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Sorcerer Supreme #5 – Becoming Boring is Still A Crime

ShawnFoles
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Sorcerer Supreme #5 – Becoming Boring is Still A Crime

Wanda Maximoff, Earth’s newest Sorcerer Supreme, has battled the Vishanti. Not content with Wanda being the Sorcerer Supreme, they sent her friend Agatha Harkness after her after invoking her oath. Now, as Wanda recovers, one of her closest advisors, Clea Strange, Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension, may need Wanda’s help with Clea’s Uncle, the Dread Dormammu, who comes calling.

This joint review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn! You can click on each name for more reviews from each of us.

Creative Team:

Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Bernard Chang
Color Artist: Ruth Redmond
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist:Lesley Li

Writing

Megan: Life as the Sorcerer Supreme is no easy task, especially for Wanda. It seems like around every turn, there’s a new situation that needs her expertise. This time, it’s Clea. Clea puts out an alert that she’s in dire need of help, and Wanda is the only person who can do just that. Dormammu is weak and desperate to make himself strong, so he’s after his bloodline’s power. So, he’s come to feast in the Dark Dimensions.

In Sorcerer Supreme #5, we see Wanda flex her powers and prove why she’s the rightful Sorcerer Supreme. With Clea and Bats by her side, the reader is in for a battle filled with beautiful, magical work and fantastic team-ups. Plus, can you ever have too many Bats? The answer is absolutely not.

Shawn: Look, I’m going to keep it real with you. When I saw Clea Strange on the cover and the bestest of boys, Bats, I was already sold on this issue. Steve Orlando did not disappoint. Issue after issue, Sorcerer Supreme continues to give us a healthy blend of entertaining action as well as some intrigue.

I won’t spoil what happens, but this was an entertaining read. I really loved that Orlando took some of the ideas North laid out during last year’s One World Under Doom and brought them into this story. It’s little inclusions like the kind found in this issue that make me appreciate how Marvel can sometimes tie together various stories.

Art

Sorcerer Supreme #5 cover by Lesley Li. Image from Marvel Comics

Megan: Goodness gracious, Bernard Chang and Ruth Redmond showed up and showed out in this issue. With Dormammu, Clea, Wanda, and Bats in one issue, it’s guaranteed that it’ll be an absolutely stunning issue with these two handling the artwork. The detailing and coloring work is second to none. Chang brings beautiful drawings that are dripping in mystical goodness, and Redmond plays off that perfectly, using excellent vibrancy that juxtaposes the darker colors. Joe Sabino serves as the letterer of the comic and really drives home the heightened emotions of the characters, most notably Wanda. Along with that, Sabino brings excellently timed sound effects that allow the reader to experience the story even better.

Shawn: Bernard Chang and Ruth Redmond continue to astound in this issue. There’s a lot of crazy art and colors in this issue, and they’re both handled perfectly by Chang and Redmond.

The main battle sequence of this issue is beautifully drawn and even more perfectly colored. While Orlando’s story is really good, from the front cover to the final panel, the art is really the star of this issue. While Joe Sabino does a great job with lettering, Chang and Redmond craft a story that you could follow through emotion alone.

Final Thoughts

Megan: 10/10. There was so much to love about Sorcerer Supreme #5! The action, the magic, and the dynamics of the characters all deserve an easy 10 out of 10 for me.

Shawn: 10/10. Full disclosure, I love Bats. Having gotten that out of the way, this feels like the most complete issue of Sorcerer Supreme so far. The narrative is satisfying, and the art is spectacular. Even if you missed every issue of Sorcerer Supreme so far, you could pick this issue up and get a complete and satisfying story. More of this in future issues of Sorcerer Supreme, please.

Overall Grade: 10/10

What do you think about issue #5 of Sorcerer Supreme? Let Megan and Shawn know in the comments below

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EVENT HORIZON INFERNO #1: Into the Mouth of Hell.

Matthew Roth
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EVENT HORIZON INFERNO #1: Into the Mouth of Hell.

