Jocelyn Savoie Comic Reviews

The foundation is still there. Waid and Samnee remain an excellent creative team, and Samnee's artwork is as spectacular as ever. Unfortunately, the bizarre characterization of Bruce Wayne leaves a sizable blemish on what otherwise could have been a much stronger debut.

Batman and Robin: Year One – Dynamic Duos #2 mixes in some well-timed humor without taking away from the more serious subject matter, with the cliffhanger ending driving that point home. It also gives Batman, Catwoman, and Robin plenty of room to shine without making any of them feel like an afterthought. Catwoman, in particular, gets the strongest character development in the issue, and I'm even more excited to see what happens when the trio finally gets the chance to work together.

One Question Remains Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 is the kind of comic that leaves you wanting more. It doesn't reveal a great deal, but that's hardly a criticism. Instead, it builds intrigue, leaving readers eager to discover where the series is headed while showcasing flashes of exceptional horror imagery and a compelling murder mystery that constantly raises one question: Who is the real Clayface?

I don't think this is the end of the road for Clayface: Celebrity Dirt, but some course correction is necessary. The first issue convinced me there was something worthwhile here; the second has made that potential considerably harder to see. Give the supporting cast more depth, find a clearer purpose for the commentary, and let the strongest character relationships breathe. Do that, and this limited series may still have enough bite to sink its teeth into.

Galán's artwork continues to give the book a distinct visual identity, but I'm finding it harder to stay invested with each issue. What began as a promising take on Clayface is starting to feel like it's trying to say too many things at once without giving any one of them enough room to really land.

If Detective Comics 2026 Annual were simply For the Main Man Who Has Everything as a double-sized issue, this would be as good of an annual as you could ask for. It’s an effective odd-couple team-up, with enough adventure and hijinks to keep you engaged, surprising chemistry between its two leads, and a fantastic heart-to-heart conversation between Batman and Alfred. Unfortunately, the second story drags the overall issue down. Its characters are unmemorable, their development is paper-thin, and the narrative simply isn’t compelling enough to stand alongside its predecessor.

M1: Monster Racing League #1 has all the ingredients necessary to become a major hit for Image Comics. With its snarky humor, gorgeous artwork, and a fun, quirky supporting character who complements the protagonist, there’s plenty here to enjoy.

There’s still plenty of potential here, and I’m certainly not ready to write the series off after only two issues. But for now, M1: Monster Racing League remains a book I admire more for what it looks like than what it has to say.

For now, M1: Monster Racing League #3 remains a decent read with some genuinely impressive artwork, even if I'm still waiting for the series to figure out what it wants to be.

M1: Monster Racing League #4 remains a visually impressive book, but its presentation of racing lacks the excitement you'd expect from a series built around it, while its increasingly difficult-to-root-for protagonist continues to hold the story back. Even the twist ending feels unlikely to bring new readers on board as the series prepares to enter its second arc, especially when it relies on an emotional investment in Dev Raines' backstory that the book hasn't yet done enough to establish.

Spawn #377 is not the home run I was hoping for. There's a lot of exposition to get through, along with several characters who simply don't stick the landing. Even so, I came away with the impression that Matthew Rosenberg has a genuine appreciation for the sandbox Todd McFarlane has spent three decades building into one of the most recognizable independent comic book franchises of all time. I'm optimistic that Rosenberg has a clear blueprint for where he wants to take the series and that he'll continue building toward that vision with each new issue.

After two issues, what you’re left with is a comic that wants you to appreciate the fact that you’ve been dropped into a lived-in world but isn’t willing to give you much of a reason to care about the people inhabiting it. I can see the appeal of what Casey and Kirkman are building here, but right now, I’m admiring the world from the outside rather than feeling like I have a reason to step into it.

Jocelyn Savoie is a contributing writer for ComicBook Clique, writing from the Maritimes. He has an unhealthy appreciation for ECW, Garth Ennis, and the Yakuza series. Find him on Instagram and X.

The Dirt Beneath the Devil #1 is the best debut issue I've read all year. Dan Panosian has crafted a gripping mystery that keeps you guessing at every turn, and if he can maintain this momentum, I see no reason why it couldn't earn a nomination for next year's Eisner Awards for Best Limited Series. Between its memorable cast, simmering tension, and cinematic presentation, it feels tailor-made for the screen.

The Dirt Beneath the Devil #2 is another fantastic issue. It greatly saddens me to think that this is a limited series and that we won’t be getting at the very least, a year’s worth of material.

With only one issue left, I'm thrilled to see what Dan Panosian has planned for the grand finale. At the same time, there's a touch of melancholy in knowing that this journey is almost over. This series has made a compelling ride out of greed and prejudice, and I'm eager to see whether the remaining inheritors make it to the ranch in one piece.

Jocelyn Savoie is a contributing writer for ComicBook Clique, writing from the Maritimes. He has an unhealthy appreciation for ECW, Garth Ennis, and the Yakuza series. Find him on Instagram and X.

The Last Driver #2 keeps all its treads on the tires, moving the plot along smoothly while giving us a deeper understanding of Clutch's tragic backstory. We come to better understand not only his hatred of artificial intelligence, but also why keeping physical media alive is so important to him.

The Ring: The Man Who Beat the Man #1 introduces compelling characters, timely themes, and a fresh perspective on boxing's relationship with modern media. Gail Simone clearly understands how quickly fighters can be built up by the hype machine, only to be discarded in favor of the next big attraction. Cameron's storyline mirrors that evolution, highlighting how traditional journalism now competes with influencers capable of reaching millions with a single post.

As someone who follows boxing closely, I kept waiting for the comic to explore that strategic side of the sport. Whether it's a trainer breaking down an opponent's tendencies, discussing footwork and ring positioning, or putting together a game plan before a fight, those moments never materialize. For a comic carrying The Ring name, I expected far more insight into what happens between the ropes. Instead, the focus remains firmly on the fighters' personal lives and the journalists documenting them. It's an engaging approach, but one that left me wanting a deeper appreciation for the sweet science itself.

Selfishly, though, I still yearn to see not just more boxing, but more of the technical side of boxing in general. I want to see these fighters break down their opponents, adjust their strategies, and demonstrate what makes them different once the gloves are on. The character work is strong enough to carry the series, but I still think there’s room for the actual sport to play a bigger role.

Gail Simone has found a winning formula with The Ring: The Man Who Beat the Man #4. This is the best issue of the series to date, and you can feel all the moving pieces in this world starting to come together as the bigger picture takes shape.