Chris Coplan Comic Reviews

Zegas transports readers to a bizarre world of delightful banality and relatable cosmic wonders.

Despite some issues in this debut, 'Ain't No Grave' is a truly promising and potent slice of highly emotional, semi-magical western storytelling.

'Ain't No Grave' tackles some of its early uncertainties and downsides for a more textured and exciting second chapter.

It took a little time, but 'Ain't No Grave' is really coming into its own as this wild, potent story about how we can be our own worst enemies and how life doesn't alway wait for us to live it.

You don't need to actually say much when the world is this robust, the emotions are big and clear, and the story has so much raw power.

Ryder's story may be over, but thanks to Ain't No Grave, I think we'll be singing her song for quite some time.

Drink the tea, eat the pastry just get to Wonderland pronto.

This story makes you want to tumble deeper and deeper into Wonderland.

Realities blur as we reach a vital turning point.

The two worlds coalesce for better and worse.

The fantasy is over and a mostly interesting reality awaits us.

Come for the visceral action, but stay for the heartwarming tale of family and anti-capitalism messaging.

Maybe you can beat Xenomorphs with the power of family?

Aliens, heartache, and stakes galore, oh my!

There's more horror to come, but for now a scary misstep.

Somehow the people and the politics are the most nasty and venomous.

Not everyone deserves to be hero, if I'm being honest.

The only bug here is maybe not enough time and space?

For a title about AI, missing people, culture-based superpowers, and so much more, 'Ancestral Recall' excels for being so engaging and relatable.

Just two issues in, and 'Ancestral Recall' is already this poignant, intelligent story that does so much (emotionally, visually, and thematically) and does it all quite well.

This third issue feels decidedly more personal, as Melvin's journey is as much a socio-political dissection as it is one man coming into himself in many big and splendid ways.

As Melvin and June get closer to their definitive reunion, 'Ancestral Recall' reaches its stride with sci-fi coolness, big-time emotionality, and thematic heft to spare.

With a finale that ties it all up in a neat little bow, 'Ancestral Recall' became this perfect thing to remind us that life is a story, and you either tell your end or it'll get written for you.

The research station isn't the only thing that'll leave you feeling cold.

Maybe this introduction doesn't hit the jackpot, but a sturdy enough premise and a solid lead make for an interest opening hand.

After a mostly solid debut, 'Arcana Royale' makes big, bold decisions to terrify, engage, and connect with readers for a winning second hand.

As the game draws to its eventual finale, 'Arcana Royale' ups the ante on the weirdo vibes, human drama, and all that's dark and compelling.

This magical game of cards offered the best prize of all: A thoughtful, potent story about owning your life, betting on yourself, and finding that win when it's not so obvious.

Maybe not "so good, it's scary," but a seasonally appropriate mix of cheesiness, body horror, and nostalgia.

Matt Kindt's newest super-spy series has its obstacles, but he's once again broke new ground in an overused genre.

While this meta series is still forming, issue #2 helps shape the story and motifs in a major way.

A compelling little peek under the Hood.

Red Hood is a star, no matter what Batman says/does.

The duo of Hill and Soy have forged an Outsiders with equal parts potential and predictability.

While most video game tie-in titles are iffy, this one makes bold story and design choices to potentially set itself apart.

While not as well-rounded as other issues, 'Batman: Urban Legends' #17 does a solid job in providing stories that use Batman as a perfect lens to explore issues of friendship, power, collaboration, and how superheroes exist in our world.

In which our beloved Captain Britain makes some big moves and even bigger waves.

This ain't my beloved cartoon, but this comic adaptation still brings all the heart, humor, and motorcycle hijinks to both entertain and engage young and old fans alike.

Not everyone will click with the Mice, but there's a joy and dedication that celebrates the series' proper upsides.

Comics that make ya wanna do a cartwheel.

While there's some long-term issues brewing, the ongoing series turns the Biker Mice into this dramatic thrill ride of nostalgia and geeky awesomeness.

While the book's endgame may be obvious enough, 'Biker Mice from Mars' continues to innovate and extend in the best ways to make something more robust and thoughtful.

The nostalgia ride continues as the creators expertly balance old-school cartoon fun, meaningful story tweaks, and big-time displays of human storytelling.

After a great ride so far, the launch of the Biker Mice-Roboforce crossover just felt a little rushed and inauthentic.

