TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews: Comics Review

Showing posts with label Comics Review. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Comics Review: "RED SONJA NOIR: THE PRINCESS & THE PLUNDER" is a Winner

RED SONJA NOIR: THE PRINCESS AND THE PLUNDER

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone

ARTIST: Edson Enn

COLORS: Adriano Augusto

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Lesley “Leirix” Li

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Robert Hack; Lesley “Leirix” Li; Molly Stewart cosplay

40pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (July 2026)

Rated: Teen+

Red Sonja created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, from the character created by Robert E. Howard

Red Sonja Noir: “The Princess & the Plunder”

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery heroine. She first appeared in Marvel Comics' Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith. Red Sonja is loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring the character. One of the recent titles is the one-shot title, Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder. It is written by David Avallone; drawn by Edson ENN; colored by Adriano Augusto; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry. The one-shot finds Red Sonja plying her mercenary trade at an enclave for the rich and wealthy merchant class where a wedding turns nefarious thanks to thieves, dark magic, and monsters.

Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder opens on the island of Zaralina. Red Sonja has been hired by Elder Zaralin, the island's patriarch, as extra security for the wedding of his daughter. Sonja is mainly at the Elder's estate to protect the extravagant wedding gifts.

Events soon take a turn for the dark and nefarious as Sonja finds herself in the middle of ill-natured wedding guests, a bevy of thieves, dark magic, and a monstrous plot that could leave the local town and most of the island in ashes.

THE LOWDOWN: In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder, which is not the first David Avallone Red Sonja comic book that I have read.

Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder is the second long-form Red Sonja story written by David Avallone that I have read. The first was 2025's Red Sonja Noir One-Shot (“The Crimson Calypso”). Thus far, this new story is Avallone's crowning Red Sonja achievement. Pure sword-and-sorcery adventure, slick action set pieces, sparkling dialogue, skanky villains deserving of their fates, and magic that falls on the story like a shower of golden sugar on my favorite deserve. This story made me say “Uhh! Na nah na nah!”

The art and storytelling by Edson ENN (Edson Novaes Neves) makes the story move in ways that keep the readers guessing. ENN brings this story to life with passion; this isn't another swing of the sword. It's a thriller offering energetic sword thrusts with a sense of mystery worth engaging.

In order to praise colorist Adriano Augusto's work, I have to reveal that there is a dragon in this story, beautifully and amazingly drawn by ENN. Augusto lights the story on fire in several pages. However, there is a page with the dragon that Augusto makes so bright and vivid that I could almost feel the heat n my face. Jeff Eckeberry's lettering has a classic style that recalls the best old school Red Sonja comic books.

Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder is worthy because the creative team brought the gifts to this wedding.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Red Sonja comic books will want to read Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux aka "I Reads You"

A Kindle edition of "Red Sonja Noir: The Princess & the Plunder" is available at Amazon.

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Friday, August 14, 2026

Comics Review: "ECTYRON DOUBLE FEATURE" Doubles the Pleasure, Doubles the Fun

ECTYRON DOUBLE FEATURE: SHOWDOWN IN SOUTH DAKOTA and ATOM.I.K.E. AND THE STRUCTURE VS. THE Z-HEMOTHS OF OMAHA

CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/Warning Comics

STORY: Carter Allen

SCRIPT: John Ira Thomas (on “Showdown in South Dakota”)

ART: Carter Allen

COLORS: Carter Allen

LETTERS: John Ira Thomas

MISC. ART: Will Grant; Jeremy Smith

COVER: Carter Allen

32pp, Color, $10.00 U.S. at conventions (2026)

Comic book writer-artist and graphic novelist, Carter Allen, has been publishing a series of comic books and graphic novels featuring a “kaiju” character known as “Ectyron! The Radioactive Chicken!” Candle Light Press and Allen's Warning Comics have previously published several Ectyron comic books, including 2025's Ectyron v Rojo Gallo.

Ectyron is back on the attack in the recently released comic book, Ectyron Double Feature: Showdown in South Dakota and Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha. It is written by Allen (story) and John Ira Thomas (script on “Showdown in South Dakota”); drawn and colored by Allen; and lettered by Thomas. Ectyron comics employ particular elements of various Japanese science fiction sub-genres, in particular “Kaiju.” This is a term used to describe the giant monsters and the fiction in which they appear. Godzilla is an example of a kaiju, and Ectyron, a giant-sized chicken, is also a kaiju.

Ectyron Double Feature opens with Showdown in South Dakota. The story is set in the “Badlands” of South Dakota some time in the past. In this sprawling countryside roams a mysterious monster known as “Creature 3.” When people start disappearing in the wake of this monster, it's up to two special agents from “Sustenatione Stabilitas” to find out what is happening.

