Welcome to the weekly rundown of comic book reviews from Major Spoilers. There is a lot of stuff on the site, but this is your one-stop post to find all of the comics we’ve reviewed this week.
ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #1 (of 12)
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils: Carlo Barberi
Inks: Art Thibert
Colors: Protobunker
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Cover: Jorge Jimemez & Alejandro Sanche
Editor: Paul Kaminski
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
It is explicitly noted in the beginning of the story that The Adventures of the Super Sons takes place in the recent past. Seeing the direction that both characters have taken in recent DC Comic releases, this is worth noting. We are seeing them both before they made some hard choices, at what looks to be the prime of their friendship. They both have a devil may care attitude, and that is a refreshing take all things considered. This looks to be a title where the story and the art can all converge to make one hell of a title, assuming they aren’t grounded first.
Adventures of Super Sons #1 is a fun, satisfying book. It fills the hole left by Jon’s recent departure and from Damian’s controversial, but entertaining, choices. This is a book I’ll pick up again and so should you. – Stacy Baugher
ARCHIE’S SUPERTEENS VS. CRUSADERS #2
Writer: Ian Flynn/David Williams/Gary Martin
Artist: Kelsey Shannon/David Williams/Gary Martin
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Editor: Mike Pellerito/Stephen Oswald/Vincent Lovallo/Jamie Lee Rotante
Publisher: Archie Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
In short, this issue isn’t an earth-shattering crossover, nor is it a deep character study of a tortured hero or groups of heroes. What Archie’s Superteens Vs. Crusaders #2 is is a fun, silly, consequence-free superhero adventure story like we used to get in summer annuals back in the day, with some enthusiastic, expressive art and a story that serves mostly as a showcase for Archie’s surprisingly deep bench, earning 3 out of 5 stars overall. I personally want to see more Superteens, even if it’s confusing that one of the Superteens is called Super-Teen. – Matthew Peterson
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: OLD MAN JACK #11
Writer: John Carpenter & Anthony Burch
Illustrator: Jorge Corona
Colorist: Gabriel Cassata
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Editor: Matthew Levine and Eric Harburn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
Picking up the threads of a cult classic thirty-three years after the fact will always be a complicated task, but this issue handles its story really well, making Big Trouble In Little China: Old Man Jack #11 a surprise for me, but with strong, unique art and a clever story that has the Burton voice down pat, it pulls it off, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. I’m actually wanting to go back and read the build-up to this issue and then come back for the big final chapter next time around. – Matthew Peterson
BUBBA HO-TEP AND THE COSMIC BLOOD-SUCKERS #2
Writer: Joe Lansdale and Joshua Jabcuga
Artist: Tadd Galusha
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
I was really hoping for something big here, but this issue spent a lot of time explaining how this world works. On the plus side, I like world building, but on the downside, there seems to be a lot of repetition in the explanation. Also, Elvis has sex with a ghost. – Stephen Schleicher
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #6
Writer: Geoff Johns
Illustrator: Gary Frank
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Editor: Brian Cunningham
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
In short, Doomsday Clock #6 is another issue of highly-corporatized comics crossover, aping the style and tone of a highly regarded story in order to tell a less-focused, less-interesting version of that story by high-profile contemporary creators in a pricey format, all the while missing the underlying themes of the book they mean to tribute and substituting violence and unrelenting grimness in its place, earning 2 out of 5 stars overall. If you are one of the people who appreciated Zack Snyder’s DCEU film work, this will probably be right up your alley, and I expect it will be welcomed by fans and be a top-seller for this month.