This is a superhero story without all the pompous mess; a thriller with ample heart; and an HBO-esque drama with some comic book-style silliness. It's a damn good story, and you'd be wise to join the fray before things truly take off.

The story that took off like a magically-empowered demigod settles into itself. But that change of pace opens up new ways to delve into these dynamic characters.

After three truly great issues, the book falters, wading through some issues while tentatively plotting a way back to the golden path.

This end may just have you feeling particularly overjoyed.

Universes collide and storytelling magic takes shape.

Multiversal madness goes both way, it seems.

Fewer multiverses means bigger action and intrigue.

All we need in the multiverse is family and years of trauma.

But we've finally reached the end, and I have to say I'm satisfied enough even if I still can't help but wonder what could have been.

This title promises big, thoughtful development it might not be totally invested in.

The new world of Black Panther grows ever more human and engaging.

Na na na na na, great issue!

One wedding and a rather fun time.

You're only as good as your villains, it would seem.

Sometimes you've got to go backwards to move forward.

An interesting chapter for this story's immersion as a generally vital series.

Black Panther's "vacation continues to pay off in some major ways.

This one's out there, for better and worse.

A solid, if slightly uneven finale for a solid, slightly uneven book.

This book slays.

Issue #4 is likely to be even more of a magically-oriented affair, but there's no denying that #3 cast its own spell with a solid chapter of big fights, robust intrigue, and poignant character developments.

Like the titular hero, this story cuts deep without you fully realizing it.

This brawl is only getting started, folks.

The story and hero evolve in bold and deliberate new directions.

Friendship is a blade that cuts both ways.

One hell of an issue.

The road from hell is less about intentions and more meaningful character work.

A grand enough finale for a more thoughtful Daywalker.

While you can't deny the Robert Kirkman connection, 'Blood & Thunder' makes enough of its own decisions to feel interesting and refreshing so far.

This commandment isn't quite as divine as it ought to be.

In the grand scheme of the Spawn-verse, 'Bloodletter' is a great new entry that both honors and adds to the canon.

The second issue adds to and augments the Spawn canon to herald 'Bloodletter' as an increasingly relevant extension of this rich action franchise.

A massive issue for this young-but-promising character, 'Bloodletter' #3 extends the lore, offers ample gore, and makes us re-engage with our lead.

Come for the bloody, unwavering battle between two supernatural foes, but be sure to stay for another master class in great world- and character-building.

While this fifth issue had its share of concerns and structural issues, you can't deny that this series sets the stage for a wild and bloody future for Bloodletter.

Blood and guts and the tedium of daily life make for exceptional comics.

Give me even more barbarian journal entries penned in gore!

A bloody good end to a truly brutal journey.

The debut of 'Blow Away' sets the stage for a deeply human journey into a cold, hard world of big emotions and equally giant mysteries.

With a slight shift in mood and trajectory, 'Blow Away' is building toward a deeply compelling mystery that we may not totally see coming.

Despite some minor (but still valid) issues, 'Blow Away' continues its thoughtful repurposing of noir, nature, and dramatic stories/structures.

The penultimate issue of 'Blow Away' uses emotion and violence alike to set up a tense and tantalizing finale.

The ice has thawed on this mystery, and I can genuinely say this case has been a terse but satisfying treat.

A truly dynamic lead helps establish this supernatural cop story.

More strategic magic and grittier noir is the optimal formula.

Despite a long-ish wait, 'Briar' roars back more funny, bloody, and motivated than ever before.

This book continues to reach into the beating heart of fantasy and pull out an increasingly textured and compelling story of life and its many (mis-) adventures.

In an issue with so much suffering and loss, 'Briar' continues to be this massively human story about finding strength in a cursed world.

The book's "finale" (right?) is one that gives us the big moods, feelings, and events that makes this ending truly and utterly worthwhile

This supernatural noir does a lot to lean into its influences, find new ways to stand out, and generally foster a charming, compelling experience.

Despite some minor concerns, this second issue brings the horror vibes, plays around with genre, and mostly feels like genuinely great pulp/noir.

Like actual cats, this title is playful, unpredictable, and never afraid to draw a little blood.

This cat wastes no time in occupying the most primo spots in pet daycare.

This book's gonna crack the safe around your emotions.

This book's teeth sink even deeper.