Aleksandria “Lek” Stal and her partner, Shotaro “Sam” Mifune, arrive in the “Athena 5 Rover.” However, this heavily fortified vehicle cannot protect Lek and Sam from the horrific psychic attack powers of Creature 3. They'll need help from Ectyron, but is the “Marvelous Monster of the Midwest” really a match for Creature 3? Guest-starring Madam Madamn of Sustenatione Stabilitas.

The second feature is Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha. It opens with the arrival of aliens from the “Yohahte Empire,” which are bent on plundering the Earth's resources. To that end, they mutate three ordinary animals, creating the “Z-Hemoths” Soon, the monsters descend on Omaha, Nebraska.

Can Atom.I.K.E. (Herb Mantlo), Atom.A.X. (Jake Johnston), and Atom.A.Y (Iowa Harris), also known as “The Structure,” stop them? Or will it take something... super?

THE LOWDOWN: I have been receiving review copies of Carter Allen's comic books and graphic novels for almost two decades. Carter and I are also collaborators, and that includes collaborating on the 2024 original graphic novel, The Wrath of Karapace: A Big Spirits Epic.

I have previously reviewed the following Ectyron comics: Ectyron Against Lagaxtu (2017), Ectyron: Rise of Nemehiss (2018), and Ectyron: The Invasion from the Red Star Nebula (2019), and Ectyron vs. Des Moines (2023). I also reviewed the Ectyron Omnibus Vol. 1 (2022), which includes a preview story that I co-wrote with Allen.

Ectyron Double Feature: Showdown in South Dakota and Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha is not only an old-fashioned double feature comic book, but is also a two-times-the-fun comic book. It is inventive and imaginative and a carnival of Where-the-Monsters-Dwell unusual strangeness. It is a fun, uncanny comic book in the tradition of oddities like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hellboy, which are fun because they offer the weird, the wild, and the wonderful.

I don't know how the heck writer-artist, Carter Allen, has managed to create a hugely entertaining comic book about a giant chicken, but he has done it several times. If this were a standalone Ectyron comic book, it would still be a winner. The addition of “the Structure” and “the Z-Hemoths” is a cascade of cherries on top of the Ectyron's heavenly dish of comics ice cream.

For as long as I've been reading Allen's comic books, I have seen a lot of unprecedented and foreignness in characters that yield enjoyable comics. Still, Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha seems like a brand new day, in which monsters, aliens, and tokusatsu move and act like old-fashioned superhero comics. I look at this and think Avengers vs Kree or Skrulls, and I'm a happy reader.

Ectyron Double Feature: Showdown in South Dakota and Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha is a treasury comic book of endless delights. Dear readers, I think you will want to read it again and again. Find the Candle Light Press gang at a comics or pop culture convention and snag a copy.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of double feature/flip comics, of kaiju, and of Carter Allen's kaiju comic books will want Ectyron Double Feature: Showdown in South Dakota and Atom.I.K.E. and the Structure vs. the Z-Hemoths of Omaha.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Ectyron Double Feature YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8IVYsmQXMo&t=6s.

From YouTube comes “A brief history of Ectyron”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zevMoxXmHc

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Saturday, July 4, 2026

Comics Review: 2026 "SAVAGE TALES #1" is the Sh*t if I Do Say So Myself

SAVAGE TALES #1 (2026)

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone

ART: Mariano Benitez Chapo; Pasqual Qualano; Sebastian Piriz

COLORS: Ome Remalante, Jr.

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

COVER: Bjorn Barends

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Bjorn Barends

40pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (April 2026)

Rated Teen+

Savage Tales is the title of an anthology comic book series that has been used by both Dynamite Entertainment and Marvel Comics (twice). Dynamite recently brought its version back as a series of occasionally-published one-shots.

The 2026 edition of Savage Tales #1 has four short stories, all written by David Avallone, a master of the comics short story. These stories feature Gullivar of Mars (“His War Chapter Four” drawn by Mariano Benitez Chapo); Red Sonja (“The Code” drawn by Pasqual Qualano); Allan Quatermain (“Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” drawn by Sebastian Piriz); and Vampirella (“The Old Country Trigger” drawn by Mariano Benitez Chapo). All four stories are colored by Ome Remalante, Jr., and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

I will summarize and review each story individually.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is the 2026 edition of Savage Tales #1, which is one of several Savage Tales titles that I have reviewed.

Captain Gullivar of Mars: “His War: Chapter Four” by Avallone and Benitez-Chapo:

Captain Gullivar Jones is based on the character, Lt. Gulllivar Jones, that first appeared in the novel, Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation, which was written by Edwin Lester Arnold and was published in 1905. Writer David Avallone has been reworking the character over the past few years.

“His War” finds Jones returned to Mars – 20 years after he left it to its fate – via his magic carpet, “Ditan Yunshu. What he finds is a disaster, and his once “luminous princess” is now the embittered one-eyed Princess Heru. Determined to fix all that went wrong because he left, Capt. Gullivar Jones must make a most amazing journey – one that may well become his final journey.