The starship Event Horizon disappeared and has resurfaced, blown in half with its crew murdered. Now, 200 years later, a billionaire and their private ship have brought their crew, hoping to uncover the secrets behind what happened and, in doing so, may have unleashed something terrifying!

Event Horizon: Inferno #1. Credit IDW Dark. Cover by Christian Ward.

Creative Team: Christian Ward (WRITER and COVER), Rob Carey (ARTIST), Xenon Honchar (COLORS), and Alex Ray (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Christian Ward hasn’t skipped a beat as he picks up in this haunting universe and this time hits home with another tale of a selfish billionaire. I love that there is a blend of mercenary marines, and there is a darker tale being told with Daniel’s past. Christian sets the start of the story in a manner where we feel sympathy, and a tale of a dying mother slowly turns things on its head in such a clever way that we peel back each page and panel. I love how seamless Ward can build suspense and immerse us into the horrors of this specific universe while building on the universal lore.

The Art and Letters:

I love how Rob weaves together space horror and builds this hellish landscape we are living in. There are a few jump scares scattered throughout the panels; whether we see the Devil on Daniel’s shoulders or the mysteries left behind on the ship, they each hit a bit differently. Honchar’s colorwork, where the usage of darker greens or mixing in shadows allows the imagination to work, creates the eerie vibe we are being fed in this issue. So much of these horror moments hinge on the art team, and they all nail it perfectly.

Final Thoughts:

Event Horizon Inferno #1 picks back up in this horrifying universe without missing a beat. Christian and the crew create a sense of dread and unease, working their way through the book, gearing us up for what’s to come.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

Be sure to let us know your thoughts below and check out more reviews by Matt!

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MARVEL/DC: SPIDER-MAN/SUPERMAN #1 – Iconic Together

Megan Nichole
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MARVEL/DC: SPIDER-MAN/SUPERMAN #1 – Iconic Together

“Our Kryptonite” Creative Team – Brad Meltzer, Pepe Larraz, Matthew Wilson, VC’s Clayton Cowles

“Metropolis Marvels” Creative Team – Dan Slott, Marcos Martin, Muntsa Vicente, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“Sweethearts” Creative Team – Joe Kelly, Humberto Ramos, Edgar Delgado, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“Identity War” Creative Team – Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, VC’s Joe Caramanga

“Ghosting” Creative Team – Louise Simonson, Todd Nauck, Rachelle Rosenberg, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“Remarkable” Creative Team – Stephanie Phillips, Phil Noto, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“The One Thing…” Creative Team – Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli, Federico Blee, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“The Wondrous & The Worthy” Creative Team – Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson, VC’s Joe Caramagna

“One of Those Days” Creative Team – Jeph Loeb, Jim Cheung, Jay David Ramos, VC’s Joe Caramagna

Published by Marvel Comics

The Story

This comic review is brought to you by the dynamic duo of Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – Main Story: Brad Meltzer put together a really good story for his Marvel debut. Somehow, Meltzer captured a story that is distinctly both Spider-Man and Superman. There’s beautiful action as well as heartfelt moments that make this comic a must-add to the collection for this story alone.
Other Stories: Like the DC counterpart, Spider-Man/Superman features multiple stories in addition to the main story. Each story featured some unique team-ups and enjoyable stories. As good as each story was, I found Phillips “Remarkable” story and Aaron’s ” Wondrous and Worthy to be among the best in the additional stories. Everyone’s story was amazing, but these really hit home for me.

Cover art by Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia. Published by Marvel Comics

Megan –Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 celebrates the first time Superman and Spider-Man made acquaintances 50 years ago with all-new stories of Marvel and DC characters colliding. Inside this comic, there are several different stories with our favorite characters joining forces in their own stories written by some of the best writers in the comic book industry. We get to see the personalities of the characters shine through and represent who they are in their own stories, while collaborating with characters from another franchise.

