I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah…)

*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*

Amazing Spider-Man # 1001 (7.5/10)

Archie vs. The Terminator # 1 (8.5/10)

Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special # 1 (7.5/10)

Doom All-On-One # 1 (10/10)

Doom Patrol # 2 (9/10)

DNX # 3 (6.5/10)

Infernal Hulk vs Fantastic Four # 1 (7/10)

Iron Man # 10 (7/10)

Legion of Super-Heroes # 2 (8/10)

Radiant Black # 44 (8.5/10)

Teen Titans # 2 (7/10)

Venom # 1 (9.5/10)

Wade Wilson: Deadpool # 9 (8/10)

X-Men # 39 (6/10)

Archie vs. The Terminator #1– This is yet another unexpected crossover: the gritty sci-fi world of The Terminator collides with the colorful innocence of Riverdale. John Connor, hiding under a false identity, enrolls at Riverdale High to escape his destiny. But when a deadly Terminator follows him, Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead are suddenly thrust into mortal danger. While Archie has seen his share of crossovers, this is easily the most innovative and outlandish yet. Rory McConville (noted for his work on “Spawn”) embraces the sheer absurdity of the premise, skillfully balancing the wholesome teen humor of Archie with the intense, action-packed elements of The Terminator. The result never loses its sense of fun, with John and Sarah Connor attempting to carve out a normal life in Riverdale—charming and delightful, even as readers know it can’t last. McConville also preserves the classic Archie touchstones, like his endearing clumsiness, keeping the experience familiar for longtime fans. Artists Steven and Lily Butler blend the nostalgic Archie style with sci-fi grittiness, deftly incorporating ‘90s aesthetics in John Connor and the T-800 without veering into parody. The darker, apocalyptic visuals contrast yet harmonize with the cartoonish world of Riverdale, enhancing the story’s unique tone. This crossover may sound improbable, but it’s executed with confidence and creativity. If McConville and the Butlers maintain this momentum, readers are in for an unforgettable ride.

Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special #1– This new anthology series celebrates both Brian and Betsy Braddock as Captain Britain, revisiting their early days and expanding their story. The anthology features three main stories:

1. Chris Claremont and Paul Davidson deliver a Bronze Age-style tale filled with action and nostalgia.

2. Alan Davis contributes a story that stands out, bringing Captain Britain into multiversal adventures, including the Jaspers Warp and a tough fight with the Fury.

3. Dan Abnett and Kelsey Ramsey present Betsy Braddock facing magical threats in Otherworld.

The series does an excellent job honoring Captain Britain, a character often overlooked in the X-Men universe. The creative team adds unique perspectives, but Alan Davis’s story is highlighted as the best due to his deep connection with the character. While the stories are brief, they show great respect for Captain Britain’s legacy and give fans something to hope for if Marvel ever brings back an ongoing Captain Britain series. For now, this special edition offers fans a reason to celebrate the character.

Doom All-On-One # 1– Marvel continues to build anticipation for Doctor Doom’s big-screen return in “Avengers: Doomsday” by releasing more compelling material. This one-shot is set years before Doom’s successful rescue of his mother’s soul, focusing on one of his infamous annual attempts to outwit the demon Mephisto. The story unfolds in a colossal, apocalyptic showdown, with Doom battling the entire Marvel Universe across Hell’s blazing landscape. Notably, the one-shot features fifty sideways splash pages. While this might initially seem like a gimmick, it fully immerses the reader in Doom’s grueling struggle, allowing every blow and twist of the battle to be felt. Alessandro Cappuccio’s artwork elevates the experience, delivering a genuine visual spectacle, while Al Ewing masterfully captures Doom’s arrogance and unyielding willpower, offering a nuanced exploration of his relentless drive. These elements combine to remind us why Doctor Doom stands among Marvel’s greatest villains. With its high stakes and unforgettable visuals, this issue offers a riveting, must-see journey—an essential addition to the legend of Doctor Doom.

Venom # 1-This new series marks a new era for the Lethal Protector. Gone are the recent multiversal and cosmic arcs; this fresh volume returns to a street-level focus and features the long-awaited, core reunion of its two most famous components, Eddie Brock and Venom. This time around, Charles Soule and Tommaso Bianchi are the creative team heading up this new era, bringing back a sense of good old-fashioned familiarity. Soule puts Eddie’s dynamic with the symbiote to great use, reminiscent of the Tom Hardy movies but done even better, with the married-couple element used for comedy while the Venom aspects are enchanting. He faces off with the new villain Hazmat, runs afoul of Mayor Luke Cage, and gets a new love interest in Yelena Belova (mind-blowing to say the least), all of which leads into the next few installments that are sure to bring back old readers who got turned away during the “King In Black” era. It’s great to see Soule and Bianchi reunite Eddie and the symbiote in a fresh, exciting way that never leans on nostalgia, and they’re looking forward to forging a new path that is worth checking out. This new volume of “Venom” takes a back-to-basics approach that is a delight, from Eddie returning to his roots as The Lethal Protector to his grudge against Spider-Man coming back to the surface. It’s great to see Eddie Brock getting a new lease on life that is sure to excite readers while showing how Venom is still a valuable character within the comics.