Welcome to planet Heist! It's the cutthroat capital of the entire Nehring System, home to billions of the worst men and women in the galaxy. The Pan-Galactic government has no idea what to do with the planet, but conman Glane Breld and his band of thieves know exactly what to do with Heist-they're going to steal it. It's Ocean's Eleven in space, br...
This is more like it. The hit rate for the jokes is high and the drama involving the characters is much more grounded than the concept suggests.
The intrepid XXX-plorers are held prisoner by a Warlord on the planet Dry Reef! Can this crew of lovers-not-fighters survive the arena long enough to find their prize-a love guru whose orgasms are powerful enough to split the atom?
Fun, with magnificent art. There is a lot to unpack here, and I wasn’t quite as amused as I had hoped to be, but it is a refreshingly bizarre idea and the social commentary is spot on.
In the near future, space travel is ludicrously expensive and largely ignored. Enter Christine Ocampos, inventor of the Star Shot teleportation device. Her big idea: She'll travel to new worlds, engage-intimately-with local aliens, and film her exploits for a jaded earth populace trying to find something new on the internet. Now, Chris and her merr...
In the near future, space travel is ludicrously expensive and largely ignored. Enter Christine Ocampos, inventor of the Star Shot teleportation device. Her big idea: She'll travel to new worlds, engage-intimately-with local aliens, and film her exploits for a jaded earth populace trying to find something new on the internet. Now, Chris and her merr...
Test ends on such a sublimely bittersweet moment as we realise the full import of the title. The titular character having finally grown into their own and found their place in life is made to feel as if they were nothing more than a means to an end. Their own ravenous desires having been sated they are forced to watch how that spark has traveled and become greater than themselves.
Aleph Null came to Laurelwood looking for the future. At the center of the maze, they found themself instead. Now, to become the savior the town needs, they'll have to join forces with an impossible ally and foster something they've been trying to extinguish their whole life: their humanity.
Okay so this is just plain cool.
The second issue dials up the campy ick, the true horror, and the feels all in one unique and enjoyable package.
Irving Parker is dead and no one knows it. Turns out... the moments right before the apocalypse are completely mundane. The world breathes like it always has-self-obsessed and assured of its own continuation. When, in reality, the creature from King Lake continues to secrete brain-slugs into the sewer system of Whisper. And the vomited-up skeleton ...
Finally the book kicks up a gear, and we begin to get a lot more, pertinent action, and a few more answers.
WIDOW UNDERWATER!
When her secretive enemy gets the best of her, Natasha calls the one person who understands just how tangled a widow's web can get: Yelena Belova. But a fellow Black Widow can't save Natasha from the chains of her past...
Rated T+
Oddly, even though the book starts with an almighty fight scene, this issue feels like the calm before the storm.
The family unit has been separated, and are starting to all edge even further adrift. For all the disparate parties survival is beginning to mean very different things, and acceptance of the vagaries of this violent ravaged world could prove to be the undoing of some.
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And just as I was wondering about a seemingly abandoned plot point from an earlier issue, it comes back into focus here adding further menace to the story. more
As Paxton fights tooth-and-nail for survival on Honcho's island, Bec prepares to defend the family home from invaders. Meanwhile, Ty finds himself drawn in deeper with the Congregation. But an old menace returns, threatening to disrupt his new life.
For such a lovely looking book the horrors on display are both powerful and disturbing.
Here we see the family unit being broken up even more than before, and even after a few short issues, the very fact that this is painful speaks to the skill of the entire team in creating such an involving read.
Highly recommended.
Paxton learns the only rule of Honcho's island: Fight for him or die! After leaving home, Ty finds refuge with a group of religiously devoted survivors. This Congregation welcomes Ty with open arms, but what will be required of him to stay? Left at the family cabin, Bec finds evidence of an unwanted visitor.
This book is so lean, so mean, and so cut throat it really just reminds me of early Carpenter movies in both scope and mood. And really I can’t say fairer than that.
The way that new and different fractions and elements are introduced is beguiling, it shows such a firm grasp. I am already saddened to know that this is a five parter but recognise that part of its power is in how its d more
Warfare spreads through the mall as insidious secrets are unearthed. Below, Ronin and Andre meet a new clan-who pits them against a fabled beast in a game of life and death!
I am liking what I see but the “rules” are so vague at this point that I am unsure how much depth or purpose this book is striving fore. Still I am looking forward to finding out.
After the destruction of their yacht, Nat and her misfit fellowship are stranded on the island of Oshtia. Worse, they're obviously not alone. A mercenary by the name of Serena leads a group of modern day pirates who wish to plunder the magical paradise. As the group struggles to evade capture, they awaken ancient spirits that have laid dormant for ...
