ozwoods Comic Reviews

Action Comics #1033 continues to further the Warworld Rising story arc. The writing and art here really go hand in hand to present a stern Superman who takes a more firm approach with the Atlantis crisis and even discussing Warworld with the Justice League. Readers are given a little more detail on the brutality of Mongul and Warworld's culture, especially as the warlord starts to put his plan into action. Not too much is revealed here but judging by the ending, it looks like things will go into high gear in the next issue.

The action in Action Comics #1034 finally ramps back up. There are exciting new developments finally hitting the Warworld storyline. There are a few twists here, some more predictable than others. The comic follows though on this stern and active depiction of Superman. The art looks great and nails down the action in this comic. Readers who enjoyed the Midnighter back-up will have more to enjoy. Overall, the issue builds up momentum that will carry over into the next issue for sure.

Actions Comics #1035 concludes the first step into Superman's Warworld saga. It is what it says on the cover, this is Superman wrapping up things from the previous arc and saying farewell to everyone before leaving for Warworld. Not everything is resolved as well as they should've been, but the send-offs with his family felt the most earnest and a little heartbreaking. The art team in the main story continue to deliver excellent art for Superman, Mongul, and the rest of the other characters. Hopefully things turn out better for Superman this time than they did in the Future State story.

Either way, if there's anything to take from this, it's that the comic is finally bringing this up and will be actively exploring the storyline. It'll probably remain in the background until Spencer finishes his upcoming Crime War arc.

Amazing Spider-Man #61 is pretty much setup for the next story arc. The comic shows the main players and gives glimpses of what's at stake in this comic. Of course, there's Spider-Man's new suit which is shown off with Gleason's art and Delgado's colors, though, the mileage will vary on how fans like it. We'll see what Spencer and Gleason have in store for fans in this new story arc.

Amazing Spider-Man #63 wears its Romeo and Juliet influence pretty obviously with Randy and The Beetle. In fact, it's almost like Nick Spencer is saying not to take it too seriously when they become the focus of the comic. Unfortunately, everything takes a back seat to their drama, including Spider-Man, and their relationship isn't that compelling. Hopefully, this stays a subplot in the rest of the upcoming issues.

Amazing Spider-Man #65 delivers a fast ride to resolve this Romeo & Juliet kidnapping and get things set up for the story arc's true conclusion. If you're not sold on Randy & Beetle, this issue might sell you on Robbie & Tombstone working together. Maybe. But this issue's real strength is how fast it gets you to the real meat and bones of this comic and straight to the action you want to see.

Amazing Spider-Man #66 shows the aftermath of King's Ransom and sets up the next big story arc or several. However, there's only story setup and a few surprise character re-introductions to set up future stories. Some that Spider-Man fans may or may not remember. It also talks about how big of a deal The Rose's return is but never shows or even explains why.

In Amazing Spider-Man #67, it appears Nick Spencer is going to be wrapping up some of his prior storylines with the Chameleon Conspiracy. Most of this comic has solid setup for the upcoming story, showing who the major players are, what's possibly at stake, and how it all ties back to Spider-Man. However, it doesn't really sell the Chameleon being the main villain all that well. But we'll see how things develop in the next issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #68 puts the Chameleon on standby to explain a few other things. For anyone looking to see the Chameleon in action, you'll still have to wait. That storyline is put on hold while the comic focuses on Ned Leeds' return and the supervillain heist for the Catalyst. The former feels somewhat confusing while the latter feels a little more fun to read.

Final Thoughts:Amazing Spider-Man #69 continues to build up more of its grand conspiracy all while Spidey tries to deal with a heist. The comic is actually pretty fun for the most part when it has Spider-Man fighting the super-villains, but the weak point is the “conspiracy” part of this story. It feels like the Chameleon and The Finisher are just talking in circles with each other. But the comic does its part to build up the conspiracy as well as it can for the next big issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #70 is exactly what is says on the cover " a prelude to the Sinister War. It's all setup establishing the major players and storylines being explored in the event. It's got the Sinister Six on full display, but it also sets up so many others that it feels like Sinister War could be overcrowded with characters. Not to mention, the comic tries to expand on a key mystery surrounding Kindred, though not the one people might think, that makes things more confusing for the character. Sinister War is looking to be fun and chaotic and hopefully it delivers on being an enjoyable story.

Amazing Spider-Man #71 is not the epic action-fest Sinister War #1 was, but it does fulfill its role in the main event. This comic is essentially Kindred's comic as he narrates throughout the entire issue while it shows things proceeding according to his plan. Pieces are moving into place as the villain's long con is finally paying off. It even elaborates on the relationship between Mysterio and Kindred a bit more, showing how far Kindred's manipulations go.

Amazing Spider-Man #72 takes readers on another ride with Kindred in this part of Sinister War. There are some small developments as the villain moves the other characters into place for the final act. The comic teases readers with twists and turns that you don't get in the comic.However, there is one big reveal surrounding a major Spider-Man character that is a huge retcon and will be hard to miss. Ultimately, the retcon felt unnecessary and will hopefully be gone by the end of Sinister War.

Amazing Spider-Man #73 prepares Spidey fans for the big fight between Spider-Man and Kindred and drops another big revelation for readers. Like past issues in Sinister War, the comic focuses on exploring the length of Kindred's machinations. However, there is another huge retcon in this comic that longtime Spider-Man fans will undoubtedly notice, and it's a good retcon for a change. It's not One More Day, but it's still a much needed retcon for Spider-Man.

