I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah….)

NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (05/07/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*

Absoulte Green Lantern # 2
Absoulte Superman # 7
All-New Venom # 6
Amazing Spider-Man # 3
Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe One Last Time # 2
Fantastic Four Fanfare # 1
Gatchaman # 9
Grommets # 7
JSA # 7
Sam Wilson: Captain America # 5
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider # 13
Star Wars # 1
Ultimate Wolverine # 5
X-Men # 16

All-New Venom #6 – By now, fans of this series and of Venom in general are aware that Ms. Mary-Jane Watson is the new host (a reveal that has elicited mixed reactions). This issue excels in exploring MJ’s origin story and how she acquired the symbiote, alongside some dark twists that detail the bond they share, much to the dismay of Paul, MJ’s long-suffering boyfriend. While this issue remarkably provides readers with a satisfying conclusion regarding the identity of the new Venom and sets a fresh direction for the character, the concept of Mary Jane as Venom still feels like a bad joke that has taken on a life of its own and could easily be retconned by year’s end. Although Al Ewing is a talented writer known for navigating bizarre situations, MJ’s characterization seems weakened by this revelation. However, I’ll give Ewing the benefit of the doubt, hoping he can improve this new anti-hero’s portrayal.

Fantastic Four Fanfare #1 – With “Fantastic Four: First Steps” on the horizon, Marvel presents this new anthology series that celebrates the FF with grandeur, honoring their timeless adventures that solidified them as Marvel’s first family. Strong contributions from Mark Waid and Ramon Rosanas deliver an engaging story about the Thing and Human Torch’s prank war, amplifying their chemistry. Alan Davis follows with a classic FF tale that captures the spirit of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, replete with iconic sci-fi elements that add a charming touch. Finally, Andrew Wheeler and Sara Pichelli share an entertaining story about Johnny Storm on a reality show, where he embarrasses himself while contending with The Mole Man. This fun narrative wraps up positively, reminding fans of the rich characterization of The Torch, who is more than just a pretty boy with powers. Overall, this anthology series offers a delightful and nostalgic adventure, elevating the humor and heroism of the FF for both old and new fans without the burden of excessive continuity, just in time for the movie’s theatrical release. It’s an exciting time to be a Fantastic Four fan.

Grommets #7 – The feel-good, 1980s coming-of-age series created by writers Rick Remender and Brian Posehn, with art by Brett Parson, wraps up with Rick and his family relocating to Phoenix. Brian and the rest of the gang are disheartened by the change, but Remender and Posehn unveil surprises that encapsulate the joys of teenage life in the 80s while leaving Rick and Brian in a positive place that fans will appreciate (**NO SPOILERS**). Reading this issue, I wish the idea of Rick in Sacramento had been explored further, as his life in the city had been delightful in the previous six issues, opening up wonderful possibilities. The one drawback is that, after this fantastic conclusion that brings everything full circle, it feels like a missed opportunity for a sequel. This remarkable series serves as a reminder of why the 1980s were the best decade, especially regarding skateboarding.

Star Wars #1 – Set after “Return of the Jedi” and right after The Battle of Jakku, this flagship series, led by Alex Segura and Phil Noto, maintains a light tone while incorporating plenty of nods to previous Star Wars eras, ensuring old-school fans are not confused while remaining accessible to newcomers. Segura effectively adds depth to Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa, preserving the characterization of their movie counterparts. Although the pacing and subplots may be slower, Segura excels at establishing a new status quo that showcases the best of this franchise. Phil Noto’s art is exquisite throughout this issue, reflecting his meticulous attention to detail and truly capturing the magic of Star Wars. While there is still work to be done in terms of pacing, this addition to Star Wars lore is promising, and I’m eager to see what Segura and Noto have planned for future issues, illustrating that the Marvel/Star Wars partnership is shining brighter than ever.

Well, that’s it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you next time.

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