Michael Lennox Comic Reviews

After the nuts Knives Out I have a kind of itch for all things murder mystery and can't wait for the next issue, my wife always says I spoil crime shows by spotting the murderer early blurting it out.. in fact, I think ……….did it. Great five-star first issue.

Keaton is really terrible, taking weeks out of his diary to shit in a box and save them up for when he dies is probably the most amoral thing in the world. Whichever sidekick killed him deserves a medal.

As we grow the fellowship of Sidekicks we get to see each flawed character is in their own way just as bad as Trigger. The only saving grace so far is the kick-ass fighting style of Allison, I think she should be the leader next issue.

Forrest Gump once said, "stupid is as stupid does" and we're seeing lots of stupid deeds being done by stupid people in this issue. Starks and Schweizer have created the collective noun for Sidekicks as a "Trigger of Sidekicks" and I'll take on six stuntmen if you disagree.

As a penultimate issue, this issue is a refreshing mix of manic action and low-brow humour as the idiotic sidekicks take a beating from the dumber than dogshit stuntmen but as Lazlo Wells says as least it wasn't the writer's guild, they can be near macabre. Roll on to the finale when we find out who killed Trigger.. my monies are on the titular character himself.

A good crime mystery should show the criminal as often as possible while the sleuths piece together the clues that lead to them. This story flips the trope on its head and instead we have a bunch of idiots blaming each other while nobody cares that there was a murder. Perhaps the next book will see the death of Terry Komodo and The Five Fuckwits of Terry Komodo?

It's hard to find a gap in the contrasting buddy format but Zanfardino and Romboli are driving a Trans Am through the gap they have created. It's silly, funny and well worth adding to your subscription with only five issues of action to commit to. Get it now or you'll have to wait for the collected TP to join the bandwagon.

These four fresh tales from comic book heavyweights in the writers and artwork categories show how it can be done with little dialogue and letting the artwork speak for itself. I am still scratching myself from the horrific images of the spiders in the final story.

There's just enough of an idea here to make the mini-series work. The time element adds pace both it will be interesting to see how the one-dimensional hunters and monsters evolve over the next few issues as they are currently single-syllable grunts. Worth a punt if you like Hellboy or Fright Night.

Anyone who says they have never struggled with their mental health is either a liar or dead. Any book which examine how media have painted those with issues shows genuine progress. These is no right answer, but asking the question is sometimes enough.

Based on the 1943 novel Ravange by Rene Barjavel, this might have looked dated or out of its time, but the story of a society without technology is as pertinent today as it was 60 years ago. Has man become so reliant that if it all stopped most of us would die? Barjavel's and Morvan seek to answer that question while wrapping an excellent comic around it.

The style is the book is light and inspiring with violence the almost last resort for Barbarella and Taln. It's early days for the issue and it nicely skips over the more bawdy sexual side, replacing it with a wider message of love.

I can see why Basilisk #1 is the biggest pre-sale and it delivers on all cylinders. If this review doesn't have you jumping up and kicking down the door of your local comic shop for an issue I'm not sure what will. A 100% perfect issue that sets the action with minimal dialogue and stunning artwork.

Bunn and Scharf's shock tactics are working here. As the Chimera flex their powers in the diner we see their apparent disregard for life and their god-like devotion from the cult. Issue #3 will probably dive back towards their origin a bit more as well as showing what the outcome in Kingsly was. Do not east before reading.

Ok, I've got to grips with the powers of each member of the group, I now want to see them take on Hannah and Regan. Bunn is old hat at slowly ratcheting up the tension and this fits his style and technique well. I am now fed up with diner massacres and expect the plot to move towards a conflict between the players' next issue.

After three issues rising the tension we finally get the showdown we've been looking for and Bunn and Scharf do not disappoint. Sense related powers looked unbeatable until Hannah nullified them and the stakes are rising for the next issue where they set their sites on a bigger town in retaliation.

This is a much slower burn than previous issues, allowing the teams to regroup after the battle in the last issue. Regan is still holding back the prophecy from Hannah and this will form the tension needed in this reluctant friendship to drive the story over the next few issues.

I like how Bunn and Scharf use the issue's cliffhanger to hint at the horror befalling the shopping mall without additional gratuitous violence, our mind fills in the blank probably to a more severe degree. It's a skilful script and artist that use these issue gaps to draw you deeper into the storyline. Now that the Chimera knows that if they kill each other they inherit the powers of the other will we see that pack whittled down to a one on one between Regan and one of the remaining group?

The action is speeding up as we head straight for a Regan versus Vanessa finale. Will Hannah play a real role of will her crippling injuries as well as the weight of her guilt mean that she can't complete the task she promised to her dead family? It's in safe hands here with Scharf and Bunn steering the title as masters of horror.

You should never rub another man's rhubarb and Burton will be spinning in his grave (he's not dead, he just sleeps in a coffin) at the thought of what this has done to his legacy. Do yourself a favour and watch the original movie and bypass this mutant halfbreed.

As a setup issue, this issue probably needed its own setup issue to give respect to the myriad of plots, characters and McGuffins that the event will bring into play. This issue will fill casual readers with horror at the complexity in which a relatively simple, "bad guy takes over the town" story occurs.

Ennis sets the dark tones for this adults-only book early on with the confrontation with the boxer and the book ramps the tension as each panel and page unfolds, balanced with Sharp's amazing artwork.

This is a bloodbath with wall to wall guts. When the Joker is more caring than Batman, asking his henchmen to call him every hour to make sure they are still alive we've crossed into the shark-jumping territory. But Sharp's artwork is a triumph and I for one will be picking up the next few issues to find out who's behind this (Joker probably)

Well, I'm too invested now in the series to blackout and it's been fun watching the antagonist tearing up the various villains and henchmen. This sociopathic Batman, Ennis has created, is far more terrifying than the pantomime "Batman Who Laughs" and takes no prisoners.

Do not take any drugs (legal or otherwise) before reading this comic. The effect on an induced brain could be permanent due to the extremely weird and bonkers storyline. After three dark and twisted issues, the humour is deep, dark and disturbed… just the way I like it.

Enni's Batman is dark twisted and I shudder to think what his dark laugh sounds like, and with his script layered with the visceral work that Sharp has put it, I can't wait for the finale.

I was very sceptical going into this mini-series, we've almost every minute of Batman's origin and all that was left was the toilet breaks it seemed. Zdarsky though takes a bit of a fresh look at the rich, broody kid and finally starts to answer some of Batman's harshest criticisms. How can a spoilt rich man exact justice on many whose only reasons for crimes are survival? This teenage Bruce make mistakes and acts petty sometimes and the steady, realistic tutelage by Alfred will take time to develop a more human Batman.

This stranger in s strange land take on the Dark Knight evolution is an interesting tale but cramming in the serial killer seems a bit of an overkill. The story was already strong enough with confident Lucie and petulant Bruce adding an array of skills to him and providing a blueprint to how his other skills will be learned. Sometimes less is more but still a worthwhile read.

It's hard to be the Betamax to VHS and here we see the Beta Ray not able to match Thor. BRB was always a kind of one trick pony (ahem) but here he's the most prominent and human character. I give Johnson a solid 4 stars for a Dennis Waterman style write the theme tune, sing the theme tune!

All hail the fellowship of the sword, or gun (if you are Skurge) this is nuttier than a squirrels testicles. If 2021 is getting you down pick up this series and you'll get your groove back. This tops issue #1 so 5 stars all around.

Another ping-pong issue (ahem) with guns, girls and guts spilling action. Apart from the robo-boobs n butt, this is the highlight of my week. The creative team take a bow three nose bleed issues in a row. Another, almost, flawless issue

I'm not backing out now, but this felt a bit like a filler to the main fight next issue. We need more madness from Bill, Skurge and a less supportive chat from Scuttlebutt. The last three pages though set the whole scene up and I can wait for the conclusion in 30 days.

