The new season is titled Dimension 20: Toyland, and this time our Intrepid Heroes are shrinking to the size of toys for a new 6-episode miniseries. The series’ description reads:
“Dimension 20: Toylight follows a band of toys as they rise to defend the enchanted Toylight, the last flicker of a dying child’s imagination.”
Brennan Lee Mulligan, Siobhan Thompson, Zac Oyama & Emily Axford On Dimension 20: Toylight (Credit: Andrew Levy & Dropout)
The season’s cast includes:
Game Master:
Brennan Lee Mulligan (DM Of Critical Role Campaign 4 & Host Of Dropout’s Adventuring Academy)
This past weekend was the 12th anniversary of the popular video game franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s, and creator Scott Cawthon, his partners Mega Cat Studios and Steel Wool Studios, and more have announced several special surprises for the fans to commemorate the occasion. From games to live-action locations, let’s take a look at just what’s in store for the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise.
Five Nights at Freddy’s focuses on a Chuck E Cheese-style restaurant called Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The restaurant came with a dark history and haunted animatronics. The point-and-click shooter featured not just new, unique game mechanics but also lore that inspired fans to dig deeper and keep guessing. Fans soon discovered that William Afton, the proprietor of Freddy Fazbear’s, has become something of an iconic villain for younger millennials and Gen Z gamers. The lore aspect itself has drawn fans in for 12 years now, with creator Scott Cawthon adding and subtracting from a universe shaped by the darkness of one man and the entertainment company he created.
SECURITY BREACH 2BY STEEL WOOL STUDIOS
Series creator Scott Cawthorn supervises (or perhaps hires people to direct) multiple twitter accounts. The twitter account FNAF_ScottGames posted a picture of a pizza that soon revealed a twisted image of “Vanny”, the deuterantagonist of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
image courtesy: FNAF-ScottGames on twitter
“Vanny”, or “Vanessa,” was a programmer who became possessed by a computer virus called “The Mimic”. The program led people to believe that the “evil” of Fazbear Entertainment was more than just William Afton (or perhaps led by him). The Mimic virus had observed Afton and affected Vanny, making her its “Afton surrogate.” The Mimic’s story was the subject of “Secret of the Mimic,” a Steel Wool Studios production with Scott Cawthon’s blessing.
Image courtesy: FNAF-ScottGames on twitter
Security Breach focused on the modern Fazbear Entertainment, a company building a massive Urban Entertainment Complex filled with rides and twisted takes on modern theme park technology. The end of the game saw the Pizzaplex destroyed and abandoned by Fazbear. When we rejoined the series with series protagonist Cassie in Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted, we saw a different version of the series’s iconic Pizzaplex.
One can hope that Security Breach 2 will focus more on Fazbear Entertainment’s response, perhaps even including a look at Cassie or Vanny taking revenge on Fazbear Entertainment. Help Wanted ended with Cassie possessed (seemingly) by the Mimic herself. The full story is unknown, but it’s an amazing time to speculate!
FNAF WORLD 2 BY MEGA CAT STUDIOS
One of the total surprises was Five Nights at Freddy’s partner Mega Cat Studios being the new creative team behind FNAF WORLD: 2.
Mega Cat, the studio behind the incredibly popular Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit game, dropped the news in a surprise announcement. FNAF WORLD is a role-playing game with players taking the role of Five Nights at Freddy’s characters. Using a turn-based system, players could coordinate attacks, give each other buffs, and discover new parts of the lore.
The game has something of a reputation among fans. When it was released, it was unfinished and drew criticism from the fan base because of missing features and problems with Game Jolt. FNAF WORLD became something of a meme with the community. Series creator Scott Cawthon agreed, saying that he “got rushed’ during its development, admitting that he got excited about the material they were producing.
Mega Cat’s “Into the Pit” was an iconic addition to the game franchise. Players take control of Oswald, one of the characters in the books, and play a simple game running through the pizzeria from “The Yellow Rabbit”. Fans of the movies might recognize the character’s name as the same moniker for series antagonist William Afton’s serial killer persona.
AN ACTUAL FREDDY FAZBEAR LOCATION AT AMERICAN DREAM MALL
The final piece of news, the most exciting, is the news that as the fandom would say “FNAF is now real.”
American Dream is bringing the virtual world of Five Nights at Freddy’s to life!
