Power Girl #13
(W) Leah Williams (A) Eduardo Pansica, Júlio Ferreira
In Shops: Sep 25, 2024
SRP: $3.99
OMEN’S TELEPETHY GONE AWRY! Can Power Girl trust her suitor Axel? Only one person can tell her that answer for sure–her best friend Omen. But when Omen’s telepathy is threatened by a chance encounter with a new hero, Paige must focus on saving her from herself–along with the rest of Metropolis!
Power Girl #11
(W) Leah Williams (A) Eduardo Pansica, Júlio Ferreira
In Shops: Jul 24, 2024
SRP: $3.99
FOREVER ALONE?! Dating is hard, especially if you’re Metropolis’s breakout hero Power Girl. Will an innocent date with the mysterious Axel be just what Paige needs to get her groove back? Or are there some skeletons in her suitor’s closet waiting to be set free?
Superman, Lobo, and the Superman family take a stand against Brainiac and the Brainiac Queen in the finale to “House of Brainiac.” That leads into the anticipated summer event, Absolute Power.
It’s all hands on deck in Action Comics #1066! Brainiac has created his masterpiece, and all bets are off as Superman and his teammates bear witness to a cosmic horror unlike anything they’ve ever seen! And after learning the true history of Brainiac, Lobo will have to choose what side he is on before all hell breaks loose!
On sale June 18, part five of “House of Brainiac” is written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Rafa Sandoval, who also provides art for the issue’s main cover. Action Comics #1066 also features variant cover art by Jorge Jiménez, Paolo Rivera, and Mark Spears, plus a Pride Month variant spotlighting Steel (Natasha Irons) by Betsy Cola.
On June 25 the story reaches its climax in Superman #15, also written by Williamson with art by Sandoval. Superman is allied with Lex Luthor, and together they’ve figured out how to stop Brainiac and his queen, but it will take a great sacrifice. The Man of Steel and one of his greatest enemies will have to do the unthinkable to save their family and friends. This all leads directly into DC’s blockbuster summer event, Absolute Power.
Superman #15 features a main cover by Rafa Sandoval, plus variant covers by Stjepan Šejić, Joshua “Sway” Swaby, Danny Earls, and Miguel Mercado, plus a Pride Month variant featuring Jon Kent by Angel Solorzano.
Brainiac’s bid for total control continues to impact other DC Super Heroes. In June 11’s Green Lantern #12, Guy Gardner’s bogus Lobo adventure gets even crazier, courtesy of series writer Jeremy Adams, with art by Xermánico and Kevin Maguire. Xermánico also provides the main cover, with variants by Evan “Doc” Shaner, Gleb Melnikov, and Keron Grant. On June 25, writer Leah Williams and artists Eduardo Pansica and Júlio Ferreira team up Power Girl and Crush with the Holliday Girls in a last-ditch effort to take down Goblin and his goons, take back their neighborhood, and shut down the Czarnian threat on Earth once and for all. Power Girl #10 features main cover art by Yanick Paquette, with variant covers by Nicola Scott and Daxiong.
After the events of Knight Terrors, a long-dormant Kryptonian threat has returned to take down Superman and his family. Who could possibly stop it? Well, according to the Man of Steel, it’s Power Girl! Power Girl #1 kicks off a new adventure introducing the character to new readers while continuing Paige’s adventures and story.
Written by Leah Williams, Power Girl #1 is honestly just ok of a read. There’s nothing bad at all, it just isn’t memorable. Paige, aka Power Girl, is now in the tech world, helping raise money for Steelworks to help with sustainability. The auction of course attracts villains who want the items, setting up a battle which, again of course, doesn’t go well. It’s all beats we’ve seen before. Again, it’s not bad, it’s a fine read, but it’s also not something that sits with you. What it does, and does pretty well, is set up the next issue and what’s to come. We get a good sense of Power Girl, her allies, and her next adventure is laid out. It sets up a path fine doing what it needs to do.
