You couldn't have asked for a better way for this creative team to wrap up this story. One that impressively took only twenty issues to tell. Saban's Go Go Power Rangers: Forever Rangers #1 is worth the extra pages that went into it, and they did not waste one page to make sure we put this down satisfied. One only has to wonder what comes next. The end of one big story is only the start of the next one.

Truthfully it would be disappointing if Gotham by Midnight was not on the best of lists for any horror fans. This series may have come to an end sooner than we liked, but it was one hell of a ride from start to finish. This story was contained, action-packed, full of supernatural elements unique to the Midnight Shift's talents, and had some consistent character development.

King Thor #1 truly does mark the end of a truly Marvelous era. In a world where everyone is simply pushing to write a quick story and jump to the next #1? This Thor epic spanned across the years and through multiple titles to get us to this penultimate moment. This is what you get when you tackle a franchise with the intention of making your story survivable. Everything was written, and everything mattered no matter how big or small the twist. King Thor holds the appeal of also being the first where we truly don't know how it will end. Even now when all seems hopeless, we know to never say never until all is said and done.

King Thor #2 turned out to be a roller coaster of emotions. We all jumped into this for one last big drawn-out battle, and so far we have walked away with so much more. The return of Gorr was amazingly executed, the dialogue was exciting, and the interactions between Thor and Loki was heartbreaking. This is how you make sure readers who have stuck through with this since the start get what they invested in all these years.

With the conclusion of King Thor #4, that's it. Seven years spanning and here we are at the culmination of everything the God of Thunder has been through since his first encounter with Gorr years ago. This was an epic in the making seven years ago, and ended turning this into exactly just that. I don't know what the next run of Thor will bring us, but that creative team will have some big shoes to fill if they aren't trying to captivate us with the embrace and terror of being a god.

Whether you are a fan of the Klaus series, or just someone who wants to experience some holiday cheer in comic form. Klaus And The Life And Times Of Joe Christmas #1 is worth putting on your pull-list. This book makes a great statement at the end of the year that there are always ways to tell a story than what people expect when they flip open to that first page.

Swamp Thing Annual #3 is the kind of story you tell when you want to express how saying goodbye can really be that hard. That one word can bring about so many emotions and reactions and it's only human to do so. Again Charles Soule was almost meant to write this story and you want to cherish the stories you get like this until that fateful day.

The Swamp Thing Winter Special is a real treat to anyone who is a fan of this character. A beautiful tribute to the creator of this character and a reminder that creators can get the most amazing stories out of characters like this with the right approach. This story was a real tear-jerker. It felt impossible not to get sentimental about this which it takes a lot for a readers such as myself.

If you are reading Book of Death, then Book of Death – Fall of Harbinger #1 is another must read tie-in as it hits you just as hard as the others. Fall of Bloodshot, Ninjak, Harbinger, you care for how they die and they all passed in a manner most acceptable to their character. Everyone dies at some point, and this is how they go.

After reading Book of Death – The Fall of X-O Manowar, a fellow editor and I both agree that Valiant Comics should make one book exploring more of what the Book of Death future has to offer. This is the end of the X-O Manowar, yet it feels like the start of something new. Something that doesn't have to end with Book of Death. Maybe this will be the future of the Valiant Universe. Though until that point it would be cool to see what exactly these heroes have been through up to that point. These stories make readers care about those things even if we know there isn't enough time to go in-depth.

They took a big risk with this dark encounter for Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1, but I think this creative team nailed it. Everything to love about Dynomutt and Blue Falcon they put into this story and focus on what makes them such an iconic duo. I don't think I have ever felt more touched by a superhero team that is a man and his best friend. There was no regret at all picking up this crossover as one that was the full package. Heart, action, and the pain/understanding of loss.

Halo: Tales from Slipspace HC is a must have. For the new stories, for the stories bringing more depth to this universe, and for the stories which further address those things we were only able to theorize about before. As far as anthologies go this one is the most impressive that I've read thus far with all the stories having the kind of quality deserving of the money you put into it.

Captain America #25 brings one chapter closed for Steve and Sam, while opening the doors for many new opportunities in their new roles. The mantle has finally been passed, with as much hype as they built up to this reveal, we now have our new Captain America. Only time will tell what this means for the Marvel Universe as everyone has something different to offer in that position of authority and symbolism.

Black Science is a must read if you want a sense of mystery and exploration. A truly stunning beginning that makes you want more. Remender makes you feel so much from this, especially sympathy, and you just want to know why. The one flaw of any scientist is to be overconfident and obsessive, it kills. You see so much self loathing through the thoughts in his head that consistently flow throughout the issue. An urge for that sense of wonder can come at the price of regret, something he is learning the hard way. Add this book to your pull list now if you want something that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Buffy: The High School Years " Freaks & Geeks is not one you want to miss if you are invested in the Buffyverse. Any should be on board with the idea of possibly continuing with books like this from the early days, and with this creative team. This made a perfect edition to the ever-growing book collection of seasons following after the show.

Sometimes the best way to conclude and event like this is with a cliffhanger, and boy was this one heck of a cliffhanger. If you were questioning picking this up because you were let down by past events, this will not disappoint. Sure some might want to see more of an actual “war”, but as I said before it really isn't needed to be emphasized to make a great event. With their first event over and done, the New 52 can now move into a new phase which should open doors for more refreshing stories.

New Avengers Annual #1 is worth the $4.99, it is one of those annuals that you want to go out of your way to pick up. It has its connections to the main series, while giving you something genuine centered around Doctor Strange. Frank J. Barbiere is more than enough reason to want to pick this up, and the interior art is surely a style you wish you saw more often in other titles.

New Suicide Squad Annual #1 as an annual is just another issue, but it is a well executed final issue to this story arc. We lose a member which was shocking this early, but nonetheless meaningful to show that characters can change and will. Character development is just as important as the action.

Prometheus: Fire and Stone – Omega wraps up the story of Prometheus on LV-223 and it was one worth telling. People died, they showed their best and their worst. It was all you could want from a continuation of the movie franchise and more.

Saban's Power Rangers: Aftershock OGN SC is a must have. I felt like there is a whole new level of investment given all the things new there is to anticipate from this franchise. If you questioned the potential of where this movie universe will take us, this graphic novel eases those concerns. A better understanding of the Rangers, the kinds of dangers they can face, and the creative ways they will try to take them down. Like it or not this is the kind of Power Rangers we have needed. Beyond this I do hope this isn't the last graphic novel between now and the movie since I do think there is some ground to still cover before then.

What we can expect from this book is something dark that will unravel. Something that will keep us at the edge of our seats and that's what makes this such a great team up between Snyder and Murphy. Whatever is to come next remains unknown, but as a first issue this was on the mark.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike " Into the Light is a story that you want to read not only for the fact that James Marsters writes it, but because you like Spike. James Marsters is the best person to handle the character since he played him, and he was on the spot from beginning to end. There was an emotional connection and a sense of realism to him that made you convinced that as a vampire he has a soul.

Surely we all want to see what came next after the first book, when will you really get the chance to see how the villains survive during an apocalyptic event? DCeased: Unkillables #1 proves again why the right people were put together to give us something that is more than what is your average zombie story. Because these aren't zombies, but this is definitely the end of the world. It's always going to be worth seeing how those final days play out whether villain or anti-hero.

Just like the first issue, DCeased: Unkillables #2 keeps you at the edge of your seat for the ensuing chaos which does not discriminate between hero, anti-hero, or villain. There's always moments to experience happiness with this creative team, but even now they know how to play with your emotions when nothing lasts forever.

How this story ended warmed my heart. Before this issue hit, there was many ways in which you could have assumed they had no plans for anyone making it out of this in one piece. However, there couldn't be these other books to look forward to if there wasn't something on Earth left to save. DCeased: Unkillables #3 was a roller coaster of emotions as we truly got to see what survival looks like right now. It's not easy, and it doesn't come without brave souls stepping up to the plate. This was a story worth telling, and honestly some others could take queues from a story like this that doesn't get lost in the violence.

As story and character driven as the first volume of Divinity. Divinity II #1 is the start of a new sci-fi saga that will rock the foundation of the Valiant Universe in a way they can't imagine when Valentina will possibly do all the things you know they fear Abram is capable of as pretty much a god.

Divinity II #2 wasted no time showing us what can be done to this world, and what can still be done to it when the mission for Myshka to bring Russia to glory takes a dramatic turn. And for the worst of the Valiant Universe. How do you truly stop a god fueled by rage? That is the question we look forward to being answered by the end.

Divinity II #3 is the most powerful issue of both volumes of Divinity. It feels like everything was leading to this moment where we not only can address what can go wrong when these powers are abused, but what happens when there is a full understanding of what these powers allow on a human level. For something so out of this world, Divinity is as down to Earth as they come and that pulls you in more than you could imagine.

Divinity II #4 was a great end to another chapter of Divinity. There is no other book worthy of recommendation as Divinity is. You care about the story, the characters, the world built through the artwork. You couldn't imagine any other way to have given the first story a sequel than how things played out here. Not to mention the subtle things which will lead into Divinity III. Probably what will be the most anticipated of the new books announced for Valiant's next wave of books.

Couldn't have asked for a better end to Jean Grey #11, and the solo series as a whole. This was one of those times where an alternate end was more than welcomed for someone who has grown on us so much as Young Jean. There was something I admired about her growth since Black Vortex, and she has been consistent with defying the odds ever since. Whatever the future holds for Jean Grey in the Marvel Universe, its good to have her around in a form that is self-aware of what makes her stronger than her past failings.

The end was to some extent satisfying, though not without some problems in wrapping this last installment up. The Prometheus: Life and Death One-Shot dared to ask questions which others were not bold enough to ask, and it takes us into battle where we do see what happens when capable people are put into what could be impossible odds. This creative team chose substance at the end and it was the smart move when this gave Life and Death the quality it needed to break from the mold of other stories in the AvP franchise.

Overall you felt the emotion not only from the pain that Barbara feels, but from the grim nature that she finds herself in when she confronts the Ventriloquist who shows how twisted she really is.

Where buttons have been pushed up to now, things are only going to get worse for Batgirl. While not good for her, story-wise this is great. This is the kind of situation you like to find her in. It's as they say, anyone in the Bat Family is at their most dangerous when backed against a wall. I believe that is what we will see very soon and even so it won't be a position Barbara finds comfortable to be in. The dark tone that the art gave off is what I really liked in this issue. Mainly that of the confrontation between Gordon and Batman, I feel that that specific part was drawn very well. Aside from that I enjoy the detail put into their emotions and expressions, that's what I expected to see from this issue.

This issue is one that shows you why Batgirl is one book you should be reading. If not for the story which Gail handles exceptionally well, but the art as well which I have come to appreciate. The coloring and inking very clean in the beginning and changed to match the situation Barbara and Ricky found themselves towards the end. This isn't even mentioning the beautiful cover art seen above.

Her narration is something that consistently sets the tone for this book. Even if it feels as though she's constantly talking to herself, you get an idea of how badly everything is effecting her, how her thoughts are so mixed with emotion and confusion. Made this a very believable situation that she finds herself in and that is why this was such an intense book to read. Momentum is still being cranked up and Gail Simone makes it certain that you can still expect so much more.

Overall Harbringer Wars has managed to deliver on being an intense story where no punches are pulled with Dysart. Clayton Henry and Pere Perez together on art just blows you away. Only adds to the atmosphere of the story which already has your full attention.

Overall it was very well handled and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome because I actually was losing hope that they'd make it out of this alive. Dysart really pushing you to the edge of your seat wondering what would go wrong because not much has really gone right for them. Even with the conflict over, you wonder what is in store for them next when this looks to be far from over.

In the end, seeing Clint and Barney Barton come to the realization that they are brothers and need each other was that last touch to make this a brilliant issue. We get that story where action isn't needed, and we can just see the hero for who he is. Clint is just a man, and it's what makes you relate to him in every way.

Between Alex Ross and Dennis Calero, the art remains consistent and their use of both inking and shading adds to that dark feeling that the story tries to portray. Adding to this is the specific coloring of each character that makes them pop out among everything else on the page and the detail put into them.

Again, between Alex Ross and Dennis Calero, the art remains consistent and their use of both inking and shading adds to that dark feeling that the story tries to portray.

This is a highly recommended book which is written brilliantly. This conclusion was so well executed and left you feeling like you are staring at real heroes. They don't need powers or gadgets, they just need the conviction to stand up for what they believe in. Visually this book is stunning as it's not too vivid, which is something that fits the style of the book. It gives that vibe that you could only get when your following the lives of someone who hides behind a mask which the artist Alex Ross portrayed very successfully. You actually feel like it takes place in 1938 and the faded backgrounds help add to that visualization. Not only this but the facial expressions and effects really add to making the characters believable in their reactions and when they're in combat. The combat itself are the highlight of the story because each have their own style and it does stick out very well because of Calero and Ross.

Through the events of Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1, we are now witnessing a hero on the rise. Well, a hero who was ready to redeem herself for a past of betrayal serving Lord Drakkon. The best takeaway from this story was seeing that there is a long-term plan for everything in these Power Rangers books. No one gets left behind, and this was the perfect way to make that statement.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Anniversary Special #1 is another one to have in your collection if you are enjoying the non-stop treat that is the Power Rangers across all periods of time and space.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Shattered Grid #1 brings the first Power Rangers comic book event to a close, and this is one for the history books. There was so much heart put into this story, and I couldn't help but smile, even if all I wanted to do was weep at what was inevitable for the fate of the multiverse by the end of this story.

The Last God #1, or The Last God: Book One of the Fellspyre Chronicles, is mind-blowing for only the first of twelve issues! How we experienced this last god and his army was the stuff of nightmares. There was not a single lie told that this was going to be bloody, or high fantasy, or horrific. It was all of those things and so much more. This is another fantasy story that takes the idea of heroes and throws it out of the window immediately, but at the same time they took that concept and twisted it. There is nothing about The Last God that is for the faint of heart, and that is the best way that I would describe it. So far I would call this the strongest debut from Black Label.

DC's dark fantasy epic hits a good stride through the events of The Last God #2. This was the best time to begin setting a pace for a story which takes place between two points in time. I'm glad that there is also a strong transition between the two which doesn't lose you along the way. There's madness in the present, but to understand that you must also know what happened in the past.

Like I said with the first issue, The Last God #12 The Last God: Book One of the Fellspyre Chronicles is mind-blowing, and it is a mind-blowing experience that will take your emotions for a spin. This was a quest, an adventure, and a tragedy I felt fortunate enough to follow all the way through. There should always be more books like this existing in the comic world.

Vision #7 continues to astound proving the kind of story you get when a creative team really is given this kind of room to make a story that will bring a tear to your eye, while making you cringe at what could happen next.

‘Little Better Than a Beast' is a masterpiece in the making. You can call this an over-exaggeration, but when you truly invest yourself in this story it takes you places you wish most mainstream comics would. Vision #8 is where moves against the Visions begin, and for better or for worse things will escalate more than they already have before.

