J.A. Micheline Comic Reviews

Angela: Asgard's Assassin #4 didnt quite live up to the very high bar set by issue #3, though its still an enjoyable read. Its altogether sound on a technical level, though I wanted a bit more from both the subplot and main plot in terms of moving the story forward. Its not that nothing happened or that we went nowhere from the beginning to the end. Instead, I think there was a more compelling way of getting to the issues ultimate outcome. Regardless, the ending alludes to an exciting new direction and the last issue guaranteed that I would see this arc through to its conclusion. Im definitely eager to see what Heven looks like in Angela #5.

Overall, ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times was an enjoyable read. Though I would have preferred stronger world-building, Aria is a unique protagonist with an absolutely precious cat and both are the true strengths of the book. The artistic style only amplifies this strength and makes for a consistently engaging and solid experience. ApocalyptiGirl is a fine graphic novel debut for MacLean and a fine read for those looking for characters that have been created with care.

If you liked the Descender debut and are looking for something that takes the next step, or if you're just into intelligent, querying science fiction, thenArcadia #1 is the book for you.

Still,with a fresh design and a fresh outlook should also come fresh material. I will absolutely pick up the next issue and Im willing to wait and see if the creative team has any more to say on these themes, but I do think this is, narratively, the weakest issue of the run thus far.

Have you heard of The Thrilling Adventure Hour? Of course you have. But in case you haven't, here's the skinny. TAHis a staged production show in the style of live radio imagine if you were in the room while one of those old-timey-radio shows was being made, and you've basically got it. While I haven't listened to much of it, one of my best friends is really into it and what little I've heard of the Cactoid Jim segments has consistently made me laugh.

Catwoman #39 is yet another solid installment in a very solid book by this creative team. Selina is an amazing crime boss and, if Im perfectly honestI think I like her better this way than as costumed (anti-)hero. Shes more grounded and feels like she owns herself on this run, even given how things seem to constantly spinning out of her control. This issue and this new run has a lot to offer Catwoman fans, crime genre fans, and especially gangster story fiends like myself.

All in all, I think time is going to be what makes or breaks this entireConvergence event. These teams have two issues to orient the reader and tell a solid story, which makes their job more difficult than usual. InConvergence: Batgirl #1, too much time is spent orienting us to who Stephanie is when it could be done more efficiently elsewhere. Conversely, too little time is often spent addressing and/or establishing what I assume are the bigger plot elements that will come into play in issue #2. I have higher hopes for the second issue, as most of the backstory has been covered in issue #1 but these flaws, combined with the artistic missteps, made Stephanie and Cass' return less illustrious than I would have liked.

It's my hope that these pacing flaws resolve themselves as we enter what I'm guessing is the primary conflict in issue #2 fix that, and combine it with the spot-on characterization and emotional notes we hit in issue #1, and we'll have a killer second halfon our hands.

All in all, I am happy with the trajectory of Gotham by Midnight. Even if this particular issue was less exciting than the first one, I can see that there are pieces of the puzzle that are going to fall in place as we go on and I'm looking forward to the questions that I will inevitably have after issue #3.

Grayson #6 continues to embody everything that is great about the run as a whole. What we have here is an incredibly progressive, fun, and well-written book that pretty much everyone should be reading, whose art and colors are doing things that are well-worth emulating in other titles. Do not miss it.

Grayson #8 didnt quite hit the heights that I wanted. While the things that I love about it are still there, the overarching narrative has shown itself to be weaker than most of the individual stories told within each installmentleading to a dissatisfying resolution once we hit the climax of that narrative. There are a lot of new and different things this book is doing in terms of its visuals and its characterization, so Im really hoping that the story of the next arc manages to catch up.

Hawkeye #21 is everything that weve all come to love about this series. Heartbreaking storytelling thats achieved not just with dialogue but also with brilliantly crafted art. The thought that this run with this team is coming to an end so soon is genuinely painfulbut I am breathless with the thought of the next issue.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #1 is, in my mind, an opening narration. Its not badly written or badly crafted, but it also doesnt really do what a first issue should. I was left waiting for something to happen rather than wanting to know what would happen next. Theres certainly potential for the series to move forward, now that all the pieces are in play, but this issue alone might not be compelling enough for a new fan and likely won't bring anything new to an old one.

