Tony Dillard Comic Reviews

A majority of this book might be considered too old for the Riverdale TV series crowd. However, this is a Halloween special that has a little something for everyone who is a fan of the Archie gang.

Sometimes a little silly, the Archie Halloween Spectacular was a timeless read for fans of holiday specials.

Archie Vs Predator II is some very sophisticated stuff, what with the concepts of what is reality vs. fiction and alternate universes. It's great for fans of DC's Crisis books or Robert Heinlein or Pink Floyd. But if you are expecting a bloody sci-fi dangerous game between Dark Horse's Predator and the teens of Archie Comics, you'll have to wait until next issue. While the prospect of that conflict has gotten me ready for more, I'm disappointed that for the cover price we don't get any Predator kills in this issue.

Betty or Veronica. Archie: The Married Life 10th Anniversary #1 says 'why not both?'

The book is great. The price point- not so much. But there's potential for what Papercutz wants to do. If they make a few marketing changes!

Both writers of this comic do a good job crafting individual tales about team member Fred. The stories are funny and smartly written. But as I have not seen the TV series, just the movie, I felt that some references went over my head. That's not a bad thing in itself. However, in my opinion, such in-jokes make this a comic in which only the most loyal fans of Big Hero 6 will get maximum enjoyment. But it's still a fun read for those Disney adventure fans of all ages!

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic #1 needs just a little bit more Tender Loving Care.

I didn't mind that this holiday special was full of reprints. I would however, had liked for at least one or two stories to have actually been set during Halloween. That along with appearances from those missing characters and some missing filler information would have made this a perfect all-ages comic. But that's okay. This is still pretty close and a fun read for anyone eagerly awaiting another All Hallow's Eve.

Full of Classic Casper hi-jinx but not 100% holiday!

Clue: Candlestick does allow for readers to get to play with their comic book. But it doesn't allow for the reader to readily interact as they would if they were playing the board game. A good first chapter, it would be better read as a graphic novel.

Kids of all ages should enjoy this book. However, you might find yourselves feeling a little confused keeping every character and their proper roles straight. Don't be afraid to re-read the opening introduction in order to get the most of this story!

Cyko KO is an off-the-wall romp for readers of all ages.

Everything was perfect from the stories to the art and even the reprints. Well, almost everything was perfect" Sadly, the King wasn't here to enjoy it with us fans.

Writer Tom King saved the best for last with this special. He really knew how to blend the two universes into one that actually could work in the monthly adventures of the Caped Crusader.

Written by Green Lanterns' Sam Humphries with art by Tom Grummett (Action Comics), the story is very tongue-in-cheek with lots of inside jokes and teen angst. Even the editors get in on the action, having a caption war of sorts with Humphries throughout the book.

It was darn near flawless and a must read for any fan of weird team-ups such as myself!

DC Nation #0 was a very good sampler of what's in story for the DCU. Though not 100% happy with every story, I absolutely cannot complain about the cost.

Doctor Who Ghost Stories was an exciting miniseries. Writer George Mann (Tomorrowland) did a fantastic job continuing the story of the Ghost and Lucy. Here was an awesome mix of thrilling new adventures and nostalgic nods to the past 12-years of the new series. Plus the cliffhangers were so good, I swear I could hear the first few cords of the them at the end of each issue. Having the following credits page immediately after the 'To Be Continued' look like the time vortex was a sweet touch.

Issues with the artwork aside, I was pleased. Despite the BBC and Chris Chibnall being Scrooges by not giving us an official 2019 holiday TV episode, Titan Comics made off like Santa by gifting us with this two-parter. Even a Doctor Who special with flaws is better than no Doctor Who at all!

When it comes to this trio of stories, I have nothing but praise for the artwork. It's some of the best renderings of Mickey and Donald this side of Carl Banks' impressive portfolio of Disney Comics. It's the translation of these stories that really bugs me.

Somebody wasn't happy with the way the first issue of Fighting American ended. How did you feel about it? Let us know in the comments section below...

First issues tend to not be all that great. Like a TV pilot, there's kinks to work out. But I think based on how much I enjoyed this, Fruit Ninja can only get better. It's very funny, very smart, and something that I would read on a monthly basis. Good job Dynamite! Keep it up and you'll have a loyal reader in me.

