BALTIMORE EMPTY GRAVES #2 (2016 Dark Horse Comics F 6.0|

BALTIMORE EMPTY GRAVES #2 (2016 Dark Horse Comics F 6.0|
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Baltimore: Empty Graves
#2
(2016)
F (6.0)
Mike Mignola

April started off with a huge bang when it came to new comic book releases. The current Batgirl creative team had their farewell in issue #50. Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette finally unleashed their Wonder Woman graphic novel upon the world. Marvel launched a new Black Panther comic and their first ongoing Star Wars series set in the Force Awakens era. Boom! delivered a new chapter of their Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. And Negan stole the show in the pages of The Walking Dead #153 as he's done so many times in the past.Scroll down to check out our reviews for these and various other new releases. And be sure to let us know your favorite books of the week in the comments below.

DC COMICS

Batgirl #50

Written by Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher | Drawn by Various

No one wanted to see the creative team run of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, and Babs Tar on Batgirl come to end, but if it had to end - this was the way to do it. Batgirl #50 is an oversized, non-stop thrill ride of a comic book. The creators bring all of Batgirls friends and enemies back together again for one big, fun send off. It goes to show what an unbelievable job of world building the creators did over their run. Better yet, they bring in an all-star cast of guest artists to prolong the fun. Babs Tarr is joined by Roger Robinson, John Timms, Eleonaroa Carlini, and James Harvey in a cover-to-cover gorgeously illustrated book. You won’t have any more fun this week in comic books than you will with Batgirl #50. –LeviFinal Score:

9.0

Bloodlines #1

Written by J.T. Krul | Drawn by V. Ken Marion

Alien parasites, street level heroes, nineties names like Loose Cannon and Ballistic; the original Bloodlines had it all, and reflected the more ridiculous aspects of the era. And maybe that’s what’s missing in Bloodline’s #1. It follows the same basic path of the original, with the appearance of an alien threat assumedly leading to a new brand of heroes, but where the nineties version had moxie to spare, this new incarnation feels hollow by comparison. Part of that has to do with its compressed format– writer J.T. Krul seeds a lot of ground, with lead Eddie getting the only true focus. His inner turmoil, along with his relationship with friend Graham, provides the emotional anchor of the piece, but the way in which Krul uses their bond to influence the book’s events is more confusing than impacting, particularly for those not already familiar with the original. Artist V. Ken Marion likewise proves hit or miss – he shows a great eye for detail with his larger than life characters, but sometimes his pencils, particularly in the smaller panels, read a bit rushed. It’s a start, but it doesn’t hook just yet. -Jeff

Final Score:

6.6

Detective Comics #51

Written by Peter Tomasi | Drawn by Fernando Pasarin

Peter Tomasi is using the end of his time with James Gordon as Batman to tell the kind of detective story you couldn’t tell with Bruce Wayne. It turns out, Gordon left a secret behind on his last tour in Afghanistan. Now, that secret has come back for Gordon and his fellow soldiers. It’s a fun mystery, and one that takes Batman to Afghanistan. Fernando Pasarin does well hopping back and forth between the two different locales, and it’s nice to see Peter Tomasi putting such an intimate scale on these Batman comics. The costume hardly appears in this issue and there are no recognizable big name villains. The mystery does meander a bit too much, and the lead up to Gordon’s reveal should have come earlier, but it’s still a nice mystery. –Levi

Final Score:

7.0

Green Arrow #51

Written by Ben Percy | Drawn by Szymon Kudranski

Green Arrow #50 didn't really deliver on the much-hyped clash between Green Arrow and Deathstroke. This issue picks up the slack, though it's still a bit slow in building towards the main event. Ben Percy's script is somewhat disjointed as it bounces between the captive Ollie and Emiko and the arrival of Deathstroke. But both halves of the story have their merits all the same, particularly the fascinatingly grotesque healing sequence. And once hero and villain finally meet, face-to-face and bow-to-sword, the excitement factor picks up considerably. Artist Szymon Kudranksi brings an effective mix of horror and traditional superhero action to this issue. Certain panels are marred by some distorted anatomy (Deathstroke's legs have a few too many muscles attached), but in general this arc plays well to Kudranski's relatively sinister style. -Jesse

Final Score:

