Theo Dwyer Comic Reviews

An Unkindness of Ravens #1 puts a centuries-old conflict in a New England high school in one of 2020's best comic debuts.

An Unkindness of Ravens #2 continues to establish this series by Dan Panosian and Marianna Ignazzi as BOOM! Studios' best comic.

Among 2020's best debuts, it might be Vault Comics' best single issue ever.

Another perfect issue from Kraus, Shehan, Wordie, & Campbell, perfectly balancing horror, mystery, & drama.

The Autumnal #3 feels like Stephen King by way of Ari Aster as Daniel Kraus & Chris Shehan bring the horror into terrifying focus.

The best chapter of the new run yet due to emotionally complex, gripping storytelling from Thompson & Casagrande.

This issue takes the narrative to new, staggering heights as Sean Lewis and Caitlin Yarsky continue their morality play of a comic.

Chu #3 continues John Layman and Dan Boultwood's excellent Chu spinoff, which every comics reader should be following.

Chu #4 from John Layman & Dan Boultwood establishes this Chew prequel comic as a series that is every bit as good as the original.

In a word... perfect.

A perfect introduction even for comics readers who have never played the game.

X-Men: Marvel Snapshots #1 by Jay Edidin & Tom Reilly is a perfect Cyclops comic that tells a tightly-plotted, character-driven story.

A killer debut that poses a horrific "What if" question with an even scarier answer.

Big Girls #2 from Jason Howard, a sci-fi thriller teeming with moral ambiguity, surprises with its killer second issue.

Bliss #2 sees Caitlin Yarsky deliver Eisner-worthy art in this story about a man's descent into evil in attempt to save his son.

A visual poem & a challenging, engaging narrative by Sean Lewis & Caitlin Yarsky that shows how dynamic comics can be.

Chu #5 is a climax drawn with intensity and humor, but it's the set-up for what's to come that makes Saffron a truly interesting lead.

Deadpool #7 continues Kelly Thompson's run which follows through on its high concept with a stunning, stylish story.

Kelly Thompson creates an empathetic Deadpool that is still every bit as funny, crude, and badass as expected.

REVIEW: Empyre: X-Men #3 passes the mic to Vita Ayala, Zeb Wells, and Ed Brisson as the mutants, zombies, and old ladies continue to war.

A Tarot card reading in comic book form, this exercise in comics creativity offers a glimpse into the future of the X-Men.

Funny Creek #3 sees writer Rafael Scavone take Lilly through a journey of escapism in one of 2020's best all-ages comics.

Bob Frantz, Kevin Cuffe, and Walter Ostlie bring Metalshark Bro back with the same energy that made the first volume one of the best (and strangest) indie comics on the market.

Licensed comics should get more love, as the Tipton brothers prove with their new Deep Space Nine series. Follow a mystery aboard the space station with a comic that feels like a lost episode of the classic series.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice #2 feels, thanks to writers David and Scott Tipton, like an episode of the show.

An enthralling mystery.

Stillwater #3 is Chip Zdarsky's master class on exposition as he turns what could've been an info dump into the best issue yet.

A Man Among Ye #1 & 2 bring Anne Bonny's exploits as a female pirate to comic book life with Stephanie Phillips' thrilling script.

Big Girls #3 by Jason Howard delves into Ember's past, showing a connection with one of these "jacks" that changes everything.

A nuanced exploration of what happens when people look at each other as monsters.

Black Widow #2 delivers top-notch character work from Kelly Thompson and Elena Casagrande. Widow, Hawkeye, and Bucky shine.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow #3 is an introspective spinoff to the main BOOM! Studios reboot with standout art and writing.

Easily BOOM! Studios' best Joss Whedon title due to Tamaki's script and Bustos' artwork.

Chu #2 is equal parts crime thriller and dark comedy, as John Layman and Dan Boultwood deliver a killer second issue.

Conspiracy: Planet X sees Goldbergs writer Adam F. Goldberg & Hans Rodionoff tie multiple conspiracies together to horrific effect.

Empyre: Captain America #2 is a perfect embodiment of who Steve Rogers is. Phillip Kennedy Johnson could write the main Cap title.

Tini Howard and Jonathan Hickman make Empyre: X-Men work by treating it like its own story rather than a Marvel event tie-in.