Avallone has a deft touch with vintage and classic characters, and because of author Edwin Lester Arnold's influence on the science fiction sub-genre, “planetary romance,” Gullivar Jones is both vintage and classic. I thought “His War: Chapter Three” was Avallone's best work at that point in the serial, but for Chapter Four, I must use the phrase “blown away.” I am honestly blown away by Chapter Four, which finds Avallone unleashing 16 pages of thrill, chills, and savage surprises.

Artist Benitez Chapo's storytelling is a two-fisted celebration of old-timey science fiction. Chapo offers aggression, passion, and determination, and it all explodes off the pages thanks to Omi Remalante, Jr's raw coloring. The experience of reading this reminds me of why I like comics because Avallone and Chapo left me feeling dazed. I felt cross-eyes after reading this true adventure gem.

Red Sonja: “The Code” by Avallone and Qualano:

“The Code” opens in the city of “Bukhrosha” on the evening of the second day of the “Bukhroshan Revolution.” A man referring to himself as a merchant hires Red Sonja to get him out of the city, which is in the throes of a murderous rampages against the nobility. But there is more to this merchant's story, and it will test the She-Devil with a Sword's fidelity to “the code.”

David Avallone is good at Red Sonja – really damn good. When I read his Sonja stories, I feel the experience of reading about a genuine female character with as much depth of character and emotion as she has skill with a blade. Pasqual Qualano's beautiful art and storytelling is clever, brutal, and lethal without slathering on violence. I enjoyed the hell out of reading “The Code.”

"Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” by Avallone and Piriz:

The story opens in June 1932 aboard the cargo vessel, the “SS Cyclops.” There, Marlowe, a passenger, tells the ship's captain a tale of the legendary English big game hunter whose adventures occur in southern Africa. Marlowe's tale is one told to him by a World War I German soldier whose military unit finds itself in conflict with that great hunter, Allan Quatermain, after they seek refuge in his South African estate.

“Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” is one of the best stories featuring the character that I have ever read. Once again, Avallone proves that he is as deft with Victorian characters as he is with vintage American pulp characters. Sebastian Piriz's art creates a ghost story so potent that I thought I was being dragged into the Germans' tragic fate. What a powerful tale, y'all. I'm horny for it.

Vampirella: “The Old Country Trigger” by Avallone and Benitez-Chapo:

“The Old Country Trigger” opens in New York City where NYPD Officer Ana Reyes seeks help from Vampirella. The target is John Trigger a.k.a. “The Old Country Trigger,” and he's a vampire. Officer Reyes wants Vampirella's help in destroying Trigger, but, of course, it is going to be just a tad bit more complicated than even Vampirella expects.

Avallone and Mariano Benitez-Chapo do the buddy-cop thing with “The Old Country Trigger,” and honestly, I'd like to see Vampirella and Ana Reyes team-up again. Here, writer and artist are macabre dance partners in producing this delightful performance of dark fantasy storytelling. In fact, I could see it in a longer form as a graphic novel. They give this narrative, the characters, and the settings room to breath and to move and groove. This is a gem of a short story.

If I had to reluctantly pick my favorite story in Savage Tales #1 (2026), it would indeed be a reluctant process. As I don't have to, let's have fun with it, dear readers. I'm going with “Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” as my favorite in this box of dazzling tales. Still, I think you, dear readers, should buy a copy of this comic book and decide for yourself.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of anthology comic books who are looking for a collection full of great stories will want to read Savage Tales #1 (2026).

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Comics Review: "BATMAN #6" Has a "Long Night"

BATMAN (2025) #6

DC COMICS

STORY: Matt Fraction

ART: Jorge Jimenez

COLORS: Tomeu Morey

LETTERS: Clayton Cowles with Jorge Jimenez

EDITOR: Rob Levin

COVER: Jorge Jimenez

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Julian Totino Tedesco; Gerald Parel; David Aja; Chrissie Zullo-Uminga; Jorge Jimenez

36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., (April 2026)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Rating: 13+

“Long Night”

DC Comics recently relaunched its Batman flagship comic book series – the third time in 14 years. It is written by Matt Fraction; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Tomeu Morey; and lettered by Clayton Cowles. DC is pushing the series as the dawn of new era in Batman comic books.

Batman #6 (“Long Night”) opens in the Meinsutorito neighborhood in Gotham City's Little Tokyo. Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller had a date night adventure featuring the legendary 000 Gang marks and the sinister assassin known as “The Ojo.” Now, Dr. Zeller has some rather interesting things to say concerning Damien Wayne.

Meanwhile, Hugo Strange launches his latest batch of “Monster Men.” Plus, Gotham City is a powder keg, and someone has noticed that Commissioner Vandal Savage's dangerous activities are contributing to it.

