Chad Burdette Comic Reviews

Absolute Flash #1 provides all the necessary building blocks for the latest addition to DC Comics' Absolute melding a building mystery with a superhero origin story that will nicely fit in with the larger Absolute Universe being cultivated.

Absolute Flash #2 continues to build the universe around this universe's Flash as it continues to build the mystery around what has given this Wally his powers, while teasing what readers can hope to expect as the story plays out over the next issues.

Absolute Green Lantern #1 is a strong start to this new Absolute title, while lacking in the ring-slinging action expected from a Green Lantern title, does do a good job establishing the new status quo for the character in the Absolute Universe.

Absolute Green Lantern #2, while not answering some of the major questions surrounding the story, it does continue to be an interesting story full of mystery even though the events of the issue seem to spin its wheels a bit.

Absolute Green Lantern #3 continues to be a steady yet slow burn as the stage continues to be set for more information and fleshing out of the Green Lantern mythos in the Absolute Univers

Absolute Green Lantern #4 continues to be a slow burn as questions are begun to be answered, mysteries deepen and new players enter the picture.

Absolute Green Lantern #7 picks up speed as questions are answered, familiar characters are introduced, and the larger story begins to take shape.

The issue more so moves Aquaman's storyline which is tangently connected to the larger K.O. story arc

Assorted Crisis Events #1is a strong opening shot to this new anthology series, which looks to do for the Crisis Event genre what Ice Cream Man did for horror comics.

Assorted Crisis Events #2does not disappoint in the sophomoric issue which works on many levels and uses both words and art to tell a great story.

Assorted Crisis Events #3continues to fire on all cylinders, not only exploring the consequences of multiple Earths in a fictional sense, but also exploring real world topics of the current political/social/economical landscape.

Assorted Crisis Events #4 continues to be a diverse read that pushes the boundaries of time and space storytelling in a Twilight Zone-esque entry in this new series.

Assorted Crisis Events #6 continues to push the storytelling boundaries, in word and picture, to tell a heartfelt story that easily translates to real world experiences of those who have loved ones suffering Alzhiemers or dementia.

Assorted Crisis Events #8 is incredible, and continues this series' amazing run. Miss it at your own detriment.

Batgirl #1 is an interesting start to this series that will hopefully examine and challenge the strained mother-daughter relationship between Lady Shiva and Cassandra. Hopefully the series will continue to build and expand on the relationship between the two and setup some more stories for Cassandra Cain's solo adventures in the future.

Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1 is a strong introduction to this story and captures the gritty feeling that defined these three street-level heroes in the late 80s and shows the respect that Hardman has for these versions of the characters

Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #2 continues to capture the late 80s/ early 90s vibe that defined these street-level heroes and moves the story a steady pace while weaving the three story theeads together

Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #1 is a strong start to this holiday-inspired second series that looks to expand and build the mythos of Santa Claus's position in the DCU. Parker not only embraces the All-In era feel but lays the groundwork for bringing in and adding to the established mythos of DC's Silent Knight character from the 60s.

You are cordially invited to a winter solstice gathering of the strange and oft-deadly magical community at the Georgetown mansion of Baron Winters, one guest limit. After a performance by sirens and banshees, we will gather in the Baron's study, where noted demonologist Jason Blood will be giving a reading on the origins of the being called the Silent Knight!

Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #5 concludes the DC Universe holiday event in a satisfying way that will bring cheer and good tidings to readers with the hope that stories featuring Santa Claus will become an ongoing tradition in the DCU for years to come.

Batman: Dark Age #1 perfectly sets up the next endeavor by Russell and the Allreds, hitting all the right notes that made Superman: The Space Age such an unforgettable story for a flagship character of the DCU. The only disappointing thing that could be said is that is half the length (page count) of the Superman installment, but if anyone can pull of a story in fewer pages, Russell is more than up to the challenge.

Mark Russell and the Allred's unique and compelling story continues to offer some neat easter eggs and a clearer picture of Bruce's journey to Batman. The use of Bruce recounting his story as part of his therapy is expertly used to a minimum as the events of Bruce's short stay in prison, time in Vietnam, subsequent return to Gotham, and normal life, allowing the story to breathe and frame the story, not be the story.

If there is one disappointing aspect to this issue it is finding out that the next installment is about two months away in July.

Russell and Allred have reimagined classic characters in a way that hasn't been done previously further adding to the overall reading experience.

Batman: Dark Age #5continues to fire on all cylinders as Russell and Allred tell of Bruce and Ra's have their final confrontation for the soul of Gotham, while revealing that larger problems are on the horizon are more on the multiversal level.

Batman: Dark Age #6 concludes the series and sticks the landing providing a succinct and beautifully illustrated and colored series that put a interesting and new spin on the Batman mythos. This issue and series as a whole leaves one wanting more stories like this from the creative team focusing on the other A-Listers of the Justice League of America.

Batman: Full Moon #1 starts strong as the Dark Knight must uncover the cause of some brutal murders while trying to balance his relationship with Zatanna. It was nice to see most of the "Who, What, When, and Where" addressed in this opening issue hopefully leaving more page time for the story to fully develop.

