Aquaman #8 was a spectacular conclusion to the “blue” story! The focused moved entirely on to Arthur and that was a perfect choice as this was his battle to fight. Starting with a flashback to one of Arthur’s early attempts to be a hero was a nice way to open the issue and set the tone for what was to come in this book and I believe what will happen in the next. Three major deaths were featured in this and the last issue … will they stick or will Arthur somehow reverse time? I dare not speculate. For now I will just sit back thankful for the incredible ride. If you are not reading this Aquaman run because the character has a spotty history … you are doing yourself a disservice - this is the BEST book DC is publishing. more

Well … I made it about halfway through Death of the Silver Surfer #2 before putting it down. Pak is being way too heavy handed with his “subtext” - saw it brewing in #1, but hoped for the best … the best is NOT what I got here. I strongly do NOT recommend this comic.

I have been a Fantastic Four fan for as long as I have been reading comic books (and I started at 5 years old) and I can honestly say that I have no idea who this woman in this comic is. Granted I checked out of the FF about 2 relaunches ago and something could have happened to Sue in that time where she suffered some personality swap … but this character resembles Sue Richards in appearance only. Also … why is Reed calling her Sue Storm … are they no longer married?

Ultimately this comic was an absolute waste of Humberto Ramos’s talent, he is too good for a story this bad. The plot felt pointless and Sue’s narration was way over written. I was going to give this book 4 issues before considering jumping off … but after this poorly thought out story - I might jump now. I highly recommend that if you are an FF fan that you avoid this book and pick up the Thing limited-series by Tony Fleecs & Justin Mason or even the anthology Fantastic Four Fanfare, it is infinitely better. more

Daniel Warren Johnson and Jorge Corona nailed it with transformers #23! Megatron’s frustration with Starscream is turned up to 11 in this issue, though much more intense it echos the G1 cartoon perfectly. Prime’s journey through the Matrix reminds me of the season three mini-series Five Faces of Darkness where Rodimus Prime does the same, however the corruption of the Matrix makes this journey more interesting. The final fate of Sparkplug (Sparky) and Spike seems to come to it’s conclusion with this issue and though it’s hurried it is satisfying. Ultra Magnus is written so well and drawn even better … the BIG two page splash was epic. Without revealing too much - I’ll just say - THIS is an issue you will not want to miss and it should be on top of your “to read stack”. I highly HIGHLY recommend this issue and the entire series up to this point! more

A solid issue with three plots running simultaneously …
The “A Plot” deals with Baroness and Covergirl at the mercy of Major Blood. Things play out as expected … leading into the next issue. This plot is the most interesting as it deals with characters and their motivations. Also never expected to like Raptor as a character (as a kid I thought he was a pretty silly toy) but there is a real danger to him within Williamson’s script.

The “B Plot” follows Clutch and his Autobot friend Hound as they investigate Cobra weapons and their connection to Energon. I don’t normally like it when the Transformers are tightly intertwined into GI Joe stories, but Clutch & Hound make a great pair. This plot also drops in the newer Joe character Risk … who I believe is more than meets the eye.

The “C Plot” has Destro trying to suss out the machinations of Cobra Commander and this plot is probably the most … strange … as it seems to be dipping back into the Cobra-La side of the Energon Universe. I didn’t like that aspect of the animated movie … but it’s not as silly in the comics, so I’ll go with it. Destro’s mission for Mercer (speaking of the animated movie) brings plot B & C together for the cliffhanger at the end.

A good, if not somewhat predictable issue. I will continue to highly recommend this series and all of the other Energon Universe books.

Also … not a spoiler … but a guess … I’m putting this out there now - I believe that Risk is Zartan - let’s see if I’m proven wrong in the months that come. more

I like how Byrne used the premise of giving Doom's memories to the kid to basically tell a series of flashbacks, but this one is basically a setup issue. The art continues to shine and we get to see the FF and She-Hulk doing normal events until the Baxter Building launches into space in the cliffhanger.

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I was really looking forward to this team-up. Solo, Lando, and Valance - come on. That's a recipe for adventure, yet Segura gives us none. This issue was just plain awful. He really gets Dick Tracy, but when it comes to Star Wars, he's absolutely clueless. Half of this issue is a flashback about a character I don't care about. And what's with calling the assassin "they"? I thought we were through with altering the English language, and would they know the assassin's pronoun anyway? The assassin never spoke. We are only on issue 3 and I'm pretty sure this title is going to be dropped by me...again.

