Jacob Bryant Comic Reviews

Although we don't get to check in with the entire team this issue, there is plenty to enjoy within the pages. We get the most Nightcrawler time since this series began and the fight scenes, thanks to McGuinness, are quite a spectacle. Nightcrawler's return is shaping up to be quite the tale, be sure to catch it.

Amazing X-Men#4 finally picks up the pace of the story. One might wonder if the Quest for Nightcrawler storyline needed to be 5 issues, especially when the previous couple felt like they were there to drag out the story, but with this issue the team is back together and the stage has finally been set for a final battle with Azazel.

Lemire and Foreman tell an emotional story about a father struggling with the loss of his son. Fans of the series up to this point will find plenty to love in Lemire's great character work on both Buddy and Cliff and the return of Foreman's art. Newcomers can still find plenty to enjoy; they just might not feel the same emotional weight as long time readers.

While this book may be one of the more violent on the DC lineup it also has a lot of heart in it. Through both writing and art, the creative team makes you care just as much about how Buddy and Ellen's relationship will turn out as you would with who will win this next fight.

Lemire and Albuquerque are a force to be reckoned with at this point. Although the end of the issue did seem like an odd tonal shift for the series after where it has been for the past few months, like always I'm excited to see what comes next.

With only a few months left on this series, every issue counts. Lemire clearly knows where he is going withAnimal Man and how he wants to get there. There has been a lot to love from this series since it launched so catch up if you haven't been reading and join everyone else for this final arc.

Animal Manis nearing the end of the series and, if issue #27 is an indication, it is building toward a bang. This issue feels like the beginning of the end in the best sense and it shouldn't be missed.

Animal Manhas been a series that defied a lot of odds and introduced many, myself included, to Buddy Baker and his family. I'm excited to see Buddy's stories continue under Lemire's watch in the new seriesJustice League United but it will be hard to top the excellence that this series gave us month after month. Goodnight, Animal Man.

Sometimes annuals miss the point of what they should be doing. Instead of continuing an ongoing story it should be a stand alone that is friendly to new readers while adding new material for longtime readers. While some of the story ideas aren't the freshest,Aquaman Annual #1manages to fill out both of those categories.

OverallAquaman #23.1 is an issue that has great moments in it but gets cut down because of its direct connection toForever Evil and spends the entire middle of the book retreading a scene from a book that came out last week. If you absolutely must have all thingsForever Evil or Black Manta then this is the book for you. If not, you probably won't miss anything that won't be explained inForever Evil #2.

Although the ending may be much less than most readers will be expecting from a comic it doesn't eclipse all the great moments that happen before it. There are too many great moments for the Ocean Master in this book for the bad ending to wash away.If you're a fan of Ocean Master, the ongoingAquamanseries or the recentJustice League/Aquamancrossover, "Throne of Atlantis," then pick this up.

Although it felt a bit like a filler issue in places,Aquaman #24breaks a lot of new ground in Aquaman's mythos while providing an interesting and tragic origin story of how Atlantis came to be. With only one issue left you still have plenty of time to catch up before Johns' run is over.

Parker and Pelletier deliver a great first issue to their run on the series. It will be exciting to see where this first monster filled story takes the King of Atlantis as we head into 2014. If Parker's pedigree for great, fun comics is to be trusted,Aquamanis in for a pretty great new year.

It's nice to see that this issue hasn't lost any steam since Geoff Johns' departure. Parker has quickly established that he will be adding just as much to the Aquaman mythos as Johns did, and with Pelletier at his side it's going to look damn fine.

I had been enjoying the new run on Aquamanso far, but I hadn't been sure how much I was enjoying it. This issue cemented that decision in the "very much" camp.If you want a good ole-fashioned superhero comic that will leave you grinning ear to ear, then Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier's run on Aquaman is the place to start.

Avengers Arena #16 is another solid entry in a very enjoyable series. This is one of the few series put out by the Big 2 that can consistently offer surprises for whoever is reading it.Avengers Arena is turning out to be the sleeper hit of Marvel NOW.

