NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (09/17/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absolute Flash # 7 
Amazing Spider-Man # 12 
Deadpool/Batman # 1 
Fantastic Four # 3 
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast # 5
Justice League Red # 2
Marvel Zombies: Red Band # 1
Miles Morales: Spider-Man # 38
Phoenix # 15
Uncanny X-Men # 21
Valiant Beyond: The X-O Manowar # 1 
Deadpool/Batman #1 – After many decades, Marvel and DC finally team up to deliver a blockbuster crossover where The Merc with a Mouth meets The Dark Knight for the first time. It does not disappoint, as Deadpool comes to Gotham for a simple job—taking down Batman (hired by none other than The Joker). The chaos and comedy flow easily, thanks in part to Zeb Wells, who has a knack for superhero stories and humor (he wrote for “Robot Chicken”). Even with occasional flaws, such as the fast pace that sometimes derails the story from feeling truly epic, it successfully brings Deadpool and Batman together in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously while being a great crossover that shines despite neither character having much in common, and Wells is at his best, capturing both voices perfectly while embracing the joy and limitless imagination of a Marvel/DC crossover that can’t be ignored but celebrated. At the same time, Greg Capullo’s art is flawless. This one-shot also doubles as a compilation, including other crossovers like the timeless Wonder Woman/Captain America story, where both characters coexist in the same universe, brought to life by Chip Zdarsky, Terry & Rachel Dodson. The only downside is that this story could have been fleshed out more, rather than being limited to just eight pages. The Kelly Thompson/Gurihiru pairing of Jeffy the Land Shark and Krypto offers a lighthearted, amusing romp. Al Ewing and Dike Ruan’s pairing of Green Lantern and Rocket Raccoon had potential but was limited to two pages. The most surprising team-up for me was the Daredevil/Green Arrow story by Kevin Smith and Adam Kubert, which shines in both the execution and the action, along with the mutual respect DD and G.A. share. Be ready for a shock—the first appearance of Logo, the first Amalgam Comics character to appear in decades, courtesy of Ryan North and Ryan Stegman. Deadpool/Batman might be somewhat of a mixed bag, but it marks a return to greatness for Marvel/DC crossovers that fans have been craving for decades. It’ll be exciting to see what they surprise us with next.
Marvel Zombies: Red Band # 1– Just in time for the Disney+ series, the franchise makes a fun return with its own Red Band edition, set in an alternate Silver Age that really amps up the spooky atmosphere of the zombies. This time, we see The Fantastic Four in a surprising and thrilling twist to their origin story, leading to a whole lot of chaos! Iron Man teams up with Thor, The Hulk, and Daredevil to tackle the craziness caused by the zombie FF, now cleverly named The Frightful Four. Meanwhile, Peter Parker is on his own journey, grappling with some guilt and experiencing a little twist to his origin story too (**NO SPOILERS**). Writers Ethan Parker and Griff Sheridan really hit the mark with the Red Band concept, loading it up with exciting mayhem and vibrant bloodshed. While it might not introduce entirely new elements to the Marvel Zombies universe, it definitely brings a fresh perspective that makes it stand out from past stories. Plus, it’s so nice to see the initial concept rooted in the early days of the Marvel Universe, offering loads of chills and thrills that fans are sure to love! Jan Bazaldua’s artwork is a bit of a mixed bag; he captures the right emotional depths and thrilling gore, though there are times when the details could be sharper. Hopefully, he’ll continue to refine his style! The series wraps up with an intriguing cliffhanger featuring the Silver Surfer, keeping us on the edge of our seats and hinting at something really epic to come (**NO SPOILERS**). All in all, this might just be one of the best entries in the Marvel Zombies series yet!
Valiant Beyond: The X-O Manowar # 1– Valiant’s recent relaunch continues with X-O Manowar by writer Steve Orlando (who has a track record of inconsistency), artist Guillermo Fajardo, inker Ludwig Olimba, and colorist Lautaro Ftull. The focus remains on Aric of Dacia, who is now forced into defending a family in a wasteland—a scenario that feels like an uninspired copy-and-paste from the “Mad Max” franchise. This lack of originality seriously undermines the fresh start that X-O Manowar desperately needs. While there is some potential to expand this new outing for Aric, Orlando repeatedly sabotages his own narrative by destroying the series’ momentum and escalating chaos, most notably with the underwhelming reveal of Doctor Demolition. Far from being imposing, Doctor Demolition is a forgettable, one-note villain seemingly destined for a quick exit. Orlando’s stubborn reliance on straightforward storytelling, at the expense of compelling exposition, further weakens the relaunch. Guillermo Fajardo’s artwork is inconsistent and unfocused, failing to complement the story and leaving a disjointed impression. Ultimately, Valiant Beyond: The X-O Manowar suffers from an identity crisis, wavering from ‘90s nostalgia to a dull one-man army routine, disrupting the series’ tone. If Orlando and the creative team hope to reclaim X-O Manowar’s status as the crown jewel of the Valiant Universe, they must find a stronger, more innovative direction for both new and longtime fans.
Well, that’s it for me. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you next time.
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