Christopher Calloway Comic Reviews

Pick up a copy of Archangel before it disappears off the racks. This is bound to be the sleeper hit of the week.

The Templars mini-series is shaping up to be another strong offeringfrom Titan Comics thanks scoring the talented creative team of Van Lente and Calero to tell the story. If you ever needed an excuse to check out the world of Assassin's Creed, I cannot think of any better reason than starting with this series.

If you are a fan of fantasy you will want to check out the Autumn Grey Kickstarter for more information. There you will find additional art samples and the various reward levels available for project backers.

On the whole, Conan The Adventure #20 it is a very satisfying start to “A Witch Shall Be Born”, ending with a cliff-hanger that will leavereaders wantingmore. Although the art doesnot portray Conan with the more muscular, battled hardened physique readers have come to expect based on portrayals by other artists, it will not prevent you from enjoying this adaptionof a Robert E. Howard classic.

The plots of most stories in this issue are a bit thin for the modern comic reader who demands a more sophisticated story lines. The main reason I keep coming back to Creepy is the black and white art. Creepy lives up to the claim that it is the finest in illustrated horror. Horror and art fans, treat yourself to a copy of Creepy #24.

Put aside any reservation you may have had about Dynamite's Dejah Thoris. This is a fresh take on the character by Frank J. Barbiere and Franco Mann. With plots ideas provided by Gale Simone and a new costume design by Nicola Scott, let the decree go forth, this version of the Prince of Mars is out of this world.

The coloring of the postapocalyptic landscape is perfect. The heat of the sun's intense rays radiate from the book's pages. Sure to be one of the top titles from Image this September, Eclipse #1 will delight science-fiction mystery lovers of all ages. This one book you will be sorry if you miss out. Don't get burnt, reserve a copy today!

This first issue is like getting four mini-adventures in one, and I look forward to seeing how the heroes will ultimately form their alliance. I highly recommend Gold Key Alliance #1for the tight and efficient story telling by Phil Hester and the sold art by the team of Brent Peebles and Morgan Hickman.

This is a wakeup call for comic readers who love fantasy. This one is the sleeper comics of the week I rate buy on sight. I can't wait to see what else springs from the fertile imaginations of Douek, Barkley et al in the next installment of IDW's four-part Gutter Magic series.

Hellboy and the B.R.P.D.: 1953 Beyond the Fences #1is superb in both story and art. Make room for this one on your pull list.

If you have never read Waid and Krause's Insufferable,this issue is a great jumping on point.

With a few flaws in the storytelling technique the second issue of Interceptor may have stumbled a bit, but it is still worthwhile read with potentially great things to come.

I recommend this series and hope thatMillar and Torres return for future installments during breaks between volumes of Jupiter's Legacy.Add this issue to your reading pile this week.

For more reviews of Kickstarter projects, visit Word of the Nerd.

King Conan Wolves Beyond the Border #1 should be a delight to Conan fans old and new. The creative team of Truman, Giorello and Villarrubia are creating classic Conan adventures of the highest quality. Add this one to your comics shop pull list with confidence, it will not disappoint.

Lobster Johnson Metal Monsters of Midtown #1is a mysteryset in the 1930s by one of the best creative teams in comics.Give this first issue a read and you will beas metalis to a magnet for the rest of this Lobster Johnson series.

When visiting your local comic shop this week, I recommend trying The Lobster: Glass Mantisfrom Dark Horse Comics. Fans of Lobster Johnson and pulp heroes in general will enjoy it. It's a one and done issue that will leave readers craving more.

If the Canals of Earth Kickstarter project is successfully funded by April 27th, backers at the $20 or higher will receive an exclusive Kickstarter print copy of Canals of Earth and the entire Martian Comicsseries issues 1 through 5 in digital format.

If you had trepidation about picking up Miss Fury #1 because of past mishandling of her character, fear not. Miss Fury is back and better than ever.

