Aaron Young Comic Reviews

Scott Snyder's ALL-STAR BATMAN #12 is a great, different angle on the Dark Knight. The story is harsh and unrelenting yet somehow fun at the same time. If you ever wanted to see Batman meet pirates, this is the issue for you!

The crime lord known as Krush has captured Aquaman and his friend Dolphin. Together they must find out how to break free and save the 9th Tirade. Meanwhile, multiple factions plot to claim the throne of Atlantis. This is an exciting issue by Dan Abnett, and artist Stephen Sejic depicts an insular conflict in the ocean realm.

AQUAMAN #31 is a triumphant example of DC's recent success in comics. With an epic and exciting story from Dan Abnett and masterful art from Riccardo Federici and Suny Gho, we are cast into this amazing adventures of Arthur Curry!

AQUAMAN #32 is a stunning example of a brilliant creative team. Dan Abnett tells an emotional, passionate story involving Arthur and Mera. Then, Riccardo Federici continues to amaze readers with his mesmerizing art.

In AQUAMAN #33, Dan Abnett and his fantastic team including artists Riccardo Federecci and Sunny Gho band together to create a fantastic arc finale. This issue is intense, climatic, and most of all, epic.! Most of all the terrific art makes a lasting impression on the reader.

AQUAMAN #34 takes a narrative turn to focus on the royal court of Corum Rath. Dan Abnett sadly doesn't capture any villainous complexity in Rath. Meanwhile the cartoonish style of art from Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen doesn't fit with the gritty atmosphere of Abnett's writing. In the end, AQUAMAN #34 is a misstep in an overall great series.

AQUAMAN #35 is a worthy inclusion in the omnibus Dan Abnett's work but it does not scratch the intense quality of some of his previous issues on AQUAMAN. In this issue, story and character points are largely ignored for large-scale action sequences. However, the art by Robson Rocha does provide a nice counterpoint of nuance into this comic.

AQUAMAN #36 is a great entertainment. It doesn't hold much water as far as plot goes, but the art and fun character moments make up for this!

AQUAMAN #38 provides a satisfying end to Dan Abnett's "Kingslayer" arc and the larger Corum Rath storyline. Some of the plotlines are predictable, but the underlying emotion and fantastic art makes for another awesome issue!

King's story is as unusual as it is enthralling in this issue. Taking place over the course of one dinner, this issue does a fantastic job analyzing the mindsets of two of Batman's greatest villains: the Joker and the Riddler.

BATMAN #30 follows Charles Brown (AKA Kite Man) as he fights for the Joker against the Riddler. Tom King provides a compelling story filled with drama, emotion, and humor as the "War of Jokes and Riddles" arc continues into its final issues.

BATMAN #33 is an entertaining issue by Tom King, Jolle Jones, and Jordie Bellaire. While the character development is fabulous, problems with the art as well as an uninspired story prevent this comic from reaching its potential.

BATMAN #36 is a beautiful dedication to the 65 years of Superman and Batman's friendship. Tom King nails the dialogue, writing, and story in another terrific issue. Clay and Seth Mann deliver thoughtful, rich panels that capture these larger-than-life heroes

BATMAN: THE DAWNBREAKER #1 is the exciting new tie-in to DARK NIGHTS: METAL. With exquisite art by Ethan Van Sciver and Jason Wright, and a powerful origin story written by Sam Humphries, DAWNBREAKER is an awesome addition to this DC event.

Black Lightning returns in this fantastic new series BLACK LIGHTNING: COLD DEAD HANDS. This issue excels from Tony Isabella's fascinating writing style and gorgeous art.

BLACK PANTHER #166 is one of Coates' weaker issues. It suffers from a dull story and unremarkable art that makes this an overall disappointing issue.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo reteam for DARK NIGHTS: METAL #2, a comic which answers the central questions about the Dark Multiverse!

Scott Snyder's writing shines once again in DARK NIGHTS: METAL #3, the latest installment in the Dark Multiverse event. With the phenomenal, creepy, yet powerful artwork by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia, this issue is another fabulous entry in this series despite some plot struggles.

Jack Kirby's genius is on full display in the DARKSEID SPECIAL #1 one-shot. In this issue, we see the resistance fight against the evil of Darkseid as well as other stories about battling tyrannical forces. This comic fully encapsulates the depth of Kirby's ideas and how those ideas continue to speak volumes.

DETECTIVE COMICS #959 is a strong addition to a terrific run by James Tynion IV. It reintroduces strong, new characters while developing returning ones. The art by Alvaro Martinez and Raul Fernandez continues to be a hallmark for DC in general. Tynion is simply planting seeds for the future but so far "Intelligence" is an exciting arc for DETECTIVE COMICS.

DETECTIVE COMICS #960 is a dip in James Tynion IV's otherwise consistently great run on this comic. The art is ever beautiful and enthralling, but the story fails to capture the reader. The highlight of this issue continues to be the great reintroduction of Zatanna, but otherwise, I hope DETECTIVE COMICS will get its groove back.

