Category: Comic Book Review

Special Preview! Romance comics have an outdated and cheesy stigma about them, but once they played a large role within comic history. Within the third phase of the golden era (1948 to 1954) comic readership was at an all time high, read by both men and women, and romance comics were one of the five genres that kept comic readership diverse. In an attempt to bring more diversity back to comics, Arcana is proud to present the Amour Anthology!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

I need to admit here, that this comic book was one of the pure trash I had read this year, and I had quiet a few comic books this year which is on that list. 

This preview struggled a lot making an positive or good impression on me personally. Because there is so much things I hate about this preview. 

The story of this preview feels very disjointed and lacks clear direction to where the plot here is heading towards. Because of this aspect of this preview it is very difficult to engage with the characters or the plot.

The writing in this preview comes across as very muddled. The dialogues in this preview feel very unrealistic and the same thing can be said about the characters in this preview.

The pacing of this preview is very uneven, because it is either very very slow, slower than a turtle or the pacing sprints throw the scenes in full speed.

The artwork in this preview fails a lot to elevate the narrative or provide the visual clarity needed to at the very least draw me personally into the plot of this preview. 

The panels of this preview feel very cluttered and at times confusing, which further detracts from the overall reading experience.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

In this all-new series from DAVID HINE (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN), BRIAN HABERLIN (WITCHBLADE), and GEIRROD VAN DYKE (SPAWN, MEDIEVAL SPAWN/WITCHBLADE), two cultures clash on a planet they each believe is their Promised Land. The Rans are a peace-loving people, but the Tayans are a race of warriors who seek to colonize and control. The mysterious Sleeping Giants also call this place home, though no one knows if they’re monsters or the gods of legend. And amidst all this, a young woman named Sonata is willing to break all the rules to find her place in this world—and she’s not about to let sleeping gods lie.

I need to admit here that I was very skeptical about this comic book because I read a lot of very bad and shitty comic books in my time. But this comic book is very good and I will explain everything in this review.

I never heard about the “Sonata” comic book series. So this comic book gave me an electrifying start to a dark and captivating series that instantly had grabbed my attention and refused to let go until the very end of this comic book.

The storytelling aspect of this comic book is very sharp and immersive, weaving a complex narrative that masterfully blends fantasy, horror, and emotional depth. Which made me fall in love with this comic book even more. 

The plot in this comic book is very rich with intrigue and layered characters, setting up a world that feels both vast and intimately personal.

The artwork in this comic book is nothing short of spectacular. The artwork in this comic book is detailed, dynamic, and atmospheric. Each panel is meticulously crafted, with expressive character work and stunning visuals that perfectly complement the story’s tone.

In a way the artwork in this comic book add a haunting vibrancy, enhancing the mood and bringing the pages to life with a cinematic quality.

This comic book balances thrilling action with thoughtful storytelling, creating a compelling reading experience that appeals to fans of dark fantasy and supernatural tales alike. Which made me give this comic book a lot of extra points for doing because again it made me fall in love with this comic book and the whole series.

I Give This Book 5 / 5

Comic book legend Stan Lee’s newest creation, The Unknowns, makes it’s world debut on Free Comic Book Day! Two average teens help alien protectors disguise themselves as a touring rock group in order to take out undercover cells of invaders! Also included is the next chapter in the Howard Lovecraft series (just in time for the animated feature film, Howard Lovecraft & The Frozen Kingdom), as everyone’s favorite Cthulhu teams up with young H.P. Lovecraft in Howard Lovecraft & The Squid Kids! 32 pages of all-ages animated fun!

I need to admit here that the only reason why I read this comic book is because it has H.P Lovecraft as its main character. Which easily makes me read anything if the book or comic book has one of my favorite horror authors in them as the main character.

This comic book aims to introduce H.P Lovecraft and the monsters he created in his stories for a wider family-friendly audience which the parents would allow their young  kids to read. Which was a very unique approach to H.P Lovecraft and his satires. 

