Rapid-Fire Round-Up of Comics for January 01, 2025

I read every comic released on January 1, 2025 – or at least the ones publishers sent our way – and I have a rapid-fire round-up review to kick off the new year!

NOTE: I’m only reviewing single issues: not reprints, not reissues, not facsimiles, and definitely not a series that ended a while ago and is being re-released in color.

BOOM! Studios

FENCE CHALLENGERS: SWEET SIXTEEN #1
Writer: C.S. Pacat
Artist: Johanna the Mad
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $7.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
The Kings Row fencing team has made it all the way to the final sixteen in the tournament! But now they have to face the best of the best…

It’s Seiji against Marcus, the fencer who made him fall in love with the sport to begin with; and Nick vs. Kyle LaCoste, under the watchful eye of none other than his estranged father.

THOUGHTS: I don’t know much about fencing or the appeal of sports comics. Having not read this series from the beginning, I’m not familiar with the characters, but the tropes of sports and anime seem to be well executed in this comic. I enjoy the flowing style of the art as well.

[rating: 4/5]

WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEE #1
Writer: Gus Moreno
Artist: Jakub Rebelka
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025

Father Barrera is a disgraced priest, haunted by his part in the tragic death of a child. As penance, he is exiled to the remote South American town of Puerto Cristina to apprentice under the enigmatic Father Stygian, controversial exorcist.

THOUGHTS: Who is the exorcist who trains the top exorcists, and why do the apprentices have the unfortunate fate of dying? There’s a mystery, evil, and religious storytelling going on in this book. All are frightening in the subject matter (a religious thriller with demons) and in the art, which makes the reader feel uneasy. A tremendous spooky start, which I hope pays off in the end.

[rating: 4/5]

DC COMICS

ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #3
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
MEMORIES OF KRYPTON! Years ago on Krypton, Jor-El and Lara became utterly convinced that their planet was headed towards cataclysm. But what could two lowly peons of the Labor Guild possibly do to save their entire species? The answer is decidedly not what you think…

THOUGHTS: Kal-El isn’t the brightest, the fastest, the strongest – on Krypton, and that understanding helps while navigating a world where he is the Superman. This issue finally reveals the last days of Krypton, and it ends exactly as you knew it would – but with a big dose of our real world thrown in for those who want to see it. There is a specific group of people that will remain angry and upset at this series, and this issue will only push their ire toward ballistic. I love it.

[rating: 4.5/5]

BATGIRL #3
Writer: Tate Brombal
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
WILL CASS AND LADY SHIVA OUT RUN THE UNBURIED? The train ride out of Gotham proves more difficult than expected for Cass and Lady Shiva as dangerous new players enter the field. With the Unburied still hot on their trail–and seeking blood–can Batgirl actually trust her mother? Or will it lead to her certain death…?

THOUGHTS: Cassandra continues to come to grips with her relationship with her mother, and it continues not to be the positive experience the Hallmark Channel wants you to believe. The most uncomfortable bit of the issue is how Lady Shiva constantly talks down to Cassandra in this issue like she is a three-year-old and continues to lead her into her cult (or resistance, if you want to see it like that). The final page reveal is a bit of a surprise and a possible change in the global underworld.

[rating: 4/5]

BATMAN #156
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Tony S. Daniel
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
THE RIDDLER’S PLANS FINALLY REVEALED! The GCPD is closing in on their suspected killer–and on Batman! Wayne Enterprises is under attack as Nygma’s plans come into focus. The Owls are not what they seem. Don’t miss the thrilling penultimate issue of “The Dying City”!

THOUGHTS: Brain versus Brawn. Batman fights floor by floor, trying to get to the Riddler, only to finally figure out who is behind Commander Star’s mask (spoilers, Darling). It is entertaining and the art is good.

