Maxwell Majernik Comic Reviews

Storytelling doesn't exist in a vacuum, and with our current climate, I thought we would see more parallels or poignant statements. For right now, though, it's a fun, old-school story of heroes traveling through time.

I have faith in this creative team that they will continue the great work on the sophomore arc. The most visually impressive book on the market keeps the crown for the final weeks of 2025.

It's frustrating to read a series that has all the makings of a hit and see it fall flat. I've already spent $8 dollars in two weeks and I would be very surprised if I could convince myself to spend another $4 this month to continue the series.

This series might not be perfect and has had a fewmisstepsso far, but right now there is no better X-Men book on the shelves and if you are a fan or have been a fan of the X-Men, then All New X-Men is a no-brainer to be on your pull list.

All New X-Men #7 didn't quite balance its fluff and substance, but it still made for an enjoyable read. Once the title gains its true direction, then the 9 and 10 review will follow very quickly.

At the end of the day, the issue is tough to gauge. As just one single issue, there were problems. Peter needs to be front and center for the whole opening storyline and they need to trim down the cameos so everyone knows this is Amazing Spider-Man and not Spider-Man and Friends. To look at the larger picture, the book is going in a great direction and it would be a shame for anyone to stop reading this series after a ho-hum issue like this.

'This is the most tragic day in the life of Buddy Baker' is an appropriate tagline for the issue. Issue #18 completely changes the status quo of the characters and is especially devastating. With how the issue ended and the general tone, Animal Man is back as one my most anticipated DC Comics.

Ant-Man is a fun book. A really fun book. I mean, that's all you really need to know.This could have been a 9word review and under 140 characters. As I struggled to putpen to paper, I realized I had read the book 4 times and my enjoyment level never wavered from first reading to fourth. And that's what it's all about, especially when there is a $3.99 price tag attached to the comic.

Every Marvel fan should have this in their pull list.

Avengers is a very interesting comic book right now. I give Marvel a lot of credit because they aredefinitelyletting Hickman tell his own unique story on their biggest title. No issue has completely blown me away yet, but the story is being told for the long term and the payoff will be worth it. This series may be the first taste of Hickman for a lot of readers and it does take some time to get acclimated with his style. Once you get acclimated though, you quickly come to realize this is the best The Avengers have been for a long time.

With the heavy amounts of violence and dark content, this is certainly not a book for everyone. On the other hand, Nick Spencer is building a very interesting world and I think this series is going to get better as time goes on. With a new case starting on issue #7, now is a great time to get started on the series.

The graphic nature of the book is going to be an instant turn off for some and there are going to be certain moments of issue #1 that are going to be taken out of context and passed around social media for shock value, which won't be fair to the book because when everything (the story, the art, the violence) is presented together, it really does work. Big Man Plans is brutal, but worth it.

Bleeding Hearts #1 is a very fun opening chapter with a killer splash page to make sure there isn’t a drop in sales for issue #2. I’m just excited. I want to see where the story goes, what new characters are going to pop up, and what else in this world as Deniz Camp begins to turn over more rocks. A good issue one should make you excited for what’s next, and Bleeding Hearts #1 does exactly that.

Issue #1 was a nice introduction to the C.O.W.L. universe. The comic had it's fair share of ups and downs, but it has the making to be a hit. I think the title will gain traction as it goes on and the setting and characters become more fleshed out. Patience will reward you if you stick with C.O.W.L.

Change #1 reveals alot of mysteries. Only time will tell if the mysteries hold up once we start to receive some answers. For right now, I am on board and am excited to keep going with this series to see where it can go.

The story is still interesting and I find myself looking forward to February's issue 3 to see what else comes from Change. It may not be the best book on the shelf right now, but it is a solid addition to any pull list.

Issue #31 is the best jumping on point you'll have to read Chew aside from issue 1. One of the most popular Image titles right now and it will only increase in popularity as the series nears its end. Geton boardnow before it's too late.

Chicacabra is a welcome addition to anyone's trade paperback collection. While it does stutter on a few sections, the art and characters are enough to get you to enjoy all 200 pages from beginning to end. Love, loss, and everything in between is touched upon in Chicacabra. A strong comeback for Tom Beland and hopefully volume 2 comes out sooner rather than later.

Waid is 22 issues in and with the flurry of creative changes there are now in comics, there is no time like the present to start on Daredevil so you don't miss out anymore on this classic run. The icing on the cake is the $2.99 price tag.

As long as you can take the leap of faith for the story (and honestly as a comic fan, you should be able to handle it), then you are in for a fun issue of Daredevil. It may get overlooked with so much going on this week in the comic world and Infinity taking over the Marvel universe the next few months, but there is no reason it shouldn't be on your pull list.

