Michael Mazzacane Comic Reviews

"All-New Wolverine" has been a quiet and consistently good series, 'Orphans of X.' marks the start of a new story and a fine jumping on point for the series.

The stories inside "Ares IX: Darkness" don't unlock secrets of the "IXth Generation" but are told well enough that they're worth a read for fans of the series and curious observer.

"Arya" #1 is a nice reminder of the variety the medium offers even if its continuation isn't as clear as one would hope.

"Ascender" takes off with a new chapter that is enticing to both old and new readers.

The fuse is lit, 'The War of Jokes and Riddles' has begun. As always it makes me wish Janin and Chung could somehow do this book all the time.

Batman and the Outsiders #1 is a good opening issue that rightly catches readers up and continues to explore the cast making it an excellent entry point for new and old readers alike.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " "Damned" may protest a bit too much to it's edgy sensibilities, but below the surface is a well put together darkly beautiful book about a haunted man in a haunted world.

The creative team manage to close this chapter of Batwoman in a satisfying fashion that develops everything you need emotionally for this issue to work.

"Batwoman" aimed high and stays high as Bennet and Co. use the psychedelic excuse to further examine all aspects of Kate Kane and find out what she may become.

'Pygsty' is the right kind of filler issue. It doesn't break the mold but shows how that mold still has room for further exploration and can be applied to different formula.

While there are some moments of friction, Batwoman #15 is one of the more functionally artistic and successful books Marguerite Bennett, Fernando Blanco, John Rauch, and Deron Bennett, have done on this run. The big and bold imagery has clear energy and purpose as it articulates the actions and revelations Kate Kane goes through as she accepts responsibility for all her actions.

"Batwoman: Rebirth" is the best kind of zero issue, concise in telling the plot and emotional origins of the character, the kind of thing you can give to a friend to explain something without just wiki dumping on them.

"Birthright" continues with the start of its most ambitious arc yet

Andrei Bressan, Adriano Lucas, and Joshua Williamson hit it out of the park in some moments and left me wondering what happened in others.

"Birthright" returns with a strong first issue that reminds readers of the series core strengths while showing the nature and cost of destiny from a novel point of view.

"Black Hammer" #11 packs an emotional wallop into 20 or so pages on top of excellent structure by Lemire and amazing art from Dean Ormston.

The Hammerverse continues to expand with an exciting new miniseries that is refreshingly different from other entries.

One of the best series of last year continues to be consistent in it's craftmanship even if things feel a tad disconnected at the start.

Shocking reveals on top of several supremely well executed sequences puts "Black Hammer: Age of Doom" #4 over the top in terms of quality.

"Black Magick" ends it's second arc on a high note, but that doesn't mean it's a happy one for those involved.

With the return of Daniel Acuna, Black Panther begins its third arc in strong fashion as all signs point to a meeting with Wakanda Prime and reckoning with TChallas actions.

With a warm positive relationship at its center and continued varied interest, "World of Wakanda" lives up its title.

"Blackbird" has all the ingredients that would make for a good story, they just aren't as cohesive to make for great in this first issue.

This won't really sell new readers or excite the faithful to any meaningful degree.

Bloodshot: Rising Spirit #1 is a boring start to the latest Bloodshot comic.

"Bloodshot Salvation" kicks off the next chapter in this character's history and Jeff Lemire isn't looking away from asking hard questions about its title character.

The dueling narratives of "Salvation" continue to diverge and make for a well done and varied reading experience.

Final Verdict: 7.5 " "Bloodstrike" #0 is an idiosyncratic comic, it may not be for everyone, or even what they expected, but the technical aspects of how Fiffe put this book together makes it worth considering.

Bombshells sets itself up for a new and more impressive tour of duty.

"Books of Magic" gets off to a strong self-aware start as the education of Timothy Hunter, greatest or worst magician ever depending on the point of view, continues.

Symbols of the might and power of Rome are missing and the Detectioner is on the case. In an overall successful first chapter to another ancient detective story.

"Britannia" concludes with the dark heart of Rome revealed and the promise of more "adventure" as long as Nero is around.

Unless you're a fan of the character, there are better X-Books and books period you should be buying.

"Noble" isn't a bad comic, in that it is carelessly put together. There is clear thought behind it on a thematic and presentation level. That presentation is, however, detrimental to emotional core of the book.

