Perhaps this mini-story was meant to be a short and sweet beat-em-up style break after the conclusion of the first "Bloodlines" arc. A change of pace. A different perspective. Looking at it from that angle, it works a little better. Looking at it as a smaller part of the whole, however, it just doesn't fit in. Here's to hoping that the next issue will regain its footing and employ more of the things that have been making the series a success since Issue #1.

Veterans of the Grimm Universe may find something to enjoy in this comic because of their familiarity with the characters, but new readers beware, this is not the best place to start reading. If your interest has been piqued, however, be sure to follow it up with the mini-series as well as the recommended additional reading cited throughout the book.

Jason Aaron puts on a good show for us, but at the end of the day, the entire plot is not something we've been led to be invested in. Secrets are revealed to no real consequence, and the story itself doesn't change much " heck, even the characters don't change much.

There is too much going on in the book for any individual hero to get sufficient attention, let alone have the reader make a connection with them. By the end of the issue the story seems overblown, and to its detriment.

Tomasi and company have created a comic true to the nature of the Scarecrow, but it falls short in regards to story and visuals. There is some great back and forth in the dialogue, but when it comes down to it, this comic sees no real conclusion and should only be read if you intend to follow up with Arkham War.

There are definitely readers that will enjoy this allegorical piece, but priced at $6.99, it's a little more work than it's worth.

The concept remains strong, but without more character development and tighter artwork, this might be a sinking ship.

Captain Marvel #1 might not be the greatest introduction to this new volume in the life of Carol, but it certainly gives us a lot to look forward to. DeConnick and Lopez are on the right track, they just need a little more time to flesh out the various aspects of the book that need to be addressed. A solid read for Danvers devotees, but those new to the title might be better off reading the initial run on the series before diving into this iteration.

A solid but disposable book for any Harley fan interested in seeing their beloved manic in the hands of a slew of talented artists.

The slow, lingering pace does not make for the most engaging of reads, though the visuals should be more than enough to hold your attention. Recommended for the visually oriented.

It's clear that a lot of thought and effort went into making this book, and it certainly doesn't go unnoticed. The visuals are stunning, and the storyline familiar. The back of the issue also contains a few pages of history on McCay and his original strip, as well as process shots of the comic. The main problem lies in diversity. Since it's not a reboot, there was a lot of room to branch out, and that was not seen this time around. There is plenty of room to grow here and tell a remarkable story, so let's hope that the next issue takes more advantage of that.

Writer Al Ewing does a decent enough job with the character, but Loki lacks that fundamental je ne said quoi that makes him so charismatic and likable - he is very nearly eclipsed by his supporting cast.

Definitely worth a read through, but with such a hefty price tag, it might be wise to wait for the entire collected anthology rather than springing for individual issues.

It's definitely Adventure Time as Boom Studios sees the release of the series' first annual this week. Over fifteen creators have converged on this 37-page anthology to entertain the reader with vignettes into the lives of Finn and Jake.

A fitting ending for the mini-series, still rich with comic talent.

This initial Black Widow story is undoubtedly worth the read, but could be so much better if a few risks were taken. It will take some work to bring the infamously impassive Natasha into a world where she has complex emotions and a connection to her supporting cast, but with a few more issues under their belts, it's possible that Edmondson and Noto can take this great character to exciting new places.

There are no great strides being made in regards to new obstacles and challenges for her, but the series remains a solid read and representation of the Black Widow.

This book is right on track, but the characters need some more depth to maintain interest.

Along with colorist Rico Renzi, who sets each mood perfectly with his well-honed palette, this team continues to make great strides in a world comprised of fiction and physics.

A fun read for fans of horror and cheesecake alike.

A solid, if not particularly thrilling read for the series. With any luck, the next issue will be more timely and have a little bit more grit.

A good read, hopefully made better in future issues with a more cohesive narrative.

A worthwhile read for any Grace fan.

It's high time Sinestro had a solo title. He surely takes it as a personal affront that Larfleeze (lovable scamp that he is) got one first. There are still some kinks to work out, but with a few more issues under their belt, Bunn, Eaglesham, and Wright could have a great book on their hands. Here's to hoping.

