material is when it comes to the story, leaving the rest of it for good character interaction material (check) and solid action material (and check). Gates got the flow of this book early on for obvious reasons and Carnero has been a solid entry to the artists that we've had with it, resulting in some great layouts and an overall strong sense of impact with the fight sequences themselves. Good stuff all around.

Adventures of Supergirl sets a lot of details of the past into place here that I hope either works off of the series bible from the show or that the show will adapt into it at some point. There's definitely a richness to work with and it's a solid expansion of the overall mythos that explains the variety of aliens at play in Fort Rozz that Kara has to deal with. While the progress of the book detours a bit here for all the exposition and flashback material, it at least provides more foundations for the series as a whole. Gates continues to work Kara well here and seems to be getting a better handle on Alex as well, though I really just want an issue with the two women out and about having fun with no real problems to face. The addition of Cat Staggs to the book feels like a bit of an ill fit for me, but I know I'll be in the minority in that department. Mostly it comes from the whole likenesses aspect and that there isn't a strong narrative for Kara here to work with.

Adventures of Supergirl has a fairly fun installment this time around as it plays to the noise and chaos of an attack on the DEO from within that was orchestrated from without. I like the tension that continues to play at this stage between Kara and Hank as there are still too many secrets, though some can be argued easily to being kept for a range of reason. I really just want an issue of Kara and Alex hanging out watching TV and shooting the breeze, but until then we get solidly plotted and laid out books like this one with a healthy dose of action and chaos. Vieceli is a solid illustator to be sure and she feels very at home in how this book is presented, both in the layouts and capturing some of the real world people playing these roles but adapting them into this form. A little back and forth to be sure but the end results are solid.

Though I've largely enjoyed Adventures of Supergirl as it's rolled out, it's been a little uneven and spread out in a way that made it hard to really connect with in a big way. As we near the end of the current run there's a lot to like and this chapter in particular worked really well for me. Digging into Alex's past helped a good bit, whether it's retained in the show or not, and seeing the connection with Rampage that she makes hits all the right notes. With some great work from Vieceli in bringing it to life and a great look all around with color design, the book is finding its groove when it digs into its characters and reveals the hard choices. That said, I'd still love an issue of the sisters just hanging out shooting the breeze for a while and fleshing them out in lighter tones.

Adventures of Supergirl was a pretty fun book to read and my first TV tie-in as part of what's airing currently. I haven't dipped into the Flash and Arrow series simply because they didn't appeal to me in seeing expanded works. Supergirl, on the other hand, felt like it needed the support and I wanted to be a paying voice toward seeing more of Kara's adventures in some form with this continuity that's been created. I like what Sterling Gates did overall though I'd like to see it go in different and smaller directions the next time around. There are limitations when working with a tie-in, however, so I know it doesn't follow the traditional path. With some fun artwork overall and a very solid closing run with Emma Vieceli on board, it ended strong and definitely has me curious to see if we'll get more as I know I'll be back for it.

The opening issue to this is pretty standard stuff and I'm sure you can find the basics here in a couple of dozen other first issues across the years. That's just the nature of starting a property, even one with an established character. What works is that Jon is instantly accessible in a way that makes you like him. We see some of the struggles he has but it's not soul-crushing right out of the gate even as it tackles some of his past. The main story is one that feels interesting even if is, as we said, terribly familiar. Framing it from Jon's point of view gives it something new to work with and Taylor is able to do some nice "subversions" along the way in how Jon handles things that we've seen handled many a time before in cliched ways. Henry and Bellaire put together a great-looking book that's especially distinctive with the color design and the kind of angular look of the artwork and it has me really curious to see more of this Earth-2 Superman.

The first issue got me pretty interested in this even though it goes big quickly and that's usually not my jam unless it's a limited project. This one has some solid character material and fun action stuff with a cost to it but I love the little nods, such as Val mentioning there aren't many universes with Jon this age and one of them that he saw was the DCeased timeline. Small stuff like that just delights. But the larger work here is strong and I'm really curious to see where Taylor goes with it next. Henry's artwork is fantastic and the sense of power that comes from the fight in just a few panels is beautifully done, especially with the color design applied. I'm excited to see more.

With a pretty good focus in the first two issues, things seem a bit more uncertain in the third installment here now that Ultraman is dead. What's Jon's purpose other than to see what a version of his father has created here? It's certainly educational on why he has to balance his involvement in the larger affairs of humanity but it feels like with Ultraman dealt with, the impetus for things has fallen apart and Jon is being sidetracked into something else. I'm curious to see where it goes because it riffs on my enjoyment of the Injustice universe and taps on the door in a different form here. I do like seeing the dynamics play out and Jon having to deal with a different Damian so there are areas to explore and a direction yet to be revealed.

This is a pretty good issue that works on exploring more of the setting and relationships that exist so Jon can understand this world more. I do understand his need to try and help and fix things here and it is part of superhero stuff in general, but at the same time, it's like, you want to fundamentally change a world. That's not exactly the best thing to do based on a couple of days of understanding. He does at least work at it by asking questions more than anything else and isn't trying to start a conflict because you can see how he just wants to talk to the Superman of this world and try to change his mind. It's a solid setup with some mild complications brought in that work well. This issue was also a lot of fun since it has Robertson and Rapmund on the artwork and they were one of my favorite pairings during the old digital-first days with the weekly books.

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this series but that it became an Injustice project just makes me laugh and laugh. I love those books and playing in this world, even a different version of it, makes me smile because of the things it can do. Jon's doing well in handling all of this and trying to find the right way to help things but only after he listens and works to understand what's happened here. It's not just fights and misunderstandings but rather an exploration to figure out the why of it and how to help change the course. Taylor's script works some fun little bits here and there and the nods to the original are wonderful to have. Henry's always been a great artist and projects like this with sprawling casts definitely work in their favor, so it's a fun and dynamic book as we get some executions set up for the next installment. We'll be there for that.

I've enjoyed this series a lot because Tom Taylor handles Jon Kent the right way and in giving us a true next generation Superman. The Superman character has always evolved but this separate by it being a true next generation one has helped a lot so you can compare and contrast pretty well. I was surprised that we ended up getting more Injustice through it but it delivered well thanks to both Taylor and Henry and what they brought to the book. It's a lot of fun and I enjoyed the heck out of it, though the way it ends is such a hard end while at the same time saying "come back in a few months to see what's up next." It just didn't make a compelling case to come back more since it's not as clear as it should be about where to find out what's next for the casual reader. All in all, definitely a fun book and enjoyable run.

The Spinosaurus goes on a lengthy journey here and it's a very packed piece when you get down to it with lots of small panels, lots of dinosaurs and lots of brief moments of intense action as they live and survive. It's not your traditional journey when you get down to it, which makes sense considering the nature of the material being told, but once you settle into the style of it all and become more and more engaged with it, you really find yourself drawn to it and what it's telling. I also liked the small corner artwork we get on most of the pages along the lower right that brings in a variety of creatures itself. This is a really curious book, one that's going to challenge in some ways what you get out of it, but it's one that's left me curious to see just how strong the overall narrative is.

Delgado continues to put in some beautiful work here, full of detail, that really brings it to life in an engaging way and forces the reader to really try and adjust to this mindset of the material.

Age of Reptiles has what feels like its most violent installment yet with what goes on here and that certainly ratchets up the terrifying nature of it all. The way the book spends more of its time at night here definitely helps to set the tone and that kind of murky look to the world with how it does it just shows how much harder it is to discern what dangers there are out there for these creatures. It's a stark and brutal look at life in the age of reptiles and one that's exciting and challenging to read in many ways. I'm definitely enjoying the book but I continue to struggle with it as well as I try to wrap my own sensibilities around the actions of these creatures and their quest to survive another day.

While we get dinosaurs in comics once in awhile it's even rarer to get what feels like a true dinosaur story brought to comes " or any other medium " like what Delgado has done here. Definitely an experience worth having.

Johnson's script does a good job of digging into Cruz and his family issues but also the darker nature of his dreams and what they mean. Larroca's artwork is good " I enjoyed his time on Star Wars for a while for example " but with so little time with the xenomorphs here, it's mostly a family/character drama with some light science fiction elements to give it a bit more personality.

This installment moves pretty briskly and that's not a bad thing, though it comes in short in the number of pages as well. But it does tell the tale it needs to at this stage even if I wish for a few more pages to expand on the events of Tobler-9 more or to see more normalcy that the synthetics live by before going into action mode. I like that the story is taking place some forty or so years after the events of Aliens and showing some different elements of what's going on in this time, and focusing on a synthetic group. The brief bit we get with the Xenomorphs is solid and it does leave you wanting more, and to know more of the "world design" of how humanity has spread out at this point.

With a solid foundation in the first issue, this one moves things along at a good clip. Almost too much of a good clip as we lose the chance to really take in some of the atmosphere of the location and the tension that comes from a world of ruins. It's definitely strong in terms of the visuals for this sequence of it and I like the characters generally, so I'm curious to see where it'll go, especially with our new introductions at the very end here. The synthetics are definitely interesting characters even if they do push this to that superhero level a bit in some ways and how much harder they are to kill but we know there's still an element to them not being invulnerable so I expect some of the bodies to really start dropping soon and that'll change them in a big way.

This series is going pretty well so far and I'm definitely interested to see where it goes. I still have some of my minor reservations over it because of the whole synthetic team that makes it more like a super soldier team but they're being placed in an interesting situation and there are a few dynamics playing from it that I like. The writing continues to be solid for it and Ohta's artwork in giving us a really ragged group of survivors helps to cement the situation well, especially as they move between various bunkers in order to avoid the enemy.

While I want a bit more story-story to what's going on here, I do like what we get as it follows the familiar pattern of how an Alien story goes. I do wish we hadn't gotten a whole new hybrid kind of thing here but it was inevitable with the tinkering done by humanity and the insect vector of it all. There's a lot going on here but it still feels like we didn't get enough buildup to it that we can get out of a movie but so rarely get in a comic storyline. This leans more as we said before into the "superhero" area with the synths being the focus and able to handle and do more when it comes to the aliens. This team is definitely interesting but we haven't had enough time to really invest with any of them.

This issue is basically all action and some quiet moments toward the end before the moment where you know it's all going to fall apart for these survivors. The action is solid here and the flow is really good so it all moves well and is thoroughly engaging with great artwork. But because of the kind of installment it is in the storyline, it'll work better when read in succession at once as all the energy has built into it and it's hurtling toward its conclusion. There's plenty to like here and it delivers well on the past installments, though I wish we had more of Astrid in it just based on this issue alone.

The series is one that overall was a lot of fun even if because of the nature of how the synthetics were portrayed here felt more like a superhero comic than a science fiction story. That's not a bad thing to some degree but it just reminded me more of that than anything else. The general setup and concept is one that I liked and the nature of how badly things end isn't a surprise either. Johnson's story was pretty sharp and focused for a lot of it with some good dialogue, but I don't know how connected it is to prior Alien works and bits I might have missed. Ohta has been a favorite of mine for some time with other publishers but they did a great job here in capturing the feel of all of this and engaging in a world that's chaotic and violent without it being, well, cartoonish. It had the right edge to it and delivered.

This book was fun enough but also reminded me why I stopped reading annuals for the most part decades ago. They have their use and can be done with some fun creativity, and this one does that, but it's also a very fast read for the cost of it. The talent involved is definitely worth it but I wish it just had a bit more meat on the bones of it since it's a dialogue-free work. It's well-executed with great designs and a sense of ferocity that comes through so it definitely scratches a particular itch.

With a lot of Alien comics read in my background, I'm always keen for another one to see what can be done. The team here is operating at peak performance with a strong script, a strong setup, and fantastic artwork. The result is a book that reads extremely well for both new and old fans alike as you want to see how it's going to unfold this time. I mean, we know it's going to have a lot of bad things happen but we're already well-invested in the family, we get a good setup with the location and the arrival of the marines, and the tension is elevated just right with what Zasha is doing. I'm excited to see if it can build on this energy moving forward.

The familiar setup and movements of this is something that's just baked into an Alien property to some degree but it's the execution that sets it apart. The team here is making for a really good experience in watching it unfold, wanting to know more of what some of the secrets going on here are about, and just how bad it's going to get before it comes to a close. The xenomorphs look fantastic here in their movement and design and the color work on the series continues to stand out. I love all the details and the flow of the panels and story so that it builds the tension and hits some jolting moments as well, even if you know they're coming. I'm not hugely connected to any of the characters but there's a lot to keep you engaged with it, especially with solid dialogue that doesn't feel like it's written so simply as to be amateurish.

There's a lot going on in this installment as we get to the halfway mark but it is also hitting plenty of familiar points. The marines are getting knocked around but are ready to go all-in on defeating the xenomorphs. The corporate guy is going to make things worse through both action and inaction, and we see how Batya's attempts at getting leverage are just going to get them possibly killed sooner. There's plenty to like here as it's well-executed, but it's also wonderfully illustrated with some great tension and forward momentum that works very well. The color design and detail all bind it together beautifully and makes you crave more.

This Alien series continues to be pretty solid all around but it takes some odd turns here that are a little squirmy for me while also leaning into some tropes of the property that I wish it had avoided. The threat of the xenomorphs continues to be nicely done here and I like the setting and scale of events as well. The family drama is handled well enough but it keeps coming back to the point where Zasha's mother is just unlikable in general and everything she does or has done seemingly makes things worse for everyone around her. It's a got a solid look throughout and I continue to like the character designs and especially the color work as it's not mired in heavy dark colors. That allows the truly tense sequences to feel even more so since you can see so much of it as it gets overpowering.

I enjoyed this series a lot and keeping it to five issues definitely helped because going for another round would have dragged it out with a traditional six-issue run. Some of the stuff going on in this series makes you cringe from how disturbing it is and the reasons given never feel as solid as they should, though you can understand some of the motivation. What we get with Dasha's past and story here is decent as well but felt incomplete, especially in relation to Batya's daughter and how this was all agreed upon. It's a solid story overall and one that may read better in full but is definitely worth it in general but especially for the strong artwork.

I'll easily admit that I'm going into this with a little bit of fanboyism and a healthy dose of nostalgia based on what I read in the past. And also a nod towards the creative team here as both Chuck Dixon and Larry Stroman simply know their stuff in constructing the big picture Legion stories and making the cast accessible as it goes on. The opening arc here is very rough for anyone not familiar with the concept and design, which is why we really recommend picking those books up as well because they're awesome. Uncivil War has a hard road to hoe as it starts here, but the further in I got, the more I was reminded why I adored those early books. This one sets up a big event that's underway, throws Force Nomad into it and lets the chips fall where they may. I'm excited to see what's yet to come and hope for a whole lot more.

While I'm still not invested heavily in the story of the Harkilons, especially as what we learned in the first issue is put to the side here to focus on the action, I'm enjoying the overall nature of the book with what it's doing and how it's trying to tell a solid action story within an enviroment we don't see often. It's filled with an array of characters that are going through the grunt level aspect of the fight, being what Force Nomad is, and we do get a little taste of some of the high level politics and operation aspects as well, but for the most part it's just a mad dash of action and chaos. Dixon's script keeps it moving but you don't really connect with the characters, which is unfortunate since it doesn't have enough of a foundation here. Stroman's art definitely makes for a visual delight across the board as he handles such a wide array of characters and locales. Hopefully things come together tight in the next two issues.

After the enjoyment I got out of the Aliens: Fire and Stone series, I was definitely keen on checking out more. This series seems like it's being released too soon though as it takes place after the events of the fourth Prometheus: Fire and Stone issue and that has me wondering how much this spoils that since I haven't read that yet. The combination of multiple alien races here definitely provides for some good material and action, but there's a disconnect for me since I have no real clue who Galgo and Francis are and there's no real exposition to clue us in to it all with why they're in the situation they're in.

Having Francis as our only human contact here isn't exactly the best thing as it's hard to like him and I'm not actively rooting for him to survive considering some of the actions he took back on LV-223. With this issue, it's more about Elden and the Predators for the most part as Francis tries to survive and find a way to push back against them to ensure his survival. Elden's just as bad as Francis in a lot of ways as he talks a whole lot and is just generally unlikable for different reasons, but he at least has a reason to be ticked about everything. Yet with what he's become, you'd hope that he'd find a more constructive way of moving forward beyond something so base as revenge itself.

While I enjoy pieces of this series overall, it's definitely the book that I'm struggling with the most. And a lot of that is simply due to Elden as he's just near impossible to take seriously. There's a lot of things going on here as each character basically has his own mini arc with an agenda and end goal and they cross paths often enough. You almost just want to blow up the ship to be done with it all in a way so that none of what they are or are becoming will get anywhere else. Galgo has the weakest part here, but that means he's likely going to have a bigger role for the finale. I'm definitely curious as to what will go on now that we have three races infected by the accelerant and what their different transformations will bring about, but all we're seeing so far is that it makes them crazy and crazy strong. A very bad combination.

If the point of this book was to send Elden off on his own journey out into the universe, then it accomplished it through a lot of carnage and chaos. And I'm not sure what the point would be of it all. The finale is basically an extended slugfest through four opponents with a few Xenomorphs on the side and it plays that well enough. But for me, there was no real investment here in any of the characters. Elden simply either was overconfident or a whiny child. Francis was in fear until he was freed but it lead to his death. The Predators were just looking for a good fight but were overpowered and lost in the end for different, meaningless, reasons. The only ones that make out good are the Xenomorphs since they're just patient killers waiting for their next opportunity. I suspect we'll see Elden again, but this doesn't make me enthused for that.

As we get settled in for the final arc there's been so many bodies dropped that it's hard to keep track of overall. And that's fine because we're definitely knowing those that are remaining and seeing them getting whittled down is exhilarating and disheartening at the same time. With trouble coming from above, below, and sideways when you get down to it, the Aliens vs Predator leg of the Life and Death cycle is off to a great start and should be pretty damn action filled as it barrels toward its conclusion " and hopefully another cycle yet to come afterward!

