Joel Bowers Comic Reviews

Archer & Armstrong's debut issue in the new Valiant universe is a fun one. We see our characters jumpstraightinto thestory and will let them develop as the future issues go by. The story picks up from thebeginningthat does not have any set-up sicknesses that most number one's have.

In the first issue of Batman/TMNT, the Turtles have come to Gotham City and they do not understand why. They are fighting the Foot Clan, who are also in Gotham committing burglaries from several area laboratories. We see Batman facing off against the Foot, and a tease for a future battle with a major villain. The book was great, but I found the writing for Batman very stereotypical of one specific take on his character, which did not help to make ninjas seem like tough adversaries. The writing for the Turtles was a lot of fun, especially when they fight a Batman villain. Art was amazing with the exception of Batman himself, but spot on for the Turtles. This is a very fun first issue for this long-awaited crossover.

The second issue of this miniseries is a step up from an already pretty great first issue. The entertainment value on this book is through the roof. While I would say there was not much story, it really compensates with the Turtles characterizations and their interactions with each other and the world around them. I have high hopes that this book will get better and better, but if it stays this good, I'll be just fine. I recommend this book for anybody who loves a fun time.

Bizarro book awful with ugly pictures! Bizarro Joel will not be back for rest of series!

A nice return for the book, but cannot wait for the actual new arc to begin.

Coming off their two month hiatus, classes are back in session.  Gotham Academy returns with a fun issue for the fans.  A new reader can easily pick this book up and have fun with it.  Having Damian in this issue greatly adds to the stories dynamic.  While the art was gorgeous, the transitions left me confused with what had happened.  The characters were really fun, but the situation they were in did not make much sense and when it was furthered explain, it still did not make sense.  This is clearly a filler issue and I cannot wait for the next arc to begin.

Finally getting back to the main story we open to a tragic event that has occurred to one of our characters, but this issue does not focus on moping. No, we begin to discover more mysteries, not in the school, but in its' students.

This issue is the start of uncovering some of the mysteries surrounding one of our major characters, but at the same time has aconcurrentstory that features all the characters and their charming personalities. We have all creative forces at the top of their game that is leaving me wanting more of this story. This is one of the best issues of the series yet.

This issue was a good one that really did not further the story, but was still fun nonetheless. Some of the characters felt off and the pacing was too fast, but it was still a good story. The art is always so beautiful and top tier.

The mystery of Sybil Silverlock continues as Olive discovers a big secret about her family, while Maps has a fun interaction with a fun surprise hero. While the arc is continuing kind of slow, this issue was a lot of fun as we learned more of Olive with some great interactions between some great characters. Art is always amazing in this book, not much I can say there.

The second arc of Gotham Academy wraps up, while this whole arc felt rushed, I still had a lot of fun with this series. While we got very few answers, there are still a lot of questions going forward. Our detective club is still intact, but for how long? The characters are still great and the art is the biggest draw. Gotham Academy is still a great book for any reader and if you love Gotham (not the show) you should pick this series up.

This was a very smart executed Endgame tie in as it was not like a filler tale with Batman coming to save the day or something. They got creative with this book and let it become something great and it's own stand alone tale without needing to read the other Endgames. This does contribute to the suspicious origin to the Joker if you know how to connect the dots. Gotham Academy proves again that it is an adorable tale of awesomeness even if they stray away from the main story. This is definitely one of the best books in DC's line up even if it may not seem like your cup of tea, you should try the tea.

Grayson has once again proven this week that it is one of DC comics top tier books. Richard Grayson has developed so well as a character that universally is loved. This is definitely a book someone can jump into and instantly love. It is covered in mysteries, but has enough where you can feel connections with the characters and be entertained by the writing as well as amazed by the art.

This book has always been ridiculous, but still so charming and hilarious. It is good to finally see a story arc unfolding here. I also love the Harley struggling with life story, it adds more humanity to the character and development to her becoming her own person, step by step.

