In the near future, New York is run by Shredder‘s grandson and the Foot Clan. A lone hero must end a generations-long war between families, bring honor to his lost father and siblings, and reconnect with old allies. This is the epilogue to all TNMT fiction, and it is an action-packed, heartbreaking close. Fantastic art (that changes during flashbacks to the style of that iteration), great characterization, and a perfect last panel. Essential!

Amanda Waller executes a plan to de-power and outlaw every super being on the planet. The heroes in hiding establish a resistance led by Batman. Waller enforces her decree with the might of Brainiac Queen, Failsafe, and Superman‘s brainwashed son, Jon. This is an epic tale, full of danger and excitement that will leave the DC Universe altered forever. A definite must-read!

This book takes the standard ‘small group on a mission‘ trope and… does not do much with it. Poe Dameron is brave, feisty, and a good leader, but this tale is not very original, harboring few surprises. Pretty much only for STAR WARS fans; anyone else can find more fun and adventure elsewhere.

Reboots are hard.
In this new version, Wonder Woman is not raised by Amazons in Themyscira. Instead, as a baby, she is given to Circe, who is exiled to Hades. Diana is trained to fight and wield magic. She has not one mystical lasso, but three, each with a different power. She‘s still inherently the same character we know, but now a sorcerer as well. I‘m on board with this new take on the classic heroine, and looking forward to more adventures!

If you‘re not following the ‘Absolute Power‘ storyline, you might be hesitant to dive into this book, as it takes place in the middle of larger events. But the learning curve is not too steep, and the payoff of seeing a huge cast of characters working together is pleasing. Lots of cosmic adventures, a couple of side stories, and a revisit to ‘Zero Hour‘ as Kyle Rayner travels back in time to be a part of this historic event.

What happens when Bizzaro pursues Kal for revenge, while imbued with magical powers? Or, another story of Journalistic practices and Ethics when Lois is promoted to Editor in Chief and has to decide on Clark‘s new assignments? And finally, the last story is about a time Superman was de-powered and kidnapped by aliens to combat in an arena for the public‘s entertainment. All fun and different, a nice variety of tales about the Man of Steel!

Judge Dredd stories are brutal, violent, fascist power fantasies on the surface. However, the best tales go deeper into the sickness of a society that grinds the poor while elevating the wealthy to insurmountable heights. When this book leans into satire, it really shines. The detailed sci-fi, slimy mutants, and ultra-violence are fun, but they are best when used to highlight social inequalities in Mega-City One.

I‘ve heaped praise on this author, his collaborators, and the numerous crime series they produce. Simply, the absolute best noir fiction in comics. I‘m being redundant, but just read these, you will never be disappointed!

I‘ve enjoyed the various incarnations of this team, but this one has to be my favorite so far. Not so much for the characters, but for the writing. Past versions have been much lighter, focusing on the interpersonal relationships and leaning into the silly. This time, there is a serious tone, as the team operates like a spy cell, infiltrating organizations and helping out fellow heroes in need. But, still very fun!

Zod is an utterly unsympathetic character. The story begins as Zod is the ruler of New Kandor, when an alien invasion threatens his reign. His son rebels against him and is cast out forever. Later, in a heated battle, his wife is killed. Eventually, Zod loses everything, including his liberty. He manages to ravage his way out of captivity and re-establish his rule. No matter all the trials he suffers, he is just an evil bore.

A surreal, existentialist romp into the philosophical questions about our existence with a retro-futuristic paint job. A scientist supervises an experiment to prove the existence of multiple dimensions of reality. Successful beyond his hopes, a 277-year-old robot claiming to be himself, appears and takes him on a voyage of discovery, revealing the many possible lives he could have lived. Wildly imaginative, highly recommended!

Some of the finest crime/noir storytelling in comics. Brubaker is a master at this. He has various crime series, and I cannot find fault with any of them. Bastard makes it look easy!
He is leagues above in quality over any other comic writer attempting crime fiction. There is no contest. Follow this man‘s writing, and you will never be disappointed.

