9.2 |
Overall Rating |
7.0 |
All Night & Every Day (2023) #1 |
Apr 8, 2023 |
Looks great and competently scripted although 48 pages may not be enough to cover the potential this story has. |
7.0 |
Joe Fixit (2023) #1 |
Jan 14, 2023 |
The cover is far from dynamic but the story toddles along at a decent pace, with credible dialogue and competent interior artwork from Cinar. Difficult to see how they will deliver a full miniseries with such a narrow premise but its in the pull list and David is always worthwhile. |
7.0 |
Super Freaks (2022) #1 |
Jul 30, 2022 |
Beautiful cover by Larsen but the interior varies massively in quality. Only really for fans of Savage Dragon, which I have been since day 1. |
7.5 |
Southside #1 |
Nov 29, 2021 |
Despite several 80s action movie tough guy cliches and art that looks like it has jumped straight from the pages of a mid-90s Image/ Extreme Studios publication, Southside remains appealing due to a solid narrative structure, strong inks reminiscent of Art Thibert and beautiful colouring which pops off the page. |
8.0 |
Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #1 |
May 17, 2022 |
Strong narrative structure, convincing dialogue with a palpable sense of desperation and regret from the protagonist. Romita's pencils, with Hanna on finishes, have been better in previous incarnations of their tenure on the character but its perfectly serviceable. The 5.99 price tag is a bit hefty, especially when many books of a higher quality are still at the 3.99 price point. |
8.0 |
Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #6 |
Aug 12, 2022 |
It was enjoyable, but very steep at $9.99. I've always been a fan of Ed McGuinness's art but he really needs Dexter Vines as his inker to deliver the goods. Murky watercolour effects suit many independent comics in the crime and horror genre but it doesn't really work in the superhero world. Backups were pointless, although I'm always happy to see the master of minimalism, Marcos Martin, even if it's only a mere two pages. |
8.0 |
Nature's Labyrinth #1 |
Nov 5, 2022 |
A book with potential but it'll take a few issues to ultimately decide. Engaging, readable art from Underwood and decent dialogue from the reliable Thompson. |
8.0 |
Traveling to Mars (2022) #2 |
Jan 14, 2023 |
Continues to be intriguing as we travel with our protagonist to Mars. Likeable art and an engaging narrative. Russell is as reliable as always. |
8.5 |
The Winchester Mystery House #1 |
Nov 17, 2021 |
Mysterious and intriguing, with minimal exposition and all the better for it. Irvin's art, especially his character designs, are highly evocative of the period in which the story is set. Greatly anticipating the story that is set to unfold. |
8.5 |
Underheist (2023) #1 |
Jan 1, 2024 |
A lot to like in this debut issue. Not Lapham's finest work, that will always be Stray Bullets, but difficult to judge yet based on only 1 issue. I'm unaccustomed to seeing his work in colour and the lettering is pretty wonky. These,however, are minor criticisms in a book with plenty of potential. |
8.5 |
What If...Miles Morales #3 |
May 18, 2022 |
Best issue of the series so far. Salazar channels his inner Gary Frank on pencils/ inks and Piper manages the difficult task of delivering a full story in a single issue. |
9.0 |
Ant (2021) #1 |
Nov 16, 2021 |
Very enjoyable first issue from Erik Larsen. Minimal use of inks relative to his work on Savage Dragon. Looking forward to the future expanding storyline. |
9.0 |
Ant (2021) #2 |
Mar 19, 2022 |
Two issues in, and so far, so good. I'm enjoying the more minimalist inking style we are familiar with from the 'This Savage World' days in Larsen's Savage Dragon. The visual approach to clothing folds in ANT seems vaguely reminiscent of Geoff Darrow or Steve Skroce, which is always a good thing. A great read with the promise of more. |
9.0 |
Charlie's Spot #1 |
Mar 19, 2022 |
Very likeable and engaging debut issue from George O Connor, Meredith Laxton and Cex publishing with a surprising amount of character development crammed into 20 pages. Highly Recommended. |
9.0 |
Charlie's Spot #2 |
Mar 19, 2022 |
9.0 |
Charlie's Spot #3 |
Mar 19, 2022 |
9.0 |
Charlie's Spot #4 |
Mar 19, 2022 |
One of my favourite comics of the year. Its got heart, soul, character and beautiful artwork. Pick it up. |
9.0 |
Chicken Devils #1 |
Oct 23, 2022 |
9.0 |
DC Horror Presents: Soul Plumber #1 |
Nov 21, 2021 |
Disturbing and compelling in equal measure. This feels like a fresh tale of dysfunctional humanity from Ben Zebrowski, Marcus Parks, John McCrea and PJ Holden. |
9.0 |
Dead End Kids: The Suburban Job #3 |
May 25, 2021 |
