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“Phantom of the Opera #2” – Gothic Tale Breathes New Life

Eda Thomas Bagwell
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“Phantom of the Opera #2” – Gothic Tale Breathes New Life

What Came Before

In case you missed it, the previous issue introduced us to our central character, Christine Dubois. Leaving her career in chaos is a string of murders at the Paris Opera House. Are these the happenings of the mysterious Phantom? And how will he impact Christine’s life? Well, let’s find out in this retelling of a Gothic classic….

Writer: Tyler Boss
Artist: Martin Simmonds

Source: “Phantom of the Opera #2” – Martin Simmonds & Image Comics

Phan-tastic Writing

To start things off, I’ve never read anything from Tyler Boss. However, reading this one singular issue of “Phantom of the Opera” has made me want to read even more. Not only that, but I’ve surprisingly never watched or seen “Phantom of the Opera” before! For someone like me, I feel as if Boss did a fantastic job at displaying what makes the Phantom so scary. The writing does a fantastic job at making it clear that it’s his need for control mixed with his reclusiveness that makes him scary.

Another area where Boss lives up to his name is in the pacing and overall storytelling. Within horror, it’s important to deliver on the scares, and a large part of that is the twists and tension. Those two things, when done right, add so much to a story, and they’re done wonderfully here. With each twist, I was left in shock and awe. This, mixed with the expert pacing, left me very tense, coupled with the intense tone, especially the one left by the titular Phantom himself.

Source: “Phantom of the Opera #2” – Lee Weeks Classic Horror & Image Comics

Artistic Integrity

Adding drastically to the thrills and chills is the gorgeous artwork from Martin Simmonds. In a style that seems to echo that of Dave McKean’s work on “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth”, the painted look and use of color blending command every page. The look is absolutely jarring in the best way, placing readers into a state of uncertainty and fear, making you question what’s in the shadows. For a horror hound such as myself, every panel is something that I’d love to hang on my bedroom wall. What I think lends to creating the uneasiness is just how realistic everything looks. Simmonds gave it his all, and it shows.

Source: “Phantom of the Opera #2” – Abigail Larson & Image Comics

Overall – 9/10

From the Boss levels of writing to the art that echoes one of the comic book greats, this is a run that’s more than worth a look at for any horror fiend. That goes double for anyone who’s a monster for the Universal Monsters.

Read more from me here and be sure to follow my socials!

Comments

Are you a fan of the Universal Monsters or “Phantom of the Opera”? What are you thinking of this new comic series? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

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GENERATION X-23 #2 – “A Numbers Game” part 2

Lauren The Hoppy Geek
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GENERATION X-23 #2 – “A Numbers Game” part 2

Last we saw Laura Kinney, and her sister/clone, Gabby Kinney, they had found themselves up against a time altering mutant with a familiar smell. This led them to a group of mutants in awe of Laura. Also known as X-23.

Creative Team

Writer: Jody Houser;

Artist: Jacopo Camagni;

Color Artist: Erick Arciniega;

Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher;

Cover Artists: Partha Pratim Sarkar; & Romulo Fajardo Jr.;

Variant Cover Artists: Simone Di Meo [Marvel Monsters]; Peach Momoko; Maria Wolf & Mike Spicer.

Check out the review for the last issue of GENERATION X-23

GENERATION X-23 #2 Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.
GENERATION X-23 #2 Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.

The Story for GENERATION X-23 #2

We’re dropped off right where we left off in issue one. Laura and Gabby are face-to-face with a group of mutants who seem in awe of X-23. As the stardom calms down, these new “mutants” explain how and why they came to be where they are. As well as why they’re so starstruck. All the while, younger sister Gabby (AKA Scout) acts in true younger sibling fashion, providing a few giggles during an incredibly dark origin story.

As Laura tries to learn more about this group, a little fun takes a bad turn, as Laura, Gabby, and the audience are left with more questions as to what all happened here.

GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.
GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.
GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.
GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.

The Art

Generation X-23 #2 continues to absolutely nail the art. From the unique characters to the action moments, and everything in between. There was not a moment that wasn’t absolute art. From the childlike art on the walls to the intense expressions on each character’s face, there wasn’t a single moment in which the art was lacking. All in all, the drawings, the colors, and the letters perfectly came together as we begin to learn what all happened at this facility for “mutants.”

GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.
GENERATION X-23 #2 Variant Cover. Image by Marvel Comics.

Final Thoughts

Generation X-23 #2 gave us mystery, some fantastic characters, along with action and comedy. The dynamic between Laura and Gabby provides such a perfect balance for telling a story that is traumatic, yet insane. You can always rely on a younger sibling to lighten the mood.

Any and all Laura Kinney fans should absolutely grab Generation X-23. To those who only know her on the big screen alongside Hugh Jackman, there has never been a better time to get to know her comic book counterpart.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

I was at MEGACON Orlando this past weekend, and I saw so many Laura Kinney cosplayers. While Dafne Keen is amazing in Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine, it was clear many of these were X-23 Comic Book fans. It’s a true testament to how good these Laura stories are, and Generation X-23 has already proven to be another amazing X-23 story. SNIKT!

For more from Lauren, check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

Have you checked out this comic? Let us know your thoughts.

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ROGUE #3 – Parts of the Puzzle

Megan Nichole
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ROGUE #3 – Parts of the Puzzle

Creative Team – Erica Schultz, Luigi Zagaria, Espen Grundetjern, VC’s Ariana Maher, David Nakayama

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Rogue #2!

The Story

This comic is reviewed by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn, and your truly, Megan!

Shawn – Is Muhammed Ali writing Rogue or Erica Schultz because I got lulled in and then bam, Schultz surprised me out of nowhere in the best way. This issue gave us a little bit of everything. We got silly Rogue, we got big reveals, a little Humanity First discussion, and even got to see what Constrictor has been up to.

Schultz is doing an amazing job writing Rogue. Every issue feels so true to the character, from her dialect to her actions. On top of that, we get to see things like the fun, silly, goofy side of Rogue that doesn’t always come out in her other adventures.

Megan – Rogue is turning over every rock to find out what these visions mean, and that means visiting every person from her past that had anything to do with Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Now, that means it’s time for her to drop in on The Constrictor. In the meantime, Rogue isn’t able to close her eyes without seeing John Shelton’s face. Hopefully, The Constrictor is able to give her some kind of insight as to what happened and what memories she’s missing.

Cover art by David Nakayama. Published by Marvel Comics

Erica Schultz continues this exciting solo tale of Rogue that’s surrounded by mystery. The story gets more and more compelling with each issue, and it looks like there’s no stopping it. What I really loved was seeing Rogue fight and take down whoever gets in her path, with or without her powers. Schultz knows exactly how to allow Rogue to shine and show that she’s so much more than her mutant powers.

The Art

Shawn – Luigi Zagaria and Espen Grundetjern do a really good job in this issue with both the art and the colors. Silly face Rogue may be one of my favorite things ever. It’s nice to see Rogue just being Rogue. Not a hero, just an everyday person. Zagaria and Grundetjern capture that perfectly.

Zagaria should receive particular praise for the quality of work being put into faces. There are a lot of close-up panels in this issue, and every character emotes so well that you can read them even if you didn’t have the word bubbles. Maher does a great job with the lettering, helping your eyes move from place to place. There are a few panels in sequence, in particular, that the entire art team of Zagaria, Grundetjern, and Maher all have to work together perfectly for the reader not to get lost, and they manage it perfectly.

Megan – Luigi Zagaria, Espen Grundetjern, and Ariana Maher go out of their way to make this a comic filled with emotions. You can feel John Shelton’s fury through the panels when he’s looking directly at Rogue. You can feel Rogue’s frustration when dealing with The Contractor. Zagaria draws the characters in a way that invites the reader into their feelings and leaves little to the imagination. Grundetjern handles the colors excellently, making the mutants the vibrant focal points of the panels they’re in. Ariana Maher does a beautiful job with the lettering, as usual. The sound effects are perfectly placed and really put you deeper into the story.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. The creative team continues to build on the success of previous issues with one big reveal and more teasing. For me, the difference in a good vs. a great comic is that the creative team works well to make you ready to pick up the next issue immediately. Rogue #3 scratches that itch, leaving me dying to see what happens next.

Megan – 9/10. Rogue gets more and more compelling with each issue that comes out! Seeing the ghosts of her past brought to her present, whether she remembers them or not, brings such a big tension to the story. I don’t know where Erica Schultz is going with this story, but I’m excited to find out!