Garfield: TV or Not TV? was a delightful one-shot special that can be read for safe Halloween scares or to enjoy on a crisp autumn night.

Gasolina is a series that is going somewhere. But in this first issue, it's going too fast to really make the story enjoyable. It's like a movie that flops in the theatres but becomes a smash on Pay-Per-View and DVD. I think Gasolina just wasn't meant for this medium. But as a graphic novel collection, it's going to be a phenomenal thriller. Just wait until 2018.

The characters are not very dynamic nor individually all that recognizable. The plot pacing is fracture beyond repair. And above all, it's a Goosebumps story without the man who made it Goosebumps. Honestly, if it doesn't have R. L. Stine involved, it shouldn't be considered part of the franchise.

Harley& Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica was a nice start that promises to only get better. Hopefully, more laughs and less drama will be infused. Often a crossover has great readership that dies off by the last couple of issues. Don't fall into that trap! Stick with this story. I have faith that Paul Dini will pull off one of the great crossovers in modern comics history. He just needs a little time to really get cooking.

Citizen Jack's Sam Humphries took over the reigns for this series earlier this year from Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti and Chad Hardin. They were the best group to handle Harley since she was first crafted by creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. So, I was a little cautious that Humphries' holiday take of Harley Quinn just wouldn't be the same. But like I mentioned earlier, this issue was a home run. Thus, Sam Humphries really knocked it out of the park!

I got a chance to read Highspot #2. You'll have your chance soon enough! But you'll have to help Rob Jones' Kickstarter campaign to do it first!

Have you read this IDW anniversary special? If so, we wanna know your thoughts! Leave us a review in the comments section below!

Invader Zim #27 was a funny story. It just wasn't the best starting point issue for new fans. But I think those who already know of and love the franchise will delight in this all-ages romp.

If you are looking for a comic to get into the holiday spirit that's not a typical Christmas special, then may I recommend this book? It's a very quick read but overall worth every cent.

This was a nostalgic read that will appeal to older readers. It was also a magical and whimsical reader that shall delight fans of all ages. More storybook than comic book in terms of design, it's still a work of sequential art. All four issues when published should make for some great reads during summer vacation or just an afternoon by the pool.

I think that the world as a whole misses the beacon of light that Bowie was. At least for a few short pages over the next year the Starman will live on again.

This debut issue reminded quite a bit of Alvin Schwartz' Scary Stories. The illustrations are creepy and the tale itself is dark. But it's a safer dark than what's going on in our Covid-19 restricted world. If the young reader in your life is needing a fright, turn to this short story rather than turning on the evening news!

A great opening chapter in a legendary series. It will delight both kids and the adults who grew up watching the show!

Some readers may hate this new take on a nearly 80-year old group of teenagers. But this series is an alternate take on the Archie gang. So put away your established biases and take a chance on Jughead: The Hunger. I promise you, after one issue, you'll be rushing back to your LCS in November for seconds!

The new Jughead's Time Police is a blast from the past with modern artwork and timeless Archie hi-jinx.

This sequel from Boom! Studios is pricey at $7.99. But it's also 50 pages long and that without ads! Considering that another holiday special coming out this same week from a Distinguished Competitor is selling for $10, Klaus is a refreshing and unique holiday special that is pretty much worth the money!

Marvel Action: Avengers is sure to thrill just as companion titles Spider-Man and Black Panther (both dropping in January) are sure to do.

A fun Halloween special for all-ages that needs work on it's table of contents.

Mata Hari promises to be a historical thriller full of death, espionage, and sex. Lots and lots of sex. One thing for sure, this book was quite titillating both figuratively and literally. This first issue was heavy on backstory with not much in terms of cloak and dagger. I am sure that's coming in the next issue. Or as Mata Hari would call it- the second act!

Disney knows how to do Christmas perfectly and it shows here.

This first issue was quite interesting. I was a big fan of the short-lived Victorian mystery series Houdini and Doyle and was quite upset to learn it was cancelled. This story almost acts, unofficially of course, as a sort of closer to that TV show as the former friends and partners are now at odds with each other due to some sort of falling out.

