The Family Trade Issue 1 - Review

It's a family affair

Written by: Justin Jordan & Nikki Ryan
Art by: Morgan Beem
Letters by Rachel Deering
Publisher: Image
Review by: Andrew McAvoy



The artwork of comic books often plays second fiddle to the writing in terms of review work. So let's try to correct that slightly by giving Morgan Beem her full dues for the amazing work throughout this first issue of The Family Trade. Her work is so good in fact that this issue would be worth owning outright based on her magnificent work in and of itself. It is a double blessing then that her work is complimented by a superb high-concept story from Jordan and Ryan which has been thoroughly thought-out and planned. With both the story and the art firing on all cylinders lets jump in and find out what it's all about.

Harbinger Renegade - Issue 8

My enemy's enemy

Story: Rafer Roberts
Penciler: Darick Robertson
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colors: Diego Rogriguez
Letters: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Valiant
Review by: Andrew McAvoy

The story opens with Kris Hathaway, leader of the Renegades, trying to explain the life choices that led her to her present position to her mother and father. Her parents, who are very conservative but loving types, try to explain the implications and financial difficulties her life choices, including her imprisonment and passing them stolen money, have had on them. They part ways without coming to terms with each other's positions, but the scene is a touching one. The reader knows that they care for one and other but it is simply that their world views are so opposite that they can no longer be reconciled. On her journey home Kris has exchanges with Peter and alludes to the fact that she may just need a smoke.

Sacred Creatures Issue 4 - Review

 

Lust for life

Written by: Pablo Raimondi & Klaus Janson
Art by: Klaus Jansen (Ancient scenes) and
            Pablo Raimondi (Contemporary scenes)
Letters by: Clem Robins
Publisher: Image
Reviewed by: Andrew McAvoy

Anyone who has followed this series to date will know that it mixes deep themes of religion and spirituality with a very black sense of humor. So far we have seen how the Nephilims (human embodiment of the 7 Deadly Sins) have plotted the downfall of Naviel their keeper on Earth. They have used Josh Miller, controlling him to lay the fatal blow to Naviel, before her son Adrian can stop the slaying. Now Adrian is doing his utmost to protect Josh, as well as his wife and just born baby, as well as his hostile mother-in-law, from the Nephilims.

Youngblood #6 Review

Help! I need somebody! 

Written by: Chad Bowers                 
Art by: Jim Towe
Colors: Juan Manuel Rodríguez
Letters: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Reviewer: Andrew McAvoy

This was my most anticipated book of the week, and I was concerned that I may have set my expectations too high. I needn't have worried as the issue brilliantly closes off the 6 issue Youngblood Reborn arc. I have been continually impressed by this series so far, and how the team dynamic has taken shape so well, in such a short space of time. So let's find out what went down.

Best DC Comics Covers of the Week 10/11/17

Where, Oh Where, Has My "Best Covers of the Week" Gone?

Folks, mea culpa. It's been two weeks since I did a round-up of the best DC Comics covers of the week,  and I know it's caused anguish and near-riots in some sectors. I have no better excuse other than my usual routine being upended by a bathroom remodel, and this was the thing that got squeezed out of my brain while I kept a running list of a dozen other things. It can only hold like fourteen things, total! Sorry about that, but I am back, and ready to present the definitive, inarguable list of best comic book covers to come from DC Comics this week!

Ragman #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

Looks Like He’s On the Rag

Writer: Ray Fawkes 

Artist: Inaki Miranda 

Colorist: Eva De La Cruz 

Letterer: Josh Reed 

Cover: Guillem March 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: October 11, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Okay, I’m sorry, but every time I see this title or hear it mentioned, I think of this cartoon:

Which is entirely unrelated to my review of Ragman #1, right here!

THE WILD STORM: MICHAEL CRAY #1 Review and Spoilers

Sanctuary

Written by: Bryan Hill with Warren Ellis
Art by: N Steven Harris, Dexter Vines, Steve Bucellato and Simon Bowland
Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017
Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt’s The Wild Storm has been one of the most impressive comics to come out of DC in the last twelve months. While I know the plan was always to expand the Wild Storm line – and universe – in an incremental way, I must admit that I’d been viewing the arrival of a non-Ellis scripted title with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The former because more Wild Storm is undoubtedly a good thing; the latter because any dilution of quality (which seemed a possibility if Ellis wasn’t writing everything) was inevitably going to be disappointing. Well, I’m an idiot for feeling that way. Let me explain why…

The Flash #32 Review

New Heights

Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Christian Duce, Ivan Placencia, and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

Barry is off to Iron Heights and while that sucks for him, I'm hoping we get so good Flash action.  Plus, we got the promise of getting more Wally West in the book and that's fine with me.  So, how does this arc start off?  Let's find out...

Justice League of America #16 Review

Microsense

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Felipe Wantanabe, Ruy Jose, Marcelo, Maiolo and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

It's back tot he Microverse this week and I hope we finally see what Dr. Aut did because I'm sick and tired of Ray screaming about it and blaming Ryan for messing everything up.  Now, I know that Steve Orlando seems to be having trouble keeping straight the story of what Ray did or didn't tell Ryan at the start of Rebirth, but at no time was it "Don't trust Aut".  It really would have been that easy, bit no.  So do we get a good issue this week or another boring trip towards a non cliffhanger?  Let's find out...

