Hey everyone. Welcome to another edition of UTF’s Weekly Comic Reviews, I’m your Godzilla-loving host, Daniel Alvarez. A pretty exciting week for comics! Nightmare Rarity takes over in the pretty dark (!) My Little Pony #7, the classic Battlestar Galactica series is brought back to life, and even an Edgar Allen Poe poem is given new life in comic format. (And there’s many more things here too! Not every day you see two comics in the same week with ‘dream’ in the title.) Without further ado, let’s get started.

DREAM MERCHANT #1

The Dream Merchant jumps and shifts without being shocking or confusing. It’s capable of hooking the casual reader by exploiting the comic medium for maximum story-telling value. There are plenty of books that ask you to think outside the box  and this one does too but supplies you with a road map as well. If you like a title asking you to think a little without being talked down to then The Dream Merchant should be in your weekly stack.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Fatale #14

When it comes to this set of tales, I have to admit that the bar to impress has been raised high.  The creative team behind this has done an eloquent job delivering a series of consistently compelling narratives while still thriving in a genre that’s been explored by many before them.  Despite that fact this comic book stands tall on its own delivering a saga that deserves to be on everyone’s pull-list.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

It Girl & The Atomics #10

“It Girl & The Atomics” #10 is another fun issue that sets up the next story arc well enough. The dialogue continues to be fresh and the art remains consistent for the most part, making the book a fun ride from start to finish. This is definitely a book to be read.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

The Legend of Luther Strode #5

The Legend of Luther Strode is oft overlooked but should be given pause and consideration. This is book is a non-stop action ride with enough heart and toughness to rival anything else on the shelves. Pick it up and enjoy the ride.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Think Tank #7

If life for a normal person is a series of seemingly inexplicable connections and events based solely on chance, than the world of military grade genius Dr. David Loren is like that but minus the chaotic question of what might happen.  As the latest issue proves the creative team has done a great job of selling that concept as this intelligent but rebellious main character allows his brilliance to fall into place.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Vescell #8

Not sure what genre you want your comic book to be?  No problem.  With issue #8 of Vescell, Image offers a rubik’s-cube of disjointed possibilities — and some work better than others.  Too bad they’re all part of the same story. Carrion deserves a lot of credit for conceiving of such an imaginative project.  Vescell is definitely unique.  But it could benefit from not trying so hard.

For the full review, click here.

3/5

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #107: Wasteland Part 1

What I like about this issue is how well it sets up the story while having plenty of fun action. There’s barely any references to the previous arc, making it new reader accessible. It’s a team based story, with having an intriguing concept of humans turning into monsters. B.P.R.D. continues to be one of the most fun titles on the stands.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Conan the Barbarian #16

As this latest interpretation proves, one can go back to a well that’s been positively destroyed from unnecessary use and still find something compelling to pull out of it.  From the first issue on this creative team has run a veritable gauntlet of clever ideas that’s simply reinvigorated interest in this property.  And despite the fact that there may be some shortcomings attached to the franchise this saga has never felt more fresh or accessible.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

DREAM THIEF #1

Nitz and Smallwood have crafted a great debut for this series. The plot progresses nicely, though there are still plenty of questions, and the understated reveal at the end should ensure you’ll want to check out the second issue.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

EDGAR ALLAN POE’S THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER #1

A unique choice for most readers pull lists, The Fall of the House of Usher #1 presents a unique and profoundly disturbing take on a classic staple.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Star Wars Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #2

When dealing with a universe that’s been as thoroughly explored as this one, it can be rather difficult to offer up something compelling to its already captive audience.  This comic mini-series is not attempting to do that, but instead it’s focused in on yielding brutality in the form of faceless vengeance and never ending style.  In short: the creative team’s got something worthwhile here.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #1

Overall, a pretty solid start to reviving the classic Battlestar Galactica. It’s not the amazing opener I was expecting, but we’re just getting started. The story is set up, we really have no idea what’s coming. Fans of the original show should definitely hop on board. The writing is off to unenthusiastic start, but I seeit improving. Battlestar Galactica is officially back.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Bionic Man #20

All in all, its hard to find any major faults with this issue, aside from the blunt ‘surprise’ ending. Its a fun issue that’s equal parts personal, political and enjoyable, without being over the top or bordering on ridiculous (Ala the Big Foot saga).

For the full review, click here.

