Speed Racer issue one was a pleasant surprise - the Free Comic Book Day preview wasn’t my cup of tea … I’m not saying that this comic is totally in my wheelhouse - but I was impressed. The character’s weren’t too deep but in a comic like this it’s not necessary. What I liked was the pace of the book … there was a sense of speed in the art and storytelling that I really enjoyed. The sequence racing to the hospital really sucked me into the pages and I felt a sense of motion between the panels. When the book ended I was surprised it was only 26 pages … David Pepose really packed a lot of story into this book! I think I’ll be adding Speed Racer to my pull list. more

Fantastic Four Fanfare issue one was an anthology featuring three FF stories. None were earth shaking or ground breaking … but were just fun. The Mark Waid story was the standout - it was a very basic Ben and Johnny tale that depicted the characters perfectly. While the Ramon Rosanas art is great at blending classic comic style with modern technique … I couldn’t help but think how great this story would have been if illustrated by the late/great Mike Wieringo. If you haven’t read the Waid/Wieringo FF run, I highly recommend it.

Alan David wrote and drew a fun FF adventure set underground that reminded me of the Fantastic Four books from the 70s. The final story by Andrew Wheeler was the weakest but still enjoyable and depicted the Mole Man so much better than in the recent movie.

If you are a fan of the Fantastic Four - this book is for you, not sure you could pick it up with no knowledge of the FF … but it was a fun read for me, I enjoyed it more than the first issue of the latest (2025) relaunch. more

Finally read the newest in a series of Fantastic Four first issues … … it was alright. The Ramos art was fun and the story was decent enough, but not very exciting. While this wasn’t a “bad” book … it 100% failed as a first issue - the story opens already in motion … this is fine … but it ties into the previous run and a Doctor Doom event. A first issue should reset the story for new readers and this failed miserably. The better Fantastic Four book is the Thing limited-series, I would recommend THAT over this issue.

Question - how is Sue the leader of the FF and not Reed? more

I started to feel that Void Rivals was meandering and going nowhere until this issue (21). Right off the bat we are jumping into the beyond bizarre Skuxxoid story, really fleshing out this character … or rather characters. Then it’s back to the main story and in just a few pages there is a quick status change for one faction. What we really came for was the story of Darrk and Solila - their relationship is nicely reestablished before the real action starts. This series finally feels like there is a march to a final conclusion for all of this setup. With characters like Hot Rod, Springer and Skuxxoid - this series continues to be a love letter to the weird third season of the Transformers and I love it. Nostalgia aside - this is honestly a great book and worth the price of admission. more

Where issue 7 was an interlude, this issue also felt a little like a side-quest until the final few pages, when things heated up. Good character stuff with Baroness & Cover Girl - I highly recommend this issue & series.

This was an amazingly awesome stand alone story - had a Special Missions feeling to it. I would like to see more like this, interesting, fast paced, and fun (with thin ties to the larger story). Highly recommend this issue, even if you haven’t read any Energon books thus far - this is a great place to start!
Also …Night Force!!!

I might be out on Blood & Thunder - it’s all sort of random and pointless, almost as if the writer is making it up as he goes along. Also the profanity is just way over used to the point of sounding juvenile. The escaped prisoner isn’t written very interesting and the coloring makes him look very drab and boring. Since I liked issue 2 … I’ll see what issue 4 brings - but I can’t recommend issue 3. Not saying it’s “bad” just not for me. more

More so than issue one, issue two was fast paced & fun - actually liked it much better than the first. Looking forward to seeing where things are headed in issue 3. If you don’t mind profanity in your comics - this one might be worth checking out.

Finally read the first issue of Blood & Thunder - the plot was solid, the art was great … but the dialogue, it left me underwhelmed - it felt like teenagers trying to swear as much as they could while mom was out of the room. The story brings nothing too new to the table and the world building isn’t as clean as it should be, but that is forgivable because the book is singularly focused on the primary protagonist - Akeldama “Blood” Bledsoe with comic relief provided by her sentient gun … Thunder. While I didn’t “hate” the book I can’t say I recommend it - but I am going to read issue 2. more

Plot
The explosion destroyed part of the pier. Thing doesn't know where Marty Flynn is, but he manages to see his niece Sara and stops Hammerhead and Bullseye.

