TheMatteo0's Profile

Joined: May 26, 2016

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7.9
Overall Rating
10
Karnak #1

Oct 5, 2016

9.5
Karnak #2

Oct 5, 2016

9.5
Karnak #3

Oct 5, 2016

9.5
Karnak #4

Oct 5, 2016

9.5
Karnak #5

Sep 23, 2016

As Karnak reaches the end of it's ultimately meaningless run, we're presented with another fascinating construction this issue; an insight into Karnak's mind and the ideological conflict against the faith of the Inhuman boy's follower. The artwork is dark, gritty and at times very beautiful. This is one of Marvel's darkest - but almost certainly one of it's best - titles out there. One last issue to go now.

9.5
Karnak #6

Feb 2, 2017

A dark, twisted and strangely lovable character: Karnak is at the end of it's six issue run and it was really a masterpiece, albeit very left-field from the typical kind of Marvel book. Gritty and visually stunning artwork captures the book very well, and Warren Ellis certainly knows how to write a character, although his style may not be to everyone's taste. This book was nihilistic, questioning and boundary pushing in many respects. Looking at the boundaries of what a hero is and how far you are prepared to go for what you believe (or against what you don't). For anyone who wants a weird, dark, but contained and thoroughly unique Marvel comic I'd look no further than this: the 'Flaw in all Things.'This book has had a lot of trouble with timing delays etc., but if you haven't picked up any of the issues yet it should read nicely and problem-free in trade format.

10
Moon Knight (2016) #1

Jul 27, 2016

10
Moon Knight (2016) #2

Jul 27, 2016

9.5
Moon Knight (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

9.0
Moon Knight (2016) #4

Jul 7, 2016

Wasn't the strongest issue for me, but it still sets up well for the concluding part next issue, and I for one am very excited. This first story arc has been nothing short of a masterpiece so far and long may it continue.

9.5
Moon Knight (2016) #5

Aug 3, 2016

A series of shocking twists and turns through all manner of psychological traumas, confused realities and crazy psychedelic scenes, this Moon Knight represents the shocking climax of the outstanding first arc. Truly one of the greatest and most original comic series out there; certainly of those produced by Marvel. Luckily, we know it's not the end since more issues have already been announced. I for one can't wait for the next arc.

9.5
Moon Knight (2016) #6

Sep 14, 2016

9.5
Moon Knight (2016) #9

Dec 14, 2016

9.5
Moon Knight (2016) #11

Feb 2, 2017

9.5
Batman: Rebirth #1

Jun 1, 2016

Batman: Rebirth #1 was excellently written, exciting and fantastically drawn and coloured. It had all the feeling and excitement of a classic batman story and instantly brought you into the action. The only downsides really are the shortness - which definitely makes you crave for more - and the plot being a bit on the simple-side; although undoubtedly the simplicity is also a positive, particularly for a rebirth issue.

9.5
Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1

Jun 15, 2016

Another masterpiece from Miller here- probably the best he's written in recent years. It's a fascinating portrayal of the relationship between Batman and Robin in the build-up to the original Dark Knight returns and the portrayal of the Joker is outstanding, his dialogue is well written, deep and psychological...with the normal mix of bad jokes. I loved the art and colouring and really almost everything about this book. Maybe my only complaint is that the story was a bit simple, but perhaps a more advanced plot-line would have detracted from the deeper focus on relationships and growing old.

9.5
Doom Patrol (2016) #1

Sep 15, 2016

Crazy, psychedelic, strange and instantly captivating. I'm not quite sure exactly what's happening yet... but that's half of what I want from a comic at the start anyway. There are lots of crazy threads here and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

9.5
Moon Knight (2017) #188

Nov 8, 2017

This is an outstanding introduction to Moon Knight's new villain, the character is both believable, but also horrifying and the book plays nicely on Egyptology, Moon Knight's history and various other areas of mythology & psychology. Burrows art offers a flat, haunting, feel which is just perfect for the feel of the book. A very exciting start to this series.

9.5
Shade, the Changing Girl #1

Oct 5, 2016

This comic had a lot going for it. Stunning psychedelic artwork, both visionary and very peculiar gave a certain richness to a the dialogue of the piece. Yet, this book has a legitimate story, told in a fascinating way - exploring themes of duality, human fragility and alienation with an interesting narrative plot. All this without being too incoherent and difficult to follow. Add that up to the cliffhanger, and there is plenty of intrigue and momentum for this series going forward. The challenge now will be to keep it as fresh and rich as this first issue for the rest of the arc; to see it devolve into just a typical teen story would be a real shame. Overall though, with the creative team's efforts this issue - things are looking very promising for this, and the Young Animal imprint as a whole.

9.5
Shipwreck #1

Oct 10, 2016

Stunning visual imagery and ambiguous symbolism - this is setting up another rich and captivating tale by the legendary Warren Ellis. The plot is slightly crazy, the characters even more so... but for the premise so far I'm hooked.

9.0
Trinity (2016) #1

Sep 22, 2016

The artwork and colours for this issue were beautiful, and suited the homely warm feel of the kind of legacy this Rebirth chapter is creating. There wasn't a lot of action this issue, or in fact really any at all - but the expense was worth it for some strong character building and dialogue and a necessary set-up for the ongoing relationship between the three; creating the bridges that will bring them together for the rest of the series. If there was a weakness to the first issue, it was perhaps that not very much happened - and in this sense it is hard to say where it is actually going. That being said, I enjoyed it's sentiments enough to eagerly anticipate the next issue.

10
Trinity (2016) #2

Oct 26, 2016

9.5
Underwinter #1  
9.0
Action Man #3

Sep 23, 2016

Great to see Action Man back 'in action' - albeit a different one to before - with this new series. Action Man was always one of my favourite childhood characters, and seeing him back again with a slightly different take is always enjoyable. Overall, this is a solid take on a spy-thriller with it's own nostalgic feel (for me), but probably won't appeal to anyone who doesn't particularly like the spy-genre, or wasn't a fan of Action Man as a child.

9.0
Flash: Rebirth (2016) #1

Jun 8, 2016

A strong start, building on the events of rebirth and introducing the exciting new plot lines to come. The artwork is a mixed bag but generally strong and always exciting to look at. Perhaps a little more action and a bit less build-up may have helped it a little...and ultimately we are left with more questions than answers; though for a first issue that is to be expected and overall this is well worth picking up!

9.0
Foolkiller (2016) #1

Nov 10, 2016

A really unique series, didn't expect much from this but was very surprised by the premise, direction and content (knowing almost nothing about the character prior to the series). I'd recommend this to anyone looking for something a bit different from Marvel.

9.0
Indoctrination #1

Jul 12, 2016

9.0
Indoctrination #2

Aug 8, 2016

9.0
James Bond #8

Aug 4, 2016

The usual mix of action-packed fights and witty comments, #8 is a continuation of another great arc by Warren Ellis, crafting a fantastic James Bond run in a series which seems highly suited to his style. The artist also did a great job as per and if you enjoy a spy-thriller I'd recommend this series more than any other right now.

9.0
Jessica Jones #1

Oct 6, 2016

Some great artistic work and colouration gives this book the dark gritty feel that it needs - it's very exciting indeed to have Jessica Jones back. Already, we have at least two interesting mysteries set up, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next issue. The dialogue is characterized sufficiently well; certainly a lot better than Bendis's Civil War II project right now, and the conversation between Jones and her client had plenty of depth and careful composition to make it feel realistic. If I have one 'issue' with this issue it's that I think this will probably read better in a trade. The start is a tad too slow, and this issue mainly serves (although still certainly enjoyable) as a necessary exposition. This is something that probably won't be noticed in a trade, but leaves you wanting more when in single issue form. That said, this isn't a critique of the work itself and I look forward to seeing what Bendis and the team can do with this.

9.0
Kill Or Be Killed #1

Aug 3, 2016

Dark gritty artwork captures the mood of a shadowy gripping thriller, with some strangely supernatural (or psychological, time will tell) elements thrown into the mix. In many ways the story is relatable and that is scary enough; that this could very well be real. Whether or not the series can maintain the quality of the first issue is a whole other thing, but a strong start and a great team suggest they can. The question is, where will the series go from here, now everything is on the table- only time will tell.

