https://versedb.com/user/dangioffre/reviews dangioffre has reviewed comics on VerseDB. en-us Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:03:23 +0000 https://versedb.com/issue/1108302/absolute-green-arrow-2026-2/review/138 https://versedb.com/issue/1108302/absolute-green-arrow-2026-2/review/138 dangioffre Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:03:23 +0000 Contains spoilers. Read the full review on VerseDB. https://versedb.com/issue/1108244/superman-father-of-tomorrow-2026-1/review/132 https://versedb.com/issue/1108244/superman-father-of-tomorrow-2026-1/review/132 dangioffre Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:33:32 +0000 Superman: Father of Tomorrow #1 is a fresh and exciting take on the Superman story. Instead of Kal-El landing on the Kent farm, it is his father Jor-El who survives Krypton's destruction and crash lands on Earth. What makes this work immediately is how quickly you warm up to Jor-El as a character. He is taken in by the Kents and grows up alongside John Kent as his adopted brother, and that bond is the emotional core of the issue. Without giving anything away, something happens that drives Jor-El to want to do good for the world, and Porter makes you feel every bit of it. It is the classic Superman origin with a twist that changes everything and it works beautifully. The art from Danny Earls is great throughout and fits the tone perfectly. The world Porter is building is fascinating, with a young Lex Luthor, an early Metallo, and a version of the DCU being shaped decades before it should be. This is a compelling start to a six issue Elseworlds series and I cannot wait to see where it goes. https://versedb.com/issue/489598/invincible-universe-battle-beast-165268-1/review/129 https://versedb.com/issue/489598/invincible-universe-battle-beast-165268-1/review/129 dangioffre Wed, 27 May 2026 21:34:31 +0000 Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 is a great read from start to finish. The premise is simple and perfect. Battle Beast is out here traveling the universe picking fights with everyone and everything, either to prove he is the greatest warrior alive or to finally find someone worthy enough to kill him. Kirkman and Ottley are firing on all cylinders, the action is constant and brutal, the art is fantastic, and Ottley does not hold back on the carnage. Whether you are a longtime Invincible fan or coming in fresh this is an easy recommend. https://versedb.com/issue/1108243/absolute-green-arrow-2026-1/review/128 https://versedb.com/issue/1108243/absolute-green-arrow-2026-1/review/128 dangioffre Wed, 27 May 2026 21:30:48 +0000 A buddy told me I had to read this and he was right. Absolute Green Arrow #1 is an absolute banger. I will be upfront that Green Arrow has never really been my character. I tried the Dawn of DC run and fell off it pretty quick, but this is a completely different animal. Someone has taken up the Green Arrow mantle in the most brutal way possible, hunting corrupt billionaires and leaving green arrows in the bodies, and the central mystery of who is actually behind the mask is the hook that makes this impossible to put down. The kills are brutal, creative, and genuinely shocking. It feels more like a slasher film than a superhero comic and that is exactly what makes it so good. The art from Albuquerque is fantastic and perfectly matches the dark, gritty tone. Dinah Lance is the real POV character here, an ex MMA fighter turned bodyguard, and she is a great lens into this wild story. There is a lot of history and moving pieces being set up and Pichetshote handles it all with confidence. This is the kind of first issue that makes you angry the next one is not already in your hands. Hurry up issue 2. https://versedb.com/issue/1108257/odin-2026-1/review/127 https://versedb.com/issue/1108257/odin-2026-1/review/127 dangioffre Tue, 26 May 2026 22:37:21 +0000 Odin #1 is a weird one, but in the best way. The issue follows Adela, an investigative reporter who goes undercover with a group of neo-Nazi punks headed to the frozen forests of Norway convinced they can summon Odin and claim their so-called white destiny. What starts as an unsettling character study slowly builds into something much darker and stranger than expected. I had to stop a few times while reading and lost the thread a bit early on, but as the issue went on it started getting really interesting and pulled me back in hard. And all I have to say about Kevin is... damn. The art from Letizia Cadonici is outstanding. It is trippy, detailed, and perfectly captures the psychedelic horror tone the story is going for. Jordie Bellaire's colors are a big part of what makes the visuals hit so hard. Tynion and Bennett are clearly building toward something wild with this one and I am fully on board for issue 2. https://versedb.com/issue/472545/diablo-dawn-of-hatred-1/review/126 https://versedb.com/issue/472545/diablo-dawn-of-hatred-1/review/126 dangioffre Fri, 22 