Batman: Full Moon #2 is a strong second issue that focuses on setting up the story, rather than an action-packed throwdown which the cliffhanger teases. It remains to be seen how much teeth the larger story remains and where the fate of Bruce as a werewolf, his relationship with Zatanna, and the Werewolf's fate lie.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight A League for Justice #1 not only returns readers to the Gilded Aged DCU Earth-19, but sets up the rest of the stroty to come without missing a beat despite the 7-month break.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #1 has the potential to be an interesting chapter in the further exploration and expansion of the DC Universe set in the Victorian Era. The issue introduces many threads that will hopefully be woven together to give readers and fans a story worthy of the Elseworlds

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age is Andy Diggle further expanding the world of Earth-19 and continues the slow burn of the story, introducing this Earth's versions of well-known character, while at the same time building the mystery and groundwork for the reveal of what the Kryptonian Age is and why so many different factions want to control and possess the artifacts from it.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #3 starts to build the backstory for the series while introducing new and unique takes on the iconic characters and settings that DC Comics fans know and love. Lanning & Fernndez notch the excitement and mystery to 11 making this series a top-of-the-stack read and making it difficult to wait for the next installment.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #4 marks the completion of the first quarter of the story, giving a taste of familiar character arcs while seamlessly introducing the Superman elements to the story. While this issue is more of a segway issue, it still keeps the excitement building and the wait for the next issue to hit stands.

Batman: Gotham By Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5 does little to move the overall story forward but it makes up for it with the introduction of iconic characters and the unique spin on this Earth. It will be interesting to see how Diggle uses the growing cast .moving forward in the explanation of the Kryptonian Age and beyond.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #6 weaves the established threads from the first five issues together and sets the stage for what is to come next. The issue also continues to fill out this universe, introducing new and fun versions of the iconic DC universe characters.

It will be interesting to see where the story and character development goes in the upcoming issues.

As a property that has been separated from the main DCU in the past, it will be interesting to see Cantwell play with the interactions between the team and The League as a whole and see any friction between the two may threaten this partnership.

Challengers of the Unknown #2 continues to build the mystery surrounding the team by exploring the past and present of the teams storied history.

Challengers of the Unknown #3 and the series so far continues to be the connective tissue for the All-In centric titles while exploring the various corners of the DCU and featuring some of the lesser-known characters in an innovative way.

Challengers Of The Unknown #4 provides a plausible explanation of why the strange things are happening to The Challengers and sets up the payoff of the final issue which will move the overall DC All-In era tory arc forward to the next stage.

The first two issues of this series do a good job of setting up the world and the characters in the story. The series could best be described as a mature version of The Last Starfighter for adults. Its will be interesting to see if the series goes deeper and perhaps deals with the mental trauma caused to Daryn not only being recruited to fight in an intergalactic conflict but also facing the issues in his life such as the loss of his mother and issues with his father.

Overall, the first issue of the series has promise even though there are few action sequences and a lot of exposition and setup for the first story arc. Having a Cyborg solo title in the past has been a tough sell as the character tends to work best as a team member, be it the Justice League or The Titans. If the new series is going to be successful this time around then the creative team will need to tighten things up and provide readers with more buy-in than just Victor's relationship with his father, which seems to be the default direction this current series is taking even with the slight twist that is part of the issue's cliffhanger..

The issue also is a great example of the quality storytelling and world building that makes Magma Comix unique and fun reads.

The Flash/Fantastic Four #1 is a strong showing and interesting pairing of characters from their respective universes and is told without the extra baggage of explaining why they seem to know of each other's existence.

DC Horror Presents #1 is a horrorific first installment in this series that combines classic horror tropes with characters from the DCU for two stories that will please and scare DC fans alike.

DC K.O. #1 is a strong opening round to a story that is sure to be a real slobber-knocker of an event that is accessible to both die hard fans and casual readers.

DC K.O. #2 is packed with some Oh $!^*! moments in an issue that is more about the journey and establishing the story and less about the who moves forward in the contest to save or reshape the DCU in their image!

DC KO #3 continues to pack a solid punch even though the final outcomes are predictable. This issue is more about the journey than the reveal at the end which only builds the excitement for what is to come.

DC K.O. #4  is the perfect penultimate issue as DCU & Absolute universes collide, leaving one of the final four in contention for the Heart Of Apokolips as Scott Snyder & Josh Williamson continue to roll the dice and throw haymakers, that land a solid K..O. punch...

DC K.O.: Boss Battle is a nice break in the King Omega Tournament story that doesn't detract from the larger story and subjects the finalists to the wider comic book multiverse, teasing readers and hopefully leaving the door open for further crossoversin the future.

DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam #1 takes a flying leap of the top turnbuckle and misses not only as a finisher but as a high-flying maneuver leaving little impact for the K.O. story arc but will be a fun read for fans of wrestling.

DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1 is the most interesting round so far not only because of the characters used, but also speaks to the heart of who Zatanna and Harley ultimately are their places in the DCU.

DC K.O.: The Joker vs. Red Hood #1 delivers all that is promised and more as Jason takes advantage of the situation, working out his history with The Joker without being in the shadow of tbe Bat.

DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1while predictable in the ultimate outcome, has plenty of moments where the various iterations from past story lines get a chance to steal the spotlight for a few moments.

There wouldn't be any disappointment here if a new volume of Teen Titans with these young heroes came out eventually

DC K.O.: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1 provides the best battle round so far, as it contains both action, humor, and an outcome that really could have gone to either contestant and still moved the overall story forward in a logical way.

