Heart, Humor, and a handful of Cheese. Definitely everything I was hoping for in a new Archie series. Even though it may be temporary, Fiona Staples' art is great. It gives Archie an updated modern feel while still playing true to the classic look and feel of Archie comics. Waid's story wastes no times introducing the players and world of Riverdale in a very Teen movie/TV fourth-wall-breaking way (e.g. Ferris Bueller). The two together bring a seamless flow to this issue that whether you've read 600 Archie comics or this is your first, you're prepared. At the end of the issue, I realize I just read a teen soap story. I realize I'm a grown adult man and this is about high school... and high school loves... and friendships... and popularity... and still I can't help but eagerly anticipate the next issue.

The most difficult part of this next arc will be waiting for the next issue. Aaron has twice now dumped a puzzle out onto the table, put it together, then took it apart, and put it away. It has been great to read this story as it has wrapped up each arc setting the scene for more to come. We've seen most of the players involved, but one presence will finally be known and it should prove to be the most action packed arc of the series. Beyond that, it's worth noting that Jason Latour's art has been consistently excellent throughout this series. The lines, tone, and details have really benefited the storytelling in the best ways. Excited to see where this next arc goes.

Wild's End, the previous 6-part series, left me with questions and while I enjoyed the storytelling, the artwork, and the attention to detail with additional letters and journal entries from the characters, I hoped they would extend the series to clean some things up. Well, my wish was granted. Not a telling from a new perspective or a prequel, but rather the Enemy Within is a new standalone story picking up shortly after where the initial left off. The introduction of some interesting new characters and a new direction with characters we grew to love in the previous series, but thanks to the team of Abnett and Culbard, it's not difficult to get a feel for their different personalities. I'm looking forward to see how this develops and if they will give me the closure I want from the wanderers of Lower Crowchurch.

I didn't know what to expect from this title. I know Titan publishes quality work, but being familiar with Assassin's Creed, but never reading any stories in comic book form, I was skeptical. Ultimately, I'm glad I picked this up. It was a great story setting up a character that was easy to relate to and likable. I will say the last panel was fairly jarring, but it does set the tone for what should be a very interesting ride. If you like a story that's driven by the characters more than the over-riding theme of "hey, this is kinda like the game" then check this issue out.

In the ever-growing, expanding, and evolving world of comics today, there is a very undefined genre of 'all-ages'. Typically this gets pigeon-holed into "kids comics" or "young readers". While that's the case for some, it shouldn't represent the entire lot of 'all-ages' comics. Bizarro #1 defines what an 'all-ages' book should be. If I wasn't concerned that the rating system would be skewed, I would give this book a 0, because it was so bad, or the worst. So bad, that it has left me speaking in Bizarro terms. In non-bizarro-speak, it was great. It was a fantastic opening to what has already set up a very interesting story between a lovable oaf/villain Bizarro and Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen... and a Chupacabra named Colin. Generally, I will immerse myself into a comic when I'm reading it and to everyone around me, show virtually no emotion, but this was not the case for Bizarro, as I periodically chuckled to myself at the silliness occurring. Corson, Duarte, and the rest of the creative team have done an excellent job with an all-age interpretation of a classic villain that's telling a story accessible to everyone while showing, even in its first book, that being different doesn't make you bad. And on that note, amst not looking backward to reading the previous issue.

This book is R4D. A man with an exciting past, relegated to a desk job and a mundane life. Oh... but he's a robot, because it's only robots now on Earth. Asimov is currently rolling in his grave, but it might be from laughter. The idea that robots, built by humans, learning to destroy like humans, conquer like humans, are still designed/resigned to live to the potentials of humans is unique and interesting. It's tough to narrow down the group of people who would enjoy this book most, but if you like robots, IT jokes, or fun, this is worth a shot.

Another vigilante? Another good guy done wrong looking to do right? Maybe. Dark Circle's premiere issue of Black Hood #1 set the stage for their future endeavors and set the tone for what should be expected. This isn't Riverdale and we aren't divided into good guys and bad guys anymore; this is Philly and there's a lot of gray areas. The art is in-line with the story itself and the grittiness involved while the story holds nothing back in its language and honest narration. The Black Hood #1 is a strong debut that left me satisfied and still interested in what's to come.

