Peter David is one of my favorite authors and there wasn't a shadow of a doubt that this book would end up to be one of my favorites. PAD pulls it off brilliantly: focusing the entire issue from Gambit's point of view, he brings the fan-favorite cajun to the limelight again with a team that's inevitably heading for some family drama, as we have the half-brother-sister relationship of Polaris and Quicksilver. We catch a bit of that soap opera with David's usual dash of humor. David also manages to give the CEO and president of SERVAL the exact amount of mystery required at the moment, making us wonder what he might have up his sleeve. Gambit's monologue makes the reading certainly enjoyable. By meshing corporate world to that of the mutants this time (whereas in the previous series it was detective agency + mutant world), David is taking us out on another enjoyable ride. When I looked at the preview of this issue, I was lukewarm about the art. But my opinion soon changed when I turned over the pages. Carmine di Giandomenico handles the art duty all by himself, without the help of an additional inker. He captures the body movements and facial expressions magnificently (though in page 4 panel 2, Wolverine looks like doing a catwalk, but that's just a detail) and his panoramic views are quite impressive, perspective wise and detail wise. Awesome sauce!

What's making me downright sad at the beginning of this new year is that one of my favorite series by the great Peter David is coming to an end. ALL NEW X-FACTOR has been hilarious, even more so than Superior Foes of Spider-Man or Deadpool, so obviously it will be missed. Issue number 17 picks up from the recently inverted Longshot and Sunfire claiming the president's football that can set off nuclear weapons. Longshot was a member of this team under Madrox's leadership and fans of the previous series were certainly in raptures to see him making an appearance in the last issue. They will be glad to know that he gets a lot of panel time in this action-packed number. David continues with Gambit's narration, cleverly assimilating his, Polaris' and Sunfire's time together as Apocalypse's horsemen. This is what I like about this book; while new readers are certainly going to enjoy this series, longtime Marvel fans are always going to find something to identify their characters with. Colorist Lee Loughridge nails it with his usual palette of minimal hues and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico depicts the story from fantastic angles. He also gives Longshot this Adonis look with an amazing set of garbs that makes the hero cut a dash while he indulges in cutting a few soldiers (ouch!), with his knives. Being an AXIS tie-in takes a toll in the end however and I'm more than just excited to find out about this team's future in the next three issues.

Apart from the delays between each issue, there is nothing wanting in this series. As the penultimate issue of the second arc comes to a close, we are left in a cliffhanger that will definitely bring the readers to their knees, begging for more. No, honestly. I've been a big fan of this series, especially because it's one of those that's entirely unique in the stands at the moment. Nick Spencer's story of a rehabilitated mass murderer offering his services to the police is certainly gripping. The story starts in the same manner as all the other issues in the second arc: few pages about an incident that occurred twelve years ago. Then we are brought to the present where Fillmore and Ramira charge to apprehend the villain behind the recent mayhem. And from what we have witnessed in the last issue, how is Matt Severin - The First - going to recover from what he has undergone? And from what he has just committed? Spencer's unparalleled work matches brilliantly with Ryan Browne's art. It's not too late to get into this series, the first volume has been out for quite some time now and you can still get all the issues of this thrilling second arc. Definitely a title that deserves its place in your pull list.

Another solid and violent issue from a series that has been picked up to be a TV show. The second chapter of the third story arc focuses on the insane Laura Kelley, depicting her past and how she came to be what she is today. Through this mad bible-thumping character, the writers demonstrate how religion blinds some people to commit immoral, sinful acts. Meanwhile, Amelia takes Eva to visit her mother and a decision is made regarding the precious baby. The switch between past and present reads just fine and the last page is quite a heart-rendering one. Juan Jose Ryp handles the visuals skillfully as usual. The two panels that cover the entire page 18 are brilliant as is the gutter that separates them. Ryp doesn't forget the details, such as the flies roaming around or sitting on the characters in the abattoir. By creating different plot lines, the third arc is building up quite nicely. I'm just hoping to see more of the sisterhood that was introduced at the end of issue 11. Here's hoping that they will show up in a month.