In the first story, written by Brad Meltzer, Spider-Man and Superman find themselves in a particularly dangerous trap created by their biggest villains, the Green Goblin and Lex Luther. While the action is fantastic and keeps the energy high, what really draws you in is the heart of the story. We see two iconic characters come together, support each other, and save the day together. We see the best of both characters shine brightly throughout the story, and really throughout the comic as a whole.

As I said before, the best writers are involved with Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1, and they bring some really fantastic team-ups with them. Ghost-Spider and Supergirl, Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang, and Miles Morales and Superman, just to name a few. There’s something in the comic for any Marvel or DC fan to love, and it brings so much power to these iconic team-ups.

The Art

Shawn – Pepe Larraz did a beautiful job along with Matthew Wilson in the main story. The colors and lines were crisp, clean, and beautiful. Clayton Cowles made sure the story flowed well and gave us some really awesome SFX in the story.
Other stories: Among the additional stories included, I really loved the art from Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente on the “Metropolis Marvels” story from Dan Slott. It gave me a distinct newsprint feel that I loved. Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg did a beautiful job with “Ghosting,” showcasing not only an awesome look for Steel but also for Hobgoblin as well.

Megan – So many incredible artists are involved with Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1, bringing all of their talent with them. Artists like Phil Noto, Rachelle Rosenberg, Todd Nauck, Gary Frank, Joe Caramagna, and Sara Pichelli are just a few of the artists involved with the comic that made it such a stunning piece of art. Each artist brought something new to the pages of the comic and made the stories their own. In the main story, Pepe Larraz, Matthew Wilson, and Joe Caramagna start this comic off with a bang, with a powerful story that has the art to match the quality of the writing. This sets up the reader with high expectations for the rest of the comic, which will not be disappointed.

The shining star of the comic has to be Joe Caramagna, who letters almost every story. It’s fascinating and impressive how well Caramagna can have such a range as a letterer and bring a different vibe to each story and match the tone of the stories. Caramagna deserves all his flowers for the incredible work he’s done in Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. I loved everything about this issue. As great as seeing Brad Meltzer’s Marvel debut was in this issue, I would read a series featuring any of the other stories that were included. Miles Morales and Superman together? yes please. Geoff Johns giving me a heartfelt combination of Superman and The Thing? Please, sir, may I have some more! Even Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang were a story I never knew I wanted to see, but now want to see more of. The only story I may not want more of is the last one from Jeph Loeb, not because it wasn’t great, but because it hit me straight in the heart. Beautiful issue. Bravo, Marvel and DC.

Megan – 10/10. There’s something powerful about bringing the two biggest heroes of all time together in one comic, and Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 celebrated the two meeting 50 years ago in a huge way. The writers, the artists, the colorists, and Joe Caramagna, the letterer of the comic, showed up and showed out. This was simply Marvelous!

Overall Grade – 10/10

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

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The Sentry #2 – Tragedies You Can’t Fix

ShawnFoles
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0
The Sentry #2 – Tragedies You Can’t Fix

The Sentry, Bob Reynolds, is teetering on the edge. Despite being one of the most powerful beings in the universe, Bob’s depression threatens to push him over the edge. The impending loss of his dog and an infection wreaking havoc across the world threaten to overwhelm Bob, unleashing The Void, Bob’s alter ego. Bob and his AI computer C.L.O.C. work to identify the cause of the threats. As Bob rushes to help those already infected by the crystals, the forthcoming loss of Normie, his dog, brings up deep-seated memories that often lead to depressive episodes.

This review is brought to you by Matt and Shawn from Nerd Initiative. Click on their names for more reviews!

Creative Team

Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artist: Christian Rosado
Color Artist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Alex Maleev

Writing

Matt: This issue takes the emotion we experienced with Bob in issue 1 and doubles it. Paul makes Bob relatable in a manner that only one can when someone has dual personalities with superpowers, and that is by losing his dog. As someone who lost their dog a few months ago, I felt every ounce of what Bob is going through. His inability to talk about it to anyone at all seeps from the panels even when he isn’t speaking.

