wakizashireviews's Profile

Location: Japan Joined: Sep 15, 2016 About Me: I also review comics on my YouTube channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse

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7.9
Overall Rating

This truly is the best Batman comic in a long time. I had no idea Marc Silvestri could write like this. I'm in awe of his art. An Essential Read for Batman fans and comic book fans! *Please ignore the FAKE low score "reviews" by the same user using multiple accounts.*

Holy sh*t! This was a fantastic issue in a consistently excellent series. No spoilers, so I'll keep this brief. I couldn't put it down. The way it all came together in this final installment of the Cruel Summer story arc kind of left me speechless. Now I have to read it again from the beginning, preferably in one sitting. We know how good Brubaker can be, and I have to give a huge shout out to Sean Phillips' moody artwork. The way he draws the reader in with his sublime panel layouts, it's a masterclass in comic book art. Brilliant stuff! This is a huge recommend from me.

This is what comics is all about. A shining and bloody example of the medium delivering what it's truly capable of. A rare "10" from me. I need to write reviews for issues #1 and #2, but this rating is for the series so far. Shame it's limited to five issues. John Lees' writing is exceptional and it's matched by Alex Cormack's brilliant art. A HUGE Recommend!

I never give tens but those empty-headed review bombers who regularly give their troll review scores have forced my hand. The ART alone deserves a 10! This series and particularly this issue is excellent.

As a long-time reader of Hellblazer I can honestly say this is one of the best issues ever. It's written by someone who really understands Constantine and is filled with little nods to the comic's history. It's also laugh-out-loud funny, which is rare in comics these days. That moment at the beginning when John gets all spruced up and is looking sharp, walks out onto the London streets and gets splattered by an exploding shit-monster. Truly, this issue made me so happy and I don't care how weird that might sound.

As the readers have already said, this is yet another brilliant issue of Hellblazer by the new creative team. It's dark, gritty, intelligent and surprisingly moving. Spurrier gets who Constantine is. Respect! This is the comic I look forward to the most, every month.

Continues the stunning run by Dan Watters and Max Fiumara. No spoilers but I have to say this issue really hit me in the emotions! I haven't been this moved by a comic book since 'Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows'. (Coincidentally, that was illustrated by Max Fiumara, too.)

I loved it! A rare 10/10 from me. I am happy to say this issue is excellent. It’s clear how much love and respect Daniel Warren Johnson has for these characters. It bursts off every page. He has crafted a very compelling story that delivers an entertaining and action-packed opening to this new series as well as setting things up for future issues. I went into this story with very little knowledge of the characters or what has come before. Yet I was immediately pulled in and had a blast reading it. That’s the sign of a great storyteller. Full Review on my WordPress Blog: https://biginjapangrayman.wordpress.com/2023/10/06/transformers-1-oct-2023-review/

It's only issue 2 but this has become a must-read for me. Stunning artwork and a fascinating story make sure Venom is one of the best books on the stands right now. Get on board before you get left behind!

Now THAT is how you write a finale! My goodness, there is so much happening in this issue I had to read it twice for it to sink in. I'm going back for a third read and will work on my video review. (Please look out for it on my YT channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse) The art by Pepe Larraz is absolutely stellar. Wait 'til you see the detail in some of the action scenes and the way he draws all the characters. I need to get a physical copy of this. And I'm definitely picking up the trade when it comes out. This comic has made my day and probably my week. Highly recommended! Full Review on my Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/wakizashireviews.wordpress.com

An excellent conclusion to the first story arc. The art and writing are so good they blow away the bad memories of the painful Hellblazer Rebirth series. I still wonder how that got past the editor(s) every month. THIS is John Constantine. Aaron Cambell's rendering of modern London is stunning--all dark and menacing but shot through with moments of magical fire. I am so happy this series is back to its best after only three issues. I just hope enough people are reading it!

Funny at times, serious at others. Some nice nods to past characters again. Matias Bergara's art gives it a completely different feel to the first story-arc. It's not dark and gritty, but bright and colourful. He is brilliant at facial expressions, especially Constantine's. I'm intrigued by the mystery that's building. This title is the first book I read on release day. Can't wait for issue six!

I'm late to review this, I know, but just wanted to add my two cents to the conversation. Spurrier's run on Hellblazer started off well and has got better with each issue. This one is a classic! It gives us a little look into Noah's life, as well as reminding us that this book has always been a horror comic. Recommended!

Another terrific issue with solid writing and excellent, atmospheric art. This whole series has been of the highest quality right from the start. With the sad news of its cancellation still ringing in fans' ears, we can only hope next month's final issue goes out with a satisfying bang.

James Tynion's run on this title has been terrific. This was a fine conclusion to the Witching War arc. I enjoyed Ram V's Annual so I'm looking forward to where he takes JLD.

This series has become a must-buy for me. Dan Watters is writing one of the best stories in years. If you've any interest in myths, fantasy or horror then you need to be reading Lucifer. Long may it continue.

Brilliant first issue! Cates and Stegman have left me very hungry for more. I've never been interested in Venom until now. The story is intriguing and the art is dark and deadly.

I haven't been this excited about a comic for quite some time, and it's only issue 3! Cates and Stegman are turning base metal into gold; a pair of modern-day alchemists. An essential buy.

Absolutely loved this issue which shows the origin of Kite Man. Batman lurks in the background but feels dangerous when he comes to the fore. The Joker is cool and menacing, and King's version of the Riddler is one of the best I've read. He really feels like a psychopath, always on the verge of flipping out. Recommended!

It's almost a crime that this comic isn't selling 200,000 copies each month. It's arguably DC's best current comic. I've been praising Dan Mora's art since BOOM's Once & Future and I'm delighted he's on this book. Waid appears to be having an absolute blast writing this series. An essential buy!

Batman: City of Madness issue #2 continues the strange and fascinating story of a nightmare Gotham which exists below the Gotham we know. Artist & writer Christian Ward brings it all to life in a series of stunning and colourful pages, with some of the art almost tripping off the page like a psychedelic nightmare. There is a lot going on in this issue, a lot to take in, but you certainly get the “Bang” for your buck. Yes, I think it’s worth paying the higher price for this. It’s original, entertaining and almost daring at times. At least this book is trying something new and makes a refreshing change from the regular Batman monthly comic. Link to my Video Review: https://youtu.be/ab-nsUlVxf8

This is a realy good opening issue and it looks stunning. Pepe Larraz's art is excellent. I haven't read all the Millar series that this event will include, but I still enjoyed the story very much. It left me wanting to read the next issue asap but I'll have to wait until August. It has also made me want to read Millar's Starlight, Prodigy, and of course Wanted.

