Ricky Church Comic Reviews

With one of the larger mysteries revealed, 'Superman Reborn' has kicked into high gear with Action Comics #975. Jurgens and Dini both bring even more emotion to the story with their sympathetic and angry Mxyzptlk and Mahnke and Churchill displayed him that way very well. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Oz will play into the story and what exactly he's got planned for Superman as the story continues next week. For now, though, Action Comics #975 was not only a great chapter in an intriguing story, but an excellent anniversary issue for the world's oldest superhero.

With Jurgen's writing and Manhke's art, Action Comics #976 was a satisfying closure to 'Superman Reborn', even if it did leave a fair amount of questions in its wake. Jon's development, Manhke's facial work and the simple fact that the Superman we knew and loved is completely back make 'Superman Reborn' one of Rebirth's best stories thus far.

All in all,Action Comics #1000 is a celebration of all things Superman. Each writer brings something unique in their story, focusing on different aspects of the Man of Steel's character and lore while the art from each artist is outstanding, capturing the emotion and delivering some great, memorable visuals. This isn't just a book for Superman fans, but one that explains to any non-fans or those curious about Superman why he's remained such an iconic character for eight decades. He's the grandfather of superheroes, yet he still remains as relevant today, if not more so, than he did in 1938. If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and pick upAction Comics #1000.

While the start of All-Star Batman may confuse some with the way the flashbacks are handled, its overall a great book with a lot of excitement and good characterization of Two-Face. The philosophical battle between Batman and Two-Face is one of the issue's best aspects and should be a standout piece of the story once its concluded. Snyder injects some new energy into Batman and the fact that this is something different is exciting, but his writing combined with the art from Romita Jr., Miki and White makes All-Star Batman a series to watch out for in the next few months.

Two issues in and All-Star Batman is still a title to watch out for. Though the non-linear structure gets in the way at the start, issue #2 is a fast paced story that doesn't sacrifice its characters for fun. Snyder's writing combined with the art from JRJR and the rest of the team make this one of DC's best titles in the Rebirth line.

All-Star Batman #5 concludes a great story by placing Batman out of his comfort zone and examining the philosophy of one of his most known enemies. Snyder's handle on the characters is one of the biggest selling points of this series and JRJR's art is great to look at it. If you're a Batman fan, All-Star Batman is a title you have to read.

If there's one thing this book somewhat lacks, its story since it spends so much time introducing Barbara to Japan and her time with Kai. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but there's not really much of a hint of what will the central conflict in this book will be. Batgirl #1's strength lies in the characterization, but there's really not much set-up.

Likewise, the art is a little iffy in some spots. Claire Roe draws a dynamic Batgirl and the action scenes have some good choreography to it, but there are panels where Barbara's face looks wildly different from panel to panel. Allen Passalaqua's colours are good though, giving a mix of vibrancy and dark shadows throughout the book. Batgirl's costume in particular stands out as the brightest thing in the story.

Batman - Detective Comics: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 1 is a nice collection of stories from Tynion, Barrows and Martinez that focuses on the characters and their development just as much as the action. It is definitely a thought-provoking insight into Gotham's heroes and how they are viewed by people within and outside of Gotham. Despite a couple hiccups in the book itself, Batfans, and those who are Tim Drake fans, should really enjoy this collection.

The Batman team continues their stellar run on the title as they explore this new atmosphere in Gotham City, providing some great character moments for Jim Gordon and discussions on what Batman means for individuals and the city as a whole. While the story is still setting in place this new status quo, its one that, at this point in time, will be well worth the eventual pay off.

Greg Capullo's artwork is, as always, wonderful to look at. His facial expressions stand out this issue, especially with Alfred as he carries much of the emotional weight. Capullo also does an excellent job depicting the action scene at the end, complimented by FCO Plascencia's gorgeous colouring. This art team is one that never disappoints.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo continue to knock it out of the park in 'Superheavy'. Gordon's time as Batman remains a highlight of the current story and, though it can be seen as a gimmick, it really is finding new layers of the character to discover and explore. This pair hasn't let fans down yet with the their stories, making it more of a shame that Capullo will be departing in a few months, even if it is for a short while. Let's hope he'll be back on the Batman title sooner rather than later.

Once again Greg Capullo's artwork and Danny Miki's colours pop with every panel, especially during Bruce and Joker's interaction; the facial work in both characters is excellent. With this being one of Capullo's last issues before his brief hiatus to work with Mark Millar, he's doing everything he can to give fans some outstanding imagery. With 'Superheavy' coming to a close and Bruce Wayne poised to don the cape and cowl once again, this team is putting out all the stops to deliver a memorable Batman story.

Batman #50 is an excellent end to the 'Superheavy' arc and serves as a great penultimate chapter to the Snyder/Capullo run. It is going to be a shame once these two leave the title, but this only makes me more excited for what they'll bring in Batman #51 next month.

Though they have big shoes to fill following the last creative team, King, Finch and the rest of the team show Batman is in good hands. This story did well to examine Batman's immense intellect and his humanity, but the ending shows potential to examine just how much good he can do without superpowers now that other heroes have shown up to the scene. Batman fans will surely get a kick out of King's portrayal of the hero and what he has in store.

While the art what somewhat inconsistent and the newest characters didn't get much development in this issue, King still displayed a competency writing Batman and his famous supporting characters. His reintroduction of one of Batman's oldest and infamous rogues is also an intriguing development for where he plans to take this story. With such a strong focus on Batman's personality and world, fans shouldn't have to worry too much about this run living up to Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.

As King closes out his first arc, he presented some interesting ideas, examinations of the characters and intriguing hints for the future, but a bit more time could have been devoted to fleshing out Gotham and his state of mind. Still, King and Finch depicted a great fight between Batman and Gotham and how much danger a young, reckless man could do with such power.

It's good to see Claire finally getting some growth and how this is further developed in future issues should prove intriguing. King is able to connect the characters very well and explore different facets of emotions and the grief process while David Finch was able to adequately convey those emotions through his artwork. Batman #6 is both a good concluding chapter and set-up for the future as King leaves us with a very compelling cliffhanger and potential team-up that should get fans excited for what's to come.

Rebirth's first crossover has gotten off to a good start and seems ready to test Batman physically and mentally as he puts new stress on himself. The characterisations are spot on and the story is an intriguing one to place this group of heroes in. With the titles shipping bi-weekly as well, this should prove to be a fast-paced and exciting story should the first part of 'Night of the Monster Men' be any indication.

Batman #21 is a good opening introduction to 'The Button' which raises some intriguing questions surrounding Flashpoint and DC Universe Rebirth. The fight between Batman and Reverse-Flash was well done with Fabok having a keen eye on how to depict it in a single minute. Based on this, next week's The Flash #21 should be a very exciting follow up to this issue and the biggest mystery Batman and Flash have ever faced.

'The Button' has been going non-stop and Batman #22 really delivered on the emotional aspect of the story, capturing the potential for two very different Batmen to meet. Williamson also proved he's got a great handle on Batman, showing that if he ever left The Flash a trip to Gotham City is within his realm. With next week's The Flash #22 delivering the final issue of this mystery, it should be a very exciting and tense finale.

Only time will tell whether Batman and Catwoman do get married and how long it remains status quo, but for now Batman #24 is one of King's best issues for his examination of Batman and his possible happiness.

Batman #25 is a great first chapter to 'The War of Jokes and Riddles', promising a very enticing battle between two of Batman's greatest and most well-known enemies. His handling of Joker and Riddler is already very much in character and with the flash-forward shown at the end, should be a very interesting story to come.

King escalates the war between Joker and Riddler nicely, showing how the pair of them think and plan differently in their attacks against each other and especially their recruitment process. 'The War of Jokes and Riddles' is taking shape interestingly, but it's a shame that the issue repeats the same ending as the previous one. Still, from the look of it there's much to be excited for.

King utilizes The Joker very well inBatman #48 as he displays Joker's sadism in a horrific and terrifying way while also highlighting his eccentricity. Batman could have done a bit more than just scowl and remain passive, though, but his role is largely the only big criticism of the issue. Janin and Chung's artwork is great throughout with both Joker and the church stealing the show. The team definitely sets up the wedding and Joker's crashing of it nicely.

Batman #49 is a stellar issue with King successfully deconstructing two of Batman's oldest foes.

Batman #50 is an intriguing way to present a wedding issue, especially one that's an 'anniversary' issue of a title. The emotion is solidly felt throughout the story and all the artists, from Janin to the various guests, gave great renditions of the couple. The ending is an abrupt one and more time could have been better spent on the day itself, but King gave a fairly solid issue with a very tantalizing hook for what comes next.

Batman: Dear Detective is for any fan of the comic book medium as it relies on the art telling the story with some incredibly detailed and beautiful images from Lee Bermejo. This whole book is a reason why he's regarded as one of the best artists in the industry and someone to pay attention to when he's announced on a Batmanproject.

All in all, though, Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 is a great story with strong and interesting characterizations for Batman and his fellow cast alongside gorgeous artwork. Anyone who has been a fan of the Batman: Earth One series should be very pleased with this third and potentially final volume.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have really started something that feels unique and special withBatman: Last Knight on Earth. It's an interesting story that places Batman outside his element with the potential to examine why he's such a great character and one of the best heroes of the DC universe thanks to the themes on the nature of good vs. evil. The artwork from Capullo, Glapion and Plasencia is outstanding with its crazy visuals and focus on the characters. While it's a long wait for the next issue, Snyder, Capullo and company have made it well worth it with this introduction to their last Batman story for the foreseeable future.

With a fast-moving story and an intriguing and thought-provoking examination of good vs. evil, Snyder'sBatman: Last Knight on Earthis shaping up to be a memorable story for the Dark Knight.