This is not a comic for the faint of heart. There are many loud noises followed by red liquid. Some of the character designs could be described as grotesque at best. The main character is almost certainly a psychopath. Even so, the reader is left wanting more. Squidder #1 is a winner, it looks damnation straight in the eye and gives it the finger.

As a whole this issue was a fairly solid read, but it was hindered by the fact that not much happened until the ending scenes. As the final issue of the arc, nothing was really resolved, and knowing the same plot devices will continue on into the next storyline is a bit of a bummer. Hopefully the forthcoming issues will introduce more reasons to be excited about this series again.

A fun plot and wonderful art make this book a delightful addition to the Adventure Time line.

This issue is by no means a departure from what we've come to expect of them, but damn if they don't deliver with consistency. A strong introduction to the upcoming return of the series.

For a comic dubbed The Infernal Train, it has yet to be very hellish, but I'm looking forward to where this story is going. The majority of this issue was set-up, but the mounting fear and tension leave the distinct feeling that there are big things on the horizon. Check out this issue, but be sure to do the prior reading to get the full experience.

Bee and Puppycat might only have two issues under their belt, but this comic has a lot going for it. Boasting an amazing creative team, a great cast of characters, and infinite possibilities for what's to come - there is no where to go but up. A great pick for lovers of kawaii characters and chocolate bars.

Kick-Ass might only be kicking butt right now, but it's on its way to a well-rounded conclusion. With Millar and the art department putting their backs into propelling the story forward, I think we can expect some thrilling issues leading up to the final conclusion of this epic comic series.

Lumberjanes is a premise that could have easily become over-wrought, bogged down in all the issues it wanted to address while trying to also have an enjoyable plot, but the creative team pulls it off with aplomb. There are some pacing issues that still need to be worked out, but this book remains a solid read for any comics fan.

Pretty Deadly remains a solid book with a stunning creative team. The details can be a bit confusing at times, but it does nothing to detract from how captivating the story is. This seeming swan song of Death's daughter is a great choice for any comic reader looking for a gorgeous book with an engrossing story.

Oh, Peter Milligan. It's the voodoo that you do so well. Paired with Valentine de Landro on inks, this duo give Shadowman the fresh start it's been needing.

She-Hulk #1 is a stellar first issue, but it's not without faults. Risk-taking doesn't seem to be high on the to-do list, and adding a character more high-profile than the series' protagonist so early was a bit of a letdown. However, going the route of a more simple, character-driven plot for the pilot issue was a smart move, and the artistic team did an excellent job with the imagery. Jennifer Walters is lean, she's green, and she's well on her way to a promising series.

The pace is picking up, new characters are appearing, and the book is set for it's first multi-issue arc. Things are starting to look up for our green heroine.

Continuing to walk the walk and talk the talk, She-Hulk reminds us that she is the real deal.

Shutter is a story about a lot of things, but right now it seems to be focusing on struggle. The struggle to find the willpower to keep moving forward, to keep looking for the answers to your questions no matter what the world throws at you - a human condition we can all relate to. This creative team is doing things their way, and the product continues to be a beautiful and engaging comic that is absolutely worth the price of entry.

The entire team is really hitting their stride now, so here's to hoping they can hold onto that momentum until December, when the next installment drops.

Tech Jacket might seem like just another book about power suits, fighting aliens, and being awesome, but under the surface this story has a lot more going on. It puts the characters and their relationships to each other before fight scenes, it prioritizes story building. This creative team gives us a book that is fun, exciting, and engaging. Recommended for any reader of any age.

Overall, this is a great first issue, leaving readers engaged and wondering what secrets will be uncovered next.

It's the little things that make this book great, so if you're a sucker for the finer things (get it?), then this is the book for you. Who needs dialogue with so much to look at?

From the outset I had no doubt that this series would be great, and for the second month running I have not been disappointed. Gerard Way and Shaun Simon have crafted another great issue, this time delving more deeply into the lives of characters like Scarecrow Korse, RC Cola, and the android Blue.

The duo have created another character-rich issue this week, further investing the reader in the characters and expanding the scope of BLI and Battery City. Becky Cloonan continues to lay down the inks that make this one of the most visually stunning comics out there, with Dan Jackson adding beautiful color.

Becky Cloonan does some of her best work in this issue, every panel brimming with action or emotion.

This book is much like the rest of Lemire's work - stellar.