Vision is the only Marvel book next to Weirdworld that can bring a tear to my eye. Vision #9 hit right where it hurt the most because the answer to what causes the Vision to lose it was not the answer you were prepared for. Again a masterpiece in the making because this is a family who has tried so hard to be normal and just when they were hanging by a thread it took a monumental loss to shatter that American dream.

By the end of Vision #10 I feel that I am left asking myself “Marvel why is this book so damn heartbreaking?”. Pardon my french I do say this in the best way possible, if people are talking about Vision then it is for how beautifully down to Earth this is. They are just like you and me, and it will be thrilling to see what happens when someone like Vision finds himself ready to look for justice for the sake of his family.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual#1 is worth your buy as an oversized anthology given depth to the world of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. 40 pages of new story and art that delivers everything that has made this a memorable experience reading since the comic franchise began.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2017 Annual #1 is one of the most memorable specials BOOM! has released so far. It's not about giving us stories branching off of something ongoing, it's about continuing to prove to us that this run of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers has much more to offer in storytelling that you won't get anywhere else.

Solar: Man Of The Atom #5 is fast paced and doesn't let up on the intensity from start to finish. Be it physical or verbal there is some conflict and it goes so much deeper than you would assume. Family issues aside there is a big picture to see and it's that they need to figure out how to save each other before the Universe tears them apart for their power.

There's no other way to say that Solar: Man of the Atom is a series that fans of superheroes should be reading. There is much wonder to what someone can do when they put their mind to. When given the power to change things and go that extra mile to make miracles happen with them. That is Solar: Man of the Atom, and that is Erica in a nutshell. We get to see her grow as a superhero. A journey you surely don't want to miss.

Solar: Man of The Atom #8 serves as the defining issue that really separates the kind of person Phil is and the type of hero Erica is by the ending analysis of Erica by the robot. Now all that is left to wonder from this issue is

Solar: Man of The Atom #8 is the end to another chapter in Erica's life as Solar which builds her up to be the hero she's always wanted to be since a child. This story is moving, inspirational, and I think a lot of us can look at her and see we have had that same fire in our hearts to strive for the impossible, all for the sake of what we think is right.

Solar: Man of The Atom #9 is a fresh start that gives Erica that opening to be the hero she wants to be on familiar grounds. She loves being a hero, though also wants to have a normal life. That is the kind of struggle we need to see, There is much to look forward to, much we don't know, and that is great moving forward having something to anticipate since the time between issues tends to feel fairly long.

Solar: Man of The Atom #10 slips on the superhero boot and cranks the intensity to 10 as the urgency to save the Earth has never been higher. What comes next will show us what the future has in store for this series when any screw up could easily be the end for our heroes.

Solar: Man of The Atom #11 continues to be a must read that no matter what comes next you can expect that the following issue will be better than the previous.

Aside from the slight feeling like we were thrown into the action of the issue fast, Solar: Man of The Atom #12 was as perfect as things could get for a finale. The way this issue ends gives you an idea that there could be more, and if there was, you'd want to see what the future holds for Erica now that she fully grasps the responsibility she has to the Earth and whatever next that will come her way.

Valkyrie: Jane Foster #1 feels like the start of something memorable, just like Mighty Thor. Right now, there is no one tearing down the walls to the mythos of iconic heroes better than Al Ewing and Jason Aaron. After reading this first issue? I put this book down understanding that we never knew Valkyrie as much as we should have!

Valkyrie: Jane Foster #2 introduced us to a new kind of god, and he unarguably gives most enemies that Jane has faced so far a run for their money. They definitely proved that Bullseye had the power to bring a god to their knees, and didn't waste the opportunity to show it. In only two issues, this creative team successfully found a way to bring this new hero to a boiling point. There was no better time than now to question where Jane Foster ends and Valkyrie begins.

You gotta hand it to this creative team, they have stood true to this story exploring the tug of war between life and death. Valkyrie: Jane Foster #4 took us straight into the next challenge, and so far hitting all the right notes for this warrior who is not ready for the death that is knocking at her door.

Credit where it is due that there is nothing about Valkyrie: Jane Foster so far that you could have predicted they would have done within these eight issues. This is a new experience all around. New situations, new problems, new team-ups, and even new destinations. I assumed that this would be a fairly tame story, and I'm glad that this assumption was proven wrong in the best of ways.

Already I can see Valkyrie: Jane Foster being one of the top books to hit shelves for Marvel. This is the kind of book you can appreciate when it takes a character you see one way, and reinvent the way you see that character. Valkyrie: Jane Foster #7 not only continued to accomplish that, but took that step further to explore a corner of the Marvel Universe that not many creatives are bold enough to journey into.

We've jumped from the death of Death to the death of Midgard. Yet this is just another day for Jane Foster as Valkyrie. So far Valkyrie: Jane Foster #8 started us off with a gripping introduction to this new story arc. The stakes have never been higher, and dangers which Valkyrie now face couldn't be more of a challenge. We are all going to want to see how she overcomes this one.

Again this was Valkyrie like you have never experienced the character before. Jane Foster consistency proves that there is something about this job that you should never underestimate, particularly when you are properly equipped for the task. Valkyrie: Jane Foster #9 was a mind-blowing experience for how she fought back against this infectious power, and how the end of one danger only made room for another much worse. This is not the book from Marvel to

The art was solid and had a dark tone which matched the end of the world tone of this story arc.

If anything the ending to this story sold it all. Guido doing the most humane thing he could as someone who lost his soul. He damned himself to be King of Hell, and just to save Monet. Someone who mocked him for having no soul, blamed him for things out of his control, and tried to kill him when she assumed he was her enemy. It was a great story arc from beginning to end, and you can only anticipate the fallout from these events. Rahne has to deal with her son's death, Monet has to deal with her resurrection, and we don't know if Jamie is back to normal.

Angel & Faith #10 is the end to another chapter in the lives of Angel and Faith which shows more growth for them as individuals, while also providing a little more purpose along the way. For Faith in particular as we await what the future has in store for her as she makes her way back to Magic Town.

Aquaman #25 was worth the wait t get into this new story arc, and to have one of the best artists you could ask for on a book like this. This is a familiar story with unique qualities to it. I will say it didn't quite feel like an anniversary issue, but that didn't stop it from being a great issue in general. Underworld should be worth seeing through to the end.

If you wanted action, heart, and the meaning of sacrifice, Aquaman #40 was the full package. Normally a story like this might be where they pull the plug on Atlantis on the surface, but I think we all walk away happy that this was not the case. At the end of the day this story served as a perfect representation of the human fear of foreign enemies. What do we do when something seems like it surpasses us in power? We unfortunately try to nuke it. There's your daily dose of reality in comic form.

Great start that shows that this story has a lot of potential. The Avengers is the book you pick up if you want something on a global scale to invest in. They do great with big sci-fi scenarios and have proven so up to this point. Read this for the scale of the books, quality of the writing, and the art is consistently phenomenal. You just hope that as this story progresses that neither Hickman or Nick Spencer lose what makes this stand out from the other Marvel NOW! titles.

Avengers World #15 throws down the gauntlet when the inverted/evil comes knocking on any and all doors of those who stand and stood in their way. Much needs to be addressed, though surely you want to see what these last-minute additions to the roster have to offer.

Avengers World #16 is everything you could have wanted and so much more when a great wrong has been made right. Nick Spencer and Frank J. Barbiere make a great team and made this story one of the most worthy of telling that is connected to the Axis event. I do have to admit I had my fears with the first part of this story, but that all took a full 180 with Avengers World #16 and that meant creating something memorable.

Avengers World #17 is perfect in so many ways. From the story to the art you feel the emotion pouring from thee two people as we find out how that baby came to be. Valentine's Day may have been last week, though if this issue came out before that day, surely this moment here would have made the list for Geeked Out Nation's most memorable romantic scenes.

Avengers World #18 continues to show how even being an Avengers title, you can pick up this series and enjoy it for the characters you like who are given the spotlight they haven't gotten before. This is a new Sunspot we are seeing molded and the next issue will show how far he is willing to go to make an impact on the fate of the world.

Avengers World #20 is another issue in a story progressively getting better with every question answered about what these Avengers have been up to during that skip in time. We're reaching an end soon, but it has been one heck of an adventure with characters that deserve those self-contained issues.

Avengers World #21 is a great end to the series with Namor Vs Thanos being unexpected, and thrilling. This series will seriously be missed because all you could ever ask for with a title like this is that balance between story and art, and yet the creative team for Avengers World gave us that and so much more no matter who was handling what.

This is definitely Cable like we have never seen him before. Up to this point I didn't think twice about this younger version of him, and yet this first issue breathes new life into what we were only seeing on the surface. Cable #1 is easy to get into, offers a new perspective on Krakoa, and provides excellent set-up for big developments coming for this island.

Overall, a solid issue of Cable for issue #2. While I may be for this younger Cable, I do think that they need to do a bit more with the story in the next issue to assure us that this book is worth our investment for more than the first arc.

Overall this is a great introduction for the X-Men as Cataclysm begins. A fight that probably is not their own they find themselves stuck in the middle. The only part of this story that might throw you off is how they end up where they are by the end of the issue. It does now connect the events unfolding now to Hunger, yet also leaves you with a lot of questions. Hopefully the next issue brings more clarity to their new situation, but that's not to say that this wasn't exciting as they fight for their lives against the Gah Lak Tus swarm.

In the end, the future of the X-Men and all mutantkind rested on Rogue's shoulder's and it brought out the best in her. To return home, a sacrifice hadt be made, and while you had an idea of who that may be, it did not change the impact it could have on you and the story. Overall this felt like a story of self-sacrifice and delivered on that from start to finish. This could possibly be the end for the Ultimate X-Men as a whole since there hasn't been any sign of a relaunch, but it was a story worth telling and following just to be given an ending like this. You would be missing out to dismiss this title for being a tie-in because it stands on it's own while giving us everything from these characters that they have to offer.

Champions Annual #1 was a worthwhile experience stepping into the shoes of Marvel's newest young hero. Amka Aliyak is a hero you are either newly getting to know, or getting to know better than you did before. A special supersized issue was the best use of time to flesh out the backstory of a character when the average issue can only offer so much to satisfy.

Well, that's one way to knock the big guy off of his throne! It's not often that you will see a king like Doom knocked down a peg like this, and you have to love it because that is never without some big plan that is set into motion that he can't power his way out of. Doctor Doom #1 was thrilling, personal, and still found room to be action-packed. As I said above, the book is worth it for the fresh experience that isn't Doom getting up to his normal shenanigans.

Through the events of Fallen Angels #1, we take a deeper exploration into what this age of peace means to the more battle-hardened. Certainly not a book that you want to just jump into without knowing what's going on in the mutant world currently, but it does manage to stand on its own if you can get past that.

What is destiny? If you thought this was going to be one of those stories, Henry Henry laughs in the face of that expectation. Fearscape #1 is a story of great opportunity given to the least deserving. One of the best debuts I've seen this year. How does a man like Henry play hero to a place like Fearscape? Is there truly weight to the words of a plagiarist? As the reader, you are almost left fearing for the wrong reasons, and that is a feeling we aren't privileged enough to experience from other stories of the like.

Overall, if you haven't been keeping up with the Guardians? There is no better time than now with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy #1 to jump back into the action. Again, this is the kind of book you can sink your teeth into because it goes that extra mile to add depth to your favorite heroes. They have established themselves as a family, while at the same time drawing that line in the sand between what they will sit out for, and what they will stand tall to protect. You couldn't ask for more than that. I hope this creative team drives this story through.

In just two issues, this book climbs to a must read of new Marvel books to release this year. Guardians of the Galaxy #2 pulled no punches with the reality of looking for war. Nothing is guaranteed between the difficulty you face, the challenges you will have to overcome, or the guarantee that everyone will make the return trip. Again, to say that the Guardians' first mission comes to a cataclysmic end is one heck of an understatement once you reach it yourself.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy #3 did not waste this opportunity to show how integral Peter was to the foundation of this family. The loss of someone like him changes everything, where the loss of a certain person to blame for the loss was not so much. It should be interesting to see what being a guardian now means when fighting for something other than the fate of the universe.

Overall, a solid issue that Guardians of the Galaxy #4 turned out to be. If I'm being honest, I did have my reservations about the direction that this book has been taking, but at the same time it is hard to deny that this is a new experience to indulge in.

I don't know if it's good to be bad, but Hellions #1 made the statement that it pays to keep your enemies close. This will be the Dawn of X book to look forward to if you want a story that is not only action-packed, but one that will keep you guessing at every turn. Nothing should ever be trusted to be straightforward when Mister Sinister is involved. Him or even this band of misfits thrown together.

If you were hesitant about the direction of the X-Books like me? Then House of X #1 might begin to ease your worries. It may be too soon to drop your guard until Powers of X comes out next week, but for now this feels like the start of something memorable in the X-Men's history. Without a doubt this is one of the strongest debuts for an X-Men book next to X-Men: Red. This is the time to genuinely fight the urges that past writers fell prey to. We need new, but we also need what makes the X-Men who they are at the core. This is them fighting the kind of fight that they should have long ago.

House of X #2 succeeded in giving us complete faith in Hickman's vision for the X-Men. As I said, the second issue always matters most. Big ideas require a strong follow through. That he did with a captivating story told over the span of lifetimes, and surprisingly through just one person. Who would have thought that it could be someone on the outside who could have such an impact on the fate of the mutants?

House of X #3 is another focused issue and I can't argue with the choice to show us what happened, or what happens when the X-Men make this move to stop the creation of Nimrod. Will this be the actual timeline played out? Or is what we're seeing right now what happens after Moira X brings the information to stop Nimrod to the X-Men? You never know when it comes to Hickman, but you definitely sit eager to find out how this ends, because it started off with one heck of a bang!

I'm not going to lie, this issue broke me. I was ready for a lot of things to happen, especially knowing that some part of this mission was going to be a disaster. However, nothing could have prepared us for how this mission was going to play out from start to finish. It began with a bang in House of X #3, and from there it was a slow snuffing of the lights till there was nothing left. With that said, I'm still ready for some sort of twist to this, but that doesn't change what has happened in this moment. You can't unsee your favorite X-Men going through an experience like this.

House of X #6 brings this revolutionary tale of Mutantkind's rise to a conclusion, and I couldn't be prouder of Marvel and this creative team taking the mutant problem seriously again. Survival is not just about facing extinction time and time again, it's also about the wonder in how you adapt to the world around you. This is the first time where you could say that the mutants genuinely adapted with all the resources and allies they have had to take advantage of for YEARS. I don't think I have ever felt this excited for what comes next in the X-Books. The Dawn of X-Men is going to be a line of books to look forward to!

Overall, this Annual is in every way as exciting as the main books. Tom Taylor has an excellent grasp on what makes Harley such a fun character that she can hold her own story. Smart, cynical, humorous, and now just as kick ass as those with powers thanks to that pill. This story is a testament to how amazing Taylor is as a writer and this story is a must read if you are a fan of the series. Both for the story and the art which Xermanico does astonishingly. Some things from a distance looked a bit lacking, but everything else in focus looks so real and alive.