Great read and perfectly pitched artistic style. |
9.0 |
Duplicant #1 |
May 25, 2021 |
Impressive debut issue. Engaging script with a highly complimentary artistic style. Recommended. |
9.0 |
Invasive (2023) #1 |
Jan 1, 2024 |
Another impressive debut from the master of horror Cullen Bunn. The theme of surgical addiction is one I've never seen in comics before. Looking forward to Bunn's unique take, as always. Very complimentary artwork from Jesus Hervas too. Highly recommended. |
9.0 |
Invasive (2023) #3 |
Mar 16, 2024 |
Im liking this series more and more as it progresses. Particularly intricate fine line inkwork from Sabbatini and the usual compelling dialogue from Bunn. |
9.0 |
Primordial #1 |
Oct 16, 2021 |
A revisionist history of the space race from Lemire and Sorrentino. Well paced with trickled exposition and beautiful Quitely-esque art in the final pages. |
9.0 |
Rainbow Bridge OGN |
Nov 15, 2021 |
Beautiful enticing art, well rounded characters and a script with genuine emotional resonance. Highly recommended. |
9.0 |
Refrigerator Full of Heads (2021) #1 |
Nov 20, 2021 |
A much welcome sequel to the brilliant Basketfull of Heads. Nice introductory issue with dynamic art and snappy dialogue |
9.0 |
Silver City (2021) #1 |
May 21, 2021 |
Lots to rave about with the debut issue of silvercitycomic by olivia briggs, luca merli daveLsharpe and AfterShock Comics. I've always been a sucker for stories where the protagonist is drip fed revelations in tandem with the reader. More of this type of thing please. |
9.0 |
Traveling to Mars (2022) #1 |
Dec 6, 2022 |
Beautiful premise, well paced with convincing dialogue from Russell as always. Highly recommended. |
9.0 |
When The Blood Has Dried (2024) #1 |
Apr 13, 2024 |
Nice world building going on here. Fascinating artistic style from Romero. The story from newcomer Moloney felt a little slight but this is only chapter 1 so plenty of time to flesh it out. All in all, an impressive debut |
9.5 |
Astronaut Down (2022) #1 |
Jun 12, 2022 |
Another triumphant debut issue from James Patrick and Aftershock Comics. Rubine's art manages to be both paradoxically simple and complex, utilising a minimalist approach to inking which is very effective. Expert colour blending from Valentina Briski backed up by competent lettering from Carlos Mangual. Consistently entertaining from the start, this looks like it could be one of THE books of 2022. |
9.5 |
Duck And Cover (2023) #1 |
Oct 8, 2024 |
Riveting from the off. The Breakfast Club meets War of the Worlds via Grease. Buy this book |
9.5 |
Friday Vol. 1: First Day Of Christmas |
Jan 5, 2022 |
Progressively more interesting as the story develops, bringing the reader to a cliffhanger ending which leaves us with more questions than answers. |
9.5 |
Godkillers #1 |
Apr 19, 2024 |
A very different type of book than that to which I am accustomed. Beautiful inkwork from Maan House. A very promising introductory issue. |
9.5 |
Human Remains #1 |
Dec 17, 2021 |
Fascinating and horrible. The usual brilliant writing from comics legend Peter Milligan. |
9.5 |
Human Remains #2 |
Dec 17, 2021 |
Human Remains continues to impress, emphasising the strain on relationships caused by the life form mania. Ostensibly a horror comic, it's actually more of an inter personal drama and all the better for it. Highly recommended. |
9.5 |
Human Remains #3 |
Dec 17, 2021 |
Building on the previous issue, but cleverly stepping backwards to an earlier time which establishes further context as the story progresses. One of my favourite comics of the year. |
9.5 |
Mazebook #2 |
Nov 29, 2021 |
#Mazebook by @jefflemire and @darkhorsecomics continues to impress with issue 2. The sense of desperation is palpable as the protagonist struggles with that fine line between fantasy and reality, desperately wanting to believe what logic dictates cannot possibly be true. |
9.5 |
Not All Robots #1 |
Sep 26, 2021 |
Plenty of humour and contemporary references in this satirical allegory. Mike Deodato adopts an unfamiliar style for this book, which suits the theme, and is very reminiscent of the old ABC warriors stories from 2000ad. A winner all the way. |
9.5 |
Regarding the Matter of Oswald's Body #1 |
Dec 17, 2021 |
100 bullets meets Mission Impossible in this thoroughly enjoyable debut issue from Boom studios. |
9.5 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #267 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
A perfect montage of the entire history of Frank and Angel in advance of their nuptials, with a very unexpected twist. Loads of action, vibrant colouring and rapid pacing. TOP CLASS stuff from Larsen, as always. |
9.5 |
The Lonesome Hunters #1 |
