A near perfectly executed comic that takes the gods-as-pop-stars premise to tremendous, preposterous, ridiculous heights.

“The Wicked + the Divine” is a tremendous comic book, obviously one I love a great deal. What this issue lacked it action, it more than made up for in nearly every other way. Character beats were stunning. Plot points were staggering. Everyone brought their A game. This far into the series, we're more concerned with ending things than beginning new ones, and WicDiv #33 sets the stage for a grand finale.

Another twisty issue of "WicDiv" leaves no ambiguity as it breaks ours hearts with more betrayal.

Final Verdict: 9.5 " Daniel Warren Johnson is a modern master and this issue may be the best in his career so far.

Aaron and Dauterman set a new gold standard for superhero storytelling.

It's been a long time, but "Black Magick" #6 was well worth the wait.

Imperial Phase Part II starts to tie up dangling threads in thrilling, dreadful ways.

Fraction and Zdarsky nail the issue, the characters nail each other.

The inimitable Kelly Sue DeConnick is joined by a top notch art team to bring magic and mystery back to the ocean.

After reading this issue I'm thoroughly convinced that Aaron and Marquez are capable of anything, including ice-skating uphill.

You have a new favorite Image book and its name is "Curse Words!"

One of the most thematically rich Spidey stories, not to mention Marvel stories, in years.

A terrifically fun first issue that's quintessential Star Wars and unlike anything you've ever seen in the galaxy far, far away.

Grounded writing and art make "Abbott" far more than the sum of its parts.

Final Verdict: 9.1 " Nine points for being a near perfect superhero team book and an extra 0.1 for what happens on the last page. Genius. I cackled out loud.

A heady, smart first issue that doesn't forget that some people like action scenes along with their political pontificating.

With creators this good, Conan could run for another 100 issues.

The second arc of Curse Wordsopens with a bang and a shazooom.

If you want to celebrate 1,000 issues with a huge anthology, it's hard to do better than "Detective Comics" #1000.

Wonder, whimsy, trauma, and terror- this may be remembered as the definitive Skottie Young comic! You'll never think about super-babies again.

The definitive telling of the rise of the Black Panther.

Final Verdict: 9.0 " I wanted to give it a 6.9, but it was too good to waste such a low quality joke on.

The Weatherman carefully creates a glorious mess of science fiction, spycraft, and wacky antics.

Team WicDiv make fabulous pacing and comic book storytelling look easy.

Hilarious, appealing, and packed with oodles of style. To the right reader, it'll probably feel like more of an 11/10.

"War of the Realms" #4 proves that this series is the gold standard for epic mega super comic book Event storytelling.

Vaughan and friends turn out a great issue of what might be his best series in years.

The human cast is almost as interesting as the robots, and "Self/Made" proves it's got talent to back up its vision.

"Black Bolt" #1 has lofty goals and a creative team that understands how to craft a fine comic book issue.

This is the right story at the right time by the best team who could be telling it.

Exiles #1 sets the standard for starting a new adventure series.

This series deserved another 90 issues at least.

No series since has been truer to the Guardians of the Galaxy since the legendary 2008 run.

Bond is seeing a resurgence in comics, and no writer gets 007 better than Ales Kot.

Final Verdict: 8.8 " What if Willy Wonka made robots instead of chocolate? It would look something like this delightful first issue.

A beautiful, overwhelming tour through the greatest years of "X-Men."

An excellent anthology built around a strong theme and stronger creative teams.

Deadpool is the perfect foil to explore the darkness, humor, and heart in Wolverine and Honey Badger.

"Thrawn" is more than just a simple adaptation, and it elevates the story into a new medium.

Man and his superior foes try to have a fun night out and the result are spectacular.

Britannia overwhelms with ideas, but they're all good ideas.

Final Verdict: 8.6 " "Extremity" is a beautifully drawn science fantasy story, desperately trying to earn the right to be called "epic."

Final Verdict: 8.6 " Supers, speeches, and shenanigans ensue, and the sweet wedding of Ben and Alicia ends up being one of the best superhero weddings of the decade.

Continued below(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Final Verdict: 8.5 " Tini Howard, Kate Niemczyk and Belit the Pirate Queen take no prisoners in this bold and original spin off series.

"Assassin Nation" #3 is never predictable, frequently hilarious and crafted by some of the most daring creators in comics.

A conventional story is more than made up for with dark tone and wonderful artwork. Also, so many cats.

What's really strange are the hella feels you will get reading this. Wowser. I'm not crying, you're crying. (Max + Chloe 4eva!)

The dreary smokestacks of Victorian London have never felt so tangible. Good thing a blue-haired Artful Dodger is here to lead us into the Cyberpunk Revolution.

I came looking for a magic missile, but what I found was more of a delayed blast fireball. It takes a while to get there, but when it does, it's magical.

It turns out mutant teenagers with powers and problems is a winning formula for a comic book.

A fun first issue that promises to satisfy superfans, andmaybe even do some recruiting for Team America.

Final Verdict: 8.3 " A new arc of Exiles has cartoons saving cowboys, lady killers who kiss, and Dr. Strange as a Disney villain. It's got everything!

A fun story in it's own right, and one that makes a great case for following the adventures of the many different Inhumans.

"Assassinistas" #3 is a unique sitcom; it's lots of fun even before you consider the legendary artwork by Gilbert Hernandez.

matched creative team hits all the right beats in the middle chapter of what is shaping up to be an unforgettable arc.

Greg Pak gives you exactly what you want, but not before he convinces you to want something completely different. If that sounds esoteric, well, read the issue and get back to me.

Hard to say where it's going, but knowing Pak and Noto, getting there will be a hell of a thing.

Darth Vader gets knocked around in a simple but phenomenally drawn story.