For me, this is the most exciting current comic series being published. Issue #4 of BIG GAME opens at breakneck speed as we join Hit-Girl stranded millions of years in the past. She is captured and taken to an incredible futuristic city that will be familiar to fans of Mark Millar's EMPRESS mini-series. Has she any hope of escape or even survival? Pepe Larraz delivers more high-quality art and you can tell Mark Millar is having the time of his life writing this story. I'm only sorry the next issue is the conclusion to this series. I can't wait to read it! You can find a Video Review on my YT Channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse

9.0
Daredevil The Red Fist Saga Part 1 Feb 15, 2023

A great start by the new creative team. I loved Donny Cates's run on this comic book and am now looking forward to discovering where Waid and Saiz will take us. Some fine character writing in here. Bring on issue 2!

I loved it. I'm new to the character and all the good press convinced me to give this a try. Sean Izaakse's art is excellent and you can usually rely on Williason to start strong. Let's hope this becomes an essential read. I'm in for the ride.

After the fascinating 3-issue Blackstars run, the second season of Morrison and Sharps' Green Lantern kicks off with a great opener. It's fun, witty, looks stunning, and promises an intriguing story with its ending. I'm looking forward to the next issue.

This feels like the Hellblazer I used to love, back in the day when the world was young. Early days yet, but I'm really enjoying Simon Oliver's portrayal of Constantine and his world. A big YES to Chas, Mercury and Swamp Thing. Also the artwork and colous are beautiful in this issue, especially the scenes with Mercury and Swamp Thing.

Unlike some, I'm enjoying the different plot lines as we move from character to character. Oliver is writing Constantine like I remember him from the early days of Delano. The Scouse humour is back. The cocky attitude too. It's been nice catching up with Mercury, and I'm digging the inclusion of Swamp Thing. Good stories aren't just about action, shocks and blood. Plot development, atmosphere and suspense are crucial too, in my opinion.

Gorgeous artwork and some nice world-building create a fascinating first issue. I picked this up thanks to the high rating on here; so glad I did.

This comic book should be picked up by all those readers who complain that the general quality of art is declining in this industry. A delight to see and read, with a story becoming more interesting by the issue.

I was really excited for John's return and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. I loved this issue! It felt like coming home. Si Spurrier nails John's voice and sarcastic sense of humour, although he does make him speak a bit fancy at times. Aaron Campbell's art is suitably dark and moody and fits the creeping horror tone of this book. Now I really want to dust off the 12 issues of their previous run. If you haven't read that run, do give it a shot. And if you are thinking about picking this up, don't hesitate. Recommended. I have a longer review on my blog here: https://wakizashireviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/17/john-constantine-hellblazer-dead-in-america-1-jan-2024-review/

Dark, atmospheric, witty and visually stunning, John Constantine is back and in trouble already. I'm very impressed with this issue, as I was with the previous "Sandman Universe Presents" one. It's been too long.

Another very strong issue which continues the story of vengeful angels in London. John gets deeper into the mystery of what's causing them to manifest. There are references to William Blake, scrying, dangerous phone apps and an eye-watering encounter in a toilet. Can Constantine keep control of it all?

Great to have Javi Fernandez back on the art. Some of the pages and panels in here are glorious. The story is taking shape as well. I'm very happy to see Sam & Twitch appearing in this story-arc. Recommended!

Millar doesn't shy away from shocking readers but still writes a better comic book story than most current fare. The addition of Jorge Jimenez on art makes this a must-buy. I'm already missing him in Batman. Some of the panels in this comic are nothing short of incredible.

I'm really enjoying this series both for the stunning art and the exciting story. Here's a brief part of my review from YouTube where I describe the opening couple of pages: "We open with a thrilling action scene that picks up right where the last issue left off. Nemesis and the chief of police are plummeting toward the ground. In his best Batman impersonation, Nemesis fires a grappling hook through a high rise window. The two men swing through the air towards the high rise. Mayor Costello is watching all this from a circling chopper. He looks on in disbelief as Nemesis smashes through one of the high rise windows, police chief in tow." This is all drawn like a dream by Jorge Jimenez. Seriously, the art and panel progression is of the highest caliber. It's an exciting and flowing action scene. Recommended.

This issue is another banger from Millar & Jimenez. I like the way Millar writes Nemesis as a complete badass who is on a revenge mission that is taking no prisoners. No sympathetic villain tropes here. You get in his way and you're gone. There is some good commentary on superheroes with Millar not afraid to crack a joke at himself. Some of the action scenes and panel breakdowns are excellent. I've written before about Jorge Jimenez's stellar art and urge people to give this series a shot. It's such a good looking comic book. Recommended.

A very strong finish to Millar's best mini-series since King of Spies. Jorge Jimenez's art is outstanding. I am looking forward to seeing more of Nemesis. Recommended! **PS. The 3 "users" who have switched off the "Like" and "Comment" options on their profiles are the SAME person using multiple accounts to Review Bomb certain writers. Just have a quick look at their review history. They seem to have a major problem with Mark Millar and Chip Zdarsky, to name just two writers. They also give 9s and 10s to the same few writers. It's bizarre & annoying.**

Three issues in and this has become a must-buy for me. It's very funny, well written, and has artwork that perfectly complements the overall style of the story. Really looking forward to the next issue.

This comic just gets better and better. Great writing, artwork and storytelling. And I love Gene Luen Yang's sense of humor. Highly recommended if you're not already buying it.

After 13 issues, this remains one of the best comic books on the market right now. What are you waiting for?

Mind-blowing artwork and an intriguing story. And what a beautiful cover! Looking forward to reading more.

