Marvel Maximus Comic Reviews

In Absolute Batman #1, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta went all in to make an absolutely worthwhile issue. Working-class by day, spiked-up suit by night, this Batman is an underdog fighting against an impossible system, the odds ever stacked against him. It's a story that everybody needs right now. It also works well even if it's your first-ever comic.

Absolute Batman #2 gladly adheres to the "rule of cool, each page turn feeling like a museum exhibit that reveals a newer, bigger, cooler thing at every corner. Unfortunately, the creative twists on Batman's iconography pushing him to his highest highs don't necessarily entail many new characterizations or fresh interpersonal drama absent from his other appearances. At least not yet. For newcomers, however, this buy is a no-brainer that will get you hooked on Batman comics in no time at all.

Absolute Batman #3 puts the pedal to the metal. In flashbacks, Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin produce bittersweet glimpses of Bruce's life full of friends and love. And in the present, they deliver a heavy metal batmobile chase unlike any other. All the while, Scott Snyder infuses tension in every lull and action with Batman having to make tough decisions that he never had to deal with before. As Alfred said in this issue, "I may actually love Batman.

'Absolute Batman' #4 honors the caped crusader's storied history by giving us a perfect reinterpreted origin. A novel take on Year One right at the turn of New Year's, one that also works great as a standalone single issue. It's a personal story with a healthy dose of social commentary, ambitious in its scope, with a balance of homages and new ideas. The series has a freedom that previous Batman comics did not, and I'm especially excited as to how it explores Bruce's relationship with his parent's killer.

Absolute Batman #5 is another home run for Scott Snyder and co. It's shocking, teeth-clenching, amazing to look at, and above all else, a good time. However, it wouldn't hurt to utilize the title's premise more by differentiating it from regular Batman stories looking at other aspects of the character behind his mask and muscles.

Absolute Batman #6 is a masterwork of action storytelling. The first arc of one of the best comics today ends with a big bang, from which future villains await on the horizon. Everyone in this creative team is at their peak. It moves at a rapid pace and never drags. We'll have to see if this relentless momentum will prove to be its strength or its bane. Still, I can't help but be excited for the next arc.

Absolute Batman #7 continues to enchant with gorgeous art and tightly paced intrigue. It sets up an all-new Mr. Freeze with a moody backstory and chilling design. This time around, a new team on art stops by with equally extraordinary talent, deliberate in paneling and colors but never too cold for comfort. This is the type of collaboration that comics are made for.

Absolute Batman #8 is an emotionally-charged comic that will melt your heart in all the best ways. It is beautiful looking, with iconic pages by the best artists, and masterfully written, with relatable and relevant character moments. A certified classic in the making.

'Absolute Batman' #9 is densely packed with plot, a new villain, and action that will blow you away. Inside all of that, Snyder and Dragotta are still able to inject visual gags and a hallmark style you won't find anywhere else. This book is a beast that is well worth your time.

'Absolute Batman' #10 embraces the ridiculousness of comic books, using the medium's absurdity to its advantage. It delivers an emotional story that is equal parts humorous and horrifying. Snyder and Dragotta maintain Absolute Batman's quality with unending creativity.

Absolute Batman #11 pulls back the curtain on how Bane is born. Both Scott Snyder and Clay Mann go all out, no holds barred. It's brutal. It's exciting. And by the end, I'll guarantee you'll take away two things: feeling bad for Batman and clamoring for more comics from Clay Mann.

'Absolute Green Lantern' #2 is another great addition to DC's Absolute line. It's a refreshing take on something familiar, with new lore that will surprise even the most veteran of comic book readers. This issue delves into the trauma that could come from an alien encounter and the horror that follows.

Batman/Dylan Dog #2 dives straight into the supernatural side of things, sidelining the street-level superheroics for now, which may cause readers' mileage to vary. But what stays consistent is the gorgeous art that delivers the story's punch from the streets of London to the depths of the underworld. And the witty dialogue running parallel with the dark themes really mesh together wonderfully.

Batman/Dylan Dog #3 is a solemn conclusion to our duo detectives' team-up. The gothic story is paired with entertaining dialogue and beyond beautiful art. Though the stakes could be higher, Batman's interactions with Dylan Dog show that the two make for a great pairing and could provide for fun future issues if they ever decide to meet again. All in all, this three-issue crossover brings two different heroes not too far from their comfort zones, doubling down on their respective personas and personal philosophies, all painted in masterly strokes of shadows.

Batman and Robin #8 is an interesting break for the dynamic duo, showing these characters on individual adventures. But while this issue gives something interesting to Robin's character development, as Flatline melts his usually confident mask, it adds nothing new to Batman nor Shush. In the end, there are more questions than answers. We'll just have to wait and see if the payoff is satisfying enough for the journey.

Batman and Robin #9 is an important issue and a must-read for readers following the dynamic duo's adventures. It has a couple of the most stylistic artists working in comics today to provide gorgeous art, and Joshua Williamson packages it all in a fun and joyfully written story. Though Shush's reveal leaves more to be desired, Man-Bat is finally taking his much-deserved spotlight, soaring as a main antagonist. Let's hope the next issue keeps up the momentum and brings father and son together again on the same page.