Overall Grade – 9.5/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Rogue #3!

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THE PUNISHER #2 – Puzzle Pieces

Megan Nichole
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THE PUNISHER #2 – Puzzle Pieces

Creative Team – Benjamin Percy, José Luis Soares, Oren Junior, Frank D’Armata, VC’s Cory Petit, David Marquez, Guru-eFX

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Punisher #1!

The Story

The Punisher #1 is review by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – It’s great to see Benjamin Percy reunite Micro and Frank. One of my favorite parts of the Punisher’s story has always been his beneficial, albeit volatile, relationship with Micro. Percy’s writing captures their dynamic perfectly. With the Punisher, you get the changes in art and what’s allowed between a normal story and a red band, but Percy’s still giving Frank’s story the grit and roughness of a typical red band series.

As good as it is to see Micro, Percy does a phenomenal job bringing Jigsaw to the front and center. Without needing to give the reader a long backstory or spend time recounting how we got to this point, he quickly gives the reader some panels that help them understand how far and wide Jigsaw’s reach is.

Megan – Frank Castle is experiencing blackouts and discomfort after being a mind-controlled assassin and needs immediate help. He has Micro as a hostage and is now forcing him to help him fix his mind. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. In hopes of helping fix Frank, Micro looks for the dirtiest neurosurgeon that can be blackmailed into helping Frank.

Cover art by David Marquez and Guru-eFX. Published by Marvel Comics

Meanwhile, Jigsaw is back and more unhinged than ever! He’s looking to take over the villainous underworld and has already started by taking Tombstone prisoner. Now that one of his biggest enemies is back, Frank will have to deal with Jigsaw while having his mind in a complete mess.

Benjamin Percy continues the dark story of Frank experiencing the repercussions of being used as an assassin while having his mind controlled. While Frank is going through hell with his mind, there’s an entire villainous story happening that he has no idea about. Jigsaw isn’t to be messed with and proves that with what he’s doing with Tombstone. The story is getting exciting, and there’s no way to know where Percy is taking this, but I’m excited to find out.

The Art

Shawn – Jose Luis Soares, Oren Junior, and Frank D’Armata really put the character in characters this issue. Every character we encounter, whether it’s Frank, Micro, or Jigsaw, feels like they’re at their best (or worst, depending on your perspective). The art is dark, gritty, and visceral without sacrificing any quality.

Soares and Junior’s attention to detail is spectacular, whether it’s giving the reader a clear, shocking image of Jigsaw or the veins bulging out of a shirtless Frank; every character’s details are crisp and clean while also somehow still feeling rough enough to match the narrative. D’Armata makes the colors pop by choosing the perfect hues and saturations for the scene. He allows Frank to blend in when it fits the narrative and stand out when that is the best path forward.

Megan – The artwork excellently matches the dark tone of the story, and that’s all thanks to José Luis Soares, Oren Junior, Frank D’Armata, and Cory Petit. There’s a fantastic amount of grittiness to the art that really captures the tone of a Frank Castle story, thanks to Soares and Junior. The detailing that went into each panel is nothing short of stunning and makes it hard to look away. D’Armata handles the coloring and makes it easy to feel the emotions of the page, such as using a deep red background when Punisher threatens the life of the neurosurgeon. Cory Petit drives the narrative home, portraying the emotions of the story through the dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. If you loved Punisher: Red Band, you’re going to love this series. Issue 2 proves that it wasn’t just beginner’s luck. This is a creative team that just gets Frank Castle and the world he inhabits. If you’re someone who didn’t want the violence of the Red Band but loves the Punisher, this series is for you, too. The violence tamps down a bit from the Red Band levels, but the story is still dark, gritty, and everything you have come to know and love from solid Punisher stories.

Megan – 9/10. I’m not sure where Benjamin Percy is going with this story, but I am very excited to see!

Overall Grade – 9.5/10

Let us know in the comments below what you thought of The Punisher #2!

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ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #10: The Red, White, and Blue.

Matthew Roth
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ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #10: The Red, White, and Blue.

The green martian is missing, and John is stuck battling the agency on his own..or is he? Meanwhile, Bridget is battling the sinister force that has been twisting inside of her mind as we gear up for the final few issues of Absolute Martian Manhunter!