A really strong 9 out of 10, this one. I wasn't sure about splashing out 7 bucks for it, but now that I've read it I think it's worth every cent. Mark Waid writes a great Superman and Lex, and Bryan Hitch delivers the goods with some truly stunning art. When he's firing on all cylinders, it's a joy to behold. I also want to shout out Kevin Nowlan who does a great job inking Hitch's pencils. This story may cover familiar ground for long-term Superman fans, but I loved it. It's Waid exploring the fascinating relationship between Kal-El and Lex. And I'm in for the ride!

A year since issue #1? I had to double check it. I've heard issue #3 will be coming out in March this year. I hope so, because this is a gorgeous piece of storytelling by all involved. I'm really enjoying old-man Constantine in this series. Alec is written so well. And that surprising ending. Really excited to see how this concludes!

*Please ignore the idiots with their ridiculously low SPAM review scores. The fact that they don't write anything in their "reviews" speaks volumes.* Frank Quitely's art alone is worth a high rating. Add to that a very compelling opening issue with some brilliant examples of how to use the comic book medium as it should be used. Mark Millar is writing for the joy of being a comic book writer and for the love of the medium. Some people don't like that. The Ambassadors #1 is pure comic book storytelling. Recommended!

Dark, brooding, creepy and atmospheric with some excellent character development, especially for an opening issue. If you enjoy horror comics that offer a more unsettling psychological horror than shock and gore, try this comic. Lemire has written a compelling first issue and Sorrentino's art is as impressive as ever. A solid recommendation for fans of intelligent horror stories.

Another thought-provoking issue. This one goes down a darker path than the last one. I like how the creators seem to be playing it down the middle so far; the truth is a lie and the lies are all true.

An exciting opening to the latest volume of Magic Order. I missed the last volume but am glad I decided to jump back in with this opening issue. Dike Ruan's art looks great and Millar writes a compelling story to match it. Recommended.

If you have any interest in exciting stories involving magical battles, betrayals, love and death, then give this seris a read. Dike Ruan's art is top quality, too. Recommended.

I wish more people were reading this series because it's excellent. It's worth buying just for Dike Ruan's stunning art. What makes it an essential buy is Mark Millar's storytelling and characters. There's more story in this single issue than a lot of what the "Big 2" are putting out. Recommended.

Another excellent chapter in this RIDDLER series. Paul Dano is doing a fantastic job writing this book. It reminds me of the good old days of Vertigo. I have to mention the art by Stevan Subic as well. I love the way he draws the streets of Gotham all dark and moody with limited coloring, the people appear as shadowy shapes, vague and unsettling. Parts of this comic could've been pulled straight out of the Matt Reeves film.

Just great, great fun with some lovely artwork. I didn't know Gene Luen Yang was writing this title now. I loved his New Super-Man series. I'm going to start buying this monthly.

Usagi's back and in colour now! A fine opening chapter to a tale of mystery and puppets. It's great to experience it with Tom Luth's colours.

35 years of Usagi Yojimbo! Can you believe it? This is a wonderful retelling of Usagi's first story. Beware of goblins!

It's funny as well as action-packed. Reminded me a bit of a Kurosawa movie. It's consistently high-quality storytelling by Stan Sakai. I just wish more people were reading it on a monthly basis.

It's another excellent issue by Stan Sakai with the Usagi & Yukichi plot tipping its hat to the classic Yuki Onna folktale. I wish more people were reading this series.

This series is going from strength to strength with each new issue. The tentacles are coming out again!

Gorgeous art by Tony Daniel. The writing is solid and the story is mostly set-up for what's to come. Selina looks stunning in that dress and I love the panel where Deathstroke is being pulled through the wall. There's a nod to Nolan's Dark Knight in the Joker scene at the end. Overall, it felt like an issue of Batman. And. The lines. Of dialog. Were not. Written by Tom King. Thank the Maker! I am looking forward to seeing where Tynion takes us with his run on the title.

There is a lot to like in this issue, especially seeing Catwoman in that classic costume. I'm not sold on the big villain yet, but am prepared to give it time. It was fun spotting all the nods to the past, and was that a direct reference to the recent Joker movie? Yes, there's quite a lot of exposition in the conversation between Bruce and Selina but at least they look fantastic! Overall, a little choppy but a lot of fun. And yes, I also think it should be monthly with a regular artist.

As a milestone issue it is good. It marks the occasion well, especially the second half of the story. It isn’t perfect though and there are things you can find fault with. But maybe I’m overthinking things. Most of the reader reviews I’ve seen are positive, but the main criticism appears to be that this issue becomes a bit of a Picard Season 3-esque “member-berry” Multiverse of Nostalgia TM. Well, I’m a sucker for a bit of nostalgia if it’s done well and I believe Batman #900 does it very well. If you are a Batman fan, then this issue is a must-buy. Yes it’s expensive, but you get double the usual page count. And as I’ve already said, the second half of this issue is a wonderful trip through the Batman Multiverse. Not perfect, but so much fun.

I jumped back in after missing a few issues and can happily say this is very good. Big fan of Dan Mora's art and I get the feeling Waid is enjoying himself writing this series. It felt a little bit cramped towards the end, almost too much happening too quickly. But still a stong recommendation.

I don't understand the harsh criticism for this book. Some reviewers are complaining that it's all surface and no depth. Yes the art is excellent, but it's not just about the art. Ward might touch on some well-used Batman tropes, but at least he brings something new to the Batman universe. I'm a sucker for some cosmic horror and the Gotham Below idea is intriguing. I also really like Ward's take on Harvey Dent/Two-Face. It's one of the most interesting interpretations of the character in a long while.

8.5
Batman: City of Madness (2023) #3 Feb 16, 2024

Great FUN and I love the art by Steve Skroce. I got vibes of the classic Marvel Two-in-One from the late 1970s. Looking forward to the next issue and who will be Ben Grimm's co-star.

Another solid issue. Brubaker's dialogue is great to read.

Yes it's B-movie pulp and a bit bonkers but it's also huge fun! I got this first issue as a gimmick not expecting much from the writing, but Campbell can write. And he's funny! Atmospheric art from Risso and some nice minimal colors. I'm in for the ride! I did a video review here if you are interested: https://youtu.be/l4FS7xZPXBs

A solid, enjoyable start by the new creative team.

The best issue of Detective in a while. I'd almost forgotten how cool a character Catwoman can be. It's nice to see her written well for a change. And any story by Dan Watters, even if it's a backup, gets my attention. Recommended.

