Category Comics

Have you ever wanted to take on the role of your favorite villains from Gotham? In Talisman Batman: Super Villains Edition you can!

USAOpoly brings us a new take on the classic game Talisman with Talisman Batman. Having never played a Talisman game I didn’t know what to expect but loving Batman’s rogues I knew that this game would be right up my alley so when The Op Games offered me a review copy I jumped at the chance.

The goal of the game is to play as one of the various villains (what game let’s you do this, honestly?) and sneak your way through Arkham Asylum until you reach the security tower. Finding the exit isn’t simply the end though, you must also face down the greatest detective himself- Batman! Each turn your villain performs two actions, movement and encounters. In terms of movement your dice determine what happens and as always a roll of 1 is a failure, meaning Batman is moving as well. When you finish your movement you must resolve your encounter with the space you are on. Encounters will vary based on the space itself or if you share that space with either another player of Batman himself.

I loved the theme of the game and was honestly surprised there wasn’t an option where you could have someone play as Batman himself. Doing a larger group would have been quite fun if one person was playing the bat and everyone else had to either avoid him, work with each other to escape or face him directly. The mechanics worked well for the game and having to roll for your movement (instead of a default setting) added some stress inducing variables that made for some tense moments. If you’ve ever wanted to play the villain this game is a must for you but leaves a bit to be desired for those uninterested in the role.

Brethren! Seek not to ponder the Batman himself, instead, feast yourself on this massive volume of his stories! Behold the book of Detective Comics, chapter 1027, verses 1-144!

This is the scripture according to: Peter J. Tomasi, Scott Snyder, Greg Rucka, Tom King, Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, James Tynion IV, Mariko Tamaki, Marv Wolfman, Grant Morrison, Dan Jurgens, Kelly Sue DeConnick
(Queue a dramatic inhale!) Illustrated by: Eduardo Risso, Lee Bermejo, Walter Simonson, David Marquez, Jim Cheung, José Luis García-López, Olivier Coipel, Riley Rossmo, Dan Mora, Chip Zdarsky, Jamal Campbell, Chris Burnham, Dan Jurgens

The official plot:

“Light the Bat-Signal, because Detective Comics #1027 is here! In honor of Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27, this special, book-size celebration brings you the biggest names in comics as they chronicle the most epic Batman adventures Gotham City and the DC Universe have ever seen! The World’s Greatest Detective has a mountain of cases to crack: Who murdered Gotham’s most corrupt police officer? What does The Joker’s annual visit mean for Bruce Wayne? And most importantly, what WayneTech mystery will sow the seeds of the next epic Batman event? All this and more await you within the pages of the biggest Batman issue of them all!”

DC Comics

“Most epic Batman adventures…?” Not so much. “Seeds of the next epic Batman event?” Sure, I’ll give them that one. Look, it’s a collection of short stories, some good, some bad, mostly adequate. It all depends on your personal flavor.

My Impressions:

• Be careful where you set this issue down, it’s so heavy it could cause some damage
• Exactly what you would expect from a Batman anniversary issue…a collage of art and words. A chance for some folks to try new styles etc.
• Initially intimidating…but it should be, it’s lighter fare. Easily skipped if you don’t want to invest the time.

Notable Appearances/Events:

• I am not even going to attempt to list everyone appearing in this thing!
• The Silver Ghost (Detective #26) – We will probably never see him again, but I liked him!

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

This thing is a BEAST to get through…144 pages. Seriously a multi-session read. In addition, it’s one of the better milestone compilation issues I’ve seen recently, including some sections that tie into currently running story lines. Of course there are those that go for the “deep” or “shock” stories as well, though none are specifically memorable.

“You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;” Who is this weapon? It is revealed in the book of Batman, chapters 99-100!

This is the tale as witnessed by James Tynion IV.
Cast into light by Jorge Jimenez.

The official plot:

“The Joker War’ comes to a city-shattering conclusion as Batman battles The Joker in a brutal, no-holds-barred duel! This is a fight 80 years in the making, and its outcome won’t just change Batman’s life, it will change Gotham City for years to come! Plus, a pair of short stories that will chart what’s to come in Gotham City and Batman.”