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I didn’t dislike Star Wars #3 - but it all felt a bit too familiar. So many member-berries, and I feel maybe the old Expanded Universe did everything you could with these characters - nothing feels new or interesting. The plot shifts from Luke to Han as he is called back to Cloud City by Lando because an old Nagai friend of theirs is dying. It’s a fine story and the art by Phil Noto is great, but it feels like remix of things I’ve already read … and WHY is Valance still around … I never liked hm in the 1970s as a kid … I still don’t like him now.

So many nods to the original Expanded Universe in this issue - there was a YT-2400 (like Dash Rendar’s Outrider), the 1990s toy based on McQuarrie’s early designs for the Cloud Car makes an appearance, along with a literal flashback to The Empire Strikes back … these are all fine - if they were wrapped in a more original story, heck even the Nagai are a retread from the original Marvel run. All this being said … again … it was a “fine” story.

In closing - while I like seeing Han NOT just wearing the same clothes he wore in the movies … I can’t help but feel he’s dressed like Princess Leia from issue 73 of the original Marvel run. more

Alright … I’m sorta still processing this comic - I will say that This Ends Tonight is by far the weirdest comic book I have read all year. As it went along it began to border on being nonsensical. It starts off with a straight forward concept told in a very cinematic style, then by the staple things are getting a little kooky. I think I liked it … I don’t really know. The art is fun and moves across the page … but I’m afraid the story was just too fragmented and a little too far “out there” for me to recommend. more

It’s well written and well illustrated, but Action Comics #1087 did zero for me. I’ve never been a fan of Clark as Superboy, to me it undercuts his first outing as Superman - setting this story in Metropolis undercuts that even more. The appearance of Ma & Pa Kent was also confusing … I know since Smallville they have been seen as younger … but they way they were drawn here, it looked like Ma Kent was Clarks younger sister.

I like Waid’s writing and I really wanted to like this book … but I just can’t bring myself to embrace this new Suberboy. It’s no fault of the creative team … it’s just not my bag, so I’ll rate it accordingly. more

Fantastic Four Fanfare #2 wasnot nearly as fun as the first issue, this collection of stories was still enjoyable. The weakest was the first story - Hickman’s FF run was a confusing mess and his interpretations of the characters were a little “off” to say the least. This short tale is on par … the silly “twist ending” left me cold.

The second story was sort of take it or leave it, nothing earth shattering or groundbreaking, but enjoyable none the less. The art was clean and cool, I wouldn’t mind seeing more FF one in this style.

The third entry by Mark Buckingham was probably my favorite with its classic Fantastic Four style. It was more a tale of two of Doctor Doom’s henchman trying to win the good graces of their boss. Though funny and clever it had a very 1970s FF vibe and I totally dug that. The editors note has me curious about FF #144. more

After reading Ghost Pepper issue one … I don’t think it’s for me. The art is fun & exciting and the story is hyperkinetic … but it felt disjointed. The whole food truck aspect might seem clever or “cool” to some readers - but to me it was almost an unnecessary element that only drove (pardon the pun) the plot so far. So many concepts were introduced that are all working to create a big stage - but the story seems a bit lost in the mix.

The real let down were the colors - too small of a pallet. The art is great but the coloring isn’t exciting and only serves to make the art less interesting. Ghost Pepper is 100% NOT a bad book … just not what I enjoy. more

I liked this book … for the most part. At first I couldn’t tell if this story was set in the future or modern day Marvel until the Fantastic Four showed up. Frankly I am more interested in the Silver Surfer and not the new character Kelly Koh. I don’t have an issue with her … but I would rather the Silver Surfer be the focus, as it is his name on the cover.

The art is very serviceable and Sumit Kumar really captures the Surfer and his chill cosmic vibe. The writing is solid, the dialog is tight, and the over all plot moves at a great pace. Considering the writer is Greg Pak … I wasn’t surprised with the character revealed on the last page … this did nothing to make me want to pick up the next issue. In fact there was very little in the story or ending that would motivate me to grab issue 2. I unfortunately have already purchased it so … I guess I’ll be back for the next chapter. more

