Justice League: Last Ride
by Chip Zdarsky, Miguel Mendonça (Illustrator)
The Synopsis
Once the most powerful group in the world, the Justice League was destroyed by tragedy and time, disbanding under a veil of mistrust and anger. Now, on the eve of the universe’s greatest murder trial, the League must come together one last time.
Can Superman and Batman bury the past before the cosmos’ greatest villains bury them? Learn the shocking truth about why the World’s Greatest Super Heroes disbanded in this unforgettable story by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Miguel Mendonça!
Includes Justice League: Last Ride #1-7
The Verdict
The great divide between longtime allies and friends Superman and Batman is finally explored. The cosmic adventure sees Batman’s inner turmoil and struggles with the knowledge of the sacrifice he knew had to be made come to the surface as he clashes with Superman, whose sense of hope makes him bitter towards Batman for sacrificing a friend of theirs in the struggle against Darkseid. The drama within the fractured team and the almost apocalyptic nature of the cosmic threat facing them all make this such a brilliant story, and I highly recommend it.
Batman: Urban Legends, Vol. 1
by Ben Abernathy (Editor – Series & Collected Ed), Jessica Chen (Editor – Original Series), Dave Wielgosz (Editor – Original Series), Matthew Rosenberg, Chip Zdarsky, Eddy Barrows (Artist), Ryan Benjamin (Artist), Jesús Merino (Artist, Inker), Marcus To (Artist, Inker), Oclair Albert (Inker), Eber Ferreira (Inker), Julio Ferreira (Inker), Diogenes Neves (Inker), Antonio Fabela (Colorist), Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Jordie Bellaire (Goodreads Author) (Cover Artist), Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Cover Artist), David Finch (Cover Artist), Hicham Habchi – Pyroow (Cover Artist), Klaus Janson (Cover Artist), Annette Kwok (Cover Artist), Danny Miki (Cover Artist), Jorge Molina (Cover Artist), John Romita Jr. (Cover Artist), Alejandro Sánchez (Cover Artist), Nicola Scott (Cover Artist)
The Synopsis
Two of Gotham City’s edgiest heroes, Red Hood and Grifter, cross paths with Batman himself in this collection of stories from the new anthology series Batman: Urban Legends.
Two top comics writers, Matthew Rosenberg and Chip Zdarsky, enter the world of Gotham City with new tales of Batman, Red Hood, and Grifter in the first volume collecting stories from the thrilling new anthology series Batman: Urban Legends.
First, writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Eddy Barrows chronicle Red Hood’s investigation of a new drug in Gotham City called Cheerdrops. But this night will NOT go as planned–and as a result, he will end up back in Batman’s crosshairs!
Then, writer Matthew Rosenberg joins forces with artist Ryan Benjamin for a new tale of Cole Cash–better known as Grifter. Picking up story points from recent Batman issues, readers will learn why Cole is in Gotham to begin with. Plus, discover the truth about the mysterious organization known as HALO, and witness round two of Batman versus Grifter.
This title collects stories from Batman: Urban Legends #1-6.
The Verdict
This gripping look into the many facets of Gotham City and its heroes, antiheroes, and villains is truly remarkable. The varying artwork styles and writing overall were a great way to introduce an anthology series into the DC Comics world, and the world of Batman and the Bat-Family is the perfect vehicle to launch this type of storytelling. The stories also seem to showcase the impact not only Batman has on everyone around him, but how he and the rest of the Bat-Family connect with one another, for better or for worst. The action and depth of character that Gotham takes on personally make it such a rich playground to explore, and the amazing cast of writers and artists did a phenomenal job of fleshing these characters out.
Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey: The Hunt for Harley
(Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey: The Hunt for Harley #1-4)
by Amanda Conner (Author/Illustrator), Jimmy Palmiotti, Chad Hardin (Illustrator), Alex Sinclair (Color Artist), Paul Mounts (Color Artist), Enrica Erin Angiolini (Color Artist), John J. Hill (Letterer), Dave Sharpe (Letterer)
The Synopsis
Harley Quinn has avoided Gotham City ever since she broke up with The Joker — she found a home, and a kind of family, in Coney Island. But when she gets an offer she can’t refuse, she has no choice but to slip back into the city as quietly and quickly as she can, before anyone — especially her ex — learns she’s been there. But for Harley, as quietly as she can is plenty loud…and before she can say Holee bounty hunters, Batman, The Joker’s sicced every super-villain in the city on her pretty ombre head! And she only has one hope — it’s the only team tough enough (or crazy enough) to come to her defence — The Birds of Prey!