So much more than just a sequel, 'Cemetery Kids Run Rabid' ups the ante emotionally, thematically, and in terms of outright terror/horror.

Forget the super VR games and biopunk delights: 'Cemetery Kids Run Rabid' has me by the heart and it won't let go.

As this book's two worlds further merge (offering fresh horrors and story magic alike), 'Cemetery Kids Run Rabid' reaches the apex of its power to move us and get us thinking about our scary digital age.

While the rest of the story resonated with depth, heart, action, and horrors, the ending of issue #4 left a bad taste in my mouth for a book I still expect to have a long future.

This City Boy's still under construction, but man oh man, does it have damn good bones.

We built this city on poignant human drama and superhero action.

More like, "The Man of Feels, amirite?!

New town, same Boy.

After a brief hiccup, our boy is finally building to something big.

What he really built was a poignant story of community and grief.

The story may be familiar enough already, but there's signs that 'Convert' is moving into dangerous and compelling territory.

Buck off the deja vu as this series is still doing wholly new, inventive things.

Get ready to wander into the great, wide emotional unknown.

Really good stories don't end so much as they alter your brain chemistry and values.

A comic that plays rope-a-dope with your own familial relationships.

The issue dances around you before pummeling your chest.

If you don't have a villain, you don't have story.

Pardon the cliche, but this finale is an emotional TKO.

If you like books involving cute animals, families, pirates, and dissections of sociopolitical structures, then jump aboard.

A tale of second chances and revenge begins with raw emotion and empathy.

Dark Horse's newest series combines 'Red Sonja' with a heaping helping of drama.

In this latest issue, the creative time aren't pulling any punches in telling a bloody, highly emotional tale of vengeance and second chances.

This is the issue that drives home the loss and anguish inherent in this fantasy series.

This dynamic fantasy series ends in all best ways possible (except for actually being over).

A bloody good, if not all-too-direct, tale of crusading action.

Crusader speaks to me not just because of all the dope sword fights but because those battles forge a path for this story. The fact that more is being done to ground and extend these characters and make us question who is doing what and why feels like a victory worthy of celebrating.

This issue cuts to the core of the book's interest in identity and the self.

Sure, I still think I prefer DC to Marvel's Halloween offerings. But there's no denying that this title had a solid mix of laughs, scares, and even a regular sprinkling of more poignant topics/ideas. (That last bit really sets it apart for better and worse, and it feels like a compelling enough bent.) If someone gave me this in my bag on Halloween night, I'd share it with some friends instead of chucking it at someone's house.

Despite my own hesitations, 'Cult of the Lamb' is both hugely faithful and a more thoughtful and impassioned take overall.

The second issue confirms that 'Cult of the Lamb' is both a profound continuation of the game and also something more robust and thoughtful in its own right.

They're clearly telling the story of the cutest and creepiest adventurer ever, and it's working on so many levels.

A mightily potent and hugely satisfying finale to a story that did great things for fantasy, social commentary, and nihilistic lambs.

With so much to accomplish, and only 48 pages to do so, 'Last Sacrament' honors the work of 'Cult of the Lamb' with bloody, dramatic battles; endless thematic resonance; and a humanity you can never, ever deny.

Even a year later, 'Cult of the Lamb' feels fresh as it sets its sights on an even bloodier, bolder, and thoughtful new chapter.

A deep dive into Batman amid some creative circumstances reveals huge truths and demonstrates the hero's value across the board.

After some great tie-in issues, this one about the Emerald Archer focuses less on character insights and development and more on a trite love story.

Forget most tie-ins: this story feels like a powerful storytelling experience that doesn't so much extend Dark Crisis itself, but its core themes and ideas.

Another tie-in where we get to delve into the splendid heart of a big-time DC hero, with mostly compelling results.

'Dark Honor' may think it has sizzle and style, but it generally left me feeling sick with bad vibes, a lack of self-awareness, and more of the same action movie tropes.

After a rather calamitous start, 'Dark Honor' uses its second issue to either start getting better or instead give us the comics version of a placebo.

Despite a slow build to having actual quality and effectiveness, 'Dark Honor' is worth your attention as an important chronicle of a modern-day catastrophe.

After a couple of issues where it seemed like this story was healthy, the penultimate issue of 'Dark Honor' struggles with thematic inconsistency and action movie over-indulgence.

