Welcome to the weekly rundown of comic book reviews 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).
BOOM! STUDIOS
MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS #28
Writer: Kyle Higgins/Ryan Ferrier
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo with Simona Di Gianfelice/Bachan
Colorist: Walter Baiamonte/Jeremy Lawson
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire/Jim Campbell
Editor: Dafna Pleban/Matthew Levine
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Things have not been looking good for our Ranger friends, but there are at least a couple of bright spots in this issue: Dr. K *created* morphers for her team, and being able to negate Drakkon’s Dragon-cannons is great. But more Rangers fall in this issue (including one very shocking loss) and Jen insists that Tommy is dead, meaning that any victory that may be yet to come will come at great cost. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #28 ratchets up the tension another notch, brings more Rangers into the fold (including Doggie Kruger!) and balances the action and emotion beautifully, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. The only way this could be more fun would be if it were actually live-action on TV, y’all. – Matthew Peterson
LUMBERJANES #51
Writers: Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh
Artist: Dozerdraws
Colorist: Maarta Laiho
Letterer: Aubrey Aiese
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
Lumberjanes #51 does a great job of depicting adolescent friendship. These young people have rivalries, get into arguments, ignore each other in their enthusiasm for something else, but when it comes right down to it, they have each other’s backs. In this issue, we also have a thread of breaking (or at least bending) the rules, pushing rules to the limit, but also of trying to follow the rules. This is a joyful book that I recommend to anyone, but would especially recommend for any young ladies in your life (sisters, nieces, daughters, etc.) who might be interested in comics. 4.5 out of 5 Stars. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
DC COMICS
BATMAN #49
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mikel Janin
Colorist: June Chung
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Editor: Jamie S. Rich
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
All in all, it’s not a bad comic book, but there are a number of questions and minor flaws that made it less enjoyable for me. Batman #49 has the makings of an issue for the ages, but falls prey to over-explaining, breaks the ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ adage and has just enough wobbles in the art to bother me as a reader, earning a right-down-the-middle 2.5 out of 5 stars overall. This issue also introduces some doubt into whether the planned wedding will actually happen at all, which may be good news or bad, depending on where you stand, but the execution here just wasn’t up to the strength of the central conceit. – Matthew Peterson
SCOOBY-DOO Team-up #39
Writer: Sholly Fisch
Artist: Dario Brizuela
Colorist: Franco Riesco
Cover Artist: Dario Brizuela
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
A great book featuring heroes that sometimes seem forgotten at the DC offices, wonderful treat for fans of those original characters! 4 Stars – Stacy Baugher
TEEN TITANS SPECIAL #1
Writer: Adam Glass
Penciller: Robson Rocha
Inker: Daniel Henriques
Colorist: Sunny Gho
Cover Artist: Robson Rocha, Trevor Scott, Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
Honestly, I was not very interested in this title when I first saw it. Teen Titans have been relaunched so many times with so many familiar faces it seems to be a rotating door. This one seems a little different, feels a little different. Maybe it is the current events in the real world influencing this different feel, maybe it’s the hinting at a darker direction, I’m really not sure. I’m not a fan of Damian either. He tends to be portrayed as the spoilt child who constantly rebels and is sure he knows better than his elders. Here he is portrayed a little different, we get a seemingly world-weary Robin who tried to follow the rules, but finally was shown they just didn’t work. It might be nice to see him a little less “barely restrained killer” and a little more willing to take that final step for the right reasons. Here we have two possibly core members, Robin and Red Arrow, born of killers, and another in Kid Flash, born of tragedy. Yes, it’s not the first time these dynamics have been brought together, but there seems to be a greater willingness to follow their own conscience this time around, and less kowtowing to the grown-ups.
Teen Titans Special #1 from DC Comics brings the younger heroes into the limelight, it will be interesting to see if they can stand it. I’m willing to stick around and find out. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
DARK HORSE COMICS
BEDTIME GAMES #1
Writer: Nick Keller
Artist: Conor Nolan
Letterer: John J. Hill
Colorist: Kelly Fizpatrick
Editor: Katii O’Brien
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
Overall, Bedtime Games #1 is a fine start to a new series that promises to intrigue and spook in equal measure. While Keller isn’t doing anything too original with this book, it at least presents a scenario that promises a great deal. You could do worse than pick up this book. 4 Stars. – Robert Mammone
MODERN FANTASY #1
Writer: Rafer Roberts
Artist: Kristen Gudsnuk
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
Modern Fantasy #1 starts off a little slowly, and has to give us a lot of information. If you like stories about young people and their lives, as well as traditional fantasy, you might give this book a try. I think it has some potential to give us something unexpected. There are some genuinely funny bits, and some absurdity which is genuinely charming. 3.5 out of 5 Stars – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
CHARLIE’S ANGEL’S #1
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Joe Eisma
Colorist: Celeste Woods
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
For fans of Charlie’s Angels, this is a fun read and a definite nostalgia kick. If you don’t know the property or know the time period, this is a chance to get a taste. The Angels fight, but it’s not all about the fighting. Some of their strategies seem a bit contrived, and there is some light-heartedness – this is not a noir detective tale. The Angels are pretty and stylish, sexy but not lewd. With the funny scene at the conclusion, you can practically hear the laugh track. But that’s the way things were back then. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
IMAGE COMICS