With just a few chapters left in this cycle things are going to come together quickly and intensely. It's not a series I'm expecting answers with but rather just enjoying for the way the survival aspects are playing out. When you have the survivors (so far) talking about how surreal this situation is and something like Paget talking about how nobody is really in "command" of this situation, you know these characters are at their limits and the potential for breaking is just around the corner " and exciting in this environment. This issue provides for some big Predator material while showing that the next will definitely live up to its title. I can't wait.

Each of the segments in this cycle have been strong and while this piece may not be my favorite at this stage it's one that's definitely delivering on some very solid material as it all funnels down toward the end. We're in the phase where the cast is being whittled away a bit more and the tension is ramping up, something that Dan Abnett is delivering on well with the script as it allows for Brian Thies to really go all out with it in the visual design department. Though a touch lighter since enough of it is focused on the dialogue-free aspects of the xenomorphs and predators, this is definitely a strong issue in bringing things closer to a conclusion.

With a bit more to go I'm definitely going to call this particular miniseries a success. It's a smaller and more focused leg of the cycle with what we get as it brings the various sides together but it delivered some big action pieces, a whole lot of tension, and a great finale that leads into the capping off issue next time around. Abnett found his groove long ago back in the Fire and Stone material and he's just killing it with ease here. But it's elevated wonderfully thanks to Brian Thies' artwork that just brings it out so well with the humanity of the characters and the emotions and intensity of the aliens and the predators. Definitely a lot of fun on a monthly basis and one that I imagine will read even better in a full collection.

Aliens and predators stumble onto luxury liner and continue their ballet-o-death. That's all that you really need to know. It brings the three main groups together as we've enjoyed for decades now and sets into motion the carnage. Barlow sets it all up quickly and easily so that you know the basics, the tight space, the number of potential bodies, and the twist. Add in the dangerous creatures and let shit happen. Whetley's artwork is a lot of fun here as I like his costume design and how he put together Tyler. I'm also digging both of his alien designs so far as well. But mostly he's seemingly having fun popping heads off bodies and I cannot tell a lie, I'm enjoying it too.

This series is off to a good start with its first couple of episodes and I like what it's presented so far since it's different for the most part from the last few years of stories. We've had a lot of heavy militarized material so a change is definitely welcome for a bit.

Aliens: Dead Orbit grabbed me from very early on just for its visual style in bringing us this cramped and claustrophobic world with all of its detail. As the crew and our lead character come into focus, a collection of people that will be killed soon enough, the sense of dread builds quickly and effectively. Stokoe's pacing is spot on here and what we know of the cast is engaging with the lives they lead and what they have to deal with. The mystery of the new ship and the arrival of the xenomorphs inside hopefully has a flashback tale to be told as I want to know the journey of this ship and its crew but I'm also excited to see how things unfold on this station once it gets running. I'm definitely excited to see where this goes as Stokoe has everything lined up perfectly.

Aliens: Dead Orbit is delivering some great material here as it works within the realm of the familiar. That's something that could be a problem with other works but the Aliens franchise opens itself up to a lot of interpretation and creativity in both writing and art so that each can stand alone without being judged truly against the rest. Stokoe has crafted a great environment for this to play out in that leaves me wanting more of it (and a live-action incarnation already, even if it would likely play out a little like Saturn 9) just to really connect with the location and characters. There's a lot more to come with how this will unfold and the violence is only just now really getting ready to begin, and hopefully a twist or two along the way.

Aliens: Dead Orbit continues to delight from issue to issue but I also know at this stage that it's going to be an even stronger read in a single sitting. Stokoe's artwork is hugely engaging for me as there's so much to take in that if you just "read" it quickly, which you can for many pages because of the light or non-existent dialogue, you're missing a lot of what's making this such a strong work. It's worth several reads and really digging into the detail over and over to just soak it all up. Very recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series from start to finish as James Stokoe delivered a strong work across the board. The gap between issues is a killer but for those that read it in the future they'll have a single run to just absorb and enjoy. This is almost a theatrical experience in what he produces here, giving us enough character to set the stage but keeping the focus on the tension, panic, and chaos that comes from trying to survive. The details are incredible and I love the look of this from the layouts to the character designs. This issue goes a bit bigger on the exteriors and that made me want a lot more of that as well. Definitely a great book and a wonderful way to dig into the franchise a bit more without needing a huge amount of mythology to engage with.

With a year of material ahead of us, Aliens: Defiance is definitely going to be one of my more anticipated monthly encounters.

Aliens: Defiance further cements itself as the series I'm most anxious to read more of this year within this particular franchise. Dark Horse Comics has several things going on with it, Predator, and Prometheus this year but the time spent with a solid plotted and paced twelve issue series is exciting based on what we've seen in these first two installments. I can already see just how strong this will be when read in full and envy those who get to do so after all is said and done. But I won't trade in the thrill on a monthly basis of taking in Jones artwork and what Wood is putting together with the script and its characters. Very solid and compelling material that's laying the right foundations now.

Aliens: Defiance may be taking a bit of time to get going, partially just from the delay in installments, but the end results are definitely worth it. I'm enjoying the pacing of the book itself and how Wood is connecting us to these characters as they themselves connect amid the chaos of what's going on. With xenomorphs and mutineering synthetics, both Davis and Hendricks have a lot of problems to face. Wood keeps it moving along while filling in more details and I definitely like what Burchielli is bringing to the page here with the details and overall darkness of it, capturing that closed in feeling very well.

With the bulk of this issue being flashback it works out well for Brescini stepping in for the artwork as you can work the slight differences in style as a part of it. Giving us more of her past is definitely welcome as it's a big part of her mindset at this point and how she'll react to any number of situations. It's not anything that's particularly rich or deep but it is defining and important. I'm curious to see where things with her doctor will go as that feels like an odd choice for her to make considering the circumstances, but when you're faced with things like these xenomorphs, well, you'll do things that don't make sense since they don't make sense. A solid fleshing out issue overall that will likely impact more things as time goes on.

While I would have liked to have seen a bit more about Hendrick's struggle over what it is she has to do, since Davis is still mostly working cold efficient lines of thought, I'm also glad that we see her realizing that it's the right option given the scale of the problem and just sets about doing it. I'm not a fan of revealing the tease at the start and going backward but it is a tried and true method. The exploration of the depot is a great bit of material overall and Tristan Jones delivers on the art throughout in a way that really makes for a great experience on the first read through and multiple reads later because there's so much detail. Very good stuff overall that continues to have me pretty excited for what's still to come as we hit the halfway mark next issue.

Aliens: Defiance has largely been firing on all cylinders for me since the start of it, though that gap took some of the wind out of its sails. As we hit the halfway mark here I find myself fully engaged and wanting more of it, and for this to just be the start of something longer and bigger. Brian Wood has the pacing for this down right as it's teasing out these chunks of story against the larger narrative and by not forcing it into a four-issue series like we usually get it's simply less frantic. It also delivers in a huge way thanks to Tristan Jones with the artwork that Dan Jackson just makes all the more impressive. There are some really fantastic panels throughout this that captures the tension and terror very, very, well.

I continue to dig this series a whole lot and with its erratic publication schedule I really hope it gets a really nicely done full hardcover collection when all is said and done. It's a property that really feels like it's going to read well in that full form but it also has a lot to offer in individual chapters so you can drill down into the characters, their motivations, and just the tension of it all. Wood handles this chapter really well with the mix of dialogue and narration and Thompson is a solid addition to the artistic side as he brings this futuristic world to life really well and avoids making the surgery side super icky for me, for which I'm very grateful.

Aliens: Defiance is coming out amid a very good time to be a fan of the property as the sprawling Life and Death cycle is doing well, a new film next year, and just a general upswing in quality all around. Defiance is a big part of my enjoyment of what's going on and even a quiet installment like this adds a whole lot. Wood is building these characters well and getting as much time as we do here in seeing Zula's past and how she ended up in the military was great, especially since it let Brescini spread his skills a bit outside of the cold confines of the ship and the xenomorphs a bit. Definitely another solid installment.

Aliens: Defiance continues to be one of my favorite books from the franchise in the past ten years and has the potential to be the best of them depending on how the final chapters play out. Brian Wood is clearly enjoying working with the small cast of characters here and the crazy situations that they're getting into in trying to survive. It makes for some tense reading with great visuals by the art team that simply takes it up several notches. It has a great look and totally drives the narrative in the right way with the details and corrosion that Brescini brings to it. I love reading each chapter but can't wait to just read it as a whole all while imagining it on the big screen.

Aliens: Defiance is closing in fast on the conclusion and other than everyone ending up dead with a big explosion of some sort I'm not sure how it'll all wrap up. Brian Wood has delivered some great stuff in many books in just a few pages so I'm definitely curious to see what he'll do with the two left and how the stories for the core trio here will work out. This issue brings us to a new place and a real danger with new threats that are exciting to watch unfold, a good portion of that excitement of which comes from Stephen Thompson's artwork. There's a lot to like here and as a part of the larger whole when read in succession, you can see this as the real kick off to the third act of craziness that's about to hit.

Aliens: Defiance has had a strong run of issues over the course of it but this is the first one that feels like it's falling a bit short, mostly because of its structure. There's also the problem that there's only one more issue to go and it feels like it won't be anywhere near enough space to get everything done. There are some good things going on in this issue but the structure of the storytelling just didn't click as well for me as I think a more linear approach would have worked and there are just too many uncertainties going on now that we're back on Earth without enough context to really draw it together in a clear enough way. There's plenty to like overall and I'm curious to see where it'll all end up when it's done and over with, but as a penultimate issue it just doesn't feel like it delivers enough.

Though it's a quieter kind of epilogue than I might have care for in some ways, and the lack of the xenomorph as an active participant in what's going on rather than a nightmare sequen doesn't help, it's a solid end to the run that went in unexpected directions. It does somewhat feel like this isn't where the book intended to go from the start but got shifted this way along the way but that kind of unnatural path has its own appeal as well. Brian Wood put together some great chapters in this run and serves up a solid epilogue for it all here and he was well paired with Eduardo Francisco here on the artwork. With this being a more human issue with lots of people of different stripes involved that comes across very well and made for a good read. The earlier part of the run will stand out for me more than the final third of it, however.

Aliens is the kind of book where sometimes we'll get a really interesting story to go along with it while most of the time we get a crazy adventure story. This looks to be an adventure story with a twelve-year-old as our leading character as he attempts to survive some sort of Xenomorph incursion that's happening on a colony world that looks like it's about to be abandoned already. It's a tense and tight opening issue with a four-issue run planned so I'm not expecting anything that expands the story scope of the Aliens comics universe. But Hardman is putting together a book that makes for a great read that already gets you visualizing it on the big screen unfolding before. I can't wait to see more.

I'm really enjoying Dust to Dust but like a couple of other series that I've followed in the last year or two - especially with this franchise - the gaps in issues are really problematic. All the momentum of the first is lost here and even though it picks up well and moves forward in a good way you know it's just not quite the same. Gabriel Hardman's doing a really strong job in giving us a look at survival in all of this with fantastic visuals and just enough character material to keep us invested and moving along all while wanting more.

With the next issue wrapping things up it's hard to imagine it ending well for anyone but the journey has been strong so far and I can't wait to see where it all goes.

I really enjoyed Gabriel Hardman's take on this property and I'm not surprised at all considering his talent and works I've seen elsewhere. Delays aside, it leaves me really wanting to see him taking on a standalone single volume release for it so that all the dramatic tension is there for the first-time reader instead of the bi-monthly-ish run we had here. It's got all the right raw elements, Rain Baredo's coloring work was masterful in bringing all the detail to light, and the minimal script hit all the right notes for the characters in how they talked, panicked, and conveyed information. I'm looking forward to a collected edition down the line a bit with some space to be able to take it all in with one sitting to see how very different it'll work.

Patric Reynolds does a solid job with the artwork here in giving it a very rough and tumble kind of feeling, earthy and raw, that lets it feel like a natural extension of what we had seen in the films, just without all the rain. I'm definitely intrigued by what's here.

The second installment takes a curious tone as we largely have it in the form of the written journals that Russell has left, recording what he had seen and experienced and as he started to piece together events from the previous century when the Prometheus was there.There's some really neat fallout from it all that's being delved into and watching as it comes together is pretty damn creepy. With the narrative used, it's something that gives you a bit of distance from the events so it's not as personal, especially since you really don't connect with the characters that are getting picked off by the Xenomorphs, but it's bringing about a really entertaining and engaging experience watching as they figure out how to survive in this harsh area all while Russell is discovering a whole lot of secrets from the past that are buried there. Definitely an interesting off-shoot of the two films being brought together.

Though I'm finding the Fire and Stone arc uneven overall, each series has its bright points. The Aliens arc is the brightest point of them all so far because it's doing a pretty good story with what these survivors are dealing with while providing some creativity and fun with the combination of the Xenomorphs and what the accelerant of the Engineers introduces into the system as well. This installment moves things along by basically eliminating a good chunk of the human side of the story while pushing Francis into a deeper state of controlled crazy. The reveals on the human side with Cole is good to see being dealt with and I loved the entire transport segment of the issue with what it did and how it raised the stakes of the game in a big way. Definitely a lot of fun and I'm hoping Roberson and Reynolds have something else up their sleeves after this series is over.

This storyline has definitely had its good stuff to it, though having it running at the same time as the other three properties really made for some confusing moments as both Derek and Francis do very similar things along the way in different periods of time. With this issue, giving us a look at just what Derek is going as the last survivor, the things he comes to understand, really does work well. While you may want things to go out with a bang or some big moment, a true last stand, the truth is what we see here is far more likely as it goes down with a whimper, punctuated by a scream, as the unstoppable enemy wins once again.

Abnett is keeping this train rolling right along and it's a solid bit of progress that we get here in showing the fallout from where the previous miniseries left us. Moritat's something of a surprise with how well his style works here and I'm loving it as it gives things a bit of a fresh injection of energy. I like the relative consistency we had with previous artists as there's a certain look that these various titles have had for the last couple of years but Moritat provides just enough of a tweak while staying close thanks to the color work. There's a lot of really neat scenes to be had here with how the layouts are done and the expressiveness of the characters and it has me excited to see how badly things go for this group that now has a sliver of hope that will be yanked hard from them very, very, soon.

I've been digging this cycle of stories a whole lot since it got underway and I was really wary of it all after some very problematic parts in the Fire & Stone cycle. This issue is pretty much exposition and character driven material with some dashes of action but Moritat makes it exciting to read throughout while Abnett's script keeps you wondering who will do what next. Whether it's the dropship prep and landing, the time with Galgo and Ahab, or the expected twist with Lorimer and Jill, there's a lot to enjoy on all fronts. And that's without talking about the little problem that Chris is now facing!

I'll easily admit to thoroughly enjoying this arc and this cycle as a whole and I really hope it gets a strong all-encompassing hardcover at some point. Though it's just past the halfway mark overall there's so much going on and it's coming together so well that I really just want to be able to burn through the whole run in one sitting without any real breaks or gaps in it. This installment puts some minor but expected twists into events and it focuses well on the action along with a new revelation or two that's intriguing. Abnett knows what it's doing but damn do I love the way Moritat is bringing this to life. I really wasn't sure about him being on this property since he's a distinctive and excellent artist but it's working fantastically well and I hope he returns in some other form to tell more stories in this universe.

Though I'm looking forward to the Aliens Vs Predator leg that's coming up and the finishing chapter after it, Aliens: Life and Death right now is definitely my favorite of this cycle overall. A lot of that really is owed to Moritat as he breathed a unique yet familiar look to the property that showed that there are good times and ways to step out from the "house" style that we've gotten for the most part the last few years. The story is pretty solid here as we get the rescue mission going through the ups and downs its has, and the mystery on board the ship in orbit that's going to have things going even worse pretty soon. This is a book that I really look forward to reading as a whole cycle in one sitting in the near future with this leg of it being quite possibly the best piece of it.

Aliens: Rescue gets off to a decent start as its focus is mostly on Brand and getting him into a position where he can actually do something.

Aliens: Resistance is moving along pretty solidly here and I just love exploring some of the concepts of what this timeline would look like. That Weyland-Yutani would have black sites on small rocks orbiting moons and other worlds is obviously something that you'd expect and seeing how it unfolds and getting the first taste of what it is they're orchestrating with the synthetics is intriguing. We don't have enough to go on at this point but I love that we're getting something creative here instead of derivative of what the films have turned into. Wood and Carey are doing solid work here and I'm excited to see what the bigger plan is.

I've been enjoying Brian Wood's work on Aliens for a couple of miniseries now and this one definitely is delighting in the pacing of it. There's a lot going on here, several reveals, and a course of action that leaves plenty uncertain ahead. I like what we're exposed to in terms of character material and we get some good xenomorph material for a couple of panels that feels appropriate as we start into the bigger picture. Wood is wordier than usual here with both the dialogue and inner dialogue but it has me liking everyone a lot more and wanting to see more of Amanda and Zula working as they are. Combine that with some great scenes, some crazy stuff in getting on-planet, and just the overall scale of events and I'm excited to see what comes next.

With more to come, I'm not sure if there's some surprising twist to be pulled out to change course on it and I'm not sure if there should be. Or if this is the right decision for the two either, because of all our investment in them and the books. Brian Wood definitely keeps things moving at a good pace but we get our quiet moments as well which definitely helps. I like what we're presented with overall and the way the character arcs have gone but I'm still holding my breath for some finality. Wood and Carey have a really good run here with the Resistance series and I'm curious to see what's in store for the Alien comics universe overall going forward.

Things get a bit bigger in this installment as the characters stories expand just being things that Burke is trying to use and that helps a lot. There's a wonkiness to Cygnus that still sticks but is understandable considering what he is but I'm glad that Brie gets some better time here and Cygnus' sense of deadpan humor is the best in rattling off percentages. I do admire Burke's attempt at all of this and the long game that he's playing, but everything that's happening is just how so much of his life hs worked that even he shouldn't be surprised. Strangely, you end up wanting the best for him because the potential is there to help so many.

