Tom Bacon Comic Reviews

Writer Charles Soule seems determined to make the mystery last as long as possible in The Return Of Wolverine #1.

Nick Spencer courted controversy with his take on Captain America and with Amazing Spider-Man #1, now he's done it again.

Captain America #1 is a welcome first step along the journey, and it'll be exciting to see what comes next.

It's time for writer Jason Aaron to take charge of Marvel's flagship superhero comic. And, once again, Aaron is clearly playing the long game here, launching what promises to be a tremendous epic.

As the next chapter in Duggan and Kuder's Guardians of the Galaxy, this is a strong issue. As the beginning of an event, however, it's less successful.

Old Man Hawkeye is the prequel nobody really expected, but it's surprisingly enjoyable, with tremendous character work and beautiful art.

Rosenberg, Vilanova and Loughridge launch this series in style with The Punisher #218.

Don't expect Deadpool vs. Old Man Logan to change the industry, just expect to have a lot of fun reading it.

Although the issues strong, the sad truth is that the concept is wearing thing.

This is shaping up to be an excellent sci-fi / horror story. Given a surge in interest in the horror genre right now, it couldnt be better timed.

Marvel Legacy #1 is exactly what an Alpha issue should be. In other words, it's the perfect setup for everything that's about to happen.

All in all, this is a beautiful book. That said, if you're familiar with Ninjak, I don't feel you really need it. If you want to meet the character for the first time, though, it's a must-read.

A heart-wrenching and unforgettable issue, preparing us for the next all-action twist.

All in all, something of a disappointing conclusion to an interesting arc.

A fantastic science-fantasy adventure, War Mother #1 kicks off a promising adventure that will test our heroes to the max. The art is gorgeous.

This is how you do a first issue; you can consider me hooked.

Secret Empire #7 is a tremendously strong issue, with remarkable character work. A reboot seems increasingly likely at the end of this journey, though.

In the heroes' darkest moment, this issue of Marvel's Secret Empire makes a promise that things are about to change.

The concept alone is a work of genius, and I can't help feeling Milligan has put together a starring cast. I'm thoroughly impressed, and look forward to seeing more of the detectioneer and his allies.

It's hard not to be impressed by the concepts in play here, even if parts of the issue do feel a little like filler.

Charles Soule takes Darth Vader down hard, preparing to raise him up into a force that the entire galaxy would learn to fear.

This issue is just the setup for the war between H.A.R.D. Corps and Solomon. Things are going to get messy!

Issue #33 is a wonderful character driven tale starring Luke and Leia and one of the strongest Star Wars comics to date.

Skin and Earth issue 1 is a brilliant read and great introduction to the world Lights is creating. The art complements the writing and has potential to get better in future issues. How this connects with the Album will be interesting to see and I can't wait to see this world unfold.

Secret Empire #5 is a strong issue, with a lot of unexpected plot twists that make it a delight to read.

All in all, this is a fairly strong issue. Charles Soule packs it with creative ideas and subtle continuity fixes, ensuring Star Wars fans will find a lot to discuss in Darth Vader #2.

Although this is a fairly strong issue with some fun character beats, it's becoming increasingly hard to tell what kind of story Secret Empire actually is.

"The Screaming Citadel" is clearly heading for a tremendous, satisfying climax, as the whole team is loving bringing Gothic horror to the Star Wars universe.

Charles Soule and Guiseppe Camuncoli present one of the strongest Star Wars books to date in Darth Vader #1.

Although this issue of Secret Empire has powerful symbolism, it also has an inescapable sense of being filler. It's all about moving the pieces into place for the endgame.

I Am Groot #1 is an interesting start to what promises to be a fun arc. That being said, it's hard to see how this book can last.

Simply put, if you're a fan of Venom, this book's for you.

Secret Empire #2 is a powerful issue, featuring a shocking twist at the end. If this is handled well, we could be talking about Marvel's best event in years.

This is a tremendously strong and original issue, treating Rocket as more of a three-dimensional character than ever before.

If The Screaming Citadel #1 is any indication, this second Star Wars crossover is simply unmissable.

Simply put, if you're a fan of the movies, you'll find All-New Guardians of the Galaxy fairly satisfying.

Take note, everyone, as Marvel's Secret Empire #1 is exactly how you start a comic book event.

The Darth Maul miniseries is proving to be among the best in Marvel's Star Wars range.

X-Men Gold #2 is another strong issue, proving that with Marc Guggenheim, this main X-Men book is in good hands.

Restoring the old status quo, Venom #6 reunites Eddie Brock with his beloved symbiote! It's effectively a relaunch, and it's going to be interesting to see where we go from here.

Most #0 issues essentially set the scene. Not Secret Empire #0 - this dives straight into the plot. If you want to know what's going on in Marvel, don't sleep on this one.

"Burning Down the House" has been a strong arc, but sadly, the resolution is a little lacking. Still, this issue of Suicide Squad bodes well for the future.

Although the issue plays it a little too safe for my liking, Cullen Bunn proves he has what it takes to handle the time-lost X-Men.