My definition of a 'teen' book may differ from others, but Deadly Class is one of the best teen books on the market right now. They are teenagers who happen to also be in training assassins and not the other way around. Issues 1 and 2 have begun to build the base for an imaginative and creative world for the characters, and issue three shows that the Marcus and Co. are interesting enough to keep pace.

Deadpool is starting to become a tough sell to anyone who isn't obsessed with the character. I think the creative team is too talented to give up on, but I couldn't blame anyone for tapping out after this issue.

Deadpool was a blast to read and one of my favorite books of the week. It was a complete package of entertainment and should be picked up by anyone who was a fan of comics way back when(Yes the 80′s now count as 'way back when'). The series has won me back.

Not many comics can do what East of West did. A genre bending, character-driven story about the apocalypse sounds nigh impossible, but Hickman and Dragotta pull it off. To create a perfect single issue, the comic must be able to tell a self-contained story and also create a bigger picture that makes the wait until next month excruciating. East of West does exactly that.

This series continues to be the complete package. While issue #5 may not have had everything people have begun to expect in a Jonathan Hickman comic, it still was the perfect bridge between arcs and added so much depth to the character pool. It's tough to say that East of West is the best ongoing on the market right now, considering its main competition is also out this week. *cough* Saga *cough*. But what I can say is that East of West is the best new ongoing of 2013 and it would be a shame if you didn't at least try it on your pull list for a few months.

Even though it started as a graphic novel, Fairy Quest really lends itself well to the single issue format and I look forward to issue 2. If you are a fan of adventure or the creators, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this extremely strong first issue!

Fatale is firing on all cylinders. This is a great time to jump on as a new reader so take advantage and get it on your pull list!

I am surprised at how much I am enjoying these single issue stories. As a reader, I tend to lean towards long arcs with plenty of twists, turns and cliffhangers. However with Fatale, I am more hooked more on what else they can possibly do in this universe and not just a splash page on the final page or a huge reveal. Fatale is one of the best Image titles on the shelf right now.

Frankenstein Underground is a good, not great, beginning. The issue feels more like an extended prologue than the actual beginning of the monster's mini-series. While not the strongest start, I do think the cast of characters and mysteries brought forth will make for a very interesting mini-series. Stenbeck's impressive art display won't hurt either.

Guardians of the Galaxy is going to be called 'Avengers in Space'…a lot, but that shouldn't keep anyone from the book. Issue #1 was a fun action team book and while light on story, there is plenty to come back to. If you have any interest in the cosmic side of Marvel or the GotG, then issue 1 is worth a shot.

Harbinger Wars #1 can be enjoyed by new and old fans alike, but the old fans may not get as much out of it as they would like.

Infinity is beginning to shed the problem of 'too much story in too little time' that plagues crossovers, especially ones that are based in the cosmic part of the universe. Hickman's true vision of the story is beginning to show and with an exciting final panel, it is safe to say Infinity is going to just get better from here on out.

Jupiter's Legacy #1 is a strong beginning to the series. The title slightly suffered from too many people to introduce and too little space on the pages. While the superhero parents is what is keeping me going to issue #2, I think the children are going to be what pulls me in for the rest of the series. Jupiter's Legacy is a title not like anything from Mark Millar and Frank Quitely and is a worthwhile way to spend $2.99.

While the first issue left a sour taste in my mouth, I think the mini-series will rebound. The art and design are both so impressive, that as long as the writing improves just a little then the series will be very enjoyable.

New Avengers is another success to come from the new number 1"s and talent shuffling of Marvel NOW! Combining this title with its counterpart, it is safe to say The Avengers are now back on the top of the totem pole at Marvel.

New Avengers is one of the most unique books coming from the Big Two right now. It's not often that you see Marvel or DC take such a risk on a concept like this for one of their more popular franchises.That said, it is a heavy read. The book isn't for everyone and after issue 3 it looks like this is how the comic is going to feel from here on out. Personally, I can't get enough of New Avengers and look forward to where it goes in the coming issues.

This is one of the titles that is in the most need of a change of scenery. Luckily it looks like it will be, as the character is going to Chicago, hopefully for quite a while, and also getting an upgrade in the art department (Check out the interview with new artist Brett Boothhere). Nightwing can be a huge success in the sales and storytelling, but the hero needs to carve his own path and not get sucked into the rest of the Bat-books to simply become "Batman-Lite"

Beautifully drawn and well told, Rebels #1 is a strong beginning. The one misstep the story had will fix itself as the series continues and should be able to keep the momentum issue #1 created. Wood and Mutti have done their history homework and put together a very interesting and enjoyable take on America's history.