"Champions" #19 gets a new start under the leadership of Jim Zub and Sean Izaake, who craft a functional and emotionally grounded beginning to the teenage superheroes trip in the great white north.

"Crowded" #4 continues to be a hilarious odd couple adventure as Vita and Charlie take a second to try and figure out how to survive, each other and all the people trying to kill them.

"Crowded" #6 has a lot on its plate and finishes it in largely satisfying fashion. It feels like a series that is primed for a long haul instead of flashy Hollywood license.

Cyber Force #1 is a strong first step to the new series. It rightly places the focus on the characters and uses them to deftly begin developing some of its core themes and motifs for the new run.

Cyber Force #10 is a issue that lets the series catch its breath and wouldnt be a bad spot to jump on as our heroes become increasingly dissatisfied with their situation and Cyber Datas position of power.

"The Master Race" ends effectively and in a manner, I did not expect when this began 18 or so months ago.

With a series that is trading on certain timely feelings, the focus on that singular emotion and how it ties this issue together has set this series up to be something more than a lurid ripped from the headlines affair.

'Deathstroke vs Batman' lives up to its name but also dreams of being more as Christopher Priest and Co. take another crack at Slade Wilson, family man.

'Deathstroke vs Batman' comes to the only conclusion that it could after Priest and Co. compared and contrasted Bruce Wayne and Slade Wilson's view of fatherhood.

'League of Shadows' is over and it's fine, thankfully we won't have to wait very long for new, hopefully, more interesting stories to be told.

'Intelligence' begins with a return to aesthetic form and a renewed emphasis on Family.

This book has been one of the most consistent reads for a cape book in recent memory. It doesn't exist within a vague continuity that tries to silo itself from the larger meta narratives but lean into and wonder how would its cast react.

'Dystopia' best qualities are its serialized ones, which place it into a larger ongoing narrative. As a story unit unto itself it just "is," if this were a monthly title the tepid quality of this issue would be bigger disappointment.

The beginning to 'Living' reads like the Tim Drake/Robin Rebirth fans would want, but what's going to come out on the otherside?

A not so subtle backdoor pilot for a new season does it's job well.

Peter Tomasi's start on "Detective Comics" was not a very effective or enticing one.

Everything is set for the adventure in "Die" to begin. With Stephanie Hans art and Gillen's writing, that seems like both a promise and a threat.

"Die" is one of the most artistically and narratively engaging books currently being published.

Maybe not the best introduction to the Valiant U there is, but a great introduction to the world of Divinity and soon Eternity.

If you've gone this far you'll finish the rather enjoyable ride.

"Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows" gets off to a fantastic gut-wrenching start with the portrait of man's life from his highest moments and unspoken deepest regrets.

"Eternal Warrior: Awakening" is a fine spotlight on Gilad Anni-Padda and what makes him unique. In that regard "Awakening" is a fitting celebration of 25 years of Valiant.

"Fairlady" is an overall solid procedural and comic that lacks distracting frills as it gives you the fantasy procedural you were sold on.

The final arc of "Faith" continues down a referential rode that shows you don't need absurdist humor and lack of a fourth wall to tell these kinds of stories.

Houser and Co. finish "Faith" on a very strong note with more adventures coming right around the corner.

Faith is back with the start of another great adventure, in an issue that makes a strong introduction to the title character.

With good structure from Pacat and strong design work from Johanna the Mad, with a little refinement "Fence" could turn into something pretty great.

"Fence" continues to be a supremely confidant book that just goes for it artistically on top of fantastic character work.

"Fence" ends periodical publication in the after math of team selection and what that means for Nicholas and Seiji going forward, I just wish the art was a bit more consistent.

We're on this ride and there's no getting off it, nothing is bad about this issue it's just not interesting.

Effective art pieces and sound plotting set "Generation Zero" to go out on a high note, if they can survive the experience.

Really fun art and the germ of an interesting story about a woman dealing with fate, just wish there was a better structure around it.

As Destiny's real mission is revealed to audiences and her, the series begins to move beyond a more diverse exercise in secret power structures and Deep State antics.

'Hard Traveling Hero' gets off to a strong start as the Emerald Archer begins to learn to make if not friends, partners, as he tries to take down his greatest foe.

The Benson Sisters get off to a strong start with an issue and art that emphasizes personal connections, the wider DCU, and how those two things can cause friction.

"Green Arrow" #45 is about as good a tie-in as one could hope for, giving the metanarrative of "Heroes" more room and still feeling appropriate content in the pages of this series.