An excellent debut issue for this revamped franchise that I believe is going to pay off. If you were a fan of the old show definitely pick this up you will love it and admire how they changed it but kept it true to the original story. The story is a great build up to a hopefully excellent pay off. I feel like this is a good book for any females interested in comics, but what do i know? This book had me excited to read more and watch more of the cartoon, but it did not make me look forward to the movie coming out. Honestly, go watch the trailer and tell me you did not hate it. It looks God awful and it really disappoints me because i just got started on this franchise. The book is amazing though.

This issue picks up the story more for our outrageous Pop stars, while we see the story going further we also see the characters develop subtly which I enjoyed. Interactions between everyone is still entertaining and does not drag much. The art work is still amazing to look at as it goes hand in hand with what is unfolding for this story.

This is how you start an event!

At the beginning, this book was loved, but the last arc had a lot on its plate and had promised more than it could deliver. It is going to be a shame seeing Jeff Lemire leave (it is assumed) this book. I wish him the best wishes on his future projects and hope we will see him at DC again. I also wish the next team on this book knock it out of the park and bring the same charm with our heroes as before.

This book also read really fast which makes me question the pacing of this title. New Suicide Squad is wrapped up for the next two months and when they return, Task Force is coming back with a new team of criminals. Maybe then it can overcome this lull with the series. This series use to be a real guilty pleasure, but now is in the need of a shake up for the better.

A really fantastic debut issue that sets up a much more serious tone for the future.

After exploding from the gate we have the after burn from the first issue. The intensity is lower, but the seriousness of this book has not. Great read!

Poison Ivy had a great first issue that had not muchset up for what's to come, but had plenty of characterization of who Pamela isand how she feels about the world moving forward. We had some great cameos thatwere frosting on a cake that I ate up right away. The art is the best part ofthis book: Clay Mann can draw some ladies and all of his characters were reallywell-drawn and realistic instead of just background scenery. This was a goodstart and I hope the book picks up quick in the next issue.

While this looks like something everyone should sweep under the rug, This is actually a decent surprise. This isn't just a good book, it is a terrific book! It feels like something DC would never do, It's our lil' slice of indie in our DCYou. While we have not been fully introduced to our cast, the characters we have now are great. The more important thing is how this world was created in one issue having turned this nation upside down. This book is dark satirical political book and is humorous in its analyses and predictions, It was a great read for me and I will be back for more corn dogs.

With a surprising debut issue, Issue #2 of Prez proves that this can still deliver. We see more satire coming from the politicians and the society they live in. We see the most normal character Beth cope with a loss, but then gets elected into the presidency, we will see how she manages that.

This book is still one of the best I am reading from DC comics. This issue is still delivering what the last two did, a crazy political satire that is amusing but is also scary how close we can be to this. While this issue was not as funny as the last it was still entertaining in some parts. The art in this book goes hand in hand as opposites to this story. I really think you guys should give this a shot if you are not reading it.

This issue of Prez is filled with current topical issues such as authority brutality and islamophobia, which is crazy how accurate it is since these issues are written way prior. While this issue was not near as entertaining as the others, some of the topics were good. The subplot was dull as well. The art was great, but attention to detail was missing. The story did not feel as developed especially when they are trying to introduce a new character such as War Beast.

This issue finally picks up on storyline, light on satire and establishing where Beth is going forward. This issue is excellent, but it is upsetting that I am not sure how any of this will wrap up next issue, I really doubt we will get that second arc. I loved Beth's World Apology Tour, Tina looked to be very promising. This is a great issue, but knowing this is ending brought me down.

In the final issue of this arc, the story may have flown by, but I liked it.   I enjoyed this series and thought it was hilarious as a whole, even if  it was a bit stretched out and probably could have used a little more focus. We barely saw any character follow ups besides Tina which left me wanting so much more.   Mark Russell has promised Prez will eventually return and I hope we get some closure.

Chewbacca begins his miniseries on an okay foot, but it is not looking good story wise. The interactions with Chewbacca are entertaining and some of the dialogue is fun. The art is really stunning with great colors and the best drawn Chewbacca in today's comics. The story needs to pick up, but the art is great. Chewbacca is the only highlight in this book, which makes sense, but disappointing for his own miniseries.