It's the second chapter of the current story arc DIE FOR ME. After the beginning of the carnage in last issue, this episode is consecrated to two major characters, Willie and Shabnam. Shabnam, the rotund kid who seemed pretty innocent when first introduced has certainly proved to be a devil incarnate throughout the last few issues, and he still holds all the aces, as he confirms his control over others by breaking Kendal, bringing him to heel and forcing his hand to do something unthinkable. Comparisons are drawn between Piggy and Shabnam, which comes as no surprise as Rick Remender has never hidden to us his liking of THE LORD OF THE FLIES. We get to know more about the truth behind Willie's first slaying, as he tells Saya what really occurred while hiding in the library from his own gang, ready to spill blood under Shabnam's leadership. Wes Craig draws some magnificent poses of Saya, fit enough for her to be addressed as the Goddess of war or .... Punisher? No, I'm kidding, but check out her t-shirt and you'll know what I'm talking about. At the end of the book, the author tells us how the villains are going to take control in the coming issues, and boy, we got that already.

Deadpool has seemingly recuperated from the trauma he had to face in 'The good, the bad and the ugly' and the new story arc 'Deadpool vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.' kicks off in this issue. Preston's secretary Adsit steps in to find a body for his former boss and makes a surprising discovery. Deadpool has a price on his head and goes head-to-head with Crossbones. Posehn and Duggan come up with the usual dose of humour; like the part where Adsit goes through a lingerie shop to access a SHIELD laboratory or where Deadpool shoots himself in the head because the movie was so boring. The jokes don't feel forced at all and blend nicely with the main story. Even though Koblish is credited on the cover, it's actually Mike Hawthorne who's covering the art duties. His art is clean, efficient and gets the job done nicely. The splash page at the end reveals that Deadpool has an ally and I really liked the way he is introduced in this series. And let's not forget about the gorgeous cover provided by Mark Brooks! All in all, Deadpool is a great comic book full of fun and if you want that kind of pleasure, you should definitely give this book a shot.

If the cover is any indication, the star of this issue is Ed. While he has always taken a back seat in this humorous series, Allison puts him in the driver’s position ; Ed steals the whole show. This innocent character who has a crush on Esther, finally has a romantic encounter, with disastrous results. Max Sarin’s art is witty ; the facial expressions and the gestures are sure to bring a grin on your face. While this issue is hilarious like the rest, it subtly shows the difficulty that ensues at times when the press reveals the corrupted side of individuals in powerful positions. And as the last page suggests, some change is bound to come.

Hilarious!

Sometimes it does you a lot of good to take a break from the occasional superhero/horror/fantasy genres and just get down to earth with a comic book about real life. KINSKI does that and so much more. Gabriel Hardman's much acclaimed six-issue webcomic finally comes out in print and it definitely doesn't disappoint. From the beautiful puppy eyes of Kinski on the cover to the inside pages featuring the beautiful art, everything is right on the mark. This wonderful black and white graphic novel tells the story of Joe the salesman and Kinski the lost dog. Joe is torn between whether he should keep the dog or give him away and when he finally decides what to do, fate plays the upper hand. Don't be surprised if you accidentally try to wipe your cheeks with your sleeve at the end of the book. Take my advice : do yourself a favor and get a copy.

Sometimes I wonder if we’re not too far from Greg Rucka and Michael Lark’s apocalyptic future : money and power concentrated among few powerful wealthy families who have little consideration for their subordinates. Sounds a little familiar already? You’ve just proved my point then. The story picks up where Forever has returned from death with the sole aim of freeing the skies from Hock’s control. There are some intense fight scenes taking place, to give you a number : almost 12 pages. What I find absolutely remarkable is the use of speech in the panels. The creators give us an idea of Forever’s agility and speed in just one page : whereas a person doesn’t even have time to finish 5 words, Forever has already executed her job with brio. The speeches are also torn apart in the war zone as we switch from panel to panel, trying to give us a realistic portrayal of the action. On the other side, love her or hate her, Johanna seems right where she belongs as she takes up a significant position. This character seems to be becoming more and more intriguing. And the last page! Man! If it doesn’t make your jaw drop, it’ll at least knock your socks off. Yes, it’s that surprising.