Reed Richards, no matter who writes him, is still the worst, and I love that Paul highlights that a bit in the intro, and then we get parallels with Hulk at the end of the book, as Hulk, even in his most simplistic form, understands what Bob is going through and puts words to it. Overshadowed entirely, however, is the fact that Wilson Fisk has Ebola?? That was not on my bingo card, and Jenkins even goes into how, despite being awful, Fisk employs a lot of people, and the impact is going to be felt like a ripple effect across the city and beyond.

Shawn: Paul Jenkins continues to be my favorite writer for Bob. I feel like Paul might find Reed Richards as insufferable as I do. Jenkins continues to give us a glimpse into the day-to-day life of someone dealing with severe depression who is also expected to function not only as a productive member of society but as society’s hero.

One of the things that I really appreciated about this issue is Jenkins giving us context. Most comic fans are not going to be sad about Wilson Fisk losing money, but Jenkins also gives us a great reminder that with Fisk’s businesses damage comes lots of economic impact in the form of lost jobs. Jenkins isn’t going to make you feel bad for Wilson Fisk, but he is going to make you think twice about what the damage to Fisk’s enterprise means for the everyday citizen of the city. Jenkins continues to give us an eerie look at someone battling with the throes of depression while also trying to be everything to everyone.

Art

The Sentry #2 Cover by Alex Maleev. Image from Marvel Comics

Matt: Even with no words spoken, there is a moment in the final panels where Sentry rests his head in his wife’s arms, and you can see the depression and the sadness and even guilt across his face. Rosada and Milla have it drawn perfectly while Joe helps deliver the whimper of Bob saying how The Void may have completely taken over. It’s such a simple scene; however, it speaks volumes through the art and the detailing.

AS someone who struggles with depression, there is a haze or a grey-like void of color in every page and the way the book is drawn that I feel captures what depression is like. Even the sunniest days have a twinge of gloom to them, and the way the team can capture it through the pages is well done and it hits hard.

Shawn: Christian Rosada and Matt Milla continue to set a high standard for this series in issue two. Rosada continues some of the best use of shading and negative space in a comic I’ve seen in a long time.

Milla’s coloring is perfect in this issue. As great as the narrative and Rosada’s art are, the colors from Milla really set the tone for each issue. Between Rosada’s shading and Milla’s colors, you really feel the darkness creeping into each panel, even the “happy” ones. Caramagna captures the feeling perfectly with the lettering and SFX, allowing the story to flow easily and building on the tension created.

Final Thoughts

Matt: 9.7/10. Sentry #2 captures the feeling of hopelessness and despair that someone with depression struggles with, and brings us a line of empathy as Bob is fighting what he feels is a losing battle. Losing his dog and not being able to help despite having all of these abilities on top of his mental illness hits extremely deep for me, and this issue is emotional in every way.

Shawn: 9.5/10. This issue sent shivers up my spine. Jenkins, Rosada, Milla, and Carmagna crafted a story that feels wrapped in darkness. I love how the art combines with the narrative to make you feel like the Void is following you, just like it’s following Bob. This series is spectacular. It’s shaping up to be another masterclass in how to approach a series subject like depression in a way that feels strangely relatable, even though we aren’t superheroes.

Overall Grade: 9.6/10

What do you think about Jenkins and company’s work on The Sentry so far? Let us know in the comments.

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ROGUE #4 – The Truth Revealed

Megan Nichole
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ROGUE #4 – The Truth Revealed

Creative Team – Erica Schultz, Jim Towe, Espen Grundetjern, VC’s Ariana Maher, David Nakayama

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up on Rogue #3!

The Story

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

Shawn – Erica Schultz continues to capture the essence of what fans love about Rogue in this run. I love that Schultz crafts Rogue as independent and capable, but still reminds us that she’s part of a pair. Working some of Remy’s Cajun slang into her lexicon is a nice callback to her and Remy’s relationship without taking away from Rogue being the main character.

Schultz continues to give us glimpses into Rogue’s past that feel grounded and painful. Anyone who has followed Rogue knows that her past has never been rainbows and sunshine, but Schultz has forced Rogue to contend with the ripple effect her past actions have caused in this series, and that feels refreshing in a superhero comic. Schultz’s story also feels fulfilling. It’s nice to see, as a long-time X-Men fan, the real-life aspect of how spending time with folks changes us. Schultz lets us see how time with folks Betsy and Rachel, taught her new skills that she uses.

Cover art by David Nakayama. Published by Marvel Comics

Megan – Rogue is on a journey to figure out these missing memories and these strange visions she’s been having, and this journey is anything but simple. She’s already visited Mystique, who wasn’t any help, she’s had to take out The Constrictor, and now she’s appeared on national news as causing mutant chaos out in the public. It’s not until Rogue saves the mutant public image by going live on the news that she gets a chance to sit and meditate to figure out what is going on with her memories, and that’s when she remembers the horrible truth.

Erica Schultz sets the tone immediately in Rogue #4 with Rogue in the midst of a violent battle, and the energy never drops from there. We finally find out what happened to John Stelton, and the truth is alarming for Rogue. I’m very interested to see where this goes with John because this issue gives us a look at just how terrified he still is of Rogue. Erica Schultz knows exactly how to keep the reader locked into the story and keeps the excitement going for the next issue.

The Art

Shawn – Jim Towe and Espen Grundetjern do a phenomenal job on this issue. While Towe’s art maintains the comic feel to it, the proportions of the character and the details feel realistic and highly polished. Every stroke of the art from Towe feels intentional. This is a series that doesn’t need to feel gritty but clean, and Towe crafts some high-fidelity art that does just that. The backgrounds feel lived in rather than just sketched.

Espen Grundetjern really nails it with colors. The contrast between Rogue’s bright colors that pop against the sullen and sunken cooler tones when John Stelton begins to become more worried allows the art to tell the story in addition to the narrative. Ariana Maher is her usual outstanding self, getting to play around with some unique SFX and bubble shapes that create tension and excitement in the story

Megan – Jim Towe, Espen Grundetjern, and Ariana Maher bring a lot to heat to the pages of Rogue #4! Jim Towe draws the panels with such detail that you can feel the intensity of the fighting scenes clearly. Along with that, Towe expertly has the emotions of the characters on full display, allowing their facial expressions to tell the story. Grundetjern makes Rogue’s classic yellow and green the focal point of the panels, which makes her practically pop off the page. Mixing the muted tones with the vibrant rogue pays off in a big way because every panel is absolutely stunning. Maher, who handles the lettering of the comic, gives the dialogue an even pace, giving the story a perfect flow. With that, there are also great sound effects that bring the comic up several levels when it comes to excitement.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9/10 This issue felt like the creative team kicked it up a notch. The story has been compelling and unique, giving us a side of Rogue we haven’t seen as much. It’s one thing as a comic fan to know that Rogue has been through it. It’s another to pull back the curtain and see what has happened to make her who she is.

Megan – 9/10. Rogue #4 brings so much depth to Rogue’s journey in the series and gives us a great amount of action. This comic run feels like it was written with the Rogue fans in mind, and any Rogue fan will love it!

Overall Grade – 9/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Rogue #4!

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THE PERIL OF THE BRUTAL DARK: AN EZRA CAIN MYSTERY #3 – Into the Dark

Megan Nichole
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0
THE PERIL OF THE BRUTAL DARK: AN EZRA CAIN MYSTERY #3 – Into the Dark

Creative Team – Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Published by DC Comics

Catch up with The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #2!

The Story

The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #3 starts with our title character, Ezra, in a particularly interesting position as he was caught investigating the disappearance of Mr. Meyer. Caught by arguably the most shady people possible, Ezra saw more than one thing there that made his eyebrows raise. Adding to the larger mystery of it all, Ezra leaves confused and dumbfounded, and just overall tired. However, he still has an event at the bar to get to, and that’s where the real drama begins.