WhileBatman: One Dark Knight #1served mostly as set up for the following issues, the way Jock introduces the story and its new characters never feels like it's a slow pace to get to the story's inciting moment. It builds nicely as the stakes become clear and Jock's take on the characters feel well within their typical characterizations while his art and colour work set the tone very well. The anticipation for what Jock will do next on Batman's journey across Gotham in this night is already high and exciting for his very first written issue.

Batman: The Long Halloween Specialis a very welcome return to one of the most groundbreaking and influentialBatmanstories of the modern era. It is great to see Loeb and Sale together again as they craft a very compelling tale set within their world while Wagner and Starkings elevate their work even more. Fans of The Long Halloween will not only enjoy this, but likely want more with the tantalizing possibility the team leaves at the end for further adventures.

While each story opens up with a brief biography of the writers and artists and how their comic careers started, along with the foreign titles they are known for, it is rather unfortunate and disappointing we don't hear from them in short essays why they chose to be part of the anthology or what Batman means to them. The closest it comes is the 'My Bat-Man' story from Russian writers Kirill Kutuzov and Egor Prutov with artist Natalia Zaidova, which seems autobiographical in parts as a young writer and artist become obsessed with Batman based on nothing but a silly piece of merchandise, carrying that interest well into adulthood before discovering he's actually real. Likewise, the only bonus material is two pages of character design sketches for the China and Japan stories. Batman: The Worldwould have benefitted greatly from more insight from the actual creators and where their love for Batman began.

Not many comic stories are as built up asThree Jokers, but after so many years and delays it is exciting and gratifying to see the first issue more than lives up to the hype. Johns' writing and insight into the characters is fantastic as he explores their various traumas and the depths of Joker's madness and cruelty. Fabok's art is excellent as it is clear just how hard he worked on every single panel - and there are a lot of them - while Anderson's colours elevate Fabok's lines. Any comic book fan will be pleased with how wellThree Jokers #1is and excited with what else Johns, Fabok and Anderson have in store for the rest of the series.

Batman: Three Jokers #2is a successful middle chapter to this miniseries. Johns writes a captivating story that, while light on answers, has some fantastic character insight that plays with a couple different genres. Fabok's art steals the show with his attention to detail while Anderson utilizes vivid colours to make each and every panel shine. The cliffhanger at the issue's end leads to a lot of questions around how this will turn out and where Johns is going, something every good series should do to raise the stakes and keep the intrigue fresh.

Batman: Three Jokershad a lot riding on it due to the growing anticipation since the story was first teased and announced, especially after its many delays. Despite the lengthy wait time, it has all proved fruitful as this is an instant classic in the Batman canon. Johns' focus on the characters and his examination of their identities and legacies speaks not only to their endurance in pop culture, but the ways in which they can adapt and grow. His interpretation of Joker (all three of them) is some of the best writing of the Clown Prince in the modern age of comics while Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson cement themselves as among the best artists in the industry.Three Jokersis recommended reading not just for die hard Batman fans, but anyone even remotely interested in the character and his long rivalry with The Joker.

The Batman Who Laughs #1is an incredibly dark story that Tynion uses to examine Batman and Joker and just how dangerous a combination of the two might be. He uses the opportunity to really make a disturbing tale that further shows why the Batman Who Laughs poses such a grave threat inMetal. It would have been nice if this story didn't feel quite as fast, but Tynion and Rossmo still did a great job with this horrifying story.

Batwoman Rebirthmay acta little too much as a recap issue, but its still an intriguing look at what Tynion, Bennett and Epting have in store for the character and her future.

Dark Days: The Forge #1 introduces a compelling mystery to the DC Universe and Snyder does an excellent job at building up to it, peeling back layers from his own New 52 run. While the art could have been a bit more consistent in some places, Lee, Kubert and JRJR make a visual treat for fans. With this issue and Snyder at the helm, readers have a lot to look forward to with this event.

OverallDark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt was an interesting issue that was helped by Morrison's zany ideas. Scott and Morrison's script was fairly good as they tied Morrison's older work closer toMetal, though the art could have been a bit more consistent between the four artists. Nevertheless, this is an intriguing precursor to the big finale that sets up a few questions about how its all going to end.

With three issues in,Dark Nights: Metalhas shaped up to be one of DC's most memorable events in years. Snyder's work with the characters is great as he branches out beyond the normal Bat-family and Capullo takes full advantage of playing with other characters. The exploration of light vs dark, both in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, is also one of the intriguing aspects about this story. It may be dark and creepy, butDark Nights: Metalis a whole lot of 'fun'.

Dark Nights: Metal #4may not be quite as exciting as the previous issues, but its a nice chapter that gives some breathing room for the readers and isn't too heavy on the exposition. Snyder balances the expositional scenes well with the character development and story while Capullo illustrates some excellent imagery with Plascencia's vibrant colours. With the ideas and the cliffhanger presented, its exciting to think of what awaits the heroes and readers in the series.

For a book that is so full of action beats, Snyder and Capullo give some great emotional beats that let you feel what the characters are going through, whether its sharing in their despair or fist pumping at some of the book's best moments. Its certainly a great issue that sets up the double-sized finale very well. Fans of the DC universe and out-of-the-box stories will not be disappointed by what this team has delivered in this penultimate issue.

The concepts Snyder has explored in Metal mostly pay off in the finale, giving some provoking thoughts to the nature of stories and endings. The finale could have been a little less jammed and it would have also been nice to get a bit more of a pay off with those characters, but Snyder and Capullo still succeeded in giving fans an out there, balls-to-wall crazy adventure.

This team-up certainly revitalizes the Detective Comics title and promises some new, intriguing dynamics while honouring what has come before. Fans new and old alike should find plenty to enjoy and look forward to in the newly minted Detective Comics.

Detective Comics #1000 is a great celebration of Batman and how he has persisted throughout the years as one of the best superheroes in the world. The vast collection of writers and artists makes the $9.99 price tag more than worth it as they each tap into a different aspect of Batman's power and skills. There's something in here for every Batman fan, from those looking for more lighthearted fare in 'The Legend of Knute Brody' or 'The Precedent' to a darker, deeper examination of Batman in 'Manufactured for Use' or 'Return to Crime Alley'. Any Batman fan will be happy with the love and respect that is poured into this book for one of the best pop culture figures of our time.

Doomsday Clock #1is a pretty solid introduction to the series. It acts as a good continuation ofWatchmenby retaining the look and feel of the original while bringing something fresh with it. Johns makes some pretty clear allusions to the current times in the world, making this book, as the original, very relevant to new and old readers alike. Franks and Anderson's combined artwork help the issue stand out with some great visuals that help Johns keep that old feeling. While it didn't feature a lot of Superman or Manhattan, it certainly did set up an exciting premise.

Doomsday Clockis shaping up to be a very interesting story, especially with the cliffhangers presented. Its characters are well written with interesting themes and some very well done art. The prospect of seeing Batman and Rorschach together is great and one that Johns will more than likely deliver on.

Doomsday Clock #3 is a great issue from Johns, Frank and Anderson. The slow burn nature of the story allows readers to really dive into the story and pour over the details of the story and artwork. Johns has a good handle on the characters and knows when to focus on the story and Frank and Anderson's artwork is great throughout the issue. Given the events that happens here, its going to be a very long wait full of anticipation for the fourth issue in March.

Doomsday Clock #4may have not given a whole lot of answers to Dr. Manhattan's goals in the DC universe, but Johns and Frank still delivered quite a dramatic issue that made us feel for Reggie and understand his journey to becoming Rorschach. Frank's art is worth the price of the comic and Johns' script is tight and solid, never once feeling slow or lacking emotion. It'll be a long wait to the next issue, but there's certainly a lot to look forward to with Johns and Frank delivering another great entry to this series.

Doomsday Clock #5is another stellar issue in the series and arguably tops the previous one as being the best so far. Johns writing explores the characters and themes in an intriguing manner while Frank and Anderson make some eye-popping art. While it's a shame we have a bit of a longer wait to the next issue, due August instead of July, and one that's compounded even more by the cliffhangers we received, when the team is this good it's hard to argue with the results. Hopefully thoughDoomsday Clockwill make more use of Superman and Manhattan proper soon rather than later.

Doomsday Clock #6 has a strong focus on the new characters, reveal hidden layers to them and their backstory that make them more than just copies of other well-known DC villains. Though Johns continues his slow burn, things do heat up a bit through the action and the few answers we do get to the big mystery the heroes are trying to solve. Frank and Anderson's artwork is alone worth the story thanks to their great artwork. Hopefully we'll see a bigger role for characters like Superman in the latter half of the series, butDoomsday Clockis still well worth the read.

Doomsday Clock #7reinforces the notion that the series is more of a sequel toWatchmen than it is a crossover between it and the DC universe. While heroes like Batman and Superman should appear more, Johns writes theWatchmencharacters very well in a away that helps it feel like a continuation of the original material. That last fact is again helped by how much Frank and Anderson contribute to making it feel like a natural extension ofWatchmen through their great artwork. Now that we're this far into the series,all the various pieces and stories ofDoomsday Clockseem to be coming together in some very intriguing ways that will surely generate some excitement in its fans.

Doomsday Clock #8 is a great issue that connects some of the major plot points together and finally brings Superman onto the table in a big way. Johns' Man of Steel is very well written as he's shown both as an inspirational figure to fellow heroes and regular citizens and someone who doesn't mess around when lives are on the line. Frank and Anderson's artwork continue to excel and make the series standout through their character designs, expressions and colours.Dooksday Clockcontinues to be one of the best books DC is putting out, but let's hope they didn't wait too long to bring their biggest players in.

Doomsday Clock #9 is one of the most impressive issues of the story thanks to Johns' characterization of Manhattan and Frank and Anderson's artwork. The battle between Manhattan and the League will probably go down as one of the most memorable events in comics this year, but the movement in the story places some compelling pieces down in the puzzle.