[rating 4/5]

 

BATMAN: FULL MOON #3
Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Stevan Subic
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
THE STREETS OF GOTHAM RUN RED! Despite Zatanna’s warnings, nothing could’ve prepared Batman for the power he was truly up against under the light of the moon–far greater and wilder than any he’s ever encountered before. And when that very same power doesn’t just burrow its way into Batman’s soul, but consumes him completely, the streets of Gotham will run red with the blood of beasts!

THOUGHTS:  It’s an all-out monster fight the likes of which Universal Pictures only WISHED they could pull off. Werewolves, Vampires, Man-Bats, Zatanna, and Constantine in a non-stop brawl to end it all! However, there is the more significant issue of curing Bruce from his lycanthropy. It is an interesting story with non-traditional art perfect for a Black Label title.

[rating: 4/5]

BIRDS OF PREY #17
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sami Basri
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
IS THIS THE END OF CASSANDRA CAIN? Nobody on this team is willing to lose Cassandra Cain, but if it comes down to her or the Amazons they came to rescue…how will they choose? And who will do the choosing? The Birds of Prey always honor their obligations…but at what cost?

THOUGHTS: A final big battle with plenty of action. The Birds of Prey wrap up the adventure and prep for the next big thing. Kind of a middle-of-the-road issue for me, even though I really enjoyed the art.

[rating 3/5]

DC HORROR PRESENTS: CREATURE COMMANDOS #4
Writer: David Dastmalchian
Artist: Jesus hervas
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
ARE THE CREATURE COMMANDOS READY FOR THEIR FIRST MISSION? Despite Dr. West’s protests, the Creature Unit heads to the Skeleton Coast for their first big mission. For extra insurance, Dr. West has equipped each team member with SABRE switches, which send the Creature Commandos into their most savage monstrous modes. Still, uncertainty lingers–details about the mission are kept secret, even from Dr. West. What is this team getting themselves into, and what are they even fighting for?

THOUGHTS: While it seems like a brand new mission, the members of Project M find themselves up against an alien that seems more interested in learning more about their Frenzy Mode than shrinking cities down to size. David Dastmalchian pens a great story with interesting art from Jesus Hervas.

[rating: 4/5]

JSA #3
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Diego Olortegui
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: #3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
THE INJUSTICE SOCIETY ATTACKS! After sacrificing his reincarnation for one last life with the woman he loves, Hell is the last place Hawkman wants to be right now! With his allies at the Tower of Fate under siege by the Injustice Society, can he escape Wotan’s clutches–or is his goose truly cooked?

THOUGHTS: Hawkman is in Hell, and he is face-to-face with Wotan. Meanwhile, the mystery of Jakeem’s illness is solved, and it isn’t a good thing… Meanwhile, the young heroes and the octogenarians work together to keep the Tower of Fate safe. A lot is going on, and I haven’t been reading JSA adventures for a while.

[rating: 2.5/5]

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ATOM PROJECT #1
Writer: Ryan Parrott, John Ridley
Artist: John Ridley
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
IT’S THE GREATEST POWER IN THE DC UNIVERSE…AND ALSO ITS DEADLIEST WEAPON. In the wake of Absolute Power, the superpowers of planet Earth are in chaos…and it’s up to the newly reformed Justice League to restore order to that chaos. Enter Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi, together as the heroes called Atom. These brilliant minds get to work crafting the world’s first superpower reallocation and backup system, code named the Atom Project. But not everyone wants their powers back, and Captain Atom is hell-bent on preventing his missing Atomic abilities from ever being found. Join Oscar-winning writer John Ridley, Rogue Sun co-creator Ryan Parrott and Batman: First Knight artist Mike Perkins down the rabbit hole of an intense atomic-fueled spy thriller that will drop change on the DCU like an atomic bomb!

THOUGHTS: I’m not sure this series is going to be for me; there are just too many paramilitary elements to it that make me think the reformed Justice League isn’t much better than what Waller wanted under her reign. You might enjoy it, though, as the Atoms (Ray and Ryan) attempt to get Captain Atom his powers back.

