Mythology swirls through the Old West in an epic tale of love and a gunslinging wife determined to keep it in Aint No Grave #1.

While Ryder bought her way into Cypress, she won't find her enemy there. But her actions give others a means of repaying their debts in the mythological Spaghetti Western tale Aint No Grave #2.

In Aint No Grave #3, Ryder bargains for her life. Ryder's new life with Darius and Joey seemed idyllic. Yet her arguments with the husband she left behind haunt her. Was her marriage destined to end in tragedy, even if Doc Francis hadnt handed her a death sentence?

Aint No Grave #4 makes us question everything we thought we knew. Like another hand dealt by Madam Gates, events may play to Ryders advantage or her detriment. As her life flashes before her eyes, Ryder refuses to stop fighting until she meets the one she came to Cypress to see. Does she have another card to play? Or is Ryder destined to tread the same path until she accepts that this is a game she cannot win?

When the universe overturns his plans, Carter struggles to keep up with the kids, his daughter Brie learns more about herself and her family, and his new partner Hiro contemplates his future in Aliens: What If #4.

While Carter Burke makes friends with yet another test subject, and the key to his humanitarian plan escapes his control, Aliens: What If #3 builds off the set pieces of the popular franchise movie to create an exciting, humorous, and touching story.

Grounded in cultural relevance and monster lore, All Eight Eyes #1 is a fast-paced, thought-provoking read that may make you look at the world differently. The beautiful art, additional story pages, and journal entries make this lovingly detailed comic a must-buy for all but the most ardent arachnophiles.

Final ThoughtsMovies like Mimic, Cloverfield, and Spiders 3D testify to New York City's constant battle with monsters. While All Eight Eyes #2 covers Reynolds, Vin, and Possoms efforts to protect the Alphabet City neighborhood in 2003, the real monsters in this lavishly illustrated comic–greed and a lack of concern for others–remain constant threats to people everywhere.

The past hangs heavy over Vin and Reynolds as another Human joins the fight against the spider menace. All Eight Eyes #3 asks: When can you give yourself a pass and give up on a cause you believe in?

As characters struggle to accept their pasts, reinvent themselves, and control their destinies in Amazing Spider-Man #27, a vicious villain returns to crush their hopes and upset their plans.

A hard-bitten journalists surprising vulnerability and the deadliness of endearing creatures allow readers to ponder the worth of first impressions in Amazing Spider-Man #28.

Amazing Spider-Man #29 reminds us how uplifting and fulfilling partnership can be and that memories should be celebrated instead of mourned.

As Amazing Spider-Man #30 pulses with a fast and furious fight, it examines the link between outlook and actions and reflects on what we leave behind.

Stories in Amazing Spider-Man #31 ask if love can conquer all barriers and tease upcoming Spidey titles, making this issue a must-read for all Spider-fans.

Amazing Spider-Man #32 showcases Peters concern for his friends, casts the identity of the Goblin Queens partner in doubt, and leaves us wondering why the red-skinned woman seeks revenge. How much of Ashley Kafka remains and hates the villain she's become?

A lack of confidence provokes desperate measures, and a heros failure returns to haunt him in Amazing Spider-Man #33.

As an Unfriendly Peter Parker settles old scores, Amazing Spider-Man #34 reminds us that heroes act out of love and keep no record of wrongs.

As heroes and antiheroes battle to prevent tragedy, a villain sparks a bloodbath in Amazing Spider-Man #35.

Heroes and villains vie for power, while an aspiring hero seeks identity and purpose in Amazing Spider-Man #36.

As Gang War approaches, the crime bosses, the Repossessor, and even Peter Parker embrace cruelty to achieve their objectives in Amazing Spider-Man #37.

As Rip-Rap's relentless positivity wins new converts and the Gangs Of New York go to war, Re-Po and Madelaine remind us how results often oppose ethics in Amazing Spider-Man #38.

While Peter acts as unofficial lieutenant to Mayor Luke Cage in Amazing Spider-Man #39, Tombstones uneasy reunion with his daughter steals the spotlight. Despite all the love in the world, youth must have its day.

Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and the Beetle tackle symptoms while Madame Masque, Tombstone, and perhaps another player concentrate on curing New York Citys disease in Amazing Spider-Man #40.

Crime lords battle for–and against–their ambitious offspring in Amazing Spider-Man #41.

Gang War pauses, letting heroes and villains regroup before a final battle for Harlem. As revelations provide insights into the conflict's origins, Amazing Spider-Man #42 asks what matters most: what you do or who you're with.

Amid a raging battle filled with epic confrontations, Amazing Spider-Man #43 celebrates the importance of friendship, family, and the need to recognize who we are.

Amazing Spider-Man #44 crackles with energy and drama, leaving much to ponder as Spider-Man achieves a moral victory, empowers a villain, and helps inspire the citizens of New York City to achieve the impossible.

Former villains remind Spider-Man that no one is above the law, Dr. Curtis Connors has something on his mind, and a new coalition threatens to give Peter Parker nightmares in Amazing Spider-Man #45.

After someone messes with his head, Peter Parker seeks to overcome the distance between him and Mary Jane. The inmates at Ravencroft Institute also face a dilemma. Is who they were who they wish to be? Or can kindness transform psychopaths? Heroes and villains ponder their identities, friendships, and futures in Amazing Spider-Man #46.

Amazing Spider-Man #47 reveals an intriguing link between the living brain in Oscorp and New York City restaurants and hints at who arranged Peter's date with Tombstone's lawyer. After his great fall, Chasm finds a new champion. But can anyone put Ben Reilly together again?

Once, Mary Jane and Paul sought a therapist to deal with losing their children. In Amazing Spider-Man #48, Ben Reilly and Janine Godbe sit on a couch and share their concerns. But who is most capable of helping them overcome their pain?

Spider-Man revels in an angst-free dustup until a killer convinces him to save the gangland lieutenant of his best friend's ex from a life hiding in the shadows in Amazing Spider-Man #49.

When the Living Brain starts talking, its words upend Peter Parker and Norman Osborns lives in Amazing Spider-Man #50. Perhaps it's just as well that Peter's heightened strength, agility, and spider-sense prevent him from ever relaxing. He'll need all his wits to confront the enemies that surround him and the demons that lurk within.

Its Phone A Friend Day for Norman Osborn, Spider-Goblin makes Sandman shine, J. Jonah Jameson goes wild with a red pen, and two spectacular Spider-Men have broken minds in Amazing Spider-Man #51.

Kraven, Spider-Goblin, and Spider-Man all reach for a broken spear, while someone who destroyed most of its mind tries to save Peter Parker's broken brain in Amazing Spider-Man #52.

As Ms Marvel assembles a team of people more accustomed to using their minds than their fists, Spider-Man attempts to banish Norman's thoughts from his mind. Amazing Spider-Man #53 speaks to the duality inside each of us and reminds us of the importance of our mental health.

As Peter Parkers friends strive to help him cast out a possessing spirit, three people test the limits of their bravery, ingenuity, and willingness to sacrifice to answer a question that will determine their destiny in Amazing Spider-Man #54.

Peter Parker always means well. But his friendships suffer, and every voyage across the sea of love ends in a shipwreck. In Amazing Spider-Man #55, Shay forces him to look into the mirror and reassess his life. Will his costume and Uncle Bens words always define him? Or could he become the Amazing Peter Parker?

Mary Jane has her life in order. Randy Robertson and Ned Leeds are making progress. But Peter is more lost than ever. He wants to start something good with Shay Marken but doesn't even have a job. So hes putting Spider-Mans house in order in Amazing Spider-Man #56. But will becoming a more controlling Spider-Man create more problems than it solves?

Kingpin makes a play for his daughter. Heroes and villains wield the American justice system in their best interests. And Digger has a spectacularly uplifting experience in Amazing Spider-Man #57.

Janice Lincoln doesnt want Spider-Man to rescue her. Lonnie Lincoln doesnt want Spider-Man to prevent him from killing his daughter. As Tombstone, Lonnie always put business over family. But then Spider-Man found Tombstones weak spot. So, in Amazing Spider-Man #58, Tombstone seeks to eliminate it before his weakness destroys what he values most.

Attacked by his allies, family, and society, Tombstone unleashes his monster to survive. So, in Amazing Spider-Man #59, Spider-Man reminds Lonnie Lincoln that he doesnt have to be a monster to thrive.

While criminals work outside the law, so do costumed superheroes. In Amazing Spider-Man #60, Zeb Wells resets the game board by drawing on classic characters and situations to remind us who Peter Parker is and why he usually wins battles, even if he loses the wars. Additional stories remind us of Spider-Mans past and forecast his deadly future.

Doctor Doom tricked Doctor Strange into giving up the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme. In Amazing Spider-Man #61, Doom manipulates Spider-Man into defending Earth in a cosmic contest. If he survives, perhaps Peter Parker will learn why Doom picked him over all of Earths mightiest heroes. But first, a man who cant safely deliver a Rick Jones record to his girlfriend must defeat eight demigods.

Neither Spider-Man nor the Scions of Cyttorak conceived these contests. Yet Earth's champion and the dark god's children must play their parts in this cosmic contest. Still, one godling intends to break the cycle and use this fight to pursue a different agenda in Amazing Spider-Man #62.

Cyrios forces Peter to revisit Yesterday and laments his inability to Let It Be while ignoring that mindfulness and judgmentalism don't Come Together. As Peter struggles to prevent past failures from ruining his present, more scions of Cyttorak study him in Amazing Spider-Man #63. One seeks power, the other freedom, and both have likely watched Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Peter grows so inured to the constant battles with demigods that he doesn't realize how fortunate he has been. He is so irritated by how these contests were foisted on him that Peter complains to the astral form of Doctor Strange about enduring the pain of each “temporary” death. So, when Peter attacks Callix in anger, the demigod hits him where it hurts most in Amazing Spider-Man #64. Yet, as Peter battles his latest foe, he fails to notice the similarities between him and a son overlooked by an uncaring father.

Everyone loses in Amazing Spider-Man #65. Yet nearly everyone wins in this fifth battle for the late great planet Earth. Like life itself, Joe Kellys story is a matter of perspective. And even a god with everything to live for can embrace despair.

While Miles Morales engages with the gods in Wakanda, Peter Parker struggles to grasp the reed of truth in New York. Like Miles, Peter cannot recover what he lost by fighting. Instead, Peter must peer into himself and rediscover the truth of his life in Amazing Spider-Man #66.

Doctor Doom refused to relinquish the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme because he wanted to ensure Earths survival. He criticized Doctor Stranges deal with Cyttorak, claiming it was an unreliable and inefficient means of safeguarding the planet. Doom foresaw Bloodhunt and protected Latveria from Varnaes coordinated attack. But when Spider-Man refuses to carry out his duties as Earths Champion, Amazing Spider-Man #67 asks if Doctor Doom planned for this eventuality.

Peter Parker dreams of a life without power or responsibilities. When he awakens, he discovers that reality differs radically from his fantasy. So, Peter makes a list of what he can do. But as the Avengers couldnt prevent Thanos from pruning the crowded universe, Spider-Man struggles to halt the efficiency drive intended to simplify his complex world in Amazing Spider-Man #68.

