I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah…)

*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*

Absolute Wonder Woman # 20 (8.5/10)

Batman # 163 (6/10)

Detective Comics # 1109 (8.5/10)

Doomquest # 1 (9.5/10)

The Flash # 33 (9/10)

Green Lantern # 35 (7.5/10)

Harley Quinn # 52 (8/10)

Hornsby & Halo # 0 (7/10)

Hyde Street # 12 (8/10)

Infernal Hulk # 7 (7.5/10)

Justice League Unlimited # 19 (7/10)

The Rocketeer: The Island # 3 (7/10)

Superman: Father of Tomorrow # 1 (9.5/10)

Superman # 38 (9/10)

Ultimates # 24 (6.5/10)

X-Men # 30 (7/10)

Batman # 163– The explosive finale of “Hush 2” Part One, after a nine-month delay—largely due to Jim Lee’s health issues—is finally here. However, it feels rushed in pacing, with Jeph Loeb, who usually highlights the best in his characters, cramming too much into this issue. It shows Batman battling the Bat-Family and confronting Hush, which is exciting but ultimately comes across as a convoluted mess that should have been more exhilarating. The long delay disappointed readers, who found the plot cramped, though Jim Lee’s artwork remains flawless, the only bright spot. Overall, the messy execution and an unfulfilling ending make this release feel not worth the wait. Hopefully, Loeb and Lee can make things right with the next installment of “Hush 2.”

Doomquest # 1 – This new series introduces readers to the complex character of Doctor Doom, written by current “Fantastic Four” scribe Ryan North and illustrated by Francesco Mobili. After Doom’s ego is bruised when he’s snubbed from an international science summit, he learns that Reed Richards is in attendance and reveals a plan to save millions by traveling back in time to resolve historical conflicts. Offended and determined to outdo Richards, Doom races to create his own time-travel device. When the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four arrive in Latveria to stop him, chaos erupts across time and space. The time-travel premise works well, not just because of the high stakes and Doom’s relentless drive to undermine Richards, but also due to Ryan North’s sharp writing. North effectively portrays Doom’s pettiness and arrogance, making his jealousy toward Richards a compelling—if familiar—motivation, yet gives it a fresh, engaging twist. Francesco Mobili’s artwork, complemented by Frank D’Armata’s coloring, perfectly captures Doom’s powerful and gritty presence, making him seem more dangerous than ever. Although the story feels somewhat separate from current Marvel continuity, the bold concept and a wild, spoiler-free cliffhanger make this one of the most intriguing Doctor Doom stories yet—think “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” reimagined as an MCU film.

Superman: Father of Tomorrow #1 – The newest Elseworlds series turns Superman’s origin on its head: instead of Kal-El escaping Krypton’s destruction, his father, Jor-El, is the only survivor who lands on Earth. Arriving on a small farm in Smallville, Kansas, Jor-El acclimates to his new home and decides to protect the world using both his incredible Kryptonian powers and his scientific brilliance as the “Man of Steel and Science.” Though this concept appeared during the Silver Age, writer Kenny Porter and artist Danny Earls breathe new life into it. Their Jor-El is far more distinct from Kal-El, using his intellect to benefit humanity while capturing the classic spirit of Superman and highlighting the optimism and ingenuity of the character. The pacing, however, is brisk—almost faster than a speeding bullet—and it takes time for the superhero elements and Jor-El’s arrival on Earth to fully develop. These moments could have been expanded further, but the bold storytelling compensates by focusing on the compelling core theme: exploring the loss of Krypton from an adult’s perspective. The emotional depth keeps this series a must-read, elevating the Elseworlds franchise. This version of Jor-El preserves the ideals of hope, truth, and justice, making it especially appealing to Superman fans.