Happy New Year and welcome to this week’s new comic book reviews! I’m not able to review everything that comes out each week (and this week is again light due to the holidays), but I tried to write a quick blurb about some of the biggest titles from Marvel, DC, and some of the indies.

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

MARVEL COMICS

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41

We pick up right where the previous issue left off, with New York's underworld in the midst of a turf war and Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and Tombstone rendezvousing with the newly returned Kingpin & Typhoid Mary (without any explanation to how Mary got here between the finale of Realm of X and this). In a separate storyline, we the Rose and Beetle battling it out for control of uptown Manhattan. The former is a fun superhero romp, while I continue to struggle caring about Janice’s motives and fight in the latter. Zeb Wells wrote some great dialogue between Tombstone and Kingpin, basically making Spidey a background character in his own book and that’s not the first time this happened recently. Some will likely argue that its sacrilegious to do so, but I have to say its a breath of fresh air getting to see other characters take center stage for an issue or two. John Romita Jr.'s art is classic and timeless on this title. He brings the action to life with dynamic layouts and expressive characters. His Spider-Man look is iconic, and his villains are suitably menacing. The Gang War event continues to impress.

Rating: 7/10

FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this issue. On the one hand, it was riveting and really showed the state mutants are in at the hands of Orchis. On the other hand, this should have been what we were getting the entire “Fall of X.” The latter makes this issue feel unearned and lacking the punch that the first issue of the concluding saga to Krakoa should have carried. This could have come immediately after X-Men #25 and it wouldn’t have like we missed anything. In many ways this issue underscores how weak “Fall of X” was in showcasing individual, pet project stories (e.g. Astonishing Iceman and Uncanny Spider-Man) in lieu of building on the main narrative. How many times were we told Orchis would kill scores of humans for every mutant who didn’t leave the U.S.? What ever came of that? I’ve been separately rereading the Age of Apocalypse arc, and in a stark contrast, every miniseries in added a necessary piece to the overarching story. Oh, what could have been had we followed that formula.

However, I can’t let me frustrations with the handling of this entire arc completely cloud my thoughts on Fall of the House of X #1 as a standalone issue. This is exactly the level of suspense and action we should have been getting for months. It was great seeing so many faces back together again and offers a glimmer of hope for mutantkind now that they are operating cohesively. If this keeps up, the Krakoan era may well get a worthy ending after all.

Rating: 8/10

VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1

Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio don’t waste time dwelling on the absence of Marc Spector in their new follow-up series. Instead, Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 throws us headfirst into the aftermath of his death with a touching first act focusing on the Shiva organized by the remaining members of the Midnight Mission. We see them grapple with grief and uncertainty while trying to maintain their mission's purpose. Reese takes focus and we get to see her raw and emotional, showcasing the toll that the aftermath has taken on her, with a final twist that may or may not come as a surprise to most readers. This was a thrilling and emotional first chapter in this new arc and shows the Moon Knight story still room to grow, with or without Marc Spector.

Rating: 8/10

DC COMICS

BATMAN #141

The finale to “Failsafe 2.0,” errr I mean “Mindbomb” is essentially one extended chase sequence, with Batman desperately seeking a way to shut down the rogue AI now controlled by Zur-En-Arrh before it can fulfill its objective - the complete and utter replacement of Bruce Wayne as Batman. Stop me if this sounds like Zdarsk’y first “Failsafe” arc. The story is just barely saved the awesome work of Jorge Jiménez’s art and Zdarsky’s backup story which introduces the only new plot element to this arc. However, that appears to be taking a backseat starting with the “Joker: Year One” arc where <sarcasm> we’ll finally get to see more of the Joker’s origin story </sarcasm>.

Rating: 6/10

BIRDS OF PREY #5

Birds of Prey #5 continues the team's fight against Megaera, a monstrous entity threatening Themyscira and beyond. The issue primarily focuses on Black Canary and Sin attempting to defeat Megaera from within its own form, while the rest of the Birds (Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain, Barda, and Zealot) face off against the Amazons guarding the way to the creature's core. Kelly Thompson's writing in this issue is a mixed bag. The character interactions, particularly between Dinah and Sin, are well-written and emotionally charged. However, the plot takes some perplexing turns, especially regarding Megaera's dialogue and motivations. The villain, initially presented as a menacing force, ends up speaking like a Zillennial, undermining any sense of genuine threat. I will also die on the hill that Harley Quinn is over-utilized in this book.

I’ve seen a lot of people attacking guest artist Arist Deyn's approach to the issue, so much so that Thompson has had to defend Deyn and note the issue is meant to be viewed from the perspective of the Megaera, which is why it is such a stark departure from Leo Romero’s work. It’s definitely a completely aesthetic, but I thought it worked and still fit with the tone of Thompson’s script.

Rating: 7/10

BLUE BEETLE #5

Jaime’s newest miniseries continues to be a visual feast for the eyes thanks to the creative team of Adrián Gutiérrez (art), Will Quintana (colors), and Lucas Gattoni (lettering). The art by Gutiérrez is so uniquely done, you don’t see this style of linework in many Big 2 books and its a very refreshing look and perfect for Jaime’s world in Palmera City. Quintana’s colors leap of the page at every turn and his color palette for the various scarab-powered heroes is a joy to look at it. Gattoni’s lettering for the various scarab-entities is just perfection. There are few people handling lettering these days who can make the lettering feel as though it’s a part of the art itself the way Gattoni has done in Blue Beetle. The trio shine with this issue’s focus on the Blood Scarab and Josh Trujillo’s script finally gives us a look at the character’s terrifying plans for Jaime. This was one of the miniseries’ best issues, setting us up for an epic finale that’s not to be missed!

