BigJ Comic Reviews

For any readers that may have previously dropped off or never gave "Bloodshot" a chance, this issue provides the perfect jumping on point for readers to get on board for what is poised to become one of Valiant's most compelling books.

Valiant's first major crossover event looks like it will live up to the hype as "Harbinger Wars" escalates to its violent, bloody pay off. Writer Joshua Dysart is turning out career defining work on "Harbinger". "Harbinger Wars" #1 is the culmination of a year's worth of carefully planned plot threads that finally pay off at all once.

There's something uniquely satisfying about a hard boiled revenge tale that we can all take solace in. Everyone has had an experience where they've been screwed over and wanted to extract revenge against those that have dared to cross us. Jonathan Ross and Ian Churchill have taken our darkest fantasies about revenge and boiled them into grotesque grindhouse comic that truly gets under your skin. Every page of Revenge was tailor made for horror fanatics who can rejoice in blood, sex, violence and crazy plot twists.

"The Underwater Welder" is one of the most heartfelt and emotionally gripping stories you will read this year. Lemire created this graphic novel as a means to tell a powerful literary work and it is a shining example of what medium is capable of. Closing the final pages of this book, it is apparent that Lemire has just pulled on reader's heartstrings, and left them with a beautiful and moving story about life, love, and fatherhood.

There isn't a moment inside the pages of Shadowman #0 that doesn't grab readers by the throat, as this book holds them hostage until the final panel. This standalone issue could be one of the best comics of the entire year, and is the perfect jumping on point for new readers to get acquainted with one of comics greatest villains. Shadowman #0 is a riveting piece of comics storytelling that is simply flawless, and for that the creative team deserves a standing ovation.

Valiant has approached their line of books with the simple idea that great writing combined great art will make a great comic book series. Seems like a pretty simple concept, and Shadowman is a shining example that it works. If you dig "Animal Man", "The Walking Dead", or even" Swamp Thing", you'll enjoy the dark embrace that "Shadowman" offers. Jordan and Zircher's "Shadowman" is another top notch title from Valiant.

Valiant did a great job at perfectly matching "Shadowman" with the proper creative team to give the book a new status quo. Milligan and Roberto de la Torre have brought a focused vision back to a title that was floundering with mismatched artistic teams that just were out of sync. 'Shadowman' is a book that needs to be skewed towards the dark, sick and twisted to fully be able to seep into the gut of readers and give them a repugnant feeling when they dive into the pages every month. Milligan and Roberto de la Torre have brewed up the perfect cauldron of mystery, despondency and disorientation for "Shadowman" which makes this an exciting book to read.

Milligan and Roberto De La Torre have injected Shadowman with a new found energy that is infectious for longtime readers. Lapsed readers should come back on board and grab the first two issues of this run because the book is back on track, and anyone that is sleeping on this book desperately needs a wakeup call.

A Voice In The Dark delivers a visceral psychological thriller that builds with suspense with each turn of the page. Writer/artist Larime Taylor is bringing things to a slow boil by developing the characters, so that when the blood does finally spill it packs an emotional wallop with readers. A Voice In The Dark has readers fully immersed from the first page to the last as Taylor shows us what its like to be trapped inside the mind of a killer.

Characterization is obviously Taylor's strong suit and this issue plays into his wheelhouse. Taylor really takes the time to let the reader glimpse inside the mind of each of his characters so that their unique personalities leap off of the page. He has taken the time to really go in-depth with Zoey and her split personality in the three issues so far, so that when the action does finally happen it has maximum impact.A Voice In The Dark continues to be a showcase for Larime Taylor and he's doing everything he can to steal the spotlight. A Voice In The Dark is now three issues in and if the final page of this issue are any indication then there are big things coming down the pipeline. Readers should definitely take note of this series.

Overall "Harbinger" #1 is another impressive re-launch for the new Valiant Entertainment. In a year with a plethora of fantastic books hitting the store shelves, both "Harbinger" and "X-O Manowar" earned their spot on readers pull-lists by emphasizing the foundation that the original Valiant was built on; strong storytelling.

In today's comic marketplace, where companies are more concerned with the gimmicks of crossovers and reboots, "Harbinger" is proudly waving the flag for strong storytelling and artwork. Joshua Dysart and Khari Evans are knocking this book out of the park month after month.

"Unity" #1 lives up the hype and delivers a strong first issue. Kindt and Braithwaite already have readers on the edge of their seats in anticipation for the impending war between Toyo Haradas team of misfits and X-O Manowar and you dont want to miss a minute of this action.

In just for issues, Kindt and Braithwaite have managed to bring together all the key players of the Valiant universe and given them a dynamic reason to co-exist. If fans of the "Avengers" or "Justice League" would be willing to give Unity a chance they would be instantly hooked by the high stakes action and powerful storytelling that is contained within this series. The only complaint with Unity is that after reading each issue, fans are left in agony waiting another thirty days for the next issue to drop.

These last few issues of "Bloodshot" have really ramped up the action and intensity, which has taken this book to a new level. This issue is another strong showing that continues to show that Valiant is focused on putting out quality books rather than flooding store shelves.

"Skin Trade" is another fantastic addition to the stable of Avatar Press horror books. There is the perfect balance of mystery, intrigue, suspense and character development. The only complaint is that this book might be better suited as a graphic novel, because the intricacies of the story would have more impact in one reading rather than the current monthly format.