7.4

Green Lantern #51

Written by Robert Venditti | Drawn by Rafa Sandoval

It's becoming harder and harder to maintain interest in the current volume of Green Lantern when the book is losing steam and DC Rebirth relaunch is right around the corner. This penultimate issue makes two critical flaws. First, it doesn't build on issue #50's twist in a very satisfying way. Hal's latest bizarre transformation is properly explained, and eventually it seems like an afterthought as Hal heads along his merry way. Second, the second half of this issue spends entirely too long dwelling on a gang of unsavory, unlikable space pirates. It's weird to see such a sluggish pace considering that Robert Venditti only has one more issue to wrap up the whole shebang. But if nothing else, Rafa Sandoval helps reinvigorate the book from a visual standpoint. His energetic figure work and flair for cosmic spectacle bode well for Sandoval's role on the upcoming relaunch. -Jesse

Final Score:

6.0

Harley Quinn & The Suicide Squad: April Fool's Special #1

Written by Rob Williams | Drawn by Jim Lee & Sean Galloway

"DC didn't necessarily put a lot of marketing muscle behind this comic, considering that its main selling point is 'Jim Lee drawing Harley Quinn.' This one-shot certainly has an impressive art team going for it. It also serves as a primer for DC's upcoming Suicide Squad relaunch, with which both Lee and writer Rob Williams will be involved. And for all that DC has struggled to put out a Suicide Squad comic worthy of the franchise's legacy, this issue suggests there are better days on the horizon." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.1

Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1

Written by Geoff Johns | Drawn by Various

Justice League: The Darkseid War Special #1 gives us the origin story of Darkseid’s mysterious daughter, Grail. Her story is interesting in how it tends to mirror Wonder Woman’s life, but that also lessens some of the impact of her tale as a unique origin. The more interesting sections of the story are the bookend scenes that feature Jessica Cruz. The Rebirth announcements have shown a heavy emphasis on Jessica as one of Earth’s Green Lanterns, and it's easy to see why here. She’s a strong character, and her Earth-3 power ring makes for a compelling twist from the typical Green Lantern. As enjoyable as Grail and Jessica’s stories were in this issue, they were haphazardly put together, completely failing to have one flow into the other in any logical way. The five artists on the book were all great in their own right, and they were all blended well together by Alex Sinclair’s unifying colors. If you’ve been loving this event, this is worth a read, but a bit too messy. –Levi

Final Score:

7.3

Midnighter #11

Written by Steve Orlando| Drawn by ACO & Hugo Petrus

As DC prepares for its latest Rebirth, the books not moving on to the publisher’s next slate find themselves on wrap-up duty. That short list unfortunately includes Steve Orlando and ACO’s Midnighter, a book of consistent high quality and endless entertainment. Not content to go quietly into that good night, Orlando and ACO turn up the heat with issue #11, prepping their upcoming finale with enough blood, sweat and tears to do their lead proud. Introducing The Authority powerhouse and Midnighter ex Apollo so late in the game could have proved gimmicky, but yet again Orlando shows a deft hand in seamlessly moving between the many frenetic threads. ACO, joined by Hugo Petrus, too shows his mastery of balance, pairing electrifying, multi-tiered action sequences with snapshots of emotional vulnerability. Midnighter is a book that will be gone too soon, but at least it appears prepped to go out on top. -Jeff

Final Score:

9.0

Sheriff of Babylon #5

Written by Tom King | Drawn by Mitch Gerads

Sheriff of Babylon #5 is everything that’s been good about the series in one self-contained issue. The overall narrative over the last four issues has varied from blurry to completely non-existent at times. That’s because Sheriff of Babylon isn’t some intricately plotted thriller or mystery (though it’s certainly been known to have fantastic elements of both), but instead a focused, character study of the turbulent 2000s. This issue is a flowing, drunken confessional between two of the book’s leading characters. In it, Christopher finally reveals the meaning of his “9/11 was my fault” claim from the first issue. Their conversation is poignant, funny, offensive, and feels so real. As much truth as Tom King puts in his dialogue, Mitch Gerads puts right back into the human beings he brings to life on the page. Those human moments are what have made this series so great to this point, and this is an entire issue made up solely of that humanity. A genuine achievement of comic book craft. –Levi

Final Score:

9.8

Superman #51

Written by Peter Tomasi | Drawn by Mikel Janin

The events of “Savage Dawn” and a couple of other storylines have taken their toll on Superman. Now, the hero is going about settling old business. Overall, this is a fairly slight issue with too many mysterious cutaways, but the premise and Lana scenes alone are enough to make this a compelling issue. Clark’s relationship with Lana, specifically as told in Greg Pak’s Action Comics run, is one of the most endearing aspects of Superman to come out of the New 52. That scene - Clark’s interaction with her and the way Mikel Janin draws the nostalgia and then sadness in her eyes throughout that sequence - is remarkably done. The aforementioned pacing problems, along with some blandly drawn Fortress of Solitude backgrounds hurt this issue, but it’s a surprising first chapter that promises plenty of potential greatness to come. –Levi

Final Score:

6.8

Unfollow #6

Written by Rob Williams | Drawn by R.M. Guera

Unfollow’s greatest strength has been its tone. Or rather, tones. Unfollow is one of the most unique books on shelves today because of its subversive mix of action, heart, horror, and twisted comedy. It’s a book with a voice like no other. Unfollow #6 is a chance for Rob Williams to double down on that dark humor by focusing in on the crazed, killer on a mission from God named Deacon. R.M. Guera is the perfect choice to illustrate this issue, bringing the best of his Scalped work to another twisted tale of violence. This issue adds some layers to Deacon’s personality and cause. Another great issue of a series you need to be reading. –Levi

Final Score:

8.8

Wonder Woman: Earth One HC

Written by Grant Morrison | Drawn by Yanick Paquette

"I'll just cut right to the chase and say that Wonder Woman: Earth One is not going to be a comic for everyone. This original graphic novel offers a more provocative take on the iconic heroine, one that returns her to her Golden Age, bondage-obsessed roots and dabbles in material some readers might find uncomfortable. It's also a surprisingly outlandish and colorful story given the normally straight-laced, grounded nature of DC's Earth One line. But if you come into this book with no goal other than a yearning desire to see Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette offer their own unique spin on a 75-year-old character, you won't be disappointed." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.4

MARVEL COMICS

Black Panther #1

Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates | Drawn by Brian Stelfreeze

"Christopher Priest's Black Panther series easily ranks among the great under-appreciated Marvel runs of all time. Not only did Priest fundamentally overhaul a classic Avenger, the series was as responsible as any other for helping to reshape and solidify Marvel's voice in the shaky years after the publisher's bankruptcy. Subsequent Black Panther comics may have achieved greater sales success, but none have come close to recapturing that magic blend of character drama, politics and superhuman spectacle. The highest compliment that can be paid to Marvel's newest Black Panther series is that it's the first to feel like a worthy successor to Priest's run." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.8

Black Widow #2

Written by Mark Waid & Chris Samnee | Drawn by Chris Samnee

As if several dozen issues of Daredevil and a handful of Rocketeer comics weren't proof enough, Black Widow further establishes that Mark Waid and Chris Samnee make a swell team. This second chapter takes a slightly more story-heavy approach than the first, even if the emphasis remains on Samnee's dynamic storytelling at all times. Samnee renders a captivating sequence in a cemetery as Natasha secretly defends her S.H.I.E.L.D. comrades from would-be assassins. The dialogue, impeccably crafted as it is, is scarcely necessary to convey the story here. But eventually Waid and Samnee shift gears to establish the newest threat to Black Widow's existence and shed some light on her mysterious clash with S.H.I.E.L.D. in issue #1. After only two issues, this series is quickly establishing itself as one of Marvel's best. -Jesse

Final Score:

9.4

Deadpool #9

Written by Gerry Duggan | Drawn by Matteo Lolli

"If there's any one secret to the success of Gerry Duggan's Deadpool work, it's that he's able to blend Wade Wilson's goofy antics with a real sense of tragedy and pathos. Duggan's Deadpool is nearly always at his best when he's suffering. That's certainly been true for this current volume, which has largely been devoted to exploring just how wrong Wade's life can go even when he seems to have everything working in his favor. And as this current story arc is proving, other characters can benefit from being exposed to Wade's suffering, too." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.2

Empress #1

Written by Mark Millar | Drawn by Stuart Immonen

"Many Mark Millar comics tend to wear their influences on their sleeves. Secret Service is a clear homage to the James Bond franchise. Old Man Logan fuses the Marvel Universe with Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven. Starlight is Millar's take on iconic sc-fi adventurers like Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Empress again sees Millar dip into that Flash Gordon waters, but in a much different and more subtle way this time. This new mini-series asks readers, 'What if Ming the Merciless had a wife, and what if she tried to break free from his tyrannical rule?'. As with many Millar books, the combination of a great hook and a fantastic art team result in an engaging first issue." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.7

Invincible Iron Man #8

Written by Brian Michael Bendis | Drawn by Mike Deodato, Jr.

