Weekly New Comic Reviews: November 29, 2023
Welcome to this week’s new comic book reviews! I’m not able to review everything that comes out each week, 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
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: GANG WAR — FIRST STRIKE #1
I was hesitant about this event after the less-than-inspiring interludes that have been appearing in ASM, but this was an exceptional one-shot start and sets the stage for what has the potential for an epic and captivating event. I really enjoyed how the situation felt dire but also tangible. There’s definitely a “realness” to the stakes that gives this an intriguing grounding and I’m currently very invested.
Rating: 9/10
LUKE CAGE: GANG WAR #1
Writer Rodney Barnes and artist Ramon Bachs deliver a captivating tale that delves into the complex world of New York City's criminal underworld, with Mayor Luke Cage at the center of the conflict. Like ASM: Gange War — First Strike, I really enjoyed how much this felt like it could be happening in real-life in the most dire situation. It’s not a cosmic threat like what’s happening in DC’s Beast World event, but the political intrigue and human elements of this story might be even more interesting to me.
Rating: 9/10
MS. MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT #4
This marks the epic conclusion to this captivating miniseries, and it does not disappoint. Writers Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada deliver a thrilling finale that perfectly encapsulates the heart and excitement of Kamala Khan and might go down as one of the best Fall of X stories when all is said and done. There were a lot of moans and groans when this series was announced for a variety of reasons (most due to the way Kamala’s death was handled in ASM earlier this year), but Vellani and Pirzada have wiped away all of the ill will that may have been directed and have set Ms. Marvel up as a potentially major player in future mutant stories. I can’t wait for their recently announced next miniseries, Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace, which debuts next March!
Rating: 10/10
REALM OF X #4
I haven’t been shy in my dislike of this miniseries. The story has been erratic and severely underdeveloped and the previous issue had some of the worst artwork I’ve seen in a comic book this year. With all that said, this finale was actually pretty decent compared the the rest of the series. It wasn’t great by any means, nor did it salvage the series, but it was at least satisfying on its own..
Rating: 6/10
SPIDER-WOMAN #1
Less of a tie-in to the Gang War event as the other two tie-ins this week, Steve Foxe’s story focuses more on Jessica Drew’s lingering storyline around her missing child (lots of similarity to Mystique’s story) and her own personal vendetta against Diamondback. Something felt very off about Foxe’s writing for Jessica, perhaps I’ve just reached my fill of Marvel moms running around crying for their children. It reduces these characters to grieving mothers and limits them from any further layers of complexity. Let’s hope Foxe can get a better grasp on Jessica’s voice give his lead on her ongoing series after this event ends. #JusticeforJessica
Rating: 7/10
X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1
I can’t deny there are some pretty powerful panels in the issue, especially Mystique’s thoughts on what the true lines of binary division, but there are still some problematic elements. What was the team thinking using an annoying Bamf character as the narrator? Did Spurrier really feel like the issue needed a layer of humor to balance the poignant tone of the rest of the story? If so, he failed miserably because it was a terrible attempt at humor and completely took me out of the moment every time the character appeared.
The toxic portion of the comic book fandom will claim Spurrier went too far retconning canonical stories, but the reveal of Nightcrawler’s true parentage was always part of Claremont’s initial thoughts for all of the characters involved. So in reality, this was making the characters whole and I thought it was done really well.
Overall, Spurrier masterfully weaves together the threads of Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Destiny’s histories, exploring the intricate dynamics between Nightcrawler and Mystique and Mystique and Destiny. He captures the emotional resonance of these two different relationships, highlighting the love, betrayal, and lingering scars that define each character individually.
Rating: 8/10
DC COMICS
ALAN SCOTT: THE GREEN LANTERN #2
You can read my full, in-depth review here.
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #2 is a masterful continuation of Sheridan's captivating story. The issue delves deeper into Alan's past, revealing the traumatic experiences that shaped him and continue to influence his actions. Sheridan's exploration of Alan's identity is both poignant and thought-provoking, adding depth and layers to the character. It also holds a mirror up to today’s world and shows just how little has changed in many regards when it comes to LGBTQ individuals who face their own inner demons accepting who they are for fear of persecution, hatred, violence, or excommunication from society or those who are meant to be their safe spaces.