I kept hearing praise for Jeremy Adams' run, so I finally picked up my first issue of The Flash. I have to say I am very impressed. ONE MINUTE WAR Part One is a fast-paced, colourful and exciting story which promises to deliver a gripping story-arc. This is a strong recommend, and perfect for new readers like me.

A cool-looking, fun Catwoman story about a train robbery. I'm enjoying Ram V's take on the character so far. I love what he's been doing in the regular series.

Finally picked up this issue and was impressed with the writing, artwork and the eye-catching cover. It also has an intriguing set up which leaves me wanting to know more. Let's see where this goes.

I'm new to the character so this was a really good opening issue for new readers like me. Yes it reminded me of Top Gun Maverick in parts, but that was a great film so I don't mind. I trust Jeremy Adams to deliver after enjoying his Flash run and Xermanico's art is gorgeous. I'll be picking up issue 2.

Gunslinger is taking over King Spawn as my favourite of the current Spawn Universe comics. Brett Booth's art is always great and the story has been good as well as entertaining. This issue introduces new character Focus; intriguing but not sure about that name.

*WHY have the "critics" on here stopped reviewing the Spawn titles?* Great to see the return of Sam & Twitch in this issue, the start of a new story arc. King Spawn has been quality since it started. I recommend the series.

Shout out to us middle-aged dads and fellow quinquagenarians! (50-59-year-olds--had to look that word up.) This was a complete surprise. I picked it up because of the title and really enjoyed reading it. It's slice of life with a cool sense of humour and already compelling characters. Looking forward to issue 2.

We get a look at Nemesis's origin story as the anti-hero continues causing chaos in the city. He has put a price on every cop's head and it's having the destructive and shocking effect you can probably imagine. Can he be stopped? Worth buying for Jorge Jimenez's art alone. What makes this comic even better is Mark Millar's writing. I just got a comment on my YouTube review which kind of sums it up: "That short origin story section's writing is already better than a ton of other comics currently in print."

A very satisfying conclusion to the opening story arc. This comic is fun, like the comics I used to read when I first got into them many years ago. It's also well written and nicely illustrated. I am now a big fan of Gene Luen Yang. Looking forward to the next issue. It's interesting to note that out of the different Rebirth titles I sampled at the launch, this is the only one I'm still buying six months later. Recommended for all comic book fans!

I wasn't going to pick this up until I saw the two different art styles. I'm familiar with Mitch Gerads work but Evan Shaner is new to me. Both look great. I think the contrast between the two styles works well with the fractured storyline. King's love of repeating the same panel and dialog started to grate in the "real" world scenes but maybe I'm being a bit harsh. I really liked the scenes set on Rann...(is that the right name of the planet Strange was on? I'm new to Adam Strange:) It was cool seeing Batman in there. And an intriguing cliffhanger to finish.

A bright, hopeful and optimistic opening issue with some gorgeous art by Campbell. The characters' voices are really good and Williamson has penned a compelling story. I'm looking forward to issue #2. (I have a video review of this comic on my YouTube channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse).

Another good issue with some excellent art by Campbell. I'm enjoying the Parasite clone army idea. There's a great moment where we see a drained Superman temporarily lose the ability to fly and have to leap and climb his way up a tall building. He isn't able to do it "in a single bound!" I'm not sure about the new character yet, but I'm looking forward to reading more about her. Shame DC decided to keep the $4.99 price point, as we only get 22 pages of story in this issue.

Intriguing story for this first issue. I'm curious to see where Tynion takes it from here. The art by Martin Simmonds matches the theme of the book and it's glorious. Weird, edgy and scratchy, it reminds me of Bill Sienkiewicz's style.

I'll tell you what, I am one hundred percent in on this series after reading issue #6. I immediately bought the previous five issues and am halfway through reading them as I write this review. Despite jumping into the story partway through, I didn't feel lost at all. In fact, I think issue #6 works well as a single story in the longer narrative. It can be enjoyed on its own, yet leaves you curious to find out more about this world and what events led us here.

I picked this up because I heard Thessaly was in it. The story surprised me by being very good. It works as a standalone story but also expands Tynion's take on the Sandman Universe.

Well written by Dan Abnett with impressive artwork by Viktor Bogdanovic. This is my first time to read The Silencer and I enjoyed it enough to want to read more. Zack from 'Diversity and Comics' brought me here.

8.5
Weird Detective #2 Jan 13, 2017

Great writing and artwork yet again. Cosmic horror mixed with a buddy-cop story and a sarcastic cat. What more could you want?..

A great conclusion to the series. I'm just sorry it has finished.

After the recent multiverse story arc, it feels good to have Batman back in Gotham going out on patrol. I’ve missed that. I hope we get more of a back to basics Batman fighting crime in his city. It was good to see Batman catching up with Tim, Oracle and some of the other members of the extended Bat-Family. I was surprised by how easily Cobblepot junior resisted and then overpowered Batman. Recent Batman writers seem to enjoy making Bruce struggle, making him vulnerable. Well, apart from when they have him skydiving safely from the Moon to Earth. I have a video review of this issue on my YouTube channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse

New Story Arc begins in this issue. Jim Zub is clearly having a blast writing Conan again and his writing is top notch. Artist Doug Braithwaite does a great job with some very detailed panels. Yes, it's a change in style from the wonderful Roberto De La Torre, but it still looks great to me. There is a lot going on in this issue and it builds to a big cliffghanger. I love the variant covers by both De La Torre and Rebeca Puebla--those beautifully striking eyes! It's a solid recommend! Video Review can be found here: https://youtu.be/2VjXGyi9k3c

It's another good issue, even if the story arc is feeling a little drawn out. Zdarsky drops some twists in here that surprised me. I wasn't sure about Matt's reaction to Leonard leaving, it felt a bit childish. And I'm not a fan of the change of artist. But I'm looking forward to how this wraps up. PS. I'm sick of the SAME (fake) accounts Review Bombing this series. I think this site is on its last legs, which is a shame.

I feel a bit like the odd man out but I enjoyed this book. Yes, it's not as good as his original Dark Knight Returns but I had fun reading this. It's meant to be satirical, right? People still have a sense of humour, don't they? And the gorgeous artwork, holy macaroni Batman, Rafael Grampa has created a visual treat.