[rating 2/5]

POISON IVY #29
Writer: G. Willow WIlson
Artist: Marcio Takara
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
Poison Ivy ventures into the wilds of Washington to uncover the true identity of the Order of the Green Knight’s mysterious leader! But when Pamela hears what they have to say, will she decide to stop ?ghting and embrace their mission…or will she burn the operation down once and for all?

THOUGHTS: Eco Warriors and the First Disciple bring Poison Ivy (the Green Knight) to Seatle to save the planet! One thing about getting too deep into a cause is that often you find out you are in a cult, and most cults turn out to be scams to bilk someone out of the things they value the most. There is a lot of deep thoughts put into this story, and some will get it, while climate change deniers will only read the surface as nothing more than propaganda. That’s the great thing about comics; they can be subversive in so many ways. The art here is really good as nothing is ever too crowded or too empty, and the once flat background colors I used to despise have evolved into something with texture and depth.

[rating: 3.5/5]

SHAZAM #19
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Dan McDaid
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
It’s brother versus brother and Captain versus Commander, as Billy Batson is left with no choice but to confront Freddy in his new superhero persona head-on if Mr. Mind was able to worm his way into the heart of the Shazam! Family, there’s no knowing who else may have been infested with his influence. The gods are watching, and what they see could tip the balance of power in their family, city, and world!

THOUGHTS: Mr. Mind is back! You should also know there are some squeamish bits involving worms and bodies that might freak some of you out. Through it all, though, we do get a thesis on why Hate is good, why Jealousy is good, why Good Intentions aren’t to be feared, and why apps are the worms that rot your brains. And why the power of good trumps them all. There are pretty deep thoughts in a comic book that was created as a way for kids to live out a superhero fantasy.

[rating: 3/5]

TWO-FACE #2
Writer: Christian Ward
Artist: Fabio Veras
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
In the underworld court known as the White Church, Harvey Dent is asked to litigate the divorce of the Royal Flush Gang’s King and Queen of Hearts. But there’s much more at stake than assets in this trial–in fact, it’s a matter of life and death! When cheating allegations surround the King, it’s up to Harvey and his new assistant, Lake Cantwell, to clean up the monarch’s mess. And why does Harvey get the sneaking suspicion that someone is pulling the strings and threatening to send Gotham’s criminal underworld into a frenzy?

THOUGHTS: The King and Queen of Hearts, the leaders of the Royal Flush Gang, are headed to divorce court, and it is up to Harvey Dent, Two-Face, to deal with the Case of the Deadly Divorce. I’m not usually a fan of villains as the protagonist, but I also didn’t realize I needed a comic book version of Perry Mason. This turned out to be a surprising read of the week.

[rating: 3.5/5]

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

VAMPIRELLA #673
Writer: Christopher Priest
Artist: Ivan F. Silva
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
Dying from a deadly plague, Draculina has taken refuge within the astral plane known as the “Dark World” – only to find herself pursued by monsters created from her own childhood imagination! With her escape route blocked by a Dark World “Vampirella” formed from her own hateful imagination, the two sisters’ dark and twisted bond is explored in depth as Draculina struggles to tame the destructive impulse of her own psyche.

THOUGHTS: I have no idea what is going on in this fever dream of a comic. There appears to be time-travel antics, a multiverse, and an ongoing battle between Draculina and Vampirella. I don’t know if it is because it is a review copy or intentional, but half of the issue is black and white, which is fine. Someone jumping into this series here is going to be really confused. I trust Priest to bring the story together, but this was not a favorite of mine.

[rating: 2/5]

IMAGE COMICS

KNIGHTS VS. SAMURAI #4
Writer: David Dastmalchian
Artist: Fede Mele
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
The epic battle between Charles and Sanada Musashi begins. Valor vs. Honor. With the lives of their respective armies hanging in the balance.

