Raphael Soohoo Comic Reviews

Bendis and Paquette bring another exciting edition of ACTION COMICS, as we get a tease of what Bendis's Batman is like, as well as the developing mystery of the Invisible Mafia and what Lois is doing. Bendis does a great job of weaving these story threads and Paquette's art is pretty and ugly as it needs to be.

Bendis and Sook gave us an excellent issue of ACTION COMICS. Clark digs deeper into Red Cloud, the Planet gets attacked, and we finally figure out what's going on with Lois!

Brian Michael Bendis is doing great work on Superman, and ACTION COMICS #1005 is no exception. Ryan Sook returns, and he delivers gorgeous visuals. The arson mystery and the Invisible Mafia slowly unravel, and Red Cloud makes their presence known to Supes!

Brian Michael Bendis and Ryan Sook bring us another incredible chapter in this street-level crime story. Bendis has set a lot of pieces in motion on his board, and Sook has gorgeously illustrated them. ACTION COMICS has been one of the better DC Rebirth books; Superman is in good hands!

Writer Brian Michael Bendis delivers an excellent issue with ACTION COMICS #1008! Pacing, storytelling, character... everything is spot on. To match that, artist Steve Epting gives us tremendous, detailed artwork. Terrific issue!

Bendis and Epting deliver an excellent, fast-paced story with ACTION COMICS #1010! Bendis' writing is great, although the fact that Clark keeps disregarding his secret identity is troublesome. Epting's art is terrific and incredibly detailed. One of the best teams in comics right now.

ELECTRIC WARRIORS #2 steps up the action as we see the Electric Warriors, including Ian and Kana, fight for their respective planets. Steve Orlando makes Ian a bit stand-offish, and it's hard to like him. With a compelling plot, but jerky protagonist and visuals that took a step back, this issue was ultimately a step below the first.

ELECTRIC WARRIORS #3 is a dark book, as we see what happens to the Electric Warriors after death. The brutality these people face so that their worlds can have peace is a lot, and it's only a matter of time before they rebel!

Steve Orlando delivers a satisfying ending to the saga of the Electric Warriors, sprinkling in DC lore from all over its massive timeline. Artist Travel Foreman gives focus to the battle and lets the dialogue breathe. Great miniseries for fans of DC lore!

Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw, the team behind THANOS, reunite to give us a huge cosmic story in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1! Cates pulls no punches, and Shaw's artwork is great. One of the best Marvel #1's in recent memory!

Snyder & Tynion continue to dig the League deeper into their hole in JUSTICE LEAGUE ANNUAL #1. The villains are a few steps ahead, and the consequences are dire. Great dramatic storytelling from the writing duo, and excellent art by Daniel Sampere!

Snyder and Jimenez deliver an excellently written, well-drawn interlude for the Justice League. We see some of the concerns the League has facing their biggest battle, and look into their hearts. Superman also does something only he can do: fix the moon.

Snyder and Manapul bring us into a new storyline with a bang! Hard hitting prelude issue, with lots of big moments and huge implications for the League. Another great issue by Snyder, with gorgeous art by master Manapul.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #11 finds the League in deep trouble, beset on all sides by all of their enemies. Snyder is racheting up the tension, and Manapul's art is gorgeous.

Snyder kickstarts the Justice League's comeback, as we learn what Poseidon did, and what Arthur and Mera must do. Snyder does a great job of balancing all these plates, and the artwork fits the mood and setting in each instance.

James Tynion IV and Guillem March deliver a chilling rendition of the Joker in JUSTICE LEAGUE #13. As the Legion of Doom recollects itself, Joker strikes out in a horrifying fashion.

Tynion and Snyder team up to tell an intriguing mystery on Thanagar Prime. Nothing is as it seems. Cheung's art is brief but great; Segovia does a very good job with the bulk of the art duties.

James Tynion IV, Stephen Segovia, and Jim Cheung continue their excellent work with the World's Greatest Heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE #15! Tynion and Snyder are creating quite an epic story; involving the entire DC Multiverse is ambitious!

Writers Snyder and Tynion craft a satisfying ending, setting up a much larger story with the Source Wall and Perpetua. Segovia's minimalist art and Cheung's hyper-detailed work offer wonderful contrast, as the League may finally have turned the tide against the Legion of Doom.

Snyder returns to solo writing duties, and gives us an interlude. The idea of J'onn revisiting his past is great, but trying to redeem Lex Luthor right after he blows out the Source Wall and puts the Multiverse on the brink of war is dubious and poorly-timed. This arc should happen much later. If Lex turns soon, it'll feel rushed and disingenuous, especially since he was a hero before Snyder's series.

Writer James Tynion IV returns to Justice League! Brainiac and Lex have a battle of the minds. Tynion nails the characterization of Luthor, and Ferry provides quality artwork.

Scott Snyder takes writing duties back with JUSTICE LEAGUE #19, and it's a doozy. Snyder continues the Multiverse spanning super arc he's done by introducing Mxyzptlk to the mix, along with the idea of a Sixth Dimension. Snyder does a good job seeding more tension in an already tense moment for the heroes. Artist Jorge Jimnez is great, especially when drawing faces.