Cradios claimed that Juggernaut didnt possess as much power as a scion of Cyttorak. Yet the X-Men helped Juggernaut defeat the scion. Perhaps Cyttorak also aided him. Whether on Earth or in the Crimson Cosmos, Juggernaut stands in Cyttoraks presence. Unlike Cyttoraks children, Juggernaut talks with his god as he battles his friends in Amazing Spider-Man #68. Deaths. Theirs is an unshakable bond forged by mutual needs and a reminder of why dedication to our careers often threatens and injures our family.

Cyttorak refused to tell his children and subjects, like Juggernaut, what he expected of them. Cyra misinterpreted her father's intentions. In Amazing Spider-Man #69, Cyra revises her opinion about her father and what he tried to teach her. It's a revelation that helps the godling understand why she continued to observe Spider-Man after their battle ended.

Adopting a different suit helps Peter Parker identify with one of his greatest enemies in Amazing Spider-Man #70. Drawing on Dr Stranges tutelage, Cyras endurance test, and Cyttoraks crimson magic, Peter's courage and selflessness inspire others.

Final ThoughtsThe Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 gives readers a peek inside New York City's exclusive Limbo Embassy, an invitation to Anna Watson's B-Earth Day party, and a haunting look at Ravencroft Institute. While Spider-Man seems more incidental than central, the stories explore the edges of his world and hint at possible future events.

Criminals learn that no one is essential, and heroes forget their friends have difficulties to overcome in Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike #1. This crucial chapter of the Gang War saga is about love, loyalty, and responsibility, with the odd double-cross thrown in for good measure.

As Peter Parker searches for a new place to spend his days, a strange development brings a mighty villain low. When Spider-Man leaps to meet this new challenge, titans arise to shake New Yorks webbed wonders in Amazing Spider-Man #1.

As Peter Parker plays detective, the clock is ticking. Shay Marken demands the best in their relationship. His new boss, Dr Maira Osmani-Milton, demands Peters complete focus at work. And then there is his childhood friend. Brian Nehring claims he is looking out for Peter, but also admits he breeds magic mushrooms. After frightening New Yorkers and South Korean auto workers, Peter must discover the culprit before they blow up his life in Amazing Spider-Man #2.

Drugs helped Itsy Bitsy cope with life. Illicit chemicals enable Peter to connect the dots in his investigation. But Peter's brainstorm worries his friend Brian, who breeds magic mushrooms for a living. And despite Peter's plea, Norman says, “No more.” As Peter struggles to discern reality, the drugs twist his childhood memories into an unending nightmare in Amazing Spider-Man #3.

Peter Parker struggled with accepting love in his youth. Hopped up on Hobgoblins synthesized fear, Peter remembers inflicting pain on those he loved, while hurting a person who loves him in Amazing Spider-Man #4.

Spider-Man teams up with the Lizard and Miles Morales mentor, while Colleen Wing and Dr Morbius discover exciting business opportunities among the undead. Both groups uncover clues to the source of the Darkforce Invasion in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1.

After his recent battles with Ben Reilly, Peter Parker finally meets the woman who stole his clones memories. While Miles Morales mentor agrees to meet Peter halfway, her partner is in danger of joining the undead in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. But is a manufactured vampire the equal of a natural-born bloodsucker?

Hemoglobin Inc. offers employees rapid career advancement, transformative economic benefits, and a zest for life. Yet Peter Parker won't stand by and watch others endure transformation without representation or leave them to face the moral quandaries he battled when a spider bite changed him forever in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3.

Gorgeous art envelopes you like Hannah's father's arms as you sink into Antarctica #1‘s warm embrace. Although dialogue balloons reveal select conversations, the diary-style narrative summarizes Hannah's lost years and how grit and determinationaided by a friend's kindnesspropels Hannah to Earths least visited continent.

The action comes thick and fast in Antarctica #2, as her sophisticated doppelganger threatens Hannah and her coworkers. The ending of this parallel world story leaves readers fearing for their own.

One-time allies dont make long-term friends, the accessibility of the home computer makes apocalypse possible, and an antihero must do something he hates to save the world in Army Of Darkness Forever #3.

Ash rediscovers the joy of living, his evil self struggles to master his baser impulses, and Lady Shiela battles sexism in Army Of Darkness Forever #4.

While Lady Shield fights to reclaim her kingdom in 1300 A.D. and Lookalike Ash hatches his evil plan in 1993, Ashs impatience in 2093 could doom our world for all time in Army Of Darkness Forever #6.

As Mordors shadow across centuries of Deadite infestation in Army Of Darkness Forever #7, Ash realizes a truth he never suspected that night he ventured into the woods and said the magic words he hoped would send him home.

Ash begins a grand new adventure. The evil wizard makes Lady Shiela an offer she can't refuse. But can Betty Currie save Bill Clinton's presidency in Army Of Darkness Forever #8?

The Deadites Strike Back as Evil Ash rubs Lady Shiela's dirty (and bloody) arm in the woods and duels with Ash amid the destruction of London in Army Of Darkness Forever #9.

Giving into grief and despair fuels our enemies. Accepting what is rather than what we want strengthens us. As Ash and Lady Shiela face their foes, resilience proves the crucible that forges people into heroes in Army Of Darkness Forever #10.

Ash thought his travels through time were over when he and his three Necronomicons arrived in 1300. Lady Shiela thought Ashs life was over when Evil Ash from 1993 killed Ash. But with six copies of the Necronomicon, four versions of Ash in one time and place, and a handful of hand-sized Ashes, Lady Shiela and Ashs headaches become migraines in Army Of Darkness Forever #11.

Army Of Darkness Forever #13s series of linked deleted scenes portray baby Nikto as a stalwart friend and remind us that our circumstances don't define us. Ash may have little in common with Damien Thorn. Still, his adventures in 2093, 1993, and 1300 AD suggest that the one-handed chainsaw fighter and retail store hero embodies the ultimate man.

With its emphasis on learning and character, Assassin's Apprentice #4 transports us to a Fantasy world populated by fully-rounded characters who wield magic as readily as swords. Avoid those who would mock you or heap scorn upon comic book adaptations. The wise reader will benefit from reading this issue. I may not be an assassin, but that's my creed.

A lab-grown fly, stripped of his wings, vows to better himself while navigating the sticky social web of users, abusers, and double-dealing friends in From The World Of Minor Threats: Barfly #1.

Violent, otherworldly, and above all experimental, Bear Pirate Viking Queen #1 reminds us of the link between ourselves and our planet and how the inequities of society perpetuate cruelty and create monsters. This seagoing yarn will hurl you upon the rocks. If you survive the impact, it may just seep into your soul.

Unspeakable violence invades a childrens storybook paradise in Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #1.

This previous issue lured me in with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Now it seems Britannica Rex may not regularly appear in this series. Even the Furiesa combination of Abe Sapien and Chappie-style robot warriorsdon't get much screen time in this issue. Still, I enjoyed meeting new characters and seeing Betsy and Rachel force the legendary Morgan Le Fay to switch tactics. While much shorter than its predecessor, Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #2 delivers a satisfying story with a uniquely British sensibility. Pair it with a strong cuppa and a Jammy Dodger for maximum enjoyment.

Final ThoughtsFilled with witchcraft, Fairie, mutants, and robots with dreams of greatness, Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 delivers an interesting and exciting day in the life of Britain's courageous and caring defender. While short on mega-powered villains and world-ending threats, readers can expect a three-paragraph introduction, a report from The Reflector (the UKs most trusted news source), a datafile, and twenty pages of story and art that impress, even when magnified at 150-200%. It's a substantial read that focuses on family, celebrates diversity, and contrasts what heroes and villains care about. Even without a T-Rex Captain Britain, Expert Marvelites and Mutant Newbies should enjoy this National Treasure.

When Bettie Page's shot at stardom makes her a target of the Italian mafia, she shrugs off danger to reunite lost lovers. Bettie Page: La Doce Vita TP mixes Shakespeare with The Saint for a humorous and exciting romp rooted in World War II and cinema history.

With nothing to gain, Bettie and her friends risk their lives to reunite pining lovebirds in Bettie Page #3, a lively, comedic twist on Shakespeares Romeo And Juliet.

Italian lovers fight their families for the freedom to fix their future in Bettie Page #4 but find life fussier than fairy tales.

Final ThoughtsEngaging characters and fraught battles on Earth 63 pair with a threat to the mutants of our world in Bishop War College #4. Everything hangs in the balance in this fast-paced yet substantial penultimate issue of the series.

Blade Runner 2039 #5 burns with a creator's striving for perfection, a young woman's hunger to find her mother, and a woman who works tirelessly to help the people society so readily discards.

Ash and Cleo take the back seat while Luv and Rash steer the Spinner in Blade Runner 2039 #6. The replicant Buddy Cop partnership produces wry humor, observations on humanity, and an explosive ending.

As two Private Detectives, one Human and the other a Replicant, get drawn into a brewing war involving the Yakuza, Tyrell, and a new supplier of bootleg Replicants in the poor neighborhoods of Japan in Blade Runner Tokyo Nexus #1, a still figure on a green slab asks, “What are little girls made of?”

The only person Blood Bledsoe trusts is Thunder. The bounty hunter refuses to trade her AI gun for a newer model. But then, Thunder may be the only thing preventing Blood from spending the rest of her life in a maximum-security prison cell. That would be a shame, as the IPPF needs her assistance in protecting the streets of Metro 1 in Blood And Thunder #1.

Hawkeye soothes New Yorkers fright through spirituality, Man-Wolf forces J Jonah Jameson to confront his Spider-Man fixation, and Dagger battles the overwhelming power of addiction in Blood Hunters #1.

Their hunt for the angel killer has tested Dario Azzaro and Maria Diaz. A discovery this time out makes Detective Azzaros investigation incredibly personal. If Tomasis story and Maxim's art invited you to this party, but you hoped for something to kick it into high gear, Blood Tree #4s the issue youve been waiting for.

Murder and mayhem abound as Blood Tree #5 hurtles toward a breathtaking cliffhanger. Partners in Crime Tomasi and imi remind us of the difficulties police face in protecting the innocent and preventing people from hurting others. New Yorkers should lock their doors and stay in their homes until this emergency is over.

As pain and loss strip Dario Azzaro bare, Blood Tree #6 reveals who he is and why he devotes his life to protecting the inhabitants of New York City.

Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #4 delivers a teen-friendly story of family, empowerment, and the supernatural in an appealing, all-ages package. With a new Blade series hitting comic shops this July, theres never been a better time to discover the world of Marvels night-stalking Daywalker.

Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #5 sinks its claws into your heart and doesn't let go until the final page. Fueled by devotion to family and responsibility for others, readers depart enamored by Brielle and thirsting for more pint-sized dhampir adventures.

Reality and mythology merge as a photographer seeks a killer scoop amid whiteout conditions on the mountain James Bond once skied off in Blow Away #1.

Drugs ensnare Alaska's light-deprived citizens, and corporate corruption threatens the future of small communities as a narcotics officer confronts her sordid, supernatural past in Borealis #1.

Captain America: Finale #1 knits disparate story strands to deliver a rousing conclusion. Driven by the themes and people that make him a superhero, this issue reminds us of what Steve Rogers always fights for.

Like Victor Frankenstein, the Jackal sought to improve on natures work by creating Kaine and Ben Reilly. Like Frankensteins ultimate man, the Jackals creations have killed others. Now, as Hallows Eve dons the likeness of Frankenstein's feared creation, another person follows in the two creators footsteps in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #1.

