Welcome to the weekly rundown of comic book review from Major Spoilers. There is a lot of stuff on the site, but this is certainly the place to find all of the reviews we’ve written this week (and a bit more).
ASPEN COMICS
FATHOM #1
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Siya Oum
Publisher: Aspen Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Listen to the full review here
Fathom #1 – The seventh volume starts with a cool new artist and an interesting new status quo. I’ve never been a huge fan of Aspen Matthews adventures, but this first issue makes me want to read more… Also: I can NOT believe it has been twenty years! 3 out of 5 Stars – Matthew Peterson
BOOM! STUDIOS
ROBOCOP: CITIZENS ARREST
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Jorge Coelho
Colorist: Doug Garbark
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Editor: Eric Harburn & Sierra Hahn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 13, 2018
Robocop: Citizen Arrest #3 combines an almost avant-garde art job with some lovely coloring and a story that hides as much as it reveals, but it does make me want to hunt down the first two issues and get the complete story, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. It’s not slavishly devoted to the tone or visual look of the source material, which I respect, but which serves both as an advantage and a slight flaw… – Matthew Peterson
DARK HORSE COMICS
BLACK HAMMER AGE OF DOOM #3
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Dean Ormston
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Todd Klein
Editor: Mike Richardson
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Listen to the full review here
Black Hammer Age of Doom #3 finally starts to reveal the mysteries of what is going on in Jeff Lemire’s latest world. The big answer is coming, which could mean the end of one story and the start of another. It may take a bit to wrap your head around, but the world-building is fantastic. 4 out of 5 Stars – Stephen Schleicher
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 12: THE RECKONING #1
Writer: Joss Whedon and Christos Gage
Penciler: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Karl Story
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Letterer: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Editor: Freddye Miller
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
This series has been promised as the culmination of comic book Buffy (but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end), and as such, the creators are pulling out all the stops, bringing out all the beloved characters and setting up a villain to top the previous big bads… and that’s okay. Even with the pacing being a little frenetic, Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 12: The Reckoning #1 gets the job done with excellent art, strong Buffy-speak dialogue, a lot of familiar faces and a plot point that’s been fifteen years in the making, earning 4 out of 5 Stars. – Matthew Peterson
ETHER: THE COPPER GOLEMS #2
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: David Rubin
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
If you haven’t read the first issue, you can probably jump in here and not get totally lost. The Ether is a strange place, full of magic, but not your stereotypical fantasy world. It is well worth reading Ether: The Copper Golems #2 for some of the twists it puts into the tropes we expect, and the interactions between smart, yet flawed, characters. 4.5 Stars out of 5. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
WITCHFINDER: GATES OF HEAVEN #2
Writer: Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson
Artist: D’Israeli
Publisher; Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
A lot of world-building, but it feels more like a #42 issue than a #2, and the sheer number of characters and situations makes this one hard to get into. That said, the art is good and the dialogue is top-notch throughout. – Matthew Peterson
The Mingolaverse continues to grow, and at every twist and turn, something creepy and mysterious is revealed. If you haven’t read the Witchfinder series, but love what Hellboy delivers, then you need to dive into everything related to Edward Grey. This issue brings in the mysticism and secret societies of the 1890s and makes we want more from Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson. – Stephen Schleicher
DC ENTERTAINMENT
AQUAMAN #37
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Riccardo Federici
Colorist: Sunny Gho
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Alex Atone
Cover Artist: Stepan Sejic
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
I read this issue without having picked up Aquaman for several years, a fact of which I was instantly remiss. I went out and found the stories leading up to this and discovered a tale of fantasy and adventure to rival anything currently on the best seller list of your local bookstore. The history woven into the story, with callbacks to ancient tales, draws you in and grabs you. I do not know what Dan Abnett and company have in store for future installments, but I can only hope that his writing of the King of the Seven Seas extends well past the current storyline.
Aquaman #37 is a tale of adventure, magic, betrayal, and duty that will amaze you. Make sure you hook a copy at your friendly local comic shop. 4 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
JUSTICE LEAGUE #2
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colorist: Alejandro Sanchez
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Justice League #2 is part of an epic story with a large cast. I think we’ve finally gotten through introducing most, if not all, of the players. There are more plotlines, but they have some threads tying them together. Unlocking the Seven Forces sounds like a typical epic plot, but even if it’s a MacGuffin, I am optimistic that it will set up interesting encounters in the issues to come. 4.5 out of 5 Stars. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
NEW CHALLENGERS #2
Writer: Scott Snyder & Aaron Gillespie
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Editor: Rebecca Taylor
Cover Artist: Andy Kubert & Brad Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
In my opinion, The Challengers of the Unknown has always had a feeling which harkened back to the days of pulp magazines and gritty adventurers. The execution here is different, but that feeling remains. From the background we are given to the underlying plot lines to the shocking final panel, I enjoyed this title. My one concern is that it may get swallowed up due to the possibility of readers not giving it the chance it needs.