May 2026 22:52:23 +0000 As a Diablo fan since day one who still fires up Diablo 2 regularly, seeing a canon comic series set in Sanctuary was an instant must-buy. Cullen Bunn comes out swinging with a strong opening issue. The story follows Derris, a skeptical barbarian warrior traveling with the Fox Tribe, who finds himself protecting the resurrected prophet Akarat while struggling to believe in his message of peace and light. When assassins come gunning for Akarat, the action kicks in fast and the dark fantasy atmosphere Diablo is known for is fully present from page one. Four issues is a tight window but this first chapter sets up something with real potential. The art from Daniele Serra is the standout. It is clean, detailed, and looks fantastic. The dark and gritty tone fits the world perfectly and every page feels like it belongs in the Diablo universe. If you are a fan of the games this one is worth picking up. https://versedb.com/issue/453950/new-line-cinemas-tales-of-horror-160799-1/review/125 https://versedb.com/issue/453950/new-line-cinemas-tales-of-horror-160799-1/review/125 dangioffre Thu, 21 May 2026 19:42:33 +0000 A fun concept on paper, Freddy and Leatherface in the same anthology comic, but it never really delivers on that promise. Both stories feel underdeveloped and forgettable. Worth a read if you are a fan of either franchise, but don't expect much beyond a surface level encounter with these icons. https://versedb.com/issue/1149833/daredevil-2026-2/review/124 https://versedb.com/issue/1149833/daredevil-2026-2/review/124 dangioffre Thu, 21 May 2026 18:30:16 +0000 Daredevil #2 is a smooth, easy read and Garbett's art is fantastic throughout. The action sequences are sharp and the contrast between Matt Murdock the college professor and Daredevil on the streets is handled really well visually. Phillips is building an intriguing mystery with Omen and the eye-removal murders, and the cliffhanger ending genuinely lands. This series has a good grip on what makes Daredevil work at street level. What stands out most though is how Matt is written here. He is scared. He is rattled. This is not the fearless, unshakeable Man Without Fear we are used to, and honestly that makes it feel more real and more human. When your enemy can already see the future and has basically told you that you are going to die, some fear makes total sense. Phillips leaning into that vulnerability rather than ignoring it is the right call, and it makes Matt a more compelling character for it. Looking forward to seeing how he fights his way through this. https://versedb.com/issue/1107585/smile-for-the-camera-2026-3/review/123 https://versedb.com/issue/1107585/smile-for-the-camera-2026-3/review/123 dangioffre Thu, 21 May 2026 15:34:01 +0000 Hannah Rose May delivers again with issue #3. The pacing is fast but it never feels rushed, and the story hits hard. Ivy is front and center here trying to make sense of the chaos around her while her world keeps spiraling, and May does a great job putting you right in her shoes. You genuinely feel for these girls as things keep getting worse and the people around them keep dropping. What makes this issue work beyond the horror is the human villains layered underneath the supernatural ones. Perry and Purple are exactly the kind of monsters that make your skin crawl in a different way than the Entity, and the tension between the industry predators and the curse itself keeps things interesting. Cannot wait to see both of them get what is coming to them. Issue #4 cannot get here fast enough. https://versedb.com/issue/389076/berserk-deluxe-edition-109082-1/review/119 https://versedb.com/issue/389076/berserk-deluxe-edition-109082-1/review/119 dangioffre Sat, 16 May 2026 14:37:07 +0000 So my buddy basically forced this into my hands and told me I had no choice. First manga I've ever read, so take this review with that in mind. Honestly? The story was better than I expected. It drops you right into the action with Guts, this massive dude swinging around a sword that's basically the size of a car, cutting through demons and anyone unlucky enough to cross him. He's a savage and I love that about him. No hand-holding, no long origin dump, just here's this guy and he does not care about you at all. There's something refreshing about a protagonist who isn't trying to be likable. The story itself is dark and pretty violent but it works. It's not gratuitous for no reason, it builds a world that feels brutal and has real stakes. The monsters are genuinely creepy and the whole vibe has this grimy medieval horror feel to it that I wasn't expecting to get into but did. My one complaint is the black and white art. I get that's just manga, but it's not really my thing. That said, the actual artwork is hard to deny. Miura clearly put insane detail into every panel, and some of the full page spreads are genuinely impressive even without color. Would I pick up Volume 2? Probably not. Not because it