This is a series people should be reading. It got a bad rap in the beginning but all the fears that people had about it have been erased. This probably isn't an issue for first time readers to pick up, but for the long term crowd this has a real beginning of the end vibe, and it's so so good.

Avengers Arenawas the surprise of 2013. My hope is that after people read that book,Avengers Undercoverdoesn't have to be a surprise hit. I'm very excited for where this book is going and Hopeless and Walker haven't lost a step since the end ofArena.

Black Widow'sfirst issue begins what is hopefully a very long look at a character who deserves more individual time outside of her Avengers capacity. With Edmondson and Noto at the helm, it looks to be a very good year for Black Widow and her fans.

Black Widowissue #2 is a successful issue in the new series. With some excellent and good looking espionage, the creative team is making the book a fun pick up and go title that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Three issues in and this series has been a refreshing break from the month long story arcs that have become commonplace in comics. Each issue is wholly-enjoying and new reader friendly. It's nice to know there are still pick-up and go comics out there.

Captain America #12suffers from feeling a bit too uneven. The scenes, what few there are, with Captain America himself are wonderful and sad and great. The scenes with Nuke are the polar opposite. They are boring to read and are way too focused on monologuing why the villain thinks the way he does.

If you're looking for a book with a lot of Captain America crushing in faces with his shield, this might not be the book for you. If you're looking for some great character development for both the main character and his supporting cast, then look no further.

Captain America #14 is another great issue in Remender's run. The payoffs due to past issues are great and the stage is set wonderfully for a showdown between Cap and The Iron Nail in issue #15. It's a great time to be a fan of the Captain.

The Iron Nail storyline has a pretty epic feel to it; one that could shake Cap's perspective on a great many things. If there is one person who knows how to strip a character down and build him back up it's Remender, and I can't wait to see what he has planned next for Cap.

If you love yourself, if you love fun, do yourself a favor and read Captain Marvel.

If you have been reading Damsels up to this point there is surely plenty to love here. New readers however are going to have a hard time understanding what's what and who's who for the majority of the issue. Yes new readers jumping on to a book will always be a little lost but the creative team should meet them halfway and explain what has happened previously, especially at the start of a new arc.

It's nice to see Hawkgirl again after such a long absence of her even if she is off on her own while all of her fellow Wonders are being slaughtered in Dherain. Readers that have been with Earth 2 since the beginning should be excited to see many of the breadcrumbs that Robinson and Scott left for us. Oh, and that cliff hanger only makes the wait for issue 16 seem that much longer.

Great art and an interesting plot twist isn't enough to lift this book to the next level. It's a shame Robinson didn't get more time on the book. It read a bit rushed, like he had to fit everything he wanted into this issue, and even then it doesn't feel complete. We'll have to wait a month to see how new writer Tom Taylor uses the pieces Robinson left on the board.

If you can get over the fact that this series has a storyline fairly similar toInjusticethen you will find a lot to enjoy. The art by Scott continues to be stellar and Taylor manages to make these alternate world stories his own personal sandbox. If you want some unique spins on old characters then check this book out.

Although it is Villain's Month this is the first book that almost didn't feel like it fit in. Sure the Rogues rob banks but these aren't true villains. They aren't psychopaths or killers; they're just trying to get by the only way they know how. Buccellato and Zircher do a solid job nailing down the voice of the Rogues and setting them apart from the rest of the pack.

Before Lemire, Sorrentino and company got their hands on Count Vertigo he was a B-lister at best. Thanks to this creative team it's pretty safe to say that Vertigo will soon be joining the ranks of the recognizable A-list villains. Buy this book. You would be wise not to disrespect the Count.

Green Arrow #24is a great conclusion for the long-time readers while being a badass entry point for new adopters. Aside from the questionable appearance at the end of the book, this is a great end to Vertigo's story (even if it feels a bit too soon). Villain's Month didn't slow down this series at all. Pick up this book, people.

Green Arrow#25 might not be the most important issue to read if you are following Lemire and Sorrentino's saga but it doesn't stop them from making it a good time. There are some funny interactions between Green Arrow and Batman that lighten the mood, and lets be honest, Ollie's beard alone is worth the $3.99 price tag.