Doomsday Clock #10 feels like a bolt of lightning to the series as it reaches its conclusion. The focus on Manhattan's point of view and emphasis on what makes Superman such a strong pillar of the universe is something Johns examines very well. He very much understands who these characters are and the impacts they have on the rest of the world. Frank's pencils and Anderson's colours elevate the story with their stellar visuals, creating the best looking issue of the series to date. With two issues to go, Johns, Frank and Anderson look like they'll deliver something special and worthy of all the delays.

Doomsday Clock #11is a great penultimate issue to Johns' long and epic series. The end truly is nigh now as Johns does well to build some of the excitement back up as he balanced a whole lot of characters and exposition together pretty well, keeping much of the focus on the characters. Frank's artwork is gorgeous with his attention to detail while Anderson provides a lot of vibrant colours throughout the story. While there is little doubt at this point for most readers, hopefully the finale will live up to the series' initial promise and deliver something meaningful for both Superman andWatchmenfans.

Though some characters fell by the wayside, Johns utilized most of them well enough but his focus on Manhattan and Superman in Doomsday Clock #12 as well as his closing argument for his thesis on Superman's true power and relevance is the highlight of the issue. Its meta examination of Superman's past and future is a treat for fans of the Man of Steel while the artwork from Gary Frank is nothing but gorgeous. Despite the long wait, Doomsday Clockwas well worth the ride.

This is a good introductory issue to First Strike, though again was surprising how little the transformers appeared given the crossover appeal. With such a large cast of characters set to appear, hopefully a good balance can be struck as the series moves forward. Scott and Rodriguez do have a good handle on the character's personalities, though, and the art by Dunbar and Zarate fits this story well. Included is a short back-up from John Barber and Netho Diaz from the villain's point of view on why they want to take out Cybertron. All in all, it is an intriguing crossover between the various IDW titles so far.

Overall,First Strike #6 was an enjoyable conclusion to the series, but not perfect. Scott and Morgan's script is well-written with nice character interactions, particularly between Scarlett and Colton, but the other characters are pushed to the sidelines a bit too much. The artwork didn't quite help either; though Dunbar's art and character work is good, its not entirely clear what's happening in some of the action or in the issue's climax, hindering readers being able to fully take in and enjoy the artwork. Its still good, but ends with much less of a bang than expected.

Overall, The Flash #22 delivered a satisfying conclusion to 'The Button' that left a lot of anticipation for what is to come. The art was a visual treat and Williamson again had a good handle on the characters.

Percy and Schmidt's run on Green Arrow is off to a good start, righting the wrongs of The New 52 and Arrow. Their back-to-basics approach breaths new life into the character and gives longtime Green Arrow fans something to remember the better times before Flashpoint while indicating what lies ahead for the Emerald Archer and Black Canary. Just from this issue alone, Green Arrow may be one of Rebirth's must-read titles.

While books in the Earth Oneline have been hit and miss,Green Lantern: Earth One Vol. 1 is most definitely in the hit section and is arguably the series' best yet. It simultaneously embraces the mythology while putting its own spin on it and delivers a true sci-fi adventure that doesn't shy away from the source material's fantastic elements. Bechko and Hardman write a compelling script while Hardman and Boyd make a visually great book that helps make it stand on its own.

Chad Hardin's art combined with Alex Sinclair's colours make this a visually eye-popping book. Hardin's illustrations are light, almost like a cartoon, and Sinclair plays around with a lot of different colours as he alternates between light and dark settings. Harley Quinn #1 is definitely a pretty book to look at and is fun, but there also doesn't seem to be much of a change from The New 52 and the fact that its not entirely accessible to new readers somewhat hinders the enjoyment, but should still make for an entertaining read.

Though it has an intriguing premise,Heroes in Crisis #1lacks the emotion King strives for by placing the beginning in the aftermath of the massacre. The emotion doesn't feel fully earned yet, even when the art clearly expresses Superman's pain at seeing so many heroes dead. Hopefully the series picks up and heightens the emotional factor as it goes on, but for now this was a rather lacklustre opening to a potentially great idea.

Home After Darkis a compelling coming-of-age story thanks to Small's focus on Russell's lack of proper maturity in such a hostile and lonely environment. The struggles Russell goes through are still recognizable today and Small balances each one fairly well. His art both moves the story along at a nice pace and makes you feel the emotions behind each character. Small's talents as a writer and artist are on clear display with his latest work in the genre.

Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanityis a very unique and intriguing take on the relationship between Harley Quinn and The Joker. Garcia excels at the characterization of both central characters and finds new depths for readers to explore. The tone of a psychological horror/crime thriller fits perfectly within the world of Gotham City and gives Harley an exciting twist to her usual appearance. The artwork from Suayan, Badower, Mayhew and Kwok is detailed, rich and gruesome with their character's expressions and body language, city backgrounds and grisly crime scenes. Fans of either characters or of the psychological crime genre will definitely get a kick out of this well-written and visualized book.

'The Darkseid War' is shaping up to be quite the Justice League tale that fans have been waiting for. With this creative team on board, this is a book you simply don't want to miss.

'The Darkseid War' has been enjoyable, but with the game changing cliax, there's no telling where it will go next. This is one of the joys of reading Geoff Johns as he takes the path less expected by readers and offers genuine surprises. Whether you're a fan of Geoff Johns or of the Justice League, this is one book you definitely need to be reading right now.

Justice League #45 is a nice breather from the previous action heavy issues and a nice set-up for the next phase of 'The Darkseid War'. Its too bad though some of the story felt rushed or sacrificed for other parts and the art was such a drastic shift from the previous issues. Still, Geoff Johns continues to sell 'The Darkseid War' as a worthy and interesting conflict for the Justice League to face.

The Darkseid War concluded with a bang. Johns once again displayed his competency as a writer and his understanding of all the characters within the Justice League and was helped by Fabok and Anderson's great art. While this ends the Justice League's time in The New 52, Johns does leave open some intriguing new doors for several of the characters, namely Batman, Wonder Woman and Jessica Cruz, to be explored by other writers. His time on Justice League has been epic and The Darkseid War may be some of the best work he's given fans yet.

Justice League #1is an intriguing and entertaining introduction to Snyder's take on the big team. The characterization on all the League members are spot on and the art from Cheung and Morey is great to look at in all its detail. This is certainly a good opening for fans new and old to jump into.

Justice League #2 builds on the momentum of the first issue very well as Snyder does some great character work on the heroes and villains and introduces more crazy elements to the story. Jimenez and Sanchez's art is great to just look at whether its a character standing still or mid-movement. It's definitely a promising start to one of DC's flagship titles in this new run.

Overall this was a compelling story that highlighted the differences between the League and Squad and utilized the premise well for some fun character beats and a fairly good paced story. There's little to complain of the collection itself with everything in one place. There's some occasional gutter loss in the imagery, but nothing really significant to distract from the art. Fans of the Justice League and Suicide Squad should enjoy this book, marking it down as a success for DC Rebirth.

Mystik Uis a good introductory issue to this miniseries that engages you with its characters and fresh take on DC's magical heroes. Its a fun story with an interesting premise that Kwitney and Norton work well with. Its just a shame that this is a bi-monthly series, meaning we'll have to wait two months as opposed to the usual one for the next issue, but it makes the next chapter that much more enticing.

Where the art in Batman #7 was spotty at times, Nightwing #5 is the opposite throughout. Roge Antonio's artwork has more of an animated look to it with fluid character movements that are complimented by Chris Sotomayor's colours. The atmosphere isn't as moody as Batman #7 with Antonio using bright colours in places, but it serves the look of Nightwing and as well as making some of the latest Bat-gadgets really pop off the page, especially the Bat-beacon. With this issue, 'Night of the Monster Men' has really upped the ante for Gotham City.

Yanick Paquette's art is crisp with brief, dynamic action sequences. Nathan Fairbairn's colours pop right off the page, being one of the more vibrant issues DC Rebirth has offered yet. Their combined art makes it a joy to see Dick back as Nightwing in the issue's final page, and back in his black-and-blue colour scheme no less. Though it might be a little while longer before Nightwing operates back in Gotham City once again, Nightwing: Rebirth is, at least, a welcome return for Nightwing that offers closure on his previous adventure while opening up a new one. With Seeley at the helm, Nightwing's next chapter is already off to a good start.

Optimus Prime Annual 2018was just an okay comic. Though it succeeded with its humour, the characterization of Thundercracker seemed a bit inconsistent and there wasn't anything really new revealed about Starscream. The art helps, but even that isn't enough to lift up the story.

For anyone looking for a place to jump onto the IDW comics, Transformers: Optimus Prime #1 is definitely a good place for fans of the franchise. Barber writes his characters well, putting them much more in line with their common interpretations and actually giving them an arc than more recent Transformers media. If you wanted some depth in Prime or a piece of Transformers, this is it.

The art may not be up to par with the last issue, but John Barber still crafts a good story that further examines Cybertron's post-war place in the galaxy. Optimus Prime's portrayal of its title character, both in the past and present, does shed some light on his thought process in this new setting and remains the highlight of the book, but hopefully the art can bounce back in the next issue.

It may be another quiet issue, but another sign Barber is taking his time to properly build this world and examine the interactions between Optimus and the other characters. Zama improved on the art and, taken with Burchman's colours, delivered a good looking issue. Optimus Prime is on the right track to becoming one of IDW's best titles.

Barber's deconstruction of Optimus' character and the path he's taking could be problematic for some, but I think it's a refreshing change of pace and one that doesn't really go against Optimus' core values as he seeks freedom and safety for all. How he's going about that goal in this new setting, however, is a different story entirely and one he could be learning a hard lesson in. Either way, Barber's got a great handle on the Transformers in Optimus Prime.