This has been a breath of fresh air in the world of stuffy Marvel comics, normally crammed with multiple plot points and devices. A simple quest plot with a limited entourage has helped the title keep the reader's interest. The balance of humanity and humour was pitch-perfect leaving me feeling satisfied and not complaining about lost plots or nonsensical characters.

Lindsay holds a mirror up to the current refugee crisis showing that even in a world as large as the Utopia it's first come, first serve. Perhaps the wider point is that we are all refugees in a way drifting through space looking for our own Utopia. Piriz's artwork though is a joy with hundreds of tint details catching your eye as you re-read a panel or page. Bar is the old cop character worn down by life while Niro is a young energetic explorer looking for mysteries and carrying hope it's a classic but great pairing

I am not sure how some of the sloppy writing and poor artwork got through the supposed rigorous editing that DC is known for (ahem) but this looks like it was scripted and drawn very hastily. It's an OK read but I would have expected more for one of Aquaman's main villains.

A good second issue embeds the plot and introduces new characters and this does a perfect job with an interesting cliffhanger on the final pages to create an additional thread to the plot. As with issue one Moore and Otsmane-Elhaou are the real reason to read these issues for their glorious colouring and lettering.

This extra-long 50-page first issue allows enough plot and character development to feel almost like two combined issues. Devyn would rather run to a parallel world than deal with simple issues like work, love and friendship, but she is not alone in the world and most readers will relate to her amazing skills at avoiding anything outside her comfort zone. The rules entice forthcoming problems as we skip through realities and mess up alternate versions of Dagger's life. It's romantic, sexy and abstract in the best possible sense.

This is not for the faint-hearted with reality hopping Devyn starting to fall apart at the seams. Se now uses her cat Bo-Bae as an anchor and hopefully will find a way to find happiness before she runs out of hops. I do hope the creative team slow down a little as I had to re-read the issue several times to ensure that I got the full Bolero experience.

It's all a bit too easy and changes the tone of the writing based on each character doesn't work, especially giving Xander two stories drags the issue down. Buy this if you're a Buffy fan and need everything to keep your collection or you like the variant covers otherwise save $8 and buy two or three better comics from Boom!

We've seen versions of this story before so to keep it fresh and shocking is amazing from the team that first page sets my nerves off, my toes curl and a little bile rises in my throat. The sting in the last page flips the last seven or eight pages on their head and makes you demand the next issue. Solid 100% first issue.

After the outright horror of issue #1, Tobin and Mutti are slowing down to build characters and plot, while still slowly tightening the tension and horror. The Snitch's manifestations are growing stronger and Tyler is out of his depth now. Two perfect issues in a row.

Three issues in and we are still building tension and horror. The rollercoaster hasn't even reached the top yet and I have a feeling we are about to descend into screams in the next issue. The team of Tobin and Mutti have found a rich vein of new and unique material that leaves you feeling unsettled after reading it as all the best horror should.

In the finale of this issue, I leave with a headache and a need for whiskey. Was it all a dream? Who or what is Bee? Do you pay child support on a Demigod? Are humans the figments of older gods dreams and nightmares?

I wish someone would snap their fingers and get rid of the infinity stones and the storylines. I'm writing this article squatted on the desk like Widow and I'll pop a wheelie while shouting the word loudly as I post it. 1 star

The problem with one dimensional villains like Carnage is their outdated view of mental health, a human who only focusses on violence needs other characters or background to act as a counter or mirror to the impact of the character. Venom has managed to shrug off this trope but his sociopathic first born is still stuck in the 20th century.

Thanks to DC Comics who gave BGCP a free copy to allow us to Review Catwoman #30!

Ramand the creative team deliver another strong story for this developing title. We are left with plot hooks of future foes, unseen dangers, and a rematch in the works to bring back the majority of subscribers. I wonder if we'll have Swamp Thing and Catwoman match up to save the soul of the Poinsonless Ivy? This is a solid four stars from me.

For an issue about Catwoman, this actually works well, but I think we can only do it from time to time. The next issue should therefore be the grand battle we've been circling for the past few issues. V and Cagle are a formidle creative team. I've marked it down slightly as it's a very hard issue for casual readers to pick up and understand.

Catwoman readers are not used to seeing her lose, and losing so easily will upset the usual fanbois, who enjoy flat three-act plots. This is an opera and it ain't over till the Cat Lady sings!

The story of a returning hero has never looked better and seems to surpass even the Dark Knight in its deep rich plot. The question though is Selina the Cat or the Mouse and can the series keep the pace and energy over the next few books if this is anything to go by the answer is yes!

It's a tour de force here with the team obviously enjoying every second of the creative process. Some teams sweat blood to get a new series but I have a feeling this was born over a bucket of wings and some hot sauce.

Buccellato has found the perfect secret spice blend to make a hilarious series, a pinch of anarchy, amazing lettering, slapstick violence, perfect artwork and colouring, pathos and a dash of secret sauce, showing that too many cooks don't spoil this zinger of a plot.

This is an issue where the plot chickens! Mitchell transforms into the Chicken Devil complete with kevlar armour and allows his darkest thoughts to drive him forward. Anyway enough talking if you've not picked up issues 1-3 by now then you'll be kicking yourself when this completes in a few issues. Buccellato's secret blend of humour and violence should be locked in a vault as it tastes amazing!

This series was was clucking brilliant! The reluctant antihero, a drug war and of course hot wings adds enough fresh content to brighten the storyline. I can't wait to see more variants on this theme with a serial killing donut baker or an Uber driven by day and a dominatrix by night etc…This series is so hot it's almost off the Scoville scale.

This first issue was good, beautifully written and if you are comfortable with the X-titles in the past few years since Moira McTaggart's House and Powers of X books this is for you! I did struggle in the middle and felt Vida could have either removed or tightened the school gym scene, but it didn't stop me from reading. The last four pages have made me add this to my subscription list!

I'd love to know if you managed to get a copy and agree with my review of Cold Dead War #1!

This is also a bonkers, mad-arse comic that should be stapled to Zack Snyder's head before he makes another zombie movie. For the big kid in you that loves Creepshow and Ash v Army of Dead open a beer and enjoy this. It's just a shame that it's so hard to get a UK distributor to sell these issues. In the US these are under $4 with taxes you're over 25 now. A thrill ride of an issue with four stars for writing and five for artwork, but what do you make of our review of Cold Dead War #2?

Did I mention that this issue is chock full of zombies killing Nazis? Do you want more? Well, tough this issue does exactly what it says on the tin. What a surreal but hilarious take on the Cold War. This is Perfection.

For those that said Heavy Metal couldn't turn a short movie from the 1970s into a cohesive comic, I can say you've underestimated the zeitgeist for WWII zombies killing Nazis in ever-increasingly violent ways.

Do not start with issue 2, get down to your local comic shop and get the few remaining copies of issue 1 to get not only the start of the invasion but the untold origin of Ultraman! If you liked BGCP's Review of Crime Syndicate #2 and tell us in the comments below!

For fans of Invincible or The Boys, this universe has no heroes but struggles to show the darkness within the characters. It's a bit by the numbers and as above a pantomime for us to boo and hiss. I'm glad it's a limited run as it could turn into another Batman who Laughs or King In Black style story. When evil wins, who cares anymore? The world needs heroes and obstacles to overcome and achieve, hopefully, DC doesn't jump the shark with this.

Thank god we only have two issues left, this is starting to lose steam and fall into classic DC territory of flogging a dead horse (normally wearing a Batman costume.) I feel I have to stick it out to the end but it's lost its zany edge in meetings and internal dialogues.

