Craig Neilson-Adams Comic Reviews

If youve been enjoying the 24: Legacy TV series, then this is an absolute no-brainer, but even if you hate it with the fury of a thousand suns, this is still a comic thats worth a few quid of your hard-earned money. Tense, dramatic and utterly gripping, Rules of Engagement improves on the television show in almost every conceivable way, giving us a thoroughly intriguing look at the formative years of Eric Carter.

If South Parks Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrote a sequel to The Goonies, itd probably be a lot like 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank. Rude, crude, hilarious and with a surprising amount of heart, this is an absolutely essential purchase.

That minor niggle aside, this is still a pretty damn perfect ending to yet another stunningly impressive series from Black Mask Studios. Obviously the release problems have hampered the flow of the series significantly, but if you get a chance to pick up the collected edition, you really owe it to yourself to do just that. You can thank me later. Its razor-sharp, hilariously relatable and surprisingly heartfelt, and if it werent for a certain homeless noir series, would stand alone as the unquestioned jewel in the Black Mask Studios crown. Highest of recommendations for this one, folks.

My only complaint about this series is that it isn't the 99 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton, because I seriously don't want it to end!

Honestly, this series has been an absolute blast from start to finish, something which was pretty much guaranteed given the pedigree of its two creators. If you've been here since issue one, then this conclusion is definitely not going to disappoint, and if you're new to the series but enjoy hilarious dialogue, kung fu action and cheesy TV references, this series should be considered a must buy once the trade paperback hits shelves in January.

At the end of the day, while it doesnt quite elevate itself into must read status, A Sparrows Roar - featuring a pair of comic book newcomers delivering an engaging young adult fantasy tale, a likeable cast of characters and an eye-catching visual style is still definitely worth a look.

A strong start from a must-watch creative partnership then, blending the same expressive artwork and charming character work of Alice in Leatherland with a far more dramatic, energetic and action-packed story. Zanfardino and Romboli are a team you really need to keep an eye out for, and this is a new series that you need to add to your pull list right away.

The final pages establish the direction of the story moving forwards, and with two likeable leads, two supremely talented creators and a lot of open road ahead of us, I'm well and truly hooked on this series.

A dark, unsettling feast for the eyeballs, A Town Called Terror grabs your attention from the first page with its striking visual style, and while we're not quite there yet story-wise, I have no doubt that this series is going to take us to some truly horrific places before all's said and done.

Overall, in spite of my minor niggles, A-Force stands as one of the most enjoyable Secret Wars series that Ive had the pleasure of reading, and I cant wait for the ongoing series to still come. Its a little disappointing that Bennett wont be returning for volume two, but I have no doubt that the series will continue to flourish in Wilsons capable hands. Definitely one to pick up the trade of, if you happen to have missed out on the single issues.

If the purpose of a first issue is to completely and utterly draw the reader into the world being created, then Above Snakes should be considered a massivesuccess. A darkly humorous tale of Western vengeance with a supernatural twist, this is a series you owe it to yourself to pick up.

While the idea does have potential, this first issue just didnt pop like it probably should, and while it did just enough to feel authentic enough to the Adventure Time world, it just felt like a bit of a missed opportunity to me. Flat, uninspired and ultimately disappointing, ICE KING is an unexpected blip on BOOM! Studios otherwise stellar Adventure Time output.

Fun, lively and colourful, this first chapter is definitely going to appeal to fans of the CBS series, even if it is painfully slight. This is definitely a title that's going to read a lot better a few chapters at a time, but as a quick introduction to the character with some eye-catching visuals and a snappy cliffhanger, I don't think you could do much better in this limited page count. Definitely a title to keen an eye out for, especially if you're a fan of the show.

Another bright and lively chapter then, and a wonderful companion piece to the similarly bright and lively CBS television show. While its not necessarily pushing the envelope all that much, at least for the time being, theres no doubt that this series is doing exactly what it set out to do so far. Fans of the show will absolutely love this, although theres still a lot of enjoyment to be had for relative newcomers like myself. Well worth a look, folks.

If you havent been exposed to the Super Sons yet, this is the perfect time to start. Packed with humour, heart and high-concept shenanigans, Tomasi is quietly carving out one hell of a niche for himself with these characters, and this new series delivers more of the same unbridled awesomeness as the original. Its the Summer of Super, everyone! What the hell are you waiting for?

At the end of the day, if youre a fan of the characters then youll definitely enjoy what Tomasi and co. serve up here, and if youre looking for a funny, lighter-hearted DC series that doesnt insult the your intelligence, then Super Sons comes highly recommended.

While it doesnt necessarily advance the overall storyline in any significant way, this for me is easily the best issue of the series so far. Its beautifully laid out, strikingly illustrated, and blends humour and drama into what is an utterly enjoyable read.

A dark, grown-up sequel that takes a twisted look at what happened next for Alice. Panosian, Spalletta and Mascolo each do a stunning job of bringing this tale to the page, and I absolutely can't wait to see just how far down the rabbit hole this story is going to go.

Another strong issue for this thoroughly intriguing series then, and with the mystery at its heart still tightly under wraps for the time being, it's the overall fascination - not to mention the strong reader investment in the sweet, optimistic but clearly broken Alice - that's keeping the pages turning for the time being. Definitely one to add to your pull list if it isn't there already.

Definitely the strongest issue of the series so far, and one which pushes the narrative - as well as the level of peril that our unfortunate protagonist finds herself in - to a whole new level. I can only hope that poor Alice finally gets some sort of reprieve from her seemingly endless torment, one way or another, during next month's finale. Dark, gripping and packed with visual and narrative flair, this series comes highly recommended.

While humorous and sex-positive stories of love and misfortune might not necessarily appeal to every comic book reader, they most certainly appeal to this one, and the charm and energy that the creators inject into this tale make it an easy series to recommend. Sweet, wholesome, honest and funny, this is the LGBTQIA+ sex comedy you didn't know you needed in your life.

The final pages feature something of a transformation for the series as it moves forwards, and the immense likeability of Alice as a protagonist continues to carry the load and ensure that anyone picking this issue up will be guaranteed to want to read the next. Blending wholesome fun with sizzling sexuality, Alice in Wonderland continues to be a series I have no problems recommending.

The final pages ratchet up the tension considerably as the 'discovery' starts to thaw and Zasha, Batya's young daughter, finds herself on the run. It's clear that all hell is about to break loose, and I'm definitely planning on sticking around to find out what happens next. Sure, there's perhaps nothing too groundbreaking at play here yet, but there's enough atmosphere and intrigue to keep the pages turning throughout the course of this first issue. A chilling new chapter in Marvels Alien saga, and a first issue that's still well worth a look.

As it stands now, this is still a thoroughly immersive read, focusing heavily on atmosphere rather than plot, and featuring some impressively detailed and utterly dynamic artwork. Highly recommended.

Beautifully rendered with a sense of frantic, claustrophobic horror throughout, Dead Orbit provides a welcome return to the terrifying grass roots of the Alien franchise.

Ultimately, Dead Orbit provides a welcome return to the haunted house horror that made Ridley Scotts movie such a runaway success while proving that, in the right hands, it isn't necessary to reinvent the wheel in order to produce a compelling Aliens comic. We can only hope that this isn't the last time Stokoe is allowed to play in this particular sandbox.

While the full scope of the story is only truly revealed during the final pages, Wood and Jones have crafted an impressively strong opening chapter for this latest Dark Horse Aliens series. While the bare bones may not be particularly daring, the strength of the lead character and the crisp, confident execution of both the storyline and the artwork make this an absolutely essential purchase for fans of the franchise, or simply for fans of science-fiction horror in general. Bring on issue two! Oorah!

As an actual story, this new series is clearly still in its incubation stage waiting for the right time to reveal itself, but as a slice of pulse-pounding Aliens horror, Dust to Dust is a veritable chestburster of frantic terror, and as such comes highly recommended.

At the end of the day, Dust to Dust does a great job of taking the Aliens franchise back to its stripped-down horror roots, and while this final issue sees the scale ramped up to almost ludicrous proportions at times, the focus on character and the frantic, almost primal sense of fear throughout makes this easily one of the best Alien books Dark Horse has released for quite some time. Highly recommended.

I'm slapping on an extra half star for the potential of the premise, but as a first issue this feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. There are great ideas here, along with great characters and a writer who clearly knows how to deliver a top-notch Aliens story, but it just doesnt all seem to be coming together just yet, for whatever reason. Ill probably pick up the second issue out of loyalty to the franchise, but Im really hoping for a marked improvement in terms of tension, urgency and some real stakes if this series is going to keep me reading much longer than that.

While science fiction comics are a dime a dozen these days, genuinely interesting sci-fi is a far rarer beast. And, as I had hoped from the moment I heard the creative team for this new series, All Against All has the potential to become something something truly memorable. An intriguing premise executed with real creative flair, it's going to be fascinating to see what direction Paknadel and Wijngaard take this story in as it unfolds. Consider me well and truly hooked.

The final pages give us another brief snapshot of the scale of the problem, before seeing Vin and Reynolds setting out in unified direction with a shared mission. It's a simple enough premise at its heart, but the execution here is admirable and all the pieces fit together extremely well. Honestly, I'm a sucker for a creature feature, and everything about this series, from the characters to the location to the skittering menaces themselves, hits the mark for me. Highly recommended.

All in all, while it perhaps takes a little while to find its feet, All Guts, No Glory ultimately delivers a creative, enjoyable twist on the 'monster hunter' trope, all wrapped up in a pleasing visual package. Definitely one to keep an eye on as the story unfolds.

In summary, the fact that it contains one of the best Bat-stories Ive read for quite some time is more than enough to justify the $4.99 cover price, and the opportunity to see Scott Snyder pouring out his creativity in such an unrestricted arena makes for absolutely essential reading.  You can count me in for all thirteen issues of this one, thats for darn sure.

All-Star Batman continues to deliver a fascinating look at the Dark Knights rogues gallery, providing a fresh new interpretation of Two-Face in the main story while shining an extra storyline spotlight on new sidekick Duke in the "backup" strip. Since it was first announced, the hype generated by the, yes, all-star creative team almost seemed to be setting the bar a little too high, but to this point in the series, Snyder, Romita Jr, Miki, White, Shalvey and Bellaire have somehow managed to exceed expectations, resulting in an absolutely essential purchase for any and all Batman fans.

This latest arc has seen Snyder weaving contradictions into every aspect of his story. Its wildly improbable yes relentlessly logical. Epic on a global scale, but still deeply personal. Its not a Batman story, but at the same time, its the Batman story. And, in spite of his critically acclaimed New 52 run alongside Greg Capullo, its All-Star Batman that really feels like Scott Snyder painting his masterpiece. Highest possible recommendation for this series, folks.

Spencer gives us another cliffhanger to end things on, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the pace, scale and emotional complexity of this event so far. This is certainly a solid enough issue to move things along, but perhaps lacks the punch of the bombastic event opener. Regardless, I'm still well and truly hooked, and not only is this event well and truly rekindling my love for Spider-Man in general, it's also making me want to pick up some of the older issues to fill in all the gaps. Well played, Marvel. Well played.

Ultimately, AmeriKarate is a book which is under absolutely no delusions about what it really is, and is all the better for it. Its a broad, crass and gloriously unsubtle love letter to 80s movie excess, and while the jokes dont necessarily all land, theres still a lot of fun to be had here in a switch off your brain for a few minutes and enjoy the madness kind of way.

It's almost impossible not to find yourself becoming drawn deeper and deeper into PD121928's plight as he battles through rejections, anxiety and writer's block, and there's an offbeat sense of humour to some of the prose that feels vaguely reminiscent of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, albeit with a slightly darker, slightly more twisted 2000AD-style feel. Overall then, while it's not necessarily a 'comic' in the truest sense of the word, An Android Awakes is a boundlessly creative, proudly eccentric read that will have you hooked until the final page. Definitely well worth a look.

While AN OLYMPIC DREAM is a fairly difficult read at times due to the inherent  tragedy of the story, its also an incredibly important one, and provides some much-needed humanity to what can otherwise seem like a faceless problem.  Highest of recommendations for this one, and another glowing testament to the provocative and thought provoking  work of SelfMadeHero.

Ultimately, if you enjoyed the first volume of Angel Catbird then youll definitely enjoy the second as it delivers more of the same feline-themed shenanigans and zany world-building, all wrapped up in a bright, colourful package. Is it perfect? No, not by a long shot. But for an easily consumable slice of high-concept all-ages fantasy packed with cat puns and feline trivia, you could definitely do a lot worse.

Ultimately, Angelic is nothing less than an utterly fascinating series packed with an almost tangible sense of adventure and rebellion, all wrapped up in a beautiful, pastel-shaded package. So be a goodmonk and pick this one up as soon as you possibly can.

One of the absolute best comics on the shelves today, Angelic is a rarity in that it can boast genuinely universal appeal. True, now is perhaps not the greatest time to jump on board, but if you can get your hands on any back issues, Id highly recommend picking them up as quickly as possible. Trust me, you wont regret it.

Overall then, while this first issue doesn't really give us any indication of what direction the series is going to take as it moves forwards, it provides what is easily one of the most utterly intriguing and skilfully executed opening chapters to a new series this year. With its ability to make you recoil in horror, snort with laughter and feel a lump in your throat practically simultaneously, Animosity is an absolutely essential purchase.

The mystery only promises to deepen as the series continues, and this latest issue ends with a fairly shocking change of demeanour from a small group of established characters. Bennett continues to add layer upon layer to her richly developed Animosity universe, and while the Evolution series is definitely more of a slow-burner than the main title, theres still more than enough of the same blend of drama and emotion on display here to make this a highly recommended purchase.