James Tynion's DETECTIVE COMICS #961 is a good, if not great, continuation of his comic run. As part 4 of the "Intelligence" arc this comic delivers on great action and fantastic art. The storyline, on the otherhand, is a bit lacking. Nonetheless this issue is a pleasant read and fans of DETECTIVE COMICS can get enjoyment out of it.

James Tynion IV delivers a killer conclusion to his "Intelligence" arc in DETECTIVE COMICS #962. The issue fully pulls together the themes and storylines throughout this arc to deliver a satisfying conclusion where Azrael, Batman, and the rest of the Bat Family fight the robotic menace known as Ascalon!

DETECTIVE COMICS #970 should be another terrific issue of James Tynion IV's celebrated run. However, its lackluster art and uninteresting story make, what could have been a fantastic character piece, an incredibly disappointing issue.

After an amazing first volume, EXTREMITY #7 picks up right where #6 left off -- with more amazing art and story. Daniel Warren Johnson does a particularly fantastic job in this comic with the complicated characters in this series.

THE FALCON #1 is a powerful start to this Sam Wilson series. Rodney Barnes does a great job establishing this character in Marvel Legacy without his stripes and shield.

GENERATIONS: HAWKEYE AND HAWKEYE #1 is an exciting issue including everybody's favorite Marvel archers. Kelly Thompson's writing shines as she depicts Clint Barton and Kate Bishop's team-up in this action packed and humorous issue. For all Hawk-fans, this is the issue for you!

GENERATIONS: THE AMERICAS #1 is an issue which takes time and care into developing its characters. Nick Spencer, Paul Renaud, and Laura Martin have truely made an incredible story uniting Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers. Overall, this was a terrific standout in the GENERATIONS anthology series that should make you excited for MARVEL LEGACY.

GREEN ARROW #27 is a fantastic example of everything that DC Rebirth has done right. Benjamin Percy writes a riveting, political story involving the Emerald Archer. Jamal Campbell jumps on board with stunning artwork. Any Arrow-nut would be remiss to not check out GREEN ARROW #27!

GREEN ARROW #28 is an exciting adventure in the life of Oliver Queen. In this issue the Emerald Archer travels to Lexcorp in Metropolis, seeking out Lex Luthor. The art is fantastic and the story still political and meaningful. Benjamin Percy continues to deliver to fans the Green Arrow we want!

GREEN ARROW #29 shows Green Arrow traveling to Gotham City to confront the Underground Men and the Court of Owls. There he teams up with Batman, who acts more like a rival than an ally to the Emerald Archer. The portrayal of these two billionaire vigilantes combined with Ferreyra's awesome art is what makes GREEN ARROW #29 another terrific issue by Benjamin Percy.

This issue has wonderful art, fights, and characters which create an awesome comic experience.

HAWKEYE #11 is the epic conclusion to this arc that we all wanted. It pits Kate Bishop against Madame Masque in this hilarious and awesome issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 is an entertaining ride but not much more than that. The art is excellent and the action is unique but the issue doesn't have a story worthy of its eminent characters.

MARVEL LEGACY #1 does a great job establishing the new direction Marvel plans to take its universe. However, the comic isn't great by itself. Jason Aaron, Steve McNiven, and Esad Ribi's large comic one-shot is much more of a trailer for what's to come rather than a game-changing installment.

MISTER MIRACLE #1 is an exciting and extremely promising start to this new miniseries. Tom King doesn't just pay tribute to Jack Kirby, he also crafts a fascinating, fresh take on the New God, Scott Free. This issue is a totally unique and must-read for fans of Tom King and Jack Kirby's work!

MISTER MIRACLE #2 is the issue everybody should be talking about. It's just as creative, clever, and engaging as the first installment of this terrific new series by Tom King. Alongside artist Mitch Gerads, King creates an epic but dark vibe for this book that makes it a unique vision in comic books.

THE NEW GODS SPECIAL #1 is such an amazing tribute to the legacy of the King. It does such a great job honoring his style, ideas, and characters on the centennial of his birth. It's great to have reminders of how much of a genius Jack Kirby was and how his work changed comics forever.

NIGHTWING #23 beautifully captures its characters, both new and old. Seeley continues a compelling story dissecting the character of Dick Grayson while the artist has shifted to Minkyu Jung to great success

NIGHTWING #25 is a fantastic milestone issue of this incredible run by Tim Seeley. With great art by Minkyu Jung, #25 succeeds in honoring the legacy of this great character while delivering a riveting story. Any fan who loves classic Nightwing will surely love this issue.

NIGHTWING #26, while not as exciting as previous installments, makes up for it with a compelling emotional conflict brewing inside of Dick Grayson. It's fun to see Dick reunite with his former lover, Helena Bertinelli, while fighting Italian mobsters. The art by Javier Fernandez and Chris Sotomayor helps solidify the emotional impact of NIGHTWING #26. This marks a great start to the new "Spyral" arc!

