After all the gushing reviews, I was worried that it would be a comic solely for hardcore Bat-fans, or another example of a book everyone loves but me.But this is absolutely remarkable.

If you've been privy to any of my previous reviews of ‘AwA', then you probably know what I'm going to say: I want you to go and read this book. It's truly inspiring how well the creators have been able to adapt the existing characters and personalities of the Archie ouvre into a story of terror and suspense, and there may not be a more creatively synced writer/artist team working in monthly comics today. Afterlife With Archie #5 takes an unexpected turn, but still holds together and deepens the already intriguing elements at play, and looked phenomenal doing it, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. I don't know where the series goes from here, but I'm frankly dying to find out. (*THAT* one was a pun.)

Puts a whole new face non a decades-old franchise, and does it with style (and menace.)

Busiek, Anderson, Ross and company have once again opened a new chapter in Astro City's history, touching on classic Silver Age themes and setting up a new run. If only we could have gotten the N-Forcer's story first.

Axe Cop is the kind of comic that reminds you how much fun comics used to be, with a stream of consciousness approach worthy of James Joyce and a strict internal logic that never contradicts itself, even as we go from talking hammers to flying police cars to giants menacing the capitol building. Amazingly, there's re-readability here as well, and subsequent trips through the book reveal jokes in the art and twists of plot that might have escaped the first time around. Seldom has a comic book managed to be so perfectly consistent and flat-out entertaining for a full twenty-odd pages, and at $3.50, this issue compares well to the output of the Big Two. Heck, fifty cents more is a small price to pay given that this issue seemingly contains more plot than the every issue of the first volume of New Avengers... Bottom line for me, if you don't like this book, you are an enemy of joy and should probably find a job pulling kitties' tails or poking at orphans all day long. Axe Cop - Bad Guy Ear

If you need more motivation, I'll give you one last push: This is Gail's last Batgirl tale (at least for a while) and it serves as a perfect wrap-up for all the adventures that have come before, as well as acknowledging the ghosts of stories lost in the purge of 2011. Batgirl: Futures End #1 is that wonderful synthesis of concept, story and art that comes along only once in a while, and the ending is one that is both foreshadowed and surprising, with delightful new and new/old characters in play.

With clever dialogue, a perfect handle on the meter and tone of Adam West's Batman voice (RIP, sir), and the dynamic art and colors of the Mike/Laura team, this issue is off-the-charts fun for me. There's even a board-game built in that is chockfull of references and clever bits, including cameos by Mxyptlk and J'onn J'onnzz, making Batman '66 Meets The Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 a home run for me.

In short, Batman: Creature Of The Night #2 is excellent, the product of talented creators (including Todd Klein, who provides individualized lettering for each of the narrative voices, even making Uncle Alfred's cursive captions easier to read, which was about my only complaint about the first issue) making a story that examines Batman as a construct and uses him to tell a story about loss and life.

A really amazing tale with quality art, a complex story and an excellent cliffhanger... I'm definitely all in for the ending.

This is a Batman done right, and should be as important as 'The Dark Knight Returns.'

Bitch Planet #1 has a GREAT title, a strong premise and some wonderfully expressive and dynamic art, and clearly has Important Things that it wants to say, doing so with enthusiasm.

Im honestly going to be picking up the rest of this series to see where it ends up going, the most successful sign of a good #1 issue. Casanova: Gula #1 earns a very impressive 5 out of 5 stars overall, making me wish Id been onboard with this title since day one To the back issue bins!

Two of Marvel's oldest heroes, spotlighting with truly excellent art and a lot of understanding of their long histories. What's not to love?

The real magic of Image Comics comes when talented creators are able to deliver a story that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else, and this book's premise, while containing that fantastic element of the mind-swap, wouldn't fly in a shared universe or a superhero world. But on its own, it makes for a riveting comic-book, one that I highly recommend on all levels.

Fairest#3 is giving the main Fables title a run for its money as the best, most consistent title on the stands every month, hitting a home-run for 5 out of 5 stars overall. If you're looking for an entertaining read, look no further. If you want an alternative to superheroes, here's your alternative. If you want to see art so good it should be fattening, pig out" What else can I say?

A fascinating meditation on the futility of war, intricately drawn and beautifully colored.

Ghosts #1 keeps up a long tradition of scary DC (which, though similar phonetically, is not the same as scary EC), smacking me in the head for missing it in the Previews catalog, earning an overwhelming 5 out of 5 stars overall. Don't let the price tag scare you, this book is worth every penny, and it more than triple-sized in terms of reading pleasure.

This issue is a marvel, featuring wonderfully expressive art, an inspired green-tinted color palette and a plot that is always in motion. Truly excellent stuff.

Green Wake #5 is surreal and beautiful and mysterious and it reminds me of every girl I ever loved and why key lime is my favorite.

This issue convinced me to immediately go back and buy the rest of the series. What more is there to say?

Waid and Mora (and Bonvillain and Maher) are firing on all cylinders, pulling together threads of half a dozen storylines into a book that is, in-universe and out, meant to be the center of the new DC Universe.And they're pulling it off.

Taigami's melding of Japanese folk tale and Marvel Comics is the kind of intercultural mash-up that I could stand to see a lot more of.

A truly beautiful, engaging, thoughtful first issue.Did I mention beautiful? Because it's incredibly pretty in every panel of every page.

Okay, seriously, just buy this one, guys. You won't regret it, unless the therapy bills get too high. Mister Miracle #3 is beautiful, it is haunting, it is disturbing, and it's one of the best comics I've read in 2017.

Excellent use of out-of-continuity characters and situations for a lovely comic book that should appeal to younger audiences.

I think the most telling part of this issue comes in the fact that the 12 pages feel like a complete chapter of story, with some compact but effective character work, and a lot of intriguing questions raised throughout. All the kids' personalities are sketched out for us, and even though there's no actual combat in the issue, the artists still give us some nice action work during a touch football game, and each character has a unique and definitive face and body structure. The art is really good, and the coloring manages to channel the classic comic book look and feel without feeling flat or retro. New Crusaders #1 is an impressive start for the new adventures of old friends, nailing a classic all-ages superhero vibe without being childish or simple, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. There's nothing not to like here...

I wish there were more books that were this enjoyable to read.

I went into this book with super-high expectations, all the while knowing that it was highly probable that the book wouldn't live up to the hype, but in this case, I was happy to be wrong. This book wasn't what I expected (indeed, I had kind of forgotten that Dowling was defeated last time) but it was an enjoyable issue nonetheless, giving closure to each of the four main characters, finalizing the respect between the different methods of Snow and Drummer, and finally closing the one remaining open case in the Planetary ledgers. John Cassaday's art is stellar throughout, especially the subtle differences between the various alternate reality Planetary teams, and Ellis delivers a script that is complex without devolving completely into "technojargon as dialogue," a common problem with futuristic/super-sciency storytelling. This issue's only real weakness is that it gives a reader almost no guideposts to the story, relying that we've all read the previous 26 issues (which, given that thi

It's clearly a story that the creator cares deeply about, and it comes through in every page of the work. This one comes highly recommended.

An issue that treads where the likes of The Spirit and The Masked Man once walked, and does it with it's own flair. Excellent comics.

I admit it: I am a mark for this series (and the female lead in particular), which means that I probably have a predisposition towards enjoyment of this issue, but it IS a good one, and it's not your standard superhero bombast, something I know Stephen appreciates. (That is, so long as the bombast doesn't have a scalloped cape, then he'll drink all the Kool-Aid you got.) All in all, the first run of this book came at a point where Eclipse Comics was on the way out, and Grant Morrison was just a little-known guy working for Vertigo. Steed And Mrs. Peel #2 is a pretty cool book, well-written and gorgeous, earning itself a lovely 5 out of 5 stars overall. I'm totally psyched to finally get to read the END of this story! Now, can somebody bring back The Liberty Project?

In short, this book is a reminder of why I love comics: Not just cool corporate characters, not just high-profile super-artists, not just the major motion pictures they inspire. Corey Lewis has a unique voice, a deceptively simple looking art style, but most of all an understanding of how to make a series of static images with words stuck on 'em grab the reader and make them hold on for all they're worth. Sun Bakery #1 comes highly recommended, and you need to sit down and digest it all as each story provides something different, but they're all energetic, entertaining and above all, fun.

Waid crafts a perfect setup, while Hitch and Nowlan give it remarkable life.You're gonna wanna check this one out.

I have to say, I understand why they chose to tell Hughies tale separate of the Boys main title (although I disagree with that decision) but this is one of the better issues of the book since Hughie learned the truth about his girl. This entire issue a pretty amazing piece of work, and I was fascinated by most every page.

This issue reads smoothly, looks like a dream and is filled with great moments of magic, intrigue and horror, making for a lovely read.

This comic is remarkable, well-drawn, well-written and well-researched.And frankly, it's well overdue.

The Other History of the DC Universe #3 is the most visually arresting issue of a series that has never been less than beautiful, but it's married with a story that works perfectly, overcoming my worries about alterations to Katan's back story .

I am just flat out blown away by the first chapter of this book, as the writer and artist both put in a performance that uses familiar tools and tropes in new ways. The structure of this issue is a VERY strong first act, and the use of graphic elements (and the overall trade dress and logo design) sets it apart from the other books on the stands. It's an exciting story, well-paced for both an individual issue and for the inevitable trade, and Jonathan Hickman makes even the most complicated dialogues about twisting the fabric of space-time both interesting and understandable, and the visual imagery is first-rate. The Red Wing #1 is a startling kickoff, using familiar elements in new ways and creating a really impressive whole, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Nettie's search for her boy is at once tense, terrifying and admirable, while the players she encounters range from unearthly to hilarious. This is a quality comic book experience.