The series is so freaking good.
This is a masterclass in tone. There is no violence, no blood or gore, and yet there is a sinister tone throughout. Also, the framing and composition are comparable to the best cinematography in film. This is a fantastic horror book, and I can‘t recommend it highly enough!

Amazing premise! A Native American goes back in time to join the voyage that arrives at America to kill Columbus. The story develops a split focus following the man sent to change history, and the group left behind trying to figure out if he was successful (the time travel cave is in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone service). A fascinating, suspenseful, and heartbreaking adventure. Highly recommended!

The art and design are fantastic, but the narration and dialogue (British writer emulating American speech - narration in passive tense) are poorly rendered. I love this series, and really liked that Anderson gets an entire story arc to herself. The story is simplistic, but the emotion and action are superb.

Years after the heroes of the Justice League retire, a new generation of powered people quarrel and fight each other, making life for civilians dangerous. This book is the antithesis of the film MAN OF STEEL. It answers the question ‘Why do we need Superman?‘ We need him to be the role model for the concept of ‘superhero‘. Otherwise, we live amongst fascist Gods ruling over us mortal peons. His most valuable power is always doing what‘s right.

Despite a terrible premise (a powerful, evil Demi-god birthed from the mind of GL Kyle Rayner from a childhood comic he wrote, threatens Earth), this book is still enjoyable. A big cast of characters, fun sci-fi exploits, and space battles make this tale worthwhile, even if the villain is as generic and stupid as they come. The second story arc is better (A schizophrenic gets hold of a yellow ring of Fear power, causing chaos).

The title ‘YEAR ONE‘ carries a lot of baggage. It must be a bare-bones reimagining of a hero‘s origin story, told with gritty realism. It must be serious and mature. This feels like a trap, a recipe for a maudlin, no fun tale. But in the hands of this creative team, it is a success. The familiar story is rendered in a tense and pulpy fashion, making every moment feel highly consequential. Recommended!

This is exactly what I want from a superhero comic. Big, colorful, fun with crazy sci-fi concepts and a hint of real danger. A perfect mix of all these, plus the added benefit of BLUE BEETLE for complete ‘Blue & Gold‘ bliss! The crisp and detailed artwork deserves kudos as well. Highly recommended!

The word ‘Reunion‘ in the title of this book is a gentle disclaimer. If you are not familiar with the Arrow family history and myriad past adventures, you‘re going to have a hard time keeping up. I have never been a big fan of this BATMAN copy character, so meh. For diehard fans, not casual readers.

I am a fan of the X-MEN comics from the ‘70s and ‘80s. So I missed the whole Krakoa saga when it happened. This book is about the downfall of the Mutant homeland. If you‘re up on all the lore and politics of the rise and fall of Krakoa, then you might enjoy this. I, on the other hand, can‘t get past the ‘bring dead characters back to life‘ pods. Comics are notorious for people coming back from the dead, but this is a bit much.

I freaking love STAR WARS!
...and this book is really boring. There are lightsaber duels, fistfights, and larger battles, but none resonated with me. Is it because we all know his eventual fate, and therefore, we know Mace will come out of these adventures exactly as at the beginning of this story? I‘d like to think exciting narratives can be constructed around characters who are sure to survive unscathed. But that is not the case here.

The new priest in town and a local recluse experience mysterious encounters with a phantasmagoric black barn that appears only for fleeting moments, but both understand it to be utterly evil. This is really good horror. The art and writing combine to form a thick atmosphere of dread, lingering like a heavy blanket over the story. Creepy, with hardly any violence or gore, this is a masterful use of tone. Highly recommended!

The story starts like ALIEN, then morphs into EVENT HORIZON. I‘m all in for ‘space haunted house‘ tales. This time, an entire planet seems haunted by the crew of a ship trying to locate a mysterious beacon. The pleasant surprise is in the realization that the explanation for all the mysteries is quite clever and satisfying, usually a rare treat. Recommended!

Branding can be a nebulous concept even for seasoned graphic designers. Part philosophy, sociology, and psychology - creating a brand demands a broad range of disciplines. This book is the most exhaustive and comprehensive volume on the topic. Going step-by-step on the process, and then citing dozens of case studies, you can easily follow along and gain a better understanding of what it takes to create a successful brand.