The Lovecraftian horror is very weak in this comic book because this comic book is supposed to be a kid friendly adventurous twist. But for me personally this comic book doesn’t quite hit the mark of being a good comic book.

The story in this comic book feels overly simplistic to me, and it lacks the depth or tension that could make the Lovecraftian themes truly compelling.

The narrative of this comic book is predictable and at times, feels rushed, which diminishes the potential for building suspense or emotional investment.

The artwork in this comic book is certainly unique and approachable. The artwork in this comic book clearly aims at younger readers, but it sometimes clashes with the darker tone the story attempts to convey. 

The artwork style in this comic book doesn’t fully capture the eerie atmosphere that Lovecraftian tales typically demand.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

Discover the true meaning of terror as fright-masters Steve Niles and Kelley Jones bring this all-new series to life! In this issue, we watch as a very sad and lonely man reaches the end of his rope, only to discover he’s in way deeper than he ever imagined. It seems there’s an army of little demons in his garden, and he’s their next sacrifice!

This comic book has a huge dark and atmospheric dive into horror which I found to be very enjoyable and fun which worked for this book advantage.

This comic book has a very moody, suspenseful narrative that slowly unravels a mysterious and eerie world filled with secrets and supernatural tension.

The pacing in this comic book is deliberate, allowing the story to build a palpable sense of dread without relying on cheap scares.

The artwork in this comic book is a standout, perfectly complementing the storytelling of this comic book while adding a signature gothic style to this comic book.

The heavy shadows, haunting character designs, and intricate details which this comic book has, has create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the page is turned.

The visuals of this comic book does an excellent job of evoking classic horror vibes while feeling fresh and engaging.

However the thing which I didn’t like about this comic book is the story in this comic book tends to be on the slower side when it comes to developing the storyline into something more than just being a forgetful storyline which readers will forgot when they finish this comic book.

I Give This Book 4 / 5

Every story has a beginning, and in the Comics, these stories sometimes begin in the Zero Issue, that now-standard issue that not only introduces you to the players, but sets the stage for the greater story to unfold! Now you can catch up on some of your favorite Aspen series with these relisted Zero issues for Fathom: Cannon Hawke and Dawn of War, Shrugged, and Soulfire: Chaos Reign!

I need to admit that this comic book was one of the best comic books ive read in my time. 

This comic book give me a explosive and captivating introduction to a thrilling series of Cannon Hawke, which I will easily keep reading in the future. Maybe not this year since I already have too many books and comic books I want to read this year but maybe next year or this year if I can manage to squeeze in this comic book series somewhere in time.

The storyline of this comic book have sucked me immediately into the plot of this comic book. Because it has the perfect blend of action, intrigue, and character-driven drama which I loved a lot in this comic book.

The narrative in this comic book is very good, enjoyable and very interesting. At the same time it has the perfect pacing and it gives us just enough backstory to engage us as readers without overwhelming people like me which this comic book is the introduction into the series.

The artwork in this comic book is very dynamic and beautifully detailed. At the same time the artwork is bringing a kinetic energy to every panel that perfectly matches the story’s intensity which easily made me give this comic book extra points for doing.

The character designs in this comic book are very striking. And the fight scenes are choreographed with clarity and flair, making the action sequences genuinely exciting to follow.

This comic book has also something that makes the script feel extra polish. And because of it the storyline is balancing emotional depth with high-stakes drama.

The world building aspect of this comic book feels rich and immersive, setting the stage for a series full of potential and excitement.

I Give This Book 5 / 5

Scratch9, the worlds greatest superhero cat returns for Free Comic Book Day with a special reprint issue #1 of the title and features all new cover art by Armand Villavert, Jr. Scratch9, as fans of the title already know, is the Eisner Award nominated all-ages comic book featuring a cat with the ability to summon any of his 9 lives to aid him in his adventures! Hermes Press’ Scratch9 FCBD issue will also offer bonus material and tons of surprises!

