John F. Trent Comic Reviews

The Sheriff of Babylon #5 is a perfect comic; it's that good. The story is smart with deep layers that makes you think about what you have read. It also has extremely relatable characters that have a load of chemistry. The writing perfectly captures each characters' state of mind and the artwork perfectly complements the writing. This is a comic book you need to read. It's definitely a series I will be adding to my pull list.

Robert Venditti, Raul Allen, and Patricia Martin plumb the depths of Gilad Anni-Padda's character in a new and exciting journey that evokes those of the Greek heroes in Wrath of the Eternal Warrior #1. If you are looking to jump into some of the best storytelling happening in comics, this is the perfect spot. Venditti's script and writing is fantastic and perfectly complements Allen and Martin's artwork. The book is able to evoke all of your senses and you truly become attached to the Eternal Warrior. You need to go and pick this one up.

Aliens: Defiance #1 has everything you are looking for in an Aliens story. It's got action, horror, blood and guts, a well characterized protagonist, and, of course, Aliens. If you are looking for a horror fix and love Aliens, go pick this one up and tell your LCS to order it with Diamond Code: FEB160010 before it hits comic book shelves on April 27th! You will be anxiously awaiting the second issue.

Devolution #1 is absolutely brilliant. Rick Remender and Jonathan Wayshak create compelling characters, a brutal and violent world, and an intriguing story. They are also able to make some strong political and cultural statements through both the narrative and the artwork. The only faults are some transition issues and some folks might not like the heavy exposition in the second sequence. This book is familiar yet radically different and unique. This is a must buy. Go get it now.

Devolution #2 strikes at your emotions. It is crude, violent, and exciting. The dialogue crafts unique voices for each of the characters and the artwork brilliantly captures the brutal world in which they find themselves. You need to be reading Devolution!

Matt Wagner weaves a masterful story introducing two comic book character legends to new and old readers alike as they pit themselves against each other in 1930s New York. The artwork and coloring is good although Matt struggles with females. This battle is being set up to don the title of epic.

Grendel vs. The Shadow #2 is a brilliant combination of artwork and writing that plumbs the depths of Grendel and The Shadow and pushes their abilities to the limit, both physically and mentally. Matt Wagner's artwork is gorgeous and he creates a number of panels that evoke raw emotion from the reader; whether it is suspense, fear, shock, or love, he is able to capture all of them.

This book is an excellent ending to a very well-done mini-series. Matt Wagner's story pushes both Grendel and The Shadow to their limits. Furthermore, there is added depth including a surprise twist and an excellent compare and contrast on how each interacts with the women in their lives. His artwork is top-notch, with on the edge of your seat action sequences and great panel placement. Highlighting the artwork is Brennan Wagner's beautiful colors, bringing out the emotion of the characters.

If you couldn't tell this book is definitely for mature audiences.

Savage Things #1 is a gripping black ops spy fiction that would make Tom Clancy proud. It features fascinating characters, a layered plot, and top-notch artwork. This book just got added to my personal pull list. There's nothing really like it out there. Go and pick it up.

Lando is an absolute blast to read! This book makes me want to be Lando. Soule expertly captures his personality while Maleev nails his body language and facial expressions. The dialogue between Lando and Lobot is wonderful and I look forward to the two playing off each other in the upcoming issues. There was even a small nod comparing Lando and Solo as Lando echoes Han's comments about knowing the odds. My only wish would be for a more drawn out heist scene. There was plenty of build-up to it but the actual action was condensed. One thing is for sure, Lando has gotten himself into trouble he doesn't even know is coming.

Lando #2 is the best Star Wars comic Marvel is putting out right now. It is fun, action-packed, and intriguing. The characterization is excellent whether it is through dialogue, action, or body language. Maleev's artwork is top-notch and despite the use of the orange color inside the Imperialis, Mounts' colors were generally good. If you aren't reading this book, you need to. It is that good!

Lando #3 is another near-perfect issue from Charles Soule and Alex Maleev. It is extremely entertaining and the best Star Wars comic on the shelves right now. It captures classic Star Wars from the droids to the bounty hunters to the team dynamic. It really embodies the essence of Star Wars. If you aren't buying this book, you definitely need to. It is that good.

The Fade Out #1 is great; Brubaker tells a compelling and believable mystery-murder book filled with moral quandaries and an overarching theme of lying and how pervasive and commonplace it is in post World War II Hollywood.

He-Man/ThunderCats #1 may be the best crossover comic ever. The story is exciting and full of fun twists and turns with plenty of action, a good mix of dialogue, and solid characterization of the main characters. Freddie Williams' artwork is absolutely phenomenal. It is some of the best art you will see in a comic. Go out and buy this comic. It is excellent!

He-Man/ThunderCats #2 is a perfect comic. The pacing is excellent; David, Goldfine, and Williams do a fantastic job of capturing the characters of He-Man and Skeletor as well as the mysterious narrator. The action scenes are some of the best comics have to offer. You get to see He-Man in all of his glory as he battles insurmountable odds and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Go buy this book.

He-Man/ThunderCats #5 is another excellent entry in what is definitely the best mini-series of this year so far. We aren't even finished this one and we're already hoping they have a second one planned. The story is pure comics' goodness, showcasing an epic battle throughout. Writers Rob David and Lloyd Goldfine are able to touch on each character in the supporting cast, letting us in on their personalities while also showcasing their combat prowess and battlefield skills. The artwork is simply amazing with action from end to end. However, even with non-stop action, Freddie Williams is still able to create deep emotional moments that highlight the danger and importance of the battle. You should definitely go pick up this book. It's a must have.

He-Man/ThunderCats #6 is an epic ending to one of the best miniseries on the shelves. This issue has it all from action-packed combat scenes to powerful emotional moments. Williams' artwork is phenomenal. If there was one thing to knock, it was the shift in the tone of the dialogue. It can really drop you out of the story.

Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer #2 is an exciting adventure beginning with a thrilling fight sequence that ends up taking Anni and the rest of her followers on a journey to discover why the Earth is upset at humanity. The pacing is excellent and I was actually hoping I could continue reading once I got to the end; it was that engrossing of a story. Ryp's artwork was gorgeous to look at from the sweeping terrains to the intricate detail of Nergal's jewelry. Jordie Bellaire adds to the beauty with her gritty browns and reds in the steppe locations to the calming blues of the glacier and its surrounding puddles.

It's unfortunate it is only available via retailer incentives, but I definitely recommend talking to your retailers to see what they can do to get this book.

Roche Limit: Clandestiny #1 is an excellent opening issue. Moreci and Charles expertly combine emotional character development with high flying action sequences accentuated with planet exploration. It is a gripping and compelling tale. Moreci saves the best for last touching on what will most likely be an overarching philosophical discussion revolving around entropy. I can't wait for the next issue to see where Moreci will take the characters and how they adapt or change to their circumstances.

Roche Limit: Clandestiny #2 is brilliant; Moreci's writing is a pleasure to read, and the way he combines his dialogue with Kyle Charles' artwork excellently builds tension, leading to horrifying or thrilling mini-climaxes. You are able to experience the characters' fear, confusion, mistrust, and loss. The action is exciting and the enemy is formidable, both physically and mentally. This is a smart action-packed sci-fi with a whole lot of mystery to keep you coming back for more. Can I get issue three already?

Roche Limit: Clandestiny #3 is a smart comic that constantly has the reader questioning and thinking. Not only is it smart, but it is also a fantastic story with excellent writing and plenty of suspense and action. Moreci keeps the tension going throughout the issue and even drops an unexpected surprise on us. Charles' artwork captured the psychological nature of the comic and provided a number of eye-popping panels. However, there were a few minor issues, one being a spelling error and the other being a panel flow problem.

Roche Limit: Clandestiny #4 explores the possible failings of humanity, while ramping up the action as the team is no longer exploring, but is forced into desperation mode in order to survive. This brings out the best in the characters, showing their sacrifice, determination, and resolve. Kyle Charles' artwork combines the serious with the gleeful in his action sequences, detailing a number of different combat sequences with Sasha, Danny, Colt, Elbus, and Langford fighting the shadow monsters. Battaglia does a great job lightening up the scenes, giving the team a sense of renewed hope towards the end of the issue despite the encroachment of The Black Sun. This is an exciting sci-fi romp with major discussions on the idea of humanity.

Death Vigil continues to deliver excellent artwork with serious confrontations and emotions broken up with Sejic's great sense of humor.

Death Vigil #7 continues to add to the already amazing world and characters that Stjepan Sejic has created. Sejic drops a ton of information, building up mysteries that are yet to be solved. His artwork is absolutely gorgeous to look at and captures character emotions as well as the intensity of the situations. I can't wait to see what Sejic has in store for the conclusion of Death Vigil. If it is anything like this issue, it is bound to be epic!

Dept. H #1 is a wonderful comic with a very complex and interesting protagonist in an even more complex and interesting world deep below the ocean's surface. Matt Kindt's writing is exceptional in how he weaves the internal monologue with the dialogue. Combine this writing with some gorgeous water coloring from Sharlene and you get a top-notch comic with a mystery that you can't wait to solve.

Divinity II #1 is an excellent starting point for Valentina Volkov. Matt Kindt and Trevor Hairsine give us a pretty in-depth character origin detailing who she is and more importantly why she does the things she does, the foremost reason being her utter commitment to the Russian state. There are some minor art, story, and writing issues, but nothing that should prevent you from picking this book up! Kindt and Hairsine have created the new Communist threat with Valentina Volkov.

Four Eyes: Hearts of Fire #1 is a powerful and emotionally moving story that reintroduces or introduces you for the first time to this dark, dangerous, and violent Great Depression era world. Fiumara and Kelly have excellent chemistry, capturing the identity of their characters in the way they talk and carry themselves. The only downside is the pacing of the book which was a little slow, but in so doing, Kelly and Fiumara were able to give us some extremely powerful emotional scenes. I definitely suggest you pick this book up, you won't regret it!

Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #1 is a laugh riot from start to finish. Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri make an excellent pairing, providing different kinds of jokes throughout the issue. They also craft a compelling and serious story by the end of the issue that will have dire consequences for Harley and Her Gang of Harleys. Mauricet's artwork is solid and excels in situational humor and makes many of the jokes hit even harder. Go out and buy this one. The only thing that will be regretting it is your stomach from all the laughs.

Isola #1 is a stand-out issue. Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl introduce us to a rich world with interesting characters who have quite a bit of depth to them. There's also quite a bit of mystery to discovery. As the issue comes to a close you are left wondering what happened to Olwyn, who are the hunters, and who is this mysterious shaman like character. It definitely makes me want to pick up the second issue to find out more about these characters and this world. The way the book is written and drawn is almost cinematic. You can almost see the action in motion as you flip through the pages. I definitely recommend you check out Isola #1.

My Hero Magademia is a laugh out loud political comic that takes the best of the best of Japanese franchises and combines them to create an exciting and action-packed story. Mark Pelligrini's script and dialogue has a number of hilarious moments and reads like a classic fairy tale. It allows you to easily jump into the story and keep you engaged. Timothy Lim's artwork is just stunning. He is able to add provide plenty of situational humor, but there's also jaw-dropping action sequences and some really awesome creature designs. It definitely has a manga-style to it. If your not afraid of an overtly political book, you will have a fun time with My Hero Magademia.

Star Trek/Green Lantern: Stranger Worlds #3 is the best in the series to date. The book has everything you want from a crossover superhero/sci-fi comic. There is witty dialogue, engaging action, huge surprises, space exploration, great characterization, and some solid artwork. There are just a few minor issues with the art and coloring and easily overlooked by the great story that is encapsulated within. If you aren't already, add this to your pull list, you won't regret it.

Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War is a wonderful read. It captures what is great about both of the series and captures the personalities, relationships, and actions of all of the characters perfectly. The overall story is well-paced with plenty of twists and surprises to keep you on your toes. The artwork for the most part is solid, although there are certain panels where the Star Trek characters have odd proportions or their faces look a little smooshed in. This is a great story that you will definitely want to pick up!

Superman: American Alien #4 captures DC's iconic characters, but also makes you think about them and what they mean to us as readers. Jae Lee's art is gorgeous and his Luthor panels are absolutely phenomenal. This book may just set the bar for Clark Kent's first day in Metropolis, it was that good.

Squirrel Girl is a wonderful character and it's because of issues like this. It personifies why Squirrel Girl is so beloved among her small but dedicated and hopefully increasing following. She's just a mutant with squirrel powers who takes on these incredibly huge and powerful problems. She doesn't face them by brooding them to death or by devising ingenious plans that no one else could come up with.

Ninjak #9 shows why Matt Kindt is one of the top talents in the comic world right now. It has great characterization and a tightly written script that connects everything together. The art is good, minus a few issues with the main combat sequence. This issue demands that you continue to follow Ninjak.

Ninjak #11 is visually stunning, with some great writing that builds upon the characters while also providing key information about the world of the Deadside. There were some very minor issues with the dialogue and the art, but for the most part this book was excellent. It is really laying the groundwork for new adventures in the magical realm of the Deadside while narrowing in on Punk Mambo's and Ninjak's mission to recover Fakir.

Ninjak #12 is another fantastic entry that continues to world build within the Deadside through both dialogue and artwork. Kindt, Braithwaite, and Ryp's pacing is excellent, combining emotional character moments with heart-pounding action. Kindt and Braithwaite absolutely nail it by completely exposing Magpie emotionally. Kindt even teases a new ability that Ninjak possesses. Ninjak is killing it.

Resurrectionists #1 sets the groundwork for a unique premise combining past-lives and thievery. Fred Van Lente crafts intriguing characters who have experienced strong emotional punches. Maurizio Rosenzweig's artwork truly captures the emotions of Van Lente's characters and is able to portray the power of the Resurrectionists to great effect. Moreno Dinisio's colors highlight the emotions and give the story a general dark and mysteriously foreboding feeling. There were a couple mishaps with the placement of some speech bubbles which forced a double-take to figure out how the dialogue flowed.