Cover art by Jacob Phillips. Published by DC Comics

What I really enjoyed about this third issue is that we got even more background information on who Ezra is as a character. Getting a look at his past life as a cop and how that ended certainly added depth to who he is as a character today. We also get to see some of the people from his past, and it makes complete sense how he has the energy of a loner who keeps his head down and focuses on his work. Chris Condon is adding the pieces together of who Ezra is beautifully while also adding to the looming mystery of it all. The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery continues to be a grounded story that keeps you hooked into the pages the more you read.

The Art

Jacob Phillips and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continue to knock it out of the park with this comic series, bringing this dark and gritty story to life in a beautiful way. Every panel is gorgeously detailed, allowing the story to be told through the characters. With the coloring, I really love the juxtaposition of the muted tones and the darkness. With the bar seen being much more warm toned, it showed that this isn’t a normal setting for Ezra, and the story tells exactly why. The lettering puts you into the tone of the story perfectly well, allowing you to feel the heightened emotions of the characters clearly.

Final Thoughts

The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #3 continues to impress with the complex story that has you wanting more by the end of the comic.

Overall Grade – 9/10

Let me know in the comments what you thought of The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #3!

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This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast. If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Story #3, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!

CYCLOPS #3 – The Psychic Attack

Megan Nichole
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CYCLOPS #3 – The Psychic Attack

Creative Team – Alex Paknadel, Rogê Antônio, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Federico Vicentini, Marcio Menyz

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Cyclops #2!

The Story

The Reavers are on the loose and they’ll stop at nothing! The Reaver, Tearjerker, doesn’t care who he hurts, even if it’s someone on his own team, to get what he wants. He’s on the hunt for Cyclops, and with his new additions to his weapons, courtesy of his dead teammate, Endzone, there’s no end to his chaos. Meanwhile, Mei and Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops, have been walking for hours to find the crashed Quinjet that has another pair of Scott’s ruby glasses in them. Without them, Scott is completely blind as he can’t open his eyes without leveling a mountain.

Cover art by Federico Vicentini and Marcio Menyz. Published by Marvel Comics

Something I really enjoyed about this issue was when we saw Scott help Mei with her mental block that was stopping her from using her mutant powers. According to Mei, she is unable to use her strength when she’s scared, but Scott shows her a trick to stop that self-induced psychic attack. It was a moment of teaching for Scott, and it helped Mei grow as a mutant. With the growing tension between Mei and Scott, it was nice to see him help the young mutant.

By the end of the comic, we see a Scott Summers who isn’t going by any plan or any code, but a mutant who’s a soldier at heart. So much happened in this issue, and it makes me extremely excited to see what happens in Cyclops #4. Alex Paknadel has brought so much excitement and intensity to this story, and the story only gets better with each issue.

The Art

Rogê Antônio, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and Joe Caramagna hit all the right notes to make this comic absolutely stunning. Antônio turns the energy up with his excellent drawings, putting us right into the story. There are a lot of different emotions in this issue, and I really appreciate how the characters are able to illustrate the emotions clearly. Sifuentes-Sujo handles the colors and plays off of Antônio’s drawings excellently. We get some really great looks at powersets in action, and they’re colored with vibrancy and excitement, all thanks to Sifuentes-Sujo. Caramagna does an excellent job of giving the dialogue an excellent flow with smooth transitions from different characters. Something I really appreciate is the perfectly timed sound effects that allow the reader to experience the story in a much more involved way.

Final Thoughts

Alex Paknadel keeps the energy high, the story exciting, the will have you wanting more by the end of the comic. Cyclops continues to impress with this third issue!

Overall Grade – 9.1/10

Let me know in the comments what you thought of Cyclops #3!

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This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Cyclops #3, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!

Invincible Season 4 Episode 8 Review: Thragg’s New Plan?

Janelle Holland
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Invincible Season 4 Episode 8 Review: Thragg’s New Plan?