9.0
Scooby Apocalypse #1

May 26, 2016

8.5
Scooby Apocalypse #2

Jun 15, 2016

This was plenty of fun and the characters- although re-invented- still have the same feel as the characters we know and love. I've got a lot of hope for this series and hopefully it won't get boring and will keep up both the intrigue and also the development. The character development after the re-invention is good and I think we are slowly seeing the coldness break and the friendship flourish. On the whole this was solid, but not really a masterpiece. I'll definitely be keeping up with this one though. My only concern is perhaps the missing the whole who-done-it type mystery on the smaller scale, but as long as the main plot stays interesting I'm sure I can live without it.

9.0
Scooby Apocalypse #3

Jul 20, 2016

Loving this series so far, and this is probably the best of the three so far, really great to see Scooby and the Gang re-invented, but still crucially the same characters we know and love (just in a new setting, with new challenges and indeed a whole new genre). The artwork, particularly the colours, are just incredible in this series- really one of the best titles out there in this respect right now. If there is one fault to this story thus far, the basic plot is starting to wear a bit thin... here's hoping for a few twists and turns to keep the mystery interesting over the next few issues!

9.0
Scooby Apocalypse #4

Aug 17, 2016

This series continues on strongly, with the characters we know and love, bold artwork and great colouring as always. The suspense continues to grow, with a few more questions but no real answers- perhaps the series can pick up the pace a little with the storyline; but I'm loving the series enough to not want it to end any time soon. Overall, if you like the Scooby-Doo series, and you like post-apocalyptic mayhem... then you'll love this.

9.0
Batman Beyond (2015) #13

Jun 8, 2016

First I've picked up of this title, though I used to watch the cartoon version and I've got to say it was a pretty great start. Plenty of excitement and action scene, exciting cliff-hanger and lots of fun; perhaps it lacks some of the deep psychological impact of the main batman titles, but I thought this was really solid.

8.5
Batman Beyond (2015) #14

Jul 27, 2016

8.5
Black Panther (2016) #3

Jun 29, 2016

I love this series, and this issue is certainly no exception to that. The depth of story-line really immerses you into this whole new world, and this new political take on internal Wakanda is fascinating. The art is strong and overall everything is shaping up for a great run. On the flip-side however, the story is still a little too complex than perhaps is necessary, particularly for newer readers. The lots of different strands work well, but perhaps somewhat distract or confuse the centrality of the Black Panther in this; and the moments where it works best is when we have that deeper psychological focus on him. I'm hoping that as this continues, we can maintain the depth to some extent, but also improve on the clarity front- but in summation, I'd say this is going very well and I'll certainly be sticking around for a while.

9.0
Black Panther (2016) #4

Jul 27, 2016

End of the first story arc, but by no means the end of the story, Black Panther continues to impress and this issue is an excellent wrapping up point of some of the confusions of the previous issue and another fascinating commentary on Wakandas culture, one different in some respects, but not too alien in others, to our own. Overall, this rich tale has captivated me and no doubt I will be continuing to follow it as it unfolds.

9.0
Detective Comics (2016) #934

Jun 8, 2016

Incredible artwork and an exciting start really set-up the story well and leave plenty of anticipation for what's to come. Plenty of fan-service with a whole team of bat-people coming back (as pictured on cover), but also a good introduction for those not familiar with the characters. The pace slowed down a little as this issue mainly served as an introduction, but overall a fantastic start to what I think will be a great run!

9.0
Detective Comics (2016) #935

Jun 22, 2016

Again, this book is certainly a lot of fun, with a whole smorgasbord of different characters coming together. The artwork is definitely the triumph of this series, I love the painted feel to it and the colouring is great too. The plot is, simple, at the moment at least... but hopefully as we see more of it unfold there might be some interesting twists and turns along the way. I'll certainly be holding on for the long run.

9.0
Detective Comics (2016) #936

Jul 14, 2016

This has been a great start to rebirth for Detective Comics, a series that has in the first three parts offered a convincing and enjoyable team-up with plenty of plot intrigue and likeable characters. The artwork remains strong overall, one of the best in the rebirth line-up without a doubt. Perhaps the story lacks the depth and complexity of some of the greatest Batman tales, but it more than makes up for it with other things... overall this is a strong series and I'd personally recommend adding it to your pull list if you hadn't already.

9.0
Detective Comics (2016) #937

Jul 28, 2016

A continuation of this great first arc, this comic keeps up the high quality and flows nicely; keeping me desperately looking forward to the next issue. This comic was primarily exposition for the following issue and explaining the details so far, but in overall trade format this will be both a necessary and an enjoyable part. The artwork is continually strong with this, and the better of the two Batman books in that respect. Thus, although this isn't going to be the most exciting moment of this arc, it is still definitely an issue which I'd recommend picking up. Based on the results so far, James Tynion IV definitely knows what he is doing.

9.5
Detective Comics (2016) #940

Sep 15, 2016

Incomparably better than the All-Star Batman also of this week, Detective Comics #940 marks the conclusion of an absolutely epic arc, one of the best Batman stories in a long time. The artwork is probably the best of all the Rebirth titles, indeed possibly of any comic pull coming out currently - and I don't think it would be an overstatement to say that this series in general may well be the best of Rebirth so far. The conclusion was shocking, the emotion was heartfelt and this arc was constantly gripping from start to finish; with this probably being the best part so far.

7.0
Detective Comics (2016) #941

Sep 28, 2016

This issue was an improvement on the 2nd issue, and has sured things up a fair bit. In general I am somewhat enjoying this story arc; but again it still lacks the kind of narrative depth and intrigue of a great Batman arc. The concept of Batman fighting monsters is potentially interesting; but the real lack of exposition concerning Hugo Strange has left the whole arc feeling somewhat flat and one-dimensional so far. The artwork is only okay here; obviously not as good as the artist and colours of the previous Detective Comics arc. Overall, you wonder why this crossover was really needed - the individual books were really fine as they were. Although, with all of that said, there were some good moments in the issue and it'd be hard to call any of it 'bad' per se.

9.0
Deathstroke (2016) #1

Aug 24, 2016

A gripping story, excellent art and a very interesting character make this Rebirth arc one of the most promising so far. I love the flashback layout and different sections, which makes the story feel richer and of greater depth; hopefully that continues beyond just these first couple of issues. Overall, I've not really got any complaints so far - but we're a little too early to tell whether or not Priest can keep up the interest in this character in the long-run; based on the evidence so far, I'd say it looks promising to say the least.

8.0
Deathstroke (2016) #2

Sep 15, 2016

If you are looking for a rich, gripping story, with a very unique format (in lots of shorts compiled into one issue) then Deathstroke is certainly a comic I'd recommend. The art and colours are enjoyable, and so far I'm certainly hooked on the quality of the plot. Having said that; this won't appeal to everyone, and unless you are an expert on Deathstroke lure (and perhaps even if you are), you have to be willing to accept that you won't understand every moment; with the scenes and flashbacks occasionally being hard to follow clearly as an exact science. Thus, I'd recommend it, but only with a grain of salt that the style of this book is certainly not for everyone.

9.0
Deathstroke (2016) #3

Sep 30, 2016

This is a richly woven and gripping run by Priest. I'm really impressed so far - with a title I hadn't initially anticipated getting beyond the first Rebirth issue. The art as always is solid, and I'm looking forward to what Priest has in line for us next.

8.5
James Bond: Felix Leiter #1

May 29, 2017

8.5
James Bond: Felix Leiter #2

May 29, 2017

9.0
James Bond: Felix Leiter #3

May 29, 2017

8.5
James Bond: Felix Leiter #4

May 29, 2017

9.0
James Bond: Felix Leiter #5

May 29, 2017

9.5
Flash (2016) #1

Jun 22, 2016

Really great start to the flash. The colouring and artwork are pretty crazy and works well with the lightning bolts really capturing the energy and excitement. Interesting story-line and I think a fairly good introduction for new readers (as long as they have read rebirth), with an exciting cliffhanger the end which definitely leads you waiting for more. A great start to the Flash series and I'll definitely be keeping up to speed if it continues on at this quality.

