As close to perfection as a series can come. It's only the first issue, but all signs point to Black Panther being an intensely satisfying read every month. After all the months of anticipation, Coates' first book did not disappoint in the slightest. Congratulations to all involved!

In another wonderfully drawn issue by Brian Stelfreeze, the Black Panther takes the offensive against The People on their own land. A majority of part two of 'A Nation Under Our Feet' focuses on Black Panther's supporting cast as they all wish to change Wakanda for the better. However the end will likely not justify their means.

A seminal issue in Ta-Nehisi's Coates' young series, Black Panther has already thoroughly covered the political and social ramifications of a proud African nation that has only now, after centuries of subservience to a mindful monarchy, begun to find its voice.

Black Panther's first arc ends in a frenzy, placing T'Challa at wit's end and effectively issuing open war on The People. The weariness and weight of doubt the King had felt in the first four issues suddenly and aggressively transmuted to a inexhaustible amount of rage. Now that Ramonda is hospitalized and Shuri remains in stasis, there is no one T'Challa can fully trust as his personal counsel. The kindly ruler who scarcely presented himself to his subjects must be put aside for the Black Panther, unyielding and undeterred to bring all his enemies to justice" or whichever manner they reach their end.

Showman Killer: Heartless Hero isn't for everyone, but like everything off putting it may take a few tries before this book is fully appreciated. It doesn't hurt that the graphic novel is the brainchild of a celebrated visionary who, time and again, created some of the most evocative and controversial films and comic books over the decades. One thing is for certain: It's like nothing you've read all this year.

The best moments within the second issue focused on Betty's endeavor to change her view of things, including her self. Chapter two " titled "One of the Guys" " is only three pages, but filled with as much expression, energy, and presence few artists like Fiona Staples could expertly construct.

After slowly building up her highly anticipated appearance, Miss Veronica Lodge finally makes her grand entrance among her peers and certainly makes a memorable first impression in the third issue of the wildly entertaining Archie series.

Though this is Archie's show, Betty is a character who's quickly becoming a favorite and issue four has solidified mine and hopefully many other readers' attitudes on who is the more dynamic teenager.

Things became awfully serious real quick. Fresh off the Lipstick Incident revelation, Betty, Jughead and Archie's mutual friendships are all at risk because of one rich brat. Be it gullibility or a blinding infatuation, Arch is going against his usual form and putting all responsibilities aside to appease the lofty expectations of the queen of high maintenance. Betty did ponder if Archie and Ronnie's love could be legit but really now" they're still in high school.For a 30-something male who tends to read some of the darkest, obscure, pitch black noir and crime comics one could get their hands on" Archie has been a damn enjoyable read!

Just when one thought Reggie Mantle couldn't be anymore of an a-hole, leave it to good ol' Mark Waid to crank up the jerkiness to an 11! One of the best aspects of the new look Riverdale is its inclination to be more grounded, filled with a spectrum of emotions, encounters and characters. Archie can't always be happy-go-lucky though its charm and pep remain prominent components of the series. Ne'er do wells like Mantle are an occasional necessity to shake things up. But this revised version" he's something else.

The more readers delve into this contemporary version of Riverdale, the more grey areas are being explored within the characters. For some like Reggie Mantle, it's expected that he'll exhibit qualities so loathsome that they nearly match Jughead's unyielding hunger pains. What's been equally surprisingly and worrisome in Mark Waid's scripting is the growing darkness " albeit a different vein from Mantle's " within Archie.

Mark Waid has always scripted thoroughly entertaining issues but number nine has an extra special touch to it. Perhaps it has to do with Archie having not to prove himself, deflect torment from his rivals or overcome any financial hardships. He's finally given a moment in the sun and Andrews is basking in it. Additionally, issue nine may be Veronica Fish's best work yet during her stint on Archie. Again I must bring up the aforementioned chapter three " Veg Oil " as a prime example of Fish's impeccable talent for encapsulating the wrenching emotion between Archie and Betty.

Ten months in and Mark Waid's run on Archie has reached its penultimate issue with our titular teenager ruining lives and breaking hearts like he never has before. The goal of making Riverdale fresh and exciting and relevant again has been a wild success, however Waid has raised the stakes by immersing these youths in rather perilous situations never read before. With Veronica Fish drawing quite possibly her best work yet, Waid upheaves the relationships between the leads into somber territory.

Archie #11 was a fun respite from the tension of Hiram Lodge's mayoral campaign, which will only appear to reach new heights in coming issues. Tack on Ronnie and Sayid's jealous streaks and well" no one ever claimed life with Archie was ever going to be without some drama.

Like his "father", No begins having dreams of Ibis and his true purpose amid the chaos of the universe. What follows for both characters is a surprising discovery of self, along with the reasons why the everything, from the citizenry to its monarchy, are rife with corruption in their hearts.