Funny Creek #2 from Stout Club and ComiXology Originals is an original, emotionally gripping story about trauma and hero worship.

Funny Creek #4 is the second-to-last installment of Rafael Scavone's emotional story, which thrills with beautiful art & colors.

With massive restraint and elegant simplicity, Hickman and Pérez turn a tale about a man buying an island for a friend into a deep sea epic.

Heavy #2 from Max Bemis & Eryk Donovan skillfully puts the reader in Bill's shoes as he's swept up in the charm of a psychopath.

Lonely Receiver #1 from Zac Thompson & Jen Hickman turns a break-up into a sci-fi horror exploring identity, ownership, & monogamy.

Lonely Receiver #2 depicts a week of spiraling shame, less telling the story of a break-up, and more creating the feeling of one.

Zdarsky and Perez build character so well that this horror comic would be just as fun to read if nothing scary ended up happening to the characters.

Stillwater #2 creates unease within the reader with creepy visuals and questions that may shake their moral compass to its core.

A beautifully illustrated debut from Simone Di Meo & Al Ewing with an original sci-fi story.

A sci-fi rescue mission in gorgeous pastel watercolors.

Writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Craig Cermak blend fact and fiction to create a gripping Anne Bonny comic.

REVIEW: Ask for Mercy Season Three #1 introduces a world, imagined by Richard Starkings & Abigail Jill Harding, of tentacles and terror.

Big Girls #5 sees Jason Howard's sci-fi battle of the genders deliver a climactic battle that culminates in the series' best moment.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #17 is a showcase for BOOM! Studios' version of Wesley Wyndam-Price, one of Joss Whedon's greatest creations.

An emotional story about a man cascading through time and self.

Conspiracy: Black Knight Satellite from Zenescope delivers thrilling, visceral horror.

A standalone story that evokes classic horror comics anthologies of yesteryear while still feeling current.

Deadpool #6 sees Wade Wilson travel from the borough formerly known as Staten Island to Krakoa in Kelly Thompson's latest issue, where Jeff the Land Shark shines.

Avengers: Empyre Aftermath #1 sees the full team behind Marvel's Empyre event wrap up the series and look toward the future.

Storm tackles an existential crisis: if I'm going to come back to life, why fight death?

A well-conceived sci-fi debut from Alex Paknadel & John Lė that offers something too rare: trust in the reader.

A classic blend of superheroes & horror as writer Dave Franchini brings back longtime villain Baba Yaga.

Heavy #1 sees Max Bemis & Eryk Donovan imagine a unique version of Purgatory that feels like The Punisher meets What Dreams May Come.

The best issue of the comic series so far.

Sex Criminals: Sexual Gary is a laugh-out-loud funny #comic about a pornstar/spokesperson/pop star who refuses to be confined by a "brand."

This urban fantasy comic from Vault fleshes out its supporting cast with an emotional (and disgusting) flashback.

Taskmaster #1 is to Jed McKay as what Superior Foes was to Nick Spencer, even with an egregious use of the best comic SFX ever.

A great, standalone horror comic from Zenescope that offers a jumping-on point to new readers.

This unique new title from Scout Comics sets itself apart from standard monthly comics with art that evokes autobiographical comics and an unconventional narrative.

Belle: Ghosts & Goblins sees Zenescope Entertainment create their own Batman, reinventing a fairy tale icon as a superhero.

Belle: Hearts & Minds mixes horror & superhero action as Franchini crosses over Belle, Zenescope's Batman, with witch hunter Gretel.

The story of Saffron Chu's downward spiral into criminality begins in this bloody, pukey first issue.

Daredevil Annual #1 sees Chip Zdarsky insert Mike Murdock into Daredevil's past through fabricated, fractured memories.

Empyre #5 follows on the heels of major reveals in the event's last issue and delivers a character-defining moment for the Thing.

It's one of the best looking books out there, and a bit more time spent establishing the story would elevate this book to its highest potential.

A solid introduction even for those unfamiliar with the game.

Locke & Key: ...In Pale Battalions Go... #1 is a worthy addition to Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's saga of horror, fantasy, and war.

Jen Hickman's work shine as Catrin descends into a spiral of madness and violence.

Quoi, the Cotati Celestial Messiah, gets a chance to be more than just a villain in this one-shot.