Ben escapes with Sara to the city and stops to rest, because this whole situation has been intense.

Kingpin is disappointed with Bullseye, and Hammerhead sends the Wrecking Crew, who also have super strength; something or someone is enhancing them. The fight between this team and Ben is exciting, with lots of blows, but Ben wins...at times, until JUGGERNAUT arrives.

The suspense continues to increase as Sara is chased by all the city's villains.

Art
It's detailed, handling shadows in a way that highlights all those facial expressions, as well as the anatomy of all the heroes. He achieves textures that give it a retro yet fresh tone.

Summary
Ben saves Sara, but behind her lies a mystery that has all the criminals in New York chasing her.
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As with the first two issues - issue three did NOT disappoint. It’s not some BIG cosmic story - it’s a straight forward street level action adventure with real heart. This is easily the best version of the Thing I have read in a while. Tony Fleecs gets right to the core of what makes Ben Grimm work (he’s doing a much better job than the film did). Justin Mason’s art evokes the classic FF stories that were fun and exciting. Marvel needs to bring back Two-In-One with these guys on it. I highly recommend The Thing! more

This issue finally feels like the story is moving forward, not just slicing and dicing robots. Lots of characters and plot pieces at play in this issue and everything seems to be moving toward a “final” confrontation in Chicago and I’m looking forward to it. Daniel Warren Johnson has proven is ability to handle a big cast of characters without taking away from what makes them special - his Optimus Prime might just be the BEST version of this character ever to appear in comic book form. more

GI Joe 9 by Joshua Williamson with art by Andrea Milana did not disappoint! This issue featured a fast paced story that was character focused and yet still tied into the bigger Energon tapestry. The page where Raptor gave his backstory normally would have me rolling my eyes - but somehow worked within pace of the story. Nice twist at the end - this is how you make comics that people keep coming back for! I have my own theory about the Baroness’s parents … I’ll keep those to myself so I don’t accidentally spoil anything. I highly recommend this book! more

G.I. Joe issue four had a good amount of action and an equal amount of story. It’s giving me 1980s Joe vibes with the Commander’s outlandish plan and Duke trying to stay one step ahead. This as a super fun issue! There is one thing - the Joes do keep losing … what’s up with that? I do hope that by issue 6 that changes and Duke and his team come out on top.

I still highly recommend this series.
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Gave this “new” Amazing Spider-Man run two issues - I’m out.
The writing is competent, the art is really good - but nothing here is compelling. This whole “drug mystery” is pretty much played out midway through the issue. Also for a “relaunch” it provides no real clues or context for characters & story beats that tie to the previous run. Not saying this issue is inherently bad ��� just nothing here to keep me reading … it makes me want to spend my money on other books. more

G.I. Joe issue three was a super fun read - it was so fast paced, it almost felt too short. The Clutch plot line is really good, feels like a an 80s episode of the cartoon - modernized and much more grounded (well not totally). No major story points - but this book set up what I hope will be some killer action next issue. Also I have a theory on who this Risk character actually is … but I don��t want to be right and spoil anything.

Highly recommend - Yo Joe!
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I haven't collected Spider-man in years, and now I know why. This is nowhere close to the Spider-man of the 1990s with Blackcat, Silvermane, and Hobgoblin. We have to see pages upon pages of Peter going out for interviews and going out on dates and then he leaves the interview to fight the Rhino when he could have made about any excuse. It felt so forced. Then we get a back up story for no reason and rip-off Marvel thinks they can charge $5.99 for 30 pages. This is a one and drop for me.