This one is another good comic book from the Scratch9 series. This is my second comic book in the series, and I need to admit that the more I keep reading in this series the more I like the series. 

This comic book is entertaining and charming addition to the Scratch9 series. This comic book has a good blend of humor, heart, and adventure in an accessible way.

This comic book gives us a concise story that captures the quirky personality of Scratch, the cat with nine lives, while keeping the narrative light and fun. 

The artwork in this comic book brings the characters to life with expressive designs and dynamic layouts, perfectly complemented with vibrant coloring. 

The artwork enhance the playful tone and keep the energy flowing throughout the story.

I need to admit that this comic book is less enjoyable than the previous comic book in the series I’ve read but this comic book is still fun and interesting. So easily I will keep reading this comic book series. Because I find to be very interesting and very enjoyable.

I Give This Book 4 / 5

Scratch9 drops all-new furry fury on Free Comic Book Day 2014 with a new special issue from Hermes Press. Cat of Nine Worlds – Part 1 The world’s greatest super-hero cat kicks off an all-new, full-length adventure! Scratch’s nemesis Dr. Schrödinger is back and out for revenge, and this time he’s not alone. The next great Scratch9 villain makes his debut here! This is a direct lead-in to this summer’s new Scratch9 monthly! Cat America, Dog America In this stand-alone adventure, Scratch teams up with Bo Obama and the witch cat Writh to rescue President Barack Obama! Run & Amuk Flip the Scratch9 issue over and you’ve got the new all-ages action title “Run & Amuk” from writer Rob M. Worley and artist Joshua Buchanan.

This comic book is a very delightful and engaging read. Which successfully captures the adventurous spirit of the Scratch9 series which I personally heard a lot of good things about.

The creators of this comic book made it a really fun read which has also a fast-paced story that have made me interested in reading the whole series. At the same time this comic book offers us enough charm and wit to appeal to longtime fans.

The narrative of this comic book balances humor, action, and heart. Which makes this comic book a well-rounded and enjoyable comic book which has gotten me sucked into this series which I will continue reading at some point in the future. 

The artwork in this comic book is very vibrant and expressive. The artwork perfectly complementing the playful tone of the story.

The characters in this comic book feel very lively and well created which made me give this comic book extra points for doing. 

The action sequences flow smoothly across the panels, keeping the momentum going throughout the issue.

In my opinion this comic book does an excellent job of introducing Scratch9’s unique world and personality without feeling rushed or incomplete. It left me personally with eagerness to dive deeper into the series

I Give This Book 4 / 5

Grizzled Action Lab veterans Jeremy Whitley (script) and Jason Strutz (art) bring a tale of myth and mystery with the release of The Order of Dagonet #1! When mythological creatures of ancient Britain return, the call goes out to England’s knights for help. Unfortunately, the call is answered by an aging rock god, a classically trained actor, a writer of boy wizard books, and a pop star in funny glasses!

This comic book introduces us as readers to a pretty unique and fresh take on Arthurian legend which has a modern twist. This comic book is blending fantasy and adventure in an intriguing setting. I personally found this aspect of this comic book to be very intriguing and interesting, which had build my expectations for this comic book pretty high as I was getting into this comic book.

The storytelling aspect of this comic book was very promise, offering an interesting premise and a cast of characters that could develop into something memorable. And here we arrive to the “but” aspect of this comic book. But this comic book sometimes struggles with pacing.

The pacing in this comic book is pretty uneven. Because at times the plot drags out for too long without going anywhere. But most of the time the plot feels very rushed which leaves a lot of interesting or intriguing parts of this comic book underexplored or underdeveloped because of how the plot rushes over some aspects of this comic book.

The artwork in this comic book is easily my favorite aspect of this comic book. The artwork here effectively conveys the mood and tone. At the same time the artwork gives us a solid character designs and atmospheric backgrounds that help ground the story. 

The artwork in this comic book is pretty appealing. But there are moments in the artwork where the action sequences could be clearer which weren’t. Which had impacting the overall flow of the story in this comic book in a negative way in my opinion here.