Developed in collaboration with ScottGames, the experience will be a functional reimagining of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, designed to immerse guests in the world of the iconic franchise. pic.twitter.com/18rWvSwAuR
American Dream Mall in New Jersey, a mall famous for its indoor experiences, will be adding a live-action “Freddy’s Pizzeria” restaurant. The mall is an urban entertainment center featuring multiple parks, including the biggest indoor water park in North America, the biggest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, and an indoor sky resort.
American Dream Mall is, in a delicious twist of irony, almost a parody of a place that exists in the franchise. Later parts of the lore and games talk about “Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex.” The Pizzaplex, a massive mall, becomes the focus of the Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted games. The Pizzaplex features an indoor theme park, mall, and other amenities.
According to American Dream Mall, the place will be the world’s “First permanent immersive restaurant experience.”
More details on the real-life Freddy Fazbear's Pizza opening in New Jersey next year!
"American Dream is bringing the virtual world of Five Nights at Freddy’s to life with the debut of the world’s first permanent immersive restaurant experience, opening in 2027.
American Dream Mall released several new images featuring the characters and its opening date of 2027. They offered a link where fans can sign up for notifications about the project on their announcement page.
The enduring nature of the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise has taken over every aspect of modern pop culture. From video games to tie-in novels, toys, movies, and now actual themed locations (along with last year’s Five Nights at Freddy’s-themed haunted houses at Universal Studios. It shows no signs of slowing down, and one can hope that – much like Fazbear Entertainment itself – this is the start of a long-standing tradition of experiences and immersive storytelling that will keep the story going.
How do you feel about the 12th anniversary surprises? What games are you excited for, and are you planning to visit the real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza? Share it with us in the comments below!
As the biggest game in American Arena Football League history takes center stage, a city is on edge. A string of suicides has rattled the city, and journalists are beginning to ask if it is connected to the big game. Maximillian Dupree, the backup-turned-star quarterback, is front and center. Pressured by his teammates, his gambling debts, and the fans, Dupree tries to navigate a world where people can’t trust what they see, as an unknown entity threatens everything. Eisner-nominated writer Stephanie Williams brings horror to the forefront in Any Given Smile. Enjoy this spoiler-free review from Nerd Initiative.
This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!
A huge thank you to IDW Publishing for providing this issue for review ahead of the Final Order Cutoff
Final Order Cutoff For Any Given Smile #1 is August 17th, 2026.
Creative Team
Writer: Stephanie Williams Artist: Pablo M. Collar Color Artist: Tríona Farrell Letterer: Ariana Maher Cover Artist: Ashley Witter
Writing
I’m not quite sure what the comic-writing equivalent of a sophomore slump is, but it’s clear in Stephanie Williams’ first major post-Eisner-Nomination work that it won’t be an issue for her. Any Given Smile #1 pulls you in right from the word go. By the end of this issue, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck beginning to stand up. Williams perfectly executes the shift into the world of Smile by crafting a world that slowly reveals itself. While it’s great if you’re familiar with the Smile franchise ahead of reading, Williams crafts this issue in a way that doesn’t necessitate you having any familiarity with the franchise.
While Williams, in my experience, has been one of the most character-first writers in comics, Any Given Smile stands out in the way that she makes the town feel like a character itself. Whether it’s a call-in show, talking heads on TV, or just conversations at the bar, Williams really helps communicate to the reader how big this event is. Even if you have limited sports knowledge, Williams ensures you understand how monumental this championship game could be for St. Augustine. In addition to the city as a character, Williams continues her tradition of crafting compelling and realistic characters even in a horror story. While nothing major is revealed in this issue, Williams still manages to slide a few twists and surprises into Any Given Smile # 1, making it a page turner that you need on your pull list.
Art
Any Given Smile #1 cover by Ashley Witter. Image from IDW Publishing.
Pablo M. Collar, Tríona Farrell, and Ariana Maher really took Williams’ script and ran with it. Collar’s line work perfectly helps set the mood of the story from the first panel. However, Collar’s work also keeps you on your toes as the tone of the story shifts. There’s a certain ruggedness to the lines, particularly in the cityscapes, that helps reinforce how much this is a city not only in need of something like this championship game, but also a city on edge. The characters are drawn expressively, and the “smiles” are truly terrifying, crawling off the page and into your mind. The shading alone on the smile pages is so well done that this comic would work if it were black and white.