Remember the 90s? Remember when comics were entertaining and fun? This series has been a blast from the start. It feels like Todd is enjoying himself writing Gunslinger, and Brett Booth is killing it with his art! I'm having a great time reading this series.

8.0
Gunslinger Spawn #15 Jan 11, 2023

Nice to see this comic is now showing up in the new releases again. One "critic" reviewed it, thankfully. It's another very solid issue with some gorgeous art by Brett Booth again. It really feels like everyone involved in this comic is having a blast making it.

You're not here for the deep and layered story or the writing, right? It's all about the action and Brett Booth's glorious art. This latest issue doesn't fail to deliver. Some of the pages and panels are outstanding. McFarlane's clunky metaphors not so much. Yes, I've given this 8/10 but I'm still enjoying the ride and especially Booth's art. He is on fire at the moment. Pick up a physical copy if you can.

Weird yet intriguing story about a social media influencer. Not sure where this is going but I'll probably pick up the next issue. Great cover art, but the interior art hasn't won me over just yet. Has anyone read Thompson's "Lonely Receiver"? What's it like?

Great artwork and some solid writing. Not sure where this is going but I'm interested to read the next issue.

Beware vengeful Japanese women back from the dead! Especially the ones who can hit Hellspawn with a psychic spirit attack!

This is more like it. A decent horror story with some eye-catching art by Dexter Soy. I like Ed Brisson's writing here. He's been doing good work on Batman Inc, too. This felt like a palate cleanse after the Batman issue. Definitely worth a look if you have any interest in Ravager.

A definite improvement on issue #1, the story flows better in this issue as there is less set up. Some of the action scenes by Ramirez are really well drawn. *Shame one of the "users" keeps spam reviewing this comic (and many others). The low user score is unfair. Sad really.

This series has got better with each issue and it started well. I'm enjoying the character development and the ideas Millar is exploring with this cool premise. If you became a vampire, would you use your powers for good or evil? Juanan Ramirez's art is worth shouting out, too. I like the way he draws the three main characters when they're using their vampiric abilities. His action scenes are fluid and dynamic.

I like the premise of the story and am looking forward to seeing where it goes. There's a lot of exposition but the characters are introduced very well. It felt like a little too much of characters talking to each other but it is only the first issue. The art is great.

*WHY have the "critics"on here stopped reviewing some of the SPAWN titles?* This is a good issue dedicated to the character Nyx's backstory. It's exposition heavy but well-written, and the art and especially colors are very good. There's almost a fantasy style to the art this issue. Recommended. *Please drop me a comment if you see this review.*

Spawn has been good for a while now. Writer Rory McConville has pulled me in and I'm enjoying the exploration of Heaven and Hell in this current story arc. Barberi's art is really good at times, with an almost fantasy style when he draws the scenes set in Hell. I wish this title was getting a bit more coverage. It's hard to find reviews of the current Spawn titles.

It's all-out carnage against SINN's army in an action-packed issue. Nyx, Cy-Gor and Jim Downing Fight Sinn's Army while Al Simmons walks and talks with Wanda. If Al finally takes Hell's throne, what will happen to him? And does Wanda have an ulterior motive for being there? My video review link: https://youtu.be/AtsRfcBtAjY

This issue feels like it's going somewhere at last. I still feel like Sean Lewis is finding his feet with this team book, but the writing is always solid even if the plot meanders a bit. Shout out to Stephen Segovia for the eye-catching art, he's delivered a gorgeous looking comic this month. Great work!

*WHY have the "critics" stopped reviewing the other Spawn titles, even the latest issue of Gunslinger Spawn?* Here be dragons! I jumped back in with this issue and I'm glad that I did. It's action-packed and has some stunning art by Stephen Segovia. It took a while to find its feet imo, but I'm back and invested in the story again. Recommended.

When I first read the solicit for this issue I wasn't sure about it. But this comic really surprised me. Spurrier has written an intriguing opening issue which is a lot of fun. Who knew we needed the Kurt Wagner version of Spider-Man? I enjoyed this a lot more than the current ASM series. Definitely worth a look.

A good and intriguing opening issue with original characters and a nice spy theme to the story. It does enough to pull you in despite not giving too much character detail. I look forward to learning more about the characters in future issues. The world building is solid and the action--when it comes--is memorable. Ram V doesn't go overboard with his purple prose and Sharma's crisp art depicts the world and characters very well. This first issue left me wanting more which is a success in my book. Recommended if you are looking for something a little bit different than the regular capes & cowls fare.

7.5
Alienated #1 Sep 30, 2020
7.5
Alienated #2 Sep 30, 2020

Pretty solid story with some nice art. I loved the splash page with Nightwing back-flipping above near-future Gotham. I wasn't sure about the meeting with the new Batman. I preferred Dick on his own.

I reviewed issue #1 of I Am Batman on my YouTube channel back in September last year. While the art by Olivier Coipel was very good, the story didn’t really interest me and I didn’t continue with the series. I found main character Jace Fox unlikeable and wondered whether writer John Ridley was purposely trying to court controversy with his character’s attitude towards original Batman Bruce Wayne. Yet here I am six months later writing a review of issue #7. What happened? I think it was watching the new Batman (2022) movie that got me all excited and tempted me to give this series another try. It was also the cover art, to be honest. It really stood out among the new releases. The series artist has changed again, with interior art by Christian Duce. I don’t know the name but I enjoyed his work in here. I also got pulled into the story by Ridley’s writing, especially his character work. Jace Fox is much more likeable here and I enjoyed his interactions with the different characters. I found I Am Batman #7 to be much improved compared with issue #1. I enjoyed it enought to want to pick up the next issue.

Remember when comics were fun? Mark Millar does. Also I enjoyed Juanan Ramirez's art style in this issue. There is a nice fluidity to the action scenes.

This has a brilliant main cover and very good interior art by Carlo Barberi. The story is finally tying all the plot threads together leading to--I hope--a grand finale!