Resurrectionists #2 continues where the first one left off providing an intriguing tale of thievery intermixed with characters who have a very prolonged history with each other despite not fully comprehending the magnitude of their history yet. This second issue also adds a number of new layers to the story from the actual purpose of the Resurrectionists to pleas to the gods for vengeance. The issue did cut back on the descriptions of the treasure and there were some perceived minor hiccups with the writing. If you have not looked into this book yet, it is definitely recommended. It has an excellent blend of action, suspense, romance, and drama.

Resurrectionists #3 is the best installment yet from Van Lente, Rosenzweig, and Dinisio. Rosenzweig's artwork is truly wonderful to look at especially the action sequence with The Scout and his panel layout during the sequence. Dinisio's colors provide clear contrasts both within specific panels, but also between the past and the present. I highly enjoyed the almost god-like yellow when The Scout sees The Maker and vice versa once Tao has been unlocked. Van Lente provides intriguing dialogue dropping just enough to keep you wanting more while also developing characters and creating a rich world.

It was an enjoyable read overall and the ending created quite a bit of suspense and tension and reveals how well Fred Van Lente and Rosenzweig have created their characters because you fear for them.

Don't forget to check out our interview with Fred Van Lente as he talks Resurrectionists and answers the ever important question of what superpower he would want!

Resurrectionists #6 is another solid entry in one of my favorite books on the shelf or, in this case, available for digital download. It incorporates history primarily focusing on ancient Egypt with excellent action sequences, political maneuvering, and a mix of Indiana Jones meets Mission Impossible artifact hunting. This issue primarily focused on the political maneuvering of both Herihor and Tao's team; one being depicted maneuvering in Egypt while the other makes power moves in the present day. The maneuvering combined with actions sequences make for an exciting, fast-paced book that has you flipping through the book. If you haven't checked out Resurrectionists, you should.

Will Eisner's The Spirit is in the great hands of Matt Wagner and Dan Schkade. They tell a fun story with a number of intriguing and interesting characters who I couldn't learn enough about in just this one issue. It also sets up story points moving forward with an investigation and the discovery of a new vigilante cleaning up the streets. The Spirit #1 is exciting, fun, and everything you want in a first issue.

Schkade's artwork was generally good but there were some misses regarding facial features where they appeared to be sliding off characters' skulls during the sequence with Carrion. The action and chase sequence was an exceptional piece of sequential storytelling with each panel really drawing you further in and building to the climax.The standout in this issue was the lettering by A Larger World Studios. It was absolutely brilliant. It experimented with a number of different styles and fonts and succeeded on all occasions, providing tone, capturing unease, and detailing sound effects.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #3 is another excellent installment. Matt Wagner introduces us to a new villain, who not only has quite a bit of her own character depth, but also complicates The Spirit's character and the image of his relationship with Ellen. Schkade's artwork is top notch although there are some minor errors during the action sequences. The lettering is absolutely fantastic and is pushing the boundaries of what letterers can do in order to convey tone. This is a fun and enjoyable book that continues to add more layers and depth with each issue.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #5 is a damn good comic. It has excellent storytelling, great and innovative artwork, and extremely innovative lettering. If this book isn't up for an Eisner award next year, I will be extremely surprised. Each issue one ups itself, continuing to improve and get better. You need to be reading this one.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #6 continues the excellent work of the series. While the story doesn't move forward with The Spirit's investigation, it does fill in all the holes about his capture and escape very nicely. It also introduces us to a new character that hopefully we get to see more of. The chemistry between Matt Wagner, Dan Schkade, Brennan Wagner, and A Larger World Studios couldn't be any better. They all know how to bring out the emotions of the characters and bring them to life. This book has masterful storytelling, very good artwork, and amazing lettering. You really need to be reading this one.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #7 is good. It is definitely not as good as it has been. The resolution between Ellen and The Spirit is just too easy; there isn't any conflict or difficulty. There are also some art mishaps that force you to suspend your disbelief a little more than necessary and some of the coloring feels flat. However, the story for the most part is solid, and Wagner's dialogue is quite comical. If you've been enjoying this book as much as I have, you will enjoy this issue as well.

Jolle Jones and Jamie S. Rich have created a fresh take on the killer for hire, combining black comedy, violent action sequences, and plenty of dramatic tension all in an idyllic backdrop. Josie Schuller is a unique character who must balance home life with her more exotic occupation and the book touches on the emotional toll that balancing act takes. Lady Killer is a series to keep your eye on in this New Year!

Jolle Jones and Jamie S. Rich offer a good follow-up to their debut issue, but the second half of the book falls off with a drastic change of pace from the suspense and action of the first half. The conversation with Stenholm is too forced and unbelievable based on the backstory they give Josie. There was an issue with the first part where Jones and Rich decide to drop Josie's attempt at a quiet assassination in favor of a drag out brawl, although Jones excels at the combat sequences and do they ever standout.

This is another good installment. Rich and Jones delve deeper into Josie, Peck, and even Mother Schuller. However, Stenholm remains static. There is plenty of action from a dynamic car chase to a game of hide and seek. Lady Killer remains one of the more entertaining books on the shelves with a very intriguing and conflicted protagonist battling to balance work and life, a struggle anyone can relate to.

Lady Killer #5 was a fantastic conclusion to an overall excellent first arc. It had drama, comedy, and action, everything a comic reader could want. Jamie S. Rich and Jolle Jones provided wonderful and refreshing dialogue throughout the issue. They were able to hit on the comedic relief when it was warranted and to build drama and tension leading up to the climax. Jones' artwork was absolutely brilliant again, minus the one jaw-dropping panel. I can't emphasize enough just how good her action sequences are. I can't wait to see what is in store for the second arc as Jolle takes over full duties on writing.

This is the best of the series. Barbiere weaves a wonderful story with tons of foreshadowing that intertwines both timelines seamlessly (once the reader figures out the timeline transitions have been made). Victor Santos and Adam Metcalfe once again draw a beautiful book evoking a range of emotions both in the characters but also in the reader.

Cyborg #1 is a great introduction to Cyborg and tells a fresh story that is really focused on his character and his relationship with his father. Walker is also able to expertly add in an overarching nemesis unbeknownst to Cyborg that dials up the tension and sets the stage for a larger more sinister plot. However, it is unclear why these antagonists are marching to war.

Dead Letters #5 provides an interesting new story arc with a whole new set of problems piled on top of Sam's existing problems. Sebela, Visions, and Battaglia continue building the world of Here and add an interesting Inception-like concept to a specific area of the world. However, the lettering makes it a little difficult to read.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1953: Beyond the Fences #1 is an excellent jumping on point to the Hellboy and Mignolaverse. Mignola and Roberson are able to seamlessly introduce the characters and create an intriguing mystery and detective story that increasingly builds tension with every flip of the page. Paolo Rivera's artwork is solid and he is able to easily tell the story without any dialogue. I absolutely love the way he zooms in to focus attention on certain characters. This was a solid book in what looks to be an entertaining new series.

Interceptor #2 is a rip-roaring adventure. It has excellent action sequences, compelling characters, and a multi-layered story. The action is fast-paced, violent, gory, and exciting. The dialogue is compelling and brings out the characters' personalities. If you are looking for a fun, violent, adventure story, you should pick up this book. It's great.

Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1 puts you right into the action during the Battle of Endor and introduces two new interesting characters. The writing for the most part is well done, although there can be some confusing parts during the space battle and there is one major blunder towards the end. The artwork is absolutely phenomenal; the sweeping scenes of the conflict are gorgeous to look at and Checchetto is able to easily bring those sweeping scenes home in smaller, more intimate settings as well. There was a little disappointment that this took place during Endor instead of afterwards. However, if you look past that, this is a fun, exciting, and memorable adventure that gives a new perspective to the Battle of Endor.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Deviations #1 is a great "What If" story. It expertly characterizes a multitude of different characters, especially the Turtles' dark and twisted nature as they now serve Shredder. The story is well-paced and full of action. There are some issues with certain characters just appearing for the plot's sake, but these can be easily overlooked given the constraints of a single issue. Howard's artwork is absolutely incredible and complements Waltz's script fantastically. This is a dark tale that you won't want to miss.

The Sixth Gun: Valley of Death is an excellent addition to The Sixth Gun world. It builds on the supernatural mythology, examining the experience of humanity in its struggle against its own finality, death. It examines different paths individuals may take on their journey through life in the characters of White Wolf, Screaming Crow, and Buzzard Wife. Zamudio's artwork with Ryan Hill's colors created a bleak, dry world that sets an ominous tone for the impending struggle against Death. If you are looking to jump into the world of The Sixth Gun or are looking for a supernatural Western, look no further: this book is fun, mysterious, and dangerous.

The Troop #1 is a dark, violent story centered around The Troop, a misfit family of four who have survived horrors in order to find each other. Clarke struggles with his transitions both between the separate storylines and within the storylines themselves. Despite these struggles, he does a good job of characterizing the protagonists and providing just enough for us to be really intrigued about the antagonists' motivations. If you are looking for dark, violent, and super-powered, this book delivers.

The Troop #2 is a phenomenal experience. It is dark and gritty with extremely shocking and traumatizing back stories for the new characters while also exploring the family dynamic of the current Troop. The artwork is top-notch and the writing is great, though there are still some minor issues including Clarke's transitions and some minor lettering hiccups. You should buy this book. You won't regret it.

The Troop #3 still struggles with the hard transitions. The tension and distrust among the team is delightful and creates a good amount of drama. It makes for a great story and allows Clarke to flex his writing muscles, putting different characters in tough situations. In addition, Clarke is able to provide a number of twists and turns with new characters. The artwork is absolutely fantastic from violent action sequences to strolls through a Brazilian favela. It is top notch. You need to be reading this book.

X'ED #1 was a roaring, crazy, weird adventure. It takes you on a ride, laying out a number of points of conflict and paths the story can take. It provides subtle social commentary on a number of different topics, but what it does best is entertain. This book was pure entertainment and I can't wait to read more. If there was one failing it was not enough time to really develop certain characters, but I expect that to be quickly corrected in the ensuing issues based on the characterization of Evelyn.

Zombies Hate Kung Fu #1 is a fun adventure with two interesting characters set in a dynamic post-zombie apocalypse world. There are plenty of interesting twists and turns as they manage to survive. However, the book really stands out for its intricate and detailed Kung Fu sequences. It is engaging and entertaining. If you like Kung Fu and Zombies you should definitely pick up this book!

The first half of Imperium #1 is beautiful to look at. The architecture is futuristic and the green and blue colors give the world a sense of peace and prosperity. Dysart and Braithwaite even seem to adapt Ludwig von Mises human action, giving Darpan Sama uneasiness as he remembers the place of his birth, a vision for a better state, and the belief one's actions can lead to a better future. The book systematically adopts this theory. There are some drawbacks with the lighting of bullets. The book definitely grabs your interest providing political intrigue, dynamic characters, and questioning how far one will go to achieve utopia and in doing so can you really achieve utopia?

Braithwaite's action sequences quicken the pace and get your blood flowing. It is chaotic with many things happening at once, but at the same time is focused and on point. Dysart struggles to balance the heady philosophical discussions with the quick paced action, instead choosing to give them to us in large separate doses.

The character development of Sunlight on Snow and Harada combined with Braithwaite's artwork made for an outstanding book. Sunlight on Snow's dilemma was highlighted not only through his own narration, but through the emergence of a new character with an extremely similar beginning but with a polar opposite nature. Dysart asked interesting questions on what it means to be alive and the difference between man and machine. The character development hid the slow build-up towards a convergent action sequence highlighting the excellent pacing. This was the best installment yet. I look forward to more of Sunlight on Snow!

Dysart is excellent at characterization and character development and this issue of Imperiumis no exception. The development and transformation of the "Angela Vessel" is compelling and frightening at the same time. Doug Braithwaite's artwork is once again fantastic detailing deep character emotions, but also the complete lack of emotions. Dysart adds a new player to the game with the "Angela Vessel" and the alien dimension. It is unclear how big a role they will play, but one thing is for certain Harada has deemed her engineering feats valuable as the issue ends leading to a major convergence.

Imperium #5 is another awesome entry from Joshua Dysart and Valiant. Newcomer Scot Eaton creates an ominous tone with his shadowing which reflects Kozol's paranoia. Dysart explores the paranoia within Kozol, but also exposes a potentially greater personality defect: his arrogance. Dysart's writing is absolutely brilliant. The way he uses Gravedog to carry on a dialogue with Kozol and then to later revisit the same scenario but give it a different point of view is just plain excellent craftsmanship.

Valiant Comics and Joshua Dysart continue to deliver an excellent story with Imperium #6. It is action packed, but still manages to capture character moments and even exposes Harada in a different light as he finds himself weakened and even mentally challenged at parts in this issue. There were only a couple of minor errors that can be easily overlooked because this book was just plain enjoyable. If you aren't pulling this one, you should.

Imperium #8 does a decent enough job of closing out the story arc. The battle of wills between Harada and Divinity is exceptional; however, the rest of the book doesn't measure up. It can be somewhat difficult to follow along with all of the time changes. Many of the non-Harada vs. Divinity panels are cluttered, requiring a second or even third look to figure out what is happening. That being said, the battle between Divinity and Harada is worth it and the epilogue is a great teaser setting up the next arc!

If you aren't reading Imperium yet, you should be. This is the perfect issue to jump on board.

Imperium #10 delves into Toyo Harada's past to showcase his war against the Vine plantings and build up the tension for the ensuing fight. There are some good character moments and the writing is once again well done, although some may not like it due to the heavy use of narration. Cafu's artwork was for the most part solid with some excellent renderings of true terror. If you are looking to learn more about Toyo Harada's past you can't miss this one.