Optimus Prime #5 is a good read that has wall-to-wall action, yet Barber manages to instil some interesting story and character developments within the space of the action. Zama's art is good, particularly his ability to give some face-plated robots expressions, but a couple of his action panels seem to have too much going on. It's still a good issue though that raises the stakes not just for how the battle will turn out, but for how far down Optimus Prime may go.

Optimus Prime #6 is a good close to the title's first arc that examines Prime's standing among the Autobots and people of Earth. This issue's look at his culpability in the conflict and desire to change brings back a more familiar Optimus Prime than we've seen lately while simultaneously leaving readers with the thought that not everything is good for him right now. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

Overall, Optimus Prime #8 is a good issue that delves into Jazz's character and backstory, focusing on the ramifications Optimus will have to deal with both within and outside of his Autobot forces. Some story beats though feel redundant, slowing the issue down by repeating the same points over and not introducing a new point of view to them. It's a bit of a slip in this title recently, but still presents a good issue.

Optimus Prime #15 is a good introductory chapter to the new arc and the threat Onyx poses. After all the build up involving him, it will be interesting to see how this conflict plays out, but Barber and Zama leave a sense of excitement and intrigue with what they've done so far.

Overall, Optimus Prime #16 told an interesting story that steered away from some classic tropes while delivering good characterization on Soundwave. Barber has a nice handle on all the characters and he's already making Onyx out to be a different antagonist than we've seen recently. Zama's art is good, particularly her character designs, but the confusing climax somewhat lessened its impact. Still, 'The Falling Part 2' was a nice follow up chapter to this newTransformersarc.

Optimus Prime #17is a great issue that not only raises the stakes, but changes the game as Barber delivers a great shock that ties into much of his previous work. With a tight script and impressive art, its a rewarding experience for longtimeTransformers fans.

Through Barber's reinvention of Shockwave and Ramondelli's art,Optimus Prime #18is one of the most memorable issues of anyTransformerscomic yet. The twist that Shockwave is responsible for all of Cybertronian history is not a twist for the sake of one, but an integral part of Barber's long-story format that pays off in a huge way. It's a compelling read and will make any Shockwave fans happy.

Optimus Prime #19may not be an action packed story, but Barber utilizes his stunning twist with Shockwave to great effect. His examination of Starscream is also very well done and thought-provoking in the contradiction of his development. Combined with the artwork, this latest issue is a compelling read and only builds up the excitement to how it will all end.

Transformers: Optimus Prime #20is a nice issue that spends its time on interesting examinations of its title character and Bumblebee, reminding readers why these two bots often make a great team. Its nice to finally have Bee back in a proper form and Barber writes the little guy well. The art from Zama and Coller helps those character moments standout even more with the detail they put in. It is a very good and thought-provoking penultimate issue before the big finale of this storyline later this week.

Optimus Prime #21 is still a good issue, but some things could have been clearer both in the story and in the art. The focus on Pyra's perspective was a nice examination of her character, especially since it revolves around a largely negative opinion on Optimus Prime. Shockwave is still a master manipulator and it will be interesting to see how the series plays into Unicron.

Overall,Optimus Prime #22is a bit of a step down as Barber uses the story to connect the dots to IDW's main event rather than focusing on the character moments or moral dilemmas they face. It would have been stronger if Barber focused more on those character interactions, but he still wrote each character consistently. With IDW ending their universe in just a short couple of months, hopefully the quality ofOptimus Prime's final issues will deliver more satisfying stories.

As with most of the other issues inOptimus Prime, Kei Zama is on artwork and delivers some great imagery. At the start of the series, I felt her artwork was a bit rough, but she's really grown on me since then as her comfort in Transformershas grown. Her final issue has some very evocative images, from Bumblebee walking along a beach, Orion Pax's birth or the twisted face of Unicron. The expressions she gives the bots as they move through their sorrow is well done and quite clear. A couple images that stand out is the look of resignation on Prowl's face during his chat with Shockwave or the quick smile as Optimus finally finds peace. Josh Burcham's colours compliment Zama's work as he gives the issue a lot of vibrancy to the characters and backgrounds. Zama and Burcham definitely pulled out all the stops for the finale.

Despite the odd timing of the issue's release,Optimus Prime: First Strikeis a good and entertaining issue, though Barber doesn't really explore any new topics or ways to look at Prime's viewpoint. The rehash of the importance of this event is somewhat diminished since we've heard so much about it before, but it leaves it open at an interesting place to see what happened with the Revolutionaries and Arcee in the upcomingTransformers: First Strike one-shot.

Star Trek vs. Transformersmay not be the most in-depth story either franchises have to offer to fans, but Barber and Johnson manage to place some focus on the philosophyStar Trekis known for and how they can relate to Transformers. It's a fun story with good character interactions between the Enterprise and Autobots, making this a memorable enough mash-up of two of the biggest pop culture franchises IDW have put out.

Star Wars #50 is a great turning point for the series as we get further away from A New Hope and edge closer toThe Empire Strikes Back. 'Hope Dies' looks to be like a fairly intense arc that will put our heroes to the test, but also make Vader fans very happy. Gillen nails the characters and does well building the tension within the story while Larroca illustrates some good, if sometimes flawed, artwork. This is as good a time as any to be reminded of the Empire's threat and power.

Overall,Star Wars #51is still a great issue. The character moments are captivating and continue to build off what we know while the tension is amped up and doesn't let go. You feel the despair the Rebellion is going through as Vader continues his merciless assault. Larroca's art could be better, though, as the emotion in the characters faces just isn't there in some of the images. It's not enough to detract from the story, but still takes you out of it just a little bit. Despite that, 'Hope Dies' is still shaping up to be one ofStar Wars' most memorable stories, both in and out of the comics.

Star Wars #52is another great issue from Gillen that amps up the story and the despair the characters face. The battle between Han and Vader is exciting and well done while the focus on Luke's role as a hero and the use of hope even in a danger like this is one of the best aspects here. Larroca's art shows improvement in the characters facial details, though his strengths lie more in the space battles still as he creates some energetic images of the Falcon and other ships. 'Hope Dies' continues the anxious thrill of the title and with Luke's final declaration, the next issue should be just as exciting.

If you're a Star Wars fan, pick this book up and if you're a Darth Vader fan there's no reason you shouldn't already be reading this. Vader Down #1 is an intense story with great action, artwork and character moments. Don't miss out on this exciting adventure.

While some may find the political plot a bit boring, or the ending a tad cheesy, Revis does well with it and captures the essential characteristics of Ahsoka and Padme. Pinto's art is good throughout the issue with the exception of a couple instances that don't overly distract from her art's quality. The discussion around Ahsoka's growth and potential as a Jedi is thought-provoking and illuminating, especially given what happens to her in Clone Wars and Rebels. Fans of Ashoka and Padme should enjoy this issue for the insight Revis gives.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny " Hera is a fun comic that subverts the usual 'fight the Empire' story by focusing on Hera's experience as a saboteur. Grayson has a good handle on Hera's character and the art from Wildermann and Kubina really make a vibrant look for the story. Fans of Forces of Destiny should enjoy this adventure from Hera.

The first Forces of Destiny comic is very much in the style of the animated series, something that's a bit less serious than the in-canon MarvelStar Wars line and more kid-friendly. It still delivers an entertaining story that is in keeping with the characters from the franchise and is a nice spotlight on Leia. Fans of the character,Star Wars and Forces of Destiny should enjoy this series.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny " Reymay not dive too deep into the character or her hidden past, but Houser's examination of the loneliness she felt offers some nice insight into Rey's mind. The combined art from Florean and Matera gives the book a good look and feel, making this comic a story fans, particularly the younglings, will enjoy.

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny " Rose & Paige is a good enough issue for Star Wars fans, even if the themes come across heavy handed here. Dawson writes Rose well, but we don't get to learn much more about Paige which is a shame since she has one of the most pivotal moments in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Baldari's art works, but every now and then it doesn't come across quite well with how she depicts the characters. Overall this may be the weakest issue of Forces of Destiny, but it is still somewhat entertaining, especially for the readers its aimed at.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1is a fun issue that blends the sci-fi and horror genres well. It will be interesting to see how Scott manages to play around with other horror tropes as the mini-series goes on, but so far it offers a different look at the galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars Adventures: Tale from Vader's Castle #2 again tells a somewhat simple story, but Scott captures the spirits of Obi-Wan and Count Dooku and mixesStar WarsandDraculawell together. Kelley Jones' artwork is the selling point of the issue with some great horror-themed visuals, especially when it comes to depicting the late Christopher Lee asa monster-bat Sith Lord. You can't ask for much more than that with an issue like this.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #3 is a fun issue that captures both the spirit of Han and Chewbacca and the visual look of variousStar Warsanimations. Scott's writing moves at a fast pace with Han's adventure and the main story as the characters get deeper into Vader's castle. It doesn't take full advantage of the spooky factor with Zalla's powers, but its still an entertaining Halloween story that blends nicely withStar Wars.

It's a pretty quick read, but Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi " Captain Phasma #1 is a nice bridge to the upcoming film as Thompson finally shows just how dangerous the lead Stormtrooper can be. This issue shows Phasma as more than just a lackey, being an adversary with cunning that knows how to look out for herself, even if it means putting other loyal soldiers at risk. Checcetto's artwork is nicely done and retains the look and feel of the Star Wars universe, especially when he succeeds with a character who is masked for the whole issue. This is definitely a good start to one of the big tie-ins for The Last Jedi.

Overall,Captain Phasma #4was a pretty solid conclusion to the miniseries. It didn't go too in-depth in Phasma's character, but displayed how dangerous and treacherous she really is as she does whatever is needed in order to survive. Fans should enjoy this lead-up to the next film and will walk away with greater anticipation for Phasma's return inThe Last Jedi.

