Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay's Absolute Green Lantern #1 is a bold, cosmic reimagining of the Green Lantern Corps that explores a suspenseful, alien-horror story with anime-influenced action. Despite some initial pacing issues, the issue excels with Jahnoy Lindsay's expressive, anime-inspired artwork and a startling, universe-redefining beginning.

Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 delivers a captivating and imaginative reimagining of the character, presenting him as a being from a higher dimension brought to life with striking and psychedelic artwork. This debut issue immediately hooks readers with a compelling mystery and a bold new direction for the Martian Manhunter, promising an unpredictable and thrilling series.

Absolute Superman #5 delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant retelling of Krypton's destruction, masterfully blending the familiar tragedy with modern anxieties and raw, visceral artwork. The issue juxtaposes this catastrophic past with Superman's present rage and eventual return to hope, highlighting the enduring impact of loss and the choice to forge a better future.

Absolute Superman #6 offers a tweaked origin, focusing on Kal-El's challenging teenage arrival and adoption by the Kents. While the issue benefits from strong character beats, especially the heartwarming Kent family dynamics, and Carmine Di Giandomenico's striking visuals, these strengths struggle against a slow-moving main plot.

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 delivers a thrilling and badass reimagining of the iconic hero, showcasing her core essence in a new, high-stakes setting. The issue excels in its creative reinvention of Diana, her supporting characters, and her world, complemented by dynamic art and vibrant colors. While the story effectively captures Wonder Woman's spirit, the primary drawback is its brevity, leaving readers wanting more. Overall, this debut issue successfully launches DC's Absolute Universe with a powerful and captivating Wonder Woman.

Absolute Wonder Woman #3 delivers a powerful narrative of Diana's ultimate sacrifice, showcasing her unwavering heroism. Kelly Thompson's writing and Hayden Sherman's dynamic art combine for an emotionally resonant issue, emphasizing Diana's strength and compassion. The story masterfully balances intense action with poignant character moments, highlighting Diana's willingness to give everything for others. The issue is a visual and emotional triumph, solidifying Wonder Woman's legendary status.

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 delivers a thrilling conclusion to the Tetracide arc, showcasing Diana's resourcefulness and power as she restores her arm and vanquishes the monster through a blend of magic and sheer strength. Kelly Thompson's nuanced portrayal of witchcraft and Hayden Sherman's dynamic art, particularly the striking visuals of Hecate and the epic sword fight, elevate this issue to a standout moment in the series. The issue culminates with the tease of a classic villain, promising exciting future storylines.

Absolute Wonder Woman #5 delivers a powerful and emotional finale to “The Last Amazon,” highlighted by Diana's complex relationship with her mother and the strategic use of the Sacrifice Lasso. Hayden Sherman's dynamic art and Kelly Thompson's insightful writing combine to create a visually stunning and narratively rich experience, showcasing Wonder Woman's strength and vulnerability. The issue masterfully balances action and introspection, making it a truly impactful conclusion to the story arc.

Absolute Wonder Woman #6 delves into the origins of Diana's lethal arsenal, revealing the secrets behind her Nemesis Lasso as she faces Hades after escaping the underworld. While the plot's pacing feels slightly uneven with a seemingly unnecessary Basilisk encounter, Kelly Thompson's character work on Diana and Mattia De Iulis' stunning artwork, particularly in portraying Diana's strength and Hades' unique personality, remain highlights.

Aquaman returns in a new series by Jeremy Adams and John Timm. He faces colossal water kaiju and the disappearance of Atlantis while juggling his roles as hero, king, husband, and father. This fresh start for the character sees Aquaman wielding new hydrokinetic powers gifted by Mera. The series reaffirms its status quo while hinting at exciting new directions. Dynamic art and a fast-paced story make Aquaman #1 a promising relaunch for the aquatic hero.

Aquaman #2 delivers a visually stunning and action-packed adventure, showcasing Aquaman's adaptation to new powers and a strange, waterless world. While the pacing feels rushed at times, the unique premise and dynamic artwork, particularly the blood-bending scene, make this a compelling chapter in Aquaman's journey to reclaim his lost kingdom.

Aquaman #3 deepens the mystery of Lord Dagon's threat and Aquaman's connection to the DCU's cosmic energies while showcasing strong character work and visually stunning art. However, a slow narrative progression leaves readers with questions and a stagnant feeling.