Absolute Martian Manhunter #10. Credit DC Comics. Cover by Javier Rodriguez.

Creative Team: Deniz Camp (WRITER), Javier Rodriguez (ART and COVER), and Hassan OTsmane-Elhaou (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Deniz has crafted such an intriguing character arc for John, and it is paying off as he has found his own strength and found himself again. Without the Green Martian, John is up against the Agency, which is taunting him while beating him at the same time, and there is a moment where you see all of the heartache and hardships come full circle when John breaks free of the chains. It is a masterful method of storytelling that brings so much excitement through these panels. What is crushing at the same time is how Bridget is struggling and fighting through tears, losing strength as John is finding his. These last few issues are going to be tear-jerking.

The Art and Letters:

We thought we had seen artwork before, but Javier has been saving the best for last. There is so much detail and variation in shapes throughout this issue as everything twists and blends so meticulously. The coloring is a complete and total trip, out of the flames, there are skulls and other shapes that help to play tricks on our minds as this story progresses. I continue to appreciate how there are words built out of smoke or just about anything that is used as a tool to enhance the story, and it is a blend of writing and storytelling through the art.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Martian Manhunter #10 shows John finding himself and setting up the final couple of issues that promise an emotional rollercoaster ride. The way Deniz, Javier, and Hassan blend everything together into one singular way of bringing these panels and the story to life will never cease to impress me.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

Check out more reviews from Matt!

Drop a comment and let us know how you feel about this issue!

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Dungeons of Doom #3 – Hide Away The Darkness

ShawnFoles
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Dungeons of Doom #3 – Hide Away The Darkness

Latveria is in turmoil. Doctor Doom has fallen, and the Dungeons of Doom are a battleground of multiple groups. The Latveria Freedom Fighters, U.S. soldiers led by Red Hulk, and even a Wakandan are trying to find out what secrets the Dungeons hold. What if the Dungeons weren’t just to keep people out, but to keep things in?

This review is a joint review from Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Creative Team

Writers: Benjamin Percy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artists: Carlos Magno, Robert Gill, and Justin Mason
Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Karl Story
Colorist: Guru-eFX

Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Cover Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Writing

Megan: With the end of Dungeons of Doom, the creative team ended this mini-series on a powerful note. We see the separate stories of the characters wrap up for this story, but also leave room for new stories in the future. Benjamin Percy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson bring the most gruesome and horrifying issue yet with Dungeons of Doom #3.

In each chapter, we see a brilliantly vivid look at the end of these characters’ stories in Doom’s lairs. Red Hulk is faced with a decision that could end his team completely, but also puts the entire village in harm’s way. We learn what the skull-shaped herb does for Umbra, which was nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. We even see what exactly Hammer of Treachery and the Eye of Khonshu can do to anyone who possesses them. In short, this ending was powerful, horrifying, and kept your eyes glued to the pages.

Shawn: Dungeons of Doom wraps up, having been a great example of how multiple writers working on a project can bring their strengths to the table. Since issue one, I’ve loved the decision to follow the chapter format for this series, and with the series ending, I think it worked incredibly well for the series.

Percy and Johnson do a really great job in Dungeons of Doom #3 of tying up a variety of loose ends they’ve created during the series, while also leaving enough runway for Chip Zdarsky to tie the events into the ongoing Armageddon series this summer. Each chapter felt unique and distinct. The stories feel like part espionage, part horror story, and they left me wanting more issues of this series.

Art

Dungeons of Doom #3 cover from Leinil Francis Yu and Romulo Fajardo Jr. Image from Marvel Comics

Megan: When I said this was easily the most gruesome issue, I meant it. The artists really brought the horror aspect to the artwork, and the comic benefited from it. Carlos Magno, Robert Gill, Justin Mason, Georges Jeanty, Karl Story, Travis Lanham, and Guru-eFX bring so much to the pages of Dungeons of Doom #3, like their fantastic detailing, excellent shading work, gorgeous coloring, and expertly handled lettering. Perfectly capturing the horror aspect and using it with the action of some of the characters, this was a really solid way to end the series.

Shawn: As good as the writing for this series has been, the art has even been better. Magno, Gill, Mason, Jeanty, Story, and Guru-eFX combine to give us another issue with great, distinct art. Despite the variety of stories and the massive creative team working on this series, each chapter feels unique with a common thread tying them together.