Through some enjoyable highs and bothersome lows, 'Dark Honor' is a book worthy of your time for tackling a recent tragedy with gusto and action.

The gators ain't the worst part of this hellish hamlet.

As writer Scott Snyder tries his hand at the heist genre, the first issue feels a little lukewarm in its character development and overall commitment -- even as the artwork sizzles.

After a lukewarm start, this second issue turns up the heat in character development, overall pace and intensity, and the general stakes at play here.

This story continues to crackle with life and energy, even as the potential for a backdraft rears its ugly head.

This early V-Day present offers up superhero love through uplifting tales of humanity and needlessly hokey, overly gimmicky jokes.

Despite a tendency for the cheesy and the heavy-handed, this giant-sized collection showcases some of the robust humanity that defines DC's catalog of characters.

This sequel both leans into and against certain ideas and expectations to offer a well-developed follow-up.

If you want to do a sequel right, turn up the blood and the heartfelt displays.

A rather intimate issue (in ways both beautiful and stomach-churning).

While this new series nails the Merc with a Mouth, it could set itself up for a future tumble.

Managing to both buck expectations and live up to them entirely, 'Death Fight Forever' could be a truly interesting exploration of nostalgia, interpersonal relationships, and how to defeat an inter-dimensional crime boss.

Whatever brings you in (the gnarly kung fu action atop gritty apartments, the deep emotionality, etc.), 'Death Fight Forever' satisfies all desires in a hugely meaningful way.

A new artist injects 'Death Fight Forever' with fresh ideas and energies, and while most of that's for the better, there's a noticeable loss in emotional edge at the book's midway point.

With yet another change of artists, 'Death Fight Forever' really plays up the absurdity of this issue, while upping the emotionality once again, to land its penultimate chapter with gusto.

Equal parts crime story, love letter to Chicano heritage, and socio-cultural warning, 'Death to Pachuco' is exactly what we need right now.

With just its second issue, 'Death to Pachuco' establishes itself as this community-centric crime story with heaps to offer everyone.

After an especially rousing second issue, 'Death to Pachuco' #3 is only good enough in its world-building, character development, and general sense of meaningful momentum.

Whereas the third issue felt a little empty or under-filled, 'Death to Pachuco' #4 claws and scratches to get us ready and primed for a combustible finale.

With a certain cinematic tinge, and lots of thematic heft, 'Death to Pachuco' ends its tale with something that'll have you deeply considering the past, present, and future of both our country and people.

Shintaro Kago deftly combines realism and absurdity for a manga title that's equal parts joyful, evocative, and jarring.

With a heady mix of horror and extra relevant subject matter, 'Did You Hear About Mimi Green?' makes good on its potential as this unflinching, deeply resonant exploration of social media, cancel culture, and how we really live in 2026.

This debut issue shows a well-crafted universe of horror and humanity, a realm we can explore as the book slowly unveils the world in front of us.

As this universe gains new layers, the story never once falters as a top-notch piece of horror-fantasy.

The third chapter of 'Edenwood' may be decidedly more robust, but that beating heart of fantasy heroism remains as approachable as ever.

The penultimate issue of 'Edenwood' is full of big reveals, big emotionality, and big stakes.

With its first arc over, there's still plenty of mystery, adventures, and humanity left to explore for this increasingly compelling book.

In a career of telling these stories, Jeff Lemire arrives at something truly terrifying.

Family Tree has become a huge favorite in just two issues, which is amazing because it took me Greg Rucka's entire run on Wolverine to be quite as certain. It's the emotional weight, the unsettling imagery (that's also deeply touching), the exploration of family and fatherhood, and the way this tree-based mystery flourishes inch by painful and exciting inch. It doesn't so much grow on you as it bursts fully in bloom from your chest cavity.

We get to see a lot but not nearly enough actually happens.

After a misstep in #3, this issue grabs you by the roots and wrenches out every drop of beauty and heartache.

As the first full arc effectively ends, this series readies to branch into exciting new directions.

It's an exciting time for Humanoids. This could be the start of an exciting new universe of impactful and relatable heroes " or it could totally be another Wildstorm (fraught with delays, bad politics, underwhelmed fans, etc.). While this preview lacks definitive proof, I nonetheless remain hopeful. Even if these new heroes can't save the world, they just may save us from more of the same.

