Greetings everyone on this not too bad summer night, welcome to this week’s edition of Unleash the Fanboy’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your host, Daniel Alvarez. This is one exciting week, we have the biggest showdown concept in comics this year in GODZILLA #4, the final issue of Deadworld: War of the Dead, among other cool stuff. Let’s kick it off with a trade paperback.

The Darkness: Rebirth Volume 1 TP

I’ve been reading from Top Cow for years, and I have to say this new creative team took one of their staple series and sent it adrift into some very messed up territory.  From #101 on you will find yourself reading in disbelief, as the narrative takes a man with a now perfect life and slowly escalates the level of family drama to the point that it reaches some rather shocking lows.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Debris #2

Who doesn’t want to open a comic to see a non-damsel-in-distress destroying mechanical monsters? The latest installment delivers that, and then some. The first issue of Debris exceeded expectations, a fantastic start. I mean, we have a post-Armageddon plot, a cool female main character, and giant mechanical monsters. Not really much else one can ask for. With just four issues, each one has to move the story at a pretty fast pace. The second installment moves things along quickly, but manages to be a compelling story throughout.

For the full review, click here.

5/5

Grim Leaper #4

Grim Leaper comes to a predictably unpredictable conclusion in issue #4 with an ending that’s weirdly normal for a series that’s normally weird. (That probably doesn’t make sense.) Grim Leaper #4 plays against expectations in a lot of ways, but ultimately delivers a satisfactory ending to a series that”s generally been pretty, well, grim.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

 

Morning Glories #21

The continuing saga of the Morning Glories Academy and its various students (former and current) continues in fascinating but imperfect fashion.  This series has used some interesting story techniques to shock readers into submission while offering fans very little in the way of answers, sadly this latest release is more of the same, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less engaging.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Prophet #28

It may not be the easiest title to understand, but Prophet #28 is starting to show some consistencies. However, this is still in many ways a title that punishes new readers late to the series. All this being said, there is definitely some improvement. more than the varied colors, the focus on specific characters is beginning to give Prophet something to root its story in. If this continues, I may very well find myself deeply enjoying Prophet in the future.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Skullkickers #17

Continuing its trend of hilarious takes on fantasy tropes and lore, Skullkickers #17 ends a successful 3rd story arc for the series. In summary, this is an excellent issue of Skullkickers. Its also a great starting point for new reader’s too, since the next release sees a new arc in full swing.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Witchblade #158

Witchblade #159 is a fun and engaging comic book, that acts as the proverbial intersection of the apparently convergent plot threads that have been building since #151.  I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect that and I was floored with the revelation.  For that reason and many more this issue comes recommended.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Bionic Woman #3

The Bionic Woman #3 succeeds, for the most part, in offering a different experience from The Bionic Man. This series definitely looks more action packed, although the main character might appeal to different readers than fans of Steve Austin. In short, this is a great issue if you can get past the main character’s portrayal.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Green Hornet #27

After almost two months, the final part in the arc is here. The Green Hornet could be argued as the greatest ‘pulp’ hero out there. His show was basically everything the Adam West Batman should have been. Engaging stories, a dark tone, and a serious but also nice main character. The comics by Dynamite has of course deepened the franchise, adding in a more established universe with long story arcs. The title character is a lot more gritty than his classic counterpart, here he’s violently beating up people and on occasion swearing. Not really a fan of when sometimes they ‘modernize’ a character. The final installment in Outcast is a brutal finisher that also sets itself up as a ‘beginning.’

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Lord of the Jungle #7

Following a slightly dreary last issue, Lord Of The Jungle #7 seems to pick up the pace, as well as exploring more of Tarzan’s exploits in society. As for the plot itself, this issue is less than subtle. It quickly reintroduces Canler, giving the villain another reason to be after Tarzan. Its a big world, yet Lord Of The Jungle seems to juggle between a small handful of the same characters. Whether this works or not is yet to be seen.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #2

If you asked me what’s the first thing that comes to mind when I hear The Lone Ranger, it would of course be the classic black and white show. I didn’t grow up in that era, but I have seen quite a few episodes. Dynamite seems to enjoy bringing back pulp characters such as the Ranger and the Green Hornet. Unlike the latter, the company has a very strong hold of the mythos of the former that compliments the classic show. Now if you were to ask me what is the definitive Lone Ranger series to check out, it would most definitely be Snake of Iron. We’re only two issues in, yet I cannot recommend this series enough. It’s great if you’re a fan of the old show, the current comics, or just looking for a nice down-to-earth story set in old times free of today’s comic culture.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Prophecy #3