A refreshing new plot paired with stunning art make this issue a must-read.

From the modern digital panels by Stevenson to the painterly grace of Becky, this comic is a delight from front to back. A must-read for any Adventure Time fan.

An excellent addition to the pastel perfection of the Adventure Time family.

Akaneiro is a great first issue for this female-driven series, flaunting both beautiful artwork and solid storytelling. I'm not sure how it stacks up against the game, but there is no doubt that is a lot to appreciate here. My only concern is that, as a three-issue miniseries, will it be able to keep up with the high-bar now set for the rest of the series? The possibilities for the story seem far too vast for a mere three-issue run.

While Akaneiro is not a break-through comic of the ages, it is an interesting concept that continues to be executed at a high level by a talented creative team. Here's to hoping this strong, female-driven story ends on a similarly high note with the final issue. Judging by what I've read so far, all signs point to success.

A great read for anyone looking to add some laughs to their comic reading.

The main storyline is vivid and impeccably detailed, while the vignettes into the childhood of the Joker (where he really shines) are sketchy and dark. Taken at face value, this comic is highly entertaining and well worth the read.

First issues, much like pilot episodes, are riddled with obstacles for creative teams to overcome. Deadly Class jumps every hurdle, and clocking in at 36 pages, is a lengthy introduction to what promises to be an brilliant and engaging story.

Deadly Class continues to set a devastating standard for the competition, keeping its plot fresh but steady, and replete with stunning visuals. With any luck, this creative team is looking at another sold out run of their brainchild, so snatch yours up while you can. It's a doozy.

This book has been a consistently great read since the first issue. Fraction and Aja are a creative powerhouse, and with Hawkeye #11 recently winning an Eisner for best single issue, they've got the awards to prove it. Here's to hoping that, despite Fraction working on the series' final script, it's still a long way off.

Rucka takes a big step towards character development in this issue, further fleshing out Forever and adding more depth to the story. Lark and the art team continue to deliver visuals that are stunning and yet perfectly ominous. The feel of impending war is captured in every panel. A must read issue with an explosive ending.

Chock-full of the usual noir influence, this installment (as well as its predecessor) has stood out thanks to denser dialogue and more thoughtfully fleshed out characters, not to mention the return of the Noh monkeys.

Brian Wood continues to bring his A-game with this perfectly paced story, while Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire lay out breath-taking line work and color. Great set-up for the final issue, leaving the reader wondering whether Mara will become a hero or a villain.

This book seems to have it all: rich dialects, great characterization, a compelling story, and lovely ink and color work. One of the best debuts of 2014, and not one to be missed.

The newest issue of Steven Universe is fresh and light, full of childhood wonder and parenting debacles.

Darrow's art remains astounding, making this a great issue for any fan of stunning visuals, gore, and the undead.

It's official. Buy into the hype. Killjoys #1 is killin' it. The power team of Gerard Way and Becky Cloonan show their chops in both writing and art, entwining their respective talents to create something great. It feels like they're well on their way to building something big, and here's to hoping they can deliver further issues with the same aplomb as they have this one.

Greg Rucka and Toni Fejzula have another stunner on the shelves this week with the second issue of their new series, Veil.The comic's art still stands at the forefront, all sharp edges and blocky watercolor, uniquely rendered and beautifully colored. The book is rather sparse on dialogue at times, and all the better for it, because Fejzula handles the visual storytelling exceptionally well

The world is safe (for now) as the 2013 run of Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's Young Avengers comes to a close. Brimming with confessions, ass-kicking and romance, this issue boasts some the best writing of the series, as well as the most breath-taking panel layouts and beautiful art we've seen so far

Writer Ryan North continues to do an outstanding job with this series, creating mathematical adventures aplenty for our ever-evolving heroes. Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb also remain on their A-game in the art department, flexing their guns with wonderful spreads of alternate realities.

Holy. Crap. This week's Jupiter's Legacy has us up to our elbows in the stuff that nightmares are made of. Treacherous friends, bloody ends, and faceless corpses make this issue the best yet by far.

Optic Nerve #13 is as solid a comic as they come, rich with various themes, compelling writing, and excellent design. Its self-contained stories lend themselves to an enjoyable experience for anyone, with no worries about continuity. A definite must for comic appreciators who crave character-driven books that also happen to be lovely to look at.