7.5
Flash (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

The Flash continues a solid arc, with the suspense still kept up at a good pace and Godspeed coming in at the end (although many questions still remain about him). I felt that this issue was a little weaker at first than the previous two, mainly because the Flash meeting with all the new speedsters didn't really capture my interest; but the shocking cliffhanger at the end and the exciting visual spectacle through-out have definitely kept me interested enough to see what I think will be a stronger next issue. I think this was just a slight lull point in what is undoubtedly a strong rebirth for this series.

9.0
Flash (2016) #6

Sep 15, 2016

The pace had slowed down a bit on this arc and I was slightly concerned that it was dropping off from it's exciting start and dragging on too long. But with this issue those doubts were dispelled and there were twists, turns and shocks at every moment - the stakes are high and I can't wait to see the next issue. The art and colours capture the energy of the issue very well, and the dialogue is well-written... if you aren't already picking up the Flash, I'd recommend it based on the issues so far.

8.5
Flash (2016) #7

Sep 30, 2016

The art was incredible this issue, and the story still retains the excitement on the whole, as we progress towards the end of the first arc. I would have awarded a slightly higher score if not for the fact that this is effectively the 8th issue of this arc, which has really been dragging on for slightly too long now. Hopefully things will be tidied up shortly and we can start to see some new storylines progress from this.

8.5
Batman / TMNT Adventures #1

Nov 10, 2016

A fun cartoony art style, some good humour and dialogue as well as an interesting mystery being set-up: this series promises to be a lot of fun. Can't wait to see which characters will appear, but I have a feeling we'll see some really great action coming up. It's worth noting that Batman and the Turtles don't actually cross-up yet, but I'd imagine we'll see them back together once the series progresses further. This could end up pretty samey, but if it keeps the momentum of the start it looks like it could be on for another successful mini-series.

8.5
Deathstroke: Rebirth #1

Aug 10, 2016

Coming from someone who has never read Deathstroke previously and has no knowledge of the character, I will say that it was a little hard to follow at times and the ending was slightly confusing. That said, it was well worth the extra attention and effort for this dark, gripping introduction which leaves a lot of interesting mysteries and questions to be solved in the upcoming arc. The art and colours were great, and the writing and dialogue were solid enough. Overall, I'd recommend it to a newcomer if they are willing to accept that they aren't going to understand everything (obviously, I'm unaware as to what is intentionally left unsolved and what would be known to long-standing Deathstroke fans).

8.5
Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #1

Oct 27, 2016

A typically insane and magically whimsical start, this Doctor Strange series promises to be interesting, and will likely capture much of the interest of the filmgoers. The artwork is immersive and well-rendered; in particular the stunning visuals of the double-page spread in the backroads of time; and whilst the story is still young there is at least sufficient interest to keep reading this arc. If there was one negative, it may be that some of the other characters; with the exception of Merlin and Strange have insufficient depth thus far: although I've no doubt that will be addressed in future issues. Overall, a fun and enjoyable beginning for this new run.

8.5
Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

Jun 1, 2016

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1 was well written and paced, with an excellent start and a great action scene with the exciting (re-)unification between Black Canary and the Green Arrow. There was a slightly humorous tone through-out which worked well on the whole and balanced with the more serious and political themes. On the whole a great start and worth checking-out, although the 'villains' did seem a little one-dimensional and regular; hopefully the 'Underground men' might be developed a little more as the story continues.

8.5
Harley Quinn (2016) #1

Aug 3, 2016

A typically fun and crazy start to the Harley Quinn run, it may not be new, but fans new and old should still enjoy some great crazy zombie action. The supporting cast aren't the best, but without doubt Harley is always the star of the show. A bit of light-hearted fun doesn't go amiss and offers a nice contrast with some of Rebirth's other titles.

8.5
Infamous Iron Man (2016) #1  
8.5
New Superman #1

Jul 13, 2016

A fun and fresh new edition to the DC line-up, was a good start but it is really too early to say whether or not this will end up as purely a gimmick, or a series to be remembered for a long time to come. The art and colouring was pretty good, and it was well written so overall I'm pretty happy with the start, in a series very different to a lot of the other things DC is producing right now. This series could flop or fly, but I'll be getting the next issue at the very least!

8.0
New Superman #2

Aug 10, 2016

This story continues to be plenty of fun; a light-hearted romp on the whole which parodies and questions some of the super-hero stereotypes well. This story isn't groundbreaking, but it's interesting enough; and with the 2nd issue we again see Kenan Kong progress and develop as a character, even at a slightly surprising moment with the flashback to after his mother's 'accident'. Overall, if you are looking for a fun, easy, read particularly to contrast with some other DC titles then this is a good title to pick-up; but if you are more seriously critical of slightly cheesey comics in general, this title won't appeal to you at all.

9.0
New Superman #6

Dec 15, 2016

This was a solid conclusion to a really fresh, well fleshed out, first arc. There are still lots of questions to be answered and what started as a fairly simple concept is now already a well-fleshed out series with interesting characters. This series may appear gimmicky, but it's well-written, engaging and honestly one of the better Rebirth titles coming out right now. Here's hoping this title makes it past the second arc and sees ongoing success.

8.5
Red Hood and the Outlaws: Rebirth #1

Jul 27, 2016

A great introduction to Jason Todd for new readers unfamiliar with the character and his origins as Red Hood. A fantastic use of art and colours complements the story and theme well, with a beautiful painted texture on some of the larger panels. It doesn't really introduce the 'allies' in this, so is probably skippable for those already familiar. But overall a solid dialogue makes this a great and enjoyable entry in the series, which was preferable and more interesting that of Nightwing in my opinion.

8.5
Uncanny Avengers (2015) #15

Oct 13, 2016

This is a genuinely likeable team, some fun Deadpool antics and a somewhat interesting storyline. It is a shame that this arc is out of sync with the general MU as a result of the delayed Civil War II storyline; but irregardless we can still fill in the gaps here. The artwork has a cartoonish vibe, but it suits the overall feel well and there are some stunning panels here fighting against the hand and teleporting into the city. Overall, this was a fun start and better than I'd expected.

8.5
Vigilante: Southland #1  
8.0
Wonder Woman (2016) #1

Jun 22, 2016

The artwork is fantastic and that alone (in that opening waterfall sequence in particular) is probably worth picking it up. That said, the plot seems a little bit 'odd' and isn't really developed quite as much as I'd have liked it too here. I'll probably keep the series going though since I think it could get interesting and it is probably too early to judge. Overall a solid start, but hasn't really found it's feet quite yet like some of the other rebirth titles.

8.0
Wonder Woman (2016) #2

Jul 27, 2016

8.5
Wonder Woman (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

The art and colours are astoundingly beautiful throughout. There is high quality artwork on show in a number of the rebirth titles, but this one ('The Lies' storyline) is quite possibly the best of all. The action proceeds at a good pace and we get a closer look at the plot as it develops so far in these early stages; with the artwork speaking the most powerful dialogue. For me, perhaps if anything lets it down it is the dialogue (i.e. the writing) itself, which lacks the same artistry and precision of the art in weaving this magical tale; but perhaps it only seems a little weak by comparison. Overall, I strongly recommend picking this up, a great story arc is shaping up here, perhaps one of the greatest for Wonder Woman as a character, only time will tell.

9.0
Wonder Woman (2016) #4

Aug 10, 2016

Whilst the art isn't as much to my taste when compared with the artistic masterpiece of the other Wonder Woman arc; this arc does have the deeper story, and is probably better written on the whole too; this was a great second issue to 'Year One'. Rucka is forming a powerful rendition of the Wonder Woman origin story and this arc is off to a gripping and at times emotionally moving start. It's not necessarily cutting-edge, or new, but it is well worth picking up what could be the defining story of Wonder Woman's early career as hero. I for one will be doing so for the foreseeable future.

