My Hero Academia Volume 16 Review

Red Riot!

Mangaka: Kohei Horikoshi

Cover Price: $9.99

Release Date: December 4, 2018

Review by Luke Hollywood

Over the previous two volumes of My Hero Academia, Kohei Horikoshi has been slowly building up the threat of the new Villain Overhaul, head of the Yakuza organization known as the Shie Hassaikai. He has also spent a significant amount of time focusing on the detective work and Intel gathering performed by the Pro Heroes in order to launch a raid of Overhaul's compound and rescue the young girl at the center of Overhaul's plot to mass produce Quirk-Destroying drugs, Eri. With all that setup complete, does Volume 16 provide the action we've all been waiting for? Read on to find out!

World's Finest Comics #175 (1968) - "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads - To the Victor Comes Death!" Review

Suicide Squad

Written by: Leo Dorfman
Art by: Neal Adams
Publication: May 1968 

What’s worse than a revenge squad? Who two revenge squads of course! Yes, this is the tale of two rival revenge squads who hound Batman and Superman. What event must have transpired to bring these two nefarious forces together I hear you ask?! Why that’s correct, it’s the annual Batman vs Superman crime-solving competition (...and Zack Snyder is nowhere to be seen). 

Chris and Reggie's Cosmic Treadmill ep. 119 - Star Wars #1 (1977)

No Biggs? No Biggie

Beep beep tweet, folks! In this episode, Nerf herders Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) look at some events that occurred some time in the past, in a remote corner of the universe, as depicted in Marvel Comics' Star Wars #1 by Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin, published in 1977! After some biographical information about these legendary creators, and a little background information on how the deal was struck, they go through every page of the inaugural issue, butchering the voices as politely as possible. After a break, these rebel traitors return to wrap up their histories of Mr. Thomas and Mr. Chaykin, and wrap it all up by talking about how the comic book fared at Marvel going into the 1980s–including an aside about a giant green bunny? The episode is more fun than a barrel full of light sabers, you don't want to miss it!

Sideways #11 Review

Time To Bolt!

Storytellers: Kenneth Rocafort and Dan DiDio

Artists: Kenneth Rocafort, Daniel Brown, and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

With the recent news of this book ending, it's easy to see that the pieces falling into place in this issue are meant to wrap the book up. With two issues left, I certainly hope that the creative team sticks their landing.

DC Comics Best Covers of the Week: December 12, 2018

This Town Ain't Big Enough For Two "Best of" Covers Lists

Boy, imagine I had to come up with a list of ten Best Covers of the Week from DC Comics? I mean, if they'd published at least ten, I could do it. But boy, we'd be scraping the bottom of the barrel! As it is, I've got a few nice ones this week. Not many of them would make me want to snatch a comic off the racks, but they are pretty pictures. So let's hop to it!

House of Whispers #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

Go Forth, and Fix This Shit

Written By: Nalo Hopkinson 

Illustrated By: Dominike “DOMO” Stanton and Aneke 

Colors By: John Rauch 

Letters By: Deron Bennett  

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: December 12, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Now that Madame Ezrulie is…someone else, how’s that gonna affect things going forward? Also: what the heck is going on? Hopefully we get some more answers in House of Whispers #4, which I’ve conveniently reviewed right here!

New Talent Showcase 2018 #1 Review and **SPOILERS**

 Something Bold, Something New

Assistant Editor: Liz Erickson 

Edited By: Bobbie Chase and Sara Miller 

Cover Price: $7.99 

On Sale Date: December 12, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

It’s that time of year again, I suppose, for DC Comics’ New Talent Showcase to come out! Though I could swear last year’s was in November. Also, this is really the third time they’ve done it. But that makes it a hardcore tradition, as far as I’m concerned! See what you think of the New Class in my review of New Talent Showcase 2018 #1, right here!

Suicide Squad #49 Review and **SPOILERS**

Those Who Are About to Kill, We Salute You

Writer: Rob Williams 

Pencils: Diogenes Neves 

Inks: Scott Hanna 

Colors: Gabe Eltaeb 

Letters: Dave Sharpe 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: December 12, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Uhh, what was happening? Rick Flag is back with the remote control to Amanda Waller’s brain bomb? And they’re in the Russian prison for some reason? Rick ain’t gonna pull the trigger, that’s not his style. I can’t deny I wouldn’t mind seeing Waller’s head crack like a pumpkin though. What winds up happening? You can find out by reading my review of Suicide Squad #49, if you’re so inclined.

Titans #31 Review and *SPOILERS*

Aftermath

Written By: Dan Abnett
Art By: Clayton Henry, Brent Peeples, Dexter Vines, Marcelo Maiolo
Letters By: Dave Sharpe

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Titans has been on an uptick since the previous issue. We actually had an issue that wasn’t completely dependant on storylines occurring in other comics. We got real character development and our team finally got off that planet they were stuck on for two issues. I’m hoping we continue this path rather than being stuck in the previous crossover event for even longer. Let’s just jump right in and see where this issue takes us.