Tríona Farrell really kills it with colors in this debut issue. Farrell nails the bright, vibrant Florida colors of St. Augustine. It’s precisely how well the cityscapes are colored that helps provide such an amazing contrast as you slip further and further into the darkness of the story. Farrell beautifully plays on the bright colors of the city and the dark colors of the curse, masterfully pitting them against each other in panel after panel, creating a drastic contrast between the optimism of the city and the darkness brewing underneath. Through the comic, letterer Ariana Maher helps capture the eerie vibe not only through well-crafted word bubbles but also through particularly well-placed SFX. The content of a Smile horror series in particular gives Maher a whole new sandbox to play in and show off her skills.
Final Thoughts
Any Given Smile #1 is a touchdown right out of the gate. Williams, Collar, Farrell, and Maher are crafting a story that starts so strongly that it may draw readers into the Smile franchise even if they have no clue about it heading into the story. The story draws you in with a dark tone set amidst a town on the verge of an explosion for a championship game, and holds you in your chair with stunning visuals that capture clean and bright as well as rough and dark perfectly. If you’re a fan of horror comics, Any Given Smile #1 deserves a place on your pull list.
Overall Grade: 10 / 10
Thank you again to IDW Publishing for the chance to review this comic ahead of FOC. Final Order Cutoff (FOC) for Any Given Smile #1 is August 17th. You can preorder the series wherever you get your comics.
Loli learns the truth about Hupia in issue no.2 by Julio Anta, Daniel Irizarri, Patricio Delpeche & Lucas Gattoni from Dark Horse Comics.
Beast of Boriken #2 B Cover by Geraldo Borges, Dark Horse Comics
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Previously, Beast of Borikén came out swinging by re-imagining the legend of El Chupacabra. The creature is the embodiment, or perhaps the spirit of resistance of “la Isla del Encanto”. The creative team pulled no punches. This comic book is a commentary of the uphill battle Puerto Ricans have in their own home in regards to natural resource and environmental protection.
LOLI THE ACTIVIST
Our protagonist Loli has her work cut out for her. Loli is doing everything in her power to stop foreign developers from tearing down and constructing over protected land. However, as you may already know, with foreign investment comes the kind of influence and power that local elected officials bend over for. The laws, regulations and rules be dammed.
THE ISLAND’S PROTECTOR
Unfortunately for this project, once they started to drill away at the site, they disturbed an ancient spirit that laid in somber. A mythical entity that few know about, and even less have seen. The beast of Borikén will not sit idly by as they tear down it’s home. From the harsh colonial time to the modern day, this Beast has protected the island with ferocious tenacity. Fending away anyone who’s threatening Borikén.
*SPOILERS FOR ISSUES #2*
The Beast of Boriken #1 Cover B by Naomi Franq, Dark Horse Comics
SOLICITATION:
“After the mysterious attack at the construction site, Loli and her best friend Blanca dig into the history of el Chupacabra in Puerto Rico and its historical ties to the island. A visit to an Espiritista at a botánica gives Loli a far deeper understanding of the creature and some insights toward their intertwined goals and destinies.”
LA BOTANICA
I’d love to talk about the plot of issue #2 with our fellow readers. But, I would be remiss if I passed on the opportunity to highlight the portraying of Santeria in the pages of issue #2. Santeria, Brujeria, Paleros, Brujos, Espiritistas, etc. are all remnants from the beliefs and religions of West Africans slaves who came to the Caribbean colonies. African slaves were forced to convert to Catholicism or die by the hands of the colonizers.
SYNCHRONISM
However, the spirit of the African slave was strong and their resiliency was underestimated. Unbeknownst to the slave masters, colonizers and the catholic church officials the slaves started using the imagery of key figures of the Church like saints to worship their African gods in secret. This secret practice of rebellion and worship evolved through the centuries as both a cry of ownership and a stand against oppression.
TABOO
Beast of Boriken #1 by Julio Anta, Daniel Irizarri, Patricio Delpeche & Lucas Gattoni from Dark Horse Comics
Unfortunately, the religions and practices that come from this synchronization are still frowned upon and very much taboo today. Unless you’ve grown up in a home that openly practices you wouldn’t know much about it besides the stigmas and the misinformed stereotypes.