If you want to get kids interested in Shakespeare what better than merging it with some of the greatest theatres of all time, American Wrestling. Lees knows both his bard and his squared circle and Frenzy is both a tragic and inspirational character and like Macbeth, the real architect of the saga is our very own Lady Macbeth Sharlene. Will we get an "out damned spot" moment in a future issue?

This series is bloody brilliant! The characters are instantly recognisable but over the top pantomime actors (as all wrestlers are) update the Macbeth tragedy for a whole new audience. I'm still on the edge of my seat after reading it and can't wait for the next instalment. 100% perfect!

All I can say is Holy Shit what a difference a month makes to a character! The downfall and so-called tragedy of Chuck are laid bare in this issue for what it always was, greedy and treacherous. The incredible way Less and Cormack balance on the ropes between the plot and wrestling show why everybody needs to read this title.

The story is fast-paced and uses well-known issues and imagery to set the scene allowing a fast plot and character development. the racism is both confusing and out of nowhere. This accurate portrayal helps underline what will be an interesting book.

This premiere issue focuses mainly on the House of El, but by jumping the story forward 19 years on page 12 Taylor creates a tantalising gap that will be the source of much of the following issues plot and character development. The final panel of the issue will have many readers adding this to their subscription list alone.

DC and Marvel seem to be at their best when they allow writing and artistic talents to come up with Elseworld or What If? style stories. The reader doesn't need thousands of back issues, rather just surface knowledge of characters to dive in. Taylor creates a fascinating Supergirl character that will annoy the petty fanbois but excite and inspire everyone else. Can he and Putri keep up this breakneck momentum?

This is a quick 12-minute read but worth it as it hints at things to come for both Marvel and Darkhawk. For fans of the hero, it's a must-buy, but and for others, it's a good sedge way into a character that fans love but many mainstream fans may not have heard of. If all else fails many will buy it for the stunning Lee cover that collectors will snap up and seal into CGC plastic for eternity!

Licenced titles can become niche but this will please comic fans and movie franchise fans alike. The main story is a slow burn gradually increasing tension, while the quick second tale leaves a smile as you close the book. 3/5 stars for both stories and artwork, but what do you think?

It's not going to win a Pulitzer Prize for literature, but for a goofy script taking well-loved jokes and tropes and giving them a different angle kind of works well. The writers set the bar low and keep well below its own threshold. If you are looking for a laugh it might not be the worst example out there.

A smart DC would have run this event over Halloween culminating in the finale just in time for the big day itself. The issue is a good start to an Elseworlds comics and the surprises within the first issue will draw in many readers just to see a new spin on their heroes.

Mixing a mystery and a horror fantasy play well into the DC Universe with Batman front and centre to identify the vampires and stop the secret threat to the heroes and villians alike. Schmidt's version of Hal Jordan kills characters in horrific ways to perfectly bookend this issue with his stunning artwork that heightens the tension between each book.

For die hard fans of the Dynamite characters this is a great follow up to last years crossover event. IT's a bit confusing for new readers but they can with the Ash side of the story while they get up to speed. Solid issue writing is three stars and artwork is five.

Whovians will love this issue and it's a great way to showcase Missy as the main character for this 50th celebration of The Doctor's favourite enemy! For new fans, this is a great standalone series and you don't need to read hundreds of back issues to get up to speed with the story.

This was a delight to read, I greedily read it in ten minutes and then slowly re-read to get the fine nuances that I missed the first time. It's turning into quite a 50th celebration for the evil Timelord (and Lady) and I can't wait for the Doctors to finally confront Missy and the Master next issue. Houser and Intranata deserve every one of the five stars for writing and artwork, but what are you still doing here? Stop reading this and get down to a comic shop to buy this!

This will make a stunning Hard Cover collection when it is complete. I score my review of Dune House Atreides 6 a perfect 100%!

This is not an issue to pick up casually as you'll struggle to follow the complex interwoven plot, ask your comic shop for the back issues and enjoy this before the Dune film in September 2021. A solid 5 stars for writing and 4 for the creative team's artwork. I am a Dune geek so I am a little biased.

Wow…just wow! Finally, after the past few issues set up, we're finally at the point where the prequels and the original novel converge. And what a result! Anderson and Herbert's use of Idaho to start the issue is perfect, showing his rightful place in the series, finally. The creative art team are firing on all cylinders as we get closer and closer to the events that set up this year's hottest movie Dune.

The fast-paced action jumping from planet to planet is seamless in this issue and the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed or confused by the twisting and long plots as they slowly converge. I do not recommend picking up individual issues casually as you'll end up with a nose bleed but for those that have every issue, this is starting to build into an exciting crescendo that sets the pieces nicely for the original book. If you have missed an issue you'll need to wait for the collected editions.

After the last issue which saw Leto banish his mother and Shaddam poison his father this issue ramps up the pressure to deafening levels with more plots and twists than a whole series of Game of Thrones. Herbert and Anderson use the creative work of Parmanik to bring the Highliner into full focus.

Leto the leader has arisen and is stepping out of the shadow of his father, although it's interesting that the whole Landsradd is actually controlled by the Bene Gesserit as they weave the bloodlines. If you're waiting in the Imax queue this weekend and need some Herbert action to warm you up you can't go wrong with this title.

This is a unique take on Dune, used changed perspective allowing key plot twists to be seen from another point of view from Herbert's original classic. Adding much-needed details to some of the actions of the Emperor, who fears that the Landraad will follow Leto builds texture without diluting the key story. Add this one to your shopping list if you can't wait for the Spice in October.

Flipping the edge of a comic to the portrait is a brave but dangerous model. Williams and Blackman cutting edge skills and use of an array of mediums, styles and images create a visual ballet for the comic reader.

There are a couple of things to love about this series and I don't mean Elvira's assets. The comedic timing coupled with Samu's amazing facial expressions brings the comic to life. You can hear Price and Peterson's voices coming out loud and clear in every panel and with a tonne of variant, exclusive and photo covers there's something for every fan.

This is as camp as a Friday the 13th Movie (ahem) but the star of the comic is and always will be Elvira. Her face is a passport to a million emotions and I for one can't wait for the Avallone Cut

Look, if you're at issue #3 of the series you've already committed to the full series run and it's a worthwhile distraction for the nonsense in the world at the moment. Avallone's love for the subject matter shines through the issue.

Whacky and wonderful, you'll read this and the other issues with a smile on your face and with all the doom and gloom in the world of 2022, that's all you can ask a comic to do.

I'd love to know what you thought of my review of ENIAC #1 by Bad Idea

Second issues can be tricky you want to keep up the action while pushing the plot and new characters forward. The team here have done a great job. The Bad Idea model is still being evaluated as a concept for publishers but whatever happens, this will stand on its own. Five-star writing and almost perfect art and colours.

This issue is a game of cat and mouse between ENIAC and humanity. The programme is always 3 steps ahead no matter what humans can do, each time ENIAC seems to only react to threats from humans so what happened 72 hours ago? I can't wait for the final issue. A perfect score again.

This has been a solid title for Bad Idea and no matter what happens to the company and its slew of titles this will stand out in 2021 as an innovative and influential mini-series. It takes a novel idea about the rise of AI, coupled with Cold War paranoia and has a few bonkers hand grenades along the way to delight readers.

Move over Men in Black, here are the Doctors in White. A great concept, but when the biggest head scratch is why any aliens would go to America to be overcharged for healthcare which stopped my suspension of belief more than the actual concept of a universal hospital. America's healthcare is the joke of the world, and each story should finish with a ludicrous bill for needless charges.

This extraordinarily (ahem) short preview issue (10 pages) sets up the story well with the new death accident and the first impact of getting EO powers dawning on Charlotte. It's well worth a punt at 65p on the Forbidden Planet site that is the exclusive UK distributor! The cover art alone is worth the price without Schwab's amazing script

This is a bit of a mess, a boring mess. The decade skipping is supposed to be fun, here it just seems forced. I hated this whole thing! I'd give it a miss unless you are an FF fanatic.

