belleburr Comic Reviews

Overall this is an excellent book with a new hook on an old tale.

This book is hilarious and fun, a nice break from the grimdark of so much thats out there.

Overall this is a fun book with a lot of potential.

If youre looking for some dark horror that explores the human psyche look no further than Alena.

All in all Aphrodite V #1 is a rocking first issue and I'm looking forward to reading issue 2.

Neil Edwards and Vittorio Garofolis artwork is extremely good, giving everyone distinct looks, attitudes and mannerism. Theres a fluidity about the work that gives a sense of movement to every page and reminds you, on a subconscious level, that these people arent just people: theyre killers, even those who are more behind the scenes like Erudito. Its a nice touch that supports the narrative very well.

Hopefully with Batman Beyond: Rebirth coming next well get a better merging of artworkand story-line, as well as more forward momentum. Only time will tell.

Overall this is a solid, if predictable, book especially for those of us steeped in the Batman Beyond lore.

All in all, this is a truly smile-inducing book that parents can read to their children, while thoroughly enjoying it themselves. Batman: Overdrive is a perfect antidote to the quarantine blues.

In Fast Enough we get a fictionalized childhood tale about a real life lady whose story was larger than life. Bessie Stringfield was a woman whose true history well never really know as she wrote her own mythology and it became even bigger than she could imagine. What facts we do know are even more insane when you realize the time period in which she grew, the early 20th century in the American South. Thats what makes her accomplishments so extraordinary: she was the first black woman to ride a motorcycle from coast to coast; a dispatch courier for the Allies in World War 2, inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and had multiple honors named after her. Basically? She was amazing and this wonderful little book, written and illustrated by Joel Christian Gill, is a perfect way to introduce your little one, or yourself, to a phenomenal Black lady that history had overlooked. Joel Christian Gills writing is sweet and intelligent, never talking down to the reader (as so many childrens bo

Overall I'm wonderfully surprised that The Sandman Universe: The Books of Magic has been resurrected in such a delightful way.

Michael Avon Oeming of Powers fame is on hand with his retro style and sharp angles, which combined with Nick Filardis bright colors, enhance the storyline. He also gives us some great throwaway panels that had me smiling as they dug deep into DCs archive of characters as well as a fantasticclosed room battle thats just the right amount of scary.

This book is just damn good guys, you should pick it up immediately.

Three issues in and Cave Carson has me hooked.

As always Oeming, Filardi and Robins make each page team with life and detail. This book is honestly visually breathtaking, yet, for all thats going on in each page, its not muddled or busy. No detail is unimportant, but each page lifts the story up.

As always Michael Avon Oeming, Nick Filardi and Clem Robins artwork, colors and letters (yes letters, I cannot emphasize enough how much Robins letters bring to the story) elevate the storyline from awesome to sublime. From the head trip, to the action sequences to the flashbacks you are fully immersed in every moment, as it happens. Combine that with the little nods to DC Comics eighty years of history scattered throughout each and every issue and youve got artists who not only know their stuff but are clearly having a great time doing what they do.

Point blank this was a fantastic read.

In comics, as with music, I dont like too many guest stars as a rule, however this is one team up that works on several levels.

This issue sees Cave reaching his breaking point, which after everything its amazing it has taken this long, and decide that, one way or another, this mess is ending. Now. I'm here for it.

As always Oeming, Filardi and Robins work is just excellent. From the opening sequence where we see Cave mourning the destruction of the Mighty Mole and all it means to him, to the attack of the fungus, to the tragic death of one of the survivors, every panel is filled with meaning and emotion, helping to elevate the story and add new, sometimes horrifying, layers.

In other words, I am a little in lurve with CCHACE and cant wait to see what adventures Cave, Chloe, Mad Dog and crew get up to next.

Overall this is a fun diversion from the main storyline of Wonder Woman that stands well on it's own without either character being wildly out-of-character.

Sebastian Piriz and Dearbhla Kelly give us some fantastic and dynamic scenes, wonderful face work and just well thought out panels that are filled with clever nods: check out the film Dejah is watching. Its a nice nod to the time period while also being a potential easter egg for the series and I just love a good easter egg.