Issue #26 ofGreen Arrowisn't filled to the brim with action, rather it moves its characters into the places they need to be in for the rest of the story. If you always wanted to know the origin of the New 52 Green Arrow, then it all starts here folks.

With an ending like the one in this issue, it is clear that Lemire and Sorrentino are taking the character in an interesting new direction. With all the new characters, both good and bad, as well as the arrow-slinging action, Lemire and Sorrentino'sGreen Arrowrun is what fans of the character deserve.

Green Arrow#28 slows down the pace of The Outsiders War, which is just what readers needed. Even though the issue's paces slows down a bit, the quality stays right up there as one of the best DC is putting out thanks to the creative efforts of Lemire, Sorrentino and Maiolo.

The creative team behindGreen Arrowmanages to kill it every issue while still upping the stakes. This book is a great example of when great art and superb writing come together to make something brilliant.

If Green Lantern mythos is the name of your game then there is something in this book for you. If the only reason for purchasing it is because it leads into theLights Outcrossover than you need not worry.Green Lantern23.1 is an average origin of what hopefully won't become an average villain.

Although the final battle gets pretty confusing, issue 15 was a fun end to a fun storyline. Time travel can be hard to pull off in an original and interesting way but having Banner face his origin was a blast. If you're a fan of fun, pick this book up.

It's a shame Marvel still hasn't really figured out a way to have a self-contained event. While not impossible to read, Infinity #3 is much more difficult to read if the reader isn't also keeping up withHickman'sAvengersandNew Avengers. That being saidInfinityis a great ride and one of the best Marvel events in recent memory.

With solid art and an interesting beginning and middle of the book its a good read until Black Adam appears. His presence seems like an easy way to get out of the scenario and the revolutionaries are left by the wayside not to be seen again. Hopefully they will be seen again but if they do appear in another book that doesn't matter much to the people who only picked up this one.

AlthoughJustice League of America#8 is a tie-in toForever Evil it is easy to pick up and read on its own. With a unique look at what mental struggles different members of the League have and some great art this is definitely a strong entry in the series.

New Warriors#3 is a step up in the young series. Although the story is still trying to find it's legs, Yost and To are working on a series with a lot of potential. With great character interaction and solid art, this series has a lot going for it.

While this issue does feature a lot of action it spends the majority of the time exploring the relationship of Dick and Barbara. It moves their relationship into a new place in certain ways that are both interesting and heartbreaking. While the introduction of Firefly might be a little lackluster, the overall beats of the story hit home really well.

The first story arc for Nightwing in Chicago ends on a very strong note. There was a lot of development for the title character himself as well as for Tony Zucco and the seeds that Higgins is planting for upcoming stories help to raise the intrigue on why Chicago is so anti-hero. The question on lots of minds though is probably going to be "where does this fit in toForever Evil?"

Nightwing #25has some fun moments in it, but overall there isn't much that readers of the series would miss if they skipped this issue. If you need a monthly fix of Nightwing then this should tide you over, but don't feel inclined if you're on a budget.

For newcomers to Nightwing, this is a great jumping on point. If you plan on jumping on hoping for someForever Evilcontent you'll be a bit disappointed. Hopefully that won't deter readers from continuing with the book.Nightwingis as good as its been in a long time.

If you missed out on this series, shame on you. Higgins' run onNightwinghas been one of the consistently great books DC has been putting out since the New 52. I'm sad to see his time on the series end, but damn happy with the #29 issues that I got.

Thanks to Duggan and Medina, Sam Alexander is finding his place in the Marvel Universe and he continues to be a fun character to follow. That said, issue 12 is mainly a set-up issue for the upcoming storyline with Beta Ray Bill. There are still moments that inform the reader where Sam is mentally on his heroic journey but story-wise, there's not much here but set up.

Novais a fun book. Its got great art, fun and hilarious writing, grand adventure and spectacle and a lot more. If you ask me, that's a recipe for a book that everyone, young and old, should be reading. Like now.

Novais still one of the strongest all ages books on the stands right now, and it continues to be a struggle to read Duggan's writing without a smile on your face. Based on the cliffhanger, I'm excited to see where the story goes and continue to see Nova and Bill's mentoree/mentor relationship progress.

