NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (03/05/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Blade Forger # 1 
Day of The Dead # 4
The Herculoids # 1 
Hyde Street # 4
Immortal Thor # 21
NYX # 9 
Shazam! # 21
Space Ghost # 10
Spectacular Spider-Men # 13 
Spider-Boy # 17
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider # 11
Storm # 6
Ultramega # 8
Ultimates # 10
Uncanny X-Men # 11
Wolverine # 7
Blade Forger #1– Inaki and Roy Miranda continue their impressive ability to create a complex and vivid world in “Blade Forger,” their new series for Mad Cave. The story centers on Owada, who takes on the role of a Blade Forger with access to a unique forge, alongside a Battle Kaiser and powered-up warriors. Owada’s form is known as Taro The Invincible, and his primary goal is to establish peace in the world through a tournament held roughly once a year. The Miranda brothers provide vibrant details about Owada’s past and present, shaping him into a formidable warrior. We also catch glimpses of his past and future that will undeniably unfold throughout the series. Yes, there’s plenty to unpack here, but this series presents unique and somewhat mystical world-building that perfectly blends “Masters of The Universe” with “Gladiator.” Although the pacing of the timeline can take some adjusting to, it’s set in a universe rich in fantasy and action that will captivate anyone’s imagination, making it another hit for Mad Cave Studios.
The Herculoids #1 – The classic heroes from the Hanna-Barbera series, which ran from 1967 to 1969, return thanks to Dynamite Entertainment, instantly delivering the same fun and energy that the animated series famously provided through its beloved characters from their home world of “Amzot” (later renamed “Quasar” in the 80s). Tom Sniegoski does a fantastic job reintroducing these timeless characters, and the setup for this epic story involves an interplanetary villain and his crew, whose primary purpose is to steal rare minerals from the Herculoids’ world. This confrontation leads to a clash with the villains, and while greed and power are evident in their portrayal, Sniegoski masterfully presents them, creating significant impacts that render The Herculoids prominent figures for a new generation of comic book fans. Craig Rousseau’s art aligns perfectly with Sniegoski’s script; he channels Alex Toth’s influence without mimicking his style, showcasing that he hasn’t lost a step. This is another triumphant hit for Dynamite, reviving this cartoon while keeping intact the formula that made it iconic, thankfully avoiding any radical changes that could jeopardize it. Sniegoski and Rousseau play it safe, which is a blessing, so don’t hesitate to grab that bowl of cereal and enjoy this series just for the fun of it.
Hyde Street #4 – This issue of “Hyde Street” presents what could be one of the most tragic stories to date. We are introduced to an actor named Oscar Oddman who, during Hollywood’s golden age, is cast in a horror movie (“Abbott & Costello Meets Frankenstein’s Brother”—yes, you heard that right!) but soon regrets it due to the backlash of being typecast. Through a series of unfortunate events, Oscar ends up on Hyde Street, much to his dismay. Geoff Johns weaves a tale of tragedy and horror reminiscent of the old EC Comics, illustrating the monstrous transformation Oscar has undergone while delivering a solid twist to his bleak circumstances that will shock anyone (**NO SPOILERS**). It also offers readers a glimpse into Hollywood life (especially during the 1940s), revealing that it wasn’t all glitter and glamour. Regardless of what happens, someone will always end up on Hyde Street.
Shazam! #21 – This issue of “Shazam!” signifies the end of an era as it marks the final issue, concluding with a bang as the Captain and the Shazam Family unite to thwart Mr. Mind and his plan for world domination. Serving as a conclusion for the Captain, this issue effectively delivers the showdown with Mr. Mind, though it feels somewhat rushed (as the creative team learned about the book’s cancellation at the last minute), diminishing its impact. However, it accomplishes the essential task of wrapping up that plot line, allowing the Shazam Family to fly off into the sunset. Josie Campbell faced the monumental challenge of taking over this title after Mark Waid’s departure, and while she put forth commendable effort, this final issue did not showcase the title’s best work. Even though Campbell set up some intriguing plot lines for potential future exploration. We’ll have to wait and see if anyone at DC will bring back the Captain and his family in full force. As for finales, this one could have benefited from an extra issue to wrap things up properly, but those are the breaks, I guess.
Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you all next time.
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