All in all, Batman and Robin #10 is a fun conclusion to the first main arc of the series that highlights the father-and-son relationship more than anything else. For people looking for what the title promises, the dynamic duo back to their roots, working together as a team, they won't be disappointed. It's all about Batman and Robin here, both of them equally sharing a spotlight.

Batman and Robin #11 is an amazing beginning to a new arc. An arc that has dinosaurs, a fight with T-Rexes, and the return of a fan-favorite villain in Bane. It's also not without its mysteries, with how Bane is seemingly back as a pseudo-anti-hero as opposed to the capital V villain he has been previously. Oh, and also don't forget the dinosaurs.

Batman and Robin #12 is the culmination of Robin and Bane's conflict, him finally having closure through their duel. The action here is spectacular, the confrontation against Bane that many may have wanted after half a decade. Juan Ferreyra delivers panels that are both clear and colorful. Combined with the storytelling efforts of Joshua Williamson, this issue effectively makes the readers feel the full force of Damian's grief, both visually and narratively.

Batman and Robin #13 is about broken people being loved and how that act saves them. It ends Joshua Williamson's run with a heartfelt send-off, expressed through Juan Ferreyra's gorgeous watercolors. It resolves all loose ends and paves the way for PKJ and Javier Fernandez to take the helm for DC All-In in October. Damian Wayne is the heart of this whole book, and under Batman's loving shadow, he shines as his own star.

'Batman: Dark Patterns' #7 is what people have been asking for in a Batman story: less multiversal threats and Joker wars, more gritty mysteries and properly set up clues. No soap opera, no city-destroying threats, just a dead body and a detective. It's a premise that is executed with skill and well-defined style.

'Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - A League for Justice' #1 should only be read if you've followed the previous series, The Kryptonian Age. It might develop its own identity further down the line, but as of the first issue, it is revealing itself to be the conclusion to another story rather than the beginning of a new one. However, if you like a spaghetti Western Justice League, this comic has no competition.

DC's Zatannic Panic! #1 is like a Halloween night haul. You go back home with your bag of collected candies. Some you like more than others, some your sweet tooth is sick of, but what you'll find reminds you of childhood. That time when you didn't know any better, when you believed rumors that your school used to be an old war hospital, or when you and your friends ran away after hours because you thought you heard an urban legend coming true.

'Detective Comics' #1092 shows off more of Mikel Janin's stunning high-contrast colors, coupled with Tom Taylor's Bruce Wayne grappling after the effects of a miracle rejuvenating treatment. The mystery is a slower burn that lets Bruce leave the cowl for a night to exercise his newfound youth. We'll have to wait longer to see if he has to deal with unforeseen side effects or satisfying twists.

'Detective Comics' #1094 continues to unfold its mystery slowly, with Batman overseeing Robin as he goes undercover to a prison for youth. I can't talk about this comic without mentioning Mikel Janin's covers, this one in particular, has all the important players spread out under Batman's wings, beneath the shadow of the mysterious Asema and Scarlett. Their pink and red colors light up the sky, which makes for an intoxicating cover to look at.

Fire & Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #1 packs a lot of fun with a surprising amount of character depth for both protagonists. It's a cold open that quickly warms you up to a quirky cast of characters in the close-knit community of New Kooey. With Fire having ice powers and Ice having fire powers, only time will tell if this duo will be as dynamic as they were.

Green Lantern War Journal #8 is another chapter in the story of John Stewart as he battles his heroic responsibility with that of his family. The inclusion of Guy Gardner makes for great continuity and reminds us of the Lanterns' connectivity with each other even with the change of the status quo. Though the villain leaves more to be desired, John's dementia-ridden mother makes this a story worth telling and I can't wait to see how that plot thread gets resolved.

'Immortal Thor' #23 is a mythic story that chronicles the God of Thunder's final trials as he nears his fated demise. With two issues left, there is no clear clue as to what will befall Thor, which is exciting and troubling at the same time.

'Immortal Thor' #24 marks the penultimate issue of Al Ewing's tenure on this version of Thor, but not close to the last time he'll be writing the character. One issue left, it's still unclear how Ewing will reinvent Thor for his new renumbering who holds the hammer, if they are worthy, and what story he wants to tell. What's certain is this: he's taking the immortality out of the god.

Jenny Sparks #2 could be an engrossing self-contained episode of TV. Set mostly in one room, it hooks you with a crazed fallen hero and a blas protagonist, not knowing where it's going to go. And with the title's short six-issue length, it could well be worth it. I mean, it already is for the art alone. Tom King excels at writing for specific artists, making his books perhaps the best-looking on the market. This one is no exception.

Jenny Sparks #3 starts to fizzle out and falls apart when read in context as something more than a superhero punch-up. It tries to say something meaningful but needs another jolt to be profound. But whatever it's doing, it never stops looking good while doing it.

