Tag: 3 Star Reviews

In the deserts outside Las Vegas, Bloodshot has banded together with Project Rising Spirit’s most dangerous escapees. But when the Harbinger Wars erupt all around them, can he shape these super-powered children into a force for good – or are they too far gone? He’ll have to find out the hard way as the opposing forces of PRS and the Harbinger Foundation descend on all sides, bringing about a crucible the likes of which the Valiant Universe has never seen…

By acclaimed writer Duane Swierczysnki (Birds of Prey) and legendary artist Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), jump headlong into the uncompromising action of Valiant’s first crossover event right here with an all-new, standalone story arc that will redefine the weapon – no, the soldier – no, the hero known only as Bloodshot.

This comic book gives us a solid continuation of the Bloodshot saga which I’m pretty new to.

In a way this comic book is intertwining high-stakes action and sci-fi elements which I found to be interesting and intriguing. The premise of this book is for sure pretty unique and had a lot of potential which in the end this comic book didn’t use.

The writing style of this comic book maintains a steady pace and offers plenty of engaging moments.

However the narrative of this comic book seems like it doesn’t know where to take the story. Which made it seem to be like the creators of this comic book didn’t really care about the storyline in this comic book.

I gotta admit that this comic book offers us glimpses a wider and more extended world in the other comic books in this series. 

There are times where this comic book feels pretty uneven. And occasionally it is bogged down by exposition and a convoluted plot that may be challenging or at least it was challenging for a newcomer as myself to this series.

The artwork in this comic book is pretty impressive because it has clean lines and dynamic action sequences that bring the intense combat and futuristic setting to life in this comic book which I liked. 

The visuals in this comic book are a definite highlight of this entire comic book, even when the story itself tends to bring this whole comic book down a fair share.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

10-Page Preview! Who is Verity Bourneville? She’s a bit-part actress with a heart of gold and too many miles on the clock! Part “Eastenders”, part “Model Agency” (and part “X-Files”), “Custard Creams” is her quest for a decent role–and respite from her nightmares. For “Sleaze Castle” and “Petra Etcetera” fans!

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 offers a whimsical and intriguing introduction to the full version of this comic book. I gotta say that this preview hints at a unique blend of humor, drama, and everyday life, though it leaves room for further development.

The story in this preview centers around Verity Bourneville, a former actress navigating the ups and downs of her unconventional life. Wiley crafts a character that is both charming and flawed, making Verity relatable and engaging. Her witty personality and sharp insights into the world around her provide much of the story’s appeal, drawing me personally into her quirky adventures.

The writing in this preview is characterized by a light-hearted tone and clever dialogue. The humor is often subtle, relying on Verity’s observations and interactions with the eclectic cast of supporting characters. These characters, while not deeply explored in the preview, add color and variety to the narrative, suggesting potential for future development.

The plot in this preview is more a series of vignettes than a cohesive storyline, reflecting the slice-of-life genre. This approach allows for a focus on character moments and everyday scenarios, though it can sometimes feel disjointed. While this structure suits the preview format, a more defined narrative arc could enhance engagement in a full-length installment.

The artwork in this preview complements the story’s whimsical nature. The illustrations are vibrant and expressive, capturing the essence of Verity’s world with a distinctive style. Wiley’s attention to detail brings the characters and settings to life, enhancing the overall reading experience. The visual humor, conveyed through facial expressions and background details, adds another layer to the storytelling.

However despite the good things that this preview has, it still have some challenges. Like the plot being very vague which have left me confused or me feeling that this preview lacks any clear sense of direction on where the plot is heading because it is so very vague. The pacing is also very uneven in this preview.

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 3 / 5

This is the third issue from the comic book series “The Five Of Us”. At this point Will and Jacob are discovering how to use their powers and try to avoid conflict. This is easier said then done. Jacob has a man called the Hunter tracking him down. Will has to face a gang called the P-HATS who are all over the neighborhood and school. Marcus now has to make a decision to put his ring to help Will with his problems.

This comic book offers us an earnest and in a way heartfelt look at the superhero genre which I have mixed feelings about for a few reasons. Which as always I will explain in this review. 

This comic book focuses mostly on personal growth of the characters in this comic book and their challenges of heroism which they go through in the plot of this comic book.

The writing style of this comic book carries a sincere tone to it. At the same time this comic book introduces a cast of characters with potential which wasn’t fully used. 

The narrative of this comic book occasionally feels a bit generic to other superhero comic books and it doesn’t quite break new ground because of how generic the narrative of this comic book is.

The pacing of this comic book is steady. Which allows this comic book to create moments for character reflection alongside action which we get in this comic book.

Some of the plot points we get in this comic book could have been developed more fully to add depth and emotional impact. Because from where I see some of the plot points this comic book makes, feel pretty undeveloped and unexplored. Which didn’t help me liking this comic book.

The characters in this comic book were pretty decent for the most part. They had some potential which the creators of this comic book didn’t use.

The story in this comic book sets up interesting themes about identity and responsibility, which had a good premise but I personally weren’t a big fan of it in this comic book.

The artwork in this comic book is solid and functional. Because it is supporting the story well but without particularly standing out.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

Before learning about her history and heritage as a descendant of Mandrake the Magician, Mandy Paz was a normal pre-teen girl. An increasing amount of supernatural occurences suddenly has Mandy realizing there is more to her life than she has ever considered.