Come for the expert sportsmanship, stay for the dreamy, dreamy boys and girls.

You can't duel your way out of loving this little tale.

'Feral' uses cats both as a novel device to stoke nostalgia while clawing away at our sensibilities to tell a deeply brutal horror story.

'Feral' may be a little gimmicky, but that doesn't stop it from being hugely effective in its layered approach to horror.

Jeff Lemire is working at a career high with this weird and enchanting tale.

Cute and creepy, this book is finding itself more and more.

More horror could mean vital things or a loss of humanity.

With a new film (sort of) looming, now seems the perfect time to launch a most entertaining, canon-free tale of the Scarlet Speedster.

Is this entertaining? Sure, and that's the problem. The issue traded true subtext and layers for a flashy approach to cheap storytelling.

Despite some good and bad, ups and downs, this debut issue cements 'Free Agents' as yet more superhero nostalgia worthy of our attention.

Despite some really great threads and ideas here, this book suffers from a rush of '90s nostalgia that stymies ideas and momentum.

This B-squad has A+ potential.

You aren't ready for this psychedelic trip into the human condition.

A poignant, trippy ending for this compelling dissection of superhero comics.

This comic "sitcom" brings the tropes while still delivering great emotions and character development.

With heart and humor galore, this modern 'Friends' continues to engage and entertain.

The dead do tell tales, and you'd be wise to listen.

The real ghosts are the sentiments we try to bury under the surface.

This is one of the best Kindt offerings in some time, and a powerful exploration of family, history, and art.

A rather abrupt drop-off for this second issue as the slower pace and uneven humanity/personality really impacted the overarching experience.

Despite some tension, unease, and inefficient techniques, the final reveal for 'Gilt Frame' paints a powerful portrait of family as filtered through a classic whodunit.

In which Godzilla makes pirates truly cool againfor now.

A story about family, aliens, and transcendence will romance and disarm readers in one fell swoop.

'Golgotha Motor Mountain' is a mystery you don't so much solve as let it unravel its many layers and nooks/crannies in a brilliant symphony.

The third issue of 'Golgotha Motor Mountain' proves to be an intellectual and visual feast that will disarm you entirely and let this powerful story of family and politics consume your whole being.

The finale proves what I've thought all along: we are not worthy of 'Golgotha Motor Mountain' and its singular, one-of-a-kind tale about family, fate, change, and the real monsters of the world.

A horror story where the humanity is just as vital and integral as the jump scares and gory bug monsters.

'Stray Bullets' fans will find something a bit more involved and demanding, and that's generally a good thing (so far).

With even just one extra issue under its belt, 'Good As Dead' achieves more of its potential with a chapter marked by tasty human suffering, thematic gold, and a general air of confidence and intent.

This may be the most busy and revealing issue of 'Good As Dead' so far, and it works exceedingly well to reward our investment (even when not everything clicks).

With even more happening than ever before, 'Good As Dead' manages to be exciting and thoughtful (even as it's also more demanding and a touch chaotic).

As the book has continued to come into itself in the last couple of issues, 'Good As Dead' will at least leave us engaged but questioning as it makes its final move in the weird saga of Port Linden.

After taking some time to truly get going, 'Good As Dead' ends its run with an issue that feels emotionally, thematically, and contextually significant in the realm of crime stories.

PKJ's a massive fan of John Stewart, and this book is a poignant exploration of the person beyond those green constructs. And while #1 was a truly solid start, I think PKJ and company hit the veritable second gear with issue #2.

The journey of John Stewart grows ever more robust and compelling.

We're building up John Stewart in a thoughtful, impactful manner.

The construct you'll need most is a pack of tissues.

The legend of John Stewart grows ever greater.

In space, everyone can hear you become a better person.

'Grommets' tackles a weird time in music and culture with the utmost integrity, hilarity, and passion to spare.

The book lures you in with its playfulness, bright colors, and sick jokes before hooking you with an increasingly potent story of true growing pains.

This book knows itself well enough to continue to add new ideas and characters to extend this intriguing exploration of nostalgia.

Friend is a four letter word, indeed.

I'm not crying, that's just space dust in my eye.