'Manifest Destiny' takes a different perspective on Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark's expedition to explore the exotic life in the United States: they are actually in search for monsters! This different take, narrated by author Chris Dingess, is majestically rendered life by the art team of Matthew Roberts and Owen Gieni. Dingess clearly establishes the mind-set in 1804; what would be considered as cruel in modern society is presented in a normal fashion in pages 2 and 3. The scribe then quickly shifts to a dash of humor in the next two pages and this balance works out wonderfully. Dingess's focus on a troublemaker is also nicely handled, who plays a major part throughout the entire issue, shedding light on the gravity of this expedition. The art by Matthew Roberts is detailed and tidy, all the facial expressions, the gazes, are drawn beautifully. There are five splash pages throughout this premier issue and each one is utilized to make most of the situations. The colors by Gieni are absolutely fantastic : the use of red and white while depicting the private lives of soldiers and convicts is brilliant. With its third printing on the way, there is no doubt that MANIFEST DESTINY is a huge hit. As it should be.

This comic is probably the only one of its kind out there right now.

Ms. Marvel has recently topped Comic Book Resources top 100 comics of 2014 list. Surprised? If you've read this series from issue number 1 then I'm guessing not. The creative team on this series delivers yet another hilarious issue. A gravely injured Kamala is teleported to New Attilan where she is attended by the physician Vinatos. There, she finally learns about her origins from Medusa, queen of the inhumans. The recent addition of Lockjaw to Kamala's cast is just perfect; Adrian Alphona draws him in such an adorable fashion that makes you want to have one. Another attribute of Alphona's art: unlike most comic books, the characters here are not at all drop-dead gorgeous, which makes it easier to identify them with regular people. Ms. Marvel continues to be an excellent read, all the more reason to have it on top of your pull list.

It's the end of the Marvel universe as we know it, so why should Kamala's whole world not come crushing down? The arc 'Last Days of Ms Marvel' commences depicting Kamala having a hot dog with a stranger, a scene which actually imitates the story of someone trying to wash down his/her sorrows at a bar. She soon learns about the end of the world and rushes frantically to save her family, only stopping by at Bruno's shop to tell him and the others to organize a shelter for troubled city folks. Ever since G. Willow Wilson penned the first issue of Ms Marvel, the whole series has been nothing short of amazing, and Adrian Alphona's art is definitely nothing to sneeze at. His art is simply astounding; whether it's the funny expressions he puts on the characters or the wonderful details that make us laugh (watch out for the bald vampire running in panic with the rest of the crowd on page 4, panel 4!). And I can't emphasize enough the last splash page where a very important character in Kamala's life shows up. It's bound to make your jaws wide open in surprise!

Kamala has been unjustly portrayed as the poster child of a nefarious real estate company and our young Ms. Marvel is not happy about that. And her troubles do not end there, she doesn’t know where she stands with Bruno anymore. G. Willow Wilson’s excellent script wins our hearts again. She brings yet another new character in the series, and while doing, attempts to shatter our prejudices about such people. And it’s quite nicely handled. I thought I would miss Adrian Alphona’s adorable art (I did an AAAA there!) but Takeshi Miyazawa is doing such an excellent job, it’s hard not to be satisfied. The facial expressions don’t wander far away from that of the previous series, which is a relief because it was that humour that brought such a breath of fresh air during that time. Case in point : you just can’t but fall in love with Bruno’s hamster! There’s another aspect of Miyazawa’s art, it can get serious when it’s required. Ms. Marvel is an Avenger now, she’s in the big league, so does that mean she will also be getting a big league villain? The last two pages are sure to make your blood run cold.

An episode full of revelations: not only do we find out who actually orchestrated all the murders (yes, I'm talking about the real Devil Killer) but we also witness the demise of a character who had been a driving force of this series. Throughout the last few issues, Joshua Williamson has built the character of Warren (Nailbiter) in such a way that we have almost forgotten that he's a serial killer. We discover a certain trait that render the character more appealing to our eyes. Alice wakes up from her coma and comes to know the hard truth about her real parents. Mike Henderson's art is excellent as usual, though a couple of panels during the fight with the Devil Killer appeared off key. The ending was a real shocker and I still have a hard time believing it really happened, given the mental condition of the character. All in all, the creative team nailed this issue.

