Weekly New Comic Reviews: December 13, 2023

Welcome to this week’s new comic book reviews! I’m not able to review everything that comes out each week (and this week I’m extra behind due to some real-life work), but I try to write a quick blurb about some of the biggest titles from Marvel, DC, Image, BOOM!, and more.

As always, I hope you enjoy any book you picked up this week! Let me know what you read and which ones were your favorites!

MARVEL COMICS

DAREDEVIL: GANG WAR #1

Elektra, donning the Daredevil mantle, finds herself in the midst of the Gang War chaos. The weight of responsibility for Hell’s Kitchen is evident on her face, the city's desperation mirrored in her steely gaze. While the action is exhilarating, Erica Shultz ensures that the issue isn't just about punching bad guys. We see Elektra wrestling with the burden of the Daredevil role and the promises she made to Matt, questioning her own methods and motivations. The internal conflict adds depth and complexity to the character, making her more than just a masked vigilante.

Sergio Davila's art brings the gritty streets of Hell's Kitchen to life. Daredevil's acrobatic combat is rendered with a dynamic clarity, each punch and kick feeling impactful. The fight scenes are brutal and ballet-like at the same time, showcasing Elektra's lethal skill and unwavering resolve.

Rating: 8/10

DARK X-MEN #5

I had such high hopes for this miniseries but alas, Steve Foxe’s finale extinguishes that flicker, leaving behind a pile of narrative ashes and unfulfilled potential. While the cast, outside of Madelyne, of Dark X-Men themselves boast intriguing backstories and potential, they remained underdeveloped throughout the series and this issue made me wonder why this wasn’t just presented as a Madelyne solo-series. The issue squanders the promising premise of the series, delivering a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion. While individual moments show glimmers of what could have been, the overall experience is one of disappointment, leaving me wondering what might have been if the story had provided more breathing room for character development.

Rating: 5/10

IMMORTAL THOR #5

Al Ewing and Martin Coccolo deliver a thunderous finale to the series’ first arc with a pulse-pounding showdown that throws Thor and the reimagined Thor Corps against Toranos, a threat that could crack the very fabric of reality. Coccolo's art is the standout in the issue, flourishing in the action sequences, capturing the chaotic beauty of godly warfare with vivid colors and dynamic panel layouts. Each member of the Thor Corps looks elegantly powerful and he continues to depict Toranos as a truly existential threat fit for the Gods. His art has blown my mind multiple times in this still young series and he blew it even further here. Ewing’s story is a triumphant conclusion to an epic arc. It's a comic that delivers big on action, character development, and philosophical depth.

Rating: 10/10

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #13

Cody Ziglar and Federico Vicentini weave a captivating narrative that showcases the burden of responsibility weighing on Miles' shoulders, both as a superhero and as a teenager caught in the middle of the Gang War event’s crossfire. Ziglar delves into the emotional turmoil swirling within Miles, showcasing his anxieties about balancing his superhero duties and his current relationship with Peter. I love seeing more of Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, but I didn’t think Ziglar’s writing for them was equally as strong as it was for Miles. The interactions between the three felt a tad redundant and I was a tad disappointed to see Misty and Colleen having to save Miles, making him appear less-than-ready for his Gang War involvement.

Rating: 7/10

PUNISHER #2

While bullets fly and bones crunch, this issue delves deeper, exploring the complexities of Joe Garrison and continuing to build-up a surprisingly relatable protagonist. David Pepose has seemingly proved everyone wrong with an immensely interesting new character who many thought would be a cardboard cut-out stand-in for Frank Castle. Instead, we’re getting a new voice that already feels completely organic and understandable, with a story that has plenty of of homages to classic Punisher tales. I’ve been highly impressed and already want more.

Rating: 9/10

X-MEN: RED #18

Stop me if you’ve heard this before (even in this very post), but Al Ewing wrote a climactic final chapter to the Genesis War that's equal parts action-packed spectacle and emotional gut-punch, leaving readers both satisfied and slightly melancholic as the best series throughout Fall of X has come to a close.

While the physical conflict is exhilarating, thanks to Yildiray Çinar’s always impressive art, Ewing ensures it's not just about flashy powers or brute strength. The battle becomes a metaphor for the clash of ideologies, forcing characters to confront their beliefs, the choices they've made, and the paths they hope to lead. Storm's unwavering optimism clashes with Genesis' hardened hubris, leading to a poignant confrontation that resonate beyond the immediate conflict.

While the ending for her vision for, and involvement in, Arakko felt a bit rushed at the end of this issue, no writer has given Storm the pedestal she deserves quite like Ewing has throughout this series’ run. I can only hope the next writer to take on the character is half as adept in giving her this level of dedication and care.