I think flashbacks get a bad rap sometimes as they're sometimes just a cheap device to draw out stories. But here, this was treated with the subtle care and intention of any other moment in this book, and it lent a lot of heft and power. It wasn't so much a quiet moment before the action picks up with the recently-swallowed (gross, sorry) Guardians but a maelstrom of emotion and history colliding together.

New members, big reveals, and oversized drama await you in Grootspace.

In which peace and joy are the mightiest of storytelling weapons.

To quote Mischief Makers, "Through fire, justice is served!

You're the sofa, and this story is the cute, slightly angry Calico cat.

Don't be such a square: 'The Fartacular' is meant to be dumb and weird but it also has heaps of lessons and insights to offer.

Even after a few years away, and some clear new ideas and objectives folded into the mix, 'Head Lopper' maintains its endlessly fun, deeply connective might as true fantasy comics magic.

Bring the popcorn and the Kleenex, 'cause you're going to need both to tackle this giant-sized drama.

Coming clean can be both a beautiful and horrific prospect.

A life-affirming, physics-smashing family story.

This book is interesting for managing to do so much world- and character-building in such an array of sizes and scopes. And even if that architecture is wildly compelling, it doesn't quite add up to the inner workings of the people in these spaces, who explore ideas both emotional and existential in really novel ways.

In which the world opens in even more glorious light and detail.

A busy issue proves just as heartfelt and essential as ever.

A solid ending brimming with light and intellectual joy.

While this skeptic can't escape the gimmicky nature of this book, the debut has visual and narrative elements that make for a sturdy enough tale of aliens and conspiracies.

When you're not learning, you're busy feeling all of the things.

I get that trying to have this book's more fantastical stuff become divorced from the grounded reality isn't a likely prospect; it's the two halves that really shape and inform one another. But as it is right now, it's that heft of our world that's preventing this book's upsides (the family drama, the brain-melting body horror, and the alien "magic) from truly excelling and engaging readers in some vital ways.

Is there room for bureaucracy in an alien invasion?

This alien invasion mostly landed as a disappointing dud.

Home is where the heart (and dead bodies) is.

While the book doesn't have quite the same immediate oomph, 'Fashion School Serial Killer' could be a novel addition to the weird and bloody canon of Wagner and Hillyard.

After a good but imperfect start, 'I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer' lays out a vision that feels exciting, bloody, and deeply human.

This third chapter sees a more deliberate, psychically intense plan unfold for the remainder of Rennie's first year at fashion school.

With a new scope/tone leading into the finale, 'I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer' makes a big swing that's as intriguing as it is potentially tenuous.

My reasonable issues with the ending aside, 'I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer' was a warm and bloody tale about friendship, growing up, and finding balance however you can in life.

Even if you don't always see your prints in the sand, 'I, Tyrant' is a thrilling, no-holds-barred slice of existential horror that will drag you to understanding or death (whichever comes first).

Here we see that 'I, Tyrant' is at its best when the story is direct, the messaging is subtle but unavoidable, and the art does more to really carry its big objectives forward.

Perhaps 'I, Tyrant' isn't as advanced as I'd thought when the wrong lead is getting all the attention, a great new character is left on the sideline, and the narrative balance just feels off.

After giving so much time and patience to this book's first three issues, I'm certain 'I, Tyrant' may not have been worth any such grace.

I really, really tried, but 'I, Tyrant' made me reconsider (even briefly) why I read comics and what I get from the larger experience.

With its debut issue, the new H1 imprint from Humanoids lays the groundwork for more grounded, engaging heroes.

There's a reason Ignited is leading the H1 charge: even with more tantalizing premises in books like OMNI, this series feels like it'll hit the hardest. If anything, as they build the world around it, Ignited may only open up further with new insights and understandings of Phoenix and the world it occupies. And whatever kind of place that is, it'll be worth the deep dive.

This anthology from some promising indie upstarts has some solid entries and one profound story that could change the way you view/engage comics.

You're going to see and hear a lot around 'Ted,' but just know that there won't be another comic as inventive, cutting, and resonant like this one for quite some time.

With ‘Ted’ #2, creator Dave Chisholm has already created this massively refreshing, perpetually human sci-fi tale about community, identity, and the true scope of our world.

After two genuinely great issues, 'Is Ted OK?' #3 sees a pivot that ups the weird factor, furthers the gorgeous humanity, and makes it clear that this book is still just getting started.