Scott Snyder delivers a brutal story in JUSTICE LEAGUE #21! The League faces the reality that hope may not be enough to defeat the Legion of Doom. Snyder's darker story juxtaposes with Jorge Jimenez's bright pencils and colorful art.

A great interstitial issue by Tynion and Manapul reveals the history and motivations of the mother of the Multiverse, Perpetua. Tynion fills in the gaps in DC history and makes plenty of nods to existing canon. Artist Francis Manapul gives us a gorgeous issue, with lots of crowded scenes with intricately detailed armies. A great prelude to the Year of the Villain!

Snyder and Jimenez deliver another excellent chapter in the Perpetua saga! The League is split up, and Snyder shows new wrinkles in their character. Jimenez's art is top notch, as always.

Snyder and Jimenez deliver a high octane issue of Justice League! Things get tense as the League races to confront the World Forger. Snyder's controversial take on Batman may upset some, but it makes sense. Jimenez's art is gorgeous as usual, he does a great job of differing tone in different scenes with his pencils and inks.

Henrichon's art and Rosenberg's writing combine for a very strong chapter in this mystery. The heroes are slowly coming together, but there are still no answers. Will they find them? Do they want to?

The Punisher continues his mission to destroy Hydra, but has to fight his way through the NYPD, deadly mercenaries and Heroes for Hire!

Punisher and Daredevil team up in an exciting chase issue. The walls close in on Frank, and Rosenberg and Kudranski deliver an excellent issue, with a major surprise character showing up at the end!

Bendis and Maleev bring back their creator-owned, anti-authority revolutionary at an interesting time in the world. The art is gorgeous and Scarlet's voice is very well defined by her writer.

Lemire brings together a lot of plot threads in this issue, and the collision leads to a lot of cool visuals, great storytelling, and a big development for Robert Reynolds as the Sentry.

Tynion and Kirkham deliver an explosive issue, with lots of secrets revealed and the Immortal Men winning a decisive battle in their war.

THE TERRIFICS ANNUAL #1 gives us three different tales focusing on the team, Java, and Tom Strong. We get a lot of emotional moments, great action and gorgeous art. A great supplemental book to the main series!

Lemire and Luis deliver an exciting issue of THE TERRIFICS! A stunning revelation is made, and the issue ends on an exciting cliffhanger!

Lemire and Bogdonavic deliver another great issue of THE TERRIFICS. The team has separated, but splitting up doesn't mean everyone gets what they wanted. Add the continued threat of Doc Dread and the Terrifics may have to reunite to save themselves... but can they?

Writer Jeff Lemire puts a lot of heart into THE TERRIFICS #13. Michael's reunion with his lost love is beautifully done. The reunion between the other members of the team is great too, as they come together and realize they're a family. Joe Bennett also provides terrific art, and does a great job with the Multiverse scenes.

A new creative team takes over THE TERRIFICS! Writer Gene Luen Yang offers a new challenge to the team, and nails all the character interactions that Lemire had established. Segovia's artwork is excellent, particular in the action sequences.

UNEXPECTED #4 is a compelling read, as the heroes Firebrand and Neon try to unravel the mysteries of the new Nth Metal isotope. The deep dive into DC lore and lack of mainstream characters may make it difficult for readers new to comics, but established DC fans will love this series!

Thor is getting pushed to the limits leading up to the War of the Realms, especially in THOR #8. Jason Aaron and Mike Del Mundo send Thor through the crucible of Heven, and he emerges like a God Boss. Terrific action, great art, and nice supporting cast moments!

Writer Jason Aaron provides us with a hard hitting father-son conflict in THOR #10. The hammers and fists fly, but the core of the story is the conflict in Odin's heart. An abusive father tries to be better. The art team of Del Mundo and D'Alfonso do an amazing job. This was a nice interlude issue before the big war.

Writer G. Willow Wilson gives us a strong ending to "The Just War." Durovnia has peace, Ares has a quest, and Diana needs to find out what happened to Themyscira. Artist Xermanico draws one of the best-looking books I've seen this year.

Brian Michael Bendis revives the teenage team of the late '90s! The opening story is exciting and doesn't talk down to younger readers. There's a lot to like from this opening salvo!

Writer Brian Michael Bendis sends the heroes of YOUNG JUSTICE to Gemworld, splitting them up. YOUNG JUSTICE #2 sees some reunions, and important backstory for Cassie Sandsmark aka Wonder Girl. Bendis does a great job fleshing out Cassie's motivations, and Lupaccino, Gleason and McCarthy do a great job on art!

Writer Brian Michael Bendis shows us what happened to Impulse and Connor Kent -- and Connor's been busy! Bendis is respectful of the past but definitely carves his own path. Guest artist Bogdanovic is great, drawing the flashback sequence. Gleason is his usual terrific self, but Superboy could be scruffier.