Comic Book Review Scale (0-10)

0 -1 Story must keep me engaged:
Going into it i didn't think i would enjoy or even finish it but it kept me engaged from start to finish

1-2 Must be able to Understand the Story:
At first, I didn't understand what was going on but slowly as the story progressed i think i understand it better and enjoy the story

2-3 Visuals/Art work must make sense and be consistent:
visuals make sense but at times was not consistent when killmonger fought the first guy in his apartment
he slammed the window on his head and exploded his head but next panel you see his head hanging out the window

3-4 Visuals/Art work must be able to tell the story:
Artwork works well with the story but artwork alone won't tell you the story

4-5 Visuals/Art work must be pleasing:
visuals are pleasing

5-6 Cover Art work:
The cover is cool but i think it could of looked more aggressive since this guy is a total badass

6-7 Keep the reader wanting more:
i picked up the second issue and its way better than the first the ending last page didn't really do anything for me and wasn't action pack or climactic at all.

7-8 Catches me off guard (story/art):
a few times i was caught off guard like when they took him right to kingpin or when they stopped him from killing that drug/human trafficer

8-9 Makes me want to talk about it ( to people outside the comic community):
i wouldnt talk about it with anyone first issue was eh i dont think i would even get into a conversation about it at my lcs

9-10 Re-readability:
wouldn't reread more

Very heavy-handed. Could use a sense of humor somewhere.

Okay, Mr. Hill, you have my attention. 

I rarely read Marvel anymore. Too many events, too much hype, too many relaunches, too many cash grabs. Killmonger #1 is easily the best Marvel comic I've read in years. It capitalizes on the strength of the Black Panther film yet feels right at home in the 616 Universe. 

The writing is very strong and grounded. Even as the fantastical happens around him Erik feels real maybe extreme but he feels like a real person with nothing to lose. Brian Hill has a firm grasp on this character's voice and I'm excited to see more. This will be the first Marvel series I add to my pull list since Secret Empire and I'm genuinely excited at the prospect.

The art for the series is dark, gritty and violent. It perfectly meshes with the story being told and the stakes for failure. The action is quick and brutal with the blows being hard-hitting and bloody. One particular sequence made me wince while reading. 

It will be interesting to see how this story develops since it apparently takes us so far into the characters past. The comic opens with Killmongers defeat of T'Challa and the reclamation of his birthright. I'm curious to see if we'll see much beyond that moment or if this series will just fill in the gaps up to that point. In any case, I'm totally onboard. The character has been criminally underrated in the past and it is nice to finally see him get the attention he deserves. 

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Everyone has seen or is familiar with the movie Black Panther and the villain of the story, Killmonger. However, what we don't know, is how Erik ( J'Nadaka ), became the assassin that he is. Bryan Hill does a great job making Erik seem real, modern, and understandable to the causes he is after. Bryan shows the reader how Erik went from a young scared boy to a "bloodthirsty revolutionary ".
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The pencil by Juan Ferreyra is deep, dark, and does a great job drawing the line between flashbacks and recent events. The details on each panel are enjoyable and easy to read when jumping from panel to panel.

Overall, this is a great pick up for Black Panther fans or to anyone who enjoys good writing and art. more

Emperor N'Jadaka takes the stage for a villain spotlight issue that faithfully serves the twin masters of world-building and plot development. The issue also paints an elegant portrait (in words and gorgeous guest art) of N'Jadaka and Bast. It's a decisive, revelatory break from this title's status quo and an absolute blast to read.

OML goes on a pre-death quest to ensure the 616 never turns into the Wasteland. He ends up kick-starting the very villainous scheme he's trying to stop; I love the dramatic irony of that. Sharp detective-type dialogue and some clean, stylized art made this a thoroughly enjoyable read for me, particularly after the irony became clear.