The characters in this comic book are pretty okay for the most part. The characters in this comic book weren’t the best I’ve seen in a comic book. Because the characters here lacked something that would make them unique and standout from the rest of the characters in this comic book. But also the characters in this book doesn’t have a lot of personalities to them.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

Special 13- page preview! More Green Hornet excitement from Dynamite as they present an incredible spin-off featuring the all-new Kato and the mysterious Black Hornet! Featuring elements direct from Kevin Smith’s unproduced screenplay, writer Ande Parks -joined by the sensational Ale Garza! – fills in the blanks on the new Kato, the old Kato and the mystery of the Black Hornet! ‘Not my Father’s Daughter’ is filled with excitement, action, intrigue and more – 5 issues of Fury as the world of Kato old and new is rocked forever and sets a course that intertwines with the destiny and legend of the Green Hornet!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview is a very good preview which got me super hyped about reading this full version of this comic book. 

This preview is setting the stage for an exciting new comic book in the big Kato comic book universe which I have heard a lot of good things about throughout the years of me being on Goodreads and various reading groups.

The storyline in this preview was incredible, because it involves a lot of action and tension which promises a lot of good storyline in the full version of this comic book which of course had hooked me into in from the first page of this comic book.

This preview has sharp dialogue, dynamic pacing, and a fresh take on a amazing main character which Kato is in my opinion. And at the same time the story strikes a perfect balance of action, humor, and depth, capturing the essence of Kato’s adventurous spirit.

The artwork in this preview is vert stunning. Because it is vert vibrant, energetic, and packed with detailed panels that bring every scene of this preview into life. Which I really liked and which made me give this preview some extra points for doing.

The character designs in this preview are sharp, the fight scenes are fluid, and the visual storytelling keeps engaged me personally from start to finish.

At the same time this previews gives us multiple teasing moments where it gives us hints about fun and very interesting direction the full version of this comic book will give us.

So will buy and read the full version of this comic book ? Yes I will. It might take some time for me to actually read the full version of this comic book because I have been way too optimistic when creating my TBR list for this year and I don’t know if I get the time to read the full version of this comic book this year. But I will read the full version of this comic book at some point in time.

I Give This Book 5 / 5

Vicious creatures rule the day, but an even deadlier predator stalks the night. As one lone tribe of warriors struggles to stay alive, this new evil presence delivers a killer. With the death toll rising, and comrades missing, revenge takes over, and a journey is planned.

I need to admit that I was very skeptical about this comic book when I was getting into it. Because I had a long streak with reading shitty comic books before I got to this one. But after reading this comic book I need to admit that this comic book was easily one of the better comic books I’ve read in my time.

This comic book is the kickoff to the Soulfire saga. And I need to admit that this comic book is a spectacular kickoff to a series I never heard off, but which I will for sure continue sometime in the future.

This comic book gives us a captivating storytelling and breathtaking visuals which were the main reasons why I loved this comic book so much as I did. 

The creator of this comic book masterfully blends epic fantasy with emotional depth which I liked a lot. At the same time those things create an amazing narrative that is both grand in scope and intimately engaging.

This comic book gives a very thrilling tone, which is packed with suspense, magic, and complex characters who feel fully realized from the start which easily made me love this comic book as much as I did.

The world-building aspect in this comic book is very rich and immersive. Which had pulled me early into a universe where myth and modernity collide in the most exciting ways. And I gave this comic book some extra points for doing that.

The pacing in this comic book is very spot-on. At the same time the pacing does a lot of balancing action sequences with quieter, character-driven moments that deepen the story’s impact.

The characters in this comic book as I’ve said above are very well written. They have a lot of depth and emotions to them. Which really makes them very likable and relatable which I always look for characters in comic books and regular books to have if the author wants me to like the book / comix book and give it a good rating after I finish the comic book / book.

I Give This Book 5 / 5