While I found the writing to be well done (if not OVER written) I just didn’t feel like there was any point to the story. It’s obviously “out of continuity” and that would be fine if this was a light fun story of a lost X-Men adventure, but that’s what is going on here. Claremont is laying down the groundwork for some later Kitty Pryde turn … maybe it happened … maybe it didn’t … I just couldn’t be bothered to care. Apparently this is a reprint of a one-shot Claremont wrote in 2021 … again … nothing to really care about, unless you are an X-Completist. more

have never been a fan of Godzilla comics (at least not since the 70s Marvel run) … but I read this NEW Godzilla issue one from IDW with a very open mind … and I didn’t like it - not one bit. Godzilla appears in the first 8 pages and then the story turns to the American G-Force … a group of “heroes” with special powers on a mission to stop Godzilla. All this would be fine if the characters were interesting and not goofy weirdos. Things happen, but none of it is given enough time to be interesting, or clever, or worth my time. The writing is very sub-par for Seeley … and the art by Cizmesija is a bit messy and grossly inconsistent … however … the book really fails in the coloring department - everything is too dark and very muddled. I honestly couldn’t tell you what’s happening on the last two pages of the book and I have it sitting right next to me as I write this. I literally forced myself to finish reading it and I’m worse off for it. The thing is … with a team out to destroy Godzilla in a book called Godzilla … that’s not a recipe for success.

If you are a fan of Godzilla comics, maybe this is in your wheelhouse. Perhaps I was expecting too much from this book … I was expecting more Godzilla and less silliness. I’m out on this one. more

I sort of checked out of the current Marvel Star Wars books … they are cranking out just too much - it became a chore to keep up. Well I thought I would give this new “post-Jedi” 2025 relaunch a shot … I was so disappointed with the first issue, I dropped it, Star Wars just wasn’t for me anymore. But then … then, I spotted these 1990s Power of the Force action figure variant covers and I just couldn’t resist.

I was buying the book for the cover … however curiosity caught me and I ended up reading issue two … and it was a major improvement over issue one. First off the Phil Noto art is exceptional - really captures the characters without feeling like he is tracing film stills. The story was pretty decent in this second issue, a straight forward quest by Luke Skywalker to find some Jedi McGuffin - with a few interesting side characters. It was a nice full story, with a few random turns that rolled out of nowhere. The major drawback for me as a long time Star Wars fan is that THIS era of Star Wars cannon had already been explored to death in the original Marvel run, the Dark Horse Comics run, and countless novels. Meaning all of this feels like been-there-done-that. Especially considering that they brought back the Nagai - who were so much cooler in the 80s … but then EVERYTHING was cooler back then.

All that being said I am carefully optimistic about issue three (again I only bought it for the cover) … so we’ll see if Alex Segura can keep this up. more

Speed Racer issue one was a pleasant surprise - the Free Comic Book Day preview wasn’t my cup of tea … I’m not saying that this comic is totally in my wheelhouse - but I was impressed. The character’s weren’t too deep but in a comic like this it’s not necessary. What I liked was the pace of the book … there was a sense of speed in the art and storytelling that I really enjoyed. The sequence racing to the hospital really sucked me into the pages and I felt a sense of motion between the panels. When the book ended I was surprised it was only 26 pages … David Pepose really packed a lot of story into this book! I think I’ll be adding Speed Racer to my pull list. more

Fantastic Four Fanfare issue one was an anthology featuring three FF stories. None were earth shaking or ground breaking … but were just fun. The Mark Waid story was the standout - it was a very basic Ben and Johnny tale that depicted the characters perfectly. While the Ramon Rosanas art is great at blending classic comic style with modern technique … I couldn’t help but think how great this story would have been if illustrated by the late/great Mike Wieringo. If you haven’t read the Waid/Wieringo FF run, I highly recommend it.

Alan David wrote and drew a fun FF adventure set underground that reminded me of the Fantastic Four books from the 70s. The final story by Andrew Wheeler was the weakest but still enjoyable and depicted the Mole Man so much better than in the recent movie.

If you are a fan of the Fantastic Four - this book is for you, not sure you could pick it up with no knowledge of the FF … but it was a fun read for me, I enjoyed it more than the first issue of the latest (2025) relaunch. more

Finally read the newest in a series of Fantastic Four first issues … … it was alright. The Ramos art was fun and the story was decent enough, but not very exciting. While this wasn’t a “bad” book … it 100% failed as a first issue - the story opens already in motion … this is fine … but it ties into the previous run and a Doctor Doom event. A first issue should reset the story for new readers and this failed miserably. The better Fantastic Four book is the Thing limited-series, I would recommend THAT over this issue.

