Hey everyone, welcome to Unleash the Fanboy’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your host, Daniel Alvarez. As the summer comes to a close and allergy season kicks in, we have Dynamite leading the pack this time around, with eight comics. It’s a relatively light week, but we are now covering Oni Press, so that’s exciting. Well I’ve kept you here long enough, let’s get on with the show.

The Darkness #106

There are more questions than answers in this issue, as the series takes a slight shift in tone.  Yes, it still employs some uniquely disturbing horror visuals but this release is beyond trying to scare you, now it wants to show you the big picture established in that first five-part arc.  But no worries everybody, Jackie‘s family is still in this and they are very much stuck in the same messed up situation they’ve been in.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Hoax Hunters #3

Hoax Hunters had a very average start. It wasn’t bad, but judging from that it wouldn’t last very long. Then the second issue came along and things got better. This is the type of series where it gets better as it goes along. Things are heating up with the latest installment. Not only has the series improved tremendously, it has risen up to a grade A title. This issue has it all, fun characters, a now established plot, an antagonist, and most of all, a cool-looking monster. If you haven’t been reading this series, now’s the time to do so.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Haunt #26

The dynamic duo that makes-up Haunt are facing the future of their alliance as questions result in uncomfortable situations that reveal some solid character development.  From start to finish the creative team works hard to build on the existing foundations, as they attempt to tease what’s coming in the near future for these two uniquely linked brothers.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Manhattan Projects #6

One of the great abiding weaknesses of The Manhattan Projects has been that all the characters are generally unlikable (Pitarra’s art contributes greatly to this, as he makes all the characters visually grotesque). This is true of Grottrup as well, who, while sympathetic and not exactly disgusting, is still a Nazi. Jonathan Hickman is an undoubtedly a good writer, but I question his ability to indefinitely maintain a series with no likable characters. While the Manhattan Projects has no scheduled end in sight, I’m confident not only that Hickman has an end in mind, but that it will come sooner rather than later.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

 

Bionic Woman #4

A few issues in, and Bionic Woman looks to be a decent series. Unfortunately, as Bionic Woman #4 shows, it sometimes tries to hard to push itself in a given direction. In short, despite its minor faults, Bionic Woman #4 is still a worthy read. It can be a little tedious at times, but it does its best to try and have a unique style.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Dark Shadows #7

Barnabas Collins is a fascinating protagonist that’s worth following, even as he stumbles further and further into both known and unknown troubles.  He’s often trying to do the right thing for he and his family, but there are moments where even their best intentions lead to truly troubling resolutions.  Whether you’re familiar with the original incarnation of the property or not, this interpretation is simply a comic book worth checking out.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Dark Shadows/Vampirella #2

In a stellar second release the story arc picks up some extra players and delivers on almost all of its previously established components.  In a lot of ways however, this follow-up issue is an improvement over last month’s tale, due to the fact that we get some much needed wit in the continuation of this crazy little fray.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Jennifer Blood: First Blood #1

The opening issue to Jennifer Blood: First Blood offers a competent narrative that’s not quite as consistent in quality as the current series but it manages to maintain the character’s trademark persona.  It’s an interesting look at her first fight covered in some nice retrospective backstory that brings some of the history of Jessica Blute to the surface.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

A Game of Thrones #10

When a fandom is as devoted as that of A Song of Ice and Fire, there probably isn’t a right way to go about adapting the material. Say Abraham did respond to my suggestions, there would doubtless be a slew of complaints that he was veering too far from the original work. It’s a no-win situation.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

 

Green Hornet #28

Green Hornet #28 is the issue to jump on board for two reasons. One, it’s the start of a new arc. Two, it has a new creative team. Fan of the character, or looking to jump in, this issue is the way to do it. With the Honet’s name cleared from Outcast, it’s time for a brand new story. I like the new creative team, the writing is sharper. Though this first issue is severely lacking ‘excitement’ and even ends up being a little confusing.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Thun’da #2

It’s bad enough when a character is thrust into a world that he or she doesn’t or couldn’t comprehend but to do it to someone who doesn’t even remember who they are is just plain cruel.  But truth be told, that’s what I like about this series so far.  It’s feels like a compelling take on the adventure and survival genres, that captures them both in a way that offers-up a protagonist that’s just on the verge of understanding.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Warlord of Mars #21

Again, all of this matches the tradition of the golden age of comics. While it’s certainly an interesting change in the style of the book, I really do wonder how much of it was intentional. I guess only further reading will tell. Until then, keep you tongue in your cheek if you start this new Warlord of Mars story arc.

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #2

Continuing the new Rocketeer adventure, Rocketeer: Cargo Of Doom #2 creates the usual amount of action and drama, including an insight into what the ‘cargo of doom’ actually is. The final moments of Cargo Of Doom #4 may split fans in two. Some may like the idea, whereas others may find it silly and preposterous. As for me, I’m willing to give the idea a go so far. Its silly and outright bizarre, but if you embrace it fully it also quite cool. Depending on how they treat this in the next issues, it might be able to save itself.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Bad Medicine #5

This is a very entertaining comic book series, chock-full of the same types of honest to goodness storytelling that I look for when picking out a movie or a TV show I want to watch.  From the opening page to the last panel I was thoroughly engrossed by the quality I found here and I honestly can’t wait to cover more issue from this engaging series.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

 

Stumptown V2 #1

Stumptown is a mystery/crime thriller series from Oni Press. I’ve never read volume one, so I was entering this one completely as a new reader. With indies, they’re kinda forced to bring the best they could into their comics to keep up with the two big name companies. A lot of titles succeed and surprise, but some (Lil’ Depressed Boy anyone?) just aren’t worth it. Oni isn’t exactly as big like the two big ones or even IDW or Dynamite, so they especially need to provide really good stuff. The first Stumptown was highly acclaimed, so how about volume two? It’s one of the best mystery comics I’ve ever read.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

 

2000AD #1800

There’s a big shift in 2000AD #1800, with a number of all new titles. All in all, with three new titles, its hard to sum up 2000AD #1800. If you’re not a regular reader, now is obviously a great time to get into the publication. If you’re a long time reader, then you’ll have plenty of new titles to sink your teeth into.

For the full review, click here.

4/5