March 29
Good evening from EYG. It is time to go through the ton of books from this week. It was a large week of books and, while I did not get every one of them, there are a bunch of books for the week.
Jumping right in with this week’s books:
Big Burn #3. Written by Joe Henderson and art and cover art by Lee Garbett. I have been waiting for this book for what seems like months. In fact, according to my CLZ app, Big Burn #2 came out on Nov. 13, 2024. So literal months. These long release times do make it more difficult to read these DSTLRY books, but they are always so great that you have to put up with it. Big Burn may be my favorite DSTLRY series so far.
Absolute Wonder Woman #6. “The Lady or the Tiger“. Written by Kelly Thompson and art by Mattia De Iulis. Cover art was done by Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire (Gold Medalist). Diana is in the Underworld facing Hades. She tells of her time meeting Prometheus among others. I do like centering Wonder Woman with the Greek Myths and this was an entertaining issue.
Dust to Dust #4. Written by JG Jones & Phil Bram and art and cover art by JG Jones. This issue gives us more details about the past of the Sheriff and the big secret that shamed him from his past. We also get a glance at the man in the gas mask, who adorns the cover of this issue.
Uncanny X-Men #12. “Some Kinda Way.” Witten by Gail Simone and art by Gavin Guidry. David Marquez & Matthew Wilson did the cover art. We get a story from the past of everyone’s favorite Cajun, Remy LeBeau. It is a tale that comes back to the current day in the form of a man named The Vig. Gambit has been a major character for Marvel over the last year or so.
Weapon X-Men #2. “Tsunami.” Written by Joe Casey and penciled by Chriscross. Cover art by Chriscross & Fer Sifuentes-Sujo. I think there were too many Wolverine & Deadpool crossovers this week. This is yet another one where Wade betrayed Logan… or did he? Baron Strucker is around too. This was the best of the Wolvie-Deadpool team ups this week (which is setting the bar low).
Far Down Below #1. Written by Chris Condon and art by Gegê Schall. Cover art was by Jacob Phillips. Brand new book from Mad Cave this week and I loved it. This felt like a mix of Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Goonies. I am here for it. I have to say that it sure feels as if Mad Cave has been on fire lately. I loved Chris Condon’s work in That Texas Blood too and this kick off issue hit on all cylinders.
You’ll Do Bad Things #1. Story by Tyler Boss and art by Adriano Turtulici. Cover art was done by Tyler Boss. Bad “Things,” not bad “Thongs!” It’s an inside joke. Another good first issue this week, this time from Image Comics. There is some connection between a writer and a serial killer. Either way, the writer is tired of true crime, particularly when the true crime is the murders of children.
The Exorcism at 1600 Penn #4. Written by Hannah Rose May and art and cover art by Vanesa Del Rey. This four issue series that saw the President of the United States’ daughter possessed by a demon, came to a satisfying conclusion here. This has been one of the better short series from the independent comics. It was a comic that grabbed my attention via its cover and kept my attention because of its story.
X-Manhunt Omega #1. “Dreams End.” Written by Murewa Ayodele & Gail Simone with art by Gleb Melnikov, Federica Mancin & Enid Balan. Cover art was done by Gleb Melnikov & Morry Hollowell. The final part of the seven part X-Manhunt storyline that ran across the X-Men family books this past month ends with this issue as Professor X and his reborn love Lilandra seem to leave earth for the final time. The X-Men come together for a goodbye.
Metamorpho #4. “The HQ That Walked Like a Man!” Written by Al Ewing and art by Steve Lieber. Lieber and Lee Loughridge did the cover art. Metamorpho fights a building. I did not mistype that. He fights a building. Oh, and the files that Simon Stagg has on Metamorpho comes straight from the Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe book. That was both cool and fourth wall breaking for me.
Standstill #8. Story by Lee Loughridge and art by Alex Riegel. Cover art was done by Andrew Robinson. Standstill closes up with a dramatic final struggle over the watch that freezes time. This was chocked full of action and the imagery of the art fit with it extremely well. It left off on quite a cliffhanger too leading one to believe that there may be more Standstill down the road.
