Mitch Nissen Comic Reviews

Captain Kronos " Vampire Hunter #1 continues the story from the cult classic Hammer horror film of the same name. Accessible to new readers, the comic book possesses all the aspects of Hammer's horror style, the endearing elements of Brian Clemens' film, and the fast pace feel of modern horror. Dan Abnett, Tom Mandrake, and Sian Mandrake nail this premiere issue in what I hope will result in a long running series.

Writer Jason Aaron, having penned successful runs in both Ghost Rider and Thor, is a perfect choice to write the Sorcerer Supreme and the writer proves it here. Chris Bachalo brings a different and distinctive look to the book providing a truly strange visual experience. All in all a wonderful book.

All the layers of the story come together in an exciting conclusion to the first story arc. The mythology is expanded and we have the first hints of Doctor Strange's old rogues. Striking images accompany this fantastic story of gut retching, eye-bleeding sorcery.

The stakes couldn't be higher for Doctor Strange. In an all out action issue Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo set up what could be the wildest and most imaginative Marvel story ever.

The latest issue of Doctor Strange by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo brings the same excellent level of art but falls a bit short on story. This heavily expository issue spins its wheels before moving forward. Overall still a fine issue. Just don't think about it too hard.

Doctor Strange: Tomb Raider. Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo take the good doctor to places he's never been before evoking feelings of Lara Croft and Sam and Dead Winchester. Another fun issue in the latest saga of the Sorcerer Supreme.

Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo set up what looks to be the final showdown with Doctor Strange and the magic killers, the Empirikul. The Doc is ready for war and it looks like these inquisitors have bitten off more than they can chew.

The issue opens with a flashback of Doctor Strange on the brink of death, having just stopped Baron Mordo from destroying the world. In order to save his life, Stephen and Wong transfer all of Doctor Strange's wounds and pain to a creature hidden in the cellar. Strange confides in Wong that they cannot continue to divert his pain to another.

Jason Aaron and guest artists Kevin Nowland and Leonardo Romero begin repairing the damage wrought by the Empirikul. Doctor Strange begins rebuilding his life for a second time in this well written and wonderfully illustrated story.

Doctor Strange‘s blood is in the aether. The sharks are coming.

Doctor Strange: Damnation #1 gets the ball rolling albeit slowly. The stakes are exhaustively laid to bear, so much so that the action has yet to begin. Spencer and Cates write some great character interactions and display Mephisto the most charmingly you've ever seen. Rod Reis delivers some truly striking and emotional artwork rarely on display at Marvel. With only three issues left the following issues will have to deliver big to match the scope of story.

Doctor Strange: Damnation is proving to be a better read with each subsequent issue. Donny Cates and Nick Spencer are writing an unbelievably entertaining book. If anything holds the series back it is a lack of bold, visually pleasing artwork. Unless you're not a shallow comic art fan like myself, the artwork (while good nonetheless) will likely not be the major draw here.

Be prepared for a bizarre mix in terms of style, Looney Tunes meets Conan the Barbarian. If you loved Drax in Annihilation, be prepared for something jarringly different.

It's been since March 2015 that the last issue of All-New Ghost Rider hit comic shops everywhere. Robbie Reyes has only been in a handful of comics since and hasn't been seen in comics for over a year.

For fans dying of thirst for a cosmic Marvel story this was supposed to be the book for them. Sadly it's two stories cut in half which have no bearing on the other whatsoever. Only half of the book is Guardians of Infinity. Fans of Guardians 3000 and the 2008 volume of Guardians of the Galaxy should prepare for disappointment.

The book is titled Guardians of Infinity but it is only half of what we're getting. The other half is targeted for Fantastic Four fans and Venom fans. The Guardians of Infinity half of the book is great! The other half belongs somewhere else. Until this book becomes 100 percent Guardians of Infinity it only gets two stars.

The Guardians of Infinity portion of the book is outstanding. Dan Abnett, Carlo Barberi, Walden Wong, and Israel Silva knock it out of the park. The less said about the second half of the book, which has nothing to do with the Guardians of Infinity whatsoever, the better. Only half of this book is worth it.

Some of the best action in comic books highlights this wonderful issue of Guardians of Infinity. Nikki and Stella Nega show why they're all the Guardians of the Galaxy we'll ever need. Dan Abnett and Carlo Barberi deliver the goods once again.

The Guardians of Infinity prepare for all out war across all time and space in this wonderfully written and beautifully drawn story.

Former Guardian of the Galaxy turned universal threat,Hermetikus, launches his warhost of Highbreed warriors, eight billion strong, to bend all time and space to his will. Using Rocket Raccoon‘s brain as a genius military tactician in charge of his forces, Hermetikus focuses his attention on the duplicitous Stella Nega, his hands around her throat.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Dream On #1 has come out just in time for the new movie. Writer Marc Sumerak takes time and care to make sure these great characters are written right and loads the book with references to the Guardians past stories. Artist Andrea Di Vito and colorist Laura Villari contribute one of the best looking and visually engrossing Guardians comics this year.

Marvel's Infinity Countdown officially begins with the creative team that set the whole story in motion: Gerry Duggan and Aaron Kruder. Fast paced. Loaded with action. Infinity Countdown #1 sets the stage for major events down the road and characters won't be the same. A stellar chapter in Marvel's cosmic saga.

Solid storytelling and gorgeous art. Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #1 expands on the Infinity Countdown narrative in natural ways, carrying weight and a sense of import to the overall event. Chris Sims and Chad Bowers capture the characters' personalities and maintain the continuity, building upon what came before rather than rebooting it. All the while keeping the book accessible to new readers. And Gang Hyuk Lim's art is stunning. This is Marvel Comics at their best.

Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk #3 is fast paced, visually stunning, and entrenched in cosmic awesomeness. Marvel's cosmic lore is deepened with inspired connections and logical through lines. This is some of the best character treatment and use of Marvel's cosmic landscape in years. Don't sleep on Infinity Countdown: Darkhawk.

Chad Bowers and Chris Sims continue their quest to revive Marvel's great fringe characters with Infinity Wars: Sleepwalker #1. Punctuated with wonderful artwork by Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg, Sleepwalker is back better than ever. This book, like it's Darkhawk predecessor, is sure to be the strongest tie-in to Infinity Wars, perhaps even more satisfying than the event book itself.

Danny Rand has lost the power of the Iron Fist in the new Marvel Comic by Ed Brisson, Mike Perkins, and Andy Troy. Dark, gritty, and hard hitting, this new volume of Iron Fist takes Danny Rand down a dark and violent path. This first issue shows a great deal of promise for the future.

Brisson, Perkins, and Troy's Iron Fist is an adrenaline-fueled fist of fury and fun. Issue six moves along at a breakneck pace without sacrificing story. It's the start of a new story arc and a great jumping on point for new readers as Shang Chi and Danny Rand, the baddest dudes in the Marvel universe, tear through throngs of henchman on their way to the big boss himself.

Danny Rand is in Hell. And there are many old friends waiting to see him. Intense action, gripping suspense, and steeped in Iron Fist lore. Ed Brisson, Damian Couceiro, and Andy Troy deliver the second to last issue of this current volume, which so happens to be one of the most satisfying issues in the run. This is hands down the best Iron Fist book in ten years.

The 1933 film King Kong is arguably one of the most influential films of all time and perhaps the most important film in regards to cinema special effects and genre films. And the king of Skull Island himself is one of the most well known icons the world over.

As we draw closer to the new year we also grow closer to the release of Legendary Pictures‘ new film Kong: Skull Island and hopefully the start of a new era for the king of movie monsters. However, before Kong receives his big screen reinvention BOOM! Studios and DeVito Artworks, LLC offers us a brand new prequel exploring the original world of Kong.

Originally Kong of Skull Island was solicited as a six issue mini series from July 2016 through December. As issue after issue were released the book displayed extremely high quality, both in Carlos Magno's detailed artwork and Brad Simpson's vivid colors, but also in James Asmus' super charged and ultra-violent story. This incredible level of quality in all aspects has persisted through all six issues. And back in September BOOM! Studios announced that Kong of Skull Island would henceforth be an ongoing series.

King Kong stomps his way into another magnificent book from BOOM! Studios. Vikings meet Kong in this action packed and bloody story from writer Paul Allor. Carlos Magno and Marcelo Costa provide the pencils and colors lending the book realistic and vibrant visuals. Another strong addition to BOOM! Studios' King Kong line of books.

Al Ewing, Kevin Libranda, and Javier Rodriguez bring Royals to a close with an incredible finale in issue 12. Epic in scope and cosmic beyond measure. Royals is the most mind blowing Marvel comic in years. This is the "Days of Future Past" for the Inhumans. If only it was the beginning of more to come rather than possibly the end of a five year era for these once fringe characters.

The Legendary Pictures "Monsterverse" is further expanded with the latest tie-in comic book series, Skull Island: The Birth of Kong. Writer Arvid Nelson fleshes out the Kong lore with a violent and furious story mythic in scope. And the artwork by Zid is among the best in the business. Kong is as awe-inspiring and godlike as ever in this new mini series from Legendary.

Spirits of Vengeance closes with a fiery finale with a wonderful showcase of Marvel's horror heroes. VIctor Gischler handles the characters with precision and sets the stage for more. David Baldeon and Andres Mossa deliver some of their best work yet. War at the Gates of Hell isn't exactly war but rather the prelude to war. Let's hope Marvel has the good sense to give readers more of these great characters.

Thanos: The Infinity Siblings is a feast for the eyes in its art and thought-provoking in writing. Jim Starlin continues building on a 45 year legacy, taking the Mad Titan to new worlds and evolving the character in fresh and natural ways. Twists, turns, and surprises abound, The Infinity Siblings is destined to go down as an essential chapter in the Thanos saga.

In this bridging story between Thanos: The Infinity Relativity and Thanos: The Infinity Finale, Adam Warlock discovers that the universe has no future and what's more that he is the cause of it all. Jim Starlin and Alan Davis deliver a truly cosmic story rich in continuity and Marvel history. Travel carefully for this is the deep end of the Marvel Universe.

Marvel is finally giving Carol Danvers what she needs: an uninterrupted story and a great art team. Marvel appears committed to fulfilling writer Margaret Stohl's mission of redefining the character. The storytelling is traveling at a slower pace but in that pacing Stohl is showcasing real character development. Carlos Pacheco is nailing it in the art department despite the lack of super heroics and action.

Stranger Comics releases the first ever commercial American Vampire Hunter D comic book and it is nothing short of incredible. The world and characters of Vampire Hunter D are accurately adapted and the book features some of the finest artwork in all comicdom.

Weapon H might be the best Hulk book in years. It's the classic "Hulk on the run" story with plenty of monstrous opponents lined up. A quick and simple read loaded with amazing artwork and impressive action sequences. If you've been longing for a Hulk story that actually feels like a Hulk story, Weapon H is it.