Black Widow & Hawkeye #1 - Marvel Comics

BLACK WIDOW & HAWKEYE No. 1, May 2024

Announced in November 2023 by Marvel Comics Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski whilst at the Lucca Comics & Games festival in Italy, Stephanie Phillips’ opening instalment to this “action-packed” sixty-year celebration of Black Widow and Hawkeye certainly seems to have had a fairly solid storyline lurking within its twenty-four page plot. Yet due to some quite questionable decisions as to this book’s pacing and persistently changing time zones, many a bibliophile probably gave up looking before reaching its rather startling conclusion; “I was on the rooftop across from the ceremony. I am sorry, Nat. The Russian minister… I shot him.”

To begin with however, “Broken Arrow” certainly seems to start off well enough by depicting “a symbiote-equipped Natasha Romanoff” consigning a Soviet assassin to a truly-dreadful death in Siberia. This disturbing scene, which offers no explanation as to just how the Black Widow became a host for her new alien friend or just why Clint Barton is suddenly the target of an Eastern Bloc hitman, ensnares the reader with a hefty veil of murderous mystery, and should've caused a fair few within the mini-series’ audience to yearn to know precisely as what mischief the sharp-eyed archer has recently caused to warrant such terminal attention.

Unfortunately though, this is debatably where the “fan-favourite” creator makes something of a misstep, by insisting on telling her tale back-to-front. Such penmanship may well work for the adrenalin-fuelled action sequence involving the Avenger and aforementioned Cold War killer in Madripoor – especially when it is so energetically pencilled by Italian illustrator Paolo Villanelli. But subsequent head-spinning trips back thirty-six hours, forty-eight hours, forty hours and twenty-eight hours will surely make even the most ardent roller-coaster enthusiast both disorientated and dizzy.

Somewhat more successful is the oddly-placed four-page bolt-on yarn which strangely follows this comic’s “new chapter in the (titular) pair's storied legacy!” Set way back when the two super-heroes were first establishing themselves within the Marvel Universe, and resultantly featuring the Black Widow wearing her original 1965 Don Heck designed strapless unitard costume, this no-nonsense ‘short’ shows an infatuated Hawkeye risking all against Snapdragon so as to prevent “the Red Spy” from being forcibly returned to her Russian masters.

The regular cover art of "BLACK WIDOW & HAWKEYE" #1 by Stephen Sergovia & Jesus Aburtov

Titans #14 - DC Comics

TITANS No. 14, October 2024

Wonderfully paced and containing the odd misdirection which will surely catch out this comic’s audience, Tom Taylor’s twenty-page plot for Issue Fourteen of “Titans” certainly seems to show just how dangerous Trigon’s daughter could actually be if she were to fully embrace the devilishly dark magic which flows through her veins. In fact, it’s probably difficult for even the most ardent fan of the titular characters to recall Marv Wolfman’s co-creation being quite as all-powerful as she is in this comic; “Broadcasting on emergency channel Omega. This is Nightwing. We need reinforcements. We need every hero on Earth.”

Intriguingly though, the prodigious penmanship on show throughout this book should still convincingly persuade the audience that Dick Grayson’s super-team are about to take the empath down, and if not them, then certainly the “divine entity representing vengeance” himself - The Spectre. For whilst some may well doubt Tempest’s ability to “break the soul gem” and release Rachel Roth from her ruby-red prison, few bibliophiles would surely wager against the nigh omnipotent Ghostly Guardian from defeating the demonic hybrid – especially after he’s quite literally cut her in two with a giant flaming sword.

Also adding a genuinely touching moment to all these nerve-wrenching situations is Beast Boy’s heart-warming concern for his beloved “Rae”, and the shapeshifter’s subsequent horror when he realises a supposedly bested Dark-Winged Queen was actually just fooling with him. Garfield Logan’s emotions are clearly running high for the possessed Azarathian Cambion in this publication, and his concern that she’ll be permanently injured as a result of the Changeling’s comrades-in-arms is evident for all to see - even during the opening when he utters a desperate, tearful plea for Raven not to attack Nightwing in a highly dramatic flashback sequence.

