Join us on the Frontlines with our weekly review roundup. This is where we have assembled to give our thoughts on various issues that are released each week. This week we have Jay, Kat, & Justin giving reviews for books from BOOM! Studios, DC Comics, DCVertigo, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, and Marvel Comics! Check out the reviews below and let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter. Welcome to the FRONTLINE REVIEWS, hope you enjoy the experience!
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #32
Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Simone Di Meo
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte with Alessandro Cappuccio
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
"The New Adventures Of Blue Senturion & Ninjor"
Writer: Ryan Ferrier
Artist: Bachan
Colorist: Jeremy Lawson
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Main Cover By: Jamal Campbell
Vintage Variant Cover By: Jordan Gibson
Color Spotlight Cover By: Linda Lithén
Unlocked Retailer Variant: Miguel Mercado
Price: $3.99
The Rangers are lost in the Void and have to find the mysterious Solar Ranger but them morphing acts as a lightning rod for the Praetor's forces. We get three big reveals here, the Solar Rangers identity, her Morpher's name and the new big bad, but not all things are equal. While it is cool to have a totally original Ranger, but the mystery around the Ranger makes this reveal more like the reveal that Trey was the Gold Ranger, it was cool, but we were expecting a familiar face. The big bad has me the most intrigued, I like the mystique surrounding him. While I do like the art for this arc as it gives us this same chaotic feel as the Rangers themselves are feeling, but overall I feel like we will need some more details going forth after this arc. What I really love here is the character moments between Ari and Remi, Mike and Tanya, and Kim and Heckyl, these moments allow us to form bonds to them as well. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
ACTION COMICS #1004
"Invisible Mafia Part 4"
Written By: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils By: Ryan Sook
Inks By: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors By: Brad Anderson
Letters By: Josh Reed
Cover By: Steve Rude
Variant Cover By: Francis Manapul
Price: $3.99
While Kent and Goode work on the Red Cloud story when Trish springs a story she wants to run after a picture of Lois & Lex meeting at her apartment in Chicago was snapped. Overall this was a very well done issue, I loved the connection and interaction between both Superman and Clark with the Daily Planet, but his interactions with Lois seemed off. While I did like it seeing them together and getting that overdo conversation, it also felt off because Lois' voice wasn't there calling him "Baby" so much and all that normal life talk just felt out of place to me. The art is really solid here, it feels consistent with Gleason's and brings that classic feel to the title. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
BATGIRL #27
Written By: Mairghread Scott
Art By: Paul Pelletier
Colors By: Jordie Bellaire
Letters By: Deron Bennett
Cover By: Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant Cover By: Joshua Middleton
Price: $3.99
With the new creative team on board, Batgirl continues to be one of my favorite DC Comics on stands. I especially enjoyed the moments between Jim and Barbara. Jim is doing everything in his power to keep Barbara out of the chair, but Barbara is finally able to express the pressure this has caused her throughout the years. Paul Pelletier drives home these moments with his powerfully expressive pencils. It’s a really powerful scene! I’m very happy to see Jim back in Barbara’s supporting cast. Grotesque continues to be the weaker aspect of the story arc, but I'm glad we get to learn more about him in this issue. Batgirl #28 continues to explore powerful story beats that have been planted since Batman: The Killing Joke, making for one of Batgirl’s strongest story arcs since Gail Simone’s run on the character. ~ Kat @ComicUno
BATMAN BEYOND #25
Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Cully Hamner and Marco Santucci
Colors By: Val Staples
Letters By: Travis Lanham
Cover By: Viktor Kalvachev
Variant Covers By: Dave Johnson
Price: 4.99
Batman Beyond #25 kicks off The Final Joke story arc, where we see Neo-Gotham gripped by a string of murders all targeting members of the Jokers gang. This is also a great catch up issue told through the memories of Dick Grayson who is now the Mayor of Bluhaven, as Dan Jurgens takes us through the bat family roster as a where are they now updates. Bruce makes a rare public appearance only to have it spoiled by a horrible accident. But who caused it and who’s waiting in Barbara Gordon’s office when she returns to her desk? Outstanding art by Hamner and Santucci and the last page reveal is every bit what is should be and done perfectly. ~ Justin @ExileState
BOOKS OF MAGIC #1
Written By: Kat Howard
Art By: Tom Fowler
Colors By: Jordan Boyd
Letters By: Todd Klein
Cover By: Kai Carpenter
Variant Cover By: Josh Middleton
Price: $3.99