With one more installment to go the series should end in a pretty big and chaotic way but I'm unsure of whether it should end in disaster or not for our primary character. I've actually grown to like Brie a good bit and can understand Hiro but Carter himself needs to face a clear end here. There are some really amusing bits to this issue, such as him talking about his time in the alien nursery before that Brie never heard about, but it's also a reminder of how he was both told to never say anything and blamed for everything but also actually kept quiet for the most part. The whole Cygnus alien hunt thing kind of messes with a lot of what could make him somewhat sympathetic. It's a solid installment once again with some good artwork that's just held back by Burke sounding too much like Reiser's Mad About You character than Burke himself.

The ending to this is solid and interesting but ultimately disappointing because I expected this five-issue series to be a complete story. I did not expect for there to be a sequel maybe? down the line and there being more of it so it's frustrating. What we do get here is just as fun as the previous issues with some amusing twists and nods back to the film and just how nuts this world is for these characters. The xenomorph action is fun and a bit lighter even though no less serious and the artwork handles the setting and characters well. It's all enjoyable but still left a bad taste in my mouth at the end because it feels a bit like a bait and switch.

This pairing is ideal both in the creative and the concept and while I'm wary that it can work as six issues I'm definitely on board for the ride.

The book is largely following a familiar pattern to be sure when it comes to how these stories work, but it's also giving us a lot to love with the characters, interactions and the injection of its own vampire mythology. This is definitely a very exciting miniseries that I'm loving.

This series continues to delight me with what it does. Bechko brings together a straightforward script and one that's certainly familiar enough to anyone who's read an Aliens book before, but she does it in a strong enough fashion to make it work. A lot of the time these kinds of familiar scripts just fall flat on their faces. While I dislike the storyline going on in orbit because it plays to bad tropes, I'm enjoying the other two and just the weirdness of what we're seeing with the nosferatu and some of the dialogue between Vampirella and Lars, especially as she tells him the right way to talk to a Nosferatu should they come across one. A little diplomacy can go a long way. This is a solid installment and again has me hopeful that we'll see more Aliens material in the future from both Bechko and Garcia-Miranda after this series ends.

The Aliens/Vampirella miniseries continues to pretty much delight with what it does. Bechko has pretty much captured the core ingredients it needs to succeed and has added the right layers on top of it so that it expands without distorting or going off the rails. The fun in the evolution is definitely here and there are some interesting variables in the mix that have yet to truly factor in. The book also continues to luck out in having Garcia-Miranda on the art chores as he really makes for some good dynamic action sequences as it plays out while also conveying the tight space fear for a few panels before going for a fear of heights moment. The xenomorph design is pretty solid as well, which really is a necessity, and the combination of it all makes for a great looking book. Can't wait to see what this pair has in store next.

Aliens/Vampirella continues to be a fun series that it has me wanting more of, well, everything. A look at this future-world Vampirella and the social dynamics of it all, a look at the past with what the Nosferatu of old did to colonize Mars, and a look at the ancient race that existed there and their battle with the Xenomorphs. I likely won't ever get it, but I love a writer that seeds enough material to make you want more while giving you a strong enough core story. Bechko and Garcia-Miranda strike the right balance here and overall it's another solid entry in the series that leaves me anticipating the finale " and hopeful that the pair get another shot at either of these properties in the future.

Aliens/Vampirella worked pretty well overall and it's about what I expected going into it. There are things you for better or worse have to do with an Aliens story and Bechko hits them on the head here. What she gets to do is change up the narrative a bit with Vampirella in the mix, the vampires from the past angle, and working some drama in because of the human/vampire dynamic. The story is straightforward and you find yourself not really connecting with anyone outside of Vampirella, though I think the Martian vampire comes a close a second. Her script was really brought to life in a great way with Javier Garcia-Miranda's artwork as he got to have fun with the alien designs, work some great old school vampire material, and got to play with spaceships and more. The pairing worked well and I'd definitely be up for another round of this concept.

All Star Western is one of those kinds of books that I really wanted to support because it is bringing something different to the table while still working within the existing framework of the larger DC Universe. I love that it can give us some historical context, though you obviously don't want that to be a constant and overriding factor. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray do a bang-up job here of creating the Gotham of the 1880′s and inserting Jonah Hex into it as well as a supporting cast that demands more time be spent with them. It can all easily turn into a soap opera drama of sorts but there's a lot of appeal in that by seeing how Gotham operated all these years ago. Combining that with Moritat's artwork, the extra pages, the lack of double page spreads and a great sense of pacing, All Star Western knocks it out of the park with ease and demands you come back for the second issue as quickly as possible. Worth every penny.

While there's less pages devoted to the main storyline here, which is disappointing, the actual content itself is solid. The exposition is a bit less than the first but the focus on the characters is thoroughly enjoyable, especially as we get to see Hex cut loose in dealing with a large group of undesirables. Palmiotti and Gray continue to have a very enjoyable book here because the core character of Hex makes it so as they've learned him inside and out over the last few years.

Definitely a strong first outing that has me curious to see which direction it's going to go.

It's solidly done and you could do a regular series just going through his life and recruitment and how it unfolded from there with ease. It's well written and the book looks great in capturing so much of what's going on with his past across his journey. I really like the look of it here as it moves from the Hollywood style approach of the first issue to digging into the darker aspects of being a Russian spy in Russia itself.

Almost American isn't a mundane book but it's working through the necessary mundane material of betraying one's country and coming to America. It takes time and effort and you have to really prove yourself in various ways, especially considering the risk someone like Alex and Victorya represent. It's a solid issue in showing what they're facing and the slow build of frustration which makes the payoff all the more suspect because you know the FBI is aware of just how frustrated they are. It's a solid installment and I'm really curious to see how the settling in period goes.

I've been enjoying the series overall as each installment has delivered some good and varied material about the journey this couple is on. It's one we've seen in film and TV many times but it has a greater air of authenticity here that works nicely. The struggles they're facing are definitely ones that feel real and earned by coming to a whole new country and trying to start over while relying on your former enemy to smooth it out. The script continues to feel natural and human while the artwork is solid with some strong sequences throughout, such as the wedding sequence, that gives it more life and connection. I'm looking forward to how they wrap things up smoothly with just one issue left.

Almost American has definitely been an interesting and engaging read overall with some fun moments along the way. Marz did a solid job of bringing the tale to life and making it something that you felt invested in throughout. It's definitely interesting to read this final installment considering real-world events now as well. I'm not a fan of the artists changing in the final issue but this one at least takes a different turn in terms of storytelling that it makes less of an impact overall. It's a good series in full and something that speaks to an age I grew up in with tales like this so it certainly has its appeal. It's also a welcome change from a lot of other projects AfterShock Comics works with and I'm definitely glad they're willing to take chances on things like this.

I wasn't expecting much going into this since I'm both decades out of date on the characters and everything that the mutant side of Marvel is doing just makes no sense to me. The unwieldy nature of what the Marvel comics universe has become makes a property like this not really make a lot of sense with sliding timelines and all that. But it was fun to reconnect, even briefly, with old favorites like Snowbird and Mac and to see another generation coming on board. Trying to wrap my head around the logistics of it all isn't easy and basically seeing more sentinel-related stuff in it doesn't exactly prove to be a draw. I do like the reveal that we get about the team toward the end as that helps to shorten some problematic areas for the group and I'm curious to see where it'll go from here.

The second round of Alpha Flight works pretty well as it's trying to juggle a lot of things and handling it better than I expected. I still avoid most of the mutant books for a lot of reasons but this one is adjacent enough in a way that works without becoming too involved in all the complications there. Brisson has a lot of small things going here and hopefully each of the subplots get enough attention so that they work. Albert is the main catalyst for things at the moment but I enjoy watching how the Alpha Flight team itself is secretly split and working to help as many mutants as possible. It's a fun way to run things with the tension of wondering when they'll be found out.

It should also be a success because Leila Leiz is an utterly fantastic discovery here in how she brings this to life. While I tend to do my second and third passes on a book for certain details or looking at the script in full to see what I missed, this book kept me for both of those revisits just for the artwork and greater appreciation of Bonvillain's color work on it. I'm already eager for the first arc to be done and over with so I can savor it in full as the monthly wait is going to be a rough one.

Amala's Blade doesn't break new ground here but it has a sense of fun about it that could be a bit infectious as it progresses. Amala's explored about as much as you'd expect from an issue like this but we get a few ideas of what defines her in the present and some of the troubles she's had in the past that has lead to this. With some good dialogue, an ease of banter and some fun quirks to the world that we see here with its pirates, steampunk and ghosts, it's all brought together with some fun artwork that gives it a bit of weight and is reminiscent of how I felt about some books years ago like Grimjack where it was presenting a bulkier and obviously less than clean world. With the team working on this, I can definitely see some potential if they work what they have here and give it a deeper world and expand the cast in the right way.

I grew up reading Spider-man books, fondly remembering Web of and Spectacular a lot and being hugely into Amazing when the original Secret Wars got underway as that was the first book of that series that I bought. So reconnecting with it, albeit a bit late, with this miniseries side story is definitely fun to get a look at a Parker family that I'm familiar with but has had a lot of changes over the years. It's a rushed issue in what it's trying to do and it feels like there's a disconnect from other Secret Wars books but part of that may just be my memory as I really didn't care for the event overall and just had fun with some of the alternate stories that were told. This one is set up with the right pieces that should be fun and I'm holding out hope that the couple of bucks I spent on it is worthwhile.

While I'm a bit hesitant about this venture overall because of what the perceptions may be and the kind of audience that I'm not sure is there, DC Comics has kicked it off with the right team and the right characters. Gray, Palmiotti and Conner is a team that I've long enjoyed and they do some real magic here through and through. The twenty-two page book covers a decent bit of ground and sets up a lot of familiar elements in a fun way with lots of style but not at the lack of some substance. For long time comics fans, there aren't any real surprises here. For those new to it, it's very accessible, fun and highly appealing with its designs and color. I'm still not sure what the overall goal of this line is, but it's something that looks like it's ideal for the digital first realm and could be a lot of fun without having to get deep into an existing shared universe.

The series again is one where its origins in the stylized Japanese figures is interesting but doesn't feel like it's truly being taken advantage of. I like what's here, but there's a safeness about it that's a little disconcerting when they could have gone bigger and in more varied directions. Amanda Conner's art again is what sells this, especially with the strong coloring that's used which helps to evoke the situations in a way that's hard to imagine looking as good in print, and the flow of it is generally pretty strong in terms of the overall narrative. But as a long time comic book reader, there are some nice little tweaks here but not the kind of wholesale changes or deeper look that could be used to really make it its own work as opposed to just another facet of the existing work. I'm definitely enjoying it, there's no doubt there, but it leaves me pining to see this trio truly unleashed to come up with something markedly different from what we've had for so many years.

The Wonder Woman series set some of the groundwork for the Ame-Comi world and let us get a bit of a feel for the flow and feel of it. While I'm still sure that it's going to be that weird hybrid that doesn't draw much in the way of fans from either side overall, it definitely was enjoyable for its style and layout here in the digital form. They're very accessible books, definitely kid-friendly so far as well, which is something that the DC Comics world needs more. The stories are simple and fun here while being focused and yet playful. While some may think the fanservice would be over the top, it's pretty tame overall but still there in a way that will make older fans happy but also not turn away others. While originally I figured that these may be aimed more the anime and manga fans because of their origins in the Japanese designed figures, I'm feeling this may be the better all ages line for the company instead. I definitely enjoyed it, especially viewing it in total, and getting $1

The strength of the creative team is what's going to drive American Monster at first and then I suspect the story and characters are going to completely grab us. There's a raw nerve that feels like it's being played with here to see what sticks and strikes and that's definitely engaging to watch - particularly with such beautifully disturbing artwork as we get from Doe here. A lot of opening issues make it clear exactly what the book will be like and you can tell from there the opening arc to some degree. Here, it's captivating because it's unclear what it's agenda is and where it's going to go. In a sea of predictability, that's hugely enticing and I can't wait to see more.

I'm thoroughly enjoying American Monster as it moves into its expansion and exploration phase punctuated by some solid moments of violence to make it clear what it wants to be. I'm definitely getting a very TV-accessible vibe off of it as I can imagine it being an AMC or Cinemax show that could make for some engaging viewing. There's a lot of potential to be worked with here and I'm curious to see how all the pieces fit as it progresses. In the meantime, it's very easy to get into the mood of the series thanks to the absolutely gorgeous and striking artwork from Juan Do. I love the layouts and the choices used here, particularly when Downs questions Montclare, as the camera placement provides for some really intriguing views through which to take all of this in. Good stuff all around that, if it hits its stride in a big way, will be hella impressive.

Animal Man has a bit of a rough first issue since it's trying to cover a whole lot of ground for a fairly complicated character that has been buffeted around the DC Universe in many ways over the years. It covers a lot just from the first page with the interview and that's a critical piece. Jeff Lemire has things pretty tightly done here with the script and manages to capture a good flavor when it comes to the Baker family household.

I have a long time love affair with the Animal Man character and he was one of the few things in Countdown that kept me coming back to it. With his own series, it's right back into the Vertigo-esque world that he feels the most appropriate in and Lemire has managed to capture it well. His life is being thrown for a loop and something he didn't think he'd have to deal with for years to come with his daughter having powers is forcing itself on him in a big way. Maxine comes off a bit odd at times in a way that feels strangely written, even for her different view of the world because of her exposure to the Red, but it's also written in a way that reminds me of a lot of old 80′s horror movies where the kids have a disconnect that's creepy and haunting. The only thing holding the book back from really being a top flight title for me at this stage is the artwork as Foreman doesn't work for me in the slightest.

Definitely recommend checking this out and I'm already looking forward to seeing this one go for a while.

Aquaman doesn't get any new answers here, he just gets slowly closer to Mera and his people. It's standard journey material, but it's a fun group of people he's with since they all feel like such unknowns at this point. Vivienne feels like the biggest wildcard at this point that I don't trust, however. The book moves things along well so that we understand more of how Dagon operates, the chaos he's caused in the Blue, and see more of how this group operates with Aquaman. The artwork is the biggest draw here as Shefler really stands out with the designs and layouts, particularly with some beautiful color work brought to it.

As a tie-in to the main event, it's pretty light but well-connected overall. It's more about setup than anything else, but it does work in more of showing how this Justice League Blue team is working and some of the tensions and frictions that are just under the surface with it. It's hard to be sure how much of it is actually what they're feeling or just part of the larger piece of Darkseid's negative energy floating around there, but it's effective. I'm still more interested in Mera's story since I like her the most of the cast, especially after a few years reading stuff like Bombshells and Sensation Comics about a decade ago, and bringing Nereus back into the picture should be fun as well.

While I'll hope that some other Aquaman stories in the Giants are more character-oriented, I'm glad we got a solid entry here that establishes Black Manta well and the dynamic between him and Aquaman. Orlando keeps things simple but has a nice lead-in about the way Atlantis is operating in the modern world and then shifts to a good bit of action. That really lets Sampere and Albarran shine as they deliver a good flowing piece where the back and forth is solid and you want to see more and more of what this snare weapon will do. A good opening chapter that has me looking forward to more Aquaman tales without having to invest in sprawling story arcs.

I'm definitely enjoying getting these standalone Aquaman stories and Grey nails this one just right. The Sea Devils are the kind of old property that can be adapted well to modern times in creative ways but, because they're not top-tier characters, will never really be able to justify anything being done of note with them because of modern market realities. It's unfortunate but that's just how it is. There's a lot to like here in getting a taste of what could be, especially with great artwork from Lopresti and Ryan. It's got a great look and has all the right pieces that could be built into something even more and grander.

There's a lot to like with this standalone tale. Orlando's script gets us to feel the bigger scale of events and what Aquaman is doing as the ruler of Atlantis but it also paints the smaller picture of him teaching the next generation how to do what's needed in the future - and in the present. Both work well as do the ties to the distant past that gives it a bit more weight. Marion and Florea's artwork is great throughout with all the water effects while Dalhouse's color design brings it to life beautifully. It's a wonderful little standalone tale that touches on the key points of both characters very well.

The Aquaman: Deep Dive series is definitely playing the field with its creative and that works for me so that it's not singularly focused. Exploring these characters and settings definitely helps to showcase the DC Universe and Aqualad definitely has a following considering all of his TV exposure to a younger audience years ago, making for a good hook here. The shorter stories are a little rougher but they provide good hooks and come with solid artwork, making them enjoyable short pieces to get into without feeling like it's drawing the whole thing out for what is a simple small tale. Definitely still enjoyable but the structure of t and the use of Aqualad does bring it down slightly compared to the first few issues.

Though the story may be fairly straightforward even as it teases something bigger at the end and throws a part-one at us, it's a very active story that really puts the art team to task. The Sea Devils in their outfits and gear going up against the Trench as they claw over them, done with a lot of smaller panels, really builds up the intensity of the situation in a great way as it the whole underwater element really comes across here. The color scheme may be a touch close between the two but that only serves to up the confusion in a good way. I really like the Sea Devils so I'm glad to see them being used again here so quickly and to get time with Arthur and Mera just makes it all the better. I'm curious to see where this goes, and for how long, but I'm definitely up for more of this storyline and this group.

Unsurprisingly, I again just really enjoy the look and feel of this book as it captures life under the sea as well as you can in a comic series. The Sun Devils ad something charming to it that I enjoy and Arthur's working relationship with them is a really nice touch that gives him something to play off of that isn't from his Atlantean side. The artwork looks great, I love the costuming and color design, and the teases of the larger story are growing well and working in a way that does leave you wanting more of it - and having to hunt up the DC Giants if not for these digital editions.

I enjoyed this storyline a lot as Steve Orlando brought in a favorite with the Sea Devils and had some fun exploring a bunch of things in a fairly self-contained way. While I've preferred the one-off stories more in these kinds of projects, a solid three-part storyline like this works great because it doesn't have to deal with the larger world or any repercussions from it, just the tale itself. And it's a tale that was incredibly dynamic thanks to the artwork from Marion and Florea, particularly thanks to Dalhouse's color design with all the undersea elements. Everything was firing right with this and the big action pieces were great and just the inclusion of the Devils was a delight. I'm really glad I was able to read these stories that if they were kept in the Giants I never would have seen.