I need to re-read this but I wanted to give my first impressions. First off, Travis Charest's art is beautifully detailed. There are some wonderful scenes of Paris as well as the story characters. Mark Millar has been hyping up the fact that he actually got Charest to draw a whole issue as the artist is famous for being slow. (There's a fascinating video interview between the two on Millar's YouTube channel.) The story didn't grab me as much as the previous two issues. I'm not even sure why. It felt like a lot was being explained with the narration. Maybe a bit too much tell and not enough show? We meet the two focal characters of the comic, get a bit of their backstory and see them in action. It looks great but I wasn't feeling it. Maybe I was too hyped for tis one? As I said, I will be re-reading this after work before I make my video review.

One of the surprises of last month, I was not expecting to enjoy the first issue of Uncanny Spider-Man as much as I did. I'm happy to say issue #2 is another really fun read. Emphasis on the fun. I've experienced the two sides of Si Spurrier this week. His Flash #2 was a chore to read, whereas this was an unexpected treat. I also loved the flirting between Kurt and Silver Sable; are we seeing the beginnings of a romantic relationship?

It's great to see the Doom Patrol back, even if it is only for 6 or 7 issues. I enjoyed this opening issue although the Brain & Monsieur Mallah subplot felt a bit random. I didn't realize Crazy Jane is now the Chief, but I haven't read Doom Patrol since Morrison's run many years ago. Overall an enjoyable opening to the mini series with some nice art by Chris Burnham.

A definite improvement on the previous issue. I enjoyed the stronger focus on Bruce getting his bearings in this version of Gotham. His dance & dialog with Selina was good. I'm not sure about Jewel, another overpowered young female character. Not much development and what's with drawing her like a dude? I think in only one panel she actually looks feminine. I'm not sold on Hawthorne's art, despite some good action scenes. And I didn't recognize Punchline! She looked like a different character. The backup story is a bit more interesting, but the art was pretty mixed. Some good panels, but in other parts it looks rushed. I did a more in depth video review on my YT channel Wakizashi's Teahouse.

*[Please note: The official synopsis for this must be taken from a different issue. Shaman Waya doesn't appear in this issue.] In this issue we continue the story from #20 which saw the return of Dinosaur Queen Dakota. She appears to be looking to team up with Gunslinger and Taylor, but can she truly be trusted? Taylor doesn't think so, but Javi seems to be open to them combining their efforts against their mutual target, (no spoilers here). It's a simple story and a pretty fast issue to read, but 100% worth taking your time to appreciate Brett Booth's awesome art. I'm happy to say that McFarlane is still enjoying himself writing this comic. Long may it continue!

Lacks the pulpy style and feel of the original series from the 1970s, but enjoyable enough. I've liked a lot of writer Gene Luen Yang's comic book writing up 'til now, and he is the reason I picked this up. The art is okay, but it made me pine for the days of Paul Gulacy, Mike Zeck, and Gene Day; true masters of the Master of Kung Fu. A fun read overall.

The main Spawn title burns hot and cold at the moment. I'm enjoying Barberi's art but McConville's writing feels like it's setting things up for future issues. I just hope it's leading somewhere good.

This was a pleasant surprise because I can't stand Wong's dreary Deadpool. I'll admit it was Constantine being in the story that got me to read it. I like the world building and the bright manga-esque art. Plus Wong didn't write Constantine as a complete idiot or out of character. It's not as good as the classic Hellblazer Constantine, but it ain't half bad. Intrigued enough to pick up issue 2.

This is really Ultimate Invasion issue #5. Is Jonathan Hickman really worth you shelling out $7 for 30 pages of actual story? I'm not convinced. His voice for Thor was good. And making Captain Britain speak only French was clever but a little annoying to be honest. At least Caselli's art was mostly very good.

To be honest, this was a bit of a disappointment for me. The tone of the main story felt off, like it was unsure of what it wanted to be. A zany comedy or a more serious look into a multiversal Gotham City with no sign of a Batman. The art was disappointing after Jiminez's issues, despite some well realized fighting scenes. This issue was saved by the back-up story which is definitely worth reading, especially for fans of Tim Drake’s Robin.

5 stars for the main story and 9 stars for the Tim Drake back-up story. Chip really ramps up the feels with the back-up. You get great Tim and Robin moments in just a few pages. The "Batman" part at the beginning surprised me, too. In the main story, I got quite a few laughs. Unintentional I think, but Chip might've been having fun with some of the dialogue. It was pretty hammy at times. I'm still getting used to Hawthorne's art but he draws some great fight scenes again. My first LOL moment was when we see a certain character from Batman Inc. Wait 'til you see him! Maybe it's just me..? I have a video review of the main story and an audio-comic of the Tim Drake story on my YouTube Channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse.

This is a very fast read and not a lot happens. Dracula mentors Blade in his fighting techniques. That's pretty much it. Oh yes, and Bruce Banner appears on the final page setting up next issue's guest star. The change in artist was a bit of a downgrade for me. I remember how good the first few issues were and this doesn't live up to that early promise.

This was a bit of a disappointment. I was looking forward to the next chapter in the Sandman Universe, but I found this opening issue to be rather flat and dull. I didn't care about the main character Max, nor the other characters that appeared in the story. There was no sense of horror or excitement here. I feel like this story has been done before, and done better. It reminded me of an early story in Jamie Delano's Hellblazer run where John Constantine gets tangled up with a group of demonic London yuppies. Additionally, the art by Lisandro Estherren didn't work for me this time. I don't know if it was the style or the colouring, but it all kind of merged into one with none of the pages or panels really standing out. 6.5/10 P.S. On this review site, both the AIPT and DC Comics News reviewers gave it a perfect 10/10 score. Reviewers are throwing 9s and 10s around like there's no tomorrow. If everything is a 10, then nothing is.

After the hype, this opening issue left me disappointed and my wallet a lot lighter. 9 bucks! It's mostly set-up and takes 40 pages of actual story to not really go anywhere. The Epilogue was intriguing, but felt like too little too late. Bryan Hitch's art is mostly very good, especially during the action scenes. At times there is too much dialogue and narration, which has some pages coming across as overly wordy. And please abandon those graphic design info pages. They are a waste of story pages.

Amazing Spider-Man #35 is an action-packed issue with a lot crammed into it. After a very brief set-up for the upcoming Gang War story arc, we finally get the showdown between Spider-Man, Kraven, Queen Goblin, MJ, Paul and Norman. It will satisfy some readers, but leave others feeling cheated and disappointed. Patrick Gleason's art is not as good as it can be, no doubt due to the ridiculous bi-weekly publishing schedule. Even more disappointing is the fact that ASM is now a $4.99 comic book.