The artwork by Ryp and Cafu was great. The two different styles provided a clear distinction between past and present. It also allowed Ryp to showcase the explosive violent nature of LV-99, while Cafu's was more dark and brooding with tight action scenes. Imperium continues to be one of the best books on the shelves.

Imperium #12 is a fantastic and surprising conclusion to "The Vine Imperative." Dysart does an excellent job of delving into Tess Solomon's and LV-99's characters. The dialogue is exceptional with some extremely deep conversations with LV-99 and the Pure-Vine as well as the one between Tess and Harada at the end. The artwork is once again fabulous. This book continues to be a must read.

Imperium #13 continues to excel with strong character moments, political intrigue, and power struggles. Dysart and Evans do a great of job of letting us get to know Livewire, but also setting the stage for the impending conflict and providing some big teasers concerning Harada. There were some issues with the dialogue and halfway through the story the plot takes a turn out of nowhere. Still, you won't want to miss this one.

The book is excellent. Remender provides a fantastic story from start to finish bringing both Stel and Marik from low personal points to joyful, happy moments all while they physically rise up through the depths of the ocean. Tocchini's artwork is breathtaking from the elegant sea creatures to the scenes emulating the paintings of Pompeii.

Low #4 is another wonderful entry by Remender and Tocchini. Remender deepens the reader's understanding of Stel and begins introducing and delving into Roln's character. Tocchini's artwork is once again fabulous with some minor hiccups with the entrance to Poluma. The book explores more of Low and hints at even more, making you to wish it was November already!

Low #5 continues to explore the depth and resolve of Stel's optimism and hope as it is put to some brutally tough tests. There were some spelling errors which took away from key parts of the dialogue. However, it did not take away from Remender's ability to capture and bring hope to the reader despite massive foreshadowing to the contrary. Stel's optimism is contagious on and off the page.

Low #8 gets the reader reconnected with Stel as she deals with the loss of her son and the horror of her daughter's actions. She is cracking and losing faith, but this allows us to connect with her on a strong emotional level. Remender and Tocchini introduce what appears to be a meta-antagonist; however, they are left alone after the opening pages. Tocchini was hit or miss this issue. He excelled with some panels, while others were a little sloppy and even dropped you out of some of the most intensely scripted scenes. Dave McCaig picked up nicely on the colors maintaining the dark greens and blues for much of the ocean sequences, but also was able to dip into the yellows, oranges, and reds during the ritual sacrifice.

Low #9 is absolutely fantastic. Remender's crafting of the relationship and bond between Della and Tajo is the stuff of legends. Tocchini's artwork is glorious, capturing awesome action sequences and then depicting pure raw emotion. I was a little disappointed in McCaig's use of browns and grays on the insides of the building, but he really captured the power of the Helm Suit.

Low #11 is not the happy reunion you were hoping for between Tajo and Della. Instead, Remender expertly captures their differences and is able to use them to explore their fragile relationship and the overarching themes of hope and the idea that belief can shape reality. The art is what we have come to expect from Tocchini although there are a few mishaps. Yet, there are also some excellent panels. If you have been enjoying Low up to this point, this is another solid addition. It will be much more difficult for new readers to jump on, although they do provide a pretty in-depth recap at the beginning of the issue.

If you can get over the fact that Bloodshot descends into a melancholy state after finally having the nanites removed from his body, you will be able to enjoy it. The book tells an interesting story of falling into despair and realizing you have been given a second chance to make a difference and the mental hurdles he has to overcome in order to realize the life of a handyman is not for him. Mico Suayan's artwork was good. There were some exciting splash pages and good detail in the close-ups; however, it was not jaw-dropping or overly exciting. David Baron's colors helped set the darker tone using a lot of blacks and mellowed yellows and reds. Bloodshot Reborn #1 is an average story that sets the stage for hopefully much greater things to come.

Bloodshot Reborn was a very well written comic by Jeff Lemire who used fantastic pacing, switching between the FBI and Ray, and building up character and tension for a high adrenaline combat sequence portrayed by Mico Suayan that stole the show. Lemire is able to explain a bit about why Ray all of a sudden jumped at the chance to go after the copycat. More importantly, he asks big questions that Bloodshot will have to answer in order to truly find out who he is.

Bloodshot Reborn #8 is comic book perfection. Jeff Lemire wonderfully scripts the issue with fantastic character moments, an excellent action sequence, an emotional seesaw, and plot progression that rapidly leads us to what looks to be an exciting convergence with the return of Bloodsquirt. Guice's artwork perfectly complements Lemire's writing in emotional gravitas as well as the tone and rapid pace of the book towards the end. If you are not reading Bloodshot Reborn yet, this book demands that you do.

Bloodshot Reborn #9 concludes Ray's hero's fall in excellent fashion. Lemire delivers strong emotional moments that challenge Ray's character and force him to come to a definitive decision about who he is. Guice's artwork, with David Baron's colors, highlight the internal conflict within Ray, draw it out, and put it expertly on the page. There are some minor issues with characters' necks and Bloodshot's hair. Overall, this story was extremely satisfying with great character development and story progression.

Bloodshot Reborn #10 continues to be one of the best books on the shelves even when Lemire and Larosa take us 30 years into the future to a Mad Max-esque wasteland. Lemire excels at characterization and building the world in a short amount of time, although he does get a little long-winded on fully fleshing out the world. The artwork really shines in this episode. It is truly magnificent from the action sequences to the more intimate personal moments. You should pick this up for the art alone; it's that good.

Aquaman #12 is what every superhero comic should aspire to be. It has an excellent mix of action, intrigue, and romance. You get to see an excellent display of Aquaman's character as he puts on a number of different hats as he tries to put out multiple fires. The design is simple, making it easy to follow the story and the artwork has unique monster designs. You will definitely want to pick up this issue!

Aquaman #17 starts off with an action-packed flash-forward sequence, however it is confusing and perplexing. Once Dan Abnett gets past this sequence, the book moves along at a nice clip that touches on a number of themes critical to Aquaman while also advancing an intriguing plot line with a dangerous and mysterious villain. The artwork is hit or miss with some expert emotional capture; however, other panels are devoid of the emotion and appear generic and plain.

Aquaman #18 is probably one of the weaker issues Abnett and company have put out in a while. While there are some strong characterization points, there are also some pretty weak ones that can be downright confusing and contradictory. The major character definer for Warhead is also not fully explored and doesn't give it the depth it truly needs. The art is solid with really good page layouts that help capture the multi-layered battle between Aquaman and Warhead. It's definitely one to pick up if you've been continuing the series, but it isn't a must-have.

Aquaman #19 returns to glory with a phenomenal issue that packs in high flying action against a returning villain as well as in-depth character examinations of Aquaman and Mera. The artwork is absolutely stunning and will keep you riveted to your chair. Dan Abnett's story draws you into its mystery right alongside Aquaman. It makes you feel like you are almost a part of the story. This was Grade A Superhero Comics! Go buy it!

Book of Death #1 is what you want out of a Superhero book. It had strong character moments. It introduced a number of characters and didn't get out of hand. However, the introduction of David was a little forgettable. Venditti's script brings you to the emotional brink, fully connecting you with the heroes and their plight. He creates a lot of mystery and intrigue around the villain, going so far as to hide the forces the Valiant Universe is combating. Gill and Braithwaite's artwork is phenomenal from the massive full page spread depicting the massacre in Wyoming to the team future vision panels. Book of Death #1 delivers.

Book of Death #2 highlights the Eternal Warrior's mission in both his stance in combating Unity as well as the story read from the Book of the Geomancer. The characterization is excellent from the Eternal Warrior to Neville Alcott to the villain. Almost all of the characters have moments where depth is added to them. However, the Eternal Warrior's perfect plan coming to fruition was a little over the top. This book continues the excellent stories Valiant is putting out.

Book of Death #4 is a good conclusion to Valiant's major event book. Robert Venditti nicely wraps up the story with an epic battle and a fitting end. There are some truly powerful, emotional moments in this book that not only show Venditti's excellent scriptwriting, but also Robert Gill and Doug Braithwaite's fabulous artwork. The action scenes are exciting and do an excellent job of showing how much is at risk. This should definitely be on your pull list!

Lemire's choice of storytelling is fitting given the nature of the book and really allows the reader to get inside Bloodshot's head and tells a story that develops the character on multiple levels. However, this also creates a steady ho-hum pace. Braithwaite's artwork was enjoyable and he captured the different locales and cultures very well. However, the first full spread page could have been done a lot better to incorporate Bloodshot into the actual background image.

Book of Death: The Fall of Harbinger #1 is a heavily character-driven book that looks at both Peter Stanchek and Toyo Harada. However, the beauty of Dysart's writing allows him to incorporate larger concepts such as death and rebirth and multiple dimensions as well. Kano provides solid artwork from the layouts to the world design to the action sequence that brings out the conflict in Stanchek's mind as well as the actual physical threat of the Harada Mind. Book of Death: The Fall of Harbinger #1 is one you can't miss with excellent storytelling and artwork.

Book of Death: The Fall of X-O Manowar #1 is a wonderful, emotional tale detailing the legacy of Aric of Dacia with a nice surprise reveal. Clayton Henry does a fantastic job pulling your emotional strings with gripping facial expressions and body language. However, there are some issues with characters losing parts of their torsos and swords disappearing and reappearing. This book is a nice look into what the future holds for Aric of Dacia and a nice tie-in to Valiant's series.

Mark Waid and Barry Kitson deliver an exciting new entry with Empire Uprising #1. It is a perfect jumping-on point for new readers that fully immerses you in the world of Empire, fleshing out the world and the man who controls it. It even touches on a greater plot to unseat Golgoth from his throne. Waid's dialogue is fun, but also dramatic. He is able to combine jokes about telling fortunes from entrails to discussing the strategy of covering up the attack on Golgoth. Kitson's artwork is exciting and at some points extremely gory. He is able to effectively convey the evil and tyranny behind Golgoth's reign, however, he fails to deliver on capturing facial expressions, especially with Golgoth's ministers.

Empire Uprising #3 focuses on the characterization and relationships of Golgoth and his ministers. Waid barely touches on the past events regarding Kianda, instead opening up a second mystery with Project Chimera. Waid's dialogue was effective at capturing the sadistic nature of the ministers and their tense relationships with each other. Kitson's artwork did a good job of using multiple camera angles to depict each scene. He was also able to really capture the emotional reactions of Tumbril. Empire Uprising #3 deepens the characters and reveals the underlying evil of the Empire.

Gears and Bones #1 is a fun, fantasy adventure set in a rich, colorful world with some very interesting characters. Did I mention it has a really neat premise as well? William Thomas and Andrew Anderson tease out this expansive world, but also effectively introduce a strong protagonist and a number of interesting antagonists that have a rich history together. If you need some fantasy to add to your comics, I definitely recommend this book.

Kingdom Bum #1 is a surprisingly interesting story with palace intrigue, colorful characters, and a little bit of sociopolitical commentary. If you thought hobos couldn't have grand conniving master plans or utopian dreams, you are wrong! The artwork, although not my personal taste, fits the story well with exaggerated physical features, although there are still some minor technical issues that show up during profile shots. If you are looking for a refreshing take on palace intrigue, you should pick this one up!

Parallel Man #1 is a very fun story that provides a rich combination of adventure and intrigue. There were definitely some setbacks in the beginning with the artwork and writing not matching up, but once Morris and Haugen introduce Agent Morgan the book hits its stride with fantastic dimensions and engaging dialogue.

The Valiant #1 focuses on excellent character creation with an overarching battle between the caretakers of Earth and the Immortal Enemy, a force of entropy and decay. In just this one issue Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, and Pablo Rivera are able to introduce three compelling and interesting characters with diverse backgrounds and their own problems. However, Bloodshot's story does not seem connected to the issue and Kay's development leaves a lot of blank spaces that are begging to be filled.

The Valiant #2 is an action-packed adventure from start to finish with a compelling story component bringing Kay McHenry's childhood storybook to life. Paolo Rivera's artwork brings out the emotions of the characters and sells the fear they are experiencing while Lemire and Kindt's watercolor panels provide an extra layer of horror.

Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera produce another solid entry with The Valiant #3. Paolo Rivera's artwork is really brilliant from creating natural human expressions to creepshow horrorfests in the form of the Immortal Enemy. Kindt and Lemire do a wonderful job with the dialogue between Kay and Bloodshot, really giving an in-depth look into both of their characters. The exposition to open the book takes a couple of panels to really grab you but the mystery of the memo and box sinks the hook in although the placement of some of the question marks leaves a little to be desired.

The Valiant #4 wraps up a very compelling mini-series event that will get you excited about the rest of the Valiant Universe. The clash between Bloodshot, Kay, and the Immortal Enemy comes to a close leaving the Valiant Universe changed forever. Lemire and Kindt provide compelling dialogue and build upon their core set of characters, delving into their emotions and leaving them exposed and finding strength. Paolo Rivera continued to create compelling artwork, although there was one major point where the writing did not match the artwork and created some dissonance. Lemire and Kindt were not without their faults in this issue either, where they did not fully give closure to certain characters and events and they spoiled a potentially shocking plot point with some massive foreshadowing.

Shaper #1 is an exciting adventure that details an on-going struggle between the persecuted Shapers and the Caliphate. Eric Heisserer is able to provide vital information whether it is characterization or world building through a creative opening hook, although there are a couple places where the writing is a little forced to detail certain world-building points. Filipe Massafera's artwork is thrilling to look at and the transformation sequences are top notch. Shaper #1 creates a compelling and unique story that I hope to enjoy for many issues to come!