4/5

The Bionic Man vs The Bionic Woman #5

All in all, its not a bad issue. Maybe its just me, but I really wanted to see the two titular characters battle it out when the series first came out. Although that proved to be too much too expect, this issue at least makes for a some-what enjoyable conclusion.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Green Hornet #2

Overall, a solid issue of Mark Waid’s Green Hornet. The art is uncanny, showing how the Hornet should look all the time. The story isn’t bad, but could be uninteresting sometimes. It falls upon the next comic to get the plot rolling with big things happening.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Jennifer Blood #27

As dedicated readers know, our chief character has been through the wringer in an attempt to adjust or even escape her extended prison sentence.  In many ways she’s gotten exactly what she deserves but nonetheless the creative team finds a way to make you feel attached to her struggle even as she does some rather questionable things for the sake of freedom.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Lord of the Jungle #15

All in all, its hard to rate a comic that looks fantastic, but lacks substance. Whilst some may love this new direction, Lord Of The Jungle (and Tarzan in general) has always had certain themes and motifs that go against this in various ways. Only future issues can tell what will actually happen, however.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Pathfinder #7

Overall, Pathfinder returns with a fun opening issue. It looks to be another great story. The art is more of a miss than hit, but isn’t awful. If you didn’t pick up the previous six issues, (and why the heck not?) you should definitely consider giving this one a go.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #9

Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #9 is a release that signifies the forthcoming end of this series.  While it highlights some of the good and bad, it also slowly but surely starts to tie things up.  Recommended.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Shadow #13

There’s a mysterious foe in town, hunting down questionable people but what separates her from The Shadow?  We don’t really know yet, since this is the first issue of this new saga we’ll have to wait and see but nonetheless this stellar creative team certainly came ready to play with all the classic tropes associated with this franchise.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Voltron #12

Since the launch of this series the Voltron Force has been through the proverbial wringer.  And at this point it seems that all signs point to this creative team not stopping this beat down any time soon.

For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

DOOMSDAY.1 #1

Let’s start with the bad news: the planet earth is toast, and only a small fraction of the human race is expected to survive.  But here’s the good news: John Byrne wants to tell us all about it.  Illustrated and penned by comic heavyweight John Byrne, Doomsday #1 is a nearly pitch-perfect introduction to what’s shaping up to be an epic morality play.

For the full review, click here.

5/5

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #190

All in all, this isn’t that bad an issue. Its not perfect, and definitely serves to, less than subtly, segue into a new part of the story, but it can be forgiven for its faults.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

G.I. Joe: Special Missions #3

In short, I’m more than happy with this issue. Next issue should see how this title fairs for large scale action (maybe not so Special Missions, but still) but this issue does a good job of easing in smoothly.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #7

The concept of bringing back Nightmare Moon was a classic idea. What changed however was having one of the Ponies become this dark entity. It’s a cool thing, and the story is surprisingly more dark than you think. There’s a sense of grimness displayed in this issue. If fans are looking for a rather serious and even slightly dark My Little Pony story, look no further than here. (Dark is a good thing in this case, quite a contrast to the always chipper first arc.)

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Transformers: Regeneration One #91

Overall, another solid issue of Regeneration One. Light on the action, but there’s plenty else to like. Hot Rod has been a questionable leader, that comes to full play here. We get more insight on the Soundwave/Bludgeon alliance, plus we see the unrest among the Cybertron citizens. Regeneration One keeps getting bigger.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Michael Turner’s Soulfire (vol.4) #4

This series has proven its resiliency and emotional impact as it dances between the fields of both technology and magic. But now with one of the main characters possessed by a villain the creative team is ready to sink their teeth into this proverbial fray and potentially offer up a sacrifice or two in the process.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales presents: Madness of Wonderland #4

If you’ve been following this franchise than the purchase of this book is an already decided decision. But if you haven’t you should because the creative team makes sure that there’s still plenty of stuff here to sink your teeth into.

For the full review, click here.

4/5

Grimm Fairy Tales presents Vampires: The Eternal #2

As the cloud of Grimm Fairy Tales Unleashed engulfs this shared universe with death, destruction and mayhem are there any signs of light at the end of this tunnel?  If you’re looking for that this is the wrong comic book, because so far what we’re getting is an attempt for humanization of a villain that at this point is simply repugnant even to members of her own ferocious race.

For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

2000AD #1832

Its another week and that brings another issue of 2000AD. Its a slight change in line-up for 2000AD #1832, featuring Judge Dredd, Tharg’s 3rillers, Sinister Dexter, Stickelback and Zombo. Let’s take a closer look at each.

For the full review, click here.

4/5