Hopefully, this is the first of many more appearances of Mikaal in the DCU and of Ewing bringing his talents to the DC sandbox.

For more on Rachal Pollack, her Doom Patrol run, and more check out Comic Watch contributor Travis Hedge Coke's commentaries

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #1 is a welcome return to the DCU Earth where vampires reign supreme. This opening issue answers some questions of what has transpired since the last series and leaves many more needing answered as to the fates of characters like Supergirl who played a major role in the conclusion of the initial series.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #2 is full of cool moments and reveals that continue to add mysteries and suspense to the developing story. Though many questions and the status of some characters remain, one can be assured that these and more questions will be addressed and answered as the story progresses.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #3 is the time ithe story where established plot threads are beginning to come together and set the stage for the next part of the series. This in no way detracts from the overall story being told and still leaves questions to be answered.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #4 answers some long-standing questions, has some reveals and raises the stakes for humanity and vampires alike as the story continues.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V Darkness and Light #1 is a sobering and mildly humorous installment that furthers both Diana and Alfred's stories and is sure to play a major role in the later parts of the series

is a solid read for fans of both the DCU and AEW the creative tag-team of Steve Orlando and Travis Mercer flex their creative muscles to bring these two properties together for a story that treats both properties as equals and is reader friendly for those who may not follow AEW Wrestling.

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #1 is a strong start to this crossover that sees the Justice League meeting the speedsters and other characters from the #Sonic the Hedgehog universe. While the target audience seems to be readers of the Sonic the Hedgehog comics, there are plenty easter eggs for longtime DC Comics fans.

Deadpool / Batman #1 Is a well-executed envisioning and crossover event that has something for fans of both universes without taking itself to seriously and trying to do more than just tell stories teaming iconic characters from both universes.

Death Ratio'dis a wonderfully dark read and shows Russell at his best when it comes to his creator-owned work. Kudos to AWA Studios for taking the chance with this book.

Flash #28 is a solid issue that provides an interesting round 6 between two different characters that is more philosophical then it is physical with some visits from some of two combatants variants while moving the events of the tie-in that have been happening in the ongoing title seamlessly.

J. M. DeMatteis captures the vibe and voice of the original story while the art takes a looser, less clean-lined approach which at times can be distracting and take one out of the story.

With two more issues to go DeMatteis is sure to give readers a satisfying story of what might have been.

From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives #3 may reveal who kills The Joker, but still leaves some questions and reveals for the final issue. The issue spins the story's wheels a bit, still providing some insight to how Bruce is dealing with Jason's near death at the hands of The Joker.

It will be interesting to see if DC Comics does other stories along this line, exploring critical junctures in the DC timeline.

Godzilla Destroys The Marvel Universe #1 the openinng salvo in the story is a solid start to this meeting of Godzilla and the heroes of the Marvel Universe and is full of potential as the story unfolds and develops over the six issues run.

Fantastic Four Vs Godzilla #1 is a solid first installment of this line of stories that has the heroes of the Marvel Universe coming into conflict with Godzilla and his gallery of Kajui. North captures both properties well and uses them to create a cohesive and fun story.

Godzilla vs. Hulk #1 is a love letter to both the 70s version of the Hulk and Godzilla characters and tells a seamless story bringing the two franchises together to tell a full and exciting story

The GODZILLA VS. one-shots mix Godzilla lore with the Marvel mythos, twisting history as icons like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, the X-Men and Thor face off against the King of the Monsters

Godzilla Vs. The X-Men #1 is a nostalgic return to the '90s X-Men mixed with classic Godzilla tropes and Kaiju goodness as the fourth round of this series explodes on the page.

Kudos to IDW for taking a chance on this way-out-of-the-box three issues series.

Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre #2 is a fun read that continues to take these well-known characters and places them against an unstoppable foe who has terrorized lesser opponents in other mediums. This series continues to be a fun experience and experiment in pushing boundaries of storytelling.

Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre #3 is a excellemt trip into a strange but novel mashup and I was wrong. I was truly wrong. This series has been brilliant series that took a strange premise and cranks it to 11 in a ridiculous and fun approach to the literary and sci-fi worlds.

Green Lantern Civil Corps Special #1is a solid lead in to the next chapter of the Green Lantern saga and All In era. Those who have been following Philip Kennedy Johnson and Jeremy Adams' recent work on the characters should have little problem catching up, but the issue may not be a new reader friendly introduction, but wouldn't require too much catching up to be up to speed.

This is a perfect jumping-on point for new and old readers who may have stepped away from the recent goings on in the Green Lantetn corner of the DCU.

While newer readers may not understand the history behind the story, it may tweek an interest to delve deeper into the stories of the 70s/80s DCU.

Green Lantern: Dark #1's return to Earth-9 and the Tangent Universe is a bold move on the part of DC Comics, and while the issue lays groundwork for this new status quo, it remains to be seen if this Earth's future is as bleak as it appears to be or if the Green Lantern can restore it or die trying.

While a stand-alone story, it is going to be a long month to wait until the next issue which tells the story of the semi-truck involved in the accident shown in this issue.

Ice Cream Man #42 continues to push the boundaries of horror and storytelling in different ways by addressing the real-world horrors that many who enjoy comics are hoping to get a reprieve from with such reading. This issue is not meant for everyone but is an innovative method of allowing commentary to be given on these real-world horrors

Ice Cream Man #43 continues to push the envelope in the series storytelling with both bold choices of format with one page stories that run the gamut of real life horrors to the strange and macabre. Having guest contributors works well as it allows other comic writers to play in the Ice Cream Man sandbox.