THE LOWDOWN: For years, I had a subscription to DC Comics' Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? ongoing comic book series. It was quietly canceled within the last year, but I had 14 issues left in my subscription. Midtown Comics in NYC, which manages DC Comics' subscriptions, gave me the option of choosing any new DC title I wanted to continue my subscription, so I chose Batman – just in time for this new era, and this is my fifth review of this new series.

I'm enjoying the recent bump in activity from writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jimenez's Batman. The Fraction-Jimenez team offered third and fourth issues of this new series that each seemed to be in a holding pattern. Now, the fifth and sixth issues bring back at least some of the intensity that had me comparing the first two issues of the Fraction-Jimenez's Batman to Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

I enjoyed this sixth issue, and it has me anticipating the next issue. This was a fun read that had me engaged in what was happening and what I hoped was going to happen. I suggest that you, dear readers, join the fun.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Batman comic books will want to read Batman 2025.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

[This comic book includes two previews: First, is a four-page preview of “DC x AEW #1” from writer Steve Orlando; artist Travis Mercer; colorist Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Josh Reed.

And seven-page preview of “Bleeding Hearts #1” by writer Deniz Camp; artist Stipan Morian; colorist Matt Hollingsworth; and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.]

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"Batman #6" will be printed in the collection, BATMAN VOL. 1: DAYLIGHT, which is available at Amazon.

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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST Volume 2 #6" Calls to the Blood

SPACE GHOST VOL. 2 #6

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Michael Cho; Francesco Mattina

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“The Night of the Space Vampires!”

Space Ghost is a superhero character created by the American animation studio and production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The character first appeared in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Space Ghost,” which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1966 to September 1967 for 20 episodes. Space Ghost shared his television series with a second feature, entitled “Dino Boy in the Lost Valley.” Space Ghost was designed by cartoonist and comic book artist, Alex Toth (1928-2006), who created the character with Hanna-Barbera's founders, William Hanna (1910-2001) and Joseph Barbera (1911-2006).

In his original incarnation, Space Ghost was a superhero whose base of operations was a small world known as “Ghost Planet.” He fought super-villains in outer space with his teen sidekicks, Jan and Jace, and their monkey, Blip. His main weapons were power bands he wore around his wrists and lower arms; the bands fired off multiple energy beam-based attacks, including heat, cold, and force, to name a few. Space Ghost could also fly, survive in space, and turn invisible (his “Inviso Power”). He also had a space ship known as “the Phantom Cruiser.”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period. Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Entitled Space Ghost Volume 2, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. In the new series, The Space Ghost and his surrogate children, the twins Jan and Jace Keplar, and their monkey, Blip, fight the forces of darkness across the vastness of space.

Space Ghost Volume 2 #6 (“The Night of the Space Vampires!”) opens in Eclipse Sector 00Z4. It is the location of “Space Station Cosmos,” and Dr. Henry Contra (Jan and Jace's maternal grandfather) has just alerted Space Ghost that the station has gone silent. According to Dr. Contra, the station's last transmission included sounds of the station's crew screaming.

Space Ghost and the twins decide to investigate the station's situation only to discover that the station's crew members have been turned into bloodthirsty “Space Vampires.” It gets worse when one of the creatures also manages to infect Space Ghost. Now Jan, Jace, and Blip must find a way to not only survive the space vampires and the Space Vampire King, but also to contain the deadly contagion before it spreads across the galaxy.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Space Ghost #6, Volume Two is one that I have received, but it is not the first Space Ghost comic book that I have read.

Under a killer main cover by Francesco Mattina, the creative team of writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau offer their most frightening space story yet. That's saying a lot because Pepose and Lau have presented their readers with some pretty intense and harrowing adventures over the last few years, including the previous two-part tale about a war of crystals and sharks.

Yes, I am a fan of vampire fiction, and the Space Vampires are as delightfully entertaining as they are gleefully ravenous. I felt joy and apprehension while reading this tale. I'm enjoying Pepose's unique spin on vampires, and Lau's graphical storytelling, which conveys the endless hunger of the monsters, caused as many chills as it did thrills. Pepose and Lau are masters of standalone and of two-part comic book adventures.

I highly recommend Space Ghost Volume 2, dear readers. If you want good comic books, you want this – even if you don't know it yet.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume Two.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

Comics Review: "DC/MARVEL: SUPERGIRL/BLADE #1" vs the Mojoworld

DC/MARVEL SUPERGIRL/BLADE

DC COMICS/Marvel Comics

STORY: CRC Payne

LAYOUTS: Mikel Janin

FINISHES: Hugo Petrus

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Pat Brosseau

EDITOR: Katie Kubert

COVER: Mikel Janin

36pp, Color, $0.00 U.S., (June 2026)

Supergirl created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino; Blade created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan

Marvel and DC Comics have been publishing crossover comic books blending their favorite heroes in all-new adventures. Titles published by Marvel are labeled “Marvel/DC,” and DC Comics' side is “DC/Marvel.”