Assorted Crisis Events #1 plunges readers into a bizarre time crisis where historical figures collide with modern life amidst escalating, movie-like disasters, questioning our desensitization to chaos. Anchored by the relatable Ashley, the comic blends absurd humor and thought-provoking commentary on modern crises, further enhanced by detailed artwork and impactful sound effects. That said, the pacing sometimes lags due to lengthy internal monologues.

Batman #158 marks the return of the Hush storyline with a reunion of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, delivering classic artwork and setting up a mystery for Batman. Despite a familiar plot, the standout elements of this debut issue were undoubtedly Jim Lee's iconic artwork, Richard Starkings' vintage lettering, and Alex Sinclair's vibrant colors. While these highlights intrigued me, the overall package didn't win me over.

Batman: Dark Patterns #4 delivers a tense and visually striking chapter, with Batman investigating a bizarre tower controlled by a resurrected Scarface. The issue shines with its sharp detective work, inventive characterization of Scarface's twisted speech, and dynamic, unsettling artwork that effectively captures the building's transformation and a pervasive sense of dread.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 introduces an aged, powerless Matt Murdock who rediscovers his purpose when a mysterious attack restores his abilities, forcing him to confront a new threat in Hell's Kitchen. Driven by a compelling “What If?” premise, sharp writing from Charles Soule, and visually stunning, detailed art by Steve McNiven, this debut issue gets the story off to an engaging start, despite a slightly hazy plot catalyst.

This new Eddie Brock Carnage #1 comic serves as a great jumping-on point for readers, even those with limited Carnage knowledge. The story follows Eddie Brock as he hunts a serial killer on a plane, complicated by the fact that he's bonded to Carnage, who has his own sinister agenda. The creative team delivers a compelling narrative with striking, gritty art and intense colors, making for a thrilling and disturbing read.

Eddie Brock: Carnage #2 delivers a brutal and engaging story where Eddie's attempt to control Carnage by hunting serial killers spirals into chaotic violence, highlighted by Jesus Saiz's exceptional and visceral artwork. However, the narrative suffers from an abrupt ending and a repetitive subplot, hindering its overall progression.

Green Arrow #18, by Condon and Montos, grounds the series in gritty realism, focusing on Ollie as a modern-day Robin Hood and, thankfully, fewer cosmic adventures and time-traveling shenanigans. It's a welcome return to form, with compelling art and a story that feels ripped from today's headlines.

Green Arrow #19 throws us right back into the pursuit of the 'Fresh Water Killer,' with the stakes raised by the murder of a former senator. Green Arrow and Detective Benitez are forced to team up, navigating a gritty, action-packed investigation that doesn't shy away from tackling real-world issues. The issue delivers hard-hitting visuals and compelling banter, exploring themes of corruption and the blurred lines of justice. While the killer is caught, the final moments leave you wondering what hidden truths are still lurking beneath the surface.

Green Arrow #20 presents a harrowing look at the “Fresh Water Killer,” revealing a tragic figure driven to desperate acts by terminal illness, though questions still linger about the case's closure. The issue delves into themes of corporate negligence and the human cost of systemic failures, amplified by powerful artwork that captures the story's emotional weight and bleak atmosphere. Despite its quick resolution, the story's grounded characters and themes offer an increasingly relevant commentary.

Green Arrow #21 intensifies the series' exploration of justice and masks with a new, vengeful killer with ties to Oliver's past while simultaneously highlighting the community's desperate fight against corporate negligence. The issue expertly blends tense action with poignant social commentary, using striking visuals and innovative lettering to amplify the narrative's emotional impact.

Green Arrow #22 continues the compelling “Freshwater Kills” storyline with Oliver uncovering a shocking personal revelation while tackling corporate corruption affecting the community. This impactful issue showcases sharp writing, engaging pacing, and striking visuals that effectively balance grounded realism with classic Green Arrow elements.

Green Lantern Corps #2 delivers a visually stunning and emotionally charged narrative, blending familiar superhero action with poignant character moments and innovative cosmic elements. The dynamic artwork and vibrant colors, coupled with impactful lettering, elevate the engaging story, making it a compelling read for fans of the Green Lantern universe.

The Justice League is back and bigger than ever in Justice League Unlimited #1, with Mark Waid and Dan Mora delivering a high-energy, action-packed adventure. This issue, inspired by the animated series, sees the League bigger and badder than ever and introduces a powerful new villain team, Inferno. Dan Mora's stunning artwork and Waid's use of the expanded roster make this a must-read for DC fans, even if the plot takes a backseat to the spectacle.

