Tim Adams Comic Reviews

Phillip Kennedy Johnson perfectly captures Bond's voice, and the art team of Marco Finnegan, Dearbhla Kelly, and Jeff Eckleberry set the tone with noir-inspired imagery.

The short action sequences channel the live-action James Bond movies, with the issue as a whole feeding off the franchise's overall vibe.

While 007 #3 is a slower paced issue, a ton of information is provided to the reader.

The artwork by Marco Finnegan and Dearbhla Kelly really pops on each and every page, especially in the beginning of 007 #4 as James Bond pulls off one of his signature impersonations.

This is one of the stronger issues of the series, and provides plenty of answers to some lingering questions.

What a pulse-pounding, action-packed issue of 007 we're greeted with this week.

It's been fun to see James Bond have to resort to seclusion, and not rely on his super spy network and fancy gadgets.

"Who can you trust?" is the name of the game, and every 00 agent has their sights set on Bond and Gann.

I'm loving the intrigue and espionage that keeps building issue after issue, even more than the miniseries that preceded it.

In typical 007 fashion, everything is wrapped up rather nicely, but it was still an exciting ending nonetheless.

For readers looking for a different flare from their weekly comics, there is a lot to like here.

What helps the story in Death to the Mutants is it comes from Judgment Day writer Kieron Gillen, so everything is connected. Guiu Vilanova's art is more refined here than in previous fill-in spots on Eternals, which is probably helped by the colors of the late Dijjo Lima.

While a reader doesn't have to necessarily read A.X.E.: Death to the Mutants, it does sync perfectly, in no small part because its been written by the Judgment Day mastermind: Kieron Gillen.

For Death to the Mutants to be a tie-in to Judgment Day, a lot of significant events take place in this issue.

While this might be Abbott's final story, I hope that this creative team has no stories percolating in their minds as I'll be there for any story they create in the future.

The creative team introduces a somewhat compelling main character through a mission that allows them to show off her tremendous skills, along with establishing the framework for her origin and the meaning behind the comic's title. Add in some one-note supporting characters and there's enough intrigue to keep readers coming back.

Similar to its main story running through the Spider-Man Beyond era, Amazing Spider-Man #78.BEY delivered a ton of enjoyable moments.

Fiorelli, Gomez, and Medina meld their styles together to prevent any unnatural transitions, which is greatly helped by Rosenberg and Caramagna's contributions of consistency.

What makes this tie-in to Amazing Spider-Man's Beyond era so entertaining is it takes a supporting character in Hobie Brown, aka the former Prowler and new Hornet, and finds a way to naturally progress his character arc.

Another strong issue from the Spider-Man Beyond board.

If you are an Avengers fan, there's no reason not to pick this up and continue reading to see what new villains they will face, and which heroes leave their unforgettable mark on the series.

It's nice to see the Avengers in the role of saving civilians, instead of fighting whatever villain is getting all of the attention these days.

Earth's Mightiest Heroes battle against The Ashen Combine comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Man is there a lot to like about Avengers #7! Jed MacKay knows how to craft a tale with mesmerizing words spoken by an unknown narrator.

Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa make a dynamic duo, with fantastic writing and voices for the characters together with bombastic art.

All of this praise is given to the dynamic creative team, who have taken their years of working together to form an unstoppable juggernaut on Avengers.

As far as one-off stories go, you can't go wrong with an Edwin Jarvis-focused issue.

What's helpful about this type of tie-in is it takes the main story beats and adapts them to the Avengers title, focusing on M.O.D.O.K. and 3-D MAN as Orchis antagonists. The Avengers work well together, and the issue even references events in the new Captain Marvel series.

I'm happy to see how 3-D Man served a similar role for the Avengers as Firestar did for the X-Men in their fight against Orchis. I wasn't sure when and how 3-D Man turned to the dark side, but I was giddy during the big revelation of what he and Black Panther planned in secret. Very well done.

I have to say I'm liking this ad hoc team of Avengers Captain America has assembled. It's a cool way to give some under-utilized characters a spotlight, and remind readers of their existence.

Captain America vs. Baron Blood is a fun fight to watch, but the real star of the issue is Kate Bishop.

This wasn't a crucial "Blood Hunt" series, but for monthly readers of Avengers, it served its purpose.

Count me among those fans thrown off by the change to Valerio Schiti's art style. Or perhaps its just having a different colorist.

The comic perfectly captures what it's like for kids in school, with cliques and the urge to always fight for dominance.

It's about time the feud between Damian and Howard escalated. I did like that it was done in a way that didn't make either boy look bad. They're kids after all, and jealousy comes with the territory.

Overall Batman and Robin and Howard is an adorable story that readers young and old can enjoy and appreciate.

It's fun seeing Damian and Howard as full-fledged friends this time around. Their dynamic is wholesome and sweet, which is a nice change a pace from your typical DC superhero adventure.

There's a lot more humor in this issue, and it's all thanks to Talia and her band of ninjas. And I wasn't expecting the two guest stars that showed up on the final page.

The comic doesn't shy away from some of the seedier sides of being a pirate, but it doesn't detract from the story.

We get a quick origin story for our Viking Heimdall, and it's eye opening to see where he started to what he has become now.

This finale definitely isn't what I was expecting.

It is cool to see callbacks to current themes like the Ravencroft Institute and forgotten villains like Carrion and Vermin, so for readers looking for an different Spider-Man story, they should be in luck.

The art is expressive and full of energy, and the team works well together when it comes to Spider-Man action sequences.

You can really feel the energy permeating from each page, as Ben tries to narrow down who could be attacking him. Another delight is reading to find out which villain from Spider-Man's rogues gallery will step up next.

The comic has done an adequate job of examining Ben Reilly's deepest fears and insecurities, and the presence of Spidercide only compounds those thoughts rattling around in his head.