The Verdict
One of the things that makes Harley Quinn such a fan-favorite character is her ability to balance humor and her surreal view of the world with the allies who get caught in her crosshairs. This story takes that all into consideration in the best way as the antihero finds herself confronting her past, facing the Joker, and deciding to take from him what he took from her and then some. Her reluctant allies prove that no matter how annoying or trouble she may bring, Harley has a quality about her that draws people in to help, and the Birds of Prey pull this narrative out so expertly. The wit and bright artwork are the perfect pairings to make this story shine so brightly.
Suicide Squad: Bad Blood
by Tom Taylor (Goodreads Author), Bruno Redondo (Illustrator), Daniel Sampere (Illustrator), Juan Albarrán (Illustrator), Adriano Lucas (Colorist), Wes Abbott (Letterer)
The Synopsis
The Suicide Squad are back, and deadlier than ever! The fan-favorite Injustice team of writer Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo reunite for an explosive new series, starring Harley Quinn and Deadshot!
Task Force X returns for its bloodiest mission yet, with a new team of unlikely villains from across the DC Universe! The Suicide Squad are assigned to neutralize a group of international super-terrorists known as the Revolutionaries–and the survivors are forced into joining the Squad! Who can Harley Quinn and Deadshot trust when their new teammates are the very people their crew was assigned to kill? This Squad might survive their next mission, but they may not survive each other–with a “team” like this, the body count starts high, and only gets higher!
Tom Taylor, the acclaimed writer of DCeased, delivers his flair for high-octane mayhem to the Suicide Squad in this new series where quite literally no one is safe. Joining Taylor is artist Bruno Redondo, his collaborator on Injustice, for a deadly new take on DC’s dysfunctional villain team.
Collects Suicide Squad #1-11.
The Verdict
Bloody and gritty in its delivery, this story sees Task Force X take on all new heights. After years of being the personal hit squad of Amanda Waller, several of the key Squad members will find themselves facing the ultimate test. While I loved the inclusion of this new team of antiheroes known as the Revolutionaries, I absolutely loved the personal story shown of Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot. To see the desperation to be a better man and regretting his forced participation in the bloody nature of this team as he hopes to be there for his daughter added an emotional depth to a typically dark humor-filled story. The shocking twists and turns as squad members fall, and shocking villains take to rise to make this a must-read series!
Harley Quinn, Vol. 1: No Good Deed
by Stephanie Phillips, Riley Rossmo (Illustrator), Laura Braga (Illustrator), Jay Leisten (Inker), Ivan Plascencia (Color Artist), Arif Prianto (Color Artist), AndWorld Design (Letterer)
The Synopsis
Harley Quinn returns to Gotham City after The Joker War and has decided to turn over a new leaf and make up for the sins of her past by becoming its newest protector.
Harley Quinn here, to let everyone know that I’m starring in a brand-new graphic novel collection with a brand-new status quo. I’m coming back to Gotham City to make up for the sins of my past, and help the city recover from The Joker War!
But there’s no welcoming committee waiting for me, your favorite Maid of Mischief! And between you and me, some real creeps are working to keep the city broken. We can’t let that happen, can we?
Rising-star writer Stephanie Phillips, my new partner in crime, takes me into a bold new era with her partner in artistic crime Riley Rossmo, who I gotta say designed a real nice new costume for me. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one, folks!
Collects Harley Quinn #1-6 and Batman: Urban Legends #1
The Verdict
Aside from the truly unique new take on Harley’s artwork and the almost Alice in Wonderland style it exudes, this comic book series does an incredible job of fueling Harley’s new pursuit as one of Gotham’s protectors. At least in her own unique way. Her hope to save former Joker gang members is a novel pursuit, as is her friendship with a new ally who is drawn along unwittingly towards her mission. Pitting Hugo Strange, another villain who showcases the psychology expert side of himself with the mad mind obsessed with another larger than life figure, against Harley as the rise of the Magistrate hits Gotham is the perfect parallel to Harley’s journey, and seeing her POV of Gotham as it wrestles with the recent years of tragedy it has endured made this a must-read story.
Death of Doctor Strange
(Death of Doctor Strange #1-5)
by Jed Mackay, Lee Garbett (Artist)
The Synopsis
Doctor Stephen Strange is the Master of the Mystic Arts. Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. A one-man barrier protecting our world from all the nightmares, demons and warlords out there in dimensions beyond our comprehension. So what happens…when Doctor Strange is murdered? As his friends mourn — and his enemies rage at having been deprived of the killing blow — dark forces set their sights on an unprotected Earth. The Avengers…the Fantastic Four…all of our mightiest heroes are woefully out of their depth. Now, as the world’s remaining magicians race to protect our world from an unimaginable sorcerous threat, one very surprising investigator must unravel the mystery of Doctor Strange’s murder. But can he do it before his own time runs out?