As an Eternal, Druig has too much time on his hands. Instead of taking night classes at Empire State University or volunteering at FEAST, Druig seeks diversion by manipulating others, including those with all eight eyes open in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2.

As Kaine attempts to help his brother, Druig empowers people to pursue their greatest desires. Despite his claims about others, the Eternal reveals that he is the pathetic one in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #3. Not only because Druig lacks fulfillment but also because he attacks people with lesser power instead of pursuing his grievances with his fellow Eternals.

Druig spurs the disenfranchised to insurrection, Chasm gets kissy and corny, Kaine tries to be his brother's keeper, and Hallows' Eve goes killer kaiju in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #4.

Christmas 365 #1 tackles the difficulties of navigating the depression accompanying the holiday season with sitcom humor and a reminder that the best gifts are the times we share with those we love.

Peter Rockwell's crusade to unite his family and celebrate their love for each other wins people over. But just as Peter discovers how to make Santa's suggestion sustainable, someone threatens to steal his dream in Christmas 365 #2.

An incredible discovery tempts a scientist to abandon his principles, cast aside tradition, and reject any reverence for life in Cobra Commander #1.

When a scientist and a soldier venture into the heart of darkness, a violent encounter separates them in Cobra Commander #2.

Caught at a crossroads, the Cimmerian freebooter partners with an unlikely ally against an apocalyptic army in Conan The Barbarian #1.

Conan and his Pictish partner learn about each other and search for the source of the soulless scourge in Conan The Barbarian #2.

As Conan explores the Hyborian world following the Battle Of Venarium, the Cimmerian searches for his identity, purpose, and relationship with the divine. Yet others will intrude on his icy idyll in this revamped classic tale in Conan The Barbarian #13.

Conan and Blit have become legendary pirates. Some may wonder how much their stories have grown in the telling. But in Conan The Barbarian #17, as they relax in Kyros, Blit discovers that Conan's worries are justified. Still, that doesn't prevent her from accepting a job that could prove more dangerous than Conan's final robbery with Chaundra and the Gloryhounds.

When the Black Stones power proves too powerful for stalwart warriors to combat, a scholars thirst for knowledge and a writers imagination prove pivotal in defeating a mind-consuming power in Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #4.

People who hunger for more than they need pay for their greed, while those who seek the benefits of conventional society discover a world beyond anything they imagined in Creepshow Vol 3 #1.

Two peoples greed forces an innocent boy to decide his fate, while a desire to entertain leads to a desperate struggle for survival in Creepshow Vol 3 #2.

Our interests can separate or unite us. But is unity with everyone something to be grasped? One person's democracy can become another's communism, even if those you interact with deal with you honestly. Creepshow Vol 3 #3 muses how our evolving interests affect our relationships and the dangers of pursuing justice.

Two people separated by time, place, sex, interests, and any other criteria you can think of embrace shortcuts to omnipotence in Creepshow Vol 3 #4, only to discover no one can remain invincible forever.

Kristin and Agnes discover that they are cherished and wanted. Kristine and Angie feel wronged. As in Friday The 13th and Dark Shadows, vengeful spirits haunt picturesque settings in Creepshow Vol 3 #5.

As two assassinsone driven by pain, the other by atonementcollide, ordinary New Yorkers face the collapse of civilization, and a seemingly unconquerable foe betrays a moment of weakness in Daredevil: Gang War #3.

As a pandemic changes New York City overnight, a system built upon secrets, power, and government corruption seems doomed. Beautiful and bursting with energy, Dark Honor #1 ponders how fear over an uncertain future can change our world in ways we could never have imagined.

Dark Spaces: The Hollywood Special #3 explores the conflict between work and family and how making the wrong choice can cast us into an abyss of regret.

While cherishing relationships that influence us in countless ways, we believe we are masters of our fates. A work of ineffable beauty, Dark Spaces: The Hollywood Special #4 invites us to examine those relationships and how they impact our mental health.

Wolverine hunts monsters. But is Wolverine a hunter or a monster? Its a question Logan can't avoid when Wade Wilson reminds him of the difference between them in Deadpool & Wolverine WWIII #1.

Delta entertains wealthy clients by experimenting on unhappy people. Like Doctor Moreau, he seeks to improve on the base model. But what will shape Wade Wilson's destiny more in Deadpool & Wolverine WWIII #2? Wolverines pity or the impatience of Deltas clients?

Wolverine and Deadpools healing factors deafen them to the physical signals that can spark mental and emotional rebirth. It takes an ordeal and remorse to help each reevaluate his self-image. Yet Deadpool & Wolverine WWIII #3 ends with the threat of more dehumanizing experiments and attacks on Human civilization.

Deadpool #10 explores the boundaries of love and friendship and how belief in others is the strongest superpower.

While money cant buy happiness, it can buy lots of cool stuff! In Deadpool #2, Wade Wilson decides to invest it in his future. But finding the right business partners could prove difficult with a death cult on his trail and a daughter who wants more from him than the occasional text or selfie.

While Taskmaster adds expenses to his invoice, he protects Ellie, finds a connection between the girl and himself, and agrees to avenge Deadpool if The Touch silences the Merc With A Mouth. What strange magic does Deadpool's Human daughter wield in Deadpool #3?

When Death Grip offers Deadpool a deal he cant refuse, the Merc With A Mouth discovers pain like he's never experienced and feels an emotion he's not used to in Deadpool #4.

When Ellie and Princess undertake a mission, Deadpool discovers the unkindest cut of all in Deadpool #6.

After Daddys dismemberment and death, Ellie is killing time and people, Taskmaster sends juveniles to commit Grand Larceny, and Princess catches a scent that makes her happy in Deadpool #7.

Alchemy was a science written in codes and practiced in secret. In Deadpool #8, robots guard a biochem company, and Human employees who sign an NDA discover that leaving their employment (with the company's secrets) activates a termination clause.

While Princess uses her body to shield her sister and Valentine from harm, Ellie discovers the limits of her healing factor. Still, her physical injuries are nothing compared to losing her dad. So, the girl makes a deal without waiting to hear what it will cost her in Deadpool #9.

As the winds of alchemy and science breathe life into his rebirth, Wade Wilson seeks love and big guns in all the wrong places. So, after Ellie and Wade lose some of their healing factors, it doesnt help that opponents get a level-up. Amid the humorous fighting and violent witticisms, Shift steals hearts (and perhaps minds) in Deadpool #12.

As Ellie demonstrates she's growing up, Princess proves a capable strategist, their father falls in love, and Taskmaster bills Wade for quadruple overtime in Deadpool #13.

While Wade has forged the connections that helped him value life again, Death Grip is letting go as he journeys toward transcendence. But a surprising development makes us question all we know about Death Grip and The Touch in Deadpool #14.

Some claim that memories are for losers who lead uninteresting lives. Many preach that it is not what you know but what you do that matters. Yet you cannot understand the worth of something until you have it. Wolverine prefers to shatter a mirror rather than look in it. But in Deadpool Vs Wolverine: Slash ‘Em Up #1, Wade Wilson wants to perceive the man he has become. And he can't do that without having something that may not be good for him.

While reminding us of the dangers of anxiety, Destiny Gate #1 suggests the infinite possibilities that await a positive outlook.

When Astoria Carlton-Ritz, the new CEO of Hybrid Technologies, visits Artyom Darklons weapons fair, she looks forward to resuming her life in Manhattan. But a freak accident in Darklonia may suggest a new business opportunity or a rare ability in Destro #1.

Destro and his rivals Xamot and Tomax believe war refines the Human species and the most adaptable players survive. But Xamot and Tomax inspire others, while Destro values property over people and communion with the dead over the camaraderie of the living in Destro #2.

Destro thought he was untouchable. In Destro #3, hes not so sure. Still, the laird of Clan Destro demonstrates that the best weapon isn't guns, tanks, drones, or smart bombs, but the ability to think on your feet, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to always believe that you are invincible.

Tomax and Xamot argue that Destro is dead. Artyom Darklon assumes that his cousin is dead. Astoria Carlton Ritz of Hybrid Technologies believes her business rival is dead. But like Snake Plissken, rumors of his death are greatly exaggerated. James McCullen Destro is forging partnerships with major players in the arms industry to reclaim MARS and ensure he doesn't lose access to Cobra Commander's otherworld energy source in Destro #4.

Tomax and Xamot share a unique bond. It makes them formidable opponents yet leaves them open to attack. Destro will exploit that weakness to protect humanity's ability to perpetuate the art of war in Destro #5.

Doctor Who: Dooms Day #1 is a diverting romp from 19th Century New York to 52nd Centurys Stormcage. Seasoned with humor and peppered with allusions to the original Master and River Song, the story satisfies as Missy constantly fights her instincts to be oh-so-bad.

When a bank job goes wrong, cops and demons chase a getaway car with supernatural powers in Drive Like Hell #1.

Not for the faint of funny bone, Dungeons & Dragons: Fortune Finder #1 follows a mindwiped elf and a short girl with a big staff (and even bigger personality) through Sigil, a transit hub bursting with beings from any world readers might care to visit, and perhaps a few they wouldn't!

Every few years, voters march to the polls. They wait in line to stand in a booth and fill circles on pieces of paper. Then, they watch the leaders they voted into office do as they like for the next several years. News providers and conspiracy theorists claim to tell us how our country functions. But behind the veneer of civilization, the people who run the United States prepare for a battle. Somehow, Exquisite Corpses Ashcan seems more accurate than the latest C-SPAN broadcast.

An antihero rises to haunt the mutant neighborhoods, while Splinter takes a leaf from his children's book in the FCBD 2024: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue. The first appearance of an exciting new character is reason enough to camp outside your comic shop and be first in line when the doors open!

Desperate circumstances forge unlikely partnerships when a visiting Alliance dignitary threatens to make the Serenity crew the Alliances Most Wanted in Firefly: The Fall Guys #1.

Trapped in a small frontier town and framed for an assassination attempt, the Serenity crew scramble to hide from Alliance troops in Firefly: The Fall Guys #2.

Trapped in a maze, the Serenity crew fights to stay alive, and Zo conceives a dramatic solution to life, the Alliance, and everything in Firefly: The Fall Guys #3.

As Zo Washburn and Amber Archambeau race to assassinate the Alliance Prime Minister, Captain Kaylee gives Malcolm Reynolds a new rank, and graveyards become redoubts on land and in space in Firefly: The Fall Guys #4.

Marshall Gronk is burning down the house, Prime Minister Hamner finally sees the light, and the beleaguered inhabitants of Beloved differentiate between criminals and outlaws in Firefly: The Fall Guys #5.

After giant alien robots made Earth their battleground, a psychopath raised a formidable army overnight. Duke and his team are under the gun to prove their worth to their commander and protect the Earth from destruction in G.I. Joe #1.

Duke promised his team they were the best soldiers in the world and couldn't fail unless they gave up. Now, everyone on his team is wounded, missing, or dead, and Colonel Hawk is drafting in a replacement. In G I Joe #2, Duke must learn how to fail while retaining his superiors respect and his subordinates loyalty. And he must do so quickly because Cobra Commander already has a technological advantage, and hes just stolen a chunk of Cybertron from under Dukes nose.

Cobra Commander uses Destro and MARS but has others at his beck and call. Unless Duke and his team can frustrate his plans, Cobra Commander looks to have the entire Earth under his sway in G I Joe #3.

