Flash Gordon #9
(W) Jeremy Adams (A) Tom Derenick (C) Lee Loughridge (L) Taylor Esposito (CA) Will Conrad (CB) Zach Howard
The spacefaring and action-packed adventures continue! A long-awaited reunion turns into a deadly trap as someone from Flash’s past reveals their true intent! Can ANYONE be trusted?
Flash Gordon #7
(W) Jeremy Adams (A) Tom Derenick (CA) Will Conrad (C) Lee Loughridge (L) Taylor Esposito (CB) Zach Howard
Another planet, another foe, and a blast from Flash’s past. With Flash stuck in space, who’s able to come and save him? The Hawkmen! The exciting and action-packed adventures continue!
DC Horror Presents #2 (of 3)
(W) Latoya Morgan, Aaron Sagers (A) Tom Derenick, Walt Barna, Ryan Kelly
In Shops: Dec 04, 2024
SRP: $3.99
DC Horror Presents…is a showcase of skin crawling legends focused on our favorite superheroes in the DCU. Written by some of the most terribly disturbed minds in the horror genre today, this anthology will be to die for with horror fans!
The Flash 2024 Annual
(W) Simon Spurrier (A) Tom Derenick, Scott Koblish, George Kambadais, Amancay Nahuelpan, A. L. Kaplan
In Shops: Apr 30, 2024
SRP: $5.99
With Wally West M.I.A., Central City needs help dealing with all the bizarre new threats that have arisen, so thankfully, Wallace West, Avery Ho, and Circuit Breaker are here to help. But can they count on Barry Allen, who is having a crisis of his own?
The Flash 2024 Annual
(W) Simon Spurrier (A) Tom Derenick, Scott Koblish, George Kambadais, Amancay Nahuelpan, A. L. Kaplan
In Shops: Apr 30, 2024
SRP: $5.99
With Wally West M.I.A., Central City needs help dealing with all the bizarre new threats that have arisen, so thankfully, Wallace West, Avery Ho, and Circuit Breaker are here to help. But can they count on Barry Allen, who is having a crisis of his own?
Speed Force #3 (of 6)
(W) Jarrett Williams (A) Tom Derenick, George Kambadais, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Francesco Mortarino
In Shops: Jan 09, 2024
SRP: $3.99
GUEST-STARRING MR. TERRIFIC! After the chaos at S.T.A.R. Labs last issue, a member of the gang has been possessed! But while the youngsters are entangled with one another, Mr. Terrific comes over from investigating the “spooky Speed Force stuff” happening in the pages of The Flash to give our heroes a hand!
In a final, climactic battle for control of HALO and all its secrets, it’s the WildC.A.T.s versus the Seven Soldiers versus the Court of Owls! Winner take all! WildC.A.T.S. #12 wraps up a wild run that finally brought the Wildstorm characters into the DC Universe in a way that makes sense and works.
WildC.A.T.S. #12 delivers a satisfying ending to Matthew Rosenberg‘s run on the classic characters. As I said in my early reviews, the series has done a solid job of integrating the Wildstorm characters into the DC Universe, giving them opponents that make sense and encounters that don’t feel out of place.
While WildC.A.T.S. #12 doesn’t really stand on its own, it does wrap up the series bringing various plots together and connecting those final dots. As a finale, it works well, though at times it feels rushed.
What Rosenberg nails, and it shows in this issue, is the connection of the team members to each other. This is a dysfunctional team that butts heads and argues with each other but the second some outside force comes for them, they rally around their brothers and sisters. There’s a love there that’s only present in a squabbling family. And, it leaves things open in a fun way where we’ll hopefully get more of that dysfunction and fun.