My Comic Review Channel - https://youtu.be/QU7hG3z-Ops more

What can I say about the SIXTH relaunch of The Amazing Spider-Man … it was good … but it really wasn’t great. Ha, ha Peter Parker can’t get a job … that's the joke for about a 4th of this issue. They introduce a new character of Peter's past a middle school buddy - Brian Naring … I like seeing new characters - but this is either some overblown red herring or he's going to cause troubles for our favorite wall-crawler. There is a plot about some new “drug” that Rhino took and made him go crazy … that plot is interesting as Peter investigates … but there is just too much noise (for lack of a better term) to find a solid narrative. The last few pages (which don’t even feature Peter) were my favorite part. All in all it would be a decent issue 965 but not as a first issue. I’ll read issue 2 - because I already have it and I really like the art, but this book didn’t win me over. more

Man, Jeremy Adams & John Tims are killing it with this new Aquaman run! Issue 3 was another banger! Heck, the first splash page was worth the cover price. The narrative is tight and Arthur is driven by his love for Mera. This new corner of the DC Universe and the “Blue” really are coming into focus. Though worlds away this well crafted story still finds a way to tie into the larger DC Universe. Yet another surprise character makes a return, one I saw die in the OG Crisis, but didn’t remember her being in a post Crisis DCU!

Don’t sleep on this series! more

I am totally digging this new Aquaman run from Jeremy Adams & John Tims! Last issue they took Arthur away from the ocean and away from earth. In a dry barren alien world - his new powers still work - pulling water from the mud … and other “odd” places. It’s high adventure and some well illustrated action as Arthur comes face to face with a brand new villain who wants to bleed him dry. Also …. ALSO … the return of a surprise character - that I didn’t know even survived all the crisis and New 52 events.

I highly recommend you read this series - a great comic from DC. more

Expectations were high and Adams delivers.

Hot dang I forgot what amazing art on Aquaman does for him. He is back and this was an amazing start. Epic fights, a clear story set out, logical actions by all parties involved, love to see it!

When great art and great story telling merges you get an opening shot across the bow like this. Wonderful.

Being unfamiliar with Jeremy Adams I didn’t actually know what to expect from this new Aquaman relaunch. Spinning out of Absolute Power and the All In Special - I knew that Arthur’s powers had been changed ... and I have to say I like it. This was a solid start to a brand new era for Aquaman. It featured some great superhero action, a mysterious plot, it touches the larger DC Universe (putting Batman and Wonder Woman in the story), and part of the issue is set in Daytona, Florida - like the Micronauts of old. This is really a top notch comic with Adams story and Jon Tims art coming together to exceed the sum of their parts.

I highly recommend this book! more

Sectaurs issue two was an improvement over the first issue but still fell a bit flat for me. These books feel like they were created to be packaged with toys as they seem to be written at a 10 year old level. I have no problem with all-ages books, but this very basic story has been combined with stilted and way over written dialogue. It feels like a Star Comic from the 80s with dialogue from 1960s Gold Key Comics. I will say the story moved from scene to scene in a well paced way, there was a sense of urgency to everything. The art by Ramon Bachs was well done - above average for a licensed comic based on a failed toy line from the 80s.

At the end of the day - unless you are nostalgic for this property (or are 10 years old) there just isn’t enough meat on the bone here. I’ll stick to the end, but cannot recommend this comic. more

Just read Dust to Dust issue one from Image Comics and I enjoyed the heck out of it. It felt very cinematic in presentation and storytelling. This first issue is mostly setup slowly introducing you to the characters - primarily the Sherif, everything revolves around him as he try’s to keep a hand on the small dust bowl town of Cimarron County, Oklahoma. The story is set in 1935 at the height of the Great Depression and it weighs heavy over the motivations of almost every character. The seeds of a mystery are planted in this issue in the form of some bones found on an abandoned farm - beyond that tiny subplot the book is mostly a character study. It’s well written and paired with illustrations that convey an atmospheric feeling. You really must read this book for yourself to understand what I mean. It has an almost visceral vibe to it … I highly recommend reading this one as a physical book. There were a few inconsistencies with the art … but they were very minor. This book is the whole package and I HIGHLY recommend it. more

The second issue of GI Joe in the Energon Universe builds on the foundation everything that came before, delivering a story that’s intriguing yet feels slightly unsteady. While I found this issue more enjoyable than the debut, the narrative pacing for the Joe side of this shared universe seems to be dragging its feet. There was an urgency to launch the series, but now, just two issues in, the direction feels a little off track.