Though it is bittersweet to see Darth Vader come to an end, it at least does so with an outstanding final issue. Gillen encapsulates many of the aspects that make Vader a great villain while shining a bit more light on his relationship with Palpatine and the long game he's playing. Larroca's artwork and focus on body language make this issue standout amongst the series, arguably making #25 its very best.

Overall, Darth Vader #1 introduces the concept of a rookie Vader well, but it misses the mark on exploring his inner turmoil upon learning he killed Padme. Soule still writes the characters well, though, and the art is up to par. It may just be the fact that we were spoiled with the last volume of Darth Vader and this team just has a lot to live up to, but hopefully the later issues can dive deeper into Vader's true psychological and physical transformation.

Shattered Empire's first issue offers plenty to see and good characterization of new and old players. Its ties to The Force Awakens are intriguing and are sure to only get bigger in the coming issues. If Rucka can continue with his great writing, we're going to have a great Star Wars story on our hands. Consider this miniseries a snack to tide you over before the big, juicy dinner awaiting you.

The only downside is for those who have read Star Wars: Aftermath or Lost Stars; those readers know the cliffhanger ending is a bit of a fake-out, but it still doesn't take away from the intensity of the story. The Empire's retribution knows no bounds and it will be interesting to see how this affects the Empire's downfall and the relationship between Shera and Leia. Shattered Empire #2 is a great book any Star Wars fan will enjoy.

The third issue of Shattered Empire keeps up the momentum from its previous two issues and is a welcome look at everyone's favourite galaxy far, far away. Between this and Marvel's main Star Wars titles, the company has been knocking it out of the park with these new tales. With Shattered Empire concluding next week, it will be exciting to see the fallout from the Empire's plan and what it has to do with The Force Awakens, especially as, if the cover for issue 4 is to be believed, Luke Skywalker will at last make a physical appearance in the story.

Greg Rucka once again nails the characters of this story, especially Luke. He seems just as wise and mature, if not more so, than he did in Return of the Jedi. The only fault is, as mentioned above, the little time spent developing Shara's character and Operation: CINDER. Marco Checchetto's art is again outstanding, especially during the fight sequences. However, his depiction of Luke looks a little awkward at times. In some panels he perfectly resembles Mark Hamill, but in others he has the look of a young teenager. One spread in particular gives the air of an anime character. Overall, though, the art is great to look at and, combined with Rucka's writing, is a worthy send off to their work on Shattered Empire. If Marvel is smart, they'll do whatever they can to get this pair on another Star Wars title in the near future.

One might have wondered just how much Tomasi could do with Robin after his work in The New 52, but he shows there's so much more potential ground to cover as the Boy Wonder is paired with Superman's son. Just based on this first issue, there's a lot of mileage this series can go and right now there's little doubt Tomasi and Jimenez won't deliver.

Fans of Supergirl should enjoy the focusSupergirl: Being Supergives Kara. Tamaki dives into Kara's personality and what drives her while giving her a refreshing origin, but one that focuses more on her as a teenager coming into adulthood than declaring she'll use her powers to become a superhero. Jones' artwork is nicely detailed with a lot of emotion coming off the various characters while Fitzpatrick gives some vibrant and popping colours throughout the book. It is a very good jumping on point for fans of the TV series or anyone new to comics.

Supergirl: Rebirth is a fast paced issue that, much like many other Rebirth issues, fixes mistakes of the past while planting seeds for the future. The inclusion of several elements from the Supergirl series aren't as in your face as one might expect and do some clever twists to keep itself separate from that series. Orlando and McCarthy's take on Supergirl show the character's appeal and Lupacchino's artwork is very energetic and dymanic. Though she will be leaving after this, Orlando is staying on and he's already got a lot up his sleeves.

'Superman: Reborn' is off to the right start as it kicks up the emotion with a tense plot. The mystery around Mr. Oz and the other Clark is heightened, as is their threat level, but could other Clark be responsible or is their something else amiss? Tomasi and Gleason's Superman #18 asks the right questions and it will be interesting to see this unfold in the next few weeks. 'Superman: Reborn' continues with the anniversary issue Action Comic #975 next week.

Though 'Superman Reborn's penultimate issue was light on story, it still delivered some satisfying answers while teasing the full scope of the mystery. All the artists involved made everything rich and detailed and Tomasi ended on an interesting cliffhanger for 'Reborn's conclusion.

In terms of additional content, Kryptonite Nevermore collects all of Neal Adams' covers for this story as well as an introduction from former DC president Paul Levitz and, as mentioned, an fairly lengthy afterward from O'Neil on the creation and significance of the story. It is very interesting to hear directly from O'Neil why and how he came up with the story and worked alongside Swan and DC to craft it. All in all, through O'Neil's story and Swan's artwork,Superman: Kryptonite Nevermoreis a very fine addition to the collections of Superman fans old and new.

In terms of additional content,Kryptonite Nevermorecollects all of Neal Adams' covers for this story as well as an introduction from former DC president Paul Levitz and, as mentioned, an fairly lengthy afterward from O'Neil on the creation and significance of the story. It is very interesting to hear directly from O'Neil why and how he came up with the story and worked alongside Swan and DC to craft it. All in all, through O'Neil's story and Swan's artwork,Superman: Kryptonite Nevermoreis a very fine addition to the collections of Superman fans old and new.

Superwoman is off to a good start with its first issue and its good to see Lois Lane in such a prominent spotlight once again. Her interactions with Lana are the shining points of the book along with Jimenez's art, though the artwork tends to get lost with the massive amount of dialogue throughout the book. Hopefully this won't be much of an issue as the series continues, but the interesting premise and character work are enough to make readers want to come back for more.

Bendis makes a great formal entrance into DC withThe Man of Steel #1. It's a shame we don't see a bit more of Superman's supporting characters in this issue and the ending is a little abrupt, but Bendis' focus on Superman and this mysterious new villain shows he has a good handle on the title hero. Reis' art showcases Superman in all his glory with some nice colour work from Sinclair.From this first issue,The Man of Steellooks to be a fun and worthwhile weekly series for Superman.

The Man of Steel #2isn't a bad comic, but its lack of clarity lessens its impact. Bendis' choice to place ambiguity above story progression doesn't help the issue and makes it more difficult to tell what kind of story Bendis plans on telling. His handling of the characters is still well done for the most part, especially as he examines the relevance of Superman and his supporting characters in today's world. However, this miniseries is going to need a bit more than suspense building in order to payoff.

The Man of Steel #3is an improvement over the last issue and Bendis displays a good level of characterization with Superman and his supporting characters. Ryan Sook's art hits the emotional notes and the story moves along at a good pace. However, since we're now at the halfway mark of the miniseries, we should have a bit more of a grasp on where it's heading or what has happened to Superman's family than the little bits we've been getting.

The action is the selling point of Man of Steel #4, but while that is entertaining and the visuals are engrossing, Bendis is dragging out the story with no further depth into Rogol Zaar's character and the mystery surrounding Lois and Jon's absence. Those aspects are getting a little tiresome now that we're past the halfway mark, but Bendis' characterization of Superman still works. Hopefully the final two issues will be a little more interesting and revealing.

Bendis still has a fairly good handle on Superman, but he's rather inconsistent with the other characters in his writing and the fact that the story hasn't progressed that much more, combined with the fact that we still know so little about Rogol Zaar, makes this a disappointing and frustrating issue. Adam Hughes' art also plays a factor into the disappointment after delivering a good first half with the visuals but then a very noticeable drop in the second half. It's a shame the writing and art weren't better considering this is the second final issue of The Man of Steel.

The Man of Steel #6managed to stick the landing and salvaged the series for me after a couple lackluster issues. Not all my criticisms were addressed, but Bendis does some good and intriguing character work that make the future of his series very interesting. The only thing missing is that family dynamic, but hopefully Bendis will bring Lois and Jon back sooner than later.

Transformers '84 #0works as a great throwback to the original series that both new readers and older fans can enjoy and appreciate. Furman's use of the non-linear story and his examination of the war's effects on the characters is one of the shining points of the issue. Guidi's artwork is quite evocative of the 80s era and he pays homage to the original comics very well in his presentation. It is a worthy celebration of the original comics and enough to pique the interests of any new readers of this continuity to go back and check out the series that helped begin it all.

Transformers '84: Secrets and Lies #1is a great start to the miniseres . Furman writes a compelling story that doesn't require much more knowledge ofTransformersor its original Marvel series than what he presents here while the artwork from Guidi and Bove is very captivating. Fans will likely have their interest piqued by Furman's story and should check this out.

Transformers #1doesn't quite reinvent the wheel, but Ruckley presents some interesting ideas and set-up to this new continuity. The characterizations of Bee, Windblade, Orion and Megatron are intriguing, but Rubble doesn't do much to stand out as his own character rather than a mouthpiece for the readers. The art is also good and detailed in places, but hopefully Hernandez and Cachet can work on making the bots a little more emotive in future issues. For now, though, it was a nice start to IDW's new beginning.

Transformers #2keeps the intrigue of this new era up as Ruckley examines how one murder could be the tipping point in Cybertron's society. While several of the characters seem a little too familiar to their future selves, particularly Megatron, it will still be interesting to see how this time period shapes their decisions once the Cybertronian war breaks out. The artwork from Hernandez and Whitman is quite detailed with vibrant colours from Lafuente and Burcham that makes the issue stand out visually. With Ruckley planting possible seeds for the future war,there's still a lot for new and oldTransformers fans to look forward to.

Transformers #3doesn't progress the plot in any large way as Ruckley continues setting the board up, but some of the backstory and new characters he introduces are interesting if a bit much to get through. The art from Hernandez, Whitman and Lafuente is fairly detailed in their looks and movements. Hopefully we'll get more information sooner than later on what is actually going on on Cybertron with The Rise and that Megatron's motives aren't so clear-cut and predictable just yet.