This book is beautiful, it's structurally sound, it gives you everything you want from a Sandman issue, and it reminds me why I prefer to read Gaiman in collected form. I will say, though, that $4.99 (or $5.99 for the digital combo pack) is a pretty steep bill for a story that clocks in at less than half the pages of the original Sandman #1 back in '89, but to be honest, I'd still pay the $5.99 for some good Gaiman story. In short, The Sandman: Overture #1 is worth any of the hype, and even as a story set in "the past," (as though the original book didn't jump around in time anyway) it doesn't fall prey to prequelitis or dashed high-expectations.

This issue is a great introduction to The Spider for new readers (or dilettantes like me), setting our stage, giving us his methods, his history and his fascinating world-view in the space of a single issue. It's not a traditionalist take on the character, but it seems to be a faithful update of the pulp hero, setting him firmly in the present and making him work in that setting. The art is beautiful throughout the issue, and The Spider himself looks phenomenal in action. I was worried about some of the cover images, as the red/black web motif made me worry that the creators were taking a bit too much from Wentworth's cultural offspring, Spider-Man, but the balance of this issue is just right. The Spider #1 hits all the right notes, and makes the rare jump straight into my pull list, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall, and serves as a perfect example of relaunch done right...

An unusual ending for an unusual book, featuring a rare example of a creative team both embracing and rejecting the logical end of the story at the same time.

Eerie, effective suspense paired with lovely art and an intriguing setting. You can't ask for a a better single-issue experience.

That rare perfect comic experience, playing fast-and-loose with the fun but never ignoring the rules of drama, comics or Deadpool stories. Really impressive work.

This series is perhaps the best use of fourth-wall breaking and genre savviness in recent history, and makes for an exciting (and actually funny) read.

When you play with Kirby concepts, you need to bring it, and this issue does so in both art and story. It's really good.

Ewing and Rodriguez breaks the rules to make them work, featuring a focus on Betty Ross, The Harpy, and an truly puzzling mystical universe. If you've been sleeping on The Defenders, you're missing out.

Each new reality is more creative than the last, and this one is both portentous and breathtaking, with a story to match.

ProsThe perfect introductory issue.A lovely callback to stories past.ConsThere are no cons.Shut up and read it.

Nobody does it better than the Astro City team, and this issue is why. Debuting an interesting new hero (The Wolf-Spider, seen on the cover, gets a page or two inside, making me want to know what his deal is), taking an unexpected tack on the tropes of the nearly century-old superhero game, and making us CARE about Madella's life turn this issue into a treat, a filet mignon among the bologna sandwich crossover schmaggegis we've all grown tired of. Astro City #2 is the real deal, turning answering phone calls into effective and moving drama, while not skimping on the action and cool art

So, yeah, this issue proves I'm a terrible person full of schadenfreude (for enjoying Ned's turmoil) and jealousy (for my grinding envy of Busiek's towering writing talent), and yet I'm still going to recommend it, and let you decide whether you wanna listen to the advice of a terrible, horrible evil man. The question of whether anyone else could make Astro City look as amazing as Brent Anderson is answered, the question of what drives people to do self-destructive things is examined, and most impressively, a twenty-odd page comic book becomes a portal into another person's life, a story full of emotion and authenticity. Astro City #12 hits the proverbial home run touchdown sports metaphor thingy, with beautiful art and an affecting story, earning a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars overall. I keep saying this, but if you're not reading this book, you're missing the most consistent monthly book around…

That would be telling. But it's a really wonderful reveal, as the last page of the issue takes place first in chronological order, and makes what comes before that much more unique and special. There's really no sense in futzing around with this: Astro City #13 is another wonderful standalone story, albeit one that stands out even among its brethren, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. What Busiek, Anderson and company have done with this book is simply extraordinary, and you owe it to yourself to read this one (three or four times, actually.)

I admit it, this issue might have had me a little misty a time or two, and the use of Busiek's old script emphasizes the archetypical nature of the heroes of Astro City, where you can tell a tale that reminds you of Doctor Strange, or Superman, or even (as with last issue) your Grandma while still maintaining cohesive and compelling stories. Astro City #16 hits a dead-solid perfect drive and gives us an ending that's both poignant, unexpected and lovely.

Astro City #18 gets a little bit heavy, if you're really paying attention, but still delivers a little action, a little human drama and a lot of the usual AC quality.

When it comes down to it, there are literally hundreds of superhero titles available every month, but Astro City provides more than just the latest crossover schmageggi or fistfight (not that there's anything wrong with either of those.) The story this issue gives us measured bits of progression, but most of the focus is on the woman inside the armored Quarrel suit, her life, her family, her loves and her drive, and it's a hell of a good read. Astro City #19 shows what you can do when you realize there's more to character than dead parents and a unique suit color, providing excellent story.

Clever world-building and game mechanics are folded into that rarest of beasts: A story that balances RPG and comic book elements perfectly.

Four issues in, this comic continues to impress with every new development and raises the stakes on the drama, while giving us the patented Gillen last-page-shocker moment.

It's a truly heart-rending story, featuring some hard decisions, beautiful art and creative world-building.

That final page gave me goosebumps and makes me think the war is ending, one way or another. This book is pretty amazing.

Equal parts fascinating, repulsive and terrifying, with just enough secrets to make things interesting. This is an excellent book.

The best terror is (you should excuse the expression) rooted in humanity, and few artists do that better that Rob Guillory.

Phenomenal art, a solid script, and super-fun character designs make for an excellent comic-reading experience.

Clever writing, excellent character work and beautiful art that drips with personality… A book you should be reading!

A loving tribute to the Dragons Ball and Street Fighters of days past, with colorful art and a joyously explosive story. This is really good, y'all.

Gorgeous, exciting and detailed. This really is "The Comic You've Always Wanted", whether you know it or not.

A book this gorgeous could get away with complete incoherence, but Vle's story is a compelling one as well, making for a really impressive read and an excellent cliffhanger.

A beautiful book across the board.

In short, Pretty Deadly #4 continues the series' excellence, building myth and dramatic tension through sharp dialogue, great character work, and a weirdly/wonderfully ethereal writing ‘voice', all wrapped up in some truly beautiful art, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. When I put this issue down, I went back and read #1 through #3 again, then this issue one more time, and I have come to the conclusion that this series is two creators who mesh perfectly, telling a story that they both want to do justice to. Don't be put off by the lack of super-dupers or the implications that it's a “western”, Pretty Deadly is more than just the sum of its parts, and it's a story that I highly recommend to anyone who likes their comics smart, complex and well-drawn.

Philosophical discussion of war juxtaposed with the brutal reality, making for an engrossing bit of story…

An excellent first issue of an excellent ongoing, which is not a paradox at all…

Old friends return, up is down, right is wrong, and The Surfer throws a mean right cross. What's not to love?

A wonderful story full of emotion and beautiful dialogue, with a killer ending...

A lot of lovely touches on the usual excellent character work and lovely art...

Silver Surfer #9 balances drama, romance, horror and space travel into a coherent, personal story with top-notch art and coloring.

This book really is that good, month after month, and while I'll miss it, I'm excited to see what the creative team has in store for their big finale.

I've been raving about this book for what seems like forever, but this issue shows that this team not only has a perfect eye for dialogue, setup, exciting stories and drama, they know how to pull off an excellent ending as well. So few comics get any kind of ending, and Marvel especially has a tendency to end with a "Toys back in the box! Undo everything so the next guy can work with a clean slate!" attitude, but Silver Surfer #14 shows how to do that with flair, emotion and craft.

The art and coloring combine for something that feels fresh and unique, while Yoon-Sook's story (and her wry personality) are instantly engaging and weird.

Waid and Samnee together make magic, and this issue is no exception.

If you've never read 'Afterlife With Archie', first of all, go get it. It's very well-done work, that succeeds not only as a horror story but as a tale of the characters we've all grown up with, one way or another, and this book is a lovely counterpart to it. Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina #1 is excellent, with a literate and truly frightening story combined with utterly gorgeous/blood-curdling art.

Densely-written, packed with detail and menace, with really amazing art…

Well-done suspense with a pitch-black sensibility, some great dialogue, and intention echoes of Stephen King… Highly recommended.

A perfect balance of Riverdale and Hades, with moody, effective art. You won't want to put it down!

The promotional Black Lantern ring that came with this issue, depending on your location and availability. Even my status as store back-issue monkey didn't guarantee me one, but manager Jim still had some left when I picked up my comics, and I got the freebie with my issue. I'm old enough to remember when they gave away Green Lantern rings and Eclipso diamonds back in the day, but this piece is MUCH superior. First, it's natural circumference is such that it fits comfortably on even my chunky-style hands, and I can wear it without discomfort (meaning no "plastic pinch") on the middle finger where such power trinkets belong. Most of all, it's a tough little piece of plastic, unlikely to break immediately like so many comic premiums. Overall, the experience of this issue was a pleasant one, taking me on a decently handled horror thrill-ride and giving me another unique piece to keep in my collection of esoteric junk. Blackest Night #1 (andit's accompanyingcollectible Blac

This issue is as effective as #1 was in creating an air of menace and horror, and captures the whole "Monkey's Paw" moment of a dead loved one returning to rip out your heart perfectly. The scene with the Atom (who, by the way, doesn't appear with the League at the end, making me wonder if they ate him or something) is skin-crawling, and even the bravado of Green Lantern can't overcome the feeling of oppression and impending doom created here. I was slightly less enchanted with the art this issue, but it's still a good job, and the moment where Black Lantern Aquaman raises the dead sharks is purely shocking. I wasn't expecting the body count to continue rising with this issue, and I'm a little concerned over what happens after the series is over. I hope it's not one of those "Kill the head vampire" moments where Garth, Hawkman and company just revert to normal because of the Worcestershire sauce helpline. Either way, this issue is once again an example of event writing done r