The finale to the Ben Reilly miniseries went out on an action-packed note.

Having two of the most important people in Spider-Man's life be the protagonists in a tie-in to Amazing Spider-Man's Beyond era works so well.

Cult of Dogs expertly addresses both social media algorithms and the dangers they pose to the general public, with fictional characters playing their parts perfectly.

There's something poetically sad about mercenaries hunting a K9 named "Business Dog." Of course, there's a larger lesson to be learned from the crash of an economy and society turning on itself, but the creative team behind Billionaire Island teaches that to readers in satirical fashion.

There's an excellent example in the opening pages to how social media echo chambers work, both positively and negatively.

There's a good portion of the opening story that makes some valid points regarding the status that money holds over everyone's head, and how a lot of the real money ties back to the military.

Billionaire Island continues its hot streak of breaking down some of the finer points of capitalism and how power is truly collected in society.

I've gotta say, I'm satisfied with how this new installment in Billionaire Island concluded.

Marvel's new era of Black Panther gets off to a captivating start. Whereas the previous volume by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Daniel Acuna primarily took place in the stars, John Ridley, Juann Cabal, and Federico Blue deliver the beginnings of an espionage tale.

An intense fight is upcoming in the next issue, which should provide even more clues as to who is really behind these threats.

The 200th issue of Black Panther doesn't bring us any closer to finding out who is behind the assassination attempts on T'Challa's sleeper agents, but there are some quiet character moments worthy of recognition.

Readers are beginning to get some escalation as far as who could be behind the assassination attempts on Wakandan sleeper agents.

Black Panther #5 gives off major spy thriller energy in the best way possible.

He finally gets to have a meaningful one-on-one conversation with one major ally that answers some long-lingering questions from the past in a good way.

What makes Black Panther #7 fascinating is writer John Ridley spreads the story around in order to give proper page time to several key characters, who help to give different viewpoints of the brewing conflict.

"The Long Shadow" comes to a climactic conclusion and delivers its promise of reshaping Wakanda while setting up a new status quo for Black Panther.

German Peralta joins as artist, and his pairing with Jesus Aburtov and Joe Sabino cements this arc as a visual delight.

The Buffalo Soldier is working with the alien-invading Colonialist, but he and T'Challa spark up a conversation on what it means to be truly free. Some of the other lingering plot lines from Black Panther are also addressed, displaying how T'Challa is in free-fall mode personally and professionally.

From Black Panther's sleeper cells being revealed to a Wakandan civil war, we finally get answers to a long-running question.

The personal stakes for Black Panther have never been higher, and even though he's been kicked out of the Avengers, Black Panther still assembles a ragtag team to help him take down Jhai.

T'Challa is driven to fix the massive problems he caused, but the Avengers just won't let him be great.

John Ridley has put his stamp on the former King of Wakanda by tearing him down issue after issue.

The John Ridley run of Black Panther comes to an end on a solemn note.

The release of this special one-shot is presumably meant to capitalize on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but even as a standalone story there really isn't much meat on its bone.

It's cool to follow Black Panther's experience as a vampire after the events of Blood Hunt #1. His internal dialogue is riveting, and the constant fight against his vampiric influences is noble, yet sad at times.

While Black Panther doesn't have much of a presence in the Blood Hunt tie-in, that is about to change with how the issue concludes.

It's cool seeing how the events in the Black Panther miniseries tie into the central "Blood Hunt" story; specifically, Blade using the Impossible City to teleport the Atlantean temple into Central Park.

The mind-bending panels mixed with the violence and blood give Bloodrik a unique look that you won't find in most comics.

The detail in the art is superb, from Bloodrik's massive frame to the little details you can find at the blood sacrifice. You can feel Bloodrik's madness when the blood touches his tastebuds.

Definitely looking forward to following this story to its blood-soaked conclusion.

Taking Bloodshot on a road trip allows for the creative team to highlight different parts of the country that are typically ignored, which comes back around when you see how the community is suffering after a radiation leak.

Jon Davis-Hunt and Jordie Bellaire deliver some gruesome carnage courtesy of Bloodshot, which we've pleasantly come to expect with each issue.

While containing a lot of its graphic violence and blood, Bloodshot Unleashed #4 also has elements of a psychological thriller filled with hallucinations.

Captain America #750 is bittersweet, as someone who's been enjoying both Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Captain America: Symbol of Truth and must see them end here, but this special issue only reinforces what I loved about both series.

If readers jumping into the book are looking forward to seeing the two Avengers in the spotlight, then they will come away disappointed. Secretly, the star of the first issue is Veronica Eden, a Hydra villain with nebulous goals.

Veronica Eden has a long way to go before she can be considered a viable threat, and she is already on the verge of being overshadowed by the villain teased for the next issue.

One would think a series featuring two iconic leaders of the Avengers would put more of the focus on them, but Captain America/Iron Man somehow manages to make them bystanders in their own team-up book.

This penultimate issue turned out to be one of the better installments of Captain America/Iron Man.

Captain America/Iron Man failed to live up to my expectations, but that may have more to do with what I was expecting from the title.

The issue transitions seamlessly from an action-packed train heist to a quiet double-date between Cap and Misty Knight. The Cap-Misty Knight scenes come off as the highlight of the issue, with Tochi Onyebuchi nailing both characters' voices, and R.B. Silva, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna bringing Harlem to life.

R.B. Silva and Jesus Aburtov make a great artistic pairing, bringing a cinematic feel to each page.

Unfortunately, we have a bit of a bait-and-switch on our hands since Doctor Doom is promoted heavily on the cover of Captain America: Symbol of Truth #3.

Dual artists R.B. Silva and Ze Carlos weave their art styles seamlessly, with Silva handling Cap's adventures while Carlos tackling Falcon's.

The art matches the intensity of the fight, and things wrap up nicely in order to transition into the next story arc.