But even if you get past the plotting problems and story deja vu, it still has the bigger problem of not realizing that ‘Watchmen’ was designed to be a parody of exactly what this issue delivers… – Matthew Peterson
JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Colorist: Jaime Mendoza
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Because Justice League #5 is such a contrast to the earlier issues, I think there’s more happening that it seems at first. One of the challenges of telling such an epic story is that while there are so many characters involved over such a wide area, there are only so many pages per month in which to tell it. This plot is so complicated that we need to take a time out to see what the other side is up to. It is interesting, but there are flashes where, for me, the logic doesn’t completely hold up. For example, human beings are historically so diverse in thought that it is difficult for me to believe that in the far future, everyone has decided upon a single philosophy. At any rate, this issue does clarify some of what is going on. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
LEVIATHAN #1
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Nick Pitarra
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: 3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
Leviathan is a book where the carnage starts early and pretty much doesn’t stop. The art style lulls you into a false sense of security before civilians start getting squished. This is definitely more Cloverfield than Gamera, Friend to All Children. That said, it’s not for me, but I think there’s definitely an audience for this comic. – Rodrigo Lopez
MR. AND MRS. X #1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Oscar Bazaldua
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Editor: Darren Shan
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
With this book, X-Men Red and the new X-23 solo book, I’m following more X-Men titles than I have in years, but I don’t think I’m going to regret it. Mr. and Mrs. X #1 takes two long-established characters and puts them in a whole new situation with some lovely art and a complex, emotionally engaging story, earning a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars overall. With so many heroes losing their marriages due to editorial interference or inflexible creator mindsets, it’s nice to see marriage treated as the beginning of a NEW adventure, and not the end of all fun. – Matthew Peterson
OGRE #1
Writer: Bob Salley
Artist: Shawn Daley
Publisher: Source Point Press
Cover price: $3.99
Release Date: October 31, 2018
The first issue of Ogre accomplishes exactly what it needs to, helping us buy into the situation as well as the characters. It’s a gripping tale of humanity and life that deserves your support and attention! – Wayne Hall
PIZZASAURUS REX TP
Writer: Justin Wagner
Artist: Justin Wagner
Publisher: Oni Press
Cover Price: $14.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
Very much a love letter to all the 80s cartoons I grew up with, making for a fun, but relatively lightweight story full of references, hypercolor t-shirts and catch-phrases. I like it, but maybe I’m old? – Matthew Peterson
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: Sergio Davila
Colorist: Felideus
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
I have not read any earlier takes on this team, but Project Superpowers #1 seems to be off to a solid start. The story flows well, it has a big action scene that sets up the traditional big question of, “What is going on here?” and does so in such a way that it pulls me in. I really like Imani, who is young, optimistic, and tries to see the good in people. (While I can appreciate the grim-dark or angsty heroes, the world is more interesting when not everyone in it is grim-dark or angsty.) – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
RED SONJA #19
Story: Amy Chu & Erik Burnham
Script: Erik Burnham
Illustrations: Carlos Gomez
Colorist: Mohan
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Cover Art: Sean Chen & Cris Peter
Variant Covers: Tom Mandrake & Sian Mandrake, Jan Duursema & Sian Mandrake, John Royle & Juan Fernandez
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
This is the arrogant, confident, and battle-ready Red Sonja we all know and love, and she is trying to re-establish herself as a force in her world. Her companions seem to want to underestimate her, and Lera, in particular, seems to have made some poor choices, such as stealing Kulan Gath’s amulet, and the choices just keep getting worse. But of course, half the fun is the anticipation of what Red Sonja will do when she finally finds out.
Amy Chu and Erik Burnham have been laying down exciting adventures for the she-devil with a sword, and this issue is no exception. Hack your way through the hordes fans and pick yourself up a copy. – Stacy Baugher
ROBOTS VS. PRINCESSES #1
Writer: Todd Matthy
Artist: Nicolas Chapuis
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
A lot of 80s cartoon references, some nice Disney riffs and an interesting clash of story styles. Part of me wants to like this more than I do, but it’s an interesting comic book nonetheless. – Matthew Peterson
It’s like Walt Disney and Philip K. Dick had a love child! – Stephen Schleicher
THE SEEDS #1
Writers: Ann Nocenti & David Aja
Artist: Ann Nocenti & David Aja
Colorist: David Aja
Letterer: David Aja
Editor: Karen Berger
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
Times of great societal stress and change help inspire great art. Whether you embrace the current culture war in America, or just watch on in horrified fascination, work like The Seeds #1 is directly inspired and informed by what is going on in America right now. Happily, it doesn’t directly pick sides, which makes it equally damning over everyone, which gives it a greater weight than if it simply picked a side and alienated everyone else.