While it's clear Ruckley's is playing long game with the series, his approach is making the issues feel a bit repetitive as nothing totally new has been revealed about the plot or the characters to a large degree yet, making it feel like Transformershasn't progressed very far from its first issue. The art from the team at least improves the issue, but the lack of momentum in the plot drags it down a lot. Hopefully the series will start picking up soon and feel less repetitive.

While Transformers #5 is an improvement over the last couple issues, it is still hindered by some abrupt scene endings with information that doesn't get picked up again. The story moves in the right direction though with some interesting character developments, particularly with Bumblebee, that is helped by the good artwork from Hernandez, Malkova and Pitre-Durocher. Ruckley is still playing the long game, but now there's a bit more weight behind the brewing situation for all the bots and it is intriguing to think of where it can go from here.

While there isn't any more movement on the central murder mystery of the series, Transformers #6was a welcome break from the main story thanks to the focus Ruckley gives Orion and Megatron. Their friendship feels pretty authentic with some nice parallels of their beliefs, personalities and who they ultimately will become. The character-driven nature really succeeds where the last couple issues have not. McGuire-Smith's artwork only elevates the issue thanks to her pencils, colours and consistency. It's a nice save for the series and hopefully one Ruckley can continue in the upcoming story.

While Rubble's death feels a little too soon and unearned, it has opened some pretty interesting doors. Bumblebee's journey is the most interesting as Ruckley is doing something entirely different with him while the political element may get more of an emphasis with the impending arrival of Sentinel and Starscream. The combined art team does well depicting the character's sense of loss and uncertainty, making Transformers #7a nice visual chapter even if some of the emotion and action could have been clearer.

Transformers #8 has added a lot of much needed momentum to the series as some of the stories come together in some big ways. With Megatron hinting that he and Soundwave have some secrets planned and the impending arrival of Sentinel Prime and Starscream, along with Chromia's investigations ramping up, hopefully we'll see the series pick up even more speed with the next few issues.

Transformers #9was another step in the right direction as Ruckley and Hernandez delivered a pretty solid fight between multiple bots and made some significant strides in the story's central mystery. Some dots are beginning to connect now and Ruckley is doing a good job of making those connections while raising the intrigue up a couple degrees. While we have to wait another issue to meet Sentinel Prime and Starscream, hopefully the extra weight will be worth it but for nowTransformersis on the right track again.

Though more backstory is needed to help convey the full scope of the coming conflict, Ruckley elevates the overall story with the reveals he makes inTransformers #10. His character work on all the bots, particularly Megatron, is interesting and the artwork from Hernandez, Malkova and McGuire-Smith nicely conveys the characters emotions. With the return of Sentinel Prime and Megatron's plans getting a bit too out of control,Transformersis certainly entering a compelling stage of its story.

Transformers #11has seemingly changed the game as Megatron makes a big move and comes a step closer for forming the Decepticons. It's nice to see the series picking up the pace while Ruckley's characterizations of Megatron and the rest of the bots are pretty intriguing. Malkova's animated artwork is the best aspect to the issue while Herandez delivers a good action sequence. With the series switching from bi-monthly to monthly soon, hopefullyTransformers will keep this momentum going.

Ruckley does a great job establishing Nautica in the series with her interest in alien species and relationships with her colleagues.Transformers #12was perhaps the most balanced issue of the series so far in terms of character, plot and world-building with some of the best artwork the series has offered yet.

Transformers #13 was another step in the right direction with its perfect balance of character development, plot progression and action. Bumblebee and Elita's growing unease around the Ascenticons is built nicely, making it feel natural Elita is now starting to become suspicious of events. The art from Hernandez, Milne, Lafuente and Perez display great character work and a nice mix of colours. With the cliffhanger of Springer pinned down and more familiar Decepticons ready to make their debut, this latest arc ofTransformers is already quite captivating.

Transformers #16is another good issue from Ruckley as he begins bringing multiple parts of his overarching narrative together while spelling doom for Cybertron. There's a tenseness by the end of the issue that emphasizes how close to collapse Cybertronian society really is right now. The art from McGuire-Smith, Malkova, Burcham and Lafuente provides some of the best imagery in the series so far. Hopefully the next few issues will see more of Orion Pax as he's been put on the sidelines lately, but that seems inevitable with Megatron about to make his big play.

Ruckley definitely ups his game here inTransformers #19. He's still playing the long game he started, but the pace of the series has really amped up and 'Rise of the Decepticons Part 1' takes thing to a whole new level as Megatron makes a lot of big moves in his bid to control Cybertron. Hopefully we'll see more Orion Pax take more of a central role as Megatron spirals further and their friendship inevitably turns into their epic rivalry, but for now Ruckley has sparked a whole lot of intrigue into how things will play out.

Transformers #21is another nice-step forward in the current arc as Ruckley plants some seeds while fully exposing others in his long-game narrative. The tension between the Autobots and Decepticons is well handled while the decision to give some of he villains, namely Frenzy and Rumble, more page-time gives it a different feel to some of the recent issues. The art from the whole team is very good, creating some exciting action beats. 'Rise of the Decepticons' continues to be a very interesting and entertaining story.

Transformers #23is a highlight in IDW's reboot as it finally kicks off the long-awaited war with plenty of tension and interesting character choices. The spotlight on Megatron is great as the uncertainty over what he'll do next continuously builds until he reveals the full scope of his plans. Ruckley makes a fast-paced climax to this current story arc that entertain both old fans and new fans while still delivering interesting character work.

Transformers#25is a great opening for this new arc as the battle between Autobots and Decepticons finally begins in earnest. Ruckley's take on Optimus and Megatron is well done while his focus on other transformers is well appreciated and opens up a lot of interesting doors. Malkova and Lafuente's artwork is simply great just to look at, but the two know just what to focus on and how to convey a character's feelings while doing so. As the turning point in the series,Transformers #25is a great read.

Transformers #26is a nice breather issue that still delivers some great character development. Its examination of Optimus Prime and Megatron's growing power and how they each handled the responsibility is both interesting and in character with Ruckley's writing. The artwork from Malkova and Garcia is great to look at with its level of detail and only makes anticipation for what comes next grow.

The break from the main events on Cybertron was a nice detour as it allowed the greater scope of the war to take further shape. Ruckley's handling of the large cast was well done and still contained several nice character moments among both groups of bots. The artwork from Ossio and Cruz gave the book several cool action sequences that are nicely animated.Transformers #27marks another significant issue as the war is sure to pick up a lot after these events.

Ruckley's focus on the supporting characters of the series works very well to push them in more interesting directions as well as tease how the two warring factions become what they are usually depicted as. The artwork from Malkova and Cruz is great and emphasizes the character work the series is employing. With the Cybertronian war ramping up,Transformersis not losing any steam on either its story, art or character fronts.

Transformers #29is a welcome return for IDW and Ruckley's series. It's exciting and fun while pushing the story and characters in new directions and raising the stakes. The Pyrrich victory the Autobots earn ensuring Megatron didn't get his hands on the Titansparks at the cost of those sparks shows how precarious a situation both sides are in - and makes one wonder how Starscream will continue pitting both sides against the other even more for his own mysterious goals.

Transformers #37is a good issue that answers a few questions while raising new ones. While Ruckley continues to explore the early battles of the Autobot-Decepticon War, it's nice to see he's not relying on the same old tropes ofTransformerslore as he's building up to a new, different and even more powerful threat than Megatron in those early days. It will be ineresting to see where the team take the series from here as the new arc opens.

Johnson also presents several intriguing questions throughout the first issue, such as what exactly is the situation on Cybertron, why and how did Optimus and Starscream crash on Earth and, notably, where is Megatron? The stakes are also raised considerably as Johnson shows anybody, whether transformer or human, could die and do so in graphic and brutal ways as Starscream twice showed he's capable of. There's fun to be had in Johnson and Spencer's Transformers with their story, characters and artwork, but despite the G1 influence it is going to be quite a bit more mature than the classic series.

Transformers vs Terminator #1is a compelling introduction to this crossover with developments fans won't expect. Barber and Mariotte convey the world ofTerminatorwell in this new setting and make a fast-paced issue that never slows down, but doesn't feel like it's going too fast either. Milne's art is nicely detailed with his transformers and humans while Cruz's colours enhance Milne's visuals. Fans of both franchises won't be disappointed in the beginning of this entertaining story.

Overall,Transformers vs Visionaries #1is mostly set-up with a fairly simple conflict at the moment, though one that grows by the end of the issue with a cliffhanger ending. Visaggio's writing works mostly for the new Visionaries while Ossio and Cruz's artwork is well done. It just may not be enough for longtimeTransformersfans just yet.

With Burnham's handling of the characters and story and Burcham's artwork,Beast Wars #1 is a great and entertaining introduction to IDW's latest Transformers series. There is enough elements that are familiar for longtime fans with teases for diversions while completely new readers will be interested in this new iteration ofTransformers. It is well worth checking out whether you loveBeast Warsor are fresh to it.

Two issues into the series and Burcham and Burnham are already telling a nice reboot that honoursBeast Warsfor its 25th anniversary. There are plenty of familiar aspects, but neither of them are afraid to deviate to add in new parts to the mythology for new readers or to give longtime fans a fresher experience. It is definitely worth it to pick upBeast Wars #2and join along for the ride.

Burcham's artwork is nicely detailed throughout the issue. Megatron and Tarantulas really do come off as fearsome and creepy with Burcham's work while he displays the action and Dinobot's skill in a clear manner that is easy to follow and well choreographed. His colours are vibrant and pop off the page, particular during the climax with Dinobot's fight against the Predacons. Burcham uses a nice mix of bright and dark colours to make the scene visually exciting, engaging and very animated with the movements of the characters and their facial expressions. With Burcham's artwork and Burnham's writing, the new Beast Warscontinues its great start.