Overall this is a great issue to get to know Doom Patrol, whether you're a complete newbie, a lapsed reader or you've seen the television series and want more.

Overall this is a bang-up first issue that lays the groundwork for several storylines, and puts you on edge from the moment James takes his first steps across the towns border.

Overall Eternal Empire #1 is a great start to the series but needs to give us a bit more to make its characters look unique.

Overall I'm definitely adding Female Furies to my pull list going forward and hope this mini-series turns into an ongoing.

This book is not messing around and is honestly hard to handle but worth every moment.

This book is not for the faint of heart but it has a lot to say and all of it needs to be heard.

This issue lays the groundwork for a grand finale thats going to be filled with tears but perhaps, just maybe, some hope. Four Books out of Five

Cecil Castellucci has not only expanded a great deal on the inner working of Apokolips, she's also written a harrowing and thoughtful look at how women navigate the world, no matter which world it is. That this is all handled with deftness and kick ass fight scenes is the icing on the cake.

Once again, Adriana Melo, Hi-Fi and Sal Cipriano bring wonderfully dynamic art to this brilliant storyline.

Overall this is a truly well written and fun book that suffers from inconsistent art, but is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Overall, I actually did enjoy this book but I don't know if this is a series I'll be getting in full until issue 2 comes out and we see the fallout from that final page.

Brian Ching and Kelly Fitzpatricks artwork, while not my usual fare, works here. The stylization of the characters, the colors, the way each scene is framed adds more to the story and the overall tone, in a similar way that Michael Avon Oemings work on Cave Carson does.

At least Chad Hardins artwork is excellent, doing a wonderful job of giving this storyline some much needed punch, with Alex Sinclair's vibrant colors and their combined fantasticcharacter work. Honestly this comic doesnt deserve artwork this good, but such it is.

Overall this book is an interesting galaxy spanning mystery Im ready to know more about.

Sapolsky and Chuong's artwork captures the frenetic pace of Hong Kong with everything, from the funeral home to the school, teaming with life and movement. Each character has a distinct look and feel while the fight scenes give off a roughness that makes you feel the hits.

Overall this is an interesting comic that Id be inclined to look in on to see how it goes.

Overall the Legacy arc wasted a thought provoking concept for a smash-em-up fight and no true character progression.

Overall, Im not sure if the wait was worth it.

Overall Kibblesmith continues to have a handle on just what makes Loki, Loki and why that's both a good and bad thing.

On the art front, this issue, overall had some really fantastic work, showing Loki as a child, the Nightmare realm and the future of Midgard. However, there's a continuity snarl, at least in my copy, that is actually really important and it threw me out of the story for a brief moment. Thankfully Kibblesmith's writing drew me right back in.

I have a feeling I know where at least some of this is going: after all this isn't the first time Logan's been able to shake off a reality warp and that ability, plus Verity being a living lie detector, will probably come in handy as Loki tries to figure out just what is going on and I'm here for the ride.

Overall this is an epic first chapter of what seems to be a promising adventure and I look forward to seeing whats next.

Part one of five, this first chapter in the saga of Mata Hari's life has me not only eager to read the next part of the tale but also wanting to dive into her colorful history myself.

This adventure has just begun taking us down not so familiar paths with one of literatures most well known families and Im ready for book two.

Overall its a decent beginning but it could be better.

Once again Andrew Hinderaker has a deft handle on the characters, filling in the blanks of their lives before the series while never losing sight of who they were when the series started. Unfortunately, once again, the artwork doesnt hold up. Its boring, without clear focus on backgrounds or characters. Had it not been explicitly stated that the characters were in Africa there would be no way of telling whatsoever. As this series goes on I can only hope that Shane Pierce or Guillem March will take over full time in the artwork department so that it will finally rise up to the quality of the writing.

A fun side issue that continues the development of the main characters and show the healing of some old wounds.

Much like Wonder Woman, the team on Red Hood and The Outlaws is on a roll.

With Jason on a new case, Roy having to make some tough decisions about his sobriety and how the Titans are affecting that and Biz and Artemis"somewhere, we're ramping up to the newest chapter of the Outlaws life. It's going to be a wild ride.