With Umbra, we get some beautiful art as we find out the result of him consuming the skull-shaped herb that feels both comfortable in Wakandan art we have seen before, while still feeling new and fresh. Several characters drawn for this issue would be just as fitting at home in a Marvel horror-based comic, and I loved the feel the creative team added.

Final Thoughts

Megan: 9/10. Dungeons of Doom #3 brings the series to a satisfying and thrilling end. The multiple different stories happening in the comic are handled beautifully by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Benjamin Percy. The artwork will leave you on the edge of your seat. There was no better way this series could have ended. The creative team deserves all their flowers for this.

Shawn: 9/10 Dungeons of Doom was a solid tie-in to bridge the gap between the One World Under Doom series and the upcoming Armageddon series. The creative team on this series fires on all cylinders from beginning to end. The art fit the narrative so perfectly, and I still love the chapter format for this series. The only bad thing about Dungeons of Doom is that it has to end.

Overall Grade: 9/10

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The New Space Age #4 – The Human World is a Mess

Lauren The Hoppy Geek
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The New Space Age #4 – The Human World is a Mess

Mark seems to have recently gotten a lot closer to finding his long lost brother. However, his recent discovery created more mysteries, while the chaos he left on Earth seems like it’s about to hit the fan.

Creative Team

Writer: Kenny Porter;

Artist: Mike Becker;

Colorist: Kevin Betou;

Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin;

Editor: James B. Emmett;

Logo Designer: Tim Daniel;

Book Designer: David Reyes;

Book Production: Eisy Celis;

Main Cover Artist: Mike Becker with colors by Kevin Betou.

Check out a review of The New Space Age #3 from Mad Cave Studios.

The New Space Age #4 Cover. Image by Mad Cave Studios

The Story for The New Space Age #4

As Mark licks his wounds after that issue 3 ending, he’s frustrated, but not giving up. After a quick villain origin story, Mark begins to sulk. Hope is running out, but some tough love and guilt snap Mark back to reality. A reality where the only thing he truly fears is his brother never being rescued. Even with absolute chaos taking place around him.

The Art

I have loved the art since issue 1, but The New Space Age #4 took it to another gorgeous level. Scenes that should be nothing but death and destruction were turned into beautiful moments showcasing the alien technology that’s being exploited and used for what humans tend to excel at… destruction. The drawings, colors, and letters all beautifully sync up to create some perfect moments that make you stop to ooh and awe, all while taking in the severity of what’s happening.

Final Thoughts

While overall this story seems like just a big brother filled with regret for not keeping his younger brother safe, it’s so much more than that. Issue 4 dug a bit deeper into that. Amongst the destruction that is in full swing, Mark is still dealing with guilt about Joey, as well as healing from the damage his father did. Despite the obvious faults we have that surround this current issue, Mark still tries to defend humanity as a whole.

Overall Grade: 9/10

If you love a good Sci-Fi story that weaves some real humanity throughout, mixed with some absolutely gorgeous and fun art, go pick up The New Space Age from Mad Cave Studios.

For more from Lauren, check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

Have you checked out The New Space Age yet? Let us know your thoughts.

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Fantastic Four #9 – Our Bodies Are Built For Killing

ShawnFoles
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Fantastic Four #9 – Our Bodies Are Built For Killing

The Fantastic Four received a message from Galactus beckoning Sue Storm. The team arrived to find Galactus slowly being destroyed by the Invincible Woman, a version of Sue Storm who destroyed her own planet by accident. After lobotomizing herself to rid herself of the remorse, Sue battles the Fantastic Four in a quest to ensure their destruction.

Creative Team

Writer: Ryan North
Penciller: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Humberto Ramos
Cover Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Published by Marvel Comics

Writing

Ryan North continues his fantastic run on Marvel’s first family. Seeing the scientific thought that North puts into his work really sets his time on the Fantastic Four apart from other writers. It feels like North not only considers how four superheroes would utilize their powers, but also how they would utilize their minds to maximize their powers.

At its core, issue 9 of Fantastic Four shows us that power and how you use it is the core, the heart of the Fantastic Four. The Invincible Woman arc has been about the use of power, restraint, and teamwork. That continues in this issue. North continues to write stories that feel not only like superhero stories but also part science fiction, and it’s an amazing combination. Sue’s Malice persona has long been a fan favorite, and North is using the look, albeit with a different Sue, for maximum effect in this story arc.