This season finale of INVINCIBLE definitely packs a punch. Mark (voiced by Steven Yeun) again has a problem with mental health. This entire season, we get to see Mark wrestle with himself, and his decisions. It becomes apparent he is making choices, and then, feels bad after. I definitely want to shout out the writers for making Mark so relatable. He is finally reunited with his mom, Debbie (voiced by Sandra Oh) and girlfriend, Eve (voiced by Gillian Jacobs).

Illustration of a couple standing close, gazing into each other’s eyes, hands resting on each other’s necks in a sunny park.
Credit: Courtesy of Prime


I loved Cecil this season (voiced by Walton Goggins). He definitely still feels like he is in charge. It’s interesting to see his dynamic both with Mark and Nolan (voiced by J.K. Simmons). Again the relationships in Invincible, definitely keep the audience on their toes. The main moment in this finale revolves around Thragg (voiced byLee Pace). Once again, he makes his mark. I was so confused as to why in earlier episodes, he didn’t just kill Mark. It’s explained, and my mouth dropped. I couldn’t believe it. I love that Mark has, once again, an incredibly hard place that he’s in after that conversation.

Credit: Courtesy of Prime


As far as the season finale, the emotional beats are really good. I just think that there could have been a little bit more action. Some of these episodes had a nice balance of action and emotion. I expected that in the finale. However, there is a cliff hanger towards the end of the episode that I really enjoyed.

Overall this season had me on a roller coaster of emotions, especially having Thragg being in this season. I do believe he is on top, as far as villains for me. He’s so menacing, and seems like it’s not going to be the last of him. I can’t wait for season 5, and to see exactly where all my favorite characters are.

What were your thoughts on the Season 4 Finale of INVINCIBLE? Sound off in the comments below!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE STREAMING REVIEWS FROM JANELLE!

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ABSOLUTE FLASH #14: Reflections of Ourselves

Matthew Roth
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ABSOLUTE FLASH #14: Reflections of Ourselves

Wally and Linda are trapped inside the mirror dimension, being hunted by an army of Mirror Masters. Their escape may be in the hands of one of the clones of Mirror Masters, to which there is more than meets the eye.

DC Absolute Flash cover: a hooded figure in a green-and-black suit steps forward amid jagged crystal panels and a starry backdrop.
Absolute Flash #14. Credit DC Comics. Cover by Nick Robles

Creative Team: Jeff Lemire (WRITER), Haining (ART), Adriano Lucas (COLORS), Nick Robles (COVER), and Tom Napolitano (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Lemire builds a suspenseful issue with Wally and Linda on the run throughout its entirety. Mirror Master is one of the more fun Rogues in the gallery, and Lemire leans into these aspects by doing some fun things creatively with him. However, the most surprising aspect was that Mirror Master may not be the villain we thought. The mirror dimension itself is its own entity and has taken on a life of its own in this issue, which will come into play down the road. The final page of this issue alludes to something at play as well, which sent chills down my spine and a lot of opportunities to get wild with.

The Art and Letters:

Haining and Lucas have the chance to play around and create some really fun panels and pages with this issue. Since we are in a mirror dimension, the artwork is allowed to get creative. The way they do it is this parts of the book are upside down as Wally and Linda are speeding through, being chased by clones of Mirror Master. The way the lettering and the art move in a circle as they move adds just a bit of flavor to this already wacky issue. Even more so is the way these two capture the mirrors, whether broken or showing reflections in various panels. Artistically this issue gets really creative breathing extra zest into it.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Flash #14 is creative and a lot of fun as the team puts us in a spin cycle within the mirror dimension. The issue ends teasing us with what is to come and bonds Linda and Wally even closer together. Additionally, there is a fun easter egg of another hero in this universe we catch a glimpse of making this world feel even more connected.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Be sure to let us know your thoughts below and check out more reviews by Matt!