I've never been a fan of the big giant crossover, but once again, I am surprised at how well this one sticks together. The official debut of the last colorof the emotional spectrum comes at the perfect dramatic moment, and their revelations about the weaknesses and the origins of the Black Lanterns are obviously at the heart of the Blackest Night saga. The characterization throughout this issue is note-perfect, including a creepy turn by the Hawks and the Dibnys, whose corrupt Black Lantern essences make every word out of their mouth a skin-crawling moment of disgust. Hal Jordan is forced to play it safe, Barry Allen is forced to slow it down, and Jason Rusch gets a character-defining moment that makes me look forward to a real showdown between him and Ronnie Raymond. Even the seemingly-silly concept of thesuper-morgue in the basement of the Hall of Justice delivers a moment of true horror, as the bodies of Max Lord, Alexander Luthor, Killer Frost, Copperhead and others lurch and shamb

It's been public for some time now that the big bad behind all of this was, indeed, the Lord of the Dead his own bad self, Nekron. For those of you NOT conversant in his history, it has always been said that if he enters our reality, bad things are going to happen. We're talking 'Don't cross the streams' bad here, "Zombie Apocalypse" bad, maybe even "Jim Carrey Is Ebenezer Scrooge" bad. (Okay, maybe not that bad, but lord, it ain't good.) Even knowing who was behind it all didn't lessen the goosebumps and enjoyment that I felt as Nekron showed up in this issue, thanks partly to some very suspenseful dialogue and pacing, and partly to a beautiful redesign of the character by Reis and company. Having his Black Lantern as part of a Grim Reaper scythe is truly inspired, and even if you don't know who he is (as most of today's readers seem not to) you can tell that he's bad news. The horror of previous issues isn't as oppressive this time around, but there's still some gruesome moments here

In my very first Blackest Night review, I took a moment to show off my souvenir authentic space-zombie ring, and this issue of Blackest Night came packaged with a Red Lantern ring, completing my set of rainbow Lantern baubles. My overall assessment of the rings is highly positive, as each one is shinier and more fun that the last. My daughter was thrilled to complete HER own set, but it's nice to have a collectible that, first of all, FITS on my rather chunky fingers, and doesn't make me feel like I'm a nine-year-old giant nerd. Though I prefer the version of the Green Lantern ring that looks like an actual lantern, these are a nice piece of ephemera, and even managed to help DC sell a couple of struggling titles (REBELS and Doom Patrol come to mind.) It's a win-win, as the rings drove business to the store, we sold out of even the most esoteric of titles, and it was a fun little treasure hunt over the course of the last few months. I'm going to wear my Red Lantern ring to work, allowi

This series has yet to disappoint me, though I'm once again surprised at the outcome. I expected this issue to be more about the faux-dead, but instead, it became about hope and how to counter the Black Lantern Corps. Turns out that the theory of rainbow power Captain-Planet-style is sound, they just don't have enough light-bringers yet. It's interesting how this book is most fascinating when dealing with characters who don't always get first-tier adoration and love: Ray Palmer, Mera, John Stewart and even Deadman have key roles here. I'm liking where this issue leaves us, with our first glimpse of hope, and the choices for ring-bearers make perfect sense, especially Saint Barry joining Saint Walker in the Blue Lantern Corps. (Maybe they should call him Saint Runner?) Geoff Johns gives us new sides of characters we've been able to read about for decades without undermining their essence, and Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert deliver on the art side, with a neat "Sword of The Atom" looking Ra

In short, this is a book that makes me wish I had run to the store on the Wednesday that #1 came out. (We sold out on day of release for Saga #1.) This issue isn't your standard comics fare, expertly written, and exquisitely drawn, and you're going to be sorry if you didn't buy it. Saga #2 nails execution, package and delivery, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. I don't usually say this, but in this case, it's okay to believe the hype...

It's a rare story that manages to be completely unique and utterly familiar at the same time, but this (and frankly, EVERY) issue of Saga pulls off the trick. There's even a perfectly rational explanation for a costume change in this issue that works wonderfully and helps to define two of the main characters. I am flat-out jealous of how effortless this comic book seems, and how excellent the reader experience has been so far. Saga #8 continues its hitting streak, earning a well-deserve 5 out of 5 stars overall. I might lose my fanboy card for saying this, but this is a series that might even be better than the Star Wars tales that helped to inspire it.

Saga #11 is expertly written and drawn, and evokes strong emotions from me as a reader, while strengthening all of the characters with gentle but note-perfect character interactions.

Another fine issue with lovely art and at least one paragraph that made me gasp out loud…

Every time I miss an issue or two of this book, I come back and immediately regret it (and also grab all the ensuing issues to enjoy in a big marathon.) Saga #45 works as a narrative, as a meta-narrative and as a single-issue read, with art that stands out even by the high standards of the book.

Prince Robot makes a bad decision, Ianthe is hot on our heroes' trail and something REALLY bad seems to be about to happen... Instantly engaging.

It had been so long since Saga went on hiatus that I had forgotten how good this book could be, but Saga #56 reminded me in the best way possible, combining utterly beautiful art and compelling story into a fine hunk of comics reading

This issue wraps up the return arc in a satisfying way, both in-universe and out, but then hits readers with the trademark Saga shock, to great effect. Well worth your time.

All-Star Batman #13 balances the man with the bat, with Alfred's narration providing a fascinating underreported perspective on the actions of our Dark Knight, with excellent art in both stories and a lot of really strong characterization and motivated action throughout.

Soule's script is solid, but the real star is ACO's creative layouts and psychic battlescapes.

It's a whole world of awesome that comics fans should be in on.

It's a whole world of awesome that comics fans should be in on.

This comic makes Rage Cage and Jables throw 4.

Astro City does the nearly unthinkable every month, but this month's achievement is very impressive, taking a retro story and making it feel completely contemporary and exciting without having to resort the universe-building tricks that the Big Two seem to be completely dependent on (see previous and following reviews for what I mean by that.

Its rare to see a story end in a manner this satisfying, especially when the characters are UNSUCCESSFUL in their quest, but Busiek and company pull it off. Astro City The Dark Age Book IV #4 is a fitting ending, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall, and bringing the Williams brother saga to the better of its several possible endings Im also psyched to see that a Silver Agent micro-series will be coming in a month or two to finish HIS story as well. If only we could get a monthly Nexus comic again

Dark, moody and disturbing, showing off the Hill's horror roots and featuring some excellent art.

Killer art and a truly creepy story combine for an excellent reading experience. More of this, please.

This book has really sucked me in, and I can't wait to see the final issue" Hopefully, it has a happier ending than this one.

In short, Basketful of Heads #7 is the perfect capper to a really well-done series, wrapping up everything perfectly, even while it introduces new twists into the events of the series.

T'Challa's past, present and possible future, all presents by talented artists and classic Black Panther scribes. Well worth the cover price.

A new team of Defenders arises with incredible art and an engaging story. What's not to love:PS: They aren't joking about that last page shocker.

This issue is another example of Al Ewing's exquisite power to make connections that seem like they've always been there, using a truly eclectic group of characters to examine the foundations of the Marvel Universe.

Ewing and Rodriguez continue to plumb the depths of the Marvel universe in ways never before attempted, with incredible art and a story that makes me see the multiverse in new and exciting ways.

Constantine's return to the US included old friends, new enemies, a demonic girl scout and the strange sensation of trying to take care of his son before his decomposing body is too far gone. The halcyon days of Hellblazer have returned, and I couldn't be happier.

"A good person should show generosity and respect to one whose fate has been placed in their hands." It's a perfect description of Constantine's dilemma and his own bad habits.And of course it ends up being ironic.

Good-looking, suspenseful, skillfully plotted and true to the Star Wars aesthetic. What's not to like?

In short, I wish that this were the regular monthly Supergirl comic, or even better, one of several regular monthly books ala Batman or Spider-Man. Kara feels like a genuine person in these pages and the art is truly wonderful.

Eighty pages for $9.99, with a complex, entertaining story and stellar Allred art?Count me in.

It's not quite as likable as issue one, as Mark Russell is an odd choice for a story explicitly about hope, but it's still an entertaining comic book.

Two stories, two teams, two interlinking mysteries. One fine comic-reading experience.

Wild concepts and truly beautiful art make up for any shortcomings in the plotting, dragging you along on a wildly inventive ride. A truly beautiful issue...

A quiet, almost poetic tale with truly wonderful art throughout…

Some would say I'm not the target audience for the Young Animal titles, but I have yet to find one that I don't enjoy, and this issue is no exception. Bug! The Adventures Of The Forager #1 just feels like a Jack Kirby book, full of wild ideas, exclamation points, strange occurrences and dynamic art, and the Allreds nail the Bronze Age origins of both these characters.

In short, Bug! The Adventures Of Forager #2 is the kind of comic book that makes you sad it's only a limited series, featuring excellent art, a fun story and a ton of entertaining doodads and nabobs and such.

Daredevil and Daredevil leave New York, and while it's not clear where they're going, the hints we get make it clear there's good stuff to come.

Mark and Sergio have upped the ante for the idiot barbarian, taking him to a new level (literally) and proving that some things never change. Top-notch stuff!

In short, John Constantine: Hellblazer #6 is an excellent example of Hellblazer in the classic mold, impressing with it's art and complex storytelling while depressing me as I realize how little has changed since 1988.

This is a comic that excels in both story and art, working together to make for a riveting read and a truly shocking cliffhanger.

A near-perfect time capsule featuring Claremont doing his Claremont thing and Sienkiewicz knocking it out of the park. This is a good one.

I have no idea if this has any connection to the film, but it's a bright, entertaining and complex adventure with characters who rise above cartoony to feel real and an ending I really love, especially the part about bearing the weight of our own expectations. This is a good book and a good buy.

The spirit of the Silver Age with a modern sensibility and clean art makes for a very enjoyable read.

Smart, funny, beautiful and surprising. You can't hope for a better comic featuring Jabba the Hutt.

A really tense story that nails the ‘Star Wars' tone and looks utterly uh-may-zing.

A truly impressive single issue that sets up a compelling mystery and looks great. All crime and/or noir fans need to pick this one up.

Avani's past mistakes still haunt her, but her mother's belief that "every pencil has an eraser" drives her, in an exciting issue that sets the stakes and gives us a really beautiful visual experience.