It isn't splashy, but "Green Hornet" #5 hits all the right beats as a finale in a way most comics don't.

"Harbinger Wars 2" officially begins, and does what first issues need to do.

It isn't the end that was promised, but does what it was made to do in an overall effective manner.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " "Harbinger Wars" begins again, and even with all the beautiful art it won't be a pretty affair.

A technically fine book and one of the more enjoyable issues of the series overall, but there's a distinct lack of emotional heart to all the proceedings.

'Massacre' lives up to its name.

Inconsistent art and a lack of internal direction makes "Harbinger Renegade" feel aimless despite the extra textual marketing pointing toward a destination.

Mariko Tamaki's setup a monster mash, but things are more in the early decorating phase with this issue.

"Immortal Hulk" barrels towards a conclusion with a deft exploration of what it is that makes these creatures "monsters" in our eyes and why that may not be the case.

"Isola" has a rep for being an art book, and that's well earned, but how well everything works in concert with one another makes it one of the more evocative comics being published. The beats maybe familiar, but their execution isn't.

Isola is technically excellent but not a great single issues.

If you want more "Jem" adventures from an array of creators, this is the book for you.

"John Wick" lacks the style that makes the source material so immediately engaging. Without the style, it's just a functional and somewhat generic comic book.

Some nicely executed moments and some supremely poor ones.

"Justice League" start their next adventure on solid footing, Priest and Woods give this series a reason to exist beyond the desire for adventure. Now hopefully they can find thorough if not fulfilling answers to the questions they ask.

"Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth" accomplishes what these kinds of books are meant to do in a fun engaging read.

"Kill the Minotaur" crosses another threshold and continues to spin an intriguing take on the ancient tale with Lukas Ketner and Jean-Francois Beaulieu's art.

If you've come this far, you're sticking around. And repetitive it may have been, the creative teams attempted exploration of its thematics is successful if a bit pat. In another book without the art team, all would be lost.

"Red Diamond" feels like one in the rough at the start. There is potential, but maybe I'm not the audience for the book either.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " As "Lazarus" tries to steady itself as it shifts to a new publishing format, the finale of the prelude 'Fracture' is an effective reminder of what the series is and can be even when it isn't following the exploits of Forever and the empowered family Carlyle.

"Lazarus X+66" comes to an end on a high note, one that makes a monster into a great antagonist and keeps within the core motifs of the series.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " "Livewire" ends the first arc on a resounding note, that has the series emotionally setup for the adventures to come.

Even as Top Cow moves more into the realm of science-crime "Magdalena" continues to show plenty of room for fresh takes in their Artifacts line.

With excellent art and strong premise "Mata Hari" gets off to a strong start as it examines the life of it's title character.

Mech Cadet Yu #1 did its job and sold character above lore.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " "Mech Cadet Yu" begins its second arc on strong footing with clear and strong thematic questions that provide a little extra something for an already good young adult adventure.

The finale to "Medieval Spawn and Witchblade" does what is needed to be done.

"Mother Panic" returned for 'Milk Wars' in an issue that might entice new readers but doesn't discount current ones.

"Monstress" is back, things look as beautiful and enrapturing as ever but Maika's journey only seems to get more and more perilous.

Excellent art and dark humor help "Monstress" #17 not feel like an overwrought gore-fest.

"Moonstruck" is off to a solid start for its second arc, one that shows off character dynamics and sets up the overall arc plot nicely.

Rough spots aside "Moth & Whisper" #2 is an all around good comic with a tight plot that feels like a satisfying episode.

"Mother Panic" and Violet Paige continue to figure themselves out and point towards something better, maybe even "heroic".

"Mother Panic" has closed one chapter and is ready to open another once all this 'Milk Wars' business is over.

"Motor Crush" returns to Domino trying to pick up the pieces as the series begins to rev its engines for the new arc, but maybe that speed is a bit more of a killer this time around.

There is a lot in "Motor Crush" #10 that could've been a monotonous exercise in "and then" storytelling, but it ultimately bucks that by giving each moment the right amount of time before it barrels to the next thing.

While its price tag is a bit high this is a breath of fresh air for the DCU.

As "Naomi" releases the penultimate issue of their first season, it gives answers and sets up a powerful season finale.

Elseworlds and this kind of stories can often come off as gimmicky. And with the covers that this series is set with, it's hard not to see the gimmick. But this mini is on the right path to be more than the covers imply.