On art is Eduardo Pansica, with Júlio Ferreira in ink, color by Romulo Fajardo Jr., and lettering by Becca Carey. Like the story itself, the art is decent. It has some good action but overall there isn’t a moment to really hook the reader. What does stand out is that it dials back the silly sexiness others have depicted the character as. The boob window is there but it only mildly defies functionality. The villain has a cool look to him and there are some panels that have a 90s X-Men vibe to them, but beyond a few panels, the art works but doesn’t excite.
There’s nothing wrong or bad about Power Girl #1. It’s just the comic doesn’t stand out. It has its moments. It has entertaining moments. But it lacks really memorable moments. As an introduction to the character, it works, but overall, it feels like back-up stories released as a first issue instead of a big splash to hook the reader. Hopefully, the second issue gives us a bit more, and what’s hinted at has potential, but not sure you’d miss much by skipping this issue and starting with that one.
Story: Leah Williams Art: Eduardo Pansica
Ink: Júlio Ferreira Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Becca Carey
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
Nightwing 2022 Annual
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira
In Shops: Nov 29, 2022
SRP: $5.99
WHO IS HEARTLESS? Find out who the villain is behind the platinum mask, and why he only collects the hearts of some victims and not others…and why he has no heart himself. Then: Bitewing: Year One! Follow Haley in her first year with her humans Nightwing and Batgirl and see how she takes a bite out of crime in her first year becoming Bitewing!
Nightwing 2022 Annual
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira
In Shops: Nov 29, 2022
SRP: $5.99
WHO IS HEARTLESS? Find out who the villain is behind the platinum mask, and why he only collects the hearts of some victims and not others…and why he has no heart himself. Then: Bitewing: Year One! Follow Haley in her first year with her humans Nightwing and Batgirl and see how she takes a bite out of crime in her first year becoming Bitewing!
Suicide Squad #15
(W) Robbie Thompson (A) Dexter Soy, Julio Ferreira (A/CA) Eduardo Pansica
In Shops: May 03, 2022
SRP: $3.99
FINAL ISSUE! Through space and alternate Earths, this version of the Squad has tried to free themselves from Waller’s clutches. In the series finale, they risk everything for freedom one last time…
With his spotlight in the upcoming The Suicide Squad, it was only a matter of time before we saw Bloodsport join the series. Suicide Squad #5 brings the character into the fold as he takes on a mission for Amanda Waller, one that involves the multiverse.
Bloodsport is on a mission. After a quick “origin” recap for those that don’t know the character we get into the thick of things. Hopping around the multiverse on his own, Bloodsport is looking for new recruits for Waller to join her Suicide Squad. Now on Earth-3 he has to deal with a world where all of the “heroes” are actually villains. There’s a lot of recruitment opportunities there.
Robbie Thompson does a fantastic job of taking us through Bloodsport’s thought-process as he explores a new world and explains his mission. We get a little more about his background and history and Thompson adds some small touches that add some depth to the character. What’s great is the character delivers what feels like a mix of danger, expertise, and a little off. The results are some deadpan humor that keeps the comic from being too serious.
A team delivers the art which isn’t too noticeable. Other than an opening sequence, the comic is smooth in its look and it looks good. Dexter Soy, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, and Joe Prado all provide the art. Suicide Squad #5 features some nice layouts that make Bloodsport look amazing with dynamic poses that you want to recreate with toys. Alex Sinclair‘s colors make the blues, reds, and greens pop on the page. Wes Abbott handles the surprising amount of dialogue and really makes Bloodsport’s journal unique and in his “voice”.
Suicide Squad #5 is a fantastic entry in a series that’s been entertaining the entire time. It almost stands on its own and can likely be picked up by new readers with few issues. What’s better for long-time readers is that there’s some major moments when it comes to the team’s dynamics that’ll have major implications going forward. At the end though, it left me wanting more Bloodsport.
Story: Robbie Thompson Art: Dexter Soy, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Joe Prado
Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Wes Abbott
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
I loved the debut of this latest volume of Suicide Squad. The issue did a great job of doing its own thing but also tying into what else was going on in the DC Universe. The debut issue involved Peacemaker leading a team to break out William Cobb, aka Talon, from Arkham Asylum. For those who read Batman, you’ll know there was an attack that killed most of Arkham’s inhabitants. Peacemaker and the team found themselves caught in that attack. Suicide Squad #2 keeps things moving as Peacemaker is determined to complete his mission.