The end of the world continues in the action-packed third entry in this zany crossover event, but can these unlikely allies do anything to thwart the coming apocalypse?  Well fans, this is the issue where we find out.  And not only does the answer make sense but it perfectly sets up the rest of this epic series.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Red Sonja #68

The latest romp for Red Sonja, carries a rather stereotypical story but still manages to promote this heroine’s growing reputation.  Her journeys have taken her far, but after last month’s issue Sonja and her companions have arrived in a kingdom ripe with struggle.  Depending on which side they choose to back, this nation will surely enter into either a time of peace or one devastated by tyrannical rule.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris #14

Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris isn’t porn, but it’s right next door. Only a couple lines of artwork and the slightest bit of plot separate the two. (I really wish it was porn, because – let’s face it – porn, but also because then we could actually think of it that way and not have to insult the entire comic book medium by thinking of it as legitimate.) Napton and Rafael’s work should largely be excused their failures, as I’m sure both are capable of better and it’s editorial that determines the generally bad-tasting tone of the book.

For the full review, click here.

2/5

Witchblade: Demon Reborn #2

Witchblade: Demon is such a solid foundation that’s ripe and ready to be a proverbial springboard for narrative ideas, that is was disheartening for me to pick-up Witchblade: Demon Reborn #1 and feel nothing but utter disappointment in its fruitless efforts.  Thankfully the creative team gets things back on track with this stellar second issue.

For the full review,  click here.

3.5/5

Deadworld: War of the Dead #5

This is it! After four weeks of reviewing, week #5 brings the final installment in this zombie epic. The first issue completely took me off guard, it took the usual zombie formula but added great characters and a really gritty tone to make a compelling story. It has been receiving 5/5s every time. I have to admit that I’m a little sad to see it go, it was one of the few comics where I expect quality every time. With the final installment, we have some closure but at the same time it doesn’t truly end. Sadly, I have to break its streak of perfect scores. It’s still very good, but not a great conclusion.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Star Trek/Doctor Who Assimilation 2 #4

Following on from previous issues, the plot really comes together in Star Trek Doctor Who Assimilation #4. This isn’t very action heavy, but this is expected given the nature of the two titles. All in all, however, Star Trek Doctor Who Assimilation #4 is highly enjoyable. The last moments of this issue certainly make the next look tense, and show an insightful perspective into the two distinct settings and histories.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Ghostbusters #12

This cross-country road-trip for the Ghostbusters has had both some exciting and forgettable moments, ultimately yielding an episodic tale that has been hampered by some narrative missteps, cornball dialogue and various other issues.  Thankfully, this latest release shakes off most of those problems and ends this arc with a solid final outing.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

GODZILLA #4

This is the big one folks. Well, really just for fans. If you’re not a fan of the Godzilla franchise, then the words ‘Rodan vs. Titanosaurus’ will mean nothing, but for longtime and hardcore fans like myself it means everything. It’s matches like this that get fan fics at sites like TOHO Kingdom, it’s a fun one. I mean, it’s one of the few battles where you take a look and say “Huh, I actually don’t who would win.” I like these two monsters a lot, my excitement for this issue was the strongest in awhile. I thought this would be the big payoff, since the previous ones had been just average. After reading it, only these words came to mind, “You gotta be kidding, that’s it?” If you’re expecting a long and satisfying fight between the two, you’re going to be dissapointed, I was. The covers give the impression that this will be a huge kaiju smackdown, I expected better.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Locke and Key: Grindhouse

While not as emotionally gripping as Guide to the Known Keys, Grindhouse will please most Locke and Key fans. It maintains the series’ characteristic sickening blunt trauma quality even as it injects a sense of fun that’s grown scarce as we draw closer to the series’ conclusion.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Popeye #4

As with all things Popeye, Popeye #4 really depends on your feelings for both Popeye and the older art style it invokes. That aside, there is, as always, a funny story at the heart of the issue. In short, Popeye #4 is a great example of Popeye. It tells a reasonable story, even if it does take its time to get going.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #16

If you’re looking for a healthy dose of action, with plenty of ninjas, then Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #16 does exactly what the title suggests. By focusing on both the Cobra side of affairs in the G.I Joe universe, as well as the heavy use of ninjas in the franchise itself, this title creates a darker world that avoids the cliched ‘G.I Joe vs Cobra’ conflicts of other titles.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #7

The new adventures of the Ninja Turtles continue here, as the micro-series continues to build and promote this new dynamic take on this storied franchise.  From start to finish, this latest issue revolves around April O’Neil, and to the creative team’s credit their interpretation offers a lot of interesting introspection while dealing with a somewhat sluggish pace.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

2000AD #1979

Once again, its time for this week’s 2000AD. 2000AD #1979 has its fair share of interesting titles, from historic mythology to futuristic sci-fi.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5