After a massive third issue, 'Is Ted OK' outdoes itself once more, achieving dizzying heights of sci-fi madness while grounding the story in the increasingly personal.

It's an exploration of how you might not be able to meet your heroes but you can interact with them in the great abstract that is creative expression. And it's a solid reminder that the best stories can and will live forever, even if they're about the one-millionth spacefaring hero.

I think this series raises some big questions, but mostly it just sort of lays out a thing for us to explore of our own accord. Even without big trucks and explosions so far, this Baker has the potential to be just righteous enough.

A bit more mass and gravity to this wildly psychedelic tale.

Forget the marketing and the gimmicks; 'Kid Maroon' is a fun slice of pulp that'll charm your bowtie off and have you eyeing a move to Crimeville.

Turns out, there's heaps and heaps to admire when the corporate drama and viking mayhem come crashing together with heart and purpose galore.

It's the pacing, mixed with the emotional potency and massive battle scenes, that make this second issue a mighty continuation.

Turns out having a formula opens you up to storytelling wonders.

After a massive reveal at the end of issue #3, 'Kill All Immortals' digs deeper for an even more satisfying, harrowing, and wonderfully complex penultimate chapter.

While there were some key issues along the way, this finale demonstrates the true visual and thematic power of 'Kill All Immortals.'

An intriguing, deeply jarring meditation on fathers and sons -- with monsters.

This second issue is both an effective change in pacing and a doubling down on bad habits.

When this book emphasizes its primary father-son narrative, it'll leave you feel drained.

As the bloodshed is turned up to 11, this chapter of the father-son drama delivers both heart and gore.

In addition to poignant emotions and narrative threads, this bottle's packed with blood and gore.

Friends are fun (and so are booby-trapped warehouses and karate kicks).

The balance of power shifts as our interest grows ever wider.

And I really want this process to land with its full weight. Because it feels like we're trying to take a firmly old-school DC comic (over-the-top sci-fi with Swiss army knife powers and invading alien hordes) and trying to re-contextualize and/or update it for now.

A slice of what makes DC Comics so fun and charming (and totes weird).

A fun and important addition to this event's deluge of tie-ins.

Is someone still a hero when their suffering is either too deserved and/or unappealing?

Sometimes the real terror is getting exactly what you want.

Yarsky's debut creator-owned title has the family drama, fantasy magic, and inventive edge needed to be a proper success.

If you want to save the world, you've got to shatter a few hearts (and maybe some kneecaps?)

Let's hear it for the man-child for a job done well (enough).

Local Man feels like a perfect superhero story for our time. Not just because of the whole MAGA subplot, but also because it's both earnest and optimistic while never pulling punches in exploring what these stories really say about us as a people.

This issue is both a laugh riot and an existential cluster bomb.

Local Man is the hero for all modern stories about superpowered paladins.

A true hero for our weird, super dumb world.

Enough mystery and heart to make up for cliqued noir tropes.

The Thin White Devil returns to break hearts and burn his enemies asunder.

As Lucifer inches toward the truth, the past and future swirl together for an intriguing slice of theater.

Love can be a bloody, mostly wonderful slice of madness.

With a promising premise (and some sturdy development early on), 'Malevolent' could bring new life to a familiar story (or it could also fall slightly short).

The action may be sharp and bloody, and the potential clearly there, but 'Malevolent' #2 still feels too under-cooked and unprepared to go truly big with its stylized storytelling.

After a couple "promising but not enough" issues, 'Malevolent' gives us what we need: human-centric odds and texture that make this tale of demonic possession feel important and worthwhile.

After a strong showing in its third issue, ‘Malevolent’ #4 builds momentum by offering up an origin story packed with horrifying visuals and the right kind of emotional displays.

This end-of-life gangster adventure slowly unveils layers of nuance and history.

Because it's not slamming on the gas outright, the debut of 'Moonshine Bigfoot' comes off as a more measured, impactful take on '90s comic xtreme-ness.

As this book continues to buck expectations and feel novel and interesting, a compelling new fictional world emerges with heart and absurdity to spare.

In an issue where some of the hilarity/hijinks feel more overt, 'Moonshine Bigfoot' continues to shine beyond its initial fun-but-limiting premise.

A flipped vampire story may still be just another vampire story.

The real terror is this book's continued inability to fully commit.

