Really enjoying the ambivalent line Orlando & Chang tread here between "Wanda is a confident sorceress at the apex of her power doing what's necessary even when the powers that be disapprove" and "Wanda is a loose cannon swollen with hubris and failing to understand that the guardrails she's leaping over serve a purpose". I'd drifted away from Orlando's Scarlet Witch for a bit, but this solidly has my attention once again more

What a way to end Kelly's first year on ASM. Writing for both JJJ and Norman was stellar and I liked all the developments here. Especially the final pages, I did not expect this direction. JRJR's art also worked really well, even if slower paced issues are not his strength as much as more action-focused are.

One could think why I praise this comic, while also dissing USM so often. Even if the problems are the same: "no focus on Peter, no development on his side and overall plot moves slowly".

Difference is: we see Peter again in the next issue and have seen his growth. There are also isn't a month long timeskip to the next issue, where everything this issue focuses on is ignored. And the two major character in this book talk about themselves and how Peter (you know, the guy who *SHOULD* be the main focus of a Spider-Man book) has affected them and how they have treated him.

Amazing stuff. Keep cooking Kelly. more

Hilarious and big-hearted, just like a Spider-Man story should be. In my dream world, Rainbow Rowell writes a more intimate, small-scale secondary Spider-Man series that's reliably superior to the main one

Everything Rainbow Rowell touches turns to gold.

I loved this issue. So so much. What a blast. Thank you Joe and Pepe. I needed this.

And also, if you had told me one year ago that I would sing praises of ASM while being disappointed by USM issue after issue, I would've asked what you are smoking and if I could have some.

I wasn't sure if I was going to pick this one up since Imperial was a big disappointment for me and I've found MacKay counfoundingly unreliable — sometimes one of the best writers working today, sometimes underpowered and forgettable.

But with this I think I've finally got him figured out: what MacKay is best at is writing weird little C-listers that nobody much cares about. Give him X-Men and this tendency stumbles into fanservice targeted at the specific interests of just one fan with the major characters nothing but pale imitations of other writers, but let him just tell a story about an underappreciated character and he can work magic.

The first issue of Nova has me optimistic that this is going to be more Moon Knight than Avengers. Mackay's script speedruns through the setup of a strong central concept without feeling rushed and then jumps deftly into the actual plot, the sci-fi equivalent of a noir detective story where the space gumshoe reluctantly agrees to solve a mystery for the worst people in town. And Alvaro Lopez's art is gorgeous, evoking the clean elegance of Javier Rodriguez (if not Rodriguez's extraordinary creative ambition).

A strong start for a book I almost passed over! I'm properly excited to see where this one goes more

After seven issues that never quite rose above the level of "fine", at long last we get an issue firing on all cylinders, right from that slap-in-the-face first panel. Even Lindsay, whose art hasn't quite been up to the high standards set by the other Absolute titles, finds things to sink his teeth into here

So so wholesome and fun. What makes holidays worth it is the company we choose to surround ourselves with.

Strongest issue so far. Mixing and melding old and new history while creating something new wholesome and beautiful.

this is what a "filler" or slice of life issue should be like. It should still be written well and made me care about the characters. This is my definitive supergirl series

Never have I rooted for the villains, but Greg Rucka's expert writing makes me want to root for the villains to rob the Justice League

Please Marvel, let this be longer!

The conclusion feels emotional if not ever so slightly rushed, but still hits all the right beats and leaves a tiny bit open-ended for when Rainbow Rowell (hopefully) writes her next Runaways series. These characters deserve at least one more series.

I almost didn't read this one because I had shrugged off Ahmed's Wolverine after just one issue, but this was unexpectedly charming! I don't know the history here since I haven't read the main series, but I found it quite new reader friendly — it never felt like I needed to know who Leonard is beyond "He's a monster who Wolverine saved". IDK if the actual plot is particularly interesting, but Leonard being earnest and wholesome like Superman while trying his best to fill the void left by the subverted Wolverine hooked me. We'll see if that's enough to carry me through three issues, but I'll at least be back for #2 more