Amazing Spider-Man #74 brings the story between Spider-Man and Kindred to a close. The fights between them are brutal with the art delivering a visceral experience for Spider-Man. The comic delivers answers about Kindred and ties in the three narrative threads of Norman, Harry & Carlie, and MJ back into the main plot. Now, this is not the ending that many fans were hoping for and will undoubtedly disappoint many, especially the side-story with Doctor Strange and Mephisto. Despite all of that, Nick Spencer does leave Spider-Man in a more positive place than he found him in.

Amazing Spider-Man #75 feels like a fast comic that rushes to get the ball rolling on the new “Beyond” storyline.The main story is not great, it's not terrible, it's serviceable and does its job. However, it establishes the dynamic and parallels between Peter and Ben very well and distinguishes the two as separate heroes. The art team for the comic does a solid job here with Patrick Gleason on art and Marcio Menyz on colors. However, the Beyond storyline doesn't seem to be that enticing, hopefully the next issue sells it better.

Amazing Spider-Man #76 is the issue fans have been dreading. This comic holds nothing back showing the injured critical state Peter is in after the fight with the U-Foes. It continues to contrasts the lives of both Peter and Ben, as they both deal with the important matter of being Spider-Man. That is the comic's main focus and the writing and art do everything they can to emotionally pull at readers' heartstrings while Peter is hospitalized. With Peter down, and Ben Reilly taking over as Spider-Man, the Beyond storyline will have to bring its A-game.

Amazing Spider-Man #77 is the start of the “Beyond” storyline and it's a weird one. There's a general tone of quirkiness in the characters from Ben Reilly to the staff of the Beyond Corporation. Fans of Kelly Thompson may like this, but mileage will vary for other readers. The plot focuses more on showing what Ben's everyday life is like as a super-hero now. It establishes the challenges Ben will have balancing his hero life and personal life. However, the bigger plot does kick in a little later in the comic, so there's some intrigue leading into the next issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #78 continues the Beyond storyline with some interesting setup for the next few issues. The fight between Ben Reilly and Morbius kicks off a new mystery around the Living Vampire, while showing off some more of the shady Beyond Corporation. It even sets up more things that will be going on in the Beyond storyline, as well as new match up between Ben and a familiar Spider-Man villain.

Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: Chameleon Conspiracy #1 wraps things up involving the Chameleon and the Clairvoyant. However, the story does far too much teasing of the truth behind the Chameleon and Teresa Parker. By the end, the comic provides a very predictable ending to the story that makes the whole storyline feel kind of pointless. Thankfully, the setup for the upcoming Sinister War looks far more fun and appealing than the concluded Chameleon Conspiracy.

Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King's Ransom #1 is a huge payoff to readers who've enjoyed Nick Spencer's story, specifically Spider-Man and Boomerang's oddball friendship. However, this issue may also letdown some of those very fans or maybe excite them for what's to come. The multiple artists and the colorist come through for the comic's characters and action for this conclusion to the current story arc.

Final Thoughts:Avengers #44 finally finishes “Enter The Phoenix” and delivers a new Phoenix host. However, Jason Aaron's in-story reasoning for the choice is very weak and the reveal comes out of left field. The art by Javier Garron and colors by David Curiel is good. Sadly, that's about the only good thing in this comic. We'll see what Jason Aaron has in store with the new Phoenix going forward in Avengers or in the upcoming Heroes Reborn.

Avengers #46 is a quick first part for World War She-Hulk as it shows just how the jade heroine and the Avengers get into this new crisis. The comic also has some payoff for a storyline set up issues ago with a specific character. It also pulls double duty in establishing the new additions to the Avengers team from Jason Aaron's recent Heroes Reborn event. Nothing exciting really happens yet as the Winter Guard finally make their move against the Avengers, and we see the beginnings of what's to come for She-Hulk.

Avengers #47 shows the Avengers try to rescue their own, but it seems they're already too late. The issue has a good start with the Avengers' initial rescue attempt that focuses less on quips and more on straightforward storytelling. However, the She-Hulk portions were definitely the weakest part of the comic, from the brainwashing to her eventual escape.

Avengers #48 shows off the new Winter Hulk and she's very underwhelming. She's essentially a silent, re-skinned version of the current She-Hulk but blonde. The other major character is Gorilla Man and he is similarly underwhelming. He's a huge blabber mouth in this comic and readers will likely want him to stop talking before finishing it. The Winter Hulk serves mainly as a plot device for the real villains while the Avengers are waiting to show up and actually do something in the next issue.

The World War She-Hulk storyline sadly continues to underwhelm in Avengers #49. This issue is more interesting than the previous one now that we know the stakes, and who the main players involved are. But like before, She-Hulk's new Winter Hulk form and this storyline fail to impress even with the big twist in the comic. That twist tries to explain some things and show how it all adds up, but it doesn't do a convincing job. However, the art team continues to do a great job on the art as usual.

Avengers: Mech Strike #3 is upping the ante in this series. There's not too much story development, but there's plenty of action to go around for all of the Avengers. The art from Carlos Magno and Guru-eFX's colors continue to be impressive. While Kang's plot continues to unfold, there's a big revelation that could possibly make or break this series' upcoming issues.

Avengers Mech Strike #4 continues to give readers exactly what it says: Avengers in mech suits. But now they have Thanos teaming up with them to face Kang The Conqueror, and even he gets his own mech suit. It sounds fun, but it's not as wild or fun as you'd think it would be. Even the confrontation between the team and Kang is pretty disappointing and anti-climactic. However, the setup for the next issue is still intriguing, so there's still some fun potential.

