This issue was ok... The art was a big step down in most parts (the Pirates were done better than Sara), and while the start was an ok transition, the entire flashback sequence was kind of forced. I understand it is used as a connector to build the relationship so I get the plot point but it was one of the weaker issues so far. Probably the second weakest issue. Good action mind you and its a decent read, just kind of janky. more

Now that is how you end an arc of a story. Intense fighting, betrayal, self-realization, amazing art, things come full circle, and Sara is whole. You finally see who she is becoming and that is really cool. Also her finally learning to start to accept the Witchblade is a really nice step.

This issue honestly had everything and no pointless model side plots. Just action, main plot (also nice to see the side plot with Jake tie in properly, good to see that story led somewhere and had purpose, also nice to see that one cop bite the dust).

This is how you do an arc climax. more

This was a weird read. Sara seems to have a totally different personality when she is happy and enjoying herself. If I were to try to arm chair psychologist I would say it appears she develops co-dependencies when she thinks she has someone she can rely on due to previous trauma. Now that fact that person is Irons is quite unfortunate. The model subplot also appears to be nonsense still and that is dragging the book down. Also why does the sister look identical to Sara. Turner needs to differentiate the two more.

It is interesting how the original and the reboot are seemingly diverging a fair bit at this point. The relationships seem so much different. more

I dont understand the low rating on this issue. It has action, it moves the plot forward, we get a good fake-out of an Irons confrontation that is just narrowly avoided. It has some anticipation building. We also have a nice B plot going on and the Ian interaction at the ends leaves you wanting to read the next issue. Writing is clumsy at some parts but overall it is decent. I still dont understand the modelling c-plot. That is currently a detractor and lowers the score for me. Unless it comes together in another issue, it feels like pointless filler.

Art is great as always. more

While I agree with everyone that I miss Mora, for this one-shot issue, I think Galan nailed it. Like I am unsure if I they would be good on a different type of issue, but I think they were a near perfect fit for this issue, so great art Galan!

As for the story, it was good, cheesy silver age fun, with lots of silver age easter eggs for those of us who know them. That honestly boosted my score. I really do enjoy Waid's knowledge of comics and all the fun little nods he gives us to show us he respects the characters and their legacies. Also some general easter eggs like the Sunscreen dog biting Olsen underpants in the last page got a laugh out of me.

All in all this was a well drawn, silver age feeling light, kid-friendly book. Dont think too hard. Not lot of real plot. Bad guys lost, dogs good, Olsen funny. If you want stress relief or a way to take your mind off of the daily grind, this is an excellent issue to do that. more

There is nothing new or creative per say about this issue. That being said I love the intro of Doctor Zarkov. Oh that was great!

What I mean to say is that this issue gets my 8.5 because it is just well done. It is well drawn, it is full of action, Ming gets beat up (always a plus), and we have a nail biting escape. Enemies and allies are really blurred here and for a Flash Gordon adventure of escape, its just the way I want it.

Go creative team, go! more

We finally get the action and the plot moving forward! This is something I so badly needed to have to keep going with this book. I hope we get less decompressed issues in the future. We need the high stakes action, plot points and Sara continuing to move forward. Witchblade does not do well with pointless filler and no action. This issue delivered thankfully.

I will say, it is interesting to compare issue 6 in the original series to this series. Sara's relationship with Ian is so much different and same with Irons. So many significant differences that I would like to explore but if the decompression starts again it will get bogged down and boring.

Art was great this issue. Feels like everyone is settling in. I hope this energy continues. more

So this issue had some great plot point highs. The first 4 or so pages was great, finally seeing Sara fuse with the witchblade. The story is really starting here.

The middle section with the models felt totally unneeded except to show off Turners ability to draw women. Just fanservice.

The ending was also interesting. Ian and Sara appear to be linked in their 'minds eye'? Interesting plot point there.

All in all a good issue for plot at the start and the end but a bit weak in the middle.

Turner continues to do a great job. more

It is fast paced, heavy action, plot is moving forward and great art. What more can you ask for from this book? Now I know books in the 90s were so much better than now a days (circa 2025), but this feels fun and keeps you reading. Good cliffhanger.

A banger of an issue. Sara is drawn amazingly (possibly the best yet, Turner seems to be getting more of an idea of how to draw this heroine). The action is pretty intense and you get the forming of the relationship between Sara and the Witchblade here.

Compared to the original (this one), the reboot has the witchblade fused to her and that leads to a far different dynamic. In this original (this issue), the relationship feels far more human that just emotions, I prefer the original. more

So again lets compare to the reboot.

