NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (08/26/26)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absolute Catwoman # 3 (8.5/10)
Absolute Wonder Woman # 23 (9/10)
Amazing Spider-Man # 35 (9/10)
Batman: Bad Seeds-Sunset # 1 (8.5/10)
Detective Comics # 1112 (7/10)
Flash # 35 (9/10)
Harley Quinn # 55 (8/10)
Justice League Unlimited # 22 (8/10)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers # 3 (6/10)
Next Level: One Shot # 1 (8.5/10)
Superman # 41 (7/10)
Superman: Father of Tomorrow # 4 (9/10)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 1 (Facsimile Edition) (10/10)
What If..?: X-Men # 1 (6.5/10)
Amazing Spider-Man # 35 – This latest ASM issue sets the stage for #1000, featuring plenty of action, drama, and a shocking ending that will leave fans stunned. Spidey’s friendship with Damage Control becomes strained after a confrontation with Spider-Gwen, aka Ghost-Spider. The final page reveals Peter Parker’s personal and superhero worlds crashing down, sparking much discussion. Joe Kelly skillfully balances multiple plot threads, including Spidey’s alliance with Damage Control, his space friends (Symbie, Raelith, and Glitch), and Ghost-Spider’s appearance, without overcrowding the story. The mix of superhero action and personal drama feels engaging and impactful. A heartfelt sequence with Peter and Aunt May, driven by the Cormac Crane situation, deepens their bond and delivers emotional depth—though the city chaos caused by Ghost-Spider could have been expanded instead of moving quickly to Spidey’s fallout, which somewhat weakens that subplot. Francesco Manna’s art vividly captures intense emotions and dynamic action with clarity. This penultimate issue heightens the stakes emotionally and leads into #1000, leaving readers eager for what’s next.
Batman: Bad Seeds-Sunset #1– The latest crossover in the Bat-titles kicks off as Gotham City’s mayor, Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy), reaches her breaking point and releases a devastating biological weapon at dusk. Instantly, Gotham is transformed into a prehistoric jungle, with massive, aggressive plants and mutated flora quickly overwhelming the city’s skyscrapers and streets. Batman and the Bat-Family are blindsided, realizing they have only one night to develop an antidote and halt the spread. If the infection isn’t reversed by sunrise, the mutation will become permanent, dooming Gotham forever. Co-writers Matt Fraction and G. Willow Wilson establish the 24-hour ticking clock from the start, giving the one-shot and the crossover a frantic, adrenaline-charged urgency as Batman and his allies race to stop Ivy. What’s especially impressive is how Fraction and Wilson seamlessly weave plot threads from both “Batman” and “Poison Ivy,” enriching the event. The final stretch’s Batman focus delivers a satisfying, cinematic finish. Notably, the one-shot presents a clear beginning, middle, and end, avoiding convolution and bringing Ivy’s dire threat to the forefront. The combined artistry of Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cliff Rathburn, and Tomeu Morey amplifies the sense of danger. Ultimately, Bad Seeds isn’t just another crossover; it’s a pulse-pounding, high-stakes event that thrusts Gotham into unprecedented danger and pushes Batman and his allies to their absolute limits. The creative team delivers a compelling, cinematic story that not only raises the stakes for Gotham but sets a new standard for Bat-family events. By the final pages, readers are left not just eager, but desperate to see how Batman and the Bat-Family will rise to the challenge—and whether Gotham can survive the night.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 1 (Facsimile Edition)-Seeing this released as a facsimile is a real treat. The original comic debuted in 1984, introducing not only the Turtles and Master Splinter’s origin but also an intense and brutal showdown with Shredder that must be seen to be believed. Early versions of the Turtles were depicted as lethal, highly trained assassins, using their weapons to impale and slice Foot soldiers. This incarnation of TMNT fully embraced its gritty and violent roots—Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird were heavily influenced by Frank Miller’s “Daredevil” run—while giving each Turtle a distinct personality and introducing their arch-nemesis, all within just 40 pages. The artwork expertly captures the moody, dark, and raw tone of 1980s New York, making it both captivating and authentic. Every subsequent adaptation, from the family-friendly 1987 cartoon to the 90s movies, the Michael Bay films, and countless animated series, owes a debt to this 40-page epic that launched these unique heroes into pop culture history. It remains one of the most significant comic books ever created—and to think, these characters were born from a late-night joke.
What If..?: X-Men #1– The latest “What If…?” one-shot explores an intriguing premise: What if Cassandra Nova killed Professor Charles Xavier in the womb? In this alternate reality, Cassandra Nova grows up in Xavier’s place and creates her own twisted version of the Xavier School. Rather than a safe haven for mutants, the school is transformed into a telepathic prison and “factory farm,” where Nova manipulates her captives to engineer a brainwashed mutant strike force called Cassandra’s X-Men. The concept behind this issue is compelling, but the narrative suffers from excessive dialogue by writer Ashley Allen. However, artist Sumit Kumar excels at depicting the body horror elements and brings Nova’s disturbing vision to life with the help of Sonia Oback’s grim, atmospheric colors. The main shortcoming is the abrupt ending, which leaves little closure for readers. With only 27 pages to tell the story, it might have worked better as a miniseries rather than a one-shot. Still, Allen’s skill in crafting alternate realities and strong characterization shines through—especially in the depiction of Jean Grey and Emma Frost as the emotional core. Their shared trauma and evolving relationship offer meaningful character development and help offset the story’s flaws. Ultimately, while this installment may not appeal to everyone, its bold and unapologetic exploration of Cassandra Nova’s darkness sets it apart from typical superhero fare. By embracing a more mature, unsettling narrative and pushing the boundaries of the “What If…?” formula, it stands as a thought-provoking and memorable entry—one that challenges readers and leaves a lasting impression, much like the most iconic stories from “New X-Men.”
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