THOUGHTS: This series is like Shogun meets King Arther, as two different cultures try to navigate a language barrier in the middle of a dragon attack and… kind of succeed. I like how the language is used, though I don’t speak or understand Japanese, so I have no idea if the Kanji is correct or not (I’ll err on the side of it being correct). Good art, and the dragon battle looks good, if a bit chaotic at times.

[rating: 3.5/5]

SAVAGE DRAGON #274
Writer: Erik Larsen
Artist: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
Back From the Dead!The vicious despot from Dimension-X is revealed! Mr. Glum returns, and he has his eyes set on Angel Darling and the subjugation of all mankind! Meanwhile, Malcolm Dragon frantically tries to locate Glum’s captive—Frank Darling, who may well be humanity’s only hope! Comes with our highest possible recommendation!

THOUGHTS: Erik Larsen’s art style is instantly recognizable, and I love how much detail is given to every panel and page. Larsen has been delving into the adult rating for quite some time now, so expect some nudity and sexual situations (if that is your thing). That being said, Mr. Glum, not such a good guy, especially when the OTHER Mr. Glum (aka Angel’s husband Frank) doesn’t care for Mr. Glum. Confused? Good. You shouldn’t be jumping in on issue #274, as the entirety of the issue revolves around body switching, alternate dimensions, and what happens to “little” Angel.

[rating: 3/5]

SPAWN #360
Writer: Rory McConville
Artist: Brett Booth
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 01, 2025
Bludd has won. Spawn has been defeated, and the Vampire Kingdom has ascended.

THOUGHTS: This feels like a reset issue, preparing the reader for the next big thing. Everything is vampires these days, which seems a bit too on the nose in our current relationship with capitalism. If you have read Spawn in a while (20 years), but are familiar enough with the characters and themes, you’re going to be fine. Between this issue and Savage Dragon #274, there’s a feeling that we’re getting a glimpse back to the “good ol’ days” of the 90s.

[rating: 3.5/5]

MARVEL COMICS

AVENGERS #22
JED MACKAY (W) • FARID KARAMI (A) • Cover by VALERIO SCHITI
CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY MICHAEL WALSH
VARIANT COVER BY SANFORD GREENE • ICONIC VARIANT COVER BY TODD NAUCK
BLACK CAT JOINS THE AVENGERS?!
• For a cosmic caper!
• The Avengers attend an intergalactic auction in an attempt to get ahead of some of these Tribulation Events…
• …but they are in for a shock when Black Cat shows up on SOMEONE’S arm! The most shocking date of 2025 – and the year has only begun!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOUGHTS: The Avengers are going all Ocean’s 11 this issue, as they attempt to steal a data cache of Kang’s, only to discover Black Cat and others also have their eyes on the prize. And even better, the two sides don’t even realize they are part of a larger game. Heist adventure with Scarlet Witch and Storm going at each other? I’m in for this entire arc.

[rating: 4.5/5]

CABLE: LOVE AND CHROME #1 (OF 5)
DAVID PEPOSE (W) • MIKE HENDERSON (A) • COVER BY IAN CHURCHILL
VARIANT COVER BY SALVADOR LARROCA • VARIANT COVER BY MARK BROOKS
WRAPAROUND HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY MIKE MIGNOLA LOGO VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
MOST EXTREME MUTANT RETURNS!
He’s been a soldier. An X-Man. A protector of the timestream. But even from his earliest days, the mutant known as Cable has been living on borrowed time, waging a lonely war against the ravages of the Techno-Organic Virus. Yet when a high-stakes mission in the future goes catastrophically awry, Cable is left stranded in the dystopian city of Salvation Bay – and will find himself caught in the midst of a civil war that will change his life forever. Get ready for big action, bigger threats and the biggest guns in the Marvel Universe, in this epic new series from Ringo Award-winning writer David Pepose (PUNISHER, SAVAGE AVENGERS) and superstar artist Mike Henderson (DAREDEVIL, DEADPOOL VS. OLD MAN LOGAN)!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

THOUGHTS: I Don’t know if it was intentional or not, but Pepose writes Cable’s inner monologue like Frank Miller’s Harv, and the art by Mike Henderson at times also feels like a riff on Sin City. Still, an adventure in the far future with a new love interest, makes this a good first issue with a lot of explosions.