Uncle Scrooge is one of the most revered icons of comic books around the world, and this issue is an excellent celebration of that, with even Fethry Duck bringing his A-Game. It's pretty wonderful.

Murphy's new take isn't so much a revamp as it is a continuation, and one that manages to overcome some of the problems that come with that decision, including stellar art.

Tense and excellent, with a look into Natasha's dark past and a truly surprising final page...

Old friends, old foes, but precious few answers. Still a great journey, though...

It's not a comic book for the squeamish, nor is it a traditional tale of heroics, but Black Widow #6 is perfect single issue, delivering in terms of story, of art and of dialogue, and setting in motion plot points that are clearly going to come back around in future issues.

Wheels within wheels, ham-to-ham combat, multi-level references and wonderful art… The total package.

A solid set of stories framed by an ingenious premise, with varying art styles that all work well together...

A haunting story combined with beautiful art and a skillful reveal. There's a lot to love here, and I can't wait to go back and read it all from the beginning.

This book is good. That's really all you need to know. Hawkeye #1 nails the execution, and hits the metaphorical bullseye (I'm sure I'm the only reviewer to think of THAT clever bon mot) for 5 out of 5 stars overall. It's a good looking comic, a great read, and there's not a giant cosmic war nor an epic standoff to be found, just a well-written character doing the right thing for the right reasons, and fighting the good fight. You won't regret reading this...

Hawkeye #2 does what I thought was impossible, improving on #1 and deepening my fascination with the character and his new life, earning a full-on 5 out of 5 stars overall. There may be hope for mainstream Big Two superhero comics after all, if this series is any indication...

Hawkeye #3 is a homerun, a hole-in-one, a sports metaphor #3, and it makes me not only LIKE the character of Hawkeye, but want to live through one of his adventures, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall. If you're not reading this, you're missing one of the best ongoings Marvel has to offer, bar none.

Some people hate it when I don't reveal every single detail of the story in a review, and I can certainly understand that, but the payoff here is so good that to try and explain/recap it would both undermine the coolness of the plotting, and ruin the book for you when you do go pick it up. Suffice to say that it's a rare moment that subverts and plays straight the spy-movie conceit, and it puts Hawkeye #5 in the same class as the first four, cementing the book as one of Marvel's best, earning it 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I was a little concerned when last issue bucked the 'done-in-one' trend that had been playing out in Hawkeye, but I'm happy to say that Fraction, Pulido and company put that fear out to pasture with a quickness...

Seriously, if you dig a story about a cool guy, you should read this book. The story of Hawkeye trying to be as awesome in his home life as he is at "work" is a compelling one, and its fascinating to see a superhero who really IS just a regular guy. (Batman, being a genius hyper-millionaire ninja, probably doesn't count.) Hawkeye #6 is another in a series of issues that are on-target, hitting the bullseye and other archery cliches as well, earning 5 out of 5 stars overall.This is the kind of seriesthat will be remembered years from now as a game-changer...

Experimentation with the form in a mainstream superhero comic has become more commonplace, but a perfectly effective and successful experiment is something of a rare beast indeed. Treating the dog as the hero of his own story is a simple, but brilliant idea, and the execution from the creative team pushes it into perfect single issue territory. Hawkeye #11 is a delight, with hidden depths in its seeming simplicity, making me think that Fraction, Aja and company (particularly letterer Chris Eliopoulos, who makes Lucky's perspective concrete with his amazing design/production work) can do pretty much anything.

All in all, this issue somehow doesn't feel quite as self-assured as some previous issues of this book have, though the reappearance of the Eliot Gould-type detective is cute, and the shot at Marvel's most unlikely seventies super-team was pretty funny. Part of my discomfort is probably the amount of time it's been since we've seen Clint, Barney and the rest of the cast back in NY (something that wouldn't have happened, if not for the production issues) and Kate's fish-out-of-water situation feels a little forced this time around. Still, even a not-as-great issue of this title is a better than average affair, and Kate's adventures in wonderland are still engaging, with Hawkeye #16 earning a better-than-average 3.5 out of 5 stars overall.

The penultimate issue ratchets the tension and looks great doing it…

A bittersweet ending for the Hawkeye story we didn't know we needed…

This Peacemaker is perfectly placed to capitalize on the 'Peacemaker' show starring John Cena..just, y'know, sixteen months later.

Peacemaker ends up being pretty useless this time, and it makes for a well-done story of betrayal, misunderstanding and dog-napping.

Throwing caution and rational thought to the wind, much like their main character, Starks and Pugh give us another chapter of awkward moments, fist-pumping and terrible ideas in the heat of battle. Fun stuff, if you're of the right mindset.

v

This issue carries a palpable sense of impending doom, but I'm unclear if it's for Winter, for Therese, for both or neither. There is clearly some sort of machination going on, and the conspiracy of cardinal winds bears watching as well, as well as a seeming spy in the midst of the Mayor's attempts to rebuild Fabletown. All in all, this particular issue has a lot of developments in it that will bear fruit in future issues, but still manages to feel like an important chapter in the ongoing story. Fables #114 balances a lot of characters in several different settings, but never trips over itself or tries to be too clever, earning an always-excellent 4 out of 5 stars overall.

I'll tell you, that's not really much of a complaint, either. Fables #143 continues the slide towards the end, leaving me hoping that we might possibly get our central couple their happy ending after all, but not filling me with confidence in that fact, and making for an intriguing read all around.

Many things come to a head, and the final, fated battle of sister-versus-sister is seemingly inevitable in an issue that looks great and is a joy to read.

This book is tense, effective, beautifully drawn and utterly unexpected, making it both a shock and a major success.

To be honest, this noir-tinged Justice League should bug me, but I find myself drawn in by the beautiful art and the skillful detective trappings of it all, even when the story gets darker than I ever expected.

This issue complicates Chance's life, his romance and seems to imply that he really is doomed, but it's the beautiful visuals make it hard to worry that he's gonna die.

Things get emotional for the Human Target just when it looked like he might be happy for the rest of his life, and MY GAWD it's a beautiful issue.

Greg Smallwood hits yet another unqualified home run with his art and coloring, while Tom King proves once again that he is absolutely terrible at endings.Still worth your time, if you've come this far.

A really successful new take on one of Marvel's oldest characters. This one's a real thunderbolt.

A simple concept executed really well, with the long-overdue introduction of Jackie McGee.

The horror continues, an old friend returns and the most terrifying foe of them all for Bruce and for Hulk.

Hulk fan or no Hulk fan, this is a book everyone should be reading, making the Hulk a true monster in the best sense of the word and defying expectations across the board.

Reworking a campy Silver Age tale into a modern horror fable must have taken tons of work, but this one nails it, and the last-page reveal is a solution scarier than the problem.

Once again, a venerable hunk of superhero story becomes pure horror, showing off how strong this new take on The Hulk has become.

The only thing more chilling than the destruction from the Gamma explosion is the horror that the child-like Hulk feels about it. A really effective and creepy issue.

It's a new take on Hulk Vs. Thing, and Ewing's script combines with Bennett and company's art to give us the beginnings of a beautiful frIendship.

The new year is a time for taking inventory, but when it comes to gamma mutates, that's just plain horrifying.

Bruce Banner's alter-ego(s) literally go through hell, but it all ends as well as it might have, including the last word on The Green Door. Well worth a read, even if the artist is on my avoid list.

Picking up where the last volume left off, and raising some new threats as well, it's an excellent first issue.

Lots of political maneuvering, a way-beyond-crazy Odin and one hell of a cliffhanger... This is good stuff.

Emotionally moving, visually dynamic and headed for almost certain tragedy... This is a good one, you guys.

A nice mix of police procedural, mytholigical edda and superhero madness, with great character work and art.

It's an exciting and well-crafted story (though as the final chapter there are some things that really aren't clear unless you have read the first three) but the amazing art is worth the price of admission by itself.

With a complex and nuanced take on race relations that feels even more relevant in recent weeks, The American Way: Those Above And Those Below #2 feels like a case of perfect timing, but there's also great skill and craft in the story and the art.

This is fun. The use of "nunja" is itself worth the price of admission, but the thickening plot is well-handled, the art is awesome, and it's clear why our protagonists have teamed up: They need each other to balance out. Character-wise, I find this incarnation of the heroes to be superior to the original (where Archer was kind of annoying, to be honest) and Archer's use of fake curse words to express his frustration is a scream. Archer & Armstrong #3 keeps the streak intact, delivering an entertaining reading experience that's multi-layered and fun, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.

A couple of digressions: Recently, one of my agents (James, if you must know) was reading a "Betty and Veronica Digest" that he bought at the grocery store between calls at work, and I spent a few moments reminiscing with him over how awesome the old-school Archie comics are, with their perfect love triangle, and the simple stories that still pack andramaticpunch. It was a little weird thinking about being a kid and reading these stories, and even weirder to run into them in a work setting. Digression the second: There wasa time in my childhood where one of my most anticipated moments was Saturday mornings when I could watch cartoons, and I clearly remember seeing "The Archies" in that bizarrely primitive Filmation cartoon style, and just loving the characters to death. With that in mind, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to enjoy this story as much as I did. Archie, Jughead, and his friends are allstill the charactersthat I remember, and the MacGuffin is done in such a cute and

Archie #629 is slam-bang fun that seems to effortlessly leap all the hurdles to an awesome story.

You should absolutely check this out. I'm not sure if Archie does TPB collections, but they really need to make an exception if you don't. The only thing this crossover was missing was a flexidisk with the soundtrack on it, like Billy & The Boingers had that one time. Archie #630 delivers the goods on all fronts, doesn't forget the second-stringers, and puts Kevin Keller in the makeup of The Fox, earning a darn-near perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. You have to love a book like this, and the best part is, you can do it in a totally non-ironic way (seeing as the hipsters are the villains.)