By the end of King In Black #1, I would dare to say that this creative team made a believer out of me. This story so far not only changes everything you once knew about symbioses, it changes everything you thought you should fear from them too.

Be it a fan of Nailbiter or Hack/Slash, Nailbiter/Hack/Slash One-Shot is a story worth picking up for $4.99. Two favorite characters from both books meeting up for the first time and you just don't know what to expect. As a Nailbiter fan you might want to see how Warren meeting Cassie affects what he becomes later in life. And as a Hack/Slash fan you just want to see Cassie in action when you know she is bound to come into conflict with someone from Buckaroo. There just is no shortage of creative serial killers there, and that is what attracts her attention.

The way this issue was handled is just brilliant. Someone had pointed out earlier that they were disappointed because there hasn't been that “war” yet, but I don't think it's all to necessary to press towards rather than the journey to that point. This issue shows what can come out of this story internally because it's not just a fight about who was right, it's about fighting to stop something which is toying with who they are as people. It started with Superman, and now all three Justice League teams are at each others throats. It's a losing battle and right now we're just seeing how far they'll fall before it ends.

Rai #1 is an excellent book for anyone to pick up and enjoy. Exploring a man who's both a hero and a legend to all. Not only this but questioning his purpose as one. This is a series I want to love and hopefully I do with each passing issue because Rai is not a perfect character and you want to see how that plays into him handling this situation. If you don't pick this up because you aren't familiar with Rai, surely do so for the fact that Matt Kindt is a very capable writer.

Rat Queens is the book you should be reading if you want to see action. Entertaining from start to finish this book is very recommended as yet another book Image has debuted of high quality. This is a serious story that still has fun with it at the same time. All characters are likable and that much is reason to invest your time into such a tale of fantasy.

Rat Queens #7 is arguably one of the best, if not the best issue so far in the series. Characters have their time in the spotlight that gives us a better understanding of their pasts, some step up to the plate when action calls, and a lot of our questions about the plot are starting to unravel. Palisade is overrun with tentacle monsters, they now have an ally on their side with an innate knowledge of N'Rygoth, so from here it's all hands on deck to stop what could very well be their end.

The usual balance of action, humor, and small personal moments is still what makes Rat Queens a fun series. We have a new art team, though the story structure remains the same which is important going into the third volume.

Shadowman/Rae Sremmurd #1 at first I was skeptical about for what I didn't know about these two artists. Though by the end of the story I feel I would have missed out on a lot that is regrettable when a fan of the supernatural elements of this universe. Not to mention this crossover is satisfying if you want more Shadowman before March.

Though we do not know who the traitor is, we know what to expect when the main series follows up with this set up in June. That can easily wait when right now the most important thing we could ever get is a better understanding of our cast which should be much appreciated at this point in Sinestro's life span. Cullen Bunn knows what he wants from this series and it is good to see that he knows where and when to address things we need to know.

They didn't lie, this just might be the wildest incarnation of the Squad ever seen. Suicide Squad #1 is a strong departure from everything we once knew about the way this team worked. After so many iterations of the team, the feeling is good to finally have a creative team that is bold enough to give us something we have never seen before. It's a new frontier that should pay off s long as Tom Taylor continues digging into his bag of tricks to keep us at the edge of our seats.

All in all, if the first issue didn't get you? There is no doubt in my mind that this second issue will pull you in. Suicide Squad #2 reinforced everything that you love about this creative team being back in their element. This is a story that will keep you on your toes, make you gasp, and change everything you once knew about the way this team operates.

This is a book which keeps getting better and better. If you thought this was going to be too different from your average Suicide Squad book to jump in? Rest assured, you are investing in the same high-octane action, violence, and shock. Better yet, this is Suicide Squad which starts off on a better note than most with momentum and high stakes from the get-go. Suicide Squad #3 was a wake-up call as well that you should simply sit back and let this story unfold on its own. This creative team clearly has plans to flip the script on us when we least expect it.

Another exhilarating issue of Suicide Squad, though for different reasons than the usual. That is of course what you get from a creative team like this that knows how you give you a well-rounded story for an action book. Suicide Squad #4 was a good reminder that this Harley Quinn is not one to confuse with who she used to be outside of Task Force X. Nothing new to longtime readers, but leaning towards more substance goes a long way.

Never say you have anything to read from DC when you have a book like this ongoing. Suicide Squad #5 was exhilarating and everything which makes an issue of Suicide Squad perfect. If you thought you had this creative team's plans for the book figured out? Forget about it and just let them blow your mind, because it's only with a book like this where that is guaranteed!

The hunters were definitely hunted this week. Suicide Squad #6 did not disappoint one bit showing these guys what they have stepped into trying to take down the puppet master who's been pulling their strings. Not only that, but reminding these guys that this is a daring mission to accomplish in a world of heroes.

Some bonds just can't be broken. If there's one thing to love most about this run of Suicide Squad, it is the fact that this creative team chose genuine storytelling over everything which could have easily turned out superficial.

Overall, another standout issues of Suicide Squad as the final stretch of their mission is underway. They know their target, and they know what he wants. Though the best takeaway was without a doubt finally getting an origin story for Wink and The Aerie.

And just like that, this creative team broke the one rule of Suicide Squad that we hold sacred. Issue #9 went there, but made it a moment to remember. Though one death only leads to many more questions about what comes next, because a character like Deadshot as he is now, does not get offed without a proper response to the act.

If you haven't read this run of Suicide Squad? What are you waiting for!?

Sunstone Volume 2 is worth reading for every reason you picked up the first volume plus more. Digging into the personal lives of these characters has added layers which does way more for us than you'd imagine. Trust is a big part of their lives and pushing that button made it all the while what they experience when having to confront it head on. To question it and challenge it from here is what will take them the distance.

Survive! is the transition that the Ultimate Universe deserves and a great set-up up to the new titles we can expect to see soon. Especially from the All-New Ultimates that will possibly define what it is that the Ultimate Universe stands for. You could easily pass off this issue as something that you could skip and go straight into the new books. But you always want to know what led them to making those choices, what was going through their heads mentally and emotionally as they decided what was best for the world.

Overall, Swamp Thing – Futures End #1 was beautifully told and shines a bright light on everything you like about Swamp Thing as a hero. Enjoy it for the story, or enjoy it for the art, there's a lot to like about a story which gives you the best of Swamp Thing's world.

It was a great twist to see that behind the curtain of the city in which they stand prisoners, Hippotlyta's father, Ares was the real enemy. Disgraced an hiding away to enact his vengeance against the Amazons for killing his daughter. Again, motivations are what really drives this event and story. The art for this book as well might have been the best out of the whole series.

The art style is just astounding. Fully painted and is smooth yet vibrant. Even set in modern time Worley still makes it feel like a pulp story. On page five where the Shadow enters with his laugh, that was the highlight of this issue to me. That is something you always want to get right when dealing with The Shadow and the combined efforts of Liss and Worley made this happen. Seeing how the tone becomes so sinister and there is a mesh between red and black. The layout looks unique, and you can see the upgrade in technology using those large maps and computers. Just to point out you can even spot a “Spider” comic that one of the thugs is reading before confronted by The Shadow. Overall a great start and has a lot of potential to grab new readers. Definitely one I'd recommend for the story and art.

The Shadow Now is the Shadow like you've never seen him before. David Liss has put him in a position where he is really out of his element. A new world, new allies, and facing foes who are more prepared for him than he is for them. Colton Worley continues to amaze with his work on art. The painting makes every character look so real that you feel the emotion from them with every close up. You even see those subtle changes like when Batu or Kahn is using hypnosis.

The Shadow Now is surely the beginning of a battle between the greatest pulp hero and villain of all time. Both know each other well enough and that alone makes this just as much a fight to see who can out think the other and keep the other on their toes. Colton Worley yet continues to amaze with his work on art. I'd point out that the way this book is laid out works to its advantage being able to have these scenes move with ease and doesn't drag anything on more than it should. Keeps the pacing for those moments of action swift and intense. The way these characters look again is amazing as Worely is able to bring them to life.

In general this issue was all about putting the pieces into place, and then waiting to put them into play. This is a carefully constructed storyline which creates so much suspense as you wait for one side to do something bold. Neither Shiwan, Batu, The Shadow or Margo have any room for error or mistake and that much David Liss puts emphasis on as everyone is asking the same question, what's next? A question which is why this is the book that you want to be reading if you are a long time or new fan of The Shadow.

Things are reaching a boiling point in The Shadow Now #5 and what comes next will be that final showdown that we have waited for since the start of this book. Makes you almost wish this were an ongoing series considering that this is the kind of confrontation that you want from a hero and villain. One that goes beyond punching, and looks to actual tactics to claim victory. David Liss has made this a modern telling of The Shadow's story, but keeps everything that makes this pulp for those who are longtime fans of the character.

The Shadow Now #6 marks the final chapter of the Shadow's return, and it was one you would not forget. For a mini there was excellent pacing from start to finish with a clear end. That is what I want to see from a story like this and for me to wish this were the main title for The Shadow at the moment is quite the achievement. It's not every day that you will love a book with a pulp hero like The Shadow in modern times, but David Liss made it work.

The Valiant # 1 is a solid start that in the same capacity as Unity shows what can happen when a great force out there calls upon the need for greater heroes to rise to the occasions. Especially when an aged Gilad has pretty much had enough of failure that can now be avoided.

The Valiant #2 is making good time balancing out intense action scenes with much more character development than you would have initially expected from this series. You just hope that with everything going on that this can bring The Valiant to a satisfying end with no loose ends.

We only have one more issue left for The Valiant, though after an intense third act like this, you wonder just how they will close this and leave us satisfied. That isn't to say that isn't possible when there is much going on between Bloodshot and Kay that must be addressed above all considering the effect she has been able to have on him.

The Valiant #4 was brilliant from start to finish. It had a definite start, it had an ending with impact, and kept us glued in for everything in between. For as much action as we got in these four issues, there was just as much character development and focus which made us love a character most of us only just got introduced to.

The Wicked & The Divine #30 for the most part was a tame issue which is different for this book. Not a bad thing, though hopefully the next issue pushes their need to find Sakhmet, to get this machine rolling, or make us fear the great darkness again. Till then I guess you're just enjoying the everyday life of a god.

You ask and you receive right? Mind my language but shit happened and shit really hit the fan, or the floor if you want to be technical. The Wicked + The Divine #31 got some wheels turning and I almost wish I could take back my wants, because without a doubt you are going to have some tears rolling from readers who also didn't see this coming.

The Wicked + The Divine #32 will definitely leave some jaws on the floor for better or for worse. Nothing can truly be like it was before after what has happened here. I mean is there anything left to actually salvage from this period of reincarnation? Still some answers to unveil, but is it already too late? I don't know, though this exciting story is not done until its done.

The Wicked + The Divine #33 in one issue rocked your world and these characters' when everyone is seeing that nothing is as it seems. While this issue has shocked me, I'm also relieved that this wasn't your usual story arc conclusion for The Wicked + The Divine.

When everything right now is about getting answers, The Wicked & The Divine #34 does not disappoint in what it delivers. So much you wouldn't expect to learn through the events of this issue and they are proving that the sky is the limit in terms of what the past has to offer. Some might argue that the mystery of the past is best kept a mystery, but the things we know now you would never have learned in a different situation.

The Mothering Intervention so far has proven to be a major story arc. I can see why the events of this arc they took their time getting to. It has all been so well thought out and planned between the things we needed to know and when we needed to know them. The Wicked & The Divine #35 was a great example of one of those times with perfect execution. There was plenty we learned new about this game, the players, and other things about the cycle that were overlooked till now.

The Wicked & The Divine #36 gave us the best of both worlds through plot progression and exploration. What we got was something more revealing about the history of this game and that might give us something to talk about for a while considering how cold-blooded Ananke(?) really is.

The Wicked + The Divine #37 tied up one hell of a loose end that should take us further when this situation calls for all hands on deck. With Dio out, the Norns locked up, and others untrustworthy, there's little room left for the pettiness that would turn them against each other.

The Wicked & The Divine #39 was not at all the finale you thought it to be. I'm actually glad that this time around the creative team broke from the mold. This issue was excellent because it wasn't what we expected. It was so much more because exploration and discovery overshadowed everything else. That is how you capture the true beauty in this kind of fantasy.

This creative team's five-years-in-the-making conclusion has now been set into motion and they have our full attention. The Wicked & The Divine #40 really toys with your emotions when there is everything to lose. What does it mean to save the world? The people you care about most? It seems those are the two big questions to keep in mind knowing that the worst is still yet to come. I just hope that this will be an end that we are satisfied with for the pacing that has picked up once again.

Overall, The Wicked & The Divine #41 embraced a lot that was issues in the making. We have reached that point in the series where things are really happening on both sides. It's not the time for gods to still be figuring things out, now is the time for them to make real decisions about their futures. Particularly those who have something to still fight for.

When they said "We're actually going to do all this in an issue?", they really meant that they were going to do some things that will leave you with some obscenities running through your head. In the best of ways of course. The Wicked & The Divine #42 cut the middleman in so many ways, and in such a short amount of time. Most creative teams at this stage would get called out for things seeming rushed, but this was all excellently crafted from start to finish. This is a time where everyone has a choice to make, and moves to play. You were either going to see this through to the end or not.

Two more issues after this, and this tale comes to an end. The Wicked & The Divine #43 gave us the revelations we have been waiting for a long time now. Everything came full circle, while at the same time presenting us with the last of the obstacles that our cast of heroes should have to face before their stories end. That is if everyone makes it to that hopeful ending.

The Wicked & The Divine #44 was worth the wait for everything jaw-dropping experienced from these once-gods who find themselves faced with the real world again. The rules were different for them at a point, but now they are playing the same game of life that the rest of us do. And that comes with a strongest sense of acceptance and ownership to everything we do wrong and take advantage of.

It was hard saying goodbye to The Wicked & The Divine. This book felt like an experience with every new discovery, twist, the drama, the action, and the spectacle. You could have loved this book for so many reasons, yet what kept you coming back for more is that this creative team being able to rekindle your love in this with each passing issue. I think we all fell for this one hook, line, and sinker from the end of the debut release.

WWE: Then. Now. Forever.#1 lived up to the hype without a doubt by indeed capturing that versatility and diversity of WWE throughout its various eras. Overall best step to take in order for readers to want to anticipate that release of WWE #1 in January with no fear of BOOM! Studios doing this franchise justice.

For a Wolverine book, this is actually one I can say I want to follow. You can't say that for many books focused on him, but Jason Aaron managed to make this one more than just action. It's story driven and it pushes Wolverine into situations where he's out of his comfort zone. Who knows what the end to this issue will lead to, but just knowing that he will become Japan's most wanted can't be good for him. This is a great book to break into Marvel Infinite and makes you hopeful for whatever else they produce.

Aliens: Resistance #1 serves as a strong start for this next chapter in the lives of Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks. These are survivors on a mission, and that mission is the next craziest thing to taking on Xenomorphs. As I said above, it is a great feeling as an Aliens fan to know that there is always a plan for these characters that a team-up like this is possible.