Timothy Hunter is given a choice to be magic or to be mundane and chooses magic, but it isn't as simple as making the choice. This was a solid issue, a nice introduction to Tim Hunter and his world with just enough mystery to get you hooked for more. The art here has a very eclectic feel to it which adds atmosphere to the book. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
BETTIE PAGE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1
"Pickman's Supermodel"
Written By: David Avallone
Art By: Julius Ohta
Colors By: Ellie Wright
Letters By: Taylor Esposito
"Haunting Hollywood"
Written By: Leah Williams:
Art By: Fernando Ruiz
Colors By: Valentina Pinto
Letters By: Taylor Esposito
Cover By: Reilly Brown
Price: $4.99
Bettie Page has returned for a spooky tale filled with aliens and demons! It was a pleasure to have David Avallone back on the title as he continues to give Bettie Page a great amount of spunk and confidence. On artwork, Julius Ohta’s pencils adds some nice, expressive visuals for Bettie Page’s distinct personality. This first story doesn’t have a direct Halloween connection, but still has some haunting elements to keep in the vein of the one shot’s theme. The second story in the issue is a bit more Halloween centric with a fun dynamic between Bettie and her cop friend, but the artwork by Fernando Ruiz is a bit more cartoony for this story in contrast to Julius Ohta more realistic style. If you’ve missed Bettie Page on your pull, like I have, this is a good issue to fill that void. ~ Kat @ComicUno
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - TERRA INCOGNITA #4
Written By: Scott Tipton & David Tipton
Art By: Angel Hernandez
Colors By: Mark Roberts
Letters By: Neil Uyetake
Cover By: Tony Shashteen & JD Mettler
Variant Covers By: Various
Price: $3.99
Wesley gets some real life training when the Enterprise visits Faundori to inspect their fleet building facility when they lose a member of the crew. Another classic Star Trek issue. I love IDW for giving us true honest to goodness classic Star Trek and the Tiptons for being the ones writing it. This has elements of a few Next Generation episodes while never feeling redundant. I have to give it to the art team as well for giving us such character likeness which paired with the Tipton's writing makes this a great missing episode of Star Trek The Next Generation. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #8
Written By: Nick Spencer
Pencils By: Humberto Ramos
Inks By: Victor Olazaba
Colors By: Edgar Delgado
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado
Price: $3.99
The Avengers’ mansion has been broken into! Who better to solve the crime than Spider-Man? The Amazing Spider-Man #8 is a bit cluttered as Nick Spencer tries to fit in a lot of character into the narrative, but there are some stand out moments between MJ and Peter. Nick Spencer has now started to make MJ feel like an individual character, as much as I love their relationship, MJ is also a strong character on her own. So I hope we continue to see MJ’s story build outside of Peter as well. Humberto Ramos continues his run on the series. Ramos’ visuals contribute to the cluttered feeling I didn’t enjoy with the issue. I do miss Ryan Ottley's style on the book. The Amazing Spider-Man #8 is the weakest issue of the lot, but still has some fun scenes for fans to enjoy. ~ Kat @ComicUno
Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
INFINITY WARPS: ARACH-KNIGHT #1 (OF 2)
Written By: Dennis Hopeless
Pencils By: Ale Garza
Inks By: Victor Olazaba
Colors By: Ruth Redmond
Letters By: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado
Variant Covers By: Humberto Ramos; Adam Kubert & Morry Hollowell
Price: $3.99
While walking through the park young Peter is attacked by a "Green Goblin" that bites him and kills his Aunt May and Uncle Ben but a spider offers him the power of the Spider Totem and he accepts. Now he is the Arach-Knight. This is a great Infinity Warp! We have a nice mixing of both Spider-Man and Moon Knight's origins to forge a new original one, along with supporting characters that are a nice blend of both heroes. The art is also really strong giving it a nice fun vibrant feel to it. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
RETURN OF WOLVERINE #2 (OF 5)
"Chapter Two: Limbo"
Written By: Charles Soule
Art By: Declan Shalvey
Colors By: Laura Martin
Letters By: VC's Joe Sabino
Cover By: Steve McNiven & Laura Martin
Variant Covers By: David Marquez & Rachelle Rosenberg; Moebius; Declan Shalvey & Matt Wilson
Price: $3.99
Wolverine and Ana are on there way to Persephone's island to rescue Ana's son when Omega Red and Daken attack them. There is a lot happening in this issue with little content. Daken is silent in the fight against his father, Wolverine recognizing him from his tattoo but also saying nothing. Then we get it the much talked about fire claws and he uses them to shoot fire when gas is squirted through them. The only thing that I felt had an impact was Jean telling Kitty she found him. The art here is good and delivers well on the action. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
SPIDER-GEDDON #2 (OF 5)
Based On A Story By: Dan Slott
Written By: Christos Gage
Pencils By: Jorge Molina