Terry Moore's self published RACHEL RISING is one of the best horror comics at the shelves at the moment. The story starts off with James finding it difficult to adjust in Jet's body while Dr. Siemens tries his best to keep Rachel's aunt Johnny alive. The opening page focuses on James's curious discovery of electric lights and modern day toilet. A great tragedy has hit hard certain characters in the last few issues but as usual, humor is present and this sequence between Rachel and Jet (or should I say 'James' ?) provides the comic relief for this installment. James helps Bryn to straighten out her past and what she discovers isn't pretty. Moore does an excellent job in this issue in storytelling, both story and art wise. The black and white art gives this series the depth it needs and the silent panels do an excellent job in portraying the situations and the feelings of the characters. There are supposedly talks about this series being adapted on the small screen, so start reading this series and find out what's it all about :)

If you're looking for a comic book that displays amazing fight sequences, the fourth issue of Rat Queens is the one for you. The story takes off from Betty's confrontation with the person who has put a price on the Rat Queens's head and then quickly shifts to an attack by an army of trolls lead by the dead troll's girlfriend. As usual, humor is omnipresent in this installment, even at the end, during the introduction of new characters. Roc Upchurch shines in his drawings, the physical movements and gestures are spot on. There's no exaggeration in his action sequences, every motion is beautifully detailed. The trajectory of the stone about to hit the town is presented on page 6 in three panels as to show the momentum it gains before hitting Palisade.

Tim Seeley's REVIVAL is a treat; reading each issue gives you the sensation of watching a TV series. Comparisons with TWIN PEAKS have already been mentioned in previous critiques and in no way does it diminish the quality of storytelling by Seeeley and Norton. Even with so many characters in play, it never feels like anyone is being left out. The spotlight is on Jordan this time (even though other characters continue their development) - the little girl who started it all by being the first reviver to appear on TV which eventually created the nationwide commotion. Jordan's mind is in turmoil as she, like a lot others, is struggling to adjust to her second coming. Blaine's humane side is shown and through this, the author reveals how certain characters are not necessarily entirely evil.

Things escalated quickly in the last issue of REVIVAL with tragic consequences for many of the series' main characters and this month, things aren't slowing down. The town of Wausau, Wisconsin is recovering from the bomb detonation triggered by Mrs Dillisch, the mayor's wife and while the mastermind behind this heinous crime has seen justice served, new roots of evil are propagating. Cold blooded murderer Blaine Abel has a fan club and these witless rednecks are dubbed as HUNTERS OF THE BEAST. General Louise Cale arranges a meeting to gear up the manhunt of Abel and her introduction is finely epitomized in the almost splash page that is dedicated to her. The bombing has generated attention from the already news-hungry media and the first two pages present a plethora of different panels representing the current fiasco. Despite being a big fan of Mike Norton, I couldn't be happier to have Emilio Laiso filling in the art duties. His page layouts manifest sheer brilliance and the end result is a perfectly executed comic book. Sorrow, pain, gravity, confidence, hatred - all these emotions are justly reflected through his mastery of pencils and inks. Another feather in the cap for Tim Seeley and company.

What I really love about this issue is how Dan Slott is putting up a multitude of characters into use and successfully pulling out an awesome story. Superior Spider-Man 20 is 'amazing' (hope you got the pun) as it brings into action another super villain, glimpses at Mary Jane's decision to move on, confronts Spider-Man with the antiheroine Black Cat, goes ahead with officer Carlie's plan and faces Otto with a dilemma that he didn't see coming. All these plot lines fall into their places and fit accordingly. Camuncoli's pencils, Dell's inking and Fabela's colors all make this book a treat. It would be great if Camuncoli could stick around for a while, his tones seem to be a perfect match for Superior Spider-Man. If you're still skipping this series hoping for Peter Parker to return some day, you're really missing something. Personally I hope Otto Octavius inhabits Peter's body for at least a few more years :)

