Hey everyone. Welcome to another edition of UTF’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. It’s a cool week for sure,  with some very diverse titles. (Included in the bunch is the stellar Lone Ranger #15!) Let us begin.

BlackAcre #7

No matter what we think, eventually compromise happens and we sacrifice our ideals in order to achieve something.  It doesn’t have to be big, but some day we’re faced with a choice and in the most predictable way possible people accept… especially if it garners something we need.  This latest issue of BlackAcre illustrates that as enemies close in and questions abound.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

 The Darkness #113

When we last left Hope Estacado she went tumbling down a rabbit hole, into what can only be described as a really nightmarish version of Wonderland.  The obvious parallels to the fable aside, there are so many layers to be discovered here.  I was particularly astounded by the devotion felt between the members of this disjointed but nonetheless connected family.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

East of West #3

Since the launch of this series I was instantly hooked by the concept offered here.  A western themed cowboy ride set in a world that’s both alien and eerily familiar with the backdrop of a looming apocalypse and no real clear heroes in this yarn… just wicked acts that are worthy of punishment.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Invincible Universe #3

Invincible Universe #3 is a good done-in-one story. While it doesn’t feel completely essential to the series, it’s a great introduction to Chupacabra’s character.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Mice Templar IV: Legend #3

The Mice Templar is an extremely entertaining fantasy tale of characters trying to make sense of their destiny. Mice doesn’t immediately strike one as the most fearsome class of warriors, but Glass and Oeming put forth a more than convincing argument that they can.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Savage Dragon #188

All in all, Savage Dragon #188 isn’t a bad issue; its just not great either. It looks and feels like a regular issue but it doesn’t offer, besides one development, anything conclusive by the end of the read.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Son of Merlin #5

Despite a premise which, at a distance, might read like an grown-up version of another human-turned-wizard story we’ve all heard before, Son of Merlin seemed intent on pushing further.  Here’s the backdrop: MIT professor Simon Ambrose discovers he’s the bastard son of Merlin and has inherited his father’s magic and enemies as a result.  Set in the modern world, where bullets and magic mix, this felt like a rad reboot of a familiar idea but things started to go “Meh” almost immediately.

For the full review, click here.

2,5/5

Spawn #232

Celebrity certainly has its share of crosses to bare, but I don’t think one of them is the idea of contending with several people that are vying for you in order to gain control over this universe.  It might sound sarcastic but in regards to this brooding narrative… that’s exactly what’s going on.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Ten Grand #2

I think in life we all wonder about the right and wrong choices we make, regardless of whether we believe in Heaven or Hell people carry their burdens with themselves throughout their lives.  But is there a point where these outweigh the will to keep going?

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Abe Sapien #3: Dark and Terrible

Overall, another very good installment starring everyone’s favorite Hellboy supporting character. The battle with the Priest is amazingly done, and is packed with some great art and storytelling. I am very eager to see where our protagonist goes from here.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #5

In the Star Wars universe there are certainly many stories about lost souls caught in a struggle that’s both bleak and depressing in all the right perspectives.  In a lot of ways that’s what this era between the two trilogies represents, as the aptly named Dark Times barrels toward yet another mini-series conclusion.  The seeds are indeed sown for wherever the property might want to go from here.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

The Black Bat #2

Since the inception of comic books there’s been several atmospheres that allowed for theatrical elements in outlandish yarns.  We see men and women parade in odd garb as they walk a fine line between justice and wickedness in an effort to do more than the average person can.  As with any good piece of fiction, this latest issue of The Bat offers up conundrums as our hero tries to deal with his decisions.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Dejah Thoris and the Green Men of Mars #4

What can be said about this newest addition to the Mars line is that it’s engaging, but somewhat mishandled.  To the creative team’s credit there are some potent sequences here and there but several crucial instances come off rushed which ultimately creates a hindrance that the next issue will have to attempt to recover from.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Dark Shadows #17

The story of Barnabas Collins, the guilt-ridden vampire has certainly had its share of bumpy and difficult situations to contend with.  Well as this series has pointed out time and again there’s a lot more terrible that could happen to him and his loved ones and you know what?  It’s an absolute treat that’s worth savoring.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

The Lone Ranger #15

Overall, a fantastic opener to Back East. Aside from the great concept of putting the two characters in an urban area, this issue has a really engaging flashback of the Ranger’s past and some pretty satisfying action. I’ve said this before, but it should be said again. You need to be reading The Lone Ranger.

For the full review, click here.

5/5

Miss Fury #3

Miss Fury #3 is worth checking out, but if Dynamite wants readers to stick around, they’re going to have to start offering something other than a cool premise.

For the full review, click here.

 4/5

Red Team #3

To be honest this series to me has been fine up to this point, but it hasn’t really done anything to make itself stand out.  The basic elements one would expect have been there while being accompanied by some stereotypical appendages, but with this particular release I can say things are starting to head in a very positive direction as the parables of this lifestyle come into play.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Spider #12

When I closed the previous month’s outing, I have to say I was one hundred percent enthralled by the arc as the less savory elements that have plagued the saga quickly fell by the wayside.  In their place fans were given something special that right from the start was nothing short of a game changer.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Lock & Key: Omega #5

Locke & Key: Omega #5 is another great issue for this series, but in no way does it feel like the end of an arc, because it’s really not. The unfortunate re-branding of the final issues may make this issue’s ending feel strange, but nothing’s really changed.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #18

All in all, I’m in two halves over this issue. Certain aspects feel like ‘filler’, or simply not important enough. That said, the over all beginning and ending certainly display a lot and promise just as much, so its hard to deny this issue outright. It was certainly fun to read and fits is a welcome return from last month’s sidetracking.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Charismagic (vol.2) #2

The premise of this title offers a lot on face value and to be frank it delivers on it somewhat.  Given all the players and the various aspects that this yarn explores there’s certainly a lot to enjoy here even if it is a bit wobbly in certain places.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Shrugged (vol.2) #3

When it comes to life and the choices we make there are many consequences to consider.  And as this series proves all you can do is go with what you know and hope things shake out in the end.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Screwed #1

When dealing with an amnesiac who wakes up in a hospital looking like a very good looking Bride of Frankenstein and fighting like a new age Wonder Woman, it can be a bit difficult to follow the plot. There are points of confusion, but to the creative teams credit by the time the cliffhanger rolls around the audience will have enough to sate their interest.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

GRIMM FAIRY TALES PRESENTS DEMONS: UNSEEN #1

In what can easily be described as a most intriguing spin-off, this latest little jaunt wastes no time getting the protagonist and her audience directly into the fray.  The results are quite compelling as this creative team does more than enough to make this yarn a welcome addition to the horrors brought forth by the Being.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales presents The Jungle Book: Last of the Species #4

There are a lot of possible interpretations for this classic franchise, but I have to say I instantly found myself enamored with this one.  Sure there are some rather wonky or even corny mechanics at play here but more important than that is the backbone of the narrative and the creative team has made sure that this one is indeed strong.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

2000AD #1835

This week brings the usual slice of wacky goodness with 2000AD #1835. This time we have Judge Dredd, Cadet Anderson, Sinister Dexter and Stickleback. Let’s take a closer look at each.

For the full review, click here.

4/5