Amazing Spider-Man #36 is kind of fun in a goofy Dark Web way, but it feels like an unwelcome interruption to the main story. More like an afterthought to a story that concluded EIGHTEEN issues ago. Despite the bright cartoony art by Ed McGuinness, I was left unsatisfied by the lack of follow-up to events in the last few issues of ASM. Why drop this story now? It feels like they are buying time for the artists working on GANG WAR to keep the ridiculous twice monthly release schedule.

I want to give my initial honest reaction to reading this highly-anticipated comic book. Let me also state for the record that I was really looking forward to this new series and hoping we would actually get a decent Spidey story for a change. I gave up on Zeb Wells’ Not-Amazing Spider-Man last year. I was all Rek-Rapped out! So, how is Ultimate Spider-Man issue #1? Short answer: pretty boring with a serious lack of Spider-Man! There is a LOT of talking in this comic. Pages and pages of it. Why use one dialog balloon when three will do? And the majority of the talking is between characters other than Peter Parker. Sure, it’s nice to spend time with Ben Parker and J. Jonah Jameson, but I’m here for Peter. Now, there’s nothing wrong with set-up when it’s done well, but I’m telling you, some of these pages were a struggle to get through. It’s never a good sign when you find yourself flipping ahead to check how many pages are left. I kept waiting for something to happen. There is so little action or excitement in this comic until the last couple of pages and by then it’s almost too late to save it. Looking at this through positive spectacles, it hopefully means that issue #2 will be much better. Full Review on my BLOG: https://wakizashireviews.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/ultimate-spider-man-1-january-2024-review/

There is nothing wrong with this issue but I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because this story arc feels like an Elseworlds tale. The Selina scenes are good, as are the Alfred scenes. But Harvey "HULK" Dent is not working for me. He Hulks out much more than Bane ever did on venom. Same for this version of Riddler. Targeting kids left me shaking my head. I want Bruce back in "our" Gotham. Get him out of this weird universe that feels like it's going nowhere.

Since when was issue #25 of any series a "Landmark issue?" Soon Marvel will be celebrating issue #5. It isn't terrible but it isn't very good either. A very average 5 out of 10 and that's mostly for the art. Nothing much happens in this hyped-up and oversized issue. We learn where the kids came from. And that's about all. Disappointing. I enjoyed the art, especially Kaare Andrews's pages. He draws the first part of the story which is set in the alternate New York where MJ is trapped with Paul. Andrews's art is refreshing. It's vibrant and suits the story well. He draws MJ looking like a shapely woman, obviously remembering that she is a supermodel. Some artists seem to have forgotten this. John Romita Jr. does the art for the second part of the main story from when Peter reappears through the portal to rescue Mary Jane. It's a bit jarring after getting used to Kaare Andrews's style, but to be fair to Romita Jr., he draws a decent Fantastic Four and Captain America. I was surprised to see Marvel reuse some of Romita Jr.'s art from a couple of the earlier issues. I counted 4 or 5 pages of recycled art! It's been made very clear that editorial want Peter to remain single. I understand the backlash to this by a lot of Spidey fans. What I don't undersand is why ASM is the top-selling monthly comic book, if you can believe the "figures." It has knocked Batman off the top spot. Bizarre.

Here it is, the conclusion to minor villain Benjamin Rabin's revenge story arc, as well as the conclusion to the previous 25 issues' "what did Peter do?" story. Does anyone even care anymore? I don't know. The comic is still selling well but this run has been getting heavily criticized by a lot of Spidey fans. While not as terrible as some readers are saying, Amazing Spider-Man #26 is a drawn-out disappointment posing as a must-buy comic book. The big death feels completely unearned. Why is this character's death being compared with the original Gwen Stacy's shocking demise back in issue #121? It really does feel shoe-horned into this stretched-out story arc. Where was the set up, apart from a few very brief random scenes? I'm talking literally a few panels in the previous twenty-five issues where this character appears. Where was the story development to make this moment mean something? Why is this particular character suddenly so important to Peter? She wasn't before. I reckon they were originally going to have Mary Jane die in this issue but changed their minds at the last minute. It's a very strange conclusion to this story arc.

The whole Ms. Marvel Drama seems forgotten as a bizarre slapstick tone permeates this new issue. Doc Ock is back and upgraded. J Jonah Jameson is acting completely out of character. And Kraven even makes a brief appearance to be made a fool of by Octavius and as an excuse to info dump about Otto's new appendages. Ed McGuinness's art is decent but his version of Doc Ock comes across as a comedy character and lacks any convincing threat.

A confusing mess of a "story" with characters that feel like they all have the same voice. Some poor examples of dialogue where one character tells another character how amazing they are. Don't tell it, show it. This gets 5/10 because of some decent art by Vasco Georgiev.

I remember when The Flash comic book was fun. This was seriously hard work to get through. The narration is dense and peppered with similes that feel like they manifested from a creative writing class. See what I did there? No? Me neither. I like quite a lot of Spurrier's comic book work but this one has lost me. I was hoping for a cool, weird and wonderful story. Instead it felt like a chore to read.

"Hey, here's a great idea. Let's relaunch The Punisher with a new character nobody has heard of, just make sure it isn't Frank Castle." "How about Joe Schmo from Nowhereville?" "I like it. Then let's give him an almost identical origin story, just change it to the family being killed in a house explosion rather than the crossfire from a Mob shootout." "Nice! Don't forget to give Joe Schmo a helper who's good at tech, but let's make it a young woman this time." "Genius! What about the costume?" "It doesn't matter really, just make sure there's no skull logo on his chest." "OK, we can do that. Wait, the skull thing is pretty cool. I know, let's redesign it so it looks worse than the last redesign. We can pretend it's just part of his body armour." "Great! I love it. The fans will love it too 'cos they've never seen anything like our new idea before. We deserve a raise we're so clever."

If you want to see Peter Parker act like a complete jerk throughout this issue, pick this up. Instead of taking a little time to straighten things out with his friends, he refuses to cooperate and attacks them all because he "doesn't have time." Yeah, I get that he's desperate to get back and help MJ but c'mon man, grow up. This is not the Peter Parker I remember. Zeb Wells seems to really enjoy writing him like this. One more thing. I got a BIG surprise in the Letters Page. Nick Lowe actually printed a slightly critical letter for the first time in I don't know how long. Maybe he saw that recent Fantastic Four letter page.