Perhaps the revolution will not be televised but, instead will be in the many growing independent or talent owned comics and creators who still wish to use comics as a mirror to society while still writing an entertaining and fresh plot. I am not too old for this shit, it's exactly what we need to scare the big two.

Thanks' to Image comics for the free preview to allow BGCP to review! What do you think of Geiger #2 and our review will you be adding it to your subs?

Johns is an old hand at turning out great comics and while other stories are floundering on their third issue this stepped up a gear in pace, action and emotions. Another solid issue.

It's a very quick read issue, but sometimes issues that you don't have to overanalyse are the best mid-series are the best. This issue jumps the plot nicely to set up a clash with various factions and characters over the next few issues. There have been challenges of this being derivative but I think rather it's taken an old trope in a new direction.

This issue is used as a slow burn plot device to get all the chess pieces in the right places for the finale in four weeks, but that is not a criticism. Many issues leave hanging plots but Johns and the team have created a simple but very effective universe here. The small touches like finally allowing Tariq to find a new book are perfect, but a small evil bit of me wants him to lose the book next issue to add a bit of schadenfreude for the readers.

Many will criticise Geiger for being a simply told story, but it must have been hard to resist the temptation to keep adding in McGuffin's and dead-end plot points as many new books do. Johns's seasoned hands along with the rest of the Mad Ghost team have opened the door of a new Geigerverse.

The slow burn of the first 10-12 pages will frustrate some GR readers who will want the actual to start fast and furious, but it works from the point of view of Johnny as a victim of both the Rider and the creatures that are torturing him.

The original team behind Godkiller are back with the much-delayed fan-favourite. I would suggest buying the graphic novel or film before you dive into this bawdy, sexy dystopian tale. It's is very NSFW so do not download it onto your office PC but get down to your local shop and get a copy of one of the hot variants.

I really liked this climate-based story with Godzilla acting as the planets immune system and humanity as the virus. For kids keen to see more environmental stories in comics this is a good read.

I give it a middling 2.5 for writing but a slightly stronger 3.5 for artwork. But make up your own mind with an exclusive sneak peek at the issue from our good friends at IDW below! I hope you enjoyed this review of Godzilla: Monsters and Protectors #2.

This is weird, weirder than old weird Willy the weird man. Turning luck, that unquantifiable difference between two same people, into a element or essence is interesting. The bigger question, if everyone else has good luck, why does Arties have to save he world with his time. Solid but a little heavy first issue.

The sooner they dump Teen Lantern in crappy Saturday Morning cartoon solving mysteries with her pet ferret and Tom Selleck the better. It's better than issue one.. but you could argue that Attack of the Clones is better than the Phantom Menace and forget that beside Empire they are a long way short. So for my review of Green Lantern #2, I give the story 2 stars and the artwork 4 stars! Do you agree?

When you rely on kooky gimmicks (Teen Lantern), great artwork and covers but have a complicated Phantom Menace style half baked story you are on shaky ground. I think that this storyline is officially boring. one star only for the story and 2 for artwork (because of that cover.)

Harbinger #1 is a hundred mile an hour explosive first issue that hardly stops to take a breath. With hints of Akira and X-Men, it's different enough to generate interest from fans looking for a new angle on the Super-powered genre. Make sure you get your retailer to add issue one to your pull list in October,

This is the comic, of the cartoon, of the comic" of the cartoon and you will never please all the fans with this title. But, there's not too much happening except that for Harley and Ivy fans this is the exact type of issue they have been crying out for showing what went on after the chaotic marriage ceremony.

Harley is the Venom of the DC universe. Every writer wants to take a shot at her and every artist wants either to create a cover or draw a title for her. What that could tend to do is dilute an otherwise interesting character that has multiple versions of her floating around. For fans of the cartoon, this will delight but it does get a little annoying in print form for some reason.

I greedily finished this comic in ten minutes and had to pace myself to re-read slowly for this review. It will be interesting to see how Nietzsche's quote embeds within the story as the Jewish community fight back against the Germans, how will they protect their humanity?

Solving your own murder in the twelve days you have to live makes for a great comic. King and Smallwood's style stands out from the pack with a brooding, darkly humoured noir story perfect for DC Black Label.

Drug addiction and abuse is a growing problem! We all know or are someone struggling with alcohol, soft or hard abuse. If this comic helps to raise awareness and save one life it's done more than many to highlight and chat about it using a safe medium. I think this issue deserves a clean sweep of 5 stars out of 5!

This will always be a decisive title and what better way to complete than to try and close all the plot points from previous issues while adding to the Banner mythos at the same time. Is it the ending we all had in our head, no, but that's why we're not writing comics and Ewing does. Immortal Hulk will be debated for a long time, and as long as people are speaking about it then that's the point.

I'd need to be an idiot or blind not to score this a perfect five stars for both stories and the breath-taking artwork within.

Golden and Mignola's cautionary tale here sits well as a single shot issue, you do not need any prior knowledge of Baltimore or the Outerverse. The tale is clear, simply written but all the better for it. The rest of the creative team enhances the issue with clear artwork, brooding colours, and on-point lettering.

It's a bonkers, irreverent story that puts its tongue firmly in its cheek and bites down to draw some blood. Cates obviously had some fun writing this and it's well worth a read with the amazing artwork by Burnett. I say bring on more.

A solid second issue with some madcap action and dialogue which flips the hero and sidekick on their head. This short mini-series is shaping up well. 4 four stars again.

It's a bonkers, irreverent story that puts its tongue firmly in its cheek and bites down to draw some blood. Cates obviously had some fun writing this and it's well worth a read with the amazing artwork by Burnett. I say bring on more. Four stars.

A solid second issue with some madcap action and dialogue which flips the hero and sidekick on their head. This short mini-series is shaping up well. 4 four stars again.

With each issue a complete standalonee it easy for readers to hop on and off as needed but if the standard of the past two issues continues then you should get them all. These are good as an educational tool for younger readers expanding their current fairy stories beyond the worlds of Disney and Grimm.

This was a fun story that made me want to know more about the adventures of Reynard, I wonder if Amal would be interested in this? The mirror of using the Storyteller in the market to mirror the con artist Fox was not lost and hopefully, parents can warn kids about outlandish sellers. Treat someone you know kids with this issue and you can thank me later. For the age group it's targeted at this is a perfect five star read.

The rain ends up being a character within the story as it rips apart both directly and metaphorically Yolanda from Honeysuckle. The team show great respect for growing the characters before page 16 sets the tone moving forward. This is well worth adding for the five issues it's out for.

After the horrifically violent first issue, this issue develops Honeysuckle while allowing the wider characters given just enough visibility to allow you to make a judgement on them. It's a useful vehicle to grow the story from her point of view without obsessing over the reason for the killer rain.

If you are a fan of Justice League Unlimited this is the series for you, it's bright, full of humour and is packed with loads of heroes and villains from the show. Its twist is an interesting take and it'll be interesting to see where it goes next issue

This is nothing new from DC, another year another Crisis..and I do not expect any surprises. It's a playbook from the Big Book of DC Plotlines! and I'm bored, bored and very bored of all of it now.

Stories like the Boys, Invincible and now Knighted help knock superheroes off the pedestal we've put them on as a society. The idea that mask vigilantes, ignored by police, are not part of the problem but the solution should shock many but instead, we praise it. This is a breath of fresh air.

The "tale as old as time" of star crossed lovers in a turbulent period of history is the catalyst for many stories and Toussaint does a good job turning the Matrix into Romeo and Juliet. Garrido's dense and busy artwork shows a crowded world that readers will love to get lost in. This is a good three stars all round

I'm not giving up on M.O.M yet but there need to be less Gwenpool style lampooning for the readers and more character and plot development. There only is three issues and based on issue 1 it needs much thicker books to get to where it needs to go.