Daredevil experiences a giant, all-points win, but the final act (unmasking the Vigil) forces him to realize he's been in a coma dream since #609. And so he dies - for about a half a second. The victory lap and the credo at the end come close to excusing this arc's extremely indulgent plot. This is definitely good. It's even fairly satisfying. But it could have, should have been great, and it isn't quite that. more

Ironheart gets an old- and new-reader friendly intro as she foils a terrorist plot by Clash, makes a much-needed friend, and picks up stirrings of the 10 Rings organization. The storytelling has its glitches. The overall plot and characterization look stellar, though. The fact that they're clear despite a little nuts-and-bolts clumsiness confirms that the problems really are minor. It's all ennobled by some very strong artwork that does plenty to enhance the flow of the story. more

Wade re-enters Wakanda for the contractually-obligated misunderstanding brawl before he and T'Challa can team up. The script strikes an excellent balance between Deadpool's absurdity and the Panther's pomposity; the combination works where neither could stand on its own. The art is still sketchy, but it's also still packed with vibrant details that disprove any assertion that it lacks effort.

Spider-Gwen gets to know the local Spider-history (tragic) and makes an uneasy alliance with AU Peter Parker (actually a bit of a jerk). This is a quiet interlude devoted to world and character building, and I enjoy the deft skill with which this is handled. While Gwen pays more than passing service to her urgent desire to rejoin the Big Dumb Event™ now in progress, her creators are laying groundwork for longer stories. more

The Mole Man provides a little monster-based antagonism to draw Rachna Koul back into the orbit of the reunited FF. A focus on Johnny Storm works nicely with the end of her story, building parallel themes about how far is too far to go to protect your loved ones. It's got excellent plot and theme work. This ends good, but it could/should have been great.

At least this comic proves (by negative counter-example, unfortunately) that it's harder than it looks to make Gabby endearing the way Tom Taylor and Mariko Tamaki do.

Crusher Creel wanders into the clutches of Shadow Base and thence into combat with the Hulk. The fight's memorable enough - and not finished by a long shot - but the lead-up using a divided narrative to follow Devil Hulk and Creel simultaneously is even more memorable. It's an impressive piece of structure, yet the creators do not hesitate to break its rules when the story demands it. Creel's POV gets beautiful guest art, and on the Hulk side, we get outstanding Devil Hulk narration. Add in some more ominous portents regarding the overall shape of Hulk's antagonists and you have an issue that slides smoothly into this title's usual ratings parking spot, right next door to perfect. more

T'Challa turns his back on Wakanda and becomes the stunt-rider Johnny Blaze. But his father's assassination drags him back for vengeance and a Faustian pact with Zarathos. While I'd admit the writing and art aren't flawless, they have incredible ambition and unique style in their favor. The result is a story that's bold, memorable and appealing even with some storytelling faults.

The sometimes-stilted formality of the dialogue is intentional. But it's calling back waaay further than Ta-Nehisi Coates. It goes back to the mid-70s, when Don McGregor was bringing his intricate plotting, in-depth characterization, and questionable vocabulary to two epic stories: "Panther's Rage" in Jungle Action and Killraven in Amazing Adventures. Using the Warp World premise to combine characters from both McGregor sagas is brilliant. more

A disgruntled elf crashes Santa's sleigh on Yancy Street, and it's up to Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur to save Christmas. It's a fine plot with its heart firmly in the right place, and Gustavo Duarte supplies some outstanding cartoony illustrations. This would be a superb choice for repeated Christmastime reading with young Marvel fans.

Cloak & Dagger settle into a perfectly fine non-romantic relationship that suits them great - except for all the ways it doesn't. With Mr. Negative taking a particular interest in driving wedges, it seems likely that their relationship is headed into the wringer. This initial glimpse is a bit surface-oriented, but the broad scope - vividly painting the heroes and love interests AND the antagonist - keeps it from feeling shallow. Solid, smooth art effortlessly supports the fast-paced plot. more

Rogue and Xandra stop the fight with a risky ruse - not only does Remy suffer through a fatality fakeout, but Rogue's powers get messed up. I appreciate that while these two adverse outcomes aren't (and shouldn't be) precisely balanced, Remy's heartbreak is given plenty of respect. An emotionally powerful script brings this arc in for a very satisfying conclusion.

The character work is remarkable in its merciless insight into Stephen's flaws.

Continuing straight from the last scene of Venom #8, a Knull-worshipping cult leader delivers a ground-up portrait of Kletus Casady and Carnage. Then there's a resurrection and a fresh infusion of purpose, and Carnage is ready to dive into grisly new adventures. I can see, even with my minimal Carnage scholarship, that there are some tricksy continuity issues here. I think it works danged well as a self-contained soft reboot, though. more