I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah…)

NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (11/19/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*

Absolute Flash # 9 (8/10)
All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider # 4 (9/10)
Amazing Spider-Man # 16 (8.5/10)
Captain America # 5 (9/10)
Capes # 1 (8.5/10)
DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool # 1 (9.5/10)
Gatchaman # 14 (7/10)
Harley Quinn x Elvira # 2 (9/10)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III # 3 (9/10)
Nova: Centurion # 1 (9.5/10)
One World Under Doom # 9 (5/10)
Radioactive Spider-Man # 2 (8/10)
Space Ghost # 5 (8/10)
Spider-Man: Holiday Spectacular # 1 (9.5/10)
Superman Unlimited # 7 (7.5/10)
The Twilight Zone # 2 (9/10)

Capes # 1 – After a two-decade break, Robert Kirkman heralds the return of “Capes” with great fanfare. For the most part, it doesn’t feel as if time has passed, as Kirkman delivers the same energetic feel to this series that remains fresh and innovative. He once again brings back the superhero workplace concept, which feels quirky but heroic; rather than resembling a sitcom, it is a well-rounded superhero story with plenty of character development. Much of this character depth is due to Bolt, who stands out as the character that carries the series and serves as its heart and soul, making the series unique. Mark Englert’s art has a dynamic feel to it; from a distance, it is almost as if he is channeling Erik Larsen, which may or may not be a great thing, but the visuals perfectly match the action-packed vibe that Kirkman is going for. Capes may not be the firm superhero romp in the same vein as DC or Marvel, but it packs the right elements that make this an amazing reintroduction, pleasing Invincible fans.

DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool # 1-The first team-up between The Dark Knight and the Merc with a Mouth left a lasting impression on some fans. Now, it’s DC’s turn to produce the follow-up. An all-star creative team of Grant Morrison and Dan Mora brings the entertainment factor to great heights. The story offers real tongue-in-cheek moments. Destiny and Kismet share a romantic bit, which nods to JLA/Avengers and shows how the Marvel and DC universes collide. There is a fun moment where Batman encounters Deadpool. Surprisingly, Deadpool does not annoy Batman. They then face off against Cassandra Nova, who is extremely menacing. The story feels vibrant and meta, and its tone is changeable. It balances humor and madness with a cosmic scale. At first, I had concerns about Morrison capturing Deadpool’s distinctive voice. Those fears faded as Morrison not only captured Deadpool’s voice but also elevated it. Deadpool fans will enjoy this immensely. Dan Mora’s art is a blessing, matching the meta chaos Morrison aimed for. This makes the story energetic and a fun read, making the Marvel version seem like second place. The backup features range from promising to just alright. Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson team with Hayden Sherman for a Doctor Strange/Constantine story. It feels majestic and covers supernatural elements. It’s exciting to see Sherman draw the unique pairing of Swamp Thing & Ghost Rider- This definitely needs to be the third crossover. The Nightwing/Laura Kinney Wolverine story, written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Bruno Redondo, is a magnificent street-level tale. It is enticing and intriguing, making it one of the best side stories from this one-shot. The Harley Quinn/Hulk story by Mariko Tamaki and Amanda Conner is downright silly and is an odd pairing. Its only purpose is to add lightheartedness and goofiness, but it barely offers exciting action. The G. Willow Wilson/Denys Cowan story pairs Ms. Marvel and Static Shock. These two teen sensations fight a Kaiju while forging a friendship. It’s a great read, but it doesn’t provide a complete story, leaving readers wanting more. Batman/Deadpool excels as an action-packed, fourth-wall-breaking concept that shows how a meeting of two worlds can escalate into a wild romp that no one will forget. It makes a great entry for the definitive crossover of 2025.

Nova: Centurion # 1– From the pages of “Imperial” comes this new series from the creative team of Jed MacKay—who’s basically writing a file drawer’s worth of books for Marvel—and Alvaro Lopez. The story brings Richard Rider into a brand new era that explores everything about Nova, from his powers to his relationship with Worldmind. It’s an interesting concept to see how Nova can live in a post-Imperial galaxy. This issue sets up Nova’s mission to rescue a ship trapped in a black hole’s gravity. Here, readers will learn more about the limitations of his powers, bringing back classic factors fans will remember, not to mention Nova’s drive to be a true hero, as he saves anyone in need. MacKay delivers a refined confidence for Nova that is a welcoming addition, balancing action and strong exposition. This highlights MacKay’s strengths as a storyteller. Readers might be unfamiliar with the Imperial event, but older Nova fans will enjoy seeing Richard Rider back in action. This is a fantastic reinvention of the character and a cosmic relaunch for exhausted fans. For those seeking a single story rather than ongoing events, this is the fast-paced adventure for Nova that will entice both old and new fans.

One World Under Doom # 9 – After nine issues, the reign of Emperor Doom comes to a shrieking end. Unfortunately, it concludes with a whimper rather than a bang. Doom’s empire collapses as he makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his granddaughter, Valeria Richards—the book’s only real saving grace. Once again, we catch glimpses of Doom’s humanity, but from that point on, the story rapidly unravels. The plot races by in the blink of an eye, leaving Doctor Doom’s arc abruptly finished. While Ryan North has earned acclaim for his “Fantastic Four” run, this series may be a blemish on his otherwise strong writing career—one that he will recover from, but fans will not soon forget. The lack of payoff, with key plot threads reserved for a potential sequel (hopefully stronger than this one), only adds to the disappointment. An end-credit scene featuring Wanda Maximoff, the Cloak of Levitation, and the Eye of Agamotto teases an exciting future, but ultimately, One World Under Doom stands as the most underwhelming Doctor Doom story to date.

Spider-Man: Holiday Spectacular #1 – Marvel truly knows how to celebrate the holidays with this one-shot that showcases why Spider-Man is such an enduring figure in the Marvel Universe. Right away, this feel-good story reveals that Aunt May is going on a cruise for Christmas, leaving Spider-Man to face the prospect of being alone for the holidays. In response, The Thing steps in and spreads the word to The Avengers, Daredevil, and the X-Men about Spider-Man’s predicament, working wonders to ensure he’s included in their Christmas plans. Written by Rainbow Rowell, this charming yet festive tale brings out the best of the Marvel Universe during this holiday season. It primarily feels like a genuine down-to-earth superhero story, though it’s infused with the heartwarming and humorous elements reminiscent of a Hallmark Channel movie (It kind of does feel like it). Rowell captures Spider-Man’s humor and charm effortlessly while allowing fans to connect with him on a deep level. Additionally, this one-shot features the talents of three different artists—Luciano Vecchio, Nathan Stockman, Paco Medina, and Bob Quinn. Each artist brings their unique style to the pages, creating a beautiful body of work that never feels cramped. Overall, this slice-of-life story is sure to make anyone love the holidays even more, demonstrating how the Marvel Universe can come together in harmony.

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

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