This issue reminds me of the Archie stories of my youth, where everybody has a particular character quirk (Archie's smitten, Ronnie's vain, Juggie's disdainful, Betty is clinically insane) and the punchline comes at the end. Everybody laughs. Curtains. But I haven't read an Archie book this gorgeous since the heydey of Dan DeCarlo, with Gisele's art perfectly complimented by excellent inking and coloring. Archie #636 is a fun, frenetic bon-bon of an issue, setting out to entertain and doing so in fine fashion, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I wouldn't analyze it too deeply, just enjoy Valerie Brown looking like Kofi Kingston and have a soda...

There's a lot of meta in this issue, but it's the closure that classic Archie deserves…

A really good first issue of what may be my new favorite comic.

It is tough to make an issue that feels believable in terms of conflict, but still has sufficient threat-level to challenge a team with a Norse god, a couple of living suns, three alien-ish powerhouses, an immortal soldier, the greatest combatant on Earth, and 40% of the founding New Mutants, but Spencer and Hickman deliver a tale that hits the mark. Artistically, this issue is a lovely affair, with everyone looking great, and even Maria Hill getting some nice dialogue, supporting the example set by her movie counterpart. In short, Avengers World #1 works as a #1, it works as a story, and it showcases a lot of Avengers doing a lot of various Avengery things.

It is a short story, and mostly setup, but it's also a weekly release schedule and a 99 cent price point, so I can't complain too much. The story and art are both immediately impressive, and I love the idea of these franchises crossing over.

A perfect final chapter, providing a legacy that the 1966 TV show never got while playing with the 70s and the DC Universe alike, and doing so joyfully and skillfully.

This whole issue is simply beautiful to look at, and Wein makes the tongue-in-cheek tone work for him, even with a character as tragic and unusual as Two-Face is, and I would recommend this issue to anyone and everyone at $3.99. I'd recommend it to most everyone at $4.99, and even hard-sell at $5.99, but at $9.99 this book is priced way outside of the range of the payback. In short, Batman '66: The Lost Episode #1 is for the hardcore fans of its core constituencies, a lovely-crafted collectible for those who already love the creators or the setting within.

For all my worries about the Before Watchmen project, we're two issues in with two decent reading experiences under our belts. The fact that both issues feature a measure of Darwyn Cooke probably has a lot to do with that, but this issue is a nice reading experience, if completely unlike Minutemen #1. From an art perspective, it's an amazing experience, and it's truly nice to see younger versions of Sally and Laurie that LOOK like younger versions of the characters as drawn by Dave Gibbons, and the story is personal and painful as high-school drama always is. Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1 does its main character justice, reads well, and looks gorgeous, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I don't know how long they can keep this kind of quality up, but I'm enjoying the ride while they do...

It's the mark of the truly superior anthology that, even with so many creative hands in the mix, there aren't any major missteps anywhere in these pages...

Chew is one of those books that I drift in and out of from month to month, a pattern that I also follow with Fables and The Walking Dead, and I always get a great deal of pleasure out of each. (I also end up going back and re-reading all three books in order, though at the risk of being outed as a 'trade-waiter.') Chew #30 changes the game in a very heavy-duty way, pulling off a double-twist, and closing out the book with the secret origin of Caesar, done in a way that evokes Charles Schultz without undermining the sheer eye-popping horror of the central third of the book, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I've you're a lapsed Chew reader, pick up the last couple of issues with this one, and try to avoid spoilers before you do it. It'll be worth the trip...

Something very unsettling is happening with this book, and the measured approach to the plotting heightens the tension with every page. Plus: The art is lovely throughout.

As always, with a title like this you can't be too careful: This is not for the under 18 set or those who dislike body horror and the occasional act of senseless violence. But, for those who care to partake, Clean Room #17 manages the difficult task of balancing psychological horror bits with a more visceral approach, with excellent art and writing and a stellar cast of characters.

A reminder of how good a story featuring lost characters can be, with wonderful art…

Bringing all of the players together, wrapping up all the loose ends, and doing it with style…

This issue reminds me of nothing more than classic Vertigo, and bear in mind that I'm old and freaky, so that's a compliment. Deadman: Dark Mansion Of Forbidden Love #2 is a remarkable achievement, returning classic Deadman after his New 52 revamp a few years ago, delivering on the difficult promise of gothic romance in the DCU, with beautiful art.

The success of any Dial H story is in the heroes dialed and this one doesn't disappoint on that front, but it also has stellar art and an interesting plot to keep readers hooked.

Another fun installment of a book that fights DC's grimdark with some impressive success.

Several side-trips, all of which tap into the wish-fullfillment core of Dial H, with a gang of talented artists. What's not to like?

This issue is a thrill ride with a truly impressive and shocking cliffhanger, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I couldn't have asked for a better ending for this series, and the art is utterly perfect throughout. You really should be reading this book.

This issue is interesting in that it applies a modern sensibility to the 1970s Doctor Who stories and does so in comic-book format, which means that there's no effects budget to worry about, Even so, it's successful as a single issue, as a final chapter of the story, and most of all as a Third Doctor adventure.

" It's a fun little issue, with cameos by the Sixth and Ninth Doctor, enjoyable even if you don't have the encyclopedic knowledge of Doctor Who fandom that some ofus might.

In short, this is a well-done issue playing with fantasy tropes and historical events at the same time, making for a nice hybrid of Tarzan and John Carter with a lot of potential adventure hooks and a legitimately jaw-dropping final moment.

A really effective first issue, which makes me want more of this series.

I've argued for a long time that comic books should be allowed to have natural ends, and if any book deserves it, it's Gotham Academy, a comic which has long ignored the "traditional" rules of comics. Gotham Academy: Second Semester #8 brings a lot of things to a boil all at once, but keeps it all balanced, with clear and excellent art, some real suspense and an ending that will make you want issue #9 immediately.

Well-drawn, well-written and cleverly conceived. This is a winner!

Shorter stories and guest artists don't destroy the horrific mystique off Ice Cream Man's terror-filled little world, but (as always) sensitive readers should proceed with care.

In short, this one is a winner, featuring unnerving situations that have gravity and reality to them, straddling the line between hallucination and story perfectly and drawing me in with every page. Imaginary Fiends #1 is excellent, engaging, well-drawn and featuring a perfect elevator pitch concept.

It should probably come as no surprise that this issue appeals to me, coming as it does from one of my favorite writers, and serving as a sequel to a story that I very much enjoyed when I discovered it in the mid-1980s. Infernal Man-Thing #1 may be buoyed by nostalgia, but the craft is strong, with some very peculiar and charming art from Nowlan and a story that reminds me of Gerber's strongest works, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. This comic has made me want to dig out my old copies of Man-Thing Volume 1, including the much-giggled-over Giant-Size issues, and read through them again this weekend, which sounds like an excellent plan...

It's a mighty dark subject matter, but Jennifer's demeanor makes this book not quite like a Punisher story. She doesn't seem to be engaged completely by either side of her life, instead smiling serenely and passing through both the life of a suburban mom and the life of a brutal killer with the same detachment. My difficulties with the art never completely evaporate, and the grotesque scratchy linework makes the sex scene pretty repellent (probably moreso than the knife fight, honestly) and I don't know how long the narrative can go before the bubble bursts and one of Jennifer's worlds collapses into the other, but right now I'm impressed. If you doubt that Ennis can get down to business without out-Preachering something or other, this would be a fine book to pick up. Jennifer Blood #1 is a splendid first impression, and a gonzo bull-moose whopper of a mixed message, but it still excellent enough to bag 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I hadn't intended to put this book on my pull list, but

Its an out of continuity tale that works no matter when you learned to love Ms. Quinn, and it does what a one-shot should do, in making you wish it was an ongoing series even as you realize it probably wouldnt be this much fun every month. The Jokers Asylum II Harley Quinn is a good outing for Harl, and earns a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. The only thing this book was missing was sexual tension with Poison Ivy and a big wooden hammer to brain people with

Worst of all? I may have to come back next month to see how this starts to shake out, as Gillen's writing is impressive on a number of levels, not the least of which being an adult viewpoint where nobody is entirely right or wrong, and even the Queen of the gods is willing to bend a few rules to have an agent at her disposal. I had long since given up on Thor's tales (the last issue of this title I read included the Earth Force, if I recall correctly) but if this is how Asgard works these days, I want to read about it. Journey Into Mystery #631 is a "jumping-on point" that works, earning a very impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. The only real weakness that the story has lies in its strengths, as the clearing up of old threads short-changed this issue in terms of actual plot...

Clever, witty and metatextually wondrous. I think you should just go buy the thing already...

Jughead #9 examines our intrepid weirdo hero in a while new world of maybe-romance, without betraying the core of the decades-old character, with humor, intelligence and truly excellent art.

In short, Justice League United Annual #1 makes for a good looking issue, with a strong story that even makes me want to read about Hawkman.

Theres a lot of discussion about whether we need 5 monthly titles featuring (fill-in-the-blank: Wolverine, Batman, Deadpool, Claudio Sanchez) but each of the monthly Hornet books has a specific place, time and perspective on the characters. Kato Origins #1 (Way Of The Ninja seems to be the title of the arc, and I cant tell if its a mini or an ongoing) is a good read, well-written, thought-provoking, and pretty as hell, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. As a Green Hornet fan since college, its good to see the big guy and his majordomo back in the spotlight in such a quality book

A fine balance of unpleasant reality and fairy tale makes this one memorable, and the art brings it all together.

Its a book that I highly recommend to anyone who digs comic books and the comic artform

It's great to see a book like this last as long as it has, as many equally fascinating comics have never made it anywhere near fifty issues, petering out due to lack of story or loss of creative team or general missing mojo. Lumberjanes #45 is an example of a book that just keeps getting better, with more examination of our characters and depth of mythology, making me happy that we're still getting the book year after year.

I'd like to see more of these two together, as well as more from this creative team.

Once again, we cut to the 'Marvels'-style heart of the story, and it's a really wonderful journey.