Star Wars #30 is a strong issue, but it's sadly undermined by an uncomfortable concept. If you can get past the continuity issues, though, you should enjoy it.

X-Men Gold #1 is a superb issue, blending nostalgia and a desire to look to the future. This is a very promising start for the 'ResurrXion' era!

All in all, this is probably one of the strangest comics I've ever read. I'm sure those of you who are familiar with Banana Splits will find it much more exciting; for me, though, it was just a little over the line of 'surreal' for my taste. That said, the Snagglepuss story was exceptional.

A wonderful one-shot that sets up the next wave of X-Men books, this is an unmissable treat for all fans of Marvel's merry mutants!

Perfectly timed after Maul's fate in Star Wars: Rebels, this excellent issue shows the whole creative team performing at their best. A must-read for Star Wars fans.

We're preparing for the endgame now, in a tremendous issue of Suicide Squad full of twists and turns. Expect an emotional journey.

Amazing Spider-Man #25 is a tremendous issue, kickstarting Dan Slott's next arc and bringing Peter Parker and Norman Osborn into head-on collision!

Launching the new Batwoman series in style, this issue is as perfectly executed as one of the character's missions. A really promising start!

Inhumans Vs. X-Men #6 is a dramatically satisfying conclusion to the last year's arc, but it's sadly as flawed as the overall Terrigen concept. Still worth the read, though!

Although Suicide Squad #13 suffers from mixed art, the overall plot is tremendous and wonderfully creative. Expect some haunting, poignant character moments.

Spider-Man: Homecoming Prelude #1 is a very disappointing start for this tie-in.

Star Wars #29 is a strong issue, with mysteries revealed in a way that grounds this arc in the fertile soil of the GFFA.

Although Inhumans vs. X-Men #5 isn't exactly full of surprises, it's a serviceable issue that moves the narrative forward.

It takes a bold writer to completely reshape a book's world, but that's what writer Rob Williams does in Suicide Squad #12.

More than most Rebirth one-shots, this is essentially a beautiful advertisement for the ongoing Batwoman series. It features a few tantalizing hints, but is otherwise just a gorgeous character-profile.

Super Sons #1 is exactly what I hoped it would be; fun, character-driven, and tongue-in-cheek. The whole creative team is firing on all cylinders here.

It's hard not to feel disappointed with this issue of Inhumans vs. X-Men, in large part because the A-plot retells the story from All-New X-Men #18.

Suicide Squad #11 is a serviceable issue that acts as setup for a fairly traditional plot.

Star Wars #28 is a marked improvement in balance over the previous issue, with Jason Aaron demonstrating his world-building skills and a strong artistic team.

Star Wars: Darth Maul # 1 is a strong issue, albeit mostly focused on scene-setting. The quality of world-building is excellent, and you can tell that Cullen Bunn is really going to enjoy exploring the contradictory portrayals of Darth Maul.

Although Inhumans vs. X-Men has been a relatively strong event so far, this issue is undermined by some very real background problems.

A superb, character-focused one-shot, this Rebirth title gives us a strong sense of just where Killer Frost's character will go from here. It's full of promise, and the artwork is so very on-point.

Jason Aaron takes the chance to once again demonstrate his tremendous world-building skills, and Salvador Larroca is perfectly on-point as an artist. Unfortunately, the book's core conceit - Obi-Wan Kenobi's journal - is increasingly at risk of creating major continuity problems.

I simply can't recommend BLACK MAGICK highly enough. This debut issue is one of the strongest comics of the year to date, and I for one will be following this series avidly.

Event comics notoriously lose their way, but BOOK OF DEATH has kept its focus well, and it's really impressed me. Where SECRET WARS and CONVERGENCE were huge, sprawling epic miniseries, BOOK OF DEATH restricted itself to just four issues, and, as a result, pulled off a much higher-quality arc. It proved itself to be a character study in the end, one that focused completely on just two superheroes, and did so in a tremendously effective way.

All in all, UNCANNY INHUMANS #1 is a strange beast. Parts of it suffer because of the All-New All-Different Marvel time-jump, while other parts are strengthened. Unfortunately, because of that same time-jump, it all feels like a jigsaw puzzle, with the pieces currently in strange places. Given time, a revisit to the book may feel less odd. But as for first impressions, they're a mixed bag.

Any first issue is really judged by how effectively it sells the series. In the case of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, it sells me on a series that's going to be fun, with high-stakes and a lot of craziness. Some of the plot elements don't exactly feel original, and that's not necessarily a good thing, but for a book this fun I'm willing to suspend some of the criticism. This first issue is definitely a good pitch.

Can a comic inspired by a mobile game really work in today's market? I'm not sure; but, with ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL POINT ONE tying in to this so strongly, and with a possible focus on the international market, I think this may be the best chance a book will get. I'm definitely going to be along for the ride, and I wish the whole team the very best of luck!

All in all, DOCTOR STRANGE #1 is the beginning of a run that is filled with promise. Aaron and Bachalo are the perfect team for this kind of book, and I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Yes, I can happily say that this is an impressive debut. This is like seeing a racing car roar off from the starting line, firing on all cylinders, sleek and efficient. I can't wait for #2.

