DC #1

AMERICAN VAMPIRE 1976 #1

It has been more than five years since the last issue of American Vampire landed, and that leaves American Vampire 1976 #1 with the unfortunate task of catching readers up to speed. There are long sequences of the issue that read like a Dungeons & Dragons adventure guide—listing organizations, plots, and characters of import so readers will understand the adventure ahead. It's necessary, but tedious work to frame the series' climax. However, as slow as the first issue may read, it also reminds readers why this title caught fire about one decade ago. Albuquerque's artwork is astonishing in sequences, including some Evel Knievel-style stunt work. Vampiric forms loom with long shadows and devilish eyes, and the few moments of horrific violence in issue #1 are enough to inform readers that far more dreadful moments are on the horizon. American Vampire 1976 reestablishes the series and prepares for one final push, even if that effort delivers some tedium in its initial outing. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

BATMAN #100

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

In the end, beautiful art and a great shift for a popular character aren't enough to make Batman #100 seem meaningful. Readers are left with the distinct impression that Batman really is incapable of truly doing what is necessary to protect a city he claims to love and a sense that the Dark Knight has learned nothing from these experiences. Batman's attempt to deal with Clownhunter reveals a vigilante hero who, despite having an abundance of proof that the "my way or the highway" approach doesn't work and causes more problems than it solves, doubles down on his own self-righteous superiority once again. It make Batman appear to be a weak man who refuses to learn from his own history—or from those who love him—and will only continue to repeat it. This isn't about frightening the dark elements of Gotham nor is it about saving a doomed city. Batman #100 is about nothing more than Batman's (and, perhaps, the author's) ego. That's both a waste of this story's premise and a crying shame. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 2 out of 5

DCEASED: DEAD PLANET #4

Dead Planet #4 is light on the terror (and the zombies), but it's an interesting dive back into the world of the New Gods. If you read Tom King's Mister Miracle (and if you didn't, why not?), you'll feel right at home here. -- Connor Casey

Rating: 4 out of 5

THE DREAMING: WAKING HOURS #3

The Dreaming: Waking Hours #3 is another is another showcase for Nick Robles' artistic versatility as he alters his style from scene to scene, showing he's as capable of capturing the peaceful idleness of Shakespeare's home in Stratford-Upon-Avon (via the Dreaming) as well as the bleak, hazy, white-on-black darkness of the Box of Nightmares. Matt Lopes does an equally impressive job switching up his color palette to match, bringing bright greens to Stratford, fiery reds to a summoning, and charcoal blacks to the Nightmares. G. Willow Wilson falters a bit here as her Puck sounds a bit too much like a stock supervillain and not, well, puckish enough. But she's still spinning and enchanting tale about legacy, consequences, and responsibility that will leave readers excited to see how it all ends. -- Jamie Lovett

Rating: 4 out of 5

FAR SECTOR #8

I feel like I say this every month, but Far Sector is one of the best-looking books in comics, and if you needed an example look no further than issue #8. Right from the very first-page artist Jamal Campbell commands the eye with vivid battle scenes full of stylish action and lush greens, pinks, and purples. Jo is the tornado at the center of all that dazzling imagery, and her wit and determination to push through dated attitudes and bureaucratic nonsense is inspiring, especially at this incredibly uncertain and trepidatious time in our society. Jo coming to terms with the fact that certain roadblocks and attitudes travel with you, regardless of whether you're on Earth or in the cosmos is a relatable struggle, and you can't help but cheer her on when she's had enough of all the pushback and scapegoating. There's simply nothing quite like Far Sector out there right now, and if you give it a chance you likely won't regret it. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 4 out of 5

JUSTICE LEAGUE #54

Justice League #54 is an okay tie-in to a very strange DC multiversal event. It's very much a continuation of several major moments over the past couple years of DC comics, including Scott Snyder's Justice League run, Nightwing's near death experience at the hands of KGBeast, and the events of Justice League Odyssey. While the backdrop of Death Metal is (deliberately) weird and near-indecipherable if you're not following that event series, this addresses the events of the DC Universe in a way that previous issues of Justice League did not. If you like comics where the characters react to the general craziness of recent continuity, you'll enjoy this comic. If you aren't following the events of the DC Universe closely, take a pass. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 3 out of 5

LEGEND OF THE SWAMP THING HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1