EDA’s THOUGHTS
Just like with the first issue, I was in total awe of the plot. This series continues to have a lot to say about colonization, but also the importance of culture to Puerto Rico and its people. As a witch, I had very little idea of what Santeria is and what hupia are. However, this issue not only delves deep into those things, but makes the reader do the research.While this is meant to be a horror story, I feel as if I’m learning a lot about Puerto Rican history and culture as well as the impact of the outside world. There’s so much that goes on outside of your personal bubble, you just have to be willing to burst it or expand it. I feel very thankful that this series exists, as it’s helping me do that in a way that keeps my brain engaged more than any textbook ever could.
HOW ABOUT THE ART?
I’m very fond of the pencils by Daniel Irizarri and the colors from Patricio Delpeche. As a Boricua in the diaspora, this depiction of Puerto Rico’s flora, fauna and architecture brings me nostalgia. It’s quite apparent to me that these creators are going the extra mile to portray the true colors and visuals of the island. Nowhere is that more clear than inside LA Botánica.
Overall Grade: 10/10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Unlike most media depictions of these elements of Afro-Caribbean heritage, Beast of Borikén treats these religious and cultural practices with the dignity and respect that it deserves. Julio Anta is showing everyone the less talked about parts of our culture that are just as beautiful and rich as our music and our people.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT BEAST OF BORIKÉN #2 IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW:
If there’s one thing this series will do, it’s pull you in even further than it already has. In the last issue, we were left on an alarming note of Barbara being in shock therapy, not knowing who to trust, and realizing she’s in more danger than she realized. In Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4, our lead character is understanding why she was put through the shock therapy, which was to detox her system of all the drugs Sparrow put her on. Thanks to a new ally, Barbara is finally clear in the head and is able to figure out what’s really going on around here. After not knowing who to turn to or who to trust, it seems that Barbara finally has someone on her side and can see that something just isn’t right here at Supermax.
What this story does a great job with is showing that you may think you have the story figured out, but you absolutely don’t. Mariko Tamaki does a marvelous job of keeping you on the edge of your seat, desperately trying to solve the mystery alongside Barbara. This grounded comic series continues to pull you into the story and leaves you wanting the next issue immediately.
Cover art by Karl Kerschl. Published by DC Comics
The Art
In past issues, there was a lot more vibrancy, especially when dealing with Barbara’s hallucinations, but this issue’s art is much more grounded, which works perfectly. Amancay Nahuelpan, Tamra Bonvillain, and Ariana Maher all come together to really nail down how hard-hitting this issue was going to be. Nahuelpan gives beautifully detailed panels with excellent line work that really highlights the hardness of the setting. What I love about Nahuelpan’s work is how she allows the characters to wear their emotions on their sleeves, practically telling the story themselves through their facial expressions. It adds so much depth to the pages and makes the story hit even harder.
Tamra Bonvillain uses their coloring talents to lean into the groundedness of the story, even capturing the hardness of what Barbara is going through by using vibrant colors to signify action. With the excellent contrast between the cold colored backgrounds and the bright orange jumpsuits, Bonvillain makes each page absolutely stunning.
Ariana Maher handles the lettering and gives so much emotion to the dialogue. In the flashbacks, you can feel the character’s darkness when they’re recounting the events, or in Barbara’s inner dialogue where she speaks in an even tone, even when she’s currently experiencing torment. The artists really deserve so much praise for making this issue nothing short of stunning.
Final Thoughts
I cannot sing enough praises about this comic run. Barbara Gordon: Breakout has been exciting, it’s been mysterious, and it’s been constantly compelling. This issue in particular puts it into perspective just how much danger Barbara is in, which makes me very excited to see the next issue.
Overall Grade – 9/10
Let me know in the comments what you thought of Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4!
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 Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4, 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!
After the shocking discovery of his father’s identity, D’Orc takes refuge in a cabin by a lake. However, is this finally a place to rest or is this just another in a long line of terrifying situations our hero finds himself in?
Brett Bean continues to surprise with the ways he can put D’Orc into danger. Bean’s writing never ceases to amaze me. Each issue I think to myself, he has to be out of good ideas of ways to torture this little guy. And each issue I’m thrilled to find another thrilling and tortuous adventure in the pages of this series. The slow build to the reveal of the last issue felt like a clean break in the story and with this issue, Brett Bean is clearly setting up the next part of this arc to be just as exciting and entertaining as the first. The perfect mix of slapstick humor, action, and deep sadness is just a masterclass on storytelling and it’s one that I am happy to enroll in each month.