Aiding and abetting Taylor with his storytelling is Lucas Meyer, whose pencils clearly add to the increasing sense of tension permeating this periodical. In addition, the illustrator’s concluding panels do a truly astounding job of depicting Trigon’s apparent victory, and Grayson’s convincing concern that his friends need every helping hand they can get from across the planet (and maybe beyond) if they’re to tackle the two “extinction-level beings” before him and Swamp-Thing.

The regular cover art of "TITANS" #14 by Lucas Meyer & Marcelo Maiolo

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #305 - Image Comics

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO No. 305, March 2024

Focusing upon the various covert operations Serpentor Khan has put in place within his numerous enemies’ headquarters, Larry Hama’s narrative for Issue Three Hundred and Five of “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” arguably does a good job in showing just how many pies Doctor Mindbender’s mutated creation has his dirty fingers in. True, many of the murderous madman’s cybernetically-enhanced agents come to a truly sticky end within the twenty-pages of this publication. But the sheer scale of his fiendish infiltrations is still breath-taking, especially once its revealed that the grotesque-looking villain has even managed to penetrate both the Revanche facility in Baton Rouge, as well as Castle Destro.

In addition though, the American author also pens a genuinely moving scene for Dawn Moreno involving the Joe’s parents, who despite living well inside Cobra Commander’s community, still refuse to betray their daughter to arrogant neighbour Fred 23. The pair’s willingness to batter the Crimson Guard unconscious so as to allow their offspring to escape Springfield is extremely well paced, and will doubtless have many a bibliophile a little concerned as to whether the duo will actually manage to successfully “slip out of town tomorrow” before their assault-rifle toting prisoner can raise the alarm.

Equally well worth a mention is the tense action depicted when Spirit attempts to thwart a trio of Khan’s operatives trying to find the trap door down to the Pit. This already dynamic sequence is made all the more readable by having one of his foes pull the pin from a deadly nerve gas grenade during their struggle. Due to his opponent’s sinews and tendons having “been replaced by steel cable”, it does not look too good for Charlie Iron-Knife’s chances of permanently preventing ‘the spoon from flying!’ And yet, that is precisely what Lady Jaye attempts by shockingly unloading her entire side-arm into their assailant’s head.

Providing all these marvellous moments with plenty of convincing vitality are the layouts of Chris Mooneyham, who does a terrific job in showing just how increasingly concerned the supreme leader of Cobra has become following the revelation that his recent rally was witnessed by Mindbender’s traitorous minions. The artist also is excellent at showing the feelings Moreno’s family have for Snake Eyes III, with the somewhat elderly couple touchingly cuddling her just moments after they’ve savagely brutalised Fred 23 with a seriously winding body blow and lamp-stand across the bonce; “You didn’t think we’d turn you in, did you.?”

The regular cover art of "G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO" #305 by Andy Kubert & Brad Anderson

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #2 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 2, October 2023

Revelling in a series of somewhat surprising and horrific revelations, David Pepose’s script for Issue Two of “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” should certainly have kept its audience completely captivated. Indeed, every time a reader probably felt they finally had a grip on Marc Spector’s bizarre adventures down in the Egyptian-flavoured afterlife, the American author throws them a wicked curveball - Whether it be the terrifying reason behind why the Jackals are killing runaways in the real world, or just how much the titular character can actually trust his now deceased lover Layla El-Faouly.

To begin with however, the “award-winning writer of Punisher” provides an instant hook by showing the “Lunar Legionnaire” and Scarlet Scarab ransacking a rather anachronistic night club packed full of tommy-gun toting ushabti bodyguards. This marvellously manic punch-up not only shows just how determined the former U.S. Marine is in locating the lost soul of young runaway Khalil Nasser. But also allows them to demonstrate just what transformational powers his “unlikely source for aid” wields as protector of the grisly metropolis.

Intriguing though, having shown just how formidable the pair can be when fighting back-to-back, such a scintillating action sequence additionally makes El-Faouly’s subsequent shocking betrayal all the more impactive. In fact, despite the Fist of Khonshu encountering an entire “murderers’ row of dead super villains who he helped put in the ground”, there still seems to be every chance that Spector will survive the deadly ambush as long as Layla has his back; “I wish I could have saved you too. Turns out you were right. This really was like Damascus after all.”