9.0
Wonder Woman (2016) #5

Aug 24, 2016

The artwork and colours of this arc are as always outstanding - and I will continue to support the claim that this arc is the best drawn of pretty much any comic series out right now; certainly in Rebirth. To the story, it's exciting, interesting, almost gripping - Rucka does a nice job of steering this arc forward slowly but surely into what should read very well as a trade. Perhaps, if I had one complaint, it is that it is still a tad too slow in the single-issue format; particularly as the double-arc means this only comes monthly. However, the set-up and slightly greater exposition were both enjoyable and necessary in the setting up of this epic tale; we have so many mysteries left to solve and I can't anticipate dropping this any time soon.

8.5
Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1

Jun 8, 2016

An interesting look into Wonder Woman's past and the question of 'truth' combined with some exciting action make this a great rebirth issue. Perhaps the lack of dialogue and a bit too much setting-up may put off some readers, but certainly an intriguing entry into the series and a unique psychological exploration into the identity of Wonder Woman. Will be interesting to see how this one develops.

8.5
Batman (2016) #1

Jun 15, 2016

There was a lot to like about the issue, but a fair bit which I think could have been improved. Batman titles of late have always been top-of-the-range in terms of quality and this is no exception. There was certainly no boredom involved and the action was fast-paced and well maintained through-out. The biggest 'issue' with it, if there is any, is the artwork is pretty meh; particularly when compared to the Detective Comics title and the Batman rebirth issue...sometimes it works really well but at other points it is a bit lacklustre. If I was being really picky, I might point to the plot/character development being a bit thin on this one, but I've no doubt as the story arc continues that will develop (after all this was only the first issue). Therefore, I'd say a good start, but not quite spectacular.

8.0
Batman (2016) #2

Jul 6, 2016

The tension is slowly built through-out this issue in the lead-up to the big 'Monster Men' event, with plenty of intrigue and a gripping plot beginning to build. It combines this with solid artwork and colouring which gives Batman that darker, gritty feel that it deserves. Again though, as I commented on with the last issue- even though I like their character design, I simply don't care about these new heroes yet. Granted there is a mystery as to their origin, but this isn't really expanded on at all here, and they just seem really one-dimensional and undeveloped so far. Despite that, this is building, slowly but surely into a solid first arc with a promising future...I just hope King can really make us interested in these 'new heroes' (Gotham & Gotham Girl) or it could end up falling flat.

8.5
Batman (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

9.0
Batman (2016) #4

Aug 3, 2016

This first Batman story-arc is starting to get hot. After a slow (but still enjoyable) start, everything quite literally explodes in this comic at the start, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. It's Gotham vs Gotham now and the Monster Men are looming. Combining strong artwork, beautifully sombre colours creates the dark gripping feel of this slow-burning but meaningful chapter in the Batman series, with plenty of moral questions remaining unanswered. If there was one issue with this, the panelling seems a bit cramped at the end, as if they were trying to squeeze in a lot of text in at once at the end of the issue. Overall though, this story is hotting up and I for one am very exciting about the Monster Men crossover event looming ahead.

9.0
Batman (2016) #5

Aug 17, 2016

The best part of the arc so far; the conclusion brings a shocking conclusion and more exciting revelations to a previously slow-moving arc which leaves us in lots of suspense about what is coming next. The artwork and colours were really great - particularly in the larger panels - and actually fairly unique in style compared to the other books on the market; another reason to love this series. If there was one flaw to this issue, it was the choice to include the Justice League in it for a few panels- this really wasn't necessary whatsoever (other than to illustrate quite how powerful Gotham is) and detracted a little from the story I feel. That said, the dialogue was well-written, seeing Alfred as Batman was fun; and I'm liking where the story is going. So overall, Tom King's run is shaping up nicely... and this was a great issue for me.

7.0
Batman (2016) #7

Sep 22, 2016

This was a solid start to the Monster Men series, with a couple of stunning action panels, a good setting up of suspense and some interesting character work every now and then. That said, this arc all seems a little bit predictable at the moment - there are yet to be any real surprises and everything feels a little bit dull thus far; the plot just seems a bit too simplistic when compared with what was previously building in Tom King's first arc of 1-6. The art and colours were a mixed bag; really great with the large monster panels but not always entirely to my taste in terms of rending faces - it was okay in general, but weaker than the Detective Comics run for sure. There really was nothing particularly bad about this, but unless it picks up I'll probably be glad when it's over, and we can get back to the more interesting plot lines taking place individually in Batman, Nightwing & Detective comics previously.

9.0
Captain America: Steve Rogers #1

May 29, 2016

8.0
Captain America: Steve Rogers #2

Jun 29, 2016

Well, I don't want to spoil things really, so I won't mention any specific plot details. Anyway, it seems as if the origin 'Hydra Cap' thing is resolved to an extent and it is done fairly well, and luckily enough for those who complained, it isn't too controversial either. The book offers an interesting analysis from the perspective of the Red Skull, where we get a closer look at his psychological make-up and political ideas. Overall this is done well, but at points it is again a little cliched. Particularly I'd pick out the point where he used the 'make (x) great again' line; which was far too heavy-handed a reference to Trump; even though I like the political edge to the book. Overall, I love Captain America and like this series; but the lack of subtlety at points is what separates a good series from a great one.

8.0
Captain America: Steve Rogers #3

Jul 27, 2016

Before I start my review, I will say that both the cover and description are completely false; since neither are featured in this comic, there is no Red Skull V Zemo conflict, and no trial of Maria Hill :p. That said, what was in the comic was an enjoyable continuation of the solid and original arc featuring the 'Hydra Cap,' with the continuation of a fairly unique art style and more engaging flashbacks into the 'secret history' of the character, giving us a greater understanding of his new position within H.Y.D.R.A. I won't spoil the ending, but there is certainly sufficient suspense created in the mystery to kept myself interested in continuing the arc further. Overall, it was solid and a good read, but not quite what I was expecting from this issue and perhaps a little slower in pace than the previous two.

9.0
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1

May 29, 2016

8.5
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #2

May 29, 2016

8.0
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #3

Jul 27, 2016

7.5
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #4

Jul 27, 2016

8.5
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5

Jun 29, 2016

Another exciting entry into the DKIII series; Book Five really finds its footing well and cements itself as a strong and engaging team-up book. The colours and art (with the normal exception of the Miller drawn mini book) works well and really capture the dimensions of the action, and the underwater scenes in particular caught my attention. The pinnacle of the book being the ending, a cliffhanger for the rest of the series to finish up. If I am to find fault with it, although some interesting commentary is made, the book lacks the kind of political commentary and depth of the original Dark Knight Returns (and Strikes Again- although that was more divisive) and thus perhaps isn't quite what everyone was hoping for. By now though, we have already have an idea of what to expect, and this was certainly an enjoyable read for other reasons.

8.0
Hellblazer (2016) #1

Aug 24, 2016

Dark, gritty and strangely unique when compared to DC's other Rebirth titles. Not having experienced any previous Hellblazer runs as of yet, I can say that this book promises an interesting storyline which is rooted in a series of important, and real, historical events. Where this will end up is going is anyone's guess - but the mix of Constantine and Swamp Thing again is unsurprisingly charismatic; and overall I'm enjoying the feel of the series so far. Are they holding back on the adult themes - somewhat - but aside from filtered out swear-word or two, which doesn't really bother me, it seems like they still have the freedom to tell what could be a gripping story. Of course, at this point the series could very easily fall flat on it's face... but for now I'm very interested in what they've got left to come.

8.5
Hellblazer (2016) #2

Sep 30, 2016

I really enjoyed this issue. The artwork is pretty nice and compliments the styles of the scenes very well, and the plot has a sufficient depth to it as to develop a nice mystery. Overall, although with the monthly schedule things are progressing quite slowly, this has been a solid start to the first arc - and I look forward to see how it progresses.

8.5
Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #1

Aug 11, 2016

8.0
Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #2

Sep 15, 2016

The artwork and colours are stunning and capture the action and suspense very well. The dialogue is well written and occasionally funny, and the plot is okay. Overall, I'm enjoying the start of this series quite a bit: although at this point the plot is still a little bit simplistic. Still, I'm certainly interested to see where it goes, and how this future third member will be characterised and add to the dynamics of the two characters. For now, Artemis has potential - but it is probably too early to tell.

