NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (08/20/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absolute Batman # 11 
Absolute Flash # 6 
All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider # 1 
Amazing Spider-Man # 10
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest # 42
Black Cat # 1 
Detective Comics # 1100
Hyde Street # 8
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast # 4
Justice League Red # 1
Marvel All-On-One # 1
New Gods # 9
Superman Unlimited # 4
Thundercats/The Powerpuff Girls # 2
Valiant Beyond: Tales of the Shadowman #1
All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider #1– The new volume finds Gwen and her father adjusting to life on Earth-616 after Gwen’s exposure to the Cosmic Cube. This issue has a “Day in the Life” vibe, but it’s more business as usual, which doesn’t quite fit the new era for Spider-Gwen. However, Stephanie Phillips’ gritty street-level take on the series is a welcome addition, feeling very different from the cosmic-level vibe of the previous volume, which reminds one of Frank Miller’s “Daredevil” run. The introduction of a serial killer with a symbiote causing chaos is promising, and Gwen remains a likable character thanks to Phillips’ writing and Paola Villanelli’s art, which adds grit while keeping it safe and simple for old times’ sake, laying the groundwork for Gwen’s adventures on Earth-616 and ushering in a new era of greatness for the Ghost-Spider.
Black Cat #1 – Felicia Hardy transitions from criminal to full hero due to recent events in Joe Kelly’s run on “Amazing Spider-Man.” This shift happens because Spider-Man is no longer a “Friendly Neighborhood” wall-crawler, adopting a more brutal approach to crime-fighting. Additionally, Felicia’s run-in with The Lizard prompted her to decide to stand on the side of the angels. What makes this concept so engaging is the witty dialogue that G. Willow Wilson provides, along with Felicia talking directly to the audience, which comes across as charming and intriguing. This approach will captivate anyone familiar with the character and makes it fun to see Felicia embracing her hero role. Wilson’s pacing keeps the story from going off the rails, maintaining it enough for everyone to enjoy, especially during the action sequences, which are executed flawlessly. Gleb Melnikov’s art never disappoints with its detailed and lively style, especially in how Felicia’s bad-luck powers work — beautifully fluent in every way. Brian Reber’s coloring is another key ingredient, making this the perfect creative team for a series like this. It’s been said that only Jed MacKay was capable of handling the Black Cat’s adventures, but now, with G. Willow Wilson, her first work for Marvel since her run on “Ms. Marvel” wrapped up, this fan-favorite character finally gets her chance to shine, delighting both new and old Spider-Man fans.
Detective Comics # 1100– Detective Comics #1100 marks a significant milestone, celebrating its 1100th issue with an impressive lineup of four stories that showcase Batman at his best. These tales highlight his superheroics, detective skills, and moments of deep compassion. One standout story, written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Mikel Janin, features a boy who gets kidnapped after putting up lost dog flyers, evoking strong emotions in readers. Another tale, penned by Dan Watters and illustrated by Bill Sienkiewicz, follows Batman as he tries to save a man who has just jumped from a building. This story takes a darker turn towards the end, but its noir vibe captures the attention of readers, even if some are not fans of Sienkiewicz’s art style. While a few installments may feel slow-paced or uninteresting, the celebration of such a long-running DC title reaching 1100 issues is a milestone worth acknowledging. It also highlights why Batman remains such a captivating character for many.
Justice League Red #1 -This series serves as a companion title to “Justice League Unlimited” with an interesting hook. It features a covert-ops team led by Red Tornado, who monitors doomsday-like scenarios. Whenever a Justice League member’s card flashes red, they are called for a secret mission. No other League members are aware of these missions. Saladin Ahmed (making his DC debut) and Clayton Henry create a Justice League story that steps away from the classic superheroics of “JLU.” Instead, it delves into the covert-ops concept, offering enough action and suspense to get the series off to a strong start. Only Power Girl and Green Lantern Simon Baz appear so far, and the series relies on the tired cliche of adding more characters slowly. This delays dynamic team interactions, which could have made the story more engaging. With that critique aside, Justice League Red delivers a riveting story that promises to expand over time. The shocking last page (**NO SPOILERS**) suggests more members and twists to come. If the covert-ops element remains, this Justice League title has plenty of promise.
Marvel All-On-One #1 – This one-shot focuses on The Thing as he faces almost every hero in the Marvel Universe. The series stands out because the entire story is told in splash pages. The narrative moves quickly, aided by caption boxes that provide an easy setup. Ryan North’s writing shows he had fun with this story. He establishes why The Thing would go up against every Marvel character. This isn’t a tale that needs strong logic or deep characterization; instead, North embraces the fun. Ed McGuinness responds with bombastic, high-energy art that meshes well with the script. The visuals highlight Ben’s fast-paced way of defeating most heroes, which doesn’t always rely on brute strength. This shows why The Thing is one of Marvel’s best. “Marvel All-On-One” may remind fans of the treasury editions of the 1970s, but it also serves as a non-stop story and a showcase for spectacular visuals that will be remembered fondly. This is a kind of story anyone can revisit, and it stands as a true masterpiece.
Well, that’s it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you next time.
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