Standing right alongside Pepose with such intense storytelling, and adding plenty of “Kroom”, “Brakka” and “Whudd” for your buck whilst he’s at it, is Marcelo Ferreira. The Brazilian penciler definitely brings his ‘A-game’ to this twenty-page periodical, to the point where some onlookers may well actually be able to hear the sound of bullets winging past Moon Knight’s constantly moving form, or feel their surroundings shake as a modern-day truck somehow comes crashing straight through one of the walls of the City Of The Dead, and sends all the combatants flying for cover.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, Inker Jay Leisten, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Conan The Barbarian #14 - Titan Comics

CONAN THE BARBARIAN No. 14, September 2024

Frustratingly trying to fill in some of the gaps of Robert E. Howard’s 1953 tale “The Frost-Giant’s Daughter”, Jim Zub’s storyline for Issue Fourteen of “Conan The Cimmerian” can certainly be seen as an attempt by the Canadian author to pen a prologue for that particular adventure. Indeed, the entire twenty-two page plot is dedicated to explaining how the young, heavily-muscled traveller just happened to be stood one day upon a snowy field in Nordheim when he first laid eyes on the bewitchingly white form of Atali; “Together we’ll bring those red-haired whoresons a feast of vengeance true!”

Yet whilst such a notion is arguably laudable, the writer does resultantly make a few bemusing decisions so as to ensure that the central protagonist quickly ingratiates himself with his would-be murderers to the point where he can then ‘lead’ them into battle. For example, having been ambushed by a trio of disagreeable Aesirmen, who mean to steal his food and at the very least physically maim him, the barbarian only defends himself with his bare fists – despite carrying a sword (and later hand-axe). This scrap is definitely well-paced. However, many a reader may well be left scratching their heads as to why the headstrong hero didn’t just gut the long-bearded and overconfident raiders as he would ordinarily have done..?

Furthermore, having been forced to surrender the huge bear he single-handedly killed in exchange for his own life, the audience are then expected to believe Conan would willingly join Wulfhere's Aesir in chasing down a Vanir war party who’ve just destroyed one of the yellow-hair’s settlements. Admittedly, in doing so the “the wolves of Bragi” do break one of the Cimmerian’s more well-established codes of conduct by slaughtering women and children. But even so, the sudden successful attack upon a partially fortified wooden hamlet may well land a little unconvincingly with this comic’s audience as a genuine motivation for the warrior to accompany his former foes in their blood-soaked revenge.

Quite possibly just as sceptical as to the logic of some of these events is Doug Braithwaite, whose pencilling is somewhat ‘hit and miss’ throughout the publication. The British artist’s depiction of the climactic battle is absolutely first-rate in its sheer brutality and savagery. Yet this heady bout of gratuitous violence isn’t quite proficient enough to wipe away the memory of a rather impotent-looking barbarian supposedly wearing bulky armour for the first time…

The regular cover art of "CONAN THE BARBARIAN" #14 by Jae Lee

Werewolf By Night: Red Band #1 - Marvel Comics

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: RED BAND No. 1, October 2024

Billed by “Marvel Worldwide” as so intense that it requires both a Parental Advisory and polybag “to keep those weak of heart from experiencing it”, Jason Loo’s script for Issue One of “Werewolf By Night: Red Band” probably didn’t strike its audience as being anywhere near as vicious or gruesome as its New York City-based publisher had hoped. In fact, arguably this thirty-page periodical’s greatest horror is found in the comic’s pacing, as the author abruptly breaks up a somewhat charming insight into Jack Russel’s life as a low-key ferryman with what turns out to be an ill-fitting advertisement for the now finished “Blood Hunt” mini-series.

This clunky double-splash genuinely must have been overlooked by a many a reader as it literally leaps out of nowhere with a close-up of the Moon God Khonshu, before widening its scope to show Captain Marvel and some other human mutates, seriously cleaning the clocks of a horde of understandably disgruntled vampires. Resultantly some bibliophiles were probably wondering just why the titular character is one minute stoically trying to safely dock his boat due to day suddenly becoming night, and in the next lying semi-naked near to a hole in his castle’s wall which was previously seen when Mike Ploog’s co-creation encountered a trespassing ‘YouTuber’.