Transformers: Beast Wars #5marks a great and exciting penultimate issue to the 'Savage Landing' story arc. Burnham's writing is on point with the balance of characterizations and action while Burcham's artwork is detailed with his character movements and colours. Given the stakes and the pairings of the battle, Beast Wars #5perfectly sets up the climax to the first shot taken in the Beast Wars.

Transformers: Beast Wars #6is a very entertaining and positive closing to 'Savage Landing' that showcases the potential IDW's reboot has. Burnham and Burcham make a great team with the writing and artwork with the blend of new concepts alongside familiar ones, giving a fresh appeal to the series for longtime Beast Warsfans.

Transformers: Beast Wars #7is a very nice change, allowing both the readers and characters some time to breath and further adjust to the reboot now that the first shots have been taken. Burnham's writing continues to nail the characters while Chan's artwork and Sidvenblu's colours make some terrific visuals. With Blackarachnia's arrival and Burnham's teases of future events - including a very interesting video Megatron found on the Golden Disk - theBeast Warscomic is getting even more fun and exciting.

Beast Wars #10is a nice character and story driven issue that succeeds in developing the relationships between the individual Maximals and Predacons while posing intriguing questions about core elements to theBeast Warslore. Despite the exposition, Burnham's script flows well from one scene to the next without missing a beat and Burcham's artwork is nicely detailed and animated. It perfectly sets a stage for an exciting battle against the Preds that will be a lot of fun to read next month.

Transformers: Beast Wars #11certainly ramps up the stakes as each faction lose one of their own in a no-holds-barred fight. Burnham's script is clear and focused as he balances the action with plenty of satisfying character moments while Burchan's artwork is detailed from start to finish. With how unafraid Burnham is in already killing off characters - whether it's permanent or some kind of twist -Beast Warsfans should be very pleased in how the story continues to unfold.

Bleszinski does well with the Constructicons' beginnings, though right now the only ones who stand out are Hook and Scrapper. While there are some familiar elements to the story, Bleszinski places enough of his own mark on the characters to make this new take an intriguing one while planting some compelling seeds for future issues. The art from Ramondelli is quite good both in its visuals and thematic connections to the group.Transformers: Galaxies #1is a nice start to the spin-off that doesn't feel like an unneeded part of IDW's main series.

Sam Maggs makes her introduction in the Transformersuniverse an entertaining and memorable one. The mystery over Gauge's memory and who the Reversionists really are is well played in its build-up as Maggs slowly peels back the layers of their religion. The art from McGuire-Smith and Burcham serves the story well and is impressive given so few of the characters speak actual lines. This next arc inTransformers Galaxiesis shaping up to be a good one with Maggs at the helm.

Transformers: Lost Light #1 is a fun read that introduces some interesting new characters and leaves off with an intriguing plot for Roberts and his team to explore. Megatron's post-war characterization continues to be a highlight and, if this issue is any indication, the next arc will examine just what type of legacy he's left behind for himself and if Cybertron really would be better off without him.

Transformers: Lost Light #3imbues some fun into the proceedings while exploring some deep themes. Roberts shows there is a lot than can be mined from an alternate Cybertron that never had Optimus Prime or Megatron around, one which subtly shows just how much those two crafted the history and destiny of an entire planet for eons. Lawrence and Lafuente's combined artwork make the issue further standout. It will be interesting to see where they go from here with this alternate history.

With a good combination of story, character development and action, Transformers: Lost Light #4 is an entertaining and fun read for fans. The lack of detail in some of the backgrounds is a minor quibble to how colourful and animated the rest of the artwork looks. Lost Light still remains one of IDW's best titles right now.

Transformers: Lost Light #5 succeeded in examining its characters and making sense of the twists in the story. It's a good example of what a penultimate issue should be while raising the stakes for the final chapter.

Transformers: Lost Light #6 is a satisfying conclusion to the first arc of the series. Roberts utilized the alternate dimension to a great degree and furthered the development of Rodimus and Megatron to some interesting places. The art is well done and the issue leaves readers on an exciting cliffhanger.

Transformers: Lost Light #7 is a good issue that offers a moment of relaxation for both the characters and readers. Its story is well paced and art nice to look at with each of the transformers easy to tell apart. It certainly sets up some interesting prospects for the series' future.

Transformers: Lost Light #11was a good issue that balanced answers and character development very well with some nice artwork featured. Roberts has turned Getaway into a compelling antagonist that you just want to see taken down. Hopefully Rodimus and the others will catch up to him sooner than later.

Transformers: Lost Light #12was a good conclusion that elevated Getaway's status as a villain while propelling the story forward with some interesting beats and cliffhanger. The only downside is that Scavengers interlude, but overall it was still an exciting issue with some nice artwork.

Transformers: Lost Light #16was a very successful issue that focused on the characters and their emotions, yet subtly raised the mystery of the Afterspark and what new danger they were in. Roberts' script was solid and Lawrence's art was some of the best he's ever done in the series. This is definitely one of their best issues yet.

Transformers: Lost Light #18may be a bit heavy on exposition for some, but Roberts balances the answers and character moments very well. It is interesting to see how their journey has concluded, but there are still a few more questions left to answer and it seems we're finally going to get to Rodimus' long-awaited reunion with Getaway soon.

Transformers: Lost Light #19is a good issue that begins to bring everything to a close with plenty of fun and deep character interactions. Roberts' balance of the humour and drama is again clear while Su and Lafuente's artwork make the issue a visual treat. Now that Rodimus is finally coming face-to-face with Getaway since the end ofMore Than Meets The Eye, it will be very interesting and exciting to see how this battle plays out.

Transformers: Lost Light #20is a great conclusion to Rodimus' hunt for Getaway and the Lost Light. Roberts utilizes a lot of great character work which is helped even further by Collier and Lafuente's art. While it is not the end of the series yet, the final issues definitely have a lot to live up to thanks to this one.

Transformers: Lost Light #21 is as good a stage setter as you could expect for the series' final arc. All the various stories and mysteries are coming together fairly nicely without barraging readers with too much information. Roberts handles the story, reveals and character interactions well while Lawrence illustrates the bots very well. It's definitely going to be bittersweet now that we're in the final chapter of the series.

Transformers: Lost Light #22 is an issue that reinforces how great Roberts' run has been on the title. Bringing Megatron back into the fold gives the issue something that has been missing while Cahill delivers some fine art and Roberts seemingly lays all his cards onto the table as the title wraps up.

Transformers: Lost Light #24is a solid penultimate issue that pulls at the heartstrings and reflects on the character development the cast have gone through. Roberts has crafted a finely tuned story with some fantastic character work that takes importance over the action. Now with one issue left to go, Roberts has solidified himself even more as one of the best writers to ever touch theTransformersfranchise.

Transformers: Lost Light #25 has all the hallmarks of a series finale and it goes out in style. Roberts nails the emotions behind the characters goodbyes and bringing several of their arcs full circle. His writing is matched by Lawrence and Lafuente's combined artwork whose character work really bleeds everything the Lost Light crew are feeling. It'd be tough for readers not to connect in a small way thanks to the art and writing. It offers a bittersweet conclusion toLost Light with both sad and happy endings, but it will no doubt go down as one of the bestTransformers stories told because of the series longform planning, relatable characters and emotive art.

Aside from the jarring beginning and a couple inconsistencies, Transformers Annual 2017 was a good issue that provided an interesting look at Pyra Magna's early days that helped expand the future conflict. While nothing new was really said about Bumblebee, it was a nice reminder of what he brought to the table. The reveal that he may still be out there should also please longtime Transformers and Bumblebee fans.

Though the story for Transformers: Salvation is a bit confusing due to its non-linear format, Barber does nail the characterizations of the characters and the themes presented in the issue. Ramondelli's art captures the tone of Barber's story and elevates it with his evocative imagery. Fans of the Dinobots should really enjoy Salvation for the character work and action Barber and Ramondelli deliver.

Transformers: Shattered Glass #1gives the concept a new yet familiar feeling. Lore does a nice job ingratiating himself into theTransformersfranchise and gives each character a unique voice and moves the story along at a nice pace, even with the exposition for how Cybertron and its characters got to where it is now. The combined artwork from Guidi and Bove creates a very vibrant issue that has some fun with how drastic the characters look and act. As tired as the alternate universe trope can sometimes be in franchises, this is definitely something Transformers fans should check out.

Not much happens on the story front as Mairghread Scott devotes so much of her script to the defense of Cybertron, but she does take some time to show the characters together as they plan their next strategy. Certain characters get a moment to shine, such as Windblade's ability to think outside the box and Starscream's continued development from schemer to leader. Scott also takes some time to delve a little further into Elita-One's personality and why she refuses to join the action directly. Perhaps issue #7 will finally reveal what it is she's hiding.

Transformers: Till All Are Oneis a title worthy of theTransformerslore and issue #7 shows that again. From Scott's plotting and writing of the characters to Pitre-Durdcher's art and Laguente's colours, this is one of the best books IDW is currently publishing. With the twist at the end involving Windblade and the Titan Carcer, or what we thought was Carcer, the next issue sounds intriguing.

Scott's script combined with Pitre-Durocher and Lafuente's artwork brought a good close to this arc of Till All Are One. Even as Scott set-up the next phase of the series, she didn't let it overshadow the current conflict and brought it to a satisfying, yet possibly tragic, conclusion.

Transformers: Till All Are One #9 was offered a nice, quiet issue, but it still is just another calm before the next storm. The set-up for the next conflict they'll face worked well, but the issue really succeeded on the examination of the characters and some of the tough choices they've had to make, particularly Starscream as he adapts to the ever-changing political climate. It is an interesting premise, and the added question of whether or not Windblade is actually dead makes the next arc very intriguing indeed.