With mostly longer stories told so far in this run it's welcome to get a couple of shorter pieces here from different voices writing Aquaman. Wolfman's no stranger to the character and Castellucci looks like they'd definitely be game for writing a family book for it, which I'm on board for. And Pop Mhan has been a favorite of mine for some time so I really like the look of the book. It's solid and enjoyable throughout and has me hopeful for more stories like this and exploring more of the seas with the expansive cast.

While a mixed bag between the two stories, both deliver some good stuff from under the sea. Aquaman gets the main focus in the first and I like seeing him face off against Luthor, something you don't see too often. The second brings Tula in for some good time on the page that she normally doesn't get so that was appreciated for that. I really just loved the first two or so pages in dealing with the fish in Taylor's story with what it represents and it says so much about his realm and what he sees as his duty.

Getting back into the series after not reading it since March made for a mildly tough time, but the reality is that there hasn't been a lot of depth to the series overall. The classic approach is kind of endearing, to be honest, and the artwork is a big part of the hook. The giant aspect of the Great Vault kind of amuses me, but I also like that it keeps things to a relatively small scale for the characters themselves. I'm looking forward to what's next and am hoping that it's a bit more regular for a few issues at least. The commitment to a twelve-issue story is still a big part of the appeal.

Archer & Armstrong definitely caught my interest from the get go, but it does have an awkward bit of progress along the way before it really settles into things, only to go a bit curvy in the final chapter here with the awkward One Percenter cult that the Sect is using. When the focus is kept on the main pair, such as dealing with Archer's struggles with the world and conflict of beliefs, and that of Armstrong's nature of having to get involved even if he doesn't want to because of a truly world weary attitude, it's firing on all cylinders. There's a lot to like with the work as a whole and it definitely left me wanting to see more of where this pair will go. While it doesn't knock it out of the park for me, it has a very solid foundation that can be built upon and I can't help but to feel that it can only go up from here when it comes to the stories themselves and expanding the characters relationships.

Archie Vs. Predator is very light on Predator and even light on Archie, as much of the focus is on Betty and Veronica and then everyone else as a group. But that's standard fare in a lot of ways over the years and it works well to establish that these are the characters you've known for a very long time. The simplicity of it works well and there's plenty of little bits throughout it that establishes the characters and their base personalities well so that they're accessible even if you've never read an Archie book before. I suspect more of the payoff that fans are looking for will be in the next installment, but I'm really curious to see how they'll handle it. The tease of the Predator we get is solid and what he's up to as well. This is one of those perfect if unexpected pairings for titles out there and it works just on the curiosity factor alone. But it also looks to be a pretty fun ride with talent that definitely knows what makes an Archie book what it's supposed to be.

This is deliriously awesome. It is, very much, a simple premise. But with every simple premise, it's all about execution. The story here takes us through the familiar ideas and plays with them well, particularly with the jaguar curse and some of Betty's backstory regarding why she knows so much about it all. We get a good focus on her and Veronica here and that has them dealing with the situation in their own particular way, but it serves to blend in the other characters for help and support. The end result is a fast moving book that has a really great amount of dialogue and quirkiness about it to make it thoroughly fun and engaging. And bringing the Predator into Archie style may still feel like a weird combination, but damn if it doesn't work to make it an absolute hoot. I'm loving it and am glad there's two more issues to come.

Archie vs Predator continues to be a really fun title overall, even with its quiet start that put the pieces into motion. This installment whittles down the cas in a couple of different ways and it's a lot of silly horror style fun done in the Archie style. It's the kind of thing where yes, you do feel a bit bad for laughing at it and enjoying it, but you also can't help but to enjoy it because it's so well put together. The dialogue flows well, the snappy patter is spot on, as is the serious side of it, and the panel layouts keeps things dense where it needs to be to present the right kind of feeling. Combine that with the great artwork that brings it all to life and it's got me grinning from ear to ear throughout.

This issue also has a two page Josei & the Pussycats segment, but I'm far less familiar with them and it didn't really connect with me.

While I'm not reading all the different books that are being produced out of the Archie Comics world with the new imaginings, there are a bunch referenced here that are fun and this one itself is just a delight. The setup is solid and I really like de Campi's take on the characters and how they handle this situation. I'm eager to see where she's going to go with it and what the incoming group of both Predators and Riverdalians are all about. The big win for me was just getting a whole new book of Robert Hack artwork with beautiful colors from Kelly Fitzpatrick to enjoy. I'm going to enjoy the story but the artwork here is going to take it to a whole other level and I can't wait to see what this team has in store.

I really enjoyed the first series for the absurdity of the Predator in the old style but I'm also loving seeing him brought under Robert Hack's style here - as well as more of the usual gang in this form. It's got the right drive-in horror movie feeling about it with the heavy lines, the dark colors, and just the tension that's building from the story itself. I love the absurdity of Archie-Predator using emojis to talk and being able to do so with the more emoji-driven members of the group that we connect with. The various interactions between the two Betty's and two Veronica's is the real driver of humor and it hits the mark repeatedly and pretty dam accurately. Definitely a fun series and I can't wait to see more of it.

As we've said before, this is a series that should not work but thankfully works beautifully. The halfway mark of this miniseries puts us in a place where it's ready to move on to the next phase of it but we have to get through a few deaths and set things in motion to arm up our human characters. There's a lot of tension building in this installment and some really good character material at the end that I hope Alex de Campi is allowed to capitalize on. If we're going to have a multiverse for the Archie Comics world, let's really start exploring some new character dynamics like we're being teased with here.

This series draws to a close wonderfully and it makes it easy to accept all the various interpretations and incarnations of the characters that we get " all while remembering the core original and the innocent charm of it all. There's a lot of fun moments in this issue as it gets closer to the end but the dialogue between our core originals and their benefactor is definitely the most fun as it pushes them forward to new places, and serves as how a lot of teenagers feel and treat themselves as they move from high school to more formal adulthood.

Anyone who has seen movies or read stories about this period can see the couple of familiar paths that the series can follow. I'm sure there'll be a twist or two along the way and some fun Archie-isms that keeps it very much an Archie Comics book. But it's just so welcome to get a solidly well told story in this setting, even with these characters, to explore it all with. Waid and Augustyn's story is pretty solid with all the basis it has to cover while Grummett's artwork is just as great as I always remember it being. This should be a fun series overall with what it can do and explore, which I get the feeling they won't shy away from controversy.

As I had felt with the first issue, everything here is just very, very, familiar. Waid and Augustyn are working with a story that's been done so many times that you can map out all the beats easily. While I do hope for some surprises along the way the reality is that all I really want is for it to be well-executed. And so far they're hitting all the right marks with it and in working with Tom Grummett to bring it to life. It's got a great look to it and it captures all the things that defined this particular place in music history. That makes it an enjoyable romp that hopefully can avoid the bad end that it hints at here.

Though everything is playing out exactly as you'd think it would, following many a tale of the same from the music industry, the team here executes it well by using the Archie personalities. There's a lot to like in seeing the various reactions to what's going on and how they handle it and how Archie handles the increasing fame. He wants to believe he's grounded and that his friends and bandmates will make sure it happens, but they're dealing with their own struggles and that just leaves him more untethered than he realizes. It's a good book here and while I'm disappointed about the artistic switch, Height does a solid job here though not trying to capture what Grummett did with the first two issues.

I continue to enjoy the Archie 1955 series even if it is way too familiar to me and hasn't found any particular beats that lets it stand out as an Archie story itself. The beats it is hitting are fun and nicely done and it shows Waid and Augustyn likely grew up with the same kinds of things I did and a regular familiarity with it all. Derek Charm stepping in for the art duties on this one isn't a bad thing per se but it isn't a smooth transition from before and I don't think he quite nails the design for the characters in a way that works as well as what we had. I like Charm's work in general but it feels like a last minute placement to finish out the run.

I continue to enjoy the various takes on Archie throughout the years and in different environments as it opens him up to a good bit of exploration, just like the rest. The 1955 series was one that was far too familiar having grown up seeing stories about teens that were basically put through this kind of system on a regular basis so there weren't a lot of surprises. The writers did a solid job of capturing parts of it without making it a caricature while the art team, which shifted more than I cared for, managed better consistency than I expected and had a lot of fun with it. It's definitely a fun book and one that in collected form ought to find a decent audience to enjoy it since it's a solidly self-contained work.

There's a lot of potential fun here and the book includes a couple of sneak peeks at other Armor Hunters spinoff series, which is definitely the way to do it rather than intruding into the ongoing series continuity. Definitely fun and it has the right start to a larger event within a connected universe.

Armor Hunters doesn't have a lot in the way of action here, with some of it off-screen in fact as we see the beasts causing trouble, but it does keep things moving a good deal as we understand the scale of destruction let loose on the land. More of the focus is on the reaction to Mexico City's devastation and the way it causes the various sides on Earth to plan their next move. That means drawing in a few more of those that are out there that might help. We also get some solid information from a few quarters, a touch of mild romance and overall a pretty well paced, busy and engaging issue that's not reliant on fists bash enemy kind of material. And that's a big plus when all wrapped up in some well structured and solid artwork to help convey it in the way that it is.

The Armor Hunters miniseries has been a lot of fun for me as it's given me a decent view of where parts of the cast of the Valiant universe stand at this point and it does draw me into wanting to read more about them, or at the least continuing on from here. But even with that, Armor Hunters is telling a good if classic style story of the alien invader, the plucky heroes and the grinding down that they get while never giving up. Well, except for when they give up. This issue has a bit more action than the previous one, but again, it's mostly about the scale of things as it's not just a slugfest between hero and villain. It's not hugely nuanced, but it's more entertaining and engaging because it's dealing with it in a better way.

In the end, the book is designed to move the whole of the internal universe up a bit by making it more of an aware universe of what's going on and to change the kind of perception and position Aric has within it. That's what could be the most interesting thing going forward, though I'd love to see more of this team of Armor Hunters on their past missions as a more general science fiction series. But that's just me. The run was fun and has me curious for a lot more of what Valiant has to offer.

The aftermath of the Armor Hunters saga is a place where things can definitely get interesting. It's an opportunity to reshape things, to change allegiances, introduce new foes and alter the landscape in a solid way as the organization goes public and the various individuals involved decide how they want to participate. There's some really solid bits in here to like with what it's done, but also its goofy ones. And the time to take a look at the impact on the world at large with how humanity would react to all of it, especially with some cities having been taken down amid it. That's given some token material to be sure, but it feels superficial as the real purpose is to get to the main characters and give them their story. I want to see their story against this backdrop though, which was the weak aspect for me. But as a whole, it's on the right path and I'm curious to see what else will come into play.

With this review copy being uncolored, I really can't say too much about the art beyond I like the designs that I can see here and the flow of the story is solid. A color job can radically change how a book looks and I have no doubt that Lauren Affe can take the appealing artwork here and make it even more engaging and appealing. Phillips' storyline is definitely nicely done here as we get some of the basics with plenty more to be learned so that it's not an overload of information. It's smooth and straightforward and leaves you at the end wanting more, which is always a good thing.

Though the story is still a bit slimmer than I'd hoped for at this point - I did like the little bonus piece of Maya's training at the end - there's enough meat on the bone to keep me interested in seeing what's next. I'm really digging Fantini and Hetrick's artwork here as it has a really neat style about it and some of it reminds me a lot of what the old Grendel comics looked like during its run when it started shifting artists around and worked with some really creative design ideas. There's a flatter color palette that Lauren Affe works with here to good effect that helps to capture the period and mood of it, but the character designs are what are really drawing me to it at the moment as both Ginny and Maya are really well done in movement and flow.

With the arrival of two more time-traveling assassins in this installment, I'm not sure that Virginia and Maya will get the chance to really sit down and talk through some of what's going on so that they understand each other. Not that Maya seems to want that to begin with. There are some unanswered questions as to what Maya is doing at this point that hopefully are answered sooner rather than later but I can see this leaning into the action more than anything else while nudging the larger story along bit by bit.It's definitely fun watching what the two are going through in Arizona and seeing forces being put into play to deal with them but I'm also wanting to see some real communication happening here so that we get an idea of what the real intention is and where it all wants to go. It's a fun book but it needs to make that extra step to really connect still.

I continue to like the larger concept and what we understand of things so far, which is something that this installment adds more of in a pretty good way. But we're still short of some key elements so that we know what the plan is and what Maya is really up to when it comes to Virginia. It's interesting watching her struggle with saving her but she also finally breaks and reveals at least a little of her past. And i continue to like seeing how Henderson handles himself in the past and you know that Isak is going to manipulate him in a big way like the tool that he is.

This series has some interesting ideas to it and I'm one that always enjoys some time travel shenanigans, but with it coming to a close here with the fifth issue it's more the end of a first chapter for a larger book that won't be finished. It's got some good characters that can be worked with and an idea that can be expanded on it and it looks great, but it doesn't have the strong enough hook to really cement it here. It was cute and fun but if there's no second round of events here it's just going to feel unfinished overall.

The series is moving in the direction one could easily see coming, but Llovet's execution is fun, and watching how Clara deals with it is definitely going to be the main draw. Her time with Mateo is more interesting than I expected, and would probably have hit better if the series was longer and allowed to explore things more between them. It comes down to her just having a lark while "on a break" with him, and it turned into something quite potentially dangerous and deadly depending on how far Saul goes - especially with the roleplay. It's a pretty solid issue with artwork that just clicks for me, and just the enjoyment of getting material like this with a relationship focus being at the forefront for the most part. Even if it is artificial, and as Clara says, not real. Sometimes we just need to delude ourselves even briefly.

As a first experience with Llovet's work, I'm definitely keen to see what they do next. The series could have been expanded a good bit with a lot more to explore, but it's basically a Twilight Zone episode with more sex to it. Okay, so it's a Black Mirror-type story. Either way, it's solidly good stuff with a great-looking artist in how they portray characters, movement, and just the overall aesthetic. It's a tight and solid work that I'm sure reads better in full within one setting with more tension, and I'm already envious of those that will be able to do that. Worth checking out.

There's a lot to like here and just like Descender, it's going to take its time to reveal itself. And hopefully, I'll be just as exciting as Descender was over the course of its run. Lemire's script is intriguing but it's the artwork that excites me the most here as Dustin Nguyen is taking this to a whole other level from Descender in all the right ways

The bulk of this issue focused on Mila and Andy and that's for the best. I like what we get on Gnish to help set more of what's to come but seeing Andy and Bandit back together again is delightful. With a tease of what's to come, the family bond that exists here unfolds just right.

Ascender continues to deliver an excellent experience with each issue.

Ascender is definitely doing what it needs to for me even if the storyline focusing on Mother and their control over the galaxy isn't quite grabbing me yet. It's seeding plenty and exposing some aspects of it that should be interesting if they're really pulled out. The main fun, however, is in watching what Andy and Milia are up to - along with Bandit - as I continue to be thrilled that they're together. I keep waiting for them to be split and for Milia to be on her own with Bandit but I really crave the idea of a solid adventure with Andy as a proper father and working with her instead of them split up. The bits we get here are a delight with some great visuals and a fun escape that leads to what should be a wonderful reunion next time around.

The first arc for Ascender draws to a close here and we get a skip month ahead before we get on with the next one. As an opening arc, it sets up everything it needs to and teases a lot of what can still come. I'm glad to see things moving forward as it did, bringing in some second-generation characters, and playing with a vastly different galaxy that I still don't have a firm handle on. Jeff Lemire has given me a lot to enjoy and look forward to with it, especially once Bandit appeared, while Dustin Nguyen makes every panel a delight in seeing its details and more. I can't wait for the next installment as this one definitely ends with a lot of chaos.

Ascender continues to deliver well for me with what it does. There's a good pace about it, I love the artwork, I'm interested in seeing where it's really intending to go and what it wants to reveal about the galaxy at this point in time. I'm curious for more connections from the past, and seeing sadness from the past still making an impact. Descender was a really big book for me in how well it delivered and this team has not disappointed me in the slightest here as it begins its journey.

The book does give us a little time with Telsa and Helga as they talk about Mila some and the difference in opinion between the two adults in how this is all going to unfold. The bulk of it focuses on events on Sampson, however, and that works to its advantage. It takes a few pages to get into groove but once it does it moves forward well, showing how powerless Andy is and how difficult Effie is to reach. I'm definitely curious to see how it comes together next from here considering what happens on Mata, but that feels like the start of its own adventure. Much like what Mila is on, which is getting more and more complicated itself.

Ascender fills in a few more blanks from what's gone on since the end of Descender and I like that it's able to do that while also charting a course forward. There are some neat moments in here and I like getting to know a bit more of Mother's path so that we understand her as a character more but also of the nature of her power and how she came to it as it's quite telling. Lemire keeps things moving well with what unfolds here in doing exposition and backstory while still keeping it pretty exciting. Which is easy when you're working with Dustin Nguyen as the pages are rich in detail and design and I love the color choices that are used.

Ascender moves along in its storytelling paths in the way I expect. After a good round focusing on Mother the last time around, this one splits its focus well to give Mila and her group some time and focus while also showing what Andy is having to deal with in trying to rescue the love of his life and get back to their daughter. Each has some good action to it and delivers some new things to explore along with changes to the characters themselves. It's engaging and fun and I love the look of it all, especially as it brings back a favorite of mine from the Descender era. I can't wait to see what's next.

The reunion of the robot dog and Driller alone nearly made this issue worthwhile as both were quite happy in their own way to be reunited. I liked the story we got for what Driller has been up to all this time and the patience of his that is definitely a core character aspect. Things are ramping up more and getting off-world will definitely help to put a new spin on the series as it moves forward and more forces come into direct play with them. Lemire's script gives us a lot to work with here with this cast of characters and Nguyen makes it look fantastic and easy as we flow between several stories on multiple worlds. Great stuff all around as it sets us up for this new arc.