Rating: 9/10

DC COMICS

BATMAN: CITY OF MADNESS #2

A wild, mind-bending trip into the depths of Gotham's depravity. Writer and artist Christian Ward throws caution to the wind, crafting a narrative that's as unsettling as it is visually stunning. This is Batman like you've never seen him before, forced to confront the very fabric of reality itself. Ward's art perfectly captures this descent into chaos. It's a visual feast for the senses, but one that will leave you feeling slightly off-kilter, in the best way possible. We glimpse the origins of the Under-Gotham, its connection to the Court of Owls, and the horrifying price Gotham must pay for its existence.

But City of Madness #2 is more than just a psychedelic trip. It's a story about confronting the darkness within ourselves, both literal and metaphorical. Batman, the symbol of order and control, is forced to grapple with a reality that defies his logic. It's a reminder that even the Dark Knight can't always punch his way out of every problem, and sometimes the only way to win is to embrace the madness, at least a little bit.

Overall, this second entry into Ward's trilogy is psychedelic plunge into the heart of Gotham's madness, beautifully rendered and brilliantly written. This is Batman like you've never seen him before, and it's absolutely glorious.

Rating: 9/10

BATMAN/SANTA CLAUS: SILENT KNIGHT #2

Writer Jeff Parker and artist Michele Bandini craft a story that seamlessly blends the Caped Crusader and Santa Claus better than I could have ever imagined — if I even were to imagine it! Picking up where the first issue left off, Batman and Santa Claus face off against the monstrous Krampus and his horde of Yuletide nightmares.The action is exhilarating, the mythology is surprisingly engaging, and the Christmas spirit is thick enough to cut with a candy cane. Bandini's art shines in these action sequences, knowing just when to push the envelop and when to reign it back in.

Rating: 9/10

DETECTIVE COMICS #1079

Catwoman takes center stage in Detective Comics #1079, the penultimate chapter of the "Batman: Outlaw" arc. Writer Ram V and artist Jason Shawn Alexander continue their thrilling run on the series, delivering a heist story with sharp twists, witty dialogue, and some truly jaw-dropping panels. Alexander's art is phenomenal, bringing Selina's true plan and this version of Gotham to life.

Ram V's writing is equally, if not more, sharp, weaving a complex plot reflecting on the previous chapters, with unexpected turns and emotional stakes that take this arc to new heights. While this issue focuses on what was really happening throughout the "failed" heist, it also highlights Selina's meticulous strategic planning. The reveals laid bear throughout the issue are perfectly executed by a master storyteller.

Rating: 10/10

GREEN LANTERN #6

Green Lantern #6 throws down with an epic showdown between Hal Jordan and a Sinestro consumed by the red rage energy. Jeremy Adams wastes no time thrusting readers into the heart of the conflict, showcasing the destructive potential of Sinestro's newfound power and Hal's desperate struggle to contain it.

As we've come to expect from him in this series, the art by Xermánico, along with Scott Godlewski & colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr., brings the raw destructive power of the red rage to life, with Sinestro's constructs manifesting with visual displays of fury. The contrast between Sinestro's previous controlled power and his current unbridled fury is stark and visually striking.

Rating: 8.5/10

WORLD’S FINEST: TEEN TITANS #6

This issue marks the bittersweet conclusion of Mark Waid's wonderfully fun adventure that reintroduced a classic teenage superhero team for a new generation. This final chapter delivers a satisfying payoff, full of heart, humor, and action, reminding us why these teenage heroes have endured for decades and hopefully opens up the door for additional reinventions for Golden and Silver Age characters.

Emanuela Lupacchino's artwork shines throughout the issue. Her expressive characters and dynamic action sequences perfectly complement Waid's writing. The fight scenes are thrilling, while the quieter moments are imbued with genuine emotion.

Rating: 10/10

BOOM! STUDIOS

ZAWA + THE BELLY OF THE BEAST #2

Read my full spoiler-free advance review here.

I was enamored with the first issue and ZAWA + The Belly of The Beast #2 only reinforced exactly why I loved everything about this story. Michael Dialynas is creating something truly magical here and I can’t wait to see how this all plays out. The story is engaging, the characters are captivating, and the art is gorgeous. This is going to look AMAZING in a collected trade and I hope more readers are able to discover it then if they’re missing out on these single issues because it is already a must-read monthly pick-up for me.

Rating: 9.5/10

VAULT COMICS

BEYOND REAL #1

Read my spoiler-free advance review here.

I approached Beyond Real #1 with middling expectations after the publisher made the main cover available for free to retailers. That type of action can sometimes indicate a publisher’s lack of confidence in a book, but other times it can mean a publisher is trying to push sales of a book they really believe in due to a lack of retailer interest. I feared the former was the case here, but at least after one issue, Beyond Real has blown past my expectations and I hope more readers pick up this visual treat!

Rating: 9/10