Boasting dynamic storytelling with real-world relevance and a wonderfully engaging cast of characters, Animosity has been one of the absolute best comics of the last few years. And with this miniseries, Marguerite Bennett has proven that her absolutely genius central concept can be adapted and expanded upon in a variety of interesting, creative ways. Lets all keep our fingers crossed for more Animosity spin-offs at some point in the future.

Overall then, while its not necessarily the kind of thing I would pick up myself, I absolutely love that there are comics like this out there on the shelves. Perfect for little girls who like princesses, little boys who like princesses, and grown adults who like goddamn princesses, this is a progressive, positive and gloriously fun series that deserves to be seen by as many eyes as possible.

In my review of the last issue, I said that while it wasnt necessarily for me, I absolutely loved the fact that comics like Another Castle were on the shelves. Well, after this latest issue, Im starting to think that this comic might actually be for me after all. Its sharply written, gorgeously illustrated and packed with humour, intelligence and important messages that never come across as preachy. Seek this one out, check your preconceptions at the door, and thank me later.

In the increasingly diverse world of comic books, its reassuring to know that younger readers picking up this book are being taught some valuable lessons. Namely, that heroes can show weakness, that the people we think of as monsters can sometimes be every bit as heroic as the rest of us, and perhaps most importantly that princesses can kick some serious ass. And I think youll agree thats a message we can all get behind.

Smartly written, lovingly illustrated and poignant without ever feeling preachy, Another Castle is a remarkably uplifting series that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.  If I had a child, boy or girl, this is exactly the kind of comic book Id want them to be reading.

An intriguing character piece that looks set to evolve into a thrilling, twist-filled adventure, Antarctic is a new series that most certainly deserves your full attention. Well worth a look.

Five years removed from its initial release, I still cant find anything to fault about ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times. The narrative is tight, the characterisation is spot-on, and the artwork while frequently unconventional in its approach is truly a feast for the eyes. MacLean has managed to weave a tale filled with humour and emotion with a powerful message at its core, and I simply cant recommend this book highly enough.

Overall then, this is a fine opening issue that takes its time to establish the new status quo before throwing a Manta-shaped spanner into the works and letting all hell break loose.  For the time being, the threat against Aquaman is fairly conventional (if impressively well-orchestrated), and itll be interesting moving forwards to see whether Abnett can inject anything truly ground-breaking into this series.  Ill definitely be hanging around long enough to find out, thats for sure.

Overall then, while it still feels more like a continuation than a quote-unquote Rebirth, I actually rather enjoyed Abnetts run on the New 52 Aquaman, and that enjoyment has most certainly translated to this new series. Abnetts Arthur Curry has a strong, confident voice, and if youve always viewed Aquaman as something of a lesser superhero (damn you, Robot Chicken!) then this series is all but guaranteed to change your mind. Definitely one of the highlights of DCs Rebirth so far, and a series with a huge amount of potential as it moves forwards.

These issues aside, Abnetts underlying storyline - Arthur trying to advance Atlantis onto the world political stage - has some real legs, so it's doubly disappointing to see this latest issue derailed by some frankly lacklustre artwork.  While its certainly not enough to write off a series that has undoubtedly impressed during the early months of DCs Rebirth, it does however serve as a disappointing stumble for what was shaping up to be an impressive new story.

Overall then, while the niggles surrounding the artwork remain, Abnetts story is proving to be more than enough to keep this books head above water. The political drama of a King trying to bring his people onto the world global stage while being beset on all sides by attempts to derail him makes for utterly gripping reading, and from a pure storytelling point of view, this may very well be the best post-Rebirth issue of the series so far.

While its essentially one long action sequence, theres a lot to like about this issue, and about this series so far as a whole. The final pages offer an intriguing new direction and potential obstacle, and while some of the flaws from earlier in the arc remain Black Mantas side story still feels superfluous, although its clear that Abnett is merely keeping the situation simmering away until its time to bring it to the boil this can definitely be viewed as strong opening arc which impressively establishes the new status quo for Aquaman in the post-Rebirth world.  We just need to sort out those darn faces.

While it may have started a little slowly, this is a series which is building some serious momentum over the last half dozen or so issues, and which now stands as one of the most consistently enjoyable titles in DCs lineup. Highly recommended.

This is easily the best issue of the post-Rebirth series so far, and a fitting conclusion to what has been one of the most enjoyable Aquaman arcs in years.  Abnett continues to cement his role as Rebirth MVP, managing to generate the same level of excitement about the character as Geoff Johns way back at the beginning of the New 52.  Highest of recommendations for this one.

Serving as a mixture of epilogue and prologue, this issue provides an impressive transition from one story arc to the next, all while introducing an intriguing new threat. Dan Abnetts Aquaman is fast becoming the jewel in DCs Rebirth crown, and the series is starting to display an impressive level of consistency that is going to make it an essential fortnightly read.

The final pages ramp up the mystery even more by throwing a grim little curveball into the proceedings, and while this latest story definitely serves as a noticeable departure from the high-stakes political machinations of the early arc, this still remains a reasonably intriguing underwater horror diversion. Not quite Aquaman at his finest, but still a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Aquaman has been always one of the better written titles in the post-Rebirth DC Universe, but after twenty-five issues, it finally has what feels like the perfect artist to work alongside Abnett on this dark, politically charged story. Highly recommended.

All too often the end of a writer's extended run on a title can be viewed by long-time readers as a "perfect jumping-off point", but I'd strongly advise against that course of action here. True, this isn't your typical Aquaman tale, but DeConnick and co. have put together a fresh and inventive look at the character, and in the wake of forty-six issues of Dan Abnett's epic-scale "underwater Game of Thrones", it's strangely exciting to be presented with something so markedly different here.

At the end of the day, theres little I can fault about Archangel 8, save for a slight deviation from my expectations. Providing a bleak and violent introduction to this world of hired killers, Moreci, Smith et al do a great job of laying the groundwork for what promises to be an entertaining series. With an enigmatic leading man and a twisted succession of feints, twists and shocking violence, this is a new series you really ought to be checking out.

At the end of the day, if youre a fan of either property then youll likely get a real kick out of this. Its lively, funny and gloriously tongue-in-cheek from start to finish, which is pretty much all you could ask for from a crossover between these two franchises.

Overall then, Artful provides an even-handed adaptation of Peter Davids popular novel, and while there are some rough edges along the way, the strength of the premise and the charm and eloquence of the dialogue make this an utterly intriguing read. If nothing else, reading this first issue has made me want to go and pick up the original novel to get the full experience, but Im also going to be sticking with the rest of this series to see how the comic book version plays out. Well worth a look.

For my money one of the absolute best books on the shelves today, Assassin Nation is a sleeper hit that truly deserves to be on your radar. Combining Starks knack for grin-raising violence and humorous gags with the sheer delight of Hendersons Squirrel Girl-looking ultraviolence, this is a pure joy to read. Highly recommended.

At the end of the day, if youre a fan of either creators previous work, you really owe it to yourself to pick this series up. Blending John Woo-esque balletic violence with crass humour and action movie excess, Assassin Nation ticks a hell of a lot of boxes, and does so with style.

With a diverse blend of humour, drama and mystery, Assassinistas has exploded out of the gate with a strong opening issue. We instantly care about the characters, and with such a compelling story being dangled in front of us, you'd be hard pressed to find a reader who didn't instantly want to pick up the second issue after reading this one.

Aside from a minor stumble midway through, this first issue serves as a truly impressive return for a title Ive been waiting for ever since I devoured the first series. Spencer and Rosanas are telling a small story (no pun intended) filled with heart, humour and excitement, and are clearly having the time of their lives doing it. Highly recommended.

As youll no doubt have realised, were serious horror fans here at the Big Comic Page, and with all manner of evocative and thrilling books being released from publishers all over the world on a weekly, Vault Comics continues to stand out from the bulk of the crowd with titles like this. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.

At the end of the day, this is a thoroughly enjoyable collection that shines a light on several members of the Avengers roster that a lot of readers - myself included - may not be hugely familiar with. With the likes of Sunspot, Cannonball, Hyperion, Smasher and Starbrand all stealing the spotlight from Cap, Iron Man and Thor, this is a well-rounded and (mostly) character-focused collection that, while the quality of writing and artwork does ebb and flow slightly throughout its five hundred-plus pages, I have absolutely no problems recommending.

Oh, and in case you missed the memo, 2017 is now officially Donny Cates year, folks. Get used to it.

Six issues in and Babyteeth is losing none of its early momentum, and this tale of teenage motherhood, demons, assassins and shadowy conspiracies only promises to get better and better in this thrilling second arc. Cates and Brown are both firing on all cylinders here, and while this issue does admittedly feel like a brief pause for breath before the real action of the second chapter starts, it's still packed with both memorable and shocking moments. Highly recommended.

Over the last twelve issues, BABYTEETH has gradually evolved from an intriguing high-concept elevator pitch (single mother gives birth to the antichrist) to a fascinating and multi-layered story packed with intriguing characters and an enjoyable blend of humour and gravitas. If you havent picked this one up yet, then Id wholeheartedly suggest grabbing the first two trades and joining us in the Red Realm as soon as possible. Seriously folks, this is one of the best books on the shelves right now.

Ultimately then, it's safe to say that Cates, Brown and co. stick the landing with style here, wrapping their hellacious teenage pregnancy story up in truly satisfying fashion and bringing the story of Sadie Ritter full circle. Hopefully the fourth and final collected trade will follow shortly (along with one of AfterShock's suitably chunky omnibus editions, perhaps?) to give those readers who drifted away during the break a chance to experience the whole cracking narrative. Fantastic stuff from all concerned.

Kindt is a writer whose track record all but guarantees that going to at least check out everything new he releases, but even with that said, I had absolutely no idea I was going to enjoy BANG! as much as I did. Ive been waiting for my first new series to get really excited about in 2020, and I think BANG! may well be the one. Next month cant come quickly enough.

It's always great to see a comic living up to its impressive hype, but in all honesty, I think BARBARIC may have actually exceeded it. From the legitimate belly laugh on page five to the air-punching violence throughout to the the eyebrow-raising final page, this is a perfect example of exactly why I read comics. To be entertained. And if entertainment is what you're after, I really can't recommend this series highly enough.

A fun bout of irreverent swords and sorcery fun, and one which will likely serve as a gateway drug to the glorious main series for a lot of readers. I'm loving the idea of bringing new artists into the rapidly-expanding world of Owen and Axe with these one-shots, and while this isn't quite an essential read in order to follow the Barbaric continuity, it's still a bloody fun one. Well worth a look.

This is a story about fathers and sons, vengeance and justice, life and death, and its unquestionably one of the best single issues of a Batman comic Ive read in a long, long time. This is the Batman I want to see, this is the Swamp Thing I want to see, and this is the creative partnership I want to see working together time and time again. A fantastic issue from two creators who seem custom-made to collaborate with one another, and one deserving of my highest possible recommendation.

If you've been following the sadistic escapades of the Batman Who Laughs since his debut in Dark Days: The Casting this is an absolutely essential purchase, and if you love a good superhero horror mystery story, you definitely owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

Okay, cards on the table, my expectations for this series were ridiculously low, so the fact that it hasnt turned out to be a complete car crash thus far is almost reason enough for me to recommend it. That said, if youre willing to fight through your misgivings (assuming you actually have them and arent whipping yourself into a fanboy frenzy at the prospect of these characters meeting face-to-face something I probably should be doing myself), theres actually a pretty fun story here with some chunky, dynamic artwork and a Batmobile-load of potential. Definitely worth a look if youre curious, but it doesnt quite do enough to qualify for the essential reading category. Not yet, anyway.

If the idea of Bane leading the Foot Clan, Bebop and Rocksteady into battle against Batman, Damian and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesnt fill you with giddy excitement, then you might want to check your pulse. This is loud, bombastic fan service of the highest order, and I absolutely love it.

That said, this is still very much worth a look for fans of Adams or Batmans classic heyday, and inclusion of Deadman livens things up considerably (even if he doesnt necessarily do much besides hopping from body to body), but I cant help but feel that the clunky dialogue is limiting this new series as being something merely serviceable rather than something truly special.

An enjoyable read then, almost in spite of itself, and a solid set-up for the third and final act when it comes.

Much like the interaction between Selina and Damian in the last prelude issue this one is made so perfect by the last pages with Bruce and Dick. Again we see how the Batfam feel about this new addition and how they care for their surrogate father, providing a truly beautiful and meaningful moment in a fantastic set up to the big day.

This is a stripped-down, street level Batman detective tale with a genuinely disturbing denouement, but it doesnt quite feel like the first issue of a series just yet. Whatever direction this is going, Ellis is clearly keeping his cards close to his chest so far, although the solicitation info suggests that the aforementioned denouement is likely to have a profound effect on the psyche of the Dark Knight moving forwards and rightfully so. So at the end of the day, youre even remotely a fan of Batman the detective, this is definitely worth a look.

Beautiful Canvas is a story impressive in its ambiguity, with a compelling lead and a slick visual style. It's not what you I thought it was going to be when I started reading, but that's okay, because Lindsay and Kivela have aggressively grabbed my attention here, and I absolutely cannot wait for the second issue to find out just where the hell this story is going.

There is also an emotional gut-punch near the end of the story that jerks the wheel in a whole new direction, displaying the full extent of the power and fury that Theresa had been previously trying so hard to block out, leading to a powerful, explosive and surprisingly poignant finale. While it may sound like a cookie-cutter teen mutant story on paper, Behemoth has an impressive amount of emotion and depth behind it, and both Kipiniak and Woodward should be applauded for managing to handle this story in such an impressively unique way. Highly recommended.

