@mike Pro

Running mostly on nostalgia I don't fully have for this one.

The title's funnier than most of the jokes in it

Crossover freebies are usually filler. This one at least had a real hook.

Charming vintage all-ages stuff. Not really my usual lane but harmless.

Solid teen-team stuff. Doesn't reinvent anything but it's paced well.

The most confident issue of the three so far.

More of the same charm. Nothing wrong with that at this scale.

Cute, low-stakes, exactly what the license needs it to be.

Creepy premise, patient setup. Curious where this goes.

This is the issue where the characters finally click back into who they're supposed to be.

Suki still doesn't feel quite like herself, but BellBessa's art keeps me reading.

This is the issue that gets the pacing back under control. Lemire earns the creepiness again.

Still unsettling, still leaning on De Latorre's shifting art registers to do the horror. Wish the mystery tightened up instead of widening.

One of the best single issues of the run. Everything Vaughan does well, all at once.

Quieter chapter, still good, just not the highlight of this stretch.

Ending it with a conversation instead of a fight was the right call. Twelve issues of not reaching anybody and he finally does.

Asking me to take scissors to my own comic is the most Camp thing in the run. Despero knows exactly where to press.

Nihilo Bay drained of all color is a hell of a look. John just gets things done to him this issue though.

Despair being literal intrusive thoughts is the smartest thing this run's done. The therapy scene where she lands on schizophrenia got me.

The art going plain the second the Martian leaves him says more than the dialogue does. The gun monologue is a lot.

John Jones on the run, holed up in a motel, waiting for the government goons to catch up. Quieter issue but I liked the breather.

My favorite of the run. Got lost in the mental battle at first, but once it clicked it hit hard. White Martian's cool as hell.

The blackout issue is a real manhunt for whoever's behind it. Good, not as good as 4 or 6.

Watching neighbors turn on each other over nothing was rough.

I absolutely loved this issue, especially since it really starts taking the narrative into significantly darker territory. The psychological weight of the arson storyline strips away the illusion of safety and makes the stakes feel incredibly heavy.

A sweet little love letter to Bubbline fans, but don't go in expecting anything too deep. The mixtape chapter structure is a genuinely clever idea and Rosie Knight clearly has a lot of affection for these characters, capturing the push and pull between PB's tendency to overthink and Marcy's reckless pride really well. The art is the main sticking point though — Vereli's style is pretty but the detailed hands and full eyes take some getting used to if you're coming from the show. Solid Pride Month read and worth picking up if you're a fan of the couple, but it's hard to call it much more than a nice treat.

Issue 2 keeps the momentum going but things get a lot more layered. Lemire is clearly playing a long game here and this issue leans hard into the mystery, maybe a bit too hard at times. There were moments where I genuinely lost track of what was happening inside the Matrix versus what was playing out in the real world, and not always in a good way.

That said, when it clicks, it really clicks. De Latorre's art continues to be a highlight and the shifting visual registers are doing a lot of heavy lifting to keep the reader oriented. The horror elements are still working well and the stakes feel like they are genuinely escalating.

A small step down from the near-perfect debut just because the storytelling gets murky in places, but still a compelling read. Fully committed to seeing where this goes.

Lemire and De Latorre come out swinging with one of the most unsettling debut issues DC has put out in years. The genius of this first issue is that Firestorm isn't the hero, he's the threat. The Matrix is running the show now, and watching something that looks like Ronnie Raymond move through a small Colorado town with cold, alien purpose is genuinely creepy stuff.

Firehawk makes for a perfect anchor character. She knows what Firestorm should be, which makes everything he does here hit twice as hard. The Silver Age flashback sequence in the middle is a brilliant move, giving just enough warmth and context for the real Ronnie before yanking it away. De Latorre's art shifts effortlessly between tripped-out cosmic horror and classic four-color nostalgia, and that tonal range is seriously impressive.

The biblical prose narration in the opening pages sets the tone perfectly. This isn't a superhero story. It's a horror mystery wearing a superhero costume, and Lemire is exactly the right writer for it.

Minor gripe: if you're not already familiar with the Firestorm Matrix concept, the issue doesn't hold your hand much. But for those who are, or who are willing to lean into the mystery, this is a hell of a start.

Older, married, dad-mode Peter Parker is such a great twist. Great art and family stuff hits hard.