This series can still find it's footing and define Ray, Ryan, and Captain Atom in the new era of the DCU

Justice League: The Atom Project #2 continues to be a disjointed and unconnected story that lacks a hook for readers to care about The Atom Project which seems to be an important concept in the DC All-In era.

The issues cliffhanger is one that should leave long-time fans of the DCU with a dropped jaw and even more excitement for what is to come in the main story.

Knight Terror #2 is exactly what one would expect from the second installment of an event storyline, an issue providing glimpses into Insomina's origin, motivations, and the existence of the Nightmare Stone. While still a fun and intense read, Williamson has a huge task of completing the setup/background for the event, giving readers a satisfying conclusion to the event, and fitting it into the overall Dawn of DC banner umbrella.

Knight Terrors #3, which marks the beginning of the end of the main series, is an issue that simply setups up the penultimate issue of the event, Knight Terrors #4, and the bookend, Knight Terrors: Nights End #1, while folding back into the events of Knight Terrors: Batman. Williamson has a lot of ground to cover, resolving the main storyline and working with the heroes and villains whose nightmares are explored in the various two-issue tie-ins.

The issue still leaves many questions and plot threads needing to be addressed in the final issue in order to leave readers with a satisfying conclusion and a sense that this story will be meaningful as the Dawn of DC age continues to unfold.

The threads started in this oneshot that will play out in the main four-issue limited series and various tir-in is packed with mystery and intrigue peppered with nostalgic call backs and easter eggs for both longtime readers and plenty of background for new DCU fans.

As an event, Knight Terrors, for the most part, was an interesting and introspective look into the dreams of the various characters of the DC Universe. The event, in its shortened length, struggled at times to clearly define Insominia's motives and endgame plans leaving this issue to do some heavy lifting in wrapping up the story and returning the DC Universe back to its regularly scheduled ongoing series and storylines.

The only missed opportunity was not referencing what is taking place in Knight Terrors: Superman, but perhaps it will be addressed somehow in the second installments of one or both tie-ins.

Knight Terrors - Action Comics #2continues to explore Power Girl and the rest of the Superfamily's trials while encompassed in Insominia's nightmare realm and setting both stories in position for the Knight Terrors: Nights End and beyond. The main story focusing on Power Girl continues to define who Paige is in the Dawn of the DC era, while the backup is a nice coda to the Warworld and Cyborg-Superman story arc that wrapped prior to the event.

A solid first installment of the Batman two-parter tie-in which helps to flesh out the story that began in Knight Terrors: First Blood.

Williamson continues to make this limited series feel like it is less of a tie-in and more of a chance to tell a larger story than that being said in the main series. There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered that need to be addressed, but with three more installments to the main event, Williamson might pull it off in the end.

Knight Terrors: Catwoman #1,while not directly tied into the larger story, does a nice job of exploring Selina's relationship with her sister while teasing that the next issue the focus of her nightmare will shift to her complicated relationship with Batman. It will be interesting to see if the theme of snakes will play into the overall story and if it might have some religious symbolism as the conflict between Selina and Maggie is one of right and wrong and dealing with temptations.

Selina's experiences in the Nightmare realm will surely have ramifications in the future beginning with the upcoming Batman/Catwoman: Gotham War story.

It will be interesting to see where both of these stories go as the limited series wraps next issue and if it somehow connects to the story being told.

Knight Terrors - Harley Quinn #1 is a wild ride through the nightmares and fears of Harley Quinn. Tini Howard and the creative give readers a lot of bang for the buck in a well-written and beautifully illustrated. tie-in to the Knight Terrors event. This is a definite sleeper of a hit in the Knight Terrors event and one can only wonder what will happen in the next issue.

Knight Terrors - Harley Quinn #4 is a wild romp through Harley's nightmare of being an A-List hero in the Justice League. The final issue of this limited series tie-in continues the multiversal madness. Ths issue works well as a deconstruction of Harley and the line she walks between being a hero and an anti-hero, all the while bridging the gap seamlessly back into the ongoing series next month.

This series will probably be hit-or-miss for both readers of the ongoing series or those just reading the Knight Terrors event.

Only the next issue will tell if the story how and if this series will play into the overall story.

Knight Terrors: Punchline #2offers a satisfying conclusion to her adventures in the Nightmare Realm. While it remains unclear the role she will replay going forward as the event wraps up, the story may set up Punchline's role in the upcoming Gotham War story arc, set to take over the Batman titles.

It will be interesting to see where the second issue goes, how it wraps up and if Damian will show up and somehow save the day since he is aware of what is

Knight Terrors - Robin #2 was an excellent ending to the limited series tie-in, with both Jason and Tim learning something about themselves, each other, and their roles in the larger Bat-Family. Porter shows an excellent grasp of Tim and Jason's different personalities and how they are more alike than they are different. Given the two issues and having to split page time between both characters, readers are left with more than a complete story that could be further explored.

Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1 is well-crafted addition to the Knight Terror event because it not only segways smoothly from the current Shazam series but also at the same time provides just enough information to give a connection to the overall event being told throughout the DCU. Waid continues to show with this book why he is one of the best writers in the industry today, not only because of his comic book knowledge but he understands how to make a tie-in book worth pick up off the shelves.