[rating: 4/5]

DAREDEVIL #17
Saladin Ahmed (W) • Aaron Kuder (A) • Cover by John Romita Jr.
VARIANT COVER BY MARC ASPINALL
FANTASTIC FOUR HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY SERGIO DAVILA
DEATH BECOMES HER!
As intrigue and violence swirl around them, Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios are about to face the most intense conflict of their entire time as Daredevil…and it could be against one another!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

THOUGHTS: Wrath and Fear have been revealed, and the final two deadly sins are working both sides of Matt’s Catholic guilt, as he vassals between being a man of God and just an average Joe with incredible powers. The showdown is coming, and with that, the end of this long-running arc. I didn’t really like the art that much in this issue as the interiors seem really empty, and the exteriors are too blurry for my taste.

[rating: 3.5/5]

DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE #1
BENJAMIN PERCY (W) • JOSHUA CASSARA (A/C)
GALLERY VARIANT COVER BY JOSHUA CASSARA • Variant Cover by GREG CAPULLO
VARIANT COVER BY FRANK MILLER • VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY FRANK MILLER
VARIANT COVER BY JEROME OPEÑA • VARIANT COVER BY DOALY
WRAPAROUND MARVEL STUDIOS VARIANT COVER BY ANDY PARK
DOODLEPOOL VARIANT COVER AND BLANK VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
WADE AND LOGAN – TOGETHER AGAIN!
The most unlikely team-up turned most demanded one, DEADPOOL and WOLVERINE are BACK! Together again and ready to blow your minds in this ongoing series that hits like a never-ending action movie – with the fate of the world in the balance! When a fan-favorite VILLAIN is unearthed, you’ll get to see a new side of our heroes and their adversary, as an ages-long plan comes to fruition. And the only thing that stands between the Earth and annihilation is the Best There Is and the Merc With The Mouth.
Brought to you by another legendary pairing – writer Benjamin Percy (WOLVERINE, HELLVERINE) and artist Joshua Cassara (X-FORCE, X-MEN) – these comic superstars put your favorite super heroes through their paces in a series chock-full of surprises, twist reveals and a villainous plot that’ll turn long-term and newly arriving X-readers’ heads. This is one for the pull list!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99

THOUGHTS: The time of the X-ecutioner is upon us as Deadpool becomes possessed with the spirit of the dead (now in nanite form!), and it is up to his old pal, Wolverine, to help take down the evil forces of O*N*E, as the final page reveal sees the return of… sorry darling, that would be Spoilers… There are good Deadpool/Wolverine interactions in this issue, but they are not quite on par with what Reynolds might bring to the table. However, again, this is a PG-13-rated comic. The art is good, but once again, a lot of the larger environments in this issue are a bit too soft for my tastes. The character design is really good: crisp, sharp, and cartoony in all the right places.

[rating: 3.5/5]

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #28
Cody Ziglar (W) • Daniele Di Nicuolo (A) • COVER BY Federico Vicentini
MADAME WEB VARIANT COVER BY MIRKA ANDOLF • VARIANT COVER BY TBA
TRIAL BY COMBAT!
Who will be left standing – BLACK PANTHER or SPIDER-MAN?! Deep in the wilds of Wakanda, a ritual to save Miles Morales’ life begins, and the panther god BAST can no longer help him! Two more deities invade Miles’ desperate trial, hungering for Spider-Man’s corrupted soul. Only ONE of their chosen champions will be saved.
32 PGS./Rated T …3.99

THOUGHTS: At least Marvel is willing to continue the vampire schtick once the big event is over, but one wonders how long Miles will struggle with his inner demons before everything gets a big reset. That road to recovery continues in this issue, as Miles must ingest the Heart-Shaped Herb and ask Bast for help. I really like that Miles (and presumably all of the Spider-Characters) are heralds of Anansi. Love the art style in this issue.