Shaper #2 continues the strong start from the first issue by expanding the number of actors and providing excellent characterization. Eric Heisserer uses a multi-storyline narrative style to great effect, building up your interest in the characters and their struggles and quickly transitioning to do the same for another character once the story reached a climactic peak. The art was a bit of a downgrade from Felipe Massafera. It lacked the unique style he brought to the first book. However, the action scenes were engaging and there appears to be a definite Star Wars influence. This is shaping up to be a top pull.

Shaper #3 starts off a little slow providing exposition on Victus' father, but gradually builds to a tumultuous ending. There is real danger whether Victus is threatening the destruction of a planet or Tor Ajax is ambushing Spry's ship. The character emotions ran high and it allows you to connect and relate to them. Continuado did a great job with the action sequences and depicting the transformations, although the world lacks detail and richness. It is a tad underwhelming and not very fantastical.

Shaper #4 is a fast-paced adventure filled with urgency, danger, and heroics. Heisserer's dialogue and Continuado's artwork balance the intense, dramatic moments with enjoyable humor. There is some definite character-building moments as Spry's will is tested under duress and Rand the Galaxian issues his call for vengeance. If you are looking for a fun, enjoyable space opera with strong writing you need to be reading Shaper. I can't wait for the next issue!

Shaper #5 is an action-packed ending to a very fun space opera. Eric Heisserer continues to honor the roots of the story with plenty of similarities to Star Wars. Heisserer's transitions are top notch, keeping the pace of the book flowing and exciting, jumping back and forth between the main characters as they take part in the Battle of Solace. There were some downsides to the issue. There was a lack of imagination with the use of the Shapers' transformations. They continued to be the same ones we have already seen. It was also difficult to tell what the Shapers were doing to defend their home planet outside of the main cast.

Danger Girl: Renegade #1 is a very fun, action-packed adventure with a compelling protagonist. The book has everything you could want from character development, a fun plot, good artwork, excellent action sequences, an interesting villain, and a rich and vibrant world. I definitely recommend Danger Girl: Renegade #1, especially if you love action-adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones. You can't go wrong.

Danger Girl: Renegade #2 is once again a fun adventure that gives us a different look at Abbey's personality while also showing her overarching mission. In addition, it has a nice little twist at the end that opens up the story to go a number of different ways. Molnar's artwork is outstanding in regards to depicting Abbey's body language to sell her sassy attitude, but also struggles a bit with some profile shots and incorporates a random guitar in a fight sequence. Overall, this was an enjoyable book although it doesn't provide the emotional response of the first issue.

Danger Girl: Renegade #3 continues the high octane adventure of Abbey Chase as she hunts for her father. Stephen Molnar's artwork is exciting, keeping you on the edge of your seat. There are some mishaps in the dialogue with the temple puzzle and the threat of leaving the mission, but the overall story is enjoyable and hits all the right buttons for the action-adventure genre.

The Flash #17 is a phenomenal entry. It gets to the heart of these two iconic characters, Captain Cold and The Flash, but also redefines them in new ways. Not only does it redefine these two characters, but it redefines The Rogues and their core principal. The action is highly engaging and entertaining with a wide bevy of different attacks. The Flash #17 is so good it demands you read it. Go and buy it now!

The Flash #18 is a solid entry. It has a number of things going for it such as the father-son explorations, Barry and Kid Flash's detective skills, and Williamson's fantastic dialogue. However, there are a number of flaws including some sloppy panels, a little heavy shading, and some coloring which can derail an entire action scene. It's definitely worth a purchase, but there are some technical issues that definitely could be cleaned up. The story is definitely good with a number of interesting characters to whet your appetite!

The Flash #19 overall is a solid book. It has a very strong emotional anchor that's frankly been a long time coming. There is a pretty huge reveal that will definitely have a pretty large impact on the upcoming "The Button" arc. The artwork is absolutely superb whether it's facial expressions, using a boomerang to guide you through the panels, or the swirl of the desert sand. However, there were some low points with the Weaver Clan's weak characterization and a transparent plot. It's still a fun tale and one that has emotional payoffs.

Lazarus #12 is able to expand what the reader knows of the world in regards to the Lazari, but is also able to drive the story with heightened palace intrigue from bold, loud statements to other more low-key moves. As always, Forever takes center-stage as her character continues to develop both within her family and perhaps romantically.

Rucka and Lark's character development continues to reach new heights as they craft very realistic characters. Lark's artwork and ability to portray Forever's emotional state not only in her actions, but just in her facial features is extremely well-done. His artwork humanizes Forever. Meanwhile, Rucka brings the political machinations out of the shadows setting up a showdown between Hock and Carlyle. There was only one misstep and that was the illusion of danger with the security guards running around the complex for two pages. It just seemed a little much and did not create any real fear of discovery.

Lazarus #16 had its really good moments, but it also had its pitfalls. The overall design of the issue with the lengthy journal entries drew out the comic and took away from what a comic is all about, words with pictures. Instead we just got words. On the other hand, the internal conflict Rucka is able to portray is wonderfully done and I am not sure he would have been able to do it without the long-winded journal entries. Lark's artwork was awe-inspiring on some pages, but also felt disconnected in others. The issue was moving, but complacent at the same time.

Duane Swierczynski and Michael Gaydos create a dark brooding hero who has lost his identity after a tragic shooting. The character development of Gregory Heittinger is the highlight of this issue. He is troubled, fearful, dependent, and lost, but he is able to find something within him to overcome and strive to do the right thing. His character exploration also examines the costs associated with PTSD and what it can do to an individual and it is not pretty. The artwork and coloring match the character creating a dark gloomy Philadelphia. However there were some setbacks including certain panels not matching up to the narrative as well as school children looking like prisoners wearing a very prominent (not in a good way) label describing what school they are from.

The Black Hood takes you to the dark side of comics and you won't ever want to step back into the light. If you haven't already, you should take the plunge into Philadelphia with Greg Hettinger as he dives deeper into darkness with each issue. Swierczynski provides excellent storytelling and gripping characterization, making you feel pity and remorse for a man murdering people in cold blood. Michael Gaydos' artwork perfectly captures the hopeless state of mind Hettinger finds himself in. In my short experience reading comics, this may be one of those revolutionary comics that will influence future creators to come; it's that good.

Despite the shortcomings, the issue had good pacing and the panels flowed together nicely. Rachel Deering's colors reflect the different direction Hettinger was taking and Gaydos' artwork continues to capture the essence of the characters and the city. However, I can't get past the plot in this issue; it was generic and uninteresting. Here's to hoping Hettinger's dark side returns, but after this issue the chances of that happening seem limited.

The book overloads the reader with characters as they try to figure out who is doing what and this really takes away from the action sequences. However, the 80s style artwork adds a uniqueness factor that is not seen in today's modern comics.

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #4 maintains an exciting pace with tons of action on every page as well as multiple story lines (which can be somewhat confusing). Tom Scioli's artwork continues to shine not only in being unique but also having the ability to evoke the characters' powerful emotions.

Tom Scioli and John Barber's Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #5 continues to deliver a nostalgic and unique art style with loads of action sequences and Easter eggs. The story jumps around a bit leaves room for the reader's imagination. They continue to introduce more characters as the war rages on although it does become a little cumbersome trying to remember who they all are.

Assassin's Creed #1 does a good job of combining exposition, action, and character building. Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery have created an interesting character and story that looks to explore and challenge what Charlotte believes. The artwork is pretty good overall with some minor slip-ups. It will be interesting to see how Edwards tackles colonial Salem moving forward as we only got a brief glimpse at the end of this issue.

Assassin's Creed #2 is a bloody adventure following one of the more interesting Assassins the series has given us. McCreery and Del Col do a great job of characterizing him, but also making him emotionally vulnerable towards the end of the issue. Neil Edwards' artwork is serviceable with a number of mistakes, but also some bright spots. If you are into the story behind the Assassin's Creed games this is an issue you don't want to miss.

Batgirl And The Birds of Prey #8 is definitely a fun, entertaining entry with plenty of things going on. It is your quintessential comic book with an epic fight scene, the introduction of a menacing and truly superior foe, and the positive team bonding and group interaction as the team plans out their next moves. The dialogue for the most part is very good; however, it does struggle when the team begins to discuss Oracle only to be brushed aside a number of times. Stylistically this art isn't my favorite, but it does a good job of conveying emotions and the action scenes in the beginning were just great!

Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1 is another solid entry into Rebirth. Dan Jurgens and Ryan Sook lay out a solid introduction with an excellent use of narrative recap to introduce new readers as well as provide a recap for veterans. There is plenty of high flying action mixed in with a little bit of investigative work (there could have been more). The characterization of Terry is done very well, although his supporting cast does need a little more time to grow. The art was solid and the number of different types of Jokerz gang members really showcases the threat they are. It's a solid entry into the future and has a cliffhanger ending that you just have to read!

Black #1 is good and has a strong political message. I look forward to reading more issues in the series. It seems to be in some ways derivative of other comic books and media; but manages to make it interesting by commenting on race relations between police and African Americans. It falters a little bit with the art since it lacks an indie vibe and style.

Black Jack Ketchum #2 is an interesting story. It is definitely one that will require a couple of read throughs to truly get a grasp on what is happening, but the more you read it the more you see how well the book is structured and the dialogue is crafted to foreshadow and hint at future developments. Despite this, it will still be tough for some to get into this one as it does take you through a whirlwind and keeps a lot of its cards still close to its chest. For now the premise and the characters have me wanting more.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #4 explores a number of deep issues in interesting and iconic ways. It's a complex and entertaining story that pushes characters to the brink and forces them to make tough decisions to really reveal exactly the kind of character that they are. While the story in general is very good, it does suffer from a number of technical issues including a poor character design and some very rough transitions in the second half of the book. I definitely recommend you grab this one, despite the problems.

Dark Souls #1 is a fun dungeon crawling read with plenty of action and characters that have quite a bit of potential. The book doesn't really feel very much like a Dark Souls book other than the setting, but even then the bright colors detract from the grim nature that is a cornerstone of the video games. It also is a very linear story with only one real twist. However, what the book does well it really does well. The action is excellent and the character designs are wonderful.

Escape from New York #1 is action-packed and explores the character of Snake through his in-the-moment decision making. Diego Barreto uses a unique style giving a different point of view for almost every panel. However, it takes a bit to get into the story especially if you have not seen the movie.

Escape from New York #2 is a little long-winded but it examines the interesting topic of what exactly freedom is and what it is not. Diego Barreto's artwork is able to touch on the horrors and destruction of war, while also giving us one of the most terrifying pages I have witnessed. (Seriously, nightmares.)

Hellblazer #7 brings on Philip Tan for the art duties of this new story arc and he performs exceptionally. It's definitely an improvement due to the mystic nature of his art style. The story in general is intriguing with some excellent wordsmithing by Oliver and an exciting action sequence. Combine that with the foreboding mystery of the Djinn and you have a book that demands your attention.

Hellblazer #8 takes this new arc down a dark, horror-filled path. Oliver and Tan keep you on the edge of your seat with a great combination of dialogue, narration, panel layout, and artwork. The highlight of the book is still Constantine's back and forth with Mercury and Mademoiselle Misabel Lefebvre. There were some struggles with the depiction of Constantine, especially close-up shots. If you are looking for a book with solid characterization building and good dialogue you can't go wrong with this one!

Redhand: Twilight of the Gods was a fun journey fraught with interesting personas. He was challenged almost every step of the way, but he was not alone and received aid from a variety of characters. The world was vast and there is plenty of room to return and further explore other characters and their stories. The book did struggle with its transitions; you would flip the page and find yourself practically at a brand new starting point in the story. If you are looking for a post-apocalyptic story with a hero attempting to figure out who he is and why he exists (something we can all relate to), I suggest you pick up Redhand: Twilight of the Gods.

Justice Inc. The Avenger #1 is a fun and thrilling ride back to the past where Richard Benson and his Justice Inc. take on odd, almost paranormal cases. Freire captured the time period of the piece and does a good job with facial emotions. Waid's writing is really the stand out in the issue. It is top notch. From beautiful prose to playful humor, he weaves them together seamlessly. If you are looking for some old school detective fun. Go and pick up Justice Inc. The Avenger #1.

Luna the Vampire #1 is a humorous adventure chronicling some of Luna's everyday activities while also providing a clear, cultural critique of how Luna and her friends react to certain situations in addition to how her friends interact with her. The artwork is a tad too cartoony for my taste, but serves the humor and tone of the book. Yasmin Sheikh did a great job of exaggerating facial features to convey emotion as well as foreshadowing her punch lines. It was good.

Men of Wrath #5 is a complete issue from beginning to end except the one plot gap mentioned above. It wraps up the story of Ira Rath very nicely leaving you satisfied. There is a ton of action in the issue with Garney using a full array of methods to inflict death. Fletcher's lettering really brought the characters off the page giving them a voice you hear as you are reading. It was action-packed and full of vengeance with a touch of remorse.

Midnighter #12 is a well done, final issue. It has intense action, interesting character development, some intriguing conversations, and a solid look into Midnighter's life and relationships. There are some problems with the sound effects covering up parts of the art and the vast number of inset panels making the action pages quite busy. If you are looking for some solid action and a good character story you can't go wrong with this one. It's definitely a title that deserves a rebirth.

Over the Garden Wall #1 has one standout story featuring Greg and Wirt that makes it worth picking up. Greg's story has you laughing as you get lost in his imaginary adventure. Unfortunately, the second story doesn't live up to the first one. Anna's character feels distant and there doesn't really seem to be a purpose or goal to her story other than to show what she is up to. Don't get me wrong it isn't a bad story just not as entertaining as the first. And the first story is well worth picking up the entire issue especially if you plan on reading with your kids.