Jul 26, 2022 |
Riveting from the start, Crook presents his usual murky, but stunning watercolours and engaging dialogue. Another winner from Crook and Dark Horse. |
9.5 |
The Winchester Mystery House #3 |
Feb 22, 2022 |
A satisfying conclusion to volume 1 with convincing dialogue and a subtlety rarely found in the horror genre. |
10 |
Bunny Mask #1 |
Jul 11, 2021 |
Disturbingly creepy in all the right ways, Bunny Mask draws the reader in from the very first panel with watercolour-esque art by Andrea Mutti and a premise with much promise from writer Paul Tobin. Another winner from After Shock |
10 |
Dick Tracy (2024) #2 |
Jul 11, 2024 |
This is a joy from beginning to end. Perfect pacing, snappy dialogue and some genuinely hilarious panels. This is top of the reading pile from now on. |
10 |
Mapmaker (2021) #1 |
May 25, 2021 |
Great fun, all ages book. It's Pirates of the Caribbean meets Lost via with a dash of the Houghton's Reed Gunther. Always on the lookout for something my students would like. This fits the bill perfectly. |
10 |
Mazebook #1 |
Oct 16, 2021 |
A powerhouse of emotion in this first issue, the chronicle of a man detached from any real human experience after the loss of his daughter a decade before. |
10 |
Mazebook #5 |
Feb 22, 2022 |
A heartbreaking final issue from a writer at the top of his game. A masterclass in telling one man’s journey to reconciling himself with the worst experience of his life. |
10 |
Nemesis: Reloaded #1 |
Jan 15, 2023 |
Seems to be some disingenuous bad review bombing here. Jiminez is no Steve McNiven but its got the usual high octane violence and craziness that we are used to from a Millar comic. |
10 |
Newburn #4 |
Mar 23, 2022 |
Another cracking issue from Chip Zdarsky and Jacob Phillips. Riveting from beginning to end. |
10 |
Public Domain (2022) #1 |
Jul 19, 2022 |
Public Domain gets 10/10 from several critics and its very clear why. Zdarsky is working on all cylinders to deliver an intelligent, heartfelt tale about the nature of creativity, family and the comic book industry. Buy this book. |
10 |
Reckless: Destroy All Monsters OGN |
Dec 4, 2021 |
Riveting, compelling, astounding. If only all comics could be this good. |
10 |
Reckless: The Ghost In You OGN |
Apr 16, 2022 |
Another phenomenal piece of work from the incomparable team of Brubaker, Phillips and Phillips. The usual magnetic cover art, shadowy interiors and a structural narrative that keeps the reader consistently curious and engaged. |
10 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #228 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
10 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #247 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
10 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #249 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
10 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #258 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
10 |
Savage Dragon (1993) #262 |
Jul 26, 2022 |
Always top of my pull list. Action all the way this issue, featuring tight dialogue and an insightful, topical reference. Great letter section and a cool backup tale featuring Captain Tootsie snd Mighty Man. |
10 |
Space Ghost (2024) #1 |
Apr 30, 2024 |
Beautiful first issue. I was largely unfamiliar with the character but Pepose brings us up to speed effortlessly. More of this please. |
10 |
The Closet #1 |
Jul 29, 2022 |
Another winner from Tynion, Fullerton and Image comics with a story that perfectly captures petty marital disputes, parental challenges and childhood traumas. 10/10 |
10 |
The Closet #3 |
Aug 10, 2022 |
One of my favourites of 2022. Engaging, heartfelt, fascinating and disturbing. Tynion continues to display why he is one of the most talked about writers in contemporary comics. Fullerton's art is a perfect compliment to Tynion's script. A must have. |
10 |
The Displaced (2024) #2 |
Apr 13, 2024 |
One of the more impressive books currently available. One can sense the desperation and impending futility from the displaced characters. The art is very readable and a perfect complement to Brissons script. Top class stuff all round |
10 |
The House of Lost Horizons: A Sarah Jewell Mystery #1 |
May 22, 2021 |
So far so good, Agatha Christie meets John Constantine in a mystery with plenty of questions but no answers yet. |
10 |
The Lonesome Hunters #2 |
Aug 12, 2022 |
Tyler Crook continues to deliver the goods with one of the best of 2022. A fascinating protagonist who possesses a degree of heroism but is far from the classic hero archetype. The murky watercolours we know from Harrow County work equally well here. A must have. |