Anthology issues—especially those crafted around a holiday—can be a mixed bag, but Legend of the Swamp Thing Halloween Spectacular #1 is just that: spectacular. A collection of six amazing horror stories themed around Swamp Thing, the issue criscrosses eras, offers interesting cultural perspectives and stories that, while rooted in terror just as the book advertises, also have deep grounding in hope and sorrow, and a richness of the human experience. Also of note, the issue features multiple creative teams to bring its six tales to life but unlike most anthology books, there isn't a single weak spot to be found. Cover to cover, this issue is as good as it gets, making it not only an amazing Halloween selection but a truly great comic overall. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 5 out of 5

YOUNG JUSTICE #19

Young Justice #19 reads like the climax of a long-simmering subplot as Cassie Sandsmark's relationship with the omnipotent half of her family tree comes to a head. However, that subplot has been left unminded for almost all of Young Justice and this climax relies heavily on narration for readers to make sense of what's happening in a series of well-detailed spreads. It's a lot of action with very little impact, and while that can be fun to read in the moment, it is also easily forgotten. Sudden shifts in focus are unearned and read like a summary of a story planned to run longer. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable romp with monsters and gods through the streets of Metropolis, even if the plot is easily forgotten after the final page is turned. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

Marvel #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #49

The Amazing Spider-Man makes a return this week with an epic issue that wraps one of Peter's biggest issues. The lengthy chapter follows Spider-Man and Norman as they continue their fight against Sin-Eater. Things get worse when a certain mutant is cleansed, and it forces Peter to work alongside his arch-nemesis. But after the battle ends, fans watch as Spider-Man is forced to make a difficult decision that teases the person who has been pulling Sin-Eater's strings this whole time. -- Megan Peters

Rating: 4 out of 5

BLACK WIDOW #2

Black Widow is quickly establishing itself as one of the most engrossing, unpredictable titles in Marvel's arsenal. The second issue of this new run sees Clint and Bucky diving a bit more into Nat's new life, but readers will quickly realize that there's so, so much more than meets the eye. Kelly Thompson's narrative in the issue is lush, dynamic, and absolutely mesmerizing to behold, balancing action and character beats with so much of an ease. The art and colorwork from Elena Casagrande and Jordie Bellaire are a rich, nuanced complement to it all. This has the makings of a definitive Black Widow series. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 5 out of 5

CHAMPIONS #1

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

At it's core, Champions #1 offers a new status quo for heroes that places them in a unique situation where the "kids" are fighting against the world, but the shakiness of the premise and the story possessing more holes than swiss cheese means it isn't able to hit a home run and pull readers in for the long haul. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 3 out of 5

DEADPOOL #7

There's just something so immensely likable about this Deadpool trio, and that's really why everything else works. The fantastical concepts explored in this arc like other worlds and the Bone Beasts are easily embraced because of the charm and genuine camaraderie of Deadpool, Elsa Bloodstone, and Jeff. Writer Kelly Thompson knows how to blend Wade's more meta moments (like being upset that Elsa's taking up two pages of his book) with moments that are undeniably affectionate, at least in Wade's own way. Jeff also continues to be the MVP of this series, with some of the book's best moments featuring him at the center, though he never feels like a crutch or gimmick. Artist Gerardo Sandoval and colorist Chris Sotomayor are a perfect pair for this series, expressing so much through Deadpool's face without removing the mask, and the vintage pages were a nice touch. This is the best Deadpool has been in ages, and luckily the streak doesn't show any signs of stopping. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 4 out of 5

THE MAGNIFICENT MS. MARVEL #15

I keep waiting for Ms. Marvel to fall off like so many other great books have after the first couple of arcs, but this book and this creative team just refuse to compromise. Kamala is one of the most well-rounded, well-written Marvel characters in any current run, and this new adversary she's found in Dum-Dum Dugan is absolutely worthy of her rivalry. We're seeing the effects of governmental control unfold in real time and Ms. Marvel is the best choice to stand up to tyranny. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 5 out of 5

MARAUDERS #13

"X of Swords" continues to flow through the X-Men line, but as Marauders shows, never at the expense of the characters we've grown to love in their individual series. Marauders #13 walks us through Storm's journey to collect her sword Skybreaker, and while the sword is the end goal, writer Vita Ayala hits on some incredibly rich and compelling aspects of Storm's relationship with the Royal Wakandan family and T'Challa while artist Matteo Lolli and colorist Edgar Delgado deliver the Storm Shuri fight we didn't know we wanted. This is the next chapter in an X-Men epic, sure, but it's also a welcome reaffirmation of the hero and leader Ororo has evolved into, and it's an issue immensely worthy of a goddess. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 5 out of 5