Knight Terrors -Shazam #2is an enjoyable addition to the Knight Terrors event and an excellent chance for Mary to momentarily get some time in the spotlight. This two-issue tie-in stands out as one of the best-constructed and executed series in the Knight Terrors event.

Knight Terrors: The Flash #1is a solid chapter of the event even though it does suffer from no direct references tying it back to the main story being written by Williamson. It will be interesting to see how and when Barry realizes that the events occurring are not real and how it all ties into Insomnia's looking for the Nightmare Stone. If none of this is addressed then the question of why this needed to be included in the event is a fair one.

Knight Terrors - Flash #2and the tie-in and the limited series as a whole is an interesting addition to the Knight Terror collection, but it seems like, given more issues could have been a more in-depth look at what makes Barry tick as a person. Interestingly, unlike other series installments, Barry cannot break out of the nightmare alone or come away with some deeper understanding of himself or his growth as a character. Not that this is a bad thing, as while dreams and nightmares can spur personal growth, it doesn't happen every time, sometimes a nightmare is just a nightmare.

This issue ties in well with the overarching story while establishing itself as stand-alone side adventure. Culver introduces some interesting concepts and characters that will hopefully be further explored in the next issue and as the story reaches its climatic point over in the main series.

Knight Terrors - Zatanna #2 is an exciting and worthwhile tie-in to the overall Knight Terrors event. Though Zatanna's difficult past with her father is nothing new, this limited series, in the given two issues, was able to concisely deconstruct and then rebuild Zatanna as a character while giving a believable and satisfying ending before reuniting Hex & Violence.

Little Batman: Month One #1brings the 2023 movie to the comic book page, with the same voice, tone,and overall approach that made the animated movie stand out in its take on Batman, his son Damian, and even Alfred. It will be interesting to see where the series goes and expands this universe.

Lobo Cancellation Special #1 is a fun read that doesn't require any background knowledge of the character or current storylines. This issue is a fun read and a definite must-read for any fans of Lobo and the chaos that he leaves in his wake.

Thor / Shazam! Infinity Comic #1 shows that Ewing not only has a solid grasp on Thor, but could also, if given the opportunity, do the same for Shazam if given the chance, to work with the character.

What If? Donald Duck Became Iron Man #1 - is an enjoyable and interesting use of the What If concept but trips up a bit in the overall execution by using Donald as the main character to don the armor for this story to really feel true to both Donald and Iron Man

What If? Donald Duck Became Thor #1is a fun reimaging and amalgamation of these two characters and masterful use of What If? storytelling.

Marvel & Disney: What If...? Donald Duck Became Wolverine #1 is a fun and entertaining read that has something for Donald Duck and Wolverine fans alike. It is also a refreshing concept that should become an occasional addition to Marvel's schedule and not just a variant cover theme.

Goofy Became Spider-Man #1 is a nice bookend to this series of What-If stories and it was refreshing to see one of the oft-forgotten Disney characters get some time in the webbing of the spotlight.

Marvel & Disney: What If...? Mickey & Friends Became the Avengers #1is a solid Disneyification of the original Avengers story that stays true to both the Marvel and Disney characters and is another strong addition to the series of onshots

Marvel & Disney: What If...? Minnie Became Captain Marvel #1 is another fun installment in this series of Marvel/Disney mashups that provides a new look at classic stories while remaining respectful yo both characters and original story. It is the strongest installment so far of the Disney/Marvel What if books.

Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1 is a fun start to this series and works on both an entertaining and Metaphysical levels providing an fun and entertaining story that also will make readers question some larger questions of the Marvel Universe in this stand-alone non-One World Under Doom story.

Marvel Zombies - Dawn of Decay #1 looks to be an interesting spin on zombies in the Marvel Universe. So far this looks to be a story that will be accessible to readers of most ages if the gore continues to be scaled down like this issue.

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #2 continues to be a fun and entertaining buddy monster story set against plant zombies taking over NYC. It's an entertaining story to get readers young and old in the Halloween spirit.

He-Man / TMNT: Turtles Of Grayskull #1 is the crossover that any reader who lived in the 80s could hope for in this unique crossover event. In this initial issue it is evident that Seeley and Williams are big fans of both properties. It will be interesting to see if the story continues to avoid the tropes common with this type of inter-property crossover event.

Multiversus: Collision Detected #1 is a great start at what looks to be a fun multi-universe event. Miller captures the less serious side of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in a way that doesn't cheapen who they are at their core concept. It will be interesting to see how this series progresses as the cast expands and if it follows the common tropes associated with these types of stories or can put a twist on it to make it unique/

MultiVersus: Collision Detected #2 continues to set the stage as more icomic characters are injected into the story and more are teased fir upcoming issues. Hopefully next issue the action will take off and get into the meat of the story.

MultiVersus: Collision Detected #3 stumbles a bit in the storytelling out of the gate but continues to be a fun mish-mash of the different properties into a massive story. Lots of fun cameos and references for young and old readers alike.

The issue, like the others before, contains some nice Easter eggs that long time readers should pick up on and appreciate.

While Murder Kingdom #1 is largely setup it does it in such a way that leaves the reader invested in the larger murder mystery yet to come. The issue has plenty of humor, a dash of reality, and reason to return next month for the next issue.