Well-written, well-designed and drawn and truly clever. This one is a winner.

All action and intensity, with a shocking last-page tease.

A really great slam-bang ending that doesn't skimp on the personal moments.

All in all, there are worse problems to have than liking a book's take too much, and this issue makes it worth any worries that it can't last in sheer quality.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that you have to keep reminding people is wonderful (Fraction/Aja 'Hawkeye', McDuffie's run on 'Justice League', the McKelvie/Gillen 'Young Avengers') that you just KNOW isn't long for the world, and this book is it. Mockingbird #7 is another incredibly funny, strangely tense and well-written issue, featuring inspired art and dialogue, as well as a surprise return that knocked my socks off.

Long story short (too late?), I really enjoyed this issue. Milligan hasn't lost a step, the main character's voice is compelling and charismatic, and the visual aspects of the character are a hoot, throwing back to long ago days of Sid and Nancy and moshing seas of leather with studs. Punk Mambo #0 is a VERY strong debut, both in terms of story and of art, and it's one that I hope kicks off an ongoing series that maintains this level of quality and story.

Although I really wish we had gotten the names of all three girls spoken aloud, Rebel Grrrls #1 is an entertaining comic in the vein of '80s indy works, playing with elements of music, feminism, action flicks, horror movies, and classic Vertigo.

The timeline is confounding, but the characterization is wonderful, and the swerve(s) at the end are unexpected. Add in beautiful art, and you've got yourself a winner.

Earlier this week, Kurt Busiek said on Twitter (yeah, I'm on Twitter... Shush...) that this was "The Dave Stevens Tribute Album," and in that respect it's a smashing success. All the creators involved are clearly fans of Dave's work as much as they are doing their job, and the results are phenomenal. None of these creators are scheduled for next month, as best I can tell, which may mean that the vignettes we read are intentionally not going to continue next month, but that's okay. There were only three Rocketeer stories in the better part of 20 years, but I like the way this issue shows us small moments from what could be inferred as a long career in the mystery man business for Mr. Secord. Rocketeer Adventures #1 was my favorite book of the week, and the only thing that would improve it for me would be Dave himself still producing it, leading this one to earn 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I'm not sure how long this title is scheduled to be around, or how long it would really be able to

This issue is really charming, really funny, even touching, and does a great job of humanizing the larger-than-life X-Men, and a second tale gives us a really funny bit where the kids fight off monsters during a game of Truth or Dare. I haven't read Runaways regularly in a year or two, and it's nice to see that the interactions of these unique and fun characters are thriving, even under a new writer. Sara Pichelli's art is wonderful as well, with an animated feel but realistic expressions and wonderful perspective and framing. You can't go wrong with Runaways, apparently, and it's nice for a book to remind me of the things I really enjoy about the Wolverine character. Runaways 3 #10 earns a much-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars, missing the perfect score by only the barest of margins (some odd changes in Nico's magic powers implying a bit of Dark Phoenixing on the horizons make me leery) but overall, this book is still charming, fun, and exciting. Best of all, it's not mired in overarching

This issue is tense, entertaining and fast-paced, featuring all the hallmarks of a good "spy on the run from everyone" story AND a fresh, unique art style. Great stuff.

As done-in-ones go, this is a really solid issue, which clearly had a lot of work put into it. The coloring deserves special mention, as well, using the shadows of Gotham to great effect, while making elements like fire, Wonder Womans gold accents (she's wearing her traditional costume in the interior pages, even though the New 52 costume appears on the cover) and high contrast to great effect. In short, I really liked this issue, and Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #1 is a great kickoff for an out-of-continuity book looking at all the angles of the Amazing Amazon, looking great and providing some excellent food for thought

A sort of shared universe of 175th Century literary and quasi-historical characters, Seven Swords ends up being a lot more than I expected, from the detailed art to the nuanced story, and the ending that leaves the next part open to interpretation and/or sequel.

A really engaging story, beautiful art and subtle storytelling work. I sort of love this book.

Maybe it's my 70′s Marvel bias showing, but I really enjoyed this issue, especially the appearance of characters that get little to no respect. They're not badass, and they don't need to be, and that's just fine. Victor's backstory gives him at least some claim to Luke's old fighting name, and if Marvel HAD to name a new Power Man, at least this one makes sense in context. Iron Fist and Cage have an amazing repartee in this issue, thanks to the amazing dialogue of Fred Van Lente, and the art in this issue is VERY good. My only real disappointment is that Mahmud Asrar didn't also handle the covers, as the guy drawing them has a completely different style and makes the new Power Man look oddly Caucasian and unappealing (not that the two are necessarily interchangable.) Shadowland is only a backdrop for this story of a son seeking redemption, and seeing how far Luke Cage has come in his time as a Marvel hero helps to justify the enormous Bendis-inspired push he's been getting the la

Kudranski plays with a few familiar concepts, but the finished product feels fresh and interesting, almost poetic.

Tense, emotional, engaging and complex. I really like this book!

This issue surprised me in several important ways, and best of all? It made me sad that the book was ending, even though I haven't been following it at all. Hope there's more with these characters down the road.

Long story short? I recommend this book, even if you've never read an issue of Doctor Mirage before. Reversing the point of view of the old series from the tribulations of the ghost-husband to the emotional trials of the flesh-and-blood wife is a brilliant inversion of the existing story paradigms, and Shan Fong is a breakout character. The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1 is a solid hit, combining an excellent script with appropriately moody art and a unique color palette, delivering on the promise of occult-mystery-with-a-hint-of-lost-love

A fitting closure to the Jane Foster era (or perhaps the first Jane Foster era?) with hints of terrible battles yet to come. I liked it!

All in all, there's a lot to love here, in an issue that's packed with details, plot and cameos, and a nice cliff-hanger (no pun intended) to round it all off. Langridge revels in the Rocketeer's world, and Bone's art (while not at all what I expected) is pretty wonderful throughout the book. The Rocketeer - Hollywood Horror #1 has me ready to sign up for a full run by these creators, excelling on both the art and story front, and delivering on the fun that the Rocketeer is meant to entail, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I didn't make it all the way through the previous miniseries, 'Cargo of Doom', for reasons related more to time than to quality, but I won't be missing any issues this time around...

This issue takes one of my favorite Marvel characters and puts her in unfamiliar territory, but never loses sight of what makes Jessica Jones tick. Plus: The last page reveal is both shocking and hilarious.It's shockalarious.

This issue still doesn't explain the whole of what's going on but that's okay, because the plot, characters and art are all strong enough that I want this mystery to last.

Aside from some minor issues in coloring that make a certain sequence confusing, this issue stands as a great single issue experience and a really effective setup for the final issue's conflict.Professor X has seldom seemed this cool.

This book is a solid setup for an adventure, and doesn't shy away from the danger inherent in the school's new location (Poor Carrie!), leaving our characters on the precipice of a terrifying new adventure, and I'm definitely going to be following this title going forward. Tynion and Dialynas have created a world full of fully-realized characters, with a central mystery that I'm looking forward to seeing explored. (Here's hoping that it's not as drawn out as the central mystery of ‘Morning Glories', a book that starts from a passably similar premise.) I'm unsure where or not it is an ongoing series or a limited, but The Woods #1 sticks the landing, with excellent dialogue, quirky-but-solid art and an intriguing set of central characters, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. If it keeps up this level of quality, this book could become the next ‘Saga'.

Having grabbed all the issues (one of the fringe benefits of being in full control of the back issue stock of a medium-sized comic store, Faithful Spoilerite), I can say that its a shame a book of this quality is getting canned, and I think its a prime candidate for a reader-lead mail-surge return in the near future. Thor: The Mighty Avengers is a fine comic book, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall, and reminding us all that sales are seldom an absolute measure of quality

The last story alone, with it's almost effortless inversion and merciless deconstruction of the myths and carbuncles of time-travel would have me buying this book, but Simone's story is flat-out excellent, as is Lindelof's tale... Now that you mention it, there isn't a really bad story in the bunch, only ones that aren't quite up to the brilliance of the top contenders, leaving some serious kudos to DC/Vertigo. This is a book you should get, period. Time Warp #1 reminds me of the greats, with a little bit of Bradbury, a little bit of Serling, just a dash of Philip K. Dick and a whole heap of quality comic bookery, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. Seriously, check this one out.

Overall, its a nice continuation of a dearly missed series, and a well-handled continuation at that. Tom Strong and the Robots Of Doom #1 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars overall, and gives me hope that we might see more Top 10 or Jonni Future as well

There is a LOT going on in the shadows of The Trees, and it's clear that this creative team is thinking about a lot more than just the alleys of Gotham City or the rundown prisons of Georgia. Certainly there's nothing wrong with a contained story, but this book seems ready to show us every aspect of a world that has been changed by first contact, and it all follows perfectly from what we're shown. This issue ends with a very ominous final panel, one that is clearly going to have long-lasting ramifications on the world, and while I have NO idea what it all means, I'm keen to come back next issue and find out more. The Trees #2 is the kind of story that can pretty much only be told in a creator-owned book, with a hugely entertaining premise, great character work and excellent art, earning a very impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I am of the opinion that you need to check this one out, post-haste…

Seeing the whole truth of what was done to turn this innocent man into Doom is harrowing stuff, made even worse by revealing the fates of the rest of the FF. It's a chilling issue full of literal torture, done very skillfully.

I'm going back for the previous 11 issues and you should, too.

A truly thoughtful story that examines the concept of Death through the lens of a world where death is cheap, with excellent art and a fun cast of returning Doctors. I recommend it.

Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special #1 is a good'n, featuring a wide variety of characters providing their perspective on what make Wonder Woman awesome (I almost put wonderful, but" too on the nose) and should be a must-have for Wonder Woman's fans.

