Greetings everyone. Welcome to another edition of UTF’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. Speaking of G, isn’t the movie supposed to start filming today? Keep your eyes peeled for updates. This week in comic land Dark Horse joins the fray. Let’s also not forget about the origin of the DARK ONE in Grimm Universe. Let’s start with what might be the most interesting comic of the batch…

Change #4

This series is definitely not for everyone. It’s something you pick up, read and understand immediately though your own interpretation despite its difficult nature.  I’ll leave you with a sample of this tale to give you a taste of what it offers.  I took these sentences initially as positive, but when I went back and reread them, they became pessimistic: “Nothing is too beautiful to happen. Nothing is too good to last.”

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Darkness #111

So far through this arc we’ve come to understand some shocking revelations, as several players entered some dire times.  And with just one more part to go I’m left wondering if this is just an interlude for something greater, but whatever the case may be the outstanding creative teams have certainly crafted something special as they threaten to end the world once again.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

The End Times of Bram & Ben #3

When it comes to stories that attempt to approach the end of the world, they tend to take themselves a bit too seriously.  So allow me to say that it’s about time someone approached it with some much needed spunk and a humorous spin.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Hoax Hunters #8

Overall, another solid issue of Hoax Hunters. While not half as exciting as the previous one, there’s plenty of cool plot development. From Donovan’s plan to the emergence of the antagonist, this issue sets up some exciting things to come from this series.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Manhattan Projects #10

The reappearance of the multiple Oppenheimers further emphasizes the role of The Manhattan Projects as a companion piece to Hickman’s run on Fantastic Four. Once TMP concludes, it should be fascinating to read them side by side. That conclusion seems to be getting closer, as Projects has definitely entered a new act.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Mind the Gap #8

Overall, another solid issue of Mind the Gap. Obviously the highlight is seeing Elle’s mom. Why does she want her daughter dead? Why is the father there too? Why is the doctor involved? This issue asks some more questions but doesn’t deliver any questions, and if #9 isn’t especially revelatory,  the series could take a major score hit.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Peter Panzerfaust #10

When this original concept first surfaced I, like many people, had no idea how to react to it.  The idea of taking one of the most instantly recognizable fairy tale properties and setting it within World War II sounded outlandish at best.  But through it all this adaptation has proven its worth time and again, as this latest release proves itself underneath that mantle.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Spawn #229

When dealing with this property there are many layers in its extensive history, but what can be said about this current era is that at this very moment the creative team is delving into something that has only been touched on before.  We’re starting to learn about the symbiotic armor that attaches itself to Spawn, and the results are complicated in their own right.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

TriggerGirl 6#1

TriggerGirl 6 #1 is simply a narrative that needed to be shared, because sometimes people honestly need to deviate from the path we normally take. Recommended.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Where is Jake Ellis? #3

You may not know who or where Jake Ellis is but you read just one issue of this great series and believe me you will want to know more before you’re finished.  Recommended.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

A Game of Thrones #13

I’m all in favor of supporting comics, but this is one case where you should just read the book. Or even just watch the show. At least that’s worthy of the term “adaptation.”

For the full review, click here.

2.5/5

Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin #3

Ghoul Goblin should improve  quite a bit once it’s collected in trade, where a single uneventful issue doesn’t mean two months of no fun or excitement. With only one issue remaining, I’m interested to see if Butcher and Powers can wrap things up nicely without cutting short some part of their story.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

The Bionic Man Annual #1

All in all, this is an interesting read for those who appreciate more Bionic Man. I’m still not sold on releasing this every year however, as it doesn’t add enough to make it worth the wait.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Peter Canon Thunderbolt #7

Superheroes by their nature are complexities that are often beyond own comprehension, and yet on some level the audience finds a way to connect to their ongoing struggles.  We relate to them on a very empathetic basis but when done right there are so many layers to their complicated existence that their actions can offer up an allegory of our very souls. This latest release doesn’t quite do that but it yields a solidly captivating experience.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Shadow #10

When you open a comic book like this there are certain predetermined expectations placed on the creative team.  At a relatively young run with only ten issues, an annual and a special at its back fans know exactly what they’re looking for from this continuing saga, and they can rest assured the creative team does not disappoint in this latest outing.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Ghostbusters #2