[rating: 4/5]

SAM WILSON, CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 (OF 5)
GREG PAK & EVAN NARCISSE (W) • EDER MESSIAS & VALENTINE DE LANDRO (A)
Cover by TAURIN CLARKE • VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE
VARIANT COVER BY MR GARCIN • VARIANT COVER BY MARCO CHECCHETTO
SAM WILSON CAPTAIN AMERICA HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY WHILCE PORTACIO
FANTASTIC FOUR HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY TBA
VARIANT COVER BY RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
SAM WILSON SOARS AGAIN!
When Captain America attends a birthday party for Isaiah Bradley, he catches wind of a new tech venture that sounds too good to be true: magnificent floating platforms in the sky, where the disenfranchised can apply for land grants and establish their own farms. But after Sam discovers the organization’s dark underbelly, he’ll have to tangle with its head of security: Red Hulk!
Greg Pak (INCREDIBLE HULK, WEAPON H), Evan Narcisse (RISE OF THE BLACK PANTHER) and Eder Messias (PHASES OF THE MOON NIGHT) join forces for a high-flying Cap adventure!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

THOUGHTS: A big family birthday party with a lot of the drama that comes with it. I like that there is a big presence of black heroes in this issue, and Steve Rogers is just stepping aside and letting Sam Wilson be front and center (his name is on the cover, after all). I also enjoy the sneaky scheming organization that Sam has to deal with – remember, Dear Spoilerite, if something seems too good to be true, it is.

[rating: 4/5]

THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MEN #11
GREG WEISMAN (W) • ANDRÉS GENOLET (A)
Cover by EMILIO LAISO
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• ELEMENTARY debuted last issue and continues on her hero journey alongside BOTH SPIDER-MEN!
• But that journey is going to be rocky with TWO ELECTROS and…is that a giant Lizard? Uh-oh.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

THOUGHTS: Peter and Miles’ adventures land them new heroes in the Seelie Court, while young Connors ventures out on his own. It’s a somewhat light adventure compared to what I’ve read elsewhere this week. I half expected Harry Dresden to make an appearance with all the fairy folk running about in Central Park. Fun art that matches the story and an introduction of a new character to boot!

[rating: 4/5]

SPIDER-GWEN: THE GHOST-SPIDER #9
STEPHANIE PHILLIPS (W) • VON RANDAL (A) • Cover by MARK BROOKS
MADAME WEB VARIANT COVER BY MIRKA ANDOLFO
VARIANT COVER BY ZULEMA SCOTTO LAVINA
WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
With the city held in grips of fear, Gwen does not know who she can trust. With Black Tarantula taking his aim off her and onto the corruption in the system, Gwen needs to decide which side she is on before the situation gets out of hand!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOUGHTS: Daddy issues always seem to make interesting stories – though I don’t know if it was super effective in this month’s issue. I don’t really care for Black Tarantula or Mr. Fear, so their struggles are of little to no interest to me. And with Gwen essentially sidelined for the bulk of this chapter, I found myself not invested in a single panel.

[rating: 2/5]

STAR WARS: AHSOKA #7
Rodney Barnes (W) • STEVEN CUMMINGS (A) • Cover by PHIL NOTO
VARIANT COVER BY ROD REIS • VARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE
CONCEPT ART VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
DREAMS AND MADNESS!
• Hera must answer to the New Republic while a reunion takes place far, far away.
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

THOUGHTS: Back in the day, having a comic book adaptation was a great way to “rewatch” a movie before the introduction of the VCR. Now, I’m not so sure why we need an adaptation save for those who need to take a series/film and make it fit into their comic collection. One thing a comic book can do is add more context or additional material that won’t fit into the budget or production constraints, but this issue offers none of that. If you don’t have a Disney+ subscription, I can see the worth of this series, but otherwise, this is kind of a pass. Not for the quality, but because I’ve seen it before, and if I want to see it again, it is only a button push away.