It's a great return to the Avatar universe, a few character moments felt a bit off. It's awesome to finally see the rest of Suki's squad get some actual development, and the art by BellBessa perfectly matches the vibe of the show. I think Suki caves a bit too easily, which felt really out of character for someone normally so fiercely protective of her traditions.

Javier Rodríguez's art alone is worth the price of admission. The kaleidoscopic colors, the psychedelic thought-smoke, the mid-century aesthetic all come together in a way I've never seen in a mainstream comic. Camp's take on J'onn feels genuinely fresh and I'm completely hooked on where this is going.

Good for a freebie. Did its job getting me curious about what's next.

Three solid previews packed into a freebie. The Ultimate Miles tease alone made it worth grabbing.

Solid reset after the hiatus. Not the most exciting issue but catching up with everyone felt good.

So much going on and it all works. Heist puking on Hazel is peak Saga humor in the middle of all the chaos.

The Prince Robot IV spotlight was a great call. What starts as a tense conversation turns into a slow-burn powder keg.

Gorgeous painted art but the story didn't really stick with me. Eye candy for a freebie though.

Alana spiraling while trying to hold it all together is gut-wrenching.

A gothic horror take on Arkham's origins told through Amadeus Arkham's journals. Hixson's art drips with dread, and Snyder and Tieri pull off a sneaky Joker character study disguised as a haunted history lesson. Batman barely shows up and honestly it doesn't matter. Easily one of the best single issues in the Absolute Universe so far.

It introduces Kara in a way that feels friendly and easy to follow, with clear art and a tone that does not take itself too seriously. It works as a fun starting point that lets you get to know the character before things get heavier.

This opening issue comes out swinging and wastes little time explaining what kind of story it wants to be. The setup is clear, the action is big, and the extra pages give everything room to breathe. It feels ambitious and confident, even if some parts are still coming together.

This issue turns up the action and keeps the story moving at a fast pace. A lot happens, and the sense of competition and chaos is easy to follow. It can feel busy at times, but it stays fun and sets up the next chapter well.

It does a good job of bringing the tone and emotion of the original story into a comic. It comes across more like a preview or sketch than a fully polished comic.

This issue keeps the story moving with clear action and steady tension. It adds a bit more weight to the pilots and their situation without slowing things down. A solid follow-up to the first issue.

This one-shot is a fun, laid-back comic that mixes familiar Street Fighter characters with Rival Schools in silly, energetic battles. It does not take itself seriously and keeps things easy to follow from start to finish.

This first issue sets the tone really well, focusing on the tension and danger of flying for the Empire rather than big heroic moments.

This issue continues the story at a steady pace and spends more time building the world and characters. The art remains strong and gives this version of Batman a distinct look and mood. There is less action than the first issue, but the quieter moments help shape the tone of the series.

This first issue is a fun and easy entry point, with a clear setup and strong visuals that make the danger feel real right away. The story moves at a good pace, introducing the hunt and the characters without getting confusing or heavy. Vader’s presence adds tension even when he is not front and center, giving the issue a darker tone. It does not try to do anything radical, but it works well as a solid and engaging start.

This first issue makes the story easy to follow and exciting even if you know the movie well, with clear art and scenes that grab your attention right away. It sets up the characters and their goals in a way that feels natural, and the pacing keeps you wanting to turn the page. The emotion and stakes are hinted at without feeling too heavy, so it works well as an entry point for new readers and fans of the film alike. It feels like a solid start that captures the spirit of the original story.

This issue keeps things tense and focused, with clear action and a steady sense of pressure throughout. The flying scenes are exciting without being hard to follow, and the story does a good job showing how stressful life is for these pilots. Instead of feeling heroic, everything feels risky and uncertain, which makes the world more believable. It works well as a build-up chapter that strengthens the tone of the series without giving too much away.

The best Batman debut in years. Snyder strips away the billionaire fantasy and finds something raw underneath. Dragotta's art is ferocious. Essential reading.

This is exactly what I've been wanting from a Spider-Man book. A grown-up Peter with a family, only to find out the Maker stole his destiny? Such a great hook. Hickman takes his time with the character work and it pays off big time by the end. Checchetto's art is gorgeous too. Can't wait to see where this goes.

Messiah Complex Chapter Four delivers strong character tension and sharp storytelling that keeps the larger crossover moving with high stakes. While the art and pacing shine, it falls just short of perfection.