Captain America and Falcon are tasked with protecting the Prime Minister of Mohannda, which doesn't turn out too well in the end.

The art takes a notable decline but still keeps the same tone from previous issues.

R.B. Silva is back on art duties, and he's not alone. Arnim Zola's Dimension Z henchmen have returned, which should be a bigger issue for the also-returned Nomad.

What an intense issue!

Sam-Cap vs. White Wolf turned out to be a fight that lived up to the billing.

There are a lot of moving parts to keep track of, but ultimately it succeeds in showing the different story arcs at play.

The "Cold War" crossover slows down a beat to put the focus squarely on Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers who spend the issue fighting each other instead of Bucky Barnes and White Wolf.

I will say I will miss this book, especially since there hasn't been an announcement regarding Sam headlining his own comic book.

Dum Dum Dugan gets a co-starring role and even a love interest, but the villains are pretty forgettable overall.

Carnage and Cletus Kasady are the boogeymen of Marvel Comics. No matter what you do to them or how many times they appear to die, they come back stronger and scarier than before.

The art mixes both superhero action and terror nicely, and the main story is easy enough to follow, even if you aren't up-to-date on all the happenings going on with Carnage.

John Layman and Dan Boultwood deliver a hilarious conclusion to Chu's "(She) Drunk History" story arc.

The first issue from writer Mike Richardson and artist Jordi Armengol perfectly sets up the superhero mystery, with enough intrigue to leave readers guessing as to what path the story will take next.

What we have here readers is a compelling superhero mystery baked into gritty street-level story. Yes, the parallels between the Sentinel/Lunatic and Batman/Joker are evident, though they don't detract from the overall story being told. If anything they help enhance the story.

This gritty noir series takes costumed vigilantism in an unexpected direction, as the one detective hired to unmask the Sentinel ends up getting his interviewees murdered afterwards.

All four issues are definitely worth checking out.

As for the actual story, it does a good job of summarizing everything fans love about Cyborg.

There's some larger points being made through evil corporations and their affect on society going on, which is fun to see happen through a vlogger.

There's some good character work here, between Cyborg, his A.I. father, and Estelle. Estelle even brings up how Victor isn't really creative when it comes to changing his body parts into weapons.

The Titans guest-star alongside Cyborg in this one, and they do a good job playing supporting roles and allowing Cyborg to shine in his own comic book.

The final issue of Cyborg had the best art of the entire series, and it also included a satisfactory conclusion with Cyborg and his dad putting a lot of their differences aside.

Damn Them All #1 delivers a killer creative team and an intriguing story leaving this reviewer wanting to learn where things go next.

The laws of magic in this world are clear enough to understand, and there is plenty of intrigue with spirits being let loose and the mad rush to contain them.

Another fun issue from a well-oiled creative team.

I appreciate the world building that has gone into creating this world, with time spent fleshing out the different spirits and rules that go into conjuring and controlling them. From a storytelling standpoint, it's fascinating to think about.

It's fun to see Ellie given a purpose... and that purpose is exorcising around 72 demons that have been taken semi-hostage by their new owners, exploited for nefarious means.

It's fun to watch two of our main characters embark on separate missions, which will inevitably tie back together at some point.

Ellie sure has stepped into this time. Not only has she seen what the 500 Club has been cooking up, but she's also the pawn in an even bigger mystical scheme.

If you're into the occult and dark arts, you'll find much to enjoy here.

Overall, a very fun comic with a fitting ending. -

There's an interesting pivot to the story that I didn't see coming, but is still nonetheless appealing.

Let's head back to a time when Daredevil actually wore an appropriate costume for his street-level crimefighting.

This trip down memory lane to Daredevil's "armored" times brings in Spider-Man as a verbal sparring partner, and Sabretooth and Hobgoblin as adversaries.

There's some cool setup with a flashback showing how a corner man can help a fighter, and how that plays out in the present day with a familiar character who undergoes a transformation by the issue's end.

Dark Crisis #1 is a fluid, fun read with stellar visuals, as the creative team successfully delivers the "big event" feel in their opening salvo.

The creative team has a large cast to juggle but does it wonderfully, and that includes the surprise additions at the end of the issue.

There's a lot to digest with the newly-retitled Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3.

When fans and critics debate the most visually-appealing comic book event series, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths needs to be in the conversation for the top spot.

Every emotional beat is handled with care, and seeing how the young sidekicks stay positive in the face of total annihilation is admirable, even as Black Adam disagrees.

There are so many characters on each page and so much action to take in, you'll find yourself just admiring each and every panel to make sure you're not missing a moment.

We already know the "Dawn of DC" is the next big publishing initiative and features new ongoing series for Shazam, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and more, but does Dark Crisis hold up on its own merits? Surprisingly well, in fact, although there aren't too many big, character-defining moments to be found, even with the teases concerning Nightwing.

The one-shot gives readers a quick, easy-to-digest explanation of Darla Lang's origin story, and her new story allows readers to see her supernatural powers in action.

It's fun to see characters like Hawk, Dove, Blue Beetle, Swamp Thing, and Poison Ivy given the spotlight, and fans may even get to see some of these creators on more titles down the road.

There's a lot of fun moments in this issue, and Deadpool's daughter Ellie, their symbiote companion Bear, and Taskmaster make for exciting supporting cast members.

Some of the creatures and monsters may not be recognizable, but it doesn't take away from the story of a girl in search for answers. The highlight of the issue is the debuts of Thor and Storm, who are brother and sister.

Mixing demons and a bank heist gone wrong is a cool way to go about a storyline, but what I'm most interested in is seeing why this car is so important.

Drive Like Hell also does a good job of introducing more unique supporting characters.

Readers get some much-needed answers as to what's inside the demon-possessed car, and who its items belong to.

This was definitely not the conclusion I was expecting, but it is fitting.

