Tag: Comic Book Reviews

10-Page Preview! A young man, desperate to save his sister from demonic possession, descends to Purgatory to save her. Once there, he must fight the illusions and traps set out for him if he is to reclaim his sister’s soul and make his way back to the real world. The clock is ticking and his only help comes in the form of a mischievous girl in a fox mask.

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 fascinating introduction to a world of mystery and connection which is available in the full version of this comic book. I gotta admit that this preview is very good so such an extent that I’m very hyped about reading the full version of this comic book. Because this preview hints at a richly woven narrative that combines elements of fantasy, friendship, and self-discovery.

The story in this preview centers around two main characters who, despite their differences, find a unique bond. The creators of this preview create a compelling dynamic between them, highlighting their contrasting personalities while exploring the deeper connections that draw them together. This relationship is the heart of the narrative, providing both emotional depth and intrigue.

The writing style in this preview is characterized by its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions. The author paints a world that feels both magical and grounded, drawing readers into its atmosphere with ease. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, capturing the nuances of the characters’ interactions and adding layers to their development.

The narrative in this preview teases a larger adventure, with hints of supernatural elements and hidden secrets that are sure to capture attention and interest. This sense of mystery is well-balanced with moments of character introspection, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The artwork in this preview beautifully complements the story. The illustrations we see in this preview are detailed and expressive, bringing the characters and their world to life. The use of color and shading enhances the mood, capturing the essence of the fantasy elements while grounding the story in reality. Kapadai’s ability to convey emotion through her art adds depth to the narrative, making each scene resonate with me personally 

The character development in this preview is very very good. Because both main characters are portrayed with depth and complexity, each with their own motivations and inner conflicts. Their journey of self-discovery and mutual understanding is depicted with sensitivity and insight, making them relatable and engaging.

But since this one is only a preview it leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions which really annoyed me personally. The hints we do get in this preview of a larger plot are intriguing, but the lack of specific details have left me very frustrated. However, this sense of mystery also serves to heighten anticipation for future installments, suggesting a rich tapestry of stories yet to unfold.

I Give This Book 4 / 5

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

Three spooky stories to enjoy for Halloween.

I gotta admit here that this comic book had a lot of potential but in the end this comic book didnt use the potential that it had. But of course I will explain everything in this review, so if you are interested in hearing my thoughts on this comic book then keep reading.

This comic book tries to to capture the eerie essence of Halloween with a collection of short tales, the execution leaves much to be desired in the way the creator of this comic book presents those short stories to us in this comic book.

This comic book aims to deliver a series of chilling tales perfect for the Halloween season, each intending to evoke a sense of suspense and fright. However, the stories often lack the depth and creativity needed to truly captivate or unsettle me personally.

The plots in those short stories this comic book has are generally predictable, relying heavily on well-worn horror tropes without offering fresh twists or perspectives.

The character development aspect of this comic book is one of the weak points. The protagonists and supporting characters are often one-dimensional, with little background or motivation provided to make them relatable or engaging. This lack of depth makes it difficult for readers to become invested in their fates, which is crucial for any horror story aiming to create tension and emotional impact.

The atmospheric potential of Halloween-themed stories is immense, yet “Spooky Stories” struggles to fully utilize this. While some tales manage to create a faintly eerie ambiance, many fail to maintain it throughout. Descriptions of settings and scenarios are often superficial, lacking the vivid detail necessary to immerse people like me in the spooky world that the title promises.

This comic book has an huge issue with the pacing of the short stories that this comic book has. Several stories rush through key moments, disrupting the buildup of suspense and rendering climaxes less impactful. Conversely, some tales drag with unnecessary exposition, diminishing the overall tension and excitement. This inconsistency in pacing affects the anthology’s ability to maintain a steady level of engagement.

The one thing that I really liked in this comic book is the writing style which made me give this comic book 2 stars instead of 1 star. The writing style of this comic book is accessible and straightforward, making the collection an easy read. There are occasional glimpses of creativity in certain story concepts, suggesting potential that is not fully realized in this volume. These moments hint at what could have been a more successful anthology with greater development and polish.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

Deep within the night elven city of Suramar, home of the nightborne, the orc warlock Gul’dan issues a terrifying surrender the Nightwell, the source of their power, or see their homeland destroyed beneath the heel of the Burning Legion. As evil descends, the grand magistrix must decide whether to trust her enemy or risk all to stand strong.

I gotta admit that this comic book is pretty self-contained yet expansive. And at the same time it has a elegantly written, and visually spellbinding which made me love this comic book a lot. 

The story of this comic book captures Suramar at its most intoxicating in a opulent, cloistered, and humming way. 

The main character of this comic book has a empathy and tension to them. And at the same time the main character has a balancing duty, doubt, and defiance aspect to them which makes the main character have more depth and personality. 

The narrative of this comic book moves with purposeful momentum, layering context and conflict without exposition dumps.

The conflict aspect of this comic book isn’t just good versus evil; it’s comfort versus conscience, security versus self-determination.

I Give This Book 5 / 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

Asagaki Togo was the Red Ranger in a heroic Ranger squad. During their final battle against the ultimate evil organization, he suffers a crushing defeat and resigns himself to death… That is, until he finds himself reborn in an entirely different world! Embracing his new role as an adventurer, he transforms into Kizuna Red and continues his pursuit of justice, helping those in need. Enjoy this heroic tale of a Ranger becoming the protector of another world!