Firefights in National Parks and the nation's capital leave Duke's team defeated. Like Captain Kirk after Vger swallows the USS Enterprise, Duke insists they're down but not out. But the Cobra Commander is gathering all the components to complete his plans. Once, he worked to make Cobra-La a world power. If the Cobra Commander's plan is successful, all will bow at his feet in G I Joe #4.

An inventor demonstrates why Congress questioned his ethics, a bully shows his true colors, and Scrap Iron earns his name as Duke weakens Cobra Commanders coalition in G I Joe #5.

Dr Monev created his Brainwave Scanner to protect Humans from themselves. Cobra Commanders Brainwave Bomb is part of his grand design to protect Humans from the Cybertronians. While fractures weaken the Joes and Cobra, both groups also win. How much they win and lose is yet to be determined. Yet Cobra and the Joes are destined for transformation in G.I. Joe #6.

Animal experimentation is nothing new. Nor do outsiders invading tribal lands surprise anyone. But when Spirit tracks a strange creature to its home, the Native American tracker discovers an abomination of unrivaled strength in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Spirit #1.

Roadblock doesnt rely on his physical training and fondness for machine guns to get by. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Roadblock #1 reveals a man of refinement whose understanding of human nature, meticulous planning, and concern for his comrades help him accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Beach Head #1 shows how war pits some people against each other and brings others together. Beach Head rises as a beacon in a city darkened by war. His adventure is not a silent mission with tactics and objectives. Instead, this mission of the heart reminds us we never know our limits until we push against them.

Like Thors brother Loki, Letrong Giap enjoys making mischief. Yet in Get Fury #1, the former North Vietnamese General shows Captain Frank Castle and Colonel Nick Fury protecting their men and avoiding unnecessary killing. By contrast, Letrong shows his NVA soldiers engage in heartless cruelty. Does Letrong want to get his government into trouble? Or will he turn the tables on American readers in future issues?

Corruption, compromises, and diversity in the military fuel a penetrating meditation on the costs of war in Get Fury #2.

Dirty CIA officials quarrel with a US Marine General over Nick Fury and Frank Castle's fate, Fury books into the Hanoi Hotel, and Castle braves squads of North Vietnamese soldiers to meet two women amid The War For Drugs in Get Fury #3.

Popular and promising creators introduce a lavish sampler of exciting stories in Ghost Machine #1. The oversized one-shot fires a salvo across the bows of local comic shops, warning readers to take heed and other storytelling universes to remain on High Alert.

Infernal Labs holds Danny Ketch in thrall. Dr. Diyu swatted Johnny Blaze down in the last issue. As Johnny and Talia Warroad mount a rescue, Dr. Diyu threatens to unleash the ultimate result of her research. Great art, strong-yet-fragile characters, and family drama build to a cliffhanger ending in Ghost Rider #14.

Good intentions transform a mourning, obsessed woman into what she despises in Ghost Rider #15.

Along with the fun stories, I enjoyed seeing how many different Marvel characters I could spot in the pages of Giant-Size Little Marvels #1. Pick up a copy and see if you can find your favorite characters.

An abandoned boy who loves stories, the strange case of his vanishing parents, and his aunts love of antiques, travel, and solving puzzles transports two amateur sleuths across continents in Gilt Frame #1. Amid poems, clues, and the bustling markets of Paris, the triune focus on one persons name only adds to the fun.

In popular fiction, governments often disguise the facts to control the populace and prevent widespread panic. In Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens #1, Bob Jones struggles to prove what government leaders have tried to repress throughout history. But first, he must overcome his prejudices about popular beliefs and the stated purposes of other government departments.

When a desperate man grasps for another chance at life, Deaths servant shares the secret that haunts her afterlife in Grim: Pen & Ink #1. The artists commentary enhances this debut issue as Flaviano discusses the author/artist relationship, sources of inspiration, and the differences between working in animation and comics.

Grommets #1 celebrates 80's pop culture, the uncrossable generation chasm, and the difficulty of discovering where you belong.

When Groo befriends displaced orphans, the wandering barbarian discovers that finding responsible and loving parents may be the biggest challenge of his wandering career in Groo: Minstrel Melodies #2.

In Groo: Minstrel Melodies #3, Groo learns that because you excel at something doesnt mean adults will want to learn from you. Still, if you embrace life with a positive attitude, children may welcome you as their mentor.

Groo: Gods Against Groo #4 is a gentle, relaxing read. It deals with matters of faith and politics in a delightfully fun way. Moreover, it shows how alike we all are, despite all our differences. Devour it with a bowl of your favorite cheese dip. Ah, cheese dip!

Charles Ardais Gun Honey Collision Course #1 is a fast-paced spy thriller. Ardais modern-day Modesty Blaise immerses readers in the Japanese underworld and launches two rival criminal empires into a gang war neither desired.

Heat Seeker: A Gun Honey Series #1 may confuse Gun Honey virgins, but this appealing, high-octane espionage thriller will pull a rabbit out of the hat for Mission Impossible and Modesty Blaise fans.

Joanna and Brook race to save the man who protects their secrets when their game of international hide-and-seek goes wrong. Success and riches don't necessarily bring champagne wishes and caviar dreams in Gun Honey Collision Course #2.

When Rosalines would-be kidnapper risks her boss wrath to help her escape, the biological researchers daughter learns she is not as unique as she believed but more special than she imagined. Dahlia Racers and Cesar must play catchup across Europe, hoping Dr Preiss' employers don't find his daughter first in Heat Seeker: Combustion #2.

Amid the fight to protect Hiroshi Yamada and his secrets, Brook strives to bring Kruger to justice, Joanna Tan realizes the price people pay for riches, and Agent Kruger steps closer to unleashing his plan. Yet, while the greedy play games of life and death to gain money and power, a person outside civilized society trains others to be independent in Gun Honey Collision Course #3.

Gunslinger Spawn #21 is a fast and furious team-up with links to recent events in The Scorched. It features dinosaurs, the Clown and his minions, and Violator. It's frustrating that it starts with such an epic battle, goes back in time to show the planning stages, and ends before events in the opening pages. Still, all the Spawn books are frustrating, as they always leave you wanting to know more.

Amid the battle that rocks Omega Island, Gunslinger Spawn #23 examines the tragedy of dysfunctional families. Ironically, a monsters unexpected act of caring has the final word.

Gunslinger Spawn #24 ponders the hunger for revenge, the universal nature of human suffering, and our responsibility to care for those in need.

While Javier bathes his gloves in blood, Gunslinger Spawn #25 puts those who treat our planet callously in the crosshairs.

As Javier rides toward his next victim, remembering the blackest day of his life, Taylor suffers, and changes threaten both men in Gunslinger Spawn #26.

As Gwenpool #1 ponders how people and circumstances shape our characters, it reminds us how we can wake up one day and, like the Talking Heads, ask, “How did I get here?”

In Haunthology Vol. 1, Jeremy Haun struggles to cope with the pandemic that threatens to destroy everything he loves and values. These brief tales of terror grab us like Hastur's slimy tentacles and force us to face our fears and live each day to its fullest.

Scarred by her past, a former governess recalls caring for a pulp-era author's daughter, meeting her rich and powerful grandfather, and discovering the monster that terrorized the family estate in Helen Of Wyndhorn #1.

Even before they were written and collected, fairy tales tantalized readers with glimpses of realms beyond our own. Any Human who ventured into those realms saw great wonders but paid a price. Helen Of Wyndhorn #2 reminds us that early 20th-century fantasy authors like Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft suffered mental afflictions and died young. Yet their tales of magic and wonder, populated by heroes, monsters, and gods, left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness.

Lilith begged Barnabas to take an interest in his granddaughter. Barnabas may be a man of few words, but their fraught and dangerous journey banishes the distance between them and the despair that hung over Helen after her father's suicide in Helen Of Wyndhorn #3.

When Lilith undertook the role of Helen's governess, she never anticipated becoming the biographer of C.K. Coles daughter. She disregarded the pulp-era fantasies Helens father wrote. Liliths efforts to prepare Helen for a system she esteems receive an unexpected boost in Helen Of Wyndhorn #4. But is that what Lilith wants?

Joseph is Barnabas butler. Joseph also cleans the manor house, prepares meals, trains warriors, and administers Otherworldly remedies. But when Helen reverts to her self-destructive ways, Joseph fails to intervene. So, a new hero arises to protect Helen in Helen Of Wyndhorn #5. Or perhaps she has been the hero of Tom Kings story all along.

Appealing characters, intriguing art, and an involving story make Hellboy And The B.P.R.D.: Fearful Symmetry #1 an oddly satisfying read, regardless of whether you've read earlier Hellboy stories or William Blake's famous poem.

Before reading became the norm, oral storytelling grounded people in their cultural history. Cosplayers provide a modern equivalent by dressing up as their favorite characters and reenacting scenes from popular movies and TV shows. As society changes with the times, so do the stories it celebrates. Hellboy In Love #4 reminds us how popular stories shape our outlook and influence how we relate to others.

A previously unexplored realm awaits researchers. But is it safe for humans, or only inhabitable by artificial intelligence? Science and the Paranormal merge in the intriguing Hexagon Bridge #1.

While Rose and Zachary discover their Nature, the thirteen-year-olds rely on their Nurture to resolve a crisis and bring peace to the injured in Hornsby And Halo #4.

After settling an undead uprising, Rose and Zachary hope to resume their lives. Neither feels like they belong. Still, that is all they know. In Hornsby And Halo #5, the shocks to their systems continue. On the cusp of physical, emotional, and social changes, the thirteen-year-olds discover that their peers arent their peers, their parents arent their parents, and their world isnt their home.

Rose and Zachary used to respect Mr Wenders. Now, they call their bus driver by his first name and question everything he tells them. Like many teens, Rose and Zachary struggle to embrace truths they don't want to accept. But then, people like the Adjudicator have been influencing them without their knowledge or consent. While their friends ponder how to spend their lives, Rose and Zachary's futures seem already written in Hornsby And Halo #6.

Others denied Pranky the satisfaction and love he yearned for. Becoming the Scorekeeper's little helper made the former Boy Scout feel valued. But when Oscar Oddman's actions threaten his dominance, Pranky makes the Matinee Monster his next target in Hyde Street #4.

Miss Glee Goodbody is a winner, although she doesnt see herself in those terms. In Hyde Street #5, the proprietor of Fat-Free aims for excellence and never waivers. She will do anything to achieve the results she desires. But Miss Goodbody swims in dangerous waters. She knows a moment of weakness can invite a feeding frenzy.

Coach Blood-Bone confronts his unsavory past, Trini sacrifices her ego for the good of the team, and Queen Mob takes an unhealthy interest in Podunk Lil Team, the only amateur team to challenge her bands of professional bloodsport killers, in I Heart Skull-Crusher #3.

We learn why Queen Mob wanted Podunk Lil Team dead or alive (okay, mostly dead), Coach Blood-Bone tells disbelievers of David The Anti-Mutant Bear-Man to have a nice day, and Trini falls in and out of love in I Heart Skull-Crusher #4.

Screaming Pain Ball was Trini's ticket out of the American Wastes. Queen Mob promised the winner a career alongside her champion. But Queen Mob changes the rules and redefines the reward in I Heart Skull-Crusher #5, while Trini discovers an essential truth about herself. On the brink of achieving her life dream, Trini discovers that winning won't bring the success she envisioned.