GIDEON FALLS #4
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Will Dennis
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
This issue sheds little light on the truth of The Black Barn or Father Tom’s actions, but by introducing Doctor Sutton’s possibly fruitless conspiracy theories, it adds complexity and depth to an already complex story. Gideon Falls #4 makes for a deep read, diving into a Stephen King-like dissection of the strange secrets hidden beneath the veneer of a small town and doing so with really beautiful, artistic layouts, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. Four issues in, we’re still moving slowly, but it’s intentionally slow pacing and it works for the story being told. – Matthew Peterson
STRAY BULLETS: SUNSHINE AND ROSES #36
Writer: David Lapham
Artist: David Lapham
Letterer: David Lapham
Editor: Maria Lapham
Publisher: Image
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
While this issue is part of a long-running arc, in and of itself it is a perfectly formed pearl of a story. And given it is part of a longer story, the lure of more characters like this, more situations like this, should lead you all to should run, not walk, to your nearest local comic shop. And watch out for the man spouting peace and love while wielding a machete. 4 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
MARVEL COMICS
CHAMPIONS #21
Writer: Jim Zub
Artist: Sean Izaakse
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 20, 2018
There are a lot of Champions members, so not getting a lot of Viv Vision or Nova in these pages doesn’t completely damage my enjoyment, but it does make me a little wary of adding even more members to the group. Still, Champions #21 looks really good thanks to expressive, dynamic art and gives us a new, very personal take on the classic generational conflict thanks to Carol and Kamala, earning a better-than-average 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. The obvious care put into making sure that Snowguard’s background and origin is respectfully handled makes this more than just another hero vs. hero battle, and I look forward to seeing where The Champions go from here. – Matthew Peterson
MARVEL SUPER HERO ADVENTURES #1, WEBS AND ARROWS AND ANTS, OH MY!
Writer: Jim McCann
Artist: Dario Brizuela
Cover Artist: Jacob Chabot
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
Regardless of the numbering, this is a fun book. Including Ant-Man gives us a tie us into the upcoming movie, again possibly boosting sales, and we get to see a fun story with a little something for everyone.
Oh, and next month it looks like a certain marvelous heroine and a teleporting dog will get the spotlight beside Spidey! I can’t wait!
Marvel Super Hero Adventures #1 Webs and Arrows and Ants, Oh My! Is a great little read, and your kids will dig it too! 4 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #7
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Ramon K. Perez
Colorist: Federico Blee
Cover Artist: Nick Bradshaw, Morry Hallowell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
I loved Marvel Two-In-One as a kid. With it, like it’s sister title Marvel Team-Up, you got a great character and a rotating guest star each issue. While this title is more purposeful and directed, you still see corners of the Multiverse which you may have missed the first time around, or to see old characters in new roles. I’m enjoying it, and I really hope it stays around after the purpose of its story is finally fulfilled. 3.5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
TITAN COMICS
MICKEY SPILLANE’S MIKE HAMMER #1
Story by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
Writer: Max Allan Collins
Artist: Marcelo Salaza, Marcio Freire
Publisher: Titan Comics
Imprint: Hard Case Crime
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
This art is wholly inappropriate for the story being told, and the coloring is strangely garish for a noir story. The story feels like a boilerplate detective tale, which makes me wonder if the scripts it’s being adapted from was actually complete or not. Collins has the voice and the tough-guy dialogue down, though. – Matthew Peterson
There’s a reason why Spillane’s books are so controversial. Titan Comics takes a story that should have been left untold and told it, complete with art that looks more like a weird DAZ 3D comics than what you normally expect. Still, if you like hard crime tales where the hero isn’t afraid of taking down anyone who is on the wrong side of the law, then Mike Hammer is the hero for you. – Stephen Schleicher
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
X-O MANOWAR #16
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Colorist: Diego Rodrigues and Jose Villarrubia
Cover Artist: Lewis Larosa, Diego Rodriguez
Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 27, 2018
X-O MANOWAR #16 leads you deeper into Aric’s past and helps give a sense of the decisions he has made to get where he is. Pick it up today! 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Stacy Baugher
ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT
THE MAINSTREAM #3
Writer: Michael Dolce, Talent Caldwell
Artist: Tony Moy, Jorge Cortes
Cover Artist: Talent Caldwell
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Going into the third issue with more knowledge, I was expecting a little more payoff. There are two stories here, three if you include the overall plot, and while one seems to be flying along the other keeps hitting the breaks. The concept is good, the plot is solid, but the progression could still use some work. Finishing up this issue, I began to wonder about the process, was it done using a full script, was it done plot first? That may explain some of my issues with how it all flows together.
But here is the standard of a good story, I’m still around. I’m willing to stick with it just to see how it plays out. I’ve enjoyed the concept which Caldwell and Dolce have put forward, while Moy and Corte’s art is different enough from everything else out there that it is a nice change. I will be around for another shot, I just hope that as we start the next issue, that we get more answers than we have to this point. 3 Stars – Stacy Baugher
Be sure to check Major Spoilers throughout the week as we review new comics from around the industry.
Dear Spoilerite,
At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to the Robot Overlord. Robot Overlord may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds. The Robot Overlord contains a liquid core, which if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at. If Robot Overlord begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head. Do not taunt the Robot Overlord.