Fantastic Four #30. “Rock Bottom.” Written by Ryan North and penciled by Cory Smith. Joshua Cassara & Dean White did the cover art. This “One World Under Doom” crossover sees Ben Grimm struggling after Doctor Doom “cured” him of his rock form. How does the Puppet Master play into this story?
Justice League Unlimited #5. Written by Mark Waid and art by Dan Mora. Cover art was done by Dan Mora. Impulse is at the heart of this story as he seems to be getting in the way more than helping. We also see the reforming of the Legion of Doom… and I don’t mean Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal. JLU begins a three month crossover event with World’s Finest. Now I have to buy another DC book. *GRUMBLE*
Ultimate Wolverine #3. Written by Chris Condon and art by Alessandro Cappuccio. Cover art by Alessandro Cappuccio and Frank Martin. We get the debuts of Ultimate versions of Gambit and Kitty Pryde this issue. Another book written by Chris Condon that is excellent. He has worked his way into one of my favorite writers around.
Infinity Watch #3. Written by Derek Landy and art by Enid Balám. Cover art was done by Salvador Larroca & GURU-eFX. The Infinity Watch members are all dead. But why are they in different forms? Wild stuff in this issue as the Infinity stones saga continues.
The Kids #1. Written by Garth Ennis and art and cover art by Dalibor Talajic (Silver Medalist). A one-shot story from Image Comics’ Ninth Circle imprint. I really enjoyed this story. What do you do when all of the infants and children are immediately transformed into adults? It was an extremely creative take on the “zombie” idea, but with angry, scared and hungry adults with the brains of babies. My biggest disappointment was this was a one shot. I would have bought into more of this.
Godzilla vs. Fantastic Four #1. Written by Ryan North and art by John Romita Jr. Cover art was done by Adam Kubert & Morry Hollowell. This is the first of the Marvel Universe characters face off with Godzilla books that are coming this month. Of course, Godzilla ends up with the Power Cosmic from the Silver Surfer because why shouldn’t he?
Daredevil #19. “Introductory Rites” Conclusion. Written by Saladin Ahmed and art by Aaron Kuder. John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna and Richard Isanove did the cover art. The final demon from Hell forced Daredevil to make a choice… save Foggy or save Bullseye. Hmm… not sure if this is a true conflict.
Ultimate Spider-Man #15. Written by Jonathan Hickman and guest artist David Messina. Cover art was done by Marco Checchetto. Peter is having trouble with the loss of his friend Harry. Nothing a little father son super hero training couldn’t help. Plus, Ultimate Sandman makes his first appearance.
Gold Key Select Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #1. Gold Key is trying to cash in on the nostalgia bug that has grasped pop culture these days with reprints of the 1962 Boris Karloff Thriller comics. I usually do not go for reprints like this, but I do have a good place in my heart for Boris Karloff from my childhood of watching those Universal Monsters movies and I am happy I have this.
Amazing Spider-Man #70. “Nothing Can Stop the Spider-Naut.” Written by Joe Kelly and penciled by Ed McGuinness. Ed McGuinness, Cliff Rathburn & Marcio Menyz did the cover art. This is the final issue of this volume of Amazing Spider-Man. This volume was highlighted by Peter Parker being transformed into creatures. We had Spider-Goblin for awhile. Now we have Spider-Naut… where Peter has the Juggernaut power. I have not been a big fan of this “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” arc, but I feel as if it finished up strong.
The Department of Truth #29. Written by James Tynion IV and art and cover art by Martin Simmonds. This book continues to be the top of the game of the conspiracy theories. I love the creative use of this wild storytelling even if it can be challenging to follow at times. I enjoy a book that demands that I am smart enough to read it.
Feral #11. Written by Tony Fleecs and art by Trish Forstner. I picked up two copies of this this week, the first one with the cover art by Tony Fleecs & Tone Rodriguez and the variant cover art by Trish Forstner & Allen Passalaqua (Gold Medalist). Feral has been a suspenseful book every month and who thought that a bunch of cats could be this compelling?