DC Comics

The highly hyped Joker war comes to it’s expected conclusion. As expected, everyone under the sun shows up to throw a punch or two. Does it live up to the hype? Not in the way you might expect.

My Impressions:

• Harley Quinn is the best part of this story arc. A timely intervention saves the day, and when she get’s serious, it’s chilling.
• Oracle is back online. ‘Nuff said.
• Clownhunter. Either he ends up a Robin, or he’s a flash in the pan. There’s no in-between.
• Did Harley just become a member of the Bat-family???

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Batman (Bruce Wayne)
• Joker
• The full Bat-Family
• Harley Quinn (Harleen Frances Quinzel)
• Punchline (Alexis Kaye)
• Clownhunter (Bao Pham)
• Ghost-Maker 1st Appearance! (Cameo)

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

I feel like the climax for this story arc was about 1 page long. The build-up of how badly Joker and his forces were destroying Gotham, along with the corruption that is revealed is absolutely huge. Batman finally admitting he can’t deal with this alone and calling in the help of his various protégés doesn’t feel quite sufficient to handle the task. And then it’s over…and fast too. However, Harley’s part in the finale is almost a whole new character. I really hope we see her continue to evolve down this path, and become a semi permanent member of the troupe.

Ding-dong the Wizard is dead!! Well…not really, but close enough for me, see what I mean in Books of Magic, chapter 23, verses 1-25! The story of “Dwelling in Possibility” part 3.

These are the musings of one David Barnett
As translated into the visual by a certain Tom Fowler

The official plot:

“The true masterminds behind the Cult of the Cold Flame now stand revealed-as does their purpose in handing the power of the Book of Possibilities over to Tim Hunter’s onetime friends Ellie, Fatimah, and Tyler! But can Tim save his schoolmates from making a terrible choice? Or is their Destiny already written?”

DC Comics

Tim has nothing to do with saving anyone. He’s a lump that sits there and whines.

My Impressions:

• Put a nail in it…we’re done! Finally!
• Of course it had to end that way…but it would have been so much better if it hadn’t.
• Contemporary Artwork: Nothing stunning. Again.
• As with most of the current Sandman Universe titles…no final punch.

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Tim hunter
• John Constantine
• Finale issue!!!

Bottom Line: 1 Star!

I’m happy to see this one go. Books of Magic gives the Sandman Universe a bad name. For 22 issues now, I’ve been certain that the next issue would be the last…and FINALLY I’m proven right! As for this issue…yep, ends with “the future is unwritten!” I hate it! Take some chances will you? Walk the kid out in chains! Banish him to Heck! Do SOMETHING impactful! Anything would have been better than this.

“What man of you does not go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? Harken to my words, and I will tell you the tale of The Marked, chapters 7 & 8, verses 1-32!

Witness ye, the sad droning of Brian Haberlin and David Hine.
Drink in the visual blandness of Brian Haberlin and Geirrod Van Dyke (except the cover…that rocks).

The official plot:

“For Pope and Klara to save Lovecraft, they must sacrifice their own ambitions. Will The Marked superstars give up fame for the sake of one miserable, half-mad writer?”

Image Comics

The mere mention of Lovecraft appearing in a comic should pique your interest. Unfortunately, this issue just won’t live up to expectations. Lovecraft is a whiney little bitch and the cavalry, which arrives too late, turns out to be unnecessary.

My Impressions:

• Full Disclosure: I’ve already read issue #8…(Yes, I’m a little behind on my reviews)
• The story was quite disappointing. (Especially when combined with issue #8, which just drops this entire storyline for something new.)
• This series has some of the best cover art I’ve seen. It’s too bad that this issue’s internal artwork is so bland.
• Major overarching story blunder: The start to this arc made perfect sense…a funeral for those that were lost in the previous battle exposes that Pope’s soul is missing! Cool! A new arc to figure out what happened to his soul and put it right! PSYCHE! The reader finds out what’s up, but Pope’s “friends” start looking into it, only to drop the unresolved storyline cold for something new and unrelated in issue #8. (Yeah, I know this was intended to set up something in the future and create suspense, but it didn’t work.) The whole thing is unrealistic and disjointed. I demand better segues for my money.

