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 #37

Wells continues to ever-so-finely thread the needle with Rek-Rap’s over-the-top personality evident in this issue by the story-within-a-story approach to filling in missing details from Rek-Rap’s perspective. At times I found myself agreeing with Peter’s in-story desire to forego the silliness and cut to the chase, but Wells used just enough restraint to make it so the entire issue didn’t become a complete tongue-in-cheek entry. This continues to be a very hard pivot away from the prior story arc and the interlude (this time VERY clearly labeled an interlude compared to the previous issue) are not so subtly only being used to prep readers for the upcoming “Gang War” crossover event.

Rating: 6/10

G.O.D.S. #2

Catch up with my spoiler-free review of the debut issue.

Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s newest project is one of the most ambitious and enjoyable new entries into the Marvel universe in at least the last decade. This story about characters who are meant to have been around forever without ever appearing in any previous Marvel property could very easily have fallen flat but the two creators have provided a herculean effort to integrate these new characters and lore seamlessly. It’s been helped by employing existing Marvel characters, most notably Dr. Strange, as a conduit between what we know and what we’ve yet to discover. We see a lot more of Aiko, who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and we’re introduced to Mia, a college student with a history of unrecognized magic usage, in this issue. The duo are quite dynamic together and I loved Aiko’s approach to revealing just enough information to pique Mia’s interest, while still letting her make her own decisions. The entire issue also looks gorgeous and epic thanks to Schiti’s designs and Marte Gracia’s colors. I’m fully hooked on this new story and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Rating: 9.5/10

PUNISHER #1

Frank Castle is off in Weirdworld, currently leaving Earth-616 without someone assuming the Punisher moniker. Enter Joe Garrison, the protagonist of David Pepose and Dave Wachter’s series. He’s assumed to be a new Punisher by the media after taking out an entire gang of baddies in gear which looks far too much like Frank Castle’s iconic skull logo. Garrison, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, wants nothing to do with the title or his old job, though he appears to be somewhat amenable by the end of the book. Pepose does a great job introducing this brand new character and giving him a backstory that makes him both immediately compelling and sympathetic, yet lacks complexity to make him more than man driven solely by revenge. Wachter’s art sets a dark and gritty tone that’s perfect for a Punisher series and his designs for Joe’s high-tech futuristic weapons are really neat. Pepose will need to double-down on making Joe his own person and not just a stand-in for Frank Castle.

Rating: 8/10

THANOS #1

For a series barring the Mad Titan’s name, the debut issue severely lacked his’ presence. Instead we get a long introduction to a new female character who has some sort of tie to Thanos — enough so that he carves out the city of Fresno and lifts it into space in search for her. She’s met by the new lineup of Illimunati, who we’re informed has somehow warped her memory to hide who she truly is. There was nothing inherently bad about Chris Cantewell’s script, but the script introducing a brand new character verged on boring. It takes nearly 2/3 of the book to get even a semblance of what might be happening and by there is not a lot to get excited about ahead of the next issue. This may end up being an interesting story, but it may be one I save for the trades.

Rating: 6/10

UNCANNY SPIDER-MAN #3

I feel so icky reading and seeing horny Kurt do the dirty with an equally horny (and one-note) Silver Sable. It’s also quite jarring to see Mystique wallowing around like the beggar woman in Sweeney Todd. It’s a really off-putting packaging for the interesting development of the techno-virus adjacent weapons used by Orchis. I would hope this could be done in a way that doesn’t continue to degrade female characters at the expense of making Kurt look like an enigmatic himbo, yet alas, here we are. I want to like this book for the story, but the execution is keeping me from enjoying it.

Rating: 5/10

X-FORCE #46

I didn’t think I’d feel so robbed of a climax about the end of the pain-stakingly drawn out Colossus arc, but this issue managed to go lower than even my own bottom-dwelling expectations. This felt like a “best” hits album of X-Force arcs of yore, with the team fighting the miniature virus which caused so many issues in what feels like a lifetime ago. None of it made real sense or added anything to the plot other than giving the team something to do while Colossus went through his feelings. I’d think there was nowhere else to go but up in the next arc, but I’ve been proven wrong before on this series.

Rating: 4/10

X-MEN RED #17

This issue lacks the complexity of the new Arrako mutants who have come to make X-Men Red such an interesting entry into the Krakoan Age, but the interactions between Storm and Apocalypse present a new twist on how the Genesis War might play out. I thought Apocalypse’s plan was a bit rushed for how pivotal it appears to be for the rest of this series, but Ewing is doing everything in his power to elevate Storm as one of the most powerful and important mutants and it’s such an impressive feat to watch unfold. Every time you think Storm couldn’t become a stronger mutant, Ewing has pushed the boundaries further. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this plays out when Storm and Genesis come face-to-face for their final confrontation.