It doesnt hurt that Dexter Soys artwork and Veronica Gandinis colors bring the ruckus. The fight scenes are perfectly choreographed, exciting and clear. The facial work on everyone, even the background characters, is on point with Jasons increasingly incredulous expressions when dealing with Artemis worth the price of admission alone.

With Artemis and Biz back in play; Jason trying to train and protect young metas in the way that Bruce never truly did for him and Lex"being Lex, all over everything the next phase of Red Hood: Outlaw should be very, very interesting indeed.

It's smart and shows a commitment to quality from everyone on the book that makes it well worth the read.

Another thing that makes this book so amazing is the artwork. As always Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini bring the ruckus but there is a simply gorgeous scene with our three leads that will stay with you long after you put the book down. The layout of each frame, the shading and facial expressions and the physicality of each character lends weight to the words being said that takes excellent dialogue and elevates it to something beautiful.

Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini's art and colors lift the story up, showing the war between Jason's head and heart through body language and movement. There's also fantastic work with Bizarro and Artemis, particularly Bizarro's eyes as we see what Jason sees: there is an actual person in there, with thoughts and feelings, and that person deserves a chance to see who they can be without Black Mask's manipulations.

Its a great wrap up to this arc, setting up future storylines, while tying in the Winick run as well as Jasons Post-Crisis origin perfectly.

Unfortunately the artwork doesn't hold up. Mirko Colak, filling in for Dexter Soy, isn't quite up to the challenge. The detail I've come to expect in a RHATO book just isn't there. The lines aren't as clean, the backgrounds aren't as crisp and the character work isn't consistent.

Overall this is a welcome return to form after the previous issue that was wonderfully written yet not that great to look at.

Who Is Artemis? Part One is damn good, relieving me of my fear that this book would have the 2nd arc fall off and instead expanding on what we know while giving us something new.

As always, Soy and Gandini's work is off the charts gorgeous. They do a great job of giving us the very distinct look of the Amazons of Bana-Mighdall, reflecting their desert culture and climate in smart, subtle ways. There's also some fantastic Bizarro and Jason based action sequences and Bizarro's refugees, despite there being so many of them, continue to be clearly differentiated.

Overall this was a satisfying and intelligent ending to the Who is Artemis Arc, as we saw a lot of personal growth, individually and as a team, for The Outlaws.

It all adds up to an issue that will utterly wreck the reader and that's not even getting into the fact that Jason most definitely has a stalker who's been getting closer (and more obsessed with him) with each issue.

One of the best comics of the year continues to raise the bar for everyone else.

Overall this is a great table setting issue that packs one hell of an emotional punch.

This issue gives us some major plot momentum while enraging me at the same time.

Overall this was a good issue but I still wonder where all this is going. Why all the guest stars lately? Whats it leading to? Most importantly, who is the man Bizarro is so desperate to keep Jason safe from?Hopefully well find out soon.

A great issue that opens up possibilities while layering in the mystery and character work for everyone involved.

While we finally get some answers as to what is going on with Bizarro we're left with more questions and some truly unsettling implications about the mental state of Bizarro and Jason. If what's implied to be going on is true things are about to get ugly.

Overall I grinned my way through this issue even as I began to be genuinely afraid for our beloved Outlaws. To me? That's a job well done.

Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini return, and as always they bring their a-game with panels that enhance the story and pop off the page. There's several standout scenes but the truly gorgeous shot of Jason leaping off a skyscraper is a lesson in how to make every shade and detail stand out. It's breathtaking work that shows how much these artists not only know their game but love the characters they draw.

As we head into the endgame of the Bizarro arc I feel like things are going to get worse before they get better but thanks to the work Lobdell has put in building these character I know that they'll come through this. Maybe not in one piece but definitely as a family.

This was a genuinely heartbreaking issue and it only feels like the beginning of something far, far worse.

Dexter Soy, Allsion Borges and Veronica Gandini do stellar work this issue, as usual.

Overall this is one of the best issues of Red Hood and The Outlaws of all time and I am itching to get my hands on the next one.