Avengers Mech Strike #5 finally concludes this mech series as Kang's invasion of the bio-mechanoids comes to a close. The return of Black Panther as the herald of Eternity is interesting but the comic doesn't really do anything with it. The mechs are pretty much an afterthought in this issue, and the Avengers don't really play a key role in Kang's defeat, they're all just there to fight more of his ugly biomechanical monsters. However, the art from Carlos Magno and Guru-eFX's colors continue to be great here. If nothing else, the comic got me excited to see their work in the upcoming Kang The Conqueror series.

Beta Ray Bill #1 aims to tell an epic story of the titular cosmic hero reclaiming himself again. As a warrior and as a hero. The art and writing by Daniel Warren Johnson is solid and the coloring by Mike Spicer is great. The story feels like a prelude to something bigger and more personal for Beta Ray Bill. Hopefully, the next issue dives directly into the story.

BRZRKR #3 explores more of B's character in the past and shows what it could mean for his time in the present. The artwork from Ron Garney and Bill Crabtree is great as they continue to show more of the series' bloody action. The story with B is not exactly new but it's well-written and executed well with the art in the comic. It's an enjoyable continuation of the previous issue and tugs at some of the bigger questions surrounding B, while setting up later issues.

Cable is back in Cable: Reloaded #1 and the comic embraces that. You get the action, gruffness, and large epic weapons you'd expect in a Cable comic. It also lets you know where and when it fits into The Last Annihilation crossover event. The story is fine and well-paced with the fun action in the the latter half. The art from Bob Quinn and colors by Java Tartalagia makes Cable and everyone else look good in this comic.

Carnage: Black, White & Blood #2 lives up to the potential of this series. Each writer delivers a dark story surrounding the crimson, symbiote villain and the artists all deliver spectacular illustrations that highlight the horror and menace of Carnage in the black & white style. This is a strong recommend to Carnage fans and horror comic book fans.

Carnage: Black, White & Blood #3 shows some more bloody stories with Carnage as the star. Some are better than others, the art is all around pretty good and really compliments the stories they're illustrated for. It's not better than the second issue, but it's a nice read if you like Carnage stories.

Carnage: Black, White and Blood #4 brings readers three more stories full of Carnage murder and mayhem. One of the stories will hit better for fans who have been following the current Venom series, while the others are just good on their own that don't require extra reading.The choice of artists work well here as each brings something new to the table when it comes illustrating Carnage.

Avengers: Curse Of The Man-Thing #1 is pretty underwhelming, unfortunately. The new villain, Harrower, is not a great addition to Marvel in terms of her design, powers, and goal. She's pretty generic by all accounts. The saving grace of this comic is the action, art, and writing when the Avengers are on panel. Ironically, this comic is meant to be part of a mini-event celebrating Man-Thing, but the character's hardly in it. If anything, he's more of a plot device than a character here. Hopefully the next two issues actually use Man-Thing and make the character more interesting.

The Amazing Spider-Man: Curse of the Man-Thing #1 isn't bad but it's not great. It does its best to provide a deep dive into Ted Sallis, the man within Man-Thing, and it's okay. It's not that compelling, but how his personal crisis is resolved feels sincere. The art and colors are good, and the characterization of the characters is fine too. Overall, the comic is okay.

X-Men: Curse Of The Man-Thing #1 closes out this anniversary story to Marvel's Man-Thing. The art and colors are fine, but the story is the real problem here. The Harrower is an underwhelming villainess from start to finish, and this deep dive into the man behind Man-Thing is very by the numbers and has been done better in series like Immortal Hulk. Unfortunately, the whole story just makes me want to read Swamp Thing .

Final ThoughtsDeep Beyond #2 gives us more introductions to the characters of this world, but so far not much is done with the protagonist himself. However, this comic is now inching closer and closer to directly following its main premise. Hopefully, it picks up some steam in the next issue and dives right into what this comic is really about.

This comic puts the spotlight on the Eternal Thena but puts the brakes on the plot and murder mystery it set up before. This comic may or may not upset fans of Thena but it continues to establish the relationships of these long-lived beings. Sadly, this comic is pretty skippable except for a few details which the next issue will surely provide in the recap.

Eternals #4 finally moves the plot forward, and the murder mystery picks up a little steam. There is some weird characterization of Sersi, but the focus is mainly on Druig and Kingo this issue, especially the former. It's not bad but it's not great either. The comic finally delivers some desired action from a certain Marvel villain, but it's very brief.

Eternals #5 finally brings some major development to the Eternals' murder mystery and the Great Machine's malfunction. However, the reveals may not be the most impactful once readers find out who's responsible. But now it feels like the series is getting back on track and things are heating up for the better. Hopefully the next issue adds more to the story and keeps up the momentum it started in this issue.

Eternals #6 concludes the story of the Eternals' return and provides some explanation for why everything transpired as it did. The fighting with Thanos is cool, and Esad Ribi's art and Matthew Wilson's colors look good, too. However, the bigger issue is the huge retcon that Kieron Gillen introduces in this issue that impacts all of the Eternals, not just the main cast. But casual readers might not mind it as the series has made plenty of similar changes to the Eternals in past issues. So we'll see if the changes actually matter.

Eternals #7 starts the new story arc for the Eternals, and this issue feels more like Thanos' story. The primary team of Eternals don't really do anything significant in this comic, while the real story is with Thanos and Druig. Their plot to make the Mad Titan leader of the Eternals is as ridiculous as their method to do so. However, it does chart an interesting new course for the Eternals and especially Thanos. We shall see what comes of this new development in the following issues.