Rating: 8/10

DC COMICS

BATMAN #139

With the dreadful “Gotham War” crossover event mercifully over, the issue marks the beginning of Batman’s “Mind Bomb” arc from Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez. Zdarsky’s depiction of Bruce’s struggles with elements of mental illness related to the lingering presence of Zur En Arrh has been a fascinating read. Add in the complexities of The Joker wanting to face Zur for an ultimate showdown and you have the making for a captivating plot which highlights Zdarsky’s strengths as a Caped Crusader scribe. Jorge Jimenez’s art is another highlight of this current run and this issue he goes full psychological thriller with his designs. It’s perfectly jarring for the tone of Zdarsky’s script and really brings things to life. The Vandal Savage backstory keeps the character top of mind while he’s at least currently removed from the main story. I’m guessing these two plots will eventually converge and when they do, sparks should fly.

Rating: 8/10

BIRDS OF PREY #3

As I mentioned in my review of the debut issue, this series continues to have a Harley Quinn problem. She sucks up so much oxygen throughout every issue that it’s difficult to look past her constant presence and enjoy anything else about this book. Without Harley, this could be a constitent 10/10 series because everything else about it has been amazing — the side characters (including any Bird of Prey not named Harley Quinn), the writing, the art. But nothing else gets a chance to shine because every single conversation comes back to Harley. If she is the one to somehow defeat/reason with Wonder Woman to save the team, I may not be able to continue with this series.

Rating: 6/10

BLUE BEETLE #3

Things were going a little slow after two issues but Josh Trujillo kicks things into high gear in this issue as Jaime meets up with Traci 13 and we start learning more about the Blood Scarab’s origins. Jaime and Traci have amazing chemistry together and Trujillo’s provides much needed exposition in an interesting and story-appropriate way via Madame Xanadu. Adrián Gutiérrez and Will Quintana continue to provide some truly impressive art in this series. Between Starfire’s ethereal and badass look, Madame Xanadu’s tarot cards highlighting the history of the Blue Beetle, and the final battle between Jaime and Traci vs the Blood Scarab, there’s an abundance of gorgeous panels to enjoy throughout the issue.

Rating: 8.5/10

FIRE & ICE WELCOME SMALLVILLE #3

Joanne Starer’s sitcom in a comic book has been a hilarious read from the first page. This is complete insanity made enjoyable by the sheer fact of just how self-aware Starer’s script is. Natacha Bustos and Tamra Bonvillain make this a visual treat to boot with vibrant designs and colors that match the over-the-top personalities and scenarios happening inside this little salon of chaos and calamity. What a treat!

Rating: 9/10

IMAGE COMICS

PETROL HEAD #1

This was a thrilling amalgamation of so many different types of sci-fi tropes (dystopian society, sentient robotic/AI beings, ecological horror, etc.), yet it’s presented in a unique and refreshing way. We only got what feels like ankle deep in this new world and I hope we get to see even more world-building happen in subsequent issues before we get too far into the action and main plot from Rob Williams. Pye Parr’s artistic wizardry makes this a visually pleasing debut issue. Parr’s art really helps to give the new world definition and context and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this new world comes to life.

Rating: 8/10

TRANSFORMERS #2

I can appreciate Daniel Warren Johnson’s new series for what it is and for the audiences who will likely love it, but this book is likely just not for me. As someone who isn’t a huge fan of the robots in disguise franchise or DWJ’s art style I feel like I’m reading something I don’t “get” and there aren’t many on-ramps for new fans to assimilate to what’s happening. It’s a lot of homages and nostalgic winks and nods best served for those already familiar with the established universe. The plot development comes across pretty elementary with heavy handed dialogue that belabors situations. I also find many of DWJ’s designs for individual Transformers to be far too similar to keep track of which Autobot or Decepticon I’m supposed to be following. I’m very happy for those who are loving this series so far though.

Rating: 5/10

BOOM! STUDIOS

ZAWA + THE BELLY OF THE BEAST #1

Read my in-depth, spoiler-free advance review here.

ZAWA is a visually mesmerizing debut issue sure to please readers of all stripes, but will especially appeal to fans of Michael Dialynas’ past work, including Wynd and The Woods. In a stunning example of his endless creative skills, Dialynas writes, illustrates, colors, and letters the entire issue himself. His art is the pièce de résistance and a perfect complement to the fantasy story set in the dystopian society of Mesa Boon, whose citizens can’t (or won’t) grasp how their mayor is abusing his constituents and poisoning their environment.

Rating: 10/10