Cape comics are a never-ending battle. As one series ends, another begins. At least in the case of transitioning from "Ninjak" to "Ninja-K," the creative teams set the titular character off on a fresh new chapter and intend to go in a different direction from the previous series. Valiant is at its best when they take their characters and cast them as something other than the Superhero and mix genre. Leaning into the spy antics and institutional history of Valiant's best spy gives the book a novel quality that should be solid ground for new and returning readers.

"Ninja-K' exploration of the systems of control, lives, and history of the Ninja Programme, continues to be an effective mirror to reflect back on Collin King as he deals with his current crisis.

The story of Ninja-H provides "Ninja-K" an engaging one shot story that neither feels slight or overstays its welcome.

'The Seven Blades of Master Darque' is true to Kindt's run overall and a satisfying conclusion for a character who is perpetually dissatisfied.

Good art, overall structure, and Lizard Ninjas, make up for an issue that gets in its own way at times.

"No. 1 with a Bullet" has all the ingredients to be an excellent story and comic book, but they it doesn't come to a boil in this first issue.

"Pearl" keeps the artistic quality of the first issue and further expands the world, as the job of the titular character keeps getting more and more complicated.

A couple of poor awkward panels don't stop "Pearl" from being a good finale and bridge to the next arc as Pearl goes searching for more of herself.

"Pearl" stays true to itself and comes to an overall satisfying conclusion.

"Port of Earth" has some quintessential ideas running through it and most of the execution to make them land, but am otherwise still a bit uncertain everything will completely work.

"Postal" and it's creative team finally come to rest after spending one more day with the cast.

"The Quantum Age" has begun, for readers of "Black Hammer" it provides a different view into this ever expanding line of titles. For new readers it's self-contained riff on superheroes with a Silver Age wink and smile.

Quantum Age #6 isnt a bad comic or poor finale, it hits the marks and dose so with a bit of flair, but some of that flair burns a bit too bright and gets in the way of what makes these Hammerverse minis work so well.

If you wanted to give someone a single comic to "sell" them on a universe, this wouldn't be to bad.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " "Rapture" takes a strong first step selling readers on character, and getting all the pieces in place for a large scale fantasy adventure down the road.

The penultimate chapter of "Rapture" sets up the finale and spectacular stakes well, hopefully, the landing isn't Indiana Jones-esque.

"Rapture" comes to a satisfying if not spectacular conclusion that fulfills what it set out to do.

The "Rat Queens" feel like they're back, maybe not the storytelling triumph of other late sequel franchise starters but if you were a fan and wanted more of the "Rat Queens" you remember this is pretty much it.

"Rat Queens" has gone through plenty of tumults in recent years, and 'The Colossal Magic Nothing' isn't trying to erase that but it is trying to move forward after a long hard look in the mirror.

"Ringside" starts to get real, but stays true to its aesthetic sensibilities as it probes the lives of these broken icons or would be icons.

Tech Thrillers aren't a thing you really find in comics at the moment, Image is consistently dominated by fantasy, so this stands out in the crowd and is an all-around workmanlike start to things.

'Nikki's Story' is a more interesting examination of form and functions impact on storytelling than as a pure storytelling experience. The kind of book that could've gone off the rails at many different spots, but didn't. That it achieved both goals to the degree it did is commendable.

It has a few hiccups but has a decent genre hook. Overall it lacks a spark that makes me immediately want to add this to a pull list.

"Seven to Eternity" continues its journey with an engrossing first issue to their next arc.

Things are looking terrible for everyone in a very good way for "Seven to Eternity."

As a comic "Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince" is a pretty good first issue, there are the artistical muddy spots but as a unit of storytelling does what needs to be done.

"Shadowman" #4 isn't bad enough to be bad or good enough to be good, frustratingly in between for a series and premise with so much potential.

"Sherlock Frankenstein & the Legion of Evil" comes to an end with its title villain baring his soul in baroque fashion, providing an entertaining capper to this history of the world of "Black Hammer."

"Shuri" gets off to a strong start placing itself within the context of the larger Marvel U and the more personal, setting up a strong character story to follow.

"Skyward" is a confidant debut issue that mixes strong characterization with beautiful work from Lee Garbett and Antonio Fabela that gives the reader a strong indication of what this new series is about.

With the effective use of perspective, "Sleepless" #4 becomes a minor suspense thriller and lively party all at the same time.