When Queen Mob breaks up Podunk Lil Team, Trini must convince her new team not to kill her friends in I Heart Skull-Crusher #6. Unfortunately, her new teammates include a team captain with an axe to grind and Trini's lifelong idol who wins by any means necessary.

When Queen Mob announced her second Bubble Cities Tournament, the other tyrants objected to her bringing new blood into the sport. They could accept Skull-Crusher because the crowds adored her, and she won. However, allowing other wastelanders to join their ranks will dilute the purity of their society. As Queen Mob threatens to break the culture that uplifted her, Trini wonders who she can trust with her life in I Heart Skull Crusher #8: her former teammates or idol.

Final ThoughtsThis issue takes a bold and unapologetic look at how police relate to their families and the public. It tackles corruption within the American justice system and reminds us how the generation gap often becomes the Grand Canyon. Theres a lot wrong with James Sergeant, as the remnants of his family will readily attest. But theres not a lot wrong with Immortal Sergeant #5.

Immortal Sergeant #6 reminds us of the toll fighting crime places on families. It helps us understand why police stand by each other when their actions bend the rules or break the law. What wrongs might we do if we saw villains harm the innocent daily but couldn't intervene because of laws and regulations?

A fusion of American classics like Huckleberry Finn and Judeo-Christian visions of Hell, In Hell We Fight #1 bursts with endearing characters, fanciful situations, and comic romps sure to please the child in all of us.

Final ThoughtsGovernment conspiracies, a hint of Heinleins novel Stranger In A Strange Land, and an overt reference to The Truman Show make this an intriguing debut. After two readings, I dont understand everything in Indigo Children #1, but I welcome learning more.

Final ThoughtsIndigo Children #2 introduces readers to another person with extraordinary abilities who remembers his previous life on Mars. Pursed by government conspiracies and paramilitary organizations, can all four Indigo Children help Earth escape the fate of its nearest planetary neighbor? I, for one, hope to avoid brainwashing or accidental death until this series concludes.

Our heroes take on Secret Service agents to infiltrate an inauguration party and extract the brainwashed presidents daughter. Powerful drama, high-stakes action, and a worldwide conspiracy make Indigo Children #3 a compelling and entertaining read.

Indigo Children #4 helps us understand our heroes better as they search for the last member of their otherworldly quartet. A ticking clock and overwhelming odds deliver a tense read, an explosive final act, and a cliffhanger ending.

Desperate situations call for unlikely partnerships and desecrating sacred institutions in Invincible Iron Man #10.

Amelia and Black Cats antics ruffle the Owls feathers and could incite another gang war. Events also force Felicia to confront her fears and doubts about Amelia. She's straddled the fence for too long. In Jackpot & Black Cat #3, Felicia Hardy must choose between friendship and love.

Smartphones rule our lives. In addition to providing news, weather, and sports, they are our music and entertainment portals, connect us with others, and tempt us to do things we might not otherwise attempt. In Jackpot & Black Cat #4, Paul pits his technical expertise against the avaricious Amelia and aids Mary Jane and Felicia by finding someone who resists the almighty allure of smartphones.

Chimpanzees get flash-frozen, hit men pursue Bond, and a Weapon Of Mass Destruction goes missing in James Bond 007 #1.

Bond lures assassins into a trap, learns the history of Steel Water, and goes where few have gone before in James Bond 007 #2.

Final ThoughtsWhile characters in the dome remain distant in Junk Rabbit #1, those inhabiting the Sink seem more relatable. The actions of Richard Masters and Chela Omina speak to class differences in a gender-neutral world. The relationships among the Poorand their inherent sense of communityremind us that prosperity and happiness are not inseparable. Their devotion to a mythic hero underlines the power of faith. The highly thematic nature of this comic invites contemplation. Is Jimmie Robinson's labor of love more than another byproduct of human existence? As always, you decide.

While Justin's grandfather and father chose their relationships with Cyttorak, the young Canadian baker stumbled into transformation. Once he receives the powers of the dark god, there's no backing out. All Justin can do is decide how to wield his new power. Kid Juggernaut #1 speaks to how enriching embracing our heritage can be, how to tackle those who oppose us, and the need to follow our moral code rather than allowing anger, greed, or authority figures to dictate our actions.

Do the ends ever justify the means? To prevent a greater evil, Al Simmons lays aside his principles and engages in aggressive negotiations with the blood-soaked King Spawn #26.

Who are we? Where do we belong? Spawn must wrestle with such questions and accept his destiny in King Spawn #27.

While a superhero's death rocks the world, Jack investigates the mysterious death of a promising student and entrepreneur. Yet the death of a crazed vigilante feels the most unsettling in Local Man #6.

Seeking to atone for the mistakes that cost him his glamorous superhero career, Jack investigates a mysterious drowning. Yet the sham Jack perpetuated to further his career seems slight compared to the compromises his former girlfriend Inga has made to save her struggling town. Local Man #7asks how much one should sacrifice to help others and protect ideals when others no longer care.

As Ingas house of cards looks likely to tumble, and a demon haunts Farmingtons Chief Of Police, Jack discovers an unexpected ability in Local Man #8.

Jack gains a critic's respect, destroys his friends' lives, protects his neighbors, fights a demon, and incurs the wrath of a nation in Local Man #9.

Jack abandons his home, family, and neighbors again, only to return and find Farmington radically changed in Local Man #10. But has his hometown changed for better or worse?

When pain and loss engulf Farmington, a cult empowers the locals to refuse the hand fate dealt them and reach for a better one. Local Man #12 takes on the plight of small-town America and questions our belief in our unalienable rights.

Jack discards the last vestiges of his superhero identity and wields honesty and reason as his weapons in Local Man #13. The villains romanticize the past and fantasize about building a future on faded dreams. Jacks message: honor the past but embrace today. Make every second count!

Two women meet in a diner. Inga craves either punishment or absolution. Instead, Neon offers enlightenment. Local Man: Bad Girls #1 offers additional insights into Fleecs and Seeleys superhero universe and a jumping-on point for mature readers.

When a terraforming mission goes awry, a bionic Golden Retriever, a flying terrier, and a cat clad in exoskeletal armor must brave the dangers of an alien planet to save their Human masters in Man's Best #1.

Marvel Age #1000 explores the breadth and depth of the Marvel universe. Stories touch upon every era to ponder the company's strengths and why its heroes endure.

Final ThoughtsAfter a Filmation-style framing story, Masters of the Universe Masterverse #2 brings us a magical Ray Harryhausen sea adventure and a classic film noir detective story. Easy-to-read lettering, gorgeous art, and engaging stories make this issue a Must Read. Once again, Tim Seeley and company reveal the richness of Eternia and its characters in diverse and compelling ways.

With identifiable characters, giant robots, family dynamics, giant robots, leaders who fear outsiders and the unknown, giant robots, and young adults faced with thorny ethical choices, Mech Cadets #1 propels the reader breathlessly from a troubled Earth to a spectacular space battle. Oh, and did I mention THIS COMIC HAS GIANT FREAKING ROBOTS?

Packed with revelations about the alien race that built the giant robots, the surprising powers of Olivia Parks Earth-built robot, and reflections on world history, Mech Cadets #2 mixes the search for the truth with fear of the unknown to deliver an action-packed robots-versus-aliens space opera.

Black uppercase lettering inhabits white dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes. Melissa Flores doesnt stint on the dialogue. But thanks to letter size, line spacing, and contrast between print and backgrounds, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #114 is easy to read. Ed Dukeshires beautiful sound effects enhance the action. While some rangers get black dialogue balloons, Dark Specters words appear as red letters in puffy white clouds. Does that mean he's a thoughtful and contemplative guy? Thanks to Boom! Studios for providing a copy for review.

Hope battles with despair as the shield protecting Earth weakens before Dark Specter's invasive infection. Radical plans forge new alliances among heroes and villains, and Rita Repulsa has a change of heart in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #119.

As Dark Specters infection reaches the Void, Ellarians dwindling hope drives her toward action that could derail Billy's plan to heal the universe in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #120.

Driven by insomnia and desperation, Billy Cranston takes a leaf out of Dr Gregory Houses book, stops listening to his friends' treatment options, and contemplates a dangerous cure for Dark Specters infection in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #121.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Darkest Hour #1 reminds us that healing may leave complications, things and people shattered can be rebuilt but not necessarily restored, and children often forge different paths than their elders.

When the Rangers stumble, Usagi helps them find their feet. Jason and Usagi bolster each others worldviews in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1. The ronin may lack a Power Sword. Still, he proves a welcome ally as the Rangers battle fire-breathing ninjas and a man bent on bringing Usagi's world to its knees.

While Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1 tackles the irresistible nature of power and the toll it takes on heroes, it illustrates how power invites enemies and divides friends.

When Kimberly Harts friends break their agreement to shield Earth by not drawing power from the Morphin Grid, a villain arises to menace them all in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #2.

While providing insight into Tommy Olivers final moments, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #3 portrays the perils of social media, the allure of power, and how clinging to the past warps ones character.

As family fights family, older and wiser Power Rangers confront the next generation of villains, and Finsters genius resurrects the dead in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #4.

Targeted by former allies, a rattled hero struggles to cope in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #10. His life life couldn't get any more crazy, could it?

After their initial consultation, Doc Sasquatch relegated Miles' therapy to a protg. Once, Miles fought at Peter Parkers side. Now, his elder colleague rarely calls. Like Spider-Man's new sidekick, Spider-Boy, Miles combats D-List villains. Miles may be more of a trainee or teammate than a team leader. Yet he's turning heads in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #13.

While the Hobgoblin prepares to give Madame Masque a run for her money, Brooklyn's web-slinger plans to step up in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #14.

Uneasy alliances, a moment of jealousy, and his double-agent uncle force Miles to up his game as Brooklyns Team Spidey takes on Hobgoblin and Rabble in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #15.

While Rabble and Hobgoblin use the Beyond Corporations tech to upgrade their powers, Brooklyns Team Spidey fights to prevent them from enhancing Madame Masques forces with a fleet of killer drones. Yet hovering over Miles Morales: Spider-Man #16 on an invisible glider is the fate of Miles uncle Aaron Davis. What happened to the Prowler? Was the Hornets faith in him misplaced?

Heroes decide to convert a supervillain, and a public servant decides the ends justify the means in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #17.

Two women with axes to grind lure Brooklyns Team Spidey to a last stand at the Cape Killers Corral in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #18.

As Rabble and Agent Gao make their final moves, Gust gets windy and weepy, Scorpion blasts his boss, and Miles' family gets a new face in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #19.

A former gunrunner develops an interest in art, Shift takes responsibility for Miles young sister Billie, and High-Tail's past returns to haunt her in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #20.

Haunted by his role model's betrayal and reeling from barely controlled vampirism, Miles and his fastest frenemy seek out an occult ceremony in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #21.

Blades plan to empower vampires demonstrates the divisions in the bloodsucking community. Blade, Dracula, and Rymr may despise each other, yet it takes a woman who despises Miles and a vampire hunter who despises Dracula to banish Rymr back to his prison dimension in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #22.

While introducing Shift to his family broadened Miles world, vampirism reduces him to the insecure and hurting Spider-Man. Miles looks to others for support in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #23. How long until Dr Stranges magic wears off and Miles preys on those under his protection?

