Andrew Magazzu Comic Reviews

With so much buzz and eyes on the project, Franklin and St-Onge had a lot of expectation to live up to, but they not only fulfilled those expectations but wildly improved upon them. Bingo Love tells an amazing, thematically rich, character focused story that is already poised to be a favorite of many in 2018.

This is one of the strangest books currently on the market: hyperbolic with its satire, grandiose with its absurdity, and daring enough to go full speed ahead with its own insanity whether the audience is on board or not. It doesnt care if you are along for the ride, which makes it that much more rewarding for the people who get it. If anything from the above sounds like something youd enjoy pick this up.

Dastardly and Muttley was a creative series from start to finish that has excelled into something more within the final pages of its series. It is undeniably preaching to Ennis' converted, creating a one-of-a-kind work that is delightfully meta, genuinely funny, and expertly made. What was once a high concept dark comedy with elements slightly inspired by a Hanna-Barbera cartoon has transformed into an amazing subversion of characters that honors the source but still pushes the limit of what licensed work can do.

Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles has been the subject of curiosity and interest since the book was announced last year, partly due to the topic of the book, but also because Russell has made a name for himself re-inventing other older properties like The Flinstones and Prez. Here with Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #2, Russell shows why his reputation is warranted, creating a compelling character piece about life, love, loneliness, the nature of artists, and fighting for ones identity against social and political pressures.

For all of its faults as an individual reading experience, Go Go Power Rangers still has a lot going for it making it a worthy installment for fans. It is important to consider that this is a chapter in a longer serialized story and that reading it when all of the installments are available might help its flow issue. As is Go Go Power Rangers #6 offers a unique take on the Power Rangers franchise that, for better and worse, leaves the reader wanting more.

Issue #7s great structure and harmonic character moments make it a total 180 turn from issue #6s interesting ideas brought down by awkward pacing. The book is full of artful explorations into the lives of teenage life mixed in with suspenseful dramatic irony and genre action. A great entry for fans of the Power Rangers comics.

Go Go Power Rangers Power Rangers #19 is a solid installment that comes off slightly underwhelming due to an audience hungry for that final act. None of its contents are bad at what they are, but the calm before the storm becomes annoying when you have a readership itching for rain.

Issue #21 is an above average continuation to a beloved series that re-examines classic moments of the franchises and trail blazes an exciting future for the teenagers with attitude. 

Issue #22 may frustrate readers for not speedily continuing the on-going story of Necessary Evil. However, there's something to be said for a story that wants to take its time. By allowing the gradual development of their narrative, Parrot and Grace can plant seeds now that can fully blossom into more rewarding climaxes in the story's later stages.

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #1 has its faults but is still an excellent introductory issue when considering the projects' shaky foundations. It successfully builds on what came before it while seeding, pun intended, a promise of new fertile territory for both characters.

There are only two more issues left of the main story arc after issue #4, and Skroce has continued to help his book stand out through smart writing and beautiful art. The comedy is on point, its satire is thought provoking, and long-term readers will be satisfied that their time and attention continues to be rewarded through answers of the past as the series heads into its penultimate issue.

Mata Hari is a fascinating use of a medium to explore its titles perplexing historical figure. Beeby, Kristantia, and Masioni have achieved an engaging read that captivates the attention from start to finish, in the same way the book's protagonist has captivated people one hundred years later.

And what a sundae this issue is! To sum up the failings of early issues from this series would be to call them admirable but flawed nostalgic retreads more concerned with being perceived as a mature retelling rather than cover anything mature. But newer issues like #23 completely work out these growing pains, improving the series as a whole! It is a fun action packed joy of a comic that embraces the wacky colorful universe, with incredibly deep themes and subtext that broaden the scope of the franchise, and make for a stand out installment in the serialized adventures of the heroes. This is a highly recommended and explosive entry of the series that blasts in the 25th Anniversary of the Morphinominal Rangers.