Earthdivers takes the standard time travel story and puts a new spin on it by focusing on the potential murder of American historical figure: Christopher Columbus.

Earthdivers will make you question the time-travel logic learned through previous TV and movie projects, such as time trying to erase anomalies, etc.

We get to see two different versions of a character interact with our main cast, dropping valuable knowledge of the past and present all at once.

Our time traveling assassin is having a pretty rough go of it, thanks to Christopher Columbus and his crew.

This is definitely one of the more bloodier issues of the series so far.

This entire series Christopher Columbus has been walking around with a giant bullseye on himself, and Earthdivers #6 finally delivers on the promise of historic change.

Earthdivers #7 takes a slight detour to the Ice Age. It really feels like this side story is driving home how the Indian community was held under the boot of their oppressors.

I will say I'm enjoying this different route of changing history through the Declaration of Independence compared to Tad's failed journey.

The plot would work better if we spent more time either in the past or the future, really getting to know the characters in each period.

It's a lot to wrap your head around, but I'm mostly focused on the events taking place in the past.

While it's fun to reunite with Spider-Byte after her appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the real draw is the Spider-Society that Spider-Man 2099 is caught in the web of. I can't wait to see where all that is heading.

The Spooky-Man story is fun for its rhythmic dialogue and the redesign of the Sinister Six. I really enjoyed the art in the Cyborg Spider-Man story, which also gave us a cyborg-themed Sinister Six.

The return of Web-Weaver is always welcomed, but the story focuses more on the personal relationship between roommates Cooper Coen and Peter Parker, which isn't a bad thing.

We finally get the comic book debut of Issa Rae's Spider-Woman from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Her story is a fun one, as she's pitted against the multiverse version of an Avenger.

Part three is primarily a team-up between Kid Flash and Impulse, and it's nice to see their friendship and bond continue to grow.

Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Brad Anderson are a powerhouse creative team, so fans of their work will want to pick this up to follow their story.

Geiger: Ground Zero #2 wraps up this chapter of the Ghost Machine, but also serves as a springboard to the larger universe.

The narrating gives off a chilling vibe and presents Kingpin even scarier than he normally is.

As standalone one-shots go, this was a well crafted tale that highlights the best out of Terrax and Silver Surfer.

I didn't know what to expect when picking up the first issue, but I left Golgotha Motor Mountain thoroughly entertained.

Talk about a trippy comic book. Though, that should be expected when one of our central characters takes a dose of a cosmic space rock.

It's almost hard to decipher what's happening, but I don't even mind.

Talk about a wild, crazy fever brain of a trip the Golgotha Motor Mountain finale is.

Green Arrow is back in a new ongoing series, and it's already shaping up to be an all-timer for longtime fans of the Emerald Archer.

There is a lot to love about this comic, from the stellar storytelling to the eye-catching artwork.

It's a lot to digest for longtime DC superfans, but the main story maintains its focus on the Green Arrow family.

There's a lot to like, including seeing the returns of Phil Hester and Ande Parks on Green Arrow.

There are reunions and surprises galore, as DC wraps up the first storyline in Green Arrow's new series. The change in artists for the different storylines isn't too jarring, but Sean Izaakse is the standout.

This was a fun ride with Connor Hawke on his revenge tour for the murder of his father, the Green Arrow.

I'm liking where this story is heading.

Green Arrow is definitely one of the more enjoyable DC comic books to check out each month.

Green Arrow #11 feels like two comics in one, but the stories connect so seamlessly that it becomes an overall better experience.

The Merlyn threat is wrapped up pretty nicely, and before we brace ourselves for the "Absolute Power" event, Team Arrow goes back to where it all started for Oliver Queen.

What a wonderfully illustrated issue of Green Arrow! Every character and backdrop is perfectly crafted, especially our heroes and antiheroes.

As an Absolute Power tie-in it works well, and their mission appears to be vital and important.

The 1-2 combination of Phillips' pacing and fluid dialogue, mixed with stunning visual panels from Flaviano, Renzi, and Napolitano makes Grim #1 a gratifying read for fans of their previous works, or curious new readers looking for the next great series to latch onto.

There are some great moments when song lyrics are displayed on the page and they flow just as if you're singing alongside them.

One of the best comics on physical and digital shelves delivers some more pieces to the puzzle behind Jessica Harrow dance between life and death.

Jessica Harrow moves closer to finding out the truth behind her mysterious death.

Grim #5 is perhaps the most satisfying issue of the series yet.

As usual, the art comes across wonderfully elegant when needed while also possessing an air of the spooky when called for.

The different angles the art presents and the chaotic nature of the word balloons help drive home just how intense a situation this is.

I've really been enjoying these prologues in the most recent issues. They've provided much needed backstory on events and key characters from the past, while also moving the story along in a satisfying way.

I'm glad we got some of the backstory regarding Marcel, one of the supporting characters in Grim. It's always nice to feel more attached to the ancillary characters, because they can wind up playing important roles down the line.

It may seem like a simple scene, but seeing Jessica and Annabel talk woman-to-woman for multiple pages was very nice to see.

There's a lot of plotting and backstabbing going on, and I quite like it.

Jess and Eddie get to experience their own personal hells, which are uniquely crafted to poke at their insecurities.

Grim keeps raising the stakes and I'm all here for it.

Grim #16 is a perfect example of how you progress a storyline without dealing with any of its central figures.

What an absolute blast of a standalone issue.

So many plot points are coming back around in a major way, and it's fun to watch unfold.

You know you're reading a great comic when it can release a stellar issue that has the main character nowhere to be found.

Hallow's Eve is a character I haven't given much attention to, but all it took was seeing her slip on a Captain America mask to make me fall in love with her.

The way this issue started out, I was concerned Hawkgirl was going to be a bystander in her own comic.

It's a wonderfully drawn comic, and really gives the spotlight to Kendra's Hawkgirl throughout the years.