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #19

The inherently political nature of Saladin Ahmed's work on Spider-Man comes to a head in this issue, but at no point does it feel preachy, despite an appearance by the Star Spangled Man. Artwork by Carmen Carnero and Marcelo Ferreira is blended throughout with enough consistency that it's impossible to tell this was a two-handed pencil job, a rare feat in modern comics. This month's issue also makes things clear in the grand scheme, but resorts to typical "villain explains his motives via monologue," hard to argue that it's still a compelling read though. -- Spencer Perry

Rating: 4 out of 5

Marvel #2

RISE OF ULTRAMAN #2

The extended page count of the first issue allowed Rise of Ultraman to breathe, relishing in its quiet moments and giving readers time to soak in its exposition and listen to the story as it unfolded. The second issue, back down to the regular page count, does not have this luxury and suffers for it. Writers Kyle Higgins & Matt Groom have to cram a lot into twenty two pages and it slows down the flow of the narrative exponentially. Artist Francesco Manna continues to kill it even in the face of a ton of dialogue balloons. -- Spencer Perry

Rating: 3 out of 5

SPIDER-MAN: MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1

The inconsequential storyline of Busiek's entire Marvels Snapshot line provides a sense of charm, as it gives fans a look at the "little" people of the Marvel Universe. Though Spider-Man name and likeness is plastered all over this book, everyone's favorite neighborhood crimefighter is only in the book but a handful of panels and instead focuses on a pair of henchmen that go from supervillain to supervillain in hopes of finding a better life. There's dynamic here that almost reeks of Goodfellas, where the addiction to crime far outweighs the need for a standard homelife—even though you mad have those that depend on you. Though a "Spider-Man title" in theory, this microscopic tale benefits heavily from having the web-slinger far removed from its characters. The end result gives fans something they probably didn't know they needed. At the same time, the story crafts something only worthwhile in small amounts before it gets too tiresome. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 4 out of 5

STAR WARS #7

With Luke reunited with the rest of the Rebellion, this issue explores the history of Commander Zahra, the Imperial leader who appears to have a vendetta against Luke, Leia, and their allies for destroying the Death Star. The issues dives into her personal connection to Grand Moff Tarkin and how he taught her to be a ruthless killer for the Empire and how she barely escaped the Death Star's destruction, motivating her quest to destroy the Rebels. This issue largely serves as a one-shot, as it does very little to move the overall narrative forward, which many readers might find frustrating as we know this is the chapter that is meant to launch a new narrative. Despite its overall place in this new storyline, the story is quite compelling and paints Zahra as a captivating villain, with subsequent issues hopefully taking full advantage of her complexities. -- Patrick Cavanaugh

Rating: 3 out of 5

SWORD MASTER #11

Sword Master #11 brings together two clan heads in the midst of a crisis. While Lin Lie learns more about his status as a guardian, his friends explore more of the Na Wa clan and its ties to the God of War. A tantalizing cliffhanger promises to explain even more about Lin Lie's mysterious family, so fans will want to stay tuned. After all, this ambitious Western manga is digging into history, and fans of series like Inuyasha and Kingdom will not want to miss out! -- Megan Peters

Rating: 4 out of 5

THOR #8

Maybe this is just the calm before the storm (no pun intended), but this side-step for Thor has been far less interesting than the first arc of Cates' series. The showdown with Iron Man feels wholly unnecessary and it's unclear what purpose anything in this issue serves except to... convince Thor he needs a vacation? A comic issue doesn't need to be packed with action to be good, but it does need something to hold your interest. Most of this Thor run has had that, but this issue is severely lacking. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 2 out of 5

WOLVERINE #6

Wolverine #6 is the third chapter in the 22-chapter X of Swords saga that seems mostly superfluous in the grand scheme of the story. While last week's chapters better defined the stakes of the story, Wolverine (as well as subsequent chapters in X-Force and Marauders) features the various mutant champions heading off on quests to retrieve the swords needed to participate in the Otherworld tournament. For Wolverine, that means retrieving another Muramasa blade, a new sword made by the swordsmith who crafted a blade capable of killing even the immortal Wolverine. Of course, The Arakko champion Solem (described in Marvel ads as Wolverine's new nemesis) is also tasked with retrieving a blade from Muramasa, and so we see the two characters head towards a collision course that takes place (for some reason) in Hell. You'll need to pick up X-Force to find out how this excursion end, but if you don't particularly care too much about how Wolverine gets a sword, you may want to skip this issue. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 3 out of 5