Issue #24 really seems to struggle most with issues of timing. Considering everything the issue needed to accomplish, it is understandable that Higgins and Scharf had to hustle with its completion to ensure the next story arc would be able to start promptly with issue #25. To that end, issue #24 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is still a good comic, leveling off its awkward pace with big character moments, clever writing, and interesting art.

Unlike many crossovers by other companies within the industry, Shattered Grid is a true event in every sense of the word. It is an achievement as a huge milestone for the franchise, a culmination of the Boom! Storylines, a massive story spanning multiple titles and specials, and, most importantly, a key component in the 25th-anniversary celebration of the franchise. A story like this, with so many characters, settings, and story elements, would be very tough to replicate on the TV screen. Fortunately, the world of comics is not hindered by those constraints, and the creative team has used their medium wisely to bring the best story possible.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #26 is still an incredibly strong installment in the run, as well as a continued piece in the Shattered Grid story arc. Its biggest problems come from a lack of cohesive transition between the types of scenes both within this issue and the prior, but those issues do not overall hinder the strong character moments and compelling action the book offers.

In some ways, Necessary Evil and issue #40 had even more pressure on its shoulders than Beyond the Grid. But that challenging fire has seemingly only strengthened the resolve of all the hands on it, creating the most captivating issue of the entire series since issue #1. 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #41 demonstrates a balance that Boom Studios has strived to achieve in their 3-years publishing Power Rangers comics. The Omega Rangers and "Necessary Evil" arc are both wholly new concepts to the franchise, that still feels familiar. The perfect mix of new to keep the universe from becoming stagnant, while still staying true to the intrinsic core of what gives the series its identity.

Issue #42 Continues the on-going drama of "Necessary Evil," while leaving its audience clamoring for more. An intriguing look into narrative-territory not often frequented by the Power Rangers franchise, that still feels authentic to the franchise.

In a sea of titles from multiple publishers, Moonstruck is able to stand out from the rest of crowd with its most solid concept: identity. It is a tale using iconic tropes and ideas to tell a timely story featuring a diverse, modern cast to explore real human issues like anxiety, self-acceptance, and emotional conflict. By existing in the medium of comic books, it is able to merge those familiar character types with the more real subtext in creative ways, taking fantastical beings to their visual limit with gorgeous art, and contrasting the drama of the book with surreal inhabitants that take full advantage of the titles genre. A great series that is heading straight to the moon with possibilities.

A common saying among the comic community is every comic is someones first comic. Any issue of Scales and Scoundrels would be a fantastic introduction to this medium and genre. Girner and Galaad have done a fantastic job distilling the fundamental basics of a good fantasy epic, while still adding layers of character depth that enrich future readings.

Overall, this issue is the definition of a serviceable introduction that promises more. Now that the setup is done and the seeds have been planted, Visaggio and Ossio can focus on all of the action that Vs. titles are known for. It is a good jumping on point for new readers unfamiliar with this larger universe, and though there are certainly references to other events or important notes in regards to character motivations, it's all for the audiences benefit, and does not become so continuity-heavy to become off putting. A very satisfying beginning to the face off of two worlds.

Overall, Transformers Vs. Visionaries #2 is exactly what a reader thinks of in terms of a progressing story. It might have a problem figuring out how fast it should go or where to focus its attention, but makes up for this with further great characterization and themes. It brings everything that worked in the first issue back with improvements, and is a very fun experience for the fans of these 80s action franchises.

Transformers Vs. Visionaries is not a bad series, and issue #3 is not a bad comic. It is a disappointing comic that follows a promising second issue in a momentum-killing, lackluster way. Hopefully, Visaggio and Ossio do salvage the run with the final two issues, making it a much more enjoyable read when collected. As of now though, the midpoint issue of the series leaves a lot to be desired.

Issue #3 is the penultimate issue before both Starforce units have their final confrontation with Pavos. It does a great job excelling the plot, expanding the universe's mythos, offering strong themes, and position characters for their climactic bout in the last issue. Its clever script and gorgeous illustrations make it a great reading experience, with the quality most fans have come to anticipate from its creative team.