This issue plays a little bit in the realm of a fairy tale but it's appropriate enough considering this series is more focused on magic, to a degree. I really like what we get with Mother and the discovery there as it looks like it could lead to some neat things being explored and a grander scale still. But the main focus on Andy and Effie in this installment is what works the best. It does feel like a bit of a cheat for Effie to be alive but it's one that doesn't surprise me in a really big way. The introduction of Kantos as a kind of crazy woodland samurai fighting off vamps has potential as well so it's certainly easy to keep plugging away at all of this and hoping for more payoff.

This series still delivers really well for me in what I love most about it. The larger storyline is being unfurled slowly with new revelations and new things to explore with each issue. And issues like this bring out a lot of neat little new bits while providing it through some amusing ways at times, such as Mila's narration. The arrival of Phages has me the most excited to see what's next for events there but I'm really keen to see the truth behind Kanto and his story as well as getting more time with Andy and Effie now that she's fully back to normal. It's such a fun book that's so easy to re-read and draw more threads together.

Ascender continues to work a very different feel and flow than we had with Descender and that's a big plus in my book. I like seeing these characters, older and different, dealing with new situations in different ways and moving through them as they can. While the big reunion is what a lot of us have been looking forward to it does play well with a lot more to come. I love everything that we get with where Quon is and it leaves me wanting to know more of what he's been up to all this time while also really feeling the same way about the Father that Kanto brought Andy and Effy to see. So much more to explore!

Ascender's heavy focus on TIM-21's journey here delivers exactly what I've been waiting for. It took a good bit for me to finally open this book since it's been so long between issues. I wasn't concerned about not enjoying or not reconnecting, but just that mental weight of knowing how long made an impact on me. Thankfully, it's pretty solidly interesting and exciting with what's going on and I can see a few paths it can take from this point to explore and more things forward. Hopefully, TIM-21 doesn't dominate the book as it progresses as I like the cast so far, but I'm glad he's back in the book and will be helping to chart its course.

There are so many moving parts in this issue that I really like how it all comes together. With new pieces brought in such as the regiment and getting TIM-21 to meet Mila for the first time, it's just delightful. But we also see how Mother is exercising control over her forces and the intensity of which she wants to deal with TIM-21 and the threat he represents. Telsa's material is a lot of fun as well as she's being drawn into something that she's done her best to put firmly behind her for so long. It's a great read and just a delight to watch the expressiveness and body language of the cast as it unfolds.

I don't keep up with all solicitations like I used to so I was surprised to see that the next issue is the last one for the series. It's unfortunate as I want to keep exploring this place and all these characters, to see what they build out of things after the current events unfold, but bringing it to a close will also be good after several years of engaging stories and a lot of great artwork. This issue hits all the big moments that it needed to and I'm really happy with what we get here across the board with the cast, the magic, and the action. And that least panel tease is a real delight.

I've thoroughly loved the Descender series and Iv'e really enjoyed a lot of what Ascender had to offer in shifting gears and trying to look at a completely changed galaxy with new cast additions. I still think it has all the right things to it but as it went along you got more of a sense that Lemire had a slim set of things to say to bring it to a close and that even with that in mind, it still feels rushed in getting there. It feels like so much of Mila's story is yet to be told and that presented as a kind of savior/lead of the series early on, she had a minor role overall. I do like the general flow and ideas behind the finale and how everything goes with it, but it's just lacking that real impact that I wish it could have that Descender did.

Conceptually, I like Astro Hustle a lot. I do wish that the first issue had been spread to two issues and more time smoothing out some of the earlier material with how it transitions. The piece from the observatory to the planet is like a whiplash in trying to figure out what it meant. Jai Nitz has a lot of familiar pieces at play here that are connecting well and I like some of the more absurd elements that are mixed in. I really, really, like Tom Reilly's artwork as it has a certain style and flair that's really appealing and I'm digging his take on the science fiction elements of it all as well.

While I can track an idea of where this series is going to go, Jai Nitz has so many pieces in play that I can imagine a long arc spinning out across multiple miniseries for it. I like this cast of characters that we're introduced to and then get shuffled off out of the picture surprisingly quickly. It's all about Chen, which is how he lives his life, so it makes sense, but I'm wondering how many will circle back in when he least expects it. Tom Reilly again delivers a great looking book with so much detail to so many varied scenes and events that it's not exactly chaos but it's chaotic with how much is going on. And that makes it worth a couple of reads in order to soak up all the details of what's going on. I can't wait to see what's next.

I'm not surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. The creative team behind it is strong and the other works from James Patrick definitely have delivered when it came to the concept and setting things up. And the execution and follow-through for that matter. With this series, the opening salvo is very strong and I'm excited to see what kinds of chances it'll take and what it really wants to do and say. I'm ready for heartbreak within the story as I can easily see how badly things will go but have a hard time seeing it go right, which is what the real world has done to me. I'm hopeful that there's hope in all of this, however, as it would be really nice to be inspired. I think this may be the team that can pull that off.

Astronaut Down is playing with a pretty familiar concept for a lot of comic readers but James Patrick is able to deliver it in a pretty engaging way. It doesn't feel like it has some of the usual fluff that we get or subplot material that's counterproductive to the tension. Watching our lead work through the situation and trying to grapple with it is definitely engaging and I love what Rubine brings here with the visual design and Briski's color work to highlight the way everything looks.The green hue to everything through the exposed light is intriguing to see play out and how it would re-color the way clothing and so much more would operate. I'm excited to see what's next.

There's a lot to like with this property and while it does feel like it's a screenplay moved to comics to some degree, that doesn't change the fact that it's pretty engaging and interesting. It works with some tough concepts and ideas in how people would react to a situation like this and I rather like seeing it going through to places where there aren't easy answers because of the conditions at play. It's a series that I wouldn't mind much if it ends on a real downer because of the motivations at play and what's going on, though I can imagine a few outs that would change everything. Regardless, this is a really solid installment that ups the ante and highlights the complexity of what's going on in moral terms that's definitely intriguing.

I'm really enjoying this series and wish we had a longer form one that really had a chance to explore the stresses and pressures of it more. Douglas is really grappling with some difficult things here and it plays well in the space that we get so I'm certainly not holding anything against it. It's a creative way to work things and seeing him trying to cope with what he feels as a failure while having the real chance at ahppeinss and fulfillment right there in front of him is great. There are no easy answers here and someone will always be hurt by any choice made, so it's coming down to what he feels is the right thing and going forward with that. How it'll play out is what makes the upcoming finale exciting.

I really enjoyed this series overall with what it did and the complexity of what it's trying to get across. As Patrik says in the afterword, it could have gone in a lot of different directions and I'd actually be curious to see how so many of them could have turned out - except for the one lettered in comic sans. The concept here is a solid one and it delivers a familiar thing in a way that resonates and works well. The script is solid with a good mix of action elements and character material with some great dialogue and difficult things for the characters to work through. I loved the look of it as Rubine consistently delivers (and avoids mullets as necessary) so that we have something that really strands out, especially in Briski's work in the color design for these infected areas. Definitely a treat for those that discover it in collected form.

Smith's got the character stuff down well here and I love Glass' artwork as there are a lot of strong panels and the layouts as a whole to capture both the personal and the expansive emptiness of it all.

At the End of Your Tether is moving along well for me in showing how Ludo is dealing with loss and the amount of uncertainty and lack of knowledge about it is playing out. Everything feels like it's conspiring against him getting the truth and nothing is making sense in his mind, though at least his mother is partially on his side. But the lashing out is growing, the uncertainty is ramping up, and that final page throws out a lot of questions as we eagerly await the final issue. There's a lot to like here and I'm really curious to see just how far out and strange the finale might go or if there's a deeper twist in the works ahead.

The Autumnal has the familiar kind of chilling tease of horror that I'd expect from something of this nature and, saying it as a compliment, it has a Stephen King-like feeling about the setup and preparation for what's to come. I like both Kat and Sybil and hope to see more of who they are when they're not facing what feels like a daily existential crisis in how to survive and hold on. There are some great moments between the two and a strong bond but it teeters on less of a parental one than one of two people with the same issues. I'm definitely curious to see what's coming as the right hooks are here and the artwork is just gorgeous throughout. The look of the town is great in capturing that quintessential New England town in the fall. I'm excited to see how this team intends to progress.

The Autumnal touches on some of the darker elements from the opening issue that are in the background, such as how Kat's mother may be buried, and those darker edges around the corners certainly set the tone for everything. I continue to find the Kat/Sybil dynamic to be the best part of it and to just see what it is that Kat is thinking while trying to provide for her daughter. There's a lot to like throughout and the fun of the neighbor kids at the end before their mother shows up adds a little more to the overall unease. It continues to be a great read that looks great and has me looking forward to more of it to see the mysteries grow and unfold.

The Autumnal continues to build its foundation well with the town and the unnerving aspects to it that are just everywhere. There's a lot to like with these elements and seeing them come up in different places, real and imagined, while Kat struggles to find a place to be. I really liked seeing Kat get away from the town and allowing her to have a moment to unload while reminding us that she's trying to find a place where she can be herself as well. It's continuing to explore some interesting horror and darkness that's building slowly and I'm completely on board for it at this point to see where it's going to go.

Everything we learn about Clementine just makes me worry for Kat's daughter because one can imagine a newly arrived person being the easiest story to manipulate in order to get what she needs. Kraus' story covers a lot of different ground across this installment and I continue to enjoy the way it doles out its information while focusing on the characters that it does. It moves at a good pace here and even though the flashback storyline may be a bit longer than it needs to be it provides the background that we really do need for it all to work. I'm really curious to see where it goes next.

I continue to really enjoy The Autumnal with the mood that it presents throughout with its mood and style. Though the story is slowly doling out bits and pieces of what's actually going on, it's doing it in a way that makes each issue engaging and never feels like it's dragging out in a problematic way. I'm enjoying see more of Kat finding things to engage with in the world and almost thinking she could find a life here again but to also have so many things warning her away. I love the dialogue and the style of it as well as just being totally into the art style in a big way. I can't wait for more.

There is a whole lot going on in this issue and it takes the calm and measured pacing of the previous issues and pushes it into overdrive. Kat is now on the move, acting and reacting to events, and doing everything in her power to try and make sure that Sybil stays alive. It's a thrilling issue that pushes everything to where it had to go but is exciting to watch in order to see how Kat reacts, how Sybil handles it, and some of the associated fallout from it. Just her baseline fear of leaves at this point takes it to a whole other level and the instances of that are fantastic. I can't wait to see what's in store next.

The Autumnal is set to wrap up in the next installment and it's hard to tell if this is going to be a good end or a dark end. Both could legitimately work but I'm hopeful that if they do go the dark way that they embrace it and go all-in on it. Kraus' work here definitely hits a sweet spot with the way we get the reveals and conversational tone for everything and the way Shehan and Wordie are able to deliver the whole thing with such an eerie nature makes me really appreciate the medium all the more. It's hauntingly beautiful.

The Autumnal started off strong in what it presented to the reader and it held solidly throughout, taking each piece and building issue by issue to be this really fascinating book. I thoroughly enjoyed Kat's journey here with her daughter in what she wanted to be, struggling with a hard and dark past of her own and trying to find a new way forward, only to discover so much more. Kraus did a great job with this book in just about every way to make it a compelling read while Shean and Wordie gave it such life and beauty and terror throughout. This is the kind of book when a complete run is solicited that you want as a coffee table edition.

Babyteeth admittedly tells me more about the story through the solicitation information than the book itself, though plenty is easily inferred. That's not a big problem overall because those that go in on a book like this are likely doing it more because of the creative side, which is excellent, than anything else at the start. This is a series that will take a bit of time to tell its tale but it felt like it just needed a bit more of a concrete hook in the start here to really demand you come back for more. It's definitely got a lot going for it as Cates sells us Sadie in a big way and Brown's artwork is fantastic as always. I'm definitely curious about where it'll go and it's a book that's definitely on my list of titles to keep an eye on.

Backways works some familiar ideas with solid execution and style as this is all about the first sliver of exposure to the world that Jordan and Carlini are looking to play in

With some books, there's just that "something" about them that really clicks and makes it a great read, even if there are issues along the way. I came out of this first issue having really enjoyed it and wanting to have more of it now to see where it goes and to know more about our title character. There's a very cinematic feeling to the book that Matthew Dow Smith gives to it but I love the general look of it with the blockiness of certain angles, the heavy inking, and the way Kelly Fitzpatrick colors it so beautifully. There are just panels that make me grin, to be frank. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of what kind of luck Chuck will have and how it's going to screw with everyone around her - and her as well.

I like the general premise and the setup as we have it so far and this issue is a kind of breather, which is a surprise fro a second installment. But it works with the quirky nature of things and I'm still very interested in seeing how it all unfolds since it looks like Chuck really just may be capable of anything.

I continue to enjoy Bad Luck Chuck a good bit with all of its quirks and oddities. I'm still not on board for the big story as we get some new pieces added at the end and Fayola's mother seems to have been sidelined for the moment so I'm feeling like I'm on less certain ground with that area right now. But when it focuses on Chuck, the temple, and time with Fayola, it all comes together beautifully. And a good chunk of that is Matthew Dow Smith's visual design for the series with the characters really feeling very distinctive and appealing to watch move across the page. I'm looking forward to a good bit more of this.

I really liked this book when it started and it had some neat ideas in the middle that didn't flow as well as they could as we lost sight of Chuck a bit more and Fayola and her family weren't as cleanly introduced as they could be. I do like the action here as Matthew Dow Smith executes it well, but the story just falls apart quickly and there's not much to really connect with, especially with how it all unfolds at the end and shifts into an A-Team knockoff.

Juan Doe has a lot of potential with this book in going forward with its storyline and I'm excited to see where he goes with it and what twists may come in. It does open in an unusual way for a bit longer than I'd normally expect but it sets down some clear vision ideas that helps to define Blaise before spending time exploring Gaia and then everyone else. Doe's artwork is a huge draw for me in general here and it's definitely filled with a great cast to work with that I hope we get to see a lot more of. The layouts are great, I continue to love his color palette for works like this, and it's just engaging from the start for me. Bring it on.

Bad Reception continues to play well even though it gets a little bogged down in the dialogue that feels more like exposition at times. There are a number of characters to get to know and this is a tried and true way of filling people in as the bodies start dropping so it's definitely familiar. Juan Doe's work is pretty great across the board with wonderful color work that really is striking when combined with the beautiful character designs that won me over ages ago. I'm a huge fan of his style and excited to see where his creative side will go with the leap into writing as well. This continues to be a great start.

Bad Reception definitely has me hooked and enjoying but I also know that a story like this with its twists and turns will make for a great collection. Juan Doe delves into a couple more deaths here while also building up what we know of the characters and their relationship dynamics. It moves hard and fast in a few places but it also knows when to slow down and just let things sink in visually for the reader. I love the overall design of the book and the story is hitting the marks just right in getting us to good story points and building the tension.

I enjoyed a lot of Bad Reception in its first three issues and a gap almost five months isn't going to do it any favors in the long run. That said, when it does make it into trade form it should do well because it's a gorgeous book with some neat characters and designs and a horror story that's working a good mix of technology and old school material. Juan Doe has been a strong talent I've enjoyed since I first saw him on Dark Ark and he's killing it here on his own book where he's doing everything. It's a very easy project to support and want to see more of even with the delays.

I really enjoyed Bad Reception overall as it was a really strong passion project from Juan Doe. I'm always envious of both writers and artists but those that can do both - plus everything else Doe does here - just feels over the top. But it allows for this to be his vision of what he wanted from start to finish - with a good editor along the way. The result is a very tight and engaging murder mystery series with the modern accents that make it resonate in all the right ways. It's got fantastic character designs, a really good setting, some gorgeous colorwork, and a real sense of self and personality that a lot of books will never have. It's a very easy recommendation in collected form as once the mystery and the murders start going on, you're going to want a lot more of it very quickly.

Warner takes us back to Steel Harbor easily enough and there's nothing that really makes it a problem, though the city doesn't stand out either. It's fairly boilerplate material in terms of what we get here in design, but it's detailed and has a solid enough look about it with what Ollifffe and Nguyen bring to the page. There's not a lot of story here to be sure, though the arc is teased, but what we get is all about the foundations and establishing the city itself. There's some fun action at the start and plenty of character clues along the way, so you do feel at ease with Barb by the end of it, even a bit sympathetic, and curious to see where it's going to go. That'll be the kicker for it, because what we get here is good, but it's not distinct as it doesn't provide something that really stands out. But Barb has potential, and if it can find is voice and direction quickly, it could be a very fun book.

Barb Wire is pretty much playing by the book here and it does it well enough. I'm holding out hope that there's an interesting twist to it coming up, but I'm also kind of hoping for there to be something inspiring as well when it comes to trying to save the city. The focus on Barb through the camera crew, her bar and just the general bounty hunting job works to show the kind of rough life she has and what she has to do to make ends meet, but it's got a kind of superficial feeling about it. The action sequences are fun here and I like the way that things work with Mace and Hunter. Part of it reminds me of Ostrander's old Grimjack book with the bar, which hers could become with some simple nudges in a lot of ways. And that could make things a lot more interesting as a focal point rather than a struggling bar.

Barb Wire is pretty much living up to expectations and I keep wishing it would be more than that. It's a book that I can certainly enjoy on a simplistic level but the potential to do so much more here makes it feel like a swing and a miss. But in a sense it didn't even step up to the right plate. The third installment drags out the Stormblud storyline just a bit more as Barb and the crew go to take him down but it ends up turning into a fair disaster as one might expect. There are some fun moments along the way, some decent action and also a lot of sadness that things are going as they are. Stormblud is by no means a sympathetic character but he's one you can definitely feel bad for as you realize there are some real issues here that goes beyond his excessive drinking and violence. But violence is what will solve it all of course.

