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
GARFIELD: HOMECOMING #2
Publisher: KaBOOM!, an imprint of BOOM! Studios
Writers: Scott Nickel
Artists: Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb
Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
So, we have a property that has become known for it’s specific style and design, to the point where it’s literally iconic and the characters are as unchanging as ancient woodcut designs, and so the best way to adapt it for comic is to completely jettison that style and do something entirely weird and wacky. This does not work, you guys. – Matthew Peterson
I HATE GARFIELD WITH A PASSION. I never found the cartoon strip funny. I know, you scream heresy, but I can point to a dozen comics that are more interesting than Garfield. If you are looking for something barely amusing, and super kid friendly, then Garfield: Homecoming #2 is going to be perfect for you. And to top it all off, none of the characters are on model… because. HARD PASS. – Stephen Schleicher
MECH CADET YU #10
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Colorist: Jessica Kholinne
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Editor: Cameron Chittock
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 11, 2018
This comic book has been exciting, touching and a solid read month over month, and this issue’s switch to a higher gear in preparation for the ending hasn’t changed that one bit. The art is charming and evocative, the story is exciting and wears its influences on its metaphorical sleeve in all the right ways, leaving Mech Cadet Yu #10 with a well-deserved 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. In a lot of ways, this feels like an “All is lost!” penultimate episode of a 70s anime, but I’m confident that we’re going to get that big, bombastic feel-good ending that Stanford and Buddy deserve. – Matthew Peterson
ROBOCOP: CITIZEN’S ARREST #4
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Jorge Coelho
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: 3.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
Robocop is not really so much about a supercool cyborg fighting robot, as it is about a sad cyborg living through a monstrous capitalistic future. I feel that this book gets it. The art seems strangely colorful for a book set in Future Detroit (somehow more depressing than Current Detroit), but it’s not bad. 3.5 out of 5 Stars. – Rodrigo Lopez
RUINWORLD #1 (OF 5)
Writer and Artist: Derek Laufman
Letterer: Warren Montgomery
Publisher: KaBOOM!
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
We’ve all read stories of quests and adventures, and this one is decidedly fun. Characters are simple enough for young readers to identify with, but complex enough to be interesting. The story has its laughs but there is a significant plot behind it as well. I think a lot of readers will enjoy RuinWorld #1. 4.5 out of 5 Star – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
DC COMICS
FLASH #50
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Howard Porter
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Published by: DC Comics
Cover price: $3.99
As far as where Barry, Wally and Zoom go from here, I have to say that I don’t have any idea. But I’m just as engaged as I have been since issue #1, and it’s going to be quite an enjoyable ride!
Flash is one of those consistently great comics! Each time it comes out, I can’t wait to read it! And this title still costs only $2.99 (except for this issue, of course)! Highly recommended! 4.5 out of 5 Stars. – Wayne Hall
THE MAN OF STEEL #6
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Jason Fabok
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Josh Reed
Editor: Michael Cotton
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
The Man Of Steel #6 is troublesome storywise, sidelining its main character for not one but TWO major plot moments, but the art is quite good, the dialogue has some lovely moments and it builds on the existing characterization of Jon Kent, Lois Lane, and Kara Zor-El in interesting ways, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. If only Superman had something to do in this issue, it might have gotten me past my problems with the blatancy of its retconning and fully engaged in what our hero will do with his new status quo. – Matthew Peterson
SUPERMAN #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Ivan Reis
Inks: Joe Prado
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Josh Reed
Editor: Michael Cotton
Cover Art: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Alex Sinclair
Variant Covers: Adam Hughes & David Mack
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Superman #1 looks to be the beginning of an amazing new story for the character. With wonderful characterization and a dramatic cliffhanger, you should fly into your local comic shop and pick up a copy as soon as you can. 4.5 out of 5 Stars – Stacy Baugher
THE UNEXPECTED #2
Storytellers: Cary Nord & Steve Orlando
Inker: Wade von Grawbadger
Colorist: Jeromy Cox
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Editor: Katie Kubert
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
All in all, there’s a lot to like in this issue: Neon’s backstory is well-crafted, and he is confirmed on-panel as bisexual, which is long-overdue representation in the DCU. The use of elements like Slaughter Swamp, June, Blackhawk Island and more make it clear we’re operating in a larger universe, but overall The Unexpected #2 isn’t fully successful in story or in art, earning 2.5 out of 5 stars overall. It feels like there is a lot of potential in these pages, but this issue just doesn’t quite bring it all together to make it all stick together and bring me back next month for more. – Matthew Peterson
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
NANCY DREW #2
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Jenn St-Onge
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
Nancy Drew is a perennial favorite, and this take on her does not disappoint. It feels modern, but we’re still solidly placed in a world where teens can tackle mysteries on their own. 4 out of 5 Stars – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
IDW PUBLISHING
HAUNTED HORROR #34
Writer: various
Artist: various
Colorist: various
Letterer: various
Editors: Steve Banes, Clizia Gussoni and Craig Yoe
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
I would recommend not reading all this in one sitting; otherwise, you’ll be punch drunk with the craziness within these pages. That said, Haunted Horror #34 is a fantastic window back into the 1950s, with its appalling race and marital relations on full display, but also the invention and storytelling chops of the writers tasked with condensing plot lines into as few pages as possible. The art isn’t of the standard we expect today, frequently looking like it was the artist’s first passes, but more often than not, the art conveys the horror in a way the often hysterical writing doesn’t.