Ooh that was a pleasant surprise! I definitely don't think there's 18 comics' worth of things to say about the latest low-energy rehash of Age of Apocalypse, but Kelly & Walker make a solid case for the question of "what's Spider-Man doing in the middle of this?" as being one worth exploring. And I'm surprisingly into a Cecilia Reyes/Peter Parker romance, considering that it's one I'd never in a million years considered. I love Kev Walker's art, but I can't help but wonder if something a bit more shadowy and atmospheric would better suit the postapocalyptic horror tone that Kelly is reaching for. But the shocking cliffhanger easily solidifies this comic's place in the list of AoR comics I'm going to pick up a second issue of. more

Plot
Alice visits the Fantastic Four's farm and is introduced to a new pet, a dog named "Jellybean." However, Alice doesn't perceive it as a dog, but rather as some kind of slimy creature with tentacles. No one believes her when she says it's weird.

Alice is working on her artwork and can't get the idea out of her head, aside from the unpleasant sensation, so she visits Reed and asks him a hypothetical question: what would happen if she perceived something very different from everyone else's? Reed describes the psychological phenomenon called pareidolia, in which the brain interprets patterns or faces in ambiguous or random stimuli. However, since Alice can't see, this effect doesn't work for her. This creature controls pareidolia and makes everyone see something harmless that is actually a threat.

At night, Alice is trapped by "Jellybean." Reed becomes obsessed with what Alicia tells him and creates a team that eliminates a kind of pareidolia force field. Everyone reacts, and Ben discovers that Alicia is completely enveloped by this slimy, purple, tentacled being that isn't a dog.

The Fantastic Four discover that these beings have been in our world for months and have deceived millions of people. Reed expands the effect of his device, and these beings decide to retreat; their strategy of global control is discovered.

This issue has all the elements of a magnificent Fantastic Four comic: science fiction, suspense, horror, and teamwork.

Art
Humberto Ramos shows off his artistic skills; with his characteristic touch, he elevates the action sequences and manages to recreate each completely different era. The color palette is brilliant and highlights all of Ramos' wonderful strokes.

Summary
Alicia helps the Fantastic Four stop a global threat under the guise of tenderness.
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The list of my favorite things about Ryan North's FF is long, but how well he writes Alicia is certainly in the top 5. Ever since the 60's she's been one of the best characters in this series, but North really delves into her potential as a Lois Lane-style ordinary person who is clever and insightful enough to not be out of place in a room full of superheroes

Also, I know Ramos's art isn't to everyone's taste, but I adore that cover more

I was skeptical when I read the solicits for this series about how they would get Laura to a place where she'd be not only on Revelation's side in this event but also taking the mantle of Sabretooth. I really liked Schultz's Laura series up to this point, though, and gave her the benefit of the doubt that there was going to be some continuity in characterization.
My skepticism was answered, as I think Schultz efficiently accounted for what seems to have been a complex and difficult journey on Laura's part.

It may be the case that some readers will not like Schultz's ideas about what happened to Laura in the "X" years separating Age of Revelation and the status quo/main continuity stories, but I don't think it's valid to say that Laura is "out of character" or that Schultz didn't explain the intervening years well enough (and I expect more explanation will be on its way in the next issues). I'm looking forward to seeing how Laura navigates between her feelings of duty to mutants as a whole and her more intimate connections to her wolverine family. more

I'm always charmed enough by the earnestness of Hickman's attempts at comedy that I almost want to forgive the fact that he's dreadful at it

This is just really good stuff. Sure, the overall pacing of the plot could be quicker, but I am liking everything this book has to offer. Especially the art, it is astonishing.

But the writing here is also really good. Keep on Kelly, you have not let me down yet.

Holy cow. I freaking LOVED this issue.

Im a big fan of no kill rules in my superheroes. I think its a strong moral framework that separates them from other vigilantes.

And despite the fact my favorite superhero Rocket is in this issue, and acts as an OPPONENT to that stance, this issue does a fantastic job of displaying why its such a strong stance to have. And Kelly, through Peter, words a fantastic argument for not killing.

But even aside from that, Peter taking down Black Dwarf? When's the last time we've even seen the Cull Obsidian in a book? It was a very cool fight. Pepe Larraz is in his bag as usual. May he draw spidey for many issues to come.

This issue had everything I want. This might be my favorite Spidey issue in YEARS. Peter was so good here. This felt like an 80s space farer tale, a ton of fun, but with a beating(or as Rocket says, bleeding) heart. more