Barb Wire has the potential for it to be so much more than it is and all I can see is a series that would have been written twenty years ago and wouldn't have been any different. There's a charm to that to be sure yet the series is one that really feels like it should have been given a much more creative facelift and approach. I've enjoyed aspects of the various Comics Greatest World characters coming back to life, but all of them seem to really lack anything in terms of a serious vision in order to take it to the next level as opposed to a mild upgrade at best - and a retread at worse. I like Barb Wire because there are a lot of things you can do with the character and the location. I doubt it'll exercise it in this incarnation though.

Frustrated as I was by the first arc, the creative team this time around feels like they've slowed things down a bit, gained a little more confidence and, in a way, are starting to tell their first real story. The right pieces have been here from the start but the execution just felt haphazard and it all ran too long. With this installment, it provides a nice tie, brings Barb into the larger world and tantalizes those of us that read the 90's books. Warner feels like he has a better handle on Barb's dialogue, especially her weary side in dealing with everyone, and not having to write Stormblud's tripe certainly helps overall. Olliffe and Nguyen also feel like there's a bit more confidence here in not having to illustrate things like Stormblud or just harborside exteriors and interiors. This has the potential for a bit of a turnaround and has me actually a bit more interested than I have been.

As much as I like the potential of Barb I'm frustrated by the stories we do get. The focus on her past is not a bad thing since this is a new launch but it's already entered that heavily decompressed realm tied to a story that just doesn't feel engaging after two installments worth of it. Barb at this younger age isn't exactly exciting or fun to watch either since we've barely gotten to really know her in the present. Everything feels like it's something that should be done in maybe four pages of mild montage style flashback material so we can get into the story in the present, or just have more of the two mixed together. There's only so much interest to be had in watching Barb get interrogated like this since we have no idea what the real motivation is at this point.

Barb Wire continues to frustrate me, though some of that comes from me wanting the book to be something that it's not (but should be). This issue brings us through more of Roman's transformation from when Barb first met him to how he is now that he's meddling in her life once again. Of course, learning that he's had involvement over the years has her feeling even more frustrated by him, especially since he's likely viewing what he's done as repaying a debt from when she let him go. The story as presented isn't bad, but I'm still not feeling any real reason to invest in it or the series as a whole " and that's not seven issues in. That doesn't speak too well of the book for me, though I'm hopeful that they can really find a way to take this book in a far more engaging direction both in story and character.

The ability to reinvent comic characters is one of the best strengths of the industry and I'll still hold out for Barb to get another shot at it. The various relaunches have been haphazard at best and it really feels like there's no cohesive and strong plan, which is resulting in seemingly nothing sticking - when they should. Each of these characters and settings have a lot of potential but it's going to take a whole new approach to it. The team here did solid work in a technical sense with competent scripting and appealing artwork, but conceptually it just fell down before it even started because it wanted more of the same. This is a bring in folks from the outside job from here on out, perhaps a miniseries of alternate takes and re-imaginations to show the potential and let others play with it. But more of the same is not going to cut it.

I'm definitely curious to see how this goes with him discovering the "hidden" world but at the same time this is something that one suspects that he would have found decades earlier from his original arrival on Earth. It feels a little odd that he's just now discovering this but it should make for a good story as Lemire and Brombal are handling it well so far. I'm really excited to get more time with Barbalien in all his forms and to get so much more of Walta's artwork. It looks great and definitely just helps to elevate everything here. There's a lot to look forward to here.

Barbalien goes all-in on dealing with the AIDS epidemic and what it was like to be gay in the 80s in the big city. It helps to reinforce his outsider aspect that he felt even among his own people and that he's even more on the outside here than he realized before. There's an emptiness to Mark that's a little unnerving as it seems like he still hasn't understood at least some of what humanity is really like and it's keeping him from really figuring out his place in everything here. But he's starting to figure it out and it's just as grim as things were for him on his home world. I really liked the exploration and complication of events with Miguel, the club itself, and the dashes of history mixed into it all that helps make it feel more fully realized. The big moment for this is like the arrival of Boa Boaz but there's a lot to get into here overall to see brought to life this well.

Barbalien continues to be a really enjoyable book in terms of solid social commentary and bringing some of the past back to life that you don't see in comics often, especially ones like this or superhero books in general. I hope Lemire lets these kinds of explorations continue within the spinoffs - though not dominate them - because it allows for some really great writers to work material they may not be able to anywhere else. Migeul's story is heartbreaking to watch unfold and seeing all the things associated with it hits hard. The story doesn't hold back in a lot of ways and Walta's artwork brings that hard and rough aspect of it all to life in the way it needs to. It's a great book with really engaging material that's about to explode even more for its upcoming finale.

The Barbalien series probably wasn't what most people would have expected it to be in a general sense but I really enjoyed its working through the 80s period and all that it entails. There are a number of distinctive storylines working throughout here but it covers some really good material, highlights things that still aren't talked about a lot, and makes it clear what some of the real evils of the day were. It's something that I hope finds an even bigger audience in trade form down the line as people get to sink their teeth into it as a whole work and what it represents. It's not just another spinoff book with our Martian character doing superheroes and it's a strong work because of that.

Barbarella is off to a solid start here and it has potential, which is no surprise since the original work ran for a bit and had a lot of fun in that run. Giving Jean-Claude Forest's work a new life is a daunting task but one that should be really embraced. Carey's giving it a solid enough beginning here while leaving plenty to explore to be sure and I'm hoping that it gets the chance to do so because this is something that can just be fun - an area where Dynamite has succeeded well over the years with a range of older properties in giving them a new life. I'm not fully sold on Yarar's artwork overall, though that may be the color design more than anything else, but this all has a lot of promise to it.

Kenan Yarar has a pretty good issue here where he gets to stretch a bit more with things, such as the droid and the chase across the converted spaceport. I also really liked the opening action sequence with how that played out as it all felt very cinematic. Carey's story isn't trying to be subtle with what he's doing here but that's also realistic in that societies that lean heavy and hard in any particular direction will come across as an extreme. There's a lot of fun to be had here and Carey conveys a lot of material and character motivation along the way, though I wish we still had a bit more about the big picture of what this galaxy is like and what Barbarella inhabits in order to get a better picture of it all.

Barbarella is a book that's just full of potential and Mike Carey definitely has some good stuff going on across this opening arc. It's political and social in all the ways that the character is meant to be and it plays to its science fiction weirdness just as well. I'm hopeful for things to get even a bit more crazy in the books to come with designs, worlds, and the characters themselves because it's not limited anywhere like the film was. I really liked this arc, weird story points of vaginal removal and all, and how it just went in some bonkers directions as it toyed with religion, governments, and social order concepts. Good stuff that leaves me wanting a whole lot more - and to re-read in one sitting this arc.

With its own look here compared to the previous arc, I really like what Jorges Forna brings to Barbarella. While I think I'd like to see a little more emotion out of her in terms of facial expressions at times, I really like the way he lays out the book here, his design for the characters, and the look of the ship and the worlds being transported.

Kenan Yarar gets to have a lot of fun here with some creative shipyard moments both in the backgrounds and the character designs of it all. While I know I'm still working from the film version in my head I'm enjoying the kinds of pieces brought in here with the egg shaped rooms and just the openness of a lot of areas there.

Barbarella has a good installment here but it's one of those journey installments that doesn't give us much in the way of plot.

With a nice bit of reconnect to the start of the arc at the end here that gives the story as a whole a bit more emotional weight, Barbarella continues to be one of the more interesting new series I've picked up in the past year. I really like what Mike Carey is doing here and while initially I had hoped for rotating artists with each arc to bring different visions to it I'm really digging how Kenan Yarar is seemingly getting more and more comfortable with the project and what can be done. The team keeps coming together better and better with each issue and that makes for a really fun reading experience. I can't wait to see what's next.

I continue to enjoy Barbarella a whole lot and can't get enough. Mike Carey has really grown into the property really well with how he's handling all aspects of it and this installment plays to a lot of it in very fun ways.

Mike Carey puts in a lot of different things that are happening with this installment, which serves the start of the arc well as it has a kind of "theatrical" aspect to it with the cold open. I'm glad to see Jury make an appearance here and I'm really thrilled to see how they'll deal with presenting events in and along the surface of the start for her to deal with - especially since things naturally go south here pretty quickly. But mostly I'm just enjoying put-off Barbarella a lot because you know things are going to reveal even more problems along the way that's going to sour her attitude even more before all is said and done.

There's a lot of room for interpretation and "fantastic" science of the far future in the Barbarella universe and I'm loving what he's doing here " even if I still hope he decides to get even crazier and weirder as time goes on. And as Barbarella goes deeper still!

Carey and Yarar deliver another solid adventure in and around the sun as one side wants to plunder its resources while the other is simply looking to exist and survive. Barbarella's mission takes her further into the strangeness of what life is like in here and it's silly and amusing but with some real heart as well. THe Rua storyline plays the role of the plunderers well and I like how it's given some balance with Quire trying to right the wrongs perpetrated by her organization. Coming off reading some hard science fiction novels about the sun and science programming itself on stars, this is a lot of good stuff to enjoy in the realm of the fantastic that few properties deliver like Barbarella.

When Barbarella was first announced I got pretty excited for it even though my only frame of reference was the film itself and a smattering of the original work. It took a bit to find its groove but Carey and Yarar found it and worked some really enjoyable storylines and one-off issues as well. This one plays with a few different things and while it's not quite as strong as some previous issues it's a fun way to close things, putting Barbarella in a place where she can return easily and pick up where we left off. I'm hopeful for more as this is a very fun title ripe for more exploration and adventure where anything goes. If nothing else, I hope that we get a big hardcover omnibus for the run so that it looks great on our bookshelf.

It's a solid and engaging read that allows the story to be told through the visuals just as much as the dialogue. Hoyt and Musabekov have all the ingredients here for an absolutely fantastic book and this opening installment sets the table perfectly for what's to come and I'm incredibly excited.

Barbarella continues to be one of the properties that I am overall still surprised that it works as well as it does and that it delivers beautifully with each issue. I'm hard-pressed to think of a single bad issue in Dynamite's run in general and this new series from this new creative team is simply taking it to new heights. It's got a great script and pacing and the artwork is fantastic. It may not be the kind of property that everyone will get into but it's a top-tier book with its production and content and should be one of the jewels in Dynamite's crown.

While Automata didn't strike me as strongly as some worlds we've seen previously, partially because cyborgs just creep me out, it is a solid installment that shows the furthering bond between Barbarella and Talyn and why it's so critical. Their relationship is even the focus of the Lady's plan here to get Barbarella into the right mindset for the next phase of it. It's a bit of a slow and curious installment overall but it's wonderfully illustrated and hits some key notes that I couldn't help but to love it.

The story has me curious where it'll turn next but I'm just going back into the issue again and again to look at more of the gorgeous artwork.

Barbarella continues to delight and I really enjoy these kinds of one-off standalone pieces that we occasionally get. Yes, there's a lot of good stuff in serialized arcs and all, but the lost art of a standalone issue still delights me to no end when done well.

Barbarella continues to be a fantastic book across the board. I really enjoyed the sidestory we had in the previous issue and it's very easy to get back into the groove of the main storyline here as we reconnect with it after a small break. The arrival on The Lady's homeworld reveals some key things about her to be sure and that's going to be capitalized on more as Barbarella and her team figure out how to secure themselves a ship and some safety. Hoyt's script here is a delight with its humor while Musabeko's artwork is just gorgeous in every panel. I can't wait for more.

Barbarella really does a great job with what it's attempting to do here. The character is iconic for a lot of reasons and her performance in the early part here is a big reason why it still connects after so many decades with its openness and reality. Hoyt's script works to take us across a bit more terrain with a good bit of fun mixed in so that it's not just constant tension and drama.

Hoyt has crafted things well here and while I may not be all on board for how good of an opponent that Lady is, I really enjoy how Barbarella is presented in dealing with her and others. A lot of it is in the scripting to be sure but it's also how the script is brought to life as Musabekov really delivers on the expressiveness and emotion of our leading character. Through that we feel more that is in the script that might not come through otherwise and that's really key to making this as strong as it is.

Knowing more is coming and that it's part of a larger story has me excited to see what Sarah Hoyt has in store for us. This issue wraps up things with Lady really well as it connects a few things from the past, shows where Barbarella is in the here and now, and just how far she'll go to protect her friends. It's a solid story that I imagine will read even better in full and it's filled with gorgeous artwork and some great covers. I love this series immensely as a whole and really enjoyed how it came together in the end.

Barbarella has been an influential property since my childhood thanks to the film and I am absolutely loving the current modern stories being told through Dynamite and particularly with Sarah Hoyt. I love how well the scripts work in capturing that kind of space opera feel without getting bogged down in the "how would it really work" stuff that makes other things problematic. Here, the focus is on the story and characters and everything is in service to that and it simply delights. Bogani's artwork isn't a huge shift from the previous series and artist as they bring their own style to it and it fits in wonderfully. I'm excited to see where it goes and grows from here from all involved.

The book does squeeze in some time with Vix and how the Architects are trying to break his crazy little mind while also showing what Taln is up to, which converges in an amusing way. But a lot of it is just exposition and fleshing out things so Barbarella can be brought up to speed on the great universal plan that's going on. I am amused by it even if it is just basic and familiar as we've seen it in a lot of genre projects for the past decade, never mind numerous science fiction novels for decades. But it plays well with Barbarella at the core since it's going to be related to her specialty of love being important here. It moves quickly and is filled with lots of neat visual designs and ideas that could populate multiple series to explore. I'm excited to see where it goes next as the foundations are now laid out.

While not quite as strong as the first two issues, and Jack still rubs me the wrong way, this series continues to be a weird and fun ride with what it's up to. All set against a crazy big backdrop of what the Architects have done and are planning to do. It continues to be interesting overall and we get some fun stuff with the way Barbarella handles the local tough guys that are guarding the place as well. At this point, there are plenty of unanswered questions and nobody is coming across well overall, well, outside of Barbarella. But I'm curious to see what'll happen next and what surprises are in store.

Barbarella takes an unexpected turn here but considering the Architects themselves and the scale of their plans, is it a surprise? Barbarella's able to help "birth" another universe into existence and that's pretty on track for her so it's easy to enjoy that in its basic form. The book does some fun stuff with it after it deals with the ethical issues of a hologram interrogating another species, but what's ethics at this point in a book like this? It's just doing its own strange thing with a lot of strange characters and having fun doing so. It's a solid installment as part of this run and I'm curious to see how it all wraps up and what it sets the stage for next.

I enjoyed this series well enough as it had some good fun to it, some really weird moments, and more time with Vix and their people, which was a treat. But it also felt like a story that needed one more issue for better pacing to tell the finale and to give it the emotional resonance it needed with the characters. What we get just feels a bit rushed and without the kind of material and time it needs to allow us to feel like it's earned material. It's not bad per se but it could have been better in that regard. It does look good and has a solid sense of fun as needed, such as the horrified looks on the faces of the Architects, but other areas - notably with Jack - just didn't click. All in all, a decent bit of fun that has me looking forward to what's next. And hopefully something a little less huge in scale.

I enjoyed a good Dejah Thoris story and I'm still riding the high of the recent Barbarella series. I really lamented seeing that go but I'm also nearly instantly in love with Williams and Garcia's interpretation of her. The story is the most basic of setups at the moment as it's all about bringing them together without explaining the larger mystery and that's fine. Both of their worlds and lives feel fully realized in this form for what we need to know about them and their first interactions together highlight their core personality traits even more. Garcia's artwork is definitely strong here and I'm excited to see more of how the characters are going to be brought to life and the worlds that they inhabit.

The banter, the silliness, and the seriousness are all well-balanced and make for an entire book of great scenes that has me wanting more as quickly as possible. Very recommended.

While the gap between issues is quite frustrating there's just so much to love about the book that I want more and more. The visual aesthetic is admittedly a big draw for me but Williams brings in a lot of great material in here bringing these characters to life with personality. Garcia's artwork is strong and the world design visuals are captivating. The story gives us a good twist toward the end that will definitely give us a new way of looking at what's going on and providing some new challenges. There's a lot to like in this book from start to finish and I'm super excited to see more soon of this pairing.

I flat out love Barbaric. I almost want to say we get too much material in this issue but it's designed to lay out the basics and get us on our journey - and I think it does it without the need for future flashbacks to expand on it more. We'll need to know the witches intent in doing this to Owen but that can all come from going forward and I'm hopeful that's the path so we can simply join Owen on his journey. And I really hope Moreci has a lot planned for this because Owen is a really great character from the get-go, as is his axe, and our first blush look at the new witch at the end is going to raise interest all the more. It's a great read with fantastic artwork that has me excited for this in a huge way.

Barbaric opened strong and carries that energy and enthusiasm smoothly into the second issue here. Moreci's script covers a lot of ground with a lot of dialogue and information coming out but he also knows when to shut up and just let the action flow or the expressions convey what needs to be said. Gooden's artwork is once more fantastic and I really like what Duke is bringing to the color design, especially with Soren's flashback sequences. A little more background for the present story makes its way here but I really like how well the relationship dynamic is set for the two characters here as it avoids being fully antagonistic or instant friends as well. I like both, and I love Axe, so I'm excited for what's next.

Barbaric was a wonderful breath of fresh air when it began but it was also incredibly nostalgic at the same time to some of my 80s and 90s comic origins. Owe may just be a barbarian but there's plenty of nuance to him and then the whole curse thing itself. The axe is the perfect delight and I really liked how Soren was integrated into things so that while you do get sexy moments, that's ht the main focus. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this property and the seeming large plans that they have in store for it as it's off to a great start.

Barbaric in its opening run - which ended a year ago next week - was an absolute blast. I'm glad it was given the time to be done right for more as I enjoyed the special we got recently and then getting into a new storyline here. It's beautifully illustrated and colored, the script is fun, and the dialogue hits right. This is not a fast read even though it has a ton of action but it also manages to feel like natural dialogue during the action without just being constant quips. There's a ton to love with this opening installment as it puts all the right pieces in play and reconnects us with our cast well. I'm excited to see what's to come and to have more adventures with this group as the concept grows and becomes more realized.