For a company perhaps best known for their licensed content, IDW are doing some absolutely stellar work with their Originals creator-owned line, and this new series deserves a place near the very top of that list. Feeling like Sylvanian Families meets Dexter, this is a beautifully disturbing concept executed to absolute perfection. Highest possible recommendation.

I honestly can't stress how much I'm enjoying this series. And while it's only technically going to have two issues published in this calendar year, it's already rocketing its way to the top of my "Best of 2023" list. Blending cutesy animals and twisted psychopaths into a weirdly compelling mixture, this series once again gets my highest possible recommendation.

As we head into the final chapter next month, and what promises to be something of a reckoning for all concerned, it's worth reiterating just how fantastic this series has been from start to finish. In blending two seemingly disparate genres, Horvath has certainly baited his hook effectively, but this high-concept premise would be wasted without a thoroughly compelling story at its heart, and in that respect Horvath has delivered in spades. Samantha Strong is an utterly compelling protagonist, and this series serves as yet another unmitigated triumph for IDWs Original imprint. Absolutely mesmerizing.

In a world of relentless marketing, press releases and solicitation info, its a rarity that I go into a comic completely blind, but boy am I glad that I did on this occasion. And while its unlikely youll be afforded the same opportunity, Id still highly recommend picking this new series up, and enjoy as it delivers a cracking blend of frantic fantasy violence and high-concept intrigue.

Its going to be interesting to see where the story goes next, but Im truly grateful that Lemire has opted for intriguing character drama rather than fish-out-of-water comedy, and Deodato Jr. and Martin's artwork alone is more than worth the cover price every month. Highly recommended.

A simple story beautifully executed, Berserker Unbound tells a gripping tale of loss, acceptance and wordless camaraderie, and as such comes highly recommended.

Described by Kaplan as "a love letter to artists and creatives", Beyond Real is delivering all that and more, and with a shifting tone and visual style from issue to issue, there's no possible way to anticipate what's coming next. Unpredictable, multi-layered and visually arresting, this series is set to be yet another unconventional triumph from Vault Comics.

Overall then, while its not exactly reinventing the wheel, this is an affectionate and enjoyable pairing of two iconic 80s characters, packed with quotable dialogue, chuckle-worthy moments and bigtime action set pieces. And really, what more could you want?

Its probably no secret that I was going to love this one, but seeing Kindt and Jenkins tackling a whole new subject matter in a whole new genre is truly delicious. Theres also an enjoyable blend of humour, drama and high-concept espionage here that makes this an extremely easy series to recommend. With this new series, Tyler Jenkins and Matt Kinds have earned their making another fantastic comic badge with style.

At the end of the day, Black Badges is still an easy book to recommend though, and whether its the striking artwork or the sheer creativity of the premise (Black ops boy scouts? Whats not to like?), theres absolutely no reason you shouldnt be picking this BOOM! Studios series up every single month.

That minor criticism aside, it feels like this series is finally starting to pick up some real momentum, with Kindt throwing all manner of complex conspiracies - something of a calling card of his - into the mix. The final page suggests that the conflict between the Black Badges and the "Honor Society" has only just begun, and it's going to be fascinating to see how this whole situation plays out in the issues to come. Another highly recommended issue of what has become a 'must buy' series.

At the end of the day, what we have here is a fast-paced, straight-faced, sword and sorcery adventure. It isn't trying to subvert or reinvent anything, feeling instead like a love letter to the genre in all its glory. And while there isn't necessarily anything here we haven't seen before, the confident execution and clear affection from the creative team ensures that this is still a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Black Canary has cemented itself over the last seven issues as one of the brightest, boldest and most original books currently on sale from DC Comics, and with an almost painfully tantalising cliffhanger, there's absolutely zero doubt that I'll be picking this one up once the next arc kicks off. I'd strongly advise you to do the same, and if you haven't got on board yet, make sure to grab the first trade when it hits shelves on March 2nd.

A chilling, unsettling read from start to finish, BLACK EYED KIDS provides one of the most gripping opening issues to a horror story that Ive read in years. Quite how the series will hold up once we start to learn a little more about the titular kids remains to be seen, but for now, Pruett and Kudranskis creation stands as a true masterpiece of tension and atmosphere, and a book that should creep its way right to the top of any self-respecting horror fans must buy list.

Theres a still a hell of a lot to like about this series - and this issue, for that matter - but I cant help but feel a slight twinge of disappointment that Pruett and Kudranski have tipped their hand in such an inelegant fashion here. Moving forwards, this is a book which is absolutely rife with potential, providing it can somehow manage to replicate the creeping unease that made the first issue such a jaw-dropping success. For now though, while Id love to be able to approach the upcoming issues with optimism, the sense of dread I previously felt for the Black Eyed Kids is now directed at the series itself.

While its far from essential reading for fans of the main Black Hammer story, this one-shot still comes highly recommended, telling a touching story of Lovecraftian teenage angst and introducing us to a young girl lost in the shadows of the relentless, larger-than-life heroes versus villains conflict.

At the end of the day, Black Hammer clearly hasn't lost a step during its six month hiatus, hitting the ground running with this new chapter and providing the same fantastic characterisation, razor-sharp homages and wildly expressive artwork that made the original series such a runaway success. But perhaps more than anything else, its just an amazing feeling to know that youre reading a comic that future generations are going to be looking back on with wide-eyed reverence. An all-time classic in the making.

While it could have very easily have ended up feeling like a cheap, superficial or slightly tacky gimmick crossover, this is actually anything but, with Lemire and Walsh putting together a sharp, thoughtful opening issue that promises much for the rest of this story. The world of Black Hammer has offered up some of the absolute best comics of the last few years, and this series has the potential to end up right there at the top of that list.

Theres also a fantastic sensation of just sitting back and letting this monumental series unfold, safe in the knowledge that Remender and Scalera have at least fifty issues (at least!) plotted out, and that every character will be given their own unique arc to explore. This is multi-layered science fiction world building of the highest order, perfectly executed by a creative team at the absolute top of their game.

Black Science continues to cement its reputation as one of the finest comics on the shelves today, providing a surrealist, genre-defying science fiction opus wrapped around a handful of utterlycompelling characters. This isnt the time tojump intothe series, but I highly recommending grabbing the first three trades as soon as humanly possible and getting on board with this one. Trust me, you wont regret it.

Okay, lets cut to the chase. Black Science is, for my money, the most consistently brilliant series on the shelves today, an accolade it has held in my opinion, at least for the best part of three years now. Remenders work has honestly never been better, and his seamless collaboration with Scalera continues to redefine just how well a writer and artist should be working together. If you havent been following this series until now, you really, really need to pick up the first four trades and get caught up right away. You can thank me later.

Overall then, while its clearly focusing on character ahead of story for the time being, Blood Blister gets off to a strong start here with an impressive hook thats guaranteed to crawl under your skin and fester. The opportunity to see a swindling, backstabbing, morally reprehensible human being getting his comeuppance is definitely an alluring prospect, but I cant help but think that the creators here have something a little more unconventional in mind for poor Brandon Hull. Ill definitely be sticking around to find out, thats for sure.

If you're a fan of the board game then you'll likely get a kick out of this, but its going to be a really hard sell for casual readers given the fairly uninspired and safe story. The artwork is well worth a look, but that's about as far as I'm willing to go, and in a world of exciting and inventive comic books based on licensed content, Blood Bowl: More Guts, More Glory finds itself getting sacked before it has even crossed the line of scrimmage.

All in all, this is yet another cracking adaptation of the source material from the folks at Titan. Translating the creeping unease of the hugely popular video game to the printed page was never going to be easy, but in the hands of Bunn (and Ales Kot before him) and Kowalski, Titan keep hitting the mark time and time again. Captures the haunting tone of the game so vividly you can almost hear that accursed melody playing in the background while you read.

In terms of capturing the bleak, unsettling tone of the source material, Bunn and Kowalski do a stellar job. And aside from a few minor niggles, this is still a series I'm fully planning on sticking with until its no doubt tragic and upsetting end.

This issue manages to emphatically erase my main criticism of the series so far (namely the lack of cohesive narrative), serving as a bridge to bring the various storyline threads together. Once again, the mood and look of this series is going to be a real treat for fans of the video game source material, but even if you've never picked up a controller and taken to the streets of Yharnam yourself, this is still a horror series that comes highly recommended.

While theres quite possibly the beating heart of a solid idea trapped in here somewhere, the lacklustre execution unfortunately leaves BOY-1 as an instantly forgettable slice of ultimately pedestrian sci-fi. Nowadays in particular, with so many brilliantly inventive, beautifully characterised science fiction titles hitting the shelves on a weekly basis, thats just not going to cut it.

It's definitely a good sign when the first issue of a comic is already an oversized thirty-two pages long and it's still not even close to being enough to satisfy you. A triumph of world-building, scene-setting and dark fantasy excess, Briar takes the familiar and makes it unfamiliar, twisting the safe 'happily every after' world into something dark and deadly. Highest possible recommendation.

The final pages give our hapless protagonists a new direction to travel in, and as I said above, it's impossible not to find yourself completely drawn into this violent, murky and darkly comic fairytale reimagining. Another home run for BOOM! Studios' creator-owned slate of comics then, and series that once again gets my emphatic recommendation.

It's always a challenge to stay invested in a series when there's such a significant gap between story arcs, let alone when that delay comes with a fairly substantial change to the creative team, but Briar has handled the transition beautifully, expanding on its dark, irreverent mythos in exciting new ways and setting up what promises to be one hell of a second arc. If your like your fairy tales dark, twisted and gloriously foul-mouthed then this is most definitely the series for you.

With their track record on historical reimaginings already pretty damn strong, Bunn and Colak are clearly onto another winner here with The Brothers Dracul, providing a sharp and wickedly unconventional look at the formative years of Vlad the Impaler. A patient start to what promises to be another fantastic series from AfterShock then, and definitely one to keep an eye on as the story slowly unfolds.

If you like your historical retellings with just a dash of supernatural horror, then you really need to sink your teeth into Brothers Dracul. Bunn and Colak are carving out one hell of a niche for themselves with this particular subgenre, and I cant wait to see where this story goes next.

While some of the "fish out of water" stuff is a little on the nose at times, the tone stays pleasingly light throughout, giving the whole issue an engaging, 'Saturday morning cartoon' vibe. Fans of Bruce Lee (which Im assuming is pretty much everyone, right?) are in for an absolute treat, and while it doesnt perhaps have a huge amount of meat on those storyline bones just yet, this is a definitely an enjoyable opening chapter for what is a truly intriguing comic book project.

An exciting reimagining packed with plenty of the classic Buffy charm, The Last Vampire Slayer is a new series that comes highly recommended.

A solid opening chapter then, and while the monster slaying and potential showdown with rival hunters is all well and good, its Kate herself who Im ending up wanting to know more about. Visaggio, Howell and Pinto are working together seamlessly here, and if the idea of an ass-kicking, sword-wielding, monster-slaying woman kicking some serious ass appeals to you in the slightest, this is definitely the book for you.

Theres no denying that Catwoman has had something of an uneven comic book history in terms of quality writing and artwork, but in the hands of Jolle Jones, it feels like Selina Kyle is finally going to get the solo focus she richly deserves.

Its another solid issue for sure, although its starting to feel like the artwork is doing the bulk of the heavy lifting to this point. Dont get me wrong, there are some interesting storyline elements at play here, and the new villain is definitely worthy of your attention, but it doesnt feel like the story has quite made it into full gear just year. Regardless, Jones track record should be considered pretty much impeccable by this point, so theres absolutely no reason not to pick this latest issue up.

So, to summarise; the characterisation is sound, the artwork is solid, and the story is well paced and intriguing enough - for what it is. Its just frustrating that this first issue doesnt really touch on the books unique selling point, leaving The Wicked Righteous as a polished but ultimately forgettable post-apocalyptic romp. Ill definitely be sticking with it to see how the rest of the series pans out, but Im not sure if a great many casual readers will be doing the same, which is a real shame.

In the end, CLANDESTINO is a fun but ultimately flimsy read with a fairly by-the-numbers story and protagonist which finds itself being lifted from mediocrity by virtue of its impressive artwork and the sheer enthusiasm of its creator.  Those looking for any sort of nuanced storytelling or multi-layered character development will find themselves bitterly disappointed, but those of us who can appreciate a mustachioed hero dispatching a squadron of corrupt military police in a shower of blood, bullets and eyeballs are in for an absolute treat.  Make of that what you will.

A fantastic addition to the wider Walking Dead world, the long-awaited return of a fan-favourite character, and a supremely talented cartoonist at the absolute top of her game. Highly recommended.

It feels like there's a "twist" which is being fairly heavily signposted given the apparently Batman parallels, although that remains to be seen. Regardless, this is certainly an intriguing opening chapter for a series that feels like it hasn't quite hit its full stride yet. The groundwork has been confidently laid though, and with some striking artwork, an engaging tone and an eyebrow-raising cliffhanger, this is definitely a series I'm going to be keeping an eye on.

While the real meat of this five-part story is yet to fully reveal itself, the groundwork laid in this first issue is nothing short of impeccable, throwing out several intriguing storyline hooks and doing a fantastic job of establishing the latest version of this classic villain, with plenty of teases and hinted cameos to please long-time G.I. Joe fans. A violent and ambitious reimagining of the classic Saturday morning cartoon baddie, and another thrilling addition to Skybound's Energon Universe.

