I have been reading comics since I was eleven - over a quarter-century! I love them as an art form as well as the characters, and want to see them continue to grow as a respectable medium. It's my humble honor and privilege to act as editor-in-chief of Comic Watch!
Punisher: Soviet Part 4 – A Girl With a Heart as Big as the Sky
Punisher: Soviet #4 (Ennis, Burrows, Ortego, Woodard) is a pretty downbeat affair, with huge swaths of exposition buttressed by compulsory action sequences. The art is flat and the writing seems to just be going through the motions. Everyone involved is better than this!
DetailsWonder Woman #752 (Orlando, Raynor, Fajardo Jr.) attempts to have some lofty things to say about Wonder Woman’s moral code in combat, but winds up being an underwhelming outing overall.
DetailsYear of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3
All things taken equally, Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 (Tynion IV, Epting, Fernandez, Filardi) isn’t a bad comic per se. But it is a step back from the slam-bang fisticuffs of previous installments. There’s some great interplay between Joker and Lex, and the table is set for the (supposedly) final throwdown with the Batman Who Laughs. It’s a table-setting issue, which is fine, but it is dragged down by inconsistent art. It’s a table-setting issue, which is fine, but it is dragged down by inconsistent art.
DetailsThough not quite the profound statement it wants to be on all things Flash (though it comes close!), issue 750 (Williamson, Sandoval, Segovia, & so many more) of this legendary title is still a wonderful testament to the staying power of its titular hero, his legacy, and what the future holds. Spoiler: it’s coming at you faster than light!
DetailsComic Watch’s own Matt Meyer sits down to talk faith, comedy, and billionaires with acclaimed author Mark Russell, writer of Second Coming and the forthcoming Billionaire Island!
DetailsTeen Titans #39 (Glass, Thompson, Pansica, Ferreira, Maolo) feels a bit off due to the regular creative team only being partially present for the proceedings, but is still a good old-fashioned superhero brawl that brings the stakes and a pleasant and surprising guest-star. If you’re sleeping on this title, it’s time to wake up!
DetailsAquaman #57 brings all of the emotional depth, intensity, and outright maturity readers have come to expect from the Eisner-caliber creative team of DeConnick, Rocha, Henriques, and Fajardo Jr.!
DetailsAvengers #31
Avengers #31 (Aaron, Zaffino, Borges, Kudranski, Bazaldua, Gill, Iulis) may have some serious retcon issues involving Howard Stark that must be addressed at some point, and leaves far too many dangling plot threads to be considered a complete narrative, but there’s no denying the powerful character work put into Iron Man makes for some seriously compelling reading.
DetailsLegion of Super-Heroes #4
Despite some cosmetic changes, Legion of Super-Heroes #4’s (Bendis, Sook, Janin) foray into this new spin on the Legion’s origin feels more compulsory than inspired. The art is still great, but a mere four issues in, and this title suddenly feels like it’s treading water.
DetailsSymbiote Spider-Man: Alien Reality
A bit more uneven than previous outings, Symbiote Spider-Man: Alien Reality #3 (David, Land, LIesten) still proves to be a fun and bouncy read despite some padding in the plot. If you’re an old-school Spidey fan, this is definitely a book worth checking out!
DetailsA decidedly flat end to a decidedly flat miniseries, Hellmouth #5 (Bellaire, Lambert, Carlini) succeeds only in asking readers why they spent money on it in the first place.
DetailsIn setting up the next big bad in Flash #88, writer Josh Williamson and artist Howard Porter have uniquely tied Paradox into the Flash’s mythos, and also created a sympathetic antagonist. Job well-done all around!
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