Pros of the original: So much faster paced. You get to see a lot and a lot of plot points are moving by issue two. The reboot is so slow paced in contrast.

Some really good emotions. Sara returning home and listening to the answer machine was a pretty good emotional moment. Also learning that she (either intended or was) 'the other woman' was kind of an interesting point that we dont get in the reboots 2nd issue. There is so much to unpack.

Ian Nottingham has some amazing scenes. The take-down of two assassins was great. Brutal and shows how he is an immediate threat. A lot of comic books now-a-days dont seem to get that.

Turner art, once again unfair comparison.

The reboot: The pro is we get to see more into Sara's mind. She is more human in the reboot... if more horny for some reason. A very different take. A very person drvien approach vs a plot driven like this original issue. I prefer the original. more

Good solid entry. You get the motivation, some character work and some solid action. Now that being said, we have a reboot in 2024, and how does that match up?

Well pros for the original: The background of the villain seems more built up and intense. He feels more powerful and like a shadow over everything. His obsession is clear and palpable.

The art is art by Michael Turner... so instant win. You can really match the legend so it is kind of unfair match here.

Pros for the reboot. The action scene when Sara gets her witchblade is way more intense and explosive. The scene is amazing. I wish Turner had drawn that and that would have been an amazing combination. The action is just better detailed in the reboot/with more attention given to it.

All in all this is a good solid start to a legendary series. more

This book is exhausting. I am dropping it from my priority reads here at the end of this issue/arc. Secondary reading only. It didnt deliver anything I wanted. I wanted Omen dead...not that, she lives because... actually no reason given, she just lives cause why not? The power of... plot armor?

Ejecta is let go for some holier than thou reasons even though she is a massive threat and is even more powered up once she recovers. Her and her 'dad' are really salty against PG now. Only thing I can say I actually enjoyed is that Ejecta is just.. evil. Like born evil, evil it seems. No 'oh I am a misunderstood villian like the BS Marvel and DC so often do. For that, that is the one great thing I can say about this issue. Good job Leah on that. On everything else and the ending... no. No not at all.

Also the writing feels so gross in a lot of spots. Why add the weird sexual stuff all across it, like it wasnt funny and I think only rapidly aging wine moms might like it? Maybe not even them honestly. This was poorly done and had some real potential so I am even more disappointed because of that. more

Good wholesome fun. Kid approved also (they want a read-read, but note you will likely have to censor some words for younger kids).

Its a simple fight issue with some side-bar teasing. Spider-girl is still annoying but the fight with the monkey got laughs out of everyone I read it to. I got enough of a chuckle so what can I say? This is more for kids so I rated it with that in mind. Could it be better? Yes for sure, but for what it is worth, it is worth the read and that cannot be said about lot of Marvel things now-a-days. more

Ok learning that Ming even named units of measurement after himself aka 'Mingnaut' I laughed so hard. That is some fun in character writing.

This chapter had a lot of Ming in it. That being said, Flash shows off his really impressive flight skills in the first half. Gordon just being a boss like always. Ming... well Ming kind of gets his even if Gordon has to rise to the occasion again to save him. I look forward to the next issue.

This reads great in a floppy but probably even better in trades!

Art is nice like always. Conrad and Adams are doing a great job. more

I'm still not a fan of the art in this book, but I like that they are starting the Baroness as a hero, so we get to see her transition into a Cobra operative. I like how we are starting with the Joe's taking an L to show that Cobra Commander isn't a constant pushover. Looking forward to this continuing.

My Comic Review Channel - https://youtu.be/19dJEZC6YbE

I have to say this book as some great lines to really characterize this Batman. My favourite is "Maybe that's what he is. All he is... one long advance forward." It paints an excellent picture of a relentless monster unstopping in his mission.

On another note, the Bat-Dumptruck instantly get this book a +1. Like that is one of the most epic vehicles I have ever seen Batman drive. If absolute Batman is just going to be bat-crap insane violence and action I am all for this. A different change of pace, yes but between the melting people in acid and the truck, this is... unique but still Batman enough to call him Batman. So much better than the mainline book. No competition. more

This book is split. Half of it is like a 6/10 and the other half is like an 8.5/10.

Black Panther himself is the most boring thing in this book and in this series. He ponders, complains, debates and occasionally does politics. His fights are short and uninspiring.

The Sorcerer Supreme is literally the only thing holding up this book. Like that is the only reason to read this book. The B plot is pushing this book forward. If that B plot ends or goes off the rails this entire series will implode. Not a good look. Hill needs to get things into action and Black Panther needs to actually do something rather than ponder. I am wearing thin of patience. more

Well the front cover is a total lie and the back story we got so far for Spider-girl is really lame. I mean Bullseye actions make sense, but for him to be the only person to notice her insane powers is kind of intense 'suspension of disbelief'.