Paul Levitz confounds me. Some of his work is hokey, retrograde and awful, while other stories are perfectly formed and amazing. This issue falls into the latter category, as Levitz and Maguire drag me into the raw emotion of Robin as she charges into danger to avenge her mother. Supergirl's characterization is retro in a good way, reminding me of the old days of Action Comics, while Huntress becomes a little bit more like dear old dad in a way that doesn't feel as ham-handed as many attempts to rip off recapture the magic of Batman's origin. This story is about the first interaction of two characters destined to become the Worlds' Finest team, and Worlds' Finest #0 makes it all work very well, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.

In short, I expect that you may already have an expectation about this book: The art doesn't look "Marvely." It's a hipster book. It's slick and glib and blah blah blah fishcakes. All of that has a grain of truth, especially the part about it not seeming like a typical Marvel book, but there's a lot to love here, in a lovely well-designed little package, and if you let those expectations deter you from buying a book this good, you're doing yourself a huge disservice. Young Avengers #3 should be a must-buy for fans of 'Journey Into Mystery,' as well as fans of clear art and clever story-telling, earning a very strong 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Marvel NOW! has been quite successful for me, and even the misses are books that are creatively stretching for something exciting and unique, but this issue puts a solid cap on Young Avengers as my favorite book of the relaunch. (Hawkeye predates the NOW!, or else I'd have a fight in my cerebral cortex for that crown.) It's impossible to tell where the writer and the artist begin and end, and the story is not only exciting, it feels like a natural extension of things that have come before in various other books. (Amazingly, no one on this team is a new creation.) Young Avengers #4 hits the right notes, with amazing art, cultural reference that feel spot-on, historical comics references that work, and a nice ensemble of characters with just a hint of bastardry, earning a dead-solid 5 out of 5 stars overall. You should definitely be reading this book if you like your comics fun, frenetic and oh-so-very-pretty, folks...

This issue succeeds in two difficult hybridizations: Making a superhero/zombie mashup work and making Japanese and American comics sensibilities mesh on the page. Zombies Assemble #1 gets a lot of things right, from the art to the level of gore to the tactical application of humor within the confines of a story that relies on the scary.

It's the Archie book I didn't realize that I needed, featuring a dramatic historical tale that keeps the charm of Riverdale intact.

The interpersonal drama reaches a breaking point for four different relationships, a familiar face may be gone for good and Archie finally deals with some of his guilt. All in all, a good read.

A skillful retcon, combined with a well-crafted story and some truly great art, make for a memorable first chapter, one that some people forget since the rest of the arc is the debut of Todd McFarlane.

Wow... Unlike many comics fans, I don't consider Batman to be a favorite character. There are certainly good stories about him, and even some bad ones that I hold dear to my heart. Batman, for me, transcends character, existing more as almost a genre unto himself, a blank slate upon which so many stories, so many different takes can be done. I love Englehart and Rogers, and the laughing fish. I love O'Neil and Adams, and the love-god who Ras admired and Talia loved. I love the fun-loving, square-jawed big brother who slapped Robin heartily on the back as they leapt into their always-non-fatal adventure. I enjoy the old man who snarks that he wears a target because he can't armor his head. They're all good, they're all Batman, and, most of all, THEY'RE ALL VALID. Each is a perfectly legitimate take on the phenomenon of Batman, and each is somebody's favorite. So, when I say that I don't care for Batman comics, it doesn't mean that I don't love me some Batman, and fin

A great relaunch that I hope maintains it's intensity.

Still it's a well-done issue, and the art is phenomenal on both halves of the book.

Kate's tactical error and Renee's bullet wound earn4.

Still, this book delivers the crime-fiction, delivers the street-level vigilantes, and some excellent storytelling overall. Detective Comics #857 earns a very strong 4.5 out of 5 stars overall, and makes me happy to be reading a bat-title again.

There's been a strange sort of imbalance to previous issues of this title, wherein the Batwoman portion of the book seems to be a little more engaging than the Question portion, but that imbalance is somewhat correction with this issue. Montoya's quest and her actions are much more decisive than before, while Kate Kane is tied up with issues of her past, giving us an issue that's mostly flashback. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it fleshes out the character in wonderful ways. Part of me wants to make a snide remark about the "evil twin" subplot, but as a whole this book works for me, and even though the revelation of Alice came out of left field, it served more as a "What DO we know about this character?" moment rather than an "Everything you know is WRONG!" situation. Batwoman's traumatic past has been referenced before, but this issue's chilling explanation (made even more horrifying by the fact that we never actually SEE what happens, only the aftermath) makes Batman's trauma

This issue gets a lot of legwork done in very few pages and doesn't short-change any of the SIX main characters, all the while creating a compelling central mystery, doing it all with strong art. It's a good comic.

It's a book that makes you feel for the brand-new White Fox, the heavily exposed Deadpool and the enigmatic Domino equally and looks great doing it.

Brings this era of Domino to an awesome close and assembles a great team we will probably never see again.That last part is a bummer.

The progression of events is exponentially crazy, and it makes me worry about how mad issue eight is going to be, but it's a well-written, complex and engaging story with a lot of moving parts that still works. That's an achievement.

Robbie's wish gets very complicated, very quickly, and the biggest twist to date literally left me gasping. Well worth your time.

There are a few questions raised here that we probably won't get to until the end, but it's an enjoyable read despite a feeling of distance from the story due to the amount of time that passes during these pages.

The Idea Man is clearly a villain, but every one of the havens proves to be kinda terrible, while the expanding time line makes for some satisfying growth for the former denizens of the Lamplight Tavern.

The first issue of this series gave us a premise, and every consecutive issue has expanded the scope. The end of eight decades makes a beautiful end to THAT story, but still isn't the end of the WHOLE story.

If you haven't been reading thus far, go get the back issues or pick up the trade. You'll be glad you did.

From Jason and Leo's bonding over the weight of leadership to Goldar's upgrades to the shocking reveal at the end, this one is worth your time.

Zordon and Splinter discussing the morality of their decisions is worth the price of admission, but when you throw in gorgeous art and the wonderful character interactions and you've got another winner.

Nostalgia or not, there's no reason not to enjoy this kind of good, old-fashioned bombastic comic book action.

There will always be limitations to what a crossover can achieve, but Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 pulls it off with aplomb, wrapping up the story with action, character moments and a clear love of both properties, with clean, expressive art bringing it all to life.

I am fully prepared for a volley of reviews and internet comments snarking that this book doesn't live up to the hype, but it's a strong issue nonetheless. Though the first chapters of this story have to do some heavy-lifting in terms of exposition and explanation, and young Alan Moore wasn't quite the writer that he'd later become, but I still find a lot to like here. Miracleman #1 is the third version of these stories that I've purchased in my comic book collecting history, but even at $5.99 I'm okay with paying to see it re-presented in a deluxe format and pleased to see the story holding up.

I've been waiting since 1993 to see where this is going, and. I did NOT see that coming. But it's a very Neil Gaiman kind of story.

Silver Surfer #1 has a solid-but-intriguing premise, strong writing, great art, and a fun shiny main character, as well as some of the most wonderful coloring in recent memory.

I'm in for the long haul here, and I hope that the book is, too. This issue may actually have the Surfer's series surpassing 'Hawkeye' as my favorite Marvel book, and that, as Nicolas Cage will tell you, is high praise.

Silver Surfer #4 is absolutely enchanting, with some lovely touches of character and art, a shocking moment that makes perfect sense (OF COURSE he's heard of Star Wars, he has cosmic awareness!) and continues the streak of Surfer excellence.

Flat-out amazing, with mind-blowing use of space and multiple time-tracks…

Crossing over in more ways than one, this book feels like a lost episode of the goofy, energetic, over-the-top old-school cartoons it's reviving. Plus: Fortress Tiberius!

Animation-style madness with some expected betrayals. This is honestly one of my favorite recent stories of either franchise.

Tooth And Claw #1 feels like the beginning of something very unique and compelling, with some beautiful coloring, and a splash page (Page 35, if you're counting) that's worth the cost of admission all by itself.

Swords and sorcery, but NOT the cliches that have always seemed come with it, with lovely art throughout.

Great dialogue, wonderful art and new mysteries unfolding... Another winner from Busiek, Dewey and company.

Excellent art helps to overcome the difficulties of the first chapter of a story full of mysteries.

Things are starting to come into focus, but there are still unanswered questions. Gorgeous art from cover to cover, though.

A cast featuring most of the Black heroes of the Marvel Universe facing an endless onslaught of alien invaders, makes for a fascinating all-action issue worth it's price tag.

An impressive ending to Coates' run, setting up a wild new status quo for Wakanda, one that I hope doesn't get immediately unraveled by the next writer. Either way, it's a lovely ending for a lovely ride.

Beautifully-drawn, carefully-plotted and avoiding the possible pitfalls that this premise might provide. An excellent first issue!

The Defenders #1 is a gem of an issue, bringing back the grandiose 70"s loopiness of the team and tying it to a new sensibility with great success.

This issue is a bit more plot-driven then last, where the character bits took center stage, but the explanation of what the Concordance Engine is is well tied into Marvel history, playing with both story elements and Jack Kirby's legendary designs. There's still a clear indication that these characters don't belong in ANY team, much less together (which is even funnier when you remember that everyone but the Surfer is part of another team in the Marvel U.) The ending comes a bit suddenly for me, but the overall issue is a winner. Defenders #2 is well-drawn, well-crafted and overall entertaining, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall.

The lineup of the Defenders is one of most fascinating in Marvel's current lineup (perhaps even in their history, although the New Fantastic Four had it's moments) and even though most of the heroes have decades behind them, there are still new moments to be had, as with this month's Iron Fist/Silver Surfer pairing. The art is on the money, while Fraction's story keeps the weird characters uniquely weird, doesn't neglect the characters' personal lives, but keeps the story moving. I know that Fat Cobra probably won't be joining the Defenders, but there's a tiny part of me that hopes he'll at least stay in the supporting cast, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this twisty-turny story goes. The Defenders #6 keeps bringing the good stuff, the weird stuff and the absolutely intriguing stuff, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall.