Without diving into spoilers, I have to say that killing off an iconic OG Joe so early in the run was a bold choice. It certainly grabbed my attention! Additionally, the introduction of a new character has left me feeling both off balance and eager to see where the creative team is taking the narrative. My guess is the “new guy” is really Zartan.

Despite these hiccups, the series is still in its "honeymoon phase," and there’s plenty of potential for things to evolve. I highly recommend GI Joe #2 to fans of the franchise, both new and seasoned, and even to the more senior Joes among us.

Yo Joe! more

Batman 154 is a solid street level story that lets Batman actually be a detective. There is a mystery at play … who killed the mayor? Batman working with Bullock inside the law and Jim Gordon outside the law plays out very nicely. Not 100% sure how Vandal Savage is the police commissioner … I know of the character but not much about him.

I of course have to ask why are both Detective and this series screwing around with the history of Thomas Wayne? I mean TWO Bat-titles rewriting Wayne history at the same time!!! Didn’t the editors talk about this? Also WHY disparage Thomas like this - it makes no sense 80+ years out from his introduction and subsequent death.

All that aside - a confusing yet sharp cliffhanger will have me coming back for the next installment! more

Trash. Zdarsky is going to go down in the bottom 5 worst batman writers of all time. Secret Half sibling BS has been done a couple of times and scrapped a couple of times because its a terrible idea. Chip must be inhaling his own farts at this point or hates the readers with what he is doing. I feel so bad for the next author who has to clean up this garbage.

Nice art, continuation of a cynical trend I hate. Mainly taking morally good characters and deconstructing them to make them “human.” By That I mean taking good guys and making them creeps. Thomas Wayne has gone from a good man who became a doctor instead of sitting on his trust fund to a guy who cheats on his wife while ignoring her because he cares too much about his career.

Leslie Thompkins tells Bruce dad did cheat and could have fathered a child. Bruce’s advisor says give up half his fortune and have”bro” sign an NDA. Why? To save his dead dad’s reputation? To avoid a scandal? Bruce has been in so many scandals, what is one more? Plan makes no sense. Wouldn’t be surprised if advisor is in on the plot.

The mayor is dead, and people ask who would kill him? Given his huge number of failures that have resulted in the deaths of thousands is anybody surprised at this?

Also, the public hates Bruce Wayne and Wayne Enterprises? Really?

Are writers so cynical that they can’t conceive of good people. In War Games, they made Leslie a killer. I think it’s been retconned, but such a cynical move. This issue has Bats lashing out in anger. So he’s a bottled keg waiting to explode instead of a man in control. There’s a new head of Court of Owls? That group has gone from a legend no knew existed to a group all know are real. Just take them down with a forensic accountant.

The Riddler is meeting with people, and Bats knows and confronted them. Gives the usual warning about watching them while actually having no evidence and letting their plan unfold and not actually stopping anything. Not a good story.

Or I could be wrong. more

Absolute Superman was a bit of a miss for me - I think it was the weakest of the Absolute books. All of the writer’s not so subtle “sub-text” was too on the nose, to the point of being annoying. I mean gosh I wonder what he feels about mining and the people who run those operations?

The hamfisted storytelling aside, I felt way too much time was spent on Krypton and not enough with the actual main character. Not that I have a problem with all the world building, in fact I would have liked the issue better if it was all set on Krypton, I felt the character of Superman was short changed in his own book. I don’t feel the writer gave the reader a sense of who he is. I was left feeling that there was zero reason to read issue two except for the “look how clever I am” twist ending.

All in all - I will be back for issue two out of curiosity not because this book floored me, After Absolute Batman and then Wonder Woman … this book was a total letdown. more