The latest DC/Marvel title is DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade, a digital-first comic book that is available to read for free at “DC Universe Infinite” website and on the “DC Go” app. The story is written by CRC Payne; drawn by Mikel Janin (layouts) and Hugo Petrus (finishes); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Pat Brosseau. In the story, the “Girl of Steel” and “the Daywalker” find themselves in clutches of Mojo, the master of the “Mojoverse,” who wants Supergirl and Blade to star in one of his new gladiator-like television series?

DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade opens on Mojoworld, where its ruler, Mojo, the meta television show tycoon is looking for his next TV hit. In the hopes of entertaining the denizens of Mojoworld, Mojo has come up with a new idea. How about a romance series starring a strong female?

He kidnaps Supergirl and pits her against a trio of vampires. That's more than enough reason to bring in the male lead – Blade the vampire slayer. Trapped on Mojo's sound stage, Supergirl and Blade will be forced to battle bloodsucking foes, engage in melodramatic tropes, and take on Mojo himself. Now, this unlikely duo must team up to fight their way to freedom before the show’s final twist becomes their series finale and the end of their lives.

THE LOWDOWN: I have been mostly ignoring the Marvel-DC Comics crossovers, but I love me some Blade. I was excited by the recent, surprise news about Supergirl/Blade, and I became even more excited when I learned that it would be free to read.

Supergirl/Blade is a totally unexpected team-up, and while this comic book does not feature an intense struggle against evil in support of continuity, it is still a charming digital comic. I must give writer CRC Payne credit for finding a way to create a delightful tale featuring two mismatched characters that is also an appropriate for comics readers of all ages.

The art team of Mikel Janin (layouts), Hugo Petrus (finishes), and Marcelo Maiolo (colors) delivers straightforward storytelling that grounds the weirdness of this team-up. This is straightforward entertaining weird fiction. Pat Brosseau's classic lettering puts the finishing touches on this comics tale that makes it seem as timeless as it is unusual.

Dear readers, I suggest taking a trip over to “DC Universe Infinite” and enjoying Supergirl/Blade. It isn't monumental, but I had fun reading it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of DC/Marvel crossovers will want to read DC/Marvel Supergirl/Blade.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

"DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade" will be collected in the collection, "DC/MARVEL: THE COSMIC KISS CAPER AND OTHER STORIES," which will be available in hardcover and paperback editions from Amazon in September 2026.

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

Comics Review: "CABRA CINI: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2" is All Good

CABRA CINI: VOODOO JUNKIE HITWOMAN #½

(A Prelude to Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1)

ACTUALITY PRESS

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Bruno Letizia with R.D. Ricci; Nathan Ramirez; R.D. Ricci

COLORS: Harwan Stia Yoga; Mark Dodson; D'Anthony Mathenia; Aljosa Tomic

LETTERS: Bruno Letizia; Nathan Ramirez; Chas! Pangburn; Micah Myers

COVER ARTIST: Carlos Villas

42pp, Color, (March 2026)

Suggest for mature readers

Cabra Cini created by Sam Johnson

Cabra Cini is a comics character created by writer Sam Johnson. He is best known as the writer and creator of the sexy superhero, Geek-Girl. Cabra Cini is a former sex worker who used “voodoo magik” to free herself of her abusive pimp/boyfriend. Now, she is a hit woman addicted to voodoo.

Cabra Cini is about to get her first trade paperback collection, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1. Sam Johnson has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the collection. To help promote the campaign, Johnson compiled a special digital comic book that offers some of the stories that will be found in the trade. He sent me a copy the PDF, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #½.

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 opens with a “Prologue” written by Johnson and drawn by Bruno Letizia with R.D. Ricci. “Prologue” asks the question, what would you do if the clumsy antics of a young werewolf interrupted your sex life. If you're Cabra Cini, you fix him...

The next story is “White Out.” It is set in Detroit and is written by Johnson and drawn by Nathan Ramirez. There is a new killer in town, “White Out.” He's dressed in white from head to toe and he likes to kill Black men; plus, he has plans for the neighborhood. All Cabra Cini wanted to do was prepare dinner for her man, Geoff, but now she is forced to face a dangerous, enigmatic stranger.

“The Ballad of La Chica Cabra,” written by Johnson and is drawn by R.D. Ricci, opens in Detroit in Cabra's apartment. Her lover, Geoff, has a few questions, and Cabra explains the origins of her name, “Cabra,” and the origins of her identity. Meanwhile, White Out is looking for her.

“Sliding in the Wreckage,” written by Johnson and drawn by R.D. Ricci, opens five weeks later. Cabra is traveling through “Limbo” and “The Infinite.” The Infinite's ruler, “the Rook,” grows angrier with each of Cabra's intrusions, so he has planned his cruelest response yet. But is Cabra really as vulnerable as she seems?