Art

Fantastic Four #9 cover by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado. Image from Marvel Comics

Humberto Ramos continues to be one of my favorite artists. As much as I enjoy North’s science-based approach to Fantastic Four, it’s the work that Ramos is putting in on the pencils that is bringing it to life. This version of Sue feels legitimately terrifying in both her look and her aura.

Victor Olazaba and Edgar Delgado combine with Ramos lines to bring this story to life. The shadows, the colors, even the invisible outlines all feel poignant. Olazava and Delgado do a masterful job of helping the powers and contributions of each member of the Fantastic Four stand out even when they are working together. These gentlemen help build on North’s underlying themes of power, restraint, and teamwork by highlighting their art how each team member contributes.

Joe Caramagna does an outstanding job helping the story move forward. There are a lot of moving parts in this issue. The added science style thought that North employs when Reed, Johnny, Sue, or Ben are trying to calculate or solve an equation provides the chance for readers to get bogged down, but Caramagna guides them deftly through the story.

Final Thoughts

North continues to craft a modern classic of Fantastic Four stories. When this creative team finally lays down their tools, the run will be remembered among the all-time greats in Fantastic Four history. Everything about this arc, from the art to the writing, feels perfect. I can’t think of a better team to introduce a whole new generation of fans to the Fantastic Four in a meaningful and fun way.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable.

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DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 – The Colliding of the Worlds

Megan Nichole
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DC/MARVEL: SUPERMAN/SPIDER-MAN #1 – The Colliding of the Worlds

“Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility” creative team – Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, Tom Napolitano

“The World’s Finest” creative team – Tom King, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, Pat Brosseau

“Pages” creative team – Christopher Priest, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sánchez, Willia Schubert

“Beyond the Cobwebs of Tomorrow” creative team – Sean Murphy, Simon Gough, Andworld Design

“Jimmy Con Carnage” creative team – Mat Fraction, Steve Lieber, Nathan Fairbairn, Clayton Cowles

“The Bridge” creative team – Jeff Lemire, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, Becca Carey

“Bias” creative team – Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Marcelo Maiolo, Ariana Maher

“Blind Date” creative team – Gail Simone, Belén Ortega, Jordie Bellaire, Lucas Gattoni

Published by DC Studios

The Story

This comic is reviewed by both Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast and Matt from the Hops “Geek” News podcast!

Matt – There was so much to love in this jam-packed issue! The overall theme is how Spider-Man and Superman are not exactly that different in the way they want to save everybody, and how they are technically both journalists. The themes that are captured throughout these stories hammer home how both they and even Mary Jane, Lois, and others have so much in common.

Peter geeking out over Superman and then Superman asking Peter why he sells pictures of himself to Jameson when it is only negative may have been my favorite part of this book. Peter explaining that he’s essentially getting Jameson to pay the guy he hates was such a fun quip and puts things into perspective. Whether we were battling a kryptonite empowered Ock, bursting out of pocket dimensions, or holding on, was that Frank Castle smiling?! Regardless, this book shows why these crossovers are important and incredibly fun.

Cover art by Jorge Jiménez. Published by DC Comics

Megan – Once you open DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1, you’ll be taken into what feels like a multiversal world of champions. With so many excellent stories written by some of the best in the business, there’s something for everyone in the comic. You have Spider-Man and Superman, Lois Lane and MJ, Superboy and Spider-Man 2099, Frank Castle and Power Girl, and the list goes on and on. Seeing these characters join forces or work against each other, you’ll be able to appreciate each one of them and what they bring to the table.

There are so many moments that I appreciated, whether it be Power Girl and Frank Castle on a date or MJ and Lois relating their superhero-charged lives to each other. But the sole foundation of the comic is Superman and Spider-Man. Two characters that are the definition of hope and goodness, coming together with the priority of saving the day.

The Art

Matt – The artwork throughout is astounding and incredibly well done. The spacing and how each character got to have their moments in the book, with big splash pages and epic panels, shows the love put into the artwork. Seeing various artists and colorists’ take on crafting webs, such as when Pete covers a kryptonite-depleted Superman in his webs, led to some fun artistic moments. Watching Power Girl fly off with Frank Castle in her arms or various battle sequences over panels makes this issue gorgeous and fun in so many ways!

