You should read this book. Be prepared to see some darkness reflected in the beautiful art of its pages. Be prepared to run the gamut of your emotions. But also be prepared to be immersed in a new family unit. To love them and question them and, ultimately, to find your Algeria.

That's it. Cliffhanger. Haha, jokes on us, time runs in a generally straight line in this reality. Curse you, Time Lords and Ratio holders, that means we all have to wait for the next issue!

The subject material is intense, and Martinez illustrates the raw, beautiful power of women. The juxtaposition of death, violence and gore against dance, beauty, and enjoyment of life is clear. Jook Joint is clearly a horror comic, yet Madame Mahalia's goal is clearly a life without fear. This book is angry, impassioned, and liberating. I appreciate how much of herself Franklin poured into Jook Joint and am both excited and terrified to see what comes next.

This whole issue is some deep stuff wrapped in lighthearted banter. Kamala and Bruno are still smack dab in the middle of awkward romantic realness and their ancestors seem to be just as snarky, sarcastic and wonderful. Here's to the past, the present, and the future issue that will tell us more about the whole timeline!

Riri's life feels authentically dysfunctional in all the right ways. I want to watch her grow and learn. I can already tell that this is a character who will logic her way into my brain and teach me something about myself while she's there.

But with a foul-mouthed pentacorn who revels in destruction, a hedonistic mermaid (aptly and hilariously named Murkrone), and Three Stooge-like caricatures of paladins, how can you not want more? Spurrier and Bergara have created a masterpiece that uses orcs and dragons to pull on our deepest human instincts. CODA challenges us to be truly honest, even in a world of fantasy.