X-FORCE #13

Didn't the Wolverine tie-in to "X of Swords" also drop this week? The thrill of X-Factor #4 came in part by watching the series' writer weave the story of its ongoing series into a massive crossover event; X-Force punts in pushing the crossover's story forward, but failing to acknowledge a single reason why readers pick up this series. It's a disappointment as a fan of the core series because of that disconnect. Unless someone is all in on the current X-Men line, there's nothing of value to be found here. As a continuation of "X of Swords," X-Force #13 gets the job done and delivers a last panel that is satisfying primarily for the mystery it delivers that's bound to be paid off outside the pages of this series. One must hope that the successes of "X of Swords" don't kneecap the momentum and interest cultivated across the "Dawn of X" line throughout the past year. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 2 out of 5

Other Publishers #1

ADVENTUREMAN #4

The opening sequence of Adventureman #4 is astounding. It's a thesis on power as its heroine grapples with ever growing abilities and form, and it's delivered in the familiar grammar of superhero and pulp genre tales as summoned by the Dodsons. What follows is a mixed bag of events, exposition, and threads that never quite feel like they are part of the same story. Unpacking Adventureman's demise, revealing new threats, and tying the Connells together all move their own plots forward, but each shift in focus reads like a shift in text, too, as the stories function independently of one another. It's only a matter of time before they all collide, but in this moment Adventureman still reads in a scattered fashion. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

AMERICAN RONIN #1

ACO's presentation of gonzo action sequences is the reason to read American Ronin #1. The debut issue only explains about half of the series' premise—introducing a heightened form of empathy into super spy storytelling, without bothering to examine why this spy or his mission might matter—but it does offer plenty of eye candy. It's indulgent to the extreme with characters occupying the highest echelons of wealth and engaging with related vices. What might normally seem lascivious is fun when framed with curious new layouts. Additionally, when things do go awry, ACO is capable of filling even an extended cell phone conversation with tension. The primary problem rests with a lack of context as it's unclear what purpose the events of this issue serve or why anyone should bother feeling concerned about the cliffhanger beyond wondering how cool what comes next may appear. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

BANG! #4

Bang! #4 finishes assembling a diverse team of adventurers with more genre and pop culture connections than one cares to count. The final addition requires some additional patience with an accent that makes Bang! read like Claremont comic, but they make for a very pleasant surprise both as an individual and with the inspirations they embody. It also begins to question the nature of Thomas Cord in a fashion far more convoluted than most fan theories on James Bond continuity. Like each issue to date, this introduction delivers its own brief adventure wrapped in a much broader conspiracy, and it intertwines the threads seamlessly with style to spare. Now that Bang! has finished with its introductions, readers can anticipate seeing just how far this modernized League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will go to celebrate and explore the films, novels, and shows that have infused it with meaning and so much fun. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5

BATMAN/THE MAXX: ARKHAM DREAMS #3

At times I had to wonder what the heck I was reading, but by the end of Batman/The Maxx #4, I did have a good grip on this team-up adventure, though that doesn't mean I enjoyed it. Sam Keith delivers some impressive visuals throughout, especially in some of those ending pages with Batman's villains forming a monstrous green cloud looming over the outback. Some of the earlier pages with just Maxx and Batman are rather stunning as well if Keith's unique style suits your tastes. Unfortunately, this story just meanders constantly, as no matter where the characters find themselves it feels as if there's no movement. I wouldn't even know they were switching worlds unless one of them said something, and while there are some great comedic moments here (like Maxx ripping apart a couch), it's not enough to outweigh the book's confusing and at times boring narrative. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 2 out of 5

