Hey all. Welcome to the latest edition of UTF’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. The winter has officially left with the scorching hot weather starting to kick in. Are you ready for the beach? If not, I hope you’re at least ready for these wonderful comics. Grimlock comes to blows with Scorponok in the latest issue of Transformers: Regeneration One, and that’s not the only story you’ll see. Shall we begin?

Invincible Universe #1

While you”ll definitely want to catch up on some previous issues, particularly the Earth-shattering Invincible #98-#100, Invincible Universe #1 will be waiting with a gorgeous, albeit slightly crowded, look at the wider Invincible world.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Saga #12

Honestly, and this might come as little surprise, I love this issue. The opening scene offers a fantastic cold start, yet focuses on much of the war themes and aspects Saga has been known to dip into. It doesn’t even matter that it features a giant talking mouse, it somehow still resonates on more gritty level. This, of course, sets the stage for the rest of the issue, but it offers insight into Prince Robot IV. Similar to The Will, there doesn’t seem to be any ‘wholly-evil’ types in Saga, and that definitely gives it depth.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Jennifer Blood #25

As I close the final page of yet another successful outing for this franchise, I can’t help but smile at the work on display here.  From the text to the visual aspects therein this creative team always comes out to play in a way that should please their fans even as this comic book turns 25.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Lord of the Jungle #14

This issue sees the final confrontation between Rokoff and Tarzan (not that there’s been too many to begin with) and focuses mainly on this for the most part. Its fairly effective, and spans a number of pages. Through in some romance with Jane and you have a good story that makes use of all its elements, but unfortunately isn’t much in the way of original.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Peter Canon: Thunderbolt #8

What we hold in our hands with this release is the summation of many of the various plot lines that this saga has played with since its initial inception.  Their connections at first glance seem to be basic at best but as things fall into place the creative team unveils what can only be summarized as their best single issue to date.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

The Shadow #11

When it comes to the adventures of this iconic and memorable pulp hero, we’re often left with a very straight forward journey that arrives at a rather uncomplicated finish.  However with this arc the creative team decided to challenge our protagonist in a way that will certainly have some repercussions in the stories to come.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

COLONIZED #1

I feel like this comic is a clash of so many things. Think The Village as your main setting. Then throw in aliens. Add a dash of zombie apocalypse and you have a hit! I was honestly afraid to read this comic. I thought it was going to be cheesy and cartoonish. But despite so many different elements coming into play, I was really entertained.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

G.I. Joe: Cobra Files #1

This issue kicks off where the old titles left, with Chameleon about to embark on a dangerous mission. It back-tracks a little (readers of the old series won’t find much in the way of new development here) yet this makes it rather more accessible. Cobra Files #1 doesn’t trip over itself, and this open nature helps ease you into both the plot and the title, making an excellent opportunity for new readers to get in on a new title that still comes with a lengthy back-story.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

KISS SOLOS: THE DEMON #1

Single issue, character-focused stories such as this often encounter two problems: a formulaic approach and a failure to contribute to the series as a whole. KISS: Solo #1 definitely suffers from the former, and, unless I miss my guess, will be guilty of the latter as well.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #3

Overall, there isn’t much action in this issue. Yet that isn’t to say its boring. The pacing is fluid enough, not getting bogged down in any one area whilst still going on to offer plenty of tension and drama. There’s the typical rift between Cliff and Betty that’s been a major point of this series (although much better than Cargo Of Doom), and seems much more relevant to everything going on.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Transformers: Regeneration One #90

Overall, another great installment in the Regeneration One saga. The battle between Grimlock and Scorponok is amazingly done with a very unforeseen ending. Galvatron and Starsctream are back in the game and when you think about it, the plots that’s going to be connected will be insane since it’s almost like a domino effect. With that, I eagerly look forward to Destiny.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Sledgehammer 44 #2

When it comes to placing fantastical ideas into established history, there’s a certain line that needs to be walked.  Thankfully this more than competent creative team does just that as they yield an authentic tale that delivers the origins for this hero while paying homage and respect to the fighting men of the day.  In short, this two part mini-series concludes in a way that is certainly worthy of your money and time.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Star Wars #4

Originally when I began reading this comic book series I was expecting a radical departure from accepted cannon, but instead what we have here is a competent extension that successfully builds upon itself with each outing.  And to the creative team’s credit not only do they continue to logically expand this already established era but they do it in a way that doesn’t feel like an unnecessary repeat.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

The Standard #2

When it comes to creating a world of superheroes that exists outside the big two companies, it can be a sticky proposition indeed.  Firstly you have to create rules and histories that fuel both the heroes and villains without making them feel like an after thought. Thankfully this creative team does just that with their dark but compelling take on the genre.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

2000AD #1827

2000AD continues this week, as always, with 2000AD #1827. With mostly continuing stories this week, we have Judge Dredd, Dandridge, Tharg’s 3rillers, Stickleback and Zombo.

For the full review, click here.

4/5