All in all, SECRET WARS #6 is a marked improvement on what's gone before. The pacing issues are resolved, meaning that Hickman's writing finally matches up to the quality of Ribic's art. An excellent issue.

All in all, this does exactly what you'd expect; it introduces you to the Avengers books post-"Secret Wars". None of its particularly ground-breaking as a comic goes, but then it's not meant to be; the book's meant to whet your appetite, and it achieves its goal rather well.

All in all, a POINT ONE issue is always well worth picking up. A POINT ONE issue gave the first hint of the Phoenix Force's rampage; another set up "Original Sin". But this time, ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL POINT ONE feels less like an hype-bursting launch book, and more like an attempt to sell us on the books Marvel are least confident of. If you have any lingering indecision over which books to follow, then these teasers will help. Otherwise, it's unlikely to matter overmuch.

Until the "Secret Wars" end - make mine M.O.D.O.K.

All in all, BOOK OF DEATH #3 is a functional issue that accomplishes everything it needed to do. This is very much the best event of the year.

All in all, ATTILAN RISING #5 brings this series to a disappointing close. I'm sad to see that the book wasn't half so important as it was marketed.

This series has become a must-read for any fans of Sherlock Holmes, and I can't recommend it enough.

I definitely recommend that fans of science-fiction give UNIVERSAL WAR 1 a chance. It's sophisticated world-building, combined with pretty deep characterisation, means that this is a fresh and entertaining science-fiction experience.

All in all, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS has been a tremendously fun ride. Unfortunately, #5 proves that the series has failed to live up to its amazing premise - but doing so may never have been possible in the first place.

Those issues aside, X-MEN '92 has consistently been one of the best titles of "Secret Wars". The series closes with what I sincerely hope is a promise: that X-MEN 92 will return.

All in all, M.O.D.O.K.: ASSASSIN remains one of the best books in "Secret Wars", but I do wish the character motivations were slightly different.

Although the concept is questionable, this comic pulls it off masterfully. An excellent first issue!

It's an all-action issue so full of nostalgia - possibly one of Marvel's most enjoyable comics in year!

BOOK OF DEATH remains one of the stronger events of the year; compact and fluid, with excellent storytelling and high-quality art, it's a must-read.

RUNAWAYS #3 is a competent issue that struggles mainly because Battleworld is starting to get old. When you look past "Secret Wars", though, it's a fun enough issue.

The beginning of a promising story, with some superb art.

Doom must lie in order to prevent Battleworld falling apart; but that choice may set events in motion that even he can't control... A beautiful issue that unfortunately reverts to the miniseries' default of unending setup.

All in all, X-MEN '92 continues the all-star nostalgia-fest, deepening its themes and remaining seriously enjoyable. Definitely recommended!

An excellent, exciting issue with vibrant art and real depth as well as humour. Seriouslyenjoyable.

I'm normally a huge fan of Brian Bendis. Ultimately, though, I'm afraidthat this book is a great disappointment.

All in all, X-MEN '92 is continuing to be one of the most enjoyable reads of "Secret Wars"!

All in all, YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #3 continues the series' strange attempt to be all things to all men, mixing a fun and youthful plot with an end-of-the-world scenario. For all its inherent flaws, it's a tremendously fun read, with some sterling moments of characterisation.

All in all, this promises to be a strong comic book series. Here at ComicsVerse, we're convinced that Valiant are becoming a true force to be reckoned with in the comics industry, and this event looks to be a very nice entry-point to their books.

This is an excellent book that suffers from the nature of the "Secret Wars" event, and never quite overcomes its own weaknesses.

This is easily one of the best "Secret Wars" tie-ins to date " a mini-series that, to my surprise, actually feels like required reading. A hearty well done to the whole team!

RUNAWAYS is one of the highlights of "Secret Wars", with fun characterisation and some brilliant twists in this issue. Definitely not one to miss.

All in all, MASTER OF KUNG FU remains an enjoyable series, but is becoming far too predictable for its own good.

X-MEN '92 #4 is another top-rate issue, focused in on some specific characters but with some fascinating metacommentary. It's well worth a read, and the book is shaping up to be one of the best of the "Secret Wars" event.

SPIDER-ISLAND #1 is a mixed bag; it turns to a traditional WHAT IF? story, and treated as one of those it's good. But it really doesn't feel like what "Secret Wars" was supposed to be.

This is everything you can expect from a Zenescope book; eerie, a tad gruesome, with art at a high standard (although there are a couple of off-notes with Alice Liddle's facial expressions, in my view), and with the horror that comes from the everyday being disrupted by true evil. If you're considering getting into Zenescope's comics, this makes an excellent introduction.

All in all, ULTIMATE END is shaping up to be one of the more confusing "Secret Wars" books. It's still good, but next issue really needs to resolve some of the series' problems.

All in all, SECRET WARS #4 is probably the best issue so far. It advances the plot, with some key character developments and some dramatic action. However, Ribic struggles a little bit more with the art, while the very end of the book is relegated to yet more set-up. Still, this remains one of my favourite issues in this event to date.