Robbie Thompson keeps readers on their toes with Peacemaker focused and overwhelmed. He’s dealing with inmates and guards as he attempts to get his target back to base. There’s a solid action aspect to it but Thompson also does something interesting, you have no idea if Peacemaker will succeed. In the first issue, much of the team were killed. That opening now keeps readers on their toes not knowing who might be offed next. This is a first, I really feel like this is a team that might not make it. Beyond Peacemaker and Superboy, who knows who might die. Thompson keeps things rolling as a new team is sent to help Peacemaker in his mission.
Suicide Squad #2 is solid in that it begins the steps towards the team we see in its Future State issues. It also throws in characters both known and obscure and any can die. But, what it really does is gives us a team where there’s more than team vs. Waller. With the inclusions of Peacemaker and Superboy we have two powerhouses who are going to clash. Peacemaker sees Waller as a method to achieve his goals. Superboy is the reluctant member who wants to do things his way and keep the death toll low. Then there’s a whole bunch of other varied personalities. It’s a solid team and dynamic that’s really entertaining.
Eduardo Pansica‘s art is fantastic. There’s just fantastic action that delivers on every page and looks great. The characters are so varied yet it still looks like they belong together. Julio Ferreira‘s ink, Marcelo Maiolo‘s color and Wes Abbott‘s lettering just adds to the experience. The color and inks make the images pop at times and really takes what easily could be a dark comic but lightens it up in a way. The lettering too just adds to each character’s personality.
Suicide Squad #2 is a solid issue. It’s full of action and sets up the team dynamic well. There’s also the fact that bodies keep piling up. This is a series that you shouldn’t get too attached to characters. They’re going to die. Beyond a few specifics, everyone is on the table as far as that. This is a comic that’s just full of action and personalities with some dynamic art that brings it all together. A fantastic second issue that builds on the excitement of the first.
Story: Robbie Thompson Art: Eduardo Pansica
Ink: Julio Ferreira Color: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Wes Abbott
Story: 8.1 Art: 8.1 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
With a new film on the horizon, it’s not surprising that the Suicide Squad will be a pretty key role in DC’s plans. Suicide Squad #1 delivers a new start for the team with Amanda Waller back in charge. The issue lays out her new vision and mission for a new team as the Squad attempts to break out a new member of the team from Arkham Asylum.
Writer Robbie Thompson delivers an issue that’s full of action and nails down Waller as a character. She has a mission. She has a vision. And both are just to her no matter what we might think as readers. Thompson also shakes things up delivering pushback to that mission and vision in unexpected ways. But, the bigger thing Thompson does is keep readers on their toes. There’s a body count in the issue and many of those are unexpected. Beyond Peacemaker, who will be in the new film and is getting his own spin-off television show, everyone is apparently on the table for be killed. Thompson makes that clear which makes the series interesting going forward. As long as the cast sticks to C and D-list characters, expect more bodies as characters get offed.
The art is fantastic delivering the action. Eduardo Pansica‘s pencils, Julio Ferreira‘s ink, Marcelo Maiolo‘s colors, and Wes Abbott‘s lettering is top notch. The page flip and panel placement is used really well. Both are used to either shock or show how off-kilter things are. All the while delivering the violence you’d expect from the team. The perspectives at time are fantastic as team members are killed or left behind to die. There’s just a great sense of motion, both physical and storywise.
Suicide Squad #1 also does a solid job of tying into the Batman story in Infinite Frontier #0. The issues shown in Arkham Asylum extend here showing off some of the interconnectedness we might see in the DC Universe and shined in the Batman corner of “Future State”.
Suicide Squad #1 is a solid start with a very intriguing team. Amanda Waller is back in charge and is on a mission. She doesn’t care who is killed to make that happen. Without major names, this feels like a series that anything really can happen and will keep readers on their toes to see who gets offed and how. A really solid (re)start to the series that delivers action and intrigue.
Story: Robbie Thompson Art: Eduardo Pansica
Ink: Julio Ferreira Color: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Wes Abbott
Story: 8.45 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