This comic book presents to us an pretty intriguing premise but struggles to deliver a compelling story. Because in a way the concept for this comic book is promising, the way it is executed and presented to us falls short in several key areas.

The narrative of this comic book follows the Red Ranger, a character transported from a familiar world of heroics into a fantasy realm filled with magic and monsters. This setup has the potential for exciting cross-genre storytelling, combining elements of superhero action with fantasy adventure. However this comic book fails to capitalize and deliver on this potential, resulting in a story that feels disjointed and underdeveloped.

One of the main issues I had with this comic book is it’s lack of character depth. The protagonist, despite being a recognizable hero, comes across as one-dimensional. His transition from a world of structured heroism to the unpredictability of a fantasy setting should be rife with internal conflict and growth, but this comic book instead offers a superficial portrayal of his journey. The lack of character development makes it difficult for readers to connect with or invest in his adventure.

The side characters in this comic book aren’t much better than the main character of this comic book. The side characters which are introduced alongside the Red Ranger often feel like placeholders rather than fully realized individuals. Their interactions with the protagonist lack substance, reducing them to mere plot devices rather than contributing meaningfully to the story. This lack of depth hampers the narrative, leaving it feeling hollow.

The plot in this comic book is another area which I wasn’t a fan of. Since the initial concept of the plot is pretty intriguing, the story quickly becomes bogged down by clichéd scenarios and predictable outcomes. The narrative leans heavily on well-worn tropes of both the isekai and superhero genres without offering any fresh twists or insights. This reliance on familiar plot devices results in a story that feels more like a rehash than an innovative blend of genres.

The pacing in this comic book is very uneven in this comic book. Because it has abrupt transitions and a lack of cohesive flow. Key events often feel rushed, with little buildup or payoff, while other sections drag with unnecessary exposition. This inconsistency disrupts the reading experience, making it challenging to maintain engagement.

However the only good thing about this comic book is the writing style in this comic book which is the best thing about this comic book. The writing style is accessible, and there are moments where the world-building shows glimpses of creativity. The fantasy realm is populated with intriguing creatures and magical elements that hint at untapped potential. Unfortunately, these moments are rare and not enough to elevate the overall narrative.

I Give This Book 2 / 5

10-Page Preview! From the ashes of Steve Dowling’s “Garth” comes?”FREEMAN of the Armed Services,” Huw-J-‘s critically acclaimed web comic that originally re-launched the adventures of the Daily Mirror syndicate’s action and adventure hero. Incorporating the story arcs “Gold of Ragnarock” and “King of New York,” both which hearken back to the good old days where the spirit of adventure and good old-fashioned action reigned supreme. A true British hero!

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 has is a sharp, human-centered military drama which has a lot of aspects of duty, identity, and fallout which in my opinion has given this preview more depth and interest at least for me.

As a preview, it’s lean but evocative like establishing tone, stakes, and a compelling lead. But at the same time this preview is hinting at deeper institutional and personal conflicts to come.

This preview focuses mostly on Freeman’s inner and outer battles, grounding the military backdrop in lived-in detail rather than jargon dumps. Which in a way makes this preview easily too follow because it doesn’t overwhelm us as readers on giving us as many details and information within the 10 pages span of this preview. 

This preview has pretty clean and purposeful pacing. The scenes in this preview with intent because they offer us interaction to the full comic book and this preview also gives us hooks which at least got me personally interested in reading the full version of this comic book.

The plot of this preview ask questions on service, loyalty, and reintegration which gives this preview more depth and personality to it which I really liked. 

All the small details in this preview like procedures, dialogue cadence, and small cultural makes this preview feel credible, lending the world a steady realism.

This preview gives us a pretty good restrained palette and unfussy layouts support the grounded mood. Action beats read crisply; quieter panels use negative space effectively.

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 4 / 5

17-Page Preview! At the end of The Sunwell Trilogy, blue dragon Tyrygosa and human paladin Jorad Mace left the Ghostlands…but on their way to Jorad’s destination, the two are drawn through a dark portal and into Outland, from which the Orcs and other species in the World of Warcraft originated. There, they find a group of dragons unlike any Tyri has seen…Will they be able to control this strange, mutated army before it overtakes them?

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 teaser that easily captures the menace and mystique of Outland’s dragon factions, which I liked a lot. 

At the same time this preview sets the table with sharp stakes, clear hooks, and evocative imagery. Which very easily had caught my interested and made me hyped about reading the full version of this comic book.

This preview leans heavily on the Outland’s otherworldly ruin and sky-splitting vistas, giving the setting a distinct identity without dense exposition. Which have caught my attention from the start and made me like this preview more and more the more I got into this preview.

This preview gives us a clear and fast political and existential tensions around dragonkind in a very limited time period which is this preview. At the same time this preview hints at factional intrigue and moral gray zones. Which easily made me give this preview some extra points for doing.

The scenes which this preview has snap from ominous setup to looming conflict which ending on a huge cliffhanger which made me want to jump right into the full version of this comic book.

At the same time you don’t have to be a long time fan sir reader of the World of Warcraft comic book to enjoy this preview. I myself am pretty new to this comic book series and I still liked this preview a lot because it made me want to continue reading this series.

The atmosphere of this preview is very good because it has very harsh horizons, shattered terrain, and sweeping silhouettes nail Outland’s alien grandeur.

The dragon illustrations of this preview feel very weighty and ancient, with readable silhouettes and a good sense of scale. Which easily is the main reason why I liked this preview so much as I did.

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 4 / 5