Editors note: even before I read this issue, I have been supporting The Trevor Project this Giving Season for the exact issues Sheridan is highlighting in this issue. Nobody in the LGBTQ community, especially LGBTQ youth, should feel like they don’t belong. LGBTQ young people with at least one accepting adult in their life report significantly lower rates of attempting suicide. The Trevor Project is doing such important work ensuring that there is always someone there and savings so many beautiful lives along the way. If you are able, please consider supporting my Giving Season fundraiser, where all proceeds go directly to their work.
Rating: 10/10
DETECTIVE COMICS #1078
Read my full review here.
Overall, “Part 3 of Batman, Outlaw” in Detective Comics #1078 is a mixed bag. It's a step forward for the series in terms of plot progression, but it's also hampered by its heavy reliance on explanation. Fans of V's slow-burn approach will likely enjoy this issue, but those looking for more action will likely continue to be disappointed.
Rating: 4/10
TITANS: BEAST WORLD #1
It’s hard to believe this is the first Teen Titans-led event in DC Comics’ history, but their lucky to have their first one in the hands of Tom Taylor, one of the best storytellers amongst DC’s active writer roster. Taylor has been building to this event throughout his run on the main TItans series and delivers a banger start to this highly-anticipated event which has been teased as having a lasting impact on the wider DC Comicverse, unlike the publisher’s painstakingly bad Knight Terrors event earlier this year.
Taylor masterfully weaves together elements of humor, action, adventure, and emotional depth, creating a captivating narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. His ability to capture distinct personalities for the various Titans shines through, adding a layer of relatability and charm to the story, and especially for Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy in this issue. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Beast Boy, the often overlooked and under-utilized Titan, steps up as the unlikely savior, harnessing his unique animal-morphing abilities to confront a formidable and fearsome foe.
The artwork by Ivan Reis and Danny Miki and the colors by Brad Anderson are nothing short of stunning. Dynamic illustrations bring characters and action sequences to life, perfectly complementing Taylor's engaging storytelling during the most climactic pages. Panels are filled with energy and detail, immersing readers in the action throughout the issue.
Titans: Beast World #1 is an exhilarating start to what has the making of a must-read crossover event. With vibrant artwork and a top-notch narrative, Taylor and team have set the stage for an epic adventure.
Rating: 9/10
BOOM! STUDIOS
BRZRKR: FALLEN EMPIRE
Writer Mattson Tomlin and artist by Rebekah Isaacs, take readers on a thrilling and action-packed journey through the past of B, the immortal berserker warrior. This captivating special one-shot in the BRZRKR saga immerses readers in a world of ancient battles, political intrigue, and the relentless pursuit of B’s true purpose.
From the very first page, BRZRKR: FALLEN EMPIRE #1 grabs readers with its relentless pace and visceral action sequences. Tomlin’s narrative weaves together historical elements with fantastical concepts, creating a unique and engaging setting for B’s exploits. The battle scenes are particularly impressive, showcasing B’s unmatched strength and ferocity as he faces off against hordes of enemies.
Isaacs’ artwork really brings the story to life with a combination of dynamic layouts, detailed linework, and vibrant colors. She captures the energy and brutality of the battle scenes, while also conveying the subtle emotions and motivations of the characters. Her depiction of B is particularly striking, emphasizing his physical prowess and inner turmoil.
Rating: 9/10
SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #35
Well, it took a loooong time but we’re finally done with the Tribulation story arc. Was the juice worth the squeeze? I’m not so sure. There was a lot of build-up to this final showdown between Cutter and Erica and it felt anti-climactic even with the “shock” ending. James Tynion has a lot of other stories going on at the moment and I really fear for the quality of this series going forward.
Rating: 6/10
VAULT COMICS
BARBARIC: WRONG KIND OF RIGHTEOUS
Read my full spoiler-free advance review here.
The world of Barbaric is full of gory violence and some NSFW humor, and Wrong Kind of Righteous is no exception. The story is full of over-the-top action sequences, as well as some genuinely hysterical moments, mostly stemming from hilarious dialogue from Owen and/or Axe. Eames and Moreci’s script does well to keep our main characters true to their prior selves which makes this one-shot a must-read for fans of any previous Barbaric series. Owen and Axe are a delectable duo and I love seeing them in new adventures.
Rating: 10/10