The Seeds #1 is social commentary, a conspiracy thriller, a science fictional dystopia and red flashing light screaming STOP, GO BACK. It is a glorious, compelling read, which entertains and questions your assumptions in dazzling fashion. – Robert Mammone
SCALES & SCOUNDRELS #11
Writer: Sebastian Girner
Artist: Galaad
Letterer: Jeff Powell
Publisher: Image
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
I’m much more curious about the rest of the series now. This book feels like a labor of love, and it sounds like the creators are looking into what options they might have to carry the book further into the future. This may not be a jumping on point, but if you like fantasy adventure stories that are also coming of age stories, you may want to pick this up or, at the very least, look out for it in the future. – Ingrid Lind-Jahn
STRAY BULLETS: SUNSHINE AND ROSES #37
Writer & Art: David Lapham
Letterer: David Lapham
Editors: Maria Lapham
Publisher: Image
Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 1, 2018
I’m an unabashed fan of this comic, and this issue. True, if you’re not into violent crime, or characters who have dived deep into that world, then this book isn’t for you. I will say that even if crime writing isn’t your thing, the great writing, excellent characterization, and striking visuals are elements that all fans of comics should dip into once in a while. As for me, I’m in the backseat with Beth and Orson as they hightail it into the horizon in search of fortune. – Robert Mammone
X-MEN GRAND DESIGN SECOND GENESIS #1
Writer/Artist: Ed Piskor
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: July 25, 2018
Listen to the Full Review Here
The second generation of X-Men is introduced in the second installment of Ed Pisko’s super awesome series that I can’t believe we are getting more of. All of my favorite X-people are finally being introduced in what is – essentially – a very expensive art-school project that Marvel is bankrolling. – Ashley V. Robinson
VALIANT HIGH #4
Writer: Daniel Kibblesmith
Artist: Derek Charm
Colors: David Baron
Cover: Daniel LaFuente with David Baron, Derek Charm
Editors: Warren Simons & Lauren Hitzhusen
Assistant Editor: Benjamin Peterson
Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
Keeping my school themed numbering, this senior issue of Valiant High gets high marks. It’s a great title that has a purpose and sticks to it. You don’t feel as if there was ever an effort to push any storylines on it to callback to current issues of the Valiant Universe, but instead, you get a timeline that is true to itself without falling completely into shtick. I look forward to seeing what is to come from the students at Valiant High.
Valiant High #4 answers enough questions to be satisfying, but opens up more than lay the foundation for future efforts. A must-have title! – Stacy Baugher
WONDER WOMAN #51
Writer: Steve Orlando
Illustrated: Laura Braga
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Cover Art: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
Variant Cover: Jenny Frison
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
This story is a nice pallet cleanser before we jump into a new story arc, but it also may have hints at future plans. Orlando’s pages give hints of events which have not happened yet, either outright or through subtle storytelling. It is a much more elegant way to say, “Hey, here is some stories I have on the horizon.” than to simply spew out a few action panels at the end of the book. The issue leaves me wanting to see Mayfly again and I hope that she finds room in the DC and is not simply swept under the rug. – Stacy Baugher
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1 Comment
Hmmm, I wouldn’t describe Amy Chu and Erik Burnham’s Red Sonja as ‘arrogant’ … personality-wise, she’s very different from the Gail Simone version, which most comic fans know. She has more of a moral compass and is no braggart, letting her actions speak for her. She’s certainly confident and battle-ready but otherwise she simply knows her capabilities and isn’t going to get pushed around or outwitted by evil landlords or her own scheming companions. Amy’s said that she’s rough around the edges but her defining characteristics are total intolerance for bullies and commitment to defending the weak.