Amala’s Blade #1

The kingdom of Naamaron is bitterly divided into warring factions: the low-tech Purifiers and the high-tech Modifiers. Both fear the great vizier’s deadliest assassin, Amala. But for all her lethal skills, Amala’s drawing too much attention for the vizier’s taste. So what better way to deal with a troublesome cutthroat than to send her on a suicide mission?

I’m always up for a new female kick-ass lead character and Amala’s Blade features just such a character. I read the zero issue and like the first I was entertained. It’s a fun read and the world presented seems interesting.

But, like the first issue, I wanted more. We get glimpses as to the kingdom of Naamaron, it seems a bit steampunk-ish, but there’s not a lot of detail to it. That frustrated me a little as a reader.

I’d think my issues with this first issue will go away as the series progresses. It seems like a lot of fun and will be a nice read each month. But, as far as first issues goes, it was good, but didn’t suck me back in to be super excited for the second issue.

Story: Steve Horton Art: Michael Dialynas
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

The Answer #4

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Can Devin and the Answer think their way free of the Brain Trust before CHEMICAL X breaks their brains for good? The explosive conclusion of this superhero mystery!

This is it for the four issue limited series and overall it’s been fun. There was something entertaining about it all, but after four issues there’s still so many questions that I don’t have answered. The series in a way promises “the answer” and it just wasn’t there.

It’s been a fun series. Mindless entertainment where you really can’t think too hard about what’s going on. But, as far as stories, this feels like a second or third story arc for me.

The story is about a secret organization that wants a Librarian and we find out what in this issue, but what that would accomplish and the why isn’t really there. Then there’s the main character of the Answer himself.

Overall, for a series that’s been called The Answer, there’s a lot of questions left. Here’s hoping we get some more issues and get some actual answers.

Story: Mike Norton, Dennis Hopeless Art: Mike Norton
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

The Massive #11

Following a mutiny, the crew of the Kapital are in a race against time to catch their increasingly elusive sister ship, The Massive, when a school of aggressive great white sharks cross their path!

I named this the best non-super hero series of  last year. Overall, I felt it was the best series period. The Massive so far has kept that up and is making a case for repeating this year.

This issue is a prime example of why it’s so good. We get the continuation of the ramifications of the previous issue, a bit of a lesson about the environment and a lot of tense moments.

There’s also the subtle theme of this issue, legacy. While discussing the history of the shark, we get an allegory about one’s greater picture in the eco-system and how things can carry on even in the face of disaster. It’s a commentary on Callum Israel’s legacy and that of the Ninth Wave and it’s crew.

The issue just shows how amazing of a series this is, one I can’t recommend enough. It is the best comic on the market, hands down.

Story: Brian Wood Art: Declan Shalvey
Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Mind MGMT #10

Only the Futurist can help Lyme and Meru find Mind Management’s hidden training ground, Shangri-la. But how can they track a man who knows their every move before they do?

I really should spend this review yelling at folks for not reading this brilliant series. It’s one of the few comics on the market that is a complete package from the front cover to the back cover.

The attention to detail on every page is amazing. There’s a side story along the edges, fakes ads, hidden messages, it’s just amazing. There really is no other comic like it on the market, for that alone it’s a must buy.

But then there’s Kindt’s story and art. The story itself is crazy. It follows a shady organization who uses people with special abilities to shape the world. The series is now preparing for a battle to take down that organization as sides are being taken.

The art is Kindt’s usual, which is to say unique and distinctive. If you see his work, you know it’s his. I personally love the style myself.

The series is consistently solid, one of my favorites each and every issue. It’s not too late to get reading and find out what you’ve been missing.

Story and Art: Matt Kindt
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review