Pirate Eye: Mark of the Black Widow is a fun, investigative mystery set in the golden age of piracy. Josiah Grahn has created an intriguing character in Smitty. Grahn takes us on a good detective journey, introducing us to Smitty's own mysteries. There were some faults regarding the repetition of Smitty's investigative tactic and the lack of development of his other tactics in order to create a big reveal regarding the culprit. Yonder's artwork is good whether it is character expressions, the dark tone, or easily identifiable unique characters. If you are looking for something different when it comes to detective mystery comics, you should definitely check out Pirate Eye: Mark of the Black Widow.

Roche Limit: Monadic #2 is another solid entry from Michael Moreci and Kyle Charles. It has what you have come to expect with critical thinking questions combined with high flying action and plenty of character drama. The book does struggle with its transitions and can be a little confusing to really figure out what is happening. A rereading of the first issue and even the first two Roche Limit books might be a necessity. I'd pick this one up if you are a fan of the series. However, it might be a little difficult to jump into without any background.

Samurai #1 was an absolutely beautiful story. Frdric Gent's artwork is absolutely phenomenal. It makes you want to step into the comic and journey alongside Takeo to take in the beauty of the world he has created. However, there was a major issue in the beginning of the story that made it very difficult to figure out what exactly was happening. This was still a good read and I can't wait to revisit this majestic world.

Secret Six #12 was a quick, fun, and engaging read. Gail Simone crafts an engaging script with tight action sequences and strong emotional moments for a number of different characters. What she does best is create the family feel of the team, showing how much each of the characters feels for each other. The artwork was very solid with some slick action panels mimicking the motion of Shiva's staff. There were some jarring issues with the art including Batgirl's odd neck in one panel. You will definitely want to pick this up if you have been following the series and if you are just looking to jump in, it's not a bad place to start.

Aliens / Vampirella #1 is a slasher-esque comic book that is well paced, has a few compelling characters, and a lot of tension. Bechko makes sure the Aliens are a good match for Vampirella, but it is still unclear whether she can hold her own against them. The artwork was well done except for the facial reactions. InLight Studios did an excellent job with the coloring creating a sense of tension the entire way through the book. If you are into the slasher genre, and even if you aren't, I recommend this one because it was very well written.

Aliens / Vampirella #2 builds upon the horror and slasher themes from the first issue. It is exhilarating, thrilling, suspenseful, and above all frightening when the Aliens come calling. Bechko highlights the horror by lulling you into comfort with biting team humor and emotional bonding moments. Javier Garca-Miranda's artwork does an excellent job of providing the shock and horror and displaying the sheer violence of the Aliens. If you are into slashers this is a book for you.

Aliens / Vampirella #3 takes a little break from the action and horror to delve into some character development , providing more insight into the characters and how each of them deals with certain news, whether it is the discovery of the Aliens or a stay on delivering supplies. It builds up for a whole new horror for the next issue. The artwork is done well with a few minor mistakes. This book remains a good horror/slasher read!

Aliens / Vampirella #5 continues a great horror tale with a number of excellent chase scenes, an absolutely gut wrenching emotional climax, and a never ending amount of trouble and danger that follows Vampirella. However, the book's pace slows down quite a bit as Bechko provides a ton of really unnecessary exposition halfway through the book. There are also a number of minor art mistakes that add up throughout the book, but it is still one of the best horror stories out there right now.

Aliens / Vampirella #6 concludes the mini-series in excellent fashion. There is plenty of horror, suspense, and action. Not to mention, for the most part, some great dialogue. The artwork was the biggest setback, although it does a great job of conveying the action; the reader is able to follow the story without the dialogue. It just lacked polish and detail in many panels. If you are looking to fill your horror itch, go pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.

Higgins and Siegel continue to weave political theater, crime fighting, detective work, and moral dilemmas, not to mention strong compelling characters into a gripping, fantastic story. Unfortunately the artwork does not live up to the story-telling. Main characters' looks and styles are thrown out the window in favor of a more cartoonish, less gritty version which removes the reader from the story.

This book is an excellent finale to the first story arc. It has the right mix of political machinations, action sequences, and character emotions, but also adds in one hell of an emotional shock to the reader. Reis' artwork is top-notch once again, creating the gritty dark vibe of 1960s Chicago.

C.O.W.L. #6 breaks away from the main story Higgins and Siegel have been weaving and introduces a bit of light-heartedness, but also reveals how involved Geoffrey Warner is in shaping his image being portrayed to the people of Chicago. The book takes an innovative look at advertisement placement to great effect and Elsa Charretier's art matches the simple straight-forward fluff piece.

C.O.W.L. #7 is a rough start to the new story arc. There are a number of sequences in the book which are a little too much to believe or drop you out of the grimy Chicago world with extremely petty crimes. There were a couple bright spots with Reis' take on Warner and Camden as well as the introduction of Evelyn Thompson and her revelation on John Pierce.

C.O.W.L. #8 opens with a great dual story-telling technique capturing your attention and engaging your emotions. There are some interesting conversations about roles, choices, and following orders which are touched upon throughout the book. However, there are just too many mistakes to ignore. There are bad transitions, out of place panels, and even some "bit (supposed to be big) mitts." The book is also still trying to find someone to fill Pierce's shoes as a doer and someone who is willing to take risks for what he believes in.

The last two issues were tough to get through, but Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis right the ship and bring you a compelling story full of political intrigue, conspiracy, and the awakening of a hero. Radia fills the shoes of John Pierce, standing up and taking action for what she believes in, which touches on Pierce's idea of vigilante heroes. Reis' artwork continues to be compelling although he does get a little too creative for my taste with characters interacting with the lettering of the comic.

IXth Generation #1 provides a decent amount of background information to let new readers jump into the world without overloading the reader. It has decent pacing and some pretty cool action sequences and suspense to keep you interested throughout. There is nothing groundbreaking or mind-blowing, but it is a fun read with a very interesting backdrop.

IXth Generation #2 is a fun sci-fi story with a lot going for it from political back stabbings and machinations to mysterious ancient villains. You can find it all in this comic and Hawkins and Sejic do a good job of balancing it. There is one sequence where they aren't creating mystery or providing new knowledge of the world that is a little slow; however, this is offset by some good dialogue and artwork providing a fun and enjoyable read that also makes you think just a bit.

Seduction of the Innocent #2 is a solid entry in the crime noir genre with one of the strongest and most compelling protagonists in Agent Jennings, not to mention the overall dark tone of the book. It also has a mysterious and suspenseful plot with a number of intriguing supporting characters. The artwork is solid and even includes some innovative panel layouts to convey how certain characters are feeling. I definitely recommend this one, especially if you are a fan of crime noir.

Seduction of the Innocent #3 is a solid noir entry. The dialogue is fantastic with some great foreshadowing; it keeps the tension high. The story flow was a little too choppy especially with the two scenes lacking any transitions. The artwork was for the most part solid with some really awesome creative panel connections, but it also had its faults with odd proportioned appendages. The cliffhanger and total mystery will have you coming back for more.

The book fails to live up to the expectations established in the first two outings; however, it does set the stage for the next installment.

The book ramps up the story and keeps the action and tension flowing; however, there are some odd writing choices halfway through that drop the reader out of the story and minor art details that feel out of place.

Genius #5 is a great conclusion to an intriguing story that had its ups and downs. Richardson's artwork is the best in the series and Bernardin and Freeman threw a number of curveballs keeping the reader guessing until the very end.

Gutter Magic #1 is an exciting, dark fantasy adventure that will want you coming back for more. It has awe-inspiring magic battles, cool magical artifacts, interesting and well thought out characters, and some great artwork. There are some minor setbacks with one out-of-place line of dialogue and some issues with the art. This is one you will want to check out if you are looking for something different in your fantasy genre that has an exciting, dangerous, and interesting world.

Gutter Magic #2 struggled with the dialogue and artwork, but it did expand the world and keep your interest piqued with the overall story. It had plenty of action, good drama, dark magic, and some fun humor. It's not the most well-polished story, but it is a fun and intriguing story.

Gutter Magic #3 continues the fun romp in this magical steampunk world by introducing airships and dragons in an exciting chase sequence. It also has a very poignant and character-defining moment in the beginning of the story. Unfortunately, Douek doesn't explore Cinder's character any further and there are a number of continuity errors with the artwork during the chase sequence that hold this book back. It's still good, but there is definite room for improvement.

Red Sonja / Conan #1 is an enjoyable adventure into the Hyborian Age. Kal'ang is an intriguing antagonist, albeit he could use a little more fleshing out which should come in subsequent issues. The chemistry between Red Sonja and Conan is really fun to read especially when they move from the bed to combat; it is seamless. There were some rough patches in the beginning of the book with both the dialogue and the artwork, but by the end Gischler minimizes the grammatical errors and lengthy exposition disguised as a monologue while Castro seems to take his time and not over-ink the characters.

Red Sonja / Conan #2 is a very fast-paced, combat-filled adventure focused predominantly on Red Sonja as she attempts to recollect the events of the battle against Kal'ang's forces. For the most part the story is well-written, although the interrogation dialogue does get a little confusing. The artwork for the most part is decent although there are a number of mishaps, specifically the panel with the arrow through the soldier's neck. If you are looking for a good action story this week, Red Sonja / Conan #2 has plenty of it.

Red Sonja / Conan #3 is a fast-paced, action adventure, dungeon crawling story that captures the essence and joy of high fantasy. The characterization of Kal'Ang is fantastic, topped only by the surprise ending. The action is well done with plenty of unique monsters and foes for Conan and Red Sonja to conquer. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good swords and sorcery adventure!

Castro's artwork and Guimaraes' colors bring to life the gritty yet fantastical world of Hyboria. There are some awesome creature creations and excellent use of coloring when it comes to showing the villain's magical powers.

Atomic Robo: The Ring of Fire can be a tough jumping on point if you haven't read any previous installments. However, it tells a gripping story with some interesting characters in a compelling world. The team chemistry is on top display here, but it can be overshadowed by the scenes in Tokyo which were hard to figure out, especially since Biomegas are never defined in this issue. In addition, it is unclear whether or not the military there are actual villains, heroes, or something in between.

Atomic Robo: The Ring of Fire #2 is a fun, humorous sci-fi adventure that really sets the stage for the upcoming issues and focuses on the family/team aspect of the Action Scientists. Clevinger reinforces certain aspects of the story through slick exposition and introduces a larger threat that will most likely require the teamwork of the Action Scientists and Atomic Robo to defeat. The foreshadowing is done very well and sets up the reader to expect some huge action sequences. Wegener's artwork is solid minus a lack of detail on the laptops. His reimagining of Atomic Robo is downright funny!

Faster Than Light is worth checking out for the AR experience and art alone. But it has real potential to explore many of the same tropes of the sci-fi horror genre that makes us fear the unknown in the cold and the dark, and all the ways that we can die in space.

First Law of Mad Science #1 is an intriguing foray into a world seemingly full of technical mystery, whether it be ancient structures being built by a man with blazing eyes or retinal implants known as cyber-eyes causing the death of its users. Isenberg and Mertz deliver well thought-out characters that have an excellent family dynamic. However, they bog down the pace of the book with an overuse of words. They can get their point across with fewer words. This would improve readability and the overall flow of the book. Daniel Lapham's artwork expertly captured victims' emotions as well as using generic nuclear family settings to emphasize the dynamic of the Baker household. First Law of Mad Science #1 sets up an intriguing world that begs to be explored!

Judge Dredd Classics: Dark Judges #1 is an entertaining collection that provides everything you look for in a comic: strong characters, good character development, an interesting storyline, great artwork, excellent transitions, and some unique lettering, not to mention a touch of horror and plenty of suspense and action.

Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges #3 is a fun and entertaining story. However, I was disappointed in Anderson's gullibility. There weren't any twists and the plot was very straight forward with no surprises. Ewins' artwork had some oddities with the length of Anderson's neck in one panel, but it also was evocative in depicting Anderson's psychic abilities and their corruption.

Justice League Darkseid War Special #1 doesn't feel like an essential part to the Darkseid War saga Geoff Johns is writing, but it does provide a solid back story for Grail and lightly explores some deeper themes with Jessica and Grail. Jessica's story doesn't really tie in with Grail despite the excellent transitions and allusions to connectedness. The art is solid and does a great job of keeping within the style of the Darkseid War. You can probably skip this one, but if you are really interested in learning more about Grail and Jessica go pick this one up.

Papercuts and Inkstains #1 was a fun read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments complemented with good storytelling. The book was brought down a little bit by the third short, but Gonzo's artwork made up for the thin story. "Profits of Doom" was definitely the standard bearer, really displaying Jones' ability to tell a well-crafted story while also incorporating humor throughout. It had good pacing and finished with a drink spewing moment!

Raven #1 is a solid entry. The story is compelling with plenty of mystery and it let's us really look into Raven's character while also being easily accessible to new readers with a great use of Raven narrating the story to catch you up on what has previously happened with Raven. There are some issues with the story especially towards the end where the flow is broken and you are left hanging trying to figure out what is going on. Borges' artwork is for the most part good; she uses some interesting panel layouts, but struggles a little bit when it comes to facial expressions. If you are looking for a Supernatural mystery Raven #1 will fill that spot perfectly!

Red Sonja #17 is a fun romp. It also looks at some deeper subjects, such as education, but only really touches them on the surface. Simone's writing is for the most part enjoyable, although there are some missteps with the old nun. Walter Geovani's artwork is excellent. He mixes up different types of panels and provides a number of unique camera angles to depict different sequences.

Geovani's artwork is done well and he uses two distinct styles to show off his talent, one a much rougher look compared to the other. He uses some nice panel layouts for the combat sequences that heighten the tension. Nevertheless, there are times you have to suspend your disbelief a little more than necessary to figure out how Sonja gets out of certain situations.

Suiciders: Kings of HELL.A. #1 is a good introduction to the Suiciders world. It captures the brutality of gang warfare, does a good job of introducing characters, has solid world building, and has depth with hints of subthemes regarding birth and family. You won't go wrong picking this book up if you are looking for a solid mature dystopian.

Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Wild Card #1 is a solid debut issue. The story is well balanced with an intriguing investigation, interesting and complex characters, and a good use of levity. However, the artwork could use some work. A finer attention to detail and cleaning up the character design for the villain are something to improve on moving forward. If you are looking for a good supernatural read, check this one out.

Zachariah Thorn #1 introduces you to Zachariah and his team and the supernatural world they inhabit. He reminds me a lot like Constantine, except he isn't making deals with demons. There is a good cast of characters and an overarching story that is begging to be fleshed out. If you are into the supernatural this is one you will enjoy!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Amazing Adventures #1 is an enjoyable ride that is filled with action and the colorful personalities of the Turtles. It might be a little difficult for brand new readers to the Turtles to jump in to due to the sheer number of characters that are mentioned and depicted. Despite this, the pacing of the story was good minus a slump in the middle and the artwork, though cartoony, was enjoyable except those gapped teeth.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Amazing Adventures #2 follows up on the first issue with another exciting and well-written issue. The Zodiac is given quite a bit of depth and history within the Turtle universe, while Splinter and Shredder's characters are reinforced through their actions. The artwork is engaging and exciting while at times also humorous.

The secondary story was fun with action, friendship, and a deeper message on doing what is right. In Michelangelo's words, "That's all that counts." The art was a tad too cartoony for me, but it had good panel layouts and clear action sequences.

I'm excited to see how Moreci is going to handle the time travel. He lays out some of the initial thoughts in the summary of the book, but he doesn't get into any details in this issue whatsoever. Although, a certain chair that looks all too like an Animus from Assassin's Creed lends to one's suspicions. Transference was enjoyable and I hope to continue to travel through time with Michael Moreci and Ron Salas.

Transference #2 in typical Moreci fashion provides answers to a few questions, but has you asking even bigger ones at the end of the issue. The beginning of the book was a bit difficult to jump into, and will be extremely difficult for new readers; however, he quickly turns the moment into a strong character development scene. Salas' artwork lacks detail and can be quite confusing during the end of the issue, but it serves the comic's sci-fi genre well.

Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #1 is a rough jumping-on point. It can be a little difficult to figure out all of the different characters and the overall plot. Despite this, Nick Roche creates a layered story with missing spies, a manhunt, and political intrigue all set in the Transformers universe. His artwork is also top notch with exciting action sequences and awesome weapon designs. However, Josh Burcham's colors can make it difficult to differentiate certain Transformers, but at the same time does a great job depicting a Transformer transform.

Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #2 is a gritty, dark tale that explores The Wreckers' characters while expanding on the current state of affairs of the Transformers' political landscape. It does a great job with characterization through the dialogue, lettering, and artwork. It also has a ton of enjoyable and satisfying action sequences. However, there were some minor issues with the art and a lack of planning when it came to confronting their enemy and it was still somewhat difficult to determine which Transformer is which.

The Life After #2 is a very entertaining issue with increasing levels of weirdness adding to the likeability factor. If you are looking for a crazy, trippy, "who really knows what is happening adventure," this book delivers.

The Life After #3 is rather choppy to follow and the story does not flow as well as the previous two books. Gabo's art continues to keep the vibe of weirdness on almost every page and Fialkov's dialogue with Hemingway is fun to read.

Fialkov and Gabo continue to produce an enjoyable albeit strange take on the afterlife. The two are able to capture the human emotions of loss perfectly in Nettie's monologue and Gabo's artwork. Gabo's art was a definite highlight with an intriguing monster creation, especially when it's shifting to and from humanoid form. However, there were some slip ups with an odd comedic ending to the demon's demise.

The Life After #6 excels with its comedic humor, intriguing artwork, and monster creation, but these factors do not make up for its numerous shortcomings: subpar dialogue, lack of character emotion, poor or absent transitions, and lack of flow in a number of a panels. This opening issue to the new arc failed to live up to expectations set in the previous five issues. Hopefully, Fialkov and Gabo are able to move forward and continue to produce what we have come to expect.

Joshua Hale Fialkov and Gabo produce another weird and strange issue with The Life After #7. It is definitely an improvement from the last issue, but still experiences some setbacks with fragmented stories splitting the attention of the reader and not allowing for emotional connections. There is an obvious grammatical error that is hard to interpret even with context (and may allude to one of Hemingway's works or purposely making him speak in the way of his time period). However, Gabo continues to raise the bar of weirdness and adds some outright shock factor to his artwork.

4001 A.D. #1 is primarily a book that sets the stage for the rest of the event. Kindt provides some solid characterization with Father and Lula and with Clayton Crain's art they leave the book on a pretty big action cliffhanger. However, due to the nature of the story it was a little slow and felt drawn out at times. There was a little too much focus on building the world outside of the story. Despite the unique introduction, the book feels targeted towards readers who have been following the story in Rai which makes it a little bit more difficult for newer readers to dive in. This event series definitely has potential and I expect really great things moving forward; this issue just didn't get there yet.

Barb Wire #1 is a good, fun read. It does have some minor setbacks with body contortions and proportions. There are also some minor dialogue issues. However, the characters were interesting and there was plenty of action and what looks to be a good story about the city of Steel Harbor and the direction it may go. One thing is for sure Barb Wire will be in the middle of it.

G.I. JOE Cobra World Order Prelude does what it sets out to do and that is set the stage by introducing the characters and world of G.I. JOE to new readers or providing a good refresher for long-time readers of the series. Larry Hama keeps it entertaining with a nice little subplot to keep the JOEs on their toes but also to showcase the enormity of the situation they will be facing. S.L. Gallant's art does a decent job of transitioning between the facility tour and the exposition of what has previously occurred in the universe. If you are looking to jump-in, now is the time to do so.

(Re)Assignment #1 is a conflicted story. The first half of the story is extremely good and you are sitting on the edge of your seat sucking in every panel and each piece of dialogue and narration. However, around the halfway point the pacing bogs down with heavy-handed dialogue and then towards the end, the story goes a little haywire and leaves you confused about what you read and wondering what exactly happened. The art was definitely a stand-out point with rich backgrounds and solid choices of art to showcase entire scenes not to mention some shapely human forms. However, facial features were lacking. There's definitely promise here, but there are quite a bit of rough edges that need to be polished. If you are looking for a unique take on the noir genre, this might just be the book for you.

The Shadow Glass #1 is a character-driven story with hints of mystery and a dark ritual for a backdrop. The characterization is excellent, the dialogue is solid, and the artwork is gorgeous to look at. The book does drag on at points, but the promise of the ritual and the questions that run through your head keep you reading. If you are looking for a dark mystery, this one has promise to deliver; however, after this first issue it is still unclear what the overarching story will be.

The story is exciting and action-packed giving a detailed look into The Shadow's past as he confronts both a physical and mental foe in Dr. Zorn. However, the artwork is plain and certain sequences do not readily follow each other. The reader has to flip back multiple times and even then still doesn't know how certain sequences end the way they do.

The Showdown #1 sets up an exciting, hellish race known as The Showdown. Lippitt introduces a number of different groups who will be vying for the chance to raze Hell on Earth. The book flows well especially with the sheer amount of characters Lippitt introduces. The artwork did a good job of creating a very grimy vibe that gives a unique perspective on Hell. The character designs were all very interesting and incorporated a number of horrific and hellish creatures. The book reminded me of a more mature version of Wacky Racers and comes out just at the right time for Halloween!

The Tithe #7 is a dramatic, politically charged story that follows the tried and true police drama format so familiar on shows like Criminal Minds. Hawkins and Ekedal are able to separate themselves with a story straight out of the current headlines that preys on the fears created after 9/11. The story is well-written with a few minor flaws. The art was serviceable with a good use of building emotional tension and then releasing it, but it had a number of small flaws that couldn't be overlooked. If you are looking for something different with a political slant, you should check this out.

Despite feeling betrayed by the advertising of the book, the story and character development of Charlie Chance is top notch. Her character is very relatable, but there is also a big mystery surrounding her. Liam Sharp's artwork is really the highlight of the book providing a psychedelic setting as well as different styles throughout the book. The cliffhanger does not really work due to a complete lack of information on Captain Stone.ProsLiam Sharp's psychedelic artworkExcellent character development of Charlie ChanceConsA sense of false marketing in regards to learning about the missing superhero, Captain StoneA cliffhanger that lacks any punch due to a lack of information on Captain StoneOverall Score: 8.5

Cap Stone #2 struggled in capturing my attention for the first half of the issue. The phone conversation with Ada seemed all too pointless and could have been over in just one page explaining the connection between Charlie and Cap Stone. There was a continuity mistake and Jim Clayton's dialogue was headache-inducing even at only two lines! However, the second half of the book was quite engaging, delving more into Charlie's character as well as touching the surface on Cap Stone and the world the two inhabit. Sharp's artwork continued to be compelling providing a fresh style on almost every page.

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #218 is a fun, adventurous dog fight in the clouds above the Arctic to conclude the Cobra Rising story arc. However, new readers need not be afraid that it is the end of an arc as you can jump right in and enjoy this story. Hama's story is dialogue driven and focuses on the action as both pilots report to their commanders and vice versa. Villanelli's artwork matches Hama's story and provides clear and concise depictions of what is occurring.

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #219 teases an epic story with a number of different storylines that don't reveal much of the actual plot of the story arc. Hama's writing is fun and at points hilarious in combination with well scripted art scenes. He does a good job of characterizing his characters in such limited page space as well. However, the lack of plot progression and the sheer number of storylines really damage the flow and readability as it jumps back and forth every two or three pages.

#1 is perfect if you are looking for a nice action-comedy to round out your pull list this week, although it does have some drawbacks with the lettering and an ending that is a touch out of place.

Sinergy #2 leaves out the humor of the opening of the first book, but does a good job of portraying Jess as a very average teenager with normal problems that arise in her daily life from boys to large life-changing decisions. The voice of Jess reinforces the idea of her being an average teenager and kept the book lively. However, the dialogue with her parents was disjointed and whether it was her Dad or her Mom, neither seemed to be having a conversation with her and rather talked at her.

Nicholas Meyer's The Seven-Per-Cent Solution is definitely a character examination of Sherlock Holmes at his weakest, but it is more an examination of Watson's deep friendship and concern for Holmes. Nonetheless, the issue really struggled in the beginning with what felt like out-of-place pages and a clunky writing style that includes many superfluous details. The artwork was good, but it had its setbacks where certain panels didn't match up to the dialogue. That being said, there is a great concept here and a sense of mystery and intrigue that only Sherlock Holmes can solve.

Nicholas Meyer's Seven-Per-Cent Solution #2 is a definitive improvement from the first issue, although it is still not without its faults. Seeing Holmes in all his detective glory is refreshing and you get sucked into the excitement from the first tug on the leash from Toby. If you are into Sherlock Holmes, this is a fun read that explores a bit of the character's darker side. I imagine the book will only improve from here as a real battle of the minds will begin in the next issue!

Nicholas Meyer's Seven-Per-Cent Solution #3 is the best book in the series so far. It combines a personal examination of Holmes and his addiction with a compelling and interesting detective story that not only will require Holmes to be at the top of his game, but Freud as well. The dialogue is well-crafted with a really good verbal spar between Holmes and Freud in the beginning and later with Holmes and Watson logically deducing potentialities; although, the latter is a little heavy and slows down the pace of the book quite a bit.

Baltimore: Empty Graves #1 is difficult for new readers to jump into and get their bearings. However, once you do the book offers some excellent character moments, a good sense of dark terror, and a villain that evokes fear from those who are pursuing her. Peter Bergting's artwork is solid and does a good job of setting the scene and providing truly horrifying images of decaying bodies.

Creepy Scarlett was a fun read with a quirky yet strong female protagonist. You can't really refer to her as a hero just yet because she has a tendency to get a little crazy especially when possessed with the Emerald of Lucifer. Graeme Buchan's writing was fun with plenty of one-liners that had me cracking up. He does a good job of introducing a multitude of characters and providing them with distinctive personalities. However, the artwork was up and down. During the action sequences it was fun and exciting and captured a variety of different combat styles and techniques effectively. Yet some of the characters' body proportions and eye positioning was off to the extent it became distracting. There was also a major continuity error regarding Emily's hair color which made it difficult to identify who she was.

Figment 2 #1 is a decent enough jumping-on point. The main plot of this issue seems to be a reiteration of the first storyline, but Zub definitely sets it up for potential new twists and the introduction of Capricious is sure to be a game changer. The artwork was light-hearted and enjoyable, but wasn't afraid to use colors to depict Dreamfinder's mood.

The introduction of the Marquis did liven up the story a little bit providing a nemesis with clear convictions and motivations. Stenbeck's action sequences are short and sweet leaving a lot to the reader's imagination, but there are some panels where the emotion he is trying to convey does not work and sometimes even backfires disconnecting you from Frankenstein. Stewart's colors do a good job of highlighting the action sequences, but it can distract you from the other panels on the page (which actually might not be a bad idea given some of Frankenstein's facial expressions).

James Bond #1 is a decent start to a story that is obviously being told for the trade. The chase scene in the beginning had quite a bit of tension and plenty of brutality although much of it is hard to follow due to a lack of focus on the characters and very dark colors that make everything seem to blend together. I expect the story will only get better moving forward. It is good to see 007 in a comic!

The pacing was good and Johns balances the action with character development and plot movement. This story might be best to wait for a collected edition due to the number of different storylines and characters. It can be a little hectic remembering what happened in the previous issue. Justice League #42 definitely gives off the vibe it is building to an epic climax and it provides a fun journey along the way.