Overall this new chapter in Jason's life looks to be an interesting one but hopefully Lobdell won't wait too long to bring the Outlaws " all of them " back together again.

The fight scenes are insane. The way you can track the movements and the power behind each punch and kick is almost visceral and that's not even getting into how each person is distinctive, even background characters.

While one more Underlife flunky has been put down, even more are popping up, so Jason continues on his road trip with some unexpected company. It'll be interesting to see how the family dynamics between Jason and his aunt play out as things take a international turn.

Im getting my popcorn ready because the ish is about to hit the fan. Five Arrows Out of Five

This issues wraps up the Solitary storyline well, while simultaneously leaving it very ambiguous as to which players are truly off the board and what their motivations are. Five Crowbars out of Five

Overall this issue does what it needs to do but doesn't live up to the groundwork that's come before.

Overall this issue does a great job of tying Jason's past to his present while opening up some new mysteries. However, the fact that the old mysteries of just where the hell Artemis and Bizarro are or who is behind the push for Jason's return to Gotham, haven't been resolved continues to be the elephant in the room.

This issue ends with Jason heading home to one situation that I doubt he'll find surprising " pay attention to what he says on his trip " and another that might completely blind side him. Let's see what lessons he learns.

As this arc come hurtling to a close, Jason gets an unpleasant surprise and I get a increasingly bad feeling about his end game.

Pete Woods, Rex Lokus and ALW's Troy Peteri do such a wonderful job of illustrating the moment above, of showing in the facial expressions of those on the receiving end of Jason's generosity just what it means to them, that it is just fantastic.

Kenneth Rocafort returns to do the art this issue and honestly, as much as I love Dexter Soy & Veronica Gandini and Pete Woods' respective runs on this comic, I genuinely adore Rocafort's work. His run on Wonder Woman is still some of my favorite artwork ever and that stands true now. I don't know how long we'll have him on the book but I'll take it for as long as I can get it.

Once again Kenneth Rocafort, Steve Firchow and ALW's Troy Peteri come together to uplift the story, especially regarding Doomed's backstory and give us some amazing art. The backgrounds are gorgeous and the Earth's core has never looked so good.

With all players back in this dimension things take a turn as Jason's growing family get unexpected attacks on multiple fronts and someone we thought Diana had taken care of is back, in force"

Dave Messina takes over artwork duties and his work is fantastic, from showing Cloud 9's powers to Devour's desperation to be both 'cool' and have friends, he articulates each characters emotional states so well that it really is a joy to look at.

David Messina takes over artwork duties this issue and there's a fluidity to his work that I really like. Everything is soft yet powerful, whether it's the eyes of a panicking Cloud 9 or the battle between G:O and The Outlaws before everyone is brought back to their senses, each panel is gorgeous and helps tell the story.

With an unknown horror lying in wait, unpleasantness happening at the Iceberg Lounge and some of Jason's wards being absolute brats, things are about to take a turn. Let's see where this goes.

With Jason and the crew on their way to Qurac, Ma Gunn trying to find suitable teachers for Generation: Outlaw and someone deliberately unleashing Jason specific threats onto the whole world, things look to be heating up. Let's hope next issue's artwork matches the quality of the writing.

4 dye jobs out of 5PS: We need a Justice League Dark crossover with this book. John Constantine and Jason Todd snarking at each other for several issues while battling supernatural evil is the thing dreams are made of. PPS: Someone appreciates Jason Thick Thighs Save Lives Todds assets. Ahem.

Overall this was a truly blow you away issue and I feel as if we're only getting started.

The issue ends with Jason and Biz making a run at the front door while everyone else tries to keep Trigon busy so Jason can do what he does best: Pull victory out of his arse. Will he be able too? I don't know but I know that if they survive this Essence is going to have a lot of explaining to do and it's not going to be pretty.

While Im still not a fan of Pantalenas faces (seriously why do ALL THE WOMEN LOOK ALIKE???), the overall feel of the book is very dynamic, with each scene moving wonderfully and the Chamber of All rendered beautifully. Honestly, if Pantalena ever figures out that women of different ethnicities and races have different noses, skin color and mouths this book would get a Five out of Five rating every week. Unfortunately, he hasnt so here we are.