THE LOWDOWN: Sam Johnson has been sending me PDF review copies of his comic books for over a decade. In that time, he has gradually developed into one of the most original voices in superhero comic books. Most of you, dear readers, have not heard of him because he does not write for Marvel or DC Comics. Recently, some fans have been lamenting their relatively late discovery of Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley's superhero comic book series, Invincible (Image Comics). Eventually, many of you will be offering the same lamentations about Johnson's Geek-Girl and also his delightfully weird Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman.

Two of the stories included in Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 also appeared in Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1, which offered its delightfully weird wares back in 2022. The two newer stories in this digital comic book, “The Ballad of La Chica Cabra” and “Sliding in the Wreckage,” are not so much weird as they are edgy and dark. To me, Johnson is at his most self-assured in spinning tales of Cabra Cini to date. He can shift the mood from strange and surreal to down and gritty in a seamless flow.

In the newer stories, artist R.D. Ricci takes Johnson's scripts and turns them into comic book storytelling that is both polished and potent. We get professional chops, but the art ain't too proud to offer some enjoyable ultra-violence. Ricci makes me feel the threat and danger of Cabra Cini's adversaries, and he left me wanting more of this fear and dread.

In the earlier stories, “Prologue” and “White Out,” five artists: Nathan Ramirez, Bruno Letizia, R.D. Ricci, Pablo Zambrano, and Jorge Oliveira use their diverse talents and approaches to graphical storytelling to pull these stories together. The change in artists isn't jarring because they seem to share a similar aesthetic. In fact, having several artists helps to make Cabra Cini come across more like a multifaceted character and less like a mere clever name and idea.

My opinion of Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 is about the same as it was for the 2022 Cabra Cini one-shot. Both are certainly excellent enough to make me heartily recommend that readers consider contributing to the crowdfunding campaign for Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Volume 1. However, I want to say that this new one-shot is better at declaring that Cabra Cini is something truly unique and undeniably entertaining.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of writer Sam Johnson's comic books will want to fund Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman, Vol. 1.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1 is available on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/cabracini. There is also a YouTube trailer for the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UP-bO-UXa8

https://x.com/daSamJohnson

https://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics

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Sunday, March 29, 2026

Comics Review: "THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN #1" is a Classic Action Comic Book

THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN VOL. 1 #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jason Aaron

ART: Kewbar Baal

COLORS: Jorge Sutil

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Michael Cho

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Francesco Mattina; Bjorn Barends; Rob Liefeld; Michael Cho

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2026)

Rated “Teen”

“Thundarr the Barbarian” created Steve Gerber and Joe Ruby and Ken Spears; developed by Steve Gerber

“Thundarr the Barbarian” was an American Saturday morning animated television series. The series ran for two seasons on ABC from October 4, 1980, to October 31, 1981 for a total of 21 episodes. The titular hero, Thundarr, is a muscular warrior who wields the “Sunsword.” With his companions, Princess Ariel, a formidable young sorceress, and Ookla the Mok, a mighty lion-like biped, he travels a post-apocalyptic world on horseback and fights injustice.

“Thundarr the Barbarian” is set in a future (circa 3994), a post-apocalyptic wasteland in which Earth has been divided into kingdoms and territories. The majority of these places are ruled by wizards, and these ruined places are recognizable as cities and locations in the United States. The passage of a runaway planet between the Earth and the Moon in 1994 created this apocalyptic situation that destroyed human civilization. The back story is that Earth has been reborn as a world of “savagery, super-science, and sorcery.”

Dynamite Entertainment recently began publishing a comic book series based on “Thundarr the Barbarian,” the first ever such series. Entitled Thundarr the Barbarian, it is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Kewber Baal, colored by Jorge Sutil; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

Thundarr the Barbarian #1 opens in the “Windless City” where the River Pirates are holding a slave market with captured humans for sale. Enter the motorcycle-riding Ratman of the Badlands, and they are ready to purchase all the humans.

Among the slaves for sale, however, is one man who breaks the bonds that restrain him. Enter Thundarr the Barbarian. With his faithful companions, Ariel the sorceress and Ookla the Mok, and with the power of his mystical blade, “the Sunsword,” Thundarr is on a mission to liberate his world from the forces of evil. Meanwhile, Lord Gemini has plans to stop Thundarr...

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Thundarr the Barbarian #1, Volume One is the latest.

In its promotional material for Thundarr the Barbarian #1, Dynamite refers to series writer, Jason Aaron, as a “visionary comics author.” Aaron is good, but if there are modern visionary modern comic book authors, they are not plying their trade at either Marvel and DC Comics. Still, Aaron offers a sensational first issue of Dynamite's Thundarr the Barbarian. It's rough-and-ready, dark, and full of kick-ass action. Aaron really captures the attitude and mood of the 1980s animated original; he makes this first chapter genuinely fit in with the temper of the source material.