This issue is the mother of all messes, there are two many of everything from flashbacks, narrations, fourth-wall-breaking to friends who have unlimited resources and talent to solve all of her problems. There is a story here but it needed to be stretched over maybe 10 issues and heavily controlled by someone with strong talent and the ability to shape a story cohesively. This could have empowered many women (and men) through its strong message of chaos and growth but it's so hard to read that unfortunately many will discard both the message because of the execution of it.

My first overall thought is that I am way too old to be learning a whole universe of characters, places, skills and effects! But millions of fans can't be wrong, perhaps I should some room in my muddled head for this series! It looks like print one may be about to sell out so keep an eye out for variant covers!

Cain's wry and slightly nuts script is hilarious, as a Scot who only knows about camps from Horror Films, it's great to see another side of these strangely American ideals. Maude shines through the issue full of misfits and insane adults making this a great addition to the series. Solid start to this short series.

From watching documentaries on them, MOTU fans can be quite unforgiving, so it will be interesting to see how the response to the comic and series on Netflix. Smith's passion for the show and the original Filmation and Mattel figures is an interesting combination.

Creating a protagonist like Marion is an interesting choice. She is negative and dismissive of the support and assistance her sister gives her. It would have been easy for Doyle to create a likeable character to help the audience embrace the character. By making Marion slightly annoying she is challenging your thoughts about victims and how society sees women who do not conform to societal norms.

This issue is all about transformation after horrific brutality. Marion's suffering and pain are being amplified by the Island with horrific results. The creative team do not shy away from the uncomfortable but all too real crime of rape and how if impacts both its victims and wider society.

We have all experienced some form of grief so great we exclude ourselves, from a failed relationship where we hide indoors for days to the death of a pet or family member this allegorical tale might help some struggling with grief to recognise themselves within it and find a way out of their own maze.

Lemire is deliberately allowing readers to interpret this book as either a mystery book where a father looks for this daughter or as a form of cognitive behavioural therapy where he uses his daughters love of puzzles to come to terms with her loss. At this point, I don't know which one will be correct at the end but it's a hell of a read.

I would not start the issue of have not caught up as we are in the middle of multiple plot points at this stage. If all the previous are sold out buy the digital versions to give yourself a chance to get up to speed!

These comics went a little too serious with Shattered Grid a few years ago and it's nice to see a silly story making it's way back onto the franchise!

This was a fresh little 15 minute read and I have to admit I finished the book with a smile on my face. The disparate characters, situations and plot devices somehow add up to a brilliant anarchic issue. For 2 you too can get a smile over on Kickstarter. It's only been up for ten days and already has smashed over half of it's very reasonable 700 target. Four Star Fun all the way.

I can see why so many people loved this idea when the writers pitched it to various studios and it's so disappointing to her it languished for years waiting to be greenlit. Thankfully Magnetic Press and Kickstarter have now brought this to life and i need to get the next issue as soon as possible.

I cannot wait for the full 192-page book to come out in August, every page uses minimal narration allowing the reader to experience the stunning artwork or LRNZ with limited speech or narration. The small cast intensifies the clumsy actions of Sandra and with the sun rising in the next issue she will become desperate to help David and survive the desert.

Two perfect issues over two weeks mean I'm hoping that for that Hardback launch next week we get the final stunning issue. This issue helps the reader finally find empathy for Sandra the typical bad mother always making bad decisions, with her finally taking responsibility and resolving to help David. If I were you I'd be pushing my retailer to get a copy of both the issues and the Hardback.

For any writers out there looking for the best in the business, your work is done and you should form a queue in front of LRNZ. This comic has come out of nowhere and blown me away, so don't wait till it's a motion picture get it now to gloat over your friends.

This issue has three levels, the usual caped antics fighting random baddies, the therapeutic sessions with Dr Sterman and finally the undercurrent of greater evil emerging to oppose the Moon Knight. It's good to see mental health no longer a joke in comics and supporting Marc's recovery via his therapy may help some readers who suffer from mental conditions that impair or limit their life. Bravo for tacking this area while still keeping the silliness the comic is known for.

With weird hints of Ghostbusters, Labyrinth, Nightmare on Elm Street and Sleepless in Seatle this is a strange but compelling read. There's something about soldiers on a treadmill learning wine pairings that bring a smile to my face.

On the eve of COP26, when the world is about to hopefully address its issues with climate change, it's refreshing to see a cynical comic that calls out the amount of corporate bullshit that so many companies are hiding behind these days. If ghosts and monsters did exist how long before a Zuckerberg or Bezos turned it into a tax-dodging empire? This is definitely one to get in on the ground floor with.

Whether we men like it or not we have privilege via our gender and our status afforded through it. To say not all robots are hurting or killing their families takes away the horror that any robots are. The dry, pathos rich story isn't too preachy about its subtle message.

Russell's toxic masculinity parable continues to highlight the issues in societies when those in charge will not resolve problems and feed of the conflict that division created whether is wealth, gender, race or any other difference the point is to blame each other not the leaders. The ludicrous robots are straight out of a 1980's 2000AD story but that makes it all the better.

Another great issue in this five-issue series, with the introduction of the androids it creates a three-class system as well as shows humanity's ability to be distracted by the newest shiny object. If this is our future many will think we deserve it.

This series is a painful read as we each see parts of our life or personality reflected in the humans and robots, but we never take the time to try to fix the underlying problems with an elite 1% of society. By using the comics medium though perhaps (hopefully) we'll each take some time to stop blaming and work together for a better society?

Great stories like Animal Farm, 1984 and Not All Robots allow creative teams to document the wrongs of the world in new and we can point and say we do not recognise the worlds they create but deep down perhaps we are All Robots to what our prejudices are and how we got them?

Taking Scientology and mixing with Highlander doesn't work on paper and it doesn't work in this issue. It's taking too many genres and trying to squeeze them together. I really like Higgin's other title Radiant Black but I'm not sure I'll be back for more from these very Ordinary Gods.

This could be a by the numbers mix of WWII and Vampires but the script and artwork compel you from page one. For the investment of five issues, I think will be a quiet burner for 2021 that suddenly everyone wants to get hold of. AWA must already be negotiating with Netflix to turn this into a movie or series as it has wide appeal.

This issue focuses on some of the other characters allowing the plot to add weight to the nameless faces in the camp while still pushing relentlessly towards the creature being released to tear the POWs apart.

AWA are punching well above their weight with killer series like this and the phenomenal Crinson Cage! Conrad and Williams partnership though shows how simple ideas can still make a major impact and this series will be talked about for years.

Bunn offers lots of clues but no answers in this issue, drawing you into this issue. I'll be interested to see how the two realities collide over the next few issues. It's a slow burn with more questions than answers which world is real and which will take over?

DC is going balls deep in its Peacemaker character development at the moment with the TV Show and this new Black Series comic. Smith skillfully dodges Sedwick's concerns of the constant violence on his psyche and with professionals like Ennis and Brown, the chilling final page suddenly adds even more depth to the growing character.

The complete creative team are Hispanic and the tone, character and plot seem right out of the Ghetto Klown stars fast-talking one-man show. It's a comic you'll have to read twice as it's crammed with gags, jokes and a unique origin story that you'll want to add to your subscription

It's a bizarre book with Todd haveing almost, scratch that, no redeemable characteristics. He's obsessive, egotistocal and delusional and so needy that even the spirit can't be bothered to kill him. It's dark, weird and hilarious. This now makes the ghost the main protagonist which is an interesting switch.

