Emmet Davis Comic Reviews

Hype level is beyond the stars for Vicious Circle. Prestige Format and Lee Bermejo, Mattson Tomlin and creative freedom and narrative. All of this leads to a prefect first book. Beyond expectations, beyond the stars, beyond the future.

All Against All is at the head of the sci fi table of sophistication. With mind melting art from Caspar Wijngaard and exquisite words from Alex Paknadel, it's a great first issue to end 2022. And going forward a book to watch for 2023.

I've always enjoyed a Bruce-less Batman. Whether it be Damien or Dick. I like that Batman the symbol, can be anyone. Having Terry take up the mantle in the far future on the pages of DC was great. The first issue of Neo Year is fresh and at times bold. It's one of the best looking Batman books of late and should be put on your pull list if you're looking for something extra with Batman. The year of Batman beyond is off to a great start.

Throw away the skepticism towards another Batman book. Jock does all the work, all you have to do is enjoy a fast paced ride through Gotham City. The Dark Knight reigns supreme in DC Black Labels latest.

The series on the whole was one of the best Batman books of 2022 (so far). The ending hit, on almost all accounts. A little rushed. But overall the finale was action packed, it was emotional and the books art is top tier. Jock knows Batman. Hardcover cannot come soon enough.

Looking to expand your Vampire intake this week? Blood Stained Teeth #1 provides. It's a a refreshing and engaging look at the under belly of a Vampires in a Social Media society.

I did not expect to love this series so much, but a killer first issue and a follow up Dark Knights of Steel #2 that's just as good, if not better, I can safely say this is one of the best DC books of 2021. Its fantasy on a grand scale, with your favorite DC heroes reimagined. It's still the characters you know and love but with that slight twist that makes sense for the medieval world.

Tom Taylor and co. kick off 2022 the only way they know how: Giving fans one of the best DC books on shelves today.

When it comes to the comic medium, pick one up with a level of craft unlike many you see on shelves today. You will find an emotional beat throughout that you will learn is inherent. Inherent in everything we do, just like music.

A story about love and loss. Told through the idea of nails raining from the sky. Throw out the disbelief in the idea for now and focus on the characters. Focus on Honeysuckle. Focus on Rain #1 and you will find what you may have lost.

What now? Well what now is Honeysuckle keeps moving forward. Never back. There is a lot of messaging in Rain so far. Issue #2 tells us never back down. Put on your best shitkickers and put one foot in front of the other.

Jurassic League issue #1 breaks no worldly ground. Its just the Justice League but as dinosaurs. Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the best comic creators on the planet today, along with a killer creative team, Jurassic League is a must buy. Whether your dinosaur knowledge rivals that of Ellie Sattler or Dr. Grant, pick up this book.

I knew I would like it, but I didn't know I would like it as much as I did. Lemire and Nguyen have crafted a story and a world after only one issue, that has Little Monsters to be one of the best series of 2022.

If you slept on the first arc of Nottingham, don't make the same mistake. Arc two and Nottingham #6 will be just as hard to find as the first arc. I can guarantee that. Nottingham #6 is a great reintroduction to the world, and going forward the depth and deep-rooted nature of this series will only get better.

If you pick up the first issue of Phantom Road from Lemire and Walta, know that you'll have to be in for the long run. For good or for bad, the first issue is a lot of set up with not enough pay off.

We're watching Dick Grayson become Robin. We are watching Bruce Wayne instill his dominance and leadership as Batman. It's bonkers to think that Lemire and Nguyen are creating an established and definitive "origin" story for Dick Grayson's Robin. At this point in the bat birds history? But here we are. One of the best Bat books on the shelves today.

Robin & Batman #3 ends this series. It did what was almost the unexpected. Lemire and Nguyen have created a definitive Batman and Robin story, by making a Robin and Batman story. Dark vs Light. Light always prevails.

For roughly $3 you will get 44 pages of Saga #55. That's cheaper than anything the big two publishers have to offer. Vaughan and Staples have returned three years later with an entry into Saga that is one of the best issues of the series thus far. It sets Saga up beautifully in 2022 and beyond, and moves our characters further into peril, and hilarity. Hop on the flying tree now, it's about to blast off.

Black Label has the IT factor. It brings together the best creators and gives them the opportunity to tell a different and singular story that only benefits readers. Suicide Squad: Blaze is a perfect book. Its story is fresh and telling, the art is precise, chaotic and deep.

This is just a one shot. If you don't read this book you will not miss anything in Superman: Son of Kal El or in Robin. In that sense its a bummer that this may not lead to another Super Sons series. Seeing Jon and Damien together here is great fun. But in the context of where their characters move forward after this issue, well not much has changed in this book that hasn't already been happening in there own main stories. There relationship is special, that alone should make this book worthy of a pick up.

Tired of Batman books ruling DC Black Label? Then put Swamp Thing: Green Hell on your pull list. Its scary, sad and outrageously beautiful to look at.

Think of David Lynch. Think of The Closet. Then think of what is hiding the dark, in the corners of your room, of you mind. The Closet from James Tynion IV and crew is incredible. Its eerie and emotional.

The Last Book You'll Ever Read #7 is a horror book that everyone should be picking up. Its not perfect, and at times its ridiculous and bizarre. There aren't enough of those book on shelves today. Pick it up and open yourself up to The Wilding. Its enjoyable when it has no right to be.

The best horror book on comic book shelves today adds another great issue to its collection. The Silver Coin #7 is scary, sad and amazing. Heads or Tales.

Vanish 1 from Cates, Stegman and co. is one of the most hyped books from Image Comics this year. At times hype can kill a book on arrival. It's one of the most original and inspiring first issues from this year and a book that is a lot of fun to digest but if you chew a little longer, you will find something deeper. When it comes to Cates and co though there is always something to find in there books. Whether you like them or not, Cates and co start the conversation. With Vanish #1 the conversation will be, best of 2022?