Eternals: Celestia #1 is an underwhelming entry in Kieron Gillen's Eternals run. The story needlessly gender bends both Ajak and Makkari, pairs them up on a pilgrimage despite their bitter history, and the journey itself is woefully uneventful. There are no major conclusions reached in the characters' soul-searching, and while one idea is proposed in the story, the comic doesn't really explore it in detail. The only good thing in this comic is the art provided by Kei Zama and the colors by Matthew Wilson and that's about it.

Eternals: Thanos Rises #1 focuses less on Thanos and more on the history and ramifications of his birth. It's disappointing but manages to tell a tragic tale of his father A'Lars, aka Mentor, and his mother Sui-San and the impact he has on them. The artistic depiction of the Eternals is great thanks to the art team of Dustin Weaver and Matthew Wilson. However, the Eternals' civilization feels like something ripped from the Man of Steel film's portrayal of Kryptonian society. By the end, you'll likely walk away feeling incredibly sorry for Mentor more than ever before and disliking the Eternals.

Excalibur #23 kicks off another adventure for the Excalibur team as they venture back into Otherworld with Dr. Doom. The star of this comic is Dr. Doom, his reactions to Otherworld and his interactions with Captain Britain steal the show every time. The story with Doom does feel concluded by the end, meanwhile the comic builds up some mystery and intrigue to prepare the book for a new Arthurian storyline.

Fantastic Four #30 was a filler tie-in. It hardly connects to the main King In Black event but is used to set up future storylines and subplots for upcoming issues. Readers can either skip it or read it, it doesn't matter. The next issue is when the story gets back on track.

Fantastic Four #31 is a cool down issue that tries to get the team to relax and cool off while setting up new plots and story developments. The story's not the best but it's not the worst and the art by R.B. Silva and colors by Jesus Aburtov are still great. The family drama here is fine but nothing too excitable or outrageous. Even Reed and Ben's trip feels a lot more tame than expected.

Final Thoughts:Fantastic Four #32 is an uncomfortable comic book to read, and Dan Slott's love triangle between Johnny Storm, Lyja, and Sky feels very rushed. Almost everyone comes out looking bad as Slott essentially uses the comic to prop up Sky as the better love interest. However, the backup story with Mr. Fantastic and Dr. Doom was pretty good. At least, it feels like the only Fantastic Four story in this entire comic.

Final Thoughts:Fantastic Four #33 is everything you'd expect from a Dr. Doom wedding. Royal pageantry, fancy dinners, and trouble just waiting to happen. While the comic puts focus on Doom and his commitment to the marriage, the authenticity of the wedding is always in question due to the events of the previous issue.If nothing else, Dr. Doom looks great in every page he's inthanks to the art and colors. By the end, readers might end up rooting for Dr. Doom on this one.

Fantastic Four #34 concludes Dr. Doom's wedding, and while it's fun at times, nothing significant truly happens. There's no real shakeup in the status quo regarding Doom, the FF, Victorious, or anyone else there. It also doesn't help that Johnny and Victorious' relationship lacks any chemistry so it's not that convincing. The art is great as usual and so is the action as the FF and their allies try to stop the chaos you'd expect from a disastrous Dr. Doom wedding.

Fantastic Four #35 does its best to celebrate 60 years of stories with Marvel's first family in comic books. However, not all of the stories are big winners, the best would likely be the last story just by default. The main story is a campy tale that's fun on paper but ends up being a flawed 70s Fantastic Four story told today. The second story is too short but fine enough while the third story has great art from Paul Renaud with a serviceable story. This anniversary issue is fine but not great.

Fantastic Four #36 is pretty much about exploring Johnny's current state since Dr. Doom's wedding. The art team does a great job illustrating the frustration and sadness Johnny is in while he's constantly on fire. Dan Slott makes the smart move to have The Thing supporting Johnny during this whole mess. It's a serviceable, cool-down issue to show where the Fantastic Four are at after everything that's happened in the past few issues.

Fantastic Four #37 is another cool down issue that gives some time for the characters to catch their breath. It also tries to have some emotional payoff to previously established storylines for certain team members. However, the emotional impacts don't land as well as intended and the “big lesson” in this comic feels superficial and clashes with the overall nature of heroes in Marvel comics nowadays. It also doesn't help that the main villainess in the book is underwhelming and the story she kicks off isn't that interesting either. Hopefully, the next issue gets things rolling again.

Gamma Flight #1 does a solid job of establishing the team and what the miniseries' story will be about going forward. You get a sense of where the characters are at now that they're on the run, what some of the team dynamics are, and who the main threat will be going forward. The art and colors from Lan Medina and Antonio Fabela looks good depicting both the human characters and gamma mutates on page. This is definitely a comic for Immortal Hulk fans who want to see more of Gamma Flight.

Gamma Flight #2 picks up right where it left off in the previous issue as the team face off against Skaar, the Hulk's son. The comic invests its star power in Skaar, showing him in action kicking all kinds of tail, while investing the character drama and development with the Gamma Flight team. Anyone expecting big reveals for Skaar will be slightly disappointed, but the comic does provide some answers as to who the main villains are, and Hulk fans will certainly get a kick out of it.

Gamma Flight #3 keeps up the momentum from the previous issues. The story is solidly paced as it goes back and forth between the displaced team members and those back at their HQ trying to get them back. The art and colors look great in the new strange location that helps distinguish the Gamma Flight team from their surroundings and its monsters. There is a solid macabre backstory to the location, the gamma monsters, and other major reveals in the comic. Fans of The Immortal Hulk will definitely get their money's worth in this comic issue.