I challenge you to find a reason for New Challengers #2 from DC Comics not to find a way into your read pile. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
SCOOBY-DOO! WHERE ARE YOU? #93
Writer: Sholly Fisch, Joe Edkin
Penciller: Scott Jeralds, Eric Doescher
Inks: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Silvana Brys, Paul Becton
Letterer: Travis Lanham, John Costanza
Editor: Harvey Richards, Heidi McDonald
Cover Artist: Silvana Brys
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
If you collect Scooby-Doo comics, double check to make sure you don’t already have Scooby-Doo! issue #35 from 2000, this series was printed with the Cartoon Network banner. “The Weeping Bride of Lover’s Leap” originally appeared in that book, but it in no way diminishes the enjoyment of it for this go around. If you like Scooby-Doo, or have young children, it would be a real mystery as to why you wouldn’t pick up Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? #93. 3.5 out of 5 Stars – Stacy Baugher
TITANS SPECIAL #1
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Sergio Davila & Vincente Sifunetes/Brent Peeples & Matt Santorelli/Brian Ching/Nicola Scott/Max Raynor & Matt Santorelli/Ben Oliver
Colorist: Luis Guerrero/Marcelo Maiolo/Michale Atiyeh/Jordie Bellaire/Dinei Ribeiro/Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Marie Javins
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 13, 2018
Titans Special #1 is double the story pages for less than twice the price, featuring a lot of well-executed moments and storyline heavy lifting, with skilled art in every chapter (especially Beast Boy’s and Donna Troy’s), earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. DC’s new model of storytelling (putting all the setup in a giant-sized special issue before the first issue of the comic comes out) may not be perfect, but I enjoy how well this issue establishes who and what this latest Titans team is going to be about. – Matthew Peterson
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
XENA #5
Writer: Meredith Finch
Artist: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Cardinal Rae
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 13, 2018
Leaving aside the age-old question of who the target audience is, this is a solid bit of comic storytelling, giving us a repentant former villain Xena faced with the consequences of her own previous villainy, a vengeance-maddened Callisto and a clever, resourceful Gabrielle who really turns the tide. Xena #5 even has a unique quasi-ancient font used for the lettering to enhance the book’s “time of ancient gods, warriors and kings” vibe, with some excellent art, earning a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars overall knowing how the story went the first time, this one makes for a good read. – Matthew Peterson
IDW PUBLISHING
DELTA 13 #2
Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Nat Jones
Letterer: Tom B. Long
Editor: David Mariotte
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
I found Niles’ reboot of his seminal 30 Days of Night series a limp retread that amounted to very little. In contrast, Delta 13 #2 is a bleak looking, tautly told story that ratchets up the tension from panel to panel. Sure, it’s using elements familiar to anyone within even a passing knowledge of cinematic horror-tinged science fiction, but when it’s this seductively good, what does that matter? This is a very strongly told issue that sets the rest of the series in motion. This is a series that is definitely one to watch. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Robert Mammone
IMAGE COMICS
FLAVOR #2
Writer: Joseph Keatinge
Artist: Wook Jin Clark
Colorist: Tamra Bonvilain
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Culinary Consultant: Ali Bouzari
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
I really enjoyed Flavor #2. I like cooking, and I love a good story. Anant and Xoo are both likable characters, and Buster the dog is entertaining. So far, this is not a book that is heavy on the action, but the storytelling is a pleasure. 4 out of 5 Stars. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
INFIDEL #4
Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artist: Aaron Campbell
Letterer: Jeff Powell
Editor & Colorist: Jose Villarrubia
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
There is much to admire in Infidel #4. The unflashy artwork carefully matches the tone that Pichetshote works hard to develop. The buildup to the cliffhanger never feels forced, and the horrific, when it comes, is a real gut punch, as it should be. The atmosphere is unsettling and tense, while the strong plotting leaves the reader wondering how Medina will escape. I can’t recommend this issue, and this series, enough. 4 out of 5 Stars. – Robert Mammone
SHANGHAI RED #1
Writer: Christopher Sebela
Artist: Joshua Hixson
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Listen to the full review here
Shanghai Red #1 is a visceral, voilent, dark historical drama that still manages to have a good emotional core to it. I was thoroughly impressed with the art, but found it a little exposition heavy. It was a good, solid read, but not my cup of tea. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Rodrigo Lopez
MARVEL
TONY STARK: IRON MAN #1
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Valerio Schiti
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Tony Stark: Iron Man #1 seems to know that first issues can be overwhelming, and steers into the skid by giving us a plot-based reason for that as well some lovely character work to remind us about Tony and his supporting cast, some ingenious new Iron Man suits and very strong art and coloring, earning a better than average 4 out of 5 stars overall. It’s a good reintroduction to the man inside the metal, and makes me excited about the new/old take on the Armored Avenger. – Matthew Peterson
MARVEL RISING: ALPHA #1
Writer: Devin Grayson
Artist: Georges Duarte
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Heather Antos and Sarah Brunstad
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 13, 2018
As a fan of both these characters, I feel like Marvel Rising: Alpha #1 is the perfect balance of fun story, energetic art and characters whom I really want to spend some time with, making for a lovely comic reading experience, all under a beautiful cover, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. If you don’t already love these two heroes, this book might help you along. And if you do, it’s a nice team-up treat, combining old-school and modern storytelling elements in one 32-page package. – Matthew Peterson
REBELLION
JINTY VOL. 1
Writers: Pat Mills, Malcolm Shaw
Artist: Guy Peeters
Cover: Guy Peeters
Publisher: Rebellion
Cover Price: $3.99
I was very young when these stories were originally published, but it is just the sort of thing that would have grabbed me. The science fiction does not seem to be dumbed down at all, and there is palatable effort to gear the stories from a more feminine angle. Few books outside of the teen comedy and funny animal books attempted to cater to younger girls. Even the vintage romance novels of the Silver Age and Bronze age where geared more toward an upper-teen set. 4 out of 5 stars – Stacy Baugher
Be sure to check Major Spoilers throughout the week as we review new comics from around the industry.
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