New History of the DC Universe #1is a solid start to this Sisyphean task of telling the latest history of the DC Universe that will leave fans old and new anticipating the next installments of this chronicling of DC Comics history.

New History of the DC Universe #2 continues to be a well-told masterpiece of telling the vast and sometimes confusing history of the DCU as #MarkWaid blends old and relatively new ideas into a streamlined narrative that will hopefully appeal to long-term and new fans alike.

New History of the DC Universe #3 covers the post-Crisis time beginning in 1985 through the Aughts up to Final Crisis covering major DCU events while selectively dismissing others, yet still remains a concise recap with few massages to those events that defined that age of DC Comics

The New History Of The DC Universe #4 concludes this telling of the history of the DCU with the cavet that History is always written by the winners.

Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #1 has promise of being an interesting addition to the mythos as Marvel's First Family find themselves captured by those damn dirty apes and not-so-Fantastic.

Plastic Man No More #1is a great start to what looks to be a deconstructive look at one of the DCU's underappreciated and underused characters who is usually around for comedic relief. As the story unfolds over the rest of the issues, let's hope Cantwell and Lins can continue to deliver a story full of twists, turns, mystery, possible romance, life lessons, and laughs.

The story continues to get darker, which for the most part works in favor of the issue, but it is odd and unsettling to see Eel in this frame of mind and seems a happy conclusion a far off thing.

Plastic Man No More! #3 continues to send Eel down a dark path in his attempts to save his son and himself as the body count of his friends continues to rise. The deconstruction and meltdown of Plastic Man.

Plastic Man No More! #4 and the series as a whole jas been an interesting and deconstruction of Plastic Man, the sometimes criminal and sometimes hero. Unlike previous stories that have looked at Plastic Man and his struggle to make amends for his past, this series has been one that puts the father/son relation under the microscope and tugs at the heartstrings instead of going for the slapstick side of the characters.

Overall, Poison Ivy / Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1 is a satisfying oneshot, pair the characters who are connected to The Green, and having a philosophical discussion about it. Wilson and the rest of the creative team work well together to bring elements of horror and humor together as Ivy questions not only herself, but also grows as a character. It will be interesting to see if this story is tbe beginning of Poison Ivy's "All In era " status quo.

Waid and Mora bring lightning and thunder to Shazam and what promises to be a wild and crazy ride.

Does the savvy Saabbac player have any cards left to play that can save his life?

However, having said all this, if there is one writer who can wrap this series up and give readers an ending that is deserved then Charles Soule is that writer as The Force is strong with him.

Soule and Morales continue to fire on all cylinders as they bring the ship in for a landing, wrapping up the story threads that have played out since the events of The Empire Strikes Back. While it would have been nice to see more of the events leading up to the return to Tatooine, it leaves that story for a future time and place.

The framing device for the story takes place during the time Ben was Luke's apprentice on Ossus

Star Wars #1 sets the stage for the forray into the time between the Battle of Jakku and The Force Awakens with a solid start with familiar faces and new threats

Star Wars: A New Legacy #1 is a fun look back at the characters introduced into the Star Wars mythos 10 years ago in new stories. Soule, Aaron, and Gillen all hit the mark reminding readers why their contributions to Star Wars are so memorable.

Star Wars: Ahsoka #1 is want one would expect from an adaption of a show that has already been released. It will be interesting to see how Barnes paces the remaining story over the remaining issues.

It will be interesting to see how Segura weaves the story into the already established canon told in Star Wars: Aftermath novel trilogy.

Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku Insurgency Rising #2 is a strong second issue that introduces key characters and ideas that begin to connect it to the novels which lead to and tell the Battle of Jakku

Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #3 finds it's rhythm as the established story threads begin to take shape in the post-Return Of The Jedi universe as characters begin to be developed and new challenges for the Rebels present themselves. The series continues to stay true and expand the Star Wars canon in a interesting and consistent manner.

Star Wars: Battle of Jakku Insurgency Rising #4 closes out the first installment of the latest Star Wars saga, introduces and fleshes out Adelhard and the remaining Imperial forces and sets the stage for the Empires last stand on Jakku

Star Wars: Battle of Jakku Last Stand #1 begins the final installment of the Battle Of Jakku trilogy with little new storyline but builds the tension and excitement for the eventual series culmination. While it seems the final conflict is still far off and may be less epic than one would expect, The Force continues to be strong with Segura's writing and execution.

The Star Wars: Battle of Jakku Maxiseries trilogy, overall is a triumph by Segura and the creative teams that helped bring the story to life. Hopefully those who read this series, but not the Aftermath triolgy will take this opportunity to read the main story, thus getting the full experience and importance of how the Battle of Jakku fits into the larger Star Wars mythology.

Segura continues to show his grasp and love for these iconic characters as he shepherds them through the latest chapter of their story.

Star Wars: Battle of Jakku Republic Under Siege #4is a solid conclusion to the second act of the larger story as Gallius Rax moves both Imperial and Republic pieces into position in his attempt to fulfill Palpatine's plan for the Empire in the event of his death. Adelhard has been set a wildcard in the larger scheme which should play well into the final chapter of this saga.

In short, Soule continues to show that he knows how to play with the toys in the Star Wars sandcrawler, not just giving readers a stiff, run-of-the-mill event.

Star Wars: Darth Maul - Black, White & Red #1 is a solid first installment of this foray into three-color storytelling in the Star Wars Universe. The story is mind-bending and captures the character of Darth Maul that will leave readers waiting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the the next issue of the series.