Much of the action sequences take place on the Nth World against Vulpecula, so it's cool to see some of those characters interact with our Hawkgirl.

Heartpiercer wastes no time in setting up our main characters and their conflicts, as we see how one fatal mistake condemns the world to darkness.

The supernatural nature of Heartpiercer is only a backdrop to the human relationships.

Heartpiercer doesn't hold back from displaying blood and gore, but this is what comes with war.

Enjoyers of fantasy adventure comics should give this a try.

Watching Gertrude, Larry, and their new goat friend take out Gertlins was as hilarious as every other fight in I Hate Fairyland.

Since Impact Winter #1 is a prequel to the Audible series, fans get the chance to see what shaped not only the world, but the characters as well.

There are early comparisons to titles like The Nice House on the Lake and What's the Furthest Place From Here, but It's Only Teenage Wasteland quickly differentiates itself from the competition.

It may be the wholesomeness of the characters or their friendship built on brotherhood, but I am enjoying the story that's being told.

This seems to be a busy time for post-apocalyptic survivor stories in media at the moment, but It's Only Teenage Wasteland still manages to carve out its own lane of entertainment.

Boy, this issue doesn't waste any time (or bloodshed) getting right down to the action. And if you thought you knew where this story was going, It's Only Teenage Wasteland throws another curveball at readers.

Even if this is your first time reading a John Carter story, John Carter of Mars #1 does a satisfactory job of filling readers in on the basics while teeing up more adventures to come.

I didn't know what to expect when picking up this issue, but I came away very impressed.

I have to praise the art by Stephen Byrne for being the true highlight in the book.

There is a lot of political intrigue at play, mixed with engaging colorful art. The idea of two people sharing one body isn't new, but Joy Operations tackles it in an interesting manner.

Archie's resident mystic conjures up an entertaining one-shot this week. The story and setup are simple, yet the comic still delivered intrigue and redemption on the part of Kardak.

The art is clean throughout the issue, and fight sequences are short but effective.

There's some mystery baked into the terror, which should bring readers back for more in the next two installments.

The creepy tale continues, as we jump back and forth between what we believe to be what's real, and what's happening inside the world of the play.

One of the most endearing things to come out of the Marvel's Voices anthologies is seeing the respective group of creators tell stories featuring a diverse group of superheroes. Creators such as Jim Terry, Nyla Innuksuk, Rebecca Roanhorse, and more educate readers on the perspective of indigenous characters.

Everyone shines in the best ways possible, and the Marvel's Voices tradition continues to reach new heights with each iteration.

Masterpiece may look like a slow burn on the surface, but it should be more than worth the wait.

I'm loving the sass and energy that Emma emits on every page. The Masterpiece team does a good job of giving each character a spotlight, whether it's short and sweet or extended panels.

I'm loving the crew Masterpiece has assembled. The dialogue was extra catchy and witty, probably because the drama picked up and the tension escalated.

The art team got to show off with some trippy hallucination pages, but at it's core Masterpiece is still based in gritty realism.

Each page translates these feelings masterfully, and ends on a note that future stories could be possible depending on the reaction from readers.

We do get some key information regarding why Blade has gone evil in Blood Hunt, so we at least know Blade hasn't gone full-bad-guy yet. The art also perfectly encompasses a story of this supernatural nature.

This new Spider-Man 2099 weekly series does an excellent job of telling a self-contained story, while also setting the stage for all of the conflicts to come in future issues.

There's definitely setup for Werewolf by Night to show up again down the line in future 2099 stories.

As someone not that familiar with Terror Inc., it was fun seeing him mix it up with Spider-Man 2099. Especially since this appears to be the same Terror Inc. from the Heroic Age, still kicking in 2099.

Man-Thing 2099 is the newest in a long line of Man-Things and other characters that tried to do good and got physically transformed as a result. He does continue the Man-Thing tradition of "burning" his victims with a touch, but this time the burn comes from deleting someone's digital footprint.

A few separate stories take place in this annual, with two of them featuring Miles Morales heading to Puerto Rico to visit his abuela. The best is the opening tale where it's mostly Miles outside of his Spider-Man costume, learning more about his family.

The next chapter in Miles Morales' web-slinging adventures gets off on the right foot.

If you've ever wanted to check out a Miles Morales comic, now is the time.

I love that we got Rabble's backstory and origin, and that she's not some pre-existing character looking to get revenge on Miles Morales.

Personal stakes make any good superhero fight all the more interesting, and that's definitely the case here. And I have to add that the art is insane on this book.

While their confrontation was definitely filled with intense drama, some of the art was hard to follow at certain points.

Who knew Miles Morales and Scorpion would make for such an entertaining pairing?

Talk about an action-packed issue! Whenever Carnage is on the scene, you never know which of your favorite heroes are going to get impaled, killed, or seriously injured.

Hightail's profile continues to rise, especially with what happens to her by the end of the issue.

It was cool seeing Miles in his Blade-themed vampire hunting costume and dealing with threats of the supernatural variety. He needs more team-ups like this that don't include your typical Spider-Man friends and family members.

What a great debut issue for Miles Morales' entry into the Gang War crossover event.

Rabble has really impressed me with how she's set herself up as Miles' #1 rival, and I can already see her redemption arc will be satisfying that is, if she doesn't do something horrible in the big 300th issue next month.

While I won't give away how things end, there is a surprisingly happy ending that readers should enjoy. This was another story arc that proves Miles Morales is worthy of the Spider-Man mantle.

Just getting to see our favorite superheroes as regular kids doesn't happen often enough.

There's some interesting storylines to follow in Blood Hunt and Miles is involved in one of the more important ones.

Miles Morales, Hightail, and Bloodline make for a fearsome vampire-hunting team.

I am absolutely a fan of Federico Vicentini and Bryan Valenza's art, and how every action scene is just kinetic energy that bursts off the page.