The Art:
Once again, I have to gush over Brett Bean’s ability to draw me in with his art. Like his storytelling as a writer, as an artist he blends the mix of action and emotion perfectly. Coupled with Frank William’s colors, the artwork in this issue is as near to perfect as you can possibly get. The most impressive bit of artistic storytelling in this issue is the ability to put visible emotions on monsters.
Overall Grade: 10/10
I say it with every issue but I’ll say it again, D’Orc is the best comic on shelves right now. With each issue this creative team turns in a story full of deep emotion, crazy bloody action, and laugh out loud writing. This is the perfect comic book!
Can General Flagg's timely intervention be able to help Shredhead hold on long enough for the Autobots to pull them back from the brink of death? Optimus is still trying to find his place after passing the Matrix of Leadership to Elita-1 and Thundercracker's resolve is tested as he faces off against a bot he once called brother.
Writing
Kirkman continues to turn Transformers lore upside down and inside out in the best way possible. There are a few Transformers animated shows where Starscream is a noble warrior that flips and joins the Autobots. I always found that interesting but never felt like it was a good character choice. Starscream is sneaky, cowardly, conniving and self-serving. None of the qualities that are embodied by the Autobots. In recent issues, Kirkman takes a crack at flipping a Decepticon but instead of Starscream, it's Thundercracker and this makes MUCH more sense! Thundercracker is a character that always exhibited loyalty to the Decepticons but he always had his doubts about it. He had empathy for humans and he even defected from the Decepticons before in the IDW TF Universe. Kirkman has him joining the Aerialbots and I gotta say, it's such a cool dynamic and I am pumped to see how that found family relationship develops for him. But when Skywarp shows up, Thundercracker's loyalties are called into question.
Meanwhile, Optimus is trying to help Cliffjumper with a near-death Shredhead. The big bot that always knew the right thing to say now struggles to do so sans Matrix of Leadership. His heart's in the right place but instead of lifting and reassuring Cliff, all he manages to do is irritate him. It's an odd place for him to be and it's interesting to watch him grow into his new role.
Flagg hatches a plan to save Shredhead and Optimus agrees.
This issue had some very interesting developments and was fun to read. I am not a fan of someone just rehashing what I've already read or watched and I was afraid of this series playing it safe. It's not. It's unpredictable and that makes it so much fun! You'll have to read to see exactly what's changed but I assure you, none of it is done haphazardly. Everything is well thought out and works better than any iteration that came before. This is the ultimate Transformers and if you are a fan you NEED to be reading this.
Art
Jason Howard is one of my favorite Transformers artists! He does sucha good job of drawing robots that are undeniably alive and full of personality. Balancing that with humans and other organic aliens is something Howard has no trouble with. His detail work is incredible and I always have something to stare at when reading a comic book that he handled the art chores on. No notes.
Mike Spicer's colors has a very old school look with a modern smoothness. His colors bring me back to the 80s Marvel Comics Group Transformers series but it's just cleaner and I love it!
David Nakayama, Skybound/Image Comics
Final Thoughts
This issue continues the stellar Energon Universe Transformers series with the usual twists and turns we've come to expect. Kirkman obviously loves writing this series and the artwork is top notch! If you haven't been reading this, stop and ask yourself why not? I guarantee you, whatever your answer is? Unless it's financial hardship, I'm pretty sure it's going to be incorrect. Make a commitment to change that and I promise, you'll thank me when you do!
Downfall has been killing Sorcerer Supremes throughout the universe. Is Doctor Strange the next on the list? Vyrbodin warns of Atho-Tet who Strange seeks out information on through the God Quarry. In doing so, he has released his alter ego, Lord Strange. The only thing strong enough to kill Atho-Tet. With Vyrbodin’s orb open and the lost memories within restored, what will happen to the Nine Realms?
This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!
Creative Team
Writer: Derek Landy Artist: Ivan Fiorelli Color Artist: Dono Sánchez-Almara Letterer: Cory Petit Cover Artist: Alex Horley
Writing
Derek Landy is doing a really great job bringing this story in for a landing. Unfortunately, we know now that Doctor Strange will end after the tenth issue, but Landy is ensuring that we get a nice full story before it wraps up. I can’t get enough of the interplay between Strange and Angela. I entered this series not a huge fan of Angela, but I really love what Landy has done with the character throughout this series. Doctor Strange #9 is no different.