I had a lot of fun with Haunted Horror #34 and I’m pretty sure you will also. 3 out of 5 Stars. – Robert Mammone
IMAGE COMICS
THE DEAD HAND #4
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Stephen Mooney
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 11, 2018
Just like a Matryoshka doll, The Dead Hand series goes deeper and deeper as you peel away the layers. What you, and characters like Harriet thought at the beginning, is nowhere near the reality by the end. The Dead Hand #4 is another excellent issue and a series that continues to confound, and entertain, in one excellent package. 4 out of 5 Stars – Robert Mammone
OUTPOST ZERO #1
Writer: Sean Kelley McKeever
Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
Small town life is full of undercurrents. Now imagine a small town where there is ever-present danger, so everyone is dealing with that stress. Now imagine that you can never get out of that small town and maybe, if you think too hard about it, you may not even survive anyway. Already, Outpost Zero #1 touches themes of hope, darkness, and desperation. 4 out of 5 Stars – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
RAT QUEENS #10
Writer: Kurtis J. Wiebe & Owen Gieni
Illustrator: Owen Gieni
Letterer: Ryan Ferrier
Editor: Laura Tavishati
Cover Art: Owen Gieni
Cover B Art: Joseph Michael Linsner
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Rat Queens has a history of dealing with strong women who aren’t afraid of being themselves. It touches on family relationships, romances, lifestyle choices, rebellion, debauchery… a whole range of subjects and this issue is no different. Self-doubt and abandonment issues are in the forefront here, as they have been to one degree or another for the whole series. As the issue closes, we get the past being buried and the possibility of a new future. I for one cannot wait to see what happens next.
Rat Queens #10 continues to be the book to read for fun and action, as well as the emotional gut punch. 4 out of 5 Stars – Stacy Baugher
MARVEL
COSMIC GHOST RIDER #1
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Dylan Burnett
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Jordan D White
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
In short, Cosmic Ghost Rider #1 takes a concept that absolutely should not work and devotes energy to make it sing, and while it’s not narratively perfect, it has energetic art and a story that engages me as a reader, earning a better than average 3 out of 5 stars overall. I’m not sure that it’s going to stand the test of time, but it is enthusiastic and charismatic, making it worth a reader’s time. – Matthew Peterson
IMMORTAL HULK #2 (#719)
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Joe Bennet, Ruy Jose
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
Ewing’s take on The Hulk combines the 70s TV show with all-out Frankenstein horror and it works really well. Best of all, the explanation of how and why Banner’s world and attitudes have changed not only makes sense, it references continuity in skillful ways.
Once again, though, we get a really ugly cover. 4.5 out of 5 Stars – Matthew Peterson
STAR WARS #50
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larocca/Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inker: Cam Smith
Colorist: Guru-eFX/Java Tartaglia
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: July 4, 2018
In short, this is a book that looks great, makes for a solid single-issue story and upholds the old-school Marvel tradition that issues in multiple of 25 have to be anniversary extravaganzas, keeping all the plates spinning as it goes. Star Wars #50 is a really good comic that overcomes the problem of telling stories in between stories already told, the difficulties of licensed art of real-world actors and even gives us cool Han Solo doing cool smuggler stuff, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I’m not sure how far before the events of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ we are, but it’s clear that even the most powerful Rebel fleet still faces an uphill battle. – Matthew Peterson
X-23 #1
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Juann Cabal
Colorist: Nolan Woodard
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Christina Harrington
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 11, 2018
In short, while it’s a bummer to see Laura no longer in the high-profile Wolverine role, these creators are still treating her, her story and her makeshift family with care and respect. X-23 #1 is a fresh new start with lovely art, some fun dialogue, a perfectly chosen antagonist and a clever premise, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. If you’re looking for a place to join in on Laura Kinney’s story, this is going to be your comic book. – Matthew Peterson
TITAN COMICS
Doctor Who: The Road to the Thirteenth Doctor #1
Writer: James Peaty, Jody Houser
Artist: Iolanda Zanfardino, Rachael Stott
Colorist: Dijjo Lima, Enrica Angiolini
Letterer: Richard Starings, Jimmy Betancourt
Editor: Jessica Burton
Cover Art: Robert Hack
Publisher: Titan Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 11, 2018
I’m a Doctor Who fan from my childhood watching Tom Baker on public television, I love the character and am looking forward to Whitaker’s take. However, fan or no, I have to be honest, this title is lacking. You probably could pass and catch it in a collection later.
Doctor Who: The Road to the Thirteenth Doctor #1 has a couple of fun, if sparse, tales of the Doctor and his companions. We will have to see if it actually gives us a roadmap to the latest incarnation or if it is just a dead end. 3 out of 5 Stars – Stacy Baugher
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