If you're ready for satirical take on dystopian product manufacturing, look no further than Juni Ba's Monkey Meat. If you're not entirely sure what Monkey Meat is, don't worry, because it's not entirely clear as you're reading the first part of this anthology series.

The art in the second issue of Juni Ba's Image Comics series is a lot easier to follow than in the first.

Juni Ba's artwork comes through a lot more clearer than in the previous issue, which allows the art to essentially tell the story itself.

The story's delivered in kinetic flair by Juni Ba.

A monthly highlight of Juni Ba's Monkey Meat series is the amount of humor and impressive art is on display in each issue.

The twisted origin story for Santa Claus, aka Nicholas Sinterklass, attempts to give his life a modern update that ultimately works.

If you've ever wondered about the origin a cherished Christmas tradition, The Naughty List #3 debunks it for you by giving answers based in the real world. Does Rudolph's nose really light up the sky? What about Santa going down chimneys? It's all answered.

The Naughty List #4 starts things off on a personal note by discussing the issues with Santa Claus' bowel movements. Yes, you read that correctly. However, it works in this scenario!

The story moves at a quick pace, and the art is crisp and incorporates the perfect comedic moments.

A welcomed highlight from Issue #2 is the witty banter between the characters, be they heroes, villain or a pastor with extraordinary powers.

Fans of Hulk's time as Joe Fix-It will see some familiar faces in New Fantastic Four #3, reminding readers where the miniseries takes place in Marvel history.

A rather surprising development is revealed for one character, and their connection to a major Marvel villain. It's all explained thoroughly, and yet in a fun manner.

Sticking to its comedic roots, New Fantastic Four #5 ends up saving the day with wit and humor, and some quick thinking by our heroes. It also ends with the tease of more story to come in the future.

New Masters #1 pulls off its opening while keeping enough intrigue on the backburner to keep readers coming back for more.

After an issue of setup, New Masters #2 perfectly fleshes out the plot, explaining how key characters are connected to each other.

Our West African sci-fi adventure delivers a gripping heist story, which rarely disappoints.

New Masters #4 takes readers on an adrenaline-pumping escape mission, as Ola and her Uncle Denarii evade their captors.

What really sticks out to me is the history of the Star Pilots. We learn a little bit about these space-faring adventurers in New Masters #5, but the issue's back-matter is full of character designs and a backstory that's worth exploring.

The end of this first chapter has some exciting moments, as it sets up building blocks for future stories.

If you're a fan of beautifully illustrated comics, then look no further than No One Left to Fight II.

No One Left to Fight II also continues to lean into its comparisons to Dragon Ball Z, with Vale's secret weapon to save the world cleverly named after a Goku attack. The art and colors are both powerful and vibrant, which accurately match the vibe of the comic.

Another bit of fun fan service is the revelation of the meaning behind the Dark Horse comic's title, and a showdown several issues in the making.

When the dust clears, only one competitor is left standing, and readers will still be left with some unanswered questions.

What a delightfully fun story featuring orcs, elves, wolves, and wizards. This is the type of humor that readers young and old can appreciate, with an art style to match.

You can tell the creative team is having a blast crafting this story, and it should only get better.

There's a lot going on here, but the banter between the orcs, elves, dwarves, wizards, and all the other characters makes Orcs: The Gift feel like a soap opera with humor.

What a satisfying and entertaining finale!

Punisher War Journal: Base catches up with Frank and his wife Maria, after Frank returns from serving in the marines. It does an excellent job of showing how difficult it can be to return to civilian life after being in the military. Whether it's Frank Castle or another soldier, it takes time and effort to make a marriage and family work in these instances.

Talk about a complicated and messed up family dynamic that's going on here.

There's multiverse shenanigans and attempts to highlight the positive values of learning math that go about as well as one would imagine. I came away impressed and even a little intrigued to sample the Rick and Morty cartoon in the future.

If you're a fan of the Rick and Morty franchise, this will all seem like an episode of the show. For new readers, there will be a lot to keep up with.

If you dig crazy alternate universe catastrophes, homages to classic cartoon characters, and the return of an old friend, then Rick and Morty #3 is just for you.

We have multiverse shenanigans and time travel, with the level of low-brow humor one would come to expect out of the franchise.

The art by Baldemar Rivas, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Steve Wands matches the tone a reader would expect from a comic featuring Robins. There are young and vibrant colors throughout, and the character acting manages to capture the perfect facial expressions.

The art feels young and full of energy, and matches what one would expect to see in a comic featuring the more colorful Robins.

It's nice to see a former sidekick have an original thought of their own that doesn't just go along with Batman's teachings. Hopefully this leads to a status quo change for the parties involved.

With its large cast the feeling is Robins could have progressed farther in its plot. The most joy comes from seeing the main cast interact with each other, such as in Dick Grayson's Bldhaven apartment.

It feels like there have been multiple antagonists running throughout the storyline, with each big bad revealed to be secretly working for someone else. The big reveal at the end of the issue also doesn't have as big of an impact as possibly intended.

What started as an examination of what it means to be a Robin and sidekick to Batman concludes in satisfactory fashion.

We've only seen glimpses of this new, strange world, but there is a lot more to discover along with the reader. I'm curious to see what other wardens and animals we meet.

We've got our supporting characters and villain all set up. Now it's time to learn more mysterious about Exodus.

Rook: Exodus has gotten a lot more interesting since Dire Wolf appeared.

As far as new comics and new worlds goes, the one the Rook: Exodus team has crafted has managed to keep my attention.

Some stories weave in-between the first and second Shazam! movies, while others stand alone. All can be equally enjoyed in their own special ways, and gives every member of the Shazamily time in the spotlight.

There's a lot to enjoy here, and if you're a fan of comedic, action comics, then Shirtless Bear-Fighter! 2 is the series for you.