I think the only time I've seen sex with a ghost before this is one of the Waylon brother's Scary Movie films and this leaves just as much of a bad taste as those. It's slightly offensive, weird and just stupid enough to have you laughing along with every page. I do hope Todd used protection for the act if there is a chance of STDs or ghost pregnancy!

You'll laugh, you'll scream and you'll feel a bit sick thinking about the ghost sex but overall this is a welcome inclusion to the already crowded horror marketplace.

As a first issue, it starts with a couple of pages of shocking, psychedelic images before settling into a standard cold war thriller. The final ten pages pick up the table and toss it out of the room taking you on a bonkers trip through space and time.

What a great start to a fresh series. we've seen down on their luck heroes, like Peter Parker before, but Costa and Higgins creates a very relatable and unique take on the reluctant hero. With edgy humour and schadenfreude at the character, it's a hit. 100% first issue

Most issues slow down in issue 2 cause readership problems as writers cram in backstory or plot threads, keeping it crisp, clear and simple adds more here than some five or ten-issue series have so far. Oh, and the answer always is more raisins.

It's incredible how they use an issue where nothing really happens but you feel fulfilled at the end of the issue. This will frustrate some of the action junkies that comics attract but this works well, slowly drawing the story arc forward with real-life stupid situations and banal conversations all of which make up a large chunk of all of our lives.

It's a brave creative team that changes the whole direction of their series after only four issues. I will say Higgins is now on my naughty list, that ending was not at all what I was expecting and part of me thinks they're doing the old comic book death bait and switch.

Finding a new arc to the superhero genre in 2021 is hard, but Higgins has really tapped into something here. Focussing more on the underdog Nathan's tale allowed readers to bond quickly creating a strong link similar to the black hole armour he wears. To then almost kill and wipe the board clean with one issue to go in the first arc is gutsy and he's pulled it off.

Trying to humanise a villain that almost killed the main character is tricky. Too far and you can alienate your audience as you encourage them to root for them. There are still questions over why Satori acted so violent against Nathan and future issues might fill in the blacks but anyway let's sit back and wait for the big showdown in Issue 7.

Jumping back to a story after a break in the issues is dangerous, particularly in new titles like Radiant Black but the team is energised by new writing and artistic talents leading to the amazing news that this issue has sold out completely at the Distributor level leading to a fresh cover by Mateus Santolouco.

001's backstory and character development are at the core of this issue and the few pages in Russia do seem jarring and slow compared to the rest of the issue. Thankfully it's not long before we are back in action for a shocking finale to the battle with 001. The final page and four panels set's up the next part of the story and hints at more villains and heroes joining the series.

From sidekick buffoon to hero it has been an interesting journey for Marshall and this much-needed issue has put a lot of meat on his character's bone. Yes, he's still a bit annoying but his passion and devotion to Nathan (and bath bombs) seem to know no bounds. I challenge anyone to read this issue without a tear as the machine is turned off on Nathan.

This is how you take a beloved hero and boil their essence down into short, engaging stories back up with stunning minimal artwork. Each quirky story needs no previous knowledge or commitment and allows new readers to sink their teeth into a character many write off as the girly Conan. The first story alone is hilarious and makes you relax while setting the tone

Another month, and another great issue with no tales used as page stuffers. This black, white and red format seems to allow the essential Red Sonja to shine through and become the full focus of the issue. Dynamite as usual has used an amazing cosplayer for the photo cosplay cover as well.

Image and the teams they are assembling for these issues all seem to have a real passion for Sonja and are using the limited pages and scripts to great effect. Almost no image or word can be wasted in a short story and even in the slowest story Small Tales, it's still strong enough to keep going with this limited series. For both seasoned Sonja fans and new readers, these are a great starting point to her world and stories.

I feel I've already promoted how Dynamite and the writers are using this format to maximise the storylines through six or seven pages of action. These standalone issues though really are the easiest way into the world of the she-devil.

We're going to need a bigger book! Vicious, disgusting and hilarious debut to what could become an anthology. I can't wait for the tale of the evil soup spoon of Loki in a future book.

Closing the loop as well as expanding the mythology of the Nordik weaponry is adding a fresh dimension to the series. The strong female protagonist looks like she will have an equally strong female antagonist in a race to find the weapons. Fowler and Andworld pairing for artwork and lettering shine through the whole issue putting them heads above the competition.

The first three pages are an absolute joy with the ludicrous nature pushed to one side and almost the complete focus on each panel shown at Chopper's head POV. The addition of the three new artefacts will allow future story arcs as well as balance the power of the Ax.

Issue #4 allows the series to hit peak decapitation and evisceration levels with more blood than a vampire's intestines on display. The field of characters has been quickly whittled down and the shocking final full-page revelation brought a visible gasp from me

Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory and the JFK assassination is the granddaddy of them all. This seems to put that to one side and develop a heist around the lesser-known theory that LHO was never buried. It's weird, wonderful and tap dances the line between reality and fact skillfully.

I hope you enjoyed this review of Rick and Morty: Rick's New Hat #1, and thanks to Oni Press for advance review.

Telling a complete and detailed story in just 20 pages is astonishing and Paknadel and MacEwan flex their muscles to show other writers and artists how to do it properly. It has more twists and turns than an out of control rollercoaster and I now want to know more about the world they created.

600 backers for book 1 can't be wrong, and it's easy to see the parallels to Spaghetti Westerns, KurosawaSamurai or Tarantino vignettes in this book. If you want to get book 1 what not pledge for book 2 and get it free from as little as 7? You can thank me later. Five stars for writing and artwork.

I greedily read through this issue in about ten minutes and then had to immediately slow read again to digest all the amazing details, like the onomatopes I missed the first time. It's bright, fun and puts a smile on your face. I think this one deserves full marks.

This is still trying to both please original fans while drawing in those new to the title, I personally think some of the older fans might be annoyed with the slowed-down intimate plot but for me that what makes the new take work! I give this issue a steady 4.5 out of 5 for artwork and script.

Issue #3 plots can be tricky, you've captured your audience in the first few issues, do you keep up the momentum or develop the story and characters? Bunn and the team have carefully balanced this mix with an amazing third issue revealing secrets while ramping up the horror vibe. The Pallbearer character had hints of the WWE Undertaker which I'm sure were deliberate.

Bunn wraps up this first story arc with a drug-fueled trip (ahem) into a higher state of Loa consciousness. We learn the consequences of all our negative actions and the world of Shadowman will never be the same again.

I loved the What If? issues in the 1980s and 1990s.. from the ridiculous to the weird and the depressing they help kids (including big ones like me!) explore alternative outcomes to major plots and events in the Marvel Universe.

The whole creative team are firing on all cylinders in this issue as there's more blood and guts on display than an episode of Dexter! If you've not added this short four-issue series to your online or print subscription you better hurry as issues of both #1 and #2 are selling out fast. Don't be the only one not talking about this! I give it another blood-curdling five out of five, particularly for the onomatopoeia used by Joe Caramagna as the violence happens just out of shot.

Personally, I don't think I wanted this Peter redeemed after what he's done in the past few issues and a final showdown with heroes versus Shadow Spider would have been better that the symbiote fest were are probably getting. Middle of the road writing but stellar artwork and colouring.

With the symbiote's great powers comes Spiderman's great responsibility to take back control and win the trust of others as well as himself. Bring your hankies for the finale as I have a feeling we'll need them.

Overall, this has been an interesting "What If" mini-series, as I've said above I would have preferred an all-out evil dark Spider-Man but the usual power and responsibility elements of character bring it down back to reality. The epilogue sets up an interesting sequel.

I'm torn on this issue between the amazing artwork and the heavy narration crammed into a single issue. It's a very heavy plot to digest and many light readers will be scared off by the stodgy middle-section. The final six or seven pages are perfect and make up for the dense trip through Blaze's memories. It will be interesting to see what they do with the character over the next few issues.