COLLECTING: Death of Doctor Strange (2021) 1-5
The Verdict
This was such a gripping and chilling Marvel read. Highlighting why Doctor Strange is such an important figure in the Marvel Universe, the shocking murder of the famed sorcerer not only features some great detective work but showcases how ill-equipped the rest of the Marvel heroes are to face demonic and magical threats. The shocking help of a powerful sorcerer of the past to help solve the mystery of Strange’s death and the exploration of how the Avengers and other heroes must grapple with the magical realms converging on Earth were visually haunting and gripping as a story. A definite must-read, especially with the horror-filled Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness hitting theaters.
The Darkhold
by Steve Orlando, Daniel Kibblesmith (Goodreads Author), Jordie Bellaire (Goodreads Author), Ryan North (Goodreads Author), Mark Russell (Goodreads Author), Alex Paknadel, Cian Tormey (Illustrator), Jesus Aburtov (Color Artist), Federico Sabbatini (Illustrator), Rico Renzi (Color Artist), Claire Roe (Illustrator), Guillermo Sanna (Illustrator), Ian Herring (Color Artist), David Cutler (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator), Roberto Poggi (Illustrator), Matt Milla (Color Artist), Diogenes Neves (Illustrator), Jim Charalampidis (Color Artist), Marc Deering (Illustrator), Walden Wong (Illustrator), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)
The Synopsis
DARKHOLD sees Doctor Doom unearth the ancient Darkhold, a text written by the elder god Chthon, and unintentionally opening a passageway for Chthon to return to our dimension. To stop him, the Scarlet Witch recruits five heroes-Iron Man, Wasp (Janet), Black Bolt, Spider-Man (Peter), and Blade. To enter Chthon’s dimension and fight him, the heroes must read from the Darkhold, which drives them insane.
Collects The Darkhold Alpha (2021) #1, The Darkhold: Blade (2021) #1, The Darkhold: Wasp (2021) #1, The Darkhold: Iron Man (2021) #1, The Darkhold: Black Bolt (2021) #1, The Darkhold: Spider-Man (2021) #1, The Darkhold Omega (2020) #1.
The Verdict
Another great horror-themed Marvel read just in time for Scarlet Witch’s feature in Multiverse of Madness this weekend. The chilling look into the power of the Darkhold, a mind-melting book of a demonic elder god, will take readers on a horrifying ride as some of Marvel’s best heroes find themselves warped by the madness that sweeps them into their most terrifying forms. Seeing these heroes turned into monstrous forms of themselves and seeing Scarlet Witch facing not only them but the elder god himself made this story so engaging, and the beautiful artwork captured the terrifying transformation that these characters undergo. A definite must-read!
America, Vol. 1: The Life and Times of America Chavez
(America (Collected Editions) #1)
by Gabby Rivera (Writer), Joe Quiñones (Illustrator)
The Synopsis
At last! Everyone’s favorite no-nonsense powerhouse, America Chavez, gets her own series! Critically acclaimed young-adult novelist Gabby Rivera and all-star artist Joe Quinones unite to shine a solo spotlight on America’s high-octane and hard-hitting adventures! She was a Young Avenger. She leads the Ultimates. And now she officially claims her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the entire Marvel Universe! But what’s a super-powered teenager to do when she’s looking for a little personal fulfi llment? She goes to college! America just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first and shut down a pesky alien cult that’s begun worshipping her exploits before work can begin. Then she can get on with her first assignment: a field trip to the front lines of World War II – with Captain America as her wingman!
COLLECTING: AMERICA 1-6
The Verdict
The perfect continuation of America Chavez’s story! Another great read for anyone wanting to prep for Multiverse of Madness, this story sees America at her best, fighting her way through time and space as she faces not only the past but her future. The exploration of America’s origins and the depth of her abilities made this such a great story, as was her more personal mission and look into her life, from her LGBTQ-driven romances to her friendships and yearning to connect more with the world she now lives in. A definite must-read!
Wolverine by Benjamin Percy, Vol. 1
(Wolverine by Benjamin Percy #1)
by Benjamin Percy (Goodreads Author), Adam Kubert (Illustrator), Frank Martin (Color Artist), Viktor Bogdanovic (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Color Artist)
The Synopsis
The best is back! Wolverine has been through a lot. He’s been a loner. He’s been a killer. He’s been a hero. He’s been an Avenger. He’s been to hell and back. Now, as the nation of Krakoa brings together all mutantkind, can he finally be…happy? With his family all together and safe, Logan has everything he ever wanted…and everything to lose. But he’s never been one to back down from a fight – not even a combined assault from Lady Deathstrike, Sabretooth and Dr. Cornelius. Yet the fearsome Flower Cartel might have enlisted his worst and greatest foe: Wolverine himself! Writer Benjamin Percy (X-FORCE, WOLVERINE: THE LONG NIGHT) and legendary WOLVERINE artist Adam Kubert unite to put Logan at the heart of a criminal conspiracy that threatens to darken the Dawn of X!