Doll Parts: A Lovesick Tale #4. Written, illustrated and cover art by Luana Vecchio. This prequel series came to a close with a dramatic character piece. Madeline went through all kinds of physical and mental issues. I did not know this was a prequel, leading into the Lovesick series.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #1. Written by Deniz Camp and art and cover art by Javier Rodriguez. This book is colorful, creative, and extremely original. This was something different and I did like this.
The Last Boy #1. Written by Dan Panosian and illustrated by Alessio Avallone. Cover art was done by Dan Panosian. Peter Pan. Captain Hook. Wendy. They are all here, but maybe not as you remember them. This Boom! Studio book is an interesting one.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #5. “Round Five” Written by Tom King and art and cover art by Ryan Sook. I have loved this Black Canary series so far as the penultimate issue was epic. This book is not only the amazing contest between Canary and Lady Shiva, but a character piece involving Canary and her mother. Tom King is another of my favorite writers.
Universal Monsters: The Mummy #1. Written and art by Faith Erin Hicks. The cover art was by Faith Eric Hicks & Lee Loughridge (Bronze Medalist). I have enjoyed this series of Universal Monsters books and the Mummy is next. This is a great start and I am looking forward to the rest of the issues.
Doom Academy #2. Written by Mackenzie Cadenhead and art by Pasqual Ferry & Joao M.P. Lemos. Variant cover art by Ron Lim & Israel Silva. This variant cover of Doyle Dormammu was very nearly a medalist this week. I do love these Strange Academy characters and placing them in the middle of this One World Under Doom storyline is a smart move.
Rogue The Savage Land #3. Written by Tim Seeley and art by Zulema Scotto Lavina. Kaare Andrews did the cover art. I have never loved these stories that fall into past moments of the Marvel Universe. This one has been fine because I do like the characters, especially Ka-Zar.
Laura Kinney: Wolverine #4. “Brother in Arms- Part 1” Written by Erica Schultz and art by Giada Belviso. Cover art was done by Elena Casagrande & Edgar Delgado. Laura Kinney and Bucky Barnes team up in this issue as these two characters have seemingly a lot in common.
Red Hulk #2. “The Great Escape.” Written by Benjamin Percy and art by Geoff Shaw. Variant cover art was done by Greg Land & Rachelle Rosenberg. Thunderbolt Ross was spent with the Red Hulk, so he had team up with Machine Man, Deathlok, and Simon Ryker to escape from the Doombots and the prison they were being held in.
Incredible Hulk #23. “The Skin of Charlie Tidwell” Part Two. Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and art and cover art by Nic Klein. This is a creepy episode as the winged monster is wearing Charlie’s skin. Sentence you would never expect the Hulk to say: “Take off the skin now.”
Kill Train #3. Written by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs and art by Martina Niosi of Outclass Studio. Skylar Patridge did the cover art. Another really solid book from Mad Cave. Kill Train has been brutal and bloody and a real good time.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4. Written by Christos Gage and art by Eric Gapstur. Cover art was by Leonardo Romero (Bronze Medalist). The prequel series to the animated TV show gets, I believe, its penultimate issue with Spidey taking on Silvermane and the Enforcers. Peter is in bad shape at the end of the issue.
The Seasons #3. Written by Rick Remender and art and cover art by Paul Azaceta. Summer has been having all kinds of trouble and her sister Winter has had about all she can take. However, there is absolutely something going on and Summer is the one calling it out.
The Patchwork Girl of Oz #3. Adapted, illustrated and cover art by Otis Frampton. Adapted from the novel by L. Frank Baum. The Patchwork Girl is brought to life but her “brain” had way more than what was intended. The wild moment lead to a tragedy for Unc. Nunkie.
Pooluminati #1 and Deadpool vs. Wolverine: Slash ‘Em Up #1. I mentioned earlier about Deadpool and Wolverine and these two books have a lot of those two characters in it. Neither of these were that good. It just felt like I was overwhelmed by the amount of Deadpool and the amount of Deadpool with Wolverine.
Other books this week: Peacemaker Presents Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature #1, Thunderbolts: Doomstrike #2, Doom’s Division #1, Vampirella #1 (Silver Medalist), Nights #14, Sherlock Holmes The Dark Detective: Claws of the Chimera #4, and Free for All #1.