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18

Jordie Bellaire and Jeremy Lambert are flipping the script on classic Buffy stories. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer #18, we see an inverted version of the show's early third season episodes. Here, Willow is the one returning home after leaving Sunnydale without warning, and its Buffy and her friends wrestling with how they feel about her return. Even more impressive is how the issue reexamines the love potion as a plot device. On television, Buffy presented it as a goofy mistake from the lovably hapless friend, Xander. In the hands of vampire Xander, this cipher for reexamining the overlooked toxic elements of Buffy's mythology, it's something entirely different. The series flipped Willow and Xander's relationship to make Xander is the one stuck in the mythical "friend zone." Now that he's without a soul, the love potion becomes something more sinister, a clear symbol of the desire to break down another individual's agency. Unfortunately, Ramon Bachs' artwork is a distraction here. Bachs tries to give these high school students a youthful look, as you'd expect, with character manga-inspired character models, but his faces and bodies are inconsistent from page to page, resulting is something that looks like Dan Mora's work minus discipline. -- Jamie Lovett

Rating: 3 out of 5

COFFIN BOUND #7

Just when you think you've got Coffin Bound figured out, it transforms into something even more inspired and unbelievable than what came before it. This issue brings Taqa's quest to some interesting and unexpected conclusions, ones that plunge the series into a new status quo. To say any more than that would be to spoil the fascinating plot, which Dan Watters crafts with incredible ease. Dani's art brings the ambitious narrative into a whole new class, to the point where every single panel and visual deserves a second look. This truly could be one of the best comic issues I've read this year, and I'm so grateful for that. -- Jenna Anderson


Rating: 5 out of 5

CYBERPUNK 2077: TRAUMA TEAM #2

The creative team behind this venture into the technologically bleak future that is Cyberpunk 2077 in Cullen Bunn and Miguel Valderrama do a solid job of getting gamers ready for the upcoming CD Projeckt installment, while also developing high stakes for both the heroes and villains involved. Taking a page for films like Dread and The Raid, Bunn creates some fantastic characterization while Valderrama's art seems custom made for this world. Whether you want a sneak peak into Cyberpunk or simply a solid, bloody affair, Trauma Team has what you're looking for. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 4 out of 5

DECORUM #5

The education of Neha Nori Sood is a delightful single chapter that reads like a complete volume. Three years of book learning, practice, and practical application are mapped out in a model that rewards readers in its repetition. Style is modulated in both layouts and artwork for different elements that then play out like the building verses of a song. The real power of Decorum #5 rests in how it pays off that repetition in the final sequence with some expected turns and some far more surprising twists. Interspersed with this heightened high school drama filled with rivalries are elements of design that also enhance questions about space eggs hatching, even as they go unmentioned in this single chapter installment. As both a continuation of Decorum and a self-contained read, issue #5 delivers an excellent afternoon read. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Publishers #2

DIE #14

DIE remains a tour de force, a brutal examination of our relationships with games and ourselves. This issue sees Ash and Matt's groups head towards their different goals, until an unexpected message from the real world put the two on a major collision course. Matt has been presented (to this point) as the most "pure" character of the players, so it's hard not to empathize with him, even as he most assuredly is about to doom two worlds with his personal vendetta. It's hard to explain much more without spoiling this issue, but just know that DIE remains the best comic on the stands today. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 5 out of 5

DISASTER INC. #4

Four issues in, Disaster Inc. is finally letting the proverbial genie out of the bottle, finally starting to explain the nature of its radioactive zombie samurai. Unfortunately, the way that is uncovered is nowhere near as exciting as it thinks it is. There are nuggets of character beats in here that could potentially be interesting, and some trippy visuals here and there. But the series still seems unsure of exactly what it wants to be—a full-fledged horror book, a satire of colonialism and consumerism, or something in between. It remains to be seen if this book will actually be worth the journey it tries to take readers on. -- Jenna Anderson


Rating: 3 out of 5

GETTING IT TOGETHER #1

Slice-of-life comics can often be hit or miss—at their best, they can brilliantly tap into the anxieties of a generation, and at their worst they can be painfully trite and dull. Right out of the gate, Getting It Together establishes itself much more in the former category, making a debut that is largely promising and profoundly likable. The issue follows a group of Bay Area friends, whose lives are shaken up after two of their friends' newly-open relationship quickly gets complicated. Sina Grace and Omar Spahi craft a narrative that is simultaneously intimate and expansive, and Jenny D. Fine's art is a sketchy, grounded complement to this. You might not necessarily love every character in Getting It Together right out of the gate, but this is a comic that will absolutely give you your money's worth, and set up an endearing tale for the issues to come. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 4 out of 5