When Starling's grandfather wants to reconnect, Miles' out-of-control venom energy validates Vulture's condemnation. Doc Sasquatch's protg Dr Kwan has a plan to tamp down Miles' vampirism. But if Miles can't stop hurting people, and Starling gives him the boot, Miles may need more than a journal to prevent him from spiraling out of control in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #24.

After Miles vicious attack, the Vulture hungers for a rematch. But while he prepares to confront Spider-Mans heightened powers, the Black Panther detunes Miles venom-power. Then, the new Deadpool meets Brooklyns Spider-Man for an encounter guaranteed to make Princess drool in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #25.

The Black Panther wants to heal Miles. But in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #26, the Vulture is hurting. Like Rabble, Adrian Toomes wants his family back. As Spider-Man stole the relationship Adrian cherished, Vulture won't stop until he has killed the interloper who left him bereft.

The Black Panther takes pride in tradition. He is acutely aware that he no longer belongs in his community. While TChalla worries that Wakandas gods will reject Miles, Ganke worries that Shift is taking on more than he can handle in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #27.

Black Panther has brought Varnaes stain into Bast's realm twice now. After being stripped of his throne and exiled from Wakanda, TChalla worries about the consequences of helping Miles. But Brooklyn's Spider-Man faces mortal danger. If Miles survives the divine testing and cleansing, he had better return home quickly. Shift is getting used to assuming his brother's identity. So, in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #28, Ganke takes Shift in hand. And like Rocket Raccoon, Ganke intends to talk with Shift about his (frickin') language.

Bast warned TChalla that he would pay for letting Varnae slip into her realm. In Miles Morales: Spider-Man #29, the great spider-god Anansi offers Miles healing. The challenge the Trickster offers isn't what Miles thinks it is. And like the Black Panther, if Miles escapes Varnaes influence, he must pay a price for such divine benevolence.

Someone paid Agent Gao a barrel of bucks to deliver Spider-Mans head. While Deadpool and Miles clash over mutual desires to protect their families, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 encourages us to seek enlightenment by not shirking lifes challenges.

All great stories poise characters on the cusp of change. As Ellie tries to pull a sword out of stone and gods prepare to renew old conflicts, heroes and villains reexamine and forge new identities in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #31.

After Doctor Doom chooses Peter Parker to battle the scions of Cyttorak, Kwaku Anansi embroils Miles in a contest between gods and demigods. Miles is less keen than Zip Zephyr to be accorded honors and respect. But regardless of their differing heritage, both must demonstrate their worthiness to ride in the chariots of the gods in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #32.

His active lifestyle and battle with stress blind Miles to others' struggles. Like Peter Parker, his friends must spell out their difficulties for him. But when circumstances force him to endanger the people in his life, Miles discovers that someone whose life seems perfect also faces daily struggles in Miles Morales: Spider-Man #33.

A dream plagues Theresa while she sleeps. She returns to it again and again. She ran away from her hometown for as long as she could. Now, she is back in Limberlost. Theresa must face whatever her subconscious and the universe want to tell her in Minor Arcana #1. After all, life is but a dream.

When a psychic reading opens a door in her mind, fate hands Theresa a means to forge a new relationship with the mother who loves her in Minor Arcana #2.

Theresa fights to throw off the shackles of her limited viewpoint and embrace a new outlook that will allow her to grow. Perhaps its not a religious experience. But in Minor Arcana #3, Theresa ponders the possibility of rebirth.

Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea #1 marks a new entry in the ever-expanding Hellboy universe. I look forward to discovering how Tefnut's dream about an undefeated female gladiator influences Miss Truesdales future in her close-knit male-dominated society.

Men ruled Hyperborea and Victorian England. Both countries practiced imperialism. Today England is a beacon of Western civilization. It's granted self-rule to former dominions and champions the rights of women. I don't know whether imperialism and women's rights are inexplicably linked, but I suspect contemporary England represents the better world Tefnut worked to create. Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea #2 glow with heroes and action, shine with Mignolaverse lore and sparkle with Tefnuts hopes of building a better world. Whether you read the issue or not, I hope youre working to transform her dreams into reality.

Final ThoughtsThis issue builds on a familiar premise to enhance our understanding of Barnes vision. New ideas reveal how he takes simple plot devicesfrom movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Invaders From Marsto craft a rich and sensitive story. A continuing plot thread following Trevons friends suggests the story will continue to grow and evolve. Oozing with warmth and ideas, Monarch #2 is a love letter to classic B-movie sci-fi. While proving a unique story, it remains grounded in caring for others and the realities of inner-city life. That, to me, seems a triumph indeed.

Touching scenes deepen our appreciation for Marli. Travon's love for Mankind puts his future at risk. Epic battle scenes reveal the scope of this global conflict. Sadly, the only subplot that advances this series is a psychological drama involving less-known characters. With its echoes of War Of The Worldsand all the radio, TV, movie, and comic adaptations of the classic novel by H. G. WellsMonarch #3 satisfies. Better advances in the story and greater consistency in the art will help this series reclaim the awesomeness of previous issues.

Amid a Wellsian tale of planetary invasion, this series has highlighted problems such as inner-city poverty, gangs, and the foster child system. Filled with compelling art, Monarch #4 asks why people act out their pain by hurting others. And why can't we, as a society, reduce the frequency of such acts? In an era when mass shootings regularly dominate the news, these may prove the most difficult to answer.

We all have an origin story. Yet life changes us. What happens when we no longer want the life we envisioned? Can we belong somewhere else? Or does switching sides mean we'll never belong anywhere? Set against a backdrop of alien invasion, Monarch #5 wrestles with profound questions thatsooner or latereach of us must ask ourselves.

Mothras death spells the end of the world. Her petite priestesses need two Human sisters to rejuvenate the planet in Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #1. But the fairies have yet to explain why Antra attacked Mothra. As they propose their dangerous mission, Mothras priestesses have other secrets they arent sharing.

Mira grew up hating Mothra because she didn't save her family. Now, she must act as a guardian to a young Mothra. The priestesses claim young Mothra will save the world. But her sister and the tiny priestesses havent told Mira the entire truth in Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #2. And time travel is a complicated business. Even with precise calculations, the sisters could fly through a paradox. And that would end their hopes for a better future, wouldn't it?

Farrer forged the Black Axe through a desire for revenge. In Bardricks hands, it embodies the hope for a better future, one not ruled by their serpentine enemies. Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #1 is about faith and sacrificing everything to protect the endangered and oppressed.

Years pass while Bardrick searches for the great snakes in Mouse Guard: Dawn of the Black Axe #2. After achieving his first great victory, Bardrick wonders if he overestimated his abilities. The elk spirit warned Bardrick that it would not fight his battles for him. And the oversized axe, forged from all of Farrers sorrow and malice, weighs as heavily in Bardricks hands as it did in the Blacksmiths.

Frank Baums modernized fairy tale gets an equine update in My Little Pony: Classics ReimaginedThe Unicorn Of Odd #2.

By working with Sunny and Hitch, Misty learns more about her new home and what friendship means in My Little Pony Maretime Mysteries #2. When someone is new to a place or job, working with other experienced people can get the job done.

In a future where most of humanity lives in slums, dreams can become reality, and thought crimes can get you killed in Napalm Lullaby #2.

After her friends hit the jackpot with loving families, Hellrune grows desperate. She risks using magic she doesn't understand in a quest for her biological family. But when her hoped-for reunion becomes mayhem in the marsh, the first people Hellrune calls are her found family. New Champions #1 is a quest for identity and a reminder that learning the truth about our past may not always be pleasant.

Hydra made Moon Squire, Cadet Marvel, and Liberty household names. Moon Squire's large family provides emotional support to deal with being a public figure. In New Champions #4, the team's charter members realize that, like Hellrune, their recruits may have fewer supportive people. The teammates need to know each other sufficiently to work effectively together. But Amaranth, Gold Tiger, and Fantasma should have the option of keeping as much of their identities secret as they wish, not only from the team but also from Joe Public. Still, Gold Tiger seeks connection. Her story overflows with mysteries that the Wakandan girl has yet to understand. Like her new teammate Amaranth, Gold Tiger wields immense power. Others hunger to harness her uniqueness. And not everyone who wants to study Gold Tiger is as ethical as the scientists in Wakanda.

The On The Way GN follows Emma on a breathtaking journey across Spain. A priest assures the comics writer and artist that she is far from alone in hiking The Way Of Saint John for nonreligious reasons. Yet she experiences the everyday miracles he promised on her month-long trek. What Emma learns during the Camino De Santiago empowers her to reassess her life and make decisions regarding her future.

After a killer escapes his doctor's care, he renews a pattern of violence that disrupts the tranquility of a small Minnesota town. But while the psychiatrist who relates this tragic tale knows more than he should, a savage killer hunts a young girl through an ethereal jungle inhabited by dead loved ones in Patra #1.

Phantom Road #1's familiar premise, identifiable characters, and fast-moving story caught me in its draft and carried me along. It evokes The Twilight Zone and The Walking Dead. Edvard Munch's painting The Scream also comes to mind. As a passenger on this strange journey, I wonder where the series will take me next.

Alcohol abuse leads to infidelities and felonies, while a girl's disappearance may illuminate Linnea's painful past in Pine And Merrimac #1.

With the universe at stake, Kimberly Hart, the pink and black Ranger Slayer, struggles to redeem her past in Power Rangers Unlimited: Morphin Masters #1. It's a fight she was never meant to win. But could she?

A utopian dream perches atop a repressive regime where Humans are a repressed minority, and Power Rangers are Public Enemy Number One in Power Rangers Prime #1.

After Jun sees Lauren fighting members of his race, he befriends the rufee Mark Zhao. The Eltarian doesn't share his government's disdain for Power Rangers. But Jun is not the most practically minded person in the police state known as Angel Grove. Can the admirals son use his resources to shield Lauren from the authorities? Or will Juns interest doom her in Power Rangers Prime #2?

Some people in Angel Grove crave power. Others want a stable job and a quiet life. Rita Repulsa and Lauren are as different as black and white. But when the Eltarians paint them with the same brush, a Space Witch and a Power Ranger find common ground in Power Rangers Prime #3.

Bulk sought a government job for the health benefits, stable employment, and a pension. Rita Repulsa may call him an idiot. Yet the space witch sees value in him that the Eltarians do not. Bulk thought he knew what his future held. But like Jun, Valentina, Orion, and Mark, Bulk must decide where he belongs in Power Rangers Prime #4.

With Lauren's lost Morpher and Bulk's assistance, Rita Repulsa is reclaiming her strength. She wants powerful fighters to rebuild her forces. While Bulk can remain her helper, Rita wants allies to fight alongside her. The Space Witch demonstrates an extraordinary willingness to trust her new team in Power Rangers Prime #5, but only if they meet her expectations.

Like Mr Spock, Mark is a man of two worlds. He possesses a childlike innocence and helps those in need. Yet when he gets frightened, he relies on an inhaler to restore calm. Becoming the Blue Power Ranger Prime was the beginning of a journey. In Power Rangers Prime #6, Mark must fight for the freedom his mother valued or accept the subservience the Eltarians demand.

Max may be a fly caught in a web of intrigue, but the bounty hunter battles powerful factions amid genetically modified Humans in Precious Metal #1 as he seeks to discover the truth of his existence.