One of the things that I really love about this series is that while it does focus on the big action and fighting sequences and just the comedy of the axe that Owen swings, but it also gets into real dialogue. And not just platitudes or simple things. We get steel really going into what happened to him and why he's so wary and weary with it all but continues to fight. And it explores more layers of Owen himself and how this curse has turned him even more in this direction. It's strongly scripted and the artwork is just brutally gorgeous, especially the final sequence with Deadheart we get and how Steel changes along the way. I'm excited to see how it all wraps up.

I've got that mixed feelings on the approach to publishing in that we're getting small series of arcs, but mostly I come away from it in that if it keeps the series in the spotlight and gets more made, it's worth it. The quality of this three-issue run is strong across the board with writing, artwork, lettering, and the color design, resulting in a fantastic experience from issue to issue. It's got a lot of great old-school feelings to it but with all the polish and maturity of modern comics to it. This scratches an 80s indie black-and-white era kind of thing for me where creators were able to just tell the story they wanted and really deliver something that feels special and unique. I'm excited for the next round to see how they handle building the mythology more of this world and how the cast handles all the big changes.

Barbaric has been firing on all cylinders since the first installment and this new series is hitting it right out of the gate. The team has a lot of fun with great dialogue, solid pacing, and a chance to let things breathe a bit as necessary as well. Again, I'm glad that we kept Owen's story to a minimum here because I can imagine it dominating soon enough but by giving Steel and Soren a chance to stand out we get to connect with them a lot more and understand what they're going through in their effort to save him. It's a strong issue in terms of character and story and it delivers the same with fantastic artwork, detail, and just a sense of self that exudes confidence in all the right ways.

The Hell to Pay storyline is definitely delivering on the fun, though I felt like Owen did upon seeing the frogs as well. Dropping into what's going on there takes a little bit to connect with and get the feel of but once it gets underway it's definitely a lot of fun but something I'm glad we're not spending too much time on. I like getting some time with Deadheart and the tease of what's to come there and there's a lot to like in seeing Soren doing her best to get serious and work toward their goals, even if they're being sucked into a sidequest that will be interesting to see how it unfolds. It's a solid installment that's showing more of what the real focus will be.

Barbaric continues to deliver what works well with the characters and its style which make for a great read. I do wonder if this would have worked better as three issues with some tighter sequences because it does have a small feeling of dragging at this point, but it's building well toward what's coming next for the finale and what it'll lead into from there. Frogly is the character you care the most about at the moment though and watching him go through that is just horrifying to watch and I'm glad both Deadheart and Owen were impacted by it. I'm hoping Soren's story tightens up a bit more though some of it may just read better when you have all of it at once instead of monthly.

Barbaric continues to be a hell of a blast to read with what it does. The story is fun, the artwork is fantastic, and it continues to progress and change with each iteration with what it's trying to do. I like breaking it into smaller parts since longer ongoing books are harder to sustain and this makes it work in a clear and strong fashion. The finale for this arc provides for a lot of changes, a lot of humor, and some pretty exciting violence to unfold. I'm looking forward to seeing more of everyone's stories going forward and am glad to see where Owen is going to be at this point and what's in store for him. This property is an absolute delight that I cannot get enough of.

While there are plenty of reasons to be wary of what's being done with Barbara Gordon and Batgirl, this book manages to massage the majority of it right, especially if you're able to be open-minded about it and realize that it doesn't really eliminate what came before since you can always go back and read it. Gail Simone does a solid job of making the thrill of returning to both regular life and costumed life apparent here and it's pretty infectious as you want to see where Barbara will go from here. This is a character I've liked through multiple incarnations and this new one, a perfect point to utilize with the way things have been dealt with, is one that I'm keen to see. She has a lot of psychological things that can be followed up on and there's lots of opportunity here. Gail Simon and Adrian Syaf have a lot in their favor in the end and this issue sets the stage that has me very interested in seeing it through.

Batgirl is definitely one of the characters that I was most intrigued by with the relaunch to see how it would go and the first issue definitely grabbed my attention, though I wasn't exactly enamored by the villains or bad guys in general. With this issue, we cement things more when it comes to the action side and get some good character material for her through the narration amidst the fight as well with what she does afterward, one segment with her roommate who is more than she seems and another with her physical therapist. As much as I enjoy Batgirl out in the streets and in action, I hope we get to see more of Barbara herself as she reconnects with the outside world in a new way. Similar to Dick Grayson, she's not the type to become as intense as Bruce Wayne but there's also a shy side to her that Dick doesn't have that needs to be explored. I'd almost want a separate book to deal with all of that so we can have the best of both worlds.

Honestly, the book doesn't really come across as accessible to new readers and there's so many moving parts that it's just overly dense and pointlessly complicated at times rather than being a good read. I like the detective work material, but the villain du jour was just awful and really felt like it was being written by someone completely on the outside of these things.

While Batgirl doesn't open as strong as I had hoped it would, there's a lot to like here in taking her out of the city and familiar environments and breathing a new element into her storyline. I've not read anything about the character in years so I know nothing about Kai and what he represents or what she's been up to with her clean energy company that she's got, something that isn't dealt with all that much for new readers unfortunately. The opening arc of this monthly series is off to a solid start and has me hopeful with where it can go, a good part of that is thanks to Albuquerque's artwork as it's solid throughout and has the right kind of fun with the layouts and angles to keep it moving and feeling energetic, even if a touch light and simple with some of the backgrounds.

Batgirl continues her journey here and outside of a brief but amusing piece at the start she spends this installment outside of her costume. What we get here for the most part is an expansion on her physical fighting capabilities, some fun challenges for her to meet, and a lot of internal strife and confusion over her feelings that involves her trying to explore some of how her costumed side impacts her views of things. It's not a book that makes any sort of big statements or pivotal character moments, but it's issue two and we're getting some good foundations and exploration of the character with some slow growth.

The strength of the Batgirl series is fully in its character and that continues to shine through here. The smaller moments are solid and the action has a great flow to it as we see how she has her ups and downs but never gives up. Albuquerque shines once again here with his presentation of the book as it has some great flow to it and I love the angles it plays with when it comes to her moving about in costume. Larson's script is capturing the right nature of Barbara herself and that clicks really well but the journey story just doesn't have enough meat on it from issue to issue, especially on a monthly basis, to really pull it together with in a strong way.

At this stage I'm sticking with the book primarily to see if we get Barbara back into more familiar settings, give her something resembling a life, and provide more foundations for her. The world trip is an idea that works for some books and characters, and this is one of them, but with it being a monthly series and without the strong narrative that it needs, it all just comes across as uninteresting as a whole. The small slivers of enjoyment are there, particularly in the artwork, but that can't carry the book for very long and I know my interest is waning more than I'd like at this stage.

Though I had reconnected well with the Rebirth special that got this project underway, the Beyond Burnside arc just did not work for me, no matter how much I tried to get into it. Goofy villains that should never be seen again, awkward as hell regional exploits that landed with a thud, a dullard in Kai, and a lead character that felt lost within her own book. I'm going to give the book a couple more issues to see how things are when she gets back home to see how she's handled there and what kind of stories are going to come from it, but this book is pretty much ready to be dropped and I hate that I feel like that as I want to enjoy this character so much.

I'm definitely keen on this series but this issue doesn't expand things enough just yet. It's a solid base run when I was hoping for something a little more exciting.

The first Batman annual of the new series is in the can and there's not that much to really recommend overall. There are a couple of decent if forgettable stories and a bunch of very forgettable stories and one that I couldn't even finish (the last one) because the whole thing just felt like too much by that point. The potential to do a lot of creative things with an annual is always there but going for what's essentially an anthology book that feels like half a step above a fan done production at times doesn't warrant the price tag. The Ace story is the best of them while having some classic new Neal Adams artwork just makes it all the more worthwhile for me.

Definitely a very solid opener that may not light the barn on fire but establishes a hell of a lot very quickly all while tantalizing at the end.

Batman's slowly working the subplot material that will come to the forefront soon enough as talk of monsters is in the mix along with Hugo Strange, which has me hopeful, but right now the focus is still mostly on Batman himself as he brings Gotham and Gotham Girl into the picture. With the scale of threats that the city faces you can understand his wanting something more reliable there - and that he likely already knows everything about them that we don't know yet, which is what I want to see before I really decide what i think about them. King's script is busy once again and I'm still kind of way of his Batman mindset as it's pretty intense, but it works with the physical/visual representation we get from Finch and the team so that it works in its own way. A solid enough second issue that has me wanting just a bit more meat in the next issue or two before I decide how far I'll go with the book.

This new Batman series is working itself pretty well overall and I'm engaged with it and enjoying it, though not fully committed and on board yet as I'm waiting for something to click that will push me over the edge on it. King is delivering a solid story but it feels like it really needs something more to take it to the next level. Finch is bringing out some great artwork and I love when he does slide in a two-page spread to give us the right sense of scale, such as the bridge scene that let Gotham Girl stand out more. I'll be sticking with the book for a while to be sure as I think the bi-weekly nature helps it more than hurts it and I'm simply enjoying getting a mainstream Batman fix again after spending most of my time with fringe or non-continuity versions.

Though I'm sticking with Batman for a while to come to see what the team will do with it, more so once past this arc and getting into the rhythm of the character, I'm finding myself a little middling on it at best at this point. I like what Finch and the art team are doing and I like what I see of King's approach to Batman so far, but I'm still feeling off about Gotham and Miss Gotham - and their names, too - and how things have moved at an odd pace so far with how quickly Batman has been working with them. I'm intrigued to see how Hugo Strange and Psycho Pirate will play into it as the monster men storyline progresses since I really like both of those characters. But at this point it doesn't feel like the series has gelled quite yet.

Of all the Rebirth/relaunch books that I've been checking out and going forward with, Batman is the one that I'm feeling the weakest on. It's also the only bi-weekly book that I've been reading as well, so I have more material to work with. I like aspects of what King does here with the story and I love Finch's layouts and all the work with the art team in giving it power and impact, but the overall first arc just feels weak and without enough of a strong hook. The ending stinger here is enough to get me to come back to see what the next arc is like after the epilogue issue the next time around but this is a book that has to still earn the subscription button from me at this point. I have plenty of faith in Tom King based on his other works but there comes a point where you want to invest only so far and part of me wonders if I'm just not able to connect with the main Batman books anymore as well.

There are some genuinely strong moments in this book that will resonate more so for people that have suffered grief and loss and that works really well here. It's something that doesn't land as strong as it could since we've burned through the first five issues quickly and there hasn't been a huge amount of investment in Gotham himself, never mind Gotham Girl. But as an epilogue and push forward into the next arc it definitely works well. It's also a strong issue with Ivan Reis on the art duties as I really loved that two-page spread with Gotham Girl leaping into the city, something that just clicked really well with Maiolo's color design on it. Reis is an artist that I really admire for what he's capable of and he does a great job here in bringing it all together. While this may not be a great epilogue as it feels more like setup for what's to come it does get the job done.

I've been wary of the Monster Men event simply because I'm not picking up the other books and as good as this opening installment is, it's not enough to make me pursue it more. Orlando and King keep things moving pretty well here but the real star for me is Riley Rossmo. With some really good issues from Finch previously and then the large group of artists the last time around, Rossmo is an artist whose work I want to see in this book pretty regularly as he has a very good design to it while Plascencia color work avoids the vibrancy that we had with Finch's segment of the run. There's a grittier aspect to this without it being grimdark and difficult to discern. Add in some real love of the monster men themselves in their designs and some really great panels overall in depicting the rain and how the heroes look in it and the art's a winner across the board.

While I've been mixed on the Batman series since it kicked off and have been holding out for things to settle into a better post-Gotham place from the first arc, I'll admit that the Monster Men arc really had me very wary from the start because of my distaste for such events. But with the two issues of that I'm being exposed to it's proven to be a lot of fun as it's brought in other characters I haven't seen in an age and has delivered some stellar artwork from Riley Rossmo with great action. I'm eager to see where the next arc goes as events are tightening up there and the ties to this and previous stories also works well. There's a larger tale being told across all of it that has me interested and I'm hopeful for some payoff sooner rather than later. And very hopeful that we'll see Riley Rossmo here again!

I'm a sucker for books that work the idea of putting together an odd group for a mission, hence being big into the original Suicide Squad book back in the 80's or things like Outsiders. Batman is moving into the next phase of the larger arc that King has been orchestrating and there's a lot to like here in the characters he chooses, the kinds of interactions that we get, and just the smoothness and ease of it all. This is all taken to its own special level with Mikel Janin's artwork as I love the character design style, especially with the colors used, and just the flow of action with some of the layouts. The piece with Batman and Bronze Tiger is just spot on perfect and fun to watch play out. Here's hoping the arc only keeps the momentum and engagement.

With the way King structures his works, there's a long game at play here so even though I'm left frustrated by certain parts of it I know enough to look at it as a whole. I like the two main ideas here but the blending falls short and the visual execution of the handwritten letter made for some eyestrain at times. Mikel Janin is the real winner with this book as the hand to hand fight sequences are fantastic, the mental anguish we see at times strong, and the overall panel design and flow of them simply made it a treat to read - and made me wish that there was a way to remove layers in the digital books already so I could see how it looks without all the dialogue.

After eleven issues I certainly have a feel for what King is doing and I can't deny that, but I'm slowly coming to a place where I'm wondering if it's really for me. I've enjoyed aspects of the series so far but I also find myself frustrated by a lack of a clearer vision and something that's just a bit more accessible for new readers. This feels very inside-y in a way that I can't pin down easily and it's very frustrating even with the years of overall knowledge of the character I have and reading the fringe Gotham oriented books. The saving grace for me is Mikel Janin's artwork as he and June Chung provide for some really great pages and layouts here that capture a pretty fascinating feeling with both the big and small moments. I'm still around for a bit more but I find myself wondering if the exit will be coming sooner rather than later.

My subscription to this series is still teetering as I've canceled and restarted it a couple of times between issues for a few issues now. At this stage I'm finishing out this storyline and am curious as to what the next will be like but I'm waiting for things to really click and feel like we've got some strong concept story material to work with. I still find a lot to like with what King writes and how but the main draw at this point for this series is the artwork. And Batman can survive on that but it cannot excel on that. It needs an engaging story, character interactions, and the solid motivation material that's explored here.

With some amusement early on with a Waller/Pennyworth moment, this arc comes to a close and sets up things for the Justice League vs Suicide Squad event that's rolling out. I'm not getting into that and, in fact, this marks my last issue with this series. While I can see the larger threads that Tom King is pulling with it the whole thing just lacks something to really make it resonate and connect, leaving me feeling pretty adrift even as I enjoy the visuals and spectacle of it. This arc had its moments, and a lot of it comes down to Janin's work, but as a whole it simply felt too padded out and without enough context or meat to it for me to want to continue on top of the problematic opening arc with Gotham and Gotham Girl. I'll likely circle back in trade form at some point but even that has me feeling a bit wary, which reinforces this as a good time to jump ship.

While I've certainly been enjoying this series so far, when you get an issue like this, it's just fire. Fraction is keeping on with things from the first four issues, but it feels like Jimenez just stepped up to another level. Everything about it is fun with the pairing, the action, the humor, and just the general vibe of it. It may not set a lot in motion in terms of story beyond The Ojo getting involved, as that bumps up the bounty on Annika a bit, but it delivers a hugely humanizing moment for Bruce in this incarnation that's definitely needed. So much of what we see of him really is just the mask worn over Batman as he works through "regular life," but there's more that bleeds out here as the two quibble over whether it's a date or not in the kind of way that adults would easily do. It's just absolutely delightful and left me grinning from ear to ear.

With this series being added to the DC Universe slate of books I figured I'd try it since I like Batman books without much Batman and I have a history with the title overall, though less so with some of this cast. Duke and Cass I'm superficially aware of at least but that's about it. The draw for me is the nature of the team and the creative that's here as Hill and Soy execute this really well with a slick and polished feeling that hits all the right notes. Everything we need is introduced quickly " including names " and the general setup so that we can grow in the investment as it goes on. The opening story hints at bigger things but keeps it in reserve so that there's more to come. It's not overstuffed but it's busy with what it wants to accomplish, though that keeps it from having a little downtime just to breathe. All in all, a strong start that will have me coming back for more.

In terms of story, there isn't a lot here that doesn't feel like a lot of other Batman books, or detective/murder mystery books for that matter. Which is fine, because the execution is strong and there are always going to be unexpected weird things showing up as we delve deeper into the Gothamness of it all. Watters' take is pretty solid for Batman at this point in time and I'm really curious to see how he handles the Bruce persona as we see him mingle in the world. The moodiness and atmosphere is very well done where it doesn't feel like it's leaning so hard that it becomes caricature but rather reflects a real city that is falling deeper into the chaos that exists because of both Batman and those he goes up against. The design and color work is really great as it doesn't go so dark and murky that it's hard to see, and Sherman has some strikingly strong panels during the fight in the lawyer's office that just made me grin. I'm looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

There's a fun part of this issue that goes to Upstate Gotham, which is basically a semi-wealthy ex-urb, and it's a lot of fun to see Batman walking down a normal suburban street, even one that has some pretty dark elements to it. The bulk of the issue works well through Batman trying to figure out the larger game here as the Wound Man is but a symptom and not the real issue, well, beyond the killing of people. The character is certainly a hard one to watch and Batman is doing his best not to make it worse, though Gotham always seems to pile on the pain. I like the various subplots that are all connecting well to things here to showcase the various aspects of what's playing out, and it continues to look fantastic since it's not so deep in being dark and bleak as to not be able to see any detail. I love the flow and movement of the artwork and panel layout that gives it a neatly distinctive feeling. It's early days yet, but I continue to be hooked.

The nature of the building and how Scarface is using it definitely hits as sweet spot for me, particularly with Sherman's eye for design in trying to create the right feeling within it. It's oppressive and dangerous just physically, never mind the psychological side as well. I'm also really digging this leaner and younger Batman since it's just the first few years in the role, as the way we get to look at him is a rare time of feeling like it captures his age well. The costume continues to look great, and the way Sheman illustrates him going through problem-solving moments is strong. Just a strong creative approach overall here that is making for some thoroughly engaging stories. With plenty of action, but also a lot of good detective and character work.