8.0
Aquaman: Rebirth #1

Jun 8, 2016

A solid start and a good introduction for new fans into the Aquaman series. The artwork and battle sequences were pretty cool and the clash of ideology and politics is fairly interesting, although it's not entirely original. Overall, it's a strong start but doesn't offer any real 'wow' moments. Will be interesting to see if there are any unexpected developments to this story line as it continues.

8.0
Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1

Sep 30, 2016

A strong introduction for new readers and some cool artwork sets up the Batman Beyond Rebirth fairly nicely. I wouldn't say that the story was ground-breaking in any respects, but the ending should hopefully set up an exciting start to the first arc. I'm a fan of the cartoon series and Terry as a character generally, so I am looking forward to this one.

8.0
Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1

Nov 10, 2016

Personally I preferred the backup story; exploring the origin of The People and Zenzi; some beautiful artwork and colours and well-written narration offers what I think will be an interesting elucidation of Wakandan politics and conflict. The first story, whilst the weaker I think as it lacks the same wider focus and mystery still offers a close and emotional look at the love story between Ayo and Aneka. It's not really to my taste, but for fans of the pair it will undoubtedly be worth reading.

8.0
Captain America: Sam Wilson #10

Jun 22, 2016

Quite an interesting book which engages both with contemporary politics and the main Civil War II saga. Mainly picked it up because I liked the cover and have been a long-standing Captain America fan of Steve Rogers- but this (new-ish) take is quite interesting. Not much action here and the plot was kept fairly simple, but the eulogy delivered was moving enough to pay good homage to the deceased War Machine from the main CWII story-line. Overall a solid issue and probably worth picking up as a tie-in.

8.0
Captain America: Sam Wilson #11

Jul 7, 2016

Another week, and this time we really get to hear what Sam Wilson really thinks about the events of Civil War II so far and the Americop story arc begins to hot up. A solid issue, nothing spectacular but an enjoyable read none the less.

8.0
Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps: Rebirth #1

Jul 13, 2016

A solid start to this ongoing series, it wasn't anything 'special' but it will offer plenty to keep Green Lantern fans happy and interested. The artwork was great on the whole and it did (I think, not having actually read them) a good job of wrapping up previous arcs and starting afresh.

8.0
Invincible Iron Man (2016) #1

Nov 10, 2016

Engaging and enjoyable introduction to Riri, with several interesting questions set-up here for the ongoing arc; particularly with the drive-by shooting. The first villain was a little dull, in so far as they were very one-dimensional in personality; but I think it was mainly to showcase and not detract from Riri that this was chosen. Solid art also complimented the character well. Overall an enjoyable start, and it will be interesting to see if this series can keep up the momentum going forward.

8.0
Prowler #1

Oct 26, 2016

Despite being a Dead No More crossover, this story has within it's own right a reasonable merit. It offers a tale of redemption, but also of circularity, and gives us a good insight into the Prowler as a character; making it perfectly accessible for newer readers. The narrative framing works well and gives the book a cohesive feel, and the cliffhanger offers up some intrigue for the next issue. The dialogue was so-so and the book (as a crossover) is bogged down by other things a little too much; but overall this was a solid start, and it will be interesting where this goes next.

8.0
Revolution #1

Sep 22, 2016

This was a solid start to the arc, with great art and colours and some interesting threads to continue onwards. I hope this story will push the boundaries a bit more and take a few risks - moving away from the typical kind of event 'culture,' but for the moment it'll just be fun to see some of these characters from the IDW universe come together and interact. At the moment, it's a fun start but nothing groundbreaking.

8.0
Suicide Squad: Rebirth #1

Aug 3, 2016

A strong introduction to Rick Flag and the Suicide Squad, this really has most of what one could want from a Rebirth one-shot. It asks interesting moral questions with well-written dialogue for the most part, and solid artwork. If it misses something, it is an engaging storyline and a detailed plot, but hopefully as the main series gets underway they can move from a fun introduction into a more substantial and interesting plot. If I had one other 'complaint,' it might be that the relationships and dynamics between the characters wasn't really set-up at all here; although perhaps that was more a limitation of length than anything else. Overall, a strong start but some room to improve before it will flourish.

8.0
Action Comics (2016) #957

Jun 8, 2016

Certainly a better and more interesting introduction to the new storylines than the rebirth title, this issue offers a nice mixture of intrigue and action which really sets up some excitement to come. There are some confusing elements still in place, but hopefully these will get cleared up as the issues continue. Overall, a solid, albeit not spectacular start.

7.5
Action Comics (2016) #958

Jun 22, 2016

Well, I guess the name really is what you get. It's called Action Comics and this comic is filled with lots of action. There are some interesting developments and it will be interesting to see how Superman's kid may get involved... but for now at least not a lot of actual story progression takes place in this issue. The art is solid, but with standards so high these days I'd say it isn't the best out there. Overall, this was a good issue, but perhaps not enough depth for me behind the action to make it as interesting as the main Superman title. If you like crazy super-villain battles though, this is the one for you!

8.0
Action Comics (2016) #959

Jul 13, 2016

Was going to give this a 7.5, but the Snickers advert perfectly placed in the middle of the comic (so much so that I didn't even realise at first that it wasn't part of the story lol) made me happy enough to give it an 8. What I loved most about this issue, adverts aside, was the art- which was better than the first few issues I think (not that they were particularly bad or anything) and really captured the action very well. Equally, it was on the whole it was well written and fun to read; although we still aren't presented with any real answers and on a basic level we are presented with an issue where pretty much nothing happens (i.e. lots of action, but the fight continues through-out the issue following on from the previous one and into the next). My advice is, if you like big super-hero battles and enjoy good art then get it; but if you would rather prefer story progression over one huge battle, this may well be one to drop.

8.0
Action Comics (2016) #960

Jul 27, 2016

This book continues, this issue more than ever, to be a master-class in how to draw and colour an action-packed superman battle- it simply is beautiful from start to finish- especially with Wonder Woman coming into the fray. What you won't get from this issue, but from the previous couple of issues you probably already realized this, is ANY answers to the questions from issue one or ANY overall plot progression whatsoever (the fight from issue one will be continuing all the way to issue six). However, with art and action this good I (almost) don't mind that :p.

7.5
Green Arrow (2016) #1

Jun 15, 2016

This was a solid first issue, but ultimately maybe a tad disappointing perhaps after the great rebirth start. I'm not totally convinced about the art now- something I like it, other times I wish it wasn't quite so cartoonish. The character development was fairly solid in this issue though, and on the whole it was well written; although at times it felt a little off for some reason. Certainly an interesting cliff-hanger at the end though, which alone is probably going to be enough for me to pick up the next issue! Overall, it was good but maybe I expected a little too much from it.

8.5
Green Arrow (2016) #2

Jul 27, 2016

8.5
Green Arrow (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

7.0
Green Arrow (2016) #11

Nov 18, 2016

Stunning art wasn't enough to make up for a mediocre-at-best story. Percy's game has gotten pretty weak since the first story arc ended, and this story while a bit of fun was really pretty shallow and predictable. There wasn't really much character development here and whilst there was some preachy dialogue it did little to add to any overarching sense of intrigue which could mark the book out as unique. Some incredible panels do well to distract, but ultimately Green Arrow is going to need a much richer story to carry out the Rebirth promises of this Queen/ Canary partnership. So far I've been underwhelmed.

8.0
Nightwing (2016) #1

Jul 27, 2016

A stronger start than the rebirth issue, this part is well written and engaging, with pleasing artwork and colours on the whole. This issue didn't really have the 'wow' factor, but it was enjoyable enough and will serve as a good entry point into the ongoing arc, although I'm still hoping for a little something more.