Inls By: Jay Leisten, Craig Yeung & Roberto Poggi
Colors By: David Curiel
Letters By: VC's Travis Lanham
Cover By: Jorge Molina
Variant Covers By: Ivan Shavrin; Nick Bradshaw & Rachelle Rosenberg; Inhyuk Lee [Connecting]
Price: $3.99
The Inheritors have arrived and the Web Warriors need help. This is a solid sequel to Spider-Verse so much so that you can't tell it was written by someone else, that is both a strength and a weakness. I liked that we did get some reason for why they collected certain Spiders and some character moments. The art is really solid as well giving us nice action scenes. ~ Jay @ComicBookTheate
SPIDER-GIRLS #1
Written By: Jody Houser
Art By: Andres Genolet
Colors By: Triona Farrell
Letters By: VC's Joe Caramagna
Cover By: Yasmine Putri
Price: $3.99
If you don’t know, I’m a huge Mayday Parker fan. So I was very excited for this Spider-Geddon tie-in, and the issue doesn’t disappoint. The narrative starts out as more of a Renew Your Vows story as Annie tries figuring out what’s going on with her vision spider-sense abilities. At the same time, May and Anya go to Annie’s universe with a sombre May seeing this is a world where Peter and MJ have a child - very similar to her own world, except Peter is still alive. The strongest aspect of this issue is how it hits these powerful emotional beats. Spider-Geddon and Spider-Verse has had a hard time finding May’s voice, and you constantly see her complaining or shouting out about her brother during the events. May isn’t that character. She mostly stays quite about her feelings until something pushes her over the ledge - this issue showcases that perfectly. I also enjoyed MJ’s reaction to Mayday as this is the child she had a miscarriage for on this earth. The strongest elements are between the Parker family, but Jody Houser does a good job at including Anya with the series' mystery being connected to her totem origins. On artwork, Andres Genelot gives a cleaner/sleeker look to the book compared to the previous artist on Renew Your Vows. I especially enjoyed how the artist drew Mayday. Mayday's style has always been important and evolving, and Genelot does a great job at giving a modern twist to May’s early hair style. But there were some transitions within the panel work that could have been smoother. Overall, If you are a fan of Anya, May, and Annie you will find something to enjoy with this Spider-Geddon mini-series. ~ Kat @ComicUno
SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST SPIDER #1
Written By: Seanan McGuire
Art By: Rosi Kampe
Colors By: Ian Herring
Letters By: VC's Clayton Cowles
Cover By: Bengal
Variant Covers By: Andrew C. Robinson, Paolo Rivera And Lee-Hyung Lee
Price: $3.99
This week was a big haul for Spider fans, which included the return of Spider-Gwen under her new alias Ghost Spider. This premiere issue is a tie-in to Spider-Geddon, which is actually the weakest aspect of the narrative. I enjoyed the set up for the first half of the issue as Gwen is still adjusting to life after jail and everyone knowing her secret identity. Then Gwen is thrown into a new earth, one of the things that makes Spider-Gwen so unique is her world, so this was a risky choice, but for the most part I actually enjoyed her adventure on this earth. I didn't like the transition from this week’s Spider-Geddon issue to get her to the new earth, but after this small fumble Seanan McGuire delivers an entertaining story that leaves fans on a good cliffhanger. As for artwork, I really enjoyed Rosi Kampe’s style, notably with the series’ action scenes, but what especially impressed me was how Ian Herring’s coloring tied together this new volume to Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez, and Rico Renzi’s long run on the series. Herring still delivers the strobe light effect to the book that makes every issue feel like a rock and roll concert. Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #1 has one of the hardest challenges for not just an issue 1, but any comic book series - the creators must stop their own story to tie into a big event, but the creative team does this gracefully, for the most part. ~ Kat @ComicUno
WHAT IF? THOR WAS RAISED BY THE FROST GIANTS #1
Written By: Ethan Sacks
Art By: Michele Bandini
Colors By: Matt Milla
Letters By: VC’s Joe Sabino
Cover By: Marco Checchetto
Variant Cover By: John Tyler Christopher
Price: 3.99
What If Thor was raised by Frost Giants #1 tells the tale of Odin losing to the Frost Giants when Thor was just a young boy and then being take and raised as the prince of the Frost Giants, the Prince of Winter. This take on our classic Thor tale also gives us Loki who quickly becomes friends and a brother to Thor. Ethan Sacks does a great job a crafting this story just as you might imagine it would go with a slight twist at the end when we learn who our narrator has been throughout the book and does that mean we get an issue 2? The art by Michele Bandini was also top tier, it would be great to see Michele work on the main Thor title for a while. Over all this was a well-crafted What If in the true vein of What If titles. ~ Justin @ExileState
Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
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