The comic book market has always depicted magicians and books about magic are typically trapped within the confines a PG-13 superhero world. With DC Comics cancelling Hellblazer in favor of their castrated New 52 "Constantine" version, Gravel: Combat Magician gives fans the hard R-rated version that theyve have been clamoring for. "Gravel: Combat Magician" peels back the curtain on magic to reveal a grotesque look at the arcane arts that's been desperately missing from comics for quite some time.

In just two issues Lemire and Sorrentino have delivered the best issues of Green Arrow since the New 52 began. Their creative chemistry is firing on all cylinders and they've elevated Green Arrow into one something worthy of reader's hard earned dollars. If the quality of the book can remain this consistent throughout their run, Green Arrow has the potential to become one of the best books DC is putting out.

If you are a fan of "Sons of Anarchy" TV series then this series is simply a must read. Rather than create a book just to cash in on the popularity of the series, Boom Studios have taken the time to find the proper creative team in Golden and Coueciro, and have harvested Season 5 of the television show to come up with another chapter in the ongoing narrative of SAMCRO.

"Suicide Risk" continues to be one an interesting examination of superheroes and how they would use those powers if they existed in today's world. Not since Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker's landmark run on Gotham Central have we had a title that examines the ramifications of regular people coming into contact with superpowers and how it effects those around them. Carey is doing a great job building the world and the characters in "Suicide Risk", so we can only hope that the sales support this title so we can see what he has in store for readers.

If you are a fan of Criminal or Gotham Central than this book is the perfect addition to your pull list, as 'Uncanny' delivers all the key components of a good crime book. Readers should take note and pick up 'Uncanny', as it continues to rise to the top of 'must read' pile every month.

"X-O Manowar" should be on the top of your reading pile every month, as every issue of so far has been top notch. The first trade is conveniently priced at just $9.99, so why not join in the fun. In a comic book marketplace where most books are plagued with inconsistent creative teams, it's refreshing to see a book like "X-O Manowar" that is intricately mapped out, building towards a big payoff. Venditti loads "X-O Manowar" with enough energy and excitement to satisfy casual readers and reward longtime fans with some sophisticated comic book fiction.

It's becoming more and more challenging to find new ways to rave about how good "X-0 Manowar" is every month. Writer Robert Venditti has plotted out a long-form road map for "X-O Manowar" and continues to execute his vision with deadly precision. Everyone should be on board with the direction Venditti is taking "X-O Manowar" and this "Planet Death" storyline is a great spot to join in on the action.

Despite Witchblade #170 being largely a set-up issue, Marz and Braga do a great job of bringing this series back-to-basics to remind readers why Witchblade was such a compelling book to read. With Marz back in the saddle it's exciting to see this book back on track and heading in a bold new direction.

This is the strongest issue of "Cyber Force" yet and here readers are finally able to see some of the potential that this book has come to fruition. The problem that hindered the first story-arc was that it tried to do too much all at once. It was an origin tale mixed with a post-apocalyptic race against the clock to save the world. It was a solid premise, but there were elements that felt rushed. There were brilliant character moments that should have been expanded upon but the breakneck pace of the book didn't allow it. With issue #6, Silvestri wipes the slate clean and gives "Cyber Force" and focuses on the elements that make this series excel.

Valiant has done it again by reviving a classic character in "Eternal Warrior" and giving it a modern twist to make it relevant to today readers. "Eternal Warrior" is packed with enough fast paced action, plot twists, and sword-swinging to keep readers hungry for the next issue.

Ghost #0 works mostly as a teaser issue that sets up the impending mini-series "In The Smoke & Din", but it is a good first chapter from the creative team.

You can check out a preview for the book right here.

The first issue of "Vampirella Strikes" is the shift in direction that "Vampirella" has desperately needed for some time. Although the first issue was mainly an introduction to the characters and major plot points, "Vampirella Strikes" already has the potential to be one of the best storylines that this character has seen in years.

After three issues of Vampirella Strikes the creative team has managed to keep things exciting enough to captivate reader's attention, which is one of the biggest compliments you can bestow on any book. The past few years of Vampirella books have made the character subject to more ridicule than Aquaman with the storylines used bad clichs, but Vampirella Strikes continues to mine a solid storyline that delivers good action and interesting characters. Let's just hope that the creative team can stick the landing here.

Evil Ernie #1 is a solid first effort that has the creative team heading in the right direction. There is a lot to be excited about here if you are a fan of the character or the old Chaos Comics universe in general. If Dynamite can keep Jesse Snider and Jason Craig as the main steady creative team then it looks like "Evil Ernie" is in good hands.

The issue ends on cliffhanger as Evil Ernie finds himself caught in the middle of a prison riot. While first issue of this series had a great mixture of character development and action, issue #2 focuses more on the carnage that Evil Ernie can inflict as he goes on a prison rampage. It will be interesting to see where the creative team take this storyline and what they will do to keep readers interest peaked after their initial thirst for blood has been quenched. Snider and Craig are going to need to find a balance between action and character development if they want to keep readers on board for the long haul.

"Sunset" achieves what it set out to do; tell a crime noir story. "Sunset" is akin to the blockbuster action flick that hits the spot for a fleeting moment, but fails to deliver the "Oh my God!" factor that leaves readers with their jaws on the floor.