Start off your 2019 Holiday comics reading season with the gang from My Little Pony!

The Ponyville Mysteries is a series that will delight, tease and maybe even make you smarter. You have to really study the book for clues! The story really felt like an Encyclopedia Brown mystery, only with ponies.

This series is dropping at the perfect time. A new release in the second wave since comics returned, those of us who have been closed up inside their homes for nearly 2 months will have a chance to exercise our brains in this intriguing mystery. This new miniseries will make you ponder. Everything you thought you know about the teen mystery sleuths of your youth is wrong!

The New Gods Special was an exciting trip back to Kirby's Fourth World. Filled with works inspired by the King, they in no way copy him. It's really hard to imitate greatness. Especially when the benchmark established is Jack Kirby. But for a tribute creative to honor one of comic's all-time greats, this is a fantastic homage of one of the King's most enduring DC Universe creations.

If you think Krampus is the only demon that lurks during the festive season- think again!

The type of reader Dark Horse is trying to appeal to are devotees of The Hunger Games and the Maze Runner. To set this 4-issue miniseries in a dystopian setting is a perfect hook for that audience who often struggle with the question 'Should America for all it's wrongs still exist?.' Plus, the dreariness of this time period is almost as hopeless as it was for Oliver back in Victorian England.

If you are looking for a humorous read that is full of unexpected twists mixed in with a healthy dose of chills, the young readers in your life are going to enjoy Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies.

If you or a young reader in your family have read Pink Panther: Classic Christmas #1- let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

The Powerpuff Girls: The Bureau of Bad #1 was a very entertaining opening chapter. I think it's got a lot of potential. A perfect read for not just fans of the show but as this introduces readers to all of the baddies, this is a great starting point for newbies.

Though this is the first of a new miniseries, the story has an acceptable enough ending. There is no true cliffhangers at issue's end. So if the readers only wanted to go as far the first issue and go no further without a sense of completion, they could. By why would you stop with a series that is an intriguing and magical as this? Detective Stories is a book that deserves further investigation!

I'm willing to give this series one more try; like a best 2-out-of-3. Thankfully, each issue recounts only a single case with no real cliffhanger. If issue #3 winds up being my last, at least I will not feel like I would be missing out on anything. But Ben Aaronovitch and the staff at Titan Comics are going to have to pull out all the stops if they are going to win me over as a fan of Rivers of London for good.

If the younger reader in your life isn't quite old enough to enjoy this mini- don't worry. They'll grow up. And when they do, as Marty McFly would say, 'Your kids are gonna love it!'

If this story was done as a cartoon in 1993, I think my sister, who is 12 years younger than me, would have gotten a lot of laughs out of Rocko's frantic behavior. But I don't think she would have understood why he's so upset about capitalism and data breaches.

A 2017 must read!

Rugrats: C is for Chanukah was great holiday fun. Pick it up today!

It's great to Samurai Jack back. I just hope that this might inspire Adult Swim to do a season 6. But in order for this to happen, fans both young and old are going to have to purchase this book!

The team at DC does an excellent job with their all-ages books. Unfortunately, I don't think they get as much love as they deserve. Scoody-Doo! Where Are You? is a fun way to gets a few chills without being scared. Though some of the monsters represented in this series can be a little scary for those under the age of 6.

This is one of the best scripted stories in the series. However, it's not what I expected when I went to my LCS to picked up my monthly fix of Scooby-Doo Team-Up!

Writer Sholly Fisch (Teen Titans Go!) has become a master at scripting the DC kids titles. His brilliant has allowed for him to trim off any rough edges of his writing talents. In return, Fisch has smoothed those quirks out into this diamond of a book that awaits my pull box every month!

Fans of Sonic are going to be in for a treat the whole month as IDW is releasing an all-new issue every week of April! You're going to want to save your quarters as this is a very good series with definite potential!

All-ages fun for Sonic fans! Some dialogue is jumbled. Some use of weapons may be considered inappropriate for younger readers.