The issue will leave Star Wars fans wanting to see more from Russell in the larger Star Wars universe, something Marvel should work towards in finding a niche for him to play in this galaxy far, far away

So far in this series Issue #1 has been a horror story featuring Maul, Issue #2 was a Maul story from a certain point of view, this issue is the first to explore the inner being of Maul and shows that Schultz has a grasp on what makes him as a character tick.

Star Wars: Darth Maul - Black, White & Red #4is the perfect endcap to this tri-color series look at Darth Maul, the first disciple of Darth Sidious and the future Emperor of the Star Wars saga. Hopefully Marvel will continue to expand on Maul's story both as a Sith Apprientice and during the Clone Wars/Rebels eras.

With Star Wars: Darth Vader #46, the story speeds up as it goes from the build of who the Schism members are to them finally doing something other than the recruiting taking place. Like with the other Star Wars series currently running, these events take place before The Return Of The Jedi so it will be interesting to see how Pak ties the Schism story arc up so that the continuity remains intact.

Star Wars: Darth Vader# 49, the penultimate issue of the series, finds the various story threads converging as Sabe's journey, Sly Moores' ultimate goal for the Schism Imperial are revealed, and the stage is set for the events of the final confrontation that takes place in Return Of The Jedi are set in motion.

Darth Vader #50 is the perfect endcap to Greg Pak's exploration and deconstruction of Darth Vader, not only between The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, but from his days as Anakin. Pak deftly used a cast of characters to show the many facets of Vader throughout the series. While it is dishearting to see the series end, it is one that will stand the test of time with multiple readings

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Chaos Agent #1 is a solid start to this new series that captures everything that makes Aphra who they are as they try to turn over a new-ish leaf in a galaxy far far away.

Ewoks #1is a strong start for the series as Orlando shows from the beginning that he knows and is passionate about the Ewoks story he is telling. He also captures established characters well and seamlessly fitting this story into the larger post Return Of The Jedi story and possibly laying the groundwork for the Ewok civil war which takes place around this time.

Star Wars: Ewoks #2 continues the Endor adventure as the Ewoks must deal with the Imperial and Bounty Hunters sent to retrieve that Empire's cache of weapons hidden on the moon. The issue moves the story along, and not wasting the limited storytelling space of the four issue series.

Star Wars: Ewoks #4 completes the return to the moon of Endor that combines a well-written, well-paced story with art and colorwork that bring this story to a close, but with hopes that there are more Ewok-centric stories to be told in the future.

Star Wars: Han Solo Hunt for the Falcon #1 does a good job of bringing readers up to speed on Han's goings on prior to seeing him in The Force Awakings and setting up the rest of the story that Barnes has to tell in this series.

Star Wars: Inquisitors#1 is a promising start to what looks be an exciting and interesting story into the fallen Jedi whose job is to hunt down surviving Jedi and carry out the will of the Emperor and Darth Vader as enforcers. Tensu Run, the Jedi created for the story, is seamlessly incorporated into the existing Star Wars mythos and is a fresh character that Barnes can explore along with The Inquisitors.

Star Wars: Inquisitors #2,overall is a solid issue, despite some pacing that is due to it being a 4-issue run. Barnes does an excellent job of introducing the Fifth Brother to the reader while moving the overall story along. With only two issues left it will be interesting to see how those issues end up and if readers will get a fulfilling story as a whole.

Overall, the issue hits the marks that it needed to in anticipation of the final issue.

The art and color work in the issue and series was a good fit and brought the story to life

Overall, it will be interesting to see how Marvel approaches this time in the larger Star Wars story as most tales told during this period come from the Dark Horse Comics imprint.

Star War: Jedi Knights #2 not only introduces a new threat for the Jedi but does so while moving the larger mystery surrounding Qui-Gon's assassin forward with the possibility of the two threads eventually connecting into the larger story

While one-off issues are sure to continue, as there is plenty of sandbox to play in before the events of The Phantom Menace, there should be some connection or thread that will entice readers to return for future issues. Guggenheim continues to show a firm grasp on the characters and thier voices which makes the story enjoyable even if the storu contained to a single issue.

Jedi Knights 4 is a classic bank heist story with a Star Wars twist that works as a standalone story while building the mystery of the larger mystery and intrigue surrounding Obi-Wan's Force Vision of Qui-Gon's assassination.

Star Wars: Jedi Knights #5 continues to show Guggenheim's grasp of the characters that fans saw in the Prequels and Dooku's turn to the Dark Side and how Yaddle's decsion to save him would result in her death

Overall this oneshot is worthy as serving as a 25th Anniversary Special. Pak continues to show the grasp he has on the various characters in the Star Wars Universe and Anakin both as a young boy and later as Darth Vader. Will this special end the debate about the film itself, probably not, but it is a great step in viewing the events from a different perspective both in time and space.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Kelnacca #1is an excellent lead-in to the Fear of the Jedi story arc and an interesting and insightful look at the most interesting Jedi to come out of The Acolyte.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories The Bad Batch: Ghost Agents #1 is strong kickoff to this story which has the Bad Batch on thier way to Kessel and on a collision course with the Spice running Pikes.

