I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah…)

NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (07/23/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10.*

Absoulte Wonder Woman # 10
Amazing Spider-Man # 8
Batman # 161
Captain Planet & The Planeteers # 2
Emma Frost: The White Queen # 2
Fantastic Four Fanfare # 3
Geiger # 16
Hornsby & Halo # 8
New History of the DC Universe # 2
Phoenix # 13
Rocketfellers # 7
Silverhawks # 5
Superman # 28
Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls # 1
Uncanny X-Men # 18
Wolverine # 11

Amazing Spider-Man #8 – Spider-Man continues his battle with Hellgate from the previous issue, which leaves him on the losing side. Still, throughout the all-out brawl, it delivers an emotional factor that makes good use of Joe Kelly’s ability to present such strong dialogue as well as displaying the heroism and the determination to never give up on Spider-Man’s part, which in turn makes him an enduring character for the ages. This is especially true when it comes to battling a character as powerful as Hellgate. This issue also features a Mary Jane sequence, courtesy of Todd Nauck on art, that somehow ties in with her situations in the pages of “All-Star Venom,” but it seems as if the readers need a reminder that MJ is still a supporting character. However, it gives a strong hint that she might show up again sooner rather than later. What makes this issue more enticing is the clever use of flashbacks, especially a heartwarming one involving Uncle Ben that brilliantly ties into the present. While some plot points fall flat, such as a mysterious figure showing up towards the end of the brutal Spidey/Hellgate scuffle, and some readers might not be familiar with Mary Jane’s appearance if they haven’t read “All-Star Venom,” the latest installment of ASM still has enough heart and action to make it an interesting read. It never holds back on strong storytelling while leaving readers wanting more.

Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 – The latest issue of ‘Fantastic Four Fanfare” continues to honor the legacy of Marvel’s First Family by featuring three stories crafted by all-star creators, making it a strong tribute to the Fantastic Four. In the first story, Dan Slott and Marcos Martin take us on Ben Grimm’s journey from the Air Force to his transformation into the Thing. This narrative has a clever, reader-friendly feel that recaps the FF’s origin while presenting a timeless tale of Ben becoming one of the greatest pilots in the Marvel Universe. It effectively showcases why Ben is the heart and soul of the Fantastic Four. Next, we have a story from the iconic duo of Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz. They deliver a nostalgic throwback to The Thing’s brief friendship with The Sandman, where they team up to rescue a family from a collapsing mine. This tale captures a delightful Silver Age vibe, infused with emotional depth that only DeFalco and Frenz can convey. Lastly, Chip Zdarsky and Mike Allred tell a story featuring the Human Torch, who has been named the “Most Sexist Man in the Universe.” He embarks on a journey to another world for a photo shoot, with the Thing tagging along. The twist towards the end adds a hilarious dimension to the story, even as it evolves into a mission to save a planet. With strong creative teams leading this latest installment, the issue offers different perspectives infused with nostalgia and humor. While these stories may not reinvent the Fantastic Four, they are great standalone tales that contribute to the ongoing celebration of the FF.

Superman #28 – The latest arc in this series, titled “Legion of Darkseid,” takes a dark twist on The Legion of Super-Heroes. Joshua Williamson expands on this chilling and captivating version of the Legion, skillfully blending intense battles with compelling character moments. This arc breathes new life into the Legion after years of exposition and shifting status quos. The team’s corruption by Darkseid gives them a fresh edge that has not been seen before, and this new dynamic adds welcome excitement to the storyline. It’s always a pleasure to see Dan Mora back on art duties; his visuals impress, whether the moments are big or small. He captures all aspects of the Man of Steel’s life with an excitement that enhances the brilliance of this title. Alejandro Sanchez’s coloring further elevates Mora’s art to great heights. With the Legion of Darkseid making a significant impact, this new arc stands out as one of the most intriguing developments in the All-In era, reinforcing the notion that this is truly the year of Superman.

ThunderCats/The Powerpuff Girls #1 – This is one of the most interesting yet weird crossovers to come out this year, but surprisingly, it’s quite entertaining! The girls find themselves stranded on Third Earth, where the ThunderCats are captured without Tyga, so they team up to free the others while defending against an attack by the Berbils. Combining these two franchises may be puzzling, but there’s enough action and fun in this opening issue for the Powerpuff Girls to keep their innocent charm, while the ThunderCats remain true warriors at heart. The creative team of Paulina Ganucheau (who had a blast writing this) and Coleman Engle outdid themselves to create a crossover that seemed like just a fun idea, and it’s irresistibly enjoyable for readers. You can’t help but look forward to where this series will go next, and it’s proof that the best of the ’80s and ’90s comics and pop culture can come together to deliver a lighthearted adventure everyone will remember.
Well, that’s it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you next time.

About Author