AVENGERS #684 MARVEL COMICS
I don’t believe it! Finally, after 9 chapters of the epic event, Marvel gives me something I can work with. The Hulk is back and thankfully with a lengthy explanation. The truth of Voyager is revealed and makes sense. And the battle between the Grandmaster and Challenger fades into the deep dark back round so it doesn’t get in the way. And with Cannonball, Quicksilver, Living Lightning, and Enigma down, it’s time to break out some Hulkbuster armor! I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
ENCOUNTER #1 CUB HOUSE
The Ultimate in kid comic creators join forces to create the next book we adults can buy and say it’s for our children. Ha! G-Man’s best-est pal, Chris Giarrusso teams up with honorary Teen Titans Go! member Art Baltazar and Tiny Titans scribe Franco Aureliani to bring us the newest comic sensation! It’s Brother From Another Planet meets the Impossible Man, as this somewhat naïve alien who finds himself in the role of super-hero. Fun, heartwarming, and filled with good natured humor. This is a title set for the whole family! I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams!
DISNEY PRINCESS AND THE FROG #1 JOE BOOKS
Tiana, Charlotte, Doctor Facilier, Prince Naveen, Louis, and Ray are all back in a faithful retelling of this Disney Princess classic. With the amazing art provided by the painters of this book, it’s no wonder this one’s a top seller. The collaboration between Joe Books and Disney Comics is certainly proving to be a very worthwhile endeavor! I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
SUPERGIRL #19 DC COMICS
So. This book … umm … Steve Orlando & Vita Ayala’s tale is a touching one which highlights what Kara’s character is best at, helping the underdog. Then, uh, there’s Jamal Campbell art which really works well with this sort of subject matter. Awww, who am I kidding! Will you look at that A-Ma-Zing variant cover from Stanley “Artgerm” Lau! OMG! But if you do manage to get past the cover, it’s worth the read. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
VAMPIRONICA #1 ARCHIE COMICS
With the new wave of Archie in the year 2018 and Riverdale, I’d really like to find something I could latch onto. For an issue or two, I thought I might have found it with the After Life with Archie but that lost it’s appeal rather quickly. Unfortunately, a vampire Veronica doesn’t appear to be it either. It’s initial appeal is quickly lost by the rather slow moving story and standard New Wave Archie artwork which is lost on the old man in me. However, this title has all the green flags for your standard Riverdale, Buffy the Vampire, and Twilight fans. Another Archie horror book made for the current generation. Sigh. I give it a 5 out of 10 Grahams.
ATHENA VOLTAIRE AND THE SORCERER POPE #2 ACTION LAB
Athena has found the hiding place of the mysterious tablet but the enemies have found Athena! Steve Bryant’s storyline still gives us exactly what we want as we the readers see that something isn’t kosher with this adventure. But will Athena see it before it’s too late. Our favorite independant heroine is back and Action Lab was smart to give her a home. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.