INKBLOT #2

Inkblot #2 begins in compelling fashion, delivering a gut punch to the reader that shows immense promise for what's to come. Unfortunately, the rest of the issue only rarely capitalizes on that early promise, and instead feels mostly like filler until the very end. Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd's first few pages hit hard and leave you curious as to where the story will go next, but nothing feels that consequential after that story ends, as the dialogue that does call back to it is overshadowed by a random dragon fight that looks cool but doesn't seem to mean anything in the long run. The parts that call back to Arabella's grandmother are interesting but fleeting, and while the dragon fight has several visually impressive moments, I would have traded those for more progression regarding Arabella and her family. We don't really get any real plot movement on the cat either or any real story details, and some of it feels forgettable overall. There are some delightful moments here, but overall it still hasn't delivered all the promise that the premise shows. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 3 out of 5

MY LITTLE PONY/TRANSFORMERS #3

Much like the last issue, the two short stories here are self-contained stories with no connections to the story arc set up in this crossover's first issue. That said, the cartoonish structure allows anyone to jump on at any given time without needing to play catch up, probably the biggest "pro" this series has at the moment. Both stories here are fine, though the first one—"Pet Sounds"— as a slight edge due to its content and underlying themes, a storyline that provides at least the slightest sustenance other than ponies and Decepticons fighting it out. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 3 out of 5

LOCKE AND KEY: IN PALE BATTALIONS GO #2

Hill and Rodriguez deliver another amazing installment of this prequel series, exploring not only how beneficial the keys of Keyhouse can be when used as weapons of war, but how they also have the potential to backfire. The series isn't afraid to dissect the horrors of war and continues to be a captivating story that definitely earns its place within the Locke And Key universe. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 5 out of 5

LONELY RECEIVER #2

An uncomfortable look into the thoughts tumbling around a troubled mind makes up much of Lonely Reciever #2, but given the events of the first chapter, it seems like that's the only right way to follow up. The post-breakup self-doubts and spotlight on people's attachments technology blend so well together that you'll have a hard time telling which line is about which at times. There's as much said internally as there is externally as well with plenty of environmental storytelling taking place in such tight quarters, a sharp contrast to the expansive online world Catrin's retreated from. -- Tanner Dedmon

Rating: 4 out of 5

LOST SOLDIERS #3

The opening sequence of Lost Soldiers #3 more than fulfills the promise of the second issue's cliffhanger. Bullets land with horrific consequences, and there's never a moment of ambiguity regarding the reality of violence. There's nothing glorious to be found amid the mud, and the blood, and the misery all detailed in a powerful fashion by Moore's colors. What's even more impressive is how the quiet sequences that follow some of comics' most impressive shootout, chase, and fight sequences this year are every bit as impactful. Interwoven panels of painful memories and previous wounds wind up a conversation between the oldest of friends, and one man's living room is transformed into a tomb far creepier than anything decorating most houses this month. Lost Soldiers #3 does not hesitate to grapple with the terrible realities and costs of violence, both its impact on the human body and the more difficult to discern impact on the soul, and in doing so delivers on all of the promise found at the story's start. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Publishers #3

MOONSHINE #21

The final sequence in Moonshine #21 finally ignites a series that has been simmering on a narrative backburner for far too long. It's a thrilling moment featuring some of Risso's most stunning panels in the series to date—one shadowed image of a wolf's face stands out. There's still a meandering trail through this issue to arrive at that moment, however. Most of the space is spent explaining events that have been ongoing for more issues than I care to count. It's tripping over the same ideas as they slowly amount to something. When the action kicks off and events proceed quickly, style carries Moonshine a long way, but this issue only bothers to lift its feet in the final few pages. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

NORSE MYTHOLOGY #1

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

At the end of the day, I'm still left scratching my head as I wonder why Dark Horse chose to release this as on ongoing series as opposed to a collected edition or a series of over-sized library editions. The ongoing format where snippets are released once a month isn't necessarily a super-strong selling point for this title which, in and of itself, is already a tough sell the way it is. While the names attached to Norse Mythology are some of the biggest in the history of American comics, a monthly comic book probably isn't the best way to frame these stories. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 3 out of 5

SNAKE EYES: DEADGAME #2

When Snake Eyes: Deadgame debuted, I was pleasantly stunned by the issue. An intriguing story, decent art, a lot of action and promise with a premise that felt fresh and fun. Snake Eyes: Deadgame #2 wastes all of it. The art looks rushed and haphazard—there are also some serious issues with the thigh to knee ratio on every character to the point its painfully distracting. The entire issue is little more than a tangle of rambling monologuing with no direction. It's so bad at times that you can't tell who is actually doing the rambling and at any point, it feels like there's no way to know what's going on. In short, the issue is a mess that might need more time focused on the story and interior art than the infinite number of variant covers that seem to be taking up all the air. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 1 out of 5