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“Vampirella #1: 3 1/2 Sisters” Review – A Real Family Affair

Eda Thomas Bagwell
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“Vampirella #1: 3 1/2 Sisters” Review – A Real Family Affair

In this brand new Vampirella #1 from legendary writer Christopher Priest, we witness as Vampi’s twin sister Draculina, runs into everybody’s worst nightmare: a therapist’s office. From there, delicious family drama ensues, culminating in a big bang reveal that you’ll have to see to believe! Follow Sean & me as we now entice you to walk down the “Vampirella” path.

Writer: Christopher Priest
Artist: Davis Goetten
Colors: Giovanni Caputo
Letters: Willie Schubert

Source: Lucio Parrillo, Dynamite Comics

Writing In Blood

Shawn: What an amazing kickoff. Priest jumps right in and doesn’t miss a note. It’s clear to see why Priest has become the longest tenured writer on “Vampirella”. The stories are interesting, engaging, and keep you on the edge of your seat.

Priest jumps right in, catching us up on some of our favorite characters. It becomes clear right out of the gate that Priest has a certain level of trust with artist David Goetten, at times getting out of the way narratively and letting Goetten tell the story through a page of panels with limited narration. Priest slams his foot on the gas right from panel one in this one and doesn’t let up.

Edalyn: Right from the jump, I sensed that Priest was giving us a story full of heart and passion. Where Vampirella Vol 7 #11-12 taught us messages on racism and bigotry, this new run from Priest goes heavy into family drama. Without giving anything away, the pages Shawn mentioned exemplify this spectacularly! Priest’s trust in Goetten also made me feel allowed just to let what was happening really sink in and feel that impact.

One thing that I personally loved too was getting some background on characters that haven’t been touched upon in a while. Not having direct ties to the several previous issues while simultaneously referencing runs from a few years ago just to catch readers up helps this feel like an easy-in for beginners. Let us be the ones to tell you that this is an absolutely brilliant place to start your “Vampirella” journey.

Source: Derrick Chew, Dynamite Comics

Stake To The Art

Shawn: Davis Goetten and Giovanni Caputo do an amazing job bringing the narrative to life in this issue. The limited palette out of the gate really lets Goetten’s art shine before Caputo starts to show excellent shading and highlighting. Goetten and Caputo really bring the characters to life with beautiful, expressive emotion. I feel the expressiveness in each panel, and it’s clear Priest saw this in his creative team, letting them drive the narrative in several pages of the issue.

The variation between black and white and full color panels really stands out. The panels blend seamlessly with a keen attention to detail being applied to each panel, whether it’s full color or not. Willie Schubert does a really good job of keeping the flow of the story going. Priest’s style of narrative requires a special hand on the part of the letterer to guide the reader through the story, and Schubert does that well.

Edalyn: Goetten and Caputo absolutely nailed it here. Those two and Priest make for a deadly trio, complementing each other’s work perfectly. I absolutely loved the dichotomy of black and white versus color, almost reflecting the journey Draculina goes through in this issue. Goetten’s use of space and shots is also absolutely astounding. How the shots and paneling were done here truly made me feel like I was watching a movie, and now I want one.

Vampirella comic book cover featuring a curvy woman in a red bikini posing provocatively in front of a dark, mystical backdrop with a horned, skeletal statue behind her.
Source: Elias Chatzoudis, Dynamite Comics

Final Thoughts

Shawn: Priest continues to set himself apart from his peers. It’s always fun to watch a writer stay on a character for a while and, like other recent examples who have done that really well, Priest maintains the heart of the story while giving it a fresh feeling. The story is distinctly “Vampirella” but feels meaningful and new rather than just a new coat of paint. – 10/10

Edalyn: From beginning to end, this was a read that was tough to put down. Priest shows just how he’s an expert at the craft and what magic can be created by trusting your artist. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a reader just wondering where to start, this book is perfection personified. An absolute bona fide standout in Priest’s illustrious career. – 10/10

Overall Grade: 10/10

Read more from Shawn here!

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Also, be sure to check out Shawn & my interview with Christopher Priest regarding this very issue!

Comments

Are you looking forward to reading the new issue of “Vampirella”? Are you a fan of the character or Priest? Chat with us in the comments below!

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