All in all this just felt like it was going from one place to another. Decent fight with Daredevil and Spider-boy teaming up so that earned it some points. Spider-boy working with other heroes has been fun to read so that is one of the only things this issue has going for it. more

The fight scene was the best part. Otherwise the art was quite off putting, it felt like the artist didnt get how Spider-boy or the circus should look. It just felt slightly off. Also the entire story felt rather meaningless. Like I would have paid $1 for this but not a full price. So I am a fool.

Back up was... what?

As part of a greater story this really was lacking and seemed like you could totally skip this without missing anything. Except maybe the last page of the main story? That might be all that was relevant. more

I will get the annoying part out of the way first' Spider-girl'? Really? Slott this is just sad. Now that being said, she is a villain (for now), and working with Bullseye so that is kind of unique. This could be interesting but I am currently quite hesitant.

Also Bailey getting into trouble on a day of celebration for him feels very classic Peter Parker (which you know hasnt been Peter's thing sadly for like over 10 years), so it is nice to see the 'even on the goods days, we have to make choices'. Bailey is winning some and losing some. This is a lose due to well... being totally unprepared and basking in a bit too much pride. Hope some character development comes from this.

While I probably should rate this issue a 7.5, it feels promising so I am being a bit generous with the rating this time. more

It is a fine issue showing some of the serious implications of people suddenly remembering you, but also that they are aware they couldnt remember you for the previous 3 years. All that being said, there were a lot of plot points that were just hand waved with this solution. Like there should be a lot more chaos to this, and everyone seems oddly ok the fact Baily is back even though they couldnt previously remember him. Also it shows the impact was far reaching- they couldnt even remember his stuff or that there was an entire apartment of his families stuff.

The mom's reaction was at least sort of believable. I mean it was an extreme freak out but that might make sense given the situation. She was rather annoying this issue but again, I kind of get it.

Once again this issue is 'ok'. I do like where it might be going though so that is at least interesting.

Art was good. Not great but it felt like the right fit for the book. more

This was a real mixed issue, some call backs were great and I did get a small chuckle. Other parts were cheesy and forced and I just wanted the story to move forward. At least this issue really moved the plot forward with everyone getting back the memories of Spider-boy.

That being said, this issue felt a bit too much like Slott patting himself on the back as most of the references were to things he did in the past.

An ok issue that at least got the plot moving so it was worth the read. more

It took 9 issues to get somewhere, but we are finally getting somewhere with the Sorcerer Supreme and possibly fighting Moon Knight to prevent a Jihad. Hill really needs to keep the momentum going for this series is going to stall again. Sales are flagging on this one and it needs some real excitement.

First half of this book you can read in like 45 second and very little occurs. Honestly a 5/10. But the second half picks up a lot and we finally see something interesting from Black Panther and his understanding of vibranium. Also the hunt for the Sorcerer Supreme is an interesting B plot, so this is at least better than the last issue. Still not picking up to where it needs to be though.

Many have used the term 'treading water' and I think that is apt. This series is meandering and I am getting quite board. I think I am going to read till the end of this ark and if it doesnt pick up, drop it. I dont know how people can be enamoured by this. It has no energy.

Art: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Total: 7/10

Classic easy way to get to cheer for the hero. Create comically evil villains and have the hero go to town. Honestly it was cathartic the way Batman ruined them. So I enjoyed that classic trope.

-.5 for the epilogue. That seems like a lame Joker intro but I hope to be proven wrong.

Solid art.

So that final page in the first issue stuck. They killed off a team member in the first issue. Wow, so we know that the stakes are high in this series and we might not want to get too attached to characters. Good to know.

This one was a real slog of a fight and really is starting off the series with the Joe's at their lowest point. Everyone is dead, injured, missing or... well injured even worse. Given where the Energon universe is, this is really quite intense, but the Energon universe really is a bunch of rather intense books. If you like action well here it is! Enjoy!

As for some notes from the story itself, Baroness being the reasonable one isnt what I expected in issue 2. Duke is really hot-headed in this version of the Joe's. I suppose that will be part of his character arc to learn to be a better more level headed leader. Will be interesting to see.

Also Clutch move by Clutch! I love to see that final page, stuff is getting fun! Also Cobra Commander and Destros interactions are pretty good, a very stressed relationship they have their. Honestly in this book, everyone's relationships are so stressed, I feel like in 12-20 issues where everyone stands will be quite different. I plan to enjoy the ride! more