WWE Superstars #1 Review

Superstars marks the newest foray into the comic book genre for WWE. While their previous efforts were met with little success, in essence, this offering has already succeeded where the others have failed because Mick Foley pens the script. The book reads like an episode of Monday Night Raw with several different story lines taking place within the noir landscape.

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Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1: Review

If you’ve ever read a comic book that tests the limits of your mind and imagination, Matt Kindt probably wrote it. His ability to make the reader question what they are reading and seeing in front of them is truly remarkable.

Marvel Knight’s tales involving Spider-Man tend to have a certain edge that the regular continuity books don’t possess. Speaking about continuity, Peter Parker is the resident web-slinger for this story, which is a nice change for those who miss the character.

Peter lives in a world where work as a photographer is drying up because Spider-Man photos are considered passé. He looks for work elsewhere, but his rep for being Spider-Man’s photographer makes it difficult for the ends to meet.

Parker takes a particular job that turns into a deadly escapade where he is taken to the edge of his physical and mental abilities. The detail of Marco Rudy’s artwork perfectly illustrates the madness Spider-Man is experiencing.

Val Staples’ coloring compliments the pencil and makes the reader feel that they are tripping on acid at times, which also conveys the gravity of the psychological peril Spider-Man is in, as his spider-sense is ringing nonstop.

The maze of twists and turns written by Kindt makes you wonder if this is real or just some horrible nightmare. The end of this tale reveals an insurmountable gauntlet of 99 problems for Spider-Man. Oh, and a bitch ain’t one.

Grade: A-

Superior Spider-Man #18 Review

I got out of work early for a change on Wednesday and wouldn’t you know it. All five comic book stores I went to were sold out Superior Spider-Man #18.

Airing my grievances on this matter caught the attention of Dan Slott who retweeted my grumblings which blew up my Twitter account and resulted in several new followers. One of them even offered me their ComiXology version when they were done.

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Daredevil #30 Review

Thirty issues in and Mark Waid has been the mastermind behind what is arguably not only the best Daredevil run of all time but also the best series in the game today. The preview at the end of last month’s issue made me super excited. I mean, come on: A Daredevil and Silver Surfer team-up!? How are they going to pull this off? I’m here to report that it was pulled off spectacularly.

Ru’Ach, an Achian, is a galactic fugitive who seeks the counsel of Matt Murdock. This moment is great because his idea about hiring Murdock is based on an inebriated commencement speech. Silver Surfer comes in to apprehend Ru’Ach, and Murdock stops him in his tracks since he feels his “client” is innocent until the Surfer proves otherwise.

The adventure they embark on was an absolute pleasure to be a part of, and Chris Samnee’s two-page spread of Daredevil driving Silver Surfer’s board was priceless and needs to be made into a poster ASAP. This issue has a little bit of everything from comedy to action and everything else in between.

This is definitely one of the best single issues of the year, and you owe it to yourself as a comic book fan to read this issue.

Grade: A+

Daredevil #26: The Best Book of The Year?

If the Eisner award-winning Daredevil #7 is Mark Waid’s Mona Lisa, Daredevil #26 is his David sculpture. Breathtaking ingenuity is found on every page, every panel, and every word balloon.

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Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #23 Review

Miles Morales’s life has been altered forever. In the last issue, Venom killed his mother, and in her final moments, she learned how Miles had been spending his time after school. She was as proud as only a loving mother could be and cautioned him to never tell his mutant-hating father.

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Daredevil #25 Review

Many have tried, but the genius that is Mark Waid has finally done it. He has managed to instill fear into the man without fear. The awesome cover drawn by Samnee and Rodriguez tells the whole story.

This is a brutal battle involving a killer specifically trained and designed not only to kill Daredevil but also to do it while being better than him in his form of fighting. It’s the ultimate mind %$#@& that Daredevil may not be able to come back from.

That says a lot, considering what Mark Waid has put this man through. From bloody punches to bone-crushing blows, every aspect of this fight is brilliantly illustrated by Chris Samnee. This was not your typical back-and-forth battle where the bad guy pulled out a fluke victory.

The killer, whose ninja outfit combines Daredevil’s red and yellow costume, was three steps ahead at every turn. He looked pretty badass while handling. This is the type of work that made Mark Waid the Eisner award-winning writer that he is.

Superheroes always triumph in the end. However, Waid manages to put the devil in such peril that it seems inconceivable that he can actually win. Then, out of nowhere, he comes up with a plan that ensures victory.

Like every story arc before this one, I have no idea how he gets out of this one, but I can’t wait to see how he does it.

Grade: A

Age of Ultron #1: Submit or Perish

Marvel’s newest mega-crossover event is here, and it feels like we just got done with Avengers vs. X-Men. This ten-issue series is the usual dystopian saga where evil has prevailed, all hope is lost, our heroes are holding on by a thread, and it’s all thanks to the technological terror created by Dr. Hank Pym.

Age of Ultron wastes no time getting to the good stuff as we join our regularly scheduled program that is already in progress. New York City is in ruins, and we know who is at fault, but we don’t know how or why it happened. As of right now, there are a few superheroes left and no villain’s insight. The world as we know it is gone. There is a Fallen Skies vibe to the whole thing, which adds a different element to the usual song and dance we’re treated to this time of the year.

If you read Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye, and you should, the grounded version of the character will not be found; the arrow-shooting badass takes the lead and is the central figure of the story.

I’m convinced that Ultron is Brian Michael Bendis in disguise. He writes so many ongoing comics a month and gets all the big events as well. Hopefully, the different elements, such as how this issue began, will keep on coming to separate themselves from past crossover events.

Earlier promotional material advertised last October was the original kick-off to this event. Good things come to those who wait, and if the rumors regarding a major universal shift change are true, we are in for one hell of a ride!

Grade: B+

Retro Comic Book Review: Marvel Comics 1977 Star Wars #1

Dark Horse has published Star Wars comic books since 1991. The company made a lot of waves last week with the release of their new ongoing series written by the critically acclaimed Brian Wood. Star Wars #1 sold out in less than 24 hours, and a second printing has already been ordered.

Marvel Comics was the first company to publish Star Wars comics in 1977. This particular treasure was hiding out at my local comic book store, and it was interesting to read through it for a variety of reasons.

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Superior Spider-Man #1 Review

Superior Spider-Man #1 | Writer: Dan Slott | Art: Ryan Stegman | Colors: Edgar Delgado | Publisher: Marvel Comics

I should warn you now; this is not the Spider-Man you are used to. Gone is the humble scientist who aspires to live up to his Uncle Ben’s inspiring words. Enter the arrogant mastermind who has a second chance to make a new impression. Recent developments have Otto Octavius now inside Peter Parker’s body. Big changes are always met with mixed feelings, and now we get to see the maiden voyage of this new journey.

It’s fitting that Otto’s first combative strife is against the new Sinister Six. The irony of this encounter not only spoke to his ego but the violent nature of his character. The old Spider-Man was as violent as he needed to be to get the bad guy behind bars. This new version is as violent as he wants to be and pulls it off with a certain je ne sais quoi.

Ryan Stegman produced some strong visuals that did a great job of capturing Slott’s vision. The best way to compare Peter and Otto is that of a magician who can put someone in a box and cut them in half without killing them.

The difference is that Peter would not even consider taking a life, while Otto would relish the fatality.

Something similar to a conscience overtakes Octavius when he is about to go past the point of no return. Is there someone more to this, or is the once sinister doctor finding a new groove? Either way, Dan Slott created a wonderful first issue that shows promise, intrigue, and a unique sense of adventure.

Grade: A-