George Serrano Comic Reviews

Absolute Catwoman #1 delivers a phenomenal opening salvo that successfully separates itself from the weight of decades of DC continuity in an effort to carve a new path. By blending high-tech gadgets with a grounded story about survival and old loyalties, Che Grayson has built a world that feels completely unique but familiar. I cannot wait to see what other secrets unfold, and am excited to see Selina reach new heights of popularity due to this new exposure. As a massive Cassandra Cain fan, I cannot WAIT for this new interpretation of the character. Looks like the Absolute Universe has more lives than some think.

While this has been the motive of the whole series, Issue #8 sharpens the thesis. The focus on neglected intimacy grounds the formal risks in something painfully human. The damage feels quiet and irreversible. By the end, the series reads like a cautionary tale about the narratives we construct in pursuit of legacy. The grand gestures fade. What lingers are the small, foundational moments we overlook. Once those erode, everything built on top of them starts to give way.

A high stakes romantic comedy that accidentally blows the biggest secret in Gotham.

A brilliant escalation that proves the only thing more dangerous than Batman's enemies is the friction within his own family.

A slower issue that leans into atmosphere and perspective, and it works because it makes Gotham feel genuinely unsettling in a way that sticks with you.

A chapter that proves the biggest threat to Batman is the loss of his foundation.

Matt Fraction delivers a phenomenal transition issue that replaces the panic of a retreat with the focused energy of a counter-offensive. By introducing the capitalist motives of the Minotaur and the brilliant setup of Barbara's hidden plan, the book creates a complex web of narrative threads that feel incredibly rewarding. The final page leaves you feeling inspired rather than worried, shifting the power dynamic of the series back to the heroes. I guess Batman does always win.

Even with the technical loss, this is the season-defining win Jason Todd fans have been waiting for.

I am not entirely sure this dark direction is what Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom had in mind when they first dreamt up the character during the Bronze Age, but this modern reimagining is an absolute trip. It is easy to see why purists might rub against it, considering the classic mentor and student dynamic has been violently ripped out of the mythos. Yet Lemire’s bold choices ensure that Firestorm threatens to raise the temperature of the entire DC Universe in a massive way. Regardless of how you feel about the retcon, this issue cements Firestorm as a force of nature that can no longer be trifled with, leaving readers with one burning question: who can possibly withstand the fury?

This is a moment of real liberation, but one that promises even darker storms on the horizon. Ultimates #18 is political spectacle done right, a justified escalation that lands like a seismic shift. It’s easily one of the most defining and consequential moments in the Ultimate Universe yet.

A high stakes masterpiece that proves the smartest person in the room is usually the one you least suspect.

Deniz Camp has successfully transitioned the book from a gritty insurgency story into a high-stakes epic without losing the personal stakes of characters like Janet and Rhodes. The psychological destruction of Nick Fury provides a dark, satisfying counterpoint to the physical destruction of the Helicarrier fleet. It is a dense, rewarding chapter that rewards long-term readers for their patience. As Hammond rallies the network at the end of the book, it is clear that the Ultimates are no longer just survivors. They are a legitimate threat to the world order.

The narrative represents the most important Captain America story in years because it dares to let the hero lose something he can never get back. The contrast between the global uprising and this personal tragedy creates a sense of profound sadness. Deniz Camp continues to push boundaries in every issue he writes. The final verdict lands at a solid 8 out of 10 for this absolute masterpiece of a modern comic book issue. It is a work of art that stays with you long after the final page is turned.