Electric Warriors #2 Review and Spoilers

Sparks Fly!

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Travel Foreman
Colours by: Hi-Fi
Letters by: Travis Lanham
Cover Price: $3.99

Last issue's opening installment in this limited series set in the 27th century was as perfect a display of writer Steve Orlando's strengths and weaknesses as one could wish for: intriguing background conveyed through dialogue that is invariably being shouted out during some kind of combat; non-infodump dialogue marinated in a sauce equal parts silliness, melodrama, and social justice posturing; judicious plundering of the more obscure corners of the DC Universe; and, dammit, despite all that, some hints that there might be a story here worth reading. Having spent the last issue setting up the basic premise of this series, it's now time for some serious action. Let's see if Orlando and artist Travel Foreman deliver, eh?

The Flash #60 Review and *SPOILERS*

Forces Unite

Written By: Joshua Williamson

Art By: Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, Tomeu Morey, Hi-Fi
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

To say this Force Quest storyline has been a bit slow is being kind. For a book about the fastest man alive, this thing is moving at a snail’s pace. The Flash has been running around the world on his force quest but hasn’t really been doing anything (other than the usual hero antics). Now the Flash finds himself in Corto Maltese fighting with yet another Strength Force user. At least we are directly working with the actual forces at this point, all the while Gemini continues to hunt the Flash. Let’s just jump right in and see where this issue takes us.

Supergirl #25 Review and *SPOILERS*

Where Is My Super Suit?

Written By: Marc Andreyko

Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Lan Medina, Sean Parsons, FCO Plascencia
Letters By: Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 12, 2018

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

Supergirl has been a light in a dark world for me. There are plenty of books that I like right now but there are unfortunately quite a few that I do not. Most books quality have a tendency to go up and down depending on the month. Supergirl, on the other hand, has been rather consistent since the new creative team took over. Sure it has waxed and waned a little bit but for the most part, Supergirl has given me consistently good content. Sure, it could be a little better but I’m not one to split hairs when I’ve got a good thing going. I’m hoping that we get the same thing from this issue. Let’s just jump in and see where this issue takes us.

Hawkman #7 Review

The First Life

Written By: Robert Venditti

Art By: Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Jeremiah Skipper, Starkings & Comicraft

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: December 12, 2018

Since Hawkman's returned to his own title, it seems like every month we just go on a scavenger hunt, where we look for new clues, while running into previous versions of Hawkman.  While that's pretty fun, it has gotten a bit monotonous and I'm hoping now that we've gotten past the amount of issues that will be the first trade, we can move past the formulaic nature of this series and do something new.  Let's jump into this issue and see what happens when Hawkman remembers who he was originally and where that information will take him next.  Let's check it out.

Wonder Woman #60 Review

Absolutely Nothing

Written by: G, Willow Wilson
Art by: Cary Nord, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

After looking forward to G. Willow Wilson's debut on Wonder Woman for so long, I have been a bit let down since it began.  A generic story to start things off and subpar art is not the way to come out of the gates, but it only takes one issue to turn it all around.  Is this that issue?  Let's find out...

Justice League Dark #6 Review and **SPOILERS**

By the Power of Numbskull

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Pencils: Daniel Sampere 

Inks: Juan Albarran 

Colors: Adriano Lucas 

Letters: Rob Leigh 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: December 12, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Bobo’s left a mess of Myrra…hey, that word sort of sounds like “mirror!” I just got that. Anyway, Bobo’s screwed up that magical realm, and Blue Devil is about to skewer his chimpanzee guts out, so let’s dispense with the formalities and check out my review of Justice League Dark #6, below!

Batman Annual #3 Review

Every Time He Calls...

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Otto Schmidt and A Larger World's Troy Peteri
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

It's Annual time even though it wasn't an Annuals Week, but we get Tom Taylor on Batman so I am in!  I have been begging for this Tom to be on Batman for a very long time and I will take all I can get.  So, how is this Alfred-centric issue?  Let's find out...

Superman #6 Review

Saved and Stalled

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis

Art By: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, Alex Sinclair, Josh Reed

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

In our previous issue we saw our Man of Steel trapped in the Phantom Zone with some of the worst criminals in the Universe.  The good news is, the Earth was saved, the bad news......... Rogol Zaar is still hell bent on killing Superman....... Yeah, I don't know how that works in the Phantom Zone, but that's what we're going with.  Thankfully though, General Zod heard that Earth was in peril and after having a drug fueled dream about what a New Krypton could be like, he flew to Earth, got himself trapped in the Phantom Zone and started wrecking house on Rogol Zaar.  Let's see if General Zod and Superman can take this monster down now that they seem to be working together.  Let's check it out.

Detective Comics #994 Review

The Thing Who Laughs

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza, David Baron, and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

Tomasi is finally here!  I wish that DC would have given us an add like they did with Bendis since the reason Tomasi is writing Detective Comics is that Bendis snatched his Superman book from him.  I'm actually glad it worked out this way since it gives Tomasi a chance to rebound from his not so good Detective run at the end of the New 52... a run that was bound to fail with all the crap they put Tomasi through while doing it.  So, how was this brand new start that will lead us to the big 1000 issue?  Let's find out...

