Dan Spinelli Comic Reviews

James Tynion IV and Jorge Jimenez wrap up the first arc of Batman to follow "Future State" with a series of action set pieces and a third-act betrayal that sets up the next big Gotham crossover: "Fear State."

This twelve-issue wrap-up to Tom King's long 'Batman' run is as engrossing and flawed as his monthly issues. But the three-timeline structure lends itself to some pacing problems.

Gene Luen Yang's debut issue is a marvelous tour of the Golden Age with spectacular art from Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, and Sabine Rich.

We have all read a few too many comics about comics at this point for the approach to seem novel, but Yang seems more interested instoriesand how two of the most iconic fictional characters in history can be molded to tell a good one. It's still too early in his run to know where he plans to take that idea, but I'll be excited to find out.

The premise of "what if Batman existed in the real world?" is fascinating, but too often this comic fails to take advantage of it. Even as Andrea Sorrentino's art gives the comic a searing beauty, the story resembles more standard Batman tales.

The first issue of this three-part DC Black Label miniseries failed to take full advantage of its intriguing, realistic premise. That changes in a big way this issue as Bruce Wayne gets closer to a detective who is well-positioned to understand what makes him tick.

Daniel Warren Johnson spins another tale of gods and monsters. What more could you want?

Superstar writer Ram V and stellar art from Fernando Blanco and Jordie Bellaire make this book a stirring addition to the new Gotham status quo.

Ram V drops Selina Kyle into a shadowy, neo-noir world as Fernando Blanco and Jordie Bellaire help create one of the best looks at Gotham you'll find on the stands.

The Gotham line of comics could not be better right now, and 'Catwoman' is a major reason why. Ram V and Fernando Blanco give each issue the right mix of character-driven story while staying close to the wider Gotham narrative.

Who is Selina Kyle? Writer Ram V and guest artist Evan Cagle answer across varying vignettes as Selina's pursuers are treated to stories of her past.

Ram V annd Fernando Blanco's brilliant run on 'Catwoman' heats up as Father Valley and the Magistrate close in on Selina Kyle.

Fernando Blanco's final issue as the regular "Catwoman" artist is a satisfying conclusion to this Father Valley-focused arc.

Father Valley's history with Azrael and the Order of St. Dumas comes into focus.

Writer Vita Ayala and artist Bernard Chang bring this latest batch of young mutants to life with humor and the soap operatics the X-Men are known for. I couldn't put this issue down.

It's no Dark Phoenix Saga, but Chris Claremont's anniversary special is a lovely retrospective on his Marvel career, as seen through the eyes of Danielle Moonstar.

Don't open this comic expecting "Citizen Kane," but if you like"DCeased" and don't mind seeing a few of your favorite characters get their limbs ripped out, this may be the comic to get you in the Halloween spirit.

Not every story works, but when the stakes are this low, it's hard not to smile at DC's heroes finding love"whatever that means to them.

Mariko Tamaki and Dan Mora's first issue of 'Detective Comics' is a delightful romp through Gotham's corridors of power.

A charming, if occasionally stilted, look at Marvel's First Family, "Fantastic Four: Life Story" #1 is more interesting as an introduction to a story that will span decades in the life of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben.

Marvel's First Family enters the 1970s as Sue Storm deals with parenthood and the shifting political winds of a turbulent decade. Also: Doom enters the picture.

Bruce Wayne is in full detective mode as he uncovers the mysteries of the Magistrate. A sterling creative team, anchored by Mariko Tamaki, Dan Mora, and Jordie Bellaire, makes this one of Future State's best-looking books.

Writer Mariko Tamaki, artist Dan Mora, and colorist Jordie Bellaire are perfectly in sync on what kind of story they want to tell and what visual language they need to express it.

As a self-contained story about Bruce Wayne and the roots of Gotham's corruption, "Dark Detective" is brilliant. As a prologue to Mariko Tamaki and Dan Mora's "Detective Comics" run, it's even better.

Nick Derington on art. John Ridley on the script. Sixty-four pages of comics. What else could you ask for?

John Ridley's much-anticipated Batman tale comes into focus as Tim Fox considers what it takes to be a hero in dystopian Gotham.

With only one issue left of this series, so much about Jace Fox remains unclear. The one thing that's very clear: the art in this book is dynamite.

It's "Closing Time" in Gotham as The Next Batman, Batgirls, and Gotham City Sirens all reach their conclusion.

Not even an awkwardly-timed tie-in with the King in Black crossover can halt this book's momentum. Al Ewing and Juann Cabal are firing on all cylinders.

Al Ewing and new series artist Juan Frigeri set the Guardians of the Galaxy up for an exciting new status quo. And, that's all before [redacted] shows up!

This transition issue introduces the villain of "The Last Annihilation" and introduces the Guardians to the S.W.O.R.D. station.

Dormammu steals the show in first serving in The Last Annihilation, a crossover uniting the main Marvel Cosmic books.

Writer Jason Aaron and artist Ed McGuinness team up for a delightful action fest that finds new heroes defending the United States while a certain skeptical vampire lurks in the shadows, looking to uncover the mysteries of this new universe.

Jason Aaron's tale of a world without the Avengers is headed for a finale as the Squadron Supreme learn more about the nature of their manufactured reality.