Set your faces to stun with this camp, hilarious and overdue return to the Mirror TNG Universe. Buff Picard steals the show with a bang on Terry Crews impersonation. The issue setups the upcoming Mirror War and develops the characters from the last mini-series. In the words of JLP himself"Engage!

Resistance is futile, if this is not one of your guilty pleasures you're missing out on the current Trek-a-thon with this, Discovery Lower Decks, Prodigy, Picard and Strange New Worlds all giving Trekkers the well-rounded universe they have been demanding for over 50 years.

I do wish we would let the original films and characters rest in peace, if we keep trying to mine the timeline between movies or events we'll end up with Star Wars: Toilet Breaks or Star Wars: Shhh They're all asleep. There's nothing here that would draw a new fan to the series and as a die-hard fan, I hated it. One Star for writing and one star for artwork. Let the Skywalkers rest and use the universe on new characters, please.

Telling a story nobody really wants to tie together summer titles is an old Marvel trick. With fans not loving the Solo movie, trying to jam it into the Fett revival coming out of the Mandalorian, feels forced and boring. One star for the story and one for art. Also, the synopsis has way too many exclamation points!

This feels like a return to form for writer Johns and his early DC work but still hints at the epic long-form writer he is today with the cliffhanger and reset of character stories back to fresher times. As he diversifies his comic output, it's good to see he still remembers how it began. I don't normally give such high scores to DC characters but this is a clean 100%.

Let's take a moment to remember the passing of JPL as we read this amazing first issue. It taps into the BLF zeitgeist showing the frustration many feel with a broken system. Vita's writing grounds this energetic issue which looks to actually explode in issue 2. 100% perfect for this relaunch.

A second issue can be hard and there is a bit of a drop in energy here while Ayala tries to cram a few extra plot points into the story, some stick and some don't. But with a stunning first few pages and a great cliffhanger final page it will keep most of the fanbase coming back for next months issue

It might mainly be a character and plot development issue but 99% doesn't switch off readers due to the scripting by Ayala and the artwork Chriscross puts in. The next few issues look like they are about to explode so it's worth keeping this title in your subscription. Other DC titles, like Fear State, should look to Static to see how to slowly set up without turning off the audience.

I think without watching the seasons on Netflix this could be a hard issue to pick up for a casual reader but for fans of the show, it's a perfect filling between the seasons, helping grow the excitement without complicating the story or adding confusing new characters or locations. For an added touch get a hold of the Goonies homage cover which I think will go up in price/demand over the years.

BGCP are a little late to the party with the early 2021 release, but there is a satisfaction binging a whole mini-series and from the amazing reviews and feedback I'll have all five reviewed and live within the week. It's a strange phenomenon that appeals to dog lovers who enjoy a good murder mystery.

Rusty is the out and out star of the series, the brave hero willing to take the punishment as well as lead the group. This unique take on the serial killer genre is a breath of fresh air. The creative team of Forstner and Fleecs obviously enjoyed every panel they wrote and drew and it shows with the comfortable style on display through this series.

I can only hope that no other dogs were harmed in the making of this storyline, but I have a feeling that this title will end up on Does the Dog Die website for a few incidents. I'm away to pick up the fourth issue and get it digested and reviewed ASAP. If you've missed this at your local shop put an order in for the TPB in a few weeks.

The creative team of Forstner and Fleecs finally flip the tale on its head with shocking implications for the final issue. Animal cruelty is for some reason more frowned on than human cruelty by some and this issue shows that either is not acceptable. I'm off to buy issue 5 to find out quickly who makes it out alive.

As we know from the movie All Dogs Go To Heaven and let's hope that one day Forstner shows Earl, Victor and the other canine victims playing in their final reward. It's a very satisfying conclusion and if you don't put the comic down at the end and pat your own dog immediately perhaps you are as much of a monster as Master?

If you want to read this I suggest buying the collected edition of the Stray Dogs that was released earlier this year as it will fully enhance the experience as well as supporting the team that wrote it. This prequel adds enough fresh new material to warrant a series as well as satiating the appetite of the fans who became obsessed with it during the summer of 2021.

Black Label titles can be a hit or miss, but this uses the existing DC Universe to catapult free meat into the Task Force X grinder allowing for a fresh perspective for both existing readers and those that have joined after movies and TV shows. The 50-page length also helps give enough plot and development without boring or confusing the reader.

King tells you on page two the outcome of the eight issues so you can probably stop reading now. To be honest I'm still a bit mad at him for the atrocious Heroes in Crisis. Great artwork in a rambling book. two stars.

These stunning individual issues are masterpieces on their own, but the flowing storyline of a reluctant Levi dealing with what happened in India coupled with his relationship with his family and Jennifer slowly draws us forward to a new era in Swamp Thing. With only 7 issues to go how can these two keep up the momentum? This is another 100% flawless read!

The last four issues in The Swamp Thing have been a masterclass in scripting, colouring and artwork. Narration is short allowing the images to weave the intricate story. By other writers, they would have tried to squeeze what Ram has done in four issues into one complex confusing story. The issue was going great up until the last panel with the wider introduction of DC's big movie this year, it doesn't feel on point for the current story but let's see what happens.

Many argue that that politics should be kept out of comics, while the rest think that comics are a mirror for political commentary. Ram tapdances along this dangerous line skillfully adding enough myth and magic while giving a clever dig at UK society and it's current right wing tendancies. This is a delight and back to the strength of the first few issues.

Ram V uses memory to revitalise, showing that we are more when we connect to our strongest memories. He manages to minimise the disruption the PR push for SS does in the issue but next issue I'll be glad when we cast these aside for more character development from Levi. The two Mikes mix horror with amazingly detailed artwork and colouring. Let's get this next crossover issue finished and get back to the three remaining issues to close off this amazing story arc.

With three issues to go the creative team have finally shown us Levi's origin and what triggered the link with the green, I already know that I won't be satisfied with this and will want more issues and tales from V, Perkins and Spicer.

V has been using this ten-issue series to examine tradition, family and pain and again it doesn't pull any punches as it takes the place of Ram's therapy bill. The two Mikes again use every trick in the comic artist's book to cram every panel and page with additional content adding to the already vast script.

This is it, only 30 days to the conclusion to this modern reinvention of the Swamp Thing mythos. The creative team have created a series that will be debated and torn apart over the coming years to explore the layers they have added to the character and its tortured human host.

I bumped into V and Perkins at the Thought Bubble Conference in Harrowgate last month and both seemed to point to the other for the greatness of this series, humbly accepting praise in an uncomfortable manner from a geeky fan. Their work will be celebrated over the additional issues announced for this title but all I can say is what a way to finish 2021, that last panel is perfection.

Most comics use empaths as background characters for the "big guns" to use when needed, but here we see the real power that emotions and unburdening people can accomplish. It will be interesting to see how the other two issues in this mini-series keep this momentum

Like a phoenix, Taarna rises again with Phillips steady hand to guide her through her seedy origin to new heights of pride. This issue is a mini-opera in three short acts, that a more mature reader will enjoy. Four stars for writing and five for artwork.

Skottie Young's cover (see the top of review) makes a great deadpan joke about nobody dies forever in comics and the Koschei legend and a few surprises (not at all surprises) show that we're a long way from a new Sorcerer Supreme. Roll on to the next event!

People miss Strange when there are no sorcerers, monsters look ugly when they invade. Alex Paknadel does the almost unimaginable by making a great stand-alone story within a comic event. Tony's redemption arc is a fresh take on the egotistical billionaire and finally seeing his using brains over brawn is the cherry on the cake.

This will be a hot title, if you haven't already added it to your subscription you'll be paying through the nose on reseller sites for the first print of it. If you are lucky to be getting it this week you'll be glad you added a few weeks ago. If you're even luckier to get the variant covers you might want to read it wearing gloves before you send it off to be graded!