Get ready to take a ride in the troubled brain of Oppenheimer! The bizarrely wonderful world is certainly quite a discovery, and scribe Jonathan Hickman and artist Ryan Browne depict us that journey with brio. The entire issue is focused on the deranged scientist's head, as the constructs of the twin brothers Robert and Joseph wage war to take control over the protagonist in this number. Browne's clear and neat art render this world nevertheless eerie and Jordie Bellaire's vivid red and blue colors bestow this book its perfect tone. Though in page number 5 panel 4, two supposed red characters are colored blue, but it's just a detail. The cover is stunning as usual. The red and blue bubbles give us an overview of the work that we are going to see inside. The focal point of this issue remains the conflict inside the mind of the dark personality of Oppenheimer. Robert's realization in the end is a revelation, and I'm interested to find out how this will ultimately serve THE Oppenheimer of the physical existence.

In The Saga of Thor and Loki, Jason Aaron, Russel Dauterman and Matthew Wilson deliver us a beautiful comic book, despite the raging war that surrounds the two main characters of the issue. Loki attempts to strike a deal with Thor but Jane had had more than a bitter experience with him, so no matter how Loki tries to...ahem, hammer it home, Jane FosThor turns a deaf ear. There is an epic battle between her and Loki, and it's a fight fan wouldn't like to miss. They really go at it, hammer and tongs, and then some. It's good to know that Aaron is keeping alive the incarnation of Loki fans fell in love with in Kieron Gillen's JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY / YOUNG AVENGERS. Dauterman excels yet again, with flying colors from Matthew Wilson. On page 3, Loki bears a striking resemblance to Tom Hiddleston (check it out)! Highly enjoyable, excessively gorgeous, beautifully scripted, I'm definitely enjoying this run of the Goddess of Thunder.

Let me just say it out loud first: Tom King is the new sheriff in Comicstown. Not only has he penned some critically acclaimed titles for DC (Grayson, Omega Men) but he’s nailing it at Marvel as well (check out his awesome Vision). And now, he launches his creator-owned project at Vertigo, the sublime ‘Sheriff of Babylon’. While our protagonist Christopher is busy training a new Iraqi police force, one of his trainees cadaver is discovered and to deal with it, he seeks the aid of the intriguing Sofia. King pens a strong script, starting with a shocking anecdote of a war-torn Iraq. As the story progresses, we see Sofia appear, taking revenge on people who wronged her. Mitch Gerads’s art is a perfect fit for this series. King and Gerads use of the depiction of violence is praiseworthy, while they do not hesitate to show the devastation of war, bloody details regarding the main characters are somewhat concealed by the use of complete black panels. The contrast they play with pages 11 and 15 is a feast for the eye and the mind. Get your issue right now, while it’s still available.

This gripping crime tale continues, with major impact on two cast members. We are again shown how mercurial Sofia can be and also her fondness towards Christopher. Nassir's allegiances are brought into question and I'm waiting with bated breath to find out how he gets out of the situation he has entangled in. The creative team confers a brilliant issue, as is their wont. Page 2 showcases portraits of 16 trainees in 16 different panels as Christopher interrogates them and there are three splash pages to denote the major moments of impact. The colors are kept to a minimum to respect the mood of the story and it works like a charm. I can safely say that there are not many books like this out there at the moment so get your copies while they are still available.

A breathtaking issue. That's the best way to sum it up. Jason Aaron is on a roll with the god of thunder and this book is another masterpiece. Part two of the story arc THE ACCURSED sees Thor leading a team against the insane Malekith. There are no wasted moments, the storytelling satiated this hungry reader, who turned the pages in absolute awe. And let us not forget the stunning work of Ron Garney. His art took me to a journey in this otherworld; his meticulous pencilling deserves worshipping. I've never enjoyed Thor as much as I'm doing now and I hope millions are feeling the same way.