Gamma Flight #4 shows the penultimate chapter in this team's story as they form a plan to fight Project Green Spring. The writers manage to make most of the team contribute to the comic's story and utilize their skills and talents to help in some way. Readers get some answers to Dionne, aka Stockpile, and her time in Green Spring, but not much on The Abomination, Skaar, and Dr. Alba. Fans will likely have to check in with the final issue for more answers as well as the final confrontation between Gamma Flight and The Abomination.

Gamma Flight #5 concludes the miniseries and the series finale is and isn't what readers will expect. The big fight everyone's looking forward to between Gamma Flight and The Abomination is fine but visually underwhelming aside from a couple of cool pages. There are no big answers to The Abomination and Skaar here as the comic seems in a hurry to resolve things. By the end, most of the story elements are resolved quickly and wrapped up a little too neatly. However, some good things came out of it, and hopefully Marvel will pick back up with these characters in later stories.

Final Thoughts:Geiger #1 serves as an introduction to a new post-apocalyptic world. The comic has excellent art by Gary Frank and great colors by Brad Anderson. The story leans heavily into the nuclear Earth direction, hinting at mutants, monsters, and a glimpse of the titular nuclear hero, but there's very little shown. There's more setup and world-building here than there is story, but Geoff Johns keeps it well-written so it's not bad to read through. Thankfully, it looks like things will pick up in the next issue.

Geiger #2 takes its time to tell a more grounded story to show some of the people's lives in its post-apocalyptic world. However, it feels like it should've come after some more development with the titular main character. That said, the art and colors are great, and the story and dialogue is well-written. Hopefully, there's some payoff to this story in the next issue.

Geiger #3 gives readers a solid flashback for readers to see. It doesn't exactly move the present-day story forward, but it does move the personal story of Geiger himself a little bit. The encounter looks great thanks to Gary Frank's art and Brad Anderson's colors, while Geoff Johns goes for a more emotional experience for Geiger to overcome.

When the action starts, the comic looks pretty good especially when Geiger is fighting with his powers. Again, Gary Frank and Brad Anderson continue to make Geiger's powers look visually cool when they're in use. The sequences themselves are nothing too crazy but they're still fun to see. By the end, it feels like the comic is actually moving the overall plot forward as Geiger and the others make progress in their quest.

Last issue had Geiger and company running into mutant marauders, now Geiger #5 has them finally reach their destination. In this issue, things calm down for the kids while Geiger and his mutant pet Barney get the cold treatment. The comic explains what the group's package actually is and what it would mean for anyone who owns it. The facility itself isn't anything too special, serving more like a pit stop for the kids. However, things get tense again when the kids discover some darker things about the people there, and Geiger and Barney come to the rescue just as the comic teases a new enemy in the next issue.

Green Lantern #3 is well-written but very light on action. This story arc is directly diving into material from the Future State storyline, which may turn some readers off. We see John Stewart and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps in the aftermath of the last issue. We see where most of them are, and what some of them are planning to do. The comic takes its time to explore John Stewart, showing what he's doing during all of this. Sadly, nothing exciting happens in this comic. However, it looks like the next issue will be bringing more suspense.

Green Lantern #4 continues to show how John Stewart perseveres against hostile elements without his lantern ring to help him. It really lets the tactful, soldier aspect of John come through in this issue while further exploring the fates of his fellow Green Lanterns. The backup story expands on some of the fallout of the Central Power Battery's destruction. However, it doesn't progress the overall mystery all that much and kind of drags its feet going through the obvious suspects that fans can already deduce are not behind it.

Green Lantern #5 picks up where both the main story and backup story left off. The first half focuses on Teen Lantern's rampage on New Korugar fighting the Sinestro Corps, while the second half follows John Stewart and his side of things. The former is more action-packed but uses a couple overused storytelling tropes when it comes to analyzing Teen Lantern, the Sinestro Corps, Sinestro himself, and their relation to fear. Overall, the narration comes off as needlessly edgy. The second half follows John Stewart as he finally makes some progress finding other Green Lanterns. It's not exactly thrilling but it continues to explore John as an earnest leader and even sets up the next step for him in upcoming issues.

Green Lantern #6 wraps up previous stories and preps the Green Lanterns for the next ones. There's very little action or dynamic storytelling in this comic, just setup with expository world-building that will likely pay off in later issues. The first half concludes the Teen Lantern rampage on New Korugar with Jo Mullein, while the second half gets John Stewart ready to go find Kilowog. Neither story is particularly exciting, they're more informative than anything, but there is a bit of intrigue concerning some new villains introduced in the second story.

Green Lantern #7 takes an unexpected turn with its main story that heavily veers away from what the cover and synopsis are promoting. The “journey” that John Stewart has in the first half feels like an unnecessary side-quest, and the purpose of it will only become clear in later issues but not in this one. However, the second story is the stronger of the two with a compelling emotional center, some good tension and action, and a heartwarming conclusion. Here's hoping the next issue gets things back on track for John Stewart and the Green Lanterns.

Green Lantern Annual: 2021 does its best to present a case for Jessica Cruz joining the Sinestro Corps. The reasoning of why Jessica stays is debatable, but it pulls on the right connections based on her history with fear. The change is likely temporarily, and the real question is what DC will actually do with her as a Yellow Lantern. Ryan Cady delivers solid characterization for the major characters, notably Jessica and Sinestro with the exception of Hal Jordan. The art team did a good job with the visuals and colors, especially the action scenes.

This comic issue is the calm before the storm as the Guardians use their time for some emotional recollection. Some more successful than others while they prepare for the final battle with the Olympians. If you're looking for a story with the Guardians in action, then wait for the next issue.