Question - how is Sue the leader of the FF and not Reed? more

I started to feel that Void Rivals was meandering and going nowhere until this issue (21). Right off the bat we are jumping into the beyond bizarre Skuxxoid story, really fleshing out this character … or rather characters. Then it’s back to the main story and in just a few pages there is a quick status change for one faction. What we really came for was the story of Darrk and Solila - their relationship is nicely reestablished before the real action starts. This series finally feels like there is a march to a final conclusion for all of this setup. With characters like Hot Rod, Springer and Skuxxoid - this series continues to be a love letter to the weird third season of the Transformers and I love it. Nostalgia aside - this is honestly a great book and worth the price of admission. more

Where issue 7 was an interlude, this issue also felt a little like a side-quest until the final few pages, when things heated up. Good character stuff with Baroness & Cover Girl - I highly recommend this issue & series.

This was an amazingly awesome stand alone story - had a Special Missions feeling to it. I would like to see more like this, interesting, fast paced, and fun (with thin ties to the larger story). Highly recommend this issue, even if you haven’t read any Energon books thus far - this is a great place to start!
Also …Night Force!!!

I might be out on Blood & Thunder - it’s all sort of random and pointless, almost as if the writer is making it up as he goes along. Also the profanity is just way over used to the point of sounding juvenile. The escaped prisoner isn’t written very interesting and the coloring makes him look very drab and boring. Since I liked issue 2 … I’ll see what issue 4 brings - but I can’t recommend issue 3. Not saying it’s “bad” just not for me. more

More so than issue one, issue two was fast paced & fun - actually liked it much better than the first. Looking forward to seeing where things are headed in issue 3. If you don’t mind profanity in your comics - this one might be worth checking out.

Finally read the first issue of Blood & Thunder - the plot was solid, the art was great … but the dialogue, it left me underwhelmed - it felt like teenagers trying to swear as much as they could while mom was out of the room. The story brings nothing too new to the table and the world building isn’t as clean as it should be, but that is forgivable because the book is singularly focused on the primary protagonist - Akeldama “Blood” Bledsoe with comic relief provided by her sentient gun … Thunder. While I didn’t “hate” the book I can’t say I recommend it - but I am going to read issue 2. more

Plot
The explosion destroyed part of the pier. Thing doesn't know where Marty Flynn is, but he manages to see his niece Sara and stops Hammerhead and Bullseye.

Ben escapes with Sara to the city and stops to rest, because this whole situation has been intense.

Kingpin is disappointed with Bullseye, and Hammerhead sends the Wrecking Crew, who also have super strength; something or someone is enhancing them. The fight between this team and Ben is exciting, with lots of blows, but Ben wins...at times, until JUGGERNAUT arrives.

The suspense continues to increase as Sara is chased by all the city's villains.

Art
It's detailed, handling shadows in a way that highlights all those facial expressions, as well as the anatomy of all the heroes. He achieves textures that give it a retro yet fresh tone.

Summary
Ben saves Sara, but behind her lies a mystery that has all the criminals in New York chasing her.
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As with the first two issues - issue three did NOT disappoint. It’s not some BIG cosmic story - it’s a straight forward street level action adventure with real heart. This is easily the best version of the Thing I have read in a while. Tony Fleecs gets right to the core of what makes Ben Grimm work (he’s doing a much better job than the film did). Justin Mason’s art evokes the classic FF stories that were fun and exciting. Marvel needs to bring back Two-In-One with these guys on it. I highly recommend The Thing! more

This issue finally feels like the story is moving forward, not just slicing and dicing robots. Lots of characters and plot pieces at play in this issue and everything seems to be moving toward a “final” confrontation in Chicago and I’m looking forward to it. Daniel Warren Johnson has proven is ability to handle a big cast of characters without taking away from what makes them special - his Optimus Prime might just be the BEST version of this character ever to appear in comic book form. more

GI Joe 9 by Joshua Williamson with art by Andrea Milana did not disappoint! This issue featured a fast paced story that was character focused and yet still tied into the bigger Energon tapestry. The page where Raptor gave his backstory normally would have me rolling my eyes - but somehow worked within pace of the story. Nice twist at the end - this is how you make comics that people keep coming back for! I have my own theory about the Baroness’s parents … I’ll keep those to myself so I don’t accidentally spoil anything. I highly recommend this book! more

G.I. Joe issue four had a good amount of action and an equal amount of story. It’s giving me 1980s Joe vibes with the Commander’s outlandish plan and Duke trying to stay one step ahead. This as a super fun issue! There is one thing - the Joes do keep losing … what’s up with that? I do hope that by issue 6 that changes and Duke and his team come out on top.

I still highly recommend this series.
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