COLLECTING: WOLVERINE (2020) 1-5
The Verdict
This was such an inspired and captivating new chapter in the story of Wolverine. With so much of the mutant community changing thanks to the nation of Krakoa and the Dawn of X storyline, seeing Logan’s adaption to this new life while still maintaining his rough and tumble, take no prisoners approach to heroism made this such an interesting story. The inclusion of familiar faces and threats was great to see, but it was the inclusion of new characters like a CIA agent who brings a heartbreaking and emotional component to Wolverine’s new struggle that makes this story shine so brightly.
Moon Knight, Vol. 1: The Midnight Mission
by Jed Mackay, Alessandro Cappuccio (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Color Artist), Cory Petit (Letterer)
The Synopsis
The mysterious Mr. Knight has opened his Midnight Mission, his people petitioning him to shelter them from the weird and horrible. The Moon Knight stalks the rooftops and alleys marked with his crescent moon tag, bringing violence to any who would harm his flock. Marc Spector, in whichever guise he dons, is back on the streets, a renegade priest of an unworthy god. But while Khonshu languishes in prison, Moon Knight’s duty still must be observed: the protection of those who travel at night. But what happens when those he would save are turned into weapons against him? When gangs of elderly residents leave a trail of bizarre violence, Moon Knight must put his body, mind and very soul on the line to end the carnage!
COLLECTING: Moon Knight (2021) 1-6
The Verdict
With Moon Knight now officially joining the MCU, fans are determined to get as much Moon Knight as possible. This story does a great job of exploring Marc’s new purpose in the aftermath of his defeat of Khonshu, the god he’s served for years. After he was forced by the god to help defeat the Avengers and take over the world, he turned from his benefactor and helped put him away. Seeing the aftermath of that adventure and seeing Marc now back on the streets and helping the helpless was great to see. The exploration of another fist of Khonshu and the deadly arrival of a new threat made this such an engaging story. The visceral artwork and grittier nature of the character, as well as a returning face from his Avenger’s past, made this comic so unique.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection, Volume 1
(Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection #1)
by Kevin Eastman (Writer), Tom Waltz (Writer), Brian Lynch (Writer), Erik Burnham (Goodreads Author) (Writer), Bobby Curnow (Writer), Dan Duncan (Illustrator), Franco Urru (Illustrator), Andy Kuhn (Illustrator), Sophie Campbell (Illustrator), Valerio Schiti (Illustrator), Charles Paul Wilson III (Illustrator), Mateus Santolouco (Illustrator)
The Synopsis
IDW’s re-launch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been a hit with fans and critics alike. Now, collect the series in all-new oversized hardcovers that present the stories in recommended reading order. Collects the first 12 issues of the new ongoing series plus the Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Splinter Micro-Series one-shots spliced in between.
The Verdict
One of my favorite film series as a child was the iconic and classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle live-action films. The action, the humor, and the villains all drew me into this wild and incredible world. This collection from the IDW run of the heroes in a half-shell was able to capture the magic of those films while also crafting a somewhat more mature and gritty writing and artwork style. The origin story that the writers came up with exploring a past life’s situation as a means of exploring their natural tendencies towards heroism was great to see, and the overwhelming sense of family and belonging the themes of this series explored was amazing to see. Fun, witty, and action-packed, this is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at their best!
The Apocalypse Suite
by Gerard Way (Writer), Gabriel Bá (Artist), Dave Stewart (Colourist)
The Synopsis
In an inexplicable worldwide event, forty-seven extraordinary children were spontaneously born to women who’d previously shown no signs of pregnancy. Millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of the children; when asked why, his only explanation was, “To save the world.”
These seven children form the Umbrella Academy, a dysfunctional family of superheroes with bizarre powers. Their first adventure at the age of ten pits them against an erratic and deadly Eiffel Tower, piloted by the fearsome zombie-robot Gustave Eiffel. Nearly a decade later, the team disbands, but when Hargreeves unexpectedly dies, these disgruntled siblings reunite just in time to save the world once again.
Collecting: The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite 1-6, as well as out-of-print short stories and an expanded sketchbook section featuring work by Gabriel Bá, James Jean, and Gerard Way.
The Verdict
I absolutely loved this first volume in the series that inspired the Netflix original series. The almost steampunk artwork style and the family tension and drama made for a fun and exhilarating read. The exploration of past memories that featured old villains the group of teen heroes faced was a welcome addition to the story that the show hadn’t focused on yet, and the fast-paced nature of the narrative kept readers on the edge of their seats throughout this volume. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
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