Alex Ampadu Comic Reviews

Valiant has re-established itselfas one of the most creative comic universes out there. The fact that they have multiple titles that span various genres and timelines yet allexist in the same fictional universe…this is something to be applauded. 4001 AD#1 is a great introduction to the next era in the ever-expanding Valiant universe. Bet your money wisely; this horse race is far from over.

Adventure Time Comics #1 is a solid introduction to the world of Ooo. The series is clearly intended for fans of the cartoon, serving as a companion piece to the popular show. Readers who are foreign to the world of Adventure Time should probably steer clear of this comic and start with the cartoon. Nothing is explained in this issue and no context is given for the characters. You definitely need to have an understanding of the property before jumping in. Fans who are familiar with the cartoon will find the comic a refreshing addition to the series but don't expect any new ground to be broken.

This issue serves as a great beginning to a new chapter in the Baltimore series, aptly whetting the appetite for more to come. Mignola has mentioned in interviews that The Cult of the Red King was the beginning of the end for the Baltimore series, making Empty Graves the second part of the final act. Fans should expect more adventure/horror from Mignola and Bergting, and don't be surprised if some of those empty graves get filled with a body or two.

If you enjoyed Kindt's Mind MGMT, you should find Dept H to be a fulfilling follow up to his previous work. A whodunit murder procedural set in the depths of the ocean, Dept H feels like Murder She Wrote meets 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I wonder if Angela Lansbury could handle the pressure of the deep.

Kim & Kim is a riveting space romp that feels like an amalgam of the underground bounty-hunter world of Star Wars and HBO's hipster sitcom Girls. The artwork is fun, the dialogue is humorous and the action is bright and cartoonish. Oh yeah, and the main characters just so happen to be queer.

Mixing genres can prove to be disastrous if a writer is not careful. Thankfully, Greg Pak is up to the task. There are many different places this story can go and I'm interested to see more magic cowboy action. If the prospect of a re-imagined old west sounds intriguing to you, look no further than Kingsway West.

If you're a fan of the original toy line or simply a fan of flashy space operas in general, you might want to give Micronauts a try. If not, you could probably just dust off your old Acroyear action figure and have more fun that way.