About as far removed from its Saturday Morning Cartoon roots as you can possibly get, this series is another absolute triumph for Skybounds Energon Universe, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.

While I loved the inclusion of the Transformers in Skybound's Energon Universe, I'll admit to being a little skeptical coming in about just how much they could do to 'freshen up' the worlds of G.I. Joe and Cobra, given how well-established they are. Turns out, I needn't have worried. Taking the familiar and tweaking it just enough to feel different and energized (no pun intended), Williamson and Milana - and indeed all of the Energon Universe creative teams to this point - have done an absolutely fantastic job with this new shared comic book universe, and I absolutely can't wait to see where it goes next in the pages of their upcoming Destro and Scarlett miniseries next month.

The final pages hammer how just how much Hum and Serka's life has changed from when we last saw them, and with them both finding themselves drawn into their own (shudder) "quests", it's going to be really interesting to see how the rest of this series unfolds. Whatever happens though, I'm going to be right there every step of of the way yet again, because like a drunken reunion with an old friend, Coda's triumphant return ticks every chaotic, subversive box you could possible hope for.

If you missed the first four-part volume of this series, I suggest you remedy that immediately. Bold, creative and utterly sublime, Coffin Bounds second arc shows no signs of squandering the freight train momentum of its first. Highest possible recommendation.

Simply put, Watters is a genius, Dani is a magician and Coffin Bound is one of the best books being published right now. What are you waiting for?

Its confusing and unconventional, both narratively and artistically, but theres no denying the fact Cold War is a new series that flat-out demands your attention.

This minor niggle aside, Ferreyra and Tobin are as perfectly-suited a partnership as you could possibly hope for, feeding off one anothers twisted ideas to create something truly special; a horror comic that not only shocks and entertains but also creeps under your skin, lurking there in your subconscious as it waitsfor the lights to go out. It should probably go without saying by now, but Ill say it one more time you need to buy this comic, as well as the previous two volumes. Trust me, you won't regret it.

At this stage, its difficult to say anything about this series that I havent said already, but allow me to summarise: Nimble Jack is undoubtedly one of the finest horror creations in years, and his actions in this series only serve to solidify that position; Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra are a creative partnership made in heaven or, yknow, hell, depending on how you look at it; and Colder, with its disturbing visuals and truly unnerving moments of psychological horror, is the very definition of a must buy title.

If youre not already picking this book up, then theres probably nothing else I can say now that I havent said already that will change your mind. Simply put, this is one of the finest, most original, most disturbing horror series' of all time. Yeah, I said it. Colder deserves to be held in that level of regard. While the story may be over, I have a feeling itll be sticking with a lot of us for a long, long time, every time we see a person mumbling in the streets, every time we fold up a paper aeroplane, and every time we see a group of goddamn pigeons. As I've said before, this is horror as an absolute masterclass.

Honestly, if youve read any of the main series, youre likely already picking this one up. Cosmagog brings the best qualities of its leading man to the page, making for a fantastic read. Its touching and exciting and confusing and pretty much essential reading for any Black Hammer fan out there. Dont miss it.

Ultimately, there's definitely an intriguing idea here, and there have been genuine flashes of greatness throughout the course of the first three issues, but Colossis flawed pacing and lackluster character development are really starting to hurt the series now, to the point where its going to be difficult to justify sticking with it for too much longer.

Ultimately, while for now it feels primarily like a harsh look at the desperate nature of social interactions, the horror undertones of the story - particularly once the reader turns the final page - are definitely more than enough to make this new series stand out. Taking a long, hard look at body image and the deeply ingrained desire for approval and connection, Come Into Me is a new series that's guaranteed to get under your skin. Definitely one to keep an eye out for next month, folks.

A scintillating start to what looks set to be a triumphant return to Marvel by the worlds most famous barbarian. By Crom, you truly owe it to yourself to pick this one up!

As introductions go its a punchy, aggressive affair that tells you everything you need to know about the man himself. Conans encounter with the Kozaki plants the seeds for some interesting stories as the series progresses, and Bunn and Davilla combine to provide an emotive, visceral take on the iconic barbarian. Highly recommended.

With this series, Cates and Burnett have managed to make things just the right amount of crazy, with a mixture of humour and epic-scale storytelling that really hits the mark. Providing a heavy metal dose of full-throttle insanity, Cosmic Ghost Rider is one of the most unashamedly bonkers comics on the shelves today, and for that reason alone, it's a new series that I have no problem highly recommending.

Part Kung Fu movie, part twisted fairy tale, Coyotes is a thoroughly original new series, and while there are definitely a lot of unanswered questions here, the strength of the leads and the striking visual style makes this an easy first issue to recommended.

This isn't what you might think it is, and in this case, that's definitely a good thing. Klein and Beem deliver a wonderfully nuanced look at the complex nature of addiction, set in a world where superheroes are a part of everyday life, which was not necessarily what I was expecting when I first picked this comic up. A high-concept 'heroes and villains' drama grounded in a gripping personal struggle, this is a series that comes highly recommended.

Overall though, this is still an enjoyable slice of offbeat horror which is likely to give fans of the franchise exactly what theyre looking for, while also providing a decent pick up and read thrill for newcomers like myself. Niles and Mitten work together seamlessly throughout, and while it didnt quite grab me like I hoped it would, theres still a hell of a lot of like about The Third Child.

Honestly, I could rant and rave about this book all day, but the best way to experience it is to pick it up for yourself when it goes on sale next week. Wildly ambitious and relentlessly creative, Crossover may end up being the coolest thing Cates and Shaw have ever done, which is certainly saying something. I loved absolutely everything about this comic, and I hope you will too.

As a 21-page establishing shot, this first issue does a terrific job of showcasing the massive potential of this series, and takes its time in introducing us to the two compelling leads. Beautifully illustrated and with a fresh take on a fairly worn-out trope, Crosswind is a fantastic new series from two creators working in perfect synergy, and I really cant wait to see how it plays out in particular the moment where Cason, in Junes body, meets her dick of a husband. Its gonna be glorious.

Ultimately then, while this latest chapter doesnt quite hit the heights of the first issue, this is still a series that comes highly recommended, with Soule and Browne combining to create something truly unique, from the artwork to the lead character himself. And, providing it can decide whether it's a fantasy with dashes of comedy or a comedy with hints of fantasy, this could wind up becoming something truly special. I'll definitely be sticking around to find out, that's for sure.

Ultimately then, while it does lose a little of its uniqueness during the sequences in the Hole World, there's no denying that Curse Words is still a fun, funny and visually striking read. Soule and Browne continue to work in perfect harmony here, and the sheer enthusiasm that these two creators clearly have for this title make it almost impossible not to enjoy.

Ultimately, this very much a set-up issue for the next arc, but with so much fantastic world-building at play, its still a thoroughly enjoyable read. Soule and Browne are onto something truly special here with their entertaining mix of magic, humour and fantasy drama, and with a willfully unconventional approach, Curse Words is all but guaranteed to make you yell Abraca-DAMN-bra!. Sorry Ill get my coat.

With bright, manic visuals and the distinct brand of crazy that has become synonymous with Curse Words over the last year, this Holiday Special is well worth a look if you like your magic sprinkled with a dash of day-glo insanity. Its also pretty much worth the cover price alone just to see Sizzajee in a Christmas jumper. Happy Meatmeet, everyone!

For me, the only real stumble in this first issue happened on the final page, with the reveal of a slightly hokey new villain who inadvertently conjures up images of a certain Jim Carrey movie. Youll know it when you see it. Aside from that, however, this is an impressively confident start as we get to watch Soule and Garney stamp their own unique mark on this iconic character.

A million-dollar concept executed to absolute perfection, Dark Ark manages to twist the established story of Noah in a thoroughly unexpected way. Filled with interesting wrinkles, colourful characters and a surprising amount of heart and humanity, this is a series that you really need to add to your pull list as soon as possible.

Its often the case with high-concept stories that the writer doesnt actually bother to include any real story, happy to let their headline-grabbing idea to all the heavy lifting. Thankfully, in the case of Dark Ark, Cullen Bunn has simply used the premise as a backdrop to what is fast becoming a tense, gripping ensemble drama with some utterly mesmerising artwork. Don't miss the boat on this one, folks. You have been warned.

While I was immediately hooked on Dark Ark from the first issue by virtue of its million dollar premise (a second Noahs Ark for all the worlds monsters? I mean, cmon), I always had a faint niggling doubt in the back of my head about just how Cullen Bunn would manage to keep the story going in a satisfying fashion. Well, as it turns out, pretty damn well, with this latest issue delivering a paradigm shift that takes the story in a fresh and exciting new direction.

Overall then, for a book that managed to have both dizzyingly high and worryingly low expectations, DKIII: The Master Race explodes out of the gate with a barnstorming first issue that manages to capture the edge and intriguing of the original while avoiding the heavy-handed political agenda of its sequel. Pats on the back for all involved then, and consider me firmly on board for the rest of this series.

The final pages see the stakes raised significantly for Tyler and his family, and ensures that any reader picking up issue one is all but guaranteed to want to pick up issue two. A character-focused thriller that taps into some stomach-churningly primal fears, this is a series you owe it to yourself to check out. Snyder and Sherman are a match made in creative heaven, and the Dark Spaces anthology continues to deliver banger after banger. Highly, highly recommended.

While it perhaps doesn't have the same shock factor of the first issue, there's absolutely no doubt that Snyder and Sherman are crafting something truly memorable here, and if you're a fan of slow-burn ing psychological horror with a sickening hook, I truly can't recommend this series highly enough.

I'm getting some serious Stephen King vibes from the faintly insidious small town setting, which is most definitely a good thing, and the final pages ramp up both the horror and the intrigue while still managing to provide way more questions than answers. It's still too early to tell exactly where this story is headed, but you can consider me well and truly hooked. Another solid addition to the 'Dark Spaces' series.

A slow burn of a first issue, no pun intended, which takes its time establishing this intriguing cast of characters before the real meat of the story gets going in the final pages. Snyder, Sherman and Pattison do a stellar job of gradually ramping up the tension of what promises to be a thrilling pressure cooker of a heist that I simply cant recommend highly enough.

For me, this perhaps wasnt quite as strong an issue as the opener, taking the focus away from loveable and disarmingly human Francis in favour of the admittedly rather entertaining Director. It certainly helps to establish the increasingly twisted tone of the story though, not to mention the looming drug war that seems poised to engulf NYC, but I'd have liked to see a little more of Darling himself here. It's still a fantastically unique slice of sequential art, and a story I'm definitely going to be following until its conclusion.

Ultimately, Dead of Winter is an enjoyable and inoffensive read, but with the exception of the few points I mentioned above, there isnt really a huge amount of new ideas being brought to the fore here - although Ill freely admit that the events of the final few pages may go a long way towards remedying that. Perhaps not quite an essential read then, but if youre a fan of zombies, awesome dogs or Plaid Hat board games, this is definitely well worth a look.

While it's certainly using a lot of established tropes, there are more than enough fun ideas and snappy artwork here to make this a comic that's well worth a look. IDW are churning out a ton of top quality creator-owned books, and Dead Seas has the potential to be right near the top of that list as it progresses.

Overall, while it features an undoubtedly strong premise and some lovely artwork, Dead Vengeance doesnt quite manage hit the ground running in this first issue, stumbling on its way out of the blocks and providing a disappointingly flat first issue as a result.  Hopefully now that the exposition portion of the story is out of the way the series can start to build some momentum, but in terms of serving the main purpose of an opening issue to hook the reader enough to make them want to read the rest of the series this one feels more like the body in the tank than the reanimated man.

Ultimately then, while it's an interesting enough premise, there just isn't enough meat on the storyline bones yet to make this a truly satisfying read. That and the uneven and untidy nature of some of the artwork makes Death be Damned a difficult title to fully recommend, although there's some real potential here that will, hopefully, be tapped into as the series continues. One to keep an eye on for sure, but perhaps not one to get too excited about just yet.

The opening and closing pages hint at a wildly chaotic story, and now that the nuances of Philo's personality (i.e. he's an asshole) have been well and truly laid out, I can't wait to see Jordan and Delay actuallygetting to tell it. It's going to be interesting to see whether this ends up being a road to redemption and reassessment for Philo, or merely a cautionary tale for the reader, but whatever it is, there's a huge amount of potential here for Death of Love to become one of the most inventive and irreverentValentine-themed comics ever made.

That said, this is a comic book that is anything but flimsy, and is packed with all manner of big ideas and smaller details that will most definitely reward repeat readings. If you're looking for a fun blend of humour, sci-fi and the savage lampooning of society's rapidly spiralling social media addiction, this is most definitely the comic for you.

Wild, humorous and boasting some full-on heavy metal artwork, Deaths Head is your new favourite Marvel Comic, yes?

An essential pickup for fans of the character then, but Im not sure if this one has quite managed to do enough yet at this early stage to entice new readers into the fold. Only time will tell, but as beginnings go, this is definitely a solid foundation for what should be an intriguing new series.

Nobody writes a comic book quite like Jonathan Hickman, for better or worse, and while the exposition here is delivered in a typically unwieldy fashion (read: chunks of text and intentionally confusing, encyclopaedia-style excerpts slotted in between chapters), the striking artwork and strong characterisation of our two female leads is more than enough to keep the pages turning, and in my case, at least to make sure I come back to check out issue two. Well worth a look, particularly if youre already a fan of Hickmans distinctive style.