Fraction continues to play with form and function, as the bottom of page messages (designed to reference the 1970′s Marvel comics) interact with the narrative in a very meta way, providing call-backs and answers, while the character balance of our heroes is once again fun, with Strange as leader, Surfer as heavy hitter, Iron Fist as lancer and Red She-Hulk performing the important service of being the cabbage-head, allowing the other heroes to naturally deliver the expository dialogue. Whether the Black Cat sticks around (I honestly hope she doesn't, but not because I don't dig her), Defenders #8 does the trick for me, doing interesting things with some lovely art (Here's hoping McKelvie is the new regular artist) and earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. This book is really hitting a nice stride, and I hope that the Next Big Thing doesn't destroy it's peculiar charm with too much Marvel NOW!

An origin, some adventure, a terrible threat and the perfect explanation to bring so many diverse characters together. Truly enjoyable stuff!

Really impressive stuff, working with a lot of characters and concepts, but staying focused, with clean art and great pacing.

In short, this book consists of a pair of well-written, beautifully drawn tales, but doesn't feel like it continues the story from issues #1 & 2 so much as it serves as secondary material, ala the 'Front Line" specials that Marvel keeps throwing at us during their big crossovers. I can't complain about the quality of the stories here, but it is a bummer that this issue doesn't have any of the main storyline in it.

There are multiple artists at play in this issue, but the consistency of the production smooths over any transitions beautifully, and every page of the issue is lovely to behold. The sequence of Mightor in action is particularly lovely, but I may be the only fan of stone-age Space Ghost, so I'm a bit biased. Future Quest #4 is another towering achievement, a love-letter to the characters, creators and even voice actors of class H-B properties, and I hope that it's building to something that makes it all resonate, but even if it comes apart at the seams, this issue is worth the ride.

In short, it's not the best of the five issues to date, but Future Quest #5 is still a better-than-average effort with a LOT of moving pieces, even thought it hits a couple of sour notes (musician joke) regarding The Impossibles.

This issue brings our heroes together in the same place for the first time, which makes me look forward to next time around (and maybe some heavy-duty Space Ghost action, please? It's been 9 issues you guys!) Future Quest #9 is a solid issue with a lot of plot-related heavy lifting to do, meaning it's not my favorite issue of the book, but it's still a good read.

Is there a word that means both "bleak" and "uplifiting'? Maybe "bleaklifting"? Or upbeatdown? I don't know, but this is an impressive reading experience.

If you're only familiar with Prince's mean-spirited work on 'Ice Cream Man,' you may be surprised how sweet and uplifting this issue is.

This is a remarkably sweet story, wrapped in nostalgia and designed to undermine everything you know from 'It.' Totally worth the price of admission.

More apocrypha about Miracleman aren't what I wanted, but the creators here have a lot to show us, and best of all, it serves as a precursor to The Silver Age being finished after 20 years in limbo.

A good story, and art that finally gets the treatment it deserves" A good buy all around!

This issue is structurally identical to its 1993 presentation, but Buckingham's decision to upgrade the art has added drama to an already engaging comic story. Top-notch stuff.

After Moore's arc, Miracleman was in desperate need of a new focus (and a point-of-view character), but Dickie's story is outpacing even my thirty-year-expectations.

Dickie's search for himself gets literal, and the detective work feels somehow out of place, even as it's very satisfying.

An interesting cast, a perplexing mystery and gorgeous art make this one a keeper…

The resolution of the threat to Earth feels a bit sudden, but the art is wonderful and the things that come AFTER that literal Deus Ex Machina more than make up for it.

Long story short, America #2 is a solid, entertaining comic book issue with some great guest-stars, action, adventure, romance and philosophy.

America #6 deserves the highest recommendations, taking its charismatic lead and putting her in different, emotional situations throughout the book, highlighting her loves, her friendships and her family as much as her power and determination, leaving me giddy about my new fave-rave character.

I'm really bummed to see this series go, but at least it's going out with a big cosmic bang.

Very literary, very touching and rife with metaphor... Sad to see this one go.

I've read a lotta Archie Comics, and one important thing is true about this comic: It's the first time I've had any use for Cheryl, much less her useless twin Jason. Add in some amazing art, and you've got yourself a winner.

There's political intrigue with the Spartax, a difficult moral problem that parallels real-world refugees and the historical plight of the American Indian, and our hero is faced with the realization that her pre-judgements of a situation may have been entirely wrong and Captain Marvel coming face-to-face with at least three situations that she can't solve with photon bursts and raw power, making for a really interesting read. In short, Captain Marvel #3 looks great, provides a fascinating and nuanced story, and finally fully convinces me that editorial is serious about Captain Marvel standing alongside Thor, Iron Man and the rest at the top of the superhero heap, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. Heck, even the “Mohawk space-helmet” works here! I recommend that you check this book out…

I'm a little bit surprised to say that I'm enjoying Carol's space-travel story, as I was worried that we'd covered the star-faring superhero territory a bit too well in the past. If the secret of Captain Marvel's kitty is what it seems to be, we may be in for a hell of a ride over the next couple of issues, but it's a ride I'm nonetheless looking forward to. Captain Marvel #7 is an issue with a lot of charm and quiet development before the weird stuff kicks in, with a surprising turn halfway through, and some really lovely art (which is a theme in this title over the last couple of years).

Incredibly touching, very personal, and emotionally powerful. Highly recommended.

Even if you hate Damian and Jon as they are now appearing, you can enjoy this fun teen superhero adventure.

A new take on some familiar territory, with a powerful emotional core.

Irreverent, violent and funny, this book is really fun to read and looks just plain beautiful. What's not to love?

Jo's situation gets worse, but every page of it is fascinating and visually amazing, with an ending that makes me want the last chapter right now.

We're dropped in the deep end without water wings, but the effect is engrossing and the art is remarkable. I'm looking forward to more of this book.

There aren't a lot of writers whom I would trust with a lot of Victorian English, but Fialkov proves himself to be one of them with this issue, and the pacing of the story is very well-handled. There are breath-taking artistic moments every few pages, and the issue ends on a moment of true artistic awesomeness.

I really enjoyed this issue, from the dramatic first page all the way to the end, and found it really beautiful to look at. The artist and the colorist worked together in a way that you seldom see in comics, and the narrative throughout was lovely, balancing Elizabethan drama with a modern voice.

In short, if I Vampire had to go, I'm glad that they got to go in a manner that befits the title and the characters, and not in a panicked spasm of Top 300 sales reports and angry creator. (I'm looking at you, Static Shock.) I'm saddened to see it end, but like many quality Vertigo books before it, it wraps up nicely while leaving room for additional stories and appearances by at least SOME of the cast. I, Vampire #19 doesn't suck, which is a joke that I've held off making for months now, but since this is my last chance, I'm throwing it in, giving us a bittersweet close and 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. I hope to see more both from these creators and from this setting in DC's future output.

Jonny Quest fans know the sting of disappointment better than some fandoms, but this issue manages to be sharp, well-drawn, engaging, and captures the tone of the original cartoon impressively.

Extra-strong art and a story filled with suspense and character teases makes for a really good second issue.

Alex and Max are back in action, and the story is wonderfully engaging and enthusiastic, with art that brings it all to life. Well worth your time.

I love the art, I like the characters, and the story is both exciting and has something important to say, making for a nuanced and entertaining read.

Things get rough for the former Crossjack, in an issue that adds to the complexity of the story without forgetting that it's meant to be a love letter to '90s Image books. This one's really good.

An excellent climax to what turns out to only be the first arc, making me realize that I want more 'Local Man' immediately.

Jack Xaver is no detective, but neither is anybody else in Farmington, which leads us off onto a whole new day, making for the proverbial "Great Jumping-On Point."

A mysterious woman adds fuel to the fires of conspiracy, while something even bigger is brewing in the wings. And does this tie in with Blood Squad Seven?

Seeley and Fleecs keep upping their game, and this issue tops them all, delivering closure, redemption, history, and just a touch of the old ultra-violence to deliver an love letter to classic Image and a really good comic book issue.

Three interlocking stories, each with multiple perspectives, giving the women of 'Local Man' their own moments in the spotlight, with excellent art that somehow feels like this book has decades of continuity behind it.

As an avowed Wagner fanboy since late in high school, I admit that I may be biased, but this issue (indeed, all the issues in this volume) have been wonderful and expertly crafted. Mage Book Three: The Hero Denied #5 gives us some unexpected returns, some beautiful art and a masterful advancement of the story, with just enough discomfort to remind me that the title implies bad things for Mister Matchstick.

Matt Wagner is at the top of his game, things are getting complicated for Kevin in both his personal and his magical life, and I'm afraid it'll get worse before it gets better.

Kevin and Magda work on the same problem from different sides, while the Umbra Mother makes some shocking pronouncements.

Another exciting chapter, showing that marriage and kids don't have to mean the end of adventure. If only more comics followed those rules.

The story has slowed just a little bit, but it's still engaging and beautifully drawn with a last page surprise!

The penultimate chapter of Kevin's story ends with some very ominous moments, and it's SO GOOD, you guys!

What should have been a fatal encounter turns into a show of the resourcefulness of the Marauders, with half a dozen moments of awesome for our heroes and art that impresses.

A new twist on an old monster, with real-world and in-universe elements intertwining. I like it!

This story focuses mostly on the human's champion, Rosa GenThree, setting up the world and her motivations well, with really impressive art rounding things out.

There's a lot of great stuff in here, including incredible art, some fun space adventure nonsense and an interesting cast of characters. Corsair's a real jerk, though.

Savagely (but humorously) lampooning pop culture and the issues of the day, in the style of ‘The Running Man.' Enjoyable stuff…

This one is a heart-breaker, but still full of the regular humor, character interplay and the old ultra-violence...

The art is remarkably on-model, the story is fun and the asides are laugh-out-loud funny. Add in a killer cliffhanger and you've got yourself an entertaining comic book.

If you don't like this issue, then Superman's probably not for you.