Aliens: Resistance #2 gives us another solid issue for everything compelling about these characters and the fight that they are ready to see through to the end. If you didn't understand what was personally at stake for both Zula and Amanda, then you now have a better idea of that and what they are now joining forces to combat.

As a continuation of both Aliens: Defiance and the video game Alien: Isolation, and being the first comic in the franchises to serve as a direct sequel to a game, Aliens: Resistance was another thrilling chapter to the ever expanding adventure in this universe. You couldn't have asked for two better leads, or two follow one of the most ambitious attempts to put an end to the twisted use of the Xenomorphs by a corrupt corporation. I do hope that this isn't the last we see of these characters and characters like them.

Amazing X-Men Annual #1 is the Storm focused story that fans deserved. Not the greatest, but it captured everything you like about Storm and the progress she's made up to this very point. If there was any reason to say that she was one of the most powerful members of the X-Men, Nero certainly made that certain.

Britannia #1 is another new story that was worth the wait. This creative team is engaging with the story of a Detectioner who has gotten much more than he bargained for. You want that next issue just to see what this one man can accomplish being groomed for just this very task and role in the world.

Britannia #2 dives deeper into this mental thriller giving us more investment in a world where you don't really expect to expect the unexpected. Solid and steady progression in the story and even better character development all the way through.

Like any of the other stories Valiant has created for us recently, Britannia became another must read as one you don't want to underestimate for the things unknown. You hold tight to the unexpected, the unpredictability, and the fun in a journey where the destination is only as good as the obstacles that get you there. The way Britannia ends it seems like they have plans for this story to see another volume, and to that I would say bring on the next big case for Antonius the Detectioner.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #1 was everything that you could have hoped for it to be. This was a welcome back into Buffy and the Scoobies world, and it warms the heart to see how growing up has really defined who they have become. Now normally things dealing with time travel wouldn't interest me, but this here is what you can produce when the plot is done right in a supernatural world.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #2 was a roller coaster of emotions as these heroes are faced with what they know happens and what they are willing to do to defy destiny. By the end of this issue I found much more comfort in how this creative team aims to handle the theme of time.

Through the events of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #3, it seems that destiny is not written in stone, but was it the twist you were prepared for? That is what shook up a story that really would have played into the concept of fate a little strong if this issue ended any other way. I'm glad that they found such a crushing way to keep readers on their toes. I'm sure that there is no one who isn't dying after putting this issue down to see what comes next.

By the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #4, I felt like I was ready to put the book down and say I'm hyped for the new show. This final season was the perfect love letter to fans and this series. To see the way they have grown, fought for each other, fought for a better future. A true coming of age story that challenged what it is like connecting to a world that you're either prepared for, or have to adjust to. The supernatural world is a doozie, but so is the real world, and who couldn't forget every moment where we could relate to their hurdles.

With Colder: Toss The Bones #2, that someone who is sitting in your home, unseen, grinning a gap-toothed smile, and waiting to feast stole the show once again. This new volume has been memorable because they brought back a character who is memorable with everything he does and says.

Colder: Toss The Bones #3 shows exactly what happens when Nimble Jack becomes your roommate. His currency is not the kind of rent one would look for, and not for the trouble he brings with him. He may have spent most of this time toying with them, but it seems now that they really have something to fear from Jack now that they are aware of his plans till its time for his meal.

Colder: Toss The Bones #4 was another thrilling issue that sets us up for the final showdown. Reece and Declan have come a long way to lose to someone like Nimble Jack. This issue emphasized how far they are willing to go to prove it.

The conclusion to Colder: Toss the Bones was everything you could have wanted from what this series delivers, and for what note it leaves us on to make us hope that there is more to come after.

D4VE2 # 1 is a good start to this new mini series. Easy to follow after the time gap of a year, and just as easy for a new reader to just pick up from here from the recap we get of past events. Great character development, humor, and twist that will really shake up the story.

D4VE2 #2 is another fun issue which continues to capture the normal lives that these robots live. That they try to live. And how two visitors can change everything for the direction of this series moving forward.

D4VE2 #3 really does hit you with a surprise by the end of the issue that changes everything. With everything that has gone right and wrong, now D4VE is faced with the opportunity to change it all hopefully for the better.

D4VE2 #4 overall really toyed with our emotions. Many times teasing endings that really could have crushed us, but at the very end giving us one that for the first time in a while isn't completely heartbreaking. Any who are fans of D4VE should surely hope that there is more to come. This was not the title to sleep because as a mini series it delivers what most ongoings take more issues to.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 is that kind of book that you would recommend to readers who want superhero stories where the importance of the hero is what's behind the mask. Fixing damages, carrying your groceries, or just being a friendly neighbor matters. This creative team gets that, and I can't wait to see more of what this Spidey has to offer the people who surround him.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2 was another thrilling issue for the steps we are taking in the life of this Peter Parker. He's at that point in his life where everything is pretty much easier said than done.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is really living up to the mission statement so far. This rescue for Leilani may have exploded into something big, but all the same this is the lengths that you would expect Spider-Man to go for a fellow neighbor. Not to mention, the introduction of The Rumor has been worth it. A great reminder that age does not change how badass an older hero can be.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #6 to me turned out to be one of the most memorable issues of Spider-Man we have gotten in a long time. The past two issues have been the most memorable. It is so very important to realize the kind of stories you can produce when your focus is always substance over style. I don't think I'm being too bold when I say that this book redefines what it means to be a superhero.

Not all superheroes wear capes! An issue like this is exactly what we needed to send a remind that this IS the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. A Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man looks out for his community and the little people, and the people look out for each other as well.

The World's Worst Detective indeed! Though in the best way possible of course! Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #8 was another exciting issue for everything that it turned out to be that was very down to Earth. Another issues reminding us of the strength in storytelling that you can get from a book that captures the impact you can have by just being a neighborhood hero.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #9 is all about The Rumor, and it was a story worth telling for a secret past you would never have known like this without her help. Things got a little more interesting for those who thought that Marnie was just your average person who woke up one day to discover she has powers. Her story was rich with history, culture, and twists as we also came to understand Hellminth in the process.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #10 brings us to the end of the second arc, and what an ending it was. I loved how endearing this book has been so far. Never once letting us forget what it really means to be a superhero. That means looking for the best solution to a problem that doesn't always have to be fighting, seeing the best in everyone, and showing people that you can be more than your failings. And Spider-Man of all heroes should know how to overcome that.

What can I say? Welcome back Mary Jane. It was nice to spend some time with our Friendly Neighborhood Mary Jane this week. As I said above, what makes a hero is what you do that makes a difference in someone else's life. It can be as simple as making sure someone is taking care of themself, or showing someone that there is more to their situation than what it looks like on the surface. Simple acts of love and kindness go a long way which again makes Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man one of the most real Marvel books on shelves right now.

Whatever comes next I hope that it doesn't lose the momentum that Ghost has been building up on. The truth about who Elisa is becomes clearer with each passing issue and I would be sorely disappointed if the progress made towards that isn't something I can say was worth me investing my time into taking interest in. The next issue should definitely address what it is that Ghost will lose in the process of doing what is necessary for her to find out who she was.

Through this issue of Ghost we now see what set the wheels in motion for Elisa to become the hero she is today. It may not be the greatest start, but there is something genuine about it that you just can't ignore. Kelly Sue made this fun, sad, and as down to Earth as it could possibly be for someone like Ghost. You couldn't possibly mix all those elements together so well and yet she does. With any issue of Ghost that comes after this, seeing that kind of character development is something which this series could use more of.

Ghost #5 has a good start so far. There might be a little more dialogue than I'd like from Ghost thinking to herself as she acts, but it's nothing too distracting from a worthwhile story. Chris Sebela brings about some new potential for Ghost, we just have to see if he can make those executions to keep us coming back for more.

Ghost #6 treads on new territory that brings some much-needed depth to Elisa. It's very easy to write a character who can phase through anything she wants, but it takes a lot more effort to throw something at her which challenges what she's capable of. There was always a fear that Ghost could beat anyone who wasn't also a Ghost, but with this issue those fears have been laid to rest and replaced with interest to see how she makes a comeback with tact.

Ghost #7 is a step in the right direction challenging Elisa's humanity when those who want her head have all but thrown theirs away for power. Tough choices she will definitely have to make and you want to see what consequences those will have for her when we've already seen some less than sane actions just in this issue.

There's so much to say about this story arc considering all that Elisa has been through, but all you need to know is that she's not the woman to mess with. Elisa is still vulnerable sure, but now you can see how different she is and will be now that there is an acceptance of what she has become. Her future is still a mystery, though the present holds answers that makes us want to see what that future has in store for us.

Ghost #9 is the start of a fight that's more down to Earth for our supernatural wonder. Punching demons in the face is one thing, but there's so much more that can happen and influence this world when Elisa wants to take the fight to the streets and make a real difference in people's lives.

Ghost #10 ends with Elisa's war on crime in Chicago is attracting the interests of the city's powerful, and a question of if it is possible for Elisa to push forth with this war on crime without losing close ones along the way.

Ghost #11 is the start of something big or something dark for Elisa. There's revenge to be had and you'd pray for these guys who decided they wanted to send a message to her. Elisa got it loud and clear, but so did Ghost.

Ghost #12 wraps up another chapter in Elisa's life worth exploration. She's growing as a person, figuring out her place in a world where there is always a fight around the corner, and trying to live up to someone who saw something to admire in what Elisa is capable of.

This is a great first issue for GoGetters. You know what to expect from this book and it doesn't fail to give you a taste of that from start to finish. Maya Diaz and George Harrison have a dynamic that you don't get much of in other books. Sure others may do what they do with more finesse, but the recklessness of it all is what sets it apart. You surely won't find a dull moment when they don't seem like the type to sit back and relax knowing there's money to be made.

The original creative team of Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans is what this #0 issue needed and deserved knowing what comes next. The story is deep, it's told in an interesting manner, and it looks great. We know the psiots are going to war, and everything that has happened up to this point is all for the approaching conflict. The stage has been set now and still leaves much room to be surprised as now that we know the whereabouts of the Bleeding Monk, the next question is what comes next?

All in all it's entertaining to see how this team handles the situation when they face someone well out of their league. You can see their inexperience throughout the whole issue as some of them still do not know the extent of their powers while caused either failures or slight loss of control. I like the bold use of colors, along with their use of lights and shadows even though it can be more consistent. This is a dire situation which should hopefully bring out the best in everyone.

Overall it was a great issue, and even better highlighting what I might say is the best of Faith. You really wouldn't expect so much of her given her powers compared to the rest but she really stood out.

No words can really explain how you'd feel after reading this issue. The happiness was there, the emotion, the heartbreak, the shock. You just could not have seen this coming when you initially picked up this issue. Whatever this leads to, you will find yourself engaged in the story because if Joshua has not gotten your attention with that last act, you have to question if you have a soul. If you aren't reading this book right now, you are seriously missing out.

Great issue that is leading towards something interesting from this group. Nothing is as it really seems and what you want to see is how the can overcome something they never saw coming. Well one person has, but we'll see if things go their way because that is something you don't want to trick yourself into thinking at any point.

This untold story was one worth telling. Not only to fill in missing gaps in this story, but give us a better understanding of what is going on at this moment. Everyone is being affected by the events occurring right now and that is the world which has been shaping around them since the start. Much to look forward to as the story continues to change hands. What are Harada's plans for Peter? That's something only time will tell.

Overall there's some interesting progress made here. This is considering how the last issue ended with Monica who still holds importance to their escape from this illusion. The Perfect Day is coming to an end and when the dark truth behind it is revealed, the Foundation just might realize they got more than they bargained for. The only part of this issue that was really lacking was the style used to portray the world Harada created for Peter. Just didn't look all too appealing throughout, was more inconsistent compared to the other half which was well done.

Overall I think that what Dysart has done is ever so slightly push the buttons of the Renegades up to this point. I like it because you see that no matter how far they run, Harada is always going to try to find them and all hell breaks loose for them when that happens. They have been pushed to the point where there is no turning back. From the looks of it they will be taking the fight to Harada obviously and when they do, not only will Peter undertake the mental battle of his life, the Renegades will also be throwing themselves into a conflict that could easily decide their fate. All that aside the ending to this issue is one that makes you feel a bit emotional, just a little bit to realize what Harada as put everyone through whether enemy, or ally because of his actions as of late.

This issue shows us just how fun of a book Harbinger can be because it mirrors a real world. Now we will see what happens in a world where the idea of superpowers is revealed and Harada's back is against the wall to not only make good of the situation, but keep his secrets hidden for the sake of his foundation and those involved. If there was any reason to pick up this book, it would be to see how this group of misfits fair when the odds are finally in their favor.

This issue brought things down to Earth in a way that makes you find the real importance in this story. A lot more characterization put into place between these characters that shows where their head is at as they prepare to make their move. This is the best time to get into Harbinger knowing that the lid is about to be blown clean off the existence of psiots.

Harbinger #22 is where things get real and I finished this issue wanting to know what comes next. Truthfully I was put off from the fact that it was announced so early that a Renegade would die, but actually reading this issue I forgot any of that frustration and my mind is set on finding out who will bite the dust. With something this big you have to hope that the delivery of that death is one memorable and do that character justice. We have stuck with this same cast from the start and it would be depressing to lose one for the sake of having a major death.

Harbinger #23 is a roller-coaster of emotions that leaves you hurt that you are losing a character who has been with you since the start, and yet satisfied by how that Renegade's death was handled. After this issue anything goes for all who are left in this fight. I really wish there was something I could say that could have gone better, though if I'm being honest with myself it's just not possible.

Harbinger #24 is an end to the conflict which it deserved. You couldn't have asked for a better way to be left as we head into new territory for the world of Harbinger. Joshua Dysart makes you care about these characters, everything good and bad which happens to them throughout. If you felt nothing after reading this, it's hard to say it was a problem with the story or art. Whatever comes next after this is something to really look forward to.

Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans truly delivered a devastating climax to the second year of Harbinger that any fan could have wanted. This is the most down to Earth series in Valiant and it's hard to argue why when these care characters you connect with and go through things that many of us do or have. Matt Kindt gives us a reason to care about these characters, the plot, and surely set the foundation for many things to happen involving the Harbingers in the future.

Great start to Infinity and this is one book worth picking up regardless of you views of Marvel events. You're definitely missing out if your someone who enjoys the Avengers title. It has the same feel, and the artistic nature carries over into this book which is a plus to me. Do yourself a favor and add this to your list if you haven't already.

Shocking twist to the end of this issue and certainly a game changer. When you thought Thanos' motivations were clear, you are hit with something which puts the plot into perspective. This is what Hickman does and it is what he does best. Adding layers just when you think you know everything and what's to come next.

Hickman, Opena, and Weaver delivered again as a cohesive team. Even though there are more artists involved than Opena and Weaver, they all are able to bring something to the table which makes this event look so stunning in visuals. It's cohesive and it has remained consistent throughout which is all that you could ask from a creative team of artists. You have that tone, galactic atmosphere, dark feel from their urgency, and best of all the handling of the characters anatomies which is most detailed.

This was an astounding issue of Infinity that turns the tide of the war. Time after time Hickman delivers on those moments that really stand out and those last few pages of this issue are enough to make you want more, the next issue could not come any sooner.

