September 29

Trying to catch up after the SiouxperCon last weekend. I think I am pretty close. Most of the films and TV shows are back on track, and I just have to get the Comic Cavalcade back on a regular schedule. I was able to get most everything read and I am ready for the write-up.

Books this week:

Mark Spears Monsters #7. “All That Remains.” Written, art and cover art by Mark Spears. Cover F was the Gold Medalist this week. This comic has a bunch of great covers once again. Every time the book comes out, there are so many excellent Mark Spears covers. I have been enjoying the story too.

Sleep #5. Written, drawn and cover art by Zander Cannon. I actually had this copy last weekend at SiouxperCon when I went to Zander Cannon’s booth. He had an early copy of the book and I got it signed. This week I got the issue from my pull list. This has been an excellent book.

Wild Animals #3. Written by Ed Brisson and art and cover art by Andy Kuhn. Speaking of an excellent book, Wild Animals has been one of my favorite books so far. It is a revenge story that really has me guessing about what is next. Wild Animals has been so fantastic so far that it make me anxious for the next issue.

Justice League Unlimited #11. Written by Mark Waid with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico. Cover art was done by Dan Mora. This issue of the JLU is a prelude to the next big DC event, DC KO, which is expected to lead to the return of Darkseid. If what is happening on the Watchtower is any example, things are not going to be good for our heroes.

The Twilight Zone #1. “Blanks” Written by Dan Watters and art and cover art by Morgan Beem. I was excited about the debut of this new Twilight Zone comic from IDW. I enjoyed this first issue as it had a definite feel as the original TV show did. It was in black and white, which helped create the tone of the series. The story did feel like it ended quickly, but that is something that some Twilight Zone episodes felt like too. A good start for this book.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1. “Stealing Faces & Finery.” Written by Grim Jim Zub with art by Ironclad Ivan Gil. Cover art was done by Roberto De La Torre. This story kicks off with three men from three different eras: Conan, Kull, and Professor John Kirowan. Let’s see where this one takes us.

The Last Starship #1. Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly with art by Adrian Bonilla. Cover art was done by Francesco Francavilla. This was another new IDW book that I just picked up because it was on the stand. I have been enjoying the Red Shirts book and so I thought having this number one would be fun. Then, I really loved the book and the story it was telling. Starfleet was viciously attacked and most of their major starships were destroyed, leaving one more. This was very compelling and surprised me.

Hyde Street #9. Written by Geoff Johns and art by Francis Portella. Cover art was done by Ivan Reis & Danny Miki with Brad Anderson. Plastic surgery can be a great use for horror stories because of how terrible things could be, and Hyde Street uses it as a wonderful bit to make these characters all the more sad.

Escape #2. “No Trees Tomorrow.” Written by Rick Remender with art and cover art by Daniel Acuna. We get some background information prior to Milton’s efforts in the war in Nuropia. Escape is more than just another anthropomorphic comic. It gives me a little feel about Maus.

Spider-Man & Wolverine #5. “Consequences.” Written by Marc Guggenheim and art by Kaare Andrews. Cover art was done by Cory Smith. I had to buy the 1:25 variant because the regular issue was sold out before I could get to it. This was my favorite issue of this series so far because Spider-Man felt like Spider-Man. I have been disappointed with this book, but this issue helped me see Spider-Man in th estory.

The Phantom #1. Written by Ray Fawkes and art by Russell Olson. Cover art was done by Freddie Williams II, who also did the variant cover that won the Bronze Medal this week. The EYG Hall of Fame iconic character The Phantom is back in the new Mad Cave comic. Phantom kicks this off with some great action and new character work.

News from the Fallout #4. Written by Chris Condon and art and cover art by Jeffrey Alan Love. Variant cover art by James Harren. This has been such a good book so far. I love the different art style and the way they present the story.

Ultimate Spider-Man #21. Written by Jonathan Hickman and art by David Messina. Cover art was done by Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson. Another issue of Ultimate Spider-Man that does not have Spider-Man. We focus in on Mister Negative here and it is really solid.

The Mortal Thor #2. “Storm Warning.” Written by Al Ewing with art by Pasqual Ferry. Cover art was done by Alex Ross. Sigurd comes out in a massively brutal fighting style. Spinning that hammer around on the chain… whoa. It was remarkable.

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #2. Written by Stephanie Phillips and art by Paolo Villanelli. Cover art was done by David Marquez & Marte Gracia. Spider-Gwen has a bit of a temper. I am not sure where that came from but she was blowing up at people throughout this issue.

Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #2. “Chapter Two: Things Men Should Leave Alone.” Written by James Tynion IV with art by Dani. Cover art by Dani & Brad Simpson. I also got variant cover B with art by Mike Del Mundo (Silver Medalist). Another great use of a Universal Monster character.

Space Ghost #3. Written by David Pepose with art by Jonathan Lau. Cover art by Francesco Mattina. Tarko the Terrible was frozen in a block of ice, and they pulled a Captain America thaw out, bringing the powerful danger to the present day.

Viking Moon #1. Written by Joe Pruett with art and cover art by Marcelo Frusin. How could you ask for more? Vikings and werewolves? I mean…come on. This was way cool. I will continue on with this new Image book.

Black Cat #2. “II: Your Friendly Neighborhood Cat Lady.” Written by G. Willow Wilson with art by Gleb Melnikov. Adam Hughes did the cover art. Superhero Black Cat feels a little weird to Felicia Hardy, but she has been coming across plenty of trouble. And she seemed as if she was drooling over Daredevil (Can you blame her?).

Detective Comics #1101. “The Courage That Kills Part One.” Written by Tom Taylor and art and cover was done by Mikel Janin. A new storyline with Batman kicks off here and Tom Taylor brings the excellence once again. It’s a virus storyline and Batman is stuck in quarantine.

X-Men #22. “Dawning of an Age.” Written by Jed MacKay with art by C.F. Villa. Cover art was done by Ryan Stegman & Marte Gracia. Doug Ramsey comes to join the X-Men. Doug Ramsey is the heir of Apocalypse, going by the name of Revelation. The final shot of the issue shows that things are not going to be good as the Age of Revelation starts next month.

Daredevil #25. “Rites of Reconciliation” Part Six. Written by Saladin Ahmed and penciled by Jose Luis Soares. Cover art was done by John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, and Richard Isanove. This is the final issue of Daredevil, which shocked me. Daredevil and Elektra make a change in their relationship status and they have to fight a brutal Kingpin.

Battleworld #1. Written by Christos Gage with art by Marcus To. Cover art by Leinil Francis Yu & Romulo Fajardo Jr. A group of heroes from different universes are pulled together by Korvac to battle. It was interesting to see these heroes in different places of their lives or different formats of their careers. Maestro is here and I love him. Young Spider-Man. King Thor. Old Hank Pym. Ms. Marvel aka Carol Danvers. Lots of interesting interactions.

Spider-Girl #4. Written by Torunn Grønbekk and art by Andre Risso and Moises Hidalgo. Cover art was done by David Nakayama. Spider-Girl is in action, and her efforts bring out a special guest star, the Amazing Spider-man.

The Thing #5. “The King of Yancy Street” Conclusion. Written by Tony Fleecs and art by Justin Mason. Cover art was done by Nick Bradshaw & Rachelle Rosenberg. The Thing’s little solo adventure trying to protect a little girl comes to its conclusion with this issue. I do enjoy Ben Grimm and he showed his power.

Other books this week: Mr. Terrific Year One #5, Endless Night #4, Predator: Black, White & Blood #3, New History of the DC Universe #3, Sherlock Holmes The Dark Detective: Knights of Frankenstein #3, Emma Frost: White Queen #4, Silverhawks #8, Red Vector #2, and Zdarsky Comic News #15.

Quick Hits: Things are getting tougher for Zach and Rose in Hornsby & Halo #10. Rose is starting to show some of her darkness and anger. Vision & Scarlet Witch #5 brings this short series to a close and we return Vision to his original state. It was nice to see Viv Vision back once again. I am not sure how I am feeling about the Death of Silver Surfer #4. I was not a big fan of this issue. Void Rivals #23 continues its major war and battles between the two worlds. Absolute Wonder Woman #12 introduces us to the Absolute Zatanna and Hippolyta finds out Diana is alive. The futuristic Batman in Immortal Legend Batman #2 was a little less interesting than last issue. Godzilla is bringing the pain and the power into the Marvel Universe in Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe #3. The X-Men give it their all. The Ultimate universe expanded a bit with Ultimate Hawkeye #1 (one shot). The Thunder War concludes in Storm #12 with several guest stars who think they are storm gods. This is another series ending before the Age of Revelation. I do not know if the Storm book returns after that X-event or if it gets a reboot. Far Down Below #5 is a great Mad Cave book that also sees its final issue this week. Blue Palo Verde #4 was really weird this week. I found it to be less engaging as I did before. Then there was more bayou crime action in The Voice Said Kill #3. One more of those to go.