As an adult heterosexual male, it's almost assumed that I grew up with friends who if 10+ years ago (or even today) saw me picking up an issue of a comic book that was pink, bubbly, and with all due respect, might as well have some glitter element to it... well, I would surely be heckled. That being said, comics, the growing community of comics, and the evolving mindsets of people who read comic books now are less likely to assume and place a label on a comic book such as "Comics for Boys/Comics for Girls". There are many men out there who would scoff at the idea that they could be interested in a book about high school girls... meanwhile there's no doubt that they watched the Powerpuff Girls and Mean Girls just might be one of their top ten favorite films. To them, I say, "Scoff if it makes you feel better, but..." "Zodiac Starforce" is a treat in so many ways. Depending on how complex the storyline progresses, right now this series appears to be a great all-ages book, similar to other current titles like Lumberjanes and Bizarro. Kevin's writing in this has provided a great balance of action, drama, and buttfarts (I mean, comedy). In following the story as it develops, there's a tendency to forget these are high school girls with high school problems, but he finds a way to subtly and not to subtly bring the characters to the forefront, which is simultaneously a credit to Paulina's art. The way in which this story is illustrated keeps the reader in a place where it isn't strange to see these characters fighting other-worldly monsters and two pages later sitting on a couch at a house party. The first issue sets up nicely for upcoming conflicts both in the girls' high school and Starforce lives. I'm looking forward to seeing if this series can maintain the momentum it has started with.

Spider-verse was fun. There's no denying that anyone who has ever been a fan of Spider-man didn't enjoy seeing dozens team-up, crack jokes, and kick butt. There were infinitely as many ways this could have ended as there are universes, but Slott choice a few stories to wrap up and a few to leave open for the future. It was also a really great touch to find the Easter egg planted back in Superior Spider-man #19 that would come to make sense in this issue. Definitely did not feel let down with the time put into this event.

If you've been following Batman's storyline and the general Bat-verse, this is a great issue. If you haven't, you're probably in the dark due to the lack of a recap. That being said, James Tynion IV does a good job of making sure the reader gets enough hints as to what's going on and why Bruce Wayne wasn't in his house. In terms of the story that Snyder has been crafting, it helped move it along a bit so it doesn't need to be explained in any great detail through Snyder's scripts. Without getting into spoilers, some classic Bat-villains were featured and Roge Antonio illustrated them wonderfully. All-in-all, Tynion and Antonio really kept the Snyder/Capullo story moving while providing a really entertaining stand-alone annual.

For the first time in this series, I feel like there's a enough of story to satisfy. The pedigree of those involved in this series are the main reasons I've stayed involved. The pace of this series has been slow overall, but still filled with great moments of action. It's now put, what seems to be, all the missing pieces on the table and it's time to explode. With one more issue, I'm anticipating a strong finish in issue #5 for a series from a group of very talented creators. I will also say, a bit prematurely, that this story may lend itself to being a more satisfying TPB/GN when available for those who haven't given this a look yet.

We're at #2 of 5 and I'm eager to see what's next. The story is moving at a comfortable if not slightly fast pace, but it's enjoyable. Joelle's art on this is paired perfectly with the content and I find myself remembering scenes and images vividly. I have suspicions of where this might go, but I'm confident that Jamie knows where he wants to take this and so I'm on for the ride till #5.

Anthropomorphic animals have never looked so good and been able to evoke emotions to an extent that it's almost lost that these are squirrels, foxes, and crows. Ashley Witter has really put together a piece of art alongside Ash Maczko. It took a little time to get into the story, but the illustration paired well enough with the content that I eventually fell right into it. I'm looking forward to see what's next and the direction the book takes.

There was a lot that worked with this comic, including the previous three issues leading to this conclusion. The art, the characters, the dialogue... but it all started to fizzle between this issue and the previous. The previous ended on an ominous note, leaving you with confirmation of something that you sort of expected to happen. The final issue really played out all too quickly with a handful of stumbling blocks for the protagonists, which you would expect to be resolved in the long run, but rather, they were wrapped up rather quickly. I will stress that as a run, I enjoyed this series. I think the creative team did a great job, but it finished a little flat. I would recommend this to people, primarily if they read it all at once. The wide cast of characters spends most time focusing on only a few, and the others are less memorable if you've read each issue weeks apart. A day after I read it, I'm still not certain that I would have enjoyed it better with 1 or 2 more issues or what changes if any would have made me enjoy it more, but as it stands, the last couple of issues felt rushed, and I guess I just wanted to spend a little more time with the characters.

This issue was tough. There's an extremely interesting story behind this issue, but it takes more effort than I was expecting to try and pull it out. As a reader, I'm not sure if making this issue longer would have made some of the jumps in narrative less jarring or if it would actually make it less interesting. Aside from the pace of the book, there were some points that I wasn't sure what happened. The map and timeline at the end of the book is a useful tool, but the story should have been easier to follow without it. It was a disappointment because there are still many parts (the majority of this book) where you can see how talented the creators involved in this book are, but it just seemed to come loose in a few. I'll stick around for a second issue because I do believe there is a compelling story here, I just hope it gets a bit clearer.

It was just what I expected (and feared) for issue #1. Being a fan of the show put me at a disadvantage. I knew what was going to happen, I knew all of the players involved, and I didn't feel like I gained anything once it was finished. That being said, what I anticipate from the series is a more in-depth look at the other characters leading up to their interaction. The next one is about Helena and I hope we learn more about her origin. If I feel the same way after Helena's issue as I did about Sarah's, it will be hard for me to justify continuing this series with Alison or even Cosima.