[rating: 2/5]

ULTIMATES #8
DENIZ CAMP (W) • JUAN FRIGERI (A) • Cover by DIKE RUAN
ULTIMATE SPECIAL VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
THE ULTIMATE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY!
America Chavez takes center stage in this issue as a group of galactic travelers from a far-flung, Maker-free future arrive in search of her!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

THOUGHTS: Enter the Guardians of the Galaxy and the surprising origin of America Chavez! Parts of this issue read like a narration from a celestial being – which is a good thing and makes the issue feel bigger than it really is. Of course, when The Ultimates first meet the Guardians, it leads a big fight (like ya do), but bigger (maybe darker) revelations are made, which kind of let’s the reader in on what we might see in the second year of this Ultimate Universe.

[rating: 3/5]

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: RED BAND #6
JASON LOO (W) • TON LIMA (A)
Cover by E.M. GIST
VARIANT COVER BY SERGIO DÁVILA
ENTER: LILITH!
After her defeat during the BLOOD HUNT, Lilith has been biding her time – setting the stage for a Hellish uprising with DEATHWATCH, THE HOOD and a WEREWOLF BY NIGHT at its fore! But WHICH Werewolf by Night? And will the pelts of the rest line Lilith’s path?!
32 PGS./Explicit Content …$4.99

THOUGHTS: There are a few moments of gore, but for the most part it isn’t out of the norm of what we see in other comics released through publishers not owned by Disney. Likewise, the strong language is still struck out and replaced by symbols. Six issues in, and I’m not sure why this issue has a Red Band branding. The Walking Dead, Invincible, and even Vampirella have stronger imagery than what this book offers. Don’t be sucked in with the allure of a “mature reader” book from Marvel, as better execution can be found elsewhere. Outside of that, I didn’t care for the story, but your mileage may vary.

[rating: 2/5]

WHAT IF…GALACTUS TRANSFORMED HULK?
Mat Groom (W) • Lan Medina (A) • Cover by Ron Lim
DESIGN VARIANT BY RON LIM • VARIANT COVER BY STEPHEN PLATT
VARIANT COVER BY FRANK MILLER • VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY FRANK MILLER
VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWN • SCI-FI HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY MARK BAGLEY
The first in a new series of one-shots that asks the question: What if Galactus recruited some of Marvel’s best and brightest heroes as his new cosmic heralds? See how the Power Cosmic transforms these once-familiar champions, twisting and turning all of Marvel history in their wake! In this tale, Galactus has conscripted Earth’s strongest warrior – the Incredible Hulk – into his service. But what will turn out to be the bigger mistake: trying to direct the fury of the Green Goliath…or giving the great mind of Bruce Banner a cosmic problem to solve?
32 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99

THOUGHTS: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Hulk is an uncontrollable force. The Avengers are trying to do good. Galactus is hungry. No one walks away unscathed in this issue. It’s a good one-shot for those who are fans of the What If…? series, but I feel like there is nothing groundbreaking here.

[rating: 2.5/5]

X-FACTOR #6
Mark Russell (W) • Bob quinn (A) Cover by GREG LAND
VARIANT COVER BY RICKIE YAGAWA
FANTASTIC FOUR HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY TBA
BETRAYED!
• X-Factor have survived their most grueling trial yet…
• Who can they turn to?
• And can they endure another betrayal?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THOUGHTS: The fall-out from the attack on the X-Factor base by X-Term plays out this issue, as Polaris and Pyro say their goodbyes, and the team kind of falls apart. The big reveal makes me wonder if Mark Russell really wanted to write Suicide Squad with General Mills’ big speech on the whole point of using mutants to take down mutants. It seems many readers are also concerned – especially when there are no Resurrection Protocols in place. Lots of melodrama, lots of flashbacks, and many moments of our mutant heroes trying to pick up the pieces after the fall of Krakoa.