If you are someone who enjoys nods to X-Men history, you will have your hands full (and probably, quite a few tabs open on your browser) while reading this issue.

Writer Vita Ayala and artist Farid Karami ask important questions about rehabilitation and the limits of vigilante justice in this ambitious tie-in issue.

The world of Jason Aaron's "Heroes Reborn" gets a bit bigger as readers learn what happened to Peter Parker in a world without the Avengers.

The thrill of a first issue like this is in what it sets up and portends for the rest of the series. By that score, writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti do an admirable job, but as a standalone issue, it suffers from pacing problems and an unshakeable feeling that the execution was rushed.

Jonathan Hickman leans on Mystique and Destiny's romance as the emotional core for this blockbuster X-Men story, which seems set for a fiery conclusion.

Kang the Conqueror's first ongoing series pairs young Nathaniel Richards with Kang, one of his grizzled alternate selves, on a journey through the character's epic history.It reads like some crazy, cosmic version of "A Christmas Carol."

Nathaniel Richards is on a journey to become Kang the Conqueror, but he's not liking what he sees. This issue, set in Egypt, introduces him to one of Kang's more famous incarnations and invites Nathaniel to reconsider his destiny.

The Hellfire Gala kicks off in style as Emma Frost welcomes the Avengers and more than a few villains to Krakoa.

Thank your lucky stars they still make comics like this. A masterpiece from front to back.

Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo's characters have been churning through plot at at a lightning-quick pace. Things go sideways in this issue"and the rest of the series could depend on how the characters respond.

The mystery of Sam Brausam's cosmic odyssey still animates this comic, but in this third issue, the creative team goes deep on Sam's relationship to his sister. The result is equally poignant and tragic.

'The Blue Flame' continues its heartrending story about vigilantism, recovery, and cosmic justice with a kinetic issue that shows Sam Brausam reflecting on his crimefighting experience while his alter ego defends the Earth from annihilation.

The best part about "The Joker" is that it's not about the Joker. It's a horror book starring Jim Gordon"and things are only getting scarier.

James Tynion IV's skillful story of Jim Gordon on the hunt for the Joker continues with a trip to Belize"and a harrowing flashback to one of the worst moments in Gordon's life.

Strong art and a consistently compelling narrative keep 'The Joker' humming, but this issue hits a bit of a rut when the Clown Prince of Crime takes on a more central role.

James Tynion IV and guest artist Francesco Francavilla serve up a full-issue flashback to Gordon's early years in Gotham " when the city was only beginning to wake up to the horror of the Joker.

Jim Gordon takes Paris as the mysterious conspiracy surrounding the Joker begins to take shape. But first, a wild trip to Texas to learn about the Sampson family...!

Writer Ram V and artist Filipe Andrade's magisterial debut issue is as fun to read as it is to think about.

'The Nice House on the Lake' #1 is a fantastic first issue, paced by sharp writing and clear, evocative art. And yes, the twist is excellent.

The first issue was a showstopper. This one doubles down on suspense while preserving the indelible character beats that have made James Tynion IV and lvaro Martnez Bueno a can't-miss creative team.

James Tynion IV delivers one of the biggest twists yet as "The Nice House on the Lake" amps up the tension.

One of the best-looking comics on the stands heads toward a midseason finale as the houseguests begin to understand why an old friend destroyed the world " but saved them.

A showstopper since its first issue, 'The Nice House on the Lake' heads toward a midseason hiatus with a whole new status quo and a few crucial questions about the motivation of its central character, Walter.

Like most Donny Cates comics, Thor is an absolute blast to read with a visual feast on every page. But is this a comic that's exactly trying to say something about Thor as a character"and should that even matter?

This space adventure is turning into a chamber piece"with floating celestial gods.

A book about floating space gods knows when to go big. The genius of Al Ewing and Simone Di Meo is to know when to go small and make the character moments shine.

Tini Howard changed the course of mutant history in 'Excalibur'. Now she and artist Alberto Foche bring mutant mayhem to the boardroom as Angel, Monet, and X-Corp take Krakoa to the corridors of corporate power.

Normally the need to immediately tie in to a separate event would stunt a book's momentum, 'X'Corp" keeps humming along in this issue from writer Tini Howard and artist Alberto Foche.

Krakoa's black ops team fights a bunch of Lovecraftian ocean monsters, but the real threat is the guy calling the shots.

The penultimate issue of Jonathan Hickman's "X-Men" series is a tour-de-force about family, grief, and killer robots.

Jonathan Hickman says farewell to the 'X-Men' flagship title with help from four superb artists.

Comics critics, myself included, have a habit of focusing too much on the script in our reviews, but the thrill of this issue comes through in the vibrance of the art. The X-Men are back. ("Hated & feared no more," as Duggan tweeted recently.) It's a good time to be a fan.

Writer Gerry Duggan and artist Pepe Larraz position the mutant heroes as defenders of humanity and, as timeless and classic as that approach seems, it feels almost radical in the Krakoa era. How will the X-Men maintain this goodwill as Krakoa expands to Mars and beyond? That question is the shadow looming over this issue, which has the X-Men's approval rating among humanity as high as it has ever been.

The High Evolutionary enters the fray as Marvel's flagship X-book continues its action-heavy first arc.