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Spoiler: Pope’s soul is stuck inside of Lovecraft’s body
• Revelation: The Lurch-like butler is the real H.P. Lovecraft
• Conclusion: This is a classic example of how a single issue can kill a reader’s interest in a promising series

Bottom Line: 1 Star

The first story arc for The Marked, was something I highly recommend. Sadly, the writers seem to have spent all of there creative energy there, and left nothing in reserve. Issues #6 and #7 were just not up to par. With so many creative offerings out there right now, both mainstream and indie, there is just no reason to waste time and money on boring content. I’m out.

It has been written “For behold, I am sending among you serpents, adders that cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you.” Damned if they didn’t end up in the book of Something is Killing the Children, chapter 10, verses 1-32!

This revelation of carnage is related by James TynionIV!
The foreboding images by Werther Dell’Edera!

The official plot:

“When Erica’s handler forces a confrontation on the street of Archer’s Peak, Erica must decide where her loyalties lie-to her employers, or to the people who need her?”

BOOM!

That’s a little bit of a mash-up really. That handler, he is really a dick, but the confrontation has nothing to do with him. Once it happens though, there really isn’t much decision making going on…it’s sort of a fight-or-flight thing.

My Impressions:

• A little character development for Erika…nice to see them adding some dimension to her.
• Aaron, by the book and towing the company line, represents a great foil for our protagonist. I hope that he somehow survives.
• Visually the book is inconsistent…the more important the character, the better they look…and vice versa.
• Mature content incoming!!!!

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Erika takes a stand
• Aaron dies…pretty sure he’s not coming back from that…
• Everyone else is on the menu

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

This issue is a bridge between action scenes. It’s not bad, but it really isn’t all that impactful (in the grand scheme of things). However…it does go for a little shock value. (If you don’t believe me, you must have missed the picture above.) In the end, this is a set up for what feels like a rather messy confrontation. If you’re not reading this series, I question your nerd-worthiness!

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Learn the perils of jealousy in Superman, chapter 25, verses 1-32!

Harken to the words of Brian Michael Bendis. Feast your eyes on the vision of Ivan Reis.

The official plot:

“A colossal new threat to Superman, the planet Earth, and the DC Universe arrives on the scene in this special issue! The unique warrior called Synmar was created to represent an entire alien race. He’s trained his entire life – but for what purpose? As the antithesis of everything Superman stands for, Synmar launches his aggression toward Earth – to destroy the Man of Steel and every being on the planet! This is what Superman was born to protect us from!”

DC Comics

For the record, much of this solicitation doesn’t come through. At least not in this issue. In fact Synmar is kind of silly looking and pathetic until the last page of this issue. No doubt there’s a fight coming…I just hope it is more exciting than this issue.

My Impressions:

• Head Scratcher: Um…Lana is a professional competitor of Clark Kent, why would he give her an interview? I mean…he can literally write the article for his own paper, himself, right???
• Having two stories presented side-by-side is just annoying. I’d have rather seen Synmar’s back story as a flashback somewhere down the line.
• Error!: Lana gushes about some high school times with Clark. (Except it isn’t THIS Clark! This Clark is from the pre-New52 universe!!! Her Clark is dead!!!

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Superman (Kal-El / Clark Kent)
• Synmar Utopica (Eisno Alkor) 1st Appearance!
• Superwoman (Lana Lang)
• Lois Lane
• Lex Luthor (cameo)

Bottom Line: 2 Stars!

If it wasn’t a first appearance issue, I’d say skip it. My money says that unless you’re a huge Superman fan, you won’t care about anything in this issue. Additionally, Bendis should avoid trying to comment on social issues like platonic relationships, he isn’t good at it. Oh, and if he’s trying to set up a love triangle with Superman, he really doesn’t understand the character.

Fear the many deceivers that have gone out into the world!” Trust not those who hide their true intentions! Save yourself by learning from the book of the Red Mother, chapter 8, verses 1-32!

Only a cult member or spy would have this much inside info, on which side does Jeremy Haun stand?
What about you Danny Luckert? Are you one of the converted, or are you a spy?