Of course, for those bibliophiles willing to persevere with the publication – either by repeated re-reads or luckily spying a few pieces of text which ineffectively point at the passage of time, the sequence of events does eventually become a little clearer. However, the damage has debatably already been done to the point where few will properly enjoy this comic’s highlight of Elsa Bloodstone paying her old friend a visit, only to find him unable to control his savage hunger; “You’ve been a busy wolf. And not in the nicest way. There’s a trail of maulings that led me right back here.”

This book’s sole success can surely therefore only be found in the lavish layouts of Sergio Davila, who appears to be at the very top of his game when pencilling the likes of Ghost Ryoshi foolishly disturbing Jack whilst he’s busy cleaning up his high-walled home in the Rockies, Colorado. Furthermore, even during this comic’s more sedentary scenes, such as Russell transporting his passengers up river, or The Hood acquiring Count Dracula's "old crib", there is always plenty of detail in every panel to momentarily hold the eye and add a little bit more interest to what is going on.

The regular cover art to "WEREWOLF BY NIGHT: RED BAND" #1 by E.M. Gist

Moon Knight: City Of The Dead #1 - Marvel Comics

MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD No. 1, September 2023

Energetically advertised by its New York City-based publisher as featuring “the debut of the new Scarlet Scarab”, David Pepose’s opening instalment to “Moon Knight: City Of The Dead” probably deserved to be the twelfth best-selling comic of July 2023. In fact, the thirty-page periodical is so packed full of various pulse-pounding proceedings, such as the heart-wrenching demise of adolescent Khalil Nasser at the hands of a cold-blooded cult or Marc Spector’s horrifying excursion down to a dismally dark place “where souls go to be judged”, that it’s arguably pretty near a perfect example of proficient penmanship.

Foremost of these successes is debatably the mini-series’ initial set-up, which sees a poor young street orphan being brutally gunned down during a sadistic sacrificial rite in an alleyway. So tragically sad an event on its own may well have been enough to see the titular character risk all by travelling to an ancient Egyptian afterlife. But the “former crime reporter turned Ringo Award-winning comic book creator” ramps up the masked crime-fighter’s angst ten-fold by having his comrade-in-arms, Doctor Badr, take him on an additional guilt trip over the boy’s violent death.

Just as well written though, is how disconcertingly big Moon Knight’s destination appears to be, with the author even touching upon the heavily-built monuments, luxurious palaces and numerous multi-story buildings being home to “a thousand generations” of the dead. So grand a metropolis would be impressive enough in its own right. However, the sheer scale of the land is broadened even further when the reader is shown just what sort of Crocodilian monster stalks just beneath the surface of the sand dunes outside the city’s walls; “N-No -- I take it all back! P–Please -- Anything but this -- !”

Undeniably adding plenty of dynamic energy to all these sense-shattering shenanigans is Marcelo Ferreira, who does a terrific job in depicting Spector’s emotions as he tries to hunt down Nasser’s lost spirit. Ably aided by the likes of inker Jay Leisten and color artist Rachelle Rosenberg, the Brazilian illustrator also imbues the faces of Marc’s foes with some genuine-looking terror - especially once it becomes clear to the would-be child-murderers that the “Lunar Legionnaire” can take a punch as well as dish them out.

Writer: David Pepose, Penciler: Marcelo Ferreira, Inker Jay Leisten, and Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Titans #13 - DC Comics

TITANS No. 13, September 2024

Essentially comprising of Beast Boy and Cyborg confronting a green-skinned shape-shifter in the Principality of Kravia, Tom Taylor’s storyline for Issue Thirteen of “Titans” probably pleased the majority of its readers by tapping into the pair’s well-established and engaging friendship. Indeed, it’s arguably a pity that the good-natured partnership doesn’t actually last a little longer, as Victor Stone is forced to single-handedly ‘Boom Tube’ Marco Savic to safety whilst Logan battles Apex Ava alone; “Get the President to a hospital. Take his guards with you.”