9.0
Nightwing (2016) #2

Aug 3, 2016

Much better than the Rebirth and #1, this arc just started to get interesting. Raptor is further developed here as a more three-dimensional character and we get a closer look at Nightwing himself, as he starts to delve further into his business with the parliament of owls and the grey areas of morality and other political issues. The relationship with Batgirl is also further fleshed out, and there is a nice balance of dialogue and inner monologue. Overall, this arc is shaping up nicely and it will be interesting to see where it goes to.

6.0
Nightwing (2016) #5

Sep 22, 2016

The arc continues this issue, and the art is a little weaker than the last on the whole, with no really attention grabbing scenes to call the eye to. The story doesn't progress much this issue, and we don't really have any new revelations or other layers to get our teeth into. That said, the overall premise of the arc is still somewhat interesting - although pulled off in a bit of a lacklustre fashion. The dialogue is fine, but it's not really inspiring or cutting-edge in any way. Overall, I'd say this arc is thoroughly okay. If you are already getting the titles, this certainly isn't bad; but if you weren't before or were not previously considering pulling this arc, then there really isn't much to recommend in these first two issues so far. Hopefully with next week we may see things pick up - but it is looking less likely now.

7.5
Aquaman (2016) #2

Jul 6, 2016

A solid entry into this series. The artwork is excellent on the whole, and really excels in the action sequences. Ultimately action is what this weeks entry really is... the big showdown between Manta and Aquaman and the combat is fairly well written. All that said, for an underwater hero, it all seems a bit shallow for some reason, and Black Manta was very quick to fold over all his plans and concede. There is a lot to like about this series but it doesn't seem to quite reach the psychological depth of other series, and the plot seems a bit simple... particularly with the whole issue being taken up with the conclusion of just one fight. Perhaps this will read better as a full arc in trade format... only time will tell.

7.5
Aquaman (2016) #4

Aug 3, 2016

A continuation of the political arc of this first series, but still a little slow to get going. This issue is mainly exposition leading up to the ending when things really start to get going in the arc. The artwork on the (relatively few) undersea large panels is great as always. Hopefully however, with the next issue we might see this plot up the ante a bit and move from a somewhat enjoyable start to a really great, memorable, work.

7.5
Blue Beetle: Rebirth #1

Aug 24, 2016

A fun start to the series, which can be picked up by new readers fairly easily, but will probably be enjoyed more by current standing fans. The dialogue was set up to provide plenty of snappy comic relief, which I guess for what is effectively a 'teen' book that was to be expected, and was pulled off fairly well. There is some intrigue here, about the nature of the 'magic' revealed by Doctor Fate; however I can't say that the plot is gripping. Overall, this was a fun, light-hearted start to the series, but I'm not convinced it's going anywhere that will be groundbreaking.

7.5
Champions (2016) #1

Oct 5, 2016

A fun start to the new series which will undoubtedly attract and receive a strong audience for those who enjoy young teen books. There are also some darker elements to this first part though, which was somewhat of a surprise. Overall, the start isn't groundbreaking, but it establishes some of the key players in the new team and the general direction of the book in an engaging way. The art style also nicely conveys the genre, and the use of texting and social media elements was contextually worthy of praise, but also not too overused here like it could have been. There aren't really any lasting surprises or mysteries set-up here, but it does give a taster of what is to come for these young heroes which will enable fans to assess their opinions on it.

7.5
Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1

Jun 1, 2016

A good set-up for the Green lantern stories to come and an interesting issue overall. Nothing spectacular here, but a solid first issue and plenty of intergalactic goodness.

7.5
Titans (2016) #2

Aug 24, 2016

This issue was packed with the action and confrontation that perhaps the previous issues missed somewhat; but then it was a little overloaded here in the balance with the story. Still, this was a fun and well-drawn issue, and it's ultimately still an arc which is both gripping and mysterious; after all we are slowly (and I stress slowly) uncovering the exciting secrets of the Rebirth event- and you feel that this series is a must-buy in that regard. Overall, I'd recommend picking up this series, although you can't help but feel the best is yet to come.

8.5
Green Lanterns #1

Jun 15, 2016

Honestly, this was better than I thought it was going to be and genuinely much more exciting than the rebirth issue. It was the new Green Lanterns first real threat together and the colouring and intensity of the art worked well to really bring the 'villains' to life and make the action realistic. The plot doesn't seem to be overly unique, but at least it has increased in depth a bit and overall I thought the writing style was solid again. A solid start and depending on funds I may well pick up the remaining issues of this story arc.

8.0
Green Lanterns #2

Jul 6, 2016

At last, we see the relationship between Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz really begin to develop and this issue provides plenty of character exposition that keeps us interested. Heck, it was even pretty funny at times and if we are to be endeared to these characters in the long run that is very important. The artwork is still as great as ever, and there are some really great panels around. If something holds this issue back, it is probably the plot; not a lot happens to progress from the last one, and the whole over-arching plot is still entirely generic. Overall this run looks more promising than when it first began, but it has still got a bit of a way to go to really win everyone over.

6.5
Green Lanterns #3

Jul 20, 2016

This arc is somewhat enjoyable, but is perhaps getting a bit stale already. There were some interesting moments in this issue- like the results of the confrontation between Simon and Bleez, but other than that it fell a little bit short. I think most fans of the new Lanterns will still enjoy this entry, but for me it's not quite up there with the best of the Rebirth set.

7.5
Green Lanterns #4

Aug 3, 2016

Not a whole lot happens in this issue, but there is some interesting character development between the two of them; and Simon Baz is undoubtedly more of a sympathetic character to the reader as a result. Overall, this was a good issue but the arc is only good and not great; worth a read, but it won't be memorable or defining in the long-run.

6.0
Green Lanterns #5

Aug 17, 2016

I was really hoping the arc would be over this time, but unfortunately it's still dragging on- so I guess I'll be picking up the next few issues to complete it. Overall, this issue was good enough for Green Lantern fans; the artwork was solid as usual, and the dialogue and inner monologues weren't badly written by any means. Personally, I'm just a little bored of this dragging on for yet another issue; where most of the content here is basically just a repetition of the previous content; albeit with a short meeting with Atrocitus.

7.5
Green Lanterns #6

Sep 15, 2016

This is probably the best issue of the arc so far, and a nice ending for it (although really it is only just the beginning) and the art was particularly incredible and worthy of note. That said, I think it's safe to say that this arc dragged - and is dragging - on for longer than I would've liked; and thus I don't really think this series is for me. If you are a big Green Lanterns fan though, things are looking up a bit for this series and it is certainly not the worst Rebirth series by any means.

8.5
Civil War II #0

May 29, 2016

6.5
Civil War II #1

Jun 1, 2016

The artwork is another great success and the concept and plot are both really good, yet there's a couple of things about the comic which really lets it down. The pacing is pretty bad and the dialogue is a mixed bag; it's so bad at point I wonder if it was even proof-read to make sense; e.g. "It's a freaky, giant, big, giant celestial giant trying to destroy us." I really wanted to like it and to some extent I did...the moralistic debate is interesting, the art and colours and great and the action is good; but honestly that writer (Bendis) could really use some lessons in basic English.

8.0
Civil War II #3

Jul 13, 2016

Without spoiling any of the big events this issue, the majority of the comic takes place within the courthouse, with a tense conflict between the two sides over the 'event' that had taken place. On the whole, the dialogue was well written and the moral grey areas were well maintained through-out to add intrigue and make the result captivating. We see the climax of the events starting at the last issue and a cliff-hanger ending which may finally bring about some answers. For the positive sides, the moral dilemma is still an interesting one, and arguably one side is not necessarily 'better' than the other (one major issue which became apparent with the first Civil War) and secondly, the artwork and colouring remains strong as ever and captures the mood fairly well. On the negative side, the issue perhaps lacked the kind of physical conflict which many fans enjoy, and ultimately is only really serving as exposition and set-up for the events to come in the second half of the arc as things really start happening. On the whole however, although the comic was a bit of a slow burner, it has kept me interested enough to be exciting about the conclusion and anticipating what is coming next.