"Sleepless" is back with a strong issue that plays to the series and creative team's core strengths as things begin to move forward for Poppy.

In a glutted market dominated by trading on established IP, "Sovereigns" does enough to be familiar and novel with a cult cast.

"Spawn" #285 is an overall effective man in a box issue with effective and textured artwork, that is weakened by how it uses narration at points.

There are issues with the art that create unnecessary friction when many of the big picture decisions work in its favor. All in all, it's a good start to a "Star Trek" story, that could use better art.

There is nothing egregiously bad about this comic, but there isn't anything that argues for its existence either.

Sugar volume 1 is an overall fine read with excellent art that is let down by writing that doesnt investigate the nature of the titular relationship enough, leading to a product that is emotionally a bit generic and broadly Romantic in the way it thumbed its nosed in the text.

The "Swashbucklers" are back and overall things aren't off to a bad start. I just hope it shows a bit more introspection as it goes forward for new readers and the story it tells.

"Swing" is an interesting addition and solid start to the series, presenting an humanist look at an expanding area of sexuality.

This is a great introductory issue that sets everything up nicely, on top of a postmodern view.

'The Lazarus Contract' doesn't totally rewrite reality, but it does reestablish a link between Slade and the Titans, and tells a surprisingly human story for the Terminator.

Adam Glass and Robson Rocha do a good job highlighting the mounting unbowed anger from this generation of heroes, hopefully, they can pull it off and survive the experience.

"Test" #1 gets off to a strong character driven start.

Some moments of friction aside, Tini Howard and Amilcar Pinna bring "The Forgotten Queen" to a fitting conclusion and add real depth to a previously forgettable antagonist in the Valiant Universe.

"The Silencer" has all the pieces to be an engaging hitwoman saga in the DCU it just isn't coming together yet.

"The Silencer" goes loud for this issue delivering an all around well done comic.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " The "Unstoppable Wasp" is back with a strong return first issue, hopefully it lives up to its namesake more this time.

There's a lot to chew on in this beautifully dense book, comic, hybrid of the two.

As a Roman history nerd, "455 AD" gave me everything I could want. It played off our understanding of the main series while articulating it with era specific methods. This is a fun bit of historical fiction-fantasy.

"Murder Inc." returns with a solid introduction to one of the lead characters and features all the hallmarks of what Bendis and Oeming do together with this series.

"United States vs Murder Inc." #6 continues with the bombastic art and finally delivers the emotional core that ties everything together.

Obvious disclaimer aside, this is a well done first issue with good macro and micro world building and scenes that characterize and normalize Leslie's supposedly unnatural wants.

"War Mother" continues to be a well-paced and executed book about the struggles of motherhood, responsibility, and duty.

Well, things sure started with a bang. The consistency of this series continues as it returns for its fifth arc.

Maybe "Wayward" isn't the most overtly artistic book on shelves. But, it's form follows functions ethos and clear thematic work make it one of the more consistently readable series and thought-provoking series.

The march to the "Wayward" finale begins, and the book is firing on all cylinders.

There is the germ of an idea in Weapon X #1 but with the price, double shipping, art team, and no reason to care at the end of this issue, maybe it wont sprout.

"The Wild Storm" is back and it's as smooth as ever. Sure, come for the crazy alien stuff but stay for the commentary of banal corporate work.

known, but twisted characters along the way.

Excellent art, even with some missed cues, by Roberta Ingranata and a sound script by Caitilin Kittridge places "Witchblade" in a strong position for its arc finale.

Final Verdict: 8.0 " Awkward title aside, this is a strong start to the continuing adventures of Laura and Gabby as the creative team mine new areas of emphasis in the characters.

The X-Men have a compass pointing north, now lets hope they survive the experience.

Great art and a narrative that creates the conditions for that art makes for a good read.

"X-O Manowar" has the opportunity to use it's sci-fi setting to explore the effects of colonialism and how a byproduct of that structure could perpetuate it, if it gave itself more time to actually explore the issue.

"X-O Manowar" marches on with consistent beat as Kindt continues to peal back another layer from Aric of Urth.

"X-O Manowar" #14 is an example of what works about Valiant's comic line and this brand of storytelling in general, telling intimate emotional stories on the baroque canvas of space.

O Manowar in fine fashion and give the character a strong run to point new readers toward.

All the strips aren't great, but the overall package does its job well enough. It has teased me with what is to come in the world of DC.