Injection #1 is a solid showing from this team.I'm very interested in this world that Shalvey, Ellis, and Bellaire are constructing. It seems to be like ours-but not quite. The details are off just enough and in just the right way that the questions build steadily throughout the issue. This all leads up to a last page where all three are on game-the dialogue, the art, the colors, all perfect to create a lasting final image and fantastic characterization. It's the page that'll remind you what these three can do together, convince you that this book was worth the wait.

Ultimately, my experience of Island was a rather alienating one. I picked up the book based on effusive reception from peers and other critics, without realizing that there was assigned reading. It turns out I might have realized Emma Rios piece was one of at least two parts, if Id read interviews. Or I perhaps should have known that Grahams work would be pulling on previous material based on related press releases. But, coming into it as a completely fresh reader, Ive found that Island #1 has left me at sea.

I'm being harsh, I know. I'm being quippy and sassy and when I do that, I get a little mean, but I'll remind you again that Nux & Immortan Joe #1isnot bad. It is justalsonot good. It's fine. Totally fine. Totally and completely average. And that hurts, considering where we started.

Moon Knight #6 doesnt do anything that you dont expect, which is especially disappointing after the great twist we saw at the end of issue #5. The real story only picks up in the last three or four pages and its a shame that were going to have to wait yet another month to see how it all pans out. Im holding out hope for a satisfying ending to the Wood/Smallwood team, but this particular issue felt like filler more than anything else.

After Moon Knight #11, I am more than ready to see how the creative team plays out this ending. I'm incredibly curious about what Marc Spector seems to know that we and Khonshu don't. What's more, I'm fascinated by the very thought of Moon Knight being abandoned by Khonshu in the first place. This run has definitely been up and down for me, but this issue represents a very solid up. I have high hopes for the end of the Wood/Smallwood run and look forward to a great finish.

Now, is that a factor of the form, the fact that the success of this Moon Knight reboot was built on single-issue stories? Or is it just the fact that these narrative stories in particular just werent as engaging as they could have been? With Cullen Bunn taking over the book next month, I guess were all about to find out.

Moon Knight #13 is a fine start on this new run with this new team. While Im looking for more in regards to character design, the paneling and colors went a long way in enlivening the page. Similarly, though the story was well-characterized, Im hoping future plots take a few more risks and really live up to the 100% weird that Bunn has promised. Still, the comic is very clearly realigning with the themes that appeared in its first run and that alone is enough to keep me interested in the issues to come.

At the end of the day, I can genuinely say that I am looking forward to whats coming in issue #2. Were left at a good cliffhanger and the premise of the comic is interesting enough that I want to keep reading to find out what issue #1 largely failed to tell me. Whats more, the art is eye-catching enough that Im in the very rare position of not really caring that the narrative wasnt exactly what I wanted to be. While Rumble #1 itself didnt deliver an amazing start, the art and the premise are enough to make me look forward to whats in store for next month.

The art ofRunLoveKill #1 goes a long way but I am still balking at the lack of novelty in the story thus far. I want to know what's different right out of the gate, and if I can't have that-if the story hinges upon some secret that's going to be revealed later on in the narrative-then I at least want to follow acharacteror concept who is different. A reader's time is not infinite and, fortunately or unfortunately, it's a buyers' market when it comes to choice in sci-fi and comics. Why this story? Why right now? Why these people instead of someone else? There's as much potential here for an interesting story as anything else, but just based on issue #1-I can't say I've seen it just yet.

We are in good hands with Vaughan and Staples. I can only imagine how quickly these next five issues will go and Im looking forward to what is next. Saga #25 is, as ever, like the return of that cool best friend of yours who went off to see the world for three months. You cant wait to see her and shes got so many stories to tellbut its also like she never left.