The remaining stories are a decent mix of horror tales sure to delight fans of Creepy and Eerie black and white horror anthology magazines. If you liked these type of classic horror stories, Monster Mash-Ups #1 is the book for you.

As a whole Narcopolis Continuum is a good read despite these flaws. Fans of science fiction looking for a time travel story with heart should give this series a go.

Both stories are a product of their times, but if you enjoy classic 1970s sci-fi and beautifully drawn black and white art of the period, Planet of the Damned and Death Planet by 2000 AD is a blast from the past.

Issue #10 will be the last ofthe series. The final issue will be told from yet another perspective, that of a loyal British solider. If past issues are any indication, I would expect nothing less than some of Wood's best work of his career. If you have not given Rebels a chance, issue #9 is a great issue to pick-up, you need not be familiar with any of the previous issue in the series to enjoy it.

There was a enough entertainment in this first issue with great art to interest me in staying on board and see what happens in the next issue of Rivers of London: Night Witches.

Seduction of the Innocent #4 is a fitting end to a crime noir story. The innocence seduced is not just that of the missing children, but also of Jennings belief that he could change the world. If you have never read or seen a true crime noir story, add something new to your reading list. I recommend seeking out all four issues of the series to appreciate the creative teams achievement in capturing the essential elements of a true crime noir story.

Overall, it's a decent read with a plot that moves along briskly but it won't leave a lasting impression on the reader. Today's comics and television have embraced a decompressed story telling format, allowing for slower and deeper development of character which ultimately leads to a bigger payoff for the reader or viewer. Starburn's main weakness is in its lack character development so that readers have a reason care about who lives and who dies. Focusing on deeper development of just a few of the characters' backgrounds and motivations would have made some of the events affecting them more impactful to the reader.

Strange Fruit is building to a climatic finale. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Strange Fruit #3 by Waid and J.G. Jones. It is destined to be a modern classic.

I rate this first issue a buy on site with confidence. If the rest ofTales From The Darksideis as strong as this first issue, horror fans are in for a real treat.

I hope this series goes on and on. If you can only make room for one more book to get this week, make it The Black Monday Murders by Hickman, Coker, Garland and Wooton.

For more about The Case of Alan Turing, you can read our in interview with the writer and author here. 

Put aside any reservations you may have about reading this latest adaptation of a MLJ Golden Age hero. Dark Circle has carefully chosen its writers and artists to keep with the grittier and intense style of itsDark Circle comics. The Hangman #3 by Teri and Ruiz is a must for fans of classic 1970s horror films and one the best new offerings under Archie Comic's Dark Circle imprint.

This is another solid issue of the mini-series, a morality tale that is recommended reading as a stand alone story.

This is one of the few action hero comic books on the market today that is appropriate for all ages.As an added bonus, there is also a pull-out poster and part one of a prose Rocketeer story. Overall,this comic is a great value andreaders will discover a Rocketeer story true to Stevens' vision with both top-notch writing and art.

Ally's first chapter is mostly set up to get the reader familiar with all the characters and their motivations. He does an excellent job at pulling in the reader and making them care about the characters. He also does an outstanding job illustrating 16th century London, so take your time soaking in all the art's detail, this is not one to rush through. I love period based yarns and with the plethora of noir based stories flooding the market today, this one feels fresh. I was a bit let down by the last page because I could see this coming midway through the story. That said, it is the first chapter of the six-part story that sets up its premise and characters. I expect this to be a very strong series in story and art from start to finish. This one should be on everyone's pull list.

Six Million Dollar Man: Fall of Man #1 is a call back to the original television series with a fresh, exciting new story. Fans of the television series and new readers will find a lot to love in this first issue.

The Steam Man#4 is the most violent issue in the series yet but is pays off in a big way, giving the reader unexpected surprises and painting our heroes into a bloody corner. The Steam Man#4 is the continuation of a great series with enough unique and fresh plots twists making it a must add to any readers pull list.

For new and long-time readers of the character, the Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #1 will not disappoint.