Invincible Iron Man has hit a significant sophomore slump with this current story arc, which stands out neither as a prologue to Civil War II nor as a simple continuation of the first story arc. The villain is bland. The humor, aside from a brief reference to Tony's bathroom habits, is less engaging. Even the addition of Spider-Man to the mix doesn't do much to inject new life into these pages. There's too much potential in the three-way dynamic between Peter, Tony and Mary Jane that's being wasted right now. Then there's the art, which is so different from the aesthetic established by David Marquez in the first six issues that this might as well be a completely different series. The extended fight sequence between an armor-less Rhodey and a group of cyber-ninjas should at least cater to Mike Deodato's storytelling strengths, but the cramped framing and oddly distorted bodies hinder the sequence. In short, the series needs another change of focus. -Jesse

Final Score:

5.0

Old Man Logan #4

Written by Jeff Lemire | Drawn by Andrea Sorrentino

The premise of this opening story arc was sound, but there's really only so much you can do with the idea of Old Man Logan confronting familiar Marvel icons and fighting to prevent his future from coming to pass without stepping on the toes of various other Marvel titles. So it's probably for the best that issue #4 brings that arc to a close. This issue has no real earth-shattering moments to offer, just good, solid characterization as Logan meets an elderly Steve Rogers and finally comes to terms with the fact that this world is not his own. That, and plenty of gorgeous imagery from Andrea Sorrentino. The ambitious page layouts, bold imagery and the strategic use of Marcelo Maiolo's colors to highlight key action beats all contribute to one gorgeous comic. And now that Logan's initial journey has come full circle, the series is free to chart a new course for its troubled hero. -Jesse

Final Score:

8.0

Spider-Man #3

Written by Brian Michael Bendis | Drawn by Sara Pichelli

Don't expect much in the way of costumed antics in this issue. Miles has encountered the newest supervillain in his life, and it's his grandmother. This issue offers an entertaining glimpse at life in the Morales household as both Miles and his father struggle to adjust to this abuelita's tyrannical rule. The interaction between Miles and fellow Avenger Ms. marvel is also entertaining, if a bit more limited in scope than what the cover suggests. Thankfully, Brian Bendis is able to integrate Black Cat into the picture as well. As disappointing as her characterization has been in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, at least the new Kingpin has been faring better in other Spider-books. And despite the more low-key quality of this story, Sara Pichelli's gorgeous artwork keeps the story lively. Her characters ooze energy and vitality. -Jesse

Final Score:

8.5

Spider-Women Alpha #1

Written by Robbie Thompson | Drawn by Vanesa Del Rey

It’s commendable how smoothly and naturally this Spider-Women crossover comes together. So often, these kind of crossovers can feel forced or uninspired. But, these three protagonists represent three of Marvel’s current best titles and perhaps the most interesting corner of Marvel’s current universe. The pairings between these characters in the recent past have been great, but having the trio together like this is something rarer and more special. Gwen and Cindy’s separate friendships with Jessica, and their mutual almost-antagonist relationship with each other, are highlights of a fun issue. What isn’t as strong though, is Vanesa Del Rey’s art. All three of these Spider-Women books are marked by fluid, expressive art. Del Rey does beautiful character work, but has a darker, stiffer style that doesn’t complement these bright, acrobatic figures. The art mismatch aside, this is a strong opening issue that should win over fans of any of the three titles.–Levi

Final Score:

7.8

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #1

Written by Charles Soule & Chris Eliopoulos | Drawn by Phil Noto & Chris Eliopoulos

"To date, Marvel's new Star Wars comics have been confined largely to the Original Trilogy era. Books like Star Wars and Darth Vader certainly succeed in capturing that classic Star Wars feel, but why dwell on the past when there's a whole new galaxy to explore thanks to The Force Awakens? Poe Dameron is Marvel's first ongoing series to explore the post-Return of the Jedi era. That certainly gives this new book a certain sense of novelty, but Poe Dameron isn't quite ready to fly with the best yet." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Uncanny Avengers #8