Maestro #1 sees Peter David return to his legendary run on Hulk to paint a grim vision of the Marvel Universe's future.

Seven Secrets #3 finally sees the series come into its own with a highly readable, beautifully drawn issue from Taylor & Di Niculo.

The Vain #1 from Eliot Rahal and Emily Pearson is a beautifully drawn comic that plays against the readers' expectations.

Two stories take very different approaches to what life is as a vampire in the world of The Masquerade.

Vampire: The Masquerade #2 feels like vampires by way of Vertigo, with Seeley & Pramanik delivering a fresh take on familiar horrors.

In this over-sized debut issue from Scout Comics, Vlad Dracul #1 asks the reader if its lead character is a hero, a monster, or something in-between.

A Dark Interlude #1 seeks to create a kind-of-sequel to Fearscape, but does it work for the unfamiliar reader?

The compelling prelude sets up the upcoming Nick Spencer event, Sins Rising.

Angel & Spike #14 is Zac Thompson's debut as writer of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, reinventing the Joss Whedon classic.

Black Widow #1 kicks off the new Thompson & Casagrade run with a high concept that sees Natasha leave the mantle for a unique reason.

Empyre #6 is the finale of the Cotati invasion in the Marvel universe. Will the climax make up for this uneven event?

Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp #1 sees the comic based on R. L. Stines novels return to a familiar location: Fever Swamp.

Shadow Service #1 from Cavan Scott & Corin Howell, another win from Vault Comics, is a witchy take on the private investigator genre.

A bit exposition-heavy for a third issue but, once it gets going, it mixes horror and action with style.

The Recount #1, a thriller paced to the rhythm of gunfire, delivers a daring concept taking on the political landscape.

Werewolf By Night #1 sees Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas and B. Earl write a new horror and superhero mash-up for Marvel.

The battle between Black Cat and Iron Man might be a little too easy for Felicia, but also? It's just a lot of fun.

A surrealist comic with elements of urban anime and Gotham that poses to its readership an interesting question about morality.

Concrete Jungle #1 from Sheldon Allen delivers a harsh, unforgiving portrait of a corrupt cop in a gritty, sci-fi world.

Crossover #1 is a comic book about comic books. This high concept story from Donny Cates & Geoff Shaw is bold in surprising ways.

Doctor Who: Time Lord Victorious #1 sees the Tenth Doctor team up with a Dalek in this comic from Jody Houser & Roberta Ingranata.

Empyre: Savage Avengers #1 is a fun one-shot that lets the beautiful artwork tell the story to dazzling effect.

Engineward #1 is a bit heavy-handed with the world-building, but it counters that with interesting concept, cast, and art. Also... damn, that lettering is inventive.

A double feature comic featuring Jed MacKay's Black Cat and Donny Cates' Venom, with both shorts setting up events in the main series.

Getting it Together #1 draws inspiration from sitcoms like Friends, adding a modern vibe to the concept of an ensemble dramedy.

Horizon Zero Dawn #2 is light on story & character development but the artwork & beautiful covers will keep Aloy & Talanah fans happy.

Inkblot #1 is comfort food fantasy for cat lovers that evokes, at its best moments, like The Princess Bride's tongue-in-cheek tone.

This tie-in offers readers a much needed explanation for Hulkling's behavior in Empyre.

This series from Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo has high potential that it's beginning to tap into.

Spy Island #1 is a weird, stylish thriller about spies in the Bermuda Triangle.

A fun read. Jack's storyline & bonus comic stand out... but is Lauren not just a straight-up villain?

Zenescope harkens back to the fun, battles, hyper detailed art, and crazy costumes of the 80s/90s style of superhero comics with this new annual.

A fever dream of a comic, this Stephen King and Owen King adaptation is a pandemic story that speaks to life in 2020 probably more than the creative team could have imagined.

A few surprising twists make this the best issue so far.

I Walk With Monsters #1 spends a lot of time on the lead's trauma without developing her as a character first, leaving no way in.

Spinning out of Christopher Priest's Vampirella run, this new ongoing team comic from Dynamite brings together Vampirella, Draculina, Pantha, Nyx, Chastity, and Lilith. It features strong writing and beautiful art with a story that may be hard for the unfamiliar to grasp.

Tom Taylor's Seven Secrets #1 may feel narratively like Diet Saga, but the art by Daniele Di Nicuolo makes this comic a must read.