6.5
Civil War II #4

Jul 27, 2016

My love of the artwork and the interesting exploration of moral dilemma has kept my interest in this series up till now, somewhat in spite of Bendis' writing. Whilst I won't spoil them, this issue does have further interesting developments in the conflict, particularly as we discover the result of the Hawkeye trial, and at the end we finally have the set-up for the division; and we know who has taken what side. On the less positive side however, Bendis still fails to excite me in his writing and the characters still feel painfully bland and generic here except perhaps for Tony Stark, the pace of the issue is also too slow really with the 'Civil War' only just about to begin, and probably going to be over in just 2-3 issues time. Overall, it's not bad really, but you have got to hope Bendis can find some way of exciting readers aside from 1-2 gimmicks every issue and a cliffhanger at the end. Yet, I'm not going to build my hopes up, for if someone can write an interesting book with realistic characters I have to say I don't think it's him; he seems completely out of touch writing anybody that isn't Tony Stark.

6.0
Civil War II #5

Sep 22, 2016

Well, I didn't see the ending coming. Partly because there was no set-up or explanation for it... so I'm not sure whether that is good or bad. The artwork and colours were excellent as usual, so that shouldn't come as a surprise. The somewhat lacklustre and out-of-character or generic writing also shouldn't surprise you; it's not much different to the previous ones. The action is here though; and I guess it's kind of underwhelming, but that's not surprising either. All that said, the situation with Ulysses is still interesting... and I will be finishing the arc just to see where it all ends up and how it is going to set up the new Marvel line-up. Overall, it's not 'bad' but it's hard to say this arc is anything above mediocre event standard.

7.0
Nightwing: Rebirth #1

Jul 13, 2016

A good exposition and entry point for new fans as well as standing ones, and overall a well written introduction and entry into the new arc. That said, it still feels a bit samey (with Nightwing up against a rebirth of the Court of Owls once again), and I'm really not much of a fan of the art and colouring at all. Overall this was good, but needs to give a lot more to compete with some of the other rebirth titles. Only from the first issue on-wards will we be able to tell whether or not this arc will come alive or fade into mediocrity.

7.0
Suicide Squad: War Crimes Special #1

Sep 3, 2016

I enjoyed the plot and concept for this one; it felt very Suicide Squad-esque, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. The political focus in this one was also very suited to the team, and gave the story more depth without feeling overburdened. That said, whilst occasionally funny, the dialogue did feel a bit forced at times; and the art and colouring really didn't appeal to me much at all. The colours were too bright and the lack of shading made it feel like an old childrens cartoon, which detracted from the serious content of the story. Overall, it was a nice idea and a good filler issue for the DC 5th week, but lacked the wittiness of dialogue and great art to really bring it up from just 'good' to actually being a 'great' issue.

9.0
Superman (2016) #1

Jun 15, 2016

Strangely enough, I really loved this issue. It wasn't really what I expected, but I felt this was more welcoming and homely than the rebirth issue and actually offered some really engaging character development and a study into family values. Granted it's not quite traditional superman yet, but the change of pace can work when it's pulled off well, like I think it was here. I really loved the artwork and colours of this issue and overall it was a moving start. If you are waiting for the big action and super-villain fights there isn't much of anything here for you in this issue; but otherwise I think that there is a lot to love.

9.5
Superman (2016) #2

Jul 6, 2016

I don't want to rate any issue as perfect :p, but this isn't that far off. Incredible artwork, touching story, beautiful writing and an interesting plot; plus some fun action against some giant octopus thing...can't think of much more you could want in a comic. After a VERY long time, DC seem to have finally worked out how to write a good Superman again...yet a Superman in a fresh and never seen before way. The book isn't even necessarily my normal cup-of-tea, normally preferring a darker detective story- but this is so good I can't help but feel sucked along. If I have one concern, it is that I'm not sure how well they will pull off the villains in this series and whether the development can be kept up at this level of quality. For now though, all praise for this super issue!

9.0
Superman (2016) #3

Jul 27, 2016

8.5
Superman (2016) #4

Aug 3, 2016

This was weird for a number of reasons, but also exceedingly enjoyable... I never know what's coming next with this arc and that is very exciting indeed. The artwork was good on the whole, but there were two things which bothered me in particular; firstly, the pupils (and lack thereof) in eyes and secondly a few rushed parts. Every single time Superman's (and other characters) eyes had a completely different design; with a very weird first panel with no pupil at all, just black purely black. Also I noticed that some of the drawing was a little lazy in the smaller panels at the start; on the 2nd page (top-left) point Jon seemed to have an angular almost square shaped head which looked very unnatural- perhaps a sign that the two-week schedule is insufficient time for the artist to produce their best work? Nitpicking aside though, the plot is good and overall this arc is shaping up to be a great rebirth start for this series.

9.0
Superman (2016) #7

Sep 23, 2016

Beautifully illustrated and heartwarming, this issue really had all one could possibly want out of what was effectively somewhat of a filler issue between major story arcs. Some light comedic touches, well-written dialogue and good character work all came together for a solid piece of work. It wasn't necessarily my normal cup of tea, but this run has certainly re-invigorated Superman to a standard it hasn't been at for a very long time.

6.0
Superman (2016) #13

Dec 21, 2016

Superman is still one of DC's strongest post-Rebirth titles, but really this (short) arc was mediocre at best and there's no need to gloss over that for the benefit of the doubt in the series' overall success. I've still got faith in the creative team, but this arc really seemed a bit unnecessary and out of place with the general thematic aims of this post-Rebirth Superman run. Hopefully with this short respite out of the way we can get back to the kind of quality we saw in the first story arc as the next arc gets underway.

2.0
Superman (2016) #27

Jul 23, 2017

The issue was inspired from a good place, but quite frankly it was a little boring, and not very well executed. if you are interested in American history you'll probably already be familiar with the content - and as a non-American this issue was a little alienating. I think my biggest problem was that the small time spent at each scene - along with the amount of historical context they tried to fit in (all within dialogue) just made it painfully clunky. But it wasn't really thought-provoking, it was less like an interesting discussion and more like opening a primary school text-book. The relation with the veteran could have been interesting if it was fleshed out and the relation between them was expanded (maybe exploring his life further, storytelling with Jon present) - but instead it was just very flat, he appeared out of nowhere and was then just flushed out with an unrealistic positive-turn; he was only there for a few pages and it felt really rushed. If it keeps up at this standard, needless to say I'll be dropping Superman very very soon indeed.

2.0
Superman (2016) #28

Aug 4, 2017

8.5
All-Star Batman #1

Aug 10, 2016

'My Own Worst Enemy' marks Snyder's return to Batman post-rebirth with a strong starting point to a very different ongoing series. The artwork and colours are beautifully done and the plot is a fairly interesting one, although a bit simplistic as it currently stands. It's fun also to see Batman outside of central Gotham; it really is a new birth for him, as we get to see his relationship with Two-face as we've never seen it before. I can't say I'm as gripped for this one as I am for some stories - the 'road-trip' idea is not entirely to my tastes after all - but I'll certainly get the ongoing arc. Actually for me, the shorter second story (only eight pages) was the better of the two; an interesting mystery, lots of questions and intrigue; not to mention a greater psychological focus on Batman's new partner Duke Thomas who has been fairly neglected in terms of character development in the Batman books post-Rebirth. I'm certainly interesting to see where this one goes, but for now a strong start.

4.5
All-Star Batman #2

Sep 15, 2016

For me the worst of three Batman titles currently by quite a stretch, the main story is just a little boring for me. The characters are all simplistic, with so many villains crammed in and no depth or effort put into the rendering of any of them. The second story arc (the mini-story) is the more interesting, but I really wasn't particularly impressed with the artwork on it. There was nothing *really* bad about this; but for 'All-Star' it's certainly not shining bright. If you want to read something good look no further than Detective Comics this week; compared to that, this is honestly quite boring. That said, some of the covers - particularly that Jock variant are fantastic; so it'll look good on your shelves even if the inside is sub-par.

6.5
Doctor Strange: Mystic Apprentice #1

Oct 26, 2016

For those new to Strange or interested in his early training this issue may be a good character building work; however for most readers it might be a little boring on the whole. There isn't really much intrigue created here for the wider arc and everything is really only just okay. It's not badly written, but it just doesn't offer anything surprising or exciting enough to capture anyone not already on board with Strange; or anything new enough to capture those who are.