While its ostensibly a series about demons, Demonic actually digs a lot deeper into the helpless feeling of surrendering your own free will and then having to live with the terrifying consequences of your actions. Chilling, unsettling and utterly compelling, Demonic is a story that will keep whispering in your ear long after you put the book down. Highly, highly recommended.

The final pages ramp up the action, putting Destro right in the midst of a warzone and showcasing his slightly more unhinged side - something we also got to see earlier in the issue with him having a frank, honest (and worryingly two-way) conversation with the statues marking the graves of his Scottish ancestors.Another fantastic blend of cartoon excess and gritty Energon Universe drama, and given how well these series have been integrated to this point, a fairly essential purchase if you want to stay up to date.

Okay, so your individual mileage on this one will most certainly vary depending on your prior affection for Chester Gould's iconic creation, but if you're looking for a dark, hardboiled detective comic from a creative team that is clearly having an absolute blast, you could certainly do a lot worse than picking this new series up.

Theres a hell of a lot going on here, both on the surface and beneath it, and Die is most certainly a series that will reward repeat readings. Whats more, this feels like a genuine passion project from everyone involved, and that level of investment and affection is difficult not to become sucked in by, particularly in what is starting to feel at times like an increasingly disposable comics industry. Gripping, emotive and profoundly moving, this is a new series I cant recommend highly enough.

DIE is a book packed with nuance, depth and imagination, and while its (admittedly concise) description as Goth Jumanji feels fairly accurate, it also doesnt even begin to convey just how rich, detailed and utterly addictive the world that Hans and Gillen have created truly is. Highest of recommendations yet again for one of the best books of the year.

A note-perfect manipulation of the fantasy RPG setting, featuring enough layers (or sides, I guess) for die-hards and casual gamers alike, DIE is like absolutely nothing else on the shelves right now and as such, is a series that comes highly, highly recommended.

Were sixteen issues in and this series still hasnt missed a beat. Simply put, Die is an absolute masterpiece that will either have you pining for your lost D&D days, celebrating your current D&D days, or wishing you had D&D days to get excited about. Highly, highly recommended.

I love wrestling, and I love wrestling comics that clearly share that love, embracing the spectacle and the sacrifice without feeling the need to poke fun or roll eyes at its more eccentric qualities. More than just a series of flashy spots though, this series also shows some much-needed psychology, adding a generous dose of that vital personal drama to the mix. Simply put, if you're a wrestling fan, or just love kick-ass artwork, this is an absolutely essential purchase.

The issue whips along at a brisk pace, with Lona trying to seek out a tag partner for herself ahead of the tournament, and ends with a jaw-dropper of a final page that I don't think anyone will have seen coming. Another gripping issue then, and with the stage well and truly set for the series to come, I can't wait to see what sort of teeth-clenching insanity awaits once the Tag Tournament itself begins. Pure unadulterated enthusiasm and creativity crammed into lycra and unleashed onto the printed page for your viewing pleasure.

If youre already a Black Hammer fan then this should be viewed as an absolutely essential purchase, but given the strength of both the writing and the artwork, this could also be looked at as an equally enjoyable stand-alone series. Highly recommended either way.

So yes, Ill be on board with this series for as long as Jason Aaron is.  Serving as an utterly captivating introduction to the world of the Sorcerer Supreme, this is as close to a must-buy first issue as you could hope for.  Never had any interest in Doctor Strange before?  Doesnt matter.  By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth, this is your new favourite Marvel series.

Ultimately, this is pretty much a perfect jumping-on point with an exciting new creative team and a bold new direction for this iconic character. Cates, Walta and Bellaire are working in perfect harmony here, and the mixture of humour, drama and sorcerous shenanigans make this an easy series to recommended.

The final pages see our heroes-slash-fugitives being captured, which seems like the only logical conclusion given the expertise and resources being aimed at them. However, the final page throws an interesting new wrinkle into the proceedings with an unexpected addition to the story (unless of course you've checked out any of Skybound's preview and hype material for the series.) As I mentioned above, I'm well and truly invested in this new story, and the Energon Universe as a whole, and can't wait to see what comes next.

A lively opening issue then, and with the final page throwing an intriguing wrinkle into the group dynamic, Ill definitely be coming back next month to see just what brought our cast of characters to this point. It's perhaps still a little too soon to tell exactly how this story is going to play out, but as introductions go this is definitely a strong one, and is well worth checking out if you love fantasy as much as this creative team clearly does.

It's certainly far from essential reading, but The Feast of the Moon delivers an enjoyable slice of swords and sorcery, and provides a fun introduction to the characters of Honour Among Thieves before the movie hits cinemas at the end of the month. Worth a look for the curious, the impatient, and those who just love some good honest fantasy action.

I've been a big fan of IDW's Saturday Morning Adventures releases so far, and this latest offering certainly pays homage to the classic kids cartoon while adding some fun new wrinkles to these much-loved characters. Highly recommended.

The final pages throw yet another Forgotten Realms stalwart into the mix, along with the promise of a lot more swashbuckling action in the issues to come. And, while there's nothing particularly revolutionary at play here in terms of the story, if you're a fan of either the cult classic cartoon or D&D in general, you're definitely going to love watching these two worlds collide in such a fun, energetic way. Well worth a look.

The final pages take things in a fairly unexpected direction, providing some more much-needed character development for our young Barbarian and throwing up some intriguing storyline possibilities for the remainder of the series. Once again, the surprise appearances and cameos are fun, and serve as a nice way to connect the cartoon version of Dungeons & Dragons to the main Forgotten Realms continuity, but I'm far more interested in our six teenagers (and one unicorn) and how they navigate this dangerous new part of world. Thankfully, Booher and Kambadais seem to be of the same mind, and the next couple of issues have the potential to deliver some sweeping changes for our youngsters.

While there's undoubtedly a lot to like here, and a lot of potentially great storytelling to come, the niggling gaps in the exposition and an overall lack of urgency slightly derailed my enjoyment of the first issue. That said, I'm still planning on sticking with this series as it unfolds, if only to see whether my many, many questions are going to be answered. Worth a look, but dont expect a lot of information or context right away.

The final pages see an exciting shift in the status quo as youngster Robbie finally decides what to spend his wish on, and considering we're only eight days into the wish-pocalypse, I'm already absolutely hooked on this series and desperate to know what happens next. High concept carnage from a creative team that are clearly having an absolute blast. What more could you wish for?

By the end of the issue, we're a total of eight years removed from "G-Day", with our sprawling cast of characters each finding unique ways to survive in the new world. It's going to be interesting to see how Soule and Browne tie everything back together in the final two issues, but given the growing friction between the different sanctuaries, you can bet that when they do, we're going to get a finale that goes beyond our wildest dreams (or should that be wishes?) A fantastic premise executed with an almost giddy flair once again, and if you haven't picked up this series yet, you should definitely try to remedy that before it wraps up this coming February.

For me, the best sci-fi is always the kind that impacts you viscerally in the first instance, but then lingers in your mind long after youve walked away from it. And in that respect, Eugenic hits the sweet spot beautifully. Its dark, troubling and thought-provoking science fiction of the highest order, and comes with my strongest possible recommendation

The first issue of Exit Generations was always going to be a tough act to follow in my mind, but Read and Oliveira have done a solid job here of building and expanding upon their stellar opening chapter. The pace is a little slower than in issue one, which is probably a wise decision, but the final panel leaves no doubt in anyones mind that things are going to be ramped up significantly in issue three and, having already read the final two issues, I can gleefully confirm that this is most definitely the case. Brilliantly creative sci-fi filled with flash, style and humour, Exit Generations is a title you truly owe it to yourself to pick up.

Overall, while it hasn't quite managed to maintain the momentum from its stellar first issue, Exit Generation continues to provide a lively, gripping read, balancing lighthearted banter and swashbuckling space awesomeness with moments of genuine emotion, and making it a worthy purchase for any self-respecting comic fan.

If you havent jumped on this particular bandwagon yet, now is the perfect time. Mixing superhero shenanigans with real life issues, and packed to the brim with humour, drama and excitement, Faith is all but guaranteed to become your new favourite superhero.

Overall, this is yet another fantastic issue that takes what could otherwise be a fairly generic situation - a supervillain capturing a hero for nefarious means - and puts an unmistakably Faith-y stamp on it. Charming, relatable, funny and with a worthy message at its core about never feeling the need to change yourself to please people around you, Faith continues to be one the most fiercely likeable superhero comics on the shelves today.

Easily the best issue of the series so far, and featuring perhaps my favourite Faith moment of all time, this is pretty much essential reading. I absolutely love Faith, and if you pick this comic up I guarantee you will too.

Ultimately then, as a straight-up Christmas story, Faith in Wonderland definitely ticks all the boxes, providing a fun, fantastical tale with an uplifting message about the importance of imagination at its core. However, as an actual Faith comic, it doesnt quite deliver the way it should, hampered slightly by an unfamiliar version of our favourite Valiant heroine. Whatever way you look at it though, its still well worth a look if youre in the mood for an upbeat, eye-catching slice of festive fun.

Overall then, while this is first and foremost an introductory issue that sets out to establish the status quo for our beloved character, there are enough intriguing plot threads being dangled here to all but guarantee that this series is going to be a hit.  Faith is yet another utterly brilliant character from a company that seems to thrive on brilliant characters, and this is an upbeat, positive and above all a truly fun book that deserves to be seen by as many eyes as possible.

While the mainstream focus still seems to fall squarely on the big two of DC and Marvel, its becoming more and more apparent than Valiant are rapidly becoming the go to publisher for truly great superhero stories. And amidst an already stacked roster of characters, Faith Herbert continues to push her way right to the front of the line, making every story involving her an all but essential purchase.

Ultimately, while theres definitely something repetitive about this issue, its also clear thats pretty much meant to be the point, and the gradual escalation of the situation in every conceivable way makes picking up the next issue a fairly easy choice. And, while there are some off-putting, continuity-referencing moments, for the most part this miniseries remains entirely standalone, and with Houser at the helm, this genuinely creative series looks set to go from strength to strength as it reaches its tense, epic conclusion.

The latest in a long line of rock solid Faith offerings from Houser then, and with some fantastic contributions from Kim, Bellaire and Sharpe, this series serves as a perfect microcosm of just what makes this character so special. Charming, dorky and with a heart a mile wide, this is a superhero whos difficult not to love.

If youre a fan of Guillorys work on CHEW, this should be viewed as an absolutely essential purchase. FARMHAND has the same blend of twisted humour and enjoyable character work as the multi-award winning epic, and its fantastic to see Guillory flexing his writing muscles here and providing us with a fascinating world packed with mystery, intrigue and trees growing human arms. What more could you want?

Ultimately then, this feels like yet another win for Kindt and Jenkins. A tasty, supernatural-tinged mystery with a strikingly unconventional art style. As I mentioned above, this is very much a slow-burner of an opening chapter, and while the narrative is yet to fully embrace the potential of its premise, there are enough hints here not to mention the stellar pedigree of the creative team to ensure that this is an incredibly easy title to recommend.

A tightly-structured and entirely self-contained story that fits effortlessly into the existing Firefly continuity, The Sting is well worth a look for fans of the cult series, or simply those of us who like a good crime caper with some likeable, interesting protagonists.

Ultimately, as a Max Max analogue, Freeway Fighter does its job admirably. Theres something impressively unapologetic about the way it pays homage to its inspirations, and while this is definitely a first issue that places style over substance, the groundwork has been laid for what should hopefullybe an enjoyable series. Im also quietly keeping my fingers crossed that this new title does well, opening the door for even more Fighting Fantasy adaptations down the line.

Ultimately, Freedom Fighter provides a fun, if slight, post-apocalyptic yarn with some top quality artwork, and the fact that its based on some of the most iconic childrens books ever (screw you, Harry Potter) only makes it even more enjoyable. Lets just hope this opens the floodgates for more comic book adaptations of the Fighting Fantasy back catalogue, as theres a huge untapped vein of stories just waiting to be poured out onto the page.

After a bit of a shaky start, this first issue sinks its hooks in impressively, painting a rich, vibrant picture of a world on the brink of destruction, and a population doing whatever they have to in order to survive. Williamson is always at his best when hes allowed to gradually develop his own world, and in Frostbite, he may well have crafted one of his most impressive works to date. Raw, tense, violent and utterly chilling, Frostbite is a well-timed science fiction series with a razor-sharp edge. Highly recommended.

After an incredibly strong opening chapter, things take a noticeable step back here, leaving Frostbite balancing on the precipice of becoming just another post-apocalyptic science fiction book. However, with Williamson and Alexander at the helm, Im supremely confident that the ship will be able to quickly right itself, and that well be back to capitalising on this fascinating premise again before too long.

If you like your comics dark, gritty and realistic, you should probably give Fu Jitsu a wide berth. If on the other hand you're willing to take a chance on a story packed with eccentricity and willfully unconventional ideas, then this new AfterShock Comics series is definitely well worth a look.

Overall, while theres a feeling that weve only just scratched the surface, this first issue still has a lot of incredibly cool stuff going on, no doubt about it. Science fiction, adventure, humour, nefarious villains and bold, larger than life heroes. While it may not be as quote-unquote "edgy" as a lot of comics these days, that's actually part of its overall charm. This is a wonderful throwback to some fantastic cartoons and a more innocent, un-cynical style of storytelling. Exciting, dramatic and just plain fun from start to finish, Future Quest is the Saturday morning cartoon you never knew you needed until right now

Whether you're a long-time G.I. Joe diehard or a curious newcomer, this action-packed series comes highly recommended. And if you've been following the Energon Universe to this point, then it should be considered downright essential reading. Go Joe!