[rating: 3/5]

X-FORCE #7
GEOFFREY THORNE (W) • JIM TOWE (A) Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
RACHEL SUMMERS VARIANT COVER BY TBA
RACHEL SUMMERS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY TBA
VARIANT COVER BY MARCUS TO
FANTASTIC FOUR HOMAGE VARIANTCOVER BY TREVOR VON EEDEN
THE POWER OF LOVE!
The romance of BETSY BRADDOCK and RACHEL SUMMERS has been fraught with challenge, but can they navigate the mysterious problem with Rachel’s powers – and still survive the machinations of the alchemical menace known as LA DIABLA?! Edge-of-your-seat action and revelations in the next issue of X-FORCE!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

THOUGHTS: While well written and illustrated, X-Force is everything that makes my head spin and distance myself from when it comes to X-Titles. Again, well written. Rebuilding Rachel Summers/Marvel Girl/Phoenix/Prestige/Askani is a lot to take in if you haven’t read X-Books for decades. It is an interesting way to trim the past for new readers while letting older readers know that “everything will be okay.” Cool art and design throughout the issue, but for me, it didn’t fire the way I hoped it would.

[rating: 2/5]

ONI PRESS

RICK AND MORTY: NEW YEAR, NEW RICK SPECIAL
(W) Christof Bogacs (A/CA) Tony Gregori
4-3-2-1! HAPPY NEW YEAR . . . WE THINK?!?! From writer Christof Bogacs (United Kingdom) and illustrator Tony Gregori (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) comes a New Year’s special featuring a gargantuan 56 pages of not-so-SFW madness!
Rick Sanchez, eternal a**hole and pompous egomaniac, has made a New Year’s resolution to . . . be nice? But without Rick’s jerkiness to keep it at bay, the Cosmic Code Authority-a godlike being determined to make the universe as family-friendly as possible-starts to censor all of reality! It’s up to Rick to save the day (again), but it’ll come at the cost of abandoning his New Year’s resolution.
In Shops: Jan 01, 2025
SRP: $7.99

THOUGHTS: New Year! New Rick! While the look and feel of the television series is there, there is always something that is “off” when it comes to the comic book version. In this issue, Rick promises to be a better person in the new year. HA! We all know how that is going to end up – especially when Rick promises to help everyone else with their resolutions. There are some art style changes in certain parts of the story, which is nice to see, and The CCA showing up did elicit a chuckle from yours truly.

[rating: 4/5]

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT

TERROR AND FURY #1
WRITER JOE BRUSHA
ARTWORK JORDI TARRAGONA
COLORS WALTER PEREYRA
LETTERS TAYLOR ESPOSITO (OF GHOST GLYPH STUDIOS)
EDITOR JOE BRUSHA PRODUCTION & DESIGN CHRISTOPHER COTE
Evil is spreading across the world. Vampires, zombies, and even more horrifying creatures are emerging from the shadows, intent on erasing mankind from existence. Amidst the darkness, two heroes rise from the past: Terror and Fury. Far from conventional heroes, they wield terrifying powers of their own, products of a past that has long been forgotten. Their methods are ruthless and their motives are unclear, but one thing is certain…they might be the world’s last hope against the nightmare overtaking it.

THOUGHTS: I don’t know if this is supposed to be a parody or if this is supposed to be a serious story. In any case, Terror and the Fury takes public domain and gives readers the Red Band treatment that Marvel clearly isn’t willing to do.

[rating: 2/5]

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