The fight isn't over yet, and there's one more world that needs saving. Earth has been the reason for everything going on and it ends with Earth and keeping Thanos from having his way with both his son and the world. Now both stories between Avengers and New Avengers collide and it is what we've been waiting for all this time considering they are fighting for the same reasons. I mean there could be a little more focus on the New Avenger's side of the story, but that is what remains of this epic tale. Aside from this the collaboration between Jerome Opena and Dustin Weaver consistently is on point and captures what makes this event so great.

Magneto number one is certainly not a book for the light-hearted and I assure you that if you aren't, this is one of the best stories you will ever pick up to date centered around him. I mean if this is just Magneto cutting loose, I'd hate to see what happens when he faces a threat that truly calls for everything he has in his arsenal. Cullen Bunn knows what he's doing with Magneto and I have faith that he can find a way to keep the same tone while exploring this inner struggle he's dealing with at the same time.

Does No One Left to Fight #1 live up to the hype? It really does! I felt like I was reading a manga, which is an experience in comic form that you should never pass up. This story so far takes everything you love about Dragon Ball and other fight manga, and goes wild with it. With the added bonus of course of showing you things that the other stories aren't willing to go all in with. Exploring regret, resentment, and growing older will be the driving force of this story when the entertainment value keeps you coming back for more.

While the first issue was a fun introduction into the world of No One Left to Fight, this second issue was a solid transition from it for the engagement that we got out of this trio. We know that this trip is not going to be a walk in the park for any of them. Ghosts of the past whether friendly or not can become a problem for them, and it can be anything as simple as leaving things on the wrong note.

This was another fun issue of No One Left to Fight, but there was no denying how this creative team pulled no punches putting us through the ringer with the emotional elements to this story. Before I said that you see that they were also having fun with this, though at the same time now you can see how they also pour their hearts into the book. They care about the growth of these characters and right now it shows through every flip of the page.

There may have been no one left to fight when this book began, but surely no one assumed that this book would actually go five issues without an actual fight? No One Left to Fight #4 struck an excellent balance between being character driven and setting things up for big finish. I for one am eager for what comes next because you know that this creative team is saving their best work for last.

By the end of this final issue, I wasn't telling myself this was the book I always wanted. I was telling myself that this is the book I wanted more of, because the truth is that it's never truly the end for a book like this if enough readers are behind it. Not when they even ended this on a note which makes you want to see what comes next. There was someone left to fight, and it was a fight worth waiting for. What we got here? This is what readers should expect from an issue-length brawl in a comic, because when you commit to that? You go all in! It was the kind of fight you want this creative team to be able to give to us again. That on top of a story which challenges everything that makes up your average fight manga.

Phoenix Resurrection: Return Jean Grey #3 starts to give us some answers and that is all you can ask for when following the madness that is the Phoenix returning. Overall this story is unpredictable which is a step up from most stories where someone is coming back to life. Needless to say they were already on the right track since by all accounts Jean is already alive.

Phoenix Resurrection: The Return Of Jean Grey #4 is where even for one issue this felt like an actual X-Men book. There was a sense of danger in every direction, and sometimes the best thing about the X-Men books was the constant fear for what dangers lurk around the corner. When that danger is the Phoenix, anything goes. Nightmares and daydreams did in fact spill over into the world, revealing mind-bending cracks in this reality to both Jean and the X-Men. The next issue is where all cards should be laid on the table, and hopefully they make all of this build-up worth the investment put into this story.

Did Phoenix Resurrection: Return Jean Grey #5 make this search for Jean worth it? It damn well did. Some writers out there can take a few pointers on how to bring a hero back to life. This was a beautiful story told where they could finally break the cycle for Jean after so many years. Habits can kill, and they did time after time because Jean never confronted the Phoenix on this level. Whatever the future holds for Jean after this story, it is good to know that she moves forward with acknowledgment of everything that was, everything that she lost, and everything that she has to live for.

Very solid introduction from Skyman bringing him back into a forefront of the superhero world. The Skyman Program needed a new face for their initiative and this is a character that you can attach yourself to. Not out of sympathy or pity, but out of the fact that he has never been exposed to anything like this and would have never imagined to. H e is a very likable character and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a hero who may be used as a symbol, but still is more than just that.

In the end this is how you set a new hero on their path. There will be obvious consequences along the way, but for Reid that makes this that much more exciting. While there is progress in this story, there is more focus on Reid as a person and that balance is what makes this a solid story to jump into from Dark Horse's superhero line. I'd definitely want to see what happens in the next issue when he runs into Captain Midnight knowing that both are soldiers.

Overall Skyman #3 ends giving us the hero we want to see in Eric. He now has a hero to match himself with that can show him what it really means to do what is right. Eric knows he's doing the right thing, but in a world like this you need someone else who can validate that. This was that case, and what we got from it is something you don't want to miss considering they both crossed the wrong people. The next issue you definitely want to pick up if not only to know what this threat they face is capable of.

So Skyman comes to an end for now, a story worth telling in my opinion. They tried to make the perfect weapon, but they got a hero instead. That is the selling point and I love how this series has taken that concept and built upon it to such an extent. At the end of this issue you would want to see where Skyman ends up next in Dark Horse's world.

Mighty Thor #6 is a fun little story told that doesn't feel like filler as some might look at it. This is a Loki people want to see explained and so far does not disappointed by the example he is trying to make about what he can do for the people he allies with.

Again The Mighty Thor #7 serves as a solid set up for something that should escalate events more than they already have. This was definitely the smart play to cement Loki on this path he has chosen.

The Mighty Thor #8 had a great start to a new arc. What came before was a story of necessity that we haven't quite seen the payoff to yet, but what is going on right now is where you would rather be at diving back into the main storyline.

Mighty Thor #14 is where the true fight begins. Someone had to make the move that would get this war started and luckily it was our heroes doing what they do best. For better or for worse you want to see how the rest of the realms will prepare for themselves for the inevitable.

The Mighty Thor #15 pulls you into the ‘Asgard/Shi'ar War' effortlessly. This is the best time to be reading Thor if you haven't been following events up to this point. It feels like there may be a different war we are preparing for and you definitely want to see where this goes during such a critical time for the Ten Realms.

We have seen some madness in throughout the War of The Ten Realms, but The Mighty Thor #703 proved that things could always be worse. Asgardia thought they could turn a blind eye to the chaos around them, and that decision right there is what brought this nightmare to their doorstep. Any reader will want to see what comes next, but that will not come without fear of what else and who else can be lost to the Mangog.

The beauty of Jane Foster could not have been captured any better, and neither could the pain of what it means to sacrifice everything to stick to your guns as a hero. The Mighty Thor #704 is the issue that takes us on the road to The Death of The Mighty Thor, and its hard to say if you want to shed a tear or cheer.

The Mighty Thor #705 cements this series as the longest running quality book that Marvel has released since the first wave of Marvel NOW! titles. I don't think there was ever a time where I felt that I didn't look forward to the next issue or story arc. Whether it was Odinson or Jane Foster the story was powerful, and the emotions weighed heavily. This final act as Thor was enough to make you choke up because that is what it means to sacrifice yourself for the something more than yourself.

So with that said, I will also urge readers to stay tuned for Mighty Thor: At The Gates of Valhalla #1, because if you don't understand what's in the realm of possibility for Thor after this, it's because you missed out once again!

The story doesn't do anything big as an introduction which may be a reason to question if it's something to invest your time in, though if you want a story that takes advantage of the mixed elements of a superhero and horror story this is for you. Give it a try and you won't regret it.

This was a solid issue that really just shows the stress that being the Occultist has had on Rob and what he is willing to do to relieve himself of it. Even to go so far as do what these students are doing knowing good well that everything about it is wrong. Just another day in the life of Rob Bailey and a lot of this is supposed to be personal exploration along with the progression of harnessing this new power.

Another solid issue that throws Rob into a situation that he could not imagine the consequences to. They said bear witness as Robert Bailey breaks the ancient pact between the living and the dead, and that moment when it happens had great execution. This isn't just another day in the life of Rob Bailey, right now we see some sense of urgency to stop him before he does something he may soon regret and the cliffhanger at the end is a great way to keep us guessing about what is to come next.

Overall this issue displays the strongest part of this book, and that is the fact that there is a lot of personal growth. There is a clear progression that Tim shows as Rob is beginning to accept who he is to overcome being that classic accidental hero. No longer is he that victim of circumstance seeing how he understands the responsibility that has been placed on him by the Sword. The dialogue is so well done for Rob having notice that there is more authority in his voice as to an extent he's grown up from this experience. He may not have asked for it, but as someone chose he has something to prove. Where this takes us next issue is unsure, but it will be something hopefully just as defining to who he might become which says a lot when this is issue four of five. For a new series and pseudo-supernatural hero, The Occultist is one you must read that this year produced.

Overall this was a great conclusion to a book which brought about a hero who has a lot to offer in the world Dark Horse is building. The Grim Reaper so to speak and that enough reason to take interest in Rob who has a long way to go now that he knows what his role is in the world. For five issues Tim Seeley didn't waste time developing Rob as a character who was a hero of circumstance, putting that and his relationship with other character above over the top action. You want to read this because The Occultist is a thrilling supernatural take on super-heroics, as heroic as it can get.

Thor #1 was an excellent start to a new series which did a great job of picking up from where Mighty Thor ended. This creative team met us halfway between delivering a story that progresses, and has a draw-in to new readers who want to see what it is like when the gods are not living a life of fortune.

This issue right here probably gave us one of the most heartfelt conclusions to an event that we have ever gotten in a while. Thor #16 wrapped this event up perfectly, addressed where the gods go from here, and what to expect next in Jason Aaron's final story to come. It wasn't too surprising to see where they were going with it, but it has been a long time coming. It would be madness to not want to see what happens as King Thor takes on this final foe.

In the end it is a progressive issue that finally put all three Thor's together and sets them up for the final fight against Gorr.

When it comes to this very issue the art sold every moment. From the expressions from each character, to the dramatic effects added to make it feel like 4 gods are actually clashing with one another.

This was a truly powerful issue which has shown what we do love most about not only Thor, but his lore as well. What we love is that even when he seems defeated, he will come back. Sounds cliche, yet handled correctly like this very moment and it makes all the difference. This is a tale of gods which I find to be very memorable and the cliff hanger it ended on was a great one knowing that the next issue is the conclusion.

The narration throughout this entire arc has been nothing but breathtaking. Some might say it was not necessary or it took away from the story, but it never really did. It gave every moment importance, as if . The layout and the art was just spectacular. Esad Ribic was meant to be the artist for this book because I felt as if I was actually reading a Norse tale.

I can only hope to see more stories about Thor in this tone. Not sure if something like this could be consistent, but it's something you appreciate when he's not out there bashing skulls with his hammer. Gods are gods, but seeing what makes them like every other being in existence is enlightening. Normally after something as big as a 10 which the conclusion to GodBomb was, you'd expect something weaker, but this still gets to you. This is another reason why Thor God of Thunder should be on your pull list

This was an excellent start to a new story and The Accursed shows potential to be just as memorable if not more than the previous story arc. Polished style, handle of gore, and the overall historic feel that makes this feel as though it's an epic tale.

This will be another book to remember as it has started strong and continues to astound with how few punches Jason Aaron doesn't pull. Ride till Malekith is dead, or they are, that much is enough to describe what we can expect from the rest of this story. He has committed the most atrocious crimes and will answer for them. There's so much potential for this story and we are only on the second part. Thor God of Thunder remains the must read book for Marvel NOW! and is one you are recommended to read even if you aren't the biggest fan of Thor.

A solid issue of Thor God of Thunder. Being the third part there has been a lot of progress since the League of Realms formed. You have to appreciate that Jason Aaron has not dragged on this chase for Malekith to the point where this becomes folly. The confrontation between them is inevitable and hopefully the next issue pushes a bit further to see one side actually start to take control of this fight. The League has suffered one loss, tragic, but very well may be the kick they need to really start to work together when not drunk.

X-Men: Red #1 is everything an X-fan could want and more from a new series. I'm sure there are plenty of readers out there skeptical that we might be getting one too many X-books, but this issue proves that there is nothing to fear when there are stories to be told, and all it takes is a bold creative team to tell it. This Jean Grey finally sees the world without the corruption of the Phoenix, and now is her time to show that she can make an impact with a new outlook and perspective on life.

Overall X-Men: Red #2 was another solid issue that chooses substance over style. This creative team continues to deliver more of what separates this one from other X-books on shelves which is more important than you think with so many ongoing currently and still to come.

X-Men: Red is not the X-Book to sleep on if you are looking for a story that changes the game. This is a team that has learned from experience, and working towards peace without falling to what would be predictable for those who don't know HOW to take action.

X-Men: Red #6 did not disappoint one bit. X-Men are supposed to fix problems, not slap a banda-aid on it and move to the next one. This team is what you get when the dream is fought for correctly.

Time and time again, X-Men: Red proves to be the star of the X-Books ongoing currently. This story has all the heart of the mutants who are truly trying to fight against hate in the most ingenious ways. It's never going to be easy, and there will always be obstacles, but this is what it means to look for peace without falling to violent tactics. I haven't felt this uplifted by an X-Men story in a long time, and that is a crime honestly.

X-Men: Red #8 was an issue I honestly had to read twice. Not because there was anything I missed or misunderstood, but because this was such a brilliant climax to everything this series has been built towards so far. Their objectives mattered, their sacrifice, their bravery, and their trust in each other to do what it took without crossing a line. This could only be matched with the right villain to push all the right buttons. Cassandra continued to be one of the most despicable villains in the X-Books till the very end.

I like to be wrong. I was very wrong when I thought initially that nothing could top the events of the previous issue of X-Men: Red. It was a great feeling knowing that Tom Taylor knows how to hit you with a heavy story that genuinely represents what it means to fight for the future of a group of people. Why hasn't this guy been writing more of the X-Men stories?

X-Men: Red #10 was another masterpiece of an issue for this series. It is moving to see an X-Men book where there is another option to saving the world and mutants where you don't have to either become like Xavier or Magneto. They aren't the only figureheads to aspire to become. Jean represents option C and does it marvelously. The rules did not really change for Jean, not when her rules involved breaking the one rules that has honestly up to this point has set mutants back.

X-Men: Red #11 has been a ride that you wish never stopped. I remember when Cassandra Nova popped up as the villain and I was wary of what this could turn into using an old foe. Never more was I happy to be wrong about the way I felt. This was X-Men storytelling at its best when the fight for peace took on a whole new meaning. No twists, or need for shock value. Just a reflection of the kind of world we fight for today. It's never easy, and its hard not to make compromises, but someone has to take that stand for things to be better.

So with X-O Manowar: Commander Trill #0, Commander Trill now finds himself amongst the ranks of Toyo Harada, Master Darque and Dr. Silk as Valiant's greatest villains whose story has now been told.

X-O Manowar Valiant 25th Anniversary Special #1 is a book that all fans of Valiant should pick up because this is a big part of this series' history revealed, and in such a beautiful way.

Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 stands on its own as one focused on Bloodshot, while having a smooth transition from Armor Hunters. Joe Harris has a good grasp on what makes Bloodshot tick and wastes no time making sure there is progression without losing us to what can be covered in the other books tying into this event. As a mini series this is worth picking up if you are either a fan of Bloodshot or just want to know all that goes on in Armor Hunters without missing details.

Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #2 gave us a little bit of story, and a whole lot of action. Joe Harris brings out the best in these characters while showing what they are capable of when the pressure is on. We'll see what happens next as Bloodshot's far from done, these feels like only a taste of what Bloodshot has to offer the world and M.E.R.O..

Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #3 is a tie-in worth picking up because if you're invested in the Valiant Universe, then you want to know what is happening in every corner of the world. What happens in this issue has great relevance towards that upcoming final issue of Armor Hunters when Malgam is not only a big player in the conflict, but a liability that needed to be removed from the board. You read it to see what new tricks Bloodshot has up his sleeve, but you stay for the action.

Armor Hunters: Harbinger #2 answers the question of what can possibly go wrong when kinds enter a war they can't comprehend anymore than the adults. Even “professionals” make mistakes. Things aren't looking good in Mexico and what beast has been unleashed, aside from the hunters just may prove to be more than the bargained for. At the end of the day, Armor Hunters: Harbinger is a title you can pick up without being too invested in the Armor Hunters event. It's fairly self-contained and you care a bit more for what's in store for these heroes.

There isn't a single tie-in I could say you want to overlook. Armor Hunters: Harbinger is one of those you want to be reading if you find yourself invested in the Armor Hunters event. A self-contained story that manages to get a lot of characterization for this group in only 3 issues. For three issuesArmor Hunters: Harbinger is worth picking up.

There is so much potential that you see from this first issue of Avengers Undercover. We've seen the damage, we see that conflict of interest between them considering how Avengers Arena mentally affected them, and we see just where this story is heading with a clear direction. We know now why they are infiltrating the Masters of Evil, and we now know the risk. So from here we will see how the longer the teens spend undercover, the more they descend into darkness, and as they start to build relationships with these multi-layered criminals, the line between good and evil blurs. The risk will always be that getting exposed will spell their end. Knowing Dennis Hopeless is writing we can expect that no punches will be pulled when action calls.

A solid issue for Avengers Undercover. Questions are being answered while leaving room for more to be asked along the way. There is a real stake in the situation they find themselves in and it's good to have those defining choices forced upon them at such an early stage of the book rather than drag it out. I want to now see just what happens when they reach that point of no return, and who will actually be able to go against the temptations that already seem to have gotten the better of a few.

Overall Avengers Undercover is going in the right direction so far. It's not as if I'd doubt that things can only get better from here, but there is always that risk when it comes to working with younger heroes. Dennis Hopeless knows what he's doing with them and what he wants from them, that much is what makes this one of the books from Marvel involving younger heroes a must read. Still remains easy to get into as well if you haven't read Avengers Undercover.

Avengers Undercover #4 ends on a note where you can certainly agree with what is being done for these characters and the story itself. Hopeless obviously cares for these characters and it shows when there's so much depth stacked over each of them as time goes by. They could have all fallen one-dimensional and yet their interactions with each other and the world help to shape who they might become with the right or wrong influence.

Avengers Undercover #5 is where anything goes from here on out. The issue ends with open-ended questions, many of which will lead them down a path of either redemption or evil. Sure that could possibly lead to some changes from these young superhumans that could be agreed or disagreed upon, but in the end they are thinking about their place in the world which counts most.

With how Avengers Undercover #6, anything can happen from there though nonetheless one course of action will be bad. We are left with Cammi's fate unknown, and know anothers' fate is up in the air as well. When their backs are up against the wall to pull this move off without getting caught, these are the kinds of situations they should find themselves in. Avengers Undercover continues to capture that inner struggle that young heroes go with because their futures are always up in the air.

Avengers Undercover #7 gives us a little bit of everything and more. We get answers, more questions, twists, and the emotional impact that is always expected from this series. There was a real focus on Nico which is necessary. She was the most damaged from Avengers Arena having died and there needed to be some exploration of where she stands mentally.

What you really take out of Avengers Undercover by the end of this issue is the fun that can be had while being a villain. In the Marvel Universe we are past the simplistic actions by villains who want to make a quick buck. Avengers Undercover shows what happens when they start thinking big, and also start working as a team. Of course you still have to see how that lasts when it counts the most, but it doesn't change that villain perspective that you don't get to see that often. Whatever comes next now that Zemo has initiated his plan will be something you don't want to miss because as Madame Masque said, it's a game changer.

That much closer to the end of Avengers Undercover with issue #9 and this is the heroes tale you expect from them even if not all of them you have seen as much as you may want. Baron Zemo has been a great villain, so have the rest as well giving them a distinct voice that sets them apart from the rest. The same with the heroes as well.

Hats go off to Dennis Hopeless, Kev Walker, Tigh Walker, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu for sticking with this to the bitter end. This is a story which should be told and had to be told. Where these characters go from here is unknown, but one thing for certain is that their place in the Marvel Universe is now cemented for anything to happen.

Bloodshot Reborn #1 was an excellent start and chock full of emotion that you could only feel when giving Bloodshot that human element and weakness we all carry. Again regret is a powerful emotion, and that is what sold every moment of this issue.

Bloodshot Reborn #2 leaves you with a lot of questions that you want to see answers to as things progress. At this point it is impossible to tell what will come next, but we do know is that body counts will raise, and sanity levels might just drop further than what is already unhealthy.

Bloodshot Reborn is also the book to be reading because of the interior artwork. Impressive all the way through when having these characters look so real engages you in a way that allows you to experience what they are going through. The self-destruction of Ray is seen through the way he carries himself. Nothing about his expressions or habits says he's someone who is happy about his life. Then you have the aggressive side to Kay which has come out quite suddenly when you see that her innocent smiles are not enough to influence Ray to do anything she suggests, being a voice in his head and all. Something you start to notice and like about Agent Festival is her calm demeanor. With everything that has gone on there are few times where you see her show any expression that would make her seem unprofessional. Aside from this some of these pages are drawn out so well that even without a narration to them they could tell their own story about some of these characters.

Beyond this the constant changing of hues for each scene is something that should be pointed out because that usually indicates how you should feel about what's going on at that moment. That is to say that most of this is very grim in general.

Bloodshot Reborn #5 is an indication that we have been spoiled by beautiful artwork. You open this issue and with the art team for this issue comes a more simplistic style from what we are used to. Of course not to say that it's bad, though that would be your initial reaction.

Bloodshot Reborn #6 is a good start for what's to come as Ray's hunt is thrown into full gear. Again a good start to a new story arc, though not recommended to just jump in. Magic is written into a more vital role, more depth to other characters explored, and a twist none of us saw coming till it happened.

Bloodshot Reborn #7 keeps us at the edge of our seats with good reason when this fight for the nanites continues to escalate as the number infected dwindles.

Bloodshot Reborn #9 ended ‘THE HUNT' on an excellent note. Whether you came into this series already a fan of Bloodshot or a new fan, the simple takeaway from this epic finale is “Welcome to my world”.

Bloodshot Reborn #10 holds a lot of potential exploring another pivotal point in Bloodshot's life. He's fighting against time and it will be fun to see how he could possibly come out on top.

Bloodshot Reborn #11 cranks the dial to eleven and it is no longer Ray we are left with. One unfortunate event after the next we were subjected to in order to experience the despair of this future and they didn't pull a punch.

‘The Analog Man' comes to an end with Bloodshot Reborn #13 and it was marvelous. Character driven, emotion driven, gave us more action than we deserved, and perfect execution throughout leading us straight into the next story being ‘Deathmate'.

Bloodshot Reborn #16 is a step up as each issue is progressively better than the last. We are working up to something big and you want to root for Bloodshot all the way as he proves he is not as obsolete as those like Kozol make him out to be.

Bloodshot Reborn #18 brings another chapter to an end while setting us up for what comes next. After what they have done with these characters here, I'm sure a lot of us want to see what the Valiant Universe has in store for them when they jump into their next war. That is hoping they all make the journey back to land.

With the conclusion to Buffy Season 10 #1 it's definitely time for another game change. From what I've seen I have faith in what this story can accomplish with this new direction. We don't know what to expect, and neither does Buffy and that is a side you want to see from her as she questions how to handle these supposed new rules and how to help her friends who to some extent are picking up the pieces of past personal issues. This isn't to say she's not the same badass because surely she is.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 #2 is a solid issue from its transition with the first. We get to see how they all react to each others presence, the question of why things have been upside down is addressed, and certain characters have their moments which provided needed depth. I believe with what we know now, there is good reason to stick with this book to see what Buffy has to offer.

This issue of Buffy The Vampire Slayer not only reminds us of the entertainment value that it carries, but it also reminds us that things can easily take a turn for the worst when you let your guard down. We had our comedic interactions between Dawn, Xander and Dracula, but then we also had something more genuine from Buffy and Willow as they tracked down one of those new vampires as a study specimen. Such that you can only get from Buffy and there's no questioning what more you can get out of it as a fan and reader.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #4 mixes a little old with a little new. While the situation is new, an old face reappears which escalates the problem from what it originally was. The rules are now the least of their problems when they can't fix what the rules have already created.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #5 gave you a fight to stop Maloker, save Dracula, wrest Xander from Dracula's control, and much more. You wonder how so much can be packed into a single issue and not feel lost, yet this is something you can always expect from the Buffy books and have it transition so well.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #6 is a good start for moving Buffy and the gang along in a struggle that requires them to both be more aware of who they are and what the world needs them to be as adults. There wasn't much action in this issue, but what we got was some necessary preparation of their characters as individuals for what comes next.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #7 is another down to Earth story that focuses on two characters who deserve that focus needed for individual growth. We got emotion, humor, and of course action. There could be no action in this issue and you just enjoy it because Spike and Xander are being real with each other. Just like any two guys that are down on their luck when it comes to love.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #8 is an emotional rollercoaster of an issue that covers a lot of bases between emotional struggles, dealing with the past, and dealing with the worst case scenario when it comes to the Vampyr book.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #9 brings about an end to “Return to Sunnydale” and hits all the right notes as this series should. We want to grow with these characters and one thing after the other this season they have learned from their mistakes, encounters, the new rules and become that much more of a better person than they were the day before. Gone are the days of teenage drama when that only takes them a step back.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #10 escalates the problem that is managing the Vampyr book and watching their backs for enemies that have power outside their grasp. The reveal of this new enemy makes you cringe, yet at the same time makes you scratch your head when wondering who this "old friend" is. Just more reason to see where this new story arc takes us.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #11 overall made some big moves and addressed many things you thought this series might not have the time to cover. With a cast of characters this size you'd worry that it would be a rush job to reach every corner of this world both supernatural and personal, but Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #11 proves that there is a plan.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #12 does a lot for us that keeps us invested in the characters even though the plot surrounding The Sculptor took a backseat. This is that point where we get to see if Buffy and Spike really have changed after all that they have been through. All of them have been tested in some way in this season, and now it's their turn.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #13 shows some changes with characters that you can only agree with. These are people first and slayers, Wicca, geniuses or whatever second. If we can continue on this consistent quality of character driven storylines, damn whenever these forces of evil decide to show their mugs.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #14 is a step in the right direction overall from a personal approach to Buffy and Spike. This is that example of what makes season 10 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer stand out from the others and the best time for any Buffy fan to jump back into this world.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #15 is a set up for something bigger that can only happen when Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel & Faith crossover yet again. There's a lot to look forward to when both worlds have a lot to address before confronting Archaeus.

The great thing about having Rebekah Isaacs on art as usual is the down to Earth approach she takes to drawing these characters. It's the little things that matter which you take notice of whether it is Buffy's constantly changing hairstyles or everyone elses choice of clothing. Not to mention the dynamic between her and Dan Jackson is notable when taking note of how our cast can be thrown into a fight at any point and you aren't distracted by the supernatural. The colors don't overpower what's going on around those like Willow and Giles, and you certainly enjoy when you are exposed to something new magically. That takes creativity to pull of consistently. Aside from this it is always good to see that visually there are no punches pulled showing what can happen to any of them in the middle of a fight.

Definitely one of the more favorable issues of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 so far because this is the main cast in their element. Suited up, armed with their weapon of choice, and doing what they do best. For example, it wasn't too shocking though equally as exciting when seeing what Andrew brings to the table with his tech. With as many characters that are involved in this story, it as always is impressive when there is a solid use of space to make sure everyone looks relevant. To see that is just as important as their conversations with one another and the art team nailed it to the very end. Beyond this you have to like the way Archaeus is captured as the villain because it's what he tends to have up his sleeve that is most dangerous compared to taking on the heroes upfront.

Archaeus himself has been a well written villain as well. One that one would hope we haven't seen the last of. He came in a plan, and he executed with killer intent. A villain you appreciate when he makes the heroes think on their feet. Ultimately will lose, but doesn't go down without a fight.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #19 is an emotional rollercoaster. Yet again another example of how this creative team have knocked it out of the park with this season 10. It's not just about fighting evil anymore, it's about living their lives the best they can as well.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #20 aside from that one question about Anya is perfect for everything else. The twist about Anya's ghost, the subject of rape, and the emotional weight of it all which makes season 10 so beautifully written.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #22 does not beat around the bushes that adulthood is no joke when it comes to moving forward or getting left behind. Growth and personal growth means a lot in the grand scheme of life.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #23 was big for Andrew, though also for many others as well. As focused as things seemed they would be towards Andrew, it was the smart decision to make sure there was a balance in everyone else's story that is connected to the choices he makes.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #24 upped the stakes in this fight in a way that you don't expect, bringing back that challenge the Hell Lords create when real life is kicking their butts to such an extent already.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #25 was a great emphasis of what they all still risk every day they are out there fighting the supernatural which aim to destroy their world.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #26 shook The Scoobies in a way they may never be able to recover. Seeing that for as much good as they have tried to do, things have only gotten so much worse. And an interesting contrast compared to the lives Xander and Dawn are now living in a hell dimension.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #27 is where we hit that boiling point because you have no idea just how this will possibly end. Nothing could possibly be the same by the time we reach the finale. On their own, overpowered, barely able to work together anymore, and self-destructive. Not a good recipe for what comes next.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #28 is a big step up from everything our heroes have been through since the battle with the Hell Lords. Taking us back to a place where we have found hope and optimism in familiar bonds. The same kind of atmosphere that made you fall in love with season 10 in the first place.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #29 hits the escalation point and this creative team does not pull punches at all. If you were looking for the fight that would unquestionably define the future of the Scoobies, it starts here. We may be getting a season 11 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but no one said we will get there in one piece.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 #30 is the kind of finale you dream of. Everyone always wants to go blockbuster big. Big from start to finish. Though that has never been necessary for Buffy. All any fan or reader could ever desire is simply great storytelling. That is what we got along with consistently pleasing artwork since issue one. I for one am ready for them to bring on season 11 because what could go wrong? This is life for the Scoobies, and it is a life we can relate to on some levels.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #1 sets us on a new direction where there is just as much to lose this time around if not more when peace has been broken. No one ever said maintaining peace between two worlds was going to be that simple, and they are going to learn this the hard way pretty soon.

For Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #2, Buffy maybe facing being divided from the people for whom she cares the most is the least of her worries. Any fan right now might find themselves hurting by the end of this issue, but you ask how can things can get worse and this is what you get. From here hopefully we take that next step in a more personal perspective from the supernatural world now that the government has made their move.

This creative team is pulling no punches. Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #3 took big steps in addressing just what Buffy and friends are up against. And more so what they are willing to sacrifice for the greater good. The world can fall apart any day, but when it goes through drastic change it is a call to action for the scoobies when all their accomplishments are about to be for nothing.

Things can only get worse before they get any better by the end of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #4. The writing here has been spot on with o much maturity displayed in how Buffy, Spike and Willow handle keeping themselves and those around them safe. This doesn't come without risk, but they couldn't have made it this far if they weren't ready.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #5 really stood as a statement for what it is Buffy, Willow and Dawn are fighting for. As Spike said himself they are going to have to make some compromises and this issue was only a taste. It's good that at the end of the day this creative team is not looking to hold our hands as this isn't the kind of story where you should hold back.

What more can I say than I love season 11 of Buffy. It really was only a matter of time before the world decided they didn't want the supernatural living among them. Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #6 was the reality check that everyone needed. This was a game of survival the minute the world decided there needed to be a camp for these people and creatures, and the stakes have indeed been raised.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #7 kills me because these are the kind of decisions our Scoobies have to make in a world that just isn't welcoming to who and what they are anymore. This creative team took a real problem, a first world situation for people who are treated different and turned it into one of the most heart-crushing developments in the Buffyverse so far.

Right in the feels sound proper after you read Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #8. This has been one tragedy after the next for our heroes, but that is a day in the life. What we all fail to realize is how much Buffy and the Scoobie redefine what it means to be a hero whether you have power or not. It's what you do that nobody else will, damning the consequences.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 #9 shook things up in a big way. This war is far from over, but every obstacle they have fought through proved why they are the heroes who you shouldn't underestimate. The power helps you overcome barriers, but its the skill, experience, character, and friends that get you through to the end.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #10 is a wake-up call to why stopping the draining of magic from the world is now more urgent than ever before. Giving us a taste of what magic looks like in the hands of the government is a step in the right direction when the worst is yet to come, and what has already is terrifying.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #11 is where we hit a turning point in the war for the world of magic, but also where we start to reach a climax. We've seen magic in the wrong hand, but never like this. Never with that drive to have it all with little consequence for the world around you.

You cheered, you went through the motions, and you panicked at the edge of your seat. This finale to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 was everything and the full package. Season 11 has been a thrilling experience from start to finish and they never once let up on the punches. Buffy and The Scoobies redefine what it means to be a hero whether you have power or not. It's what you do that nobody else will, and damning the consequences. Overall this creative team took a real problem, a first world situation for people who are treated different and turned it into one of the most heart-crushing developments in the Buffyverse so far.

Expect the unexpected, but expect horrors nonetheless. Hellmouth #2 introduced us to a new world of fighting evil. One where the true obstacles exist in your head. In the case of Buffy and Angel, that is more than enough obstacles to overcome. The best takeaway was understanding that this is all treading new territory, no matter how experienced you think you are.

Just when you think you knew where all of this was leading to, the events of Hellmouth #3 shakes up your expectations. Not a bad thing either when this is a story where you should want to expect the unexpected. I think we've all come to a point now as fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer where we know that there will always be something more to worry about than a vampire.

As the penultimate issue, Hellmouth #4 met expectations when getting us to that point where things could not have gotten any worse for these heroes who get in their own way more than the big bad herself. It should be very interesting to see what can turn the tides of this situation when it is almost impossible right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

With the conclusion of Hellmouth #5, BOOM! Studios and this creative team nail their first major event for the Buffy franchise. If you told me this is where we would find ourselves a year later after the debut? I would not have believed you. So far this franchise is in good hands with creators who know how to satisfy us with familiar content, while at the same time introducing us to so much more that is new territory.

Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #1 is an intriguing start for the series when you know what big things are heading the Mighty Avenger's way when their message to the world might give them more than they bargained for. Captain America has a whole new mission statement in mind for Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and what he wants just might kill them. That is the selling point that will continue to differ Mighty Avengers from other team books out there right now.

Whatever comes next, Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #2 dropped the biggest bomb on fans when you know the eventuality of this war between Avengers will get messy. Especially when the Avengers both have everything to gain and lose from making sure they are the sole heroes of Earth.

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #5 shows again how much potential comes with this team when together and apart. It is impressive that Al Ewing can handle so much going on at once and still make it all connect without distracting too much from the bigger picture.

Captain America and The Mighty Avengers #6 takes some high risk with a story that challenges the continuity and what we thought we knew of what's going on. The next issue will be very important in selling whatever is in store for us and The Mighty Avengers when their backs look to be against the wall.

This issue is a must read when everything comes together and makes sense. We get action, character moments that are memorable, and a conclusion to story points which had questionable ends. Obviously Secret Wars may have some influence on how these storylines wrapped up, but it is good writing by Al Ewing that brought everything together in relevance to each other.

It's issues like this which makes you hopeCaptain America and The Mighty Avengers is a title surviving Secret Wars. If it doesn't continue, a lot of really good characters won't have a book and that would be terrible. Very useful heroes left with untapped potential like Monica if that were the case.

With the flip of the last page you have to applaud the effort put into Captain America and The Mighty Avengers because the conclusion of this title marks this as one of the last titles standing at the end of the world. That is a fact pointed out by Al Ewing and it would be a challenge to argue against that.

As somewhat of a prologue into Cataclysm, this issue did what it set forth to do. Earth and the Ultimates are now aware of what's heading their way, they know the risk, what's a stake, and now the first pain of loss. That's only a small fraction of what's to come and considering the state of the Ultimate Universe up to this point, expect nothing short of heroes at their best and nothing held back.

Great way of showing just how screwed Earth may be that there is a cosmic level threat such as Galactus on Earth and no one is prepared. Considering everything they have been through up to this point, you just know that fighting Galactus will bring about the same excitement which makes this book one that keeps you at the edge of your seat. Anything can happen and we just have to hope that it isn't the end.

Cataclysm " The Ultimates' Last Stand #5 is the ending to the event that fans of the Ultimate Universe deserved. So much happened here that you can only get from the Ultimate Universe and only from someone like Bendis writing it. Call it dramatic or anti-climatic, but this is how you do a story about the end of the world, anything else you have gotten is a tease compared to this when no risk is taken. Now we are just left to see how these heroes who remain pick up the pieces in Survive. A new generation of heroes and Ultimates is upon us and the end of this story is only the start of a new to begin.

Champions right now is a book I wish I was following more closely before. This is one of the more engaging of the ongoing Marvel titles out there and delivers genuine storytelling. I was having a conversation earlier today and I was thinking “We really don't need Marvel thinking of a Young Avengers movie, what we actually need are Champions.”

There is no rest for the Champions, that much is assured to us through the events of this issue. I was taken back by the balance of action, character development, and one heck of a twist that once again changes everything we knew about the direction this story was taking.

You couldn't have asked for a more powerful issue of Champions, and this year was the best time to tell it. This foe only wins when we keep silent, when we forget why we speak up against it, when we let despair keep us from hoping for better. I was touched, and this is was the joy needed to be felt as a reader of superhero stories.

As the 25th issue milestone for Champions, this was the perfect statement that this books has so much more to offer than your average superhero team book. They go through the things that you find genuine about the importance of heroes to one another, they tackle the importance of sacrifice, and emphasize the importance of having a sense of duty to those who matter. Aside from that? This is a brand new adventure full of wonder and excitement.

Champions #26 struck a great balance between action and story progression. We learned a lot about Weirdworld, the unique ways that the rest of the team integrated into this new Weirdworld, and what it will take for this world to be returned to what it once was. Getting back home is just the icing on the cake.

Champions #27 wraps this up perfectly. As one of three books that took a leap into Weirdworld, it was commendable how they added their own spin to the ever-shifting landscape, while at the same time showing that there are connections to what happened when Deadpool and Weapon H were here. Great action, character moments, and substance to balance out the final battle.

Collapser #1 is indeed a superhero story that could only come from DC's Young Animal imprint. This creative team took advantage of the room to run wild with an impossible scenario, and the colorful language to capture everything insane about the way that Liam James' life has been flipped on its head.

If the first issue didn't get you, this second one surely should! When it comes to a book like Collapser, you want to aim for satisfaction, even if it is pretty early. These first issue issues throw both us and Liam right into the fire in a way that gets you excited for what comes next. We know as much about this black hole, or Collapser, as Liam. Part of the thrill is how we figure this out before Liam's world comes crashing down.

Collapser #3 closes one door for Liam James, and opens the door to a new world of opportunity for the nursing home employee now turned superhero/DJ. In the case of Liam, with great power comes great fame. The only question is what kind of dangers he will open himself up to with a target on his back bigger than the hole in his chest. Issue #3 out of 6 was the best time to flesh out this world, explain the black hole, and set us up for what comes next.

Overall, Collapser continues to astonish this month when apparently the worst that Liam could deal with also includes himself. I mean, what do you expect from a guy who went from having crippling anxiety and nothing else, to everything you could dream of? Half the battle is preparing for all the dangers which might soon come your way.

It's a mad world, and a crazy world, but at the end of the day this is Liam's world. Collapser #5 was enlightening for the way it opened us up to the dreams which Liam wish could be his reality, and it was also terrifying for everything these dreams were masking. The big thing was once more being shown that this is a story where you expect the unexpected when so much of this issue hits you with twists and turns you couldn't have braced for.

This book is a hit for DC. More readers should be turning their attention to books like this which aim to give us something fresh from the superhero genre. Real problems to battle, unique visuals, engaging storytelling. Collapser #6 was the full package and leaves you wanting more. I hope there is more because this book rewards you for your investment in these characters and the world around them.

Jenkins definitely has something big planned for both heroes and villains in the end and the progression to that point has been well paced for being on it's fifth issue. Whatever comes next will be a defining moment either in their favor if they can reassess their situation or not if they aren't able to pull together and find out who is the real threat.

Deathmatch #6Written by: Paul JenkinsArt by: Carlos MagnoAs time is running out, Deathmatch #6 shows us how the heroes start to crumble as their backs are against the wall. Again, not only are they losing numbers in battles they cannot avoid, losing numbers to the many villains the heroes are stuck with mutually, more to their attempts at escaping, but now to a force that is so powerful that even the arena is powered to keep it contained.

Aside from this the momentum of this book is admirable. The pacing in general. Between the fights and them trying to figure out the situation they're in you find yourself really pulled into this story. Sure some of the fights seem rushed, but you wouldn't want to waste too much time on fights that don't have a major impact on the conflict at hand. Everything no matter how small works as a piece of a puzzle, and as a layered story it manages to remain on track while diving into what makes these characters tick. Normally you'd expect spectacle over substance in a book like this though Jenkins manages to take advantage of both.

Again this is one book you should want to pick up if not for the freedoms and liberties Paul Jenkins takes to make this story unique. This plays with the concept of fighting for your life and takes a more seriously approach to it that you find more engaging when the rest have a tendency to rely on humor.

Overall we are approaching what looks like the end with the final four left to fight for their lives. It's still a fight to survive, but also a fight to find the answers to why this is happening. Though Sable seems to be the person to figure this out, Manchurian looks to be the man with the answers. While not much of a surprise, he has many secrets behind that big brain and that's something we should hopefully be able to explore in the next issue.

Whatever the next issue has in store for us, it is the game changer. I have said this before and I was wrong, but that just proves how clever the writing is. This has already proven to be so much more than all the other books out there which put heroes and villains against each other to fight to the death. The concept here was very elaborate and you can see the layers that constantly appeared and unfolded.

With the conclusion to this vaunted superhero maxiseries, you have to feel very impressed with what Paul Jenkins accomplished. Between the fights and them trying to figure out the situation they're in you find yourself really pulled into this story. Normally you'd expect spectacle over substance in a book like this though Jenkins manages to take advantage of both. Whatever comes next is worthy of keeping your investment in this story. If you are not invested yet, this is one book that you should pick up and see for yourself just how different it is from those like it.

Has Die #1 lived up to the hype? I would not believe anyone who said this did not. It was everything as advertised when the world of real and fantasy clash. There was real emotion, terror, build-up, and a sense of wonder when actually exposed to what these guys got themselves into. Seeing is believing. You know, I might also toss in some elements of 'It' seen too. This may be bold to say, but definitely one of the best debuts for an original story this year.

Die #2 gave us a lot more to invest in this tale. This is not the kind of story where you so easily get lost in the wonders of escapism. Like Jumanji, and like any game that ever involved removing you from your old life, Die is a sharp reminder that the rules are always important to keep in mind. Especially the kind of rules that keep you on your toes about consequences in Die being just as real in the outside world.

Through the events of Die #3 this creative team continues to redefine what it means to experience a Dungeons & Dragons kind of world. Everything seems so exciting from the outside, till the rules become very real. There is no book out there like Die, and that is why this isn't the book you should sleep on. Not if you want adventure, depth, and exploration in many ways.

There was no better way to ease us back into this story than with a new arc that begins with some jaw-dropping character exploration. If you thought that this was going to be one of those stories where everyone starts remembering all the things they loved about the game? You would be proven wrong, and reminded so trough the events of Die #6.

Even among the biggest joke of the party, you can still find tragedy. Die #7 continued to remind us that there is no one trapped here who is running to something, or away. It is also through the events of this issue where you might begin seeing where this fracture of the party might be leading to. Escaping Die was never going to be that easy, but neither will staying.

It seems like a thing now where with each passing issue they choose one character more than any other to get to know better. It wasn't easy to see at first who they chose this time around, but when the time came? I'm glad it was Matt. His story, his power, and what he's fighting for is all-compelling. The message was well received through the events of Die #8 seeing just how much some of these characters have grown since the decisions they made the last time they were in this world.

‘Split the Party' has definitely taken many meanings in this arc, and continued to do so through the events of Die #9. It was clever how the creative team found some ways in this chapter to show us that even if it comes time to go home, there might be some other things to worry about given the new information on this world. Overall going home is still going to be easier said than done, but this wouldn't be much of a story if it were ever going to be that straightforward, would it?

As the end of the story arc for ‘Split The Party' Die #10 changed the game in a dramatic way moving forward. There was no preparing yourself for what the driving force would be that keeps this party existing in this realm longer than they wanted. Either they will be their undoing, this world, or something else that they did not take into account while finding new reasons to extend their stay.

With the conclusion of Die #11, they have marked the start of a new game. Where one side is trying to actually play the game again, while the other has no interest in giving any more of their time to it. Things will indeed eventually get messy when every minute in the realm of Die is another minute where the game could put them through the same hell that it did in the past.

As part two of the new story arc, Die #12 created a proper sense of perspective towards what you might call the long-game. Getting home was always going to be easier said than done, and times like this were the best time to remember why that is.