Justice League Unlimited #2 sees the Justice League investigate a series of kidnappings that lead them to a horde of hatchling parademons. This issue introduces new characters like Dr. Occult. It features exciting team-ups, such as Wonder Woman and Mary Marvel, alongside Martian Manhunter and Dr. Occult, as they rescue the hostages. The fast-paced narrative, character interactions, and dynamic art make this a thrilling chapter, despite a minor issue with Martian Manhunter's reaction at the end.

Justice League Unlimited #3 escalates the threat with Inferno's fiery assault on the Amazon as they struggle against the enigmatic villains. Mark Waid's writing and Dan Mora's dynamic art create a visually stunning and thrilling experience, highlighting major and lesser-known DC characters. While some subplots are slower, the issue excels in its intense central conflict and the enigmatic threat of Inferno.

Justice League Unlimited #4 delivers a high-octane, visually stunning chapter as the League battles to save the Amazon, featuring compelling character moments and intricate plot developments. The inclusion of Tefe Holland and the exploration of DC's magical elements add depth, while the Martian Manhunter's vulnerability and the hints of Inferno's larger plot create intriguing tension. Dan Mora's dynamic artwork and Tamra Bonvillain's vibrant colors bring the story's epic scale to life, making this issue a standout in the series.

Justice League Unlimited #5 reveals the first clues about the superterrorist group Inferno, shockingly linking this global threat to a familiar, long-standing adversary. This issue excels with dynamic action, intriguing character moments, and a surprising reveal brought to life by Dan Mora's impressive artwork and Tamra Bonvillain's vibrant colors, though some subplots feel less impactful.

One World Under Doom #1 delivers a compellingly unsettling scenario: Doctor Doom, Emperor of Earth, offering a seemingly utopian rule. Ryan North's narrative executes a disturbingly believable veneer for Doom's power grab, expertly blending propaganda with calculated action. R.B. Silva's artwork provides the necessary grandeur, showcasing the scope of Doom's ambition, though a few panels suffer from a touch of visual congestion.

One World Under Doom #2 sees Doctor Doom conquer the world and twice defeat its heroes, with the Fantastic Four as his next target. While Ryan North's clever writing makes Doom surprisingly sympathetic by pursuing desirable goals with a villainous twist and a compelling Doom-Valeria dynamic, R.B. Silva's art suffers from cluttered panels and similar character faces.

Red Hulk #1 delivers a solid, if standard, introduction to the character within a “One World Under Doom” tie-in, showcasing Red Hulk's capture and forced collaboration with Doctor Doom. The issue excels in establishing a “dirty dozen” team dynamic among the prisoners. It features strong artwork, particularly in action sequences and creative lettering for coded messages; though the story feels somewhat non-essential, gratuitous violence detracts from the experience.

Ram V and Anand RK resurrect Mitch Shelley in Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #1, thrusting the hero into a complex, time-bending mission. V is known for his imaginative writing that connects cosmic concepts to human tragedy and delivers here. RK's artwork is outstanding and ethereal, perfectly matched by a skillful coloring and lettering team. The result is a truly powerful and unforgettable reading experience.

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #1 delivers a compelling prequel-era story, showcasing the Jedi at the height of their power with a mix of action and nuanced wisdom. Marc Guggenheim's pacing, Madibek Musabekov's dynamic art, Luis Guerrero's rich coloring, and Clayton Cowles's vibrant lettering create a visually stunning and engaging experience, leaving readers eager to continue the saga. The comic blends familiar characters with new conflicts, offering prequel fans and newcomers a satisfying Star Wars adventure.

Zatanna #1 returns the titular magician to her familiar stage with stunning visuals and a thrilling mystery involving a ghostly new villain, The Lady White. The issue excels in its dynamic art and engaging action, seamlessly blending magic and performance. However, the story ends abruptly, leaving the reader wanting more, and hints at a potential betrayal within Zatanna's team. Despite this, the book successfully captures Zatanna's charm and magical prowess, promising an exciting series ahead.

Zatanna #2 delivers stunning visuals and dynamic action sequences, particularly in depicting magical chaos and demonic bars, though the narrative suffers from a muddled plot and Zatanna's uncharacteristically erratic behavior. The issue's artistic strengths, especially Jamal Campbell's vibrant artwork and Ariana Maher's impactful lettering, elevate the reading experience despite the narrative's shortcomings.