Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird has a lot of interesting concepts going for it but the debut issue unfortunately fell short of my initial expectations. While I loved the story's humor, breakneck pace, and moments of weirdness, the characters were just too paper-thin for the issue to hold my interest. I'm hoping that the mini-series will redeem itself in the succeeding issues.

Chris Roberson and Paul Maybury have created in Sovereign a fantasy world that is vast, complex, and mysterious. That said, the characters were somewhat uninteresting to me in this first issue but I can't deny that the creators have laid down a fertile ground for these characters to shine moving forward. I'll just have to wait and see how this plays out over the next few issues.

Overall, Krampus! #1 is a good romp of a read and well worth the money you pay for it. It has its flaws, but I find the dark yet comedic tone of the story fascinating and immersive. And there's a nice cliffhanger at the end that heightened my interest to pick up the next issue. If Brian Joines and Dean Kotz could maintain the same quality of work they have delivered here, I sure wouldn't mind picking up this title for the long haul.

If you're looking for a title that will make you laugh, The Adventures of Apocalypse Al #1 is definitely worth your attention. The fantasy/supernatural elements, coupled with the madcap humor, makes this a very entertaining read. This is yet another solid addition to J. Michael Straczynski's Joe Comics line.

This new Ghost ongoing series is off to a great start, thanks to Kelly Sue's strong writing and Ryan Sook's gorgeous art. There's nothing here that can be considered groundbreaking (at least not yet), but the issue has presented the series's premise in ways that made the characters interesting and the plot engaging. As a new reader of Ghost, this issue has definitely made me a fan.

The epilogue at the end of this issue sets up the final arc quite nicely. The layers that have been built up from the first issue are now densely packed live wires ready to explode. And if the last page is any indication, it looks like Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips just set the series up for a great conclusion.

The world Rucka and Lark has built here is fascinating in its complexity and the characters are interesting in their individual nuances. Most of all, Forever Carlyle is a protagonist one can easily empathize with and root for. Lazarus is a comic that is as intelligent as it is entertaining, and I can't wait to see what the next issue will bring.

Overall, Magnus: Robot Fighter #1 is a great start to the rebooted series, not to mention a good introduction to the All-New Gold Key universe. Fred Van Lente's skills as a world-builder are on full display in every page. In just 22 pages, he made Russell Magnus a three-dimensional character with real motivations that inform his every action. I got a good kick out of seeing robots getting punched to smithereens too. I'll definitely stick around for this one.

Given the credentials of the creators involved in the making of this comic, I read the issue with very high expectations. I'm pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed. My only issue with it is that it relies too much on familiar tropes. There is, however, an emerging undercurrent of themes atypical of superhero stories that makes this a fresh and engaging read. Elegant yet fun writing combined with strong art makes this first issue deserving of your time and attention. It has certainly entertained me and I'll be more than happy to read the remaining two issues of this mini-series.

Each issue of Revival is a delectable stew of mystery and suspense that keeps you guessing. And when the reveals come (grotesque or otherwise), they always open up new interesting possibilities that will make you as engrossed in the story as before, if not more. And if the cliffhanger in this issue is any indication, it looks like things will be hitting the fan in the coming issues.

In just two issues, Velvet already warrants top of the pile honors in anybody's pull-list. It has the trappings common in many existing spy stories but with a fresh approach that can catapult the genre to breaking new ground. Velvet Templeton is a nuanced, interesting character with lots of potential. There's also this unique aura about her that just pulls you in as a reader. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a secret thing we all have with secretaries.

Black Widow #1 is a solid start to the series; it's action-packed and replete with character moments that lend more depth and complexity to the protagonist. Phil Noto's art also makes this one of the most visually breathtaking comics on the stands right now. This comic has adopted the perfect tone for the titular character and it'll be interesting to see how this series will develop in the upcoming issues. Bring on issue #2!

I'm keen on finding out more about the characters and seeing how it will all play out in the end in light of what has been revealed so far. Pretty Deadly, in just three issues, is turning out to be a masterpiece. It's beautiful in its complexity and magical in its telling. The sheer ambition which the creators have poured into this comic is quite evident, and so far all the risks they have taken are paying off in a big way.

Jason Latour's stylized art couldn't be more perfect for the book's hard-boiled sensibilities. There's a certain grit to his work that captures a certain noir vibe a deep-fried Southern epic calls for. The muted color palettes and the monochromatic flourishes also create an atmosphere that serves to heighten the gravity of each story beat. Southern Bastards #1 is a pitch-perfect debut soaked in deep-fried Southern goodness. It's a rich story teeming with grit, violence, and dark humor. It has a strong introspective bent that touches on several themes with the concept of "home" as a starting point. I give Southern Bastards my highest recommendation.

Zero #5, while a slow-burner, is so well executed on many fronts that it deserves nothing less than a perfect score. I can't think of a better way to conclude this first arc. In Zero, Ales Kot continues to push forward the boundaries of the comic book medium to stunning effect, and if you're not reading this series, you're missing out on something special.