Dilemmas and revelations dominate Radiant Black #25, an exhilarating cosmic romp grounded in human foibles.

Plagued by worries and angered by Tula's betrayal, Sage realizes she can no longer hide from the truth in Ranger Academy #7. Her lies may cost her the respect of her friends. Her forbidden color may cost her a place at the school. But Sage leaps to protect her friends when danger threatens, regardless of the consequences.

Evil refuses to die, infections to the Morphin Grid linger, and Sage learns why her father turned his back on the Power Rangers in Ranger Academy #8.

While Sage, her friends, and the staff sought protection in lies, those lies endanger Ranger Academy, prompting Sage to organize a rescue mission that may spread Dark Specters infection beyond the school in Ranger Academy #9.

Sage cast fear aside when she stowed away aboard Mathis and Tulas shuttle. Yet she insulated herself from friends and shied away from her destiny at Ranger Academy. In a take-charge endeavor, Sage returns home to learn the truth about herself. What her father reveals has repercussions for Sage and could pave the way forward for her schools fearful administration in Ranger Academy #10.

As Sage, her adoptive father, and her friends return to their infected school, the hope of curing the corrupted students and faculty lies with Lindy, the first-year student who cannot morph, in Ranger Academy #11.

Fear and pain separated Rhianth from his friend Nika and consigned him to an isolated existence on a tiny moon. Now, his daughter leads a team of young heroes to banish Dark Specter from their school. Ranger Academy #12 hums with the importance of hope, confidence, and the power of togetherness.

Taking inspiration from a Hindu legendand the longest epic poem ever writtenRare Flavours #1 tantalizes with its reverence for artistry as it tackles addiction and the allure of forbidden fruit.

Exploring the relationship between pain and purification, Rare Flavours #2 ponders what we lose when we exist solely for today.

A childhood rhyme beginning doesn't lead to a fairy tale ending for Val when her life choices force her to endanger friendships old and new in the crime thriller Red Before Black #1.

Forced to commit murder, Val finds it more difficult than shooting first (or second!) in a Mos Eisley cantina. Packed with humor, complex themes, and an otherworldly mystery, Red Before Black #2 will leave readers hanging.

A childs optimism turns to agony when he crosses the line in Red Goblin #9. Next time Dylan Brock feels generous, perhaps he should give Norman Osborns grandson a gift certificate to Chuck E. Cheese.

As cities fall and the body count rises, the She-Devil With A Sword must shield a powerful stone from the two sorcerers who want it or unlock its power to halt the horde from sweeping across the Hyborian world in Red Sonja #4.

While Red Sonja rescues the powerless and bestows mercy on monsters, a fallen foe influences events from beyond the grave, raining destruction upon the Hyborian world in Red Sonja #5.

While power blinds people to the needs of others, mercy releases people from bonds. Yet mercy proves a double-edged sword in Red Sonja #6, as it releases the innocent and the guilty.

A sorcerer who returned from the dead seeks supernatural power, and ancient gods judge Humans guilty of crimes against nature in Red Sonja #7.

While Kulan Gath steals another sorcerer's memories, Red Sonja finds a partner and a god whose children once menaced another Hyborian hero makes the world his killing field in Red Sonja #8.

With Red Sonja torn between protecting the innocent and attacking Kulan Gath, the sorcerer waits for Humans to request his protection from the divine carnage he unleashed in Red Sonja #9.

Red Sonja: Empire Of The Damned #1 is a blood-splattered story filled with fighting and death. Fueled by an adventurers ambition and Red Sonja's lust for life, the fast-paced story leaves you breathless to discover the truth behind a haunting legend.

When Simon's immortality malfunctions in Redcoat #2, he and Albert Einstein race across New England to prevent the magic inside him from sparking a holocaust that consumes the United States.

Simon Pure and Benedict (Arnold) Armistice couldn't be more different. Neither likes nor admires the other. Yet they once joined forces for a terrible purpose: to wipe out the founding fathers of the United States. Can the two immortals reunite to save Simon's life in Redcoat #3? Or will the frenemies provoke an apocalypse?

Past meets present in 1873 when Simon's discovery at the Benders' house reminds him of his troubled youth. Redcoat #8 is a violent and horrific reminder of what can happen when parents dont take their responsibilities to their children and society seriously.

Like Johnny Appleseeds magical seeds, stories shape our cultural consciousness. While the issue provides deeper insight into Simons past, the shadow of a great American storyteller hangs Redcoat #9. Perhaps one of his major literary works laid a foundation stone for the series. The writers life and stories certainly influence Simon's relationship with Johnny. One of the early American author's famous characters also makes an intriguing comparison with our anything-but-pure, apple cider-loving antihero.

After ruminating on the role chance plays in his life, an accident helps Simon Pure meet Annie Oakley. Redcoat #10 reminds us how Simon's childhood shaped him and helps us better understand why, two years later, he will try so hard to keep his distance from thirteen-year-old Albert Einstein.

Simon Pure has lived for over a century. He wears his red coat as a reminder of his past and avoids choosing sides in any conflict. Now, as he works as an independent courier amid the American Civil War, a strange wave of pain and memories floods his consciousness. Simon hasnt died. But if he wants to keep living, Simon must choose between two mysterious employers in Redcoat #11.

A former drug trafficker and a young magician join forces to help Human Feline hybrids escape a life of sexual slavery. The Rivers Of London: Stray Cat Blues TP tackles the criminalization of drug use, the human trafficking that flourishes in “civilized” society, and the socioeconomic factors that push the poor and disadvantaged out of economically prosperous areas.

While we yearn to follow our dreams, we must first address everyday demands. Robotech: Rick Hunter #1 suggests we focus on our footsteps as we tread the rocky road toward our destination.

Haunted by his past, Rook fears his friends will turn against him. Abandoned by his fellow humans, he works frantically to escape his adopted planet before it descends into savagery in Rook Exodus #1.

Real and surreal visions intertwine in Royal City: Compendium One, a story about family, loss, change, and finding your path forward by discovering the truth inside yourself.

Fending off the claws of loneliness and despair, the She-Devil With A Sword battles inhuman beasts and aids a prince and his consort while seeking a legendary gemstone in Savage Red Sonja #1.

The She-Devil's sword cannot save someone she sought to protect in Savage Red Sonja #2. Nor can it defend her against the horrors that await her in King Greshs haunted castle.

Red Sonja mourns those she tried to save, offers to release someone from an oath, and investigates those who crave King Greshs blood ruby in Savage Red Sonja #3.

The She-Devil With A Sword investigates the secrets and lies that bind a village while battling thieves and hired killers in Savage Red Sonja #4.

Scarlett doesn't care how many international intelligence operations she blows wide open or how many weapons deals she detonates. All she knows is that Jinx is alive, and she'll do anything to be with her friend in Scarlett #1.

Scarlett delights Storm Shadow and Hard Master by hacking through their loyal troops, then undertakes a suicide mission to prove her worth to the ninja clan leaders. She does all this to resume her friendship with Jinx in Scarlett #2. But didn't Jinx tell her to stay away?

As Scarlett and Jinx lead simultaneous attacks on two Mugenonami strongholds, Scarlett holds her friend's fate in her hands. She must succeed, or her friend dies. Scarlett doesnt question her orders or debate the most ethical choice with her handler as she races to save Clan Arashikages ancient and powerful weapon in Scarlett #3. She was born for this. If only she could do it for the US military instead of a Japanese ninja clan!

The US military kept holding Scarlett back. Arashnikage could give Scarlett everything she wants. But staying with Jinx and living her life on the edge means letting the clan use the ancient weapon Stalker wants. In Scarlett #4, she must decide if she can trust Jinx and who should wield the Soul Of The Arashnikage.

Scarlett #5 ponders why people sometimes embrace causes they disagree with. Affiliations change amid a new world order as powerful forces vie to control an otherworldly energy source.

Pleasing composition and imagery accompany inspiring ideas, character development, and story themes in Second Coming Trinity #1. Relatable characters and situations seasoned with humor and charm invite readers to reevaluate their lives and interactions with others.

Dynamic art, vibrant coloring, and an involving story convey Billy Batsons trial of identity in Shazam! #2.

Privileged students discover spirituality as powerful interests threaten the indigenous inhabitants of the forbidden zone in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #1.

Greed, corruption, and a strange form of spiritualism make Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #2 an action-packed mystery involving death in paradise.

Wheels within wheels, a large cast of characters, balloon-packed panels, and two compelling mysteries make this jungle tale a demanding but absorbing and exciting read. For maximum enjoyment, reread the first two issues, keep your Spanish-to-English dictionary close by, and unearth the treasures buried within the pages of Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #3.

A rich man finds inspiration in the ancient writings of an imprisoned priest, and investigations into the Forbidden Zone reveal a link with Americas C.I.A. in Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #4.

Like the Val Verde Chameleon, Sheena hunts down a murderer in civilization and lets nature judge the accused in the jungle. Sheena Queen of the Jungle: Fatal Exams #5 reveals the dangers inherent in Amazon Wishlists, Artificial Intelligence, and watching too much TV.

While mythological beings battle in Sirens Of The City #4, a frightened, pregnant siren seeks answers to her identity and who she can trust.

The specter of death hangs over a man stuck in a rut and mourning the loss of his mother as a series of bizarre animal slayings rock a small town in Sleep #1.

After a head-scratcher start, SPACE JOB #2 gets this series moving. Don't expect anything in this story to make sense: half the fun is that it doesn't. Quirky, oddball humor enhances thoughtful character portrayals and an intriguing mystery. Captain Olivier may never command a starship on the Paramount+ network, but the luminous art evokes all the grandeur of TV shows like Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Picard.

Final ThoughtsDespite an overwhelming number of moving parts, everything comes together in Space Job #3 to propel this series forward. Characters work toward accomplishing their goals and making their lives count. A series that started as merely wacky fun takes on a greater scope. As always, gorgeous art provides a feast for those eyeing the final frontier.

Humor, character growth, and immersing art propel the wacky but loveable crew of the S.S. George H.W. Bush toward a cliffhanger in Space Job #4. Chart your course for adventure and your mind on a bittersweet cosmic romance.

When armies battle to control the cosmos, a young man must surrender his future to safeguard the present. Amid battles, bargains, and betrayals, Space Usagi: Death And Honor #1 asks which is better: to lead or to serve?

As Stan Sakai enhances the history and mythology of this future universe, Usagi enlists a criminal's help in a lightning raid on enemy soil, and his daughter begins her space-faring career in Space Usagi: White Star Rising #1.

After escaping Lord Matabes clutches, Commander Usagi battles his code of honor, loyalty to Lord Hideaki, and reverence for propriety while protecting Prince Kiyoshi in the futuristic yet prehistoric Space Usagi: Death And Honor #2.

Commander Usagi faces a duel to the death, the Mino fleet engages Lord Matabes dreadnaught, and the women turn the tables on the men in Space Usagi: Death And Honor #3.

Madame Monstrositys links to the Scorpion and the Human Flyas revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #31combined with Daily Bugle demonizing compare Marvels newest Spidey Hero with Spider-Mans turbulent past. After Bailey proved he could tackle adult villains in Dan Slotts Spider-Man #11, Peter Parker steps aside to let his new sidekick battle people from his past and make all-new friends in the all-ages Spider-Boy #1.