Novaputs a smile on my face issue after issue. While this issue didn't blow me out of the water, it did deliver on a fun space adventure through the eyes of a character who truly loves being a hero and helping the galaxy.

Nova continues to be not only a fun all ages book, but one of the more fun books Marvel is putting out. Every issue I get more invested in Sam Alexander's journey as both a hero and a teenager. It seems like things are looking a bit grim for the Alexander family based on the ending of this issue and I can't wait to see how Sam faces it.

Sagaissue #17 is the penultimate issue in the third arc of the series. The issue was pretty packed as Vaughan and Staples continue to juggle multiple story arcs, but the majority of those stories are converging together for next month's issue #18. This book seems to get better month after month. If you aren't already on board theSagatrain, correct your mistakes.

Teen Titans Annual #2is par for the course for the series. For longtime readers, there is fun to be had but not much has changed. Any new readers who pick the book up will be able to stick with the story but most likely be confused throughout.

Teen Titans #23is a jumping on point for new readers while still having moments like the continuous reveal of Kid Flash's origin for long time readers to get use out of. Unfortunately an overwritten script and some character moments that fall short of hitting the mark stop this book from being anything special.

Teen Titans #24doesn't have a lot to offer in terms of a fun comic book story. It has the skeleton of a fun story, but its quick hops through time and broad focus on all the characters rather than just a few make the flow of the book a choppy mess.

Issue #26 offered a good but not great reveal of Kid Flash's past. Although the futuristic themes in the story have been done to death and the explanation of Bart acquiring his powers is a bit weak, it is exciting to have this part of the story revealed and will be interesting to see how the rest of the Titans react to Bart's past.

Teen Titans#27 is an overwritten issue where not a lot happens. The one big event that does happen in the issue could have been reached in about half the time. Kirkham's art is the one bright spot in this issue, but it can only do so much.

Unless the last two issues of the series and the annual coming out in the next couple months pick up the quality, it is sad to see this series go out on this note. The 'Trial of Kid Flash' storyline has been the weakest from the series run. The series has three issues left to end things on a strong note rather than limping across the finish line.

Teen Titanshas some great characters and even had some solid moments in its 30 issue run but overall this issue and the series as a whole is below average in most aspects. If you love these characters this probably isn't the place to get your fix of them.

The release ofThe Star Warsis a successful first step in telling an untold story. If you love Star Wars with every fiber of your being than you will find everything you love about Star Wars in these pages in a new and interesting way. Rinzler and Mayhew have created a great first step in this new Star Wars journey and if there's one thing I know about Star Wars it will likely be a journey worth taking.

With this issue the stage is finally set for "All Out War." Kirkman and Adlard pull off a solid final issue before the war gets started with some great character moments and some awesome tiger inflicted deaths. The series will no doubt ramp up the intensity starting next month so savor this quieter issue while you can.

The Walking Dead #115 is pretty par for the course for the series. Not much of anything happens aside from people doing what they've been doing or planning to do for quite a few issues now. It's not much more than a set-up issue, which is what the last five or six have felt like. What saves it is that the tension in the book is palpable because the war is imminent.

All Out War is shaping up to be one of the best storylinesThe Walking Deadhas seen in a while. Both creators are on the money right now as things head into the final descent. Something big is coming by the end of this storyline, I can feel it. Make sure you're there for the ride.

All Out War is one of the best Walking Dead stories in a long while; Kirkman and Adlard are both firing on all cylinders. Here's hoping they keep it up for the final three issues of the story. I'm equal parts excited and terrified to see what they have planned.

The Walking Deadis obviously a strong book in the comic book market, both content and sales wise. It's a book that deserves to be read, now more than ever because the creative team is doing some pretty great and shocking things with this series and it's doubtful you'll want to miss where it goes.

Trillium #1 implements every piece of a comic to perfection. The story and the art work in perfect harmony to tell the story. If you are a comic book fan this book will reinforce why you love the medium and if you have never read a comic book before this is a pretty damn good place to start.