After the loss of Krakoa, KITTY PRIDE works as a bartender, trying to leave the superhero life behind. But when EMMA FROST collects a group of young mutants still coping with their new powers, she must decide whether to keep hiding or to help lead a new group into the wider X-MEN fold. I‘m usually tired of the ‘magical/mutant school‘ trope, but this narrative focuses more on the kids dealing with the prejudices of society. Recommended!

During VADER‘s quest to root out the remaining Jedi, he takes a beat to pick out where to build a ‘fortress of solitude‘. More than a new hideout, this base on the planet Mustafar (where he was reborn as the Sith Lord) serves as a key to more power from the Dark side of the Force. It might also be the tool for him to regain the one person he so desperately wants alive again…

A grimy, noir BATMAN tale from the creators of 100 BULLETS sounds like a home run in my book. But, despite the amazing art, and the dark poetry of the narrative, I just couldn‘t muster the enthusiasm I thought this would engender. I‘m not sure why, but the book left me cold, when I should have loved it.

Morty inadvertently dispenses all rights when he agrees to the terms after he signs up for a new app. Hilarity ensues.
Almost all the elements are here for a successful R&M tale. The story is clever, the writing sharp. I can even hear their voices in my mind as I read. But one crucial element is missing: the kinetic madness inherent to the animation. What is here is a static simulacrum. Why settle for less than the real thing?

A mysterious event turns the Earth‘s population into super-humans. Interesting premise, utterly destroyed by terrible framing. The entire book is a dialogue between a Watcher and his apprentice. The complete opposite of the maxim ‘show, don‘t tell‘. The action is stunted and clipped. There are pages of dull text between chapters. The medium is comics. If the author wanted to write a novel, he could have done that instead. Avoid at all costs.

Dickens is the master of depressing stories of people caught in the grinder of poverty and class. Our protagonist, originally from humble origins, comes into a modest fortune from a mysterious benefactor. Initially, he imagines a bright future, but somehow, all his desires fall short. This accurately captures the experience of missing opportunities and feeling left behind in life, no matter what century you live in.

Exiled to the planet of Sakaar by Earth‘s heroes, the ship he was sent on explodes, killing his new wife and allies. HULK returns to his home planet seeking revenge on the ones who betrayed him. Amazing sequel to one of the best HULK stories ever. Brutal non-stop action, bathed in emotional resonance. Greg Pak deserves high accolades for these back-to-back masterpieces.

A new group of teens with powers similar to the original X-Men emerges. They are not mutants, but humans wielding alien technology. Can they work as a team against real threats? Can they gain the acceptance of their heroes? A fun addition to the X books, and a new wrinkle in the always simmering conflict between human and mutantkind.

Instant classic!
HULK is deemed a danger to Earth by some of its heroes and sent off into space to the remote planet of Sakaar where he is taken as a slave to fight in gladiator battles. He wins his freedom and becomes the leader of the freed slaves, and takes over the planet. One of the best HULK stories I've ever read. A homerun of a narrative, so epic and fun!

The Scarlet Witch is dead. Murdered. In Krakoa, the mutant homeland.
Her father, Magneto, is the prime suspect. Did he kill his own daughter? Will she stay dead? This is a comic book… so…
This story is akin to a courtroom drama set in the sphere of superhero opinion. As such, there is a lot of recrimination and blame laying. Not much action.

I‘ve never been a fan of SPAWN. But I am a HUGE fan of ALAN MOORE. There is only so much he can do with a property and characters I do not care about. Call it a wash.

I really like the idea of resurrecting an old concept for a superhero into the modern canon. Even the premise is good: the man who once was the powerful hero, SENTRY, has only vague recollections of his past life, and all others have also forgotten him. As if he had been erased from memory. Unfortunately, the execution is lacking. The entire story over multiple issues is all build-up to a less-than-satisfying end game.