Guardians of the Galaxy #14 delivers on exactly what it promises: Dr. Doom vs. the Guardians of the Galaxy. There's action, humor, mysteries, and big reveals in this comic book that you don't want to miss.The art and colors by Juan Frigeri and Federico Blue are excellent and Al Ewing captures the best of Dr. Doom's character. That said, I'm not too sold on the great doctor being part of the Guardians, so we'll see what Al Ewing does with that in the next issue.

Guardians of the Galaxy #15 splits its time between Earth and the mysterious state of Ego from the previous issue. Unfortunately, the comic spends a little too much time making a fool out of Nova and attempts to convey a message about things being more complex nowadays for both Earth and the wider Marvel Universe. Things ramp back up by the end with a cool reveal that's sure to get the series back into straightforward superhero action the next issue.

Guardians of the Galaxy #16 kicks off "The Last Annihilation" with a bang, and hopefully it doesn't end on a whimper. Dormammu is front and center as the main villain of this crossover while the Guardians and their allies face off against his many Mindless Ones. The action looks good thanks to Juan Frigeri's art and Federico Blee's colors, while Al Ewing handles the dialogue and pacing well.

Guardians of the Galaxy #17 continues to advance the story of The Last Annihilation and shows what Dr. Doom brings to the team. It's something only Doom could bring, but aside from Rich saying it's a bad idea to have him there, that's about it. No new, fun, or interesting character banter and dynamics between him and the others. The art and colors look great, and the comic provides answers behind the tactics of Dormammu's invasion which inform the true stakes of the crossover event.

Guardians of the Galaxy #18 serves as the big finale to The Last Annihilation. The comic is good but I wish it could be great since it's very by-the-numbers and the story is pretty predictable, especially if you kept up with the tie-ins. Dormammu himself isn't an entertaining villain, since he doesn't really do anything except look menacing. The crossover event as a whole just feels underwhelming, and it's Dr. Doom who ends up stealing the show in this comic in more ways than one.

Now, anyone expecting any kind of epic body horror or dark revelations as expected with the rest of the Immortal Hulk series will be disappointed. There's a little bit here and there, but that's about it. This comic is more standard fare on the Hulk action, but it is still good action.

Iron Man #7 tries to up the stakes and show what Iron Man and the whole cosmos has to lose if Korvac wins and it's pretty underwhelming. As usual, the art by Cafu with D'Armata's colors is great, but the rest of the comic feels like it's padding itself out before reaching the parts people actually want to see. If you're a fan of this series then you'll like this. If not, then it won't be convincing you anytime soon. Like Cantwell's Dr. Doom series, this might be a series that's best read after it's finished.

Iron Man #8 is pretty much skippable for anyone who's not interested in Hellcat, or at least how Christopher Cantwell writes her. This issue is basically her story. As usual, the art and colors are great. Meanwhile, the story is okay but could be potentially divisive because of its subject matter. The overarching story with Korvac doesn't exactly move forward that much and will start up again in the next issue.

Final ThoughtsJustice League #59 isn't the nightmare some might have envisioned it to be, which is helped by some great art but it's not without its problems. It's an average comic with excellent art and a story that could go either way in the next couple of issues depending on Bendis' dialogue and story choices. The backup story by Ram V is mostly setup with great art by Xermanico. If you've read his Future State: Justice League Dark story, then this will feel familiar to you.

Kang The Conqueror #2 continues the young Kang's journey as he appears in ancient Egypt and faces his adult counterpart, Rama-Tut. The story of the young Nathaniel trying to defy his fate in becoming the futuristic conqueror is a compelling story as he uses the history of his own life and Earth to his advantage. It builds this divergent rebellious persona for him while sowing the seeds of the time-traveling super-villain. The art and action by Carlos Magno and Espen Grundetjern looks amazing as they show the young Kang in action in ancient Egypt. The story leaves on an interesting cliffhanger that will have Marvel fans excited to see what happens next.

Kang The Conqueror #3 gives you exactly what it says on the cover – Kang vs. Dr. Doom. The story doesn't waste any time and gets young Kang and the reader right into the meat of the story with great action, fun character interactions, solid development for young Kang, and great art. The comic brings in Dr. Doom in a way that makes sense for the character and this series, and his overall characterization is written pretty well. The art by Carlos Magno and colors by Espen Grundetjern continue to excel in the comic in making the action, locations, and characters all look superb.

King In Black: Ghost Rider #1 gives Ed Brisson the chance to conclude the story he started in his Ghost Rider series. You get demons, symbiote dragons, and Ghost Rider all illustrated by Juan Frigeri and great colors by Jason Keith. The comic takes advantage of the wider King In Black event to resolve most of the plot lines from Brisson's previous Ghost Rider series here. Of course, some parts of the story feel rushed and force certain resolutions to happen. Overall, fans of Ed Brisson's Ghost Rider series will find some payoff here, even if it's not the strongest it could be.

I have few criticisms with Prowler's story other than it just feels like setup for another story. Though it was great to see symbiotes literally raining from the sky.

The backup story did fill in some answers concerning the fates of certain members of the Pantheon. But the big takeaway from it was the feeling of tragedy, guilt, and rage in the characters. Hopefully, these same emotions carry over into the main story.

Final ThoughtsScott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel definitely deliver with this introduction to a new comic book world. This comic provides a new world enveloped in darkness but shows the fights not gone from humanity yet. It's a great first step into a new comic book series.

Nocterra #3 pits the main heroes and villain against each other in a good old-fashioned chase. The art and colors from Tony S. Daniel and Tomeu Morey continue to be excellent here and provide some stellar and surprisingly colorful visuals during this post-apocalyptic chase. Scott Snyder manages to give all of the main characters their time in the spotlight as they make their way to their destination.