was bad, just not really my format. If you're already a manga reader this seems like a no brainer though. As a first timer I can see why people go crazy for it. https://versedb.com/issue/1213619/eowulf-of-monsters-and-middle-school-1/review/117 https://versedb.com/issue/1213619/eowulf-of-monsters-and-middle-school-1/review/117 dangioffre Fri, 15 May 2026 19:01:31 +0000 Eowulf: Of Monsters & Middle School is a blast from start to finish. Cavallaro does a great job capturing Eowulf trying to reintegrate into normal life after her wild summer adventures, and that tension makes her feel like a real character rather than just an action hero. The story draws you in fast and I read it straight through in one sitting. The action is well paced, easy to follow, and the characters are genuinely entertaining. Roger the sentient sword alone is worth the price of admission. The real heart of the book though is Amadeus Hornburg, the kid everyone treats like a villain before bothering to understand him. His arc is one of the best parts of the story and honestly we need justice for Amadeus. The theme of not judging things by what they look like on the surface runs through the whole book in a way that feels natural rather than preachy. And bonus points for being set in New Jersey. Highly recommend it, and I am already onto book two. https://versedb.com/issue/390219/nico-bravo-and-the-hound-of-hades-2019-gn/review/116 https://versedb.com/issue/390219/nico-bravo-and-the-hound-of-hades-2019-gn/review/116 dangioffre Fri, 15 May 2026 13:31:38 +0000 Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades is a genuinely fun read. The story moves at a fast pace but never feels rushed. It's easy to follow even with multiple threads running at once and it never drags. The humor lands too; I found myself laughing out loud a few times, which isn't always easy to pull off in a graphic novel. Cavallaro does a great job balancing the comedy with an actual adventure that has real stakes and a satisfying ending. The art and colors are a big part of what makes this work. The vibrant, psychedelic palette gives the whole book an energy that matches the story perfectly. The mythology mashup of gods and monsters from all different pantheons colliding in one place is creative and entertaining, and the characters are all likable enough that you want to follow them further. I'll definitely be picking up book two and jumping into the Eowulf series as well. https://versedb.com/issue/665510/smile-for-the-camera-2/review/92 https://versedb.com/issue/665510/smile-for-the-camera-2/review/92 dangioffre Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:10:03 +0000 This issue keeps the momentum going from the first one. The art from Miriana Puglia looks great and clean, and it pulls you deeper into the horror. When the visuals are this well done, every unsettling moment hits harder. The story is building well too. They're layering in backstory gradually instead of throwing everything at you at once, which makes you want to keep coming back. Reading this series has me wanting to dig into more of Hannah Rose May's horror work, and that says a lot. If you're looking for something good to pick up, this is it. https://versedb.com/issue/472710/its-tag-team-time/review/91 https://versedb.com/issue/472710/its-tag-team-time/review/91 dangioffre Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:48:35 +0000 Okay this issue was a ton of fun. The tag team fights this round are a blast and some of the team up choices are just wild and bizarre, which honestly makes it even better. It's pretty much non stop action from start to finish and it never feels overwhelming. The writing is solid and the art is great throughout. Shazam Superman was absolutely sick though and I need more of that immediately. And that ending! The cliffhanger they leave you with had me ready to jump straight into issue 4. DC K.O. keeps delivering and this is shaping up to be a really fun event. https://versedb.com/issue/665486/web-of-venom-1/review/90 https://versedb.com/issue/665486/web-of-venom-1/review/90 dangioffre Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:54:39 +0000 FREAKS ASSEMBLE! Web of Venom #1 starts off in a fun, unexpected way and I'm totally here for it. We get a "THICC" Spidey-inspired Venom strutting around and the vibe is just goofy and entertaining in the best way possible. It's a different kind of symbiote story than what you'd expect and that's honestly what makes it work. The concept is fresh, the humor lands, and it kept me smiling throughout. The art is also really solid. The character designs are bold and expressive, which fits the tone of the story perfectly. The only real complaint is that this is a one-shot because this concept had the potential to be an awesome mini-series and it's a little sad we only get one issue of it. Hopefully Marvel takes note and gives this more room to breathe down the line. https://versedb.com/issue/85914/alliance-chapter-one-the-reach/review/89 