I like the themes and artwork here, but…
The first third of this book is one long exposition dump. A couple of issues in the middle center on hunting Bigfoot, while sharing pages full of cursive handwriting on top of stains, making it hard to read, followed by the last third back to the long exposition dump again. I so much want to like this series, and there is much good here. But the downsides are maddening.

I love thrillers that take place over one night. Batman is accompanying the GCPD in the transfer of a dangerous powered criminal (EMP) from Arkham Asylum to Blackgate Prison. Multiple gangs are on the prowl with the intent to rescue the perp or kill the Bat. Chaos ensues, and fun is had! The story is great, and the art is fantastic! From the inimitable artist JOCK. Check it out!

Wolverine is always entertaining. This book does not disappoint. My only complaint is the android designed to look like a female child with an Elmer Fudd lisp (Wogan, I‘m sooo scawed!). She is incredibly annoying. Otherwise, this is a treat!

Lila Mae Watson is the first Black female elevator inspector who ‘intuits‘ what is wrong with the machine. 'Empiricists‘ examine the mechanics and derive their conclusions from observation. The leader of the intuitionists has died leaving behind clues that lead to blueprints for a revolutionary new elevator design. Lila must find the schematics before others who want to destroy it. Part mystery, philosophical debate, and racial drama. Recommended!

Frank Castle has disappeared. But a new Punisher is on the streets. Joe Garrison, a former SHIELD agent pursues the criminal responsible for the deaths of his family and wears body armor that looks like a skull but considers himself a hero. The interesting thing about Punisher is that he is morally indefensible. He kills people who do not deserve it. He puts innocents in danger. This just waters down the character and makes him less interesting.

In this second volume, Abigail Adams rises to claim the mantle of destruction left by her defeated husband. Jimmy must dig up his undead father from his peaceful grave to help put an end to the growing threat. Much bloodshed ensues. Horrifying art, and great fun!

Ultraman, the defender of Tokyo, has been missing for decades. Teenager Shinjiro soon discovers that his father is the one who merged with ‘the being of light‘ to become Ultraman, when a new threat arises after many years of peace. He also learns that his penchant for never getting hurt is due to his parentage. Will he inherit the mantle of Earth's savior? Decent, but just the start of a more interesting story, I hope.

This is the definitive account by someone there to document the events. I mean, he was in the crowd witnessing historic speeches and running for shelter during bombing raids. If you want to know almost everything about the Nazi regime, this is the book. The infamous question: ‘How did the German population let this happen?‘ Is somewhat answered here. Terrifying, and highly recommended. Happy 'NO KINGS' day!

I was looking forward to a straight narrative detailing how Lex Luthor became the US president. Instead, this book is a collection of short stories (some no more than two pages long), that detail his rise to power. Some are better than others, and as usual in a collection like this, the quality varies drastically. The tale is interesting, but the execution is uneven.
Happy 'NO KINGS' Day!

The titular story, where a group of wealthy folks who have been injured or harmed by powered individuals hire the Punisher to kill them all, is spectacular and an instant classic!

The second 4 part story, an I AM LEGEND riff, where the Punisher is one of the few human survivors who hunts powered cannibals, is not that good. The first story is so fantastic, It carries the entire book.

This is the second Palahniuk book in a row to disappoint. Mercifully brief, at least. I just couldn‘t connect with this narrative. Some of it went over my head. I used to fully immerse in his writing, now, it flows over me, leaving little behind. Is it me? Not sure. I‘ll keep reading his stuff, though.

This FF book checks all the boxes: random fights with possessed allies, intergalactic space travel, meddling in the affairs of an alien society, and fighting with one of the group‘s oldest enemies. But, for some reason, it just didn‘t do it for me. Not sure why. Every individual element seems in place, but the whole left me wanting better. Maybe I expect so much more from the FF.

In retrospect, it seems like a foregone conclusion. Who would be the best leader of the world‘s most lethal ninja clan, THE HAND? Who else but the most prolific killer of all?

This story details how Frank‘s childhood and adolescence lead directly to his future persona. Also, what is his most personal desire (and weakness)? The one thing THE HAND provides Frank to keep him happy? The ninja clan‘s supernatural background gives a clue. Great fun!