The Accursed reaches its conclusion in this issue of Thor God of Thunder as Jason Aaron provides us another masterful script with the help of Ron Garney and Emanuela Lupacchino at pencils. Aaron tackles the story with bravado, bringing in a twist and finishes the chapter in a most unimaginable way that will strike you hard. Discussing the story further is impossible as it'll give away the surprises that await you in this comic so prepare to be astonished as well as amused as the scribe provides us a dash of humor. Ron Garney is an amazing artist and despite Lupacchino's nice pencils, there are some inconsistencies between some pages, especially the last ones, where absence of dark inking makes them somewhat less attractive. The contrast between pages 16 and 17 highlights this problem. Nevertheless, this is a perfectly enjoyable issue. As far as mythological fantasies go, this is possibly the BEST book out there at the moment, so get on board while there's still time.

In the third installment of Gillen and Kelly's THREE, everything escalates to a certain level and to such a degree that after reading it you can be sure that this carefully researched historical comic book deserves its place in your pull list. Damas, Terpander and Klaros continue to flee in search of a sanctuary while the Spartans prepare to foil their every attempt. Through Arimnestos' tragic fate as well as that of Damas' husband, Gillen, once again, brilliantly narrates the cruelty of the Spartan society. The conversation between Arimnestos and his mother is pure drama and I loved every single panel of it. Ryan Kelly's work shines more than it ever did in the first two issues. This time, the artist hits it out of the park with an array of different perspectives and the last page showcases a brilliant example. The action sequences between the Three and the guards also exhibit the talents of Kelly. The panels where Klaros takes out the knife from his victim and aims and throws it towards another guard are well executed. The close-ups manage to capture the feelings of the characters brilliantly. I just can't wait to read the next issue!

Story wise, Uncanny Avengers 14 keeps its usual pace. Out of all the titles released during last year's Marvel NOW!, this is one of the most consistent series at the moment. The whole issue is heavily action-packed with dire consequences, so get ready to shed some tears. How in the world can the unity squad survive after this issue? You can start pondering on that after finishing this comic book. The ending is a shocker and the less can be said about it, the better. All I can say is Rick Remender is a brilliant scribe and knows how to work it. This issue welcomed renowned artist Steve McNiven into the UA world. There's also a big change regarding the cover artist; it's no longer John Cassaday, but McNiven himself. It's a breath of fresh air. While Cassaday's covers were good, they were nothing extraordinary and a title this important deserved better covers. If you haven't been reading this issue, it's never too late, because if there were one single X-MEN or AVENGERS comic book that you should be buying, this should be it.

Scott Snyder and Jock collaborated for the first time in Detective Comics #871 and we all know how it turned out. So no surprises this time on their newest alliance in WYTCHES either. Issue number two commences with a page from Charlie Rooks' latest children's book, giving you the impression that you're actually reading one. While Charlie shares Sailor's recent misfortune with her uncle Reggie, she makes a new friend at school. Lucy's physical situation is explained as she encounters a patient in the hospital she works for. Snyder's narration, accompanied by Jock's superb visuals make this installment gripping. The artist masterly seizes the panels; the distressed look on Charlie's face before he tells Reggie about the night Sailor was attacked, Lucy driving on a rainy night etc. etc. The amazing mixture of colors by Hollingsworth does nothing but accentuates the entire story. The dots he places on the panels work like a charm and the way he changes the background as the story shifts it's tune is brilliant. By the end of the issue, things look grim for certain characters and you'll certainly be yearning to find out what happens next.

Poor Brian Wood! Only 4 issues in, he had to assimilate the BATTLE OF THE ATOM event and after only 6 issues, he has to deal with a new roster. Not what he had in mind, I'm sure. Kitty switched sides and moved over to Cyclops's team while Rogue is currently MIA. Both of these characters are fan favorites, so it's a bummer for readers of X-MEN. Focusing majorly on the new, revamped Lady Deathstrike, this issue also introduces Monet and Karima to the team. While Lady Deathstrike's persona is duly portrayed, it feels too early for a series where the team has lost two members way too soon. Repercussions of such a sudden change in the team roster are easily felt while reading this book, though Wood does his best by providing enough background information on the two new recruits. Terry Dodson joins this series and his well-defined, flawless art makes this issue enjoyable. Nice to have him doing the covers as well. The new story arc 'Muertas' kicks off just fine and the introduction of the second villain at the end is certainly thrilling, as we have never seen her against the X-Men before. Wonder what Wood will be whipping out?