It may be a relatively quiet issue, but Transformers: Till All Are One #11 gives a nice introspective look at the minds of the series' leading two characters. Scott writes them well and both Pitre-Durocher and Lafuente excel with the artwork, delivering a really good Transformers book.

Transformers: Till All Are One #12 is a nice, fitting conclusion to this arc that relies heavily on the character development and philosophy behind the story. Thankfully they both work and Scott adds much more depth to the story, enhancing Windblade and Starscream's characters. Though they still have a semi-antagonistic relationship, both walk away understanding a bit more about each other that will hopefully be taken advantage of later.

Transformers: Unicron #1is a great start to IDW's bigTransformersevent with stellar art and some interesting examination of Optimus Prime's beliefs. ManyTransformersfans should enjoy Barber's introduction to the biggest bad the franchise has. Hopefully this event will be a worthy conclusion to this iteration of IDW'sTransformers comics.

Despite the back-up tale,Unicron #2is a good breather after a whirlwind of an opening chapter. The discussions between the characters are strong and Barber balances the cast well while Milne's art is one of the strongest points of the issue. As the IDW universe comes to an end,Transformers: Unicronis shaping up to be an interesting and fitting end to it all.

Transformers: Unicron #3marks a good halfway point in IDW's final event series. Barber's examination of Cybertron's dark past and the moral dilemma the characters face is nicely displayed as they struggle with their next move. Milne's art is well done throughout the book and his version of Unicron certainly is intimidating, as is the fierce battle raging across Cybertron's sky. With things looking dire, but Windblade having a plan - and Starscream of all people saying they should trust whatever Windblade has up her sleeve - it looks like the endgame is only just getting started.

While some elements of the story was rushed,Transformers: Unicron #5was a good penultimate chapter that nicely set-up its finale. Barber has a lot of moving parts, but manages to balance them all fairly well without losing sight of the characters at the heart of the story as well as their development. Now we just have one more issue until it all comes to an end whether we're ready for it or not.

Transformers: Unicron #6may not tick all of the boxes of a grand finale, but John Barber does deliver the emotion and make many of the sacrifices feel tragic and bittersweet. His depiction of Optimus, and the subversion of the normal solution, is a welcome one that ties up Optimus' arc throughout the current phase of IDW's stories. The finale, and the series itself, were not perfect, but is still is a great send off to the current continuity. The artwork from each artist is well done even if their styles are inconsistent with one another. Despite that and some story elements,Unicron #6is a worthy send off for many of bots as well as Barber's tenure on the franchise.

Transformers/Ghostbusters #1has the earmarks of a fun crossover. Burnham writes both the Transformers and Ghostbusters very well, capturing the essence of each franchise while Schoening's artwork blends G1 and IDW'sGhostbusterstogether in a nice fashion. While we don't get a lot of both groups together in this issue, the interactions between each individual character gives a promising impression for when the series will fully kick off its story. Any fan of TransformersandGhostbusterswill want to check out this introductory issue to this fun crossover.

All in all,Transformers/Ghostbusters #3is another solid entry into this miniseries. Not much may have happened in the overall story, but Burnham's character work shines and Schoening and Delgado's artwork is one of the most appealing aspect to the book. It should make any fan ofTransformersandGhostbustersvery happy to see these characters crossover in such a fun and intriguing series.

Transformers/Ghostbusters #5was a worthy conclusion to the crossover due to Burnham's balance of the characters and fast-paced action. He captured the voices of the transformers pretty well, even if there were a couple brief moments where some felt out of character. The artwork from Schoening and Delgado elevate the story, making it very nice to simply look at. Fans of both franchises will probably be happy with how the crossover concluded and the tease for more possible adventures between the two.

Trinity Annual #1 should please readers with its focus on how well the trinity work together. The ending is also intriguing, though it will be another couple months before this particularly story is picked up again as the next issues of Trinity move away from Ra's al Ghul and Circe's plot. The annual, though, should leave readers with a good feeling of what's to come in this story.

Trinity #1 is already one of DC Rebirth's best titles due to how focused it is on the big three. Its refreshing to see since titles like Action Comics or Justice League that feature them have been huge spectacles lately. Manapul takes the time to delve into each character and build their relationship while introducing a slow burn to whatever the conflict in this first arc may be. While some consider it risky for a person to take on both major duties of a comic, his writing and art work together to a great degree and he knows exactly what to emphasize in both areas.

Though 'Then There Were Three"' and 'The Curse and The Honor' are good stories, they're unfortunately not quite enough to elevate the whole issue thanks to the other two stories. It's a shame Wonder Woman Annual #1 didn't devote itself entirely to Rucka and Scott's story, or even have anything from Sharp. It makes it an uneven annual, but still not a wholly bad issue.

Wonder Woman #2 is an outstanding book from both a storytelling and visual standpoint. The juxtaposition between the past and present in this run is very intriguing, but 'Year One' is already looking to be the better of the two stories. With this story and her upcoming movie, this is certainly a great time to be a Wonder Woman fan.

With Wonder Woman's mainstream popularity on the rise, now is the best time to read Rucka's Wonder Woman. His characterizations are spot on, the art is fantastic and the story is proving to be an intriguing insight into Wonder Woman and the people in her life, whether ally or foe. Between this and the 'Year One' story in Wonder Woman's even numbered issues, it certainly is a good time to be a Wonder Woman fan.

With these two alternating stories, Rucka has been knocking it out of the park with his storytelling approach. Rather than re-treading old ground, 'Year One' finds new ways to spin familiar beats into something fresh. The emotional beats are high and serve the characters and while being enhanced by Scott's gorgeous artwork. If you're not reading Wonder Woman by now, you should be.

As Diana and Trevor's storylines meet, it only cements the fact that Rucka has been knocking it out of the park by making Wonder Woman one of DC's most enjoyable titles of the Rebirth line. He's got a good handle on the characterizations and is taking the story into interesting and exciting territory. Combined with Sharp's artwork and Martin's colours, Wonder Woman #5 is simply a very pretty book to look at. If you aren't reading Wonder Woman by now, you're really missing out.

Wonder Woman #6 may have had little plot progression, but Rucka's character work is enough for the story to flourish. Seeing how the characters came together is intriguing, especially when compared with the present timeline in the odd-numbered issues. Even if you don't come for the story, Scott's art is more than enough to get you into the book as her work continues to be gorgeous.

Wonder Woman #9 is one of the best issues of Diana's Rebirth era thus far for its examination of her closest relationships. Rucka also brings back a character from his pre-New 52 run that makes for an intriguing development while ending on an interesting cliffhanger. Sharp's art and Martin's colours make the visuals stand out despite a couple small inconsistencies, continuing Wonder Woman's standing as one of the best looking comic books DC is publishing right now.

Simply put, Wonder Woman #10 is a gorgeous looking issue with stellar character development and action, but most importantly a lot of heart.

Wonder Woman #11 is a nice conclusion to the opening salvo of Rucka's story, one that ticks off all the boxes. Emotion, character development and artwork are all really stellar here.

It's bittersweet to see Nicola Scott leave the title, but she at least is leaving on a very high note. Wonder Woman #14 captured much of Diana's character, from the way Rucka made her speak to her interactions with the various character to Scott and Fajardo's depictions of her heroism. Hopefully Scott will team with Rucka again on Wonder Woman, but for now this is an excellent send-off.

This team continues to knock it out of the park with Wonder Woman #15 with Sharp's artwork being the best aspect of it. Combined with Martin's colours, its just too beautiful of a book to pass up. Rucka's character work and careful story structure really add to this being more than just a simple superhero adventure tale, making this one of the best titles currently on the shelves.

With Rucka's writing and Sharp and Martin's artwork,Wonder Womancontinues to be one of DC's best titles in the Rebirth era and this issue is proof of that. By focusing on Veronica Cale and her associates, Ruckashowcases the danger mere mortals can pose to Wonder Woman, but hopefully the ending means she'll be back on her feet soon and ready to show Cale what happens when her friends are messed with.

As we get close to the end of Rucka's run on Wonder Woman, its great to see that character development is still taking priority over big actions scenes. Wonder woman #22 delivered a good first meeting between Diana and Veronica that highlighted both their differences and similarities. Andolfo's art and Fajardo's colours make the art standout as one of the best issues of Rucka's Wonder Woman so far.

Wonder Woman #23 serves as a very good conclusion to 'The Truth', striking the core of Wonder Woman's character. The art in it is gorgeous, from the brief look of battle to even the way the character converse with each other, while the story packs plenty of emotion into it. It will definitely be bittersweet to see Rucka and Sharp leave the title next month.

Wonder Woman #24 is a bittersweet reminder of just how good Rucka's run has been. The characterizations have been great, with some excellent focus on Veronica Cale in 'Godwatch' and a tragic personal loss for Diana in Cheetah. Evely conveyed all the emotion within the story through her character's facial expressions, body language and raw brutality. Its good as a single issue alone, but serves as a fantastic penultimate chapter.

Overall, Wonder Woman #25 is a great send off for the whole team. While some things could perhaps have been more neatly wrapped, it did tie the main story up nicely and focused on the importance of the characters. The examination of Diana's emotional state was brought to life through Sharp, Evely and Fajardo's artwork, making the whole issue impactful. It's definitely bittersweet to see them all go, but they went out on top.

The Wonder Woman title hasn't been quite as stellar as it was when Brian Azzarello wrote the book, but with Greg Rucka at the helm good things lie ahead. Wonder Woman: Rebirth serves as a great call back to her history and to a very uncertain future. Though he had a couple iffy spots, Sharp is quite adept at bringing to life Rucka's great script. As I said, good times are ahead for DC's leading lady.