Sleeping Beauties #3 buckles under the weight of Stephen & Owen King's cast, but an injured fox becomes a scene stealer in this comic.

Star Trek: Hell's Mirror sees Mirror Universe Khan meet Mirror Kirk. Will they be allies or enemies in this alternate reality?

The Devil's Red Bride from Vault Comics, described as a "love letter to samurai fiction," is a debut with potential.

Inkblot #3 is another fun chapter of this reality-hopping cat comic, but the standalone aspects of each issue bog the series down.

Seven Secrets #2 develops the unique mythology Tom Taylor & Daniele Di Nicuolo have created but the narration feels oddly familiar.

Oz from Buffy the Vampire Slayer join Angel's crew, but his iconic stoic disposition seems to be forgotten.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow has just been so, so good that the strength of the first four issues left me with no doubt that Tamaki would follow through with a terrific ending. That didn't end up being the case, but this is still, by far, the best Buffy title coming from BOOM! Studios.

This comic is carried by Roberta Ingranta's stellar art but the narrative doesn't do the concept justice.

Empyre #1, which kicks off Marvel's new event, is a beautifully drawn disagreement between two geniuses -- Reed Richards and Tony Stark -- that struggles to make either seem worthy of that descriptor.

Can this issue and its focus on Black Panther fighting to save the world... in turn save Marvel's worst event ever?

Empyre: Avengers #3 follows up on last issue's cliffhanger, which saw Ka-Zar seemingly killed. How does this Marvel tie-in end?

Engineward from Mann & Eisma could become great sci-fi epic if the reader is given the chance to invest in the characters.

Engineward #3 from Vault Comics continues to show the series' great potential, but does the story follow through on it?

Fantastic Four: Antithesis #1 is a new story from a "classic era" by Mark Waid and Neal Adams, but can modern fans enjoy this comic?

Funny Creek #5 concludes this all-ages cautionary tale from Stout Club, but does the finale live up to this comic's massive potential?

Home Sick Pilots #1 is one of the most unique-looking books on shelves, & Wijngaard's art is top-notch. The story, however, falters.

The Immortal Hulk: The Threshing Place #1 sees an all-star creative team tell the story of a massacre at the hands of the Hulk.

Spider-Man: Marvels Snapshots #1 makes an interesting point about crime in the age of superheroes... but then what?

A strange new horror comic by Nick Roche that creates well-defined, but not entirely likable characters.

G. I. Joe Snake Eyes: Deadgame #1 by Rob Liefeld is exactly what you expect, delivering big "kid playing with action figures" energy.

An intriguing but oddly paced story that confuses more than it entertains.

We Only Find Them When They're Dead #2 is a confusing dip in quality, but this series from Ewing & Di Meo still has life in it.

Beautifully illustrated but the relentless amount of close-up shots is disorienting.

Empyre Fallout: Fantastic Four #1 sees the Profiteer go full Karen in this epilogue to this Avengers & Fantastic Four-centric event.

A strong start goes steeply downhill with the second issue of this Empyre tie-in.

Chris Hamer's art makes this something fans of Nickelodeon classics will want in their collection, but comics fans may find themselves distracted by bizarre lettering.

X-Factor #1 brings a team of dynamic mutants together for a compelling reason, but is there time for the characters to shine?

Angel & Spike #13 is a one-off detective story set between Hill's run and Thompson's takeover, but does it really feel like Angel?

An impossibly corny debut featuring a script that feels like it was found in a decades-old filing cabinet.

It seeks to tell an epic superhero event story with unknown heroes but, after reading, we still don't know them.

Empyre #2 explains everyone's motivations... a LOT... but yet the characters still seem lost in the tangle.

Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp #2 sees the characters get lost in Fever Swamp in more ways than one.

Ultraman: The Rise of Ultraman #1 sees Marvel Comics relaunch this Kaiju-fighting hero with a sci-fi origin story.

The Scumbag #2 sees the bit get old - fast. What started out as an original gross-out comic becomes overdone satire in this 2nd issue.

There is nothing left for longtime fans of Joss Whedon's cult classic in this BOOM! reboot.

Iron Man #1 (2020) follows Tony Stark as he enters into a midlife crisis. A compelling idea, but does this Marvel comic explain why?