Justice League #43 falls victim to the audience knowing more about what is happening than the characters. Johns has to spend a number of pages describing who certain characters are and what their play is. This leads to an almost skippable first two-thirds of the book. Despite these shortcomings, there are some bright spots, mainly Superman and Lex. In addition, the final third of the book really builds the tension and sets the war in motion. Fabok's artwork is absolutely fabulous from body language, to sequential panel layouts, to the action scenes.

Justice League #46 was a very poor outing and something I was actually shocked to read, seeing as how I have actually been enjoying the story Johns has been putting out. However, this one was riddled with mistakes from poor transitions, to spreading himself way too thin on characters, and to just plain bad dialogue and storytelling. The art also had its faults with a more subdued approach, although there were some standout pages and panels from Manapul.

Justice League #47 is a huge improvement from the last issue. Jason Fabok returns on art duties and his presence is felt immediately. The book just feels epic when he is on art duties. The pacing definitely improved with Johns telling a tighter story and not stretching himself too thin. He also answers some questions while also adding in a whole new element that will have a major impact on the story. However, Johns explains every little character detail that is done better through Fabok's artwork and the actions the characters take.

The Rocketeer at War #1 introduces us to the characters, world, and the overall plot the story looks to take. However, many of the characters are not given enough time for us to really get to know them, let alone connect with them. This is because the story is very disjointed, jumping from scene to scene. However, Guggenheim and Bullock do a good job of characterizing the protagonist. I also enjoyed the book's optimistic tone aided by Bullock's depiction and attitude of the characters. If you are looking for a straight-forward, good vs evil World War II story, this book aims to deliver.

Ragnarok #6 digs deep into Thor and Regn's characters, showing the emotional toll both men are going through but also highlighting their intense love for their family. There is also a fantastic fight sequence between Thor and the fire giant's henchman, Halogi. However, the best part of the story is Simonson's tease with Regn in his negotiation with Angantyr. There were some flaws with a little too much exposition and recapping of knowledge gained from previous issues.

Ragnarok #7 begins the new story arc in decent fashion, introducing a potential new villain, an impending massive conflict, and a shocking revelation. However, the execution is not up to par from poor lettering decisions that drop you out of the action to poorly explained exposition leading up to the shocking revelation. It adds up to a book that just isn't that good.

Sevara #1 is an interesting supernatural story depicting the fight against oppression and fear that I plan on continuing to read. You can purchase Sevara #1 on Comixology.

Sevara #2 continues to provide a very interesting concept that seems to hint at influences from the latter Dune novels on how to tame human nature. This issue did struggle with some confusion in the very beginning as to the motives of Alathea in abandoning a child to parts of the dialogue between Sevara and Alathea. It was difficult to identify Alathea due to her new costume, shortened hair, and color scheme. Despite these setbacks, the relationship between Alathea and Sevara developed nicely and Wampler explored some of the nature of their power. The final action sequence was very exhilarating and ended on a huge twist that could take the story in a whole new and even more interesting direction.

The Shadow Volume 2 #1 struggles to find itself until the very last pages, but those last pages really draw you in showing the true horror of the villains and the reason The Shadow is in pursuit. There were a number of sloppy dialogue choices referencing plot points that don't exist or asking a question after the answer already had been provided. The artwork was decent except for the use of the panel overlap technique where characters knees will end up on other faces in a different panel or their feet will be on a wall instead of the floor. The coloring did a fantastic job of shifting the mood and tone of the issue from a light-hearted almost comical action sequence to a serious chase scene.

This is much improved from the first issue. Bunn has introduced a viable villain with some nasty plans and he explores parts of The Shadow's personality that don't seem to get all that much attention. There are some minor hiccups with transitions and the faulty editing with the duplicate dialogue, but the writing is much more interesting and there don't seem to be continuity problems. Giovanni Timpano's artwork is much sharper with some extremely compelling close-ups of The Shadow's face and a compelling flashback scene detailing the Last Illusion's origin.

Victorie City #1 is an interesting noir tale set in a dark and corrupt city. Keith Carmack and Vincent Nappi do a good job of characterizing their villain and hero, as well as setting the tone and building the world of Victorie City. The book struggles towards the end with an apparent random sequence between the villain and Detective Ness. Vincent Nappi's harsh and rough art style does a great job of capturing the tone but it can also make it a tad difficult to identify characters and follow the action. The lettering in the book was very distracting with odd shaped word bubbles and actual letters that appeared to be done in the style of elementary school kids on a chalkboard in an attempt to amplify the creepy tone. It just ends up being a distraction.

Victorie City #2 for the most part is a pretty run-of-the-mill police procedural with a noir tone. However, it does finally throw a turn at the end of the issue that can possibly take the story in a vastly different direction. The characterization was solid. The dialogue was pretty good, although there were some minor slip ups. The artwork for the most part was very good in setting the tone and depicting emotions, although the action scenes make it difficult to figure out the details.

American Gods: Shadows #1 has its low points and its high points. Most of the book is bogged down in narration and an insistence to showcase the same character aspects of Shadow multiple times. It makes for a slow, grueling read. However, Russell does his best to make it interesting with unique page designs using a number of different panel shapes and sizes.

Overall Bouncer is a very long book, clocking in at 408 pages. It is very typical of what you would expect from a western, although Jodorowsky does add in a number of twists. Unfortunately, those twists seemingly come out of left field and don't feel natural to the story at all. The artwork by Boucq is very gritty and captures the aesthetic of the Old West, really bringing the town of Barro and the surrounding countryside to life. If you are looking for a Western this is a decent one if you can get over the forced plot twists.

Drive #1 will have me coming back for more. Driver's character demands you learn more about him, whether it is the jobs he undertakes or the potential love interest with Irina. The artwork could be a little better, especially the character detail, but the overall story make up for it. Fast cars, chase scenes, a murder mystery, and a compelling protagonist make for a fun story.

Drive #2 is a bumpy ride with lots of continuity issues that don't add up. It really makes it quite difficult to grasp what exactly is happening and who is who. The artwork struggled with gunshot wounds and ill-placed beer cans, but the action sequence was exciting with lots of tension. There is quite a lot of room for improvement and this second issue was a little bit of a let down from the first installment.

Magneto #20 is a bit of a choppy ride leading up to Magneto's last day. Bunn's story opens up with a deep philosophical question only to seemingly leave it hanging and unaddressed (it is possible a major twist might come our way, but that seems unlikely). The interaction with Briar was just odd and seemed forced as if he had to reveal her motive (to me I wasn't curious, might have even been better not to reveal it). Davidson's artwork suffered as well, especially with proportions of profile shots. He did excel at displaying Magneto's anger and determination and the Dragon Ball Z inspired panels were fun to look at. Mounts' coloring was spot on for the most part minus the greenish looking Briar in one panel.

Star Wars Annual #1 is an intriguing read with lots of Mission Impossible characteristics. It opens up a number of different storytelling options for Star Wars books moving forward by introducing a Rebel spy in the heart of the Empire. Despite compelling storytelling throughout much of the book, the ending is very unsatisfying and just leaves you hanging and confused. Unzueta's artwork is decent, but his shadow usage can hinder certain panels as well as others being just too plain.

Star Wars #7 was a poor showing for one of its most iconic characters. Obi-Wan Kenobi is portrayed as weak and depressed, struggling to find himself as he adapts to exile. The characterization really irks me and doesn't seem to fit into anything we know about Kenobi from the original to the prequels to the cartoons. Due to this characterization, the writing is very slow and at points boring because Aaron writes from Kenobi's depressed point of view via journal entries.

Star Wars #8 is a welcoming experience after the let down of the previous issue. The story between Han, Leia, and Sana is brilliantly crafted and paced, building on all of the characters as they each work to turn the situation in their favor. However, Luke's storyline wasn't very believable given his previous experience. Stuart Immonen's artwork was phenomenal. I can't express how good it was. You should pick up this book for the art alone. I would love some posters of those first two panels!

13 Coins starts off very rough with a choppy narrative and a weak main protagonist that offers no way to connect with the reader. The artwork is sufficiently violent and full of gore, a credit to Bisley and Brown. The second half of the book does a complete 180, driving the meta-story and introducing some strong, more relatable characters.

Once again the issue starts off a tad slow, but picks up halfway through, really pushing the story and driving the characters to emotional cliffs. The introduction of political intrigue adds another layer of danger within the world. Most of the issue is held back by Bisley's artwork which could use a lot of work, especially providing dentistry to the characters!

The first half of the book starts off a bit slow and rehashes much of the background and history of the first issue. The second half of the book is a lot more interesting with The Fallen's political intrigue and Pozner's training sessions with The SON. Bisley's artwork is grisly, but there are a few panels that are just in utter poor taste especially in combination with the lettering.

Bisley's artwork is definitely for mature audiences. He decides to display braless women with their butts hanging out of their pants as they slay demons. It doesn't fit into the rest of the world he has built with Brennan and Jackson. If you aren't already reading this series, I would not recommend starting it.

The story was average, neither exciting nor compelling. There was no "Holy Crap" or "That was Awesome" moment. The artwork and coloring though good for the most part had some faults when it came to continuity and the corpse-covered blanket. The most disappointing part of the story was the reveal of the monster, although the battle sequence with the grizzly bear was well-done, a he proved to be a worthy opponent.

The history of the spae women and what drove them to be the witches they are was extremely intriguing as was Jones' epic action sequence at the end of the book. However, the opening that emphasizing Rikard is no longer a human is repetitive. The two stories also do not have a clear transition and only seem to be connected by Rikard and Raevil. Bunn did create enough mystery around Raevil to keep readers intrigued as to his motives.

Once again the beginning of the book is rather lackluster and Brand and Sigrid are extremely annoying characters that do not add value to the story of Rikard. Raevil's mystery is peeled away and it is a little disappointing he is described as such a great evil when there appeared to be glimpses of genuine good previously. There are a number of panels that appear to be out of place that make following the middle part of the story quite frustrating. One positive is Jones' creature design and action sequences. The new challenge to Rikard is quite fabulous (I can easily imagine this being hung up as a poster)!

Voltron: From The Ashes #1 is a great jumping-on point, introducing a new Voltron Force team to combat one of Voltron's steady villains. Cullen Bunn paces the book very well and uses a concise and crisp script to provide exposition and characterization as well as to capture the intensity of combat. Blacky Shepherd's artwork has some standout moments with monster creation and panel layout; however, the main Voltron action sequence is a little bit confusing and can be hard to figure out what exactly is happening from page to page.

Voltron: From the Ashes #2 is a disappointing second entry. Bunn attempts to build some team unity while introducing us to some of the characters, but it falls flat and doesn't flow very well at all. Blacky Shepherd's artwork doesn't improve the story with overlapping panels that make it difficult to follow the action. I recommend skipping this issue.

Voltron: From the Ashes #3 is a very rough transitional issue where the conflict that has been building up has finally arrived even though no action has been taken against this foe yet. There are a number of plot holes and some poor dialogue. Bunn's characterization of Jayce and his team is decent, but not enough to make this book worth purchasing. Blacky Shepherd's panels are improved from the previous issue with easily discernible battle sequences and some strong emotional scenes with Jayce and his team.

te as of July 20, 2015 11:49 pm jumps around between story points a lot and most of the time they don't flow together at all. Snyder also uses a ton of exposition to explain the "Bat-App" or why certain individuals now have super powers. The self-awareness was a little much and got old pretty quick, "Bat-Stache Away" should never be seen again. There were some bright spots. I enjoyed the three little pig's reference and Gordon's internal struggle on whether or not tying Batman to the government is a good idea.

Batman #43 starts off very slow as Snyder uses a lot of dialogue, much of it unnecessary, to characterize the new Bruce. He then provides a reason for why Bruce is the way he is now. There were some great moments pertaining to Alfred's characterization and the final conversation between Mr. Bloom and the Penguin. Capullo's artwork was generally good, minus the few scenes that were a little difficult to tell what exactly was happening. FCO Plascenia's colors were absolutely stunning and were the highlight of the book from the differing filters to the contrast in colors. It was excellently done.

Batman #44 struggles with lengthy narration and an antagonist who Snyder and Azzarello attempt to get you to care for, but his own choices and actions really leave no sympathy for him. They also attempt to use current events in the story and it can feel a little too obvious in that sense. The artwork had its shining moments, but also its difficulties. There were some cool scenes with Batman and lightning, but the combat sequences were almost impossible to tell what exactly was happening. Not helping the combat sequences were Lee Loughridge's colors, although he did excel at capturing the feel of Gotham.

Project Superpowers: Blackcross #1 is a fantastic entry, keeping you horrified throughout the entire issue. Warren Ellis uses multiple plot paths to build suspense while Colton Worley provides some truly terror-filled images. This book will give you nightmares. Do not read it alone in the dark. You may become the next victim of the American Spirit!

The disparate storylines, lack of character building, and an absence of horror are the downfall to this second issue. However, there is plenty of mystery to keep me holding out for the next issue. Worley's character designs are intriguing and unique although his shadowing is a little overdone creating full on masks.

Project Superpowers: Blackcross takes away quite a bit of the mystery Ellis had been building by revealing who and what the ghosts are. However, despite this plot revelation, the dialogue and writing are subpar with the conversation lacking flow. Entire questions that should be in place are absent. Worley's artwork is not inspiring. There are a couple of cool splash pages, but otherwise the facial features and body language are hit or miss. This is the second issue in a row that hasn't delivered. I am coming to the conclusion that, if you are going to buy this one you should wait for the trade because the single issues just aren't that good.

Altered States: Red Sonja #1 has good action sequences and an intriguing plot idea. However, the plot idea is not executed properly with quite a bit of confusion as to the dynamic change in surroundings. There are also many hiccups with the artwork from gravity defying hair to a magical sword that not only combusts enemies, but also skewers them without Red Sonja's guidance. Jerwa's choice of using inner monologue instead of dialogue in many areas breaks up the flow of the story leaving you scratching your head after many scenes.