New Super-Man #16 Review and **SPOILERS**

Brang the All-Yang, Y’all

Writer: Gene Luen Yang 

Pencils: Brent Peeples 

Inks: Richard Friend 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Philip Tan & Beredo 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 11, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Ooh, have I been waiting for this issue! Last one left off with Kenan Kong and Evil I-Ching in Chinatown, USA, circa 1937! So you know we’re gonna see some buck teeth and fu manchus! And the best part is that, because it’s written by Gene Luen Yang, it’s not racist! What’s that? You say it might be presented in an instructive capacity, and not for my sick entertainment? No way! Let’s find out in my review of New Super-Man #16, which shouldn’t make me feel badly or wrong-headed at all!

Detective Comics #966 Review

Timorrow

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

Tim Drake is back and...actually, Tim Drakes are back and while I am still a bit wary about where all of this will go, last issue's cliffhanger was pretty damn awesome!  It looks like our Tim will be back in the DCU and I really do want to see how that goes down.  There is still that bit with the Tim Drake of Tomorrow to take care of as well and that leads to this week's issue.  So, is it any good?  Let's find out...

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #30 Review and **SPOILERS**

Unusually Dark for Clark

Writer: Robert Vendetti 

Penciller: Patrick Zircher 

Colorist: Jason Wright 

Letterer: Dave Sharpe 

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver and Wright 

Cover Price: $2.99 

On Sale Date: October 11, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Hey, looks like Hal Jordan’s gonna tussle with Sinestro Corps Superman! Or something like that. Frankly, I think the idea of Superman with the yellow ring is silly. Sure, he’s all-powerful, but he’s hardly scary—no matter how pointy you make his teeth or wildly you let his hair blow. He still looks like a big ol’ Boy Scout to me. Still, I sure do like Patrick Zircher’s art! So let’s stop fiddle-faddling and hop right into my review of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #30! Right now!

Mister Miracle #3 Review

Escape Club

Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mitch Gerads and Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

It's time for another issue of Mister Miracle and while I haven't really enjoyed this book up until now, it isn't because I think it is bad, per se.  I actually have hopes that Tom King will tie everything up by the end and leave the readers with a great read for the ages.  However, reviewing individual issues has been less than a great experience and while some have called me an airhead, a crybaby and much worse, I don't think the story has gone over my head because of my stupidity, but by design.  Tom King is playing the long game with this maxi series and because of that, it's hard to judge what is going on and where it will all lead.  While I could just go with the flow and give a generic and overly positive review of something I'm not sure is happening, I will continue rating each issue on it's own merits.  So, how was this issue?  Let's find out...

Superwoman #15 Review and **SPOILERS**

And I Am an Immaterial Girl

Writer: K. Perkins 

Art: Sam Basri 

Colors: Hi-Fi 

Letters: Josh Reed 

Cover: Miraka Andolfo 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 11, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

The solicit for Superwoman #15 turned out to be for the previous issue. Looks like it’s course-corrected for issue #16, but I’m recalcitrant to reveal stuff about the story in this introduction that hasn’t already been shown in the solicit or preview. That’s just how I roll! So, uh, what’s new with you? Everything good? Yeah I’m good. Same old stuff. Okay, that’s enough copy for an introduction, let’s just right into my review of Superwoman #15, right here!

Suicide Squad #27 Review and **SPOILERS**

Wouldn’t It Be “Task Force IX?”

Story: Rob Williams
Pencils: Barnaby Bagenda
Inks: Jay Leisten
Backup Story Artist: Wilfredo Torres
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Lettering: Pat Brosseau
Cover Artist: Stjepan Sejic
Cover Price: $2.99
On Sale Date: October 11, 2017

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM** 

You have to wonder how cockamamie Black Ops like the Suicide Squad were even pitched to clandestine government brass in the first place. “Okay, so we’re going to employ incredibly dangerous supervillains, but wait, get this: we’re also going to pack their heads with explosives.” Makes you think of those nutty CIA plans to assassinate Fidel Castro, like planting exploding cigars in his office and using a chemical to make all of his hair fall out (more of a character assassination, that one.) Someone has to type up a memo and some kind of presentation before these concepts get green-lit! And maybe we’ll see some of that paperwork about the beginnings of Task Force X in Suicide Squad #27, which I have reviewed for your convenience! 