Tim Seeley and Mike Norton are doing something special with Revival. Issue #8 was a set up issue for what we should expect in the future of the book. As long they let every interesting plot line they introduced have a moment to shine and take their time, then the next eight issues will make a lot of "Best of 2013″ lists.

I don't like to make bold statements, but I think this one is worth saying. Saga is the best ongoing series of 2012. Read it and then show it to all of your friends, even the non comic book ones.

Even with a slight misstep this month, Saga is still better than 95% of what is out there in the comic book stores right now. Don't let my critique sway you in thinking this series is on a decline, Saga is a must read every month.

Saga was the best ongoing of 2012 and continues to make the same claim for 2013. At the $2.99 price tag, there is no reason why any comic book reader who ventures to the comic shop at least once a month shouldn't be getting this series.

Saga is as close to perfect as you can expect from an ongoing series. Month in, month out the team of Vaughan and Staples delivers everything you could possibly want in a comic book. Every new character, landscape, and alien race they introduce each month has been a welcome addition to an every growing universe and there are no signs of slowing down.

Having been a pretty big fan of JMS in the past, Sidekick #1 was a letdown. It lacked the crispness that usually accompanies a JMS script, which is even more surprising with an original property. There are still flashes of brilliance (the scene where Flyboy watches his 'kickstarter' video and how far away he was from his goal) and hopefully the series can rebound with more character building in issue #2.

This is a refreshing take on one of the oldest match ups in the Marvel Universe. Silver Surfer #9 was perfect artwork and a well told story. The creative team is firing on all cylinders and there is potential for issue #10 to be even better.

Southern Bastards may not be the most explosive book out this week, but it is one of the best. Aaron and Latour are killing it on the origin of Euless Boss and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

Starlight #2 is a slight mistep, but still a step in the right direction overall. The problems with this issue are not going to be the norm and issue #3 will recapture the momentum created from an amazing first issue. If you are a 'trade waiter,' then you won't even notice the faults.I'm just disappointed that my only Starlight for this month boiled down to one extended scene.

The status quo will be back soon enough, but for now enjoy a story outside the box.

Superior Spider-Man still has a ton going for it. I can safely say I would recommend the series to Spider-Man fans, but the only way this story is going to work going in the future is if they let the NEW Spider-Man become the star of the title.

You can tell so much love and dedication went into this book and it oozes out of every page. As a pulp serial story, I would give it an 9.0. From a straight comic book perspective, I think it would fall somewhere near an 8.0. I think we can find a middle ground.

When I first started this title at issue one, I'll admit I was slightly intimidated. The Manhattan Projects was my first time reading Hickman and before this, all I heard about was his big concepts and story lines a la Fantastic Four. Make no mistake, there is plenty of that to be found in these pages, but it seems to have settled into a "smart" action comic. Moving forward, I will be curious to see if it reverts to the tone of the first few issues or sticks with the newer direction of 8-9. No matter which direction it goes, I look forward to The Manhattan Projects when it shows up in my weekly pull.

When The Manhattan Projects first started, I would recommend to others to 'trade wait' on the series. That notion hascompletelychanged in the past few months though, as this has become one of the most exciting monthly comics at Image.

I do know what this comic is trying to go for with the gods amongst men mindset and the 'sheeple' the team is spatting on, but without the balance of heart and character depth it becomes increasingly harder and harder with each issue to stick with Syd. They're Not Like Us has one loose end to wrap up that will make for an exciting issue 4. If that doesn't knock it out of the park though, They're Not Like Us may continue this current bumpy ride for the rest of the opening arc.

While the first page does state '5 of 5,' that title is a tad misleading. The three Thor's may have ended, but this conflict is far from over, which is great news for Thor fans, because this is the best story that has been told in a Thor comic in years. Even if you haven't been paying attention to the series so far, the beginning is almost worth the price of admission alone. A solid ending to a solid arc that will make a great trade paperback down the road.

Uncanny Avengers has finally become the top tier book Marvel has been waiting for it to become. If issue #4 is any indication, the series shows no signs of slowing down either.

A strong showing from the new number #1. A fun change of pace from the grim and gritty continuity heavy comics of today and a welcome addition to any pull list. There is also a very interesting back up featuring comic book script excerpts that anyone even remotely interested in writing a comic book should check out.

Uncanny X-Force #35 gives the series a proper goodbye. It will be missed.

The genre gumbo isn't quite working yet, but if you're a fan of the X-O Manowar character and the overall Valiant Beyond relaunch, I wouldn't give up on this series after the opener.