The comedic element of the series continues, especially when part of the villains' evil plan is revealed.

I should also add how stellar the bear puns are throughout the series.

I could be wrong, but I believe Shirtless Bear-Fighter! 2 #4 contains an homage to Rocky Balboa/Apollo Creed. Shirtless' rogues gallery have a short introduction, and we learn one of Shirtless' few weaknesses.

Just when I think the "Bear" concept can't get any sillier, the Shirtless Bear Fighter! team manages to outdo itself.

This turned out to be a fun issue filled with surprises, family reunions, and secrets coming to the surface.

Things are coming up sunshine for Team Shirtless.

There's a curious ending that I'm looking forward to seeing played out.

It's a fine starting point for a series, but hopefully there's more to the storyline than meets the eye.

Clones have become a staple of Spider-Man comics, but at least Spider-Gwen tackles it in a different fashion, since there's some multiverse shenanigans at play.

Shadow Clones is out at just the right time, with Gwen Stacy's popularity at an all-time high thanks to the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Even if you haven't kept up with all the latest happenings in the various "Lazarus Planet" one-shots, Spirit World #1 is easy enough to pick up and understand.

We're only two issues in, but so far there is a lot to like and latch onto as a reader.

Overall, Spirit World was an enjoyable story with stellar art.

I'm always a sucker for teenage superhero books, so Strange Academy: Blood Hunt was right up my alley.

These Strange Academy students are very likable, and I'm pulling for Pia and German to remain friends through this.

Things wrap up pretty nicely for the Strange Academy kids.

Super-Pets Special: Bitedentity Crisis #1 is the right kind of one-shot that gives its underutilized pets the spotlight they deserve, while also adapting popular comics like Watchmen for some entertaining storytelling.

This Supergirl Special looks to address Kara's identity crisis head-on, and DC couldn't have picked a better creative team than Mariko Tamaki, Skylar Patridge, and Marissa Louise. It's a pretty low-key issue action-wise, but that's because there's more character development with Supergirl as she reminisces on her past on Krypton.

I didn't have many expectations going into the first issue, but I walked away impressed.

I learned some things I didn't know about Spider-Man 2099.

What I'm enjoying out of these Spider-Man 2099 titles is the inclusion of other 2099 characters. We get a few new additions in this latest issue, which should set up a pretty big throwdown later on.

The conclusion looks compelling enough to wonder how it will all resolve itself.

Seeing Spider-Man and Venom clash brings back fond memories of the '90s as a Spider-Man fan, and it's heartwarming to see Miguel mourn his brother Gabriel while also being heroic.

It has some classic trademark themes of a hit tactical squad being assembled to solve a problem, with the added twist of a darker version of this team also existing for the two groups to clash.

There's just too many characters to keep track of this early in the story, and a death goes by so quick that we can't even mourn them.

I really like how the story progresses in this issue, compared to the previous entries.

It's a very relatable tale, but nothing too original as far as themes go.

Terrorwar is all about the disenfranchised fighting back against the establishment to make their world a better place. They succeed in that, giving hope to the rest of us out there that anything is possible.

Even though his name is in the title, Thanos only has a few appearances throughout this first issue.

There's so much potential in a Thanos series, but right now it feels like it's being wasted in Thanos.

It's obvious that the Thanos series is meant to be impactful and set up his new status quo, but it just hasn't lived up to its billing.

I really was expecting more out of this series, but though it tried, it never delivered on such an impactful premise.

Crafting a relevant tie-in to a major comic book event can be a tricky beast. Thankfully, Death of Doctor Strange: Spider-Man #1 is an entertaining tie-in to the Marvel event series currently taking place.

The mystery of a disappearing town grows even deeper when the same event happens in a different city.

Kieth's art is elegant in places while also maintaining a comic strip vibe.

The Jaguar #1 is very new-reader friendly, but anyone familiar with the Archie superhero will find things to enjoy and take away from the one-shot as well.

Matz and Jacamon break down many of the issues found in society, which are a somber reminder of how the world really works.

There's a lot to enjoy in Affairs of the State, which makes me interested in seeing how it ultimately comes to an end.

The Killer: Affairs of the State really works to present an opposing viewpoint, which sometimes comes across as being heavy-handed.

Honestly, there aren't many characters to get behind in the series, but it's a grim reminder of how the world works.

What starts off as a rather quiet issueaside from some gang violence and dead bodiesescalates quickly when Denis and his partner stakeout a mosque at the same time as the police.

The creative team does a nice job of demonstrating how quickly society moves on from these types of tragedies, making the deceased out to be an angel, no matter how dirty they were while alive.

Geo Darrow goes big with detailed backgrounds and ideas, especially when it comes to the fight scenes between the Shaolin Cowboy and his amphibian enemies.

It's hard to go through a single page in a Geof Darrow comic without taking time out to analyze every inch of it. There's so many small details to appreciate that it they really shouldn't be overlooked.

Geof Darrow takes no shortcuts in his art, and really excels when Shaolin Cowboy has to resort to his chi training to get the upper hand on his opponents.

The amount of violence is perfectly rendered and can appear over the top, but still fits the tone of the series.

It almost feels like a reader needs to first pay attention to the dialogue taking place and the artistic background separately to really appreciate the work Geof Darrow is putting into this new volume of Shaolin Cowboy.

Each villain in Shaolin Cowboy is more racist and inflammatory than the next, and the real highlight comes in seeing just how they are each defeated, which continues with issue #6.

As gory and gross Cruel To Be Kin has been up to this point, issue #7 somehow manages to outdo itself in the finale.

The Space Between #2 even lands a happy ending, which I didn't expect.

There's a lot of continuity to keep straight, but it doesn't detract from the story thankfully.

Things remain rather calm in this second issue, but the facade is slowly deteriorating.