The art by Danny Kim and Tom Derenick slips a bit in the issue. Not sure what’s up but the early half of the comic doesn’t have the usual polish and splash we’ve seen delivering a little but of bump in an otherwise fun ride. They’re joined by Elmer Santos and letterer Ferran Delgado. WildC.A.T.S. #12 isn’t the flashiest comic, in that it doesn’t deliver moments that stick with you, but it does deliver fun visuals and small details that pop. Grifter lighting up a cigarette while facing down Halliday and the Court of Owls is as cool as you can get, encapsulating the character in one panel. Maul going on a rampage is fun in a “Hulk Smash” sort of way. And the ending pages… they tease a lot for what might come delivering the mental state of the characters through images alone.
I’ve enjoyed the entire run and a bit bummed to know WildC.A.T.S. #12 ends the current run. There was a fun aspect of the series remixing these characters a bit as they get folded into the DC Universe more. Hopefully, it has laid the groundwork for more of that and this isn’t the end but only the beginning for something more down the road.
Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Danny Kim, Tom Derenick
Color: Elmer Santos Letterer: Ferran Delgado
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
WildC.A.T.S. #12
(W) Matthew Rosenberg (A) Stephen Segovia, Tom Derenick
In Shops: Nov 14, 2023
SRP: $3.99
In a final, climactic battle for control of HALO and all its secrets, it’s the WildC.A.T.s versus the Seven Soldiers versus the Court of Owls! Winner take all!
Knight Terrors: The Flash #2 (of 2)
(W) Alex Paknadel (A) Tom Derenick
In Shops: Aug 08, 2023
SRP: $4.99
CAN BARRY OUTRUN HIS BIGGEST FEARS? As Barry Allen plunges deeper into the Nightmare Realm, he’s confronted with his biggest fears and experiences some of the most shocking events that took place before his return! Barry continues to run free of the terror, but something’s gaining on him…
Locked, loaded, and ready to roll…Grifter’s back, and the WildC.A.T.s are going to war! Wild.C.A.T.s #10 is packed with action as we get some dots connected and some twists and turns. The issue continues the series’ mix of over the top moments, humor, and surprises.
Written by Matthew Rosenberg, Wild.C.A.T.s #10 is another solid issue in the series as it bounces around a few aspects of the story. In the past, we get to see what went down with a clash between Spartan and Peacemaker. Good action, funny moments, it’s a lifting of the veil a bit. But, in the present Spartan is dealing with Maul in his attempt to protect Voodoo. That of course escalates as these things do with some surprising moments that should be really interesting going forward.
But, the real surprise is who made the offer to the WildC.A.T.s that are presumed dead. In the previous issue, they’ve been given the opportunity for some work and to take on the HALO Corporation but the offer has been given by an unexpected person which is absolutely going to set up some conflict. But, the real conflict is between the team and Batman, Arsenal, and Black Canary. It’s borderline superheroes misunderstanding each other and fighting first with questions later but it’s fun to see the team go against some pretty big DC heavy hitters. It’s a battle that doesn’t go quite as expect which is par for Rosenberg’s take on this series. As usual, the story keeps readers on their toes.
And, that’s what’s been fun about this run with the team. You never know who’s going to show up and what their role in everything will be. What’s clear though is the WildC.A.T.s aren’t quite heroes and not quit bad guys, though they are willing to do bad things to achieve their goals.
The art by Stephen Segovia and Tom Derenick is where issues are here. With color by Elmer Santos and lettering by Ferran Delgado, the art usually packs a punch to match the story. But, there’s some stumbles with this issue with characters that the detail isn’t quite there and fight scenes where the art doesn’t feature the crispness that we usually see. Overall, there’s an art change here and it’s noticeable unfortunately.
Wild.C.A.T.s #10 is another piece of the bigger picture dance that’s going on and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The series continues to entertain with every issue delivering so much with every one. As a fan of the characters within, it’s great to see this new mix and see it working so well. Here’s to hopefully more Wildstorm in the DC Universe, especially if it’s this quality.
Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Stephen Segovia, Tom Derenick
Color: Elmer Santos Letterer: Ferran Delgado
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.85 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
