@UrbanRemnant Comic Reviews

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this arc. I see great things ahead, perhaps things that will show up in the solicits in 2014. The potential for Warlord showing up here is fantastic!

This is a horror comic. If readers can wade through the "red" and suspend their personal theology for a moment, they'll find a good story about family, fear, love and consequences. Plus, there's a great panel with tentacles. I love tentacles.

I've been reading "Animal Man" for a while and will be there until the end. Issue no. 26 is crazy-weird, but just might gain a few new readers who'll like the alien twist. Can't wait to see my questions answered before the curtain falls.

"Animal Man" was a well-written series that was self-contained for the most part ("Swamp Thing" made the best companion). In conclusion, it was one of the better story and character driven comics the New 52 had to offer. Hats off to Jeff Lemire's "Animal Man." Here's looking forward to his story-telling with "Justice League United" in May.

"Aquaman #29" was a good read. For the most part the art has been great. Parker, Pelletier and team have persuaded me to stick with this continuing narrative and with this book.

"Avengers 24.1" was alright. If readers are tired of time-travel and simply want an adventure with Earth's Mightiest Heroes, this issue is not it. There is potential here. I would like to see how the developing relationships between these heroes are explored. Hopefully the next issue will be far more adventurous.

The All-New Marvel NOW "Captain Marvel no. 1" was a well written, beautifully drawn book that has a lot of potential. I recommend this book to every reader. Give "Captain Marvel" another shot at becoming an even greater hero and comic book on par with the others.

"Codename: Action" is thrilling and fast-paced. You should check out this book. I did and was pleasantly surprised. Kudos! We have a winner.

Roberson uses classic tropes in a spy thriller that kept me turning the page. Clones. Nukes. Tyrants. And the heroes who seek to stop them. Who can pass that up?

"Codename: Action" has been a fun diversion full of nostalgia and classic adventure. I hope to see Captain Action in his own series. Perhaps a team-up with other heroes featured in the D. E. universe. I recommend buying the collected edition if one is slated to be published.

"Daredevil #1" is a good jumping off point for those interested in reading this book. I can't wait to see what Waid, Samnee and Rodriguez has in store for us.

"Doc Savage #1" was just okay. Nostalgia and the classic Alex Ross cover drew me to the book. Let's hope their "troubles" lead to the kind of thrilling perils that will keep me aboard for further issues.

I enjoyed reading "Five Ghosts #7." Frank J. Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham have created a pulp hero who has a burden to bear and his own demons to overcome. Perhaps a lost Fabian Gray will one day be found. I'll come along for the voyage.

As epitaphs go, "Inhumanity #1" is a well-written one. I look forward to seeing whether Karnak's doomsday prophecy for Inhumanity comes to pass.

With Howard Porter on art, I expect DeMatteis and Giffen to take "Justice League 3000" to places no leaguer has gone before. Issue no. 1 is a good launch into the broken frontier that is the 31st century.

"Justice League Dark #25" was fun and entertaining. Swamp Thing showed up. And just like the philosophy teacher at the Catholic high school I attended, DeMatteis challenged me to think. Good writers welcome readers to question what they read, to bring their beliefs to the table and to decide for themselves whether to subscribe or not to the narrative's meta-message. Know what you believe about the world, then pick up this book if horror comics are your speed.

So what will the clandestine, elite team of heroes do to stop these incursions? We'll have to find out in the following issues. "New Avengers 13.INH" is worthwhile because of the narrative Hickman's established since issue one. However, it's a story that can prove rather hard to break into for new readers.

Readers who are looking for something "new" and fun to read should pick up this book. It's good to see "New Warriors" on shelves again. It was a fan favorite a long time ago. With the writing duties in the hands of Yost, I think it will become a fan favorite once again. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I liked this book. Parents looking to avoid the more mature themes in comic books (or the gross out factor in others) should pick up this one when helping their children select. Some local comic shops do a good job of keeping an All Ages section in the store that is kid-friendly and for everyone. "Scooby Doo Team Up #1" is just that.

It's Dan Slott and Mike Allred working on a book together. "'Nuff said" as many Marvelites will quote. Silver Surfer has been in need for some good storytelling for a long time. What a great opportunity for a classic, Silver Age hero to get a reboot of sorts. Make mine "Silver Surfer."