Action Comics #989 Review and *SPOILERS*

Getting Superboy On The Trolley

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Dan Jurgens, Viktor Bogdanovic, Trevor Scott, Mike Spicer, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

After our last issue where Jor-El revealed himself to Clark and told him about how shitty Earth is because of how bad it was when he was first flung to Earth after Krypton exploded, it seems that this father wants his son and his family to pack everything up and say farewell to their one-time home and start fresh.......... where everyone isn't so shitty.  Even if you haven't read a lot of Superman in your life, I'm sure you know it's going to take more than a depressing monologue to get the Man of Steel to give up on humanity so let's jump into this issue and see if Jor-El........ or Mr. Oz if you still prefer to call him that will step up his game to get his family to abandon Earth and all the shitty people on it.  Let's check it out.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #15 Review and *SPOILERS*

Outlaws in the Belfry 

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Bizarro is smart as hell and looking to eliminate all crime in Gotham City and after seeing all the toys he made for Red Hood and Artemis in the previous issue, not to mention a floating, invisible base that has technology to revival even the God Tech of the Midnighter books, it looks like he might actually achieve his goals.  Only problem is, he seems to be reverting back to his former simpleton self and he isn't happy about it.  Not only that, it seems like there might be some darker schemes within this smarty pants that we're not even aware of yet.  Let's jump into this issue and see what happens when the Detective Squad of Detective Comics becomes aware of Bizarro's actions and what they'll do to shut the Outlaws down.  Let's check it out.

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #15 Review and *SPOILERS*

Man Down

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Marcelo Maiolo, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

The Birds of Prey are back for another arc.......... and really, there's nothing to really say to get you into this issue besides for recently, the Birds have worked with Catwoman and Poison Ivy so for the most part, those two are on the up and up and their inclusion in this story makes sense for what we've been given previously.  So yeah, that's about it.  Let's jump into this issue and see what happens when a flu takes out all of the men in Gotham and the Birds of Prey are the only ones who can stop it.  Let's check it out.

Wonder Woman #32 Review and *SPOILERS*

Reunion

Written By: James Robinson

Art By: Sergio Davila, Scott Hanna, Mark Morales, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Alright, let's get back to Wonder Woman discovering her twin brother Jason because we've been waiting too long to dilly dally anymore.  Previously, we saw Grail going around and killing the children of Zeus in order for her to drain them of their life force so that she could feed it to baby Darkseid.......... now, Tween Darkseid it seems and after taking the life force of Hercules, Diana was brought into the picture because she was the heir to his fortune.  Let's jump into this issue and see what Hercules knew of Jason and how that will lead Wonder Woman to her twin brother.  Let's check it out.

Dark Nights: Metal #3 Review

Seize the Day

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

Alright, it's time for another issue of Metal and after being down on a lot of what DC has been putting out lately, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's book is something that has been putting a smile on my face.  It may not be the middle of Summer anymore, but this book still is all about the big thrills of a Summer Blockbuster and that's the reason I like it so much.  So, does the fun continue this month?  Let's see...

Injustice 2 #27 Review

Injustice 2 #27

Writer: Tom Taylor

Art Team: Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus

DC Comics

Release Date: October 10, 2017

Cover Price: $.99 (digital first)

Injustice & Anarchy

I have no idea how a book that looks this good and has such a high quality level manages to keep a weekly schedule throughout the year but Injustice 2 has some of that comic book magic in abundance. The last couple weeks we’ve been off enjoying time with Black Adam, Damien, and Supergirl but left wondering what happened in the aftermath of the cliffhangers from several issues ago. Well the wait is over so let’s see what’s cooking this week why don’t we.

PREVIEW: Red Hood and the Outlaws #15

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, Taylor Esposito

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

“Bizarro Reborn” part two! As Batwoman and her team close in on the infamous Outlaws, Red Hood and Artemis must figure out what to do about Bizarro, whose new war on crime has taken a dark turn—is this the end of the Outlaws as we know them?

PREVIEW: Wonder Woman #32

Written By: James Robinson

Art By: Sergio Davila, Scott Hanna, Mark Morales, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Saida Temofonte

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

“CHILDREN OF THE GODS” part two! Wonder Woman must find out who is targeting Zeus’ children before their sights are set on her! What kind of monster has the power to murder a demigod?!

PREVIEW: Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #15

Written By: Julie Benson, Shawna Benson

Art By: Roge Antonio, Marcelo Maiolo, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

“MANSLAUGHTER” part one! It’s flu season in Gotham City, but something odd is happening...only the men are getting sick, including those closest to the Birds of Prey! With Commissioner Gordon on his deathbed and Batman fighting a foe even he can’t beat, only the Birds of Prey have the strength to stand up to what’s happening and keep the city from spiraling into chaos!

PREVIEW: Action Comics #989

Written By: Dan Jurgens
Art By: Dan Jurgens, Viktor Bogdanovic, Trevor Scott, Mike Spicer, Rob Leigh

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2017

“THE OZ EFFECT” part three! The startling revelation of Mr. Oz’s origin has stopped the Man of Steel dead in his tracks. With Superman distracted by disasters looming around the world, Mr. Oz has the time to confront Lois Lane.


Lenticular Cover: $3.99 US

PREVIEW: Detective Comics #966

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 11, 2017

“A LONELY PLACE OF LIVING” part two! Tim Drake has been locked in Mr. Oz’s fortress—but now he’s free and roaming the prison while his captor faces off against the Man of Steel. But is he the only prisoner who’s been freed?!