Nocterra #4 balances out world-building and storytelling very well. The creative team of Scott Snyder with Tony S. Daniels on art and Tomeu Morey on colors really comes through in this issue. The story advances at an even pace, most of the world-building and story developments have genuine payoff by the end, and it feels like the story is definitely moving forward.

The turmoil in Val feels genuine because she's been a definitely pessimistic character from her first appearance to this issue, believing that every good thing that comes their way is nothing short of being too good to be true. However, now it presents a somewhat believable reason as to why she would genuinely start questioning those instincts now, and most of that is due to the presentation of Sanctum by Tiberius who doesn't sell the place short but gives a more grounded look at it all.

Radiant Black #2 is starting to find its footing as it really starts to build this new superhero. The blend of grounded elements with the superhero action feels pretty good here and the art and colors from Marcelo Costa look great. There are a few hiccups in the comic but nothing too bad. The story ends up being surprisingly wholesome and mature with the main character and shows there are great things in store for this series and its hero.

Final ThoughtsThe biggest takeaway is the art and character spotlight on Manifold. I'd recommend the book to fans of Manifold, the artists, and Al Ewing's world-building. But if you want a story that shows more of their involvement in the main King in Black event, then the next issue will have more of that.

S.W.O.R.D. #4 brings its King in Black tie-in story to a close and the series can get back on track for what it's supposed to be. We finally see the fight it set up issues ago and the art and colors by Valerio Schitti and Marte Gracia is stellar as always. Fans who already have the second and third issue can finally complete the set with this one.

S.W.O.R.D. #5 is less of a story and more of a dressing down of Fabian Cortez by the mutants, or rather by Al Ewing. If you dislike or hate Cortez, then this book is up your wheelhouse as Ewing lays all his flaws bare. But if not, and this is your first exposure to the character, then skip it and wait for the next issue.

S.W.O.R.D. #6 is a comic full of payoffs, some of which readers won't be expecting. It immediately picks up after Planet-Sized X-Men #1, exploring some of the immediate aftermath while Abigail Brand and S.W.O.R.D. turn most of the comic into a sales pitch for the built-up Mysterium. There's little to no action here and it's very much all about plot developments but manages to make up for it with cool art from Valerio Schiti and Marte Gracia and some compelling character interactions.

S.W.O.R.D. #7 advances the plot of The Last Annihilation while finishing off some business from the Hellfire Gala. It pays off to several storylines and moments Al Ewing established in Empyre and previous S.W.O.R.D. issues. The art change is very noticeable, and while Stefano Caselli is good, the art's not as captivating as before. The main draw here is the invasion of Throneworld and the dinner between Dr. Doom and Storm in particular. The character interaction between the two is nice and well-written, but no significant development occurs that no one couldn't guess would happen. But the two get to show off their more regal sides.

S.W.O.R.D. #8 shows what Storm's duties are as the Regent of Arakko. The comic gives a brief glimpse into the leadership of the terraformed Mars, white page and all, while showing a quick look into Storm's daily routine. The back and forth between Storm and Tarn is fine enough, but the full context of the rivalry is missing if fans aren't reading Hellions. Sadly, the comic is once again cleaning up a story that started in another series, first with King In Black, then Guardians of the Galaxy, and now Hellions. Hopefully we get a genuine story for S.W.O.R.D. to have soon.

S.W.O.R.D. #9 kicks off a new story for the mutant space force that feels like its own. The comic's plot is pretty straightforward and weaves together elements from previous issues to build the plot. There's action, intrigue, a couple of big reveals, and the art looks good. However, it's held down by the overused trope of introducing new threats at the expense of more well-established characters, and readers' mileage will vary if they even know who the characters involved are. But this feels like the beginnings of a bigger storyline for S.W.O.R.D. to have for itself.

Final ThoughtsSea of Stars #9 gives readers solid story progression, good art, and some bloody action to go along with it. There's also some significant story development for long-time readers of the series. For fans of the series, this is a solid recommendation for them.

Final ThoughtsShadecraft #1 wastes no time digging into its core concept as it introduces readers to its protagonist and monsters right off the bat. There's a lot of introduction here, little story progression, but it leaves a solid impression. The art is good and the artists really made the characters and shadow monsters look great. It's worth checking out.

Shadecraft #2 focuses on the characters here and not the plot. Specifically Zadie and her brother Ricky, as the comic takes the time to build the bond between them. The breakout character here is Ricky, being a lively and fun-loving character. The best parts of the comic are his interactions with Zadie and others as a living shadow that makes him stand out. However, the story of the living shadows takes a huge back seat to the brother-sister duo and almost feels forgotten until much later.

Shadecraft #3 follows up on the previous issue's big revelation and starts delving into the titular "Shadecraft". The comic provides some direct answers for Zadie, her powers, and the nature of the shadow monsters. It also finds a way to directly link the teen drama to the supernatural monster attacks for the better.

Shadecraft #5 brings a solid resolution to the series' first story arc. The family interactions between the characters are wholesome. However, the confrontation with Agent Owens was underwhelming and feels very by-the-numbers. The artwork with the shadows continues to look great and be an instant draw for the series. The comic ends on a bright note that leaves enough plot points open for future issues in Shadecraft while providing a solid conclusion to the first story arc.