"Starlight no. 1" is well-written, and the art is great. If readers are unfamiliar with Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, or John Carter; then Millar's story will feel fresh. For those of us who are familiar with them, let's do ourselves a favor: read it. Let's trust that "Starlight" will not be a simple re-tread, but that it will attempt to do something different. Something we could not have imagined.

I like Spider-Man teaming up with Daredevil and the Punisher and would love to see more of it. Beautiful art. Good writing. "Team-Up" is a great companion, but really can hold its own. I'm looking forward to Issue no. 10. I give Issue no. 9 four stars out of five.

The bottom line is that I picked up both issues of "Superman Wonder Woman" because I've enjoyed Charles Soule's run on "Swamp Thing." Perhaps this book presents an opportunity to challenge readers on what it truly means to be complete equals. I will continue to read it with the hope that the story will improve, will provide more action and will delve deeper into their unspoken tensions; but I'm not sure that it can. The unimaginable stands in the way.

I'm staying put on "Superman | Wonder Woman." I'm curious to know what direction this story arc will go. Issue #3 was fun. There was a lot of action. It seems to be building up to even more conflict upon the arrival of Zod's love interest: Faora. We shall see in the next issue.

If you're not bogged down by the sexual and gender politics presented in this series, "Superman Wonder Woman" still is an action-packed, narrative-driven comic book. The writing is strong and humorous. Issue no. 5 was a fun read, especially the battle between all four of them (until it got awkward). I give this issue four out of five stars.

"Swamp Thing Annual #2" is a bridge. It's more "road less traveled" than "bridge too far;" but it's a bridge nonetheless. It's one that moved me from the bayou cliffhanger of "Swamp Thing #24" to the strange, green world where he'll battle his challenger in "Swamp Thing #25." It's the quiet before a storm filled with "plump, warm summer rain.**" It's a good jumping off point for new readers. I give "Swamp Thing Annual #2" four out of five stars.

"Swamp Thing #25" is worth reading despite the questions I have above. It is also a good jumping off point for those interested in reading. Alec Holland has maintained his role as Avatar as embodied in the Swamp Thing for a long time. Of course in the New 52, not-so-long-a-time. He stands to lose this. Much like the Mono-Myth described by Joseph Campbell in "Hero with a Thousand Faces," Charles Soule has taken his character on a hero's journey. He's answered the Call to Adventure. He has had Helpers. He's crossed the Threshold. Now is the Test. Will Holland overcome it? We'll see in the next issue. I give "Swamp Thing #25" a four out of five stars.

Again, "Swamp Thing" is a horror comic. It's written to make readers feel uneasy. I'm glad I've had a chance to read this issue from an opposing perspective while still being able to enjoy the story, the writing and the art. Beineke quoted Lee Rozelle regarding the spark for concern over the environment: "When does an awareness of home provoke terror and awe? When it's burning"**** (Rozelle, 2006). "Swamp Thing #26" ignited both.

"The Royals: Masters of War" no. 1 has an interesting premise and was an enjoyable read. If you like reading alternative history and/or historical fiction, this Vertigo book is for you. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

As a writer, "The Sandman: Overture Special Edition #1" was an encouraging invitation into their craft and process. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of money to learn more about that process, stick with the regular version.

As I said before, "Turok: Dinosaur Hunter no. 1" is a good start. It's drawn well and written in a way that has me waiting for issue no. 2. With Greg Pak's experience writing these kinds of stories, I have no trouble forgiving him for any minor stumbles. I recommend reading "Turok" and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

My planned stop at a comic shop in Grand Rapids, MI on "new comic book Wednesday" to pick up this issue amongst others while on our way through snow and gale to our Thanksgiving destination paid off. Whew! That was a long run-on sentence, but so was the trip. "Uncanny Avengers #14" slightly added to its worth.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Avenge the Earth pt. 1" is a good jumping on point for readers who've dropped the book altogether and who might want to return with issue no. 18. For the casual reader, though it's a new arc, it may be confusing to just jump in without reading the previous stuff.

There is a market out there for comic books featuring stories with strong, minority characters in them as leads. It's a small market, but it's a growing one. It's mainly writers and artists of color that continue to bring attention to them. If you're curious, check out "Watson and Holmes #5."