Essentially, what we have here is a 32-page version of the previously on G.I. Joe section that you would expect to find at the beginning of any issue.  As a perfect jumping-on point, this is anything but, and I only hope that the actual Cobra World Order Event features some actual content, otherwise this is going to be a long, painful slog.   I may check in on it, but more to satisfy my own nostalgic curiosity than because of anything done by this particular issue.

Full disclosure, I was never really the biggest G.I. Joe cartoon fan growing up (loved the toys though), but watching this creative team sprinkle a little of their Ghostbusters fairy dust onto this classic franchise is a real treat. This is definitely a series I'm going to be sticking with for the next three issues.

Overall, it's difficult to figure out why this comic even exists. At a stretch, I could see kids who enjoyed the movie potentially wanting to pick it up for more Garfield adventures, but with the grumpy feline barely appearing in half of the page count, I'm not sure there's much to make them come back. If you've exhausted the decades of Jim Davis' classic strips that already exist then there's certainly worse things you could read, but there's not a lot here to get too excited about, unfortunately.

Overall, while the artwork compliments the stories to differing degrees throughout the collection, the unquestioned brilliance of the author guarantees that at least one of the stories here will creep into your subconscious and burrow in, waiting to manifest itself at a later date. And while the prospect of adapting such a descriptive prose style into a sequential art format may be fairly daunting to some, Moore, Reppion and their assembled artistic talent have proved to be more than equal to the task here. Highly recommended.

Its not overly original, nor is it particularly ambitious, but Giants manages to land right in that halfway point where the pages keep turning without the reader particularly feeling the need to sing the books praises. Its a solid read with some intriguing protagonists and a striking visual style, but it really needs to try to dig into all the things that make it different if its going to stand a chance of surviving the harsh, unforgiving and overpopulated sci-fi comic wasteland.

At the end of the day, Gideon Falls is a mesmerizing read, offering up question after question without even hinting at any answers at least not for the time being and drawing us deeper and deeper into the secrets of this seemingly ordinary small town. For some this may be incredibly frustrating, and there definitely isnt a huge amount of substance in this first issue., but with Lemire at the helm, theres absolutely no doubt in my mind that the series will end up delivering on its potential, and Im more than happy to let this slow-burning horror crawl under my skin and linger there for as long as its creators see fit.

This is one of the most exciting and captivating first issues of an Image Comics series that Ive read for quite some time, which is definitely saying something. Cates and Shaw are working in perfect harmony here, creating an intense, grounded world thats about to be blown apart in the most gloriously celestial fashion imaginable. Highly, highly recommended.

I absolutely loved the first issue of God Country when it dropped last month, and Im going on record right now as saying that not only is this second issue even better, but that this series is going to be one of the absolute cant miss titles of 2017. You have been warned.

It isn't great, it isn't awful, it just" is.

Im a big fan of the God of War franchise as a whole, and the pedigree of the creative team is enough to convince me to stick with this one, but Id have liked a little more meat on the bones of this first issue to really get my excitement flowing. Ultimately, this is a solid introductory issue that doesnt quite find its feet before it ends, and Ill definitely be checking out issue two to see how Roberson and Parker build on the story they've started here.

Spurrier does a fantastic job of rapid-fire world building here, fleshing out this bizarre reality and populating it with its own unique slang terms like nogody and relict, making it instantly feel far more real than it probably has any right to. Ennay and Smudge are both intriguing, multi-layered protagonists, and the artwork is packed with expression and detail throughout. So, while its undeniably an odd premise for a story, the creative team flat-out manage to make it work, resulting in a new series that serves as a testament to the sheer creativity of creator-owned comics. You can count me in with the rest of this one, thats for god-damn sure.

While Kingdom Kong felt like a bit of a blunt instrument, telling a familiar story in a familiar way, Dominion feels like a scalpel as it carves out the most interesting facets of Godzillas true nature and presents them in a fresh and interesting way. Highly recommended for Godzilla, Swamp Thing and giant monster fans alike.

The final pages hint at things going from bad to worse for our two leads as they head off to their next sale, leaving a trail of mutated customers (and one poor unfortunate squirrel monster) in their wake. I'm not sure if "Redneck Body Horror" was a genre before, but it damn sure is now. Nadler, Erman, Rodriguez et al have crafted something completely and utterly unique, and I can't wait to see where this story goes next.

Proof, if proof were needed, that big two comics can still retain that edgy, indie feel in the right hands, of course. Definitely one to pick up, assuming youre not already doing so.

Overall, while the meat of the big picture is clearly still to come, the development of the characters and the well-structured variety of the monster of the week format is working extremely well for Gotham by Midnight thus far. A wonderfully scripted book brought to life by some of the finest visuals on the shelves today, this is a shadowy corner of the DC Universe that deserves a hell of a lot more light to be shed on it. So take a little peek under the rock that is Gotham By Midnight. I guarantee you wont be disappointed.

While itd be easy for me to hang my head and feel despondent about the upcoming final issue of this series, Im adopting a glass half full approach here. This is a series that is undoubtedly going to stand the test of time and be looked back on in years to come as one of the truly tragic comic book cancellations. Its better to burn out than to fade away, as they say, and if thats the case, then Ferreyra and Fawkes are poised to unleash an absolutesupernova of a final issue that's going to make a lot of people feel pretty damn stupid for missing out on this one.

Its truly powerful stuff, and a fitting to end to a series Im absolutely gutted to see finish. Once again, pats on the back all round to everyone who hasworked on Gotham by Midnight over the last year, and lets keep our fingers crossed that we get to revisit this particular title somewhere down the line. Even if this is the end, however, I think Im due one last attempt to try and recommend this one to as many people as possible… seriously folks, if you havent picked it up yet, the first trade is available now (and you can win yourself a signed copy over on our Facebook page!) and the second arc shouldnt be too far behind.This is atruly unique book that provides a brilliantly twisted look at one of the comicbook worlds most famous cities. R.I.P. Gotham by Midnight, youll be sorely missed.

Fascinating, gorgeously illustrated and beautifully executed, Grass Kings is a series that flat-out demands your attention. While this is definitely a patient, understated opening issue, Kindt and Jenkins are working together in perfect synergy here, creating an almost palpable level of excitement as this all-too-believable story is gradually revealed. Highest of recommendations for this one.

Its definitely a slow burning start, and as such might not necessarily be to everyones tastes, but Grass Kings has had me hooked from pretty much the very first page. This is very essence of restrained storytelling, with nuanced character development and beautifully unconventional artwork coming together to transport us to a town that, while we may not quite want to live there, we certainly dont mind spending a little time in.

Packed with great character development and several compelling mysteries that all seem to be intertwined within the same small, insular community, Grass Kings continues to be an absolutely gripping read. It's the latest in a long line of comics that feel like like they would work perfectly as TV shows, but vitally, Grass Kings feels like it's being written as a comic book first, rather than as an extended small-screen pitch. Highly, highly recommended.

Ultimately then, this is an impressively paced issue that allows us to take a deep breath before hurtling headlong into the finale next month. The sheer consistency of Grass Kings has perhaps been its greatest selling point over the last thirteen issues, and neither Kindt nor Jenkins miss a beat here as they line up the crosshairs for what promises to be an absolutely stunning conclusion.

Unquestionably one of the best comics of the last two years, Grass Kings takes all the good and bad things about society andshrinks them down intoone single, insular community. Sharply written and gorgeously illustrated, this is series I honestly cant recommend highly enough, and this final issue provides about as perfect an ending as any of uscould have hoped for.

Ultimately, while the real meat of the story is only being hinted at for the time being, this first issue does a great job of establishing the unsettling tone of the series. It introduces us to our protagonists, building up a little emotional investment before launching them headlong into a genuinely horrifying situation. And, in spite of some familiar tropes, Gravetrancers proves to be one hell of a weird, disturbing and genuinely uncomfortable trip, and I honestly can't wait to see where Miller, Whynot and Cunniffe take this story as it unfolds.

Regardless of whats still to come, theres no denying that this second issue shows a marked improvement on the first, leaning into the terrifying nature of the drug-induced hallucinations in a move that really helps to showcase the distinctive skills of its artistic partnership. And at the end of the day, whatever Miller, Whynot and Cunniffe have in mind for the remainder of this series, its safe to say that Gravetrancers has me well and truly addicted, to the point where I simply have to know what happens next.

Overall though, I still have high hopes for this series as it moves forwards.  As I mentioned, some of the themes brought up have some real meat to them, and the fact remains that it looks great (something which is only going to continue when Ceej favourite Juan Ferreyra starts tagging in from issue four).  It remains to be seen whether the clunky dialogue and full-sprint narrative flow can resolve themselves, but based on the strength of the Rebirth issue, Im willing to call this a minor blip rather than hitting the eject button for the time being, at least.

That said, theres still a heck of a lot to like about this series, not least of which is the fact that it provides an engaging, accessible entry point to the world of Green Arrow.  Plus, when you have an artistic tag team like Oscar Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra providing the visuals, you can pick this one up safe in the knowledge that youre buying one of the best looking comics available today.  Itll be interesting to see where the conclusion of this arc leaves us moving forwards, but Im definitely on board with this series for the foreseeable future.

Overall, this first arc has righted itself impressively after a fairly jumbled start, and while some of the dialogue can still feel a little clumsy at times, the strong premise and jaw-dropping artwork makes Green Arrow one of the more highly recommended titles in DCs Rebirth lineup.  The final page lurches the story into a wildly unexpected direction, and with Oscar Schmidt set to take over on artistic duties for the next three issues, the potential is high for this series to continue its impressive improvement in the weeks and months to come.

Honestly, after an impressive reveal to set it up, the Island of Scars storyline has been a bit of a non-starter, and in DCs current quick-fire release schedule, should be viewed as entirely skippable. Fingers crossed that the series manages to regain some of its early momentum as the team heads back to Seattle, otherwise this is a book that could find itself being rapidly culled from a lot of bloated post-Rebirth pull lists.

I mentioned in my review of the previous issue that it felt like this series was running out of steam after an impressively strong start.  Well, Im happy to report that this issue marks a welcome return to form, and that Percy and Ferreyras energetic, vibrant take on the character hits you like a Boxing Glove Arrow to the face.  Its not flawless by any means, but it is a hell of a lot of fun, and if this trend continues is definitely worth a couple of your hard earned quid every fortnight.

That said, this is still an otherwise enjoyable issue, buoyed by Schmidts kinetic artwork and always pushing things forwards at a brisk pace. Another minor stumble in what has been a fairly solid series to this point then, although Im confident that the conclusion of this arc and the fallout from the events of the closing pages should make for a truly fun read.

Overall then, this is definitely a great jumping-on point for Green Arrow, and provides an intriguing, accessible and character-focused standalone issue. While there isnt a huge amount of meat on those storyline bones just yet, the pieces are definitely being put in place for what should be a fun series, and the artwork is almost worth the $2.99 cover price alone. You can definitely count me in with this one - for the time being, at least.

While this second issue doesnt necessarily have the same razor-sharp banter or emotional gut-punch of the first, it still goes a long way towards establishing these interesting, three-dimensional characters and laying the groundwork for what promises to be a thoroughly entertaining series. Oh, and if the final pages are anything to go by, the fantastical aspect of this fantasy series may be about to take center stage in a major way. That said, knowing Landis and how closely to his chest hes playing this one, I wouldnt want to put money on predicting just where this story is heading.

As strong as the story undoubtedly is though, it wouldnt work nearly as well without the fantastic characterisation of the Knights themselves, and in that respect Landis deserves the ultimate credit for creating such intriguing and relatable characters. A fantastic series packed with twists, turns and razor-sharp dialogue, Green Valley comes highly, highly recommended.

Another intriguing new series from BOOM! Studios then, and while this is certainly more of an appetizer than a main course, there are enough intriguing storyline seeds being sown to make anyone picking this first issue up feel fairly confident about forking out for the second. A sharp, stylish take on the afterlife, this series has a ton of potential and is well worth a look.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely going to be sticking around to see what the slightly puzzling cliffhanger means for Tan and her story, but I would completely understand if other readers found themselves drifting away in search of series with a bit more urgency and bite.

Ultimately then, while it's likely not going to be everyone's tastes, GWAR: Orgasmageddon provides a sensory overload of violence, excess and in-your-face visual insanity, throwing subtlety well and truly out the window as we take a ridiculous ride with one of the world's most unusual rock bands

As something of a lifelong 'rassling fan, I'm always going to have my interest piqued by any new wrestling comic that hits the shelves, and while the quality of such offerings has definitely fluctuated over the years, it seems like we could be onto a real winner here. Blending gruesome crime, tense drama and the over-the-top glitz and glamour that goes hand-in-hand with pro-wrestling, this is a high-octane new series that comes highly recommended.

Ultimately then, the narrative style is undoubtedly effective and the story, while certainly familiar, is truly gripping, but its the world class artwork that makes Harleen an absolutely essential purchase. If ever there was a perfect character for Sejic to sink his teeth into its Harley, and this series seems poised to deliver a tragic and nuanced retelling of this immensely powerful origin story.

Overall then, this is a new series that perfectly mirrors Harley herself; Bright, bold, colourful, just a little bit crazy, and almost guaranteed to evoke both love and revulsion in equal measure in its readers. Me? Well, as I said before, Im somewhere in the middle. Not great, not awful, but well worth a look if youre a fan of this particular gal.

At the end of the day, while this is likely to be something of a tough sell for Harley haters, as well as bearing little-to-no resemblance to its big screen counterpart, fans of the character and Palmiotti and Conners iconic take on her are going to be in absolute heaven. Even as a self-confessed Harleyskeptic, I still found myself chuckling at a lot of the gags here, and Conner and Mounts action sequences are almost worth the cover price alone.