This is great stuff. It might seem like an odd comparison but this feels like how a horror version of Brubaker and Eptings Criminal might play out, and by anyone’s standards that is a serious compliment.
The human drama is what drives the action and increases the depth of the horrors on show. There are subtle almost filmic touches that infiltrate the art work that amplify the sense of more
A startling revelation leaves the nascent Blaine family unit shaken. Reese and Chase both experience ominous visions.
The outright shock of the first issue does not carry over into this issue but that is by no means a bad thing. Instead we get plenty of small creepy moments that invade the story playing with our expectations of where this tale will take us.
It feels not so much that mysteries are being uncovered but that secrets are showing themselves and dragging our protagonists into their clutches more
Secrets fester in the Blaine family-and in their home. Chase uncovers a piece of history best left hidden, while Mackenzie explores the fraught past between her uncle and Reese.
Like all good Noir the denouement is, as it should be, perfectly obvious in hindsight. There is even potential for a more hard boiled sequel. If one does appear there are one or two creative wrinkles in the art and conception that I would like to see ironed out, but for now this book still provided a satisfactory ending to a different take onan old trope.
FINAL ISSUE! Eleanor will stop at nothing to ensure her dreams endure. Ava is tired of seeing people caught in the crossfire. Daher's not going to let Ava suffer alone, and follows them into the dream world-where they discover the truth about Eleanor and her power. In their most desperate hour, a little unexpected help might save them from this nig...
There is such a wealth of imagination here and the art remains so, so pretty.
Sera travels the depths of the Underworld with no means of escape. Will the Council of Gods offer a way out or will the Royal Stars be forced to enact a dangerous plan before the stars of Draco seal their fate?
Now that I have learned to temper my expectations I am having a fun time with this book.
DOOM'S OWN DEMIURGE!
The changeling creatures known as Vridai have lodged their fey claws into one of the most powerful men on Earth - Doctor Doom! And when Wiccan falls under their spell as well, the changelings have all the ingredients for a world-ending the likes of which you've never seen.
Rated T+
How does my favourite comic just keep managing to outdo my already high expectations?
It must be sorcery! There can be no other explanation for a team being this in synch.
It’s crude, erudite, funny, philosophical, troubling, and just so magnificently bonkers. Do yourself a favour and get on board.
The crew's in deep sh*t with these new passengers, and Billy dashes off for a... galactic spa?! Meanwhile, Molly's not taking any more BS from anyone!
I enjoyed this more than some it seems.
It reminded me a lot of 2000AD Future Shocks which is never a bad thing in my books. I can even see how the story could be developed afterwards.
I enjoyed the world building too, including the dialogue. Makes me very intrigued to see what Karla Pacheco does with Spider-Woman.
THE FUTURE BELONGS TO DOOM!
Heroes may be no more, but the legacy of Earth's greatest family lives on against impossible odds. But as this new quartet of champions takes on the mantle, what does it mean to be called Fantastic Four in a future ruled by Doom?
Rated T
Hrrmh!
The second issue is certainly more linear and has a greater pace than the debut but something is still not quite clicking for me. I’m certainly not giving up on Strikeforce as it is fun and has a great premise but it just feels inconsequential.
Nothing wrong with it being just a bit of a romp per se, but we have been advised within the story by Blade, and by the mar more
THE DEVIL'S CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF SIN!
Something is very wrong with Daimon Hellstrom. And that's saying something for the son of Satan. The only one who might be able to help is Daimon's sister, Satana - but she's no angel. Demons, debauchery and decapitation abound as Asgard's X-Force takes on Las Vegas!
Rated T+
I had a lot of fun with this comic.
The characters were compelling and the shocks unexpected. It felt really well thought out with some great conflict being stored up for later issues and real sympathy elicited for the various victims and/or mediators.
Looking forward to Issue 2.
Eons ago, visitors from outer space buried an item of unimaginable power in the primordial swamps that would one day become King Lake-a quaint little basin on the edge of Whisper, USA. Millions of years later, a comet's radioactive waves awaken the monster slumbering beneath the lake. As the beast feeds on America's sweet, delicious youth, brain-sl...
Eons ago, visitors from outer space buried an item of unimaginable power in the primordial swamps that would one day become King Lake-a quaint little basin on the edge of Whisper, USA. Millions of years later, a comet's radioactive waves awaken the monster slumbering beneath the lake. As the beast feeds on America's sweet, delicious youth, brain-sl...
The final issue...
As the series comes to a close we get a battle between the two gods which leaves a lot of collateral damage and ends decisively.
The themes of faith or lack of are explored more fully in this issue which makes sense as the stakes are so high.