Sinister War #1 launches with the promise of a super-villain brawl between the Sinister Six and the Savage Six, and that's exactly what you get. The art and colors show all the members of both super-villain teams in all their glory fighting each other while Spider-Man is caught in the middle. However, the comic doesn't sideline Spidey for the villain fights and manages to keep a cohesive story in what could've been a cluttered comic. Sometimes you'll wish there was of the villain teams fighting each other, but the comic leaves on the strong promise of more to come in the next issue.

Sinister War #2 brings back the super-villain brawl fights you might've missed in Amazing Spider-Man #71. Here we see Spidey face off against multiple super-villain teams each of whom have made appearances in this run from earlier story arcs. Their stories all converge here thanks to the machinations of Kindred. The action is great, the art looks good, and the fights are honest-to-goodness superhero fun. And judging by the ending, the best is yet to come.

Sinister War #3 continues the supervillain free-for-all with Spider-Man trying his best to stay alive. The comic establishes a more weary Spidey who's barely hanging in there while trying to fight off multiple supervillain teams. The art looks great, the pacing is solid, most of the super villains get their own time to shine in one way or another. Sinister War lives up to what it promised so far, here's hoping it keeps it up.

Sinister War #4 is the final issue in the companion series and it finishes well enough. The comic gives more of what it promised with Spidey fighting many supervillains, though this time with several villains that some readers will recognize and others that they won't. There's some major payoff in the comic surrounding a couple characters that Spider-Man fans and readers of Nick Spencer's run won't want to miss. By the end, things are setup for the final battle between Spider-Man and Kindred in Amazing Spider-Man.

This comic is basically a cool down before the next big story arc. For fans of Poe Dameron or his parents, this may be the comic for you. But for anyone looking for an eventful Star Wars comic, then they'll have to wait till the story picks up in the next issue.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #11 concludes the story arc as Darth Vader fights through Emperor Palpatine's final trials. While the art and colors are excellent, the story is fairly predictable but offers a cool series of encounters and an interesting confrontation between Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. For fans who jumped off due to the Rise of Skywalker material, you can join right back in next issue.

Star Wars: Darth Vader #12 is what it says it is – a cool-down issue and prelude for the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event. It shows the aftermath of the previous story arc and where everyone is at. But more importantly, it does its job to set up Darth Vader's motives for his involvement in the crossover.

Final ThoughtsThe Star Wars: The High Republic #3 continues to introduce more of the new villains of this era who continue to disappoint. The art is good but there are moments in this comic that don't feel too developed or well-thought out. Fans of the High Republic may enjoy this, but it's not a strong recommend to those waiting on the fence.

Star Wars: The High Republic #4 is trying to ramp things up with the Drengir. It works on some parts but fails at others. The story feels very rushed concerning certain characters, especially Master Sskeer and his choices. This comic has some difficulty in balancing its world-building and telling a solid story.

The Swamp Thing #9 is the penultimate issue to this Swamp Thing series, and it's only the beginning of the final battle. The comic gets all the major pieces together for this issue and explain a few things as well. It establishes the main villains, clear stakes, and sets up the big clash between Levi as Swamp Thing and his brother Jacob, aka Hedera. However, readers will have to wait for the tenth issue to get the final showdown between the two brothers.

If you're not a fan of this comedic take on Taskmaster, it's understandable. But Taskmaster #4 will surprise readers in how it commits to showing Taskmaster as a skilled fighter and mercenary. If you're already reading the series then definitely check this out.

The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1 is one of the more fun tie-ins in this crossover event. However, there is a lot of catching up to do for readers who don't even know about the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda's existence. There's some solid recap for readers new to it, but they'll probably feel like they're still missing something. Evan Narcisse delivers a solid story with the new M'Baku for the event. The art team of Germn Peralta and Jesus Aburtov also do a great job illustrating the action and characters for the comic.

The Last Annihilation: Wiccan and Hulkling #1 shows how even when they're worlds apart the two heroes are inseparable. Most of the story is divided between the present story and flashbacks to the lead characters' shared past. Some of it is fine and the rest feels by-the-numbers. Nothing terrible but it risks being seen as a little clich, so mileage will vary on that. The action and art are fine but nothing in the story really moves the crossover event forward that much aside from one encounter.

One thing I'm glad this comic finally did was show us where Odin's been all this time. Though I expected more for the former king of Asgard, I'm not too surprised by his current state. Marvel comic writers have spent five or so years making Odin a shadow of his former self in all kinds of ways. Even though I don't like it, finding him in some bar halfway across the Universe adds up. Here's hoping Donny Cates actually does something cool with Odin in the next issue.

We Only Find Them When They're Dead #6 re-introduces readers to this cosmic setting of space titans with a familiar face and plenty of new ones. The new protagonist, Marlyn Chen, is an entertainingly shady character, and we'll see if she becomes likable over time. The comic has a lot of epic visuals thanks to Simone Di Meo's art and Mariasara's colors, however, the story is less of a thrilling tale and more of a slow introduction to all of the new players.

X-Corp #1 feels like Part 1 of a TV pilot. The art and colors are solid, but it has too much setup and business jargon and not enough interesting storytelling. It does a good job establishing the team, who will likely be the main draw for this series, but not what X-Corp is actually going to be doing. This wasn't a strong first issue, so we'll see what the second issue brings.

The main fight overall was a quick one, which speaks to the team's abilities but it wasn't all that great either. The primary fighters were Laura, Darwin, and the Flaming Skullhead, again the comic doesn't tell us any of the Children's names. Everyone else is pretty forgettable except for the last surviving member of the Children who goes kamikaze and tries to self-destruct. During the whole battle, Synch didn't really do much but provide narration and that's it. It seem's like Synch is meant to be the POV character for this story arc, but he may not be the most compelling.