6.5
Superman: Rebirth #1

Jun 1, 2016

A reasonable round-up for previous stories with some beautiful artwork, it's probably a good introduction to Rebirth for standing superman fans. That said, for those fairly new readers like myself I couldn't really follow it easily and any stand-alone plot was pretty much non-existent. Still a good comic, but definitely the worst of the four rebirth titles out this week (although that speaks more for their incredible standard than this being bad per se). I don't think I'll be getting any more of the superman titles, but I guess that leaves more money for other things.

5.5
Death of X #1

Oct 5, 2016

Death of X is a storyline that could have been epic. The problem is, it's released at a time where we already know the origins, the results and precisely what is and isn't at stake. Therefore, the epic proportions, the shock and the intrigue are all instantly minimized the moment we hear them. How exciting the terrigen cloud reveal would have been (that it threatens the lives of some of the mutants) if we hadn't already known it. How exciting the end could have been, if we didn't already know they were going to unify with their own side as one (and eventually fight against each other as implied). Instead, what we get is an 'okay' dialogue and a pretty lacklustre event.There is no point where I can openly say that it is bad - it is just simply predictable, like I've already read it before it all happens. There are so many characters here it's hard to develop a particular attachment or interest in most of them, and in terms of subtlety this is not Lemire's best work. One can praise the artwork at points, in particular in a couple of stunning action shots placed throughout; although the style isn't always to my taste. Overall, I'd say if you were desperate for this storyline to be told and are a dedicated fan of either the X-Men or the Inhumans, then it's worth getting it still - otherwise, there really is no need to pick this up.

5.5
Supergirl: Rebirth #1

Aug 17, 2016

A so-so start, probably good for current standing Supergirl fans, but not of a high enough intrigue to attract most new readers. The ending poses some interest for the rest of the arc, but overall the plot was fairly generic and I couldn't say that I cared for any of the characters. The art and colours were fairly good, but the dialogue was bland and uninspired at best. Probably not the very worst of Rebirth, but far from the best; if you are looking to cut down on your pull, this may be one to drop.

5.0
Justice League: Rebirth #1

Jul 6, 2016

By Justice League 'Rebirth', it basically means 'more of the same' thing Geoff Johns did in his run, but with everything made slightly worse, and the concept far less developed and the complete antithesis of anything claiming to be original. I mean... the plot is literally a giant something comes to Earth, tries to take over, fails and supposedly there are MORE coming. And why on earth (or even off it :p) anyone would want to see MORE of this kind of 'one-dimensional opponent' taking over the world trope, which has literally been done already hundreds of times before in literally every medium imaginable, I don't know. There was honestly nothing that bad about this issue either, it was just that everything was so mediocre they clearly hadn't bothered to put in the effort to try and create something either original or engaging. Luckily we have a perfect score for this- a 5/10, for purely average mediocrity.

7.0
Justice League (2016) #1

Jul 20, 2016

Was a bit better than the first issue. The art, for one, was stunning and the larger action panels were excellent. The plot was again fairly generic, although at least something grabbed my interest from this issue- the possessed people (the kindred) speaking about 'stolen words,' which has an interesting angle from a philosophical and linguistic perspective about the relations between culture and words. The characterisation of team-up books is always difficult to pull off, and was ultimately hit and miss here, although perhaps slightly better than the rebirth? Overall, the artwork and an interest in how these 'kindred' will be developed in further issues at least has me engaged for now... although I'm undoubtedly still a bit skeptical about this run after the rebirth issue dud. We'll have to wait and see, for me it is too early to call.

4.5
Justice League (2016) #2

Aug 3, 2016

1.0
Justice League (2016) #3

Aug 22, 2016

This Rebirth series is so bad it's almost laughable. In fact, I was laughing at a couple of points so perhaps 1 is a little harsh in that regard (note: laughing at it, not with it). The characterisation is terrible, the story is ripped off of other mediums, and pulled off VERY poorly, the writing is terrible and barely possible to follow at points. Even the artwork is terrible in this issue on some of the panels (especially the faces). Not sure if this book is a practical joke by DC- remember everything terrible we've ever done, well don't worry we've still got all that in our legacy too (condensed into one Justice League run); or it's just to make the other titles look better by comparison but Hitch's work is really disgraceful here honestly.

3.5
Star Wars: The Force Awakens #1

Jun 23, 2016

This has to be a joke. Not sure why anyone would want an exact replica of the film in a comic series which adds nothing and takes out a lot. Just buy the film if you want this and forget all about it. Maybe if this was something new, or an interesting take on it then maybe... but it isn't so just don't get it.

3.0
Black #1

Oct 12, 2016

The premise was interesting, the execution was... fairly poor. The new 'superhero' introduced was pretty much a one-dimensional stereotype, only very thinly padded out with any depth; and really coming off as markedly unintelligent at points, which really was a shame to see. The whole premise of him joining this 'team' was far off the mark; rather than a focus on personal tension and characterisation, the whole concept is seemingly swallowed up by what only seems like a rip-off of the X-Men or a similar such idea - except the misunderstood people are here all Black. Talking of which, and going back to ignorant stereotyping - guess what his reason for changing his mind to join this team is. Nope, it's not to help save lives, or to search for justice, or for any deep personal reasons; apparently it's EXCLUSIVELY because all the 'superheroes' on it are black; so GREAT... the main character can't have 'noble' reasons (are they saying this because he's black?) so it 'must' be because he has racial favouritism... really great writing (not)! Why does this matter so much to him? Well surprise, surprise we don't find out because it's amateurishly written. What is missing... oh of course the unfleshed out (white) 'archetypal' villainous figure/group that just appears at the end: how original again. Now all we really need is some nice dialogue between the characters... but of course we won't get that because as the character is black he needs to have about 50% of his dialogue being swearwords because you know stereotyping. Add all that up and I'm still confused as to how all three of them (and not just the one who ran) were shot at, why he was hit by "over a dozen bullets," and how the police instructions could have been so bad - not even any stated colours; there are questions over thoroughness and lack of training, but this is exaggerating the police negligence to whole new levels; they would know full well there are thousands who could fit those descriptions.

3.0
Cage (2016) #1

Oct 5, 2016

I feel slightly bad for giving this a three, primarily because the surprising cameo appearance in the middle is absolutely hilarious (along with the editors note) and is probably still worth giving this one a read. That said, the comic itself is 3.99$ for about 2 minutes of flicking through. To which all you really get is a few fights, a weirdly incoherent and completely depthless storyline (the extent to which this is the case is in itself quite an achievement). The occasional text box is used to fill out huge sections of key story related which they couldn't be bothered to draw or expand upon (e.g."and Cage doesn't know the whole story, for some mysterious silhouettes have been following him the whole day"), and the 'villains' appear completely contextless as an irrelevance before going again a few panels later. If you like Tom & Jerry or similar-such cartoons, but in a more expensive, but shorter, comic form then maybe you'll like this. If you prefer to have any kind of story or content at all for a 3.99$ comic, then you probably won't. I would have given it a 1... but honestly I still enjoyed the middle just because it was impossible to predict and you won't see it coming at all. I think it's fair to say there is no point buying the next issue though.

3.0
Deadpool: Back In Black #1

Oct 5, 2016

This was a solid start for explaining the movement of the suit from Spiderman's loss of it to Deadpool himself. That said, I'd kind of expected this series to be funnier, but there were relatively few quips or references in this issue at all, and the majority of it was mainly narrative exposition about how we got to where we are now. That would be fine, if it was interesting - but really the questions raised here are: if it's not humorous, then what is the mystery here, where is the intrigue, where is the captivating hook. More succinctly, why should we care about any of this at all? I have a feeling this series has potential to get better, and that this issue was just necessary filler. But really for a first issue you want the story to be engaging to a new reader - and honestly this was just plain and boring.

1.0
All-New All-Different Avengers Annual #1  
1.0
America #1

Mar 3, 2017

1.0
America #2

Apr 6, 2017

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