Previously, DC Comics put out a lot of must-read issues like Deniz Camp’s Bleeding Hearts and Absolute Green Lantern No. 12. Marvel debuted X-Men United by Eve L. Ewing, which showed a side of Cyclops that could tarnish his reputation.
Meanwhile, Image Comics had two bangers with Blood and Thunder No. 11 and Transformers No. 30. This week, we will see some of the companies that are always represented, but some that don’t always make the list.
Ultimates No. 22
- Writer: Deniz Camp
- Artist: Juan Frigeri
- Colors: Federico Blee
Deniz Camp showed the good of Bucky and Steve’s relationship in a beautiful way, but then he breaks your heart by explaining how Captain America's best friend went evil. And it’s done in such a way that makes you see how real-life people can be broken by a society when they don’t have anyone to help them. It was another emotional issue with a lot of realism.
Powers 25 No. 7
- Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
- Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
- Colors: Nick Filardi
There wasn’t much headway with the murder investigation, but that didn’t matter. This issue of Powers 25 was amazing because it was emotional. A new team in the superhuman community called The Grand told Detectives Pilgrim and Moebius that they don’t consider themselves “powers” because of the awful things their predecessors did. It makes sense if you know the history of Powers. However, things then got testy.
Despite him having powers and being from the new generation, the Grand looked at Moebius and said that, because he’s working with the police, he’s a traitor and part of the problem. I can’t wait to see how this plays out in the next issue. It’s clear that this conversation isn’t over.
King Dracula No. 3
- Writers: Joe Brusha and David Wohl
- Artist: Massimiliano La Manno
- Colors: Jorge Cortes
King Dracula hasn’t been short of blood and violence, and this issue was no different. However, the suspense here was superb. You don’t know where the story is going, how things will end, and what’s next for Vlad Dracul. That makes the excitement and anticipation for the conclusion of the mini-series even better.
Planet She-Hulk No. 5
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Aaron Kuder
- Colors: Sonia Oback
The ending to this issue was flawless. Readers get to see Jennifer Walters remind everyone that she can be an unstoppable Hulk when she needs to. Not even an army with superior weapons and planning can defeat her. And, in the end, she becomes Queen She-Hulk.
Exquisite Corpses No. 11
- Writers: Che Grayson with James Tynion IV
- Artists: Michael Walsh and Gavin Fullerton
- Colors: Jordie Bellaire
After the twelve murderers/contestants ran rampant in Oak Valley, it was great to see one of the citizens of the city get some payback. It was even sweeter that it was someone who’d been pushed around, and they killed one of the worst and most privileged people in this series. Now we are one step away from the end, and you just know it’s going to be good.
Deathstroke: The Terminator
- Writer: Tony Fleecs
- Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
- Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Every comic book fan knows that Slade Wilson is a killer and one of the most dangerous people in any universe. What people sometimes forget is that there are people he cares about. In this series, it looks like readers will see what it looks like when he loses someone close to him. Fun fact: we can guess it will be diabolical.
G.I. Joe No. 20
- Writer: Joshua Williamson
- Artist: Andrea Milana
- Colors: Lee Loughridge
When comic books have a highly anticipated meeting, it can either disappoint the reader or get them pumped. In this case, it was the first meeting between Duke and Optimus (formerly Prime). Thankfully, G.I. Joe No. 20 gave readers more of a reason to get excited for the eventual war when Cobra and the Decepticons eventually team up.
Wonder Woman No. 31
- Writer: Tom King
- Artist: Daniel Sampere
- Colors: Tomeu Morey
In some ways, Wonder Woman: Wonder War has been teased since the first issue of Tom King’s run. Since the end of the Amazons was foretold for over two years, that meant that the storyline had to deliver from the start. Thankfully, not only did it live up to the hype, but I will go as far as to say that it overachieved. There were surprises, a betrayal, and a shocking conclusion that no one saw coming.
Nightwing No. 136
- Writer: Dan Watters
- Penciller: Denys Cowan
- Inker: Norm Rapmund
- Colors: Francesco Segala
Dan Watters keeps bringing Dick Grayson towards rock bottom. This time, it’s highlighted by Dick Grayson not being able to travel from rooftop to rooftop. This time it isn’t because of fear (this happens in Tom Taylor's Nightwing). Bludhaven was nearly destroyed by one of his villains. It's one of the things that he loves and allows him to feel free, and now he can't do it.
If that’s not bad enough, another supernatural being came to Bludhaven and is taking lives. However, it’s unclear if Nightwing is seeing things or if the ghost witch is real. If it’s not a spirit, then Dick is responsible for a lot of deaths and injuries.
Marc Spector: Moon Knight No. 2
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artist: Dev Pramanik
- Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Short and to the point, Raoul Bushman, Moon Knight’s most diabolical villain, is back. This wouldn’t be big news if it weren’t for the fact that Marc’s most obsessive foe, Zodiac, just doused Moon Knight with fear gas so Marc would rip Bushman’s face off again. Marc's trying not to be that ruthless anymore, but Zodiac does.
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