The conclusion to this arc is pretty interesting since it's less about Batman, which isn't uncommon, but that it kept him mostly as a narrator to try and tie it all together based on his understanding of events. It does play into that hyper-detective design, where he can piece things together and make big leaps that nobody is going to question, and you do kind of want to believe it. Michelle's story may feel underserved overall, but it is just a "simple" case of abuse gone too far, and a revenge that scaled in incredibly dangerous and deadly ways. It's an interesting arc overall, and it being largely contained to a single building for it utilizing Scface made for some really creative moments in story but also through fantastic artwork.

A new arc, a new grim murder, and more gorgeous and twisted artwork. Sherman does a fantastic job in presenting not just the body, but how the Rookery looks and feels, giving it something that feels real, old, and disturbing, there in the midst of the rest of Gotham. The murder doesn't get too much detail here yet as the investigation is just beginning, but this feels like it's more about Batman trying to not fall victim to his own analysis of things and seeing things that aren't there since we now have three deaths involving fire. There are some fun little moments, as anything with Sereika and Gordon seems to lean into that, but I really liked getting time between Bruce and Alfred, and just the lonely man in the mansion on the hill overlooking the city material. Bruce things a lot of himself and his fight for good reasons, but there's a hubris and ego that's just delightful to watch here as it does make you mentally take him down a peg because of it.

There is an endless supply of places in Gotham to explore, each with its own unique history, and I do enjoy that. The Rookery has been fun, and digging into its past and how it's trying to reach into the present one more time through the gang works pretty well, even if there is an element of sadness to it. The forced politeness of the past isn't going to take hold in this time for a lot of reasons, but Batman has made it closer to understanding more of the city that he believes is fighting against him. There was more exposition here than I expected, but it works well and provide for some real menace along the way, especially as we're getting this early-years Batman story where he's running himself ragged trying to deal with the patterns he sees - all while trying not to read too much into them.

The fallout from this with the after-action piece of Batman back in the cave and talking to Alfred is rough. The knowing that his presence likely made things worse is a hard thing, but also the reality that everything that the old man and his grandkids did would just be "another fire" at best is its own kind of tragedy. This was a solid and strong story overall that added more clues to the larger work and another examination of Batman in this period of his life. I really liked exploring this kind of smaller tragedy, one that ends with everyone worse off in the worst ways, as a good staple of a Batman storyline is that they aren't all victories. We may get that when he plays crossover hero and engaging with others, but when it's a small storyline just focusing on him, Gotham, and the material at hand, it can be properly bleak as needed from time to time. Good stuff, but hard stuff.

One of the big things I appreciate about works like this, is that it’s not a big world-ending event. Batman gets caught up in plenty of those, and I do enjoy them. But this one, going back to his third year, allows for some solid detective material, the push against limitations, and figuring out more about Gotham itself even after all these years. Gotham should always be its own character in a story like this and Watters captures it well, as we see more of its history and the way it interacts with Batman. Sherman’s artwork is just strong throughout, with some great background designs and layouts that keep you paying attention to the details of it, but also just some great character designs. The final moments of stopping the fires by Batman in this issue alone has a great sense of power about it that I just loved, something that Sherman excels at. I’m really glad that I took in this run by not binging it but also not reading it over the course of a year. Definitely worth a pickup.

I grew up reading a ton of one-off Batman stories and getting more like this is definitely good for me. I'm just not into the big arcs and him as a primary character these days as I've preferred the fringe Gotham books like Gotham By Midnight and Gotham Academy. But what we get from the team here is something that can draw me back to the character with simple detective tales, shows of intelligence, good action sequences, and solid use of the villains as well. It may be a somewhat predictable story but we've got what, seventy years of Batman stories? Predictability is baked into it. It's fun is what counts and with a good Clayface tale, it works even better.

Though the Batman stories have in their own way been the weaker part for me of this wave of digital releases from DC, they're still fun in what they do and how they present the character and his rogues. I rather liked the simplicity of the Joker in this and getting more time mas Bruce in this than Batman made for a good read. Mark Russell gets into the mode of Batman well enough and a few more installments will definitely show more out of it I think. The art team is definitely strong here as I really like the look of the characters and the flow of the action itself. It's a welcome change of pace from the first three issues.

The standalone nature of the tales here continues to be the big draw for me and Mark Russell nails another one with this story. It's a little convoluted at first until you get into the rhythm of it but once it gets underway you can see it as a simple story that might be included in a TV show or film as an opening bit of fun before the big event itself. Benjamin and Friend continue to do solid work with this title as I really like their take on the characters and the city as well as providing for some good action and even a bit of lightness thanks to Harley. Hopefully, they have more stories in the future through the DC Giants and this form.

The social commentary here is pretty blunt and the situation goes into some dangerous and degrading directions quickly, which is the kind of entertainment that the Joker wanted. Batman's attempts at cleaning up the city aren't exactly wrong but he's taking the wrong approach when it comes to how and who he's going after when the reality is that a host of other factors must be addressed. It's one thing when it comes to the top-tier name characters and their agendas, but focusing on the reality of low-level crime and why it happens is what was needed instead of just him causing overcrowded prisons and expanding the prison complex. Russell accomplishes a lot here and we get some great artwork with it but it's just way too depressing of an issue.

The Batman stories have been pretty good overall but Russell nails this one a bit better as it's more personal, looks at the longer view of things, and touches on how things have changed. It's a mixed kind of thing because more complex and interesting books come because of how things have evolved but there's also something to be said for those simpler times when there was a greater sense of fun about it all. The art team again does a great job as they've done on other installments as I really enjoy the detail and character designs that we get here. It's a solid read with a little wink and nod to it all that's just spot on perfect.

I'm definitely enjoying the turn that Batman: Gotham Nights has been doing in providing for a range of different stories, characters, and ideas without really getting caught up in longer storylines. The staple of the one-off Batman tale goes back decades and is a bit of a lost art that I'm enjoying seeing come to life here. This issue with its two tales presents something familiar with Nightwing and something unfamiliar with Duke but both play within the familiar and fertile ground of Gotham with solid creatives bringing it to life. It's an enjoyable romp and one that's easy to take in and just smile about when all is said and done.

The split story nature is always going to be a bit of a mixed bag, especially with completely mixed creative, but each offers something good here. The big plus is the lack of Batman overall because there's lots to explore with Gotham in general. I liked getting a good Two-Face story that has him questioning his choices and trying to break free of his addiction. And I liked seeing Joker revisiting someplace from his past, imagined or not, and messing around with it. Both stories move well and handle the page count in a really good way but I think it's the artists that stole the show here and really made this as strong as it is and worth reading.

In general, I like what we get here as Arcudi has a good take on Batman overall outside of the way he attacks the guy since he's clearly nowhere near the kind of threat a mobster or anyone higher on the foodchain is. It just felt so over the top. But I like the investigative side, the nods toward the Carlisle name and what it means, and just the way it flows with the animals, conservation, and so forth. Ms. Carlisle herself is definitely interesting and I wonder if she's a part of the mainline stuff at all because I'd love to follow a series focusing just on the socialites, political intrigue, corporate stuff, an all that without any of the supervillain shenanigans.

With two short tales, we get a look at some decent Jason Todd material with a bit of Dick Grayson added for good measure. They're decent enough tales overall but struggle with the space that they have to be as coherent as they need to be at times. The first one shows its strength in the action while the second works best when it focuses on the detective work. Both are enjoyable enough once you get into the groove and come across well with the artwork and overall direction, though there are definitely areas where they could be tightened.

I definitely prefer the full-length stories to the two-in-one issues that we get but those are definitely the way to do some quick-hit storytelling that can be a good challenge for both writers and artists in how to use space, pacing, and layouts effectively in new ways. This issue coming in at fourteen pages including the cover gets right to the story, fleshes things out well, hits us with a twist, some action, and a decent resolution to it all. I like the use of all the former Robin's here and it looks great in seeing their various designs and styles all in one place. It's a good ready that holds up well on the second and third time through as well.

The opening story is one that felt like it slipped in from a Superman book rather than belong in a Gotham once but it worked well enough with politics, street-level crime, and a hired killer being involved. Taylor nailed the dialogue and flow of it well much like Tieri captures the pain of Croc's past but also making it clear that he's largely comfortable in who he feels he had to become to survive. I've long enjoyed Sampere and Albarran's work together and they shine here while Tyler Kirkham delivers a strong look at Croc as a kid and as an adult and manages to make him understandably sympathetic while still acknowledging that there was a level of choice there. Good stories both even with a lack of Bat-heroes.

I always enjoy a good Batman and Catwoman story and this one touches on their younger days to varying degrees that helps to accent it nicely. The main story is one that slides a reveal within a standard kind of issue that goes on and it's easy to see Selina being whimsical enough to just steal for the sake of it. Bruce and his way of dealing with her almost always has a bit of lenience to it but there are times he comes down harder on her as well. Here, it's more about using her just a bit to figure out what's really going on and it flows well. The artwork is definitely the big win here but Russell's characterization for both of them is solid and engaging.

Though I continue to prefer the full-length stories we've seen a lot of solid growth in how the shorter stories have been told since this digital-first property got underway. Both stories are pretty good here while going in very different directions and they scratch very different itches. I like the first just for the lighter ending side of things and what it represents while the second story works well for highlighting what Batwoman is all about even with really problematic villains like Lord Death Man, one of the worst-named villains out there.

I definitely enjoy the variety of the stories that we get from Batman: Gotham Nights though it's always of variable quality for obvious reasons. I'm less thrilled with the issues that try to work the two stories within it because neither gets enough space. But both of these are fun for different reasons. The first does a good job in a tight little assassination plot while the second just goes for a surreal haunted house kind of approach. They're both fun for different reasons and we get some solid artwork and storytelling from both as well. It's a quick and easy pickup and read.

Gabriel Hardman delivers some solid Gotham-based material for Batman and Batwoman to deal with while also sliding Dr. Phosphorus into it as well. It's a bit rough and tumble at first to get the right groove going with the story but as it settles out and you get a handle on Vargas in particular, it all comes together well and provides for some solid enjoyment.

Batman: Gotham Nights plays in a familiar story that we've seen several times over the years in both comics and animation that always makes me smile. That there are such obvious things at play that gives away his identity always makes me laugh and Guggenheim almost subverts that in a pretty solid way by showing the Riddler essentially overthinking things. The story works well and we see it play out in a pretty engaging way with great artwork from Petraites and Miranda. It works a good cast, some creative moments, and a kind of wink and grin with Catwoman that just delights.

I'm a big fan of Hugo Strange but more in a really solid psychological thriller kind of way, which is not what we get here. What we do get is weird and interesting so I'm not discounting it but it's not my ideal is all. Bechko works some good stuff here in how Batman handles the situation all around while also giving us a younger Nightwing that isn't quite so established, making him a bit more reckless and focused on his own goals instead of reading the right signs. Combine that with Gedeon's solid artwork that delivers some interesting creatures and engaging action with a mystery twist at the end and it's a fun way to spend a book.

With a great team and a solid story that has the space to breathe, Batman: Gotham Nights delivers the perfect little Christmas story within Gotham. There are several villains you can run with in this kind of holiday and Toyman may be an easy one but it works well and delivers a good bit of fun. Russell's scripts provides for some nice personality when it comes to the interactions between Bruce and Alfred but also the narration for Batman. Koblish's artwork is always fantastic and I thoroughly enjoy his take on Batman and a kind of classic 80s-ish feeling Gotham that's not overly stylized but has its own personality. Definitely the kind of story to get me into the holiday mode, comic book style.

There's plenty to like here and it's all laid out well in an engaging way. I tend to like early-career Batman stories more than later when he's the ultimate badass that he's become as the mistakes are more interesting and there are different avenues to explore in relation to the villains, especially if it's more of an actual detective story. Tom King sets things well here but it feels pretty familiar and standard overall so far. David Marquez delivers some great artwork throughout which helps it to feel more engaging and dynamic, especially the action sequences. I like his take on Catwoman and am curious to see how far things will go with the violence and Riddler in this. With it being six issues it's an easy enough thing to get into without feeling like you're committing to something much bigger like a lot of King's standalone works are.

I'm enjoying this overall but from a kind of detached perspective. Maybe it'll work better when read in full, but the individual installments with how its timeline is operating are proving to just be a little bit frustrating. More so than I expected since these don't often bother me too much. I do like King's take on the characters overall as it's basically looking at the familiar through the now-current modern perspective, and we get an expansion on the year one era just a bit more. The artwork is solid and there are some creative layouts throughout, but the structure of the flashbacks just takes me out of the narrative flow too much.

Batman: Killing Time doesn't do anything new here in a way as it's just continuing on with the events and shifting back and forth with it. The extended flashbacks into the past make it clearer what the thing everyone is after is and give it the history it needs. I like the story itself but the decompressed mode of it is already proving somewhat frustrating. The artwork is a big draw and the addition of The Help adds a new layer of fun since it's not just all about the usual crowd that we've seen before. Plus, he throws a curveball into events as well as he starts to realize what's really going on as well. It's fun and enjoyable but feels like it should be just a bit more.

What struck me with the Rebirth special last week was the sense of optimism and hope about it. Batman's been a darker character for a long, long, time and I really don't expect that to change. But introducing some new elements and ways forward are welcome things and there's a good sense of hope about it here. It's not a sprawling dark piece of work, but it has its moments of intensity and drive that showcase what Bruce will do to save people while tying that back to his father with a couple of sharp lines from Lucius. I'm definitely curious to see where King will go with the book with its opening storyline and I like what he brings to the table here with Snyder and Janin. It's not a knock out of the park like the main Rebirth special was for me, but it's a solid re-conenction to the character for me after being away for several years.

Gage has the right tone for the characters and is moving things to where they need to be while introducing the basics for those new to this particular version. Ienco's artwork is still the bigger adjustment for me as it's a style I'm totally not used to when it comes to DC characters and more from indie books. It's definitely intriguing with the way everyone moves " and I'm trying to not view it as though they're moving like the game does " but it tends to work better in action sequences than the boardroom.

While we know that Deadshot is in this and he's on the cover, his presence in the book is minimal overall and it works nicely as it comes across as though he's hunting his prey. Which he is, so it's fun to see how he's doing it while Bruce is still trying to get a handle on it all. This book balances the two halves of his life well and throws in some fun with both Gordon and the board of Wayne Enterprises, which is its own powder keg of chaos waiting to explode. Ienco's artwork is something that I continue to really enjoy but also have a hard time adapting to with these characters. But there's no denying some really strong scenes and panels here, particularly once we get Batman mixing it up with the criminal element.

While I'm not fully on board with this series as I'm still adjusting to it without the background of the game, I am enjoying it so far. Christos Gage is handling the digital-first format pretty well here with ensuring that each issue has a good mix of story and action that helps to move everything forward while Raffaele Ienco is getting more and more comfortable with each issue in the layouts and the flow of the action with how it's presented. The story here doesn't get too deep as it's big on action and then working the detective side with hints of what's to come but it's a solid entry in the arc so far.

Though this series won't be one of my favorites regarding the character, Gage and Ienco are putting out an interesting work that has shades of the familiar but also feels distinctly different.

The journey into the past is pretty good here and it certainly makes it easier, issue after issue, revelation after revelation, to dislike Thomas Wayne more and more. The fear is that even with Bruce trying to do his best to correct things as he can is that the dislike bleeds into him as well simply because of how much it's dragging him down.

A lot of flashback can be a mixed bag but I liked what Gage does here for the most part in exploring who this iteration of Floyd is. There are easy parallels in the grand sense when it comes to the two men and where they are now and you could easily see them swapping out (which is a story I'd love to read) the path they're on. The flashback covers some good ground but it works with the idea of the tension that exists as the two men circle each other in the present as well. It's a solid issue that's moving everything forward, bit by bit.

Very good stuff here that has me continually looking at each panel with great interest.

This issue keeps things moving along pretty nicely and there's some decent action in the mix here and some good stuff that once again reinforces that Alfred is a great character. Pair that up with solid artwork and it's a good read that's a part of what's shaping up to be a solid whole run.

As we move in on the finale for the series, the big setup is put into place here and Batman faces a pretty good challenge to his principles and to the safety of many people. Christos Gage gives it some good resonance and impact while Raffaele Ienco just continues to delight with the visual presentation, something that I really wasn't sure I'd connect with at the beginning but have come to really enjoy. It's solidly put together overall and it gives us a look at the kinds of things Batman would face early in his career and help define the real path that he'd follow for years to come.

Gage and Ienco put together a fun book in this game timeline that I'm unfamiliar with and dug into some interesting re-imagined parallels between Bruce and Floyd that have existed elsewhere in different forms. I'm hopeful that all the creative here will find their way back to another digital-first book at some point because this was just a lot of fun.

I really enjoy the Batman family of characters but it's been difficult to find a book that I can enjoy in the last few years. With all the changes and the loss of the three books that I liked with Gotham Central back in 2006 and then losing both the long running Robin and Nightwing series, I didn't know where to really go as I wanted to avoid the main books written by Morrison. With Batman: Streets of Gotham, I think I've found a series that I can get into as it deals with the more human side of Gotham, the various criminal elements and the police. The co-feature with Manhunter is right up my alley as well as I've long liked that character in its different forms, but especially the Kate Spencer one. I've not read a Batman book for some time now, but this is one that I really want to get into and savor.

There's a whole lot of appeal to the book in the way it's written and especially with the way it's drawn as Williams really has a great look to all of this. The Batwoman costume is highly appealing when contrasted to the red hair and that gives us something very different from Batman himself and eve how Batgirl has been portrayed over the years. But at the same time, Williams loves double page spreads as we get eight of them here. Eight. There's still the same amount of information as it's more layout than big splash pages, but it just gives it a very different feeling, like you're going through it too quickly. And combined with how new-reader unfriendly it is, it doesn't make it feel like a good book to invest some time and money in.