Of course, the resultant scrap between two walking, emerald-hued menageries is without a doubt the highlight of the twenty-page periodical, particularly as it contains all the sense-shattering shenanigans first seen during Merlin and Madame Mim’s morphing duel in Disney’s 1963 American animated film “The Sword In The Stone”. But many bibliophiles may well have additionally yearned for the Australian author to follow up the comic’s opening sequence, where “Gar” and “Cy” inadvertently stumble upon a demonically-possessed Raven choking Nightwing to death in the very heart of Titans Tower. Instead of simply having that adrenalin-fuelled reality immediately be ret-conned by the magic of Trigon’s daughter. 

However, almost as enthralling as the assassination attempt in Kravia is debatably Hera’s trip down to Hell to speak to the dark domain’s current ruler. This rather furtive trek to visit the extra-dimensional demon Blaze by the Queen of the Gods drips in powerful subterfuge and devilish double-dealing. Plus it contains a seriously surprising cliff-hanger when the Ancient Greek deity suddenly summons the Spirit of Vengeance to help thwart the Dark-Winged Queen from reigning all.

Quite remarkably adding a palpable aura of animation to all these proceedings is the “co-creator of Seven Secrets by Boom! Studios”, Daniele Di Nicuolo. The Italian illustrator’s art style genuinely makes many a panel appear to have been directly lifted from a roll of film stock, and impressively causes a fair few scenes to hark back to the days of Glen Murakami’s 2003 “Teen Titans” cartoon series. In fact, some within this book’s audience will most assuredly hear the show’s iconic theme song performed by Puffy AmiYumi blazing away in the background during certain segments of the action.

The regular cover art of "TITANS" #13 by Chris Samnee & Matheus Lopes

Blood Hunt: Red Band #5 - Marvel Comics

BLOOD HUNT: RED BAND No. 5, September 2024

Despite comprising of more tie-in issues and spin-off limited series than your average Marvelite can shake a pointy stick at, this final instalment of “Blood Hunt” probably still felt somewhat rushed to many of its readers in July 2024. True, the super-sized thirty-three page periodical does manage to pull many of its numerous plot-threads together for a sort of satisfying resolution. But, having an infected Miles Morales prove to be the improbable hero of the day, when the likes of the mighty Thor, invincible Iron Man and Captain Marvel appear disconcertingly impotent, is arguably a bit of a head scratcher; “I had only one weakness, Avengers. The girl. The bloodline. And she’s not here.”

Furthermore, it’s not entirely clear whether Stephen Strange’s “dread bargain” with Doctor Doom actually has any impact upon the final result. Having successfully stabbed a possessed Blade through the chest with a sword, many a bibliophile probably felt the battle was already won, and that once the Daywalker was free of Varnae’s malign influence the Darkforce surrounding our planet would return to its own dimension. However, before such an event can occur Victor casts his pre-fall Atlantean spell, supposedly brings sunlight back to the half the world, and diabolically solidifies his stance as” Earth’s new, Superior Sorcerer Supreme” – which somewhat cynically leads into another “Marvel Worldwide” major event “coming in November…”

For those onlookers able to ignore these quibbles though, Jed MacKay’s penmanship certainly still delivers a pulse-pounding experience, with much of this comic focusing upon the Avengers' fisticuffs against the dread Bloodcoven. These toe-to-toe confrontations between some of the publisher’s most popular protagonists is genuinely enthralling, especially when the God of Thunder manages to finally summon Mjolnir whilst battling the first of all vampires.

Equally up to the task of pencilling all this adrenalin-charged action is Pepe Larraz, who should genuinely cause a few painful gasps from those witnessing poor Vision losing a limb in a truly horrific manner to Bloodstorm One. In addition, ably supported by color artists Marte Gracia and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, the Spanish illustrator impressively manages to imbue the scenes featuring Doctor Strange with a noticeably different, though far from off-putting, ambience, which speaks of the ancient and powerful magic being depicted in the panels.

The regular cover art to "BLOOD HUNT" #5 by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia