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Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 – If You’re Sad, This Could Have Been an Email

ShawnFoles
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Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 – If You’re Sad, This Could Have Been an Email

After a devastating attack on New York, Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, finds herself targeted by a mysterious militant group that may have shocking ties to her own family. The conspiracy forces Carol to confront a past she had tried so hard to leave behind. Long-buried memories from her earlier days as a journalist and her complicated tenure as Ms. Marvel force her to enlist the help of Rogue and Emma Frost to piece together her fractured past. Her search leads her deeper as she fights off the Wrecking Crew and uncovers a new threat known as the Desecrator.

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Creative Team

Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artists: Lucas Werneck and Eder Messias
Color Artist: Rod Fernandes
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Lucas Werneck

Writing

Megan: Paul Jenkins continues to knock this series out of the park! Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 gives a lot of depth to our main villain, the Desecrator. We get to see exactly what’s fueling his everlasting rage against Carol Danvers, and what he plans to do with it. What we also get is the absolute best of Captain Marvel. Even when she’s in the worst position, the most dangerous position, she remains headstrong and confident. That’s something I’ve always loved about her character and I’m so glad that Jenkins puts a spotlight on that. Along with the electric back and forth between villain and hero, we also get to see quite a few great cameos that establish the fact that Carol is never alone.

Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 is nothing but high energy. From the beginning to the end of the issue, it’s all gas and no brakes. Jenkins doesn’t shy away from the excitement and keeps the readers on their toes until the very end.

Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 cover by Lucas Werneck. Image from Marvel Comics.

Shawn: Captain Marvel: Dark Past #3 is the best yet from this series. Paul Jenkins continues to show us that Carol Danvers is more than just her past. She’s an overcomer. Jenkins pulls the curtain back on The Desecrator, revealing his connection to Carol satisfyingly while still leaving Carol as the star of the show.

Carol, even at her lowest, remains one of, if not the most powerful, heroes in this universe. Jenkins reminds us in this issue that it’s a power driven by hope and connection above all. She’s headstrong but realizes she doesn’t have to do it all on her own. She can ask for help but is confident in her own knowledge and skills. With Jenkins at the helm, we get Carol at her best, even when she is living through some of the worst moments of her past.

Art

Megan: There’s so much to love about the artwork of the comic thanks to Lucas Werneck, Eder Messias, Rod Fernandes, and Joe Caramagna. The comic is covered in excellent detailing work that makes the reader feel as though they’re right in the middle of the action. The coloring work is absolutely stunning, keeping the energy as high as the vibrancy. Caramagna handles the lettering and perfectly captures the tones of the story and puts them on display through the dialogue. Together, the artists made this issue have as high a quality as the energy was in the story. It was a fantastic job on all fronts!

Shawn: Lucas Werneck, Eder Messias, Rod Fernandes, and Joe Caramagna knock it out of the park on this issue. Werneck and Messias put in some absolutely crazy line work on this issue. The attention to detail, even in the background, is spectacular. The clean lines on costumes within battle scenes deserve particular praise, as it can be difficult to maintain line clarity with such a crowded scene, yet Werneck and Messias nail it.

Rod Fernandes does amazing work on the color work on this issue, with Joe Caramagna helping move the story along well. I particularly love the shading we get on Wrecking Crew and our heroes. Fernandes handles lighting on characters really well, and the colors bring Desecrator. The bright colors of Captain Marvel’s panels that Fernandes uses really help her calm blue eyes stand out.

Final Thoughts

Megan: 10/10. I loved learning more about the Desecrator and seeing just how personal his feelings for Carol were. This added so much depth to the story and made it feel even more personal to Captain Marvel. This has to be my favorite issue yet, which is saying something because the series itself has been the highest quality!

Shawn: 10/10. This issue really functions as everything a third issue in a five-part series should be. Some strings are tied together while new ones are introduced. Captain Marvel: Dark Past is Carol Danvers at her best, even when it involves reliving some of her most painful memories. It’s funny, smart, and an absolute page-turner from this creative team.

Overall Grade: 10/10

What do you think of Captain Marvel: Dark Past at the halfway point? Let us know in the comments

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EMPEROR AQUAMAN #18: Trademark Infringement.

Matthew Roth
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EMPEROR AQUAMAN #18: Trademark Infringement.

Arthur has received a mysterious offer from deep in space and must go and check it out, leaving him to find that even with the power of the Blue, he still has so much to learn. Meanwhile, an unexpected prisoner is waiting for Arthur, and it’s none other than Hal Jordan! The duo must team up to escape the situation they’ve become stuck in.

Emperor Aquaman #18. Credit DC Comics. Cover by John Timms.

Creative Team: Jeremy Adams, Rex Lokus, John Timms, Dave Sharpe, and Paolo Villanelli.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

This issue brings us Hal Jordan and a whole ton of humor, which Adams executes perfectly! I love how the driving plot force is almost Michael Scott but in alien form, as we meet the Associate Vice Vice President of the knock-off Green Lantern Corps. What makes it better is how Hal, despite being held captive without his powers, still runs his mouth. Adams captures his spirit perfectly (which goes to read Jeremy’s Green Lantern Corps), and we even get hilarious moments calling out the trademark infringement by Mr. Vice Vice President.

This issue, however, is not all fun and games because we do get emotional beats with Mera, Arthur, and their child, and Mera understands the Emperor has duties but also misses her husband. At the same time, Arthur is beaten for the first time and takes a confidence hit, which leads him to unleash some insane abilities and to a serious moment between him and Hal. This issue builds upon these characters who we’ve been with for 18 issues now, and we still are learning new things, which is no easy feat. And it’s another reason this is my favorite Aquaman run ever crafted.

The Art and Letters:

I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who is making beautiful covers as well as Timms is with this run right now. Every issue has a burst of color and sets the tone for what’s inside the pages. Aside from that, Paolo is having a blast drawing this issue up; I love the design for the Vice President and how the Lantern is just tipped on its side. What stands out most is how beautiful the opening pages are to me. Arthur, Mera, and their child on shore overlooking a lighthouse, and how serene the setting is, brings a sense of calm and peace to me as I was reading this issue. Rex’s colors build the background setting with how the sun is hitting and turning into a purplish sky. The greens and oranges, along with the light blues, in our big climax are gorgeous on the eyes that really sells this issue. Sharpe’s lettering captures Hal’s tone while he is full of quips compared to Arthur, who has a real sense of seriousness about him with a hint of defeat at his capture.

Catch up on last month’s review!

EMPEROR AQUAMAN #17: Destroyer of Worlds!

Final Thoughts:

Emperor Aquaman #18 is a home run full of fun and adventure as Hal Jordan makes a glorious appearance. I cannot help that the team is luring us in and ready to crush us as Black Manta is on the horizon; however, every issue we learn more about Arthur and his new abilities. The issue is bursting with detail and gorgeous coloring, making it one of the best in the run to date.

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

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BARBARA GORDON BREAKOUT #2: Made of Steel.

Matthew Roth
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BARBARA GORDON BREAKOUT #2: Made of Steel.
Barbara Gordon Breakout #2. Credit DC Comics. Cover by Karl Kerschl.

Death comes for us all eventually, and for Barbara, it almost came sooner than expected. After being attacked by a mysterious assailant, she is left helpless and relying on a stranger. Meanwhile, someone or something is picking off the prisoners one by one, and it is only a matter of time before they return to Barbara’s cell to finish the job!

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Matt!

Creative Team

Mariko Tamaki, Amancay Nahuelpan, Tamra Bonvillain, Ariana Maher, and Karl Kerschl.

Writing

Matt: This issue was more driven by artwork, but that isn’t a bad thing at all. Mariko shows us a Barbara Gordon in a manner we haven’t seen since The Joker shot her. She is helpless and disoriented, and most of all defenseless, which had me feeling stressed out for her the entire issue. Despite knowing there is no way they would do anything to Gordon, the way Mariko shows how vulnerable Barbara is offers up this fight-or-flight response from the reader impressively. There are callbacks to her past and an air of mystery behind who Sparrow is that has this issue really standing out to me this week overall.

Megan: In Barbara Gordon: Breakout #2, we see Barbara in the most vulnerable position we’ve seen her yet. She’s injured, she’s in pain, and she’s being constantly fed painkillers. She can’t keep her head on straight or her hallucinations apart from her reality. This is the worst possible place she can be because at the same time, she’s being hunted. Whoever it is, or whatever it is, it’s zeroing in on Barbara while taking out the other prisoners on its way.

Mariko Tamaki continues to impress with this run in the second issue, proving that the first issue wasn’t just a strong start, but high-quality work that we can expect from this run. In this issue, it’s much more art-driven, which adds to the overall mystery of the comic. Barbara is completely in the dark, as the reader is, so the mystery grows with the same speed as how much more compelling the story gets.

Art

Matt: As I mentioned, this issue is more art-driven, and the team nailed it perfectly. Amancay and Tamra are able to translate how disoriented Barbara is into the panels in creative ways. There’s a page where we see a distorted Batgirl carrying Gordon, and I love how they drew it as though we were looking through a funhouse mirror and how trippy the colors were, especially the purples along the walls. In the earlier panels, they opt to show little X-Rays of her various injuries that show us how beat up Gordon is. This issue felt very horror-inspired, which helps build the mystique of what is happening at this prison and who is the Skeletor wannabe lurking in the shadows?

Megan: With the comic being more art-based, the artists really put their talents on full display. With the perfect juxtaposition of normal aspects of Barbara’s story and the hallucinations she experiences, you get a beautiful mixture of normalcy and otherworldly looks. Adding to the vastly different pictures we get that Barbara is experiencing, Tamra Bonvillain uses a great amount of vibrancy to make this comic feel larger than life. Ariana Maher handles the lettering and does a perfect job of having the contrast between the out-loud conversations and Barbara’s inner dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Matt: 10/10 Barbara Gordon Breakout #2 leans into a horror vibe with this issue and lets the artwork do more of the showing rather than telling. There is a ton of mystery being built up in this issue, and we see Barbara in a very vulnerable state for the first time in a long time. If you weren’t sold before, I think this second issue cements this run into my monthly pulls.

Megan: 10/10. There was so much to enjoy about this issue! The creative team is firing on all cylinders, and the readers are benefiting heavily from it.

Overall Grade: 10/10

How are you liking this series? Let me know in the comments

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ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1: The Yarn

Matthew Roth
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0
ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1: The Yarn

Selena’s got the skills, the wealth, the utilities, and everything in life that she could want. However, leaving Gotham doesn’t mean saying goodbye forever, as someone from Selena’s past has followed her trail of yarn, threatening to unspool the life she has built for herself in Absolute Catwoman #1!

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Matt!

Creative Team

Absolute Catwoman #1. Credit Dc Comics. Cover by Bengal.

Scott Snyder, Che Grayson, Bengal, Lucas Gattoni, and Giovanna Niro.

Writing

Matt: Che and Scott make a great team in this first issue because it really has everything I could want. What stood out to me the most was how inventive they got with Selena’s suit. We haven’t really had a chance to spend time with her character in this universe. The decision to have her suit aid her, whereas it has always been a leather suit that doesn’t function, is genius.

What makes this story so compelling is that Che and Snyder are giving Selena a chance to have her own breath of fresh air and character outside of Gotham and Batman. I love the addition of her being an orphan from Cuba to add that layer of depth and representation to the mix and have her not be in Gotham at all to start. For the first time in a while it gives Catwoman a chance to build her own narrative that doesn’t rely on anyone elses run or story arc.

Megan: I cannot think of a harder-hitting first issue than Absolute Catwoman #1. From the jump, you are instantly locked into the storyline, getting to know Selina in an entirely new way. What I loved about this first issue is that while we’re presented with the plot and what Selina is up against, you also get to see just how much of a powerhouse she is. With all her martial arts training, her impressive knowledge, and her ability to always be one step ahead, you can see that Selina is criminally underrated.

The writers really brought the heat with this first issue, proving Selina Kyle is so much more than a catsuit-wearing vigilante, but someone of substance and depth. Someone who can stand on her own and be the force of nature she’s meant to be.

Art

Matt: Bengals’ artwork has a certain light-footed swiftness in the action sequences, as we would expect from Catwoman. They make great use of Selena’s home and make the setting feel as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. The suit design is sleek and efficient, and I have come to really love the helmet design and how useful that is within this universe too. The coloring by Niro blends in perfectly, as with Catwoman; she is a bit of a spy, and the suit coloring allows her to blend into the darkness that the setting lives in during this issue. However, there are still bright moments of orange with the explosions, and overall the palette is inviting.

Megan: The artwork of Absolute Catwoman #1 was nothing short of spectacular. There was so much to love about the art, and it’s all thanks to Bengal, Lucas Gattoni, and Giovanna Niro. Selina is drawn to be gorgeous and powerful, someone who stands out on every page of the comic. Her acrobatic fighting style is excellently executed, making the reader feel like they’re in the middle of the action, getting whiplash from trying to keep up with her movements. The coloring of the comic relies heavily on the juxtaposition of darker tones and vibrancy, which makes each page a work of art. The lettering, handled by Lucas Gattoni, leaves all the emotions on the table and captures the tones of the story expertly. You get a calm but dangerous vibe from Selina’s inner dialogue, while experiencing the outside dialogue of the characters. All in all, the artists made this a truly memorable issue.

Final Thoughts

Matt: 10/10. I dug this first issue of Absolute Catwoman immensely. We are invited into Selena’s life in a way that the reader hasn’t been before. Che and Snyder have built this backstory for Selena that is familiar but works within the Absolute Universe. The art team is light-handed with their action sequences and is firing on all cylinders, making this a standout debut issue.

Megan: 10/10. This comic should be on everyone’s pull list. Che and Snyder showed up and showed out with Absolute Catwoman #1, easily making this comic my favorite comic of the week.

Overall Grade: /10

How are you liking the debut issue of this series? Let me know in the comments

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BISHOP #1 – From the Present to Now

Megan Nichole
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0
BISHOP #1 – From the Present to Now

Creative Team – Saladin Ahmed, Mario Santoro, Federico Blee, VC’s Travis Lanham, Davide Paratore

Published by Marvel Comics

MORE FROM NERD INITIATIVE HERE!

The Story

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – This was an interesting first issue of Bishop. I really like the character of Bishop, so I’m excited to see him getting a new limited series. Saladin Ahmed does a good job introducing people to Bishop in this issue. If you don’t know much about Bishop or really only know him from X-Men animated shows, Ahmed spends some dedicated time at the beginning of this issue getting you up to speed on who he is and what he’s about.

The story starts a little slow, but really hits its stride about halfway through this issue. The premise of this story that Ahmed is crafting seems to be a pretty interesting one, involving the future in a way only a Bishop story could. Bishop #1 shows us a look at what’s awaiting a man not quite of this world, unwelcome in his, looking for a mooring post in a post-Krakoa world.

Cover art by Davide Paratore. Published by Marvel Comics

Megan – Bishop #1 starts as what can only be described as a banger for this series. Saladin Ahmed creates a first issue that’s so authentic to the character, highlighting his past traumas and showcasing where his headspace is now.

In Bishop #1, Lucas Bishop is still dealing with the trauma of losing his sister, Shard, by his own mistake. Feeding her incorrect intel is what caused him to lose the only family he had, and that haunts him. Sleep-deprived, working himself to the bone, and running from his past is a full-time job. On top of that, he’s still an X-Man at heart, so he does what he can to keep people safe.

With everything in his life building and building, he doesn’t realize that he’s been watched. There is a plan to take him out, and this plan has been established for years. His weaknesses and strengths have been well documented, making it nearly impossible for him to make it out of this attack alive. That is, until the source of his trauma, the most important person of his past, comes through a portal to save his life.

The Art

Shawn – Mario Santoro, Federico Blee, and Travis Lanham did a phenomenal job out of the gate on this issue. Santoro does a really good job, though the art immediately makes Sheepshead Bay recognizable to anyone who has ever seen the area. That is no easy feat. Bishop’s look is crisp and clean. Santoro captures the facial expressions of the characters in this issue perfectly.

Federico Blee uses the colors to set the tone and hue of this story right from the first panel. The lighting and color on this issue were phenomenal. As a lot of this story takes place at night, it can be easy to overestimate the use of shade, but Blee finds just the right amount. The darkness feels at times haunting, like a character itself. Travis Lanham does a masterful job in helping introduce new readers to Bishop through carefully controlling the distinction between Bishop’s monologuing and his in-world interactions.

Megan – Mario Santoro, Federico Blee, and Travis Lanham made Bishop #1 an absolutely stunning issue that has all the factors of the classic Bishop. Bishop is drawn in a way that his emotions are worn on his sleeve. Even down to the way he stands, you can see someone who’s been through more than anyone else, and he’s still traumatized by his past. Along with that, his mutant powers are on full display. With the help of Federico Blee, his vibrant powersets light up the page, making it a gorgeous focal point. The artists made Bishop feel larger than life in the comic, which made the comic feel powerful and impactful. Travis Lanham nails the dialogue, making you feel every bit of Bishop’s emotions. Whether it’s the internal dialogue or his outer dialogue, the tones of the story are on full display.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 9/10. Overall, this was a satisfying start to the series. It feels like Bishop has some real potential. The art team is on point, and the first issue built to a satisfying climax that has me interested in checking out the next issue.

Megan – 10/10. Bishop is one of my favorite mutants, and I am so grateful for how his character was handled. The creative team made something powerful, something Lucas Bishop fans will truly love. I can’t wait to see what the next issue holds for us!

Overall Grade – 9.5/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Bishop #1!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 – Family Fun Day!

TravisComicHaven
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 – Family Fun Day!

The battle is over, and peace comes to the Hamato family. A celebration is in order! Come along as the Hamato family takes to the streets of New York for a “Family Fun Day!”

Creative Team

Gene Luen Yang (Writer), Fero Pe (Artist), Luis Antonio Delgado (Colorist), Shawn Lee (Letterer)

Nathan Widick (Designer), Jake Thomas (Editor), Tommy Stella (Assistant Editor)

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Family Fun Day

Issue nineteen of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) comes after the end of the Ujigami storyline, which is such an amazing series! TMNT fans will not want to bypass this issue! You might be asking yourself, why? The Ujigami story is over with issue eighteen, and the next story arc doesn’t start till issue twenty (which is the 300th issue of TMNT). Those statements are true, but there are details within this issue that you, the reader, will need before jumping into the next story arc.

Family
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19, Credit IDW Publishing. Cover by Freddie E. Williams II & Andrew Dalhouse.


This issue is a very family-oriented story. The Turtles have been reunited with their mother (Shen) and their father (Splinter). After the conclusion of a multi-issue battle, the family deserves some family bonding time! This is more than just reconnecting with their mother; the Turtles are trying to relive fond childhood memories to bring a sense of comfort to their mother. So, the Turtles are taking it to the streets of New York!

The premise for this issue is so heartwarming! The Turtles have been separated from their mother for quite some time, and now that they have her back, they are making the most of it. One thing readers of this story should take away is this. Family is everything! You only get one true blood family. Do not take them for granted and bask in every moment that you are blessed to have with them. You will never know when that moment could be your last.

The end of this issue provides much-needed information and plot for the monumental 300th issue, which is the start of a brand-new storyline from Gene and his team! This is the slow pitch to a new and extremely anticipated adventure with the Turtles and the city of New York!

The Writing

Gene Luen Yang continues to provide an outstanding story for every issue of this series. The flow of the story is so smooth, transitioning from events to plot twists. Adding in the dynamic of the mother (Shen) and her story makes this an emotional story in itself. The switching of tones from the family fun day to the mysterious activity at the end is poetry in motion. TMNT is truly in great hands with Gene at the wheel of this series!

The Artwork

Fero Pe and Luis Antonio Delgado team up to bring their own identity to the art of this issue. The art is spectacular! The pencil work is clean, making things less challenging for the coloration to adapt to. The color wheel is in constant circulation within these pages. Beautiful bright shades bring massive impact to the story when it is needed. The panels and pages featuring the New York streets are so full of details that you start to envision yourself there with the Hamato family.

Variant Covers

  • Ben Bishop Black & White 1:10
  • Ben Bishop
  • Dave Wachter
  • Fero Peniche 1:25
  • Isaac Sanchez Gonzalez 1:50
  • Michael Turney Komic Knights Garden State Comic Fest
  • Pizza Mert
  • Rob Pelletier Kiss Komixx Heroes Con

Final Thoughts

This issue brings to light the true definition and purpose of family. Family fun day turned out to be fun for the Hamato family but on two different levels. I am happy with how this issue was put together. I was leery because I did not want this issue to be just a “filler” issue till fans get the new storyline, and it was not that. Gene teases readers to stay focused on what’s to come within the next story! Go get this issue from your local comic shop today!

Overall Grade: 10/10

Links

Comic Book Reviews & Entertainment News: Nerd Initiative
Previous TMNT Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18 – Reunited
Travis’ NI Portfolio: TravisComicHaven – Nerd Initiative
Travis’ Personal Content: Travis’ Comic Haven

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

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Daredevil #3 – Freedom from Burden

ShawnFoles
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Daredevil #3 – Freedom from Burden

Daredevil is both the hunter and the hunted. Matt Murdock has taken a position as a Professor at a law school in this new spin on his life, from Stephanie Phillips and Lee Garbett. As Matt seeks to train future lawyers, Hell’s Kitchen proves to be as dangerous as ever. After encountering Omen, Matt is racked with paranoia over his inability to “see” Omen using his enhanced abilities. With his senses overwhelmed and a gruesome eye-snatching conspiracy unfolding in the background, Matt may be forced to lean on the most unlikely of mentors to find his footing: your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Matt and Shawn!

Need to catch up on Daredevil? Check out the Nerd Initiative reviews for Issue 1 and Issue 2.

Creative Team

Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Lee Garbett
Color Artist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Lee Garbett

Writing

Matt: This issue is perfect parts humor, Matt’s sassy, sarcastic personality, and terror. I always am a sucker for when we get Matt’s inner dialogue as he is sizing up someone in conversation and how he weaponizes that back towards them. The way Stephanie does that while also pushing the narrative of what’s happening in the city streets was executed extremely well. In terms of Spider-Man and Daredevil, she builds upon their dynamic in a way we don’t usually see. Typically, Peter is the one being taught something, whether by Daredevil or someone else, but in this issue, he’s the one teaching Matt a vital lesson while keeping their friendship dynamic how we usually would see it play out.

Not to be forgotten is that Omen is running wild still, and we even get the name origin! They see themselves as a prophet of sorts, but we still don’t know the endgame. How does Murdock play into it all? Phillips can give us just enough information while keeping us on the hook, asking so many questions.

Shawn: Stephanie Phillips did such an amazing job with this issue. She perfectly captured the humor of Spider-Man while also giving Matt some shine. The Jessica Jones joke had me dying. Despite the humor of the issue, Phillips did an amazing job with Daredevil and Spider-Man. Not only did she capture their dynamic amazingly well, but it also felt like she added something new to it.

It’s really interesting to see Daredevil and Spider-Man in a mentor-type relationship, especially as we get for part of this issue. Matt’s interactions continue to show why he was not only an attorney but a good one. I really love Phillips leaning into the law Professor aspect of this run. It gives readers a chance, outside of just the basic courtroom setting we’ve seen Matthew Murdock in so many times, to see exactly how deep his knowledge goes. Both Matt Murdock and Daredevil continue to grow in Daredevil #3, satisfyingly, with Phillips leaving us with an absolute cliffhanger at the end of this issue.

Art

Daredevil #3 cover by Lee Garbett. Image from Marvel Comics

Matt: In all honesty, if Lee and Frank had just had Spider-Man and Daredevil swinging through the city the entire issue, I would have been perfectly fine. They capture the varying movements and acrobatics so well with such ease across the panels. There truly is a sense of joy as the issue opens to them hanging out and working through this case together. They tease Omen’s facial reveal in this issue, showing details such as scarring and something not quite right as the mask slips in places. This still didn’t prepare me for the monster that was shown on the final page. I love the reveal that it’s as though The Phantom of the Opera mixed with Morbius from the Animated Spider-Man series, and the detail and design is breathtaking!

The standouts in this issue are the final pages where we are shrouded in darkness, and Maher’s letters and Franks’ shading on Matt and Omens’ suits stand out amongst the darkness and at times even blend in as they are working in camouflage. PS. Obligatory Matt shirtless scene that’s been teased.

Shawn: Lee Garbett, Frank Martin, and Ariana Maher continue to stun three issues into this Daredevil run. Starting on the front cover, Garbett’s corner box art continues to set the tone before you crack open the cover. On thing that stood out to me about Garbett’s line work on this issue was just the incredible attention to detail. Garbett put little lines that add depth and character to the scene. Whether it’s a line inside a coffee cup to reinforce the emptiness of the cup or blood vessels in an eye, Garbett spares no attention to detail ensuring every issue gets his best.

Frank Martin and Ariana Maher combine to bring the world to vivid and at times dark life. Martin does an amazing job utilizing shade in this issue. Color Artists who can recognize when darkness serves as an equally important role as splashes of color are some of my favorites to read. Martin perhaps does his best work on this issue, crafting beautiful NYC sunsets and dark, forbidding nights. Maher does a great job with bolding in this issue to draw the reader’s eyes to key story elements. In addition, I really loved the choice with some of Omen’s lettering to set the character apart from others and give an eerie feeling to their words.

Final Thoughts

Matt: 10/10 Billy Clubs. What impresses me most with this run is how in sync everybody is and it shines through more and more each issue. The issue jumps between Matt’s humor and detective skills transitioning into high paced action in a seamless manner. I don’t know how I am going to wait another month for the next issue after that final page!

Shawn: 10/10. This was an absolutely stunning issue of Daredevil. I love seeing Matt in a new environment as a Professor. The writing, art, and lettering feel perfect, with the story jumping quickly and seamlessly from bright and colorful to dark and gloomy.

Overall Grade: 10/10

What did you think of this issue of Daredevil? Let us know in the comments.

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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1

Megan Nichole
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0
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1

Creative Team – Tim Sheridan, Will Sliney, Israel Silva, Andworld Design

Published by Dark Horse

MORE FROM NERD INITIATIVE HERE!

The Story

This is a joint review from Matt of Hops Geek News and Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast!

Matt – As someone newer to this universe, Tim does an excellent job capturing that magical feeling that I was hoping to continue after seeing the film. If you were wondering where the heck Orko was, this picks up after the first act and fills some gaps! There is a lot of excitement and adventure as Sheridan wastes no time getting right into the action. He is building a story that shows us that even the smallest and unassuming can become heroes when faced with a choice. This is a great jumping-in point for newer fans as we are invited into the world of Eternia and meet important characters that have us feeling as though we’ve known them all this time.

Megan – If you didn’t get enough excitement from the Masters of the Universe movie, fear not, because Tim Sheridan has you covered! This four-issue series is tied into the movie, but gives an all-new story with some of our favorite characters. In He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1, the stage is set for a fan favorite character to go on his own journey to help an injured falcon that he knows nothing about. All he knows is that there’s something more to this mysterious falcon and she must be helped. This is the start of what looks to be an exciting journey in the Mystic Mountains that I personally can’t wait to be a part of. Tim Sheridan hits all the right notes for fans of Masters of the Universe! You can see the excitement in the writing, which ups the energy of the story even more.

Check out our interview with Tim Sheridan here!

The Art

Matt – There is so much vibrant life seeping from the pages and panels in this issue. Knowing this is a passion project for Will, it shows, as everything looks as though it was taken straight from the screen and put onto the pages of this issue. The town square we start in has so much detail in the background that it’s as if we can hear the business and the buzz of the city with our own ears. The colors are gorgeous, flowing purples and deeper colors that stand out vividly throughout. This issue is beautiful through and through.

Megan – The artists brought so much to the table when working on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Wings of Fate #1. With Will Sliney, Israel Silva, and Andworld Design on the creative team, you’re guaranteed something spectacular, and that’s exactly what we got. Inside the comic, we get beautiful artwork that’s beautifully drawn and makes the reader feel a part of the story with how detailed each panel is. The coloring is just as detailed as the drawings, bringing a great deal of vibrancy and juxtapositions with darker tones. Each panel feels like it’s even more stunning than the last. The lettering work is top-notch, as the tones of the story are perfectly portrayed through the dialogue. All in all, the artists truly made this a memorable issue!

Final Thoughts

Matt – 10/10! I’m a newer fan of this franchise, and I can tell how much love and passion are behind every word and every panel in this first issue. We’re off on an exciting adventure that invites familiar characters for longtime fans, and for new fans won’t make you feel as though you are doing homework. This is a must-grab issue, and be sure to pre-order the next three at your LCS!

Megan – 10/10. As a lifelong He-Man and Masters of the Universe fan myself, I can honestly say that this comic was made with the fans in mind. Tim Sheridan brings something new and exciting to this universe, and I couldn’t be more excited about how it’s handled. The creative team knocked this one clean out of the park!

Overall Grade -10/10 Power Swords!

Let us know in the comments what you thought of the comic!

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Marvel Multiverse: GenCon 2026 Preview

ShawnFoles
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Marvel Multiverse: GenCon 2026 Preview

As Nerd Initiative counts down until GenCon 2026, it’s time for our GenCon previews. GenCon 2026 is exactly 50 days away in Indianapolis, Indiana. For nerds that enjoy board games, ttrpgs, etc this is the premier convention in North America. We got some big revelations today about the highly anticipated Marvel Multiverse RPG expansion dropping exclusively at GenCon this year before it hits the general market. So let’s take a moment to break down today’s Developer Update and see exactly what that means for Marvel Multiverse fans, especially those headed to GenCon.

Secret Wars

Unsurprisingly, most of the update revolved around the newest expansion coming to the Marvel Multiverse RPG world, Secret Wars. Written by Matt Forbeck, Secret Wars is an adaptation of the famous 2015 Marvel event by Jonathan Hickman. This will mark the third straight GenCon expansion release following Avengers in 2025, and X-Men in 2024. In the update, Marvel gave us some really great information about this.

Table of Contents

Perhaps the biggest reveal was the table of contents for the book.

Table of Contents Page 1. Image from Marvel Multiverse RPG.
Table of Contents Page 2. Image from Marvel Multiverse RPG.

The table of contents reveals a couple of neat things. We get entire chapters on playing several groups/characters such as the Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Doctor Doom. Additionally, we get a lot of galactic background information in chapter 5 outlining The Nova Corp, Badoon, Kree Empire, and the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. On top of those awesome instances we get a bunch of new rules including Battleworld games, self-sacrifice, and Zombies.

New Characters

What most people will be talking about after this reveal is that we have a full character list ahead of GenCon as well as a preview of the new Rank X character sheet.

  • Abyss
  • Aleph
  • Annihilus
  • Arishem
  • Baron Khonshu
  • Beyonders
  • Blastaar
  • Builder
  • Captain Mar-Vell
  • Captain Universe
  • Charlie-27
  • Corsair
  • Cosmo
  • Ego the Living Planet
  • Enigma
  • Ex Nihilo
  • Franklin Richards
  • Galactus
  • Gladiator
  • God Emperor Doom
  • Grandmaster
  • Jo-Venn
  • King in Black
  • Korvac
  • Major Victory
  • The Maker
  • Mantis
  • Martinex
  • Molecule Man
  • Nightmask
  • Nikki
  • N’Kalla
  • Nova (Richard Rider)
  • Phoenix (Jean Grey)
  • Psycho-Man
  • Spector
  • Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter)
  • Starbrand
  • Stormborn
  • Terrax
  • Thor of Higher Avalon
  • Uato the Watcher
  • Valeria Richards
  • Victorious
  • Volcana
  • Weapon X Wolverine
  • Wizard
  • Yondu Udonta
  • Zombie
  • Zsaji
  • Annihilation Wave Bug
  • Ego Antibody
    • Ultron Drone