Rating: 9/10

FIRE & ICE: WELCOME TO SMALLVILLE #5

I can’t hate this series, I just can’t. The loose plot and haphazard pacing should be driving me mad, but Joanne Starer’s writing makes these characters so lovable that I can forgive some of the rushed plot development happening in this penultimate issue to set us up ahead of the finale. Fire & Ice have such a relatable relationship that you can’t help but feel that their friendship is something you go through with your best friend at some point in your life. Natacha Bustos and Tamra Bonvillain bring it all together in some of the most fun visuals you can ask for. I wish this book was an ongoing, but with the plot starting to come apart for this specific arc, its clear that the end is coming just at the right time.

Rating: 7.5/10

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD #1

Kneel Before Zod takes a bold step away from Superman's perspective, placing us squarely in the boots of the Kryptonian villain himself. Having conquered a new planet and established his own twisted utopia, we see General Zod grapple with the burden of rule, facing threats both external and internal. Joe Casey crafts a nuanced portrayal of Zod, showcasing his ruthless ambition, simmering rage, and unexpected moments of vulnerability especially with his own inter-family dynamics.

Dan McDaid's artwork is truly magnificent. He brings Zod's world to life with a blend of gritty realism and alien grandeur. The detailed landscapes, imposing architecture, and expressive character faces all contribute to a truly immersive experience. The action sequences are particularly dynamic and brutal, capturing the savage ferocity of Zod's rule.

This issues makes it clear that a standalone Zod story offers a galaxy’s worth of potential and Casey’s initial script is an encouraging sign that we’re in for a great character story.

Rating: 9/10

BOOM! STUDIOS

PINE & MERRIMAC #1

Linnea Kent, a former homicide detective, has sworn off missing persons cases and seeks solace in running a detective agency with a knack for uncovering cheating spouses with her husband Parker, a retired MMA fighter and the brawn of his wife’s detective work. However, before the issues closes, Linnea finds herself pulled back into the type of case she so desperately tried to avoid.

Kyle Starks crafts a compelling narrative that effortlessly blends classic noir with modern comics. The dialogue is sharp and witty, peppered with humor and genuine warmth between our married main characters. The story is well paced, offering glimpses of Linnea and Parker’s pasts and giving us a sense of the type of work they’ve been doing at their agency through the introduction of several larger-than-life characters. Starks' ability to weave character development seamlessly into the unfolding events creates a reading experience that makes you want to keep learning more about some of these characters and their cases.

Fran Galán’s art is simply stunning with gorgeous character designs for Linnea and Parker. Galán's slightly angled linework and barely-muted color palette perfectly captures the noir tone without making it feel like you’re reading a story from the first half of the 20th century. He keeps it modern with the designs of the townsfolk we meet, giving them exaggerated designs that are both humorous and well-done.

While the issue effectively sets the stage for the series, it also raises a number of intriguing questions that will hopefully be answered down the road. My biggest question is why did Linnea choose now to get back into missing persons work? This can’t be the first time she’s been brought a case with echoes of her past. Overall, Starks and Galán may not have swung for the fences with this first issue, but still managed to give readers just enough to make you want to come back for more.

Rating: 8/10

RANGER ACADEMY #4

One of my favorite aspects of this series so far is how much it’s felt like its pulled from various childhood/YA franchises which have come before it, giving it a feeling that reaches so much further beyond its Power Rangers roots. This issue squarely put me back in the mindset of watching an episode of The Magic School Bus, with the Academy students going on an epic space adventure with their not-quite-fully-present teacher. The trio of Sage, Lindy, and Theo are such an endearing and adorable friendship, you can’t help but root for them to succeed in everything they do. And we even see more growth from Sage, who volunteers to stay behind and help a frenemy. This book is flying under the radar for most folks, but you’re missing out on a truly enjoyable story even if you aren’t a fan of the Power Rangers franchise.

Rating: 9/10

DARK HORSE COMICS

THE MIDNITE SHOW #4

Cullen Bunn tries to juggle multiple plotlines and character arcs in this concluding(?) issue to what has been, up to this point, a fun take on classic Universal Monster stories. The pace is SO brisk, throwing the group into one perilous situation after another, that you may suffer whiplash before you even understand what’s happening. While it took the first two issues to set up the plot, it felt like this final issue could have been at least two or three issues itself. Brian Hurtt's art continued to be a wonderful treat, bringing the monsters to life with great detail, making them truly terrifying in a comic book way that combines horror with more rounded lines evoking classic comic strips.

Did Bunn expect to have longer to tell his story? I wish he did, because this was an action-packed cluster of an ending that didn’t feel like the conclusion the promise of Bunn’s vision deserved.

Rating: 6.5/10

THE ODDLY PEDESTRIAN LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER CHAOS #6

You can read my full spoiler-free advance review here.

Overall, Christopher Chaos #6 is not only an excellent concluding chapter to the series’ first arc, it’s a game-changer as well. It not only expands the world-building but also offers an intriguing epilogue which hints at a grander conspiracy we’ll begin to explore in the next arc which kicks off next month. If you haven’t had a chance to dive into this first phase, the first six issues will be collected in The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Vol 1, which hits shelves May 22, 2024.

Rating: 9/10