Overall this issue is surprisingly good, building on Jasons mythology, moving the story forward in The Joker War and keeping things tight and right throughout.

Still, the artwork doesn't detract from the story and enhances it as a whole and Lobdell delivers a touching, emotional ending, amongst all the explosions and chaos.

With Jason going deep undercover to get to the heart of a mystery that the G.C.P.D and Batman cant be seen anywhere near, that has the potential of setting off his trauma and bringing in new allies, Im extremely ready for issue #2.

Overall this is a nice bit of in between to fill in some blanks of the show, not groundbreaking but the potential is there for a truly interesting comic

Overall I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the previous works of this series and seeing where the current story takes me.

Schmidt has written a clever and dark first chapter of Stiletto and though I guessed a few things, the cliffhanger ending genuinely blew me away.

Hardman delivers good old fashioned fear, deftly, with this story.

*Special thanks to Jeremy Wilfinger for allowing us to review his book. For more info and regular updates, please see the official facebook page. Available for purchase on Amazon, and there's also a Kickstarter for issue #2.

Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig have written a very interesting and dark book with two complicated leading ladies. The intrigue and espionage are well thought out, and fun, with dynamic fights and quiet scenes wonderfully illustrated by Drew Johnson and Kelly Fitzpatrick.

This is a great first issue and if The UnExpected can keep up this level of awesome throughout its run then DC has another hit on its hands.

The writing had me hooked immediately. I was instantly immersed in the world of Throwaways and wondering what the hell was happening. There are at least two major twist in this first issue alone and clearly more to come. We get some nice establishing character moments for Dean and Abby as well as some very intriguing side characters who I predict will become very important going forward.

Overall I'm totally here for this and can't wait to see what chapter two brings.

Overall this is a good second chapter that ramps up the kill count and the intrigue and I can only imagine who's next on Michael's list if what we see at the end is any indication.

Of course, all good things must come to an end and so it is with Diana and Steve as events are set into motion that lead to the discovery of Themyscira. How this happens and more importantly, why, remains to be seen but Im surprisingly interested in finding out.

This issue is a hardcore continuation of the story that is not for the faint of heart, but well done nonetheless.

Nicola Scott's artwork continues to rock my world as each Amazon we see is distinct in every way, which is a huge achievement especially in the epic contest to decide who will be their champion.

Wonder Woman continues to knock it out of the park and makes me want more.

Overall, Im very much all the way in with this book.

Liam Sharp makes the battle Diana and Barbara Ann wage on Cadulo's forces clear and brutal and though there are some missteps with Steve's team and the hostages " they're just not distinct enough for my taste " the overall feel supports the story well.

Wonder Woman continues to be the shining light, amongst a constellation of fantastic books, of DCs Rebirth.

Rucka captures Dianas purity, confusion, and badassery as only he can while building on the mystery hes been giving us in bits and pieces in previous chapters. Hes ably supported by Nicola Scott and Romulo Farjardo Jr.s artwork and colors which give this book a lightness and feeling of fun thats unique to this comic. Theres also a fantastic battle sequence that shows off just how well Diana and Steve work together.

Liam Sharp and Laura Martin do a fantastic job of building that terror with their artwork and colors. The facial work, in particular, immediately tips you off to the knowledge that something is very, very wrong. It all builds to a devastating finale that is brutal, for the characters and the readers.

Overall this is an interesting, and ultimately heartbreaking, issue of Wonder Woman, that leaves you guessing as to what will come next and marveling at how well Rucka knows these characters, in every iteration.

Nicola Scott and Romulo Farjardo Jrs artwork continues to give us a vibrant and lush world while making each character distinct and beautiful in their own right. Their grasp of facial expressions, and understanding that less is more, make the quiet moments so much more impactful than they would be if handled by lesser artists.

This is a beautiful finale to Year One that sets the stage for the next chapter of the Wonder Woman saga.