I need to admit here that this comic book is the best comic book I have read this year. And I have read a lot of comic books this year which is saying something here.

This comic book is in a way a respectful, modern-leaning revival primer that balances nostalgia with a new-hero handoff. Which I had a hard time staying interested in at times.

This comic book is in a way functional and inviting, but the setup-heavy approach and uneven tone makes it boring and uninteresting at times. 

This comic book gives us some good teases of magic and hinting at good antagonists with a lot of character conflicts which I guess are further explored in other parts of this comic book series. 

In my opinion this comic book leans too much on narration and info which in a way drops the memento of this comic book rather than letting the mystery breathe.

This comic book has also a very uneven tone to it. Since the scenes in this comic book swings between pulpy wonder and YA-flavored angst without always smoothing the transitions.

The ending and the low stakes climax of this comic book makes this comic book not quite land with me to actually give this comic book a good rating.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

24 page preview! The most infamous airline hijacker of all time, D.B. Cooper remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list almost 40 years after the crime. For the first time, the secret history will be revealed. During the height of the Cold War, a fringe group within the C.I.A. wages a crusade on the deadliest battlefield of the mind. Aided by powerful psychotropic compounds, Cooper assists in a campaign of psychic assassination against the Soviets but are his government’s motives the same as his own or is his true mission something else entirely? Collecting the hit series from visionary cartoonist Brian Churilla (The Anchor), this volume offers new insights into Cooper’s multi-faceted quest.

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 pretty punchy, surreal spin on America’s most infamous skyjacker. Because this preview fuses Cold War espionage with psychedelic mind-war in a way that’s both stylish and intriguingly off-kilter. Which got me very intrigued by the plot of this preview. 

This preview is like a bland between alternate history and occult spycraft which is reframing the D.B. Cooper myth through assassinations waged in psychic dreamscapes. I need to admit here that this preview is weird in all the right ways for me personally to be interested in this preview. 

This preview has also a pretty confident tone to it. The deadpan humor and hardboiled narration which this preview has keeps this review in high-concept grounded.

At the same time this preview suggests a world where bureaucrats casually weaponize nightmares and it feels disturbingly plausible.

The thick lines, chunky silhouettes, and expressive faces which the artwork of this preview has evoke a pulpy, retro vibe that suits the period setting.

The creatures and landscapes of this preview almost points towards something close to psychic realm.

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 3 / 5

From the mind of Dragon Arms and Junction 17 creator David Hutchison comes this remarkable re-imagining of L. Frank Baum’s timeless classic. Dorothy longs for something more than the gray plains of Kansas, but when her wish is granted, she gets both her fondest dreams and her worst nightmares! With stunning art by fan-favorite David Hutchison, this fantasy adventure of Harry Potter caliber is sure to amaze readers of all ages!

This comic book offers us a pretty fresh visual take on the beloved Oz universe, blending classic storytelling with manga-inspired artwork.

The story in this comic book follows well-trodden paths, with little in the way of surprises or new twists, which have left me personally feeling déjà vu because I read the first book in the L. Frank Baum Oz series not so long ago.

The pacing in this comic book is pretty uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed while others drag, affecting overall engagement. Which I say a lot about the comic books I have read recently.

This comic book has a manga-inspired art style adds a dynamic, modern flair to the Oz characters and settings, making it visually appealing. Which I enjoyed a lot even thou I’m not a fan of manga. Which can be very controversial to say in 2025 because it seems that every reader is a big fan of manga.

The character development in this comic book is very minimal, and the narrative doesn’t go beyond basic adventure tropes, making it feel somewhat shallow.

I gotta admit that this comic book is enjoyable to read this comic book that captures the magic of the original stories, it falls into some familiar pitfalls—being somewhat derivative and lacking in originality.

I personally think that the fans of Baum’s original works will appreciate the familiar characters and motifs, presented in a new artistic format.

As a first issue, this comic book introduces the world and characters clearly, setting the stage for future adventures.

The artwork in this comic book is vibrant and expressive, capturing the whimsical yet adventurous tone of Oz. However, at times, the panel layouts can be cluttered, making it hard to follow fast-paced action.

The design of the characters and settings in this comic book for the most part stays true to the classic aesthetic while adding a manga flair, which is a plus for fans of both styles.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

Check out all the amazing new releases for August 2023!

I gotta admit that this comic book gives us a very solid snapshot of upcoming Marvel titles, giving fans a glimpse into the exciting stories on the horizon.

This comic book can be used as a useful guide for readers and collectors. But if you want me to say something more about the stories themselves in this comic book then I gotta admit that those stories are a mixed bag. Because some pages spark anticipation, while others feel rushed or underwhelming.

This comic book showcases a variety of titles across different genres and characters, appealing to a broad Marvel audience.

The artwork snippets and cover designs this comic book offers us are vibrant and capture the tone of each upcoming series, generating excitement.

Overall this comic book gives us a brief synopses and creative team info. Which at least helped me to decide what to keep an eye on when it comes down to the comic book realized in August 2023 which I still haven’t read any of even 2 years later.

This comic book is mostly visual and lacks detailed story descriptions, leaving some titles feeling vague or generic.

Some of the previews this comic book has are compelling artwork and intriguing concepts, while others seem rushed or less polished, reducing overall impact.

I Give This Book 3 / 5