The story continues to move forward with a moving if not contentious, relationship between Strange and Angela. I appreciate the way that Landy laid out this series where Vyrbodin ended up being such a big part of the story beyond just the initial arc. It was amazing to finally get the payoff of what the memory was he took from Doctor Strange. Not only was it a great reveal, but it was just so narratively satisfying. Landy really did some of his best work with that reveal that may have repercussions for the final issue.
Art
Doctor Strange #9 cover by Alex Horley. Image from Marvel Comics
Ivan Fiorelli, Dono Sánchez-Almara, and Cory Petit threw down a slam dunk in this issue. Right out of the gate, Fiorelli gives us just absolutely gorgeous line work. While Dono Sánchez-Almara does great work with the color, Fiorelli sets the tone from the beginning with detailed line work and beautiful shading. The action scenes between Angela and Downfall are immaculate and get even better when Doctor Strange is added to the mix.
Dono Sánchez-Almara takes what Fiorelli laid out and really builds on it. He does a splendid job of matching colors well with the shading already established on the line work. His coloring for Downfall is one of the highlights of this issue, as well as coloring Lord Strange in a way that makes him feel equal parts powerful and untrustworthy. The dual Strange moment provides a perfect time for Cory Petit to shine where he does such an amazing job showing the duality of the moment through his word bubbles.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Strange #9 continues the trend of trying new things in a new way with the Doctor Strange character. It takes full advantage of the setting to tell a unique Doctor Strange story in such a satisfying way. I really hate that the series is winding down but this creative team can and should be proud of the amazing work they’ve done. This series has and continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with Doctor Strange.
Overall Grade: 10 /10
How do you think this run of Doctor Strange ends in the next issue? Let me know in the comments
Kylo Ren has been missing from the First Order. Now taking on the title of Supreme Leader he must return and bring order. But can Kylo handle the mental struggles of his past conflicting with his future…?
Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren is a new series written by Charles Soule. Fans of Star Wars comic books know that Charles is no stranger to scripting amazing stories! This debut issue seems like a regular walk in the park for him. Giving readers an in depth look into the mental struggles that Kylo Ren is dealing with, along with the First Order being torn apart from the inside out. There is a new weight that has also been added to the shoulders of Kylo, being the new Supreme Leader.
Star Wars: The Fall of Kylo Ren #1, Credit Marvel Comics. Cover by Phil Noto.
This first issue starts off focusing on Kylo after he becomes the new Supreme Leader. Now during this time he (Kylo) is not with the First Order. He is off somewhere in the galaxy. Now, as he makes his way back to the First Order is when readers will get to see a vulnerable Kylo. Similar to the film adaptation of him struggling between the light and dark side of the force. But in this instance he is struggling with the skeletons of his past and how they may effect his future. This is something I know for a fact people will resonate with. Which makes this portion of the story very impactful.
Another portion of this story deals with how the First Order is operating with the absence of Kylo. There are two “acting” leaders who come from two very different backgrounds as well as thinking styles. Which leads to failures in battles that shouldn’t have been a struggle at all. That is until the Supreme Leader arrives and places every individual in the First Order in check. The way Kylo interacts with the two leaders is phenomenal! Somber dialogue that makes subtle peaks in aggression in order to get his point across to them. And like a true leader, Kylo makes sure to take some of the blame for the state of the First Order. But also grills the two leaders to get their acts together. This hits on some major leadership traits that I was not expecting to realize while reading this issue.
The final portion of this first issue focuses on Kylo having a deep conversation with the “spirit” of his grandfather. This conversation is more like a vow. Kylo is not going to let his past corrupt or dictate his future. He is the Supreme Leader and he will lead the First Order into becoming the sole power of the galaxy. This is when the “spirit” shares a bone chilling message to Kylo. I believe Kylo is going to hold on to his past and it will effect his leadership of the First Order. That is, if he has any of his grandfather within him…
The Writing
Charles Soule tells Star Wars stories so elegantly. This story stays within a somber yet angry tone throughout the issue. Giving plenty of focus on the struggles of the title character. Giving him this new highly regarded title and responsibility and making readers believe that he can handle it is poetic. The narration within this issue is very descriptive leaving ultimately no gaps that need to be filled right this moment. The dialogue between characters carries the right amount of passion and aggression that is expected given the settings they are used in. I am a fan of Charles Soule’s writing, and I cannot wait for the next issue of this series.