Jenny Sparks #4 is an American story through and through. Jenny is the response to the government's failure in the war on terror and the financial crisis. In that, it's an interesting read. Who knows what the next issue will tackle? What's certain is there's nothing else quite like it on the shelves, definitely, nothing that looks as good.

Jenny Sparks #5 isn't afraid to say things, even if sometimes what it says gets jumbled up in capes and tights. On the upside, Jeff Spokes just gets better and better, making walking dialogue scenes dynamic with tilted shots of characters on Dutch angles. I would love to see him pair up with Tom King again in the future as their artistic sensibilities work well together. We get to see him render the main characters' backstories, giving them the trademark Tom King tragedy, which fills it with proper pathos. There's also Batman-Superman banter, which we could never have too much of.

'Jenny Sparks' #6 is a poignant look at our recent global crisis, and how sometimes, superheroes feel powerless too. Unfortunately, the story is undercut by a repetitive and roundabout confrontation with Captain Atom, weakening its emotional center. Thankfully, Jeff Spokes exhibits frame-worthy splash pages and Tom King writes a gripping cliffhanger.

'Jenny Sparks' #7 is an important book for our times. It has big things to say and amazing art to accompany it. But it's brought down by platitudes and is too comfortable with the status quo to leave it for something brighter. Having it touch upon 21st-century tragedies is a brave effort that the book seems too afraid to go all the way.

Nano Jams is a wake-up call. This collection of numerous stories represents the endless stream of short-form content that we consume every day, and how it shapes reality. It critiques AI-generated and AI-filtered content by being an earnestly human book made by writers and artists. It's cyberpunk at its most important, not only showing you what if, but what can be, and asking what you would do in that situation, not if it becomes a reality, but when.

For lovers of Richard Sala's work, Night Drive is a must-read. It provides context for his future, more well-known pieces. It is Van Gogh's The Potato Eaters to his Starry Night. But for those looking for a traditional graphic novel or even a short story collection, you might want to read up on what you're getting into beforehand.

Superman: Red & Blue 2025 Special #1 is a good time. A good time that echoes the feeling you get when you hear a kind word or do a kind act. A good time that makes you want to share the experience with other people. This special doesn't break new ground, but it thrives in the ground sown by previous contributors to Superman's history. If there will never be another Red & Blue issue, this special is a worthy coda.

'Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum' #5 interrogates what home is, where to find it, and its dangers, all in a heightened Silver Age style. It goes to show that a Superman would have a super-attachment to his origin. Almost a worthy spiritual successor to All-Star Superman, its modest length stops it short of reaching the same heights. Like Krypton, the comic's lifespan ends prematurely. But at least it ends with a bang.

Teen Titans Go #1 feels right at home as one of the better episodes of the animated series. If you like the show, then this is for you. If you've never watched it, this is a great barometer to find out if you should. But if you don't like the show, this probably won't win you over.

The Penguin #9 is an important piece of the overarching puzzle portraying the avian-themed villain's return to power. The different captions used turn the whole issue into a unique collage of personal and subjective interpretations of events. The interplay between Batman and Penguin is a classic turned on its head. The art by Rafael de Latorre paints a dark and desperate Gotham on the verge of war. And by the end, as most good Tom King story does, it comments about love.

The Penguin #10 is poetic, impactful, and dramatic, all dressed in the mundane, of people talking in benches and not scuffles in tights. In other words, it is everything you'd expect from a Tom King book, and De Lattore and Maiolo's art only enhances the experience. If that is what you're looking for, then this is something that you definitely should not miss on the shelves.

As a penultimate issue, The Penguin #11 ramps things up at the cost of build-up. Every character reaps what they've sown, and Batman proves that if he is a symbol of anything, it is one of consequence.

Just in time for a new Penguin mini-series in a different medium, this one comes to a close. The Penguin #12 and this book as a whole is unabashedly Tom King's take on the character, from the non-linear time jumps, to how the characters speak. Personally, I'm a fan of it, but others who are looking for a more penguin Penguin may disagree. For those not having enough of the flightless bird, the HBO Penguin series will lay bare its beak soon enough, which seems to have the same feel as this comic, if not narratively, then thematically.

Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #4 is fun for the most part, barring the awkward jokes and occasionally stilted dialogue. What surprised me the most was how touching it is. Revisiting Alfred and King's Batman: Rebirth really reminds you how much time has passed, the characters lost, and things that have changed. It's as much an ode to the past as a celebration of the future.

Wonder Woman #25 looks undeniably gorgeous. Unfortunately, it is also emblematic of the series's worst habits. Good looking but shallow, which is everything Wonder Woman is not supposed to be. A new villain is introduced at the expense of other characters, and I worry that the series has already run out of interesting things to say.

Wonder Woman #26 draws real-life parallels for the golden lassoed goddess to tackle. As much as we wish it wasn't true, fascists on private islands are villains that have managed to leave the comic book page, but it's always enjoyable to see someone like Wonder Woman put them in their place. If only Wonder Woman as a character is as fleshed out as Daniel Sampere's illustration of mice.