Megan – When you have a creative team as stacked as DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1, then you know you’re in for an amazing time. Each story brings its own flavor to the book, and each artist was able to showcase their talents in a huge way. What I loved the most was that the artists really made each story their own, showing their signature styles, whether it’s the coloring, the detailing, or the fantastic lettering work. The artists really went out of their way to make this comic as super-charged as the characters are.

Final Thoughts

Matt– 10/10–Superman/Spider-Man #1 is the heart-warming crossover the world needs at this very moment. It is beautifully drawn, colored, and lettered as well as littered with hilarious dialogue, making this a classic re-read!

Megan – 10/10. This comic was made with the fans in mind. There’s something in here for everyone. This should absolutely be on everyone’s pull list!

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of DC/Marvel: Superman/Spider-Man #1!

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Psylocke: Ninja #3 – The Silence After The Whispers

ShawnFoles
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Psylocke: Ninja #3 – The Silence After The Whispers

After fusing the telepathic abilities of Betsy Braddock with the trained assassin’s body of Kwannon, the Hand has unleashed Psylocke, a deadly assassin, against their sworn enemies, The Chaste. The Chaste have taken something powerful from The Hand, the one and only Elektra Natchios, one of The Hand’s most feared assassins. During battle, Elektra and Psylocke psychically bonded, forcing each to relive and regain memories of their former lives. Now having captured Jubilee and Wolverine for The Hand, Matus’o Tsurayaba tries to mold Wolverine into the ultimate killing machine for the Mandarin.

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Creative Team

Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Nico Leon
Color Artist: Dono Sánchez-Almara
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Derrick Chew

Writing

What an issue! I have to admit, in the beginning, I was worried about people new to the series being able to catch up, but Tim Seeley has done a great job of providing all the necessary information to enjoy this series without having to know all of the backstory. This issue from Seeley allows us to see the results of what we first saw in Psylocke’s battle with Elektra.

My favorite thing about this issue is the emotion. While there is action and excitement, Seeley treats us to an in-depth look at the emotions Betsy experiences in her new body. While such issues have been discussed in X-Men comics before, I don’t know that we’ve seen such a high level of thought and feeling placed into what Betsy feels like adjusting to her new life. Seeley does a beautiful job highlighting how, while Betsy’s thoughts are finally her own again, her body is not, and the result is a little like learning to walk again.

Art

Psylocke: Ninja #3 Cover from Derrick Chew. Image from Marvel Comics

The art from Nico Leon and Dono Sánchez-Almara continues to stun in issue 3. I am a sucker for traditional panel shapes and layouts. Suffice to say that with current Marvel comics, I’ve been getting my fill of those, and Leon and Sánchez-Almara treat me to another right out of the gate in this issue. Leon’s lines are clean and polished. The decision to have Psylocke’s Psi-sword break across the panel, interrupting otherwise clean panel lines, is a small detail that really stands out when you study the art and panels.

Dono Sánchez-Almara brought it up with colors on this issue. I love the way Sánchez-Almara plays with the hues of pinks and purples when dealing with Betsy’s powers. This issue in particular sees a lot of the first few pages taking place in a dimly lit setting, which really makes the purples and pinks pop off the page. Those colors are suddenly interrupted by another, which immediately catches your eyes, adding to the impact.

Ariana Maher continues to stun in her lettering. As I mentioned earlier, we spent a lot of time with Betsy’s thoughts on this issue. That could create a conundrum for less experienced letterers, but for Maher, it’s just another day at the office. The story flows well with Maher guiding the reader’s eyes through both Betsy’s thoughts and the action on the page. Maher uses colors to snatch your attention to impactful moments of dialogue after making you feel comforted with soft lettering and colors for Betsy’s inner thoughts.

Final Thoughts

Psylocke: Ninja #3 continues the high standard this creative team has set since the very first issue. Seeley, Leon, Sánchez-Almara, and Maher have allowed fans to explore Betsy at a depth we’ve rarely seen before. The story feels satisfying yet fresh. Like a puzzle that you already know the outcome of, but the picture is more crisp, clear, and shows you greater detail.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable.

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