Marco Vito Oddo Comic Reviews

With the issue marking the halfway point in the miniseries, Absolute Martian Manhunter #6 strikes an unexpected tonal balance, using its grim atmosphere to offer glimpses of hope, reaffirming the Absolute imprints recurring theme that the human spirits ability to connect can endure even the harshest manipulation. As a result, Camp and Rodrguez deliver a chapter that operates simultaneously as a deeply human character study and a bold experiment in how comics convey ideas. So, thanks to its striking visuals, philosophical depth, and emotional weight, Absolute Martian Manhunter #6 is a triumph of storytelling craft.

As the first part of a larger story, theres no way to tell if Dark Pyramid will stick the landing. However, the first issue sets the bar high for the miniseries, giving fans of all things eerie a mystery thats definitely worth following.

Nevertheless, Out of Alcatraz #1 is still a fantastic exercise of historical fiction, concerned about depicting the U.S. precisely as it was in the 1960s. That includes the racial tensions bubbling below the surface of a civilized country and the unfortunate objectification of women. These strokes of social analysis are perfectly intertwined with the plot, making the story all the more believable without deviating the focus from the main characters. Its a phenomenal work of comic book storytelling, complete with an impressionist artwork that adds texture to what could be a bland realistic setting. Every reader interested in crime thriller and historical fiction will be well-served with Out of Alcatraz #1, and we cant wait to see where the series will take us next.

Finally, even if Gunn is always careful not to over-glamorize violence and deal with the nefarious consequences of vigilantism, we cant deny part of the fun with his previous DC projects comes from the well-designed R-rated violence. The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature #1 stays true to these expectations and spends some solid pages showing both Vigilante and Peacemaker/Eagly mowing through enemies. The blood and guts sprayed over the paper is a spectacle, helping the issue be more entertaining despite its storytelling shortcomings.

Despite everything that Plague House #1 manages to do in 21 pages of strict story, the issue also teases the mysterious past of Del, his history with ghosts, and how these encounters informed his current comprehension of the subject. Theres enough there to entice the readers curiosity. The first issue of Plague House rushes through all the main tropes of the genre, from eerie mirror reflections to objects that move by themselves. Still, it ends with the revelation that things are not like they seem, and the truth can only be found after the most trodden path has been traveled. The final page brings the tantalizing promise of shattered expectations that will undoubtedly come in the following issues. All in all, Plague House #1 is a strong first issue, well worthy of the attention of horror aficionados.

On the art front, Stjepan Bartolic makes some inspired color choices, including using a monochromatic palette for night scenes in opposition to fully colored diurnal panels. Dalibor Talajics art also manages to convey the idea of fully grown adults who dont have control over their own bodies by drawing the titular kids in bizarre and grotesque positions that feel unnervingly realistic. Maybe with more space to spare and some more time to polish the story flow, this same team could have created a more engaging story.

Ultimately, The Unchosen #1 is a visually stunning debut that offers a wealth of intriguing concepts. While it may buckle slightly under the weight of its own ambition, its central mystery and breathtaking artwork make it a compelling, if flawed, start to a promising miniseries.

Most importantly, "A Howling Nightmare" also explores the internal conflict of its lycanthropic characters, making the comparison to the main story's muddled execution all the more obvious. "A Howling Nightmare" proves that a compelling Werewolf by Night story is possible in a short format, and its success only highlights that Blood Moon Rise was conceived as part of something far too big for a single one-shot to contain.