Liam Sharpe and Laura Martin do an excellent job of portraying everyone'sincreasing frustration and paranoia due to the situation, while at the same time throwing little visual easter eggs in that I had to read the book twice to catch (and Im still not sure I caught everything). Everyone is at their wits end and it shows, but these people are family, come hell or high water, and that very clearly shows too.

Overall this is a great beginning to the next arc of Wonder Womans Rebirth.

This issue Rucka continues to lay the groundwork for an all out war between the three factions of the Spear Group, Veronica's people and the Amazons. It's done deftly, it's brutal and at times deeply upsetting (Barbara Ann continues to be the heart of the group and the choice she makes to protect them is disturbing and gut-wrenching), with a small glimmer of hope. Even that hope is questionable as at every turn Rucka leaves you guessing: what's real, what isn't and who (or what) the hell has been messing with Diana's mind?

This issue sets all the pieces on the board and ends on a devastating note for all involved that will (better) have consequences for years to come within the DC Rebirth universe as a whole.

Overall this was an excellent set piece that leads into an awesome cliffhanger that could've stood for a bit more attention to detail.

I cannot say it enough: Greg Rucka and his team are just doing phenomenal work on Wonder Woman.

Once again Rucka proves why Wonder Woman continues to tower over her competition.

Overall this is a good issue: smartly written and character focused, but the shift in tone of the art is a bit jarring.

Overall this is a great wrap up to the arc, ending in a satisfying way that gets you ready for the next stage, marred by odd artistic choices.

While Rucka sneakily makes Cheetah one of my favorite characters, Bilquis Evely makes everything gorgeous with artwork that is clean and crisp, giving us clear emotional beats with facial expressions that tell the story. Romula Fajardo Jr's colors compliment the story perfectly, enhancing the little details like Etta's freckles and Diana's armor and using shading to make the eye go exactly where he wants it to.

Overall this is a great issue that makes me eager to see what's next.

A thoughtful issue that asks some hard questions

This issue confirms my suspicions about who, exactly, is literally out for Diana's blood while doing great character work.

Its interesting when an issue comes up for different characters, and we get to see their very different responses. "Heart Of The Amazon" has dealt, with subtlety and tact, with the issue of enhanced individuals and whether or not they are obligated to use their abilities to help others. In this case: Dianas blood, as it could hold the cure for almost all diseases. What makes this arc so thought provoking is that there is no easy answer: on the one hand, yes, Dianas blood is worth more than gold: the potential within it limitless and with so many diseases in the world (and so many more on the horizon) its hard not to see what it could be used for. On the other hand, there will always be those who would exploit Dianas abilities: at best using her blood to create super soldiers who, in some cases, dont have Dianas hard-won wisdom and innate understanding of the sanctity of life, and at worst would become nothing more than mindless weapons pointed at whoever stood in the way of

Carlo Pagulayan, Sean Parsons, Jason Paz and Scott Hanna give us some dynamic artwork, the aforementioned battle is just glorious, that helps to tell the story. There's great facial work and distinct backgrounds which are legitimately important in setting up the two threads we follow.

James Robinson is doing some interesting world building, blending in whats come before (specifically Kirbys New Gods and Fourth World storylines) while at the same time layering in a sense of impending doom. Something is coming for Diana and her family. Its not what we think, and more than likely its going to be devastating.

Dynamic and effective it does a great job of putting you in Grail's mindspace. The colors are distinctly hers: dark greys, blood reds and deep blues. The facial work as well is on point, with each godling being distinct, and Baby! Darkseid being the cutest little demon ever. I seriously don't appreciate him being so adorable.

James Robinson pays off the feeling of dread hes been building in the previous parts of the Children of the Gods arc with the meeting between Jason and Diana. Building on what we know, of both the comics and Greek mythology, he layers in a fantastic twist that"while we know its coming"is wonderfully and brutally executed.

A great installment that looks to set up a kick ass finale.

Overall this is a so-so wrap up to a previously wonderful run and one of the few missteps of Wonder Womans Rebirth.

Overall I'm cautiously here for this newest arc.

If you want a good story that continues the paths of our three favorite Greek badasses this is the comic for you, just dont let the art put you off.