The official plot:

“Daisy always suspected that Leland Black had ulterior motives in hiring her, but when the truth finally comes out, Daisy could never have expected how far his reach goes. What does Leland have planned for Daisy-and what does it have to do with the Red Mother?”

BOOM!

This is not exactly how I remember things going down in this issue. Yes Leland is a bad dude…he’s involved in the puzzle box, so that’s a given. However, this solicitation makes it seem like Daisy has been investigating the cult and just found a major piece of the puzzle. She’s not and she hasn’t.

My Impressions:

• It’s all about the mystery: I just can’t NOT read this. When I see this in my sub box, it immediately goes to the top of my reading list.
• Visuals (pun intended): Creepy both paranormally and psychologically. Perfect for the story. (Note that I didn’t say pretty.)
• Addicting: Yes…who/what is this cult? What do they want? What is the creepy monster thing that Daisy keeps seeing? Why isn’t she questioning her own sanity? Do they still have her original eye? The list of questions really doesn’t end…

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Daisy opens the puzzle box! (Think Hellraiser)
• Even more people (all of them I think) are revealed to be part of the cult!

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

Alright, look…this is psychological horror, and it’s effective. It sucks you in! In the first issue, Daisy loses her boyfriend and her eye in a brutal attack (possibly supernatural). The rest is pure suspense and mystery. There’s no way you’re not going to want to know what comes next.

Matt Hawkins has returned with another thriller with The Clock, this time centered around weaponizing cancer!

Before Covid-19 was even on the horizon, before anyone knew it was even in the United States, Top Cow Productions shared the first issue of The Clock with us.  This was back in December of 2019. Being one of my favorite writers I devoured this first issue wanting more.

Now this is where things get eerie. Weeks before I read the first issue I had already come into contact with Covid and by this point was already sick. Approximately a week later I was hospitalized and spent over a month in the hospital. By then listening to the nurses speculate about what had kicked my ass and doing the same regarding Covid (which everyone still believed wasn’t here), one of them asked what would happen if someone weaponized the virus and targeted the United States. For days I thought about the implications of that and was reminded of that issue of The Clock.

The story follows Jack Davidson as he is trying to identify why some communities are hit by a viral cancer and others are not. By the end of the first issue his wife was killed by lung cancer, seemingly unrelated to his research. Naturally inquisitive Jack quickly asks too many questions and as a result becomes targeted by the villains of the story.

The story flows at a steady pace for the first three issues but seems to make a major leap in the story in issue four. Normally I love the four issue format of his books but felt the finale should have been fleshed out just a bit more before then, meaning one to two more issues in the story. As a whole it was a dark story that was well told, I just wanted a bit more.

Behold the creator of dreams! He who both inspires and terrorizes you in the night. Heed the lessons from The Dreaming: Waking Hours, chapter 2, verses 1-32!

This is the word according to G. Willow Wilson.
As envisioned by the less than extensively experienced Nick Robles.

The official plot:

“New mother Lindy is trapped in the Dreaming, and the lovestruck nightmare Ruin is loose in the real world. Dream must put this situation right-but to do so, he’ll have to travel into the Black Chest where he keeps his most dangerous nightmares…and pull the answers right from the mouth of the unimaginable Endless Teeth!”

DC Black Label

Meanwhile, back in the Dreamcave! Actually, I’m glad to see Dream engaging in this personally. He’s the best part of the Dreaming, and was sorely missed in the last Dreaming series.

My Impressions:

• Most folks will not get the Shakespeare connection…which is a shame. It really does make this story better. Without it, Lindy’s sub-plot is likely going to be fairly boring.
• Great use of varying art styles in the same book. I especially liked the painted settings inside the Box of Nightmares.
• New Nightmares!!!! I’ve been dying to see more ever since the Corinthian.
• Is my nostalgia showing?

Notable Appearances/Events:

• Dream (Morpheus)
• Lucien the Librarian
• Ruin
• Jophiel
• Lindy
• Heather After

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

The Dreaming: Waking hours is really establishing itself as a continuation of the original Sandman series from the early 90’s. Definitely something stronger than a “spiritual successor.” Fans of the original really should give this new series a shot. If you somehow missed it, fear not, it’s being adapted into a Netflix series. Let us hope that it remains true to the original source material!