The Ultimates gets a perfect score - August 14th Reviews

This week’s comic book reviews. While I try to read everything, I can’t review everything. So, if you’re a publisher who wants me to check out their upcoming releases, email me at [email protected]!

Marvel Comics

X-Factor #1 - Mark Russell, Bob Quinn, Jesus Aburtov, VC’s Joe Caramagna - The new X-Factor feels like Justice League International mixed with Peter Milligan and Mike Allred's X-Force - and that’s probably the highest compliment I can pay it. It's a ton of fun, the art is great, and political commentary/real-world satire is pretty spot-on. 9/10

The Ultimates #3 - Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, Federico Blee, Travis Lanham - Issue three is without question the best of the series and arguably the best of the entire Ultimate line. There's something special about how the story humanizes gods, giants, and monsters. This story is incredibly sharp and has a lot to say. I'm all in. 10/10

Werewolf by Night #1 - Jason Loo, Sergio Davila, Alex Sinclair, VC’s Joe Sabino - It feels great to have Jack Russell back in the spotlight, and this issue wastes little time reminding readers what makes him such a fun and violent character. The blood is dialed up, the villains' evilness is earned, and the book embraces chaos. Plus, Elsa Bloodstone. I can’t wait to read issue two. 8.5/10

DC Comics

Absolute Task Force VII #4 - Pornask Pichetshote, Claire Roe, Lee Loughridge - Another fabulous entry in the Absolute Task Force miniseries, Pichetshote’s writing brings a lot of heart and emotion with descriptive writing that just feels right for Nightwing, Tim, and other characters featured. Roe and Loughridge’s is top-notch. 8.5/10

Green Lantern #14 - Jeremy Adams, Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert, Romulo Fajardo Jr. - This book is really turning into something special. The 14th issue sees Hal Jordan try to escape an Amazo robot that is starting to develop its own thoughts and feelings. Meanwhile, Carol Ferris joins a great cast of characters - including my fav Stich - in coming up with a plan to stop the current uprising causing heroes to become powerless in the DC Universe. This comic is fun, has some real stakes, and does a masterful job of further setting up not just the Absolute Power event but the ongoing title itself. 9/10

Archie Comics

Kardak The Mystic #1 - Joe Corallo, Butch Mapa, Ellie Wright, Jack Morelli - Archie Comics taking big swings with unexpected, more mature stories continues to pay off. Kardak The Mystic is another excellent installment in the horror/mystical side of the classic publisher. 8.5/10