The 8-page back-up story has gone viral on social media. I had to check it out for myself and see if it was much ado about nothing or another nail in the coffin of DC Comics. Is writer Matthew Rosenberg secretly trolling the fans or is it all just a harmless joke? I think it’s a truly strange and unpleasant story which wastes the talent of artist Franco Francavilla. It’s also a waste of the character Zatanna who deserves better than being dropped into this surreal story. How does this get by the DC Comics Editors? Is there anybody even checking these stories anymore? What do you think?

A big disappointment. Not much happens in the 22 pages of main story. We do get a lot of recapping of events most Batman comic fans will already know well; been here done that before. The art is mixed, even looking a bit rough and rushed at times, some panels are blurry. Maybe that's intentional for atmosphere but I found it distracting. And I usually enjoy Guillem March's art. There is one creepy body-horror scene that is pretty effective. And that's all. The 8-page back up story "Sweet Dreams" features Damian. A very different art style for this one. It's bright and colourful and kind of YA. Again, not a lot happens apart from Damian reading some books, falling asleep then waking up at the end. A dull addition to excuse the extra dollar you pay for this $4.99 comic book.

Disclaimer: A YouTube buddy asked me to read this comic to do a review with him. WTF did I just read? A comic book filled with unlikeable characters and no plot. Just a series of random events that are explained to you and actually mean nothing. And I don't know who that Batwoman character is because she sure ain't Kate Kane. How does this get past editorial?

Batman used to be an essential buy for me. Not anymore. I was excited when Zdarsky was announced for this book and I thought his run started really well. More fool me. Jorge Jimenez is wasted on this comic.

It's rare that I give such a low rating but this was a poor issue of ASM. The "humor" and story by Joe Kelly was all over the place. A lot of action scenes in which nothing really happened. The "Silicon Six" characters that have zero impact on the story or the reader. Bizarre "pee pee" jokes, again. That "love her like a sister" line at the end was just wrong on so many levels. And I hate to say it but the Dodson's art looked very rushed and sketchy at times. NOT a recommendation.

This nonsense excuse for a comic book actually did something very unusual to me: it made me angry. I'm usually the optimistic fool who focuses on the positives and doesn't waste time getting upset by a comic book. I'm the idiot that kept giving Zeb Wells a chance. Not anymore. I've had it with this run. I'm out until the creative team changes and that doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon. This issue is a complete mess apart from Ed McGuinness's art which is mostly very good. You have the cover advertising "Gang War" as coming soon. Why? It has nothing to do with this issue apart from the random Maggia scene that's dropped in halfway through. This is a Limbo Rek-Rap story. The tone is all over the place. One minute it seems fairly serious hinting at a deeper mystery behind the Repossessor's actions. The next minute it's dropping cringe-inducing attempts at slapstick "humour" with Rek-Rap's painfully unfunny dialogue. We have characters randomly turning up for a page or two for no reason. There are endless "interludes" that go nowhere and do nothing. It truly amazes me that ASM is still supposedly a "top seller." How? I don't think half the people buying it are even reading it. They can't be otherwise they'd drop it for sure. This comic doesn't deserve such loyalty. Apologies for the rant but I've had enough. I'll give the upcoming Ultimate Spidey a chance in January. Three issues to hook me. I miss good Spider-man comics, I really do.

This issue proves that ANYBODY can become a comic book writer so long as they meet certain "criteria." It's an absolute mess of a "story" with truly incomprehensible plot points. I'm starting to think Fitzmartin is actually trolling everyone. It has to be a joke, right? Why read it then? Because like Morpheus told Neo: "You have to see it for yourself!" 1. I mean the line about Bernard majoring in physics & biology to be a CHEF. Has to be a joke. 2. Tim thinking Bernard doesn't know he's Robin when he has changed in front of him in the last arc. 3. The "pee" line from Bernard and then his father demanding he apologize to his mother for it. For saying "pee"? Seriously? 4. Both Tim & Bernard leaving Bernard's parents in the burning restaurant to share "a moment" outside. 5. Bernard's "you're my gay awakening" line. It has to be a joke. Who talks like that? I really think Meghan Fitzmartin is trolling all sides with this series. And probably laughing all the way to the bank. Well, maybe not that last bit. Bizarro-world 2023.

Disclaimer: I only read this issue because a YouTube buddy wanted me to review it with him. We covered issue #1 and that was enough for me. This is not a comic book. I don't know WHAT it is to be honest. It was a chore to get to the end. I think it's 20 pages but it felt like 50. There might be some semblance of a story in this issue but I couldn't find it. The character voice for Yelena is Florence Pugh from the Black Widow movie. Only sometimes it isn't. It changes throughout the issue. Yelena is a trained assassin and would not come across as a village simpleton. She should be highly intelligent. In this book she isn't. The other characters have the same voice. It's difficult to know who is talking. The focus of this issue is on finding a job with a good dental plan. While shopping at a farmer's market. I'm not being sarcastic, it really is. Oh, and revealing to anyone who might be near you that you are a SECRET assassin. Apologies for the rant--a rare one from me--but I wanted to give a few reasons as to WHY this is a bloody awful comic book. I could've just written the word "terrible" and left it at that. I probably should've.

Absolute nonsensical "writing"! Just try reading one of the crammed-with-dialog pages out loud. As Harrison Ford once said about George Lucas's script, "You can type this sh*t, but you sure can't say it!" The 1.5 is for the art. I don't think it suits Harley or the comic, but it's better than a blank page, I guess. OMG, imagine pages and pages of Howard's dialog with nothing to distract you from reading it. That's not a dream, it's a nightmare! $4.99 for this!?! I miss Paul Dini & Bruce Timm's Harley Quinn!

Why does DC Comics hate Harley Quinn? They continue to publish the worst kind of "writing" for this popular character. This comic feels like a bad dream. The writing is painfully unfunny, puerile and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If you are looking for a well-written Harley Quinn, check out Batman & Joker Deadly Duo or Sean Murphy's White Knight comics.

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