After past successes like 'Plastic' and 'Vinyl,' 'Narco' sees this creative team shift away from the gore and insanity for something altogether more tense and measured.

While it may be slower and less obviously bonkers, 'Narco' continues to be this dedicated, nuanced exploration of loss, personal growth, the nature of crime stories, and how opossums are dope AF.

After a couple of great issues, 'Narco' #3 tinkers with its formula. While the resulting emotionality and drama is solid, it does make you miss a few other key elements. But, hey, let's just chalk it up to growing pains.

No one's eventual downfall has ever seemed so delicious.

The case (and our hero's mind?) may be about to crack wide open.

The "downfall of Easton Newburn continues in dazzling fashion.

Emily may shine but this remains the story of Newburn's downfall.

The life of Easton Newburn grows ever darker, compelling, complicated, etc.

There's just so many great decisions here, many of that seemingly small or innocuous, that take this great character work and push it to the upper stratosphere.

Solid noir like few others can truly muster.

A fitting enough ode to antiheroes and outsiders.

It'd be a real shanda if you missed out on this book.

A dazzling drama of big scares and bigger emotions.

Nights continues to be a profound book that you must experience firsthand.

Another issue down, and Nights grows ever more robust and life-affirming.

This book continues to scare, dazzle, and engage in decidedly massive ways.

I can't hide it: Nights is peak comics storytelling.

Let me say it again: Nights is truly amazing storytelling.

I won't shut up till you love this dang comic book.

If you love something, you must sometimes poke at its open wounds.

Truly, Nights is the gift that keeps on giving.

A very potent b-day celebration for us and the characters alike.

Another great "gimmick that dazzles as much as it builds toward the future.

After a massive build up, 'Nights' ends its debut arc with an issue that affirms everything great and kicks the door open for what's next.

This may be a new story direction, but you'll love it all the same.

The warmth of familiarity, the exciting sting of something entirely new.

Maybe this issue doesn't dazzle as much as some previous chapters, but it certainly plays an important rule in this prequel tale.

After a six-month break, 'Nights' returns with a potent issue that's both slow and welcoming while furthering the true power of this increasingly magical and undeniable universe.

Even with one more issue in this arc, 'Nights' #17 has all the bloody action, emotional resonance, and proper developments to deem this chapter a roaring success.

As far as epilogues go, 'Nights' #18 was a solid moment of deep reflection and character work while readily preparing us for the next chapter of comics' most wondrous ongoing series.

This issue does a bang-up job in balancing a hint of nostalgic Nightwing storytelling and canon while furthering this run's vibrant spirit and mission statement.

This new fantasy series glides the line between grit and depth and fanciful fiction.

A wonky storyline and forced inconsistency in the narrative don't make for the best of times.

After some near misses, this issue finally peels back the magical world-building for emotional connections and meaningful storytelling.

After so much promise in issue #3, we're left again in the weirdest of places.

After a number of disappointments, my remaining patience may have finally up and vanished.

Fantagraphics unveils an exciting debut issue of its new anthology series built on a diverse group of creators, intriguing stories and art, and a whole heap of creative potential.

Another promising collection of weird and wacky comics from across the indie scene.

A compelling and cohesive collection celebrating indie comic goodness.

A year or so in, and this Fantagraphics series continues to deliver a mighty blast of cerebral, highly evocative comics.

Fantagraphics' crack editors continue the series with an entry that pushes all sorts of boundaries while providing plenty of chuckles and head scratches.

The sixth installment of Fantagraphics' spotlight anthology keeps the hits (and slight misses) rolling.

While this volume has some issues, the series as a while continues its weird and wonderful ways.

You are not ready or prepared enough for what Lynch is about to cram down your gullet.

An ending, for sure, but hopefully the start of something else entirely.

An anthology just as you'd expect: just enough upsides with a few accompanying shortfalls.

Dr. Cecelia Cobbina is the cure for bland superhero comics.

A transformative and entertaining spin on the same old vampire story.

Life sucks and maybe that's a good thing?

This vampire story goes for the heart and jugular at every turn.

The heisting grows ever bigger and more rich.

A new title, but same old wonderful vampire hijinks.

This caper is more robust and compelling than ever before.

Welcome to the weird, bloody, and silly endgame, folks.

An uneven ending for a promising but mostly uneven story.

Marvel's teen heroes prepare for a truly gripping tale of power and control.