Artist Kewbar Baal has steadily been making his way, climbing the ladder of comics publications over the better part of the last two decades. You can see Baal grow from Approbation Comics' Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #11 to Dynamite's Jeepers Creepers #1 (2018) to the recent Elvira in Monsterland #1 (2023).

In Thundarr the Barbarian #1, Baal only partially borrows from the aesthetic of the “Thundarr the Barbarian” Saturday morning cartoon. The rest of Baal's graphical storytelling for this first issue offers his own post-apocalyptic expression, which recalls the art from classic science fiction and fantasy comic book magazines such as Heavy Metal and Marvel Comics Epic Illustrated.

I recommend this first issue, dear readers. I'm certainly ready to see where this goes.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the “Thundarr the Barbarian” animated show will want to read Thundarr the Barbarian Volume 1.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Sunday, March 15, 2026

Comics Review: "BATMAN #5" Goes on a "Date Night"

BATMAN (2025) #5

DC COMICS

STORY: Matt Fraction

ART: Jorge Jimenez

COLORS: Tomeu Morey

LETTERS: Clayton Cowles with Jorge Jimenez

EDITOR: Rob Levin

COVER: Jorge Jimenez

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Julian Totino Tedesco; Leirix; David Aja; Mitch Gerads; Jorge Jimenez

36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., (March 2026)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Rating: 13+

“Date Night”

Batman #5 (“Date Night”) opens in the Harborview district of Gotham City at the “Wayne Experimental Sciences Building.” A “date night” for Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller goes off the rails when the legendary 000 Gang marks the good doctor for death. Meanwhile, the sinister assassin known as “The Ojo” awaits. Plus, a Batman ally arrives in the nick of time.

I highly praised the first two issues of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez's Batman. The Fraction-Jimenez team offered third and fourth issues that each seemed to be in a holding pattern. Now, the fifth issue brings back at least some of the intensity that had me comparing the first two issues of the Fraction-Jimenez's Batman to Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Meanwhile, Tomeu Morey keeps coloring the hell outta the storytelling, and Jimenez joins Clayton Cowles to offer energetic lettering that gives this story an extra bump. That's it. Keep reading this new Batman, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Batman comic books will want to read Batman 2025.

A-

[This comic book includes a six-page preview of “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” from writer Tom King; artist Bilquis Evely; colorist Matheus Lopes; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The first trade collection of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez's "Batman" is entitled "BATMAN: DAYLIGHT" and is due in June in both hardcover and paperback editions, which will be available at Amazon.

https://www.dccomics.com/

https://x.com/DCComics

https://www.facebook.com/dccomics

https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV

https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/

https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv

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Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST Volume 2 #5" Has Somethin' Fishy

SPACE GHOST VOL. 2 #5

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Michael Cho; Francesco Mattina

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“Assault on Planet Glasstor!”

Space Ghost Volume 2 #5 (“Assault on Planet Glasstor!”) opens with the ongoing war between the Shard-People of the Crystalline Empire of Glasstor and the Kingdom of the Space Sharks from the blood-red waters of Planet Liquo now at its hottest heat. The conflict was seemingly about to come to an end with a peace deal when an assassination attempt on the Space Sharks' King Remora reignited the war into a blood feud.

Jace has been blamed for being an ally of Emperor Glasstor and for being the assassin. Now, King Remora plans to unleash his mysterious planet-killing weapon, “Neptune's Wrath” against Glasstor. Space Ghost must convince Glasstor's Emperor to hold the peace, but the cosmic vigilante also has his other troubles. Meanwhile, Jan has taken matters into her own hands – some very capable and pugnacious hands.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Space Ghost #5, Volume Two is one that I have received, but it is not the first Space Ghost comic book that I have read.

This fifth issue of the second volume of Space Ghost gives us the conclusion to the thrilling two-part story of interplanetary war between a water world and a world of crystal. Last issue's cliffhanger was sure to bring readers back for more, and if those readers did return, their reward is more of writer David Pepose's space opera intensity. Kudos to him for giving Jan the chance to let the thug out in the middle of this very busy chapter.

Series artist Jonathan Lau delivered a pot boiler in the first chapter, and this issue, he throws gasoline on fire. Why boil the narrative pot when you can burn down the kitchen? The result is that this issue seethes like an epic tale of war and betrayal should. Andrew Dalhouse's colors are the perfect accompaniment to this tale of Space Ghost's gritty determination of the twins' fierce and fighting spirit. As expected, Taylor Esposito's lettering creates a sense of a thunderous soundtrack for this closing chapter of this excellent two-part tale.