While Silk #1 wasnt a winner for me, Im still very much looking forward to #2. The artistic team is hitting all the right notes and weve definitely got the makings of a great character on our hands. If shes finally given the opportunity to show what makes her special, we could have a great book on our hands too.

In the end, I think the best technique for a #1 is to almost immediately present what makes your story stand outand I dont think Southern Cross #1 did that very successfully.The art is uniquely beautiful and probably worth the price of the issue all its own, but the writing doesnt quite hit the same heights. Of course were just beginning and its possible that this could blossom into an adventure unlike anything weve seen before, but this first installment hasnt presented anything to indicate that.

All-in-all,Spider-Woman #6 continues the strong opening that Hopeless, Rodriguez, and Lopez have offered us. The art is unique and stunning, while the story remains very well-balanced and engaging. I'm thoroughly impressed by the work that's been done by this team and cannot wait to see what unfolds next month.

The Kitchen,on the whole,is telling a female story in a genre that has been, for so long, owned by menand it's telling a damn good one. It is a book that I would strongly recommend to anyone looking for a good gangster story, regardless of their gender.However, this particular issue did not quite clear the high bar that the seriesset for itself in the two issues previous. It's precisely because the start was so amazing that I'm underwhelmed by the latest installment.The story was not quite as engaging and I wanted the female presence to be as strong here as it was in the past. Still, with that strength in mind, I thinkThe Kitchenwill be a book-to-watch in the coming months and I'm certainly looking forward to what February will bring.

If you like a good read and you are not reading this book, you are making a mistake.

Love yourself. Read The Kitchen. You wont regret it.

However, for a reader like me, Id say that The Wicked + The Divine #6 continues in its established tradition of creating parallels between music and religion, challenging ideas of high and low culture, and just generally staying true to the difficulty of the young adult years.

The Wicked + The Divine #7 continues to shine. The artistic team and their choices do everything I could possibly want done in a comic, while the written thematic elements continue to ask questions and probe topics that I havent seen before in the medium or elsewhere. Another great installment in a great series.

All in all, I still find myself wanting more from Thor #5. The art is certainly something to be appreciatedand I think learned from, when it comes to trying to understand what comics-for-women could look likebut Im still missing a solid characterization of Thor herself. Especially given how Odinson-centered the last issue was, I thought more could have been done to assure that Thor really owned this story and Im beginning to lose my confidence that the big reveal of her past will be enough to justify that lack up to now. Ill wait and see what happens next month, but Im worried that once again, Ill be doing just that: waiting.

Two Brothers was a good read, especially as someone who as experienced decades long"well, sibling rivalry doesn't quite seem like the right phrase. For me, it echoed a lot of the misunderstandings and past hurts I experienced in my own family. There's something remarkable"something painfully relatable " in watching two siblings insist that the other is the favorite, watching two people from the same environment interpret the same events radically differently.

We(l)come Back #1 is an absolutely gorgeous-looking comic"beautiful line art, strong colors, great effects"whose writing I think will soon grow to match its visual elements. The concept is incredibly strong and the execution, though, somewhat flawed, still has more than enough legs to make a reading of it really enjoyable. I know that sounds like Im pulling for this book based on the ideas behind it rather than whats actually on the page, but I think there is enough solid writing in this issue, especially as we delve deeper into the concept itself, that its well-worth a readers time.

Wolf #1 is a tricky read given how varied the experience is along the way. In truth, I think the issue would have been much better served if the first half had been cut, with the necessary exposition worked into the remainder. Though the first half was ordinary (and confusing), its that second half that has me interested in what might happen in issue #2. I started out mostly unimpressed, but by the end, I liked itwhich is the kind of journey you can have in a 60-page issue. The art, colors, and writing are rocky at the start, but become much smoother and more confident, and if thats what the team has to offer, then Im on board with where it could go from here.

If you dropped this book before or never bothered to pick it up, this really could be the beginning of something great and I encourage you to have a look. Big things happened for women in comics last year and I want this run on this book to help makethis year even bigger.