If anything, it feels like this series will fare better moving forwards if it keeps flying fairly close to the ground, rather than trying to soar too high towards a payoff it hasnt necessarily earned. Still well worth a look, though, particularly for Hawkfans.

Bold, dynamic, in-your-face and unashamedly fun, this series serves as yet another fantastic addition to DCs rapidly-growing He-Man canon, and provides the first look at what is hopefully going to be long, enduring comic book love affair with the inhabitants of Thundera.

Story wise, this issue starts off in a fairly by-the-numbers fashion, picks up in the middle with some fantastic action, and ends by throwing an interesting curveball into the established He-Man mythos. Ultimately however, while the levels of fan service are off the charts, this feels at times more like an enjoyable slice of fan-fic than the polished, boundary-pushing comic that Eternity War was. Freddie E Williams II ensures that things look absolutely gorgeous throughout, but as a lifelong fan of these two franchises, I cant help but find myself craving something a little more… substantial. Fingers crossed that things pick up once the inhabitants of Thundera arrive, which by the looks of it may be sooner rather than later.

Ultimately then, while Im thrilled that this comic actually exists in the first place, I still cant shake the feeling that the fans of both franchises deserve more.  Sure, its great to have such gorgeously illustrated pages featuring the inhabitants of Third Earth and Eternia going blow-for-blow, but with a little more storytelling creativity and dialogue polish this series could be something truly special rather than merely the entertaining diversion that it is.

If youre looking for complex character work or nuanced storytelling youll probably end up disappointed, but if you want a comic that makes you feel like a kid sitting wide-eyed in front of your TV again, this is definitely the series for you.

Easily the best issue of the series so far then, and Messrs David, Goldfine and Williams are building up some serious momentum here as we head into the concluding chapter. After a bit of a shaky start, the series is finally delivering on its massive potential, and while the artwork has been uniformly fantastic from the very first page of the very first issue, the writing is finally starting to catch up, providing us with the kind of air-punching awesomeness that a series like this demands.

At the end of the day, this is an interesting story featuring two larger-than-life franchises being brought together in about as fun a way as you could hope for. Unfortunately, a noticeable lack of polish in the writing - the dialogue in particular - really holds this one back from becoming something truly special, which is a real shame when you consider the fact that it features some of the best illustrations of these iconic characters that you're ever likely to find.

Id imagine this might be a bit of a tougher sell for readers who arent already massive fans of the character, but hey, those people dont deserve good comics anyway. Simply put, this is Into The Spider-Verse for He-Man fans, and if that's not enough of a recommendation, I really don't know what to tell you.

Simply put, this is pure, unadulterated fan service from start to finish, and I absolutely love it. If youre a fan of He-Man in his many and varied forms, you really owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

Overall, while some casual passers-by may sneer and turn up their noses at the comic based on the cheesy 80s cartoon series, what theyre actually doing is denying themselves the opportunity to pick up one of the most dramatic, unpredictable and visually striking fantasy comics on the shelves today. Abnett and Mhan have the power, and this issue is undeniable proof of that.

Even if I wasnt a lifelong He-Man fan which I most definitely am I would still be absolutely enamoured with this book. The Eternity War is bold and dynamic, packed with twists, turns, and air-punching moments of awesomeness. Plus, just when you think you know the answers, the creative team change the questions, yanking the wheel and sending things careering off into a wildly unexpected direction. One of the most consistent titles in DCs roster at the moment, even if some people still turn up their nose at the perceived tacky cash-in for the camp 80s TV show, He-Man: The Eternity War is for real, folks, and you owe it to yourself to at least give it a chance.

So much more than mere nostalgia, this is a fantasy series that has proven that it is more than capable of standing on its own two feet, and even if you never picked up any of the toys or sat in front of your TV watching the cartoons, He-Man: The Eternity War still comes highly, highly recommended.

Honestly folks,forget your pre-conceptions about the perma-tanned blonde haired bodybuilder from the toys and cartoons. He-Man: The Eternity War is a fantasy series that deserves your attention for its artwork, its dramatic twists and turns, and for the sheer excitement that it elicits. Get on board, people. You wont regret it.

For all of its ups and downs, this is a fairly difficult issue for me to review impartially. For dedicated He-Fans, Id likely give this issue a 4.5/5 for its epic (there's that word again) scope and Easter Egg-laden artwork. For more casual readers, itd probably be more like a 3.5/5, with an engaging narrative that occasionally leans a little too heavily on fan service. In the interests of fairness, lets split the difference and call it a 4. Regardless of the rating however, theres no denying that this is yet another solid issue of one of the best franchise comics on the shelves today, with a truly climactic showdown that leaves some fairly massive questions hanging over the future of the series.

Overall then, this is a perfect send-off for what has been an absolutely fantastic series. As a lifelong He-Man fan, I often longed for the day where I could read a monthly comic that not only paid its respects to the classics of the past but also helped push this captivating universe forward in new and exciting ways, and for the last year and a half, thanks to Messrs David, Abnett and Mhan, thats exactly what I got. So, while its sad to see the series come to an end, Im definitely hopeful for the future, and if whoever picks up this mantle down the line can carry it half as far and half as well as this particular creative team has, were going to be in for an absolute treat.

While it continually finds itself balancing on the knife-edge between silly and serious, Head Lopper is an utterly enjoyable read with a striking visual style, providing a decidedly original take on the swords and sorcery genre.

With Apocalyptigirl and now this, MacLean has cemented his place as an absolute must-buy creator for me, and Im already starting to get withdrawals until my next quarterly Norgal fix. One of my favourite reads of the year, even if the three-month wait between issues is borderline cruel. Darkly humourous, gloriously illustrated and boundlessly entertaining, Head Lopper is a book you truly owe it to yourself to pick up.

Highest of recommendations for this one then, and with the concluding issue not set to hit shelves for another three months, theres plenty of time for you to get caught up in the utterly unique world of HEAD LOPPER.

The final pages set things up for the story to come, and with the true horrors of the Crimson Tower seemingly only just beginning, this latest arc promises to be yet another bold, in-your-face and beautifully illustrated chapter of the most metal comic on the shelves today.

Ultimately, Head Lopper continues to confound expectations, creating a nuanced fantasy storytelling experience that Robert E. Howard would be proud of and wrapping it up in a bright, vibrant and highly stylised visual package. I honestly cant recommend this series enough.

At the end of the day, Her Infernal Descent manages to reimagine an iconic work of literature in a strikingly creative fashion, and as such comes highly recommended. There are some minor flaws in the early delivery, but the latter stages of the book see things kicking into high gear, and Im already finding myself deeply invested in this grief and guilt-stricken mothers journey to reach her family.

So, while it feels like Heroes in Crisis is going to be a divisive comic for as long as people are still talking about it, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I've enjoyed the ride. The whole "superheroes struggle with mental health too" theme is well executed, the artwork is terrific throughout, and even though the "murder mystery" we were promised at the beginning ended up being a bit of a damp squib, I honestly can't be too mad about the way things turned out.

A spellbinding feminist drama that delivers an utter masterclass in tension, drama and satire, HEX WIVES is a series that comes highly recommended. If you somehow managed to miss out on it to this point, you really owe it to yourself to pick up the trade as soon as it becomes available. You can thank me later.

Its a solid enough story, and new face Vazilek is definitely an intriguing addition, but it all just feels like Ruckley is playing things a little bit too safe for the time being, proving an affectionate but ultimately underwhelming addition to the Highlander lore. Theres potential here for sure, but unless youre a die-hard fan of the franchise, your fantasy itch could probably be scratched far more satisfyingly elsewhere.

Ultimately, Highlander: The American Dream remains a fairly frustrating read. Ruckleys dialogue is enjoyable, the story is serviceable and Muttis visuals are typically polished, but theres just something utterly uninspired about the overall package that makes it difficult to get too excited about. Im remaining hopefully that things will pick up as the series nears its conclusion, but at this point, unless youre a die-hard Highlander fan, theres really not much to keep you interested here.

HOBO MOM features a seamless collaboration between artist and writer as the pair combine to deliver a stripped-down story packed with nuance, emotion and understatement. Sometimes an unexplained longing for independence and freedom can be a painful experience for all involved, and while this isnt a romanticized story with a tacked-on happy ending, the stark reality of the situation and the beautiful complexity of the characters still makes it a thoroughly rewarding read.

Well worth a look, and while I had a few minor niggles with the execution, the overall message is deeply relevant and Ill definitely be sticking around to see how the rest of this series plays out.

A historical horror story that is guaranteed to crawl under your skin, HOUSE OF PENANCE is uncomfortable, unconventional and thoroughly unmissable. Dark Horse continues to cement its place as the absolute pinnacle of horror comics, and with a gripping first issue, both visually and narratively, I honestly cant recommend this series highly enough.

At the end of the day, any horror story is only as good as the characters involved, and in Sarah Winchester and Warren Peck, we have been blessed with two utterly compelling protagonists, each with a truly relatable aspect to their personal trauma.  While there are historical and factual aspects to this tale, Tomasi should be applauded for weaving such a gripping fictional narrative around them, and Bertrams stunning visuals round out what has to be considered one of the truly unique, genuinely disturbing horror titles of 2016.

In summary, Cates' Midas touch continues here, working seamlessly alongside Ottley's dynamic artwork to deliver what could be a Hulk story for the ages. Highly recommended, both for Hulk fans and those who love hard-hitting, high stakes comic books in general. Bring on issue two!

Art the end of the day, this series is to the Hulk what Cates and Dylan Burnett's Cosmic Ghost Rider was to the Spirit of Vengeance. Your individual mileage will no doubt vary, but I have to say, I absolutely loved what the entire creative team came up with here. A brash, bombastic and aggressively ambitious story with some scintillating artwork, this latest Hulk series has been an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish. And with things switching gears for the upcoming Hulk versus Thor "Banner of War" event, it's safe to say that things are going to get a lot wilder before all's said and done.

Without a doubt one of the most deliciously twisted, yet unrelentingly fun, books on the shelves today, I HATE FAIRYLAND remains an abso-fluffin-lutely essential purchase.

A solid start for the new series then, but for me, it doesn't quite capture the same magic of the original - at least not yet. That said, there's a huge amount of twisted, day-glo fun to be had here, and fans of the original series will be over the fluffing moon about the return to this crazy fairytale world.

As a cool standalone one-shot, this is an enjoyable read. 20 years of IDW is no small achievement, and its fun to see the classic team a lot older. Ultimately, the creators give us a glimpse at an intriguing potential future here, albeit one that doesnt seem to tie in to the grander scheme of the Ghostbusters comic universe. And if you're able to take that into account and view this as a self-contained story removed from the wider GB continuity, this one's definitely worth a look.

As much as I love IDWs ongoing TMNT series, Ill fully admit that I picked this one up with a healthy dose of scepticism. Im never really a fan of these kind of gimmicks, and was concerned about the creators abilities to tell a compelling story in just one issue. Well, as it turned out, I neednt have worried. Allor and Daniel work together incredibly well to deliver an immensely satisfying snapshot of an alternate future, letting us know that however bad things may get, Clan Hamato will always be there to battle for the forces of evil. And I think thats something we can all get on board with.

After a blistering setup, the overall premise we're left with - where the monsters of the world of are directed towards the Hulk and urged to destroy him by the Mother of Horrors - is pure gold, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where this story goes next. Johnson and Klein have SMASHED it out of the park with this dark, horror-filled tale, and this is one hell of an opening salvo in what promises to be a gruesome, terrifying series. Highly recommended.

Once again, its worth clarifying that the style and approach isnt going to be to everyones tastes, but for fans of slow-burning, intelligent drama that creeps under your skin, INDOCTRINATION is a fascinating, gripping series which comes highly, highly recommended.

Slow-burning, gripping, and with a premise that could have been ripped directly from the headlines, Indoctrination provides a masterful look at the current climate of terrorism and asks some interesting questions about the nature of free will and whether we can ever truly break free from our apparently pre-determined paths. Highly, highly recommended.

Ultimately then, while its playing its cards fairly close to the chest from the time being, Infidel has more than enough intriguing storyline concepts as well as some truly striking artwork to help it stand out in the bloated world of modern day comic book horror. And while blending aspects of horror and racism isnt exactly a unique approach (see Jordan Peeles Oscar-nominated Get Out, for instance), Pichetshote and Campbell have done it in a terrifyingly believable way here. Definitely a new series to keep an eye on.

INFIDEL is to horror comics what GET OUT is to horror movies; a perfect example of the genre viewed through a remarkably socially aware lens. The entire creative team should be immensely proud of what theyve created here, fleshing out a million dollar elevator pitch like racist ghosts into something utterly unforgettable.

Like most crossovers, theres a certain suspension of disbelief required about exactly how these two worlds are colliding in the first place, although I usually find it best to simply gloss over whatever shennanigans the writer employs and focus on the story itself. And in that respect, Injustice vs. Masters of the Universe delivers a jolt of gloriously unsubtle storytelling packed with copious amounts of fan service and some cracking artwork, which isall you can really ask for from a crossover like this. Well worth a look.

At the end of the day, your enjoyment of this series is going to depend greatly on just how much of a fan of each of the two properties you are. Theres a lot going on here that relies pretty heavily on fan service and nostalgia, and while the story on its own is solid enough, its pretty obvious that fans of He-Man or Injustice are going to get far more out of this series than those just picking it up out of curiosity. That said, theres something here for everyone, and Seeley and Williams are putting together a fast-paced, character-heavy sprint of a series that shows no sign of letting up over the next four issues. Well worth a look if you like your heroes ripped and your artwork stunning.