Written by Gerry Duggan | Drawn by Ryan Stegman

Uncanny Avengers #8 is a weirdly anticlimactic moment midway through this Standoff crossover. Following the events of All-New, All-Different Avengers #7, all the members of these two different Avengers teams are unknowing prisoners at Pleasant Hill. It seems like this would be a good time to explore character personalities/desires/fears/etc in their new lives, right? A chance to get to know our heroes more by contrasting them in their new mundane, idyllic lives. Instead, Gerry Duggan opts to both just immediately free our heroes of their brainwashing, but also spend the entire issue doing it. And at the risk of getting into pedantic, comic book nerd arguments - isn’t the way they free themselves from this Cosmic Cube fragment brainwashing just too easy? But regardless of whether or not the solutions work on a comic book level, they certainly don’t on a dramatic level. This is a beautifully drawn, but otherwise largely workmanlike chapter in the event. –Levi

Final Score:

6.0

Uncanny X-Men #6

Written by Cullen Bunn | Drawn by Ken Lashley

For a double-sized first issue of a major event, this is an extraordinarily slow and uneventful chapter. Much of this $4.99 comic book is spent either rehashing previous Archangel/Dark Angel stories, or toiling away with Sabretooth and Monet’s quest for info. The slow pace isn’t an entirely bad thing, but it just ultimately reminds us of how repetitive and rehashed many of the story elements in this event are. We’ve been down the Psylocke/Angel, Sabretooth/Morlocks, and Magneto (savior or terrorist?) roads so many times in X-history (even recent X-history) and the opening chapter leaves no indication of fresh ideas to come. On the positive side, Ken Lashley is a wonderful choice on art. He reflects the positive elements of Greg Land’s figurework but with much more dynamism. Lashley and an intriguing cliffhanger are enough to give this event another chance, but those are the only reasons so far. –Levi

Final Score:

5.8

Vision #6

Written by Tom King | Drawn by Gabriel Hernandez Walta

Vision is a clear contender for being the best book in the All-New, All-Different Marvel lineup, and this issue does nothing to reverse that trend. At once a philosophical tale of an android trying to build a human life for himself and a horrifying look at a suburban family gone astray, this comic certainly doesn't read like any other on the market. The tone of the book only grows more foreboding as more cracks form in Vision's domestic construct and more secrets are unearthed. Through it all, the narration enhances the unsettling tone of the story as it muses on the differences between logical problems and those that can't be solved by computers. Gabriel Hernandez Walta's distinctive style is a perfect complement to Tom King's intelligent prose and dark ruminations. Walta's precise, unassuming line-work combined with Jordie Bellaire's murky colors make it seem as though anything can and will go wrong at a moment's notice. -Jesse

Final Score:

9.2

ABSTRACT STUDIO

Rachel Rising #41

Written & Drawn by Terry Moore

It all comes down to this. Over the course of 40 some odd issues, Terry Moore has offered a layered and often haunting look at the town of Manson and the characters who call it home. With only one issue left to go, Moore turns in a surprisingly stripped-down issue, finally pitting his heroines against the demonic Malus. The resulting read is both concise and abrupt, the writer/artist doing a fantastic job of crafting an ominous sense of finality, even as the end pages come to a resolution all too soon. There are still plenty of ends to tie up, but the tone going into the book's final stretch is an assured one, something made particularly evident by the issue's deeply atmospheric art. Much of the drama to issue #41 is non-verbal, Moore crafting tension through his unsettling, detailed backdrops and his sweeping cinematic eye. This is one series that will surely be missed. -Jeff

Final Score:

7.7

ARCHIE COMICS

Archie #7

Written by Mark Waid | Drawn by Veronica Fish

Mark Waid’s focus on character over content has been a huge part of Archie’s new look success, but in issue #7 that same focus can’t quite mask its lack of substance. Waid spent a good portion of last issue setting up the Reggie/Hiram dynamic, yet in one whispered utterance said tension is ultimately dissipated. Reggie’s sudden about face makes for some great additional depth, especially when viewed against Archie’s own moral seesaw, but it also stymies the sense of direction that initially came from the pairing. All that being said, the issue is still quite charming, with Veronica Fish again striking a nice tone between cartoonish physical comedy and more earnest emotional beats. There’s a lot of subtle complexity to the read, particularly the parts involving the scene stealing Pop, and Fish is able to portray the fluctuating mood in a way that’s both stylish and relatable. While not the strongest issue in the series, it’s nonetheless an entertaining one. -Jeff

Final Score:

7.0

BOOM! STUDIOS

Giant Days #13

Written by John Allison | Drawn by Max Sarin

Max Sarin had some mighty big shoes to fill when Max took over the art duties from Lisa Treiman in Giant Days #8. As much credit as writer/creator John Allison obviously deserves for the humorous quirks and original character designs, it was Treiman’s interpretations of the characters that made Giant Days a visual treat. Sarin has taken Treiman’s approach and put a personal spin on it, but Giant Days #13 is the first time that we really get to see Sarin doing something special. In exploring Esther’s home life and past, we get an entirely new view of Giant Days’ world. Esther’s hometown and high school friends make for an intriguing backdrop and a way for Sarin to leave a wholly individual impact on the book. It’s a world well worth exploring, and hopefully we’ll be able to come back between semesters. -Levi

Final Score:

8.2

Last Sons of America #4

Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson | Drawn by Matthew Dow Smith

The best thing you can say about Last Sons of America is that if it ever gets a sequel, that series will probably be incredible. The premiere issue of the series showed us a scenario where the world’s richest country became suddenly infertile, causing the rest of the world’s children to become the world’s most valuable export. It was an incredible, well-thought out premise made even better by the intimate viewpoint of a downtrodden pair of agents whose job was to buy other country’s children. It was like the Coen Brothers directing Children of Men. All subsequent issues have blown that promise though, and this final issue is the worst offender. Intimacy and nuance is replaced by broadness, gritted teeth gun battles, and ridiculous happenstance and conspiracies. There’s an amazing series to be made in this world, this “action thriller” just wasn’t that series. –Levi

Final Score:

5.5

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #2

Written by Kyle Higgins | Drawn by Hendry Prasetya

"The first issues of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers focused on things most fans already know – the Rangers are good, Rita is bad, and dinosaur robots trump pretty much everything. With the obvious out of the way, Kyle Higgins and Hendry Prasetya turn their attention to the things we don’t know– what does the inside of a Zord look like? How do they connect with their Ranger? And where the heck are these teenagers’ parents? It’s that outside the box thinking that gives issue #2 its legs, even as the main narrative continues to prove a work in progress." -Jeff

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.8

DARK HORSE COMICS

Baltimore: Empty Graves #1

Written by Mike Mignola & Christopher Golding | Drawn by Peter Bergting

The newest Baltimore mini-series opens not with a bang, but on a very slow and somber note. Here Lord Baltimore and his crew bury their dead (whether or not they actually have bodies to fill the graves) and plan their next move against the Red Witch. It's an appropriately downbeat approach for an ongoing story that's fast approaching its climax. This issue helps further cement the group dynamic and play their clashing personalities against one another. The highlight of this issue involves a long overdue glimpse at Harish's past and the terrible event that led him to join Baltimore's service. In general, Peter Bergting is a solid addition to the lineup of artists playing in the Mignola-verse sandbox, but his stark, eerie style really comes alive in this flashback to a harsh, demon-infested desert wasteland. -Jesse

Final Score:

8.3

IMAGE COMICS

The Walking Dead #153

Written by Robert Kirkman | Drawn by Charlie Adlard

"With the finale of The Walking Dead Season 6 leaving viewers hanging, it's just as well that Negan is taking a more prominent role in the comic again. The Walking Dead #153 builds on the villain's surprise escape from his one-man prison. What's next for Negan? What dark designs does he have on Rick Grimes and the citizens of Alexandria? Is the enemy of Negan's enemy a friend or just another enemy? Those questions are the driving force of this issue, which makes the most of the increasingly tense and unpredictable status quo in the Walking Dead Universe." -Jesse

Click here to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.3

The Wicked + The Divine #18

Written by Kieron Gillen | Drawn by Jamie McKelvie

Not to disparage the work done by the fine group of artists who covered The Wicked + The Divine’s last arc, but man, it feels good to have Jamie McKelvie and Matthew Wilson back in the fold. The duo start their latest arc with a bang, crafting standout sequence after standout sequence with their usual blend of sharp, eye catching design, emotive character work and electrifying color. Writer Kieron Gillen also wastes no time in kicking off the hiatus rust, positioning his narrative for bold new things even as long simmering events continue to rise to a boil. Despite the solicits’ promise of a “perfect jumping on point”, the issue is anything but, instead representing the culmination of years of carefully laced setup. It’s a wonder how Gillen has managed to keep track of the series’ many intricate threads, but at long las

Additional Info
Grader Notes F 6.0
UPC No
Publisher Dark Horse
Character Other
Grade 6.0 FN
Genre Horror
Certification No
Signed N/A
Dark Horse