Star Trek Vs Transformers broke all the rules of a typical comic book team-up and it was fantastic! This is the type of crossover any publisher should look to emulate!

New Visions retails for $7.99. My previous experience with picto-comics had left me hesitant to spend that much on a comic- even if it is 48-pages long. One thing that really helps this book is the masterful storytelling by John Byrne. This entire issue was a great trip through the final frontier. Sometimes I feel like the man can write the phone book and make it interesting. John Byrne might not have perfected the art method behind New Visions yet. But one thing is for sure, Byrne has the ability to make the 60s era Star Trek seem timeless.

Star Wars fans, this is the Star Wars comic you've been looking for"

A perfect Star Wars read to close out Summer, 2019!

Great fun for a the whole family. If the young reader in your life is a Star Wars fan already, then you and them will love this all-ages series!

Looks like good things are in store for fans of Star Wars and ghost stories. If you've read this issue, we want to hear your thoughts in the comments section!

Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters #1 did remind me a lot of my childhood playing with my Stretch Armstrong figure. The action scenes were great and I liked the characters. While kids will delight in a series about teen superheroes, I'm not sure that adults are going to feel the same. The plausibility of the arrangement of this super group is just wrong. I will be careful not to say realistic, as I know this is a comic book and it's fantasy.

With a wholesome history and even more chaste looking main character, it would be easy to assume that Super Duck is an all-ages property. But there's plenty of mild swears, deranged violence and over-sexuallized birds in this book to be rated PG-13 at least! So parents, if you find this title misshelved in the kiddies section of your favorite LCS, don't pick this up for your little one! Make this version of Super Duck a new addition to your personal grown-up collection!

The plot is about as confusing as it could be. I'm still interested. But I was also disappointed in this one!

Overall, this book is a good Superman title, but unlike it's name, there just isn't anything special about this Special.

This series has a lot of potential. The first story was great. The second yarn was okay. For the most part, the art was very well done and creative. But in order for the entire family to enjoy this book, IDW needs to make the letters bigger. Or they need to provide sample packs of aspirin to alleviate all that eye strain.

One great thing about this special is that you don't have to be a regular viewer of the show in order to enjoy it. True, it does help. But that's what Wikipedia is for, right? Whether you are a first timer or the most dedicated of fans of Gumball, prepare for laughs and a great preview of spring break fun yet to come!

This series would make a great thriller if it didn't hit so very close to home. The first issue of the Divided States of America reads almost like the daily newspaper, if those paper journals weren't an almost forgotten relic of the past. Lone Wolf terror attacks at a major transportation hub. An angry man with a grudge goes postal on an innocent group of people. A transgendered person is brutally assaulted when their secret is exposed. I didn't just read it in a Image Comic " I saw it last night on CNN!

They might not look 100% like their motion picture selves, but these pets sure are hilarious!

This story has real promise. But it appears to be better read as a whole and not spread out over the course of several months. Also, the art and colors make for a harder to enjoy reading experience. I want to read more. But I think I will wait for the trade.

This was a fun read starring the original Duck Dynasty family! Great for the whole family. It may not look 100% like Donald, Uncle Scrooge and the rest of the gang do on TV and the big screen. But this comic book is definitely 100% Disney!

This first issue was a mach-1 thrill ride with twists, turns, and lots of blood and gore. Tasteful blood and gore. I loved it!

I'm not completely sold with Vinegar Teeth just yet. But I am willing to give it another try before I hold final judgement.

I suspect this one is going to wind up in bargain bins pretty soon and that's a shame. It's a decent collection of wrestling themed stories. But that price tag is going to put quite a few fans off of getting it.

A fresh idea that entertains as well as redefines everything you known about sequential art. This miniseries promises to be the most innovative and immersive comic book of the summer.

Overall, Young Monsters In Love was an unexpected delight. I didn't learn about this special until just a couple of weeks ago. Every story was masterfully written. The artwork was varied but brilliantly crafted by talents such as Guillem March and Kelley Jones, whose 1950s sci-fi movie inspired poster cover was so very retro and awesome!

A very fun read. But while it looks great for those of all ages, there are several more adult elements in this book! But if you are a fan of Deadpool, you're gonna love this one-shot!