I still find myself enjoying the moments rather than the complete production but will miss its unique p more
After millenniums, The Morrigan and Brigid are face-to-face once again. Zealots on both sides make witness as the Gods wage their final battle. The Morrigan's existence is on the line. As the fight intensifies, Winona and Raul must help the last of the Witches of Fey escape from Brigid's cleansing fire, or be burned out of existence along with thei...
Between the first issue and this there has barely been any plot movement at all.
The art is great, the action this time around being far more readable.
But the story is leaving me pretty cold so far.
SOLDIERS. ASSASSINS. LOVERS. THE WIDOW AND THE WINTER REUNITE!
Natasha Romanoff and Bucky Barnes have a history as long as war, companions since the Widow's earliest days in the Red Room when both were trapped in service to the wrong side. It's one of the greatest - and most tragic - love stories of the Marvel Universe. Now the world will try t...
Oh dear,
The art is great this issue and the first half of the comic is the prettiest public awareness information pamphlet I have ever seen. Shame we have seen it in every single film or tv show about having a new baby, and an even bigger shame that it is portrayed as a revelation here.
The second half involves Jess going out and trusting Porcupine with her baby. Wait what more
JESSICA DREW'S BABY IS HERE!
• Now that's she's back on Earth, Jess learns that she's still got a lot of work to do when it comes to being a full-time super hero AND a full-time mom!
• Get your first real glimpse at Jess' new life and all the people in it right here!
• THE NEXT CHAPTER OF ...
OMG just when things cannot look bleaker for our titular heroine...
She bumps into the exact character she needs to help her solve everything. This time a Skrull kid, but phew, would you believe he is a friendly one who knows all about her, and her ass. Well thank goodness for that it’s not like anyone wants to forget that furore is it. And hey every ten year old in my neighbourhood t more
Trapped in an alien hospital with a bunch of pregnant extraterrestrials, Jess has no choice but to stick it to the Skrulls.
Rated T
The colouring is lovely.
Some of the art is too.
There is no real plot or tension though. Jessica has to swim through some pretty pictures to get some intel. Pregnant ladies can swim. Go pregnant ladies or something.
Sigh!
• SPIDER-WOMAN STUCK!
• Jessica Drew is no stranger to unusual circumstances, but getting held captive by Skrulls in an alien hospital in the center of a black hole with a bunch of extraterrestrial moms-to-be might take the cake!
Rated T+
OMG Jessica confronts her worst enemies in her least capable state!
Oh meh! What could have been I guess. Having set up such a powerful dilemma the script runs as far and fast in the opposite direction as possible. Giving us instead quirky old fashioned phones, and comedy villains, and brightly coloured guilt from Captain Marvel.
By now this comic is so formulaic, fake plo more
• TRAPPED in an alien hospital with a bunch of other moms-to-be, Jessica Drew has suddenly found herself in over her head!
• It's anything but business as usual as Jess realizes she's the only person who can save the day - but only if she can keep herself and her baby safe in the process!
Rated T+
Oh no!
If this book was about say HellCat then I think I could handle it. In fact now I think about it the way Hopeless writes Jess would be perfect for Patsy. The barely controlled temper, the gung-ho attitude, and the inability to plan her next move would really, really suit that character and poor Jess would be free for something more deserving of her unique skills. Particularly as more
Jessica Drew is a private investigator, a super hero and... a mom to be? Since we last saw her, Spider-Woman's got a whole NEW responsibility -- she's super heroing for two now, after all! Ben Urich and Porcupine are still along for the adventure, too, and aren't making Jess' life any easier - half the time they won't even let her leave the car! Ho...
Fine. If the cliff hanger from last week came out of nowhere then Jess’s escape is even less earned. Basically, she does some basic parkour, makes a cheap joke about her tragic past, and then runs into a load of hulked out cows.
I think the writer even knows this is painful stuff as he has Jess toss off a quick gag to acknowledge it. So that makes it ok then.
So now we le more
THE LAST DAYS OF SPIDER-WOMAN
• Spider-Woman's roadtrip across the country continues, as she pays a visit to THE ALAMO!
• Not even Spider-Woman and her RAGTAG CREW OF BEN URICH AND THE PORCUPINE are safe from SECRET WARS, though.
Rated T+
I really had hoped that after the previous issues that the Porcupine and the entire tawdry storyline involving him had been left behind.
And it makes no sense that, Jess and Ben, knowing that he has previously deserted his wife would agree to drag him along with them. But that is this book all over. Instead we get a “wacky” montage showing just what “fun” it is to bring the ann more
• Jessica Drew might have solved the first mystery Ben Urich threw her way, but he's got one or two more cases up his sleeve from other cities in the U.S. of A!
• It's a road trip with Spider-Woman, Ben Urich and the Porcupine!
• Destination: JUSTICE.
Rated T+