The Artwork
Will Sliney and Guru-eFX present a visual for this issue that is stunning. The pencil work within this issue is smooth and defined. Adding a different tone and texture for the eye to see. The coloration sets the visual tone for the story based off of the script, dark and mysterious. The art makes you feel the mental discomfort from Kylo as well as the outlandish disappointment regarding his leaders. The attention to details within the panels is astonishing! Facial expressions within this issue are quite possibly the best I’ve ever seen. Battle scenes are displayed in iconic Star Wars lore. Amazing work!
Variant Covers
Final Thoughts
I love everything about this first issue! The character development of Kylo fulling taking over as Supreme Leader while trying to bury his past is so compelling. Making his grand appearance and laying down the “Kylo Ren” law to the First Order will make you want to jump to attention and join his forces. Stellar storytelling combined with exceptional artwork makes this a must have for Star Wars fans. Do not miss out on this new series! Make sure you pick up this debut issue from your local comic book shop today!
If you missed the previous issue, Shawn and I found it to be an insanely massive improvement over the start! With her starting to come around, Mimi’s coming to terms with herself. Simultaneously, she’s learning more about her supposed friend and place of therapy. Will they make it through therapy in one piece? Or will they be swallowed up by their troubles? Follow Shawn and I as we seek the Answers ourselves in Connor Goldsmith’s “Did You Hear About Mimi Green? #3”.
Shawn: What a wild and crazy issue. Connor Goldsmith did a masterful job with storytelling in this issue. The story filled in so many questions I had through the first two issues and did so in a very satisfying way. “Did You Hear About Mimi Green?” is such a good reminder about how comics can be about more than just basic entertainment. Goldsmith reminds us that on top of just telling a story, the story can have us ask questions.
Beyond just the cool story and beautiful art are questions about what we think about when we look in the mirror. Beyond just the psychological aspect of this story, Goldsmith brilliantly jumps headfirst into the body horror aspect. This leaves you finishing the comic wondering if anyone is more harsh on us than we are on ourselves.
Source: Josh Cornillon, Dark Horse Comics
Eda: I don’t know how he’s doing it, but Connor Goldsmith keeps making each issue better and better. While Mimi continues her journey towards self-acceptance, the story continues its own journey towards teaching about the importance of mental health. Goldsmith brilliantly weaves the journeys of several characters together, showing how mental health can impact people differently. Anything from body image to addiction is fair game here and it’s handled with care and compassion.
However, with that being said, the body horror imagery on display her is immensely powerful. The coupling of the imagery with Goldsmith’s storytelling is serving as a new standard. In the realm of horror, imagery is a big part of the storytelling and without its impact, the story can suffer. Here, they work beautifully hand-in-hand.
The Art
Shawn: Josh Cornillon did one of my absolute favorite things in comics with this issue. We got a chance to see Cornillon break away from the traditional panel shape and the result was super satisfying. I love when artists go out on a limb and find a way to make the panel not just contain art but be part of the art itself. On top of that, Cornillon does a wonderful job of making the art feel dreamlike as well as connecting just enough body aspects to feel the body horror aspect of the comic.
Eda: As I previously stated, the art on display here from Cornillon is immensely powerful. Throughout the entire book, he manages to place you in action in a quite literal way. Due to how the panels are drawn, you’re made to feel like you’re trapped inside of a body you’re uncomfortable in, something I know all too well. I absolutely love this, as Cornillon works to put you in the mind of Mimi, helping to understand her actions and who she is.
Something else I loved as well was how truly creative Cornillon got to be here. Throughout the entire issue, Mimi’s self-acceptance comes about in a very literal way, almost like a superpower. Much like in real life where our experiences shape us, she uses that learning to be better and help those in need. This is truly powerful stuff.
Final Thoughts
Shawn: Goldsmith, Cornillon and Maher put together another outstanding issue of “Did You Hear About Mimi Green?”. So many questions were answered, and that plot twist at the end was satisfying, leaving me desperate for the next issue.
Eda: The whole team truly came together to create something wonderful and impactful. This isn’t just a horror story, but a story about overcoming yourself, personal growth and acceptance. The art, writing and lettering all work beautifully together, hand-in-hand, in a way that’s hard to come by.
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