There must have been some dust in the room when I read this, as for some weird reason my eyes were wet at the end of the book. This is a love letter to life and death, and for all those impacted by the tragic events of COVID its cathartic view shows hope. I would use exclamation points but the big editor at BGCP has banned me from using them. Another clean sweep for the writer and artist with full marks all the way.. can they keep it up next month?

Another great issue, as above my only issue is the preoccupation to still make smoking look somehow cool. It 2021 and I'm bored seeing movies, music and comics telling how cool I could look if I smoked. If I park my objections to smoking, this sad tale adds nicely to the gentle tapestry that Ram and Filipe are weaving. It's the kind of issue you read three times to ensure you don't miss anything. Oh and stop smoking, those things will kill you.

Leila Starr should be a mandatory read for anybody who has suffered at the hands of death, it's cruel but needed nature is hard to understand but as Darius says "The memories are immortal, they refine themselves to perfection over time." You can see why reviewers and readers have been all been giving amazing scores over on Comicbook Roundup. It has a Metascore of 9.8 from critics and 9.2 from readers. Don't wait till it's over to get in on the action.

In a year where we all have lost someone close through the shocking events of COVID, a book about death and how we cope with it helps soothe our cracked souls. I will carry the scars of this book to show how each of those we loved left a mark on our lives. This book deserves every one of the 100% ratings that we have given it over the past five months.

The issue is a very quick read with a strong but simple plot. The story of an artist suffering from a block and moving to a large house for inspiration is not new but young paints his indelible stamp on it with a sad, poignant and thoughtful tale of dealing with our own demons.

In a book with only two characters, every panel and word needs to counts as the reader is fully reliant on them to engage in the story. This poignant but somehow sad tale is setting itself up as a slow burner that reviewers and readers are delighted with

I'm really getting into this book but it only has two issues left to deliver the expected sad ending that it is setting up. Ro is such a likeable but tortured soul that anchors the strange story in a way relatable to many lonely people.

Most people do not realise they are in a destructive relationship till it's too late and the path from romantic obsessive to psychopathic obsessive is painfully thin. Young and Corona show how we all can end up with monsters in a relationship

I think Tynion will lose some readers who expected blood and guts on page one, panel one. This is an operatic comic slowly bringing pieces together, if you want a bubble-gum pop style horror this is not for you. Thankfully most who buy DC Black are the latter characters. How do I think the world will end? Hopefully after the final issue of The Nice House On The Lake. A slow tension issue that earns a 100% score.

Tynions' ability to create real characters that we somehow know from limited text brings this alive and the subtle use of mediums like cameras, scripts and artwork layer the book. The artist and colouring team of Bellaire and Bueno bring every panel alive with a feeling of dread and awe.

Tynion's use of a rotating protagonist in each issue is a useful plot device allowing each character to shine without allowing one to push others into the dak. The powerhouse of Bueno and Bellaire again effortlessly paint a stunning world with paradise at the centre surrounding Dante's Inferno. If you have not wanted to pick up the issues yet, this is the time to get all three from your local store.

The final few pages of the issue will leave you gasping in horror out loud and ramps the tension up to 11. David has forced the group to answer all of the questions each of them have been avoiding but what will be the result of this. The master of horror Tynion needs professional help for penning this disturbing tale, but by using the title as therapy hopefully, we all can pick the scabs of our own mental scars?

The complicated story has just a few too many protagonists and gaps between each issue and I'm hoping we're going to break the groups into splinters to help character bonding and plot development. The story is amazing and artwork perfect but with monthly gaps, I'm starting to wonder if I should hold off till I have a few at a time to fully enjoy the experience.

Almost 4 months without the next issue is going to feel like the end of the world for fans of TNHOTL. It's been a mind-bending, world-altering phenomenon from an Olympic level creative team skillfully laying clues, before leaving us all on a cliff-edge on the final page of issue 6.

This really needed a couple of pages of "previously on Blossom…" style pages to fill in the gaps since issue #6. It was hard enough to keep up with the various protagonists (who change every issue) as well as the dense and labyrinthine twists and shocks that the story has already provided. It is not the issue pick up randomly but if you're brave pick up the collected version of issues 1#6 or beg your LCBS to find the back issues. It's still a great story that leaves a stress headache after you read but that's what a great book does, challenge the reader and keep them focussed!

Another solid, but slow issue with the tension again rising as the cracks in the group show we're about to come to a head over the next few issues. By far and away Bueno's artwork again shines bright here by using window reflections to highlight feelings of isolation.

As a father of kids who were bullied, as well as the victim growing up myself, I do love a good revenge story as in life bullies almost never face their comeuppance. This is a great short, stand alone issue of this anthology and well worth a read.

This issue gives more questions than provide answers to previous issues. Adding to the mythology of the coin, we get a nice 1980s style horror with touches of Evil Dead, Hammer Horror and Stephen King's Cat's Eye not providing an easy ending. I have a feeling that we're not going to get answers over the two final issues but sometimes the journey is as important as the destination.

This feels like a very short issue, that mirrors the themes of the last issue with three thieves being chased towards the coin and one female character "surviving" after being linked with the coin. With the final issue, we are jumping back centuries to the New England witch trials.

Overall this was a satisfying issue as well as wrapping up the five-issue anthology. It seems that the coin is still hungry and we have a whole host of new talent contributing to the next few issues. The simple yet effective story by Walsh puts a spin on the cursed coin with its birth as not some larger plot but a simple act of anger against a friend who betrayed.

The Cursed Coin strikes again with an exceptionally strong issue to start its second run. The curse needs to feed and there an almost infinite possibilities out there for the writers to craft.

V and Walsh elevate this horror series to another level, exploring gambling addiction, free will and sacrifice. Lou is a tragic victim but is sucked in by a turn in his luck turning his back on friends, family and eventually life for a few fleeting seconds as a winner.

This fast-paced and quick to read tale fits well within the anthology of the eponymous coin. By coveting the coin the cleaner mirrors the class struggles as we all strive to move up the ladder without looking down to see how we might fall if we slip.

This issue is much more grounded in the horror that men do unto men, with a much smaller helping of supernatural cursing allowing the egotistical cop to be hoisted by his own petard. The facts behind the story are almost as horrific as the actual story and should be a stain on the soul of New York.

The character voice and main plot thread here works well and the chilling imagery sets the mini-series up to a high standard I hope it keeps. The ending pages felt a little rushed and jarring but I hope that the next issue fixes that. For fans of The Witcher awaiting the next series from Netflix grab this issue before it sells out. Four-star for writing and five for artwork.

This is a very adult and difficult issue to read for those used to the sword-slashing hero from the game, but it fits well with the currents within the original books. With only two books to go, the creative team better progress the plot now that Geralt and Giltine are free of the cult's lament.

These are dark themes dealt with skillfully by the full creative team. The foreshadowing in the first few pages, with the fox, sets most readers stomachs on edge and it just gets more gruesome from there. As with the books and games, men are the real monsters in the Witcher's world.. but I have a feeling that the Lamia has not finished with the village of Neisse.

This moral tale of guilt, vengeance and anger fits well in the universe of the Witcher with a sting in the tail coming back to force Geralt into action. Geralt's guilt is never really solved and he wears it as another scar.

Compared to the first five issues, this is a much slower dialogue-heavy issue and call me a cynic but the holes in the story that we could ignore in previous issues now come to the forefront. The justle between Malik and Richter gave tension and allowed the lesser cast to hide in plain view. With this jump forward in time, we're disconnected from the original arc and it feels like a painful wound.

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If I had to choose one album to show me as a character it would be the 1991 KLF White Room, I wonder what that actually says about me as a person. Back to the issue though this is as good as it gets hilariously bizarre script with top in class artwork and lettering.