In the end, whether you got everything in one go, or two, Die #13 was monumental towards shaking up this story with a new sense of direction.

In the end, Die #14 did not disappoint one bit. This creative team is just revving up for some big moments to unfold, and right now there's no telling how this party is ever going to return to their lives unshaken by this experience.

There was no lie about this issue. The board has been flipped. By the conclusion of Die #15, the story has been shaken up in a way that you could not have braced for when the party first began warring.

Extremity #1 is a strong representation of what any reader likes about Skybound's books. These stories and characters push boundaries most comics aren't bold enough to. This first issue of Extremity holds so much potential for what happens when you strip what someone lives for from them literally. How do you make yourself feel whole again? This is a story that aims to live up to its name and you should brace for every moment of it.

I think the letter at the end of the issue said it better than I could have as Extremity continues as a shining example of the heart and clear perspective which pulled me in to a number of Skybound titles. This story goes well beyond the action of seeking vengeance. Even as I use that word quite often, these past two issues have given us so much more that breathes life into this world and those who inhabit it.

By the end of this issue it was easy to get consumed in the path Thea and Jerome have taken against the Paznina. This allowed us to be caught off guard and open to the fact that there is more than one path to take in this story. The weight of war and hate weighs on more than those two, and more than those two can b negatively affected in the process. Extremity #4 went the distance to reinforce what we were in store for when these characters fear what will be sacrificed for the sake of taking down the Paznina.

Extremity #5 was more of a question as to far Jerome is willing to go. Thea may have the biggest decision to make regarding the path she wants to take but it takes moments and experiences like she has had now to understand what it means to lose yourself. Rollo understands this and chance encounter understands this as well. I love that there is this line where not everyone is willing to cross. Thea is walking it and I'm anxious to see where she falls soon enough.

Extremity #6 brings this first story arc to a close and really does change the trajectory of the story as a whole. What seemed like working up to an expected outcome was really just closing one door and opening another. I'm glad with the way this issue ended because there's now so much more opportunity to explore what this world has to offer. The good, the bad, the fantastic, everything.

Extremity #7 is another step taken in Thea and Rollo's journey. They see new places, they meet important people, but above all they are understanding a world beyond their own. There is a sense of satisfaction from the direction we are heading in when these two staying with the Roto would have easily turned bland after some time. I think I speak for most when I say it more captivating to experience someone overcoming such hate and despair than to sink in it.

Extremity #8 shows that no action comes without a direction reaction or consequence. Thea and Rollo face unparalleled danger from the unknown while tackling a noble cause, and you have Annora who shows a drive we haven't seen before from the princess. Just focusing on these two areas right now is wise when we have so much room to connect with these characters and the struggles they face.

If I had a book I wanted to recommend all my friends to read,so far right now that book would be Extremity after the events of this issue. Everything leading up to this moment was beautiful. Extremity engulfs you in the darkness of this world, but allows you to see that you don't have to take it. You can rise above the pain, the grief, and loss. You never get over those things, but you don't have to let it define your every move. No book on shelves right now will put that better for you.

With only a few issues left in the series, Extremity #10 as they say is not pulling any punches. This is not just about a war between Roto or Paznina anymore, it is about saving these people from themselves. Extremity and this creative team has done a standout job of capturing what it means to be human. The pain, the compassion that you try to extend to those who need it most, the harm you do to yourself and others. All things that play a big part in this world and how it turns.

The final battle did indeed start, and by the end of Extremity #11 we are left with nothing but dread for how this will all end. These two factions are sooner to kill each other than work together, and this monster has a high chance of being able to kill them before they can eliminate the other. There are plenty of ways this story could hit this first half of the finale, but this was not one that you could have predicted. The human element plays a big part in this story and that leaves so much to chance when its anything goes from here. Even with the big clash that this concluded on.

I will keep saying it till another book affects me this much, but Extremity has set the bar for fantasy stories alike. You can have it all in a world like this. The wonder, excitement, pain, and loss. There's no limit to what your characters can experience like these did. Not when it comes to how people can drown in hate, lose themselves to vengeance, or how they can dig themselves out of that hole.

Far Sector #1 so far gives us one of our most unique spins to the legacy of the Green Lanterns. Sometimes it all really comes down to how you introduce these heroes. Jo isn't your average Green Lantern, this isn't your average murder investigation, and it seems that even Jo being here has some mystery to it for us to unravel. After this debut issue, I anticipate the kind of story this creative team will be able to tell that other Lantern teams could not in the main publication.

So far this creative team has set-up a brilliant mystery here. How do you draw the line between what you read on their faces, and what they express through their words? Where do you drawn the line between having real emotions and simulating it out of basic habit? Far Sector #2 assured us all that finding the answers to all of this is going to be easier said than done.

Jo may be a rookie, but that does not suggest that she is no stranger to the kind of job she has been requested to deal with. Far Sector #3 sweeps you off your feet because this creative team pulled no punches creating a real argument for having the freedom to express emotions, versus feeling nothing for your own safety. Murder mystery are great, but you have to love the way this story has suddenly evolved into something much more engaging.

Everyone right now is looking at their favorite Green Lantern for the 80th Anniversary, but for me that Lantern just so happens to be Green Lantern Jo Mullein. That may be a quick decision after only four issues, but none share a personality and use of the ring quite like this. Far Sector #4 solidified that choice through the tackling of relevant themes that we see in our own world, and handled with such brilliance towards accuracy and proper engagement.

Overall, getting the full story of Jo was worth waiting five issues. To say she represented something real before was an understatement after the reveal of her past. Even after that, there are still a couple more questions to ask about the ring specifically. What is the power source? What happens after a year with this experimental ring? Who specifically is this person who her the ring? Though the answers for that will come in good time, Far Sector #5 answered everything else which was a must for us to better connect with this new Lantern.

Overall, Far Sector #6 made the wait for this issue worth it. Real problems that we can connect with, and real problems that not many books out there are bold enough to address.

Far Sector #7 was excitement on many levels, literally. I'm happy that they have decided to continue Far Sector on a new bimonthly schedule. It is a crime to have to wait so long to see what happens next in this conspiracy.

Overall, Far Sector #8 did not let us down for showing us exactly why Jo would be disgusted to realize she's facing the same kind of bureaucracy nonsense she has experienced back home on Earth.

All in all, Far Sector #9 was another insightful issue which perfectly sets up for the next big thing to unfold.

As the climax, Far Sector #10 did not let us down one bit. It was a satisfying climax to what has changed the game entirely. We now move forward with a better understanding of what is really at stake here, and who the true enemy is.

As the ‘Flash War' prelude, The Flash Annual #1 was a satisfying set-up for this supposedly big Flash story of 2018. By the end of this issue it was clear as to what this turning point would be for the Flash family, and while its hard to assume what would set those wheels into motion for there to be a Flash War, there is only one kind of person who could dare. This story is as bold as it gets, and I hope the creative team for this approaching War will think on their feet about what will separate this from anything else involving messing with time.

Gutter Magic #1 is an action-packed urban fantasy tale which sets the bar for any of this kind to follow throughout the year. Great sense of world building and character appeal. Definitely a new title you don't want to miss getting into because it could easily be a mini series that could come back for more.

Gutter Magic #2 grabs you with just how wrong things can go for Cinder when the things he does affect more than just him. He may be able to get out of most situations he gets himself into, though the same can't be said for those who end up getting caught in his mess.

From sibling rivalry, to a vengeful Shiver, to a dragon assault, Gutter Magic #3 really picked up the intensity in a short amount of time. Even if this wasn't all worth it when Cinder gets to his destination, the adventure was worth it for every stunt he has pulled to reach that point.

With the way Gutter Magic #4 ends, it makes you cross your fingers that this may not be the end. For four issues you loved Cinder and Blacktooth for everything they were willing to put on the line to find magic. You loved this world even more for the potential created from simply building upon the lives of people who take magic and a life of magic for granted.

Talk about a multiversal meltdown, am I right? Justice League Annual #1 was all the hype for everything we got out of this moment that was a long time coming. For this run of Justice League, this might actually be the strongest issue of the series currently. This was that time for all sides of this war to play their hands, and not one person failed to stand out for what they had to give to their respective efforts. There was action, there was high stakes, and there was so much engaging when it came to these destinies being fulfilled.

So, is Justice League Annual #2 worth the read? It surely is! This turned out to be so much more than what it seems on the surface, and didn't forget that this was a superhero story either. At the end of the day it was action-packed, but also wholesome storytelling.

Justice League Dark #1 brings us back to the idea that “Magic problems require magic solutions.” This team may have come together reluctantly, but that is what you come to expect from characters who are not all that used to the idea of big super-heroics or that they can save the world.

There's one thing I have missed very much about Justice League Dark as a series, and that has been feeling a true sense of terror from the story. These past two issues embrace the dark corner of the universe that this takes place in, and that is a refreshing change of pace from the usual.

Justice League Dark #3 was the complete package of what you get when you mix magic with the stuff of nightmares. Magic in essence is bending reality to your will, and there was no better villain to take advantage of that meaning than the Upside-Down Man. He did not fail to make his presence known, and I hope this isn't the last we see of him.

Justice League Dark #4 really gave us something to fear about the horrors that Hecate has in store for this world. It was one thing to know that she wanted to burn everything to remake the world for herself, but it was another thing entirely to grasp what it means for her to attack at the heart of everything magic. The panic, the loss, the chaos, all these things were the perfect recipe for a memorable third chapter to the Witching Hour.

Justice League Dark #5 proves to us that the potential in storytelling and plot for this book is practically endless. I was captivated by the balance put into the character moments, the action, and every scene that took advantage of the wonders we needed to take from the world of magic. There is nothing else like this book out there right now and that is something to appreciate if you are looking for a full embrace.

Justice League Dark #6 was indeed bananas for the lengths that the JLD went in order to save Bobo from his fate, and for the urgency that had now kicked into overdrive after the confrontation between Doctor Fate and the Phantom Stranger. If it wasn't feeling like a war for the fate of magic in the issue before, the impression is set now.

Justice League Dark #7 is yet another issue which cements JLD as one of the go-to books for a rush of horror from DC. This creative team taps into everything nightmarish about the Otherkind and lets it loose within these pages. If you thought the Upside-Down Man was the scariest sight to come across, then you were gravely mistaken. Or maybe you were treated to something wonderful if horror is your cup of tea?

It may not have been till the very end of the issue that we actually see these Lords of Order, but this week's issue of Justice League Dark served as an exciting build-up to that introduction. With every passing scene you could feel this story revving up towards a big revelation, and the execution was successful because of everything that has made this situation more dire than it could ever be.

Justice League Dark #10 flips everything you thought you were able to piece together about this story right out the window. There was no better time to begin peeling back the layers of mystery, because once you do? All that is left is what you are willing to do to get the job done. Most of these characters aren't truly aware of the actual stakes. So it should be thrilling to see what happens when that is the case.

Justice League Dark #11 was nightmare fuel, and I do think a little bit of that is just what we needed in the stage we are in the story. The stakes are real, the dangers are real, and we should be able to believe that with every twist or loss.

The events of Justice League Dark #12 made everything you experienced in this story worth the adventure. The story is far from over, and yet it has stirred such a thrill with every twist and turn that has challenged what it means to walk in both the normal world, and the world of magic. I felt as captivated with this story as I did with that of Justice League because we are swiftly reminded of what it means to stand for your ideals. When you don't, you end up like Nabu who sacrificed everything he stood for out of fear.

Justice League Dark #13 served as more of an informative issue following the battle of chaos versus order. This may have been a slower issue, but not one scene was wasted setting this story up for what comes next between the fight for the fate of magic, and what doom now has to offer the world of magic.

For anyone out there who may have also had reservations about the Dark Gifts influence in this story, I would say that the events of Justice League Dark #14 more than puts you at ease. Once more they give us something big to look forward to. Bigger than the Witching Hour, and bigger than the clash with the Lords of Order.

Sometimes it's all a matter of waiting for things to get worse. The end of everything is definitely bad, but the journey to that point can always end up a terror. Justice League Dark #15 put everyone right where they needed to be for things to kick off, and Circe's Injustice League Dark did not waste their chance to make their presence known.

They didn't lie, this is one of the deadliest chapters yet for the Justice League Dark. This is one of those stories where it does not pay to be a step behind, and boy did this team learn the hard way what happens when this is the case. If you didn't think the Injustice League Dark wasn't going to be much of a challenge, this chapter said otherwise!

All in all, Justice League Dark #17 was a great issue for those of us who wanted a bit more depth from Circe. This by no way means that we need to sympathize with her, but it always goes a long way to understand what goes through her mind when she decides that this is what it means to have power and be in control.

Like everything else this week, Justice League Dark found their conclusion to the influences of the Justice/Doom War. Also like some of the other books out there, credit where it is due that this creative team did not let this story slip away from them. Being tied in to an event never once took away from what made this story what it is. Many creators out there can take a page out of this team's book, because this is how you make a story your own.

Justice League Dark #20 marks the start of something familiar, yet all the same thrilling. Once more this magic team has been thrown outside of their wheelhouse, and that is the best place for them to be when the this team overcoming great odds is peak excitement. I hope that this creative team blows he doors wide open to a world that is more extensive than it seems on the surface between the different kingdoms and their avatars.

Never a dull moment with the Justice League Dark. You would think that this next part of their mission would be a bit more tame than what they had to do to stop Cerci, and then you jump into this new story arc to see that this creative team has no chill. Justice League Dark #20 opened the doors to the war of the Parliaments, but Justice League Dark #21 hit the ground running with everything that could go wrong for the world around this team when the balance has once more been jeopardized.

At the end of the day, Justice League Dark is not the book you should sleep on right now. Just when you thought this book couldn't captivate you more than everything you have seen so far, issue #22 reminds you of the limitless potential in a book like this. While other books are quick to jump to the next thing, Justice League Dark remains one of the most consistent books which DC has to offer.

As the conclusion to ‘The Parliament of Life', Justice League Dark #23 brought closure to a problem that was long past due for a solution. You have to appreciate a book like this which consistently delivers on decisive endings to the stories told. While also still making sure that there is both a natural and linear progression to everything that has been set in motion since the first story arc.

Justice League Dark #24 marks the start of something new for this team. With time after time being the target of forces which wanted to step on their mission to preserve the balance of magic, it is about time that this team found the strength to take the fight to their greatest enemy. Though only time will tell what it is actually going to take to overcome the kind of power they are dealing with.

In the end, I was very impressed by the direction the story and plot took with the conclusion of Justice League Dark #25. If you had any concerns about where this was all leading, this issue right here was more than rewarding for holding onto that investment and patience for what has truly come full circle from the very first issue.

Justice League Dark #26 may not be the issue where the big battle reaches it's decisive end, but this creative team succeeded in setting up one heck of a climax to come next month. One which will make this an all or nothing encounter.

I was overall satisfied with the conclusion of Justice League Dark #28. Couldn't have pictured a better ending for this story because it perfectly took advantage of everything this team overcame to fight against the odds. I for one can't wait to see what comes next in Endless Winter. Sounds ominous, doesn't it?