Several of these characters will utilize the new Rank X assignment. It will be exciting to see some of Marvel’s more powerful characters, like Franklin Richards, The Maker, God Emperor Doom, and Phoenix, as playable characters. Marvel gave us a preview of this with Galactus.

Preview of Galactus profile. Image from Marvel Multiverse.

Free RPG Day

Marvel will release a Free RPG Day adventure to promote this expansion, based on Egyptia. The adventure will feature this section of Battleworld and an original map.

Additional Content

New features will be introduced, and existing features will be expanded. New Iconic Items, traits and tags, equipment, vehicles, and headquarters.

GenCon

The most interesting thing is that we finally got a look at some of the GenCon-specific items coming.

Secret Wars GenCon cover

Marvel Multiverse Secret Wars Convention Exclusive Cover. Image from Marvel Multiverse RPG.

Marvel revealed that there will only be 616 copies of the convention exclusive cover available at GenCon. Additionally, while supplies last, the physical book will come with a free copy of the expansion on Demiplane and Roll20. Additionally, new products from FanRoll Dice will be available. So far, we don’t have any announcement of Marvel Unlimited being included with the purchase like last year. We will have to wait and see if there are more than the previously announced Doom dice.

Events

Marvel will be hosting several chances to play the new adventure at GenCon this year. The first of the events is Battleworld Insurrection. From the description:

God Emperor Doom’s Barons rule with absolute power. You’re the spark that ignites the rebellion. In this one-hour introductory event, you will play as your favorite heroes, experiencing the first part of the adventure.

The second event option available will be the Battleworld Revolution event which expands to two hours long and offers the following description:

God Emperor Doom rules Battleworld, a strange patchwork world built from the remains of shattered realities. Even with an iron grip, hope can slip through the cracks. Play as your favorite heroes and rise to the challenge of fighting Doom’s Barons and defeat them to weaken his influence on the world in this exciting two-hour adventure.

Several of the two hour events have already sold out so make sure you get signed up asap.

The final event option is a chance to run the Revolution event with expansion author Matt Forbeck. This will feature the lead designer serving as your narrator for the event in what is sure to be a great time.

One-Shot

The announcement closes with some additional information about the upcoming Spider-Man: Midtown Mayham adventure now scheduled for release on September 22nd, 2026. Cody Ziglar from Miles Morales: Spider-Man will be handling the prologue comic for the adventure.

Are you headed to GenCon? Excited for the new expansion? Let me know in the comments below.

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The Doomies Premiering June 26th On Disney+

Kat
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The Doomies Premiering June 26th On Disney+

One of the big animation projects for Disney+ finally has a release date. 

MORE FROM NI’S STREAM TEAM HERE 

The Doomies Poster (Credit: Disney+)

Disney+’s latest project, The Doomies, is finally coming to the service later this month. This new series is from Oscar-nominated Animation Studio Xilam Animation. The show’s description reads: 

“When best friends Bobby and Romy accidentally open a portal to evil, their tranquil coastal town transforms into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. As the ordinary teens navigate this extraordinary mystery, they face off against literal and inner monsters in this epic comedy that combines thrills, chills, and emotional spills.” 

The show’s cast includes:

  • Max Mittelman (Marvel Animation’s Spider-Man & Netflix’s Horton) as Bobby 
  • Madison Calderon (Prime Video’s Invincible: Atom Eve & She Dies Tomorrow) as Romy 
  • Noel Gibson (Daily Devo & The Yippie Show) as Kim 
  • Jon Bailey (Jeff The Land Shark In Marvel Rivals & Transformers: Galactic Trials) as Doug 
  • Zehra Fazal (Marvel Studios’ Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man & Dosa Divas) as Jenny

The show’s World Premiere is later this month in France at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where the episode, Night Of The Fishing Dead, is set to make it’s premiere. Alongside the show dropping, a 4-episode short-form series will be dropping, and the episodes include:

  • Doug Unfiltered 
  • Ghosted By A Ghost 
  • Creepy Crepe 
  • What Is That Thing?

The trailer also dropped, and gave us a really good look at what to expect for the series: 

The Doomies premieres June 26th on Disney+.

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