From start to finish this creative team’s run with this storied franchise has been an absolutely engaging affair that’s had its share of off moments, but more often than not this duo has risen to the proverbial occasion.  This latest volume complete with its simplistic but easily engrossing premise is no different, as a brand new team of established personalities rises to the challenge.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

The High Ways #3

The High Ways #3 was exciting because when one question was answered, two more surfaced in its place. I also liked the addition of more characters as I was left wondering if some (like Estelle) would have a larger role in the next outing. At times there was a little too much going on to the point where it took away from the ultimate quality of the comic but I’m still giving it a light recommendation.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Mars Attack #8

I haven’t picked up a Mars Attacks comic since Topps was putting out the series in the mid-90’s right around the release of the Tim Burton directed film. The cover of the book I was about to read was enough to spark my interest, with the image of Martian and Man hand-in-hand in a loving, peaceful scene. Beyond that it doesn’t hurt that writer John Layman was at the helm.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Rocketeer Hollywood Horror #2

In all honesty, this is a good example of the Rocketeer done right. Its not perfect, but it does its best to get through the plot, deliver some action and keep anyone entertained.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Transformers Regeneration One #89

Overall, while some of the other plots are moving a bit slow, there’s no denying that this Scorponok story is a well enough read. The Dionobots finally get to do some damage, and Grimlock has many memorable scenes. It should be interesting to see where it goes next time.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #19

Coming out of another fight, Illyria awakens unable to teleport as the Siphon has taken her power. Now with his new found strength he could be anywhere in any time, as if this wasn’t bad enough, Dawn is fighting for her life. Xander is by her side doing whatever he can to keep her alive. The entire ordeal is just too much for him to bare as he lets Buffy have it the moment she rushes to Dawn’s side. Indeed, the world was saved again, but the root of it all remains: this was our heroine and Angel’s fault.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Emily and the Strangers #2

Its Emily’s first time meeting the rest of Evan’s band and their practice is dreadful. After her and Evan exchange words, our protagonist walks out. While in a record store, she bumps into Raven, a cyborg she created, who happens to wants to join the band. Emily allows her to come on board as the drummer. Even with the addition of a fifth member, the band still sucks. Can they get it together in time to perform live?

For the full review, click here.

3/5

Sledgehammer 44 #1

The concept given to audiences in this release is not complicated in the slightest sense, but nonetheless if you don’t buy into the basic idea you’ll quickly find yourself less than enthused with this book.  But with that said if you’re willing to turn down the noise in your brain and just have fun with it you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find in this epic journey.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Star Wars #3

The problem with creating yet another addition to the expanded universe contained within the confines of the original trilogy, is that there has been so much done with it already.  In truth, what can any team really offer that’s even remotely worthwhile?  The answer is simple: unique perspectives. And at the end of the day that’s exactly what this creative duo delivers.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Executive Assistant Iris Volume 3 #3

When it comes to delivering tie-in issues that need to still be relevant to the character they feature while not being bogged down by the weight of an ongoing tale, it can be a rather tricky prospect.  Now this release certainly stumbles along the way when facing that particular problem but in the end it finds a way to somewhat conquer it.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Shrugged (vol.2) #1

What we have here is the start of the second volume of Shrugged, and the question facing the franchise at this juncture is whether or not it’s still something that needs to be owned?  Truth is this release spends a good deal of time retreading the closing beats of the previous iteration as it attempts to set things in motion in order to cement a direction for any potentially new readers.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales St Patrick’s Day Special

When it comes to one-shots fans will finds themselves on the fence as to whether or not they want to throw down the cash for another in a long line of issues that have only a passing connection to the ongoing narrative they happen to be following.  With that said, on occasion a release like this one can highlight the best features of a franchise as it acts as a more than acceptable tangent in its own right.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Universe Dark One #4

When it comes to explaining the origin of a key antagonist there are many pitfalls that can befall a franchise.  Simply put great care must be taken in order to avoid them and thankfully this issue does just that.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

2000AD #1823

It just wouldn’t be a week of comics without good old 2000AD. This is no different with 2000AD #1823, offering the usual blend of science fiction and fantasy comic works. This week we have Judge Dredd, Savage, Past Imperfect, and The Red Seas. Let’s take a closer look at each.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5