https://versedb.com/issue/85914/alliance-chapter-one-the-reach/review/89 dangioffre Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:23:28 +0000 Gargoyles: Dark Ages #1 is a love letter to the original animated series, taking the Wyvern Clan back to 10th century Scotland where humans and gargoyles once coexisted. Original series creator Greg Weisman sets up a politically charged story centered on an uneasy alliance between the clan and a prince seeking help to reclaim his kingdom's throne. It's a calm, deliberate opener that spends most of its time establishing tone and characters rather than going full action mode, which may disappoint some but rewards patient readers. Drew Moss's artwork is a real highlight, capturing the look and feel of the classic cartoon while bringing his own style to some beautifully composed panels. The gargoyles themselves are rendered with great variety and detail. The one knock is that the human characters can be hard to tell apart, which makes some of the political maneuvering a little tricky to follow. Still, a solid start for any fan of the franchise. https://versedb.com/issue/1107376/daredevil-2026-1/review/88 https://versedb.com/issue/1107376/daredevil-2026-1/review/88 dangioffre Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:28:41 +0000 Daredevil #1 kicks off with Matt Murdock living his double life as a law professor by day and the Devil of Hell's Kitchen by night. It's a solid introduction issue that does its job of setting the stage. Don't expect to be blown away, but there's enough here to keep you hooked. The art is decent overall, though a few panels feel a bit cramped and could've used more breathing room. That said, the foundation is there and the series feels like it has real potential. Issue #2 has a high bar to clear, but I'm optimistic it'll deliver. Worth picking up if you're a DD fan. https://versedb.com/issue/85760/issue-1-225/review/83 https://versedb.com/issue/85760/issue-1-225/review/83 dangioffre Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:11:30 +0000 Honestly was a little lost at the start of this one, but I'm pretty sure that's on me for not reading Rick and Morty vs. the Universe first. Around 6 pages in it started to click though and I got into it. It's got that classic Rick and Morty feel once it gets going and it actually made me want to go back and catch up on that last series. Jarrett Williams' art is great, really fits the vibe. Good first issue overall, just might want to do some homework before jumping in. https://versedb.com/issue/83588/chapter-two-objects-in-motion/review/82 https://versedb.com/issue/83588/chapter-two-objects-in-motion/review/82 dangioffre Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:06:46 +0000 DC K.O. #2 is a step up from the first issue and a genuinely great time. The tournament is in full swing, and what makes this round clever is that rather than straight one-on-one fights, the 32 champions are racing across a deadly arena to claim the most powerful weapons and artifacts in the DCU. It sounds chaotic because it is, but Snyder and Williamson keep it easy to follow even with so many characters in motion. The unexpected character pairings are half the fun, and there's a wild moment between Wonder Woman and Etrigan that alone is worth the price of admission. The Superman and Lex Luthor thread is the heart of the issue. Snyder clearly has a deep understanding of Clark's moral compass, and watching Superman wrestle with whether the Justice League is even doing the right thing by participating adds real weight to what could have just been a mindless brawl. There's an ethical knife twist here, as one reviewer put it, that elevates the whole event. I want Snyder writing Superman more. The issue ends on a legitimate shocker too, and I'm fully in for issue #3. https://versedb.com/issue/83587/chapter-one-into-the-ring/review/78 https://versedb.com/issue/83587/chapter-one-into-the-ring/review/78 dangioffre Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:40:49 +0000 DC K.O #1 starts the series off really strong! I love that it focuses on Superman. I can't get enough of that! The story is coming together nicely and doesn’t feel too complicated, even with everything going on. If you've checked out some of Scott Snyder's stuff, you know this one’s gonna be good. Can’t wait to see who ends up being the Champion! https://versedb.com/issue/691113/smile-for-the-camera-1/review/77 https://versedb.com/issue/691113/smile-for-the-camera-1/review/77 dangioffre Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:30:14 +0000 Honestly? It starts off pretty slow. But it picks up towards the end and leaves you wanting more. The art from Miriana Puglia is where it is at though. Super detailed, great to look at, and it carries the book hard. Dearbhla Kelly's colors tie it all together nicely too. Not a perfect read but a good one. Issue two is going on the pull list for sure.