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: BAD GUYS #1

IDW's relaunch of Sonic the Hedgehog has confirmed the evergreen fun to be found in the franchise's expansive cast of characters. Dozens of faces fill the regular series and now a spinoff makes room for some secondary villains to flex their muscles. The first issue of Bad Guys reads with a very familiar tone and style as the core series—placing Doctor Starline in Sonic's role as protagonist, however. It follows a familiar "getting the gang together" plot with a comfortable mix of action, intrigue, and gags suitable for a children's comic. It's well paced and entirely unobjectionable, but never manages to make itself feel essential either. The stakes are unclear and the sole purpose of this issue reads as showcasing villains outside of Doctor Eggman. While it functions in a comfortable mode, Sonic the Hedgehog: Bad Guys would benefit from borrowing its originator's sense of import as well. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

STARK TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE - TOO LONG A SACRIFICE#3

The mystery unfolding in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Too Long a Sacrifice gets more interesting with the addition to Retlaw, an investigator from Starfleet Intelligence. Retlaw is a Betazoid, meaning he can sense emotions and read minds, though notably not those of Odo or any Ferengi. Adding Retlaw gives Scott and David Tipton and excuse to provide insight into how Federation law works to allow and curb the use of such an invasive power as telepathy. It's a corner of the Star Trek universe that's ripe for the franchise's signature morality play storytelling, but that has gone mostly unexamined outside of "The Drumhead." Greg Scott's pencils are tighter in this issue than they were and the last. Combined with Felipe Sobreiro's coloring, the visuals effectively set the desired noir mood, though Sobreiro's seemingly random colors to fill Scott's blank backgrounds are a distraction. Even so, this is the most successful and engrossing issue of Deep Space Nine's returns to comics yet. -- Jamie Lovett

Rating: 4 out of 5

STAR WARS ADVENTURES #1

The first story in this issue sees Poe and Finn attempting to "help" Rey become a Jedi by creating an obstacle course for her, only for the hero to encounter some unexpected obstacles that put them all in jeopardy. The tone of this story full captures the dynamic that made Rey, Finn, and Poe so exciting to watch in the sequel trilogy, while giving thrills that feel genuine for the saga, never feeling like it was toned down to appeal to an intended younger audience of this series, with the tone matching that blend of whimsy and engagement. The second story chronicles Vader's infiltration of the Echo Base in pursuit of the Millennium Falcon, delivering readers the kind of carnage you'd expect from the Sith Lord. This story replicates the success of the first, offering an engaging read for all ages that honors the spirit of the villain and connects to one of the most iconic sequences in cinematic history from the opening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which even honors a deleted scene in which a wampa came crashing through the walls. If this debut issue is an indication, this new Star Wars Adventures line could rival anything that Marvel puts out under the franchise's banner. -- Patrick Cavanaugh

Rating: 4 out of 5

TRANSFORMERS/BACK TO THE FUTURE #1

Transformers/Back to the Future could've easily played it safe with so many different established personalities already in place to prop it up, but it didn't take that route. Instead, it did quite the opposite by embracing the alternate timeline trope and pitching its cast into an insane universe where things quickly go awry. Goofy, exaggerated expressions bring out the best emotions out of even the steely Decepticons, and the first chapter has set up a story that could have infinite outcomes just as Dr. Brown suggested. -- Tanner Dedmon

Rating: 4 out of 5

WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY'RE DEAD #2

Only a few moments occur between the end of the first issue and this one, but in that brief span of time the story builds great momentum. The crew's launch of their desperate mission to find a living god is interspersed with flashbacks that develop each member's motives and outlook. It's easy to see the efficacy of this structure in the final few pages as Georges pleads with a pursuer and everyone responds to his words. It's a gut wrenching moment and one that invests meaning into their quest, even if it's still unclear exactly what that quest means. The neon colors and slanting panels assist in propelling the story (and its many spaceships) forward, and also creates an isolated atmosphere across time that makes the bonds between this team seem all the more precious. It's an effective and exhilarating sophomore installment to one of 2020's most promising new series. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5