NIGHTWING #29 follows Dick Grayson and his allies in the aftermath of DARK NIGHTS: METAL. In this exciting Tim Seeley issue, Nightwing, Robin, Harley Quinn, and others face off with a reality-warping Mister Freeze!

PLASTIC MAN #3 continues the fun vibe of the two prior issues while introducing us to more action. There's less of a plot to this third issue and Simone continues to bait us for answers to the series' mysteries, but the characters make the ride worth it.

ROYAL CITY #5 is an example of what a great writer can do with original content in comic books. Jeff Lemire once again proves himself as one of the best writers in the industry with this installment of his series. His art is both quirky and weird but perfectly fits the haunting feeling that he is going for. ROYAL CITY continues to be one of the issues to look for at your local comic book store.

Finally, in STAR WARS #34 we get an issue starring Sana Starros, the great new character introduced towards the beginning of this arc. This issue is an enjoyable adventure in the smuggling world as Sana teams up with Lando to swindle a bunch of gangsters and Imperials.

STAR WARS #36 is a enjoyable comic and the penultimate issue for Jason Aaron. It centers on R2-D2 as he breaks into a Star Destroyer to save his friend, C3-P0. Its definitely a fun, entertaining issue but with a universe as rich as STAR WARS, it just feels a bit safe and conventional.

STAR WARS #37 is a fantastic conclusive issue for Jason Aaron's time on STAR WARS. The entire team, including artists Salvador Larroca and Andrea Sorrentino, delivers a satisfying, gripping, and contemplative story that beautifully passes the baton to Kieron Gillen as lead writer.

STAR WARS ADVENTURES #1 is a nice, kid-friendly story in the Star Wars universe. It focuses on classic characters Rey and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The art is satisfactory if a bit uninspired, but the writing by Cavan Scott is enjoyable and a breeze to read.

CAPTAIN PHASMA #1 is the first comic in a new series which promises to bridge the gap between the FORCE AWAKENS and THE LAST JEDI. Kelly Thompson's terrific characterization of the titular hero alongside Marco Chechetto and Andres Mossa's phenomenal art makes CAPTAIN PHASMA #1 not only a great STAR WARS comic, but a great comic in general.

Kelly Thompson, Mario Checchetto, and Andres Mossa are triumphant once again with a JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI - CAPTAIN PHASMA #2! This comic is packed with incredible art, an intriguing story, and an engrossing setting which lets you fully appreciate the STAR WARS galaxy.

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #18 delivers an intriguing and fun story with terrific character development for Vader and Tarkin.

STAR WARS: POE DAMERON #20 is a powerful comic by Charles Soule, Angel Unzeuta, and Arif Priento. This galactic epic is defined by phenomenal characters and exquisite-looking art.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI -- THE STORMS OF CRAIT #1 is a satisfactory and safe standalone comic in the STAR WARS Universe. It does not take any risks as far as Ben Blacker and Ben Acker's story is concerned. Revisiting our favorite characters is fun and the art is beautiful, but that is not enough to save this comic.

SUPERMAN #25 excites and thrills the reader while also leaving an emotional impact on the reader. Its touching familial themes and brilliant art along with enthralling action make this one of the best issues in Tomasi's run.

This issue does a wonderful job with the relationship between Clark and his son Jon. While the art is a bit weak, this is a great installment depicting a new era of Superman.

SUPERMAN #30 is just the right boost in energy that this run needed. After a disappointing few issues, these last two comics in the "Fear Itself" arc have really knocked it out of the park. Here, Sinestro faces off with a Superman serving as the host for Parallax. The art is stunning, the story exciting, and writer Keith Champagne answers the question "What is Superman afraid of?"

TEEN TITANS #11 is an exciting conclusion to the "Blood of Manta" arc. The issue primarily focuses on Jackson Hyde as he struggles with his relationship with his father. While I wish more of the Titans were in the forefront, this comic still delivers great action and character development to make any fan satisfied.

TEEN TITANS #13 is a fun, exciting addition to Benjamin Percy's series. While I think that the plot focuses way too much on Damian Wayne, the exquisite art by Khoi Pham and Jim Charalampidis does enough to make up for it.

THE GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #1 is Wes Craig's new horror-fueled comic series. Packed with interesting visuals and an alluring story, this comic effectively combines the scary and sweet elements of Halloween.

Brian Michael Bendis delivers an entertaining and heartfelt conclusion to his miniseries with THE MAN OF STEEL #6. While the plot leaves you wishing for more, Bendis' grasp of the character of Superman is more than ever on display here. Combined with the power of Jason Fabok and Alex Sinclair's art, Bendis is able to deliver a terrific end to a Superman story.

TITANS #13 is a near perfect issue. It expertly combines outstanding, action-packed visuals by V. Ken Marion with fantastic character development. Furthermore, Dan Abnett beautifully depicts the crumbling team dynamic in this issue. TITANS #13 is proof that Rebirth was a success.