The Batman Who Laughs #1 Review

He Who Laughs Last...

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Jock, David Baron, and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: December 12, 2018

I will admit it right out of the gate...I am not a huge fan of the Batman Who Laughs.  It makes sense since the Joker is one of my least favorite villains in comics so...  Why am I reviewing this book then?  Mainly because I am a Scott Snyder fan and that trumps any love or hate of a character in my book.  Plus, if I love the book despite my misgivings going in, then I think that says something, don't you?  Well, let's see how it all plays out, shall we?

PREVIEW: Supergirl #25

Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino, Jill Thompson, Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: December 12, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

It's a super-sized issue of SUPERGIRL! 
Supergirl and Krypto go back to the "scene of the crime"-the ruins of Krypton! With Z'ndr hitchhiking, Supergirl is not only there to find clues on who the killers of Krypton are, but to pay her respects to her dead family and friends for the first time since she left the planet. But a mysterious caretaker whose duty is to protect Krypton's remnants at all costs attacks and won't let Kara through! As if that weren't enough, the Kryptonian powerhouse and her super-powered pooch are stricken with radiation poisoning from the dead planet and must also fight their inner demons!
This anniversary issue also includes two backup stories! First, witness the thoughts and fears of Krypto as he is affected by the radiation poisoning from the wreckage of Krypton. Then, learn more about our new hitchhiker, Z'ndr Khol, as he scavenges a booby-trapped ruin in a remote corner of the galaxy in an off-the- wall space adventure! 

PREVIEW: Flash #60

Writer: Joshua WilliamsonArtist: Jordi TarragonaPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: December 12, 2018Cover Price: $3.99
Barry puts his fleet feet in his mouth against the next Force wielder he meets! Introducing the new Strength Force user, Powerhouse: she's a young rebel using her powers to fight the corrupt police state in Corto Maltese. When Barry learns that she wants to use her super-strength to overthrow the government, he tries to intervene-and ends up tripping into a melee with the new hero instead.

PREVIEW: Detective Comics #994

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: December 12, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

Batman's strangest case begins as the new creative team of writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Doug Mahnke take over DETECTIVE COMICS! 
Commissioner Gordon calls in the Dark Knight Detective when there's a murder at the Gotham City Aquarium-staged to look exactly like Thomas and Martha Wayne's crime scene, right down to the Playbill and pearls. How does this bizarre homicide tie into the shadowy monster that attacks Dr. Leslie Thompkins? This creature looks to wage a war on Batman-and it's using Joker Gas to do it!

PREVIEW: Batman Annual #3

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Otto Schmidt
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: December 12, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

"THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PENNY!" Alfred Pennyworth has been Batman's most trusted ally and confidant since the Dark Knight first hit the streets of Gotham City. Now, witness Batman's battle for justice from Alfred's perspective and learn how harrowing that journey has been as Batman experiences one of the worst nights Gotham City has ever seen-a night that will push Alfred to the breaking point! Best-selling writer Tom Taylor presents an epic tale that promises to be one of the most Alfred stories ever told!

PREVIEW: Electric Warriors #2

Writer: Steve OrlandoArtist: Travel ForemanPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: December 12, 2018Cover Price: $3.99
The Planet Covenant is live! Warrior representatives from across the known galaxies have gathered to wage battle and prove their cosmic superiority. Representing the humans of Earth is War Cry, who enters into his first gladiatorial match with all the ego and bluster we can expect from Earthlings. But will it be enough to stop the lava-spewing champion of Saturn? Alliances are formed in and out of the arena, as each fighter starts to establish their rank. War Cry thinks he has found a friend in an empathic healer from distant Vrang, but he can't help but think his only true friend may be the oceanic Deep Dweller, his rival from Earth. And of course, what no one yet knows is what the ruling powers are after. It can't just be watching species from around the cosmos tearing each other apart...can it?

PREVIEW: The Batman Who Laughs #1

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: December 12, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

Left rattled by the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL, Bruce Wayne must come face to face with the nightmares spawned from the Dark Multiverse. But even though evil devoured evil in the collapse of Challengers Mountain, the Dark Knight still has his doubts. He discovers that the Batman Who Laughs not only survived the fight with The Joker at the end of METAL, but now he is enacting a sinister plan across the Multiverse-something both terrifying and oddly familiar. But when Bruce Wayne realizes the only way to stop this madman is to kill him, he must consider violating the very rule Batman won't break...the same rule that created this insatiable villain-the Batman Who Laughs!

PREVIEW: Batman: Damned #2

Writer: Brian AzzarelloArtist: Lee BermejoPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: December 12, 2018Cover Price: $6.99
As Batman's descent into the madness of Gotham City's decadent underbelly continues, he must try to exorcise some of his demons...and who better to help than the Demon, Etrigan himself. And where there's demons, there's also a Deadman, a Spectre, an Enchantress and a host of other supernatural friends and foes-it's a veritable Grand Guignol!