Final Verdict: 8.1 " The book never quite lives up to its enormous ambitions, but I'm definitely going to be picking up issue 2.

Immortal Hulk sets up the pieces on a mess of a board for the most epic story yet.

Love is in the air, and robots, and action, and it makes for a great superhero comic.

A new chapter of Kate Kane's story has her making her own way, far from her allies in Gotham.

A fun one shot that will warm the freaky little hearts of the series fans.

Priest has found two characters as calculating and brilliant as he is. Two unbeatable characters collide, and I have no idea how it will end.

Tynion impresses as he makes old stories feel new again.

I guess you can ruin a classic, but this is a fun take!

A quality creative team's take on the myth of the labyrinth may end up being one of the definitive tellings.

A messy issue that's unafraid to experiment thanks to the guiding hand of comics' greatest editor.

A flashback, within a heist, within a vibrant and expansive universe.

When something this complicated feels so simple, you know you've got a good smashy fighty capes and tights book.

Works well as a superhero adventure, but it's going to read even better when a lot of these threads start to pay off.

Despite some strange creative choices, "Runaways" is just such sweet fun.

Not every character is equally interesting but some good pacing from Spencer and some masterful cartooning from Ottley make this a fun read!

An excellent creative team crafts something that never quite comes together.

Final Verdict: 7.8 " a well crafted but slow and decompressed issue that takes too long to swing into action.

Lunella Lafayette solves problems with her heart, not her fists, and we are all the better for it.

Competent workmanlike art can't slow down Kelly Thompson's boundless enthusiasm for the characters and the genre.

A fun, sweet comic that offers a familiar story that will please fans of the genre.

Man superhero fight issue gets too bogged down in Osborn family drama.

An uneven debut promises to go to some pretty wild places.

Witchblade #2 is well-drawn and well-written, but it needs to get going already.

A risky issue that doesn't always nail the execution, but gets points for trying.

"Ladycastle" is fun, if a little predictable, but filled with totally gorgeous artwork.

A solidly constructed first issue that fails to find a hook.

A fine story of clashing personalities overcoming their differences. And Deadpool is there too.

A simple table-setting issue that gets far on charm.

A fun mutant diversion that comes with no strings attached.

Comic book action executed at the highest level.

It starts with action figures being smushed together. It ends with you crying a single perfect tear.

Three wildly different stories try to find the dark humor in terrible things.

Juggernaut #3 is created by old pros, so it feels like a familiar comfort read.

This first issue takes a while to get going, but should be fun for fans of the series.

An even chapter that may turn into a fun Dresden mystery.

A fun but disposable environmental adventure story.

A bloody, sticky, piss-soaked disgusting layer of grime coats a quietly brilliant sci-fi cartoon.

Final Verdict: 7.0 " a slight, punchy, stabby book that's pretty much exactly what you'd expect.

Fun fan fiction like this is hard to come by and hard to stay mad at, even with some pretty major art issues.

Come for Ventress and Jar Jar, stay for Houser and Wijngaard.

"What If? Ghost Rider" is probably not good for you, but if you saw it on the check-out line at the supermarket, you wouldn't be able to resist. Maybe though, that's what we should expect out of our "What If?" comics.

A busy issue lacks stakes, except ironically when the action moves to a pocket dimension facsimile of an alternate timeline that really only exists within a single character's mind.

Rat Queens #9 is filled with fun scenes that never connect to form a coherent story.

Static artwork holds back what would otherwise be a classic story in the Star Trek Mirror Universe.

Continued below(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Final Verdict: 6.8 " A cool art style doesn't entirely make up for the heavy reliance on nostalgia.

The Flash #39 comes quick out of the gate, but quickly forgets which way it's running.

An uncharacteristically weak issue fails to make Gamora more interesting.

The creative team never manages to gel, even as they spend this issue showcasing their talents. Their fantastic ideas deserve a better comic.

A smart writer, a talented artist, and a great character still need some time to figure things out.

Not great comics, but fans of the series may shed a tear for the toughest decision of Alex Kamal's life.

Beneath all the noir cliches and hard drinking heroes lies a genius science fiction story.

A well put together issue that at the end of the day is really uncomfortable to read.

If your big problem with "Spider-Verse" was that it ended I've got good news- "Spidergeddon" is the exact same thing!

A sharp script by Jody Houser and Andrew R. Robinson isn't enough to elevate a humdrum space marine adventure.

I wish I could give points for effort and for potential, but this issue feels like it needs a mulligan.

Punching gators and slaying zombies; in other words, a regular Wednesday for Jack Boniface.

The wonderful alien vistas are worth the price of admission, but unfortunately the story in "Stellar" #1 is a bit too slight.

The Dreaming #1 sports some lush landscapes, but lacks direction.

If you have young kids in your life who digStar Wars, this is a book for them.

Final Verdict: 5.9 " the individual chapters aren't bad, but this issue never feels like its telling a real story

The individual chapters aren't bad, but this issue never feels like its telling a real story

A nightmare pig on a montage through corporate excess never quite comes together.

An important showdown is undermined by many inconsistencies.

Demonic Zabrak Sith Lords are inherently cool, but a story of how bored he is seems like wasted potential.

A forgettable comic that misses most of its opportunities to shine.

Either a really good primer for people who want to skip reading a lot of other comics, or a recap for those who might have forgotten.

The designs may be rad as heck, but "Spirits of Vengeance" is a muddled and confusing first issue.

A messy script benefits from being tied into an exciting crossover event

My first steps into the world of "Charmed" failed to enchant.

Final Verdict: 4.5 " A competently drawn issue withers without any storytelling ambition.

Waid and Garron completely miss what makes these characters shine.

The Light of Kahless tells a mostly familiar story, but worse.