Altered States: The Shadow #1 is a fun read detailing The Shadow's adventures in the future as he discovers a whole new type of evil outside the hearts of men. You want to find out how The Shadow will fare against this alien invasion as he takes on the role of a general foregoing his front-line fighter duties. Rodriguez's artwork captures the galactic feel although he does overdo it with the energy blasts. If you have a few extra bucks hanging around, this is a fun, exciting read allowing you to escape reality for just a few moments.

The Black Road #1 has the promise of an interesting character journey, but it doesn't fully deliver. The story has quite a number of harsh transitions that require adjustment to the confusion. Magnus' narrative voice is uninspiring and ultimately detracts from the dialogue which is much more interesting. Finally, the lettering is absolutely terrible.

Heroes Vengeance #1 gives an inside look into the life of Oscar and the reasons he decided to put on the mask and become El Vengador. It has a nice action sequence, but the artwork in the wrestling arena was sorely lacking. If you want to learn more about some of the characters on Heroes Reborn it is worth picking up. It is also worth noting this issue felt a lot like a one-shot and didn't have a cliffhanger although it does tease more El Vengador in the second issue.

Judge Dredd #2 is a radically different take on Judge Dredd. It addresses modern internet culture with dialogue that appears to be heavily influenced from the comments section of YouTube. The art had some really good points, but also struggled with cluttered panels. They do nail the character of Dredd very well, but I'm not sold on this new world.

Plutona #1 is one of those books that is setting the stage for a greater story to come. It builds out unique and different characters, although they are a little stereotypical; however, there is plenty of room for growth. The story wades along slowly, really focusing on the relationship between the characters until the very end when they are really bonded in finding out where Mike disappeared to. The artwork is good and Lenox uses some good tactics to display the change of time and also introduce each of the characters.

Purgatori #1 was mediocre. It had some shining moments with several panels of Miranda's artwork being stunning while others have the reader scratching their head. The story in general was nothing new or exciting, but certain parts of the dialogue were enjoyable.

ReincarNATE #1 is a good mystery noir with a unique supernatural element to it. The main protagonist is compelling with plenty of backstory and drama that really humanizes Nate. There is a mysterious, yet powerful and dangerous villain that makes a great antagonist despite not even being depicted in this issue. Unfortunately, the artwork has way too many mistakes from errors in facial expressions to weird choices in shadow placement. There are also quite a few plain sloppy mistakes such as the lettering on a sign. Despite these mistakes, the supernatural element is a great hook that will want you coming back for more.

Sons of the Devil hits stores May 27th.

Darth Vader #7 starts off quite slow and the first six pages seem to have no clear purpose other than to reinforce Luke's strength with the Force. However, the book takes off and becomes quite enjoyable with a raid on a smuggler's den and then the introduction of the bounty hunters and the conspiracy against the Empire. Larroca's artwork has some "spit your drink" moments and highlights the old-school lightsaber fighting techniques. However, he struggles with body proportions.

Symmetry #1 is an interesting dystopia that hopes to examine the faults and benefits in a society based on the Four Pillars. However, the world Hawkins creates based on these Pillars still needs some work as it requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief. Ienco's art doesn't help you in suspending your disbelief with plenty of decorations, unique architecture, multiple clothing styles, and machine-made colors. There is definitely an intriguing dystopia here, but it is by far not the best we have seen in recent years.

The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #3 is a little bit of a disappointment. The story bogs down quite a bit in the beginning and doesn't really find its feet until about halfway through. It makes for a slow read. The emotion in this issue is as strong as you will find. The grief comes off the book in waves at one point. The art really stands out whether it is expressive facial features, unique page layouts to maximize emotional impact, or using camera angles to capture expressive body language. If you are already reading this series, it's definitely worth a look. Otherwise, unless you are a huge fan of Captain Atom, this one might be worth skipping.

Robocop #3 is mediocre at best. Williamson does a good job of creating a worthy foe, but he fails to maintain the suspension of disbelief. Carlos Magno's artwork excels with inanimate objects but struggles when dealing with human emotion and their facial features.

Robocop #4 is below average. Robocop is able to miraculously escape situations he had been placed in after being beaten down and offering no resistance; there is one sequence which is completely out of place and forced: addressing Lewis' detective exam. The artwork is good and the skull-crushing scene definitely opens the reader's eyes. The story is forced and a retread of the last two books with the only change being the scale of the crimes committed.

Indestructible: Stingray #1 had flashes of great storytelling. Marsick's exploration of Stingray doesn't kick in until the very end. The beginning is very slow, introducing the League of Defenders and their base. Much of it seemed unnecessary to the story. Luca Reguzzoni's artwork, much like the story, had flashes of great work especially the opening scene as Stingray emerges from the water, but overall it was lackluster and struggled to capture facial expressions and emotions.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin #1 fails to deliver a concise story. Instead, it primarily sets up the story for upcoming issues, but even then most of what was contained in this comic could have been condensed into three or four pages. It felt a lot like filler. However, the artwork was absolutely gorgeous. Martin Checchetto and Andres Mossa did an excellent job of bringing Carnelion IV to life and making it an even more memorable planet than Takodano (that's where Moz Kanata's palace was located). If you are going to pick this one up do it for the art alone.

Summons #1 by Chris L. Williams, Jake Isenberg, and Victor Bartlett started off well but slowly petered out with repetitive exposition and some odd dialogue between Kristine and her crush. The big killer was the amount of writing. There was a lot. Instead of letting the artwork help tell the story it was more of a backdrop to Williams' narrative. I did enjoy his artwork although it may not be for everyone as it has a cartoony, WoW-like feel. I did enjoy the multitude of different page layouts and many of the splash pages did what they were supposed to.

Vikings #1 is a mediocre first entry. The book takes us back to Season 2, but doesn't really give us anything juicy yet. Scott does provide some pretty good writing and reinforces the characterization from the show, but it doesn't make up for the drab coloring and the just plain bad character drawings that hardly represent the actors from the show. I'll probably stay around for the second issue because I love the television show, but you aren't missing anything in this first issue.

I really wanted to like Rebels #1. It is a story about property rights, lower taxes, and freedom — things which I highly value. However, Wood's overuse of exposition really bogs the story down and he hampers Andrea Mutti's ability to portray everything he is describing. There were some bright spots with the courthouse action panels and verbal fights creating a lot of apprehension as well as dislike of the Redcoats. The issue felt too much like a setup for the rest of the series which will hopefully drop the narrative exposition going forward. There are some potentially dynamic characters here; let's hope Wood and Mutti are able to develop them.

Rebels #2 was quite disappointing. The writing seemed fit for a superhero comic with a terrible villain monologue. When there was no dialogue, Wood relied on heavy exposition to get his point across. There was also a large gap in the middle of the book where he decided to show us what happened every day on a homestead in the woods of Vermont in the 18th century. Mutti's artwork, combined with Bellaire's colors, were the highlight of the issue bringing the 18th century to life. Although, I am not sure I buy Seth Abbot as a seventeen-year-old. Rebels has so much potential for a great story, but it just doesn't deliver.

Circuit Breaker #1 is a Japanese-inspired dystopian story that is targeted towards a nice audience of Japanese anime and manga fans. However, the actual story struggles with character moments and the writing is rather choppy and sometimes goes off on tangents. Kyle Baker's artwork definitely captures the anime and manga style and fans of the genre will enjoy it. Chiren's backpack is a highlight with its changing facial expressions. Unfortunately, this book is one you can and should skip.

Gold Key Alliance #1 fails to deliver a compelling, connected story. Instead, it delivers four different and separate stories focused on each of the characters. By doing this, Hester highlights who these characters are and what they are capable of doing. However, he sacrifices an overarching story in doing so. The actual dialogue is solid and at time self-aware. There is humor as well as seriousness. The artwork is solid. It's nothing amazing, but Peeples does do a good job of keeping the art diversified, especially during action sequences between the different characters. If you are looking to get introduced to these characters this book is worth picking up; however, if you are looking for something more, you should probably skip this one.

Highlander: The American Dream #1 has some good parts and some bad parts. The fact that Connor MacLeod looks nothing like Lambert was extremely distracting and detracted from the issue. There were also issues with the dialogue and some major questioning of Highlander staples, including its own tag line and even MacLeod's upstanding character. However, the introduction of the two new characters was definitely intriguing and very well done and the story had some depth to it. Hopefully, the art and the story improve from here.

Red Sonja #1 is a rough start to the new chapter being helmed by Marguerite Bennett and Aneke. The dialogue doesn't match the artwork in the beginning, and then continues to create awkward moments for Red Sonja that don't seem to fit her character. The artwork for the most part is good, but it too has some flaws with awkward sword positions and some confusing action panels that leave you scratching your head trying to figure out what happened. You are better off passing on this one because you might end up like Sonja and be utterly bored.

Red Sonja #2 struggles out of the gate, finds its legs a little bit in the second sequence, and opens up a number of different story paths in the third sequence. The opening action sequence was confusing and it was hard to follow exactly was happening. Luckily, Aneke corrects this problem in the next action sequence and makes it easy to follow. The dialogue can still be a little choppy and overdramatic, but it gets the job done. The book had a number of mistakes, but the story did have some promising moments.

The writing is subpar and attempts to beat the reader over the head with its comedy in both "Forgetting Flynn" and "The Secret Origin of Trigger Happy". Fortunately, the artwork of Mike Bowden and David Balden are able to salvage the book and viewed away from the writing are pretty comical.

The Shield #2 struggles with its transitions, its dialogue, and even the narrative boxes it uses for lettering. The overall story is decent. It has a Jason Bourne vibe with an exciting chase sequence, but all too often it gets caught up with just too much dialogue that even recaps the sequences we just witnessed. There is still some promise it might be able to get off its feet with the cliffhanger, but as of right now it seems to be digging an early grave.

Maybe Smith needs more pages to flesh out this world. Or maybe if I see the film, Yoga Hosers will have more gravity. Either way, Yoga Hosers simply doesn't work on its own.

American Legends #1 struggles to find its legs. It jumps around from story to story and characters will be in one place and then all of a sudden be in another, with no explanation of why they are there. The artwork also struggled in the beginning especially with depicting action sequences but improved and even had a change of style altogether towards the middle of the book. A lot of the dialogue between the characters was cheesy and the coloring of the lettering becomes more and more irritating the more you see it.

Dejah Thoris #1 struggled with its characters fitting into the story. They seemed almost powerless despite their real positions of strength. It makes the story feel contrived in order to get Dejah Thoris from one point to another. The art also had some major problems especially during a prominent action sequence. The coloring and how the tone changed was definitely a highlight and the use of different locales within Helium was a positive. However, the contrived story at this point makes Dejah Thoris #1 a book you can skip.

Dejah Thoris #2 adds on to the struggles of the first issue with continuity problems, dialogue that doesn't match up with art work, and an overall bland art style that has way too many filler panels depicting random people who have no real impact on the story at all. There is even conflicting characterization regarding Dejah from the first issue. It all adds up to a boring and bad second issue that doesn't look to have any hope of improving moving forward.

The Black Hand has good intentions behind it, but it fails to execute everything it wants to do. It struggles to develop its villain and adds in unnecessary scenes to characterize Victoria. It does do a good job of making Victoria a compelling protagonist and Maese's character designs, especially the Black Hand outfits, are elegant but also pragmatic. I'd recommend passing on this one; there are much better supernatural fantasies out there.

The Order of the Forge does a good job of breaking down the mythos surrounding Washington and Franklin, but it fails to create another one. Instead, the characters are left languishing without a real identity. The artwork had sparks of inspiration, but overall felt flat with little detail to character expressions and when the characters were expressing themselves it was almost overdone and didn't feel natural. The plot hints at mystery but fails to deliver anything concrete.

Tomb Raider #1 has an excellent opening hook, but the book falters mightily and only barely recovers towards the end. The dialogue is choppy and much of it seems superfluous. Key characters aren't introduced and it is assumed the reader knows who they are. The art has too many mistakes from continuity issues to a stale cityscape. The opening hook and the end do give the series promise, but so far it is unfulfilled.

Pathfinder: Origins #1 struggles to find its footing, being encumbered with a lot of exposition in both narrative and dialogue. The main character is rather weak and one-dimensional although Amiri is a bright spot challenging those above her with her ambition. The artwork is underwhelming especially in the action sequences where characters would appear and disappear in order to have the fight work in the favor of the heroes. However, Garcia does capture the rich world with numerous backdrops. The plot is also one-dimensional and the twists are seen from 30,000 feet in the air.

Swords of Sorrow: Miss Fury & Lady Rawhide is not an enjoyable read. It is plagued with a confusing plot that changes seemingly after the first few pages and then constantly adds small nuances that don't make sense. On top of the baffling plot is some poor writing that doesn't match up with the artwork and helps to reinforce the confusing plot by not introducing characters or really explaining what is happening. The artwork has its own problems with generic city buildings and streaks of lightning to depict alternate realities.

The Darkness: Hope #1 definitely feels like the first outing for the creative team. The book has a solid story, but it lacks execution with a number of flaws in the writing, art, and coloring. If you want an out of continuity Darkness story, this might be worth your time, but if you are looking for a solid one-shot, you should pass on this one.

Vampirella #1 starts off well, but quickly gets off track with continuity issues, forced plotprogression, and out-of-place dialogue. There is a decent story hidden behind all of these issues, but as it stands there are just way too many errors. There is even a spelling error that would describe Vampirella's chauffeur as a chauffer, or a portable stove. You should skip Vampirella #1.

Xena #1 is an extremely disappointing first outing. The story is jumbled and confusing. There isn't any exposition to really provide any footing to ease into the story. The story feels contrived. The characters don't feel natural; rather, they are just there. The artwork has plenty of flaws with odd neck positions and body language being the most noticeable. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

This book is subpar from the story to the artwork to the writing and lettering. It is just plain bad.