Star Wars: Legacy Of Vader #1 is a strong start out of the gate establishing Kylo Ren's stats following The Last Jedi and sets the stage as he explores his grandfather's Legacy which will eventually lead him to travel to Exegol in The Rise Of Skywalker

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #2 continues to build a deeper look at both Kylo Ren and Darth Vader while building the story bridging the gap between Episode 8 & 9, while building a mystery into Vanee's true intentions for sheparding the new Supreme Leader on his journey.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10 continues to chronicle Kylo's journey as he attempts to kill his past and proceed on his Dark Side journey whilst being an @$$ to any who might stand in his way in a galaxy far, far, away.

Super-Pets Special: Bitedentity Crisis #1 is a refreshing 5th week anthology that provides laughs, but will also tug at the heartstrings of readers be they pet owners or not. All the stories each have a unique voice and art style that make this a tail-wagging, leg thumping, fun read

Superman #33 is another great addition to Fight Month that combines DCU history with a deeper look at Lex Luthor for an interesting chapter that has something for new and long time readers both to enjoy.

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 is an awesome start to this story that can be enjoyed by Superman fans or those simply following the creative team to this different type of tale. Even a mere one issue in, it is well on its way to becoming a classic Superman story in the character's long history

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #2 continues to be an enjoyable series that can be enjoyed by both longtime Superman fans and casual readers.

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3 continues to fire on all cylinders and exceeds what the creative team accomplished in the earlier issues of this limited series.

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is chock-full of Silver Agey goodness and a cornucopia of storytelling devices that set this issue to be, perhaps the best of the run so far

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 concludes and perfectly sticks the landing as one of the best series that DC Comics released in 2025 and hopefully has opened the door for the creative team to return to tell more stories in the DC Universe in the future.

The Boy Wonder #1 overall is a fun read and the art style gives the book a tone all its own. While it is a strong first issue the question is raised as to what will make this story worth the Black Label imprint. So far nothing this issue screams anything that would denote being published under the imprint, hopefully next issue or soon there will be something, be it story points or artwork that justify the Black Label treatment other than a different spin on Damian's journey as Robin.

While there is little new that is added to the character of Jason Todd, being that it is a Black Label series not constrained by the main universe, it is an interesting glimpse into the psyche of Jason and how Damian relates to him.

The Boy Wonder #3 continues to explore Damian's relationship with his family, this time forcing him to work with his rival Tim Drake. Juni Ba continues to build an interesting story complimented by stunning artwork in this fairytale Black Label series

The Boy Wonder #4 is another solid issue further exploring and deconstructing the character of Damian Wayne and his Robin persona. The art and overall presentation of the story continues to be solid and leaving readers ready for the finale.

Throughout the series Ba treated the characters with respect while paying homage to past creators such as the Late (and great) Darwyn Cooke, Grant Morrison, Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, Bob Kane, and the rest who brought the Robin character to life over the past 80 plus years.

The Question: All Along The Watchtower #1 is a strong start to the series that not only looks to explore Renee Montoya's new role for her alternatives ego The Question, but contining to define and build the larger DCU All In era storyline.

The Thing On The Doorstep #1 is a solid start to this adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's story that remains faithful to the source while expanding the narrative in an organic manner that will leave fans and new readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Titans #30 is a satisfying issue with a round that looks and speaks volumes of both Cyborg and Swamp Thing's characters, while moving the Titans story arc forward at the same time.

Two Face #1 is a strong and interesting start to this series in which the two sides of Harvey Dent's personality will be struggling for dominance. While this is not a new direction per say for the chatacter, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up next to similar stories such as the post-Infinite Crisis "Face The Face" arc in Dectective Comics

Two-Face #3 continues to be a well-written, well-paced, and well-drawn and colored story as Harvey continues to struggle against his darker side leaving readers anticipating the next issue.

It is also a promising sign of what's to come as Marvel celebrates the 90th Anniversary of Donald Duck this summer in the What If ? Stories.

Uncle Scrooge: Earths Mightiest Duck #1 is a strong beginning to the follow-up the Infinite Dime oneshot as Aaron deftly channels Carl Banks in this opener which promises to be a fun ride for fans of Scrooge McDuck comics and the Ducktails animated show.

What If...? Galactus Transformed Gambit? #1 is well-written but falls short of what would be expected from a story billed as a heist worthy of Gambit's skill set and at times seems like a missed opportunity for an action-packed story.

What If? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 kicks off this series of oneshots with a solid issue that ends in a manner that might readers wanting more of a action packed resolution to the question of What If..?

What If? Galactus Transformed Moon Knight? #1 is the strongest and most interesting installment of this series so far and shows that the creative team have a strong grasp on the What If concept and character of Moon Knight.

What If...? Galactus Transformed Rogue? #1 is another solid installment in this series which makes the reader think about and reconsider Galactus9' role in the Marvel Comics Universe

What If? Galactus Transformed Spider-Gwen? #1 ends this installment of What If stories with a run of the mill story that doesn't really cover new ground for Ghost-Spider or push any creative boundaries which will probably work for casual readers, but not for the die-hard fans.

Zero Hour 30th Anniversary Special #1 is a nostalgic return to the 90s events of Emerald Twilight and Zero Hour celebrating the '90s DCU, Kyle Rayner, and the darkest point of Hal Jordan's superhero career. Ron Marz, returning to Kyle Rayner, reminds readers of why he is one of the greatest Green Lanterns, even though Hal Jordan is the first name that is associated with the character.