There's some excellent framing taking place with the panels and pages featuring Dragonfly and Dragonflyman as they argue over their belief systems.

Instead of having each short story doing its own thing, they all weave the central story through one another, and it honestly works. My favorites featured Kid Flash, Avery, Jai and Maxine Baker.

Hopefully you're a reader of previous Transformers: Shattered Glass stories, because the opening of this new chapter doesn't spend much time explaining any of the major plot points.

It can be tough juggling a large ensemble comic book, which makes keeping up with all the characters and allegiances in Transformers: Shattered Glass II #2 a chore.

The insertion of Goldbug as another Transformer for Slicer to play off of is a plus. From Goldbug to Jetfire, Slicer really knows how to dance a very fine line between his "alliances."

We're one issue away from the conclusion, so it will be interesting to see which Autobots and Decepticons make it alive to the end.

Seeing the deadly battle between Autobots and Decepticons through the eyes of Soundwave is a nice curveball.

What makes Unstoppable Doom Patrol #1 so entertaining is you don't even need a deep knowledge of the franchise to enjoy it. This is definitely a great opener for the team's newest iteration. The essence of the past series can be felt here, while it also strives to break new ground in the "Dawn of the DC."

There's a heartbreaking moment involving one of the new recruits to Doom Patrol, but that just moves the plot ahead even more in the conclusion of the story.

If you've ever wanted to see the Green Lantern Corps. vs. Doom Patrol, this is the issue for you.

With DC extending the number of issues in Unstoppable Doom Patrol's run, it allows the creative team to take a breather and have a character-focused issue.

There's a lot happening here, but the Doom Patrol proves themselves as a capable superhero team once again.

The art is adequate for its simplistic story, and it's admittedly a different scenario from typical Vampirella adventures. Beyond that, readers won't find too much to be intrigued by.

The dialogue is witty, fun and lighthearted, with the art to match the tone and style. And they even manage to have a surprise ending on the final page.

We get a trip down memory lane as Vampirella attempts to drink her sorrows away, and witness the massive loss she's endured.

The stakes seem big, but so far the sense of urgency isn't resonating.

If you're a fan of action-packed, chaotic comics featuring supernatural characters, then Vampirella: Mindwarp #1 is the series for you.

The story is rather slow, with Carnage and Cletus Kasady gathering intel on a secret weapon that can take them out. But you get to see why Carnage is one of the most feared figures in the Marvel universe.

Even the biggest Black Panther fans will find key information to learn from the story, and the addition of annotations allows readers to search out the original comics they appeared in.

Wakanda #2 will make fans want to go back and re-read Ta-Nehisi Coates' run, where the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda made its debut.

There's lots of betrayal to be found in this story, with some of the art hard to follow in certain pages once the action picks up.

Readers get to learn more about the group known as the Sisters, and the mute zones that have forsaken Wakanda's technology to live a simpler life.

It's fitting that the last character spotlighted in the Wakanda anthology is Okoye. Her adventure is one of the highlights, as she works with her niece who is training to become a member of the Dora Milaje.

Those curious to return to the Wastelands will find plenty to enjoy in this installment. However, it all still feels like rehashing an old project that's already been done several times over. On the positive side, the one-and-done nature of the issue at least makes it easy for a first time reader to pick it up.

Some stories are better told with shades of grey, and We Only Kill Each Other falls in this category.

Tyler Boss and Matthew Rosenberg (4 Kids Walk Into a Bank) are back with a Lord of the Flies-inspired series with just the right amount of humor sprinkled in the dialogue and art.

The second issue of this Image Comic series is a stark improvement from its debut, with the entire creative team flexing their chops.

The continuing expansion of the cast helps to keep the mystery building, and watching a group of teenagers attempt to navigate multiple surprises and revelations is spot-on.

You'll be hard pressed to find a more fun, diverse group of characters in a new series than what we get in What's The Furthest Place From Here.

Our collection of misfit teenagers sure know how to get themselves into trouble. There's about three different story threads in progress as the story plays out. This isn't a new development, but the chapter breaks really help to divide the action, almost turning each issue into numerous short stories that collide by the end.

Some pretty big decisions are dropped in the sixth issue of the Image series, with Alabama's secret agreement with the Blue Boys coming to light.

Readers finally get a flashback issue that shows what life was like before all of the adults were wiped out. There's still no explanation as to what caused the war to break out, or who/what the deformed creatures are that are attacking and killing the grown-ups. But it was nice to take a look back at the past and see part of the origin of this new society

This wound up being one of the more enjoyable issues of the Image series, with a centralized story arc featuring blood, betrayal, and a new family being formed.

We get another flashback tale with guest art by Sweeney Boo. I've rather enjoyed these one-and-done tales, as they help flesh out the larger world of What's The Furthest Place From Here?.

After telling some flashback stories, the newest issue dives back into its main story with multiple chapters, all continuing the same tale.

A reunion multiple issues in the making finally takes place. Oberon's journey is an interesting one, as he goes from losing a family, making a new family, and then losing the new family all in the span of one issue.

The overall story has taken so many twists and turns it's been hard to keep track of all the main players, but just seeing how this new society has created its own class system is something to behold.

Though it does end on a pretty sour and depressing note, it's a compelling read all the way through. I'm pulling for Alabama and Lafayette, and hope they gain their freedom.

It's hilarious watching Prufrock and Mal argue like an old married couple while their family tries to survive in all these different apocalyptic landscapes.

I could read an entire series just about Sid and her adventures in The City.

The Academy kids take the fight to their oppressors, and it's been a long time coming. It was satisfying seeing the kids show off their skills and pick up some much-needed wins.

What's The Furthest Place From Here? does a wonderful job of touching on all these different aspects of society, how we all just follow tradition and never give it a second thought, whether it's good or bad for us in the long run.

There's so many characters to keep up with, but they all add a unique layer to the overall storytelling.