Bailey stops trying to gain Spider-Man's respect and embraces his inner monster, while Madame Monstrosity reveals the identity of his mother in Spider-Boy #4.

When Spider-Boy needs rescuing from Madame Monstrosity's lair, his friends discover Baileys greatest superpower. Amid all the Whoing and Cooing, Spider-Man battles a Crocodile with a flamethrower, Squirrel Girl gets a Toy-Boy, and Madame Monstrosity asks Bailey for a Forget-Me-Not in Spider-Boy #7.

Like Spider-Man, Daredevil knows that enabling a child to fight crime comes with a cost. Daredevil pays that price with stoic resolve, hoping to protect Bailey from the consequences of an impulsive attack. But with Bullseye and a new spider-villain hungering for a powerful artifact Bailey once stole, The Man Without Fear discovers that Spider-Boy isnt a responsibility he can shrug off in Spider-Boy #12.

Spider-Boy #13 introduces a young Hawaiian mutant and several more superpowered youngsters. While Bailey doesn't learn how it could affect world events, he discovers the Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw's immediate purpose. After risking Tabitha Briggs' wrath, Daredevil must do something that goes against his sense of honor. Still, it's Madripoor, Daredevil. When youre here, anything goes!

While stealing distorted memories of her opponents, absorbing their thoughts and emotions unbalances Spider-Girl. The Hawaiian mutant has only met one person she couldnt look in the eye and inhabit their mind. So, she finds another way to destroy Bailey in Spider-Boy #14.

Young people look to their mentors for guidance. As they grow, their values may diverge from those of their mentors. In Spider-Boy #15, Bailey warns Spider-Girl to look for someone more trustworthy. But while Bullseye has always encouraged Spider-Girl's desires, Daredevil forces Bailey Briggs to fight in a contest he disdains.

Spider-Boy #16 ties up most dangling plot threads while tantalizing with possible new directions. It closes out this story about fighting by showing brains triumphing over brawn. As the story focuses on the dynamics of friendships, families, and the role of a mentor, it also suggests that no one is incapable of reform.

When Spider-Boy returns home, he discovers that Boy-Spider has stolen his life. As the genetically bonded brothers and their mother discover they must share their time with those they love, another would-be hero seeks a better future for her family. Spider-Boy #17 is about finding our place in the world and what we are willing to risk to attain it.

Insights into Baileys past reveal mysteries surrounding Mr Negative and throw the 10-year-old into moral quandaries most adults cannot figure out. When Spider-Man discovers what Bailey and Christina are up to, he may not take the kids out for pizza and ice cream. But given Peter Parker's improving situation with Tabitha Briggs, the future is wide open in Spider-Boy #18.

Despite the TVA's orders to lie low, Gwen makes headlines and becomes the target of a savage killer in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #1.

With power comes responsibility. But Gwen Stacy didn't heed OB's warning. Now, her powers are growing, and her friends are frightened for her. Perhaps they're scared of her. But no one is more terrified than Gwen is in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #3. A bonus multipage installment of a serial about a brawl across the multiverse featuring Deadpool, Wolverine, and excessive facial hair makes this a Can't-Miss issue!

Peter Parkers concerns about Gwens presence on Earth-616 echo through Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #4. After Silk suggests she rely on others for support, Gwen makes a new friend and helps someone in need. She may elude the cops who want to lock her away. But can Gwen escape her destiny as the power within her grows?

Gwen's descent into darkness leads to enlightenment, and a secret admirer may resolve a Spiderific mystery in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #5.

When Gwen begins a new career in the shadows, she makes a new friend and discovers a web of protection in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #6.

The Gang War brought New York City to its knees. Now, the Black Tarantula arouses people's distrust in government. As Spider-Gwen fights to protect elected officials and the frightened public, another villain inflames Spider-Gwen's fears that the apocalypse that hit Earth-65 will follow her to Earth-616 in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8.

A nursery rhyme about the fight to live a satisfying life interweaves with Gwen's fears of failing her friends and a would-be hero's desire to honor his father while doing the right thing in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #9.

Politicians seek quick fixes to correct societal problems. Policies that benefit the majority often take a toll on those in the minority. While Gwen Stacy wonders if she can trust King Loki to teach her to wield a cosmic cube, her dedication to heroism prevents Gwen from embracing a larger perspective in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #12.

Solara Prime is an epic tragedy. Still, learning how to wield godlike powers isn't easy. Jean Grey understands how difficult it can be to live with the deaths of others on her conscience. Gwen harnessed the Cosmic Cubes power to free Chameleon from his out-of-control nanites. Whether the Cosmic Cube sought her out or Gwen chose it is immaterial. Gwen has received a great gift. Responsibility always accompanies an upgrade. Gwen must learn to accept that and move on in Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #13.

While striving to do our best, sometimes what we do isnt very nice. In Spider-Man & Wolverine #1, Logans past reminds us of the difficulties in keeping a group of like-minded people together, whether it's an organization like SHIELD, a team like the Avengers, or a relationship between two loving people.

While striving be our brothers (and sisters) keepers, Spider-Man #10 reminds us that we must also care for ourselves.

Spider-Man #11 is a delectable anthology-in-miniature, wrapped in the candy coating of Peter Parkers dilemma. While the stories entertain, they also set the cornerstone for later adventures. I look forward to seeing what Dan Slott and Paco Medina build atop this foundation in their upcoming Spider-Boy series.

It shouldnt have come to this. Miguel OHara should have tackled Peter Parkers evil aunt. But in Spider-Society #4, Araa forges a punk rock guitarist, a fashionista, a science experiment, a little-known Spider-Woman, and more of her arachnid allies into a Spiderific assault squad. As she puts their lives on the line to protect everything that matters, Araa gets help from seasoned veterans and those awaiting their chance to shine.

Jessica Drew leaps to others' aid, reunites with an ex, trades venom shocks with a fiery foe, and meets a group of ultrapowered strangers in Spider-Woman #7.

Jessica Drew becomes a fish out of water on her return to San Francisco as she tackles corporate greed, homelessness, and the ethics of Heroes For Hire in Spider-Woman #8.

Are superpowers a blessing or a curse? Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #1 explores Peter Parker's weird mental landscape and the concessions heroes make to serve others.

Dan Slotts recent series freed Peter from Spider-Man duties, which allowed him to devote more time to his family and career. By stripping away his spider powers and identity, Saladin Ahmed frees Peter from any responsibility to himself and others. Yet even while fighting for his life in Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #2, Peter grasps opportunities to help others.

Peter Parker can't trust anyone he meets or anything he sees. Thought-provoking scenes and mesmerizing imagery ensure Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #3 lingers long after the violent, fast-paced story ends.

Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #4 plumbs Peter Parker's soul. The issue leaves our hero with no easy answers. Will Peter hesitate the next time danger threatens? Will he overreact to a threatening villain? Peter survives this harrowing ordeal. But does he emerge the victor or the victim?

If you could put the world on pause, you could go anywhere and perform any action without anyone being the wiser. As the inventor of such a device tracks the man who stole it, Standstill #1 ponders how quickly this godlike ability would corrupt whoever uses it.

Ryker's mission takes him to Pakistan in Standstill #2, while Colin races to prevent Ryker from blowing up the world in this fast-paced, popcorn movie thrill ride.

Ryker Ruel is hurting. To assuage his pain, he targets the people responsible. Standstill #4 reveals Rykers link to Colin and Kate and why he became a rebel with a cause. The only question is: Can the two Cal Tech alums stop him before Ryker, their former employer, or the government come after them?

Star Wars #33 packs a battle with the Killdroids, Lukes growing relationship with the Force, and Landos commitment to the Rebel Alliance in one spectacular issue. Filled with action and drama, it's sure to please fans of all ages, whether they've seen the Death Star explode twice or more times than they can remember.

In Star Wars #34, Luke Skywalker embarks on a supremely personal journey: to piece together all it means to be a Jedi from the scraps of information available to him. Charles Soule's story harkens back to early Star Wars stories by novelists like Alan Dean Foster and comic luminaries Roy Thomas and Archie Goodwin while fitting squarely into today's cinematic universe.

Star Wars #35 focuses on three involving characters and explores the Jedi's relationship with the Force. Rich art enhances this densely-told story as the tension builds toward a climax that tests each person's ethics and loyalties.

Amid action-packed scenes of triumph and betrayal, characters make complex and heartbreaking choices in Star Wars: Darth Vader #32. Heroes seem a little less heroic, and villains a little less villainous, as each strives to protect those they care about and make the galaxy a safer, more equitable, and better place. Place a box of tissues close by when you read this issue. Don't risk water damage with a comic this good!

Star Wars: Return of the JediEwoks #1 reminds us that the inhabitants of Endor were much more than teddy bears with spears. As in the film, they represent an ordinary person confronting a more powerful foe. Like David challenging Goliath, or the thirteen colonies taking on the British Empire, bravery and determination can help anyone achieve victory. Perhaps that explains why, forty years on, the Ewoks still speak to Star Wars fans.

Droids fill the Star Wars universe. Some, like R2-D2, have great character. Otherslike C3POhave great comic potential. Most merely do their jobsclocking in and out of their duty shiftswithout drawing attention to themselves. Eightyem reminds me a little of L3-37 in Solo: A Star Wars Story. He would have cared about droid rights. He might even have fought for them. Who knows what he might have done but for the restraining bolt that held him captive in Star Wars: Return of the JediJabbas Palace #1?

Jody Houser steals much mystery by revealing the truth behind the dark vision Krrsish fears. Still, I like how her story suggests that anxiety transformed heroes into villains that transformed the Republic into an Empire. Rich, vibrant art conveys the battle for Krrsishs soul in Star Wars Yoda #5. Like some Jedi who came before him, let's hope the Wookies story doesnt end in tragedy.

A battle between students highlights a growing rift in the Jedi Order. Star Wars Yoda #6 reveals the legendary Jedi Master's concern for others, how hard he works for the institution he loves, and how harshly he judges himself.

Are you feeling overwhelmed today? The strong characters, appealing art, and intriguing premise of Starsigns #1 will converge to bring you joy. Despite the slow-paced introduction, you will look forward to seeing how Tatiana and Rana's lives align and how they adapt to the changes destined to rock their worlds.

Starsigns #2 stumbles while advancing the series but addresses contemporary issues like race, diversity, and immigration and introduces promising new characters.

While loss and memory haunt Doc Ock, Spider-Man, and Spider-Boy, the pint-size wallcrawler demonstrates surprising resilience in Superior Spider-Man #1.

In this homage to the storytelling genius of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Doctor Octavius grows closer to grasping his former mantle. Superior Spider-Man #3 ponders how much a hero can trust a villain and asks: “Do people become evil because they can't trust others?”

One leader rallies the drugged and dispirited captives of a mutant trafficking ring, while another realizes that Humans and Mutants need each other in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1.

From ferocious arctic fox to streetwise ninja leader, the mutant Alopex has endured the trials and hardships of modern life. She navigates a maze of twists and turns, pulling Raphael into her struggles before leaving the mutant turtle behind. TMNT Best Of Alopex #1 showcases her struggles with change and her unending search for a home.

Leonardo confronts the darker side of his nature in TMNT Best Of Dark Leo #1. The stories contemplate the role of fatherhood in our lives and reveal Master Splinter's centrality to the TMNT Universe.