With new science fiction comics being released on a weekly basis, it really takes something truly special for a new story to push its way through the crowd and stand out on its own. Thankfully, special is something INVISIBLE KINGDOM has in spades, and whether it's brash action, quiet contemplation or the way these two themes come crashing together, this is a new series that deserves your full attention.

At the end of the day, Its Cold In The River At Night is an engaging, thought-provoking read that perhaps ends a little too abruptly for my own personal tastes, but the themes explored here are likely to resonate with the reader long after theyve put the book down. Yet another strong offering from the folks at Avery Hill, and one thats well worth a look.

Honestly, this is a difficult book to review simply because its so personal. Sure, the technical execution is impressive, and the use of different artistic styles and metanarrative devices is certainly engaging, but your individual mileage here will undoubtedly vary based on your own experiences, mindset, and empathy, I guess? For me, Im not sure I can remember the last time a graphic novel hit me quite as hard as this one did. Deeply moving at some points, and actually kinda uplifting at others, Zoe takes us on a brief but memorable journey alongside her for six months of her life, giving the reader a firsthand insight into the mind of a troubled but supremely talented creator.

Overall then, this is very much a book of two halves, with a gripping opening and a somewhat bewildering finale. Jack The Ripper is still well worth a look though, particularly for those with a taste for Victorian thrillers, and for those of us who appreciate truly great artwork.

Overall, while there are a few uneven moments here and there, the central premise is solid if a little clichd and theres a wonderfully old-school British sensibility to the writing that adds some definite charm to the proceedings.  Perhaps not quite an essential purchase just yet, but definitely one thats worth keeping an eye on, particularly if youre a fan of zombies, Nazis or classic stiff upper lip war stories.

While its probably about as far removed from highbrow as you could possibly expect a comic to be, Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth once again succeeds in what Im assuming is its primary aim making the reader laugh. Broad slacker jokes mixed with subtler gags and lively artwork make this a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I honestly cant wait to see how the story wraps up next month. Oh, and as a side note, Rolo needs a spin-off. Rolo - Champion of Earths Best Friend. Hell, it practically writes itself.

Ultimately then, while it doesnt quite satisfy as an ending to a story, or even to a chapter, this is still a fun, enjoyable and frequently hilarious read. With the way Fialkov and Fleecs have left things, it would be an absolute tragedy if this series doesnt continue somewhere down the line, and all the indicators here suggest thats exactly whats going to happen. Ill definitely be picking up whatever comes next, thats for sure, and Id highly recommend you do the same.

Ultimately, Jenny Finn is an uncomfortable, unsettling read that offers up way more questions than answers - for the time being, at least - but given Mignolas unquestioned pedigree and the fresh, disturbing feel of Troy Nixeys full-colour art, this new series still comes highly recommended.

Ultimately, while it's perhaps a little too early to tell exactly how this series is going to unfold, this first issue goes a long way towards allaying any concerns that die-hard Labyrinth fans may have had. Quite whether we need to know more about Jareth's origin is a separate question, but it's clear from this opening chapter that Spurrier and Bayliss are treating the source material with the respect it deserves, and have done an impressive job of capturing the charm, humour and all-ages fantasy that made the 1986 movie such a well-loved classic.

At the end of the day, its nothing short of a crime that this series isnt getting the full live-action Jim Henson treatment, because Spurrier and Bayliss are practically exploding with great ideas here. Coronation serves as a welcome return to a much-loved word, but also stands as a terrific story in its own right.

Its a thought-provoking and gently delivered story that works well to showcase the distinctive artistic style of Jenkins, and comes with an underlying moral message the hallmark of all good fairytales. Jenkins is one of the few artists working today that Ill happily follow anywhere, and on this occasion he proves that hes every bit as talented a writer as he is an artist. Highly recommended for fans of fantastical storytelling and beautiful watercoloured artwork.

Another solid addition to The Storyteller back catalogue then, and an introduction to a new artist who I'll definitely be seeking out in the future. Well worth a look, particularly if you have any sort of interest in Asian folklore.

Overall, this is just a lovely read, full of joy, love and just the right amount of adventure - and on top of all that, it carries a wonderfully effective message. With that said, whilst one can of course acquire, read and enjoy the book as a grown up, if youve small humans in your life, this is most certainly a book that you can and should share with them, especially if youre looking for something other than the grimndark capesncowls. The only shame I can think of is that Nolan isnt going to be a continuing writer/artist - but such is the nature of anthology series such as this. Im definitely looking forward to next months.

A rare misstep from Aftershock Comics then, and while its likely that the series will pick up some momentum once the real meat of the story comes to the fore, based on this first issue, I dont know if Ill be sticking around to find out.

Ultimately, while its a slow-paced opening issue for sure, it's obvious that Mignola, Golden and Reynolds havent lost a step since their previous, critically acclaimed Joe Golem collaborations, and that this is shaping up to be yet another gripping foray into the world of everyone's favourite Occult Detective.

Putting the questions about whether we necessarily needed a John Wick comic in the first place to one side, what we have here at the end of the day is a fairly enjoyable action thriller with a solid, if slightly unremarkable storyline. If youre a fan of the movies then youll definitely get a kick out the extra content here, but if you arent already familiar with Keanus critically-acclaimed big screen bad-ass, then this new series is probably worth skipping.

Ultimately though, while its a solid enough opening issue, there really isnt anything here to make either the story or the artwork stand out. Sure, its cool that the story features characters wed normally associate with high school hijinks, but as that novelty rapidly wears off, its going to be interesting to see whether Tieri and the Kennedys opt to steer this story into uncharted waters or play it safe with another enjoyable, inoffensive werewolf yarn.  Im definitely going to be sticking around to find out, for the next issue at least.

In terms of fun, colourful DC dino action, this does exactly what it says on the tin. And if you're looking for puns, gags and prehistoric versions of your favourite DC heroes and villains, you're really not going to get much better than this.

Ultimately then, while its clearly still ramping things up story-wise, this first issue proves that this latest JLD resurrection is going to be a worthwhile one, with a blend of interesting characters and a passionate creative team who are clearly planning on shedding a little light on some of the darker corners of the DCU. You can count me in for the foreseeable future, thats for sure.

Ultimately, your enjoyment of this issue is going to boil down to your prior familiarity with the character. If you know the deal with Vixen, theres not a huge amount of new material here, although its worth mentioning that the artwork in the second half of the issue is probably worth the cover price on its own, that splash page in particular. If nothing else, its clear that Orlando and Houser have a firm grasp on the character, which is going to make her inclusion in the JLA all the more interesting. Lets hope shes isnt lost in the inevitable shuffle of a team comic, as theres a tremendous amount of untapped potential here.

No Justice takes the traditional DC summer event, breaks it down into its component parts and puts it back together in a far more pleasing formation. Highly, highly recommended.

As a slice of bold, ambitious storytelling, No Justice provides exactly what youd want from an event like this. Subtle it definitely aint, and characterization is sacrificed somewhat at the altar of plot (with a few notable exceptions), but when large-scale, high-stakes ensemble carnage looks as a good as it does here, you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out.

Inventive, unconventional and like absolutely nothing else being published by Marvel Comics right now, Ka-Zar and the Savage land is a series that comes highly recommended. And, if you've happened to miss the five-part story as single issues, then I'd wholeheartedly suggest picking up the collected trade paperback as soon as it becomes available. You can thank me later.

Overall then, while the bloated world of comic book science fiction is a tough nut to crack, there are just enough positives in this first issue to suggest that Khaal may very well do just that. The story structure is strong and the artwork is luscious, and while theres always a risk that these kind of titles can crumble under the weight of their initial premise, this is definitely a series to keep an eye on as it develops.

With TChalla frequently feeling like the least interesting character in his own stories, Im incredibly grateful that Marvel have opted to put a little focus on such a fascinating character, and the fact that Killmongers story is being delivered by such a supremely talented creative team is just the icing on the cake. This is an attention-grabbing and visually dynamic look at one of the most intriguing characters in the Marvel Universe, and you can definitely count me in for the rest of the journey as this story continues to unfold.

I've been a massive fan of Aaron and Asrar's run with this character since the very first issue of Conan the Barbarian back in January 2019, and seeing them reunited for this limited series has filled me with a real joy. The island-based drama with Thoth-Amon and the malevolent Princess Prima has delivered a thrilling swords and sorcery read to this point, but the Conan versus Conan storyline has elevated this series to all-time great status. Highest possible recommendation.

While this is very much an issue that is here to help to bridge the gap between the stellar 'Conan versus Conan' showdown and what promises to be a stunning finale, there's still a lot of great content here. Aaron and Asrar is a partnership made in comic book heaven, and their work on Conan over the past few years has been damn near faultless, in my eyes at least. As such, this issue still comes highly recommended, although if you've read any of their previous Conan collaborations, you're pretty much guaranteed to already have it in your pull list.

A captivating start then, with an intriguing protagonist being thrust into a bewildering situation, and some of the best artwork youre likely to see on a monthly comic book. There are certainly far more questions than answers at the moment, but isnt that how all good mysteries begin anyway? Highly, highly recommended.

The finale introduces some familiar big-screen faces, and while it doesnt quite bridge the gap completely between the existing continuity and the recently-released movie, it does go a long way towards fleshing out the hollow earth theory and adds some interesting new threats and wrinkles into Kongs ongoing saga. Well worth a look if youre a bigtime King Kong fan, and certainly well written, but for me, the artwork was too much of a hurdle for me to fully recommend this one.

In Kingsway West, Greg Pak has created a truly compelling protagonist and dropped him into a rich, detailed and complex setting. Having a Western set in an alternate version of our own world - a version where Chinese and Mexicans wage war for natural resources in the wastelands of America - is intriguing enough, but throwing in the added fantastical aspects like dragons and magic really gives this series the potential to become something truly special. A great set-up issue for what promises to be a gripping and gorgeously illustrated series.

Overall then, while this latest issue has its fair share of dynamic moments and a final panel that hints at a deeper story to be told, I still cant shake the niggling feeling of disappointment at just how by-the-numbers Klaus has been so far. Those looking for an enjoyable, inoffensive fantasy romp about hunter becoming Santa Claus should probably give this a look, but those of us hoping to see Grant Morrison weave more of his trademark magic are likely to end up with the comic book equivalent of a lump of coal in their stocking.

Ultimately then, while the artwork is truly top-notch, the story is just a little too weird to land with any sort of authority. Its not quite on the lump of coal end of the spectrum, but nor does it deliver on the near-limitless potential of a story based around a sword-wielding, ass-kicking Santa Claus. That said, this is well worth a look for fans of Morrison, fans of great artwork, or simply those who like their festive fables to hit them like some sort of weird, disorienting, alien-filled acid trip.

All in all, Im a fan of this series. Pryor is a likeable protagonist, and his complicated family situation established via a rather endearing exchange with his older sister only helps to cement that. Minor niggles about the pacing of the reveal aside, its clear that this series is really going to hit its stride from issue two onwards, and if you want to read a supernaturally charged tale of a failing stand-up comedian and the near-death experience that gives him his big break (and who doesnt?), this is just the book for you.

For my money, Lab Raider is the best thing Black Mask Studios have released in quite some time, and deserves to be seen by as many eyes as possible. Boasting strong characters, striking artwork and an impressively tight structure, this is an animal rights activism series with a dark, violent edge, and I absolutely cant wait to see where this story goes next.

This minor niggle aside, the flair with whichJolle Jones executes the story - not to mention the legitimately world-class artwork - makes this an absolute joy to read. The first series of Lady Killer started off with an intriguing, attention grabbing hook (a housewife assassin!) before gradually unveiling a tense, dramatic and darkly comic character piece, and this second arc has all the hallmarks of delivering exactly the same captivating experience. Highly, highly recommended.

While Lady Killer may have initially made its mark with its brilliant premise and beautifully violent artwork, this second series has added a far more polished narrative, and Jolle Jones is to be truly commended for continuing to push herself as a writer and telling a considerably more engaging story this time around.  Highest of recommendations for this series, as always.

One of the absolute best comics on the shelves today, this second series has somehow managed to actually improve upon its Eisner-nominated predecessor, providing a gripping story, subtle character development and some of the best artwork youre likely to see in a comic today. Get it bought

In summary, this is a finale which is more than worth the wait, and, as Ive said before, Lady Killer remains one of the absolute best comics on the shelves today. Slick, stylish and toe-curlingly violent, this is a series which comes highly, highly recommended.

Overall, this is a solid opening for what should hopefully be a thoroughly enjoyable series. Im just keeping my fingers crossed that Dawson decides to hit the strengths of her story the humour, the feminism, the intriguing characters a little harder as the series progresses, otherwise Ladycastle could end up being a massively wasted opportunity of an otherwise five-star premise.

So, while its still not quite as fiery as Id have hoped, the central point of this issue is delivered effectively, and the positive message contained within these pages makes this a comic Id heartily recommend for younger readers. It's going to be interesting to see whether this series manages to resolve itself satisfactorily in just one more issue, but for a light, enjoyable and relentlessly positive read, you could definitely do a lot worse than spending a little time with the inhabitants of Ladycastle.

Ultimately, this serves as a gripping and horrifying opening chapter of what promises to be one hell of a new series. Lazaretto makes you want to break out the hand sanitizer as soon as you put the book down, and is guaranteed to make you look a little differently at the next person you see coughing in a public place. Highly, highly recommended.