I highly recommend Space Ghost Volume 2, dear readers. If you want good, you want this.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume Two.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Sunday, February 15, 2026

Manga Review: "SANDA Volume 1" - Santa's Got a Brand New Bag

SANDA VOL. 1

TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

WRITER-ARTIST: Paru Itagaki

TRANSLATION: Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements

LETTERS: Bensidi Ayoub

DESIGN: David Colderley

EDITOR: Louis Yamani

ISBN: 978-1787747241; paperback (September 9, 2025)

208pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Rating: Age 12+

Sanda is a Japanese manga written and drawn by mangaka Paru Itagaki. The manga was originally serialized in the Japanese shonen manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Champion, from 2021 to 2024. It was later collected in sixteen tankobon (graphic novel) volumes. Titan Manga began publishing an English-language graphic novel edition of the series in September 2025.

Sanda Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) opens in a near-future Japan where Christmas has faded into myth, and it and other traditional holidays are mere legends of the past. Japan's birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and young people's social status is higher than that of adults.

Volume 1 introduces 14-year-old Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student at Daikoku Welfare Academy who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. His classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, is looking for her missing friend, Ono Ichie. Fuyumura accuses Sanda of carrying a curse that can help her find Ono. The curse is that Sanda is a descendant of Santa Claus and also that Santa is sealed inside Sanda.

When Fuyumura breaks the seal, Sanda turns into a tall, muscular, elderly man and thus, begins an adventure of mystery and danger. Can Sanda and his friends help society remember the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.

THE LOWDOWN: Since October 2023, Titan Manga has provided me with print and PDF copies of their manga publications for review. One of the latest is Sanda Volume 1.

Sanda Graphic Novel Volume 1 is not my first experience with the manga of Paru Itagaki, as I read and reviewed several volumes her 2016-20 series, Beastars (published in an English-language edition by VIZ Media). I would say that this first volume of Sanda is as refreshingly surprising and surprisingly refreshing as Beastars Volume 1.

Itagaki's art and graphical style are a lot more formal in Sanda than they are for the loose, psychological, and surreal Beastars. Sanda eschews surrealism for mystery and secrets, and the art and graphical storytelling delves into enigmas and perplexities. Nothing is as it seems, and it offers a shocking reveal every chapter.

Sanda's setting may be that of a dystopian near-future, but it feels like the teen leads, Sanda and Fuyumura, are coming-of-age as they try to unravel the secrets and lies of their lives and how it ties into the society in which they live. That this involves Santa Claus just makes things more delightfully weird and different.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of mystery manga and of unusual takes on Christmas will want to try Sanda.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

"SANDA VOLUME 1" is available in a Kindle and a print edition at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://x.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Sunday, February 1, 2026

Comics Review: "BATMAN #4" Drops the Smoke

BATMAN (2025) #4

DC COMICS

STORY: Matt Fraction

ART: Jorge Jimenez

COLORS: Tomeu Morey

LETTERS: Clayton Cowles with Jorge Jimenez

EDITOR: Rob Levin

COVER: Jorge Jimenez

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Julian Totino Tedesco; Felipe Massafera; David Aja; Jorge Jimenez

36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., (February 2026)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Rating: 13+

“Drop The Smoke.”

Batman #4 (“Drop The Smoke.”) informs us that “Torus” isn't really a criminal gang or a crime family. “... it's a system. An algorithm of crime.” And The Minotaur is the only one who can keep the entire equation in his head.

So while Bruce Wayne investigates “the Crown of Storms,” Batman pursues Anarky, who reveals a criminal conspiracy hiding in plain sight. It will change the game for crime and for criminals in Gotham City… and maybe for the world.

I highly praised the first two issues of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez's Batman. They deserved it. Some of the content of those first two issues reminded me of elements of Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

I enjoyed the third issue and this fourth, but both of these issues feel like they are in a holding pattern. Fraction and Jimenez were full speed ahead for the first two issues, but now, they seem to be boiling the pot for a pair of explosive penultimate and ultimate issues in this initial story arc. At least, I hope so.

That's it. Keep reading this new Batman, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Batman comic books will want to read Batman 2025.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

[This comic book includes two previews of upcoming comic books. The first is a five-page preview of “DC KO: Reed Hood vs. Joker” from writers Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder; artists Dustin Nguyen and Mark Morales; and colorist John Kalisz.

The second is a three-page preview of “Titans (2023) #30” from writer John Layman and artist Pete Woods.]

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The first trade collection of this new "Batman" series, "BATMAN VOL. 1: DAYLIGHT," is available is due June 2026 and can be order at Amazon.

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Friday, January 30, 2026

Comics Review: "SUPERNATURAL #3" - Dead-Action Role-Players

SUPERNATURAL #3

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Greg Pak

ART: Eder Messia; Pasquale Qualano, Alessandro Ranaldi, Vincenzo Federici, and Gerardo Gambone

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Clayton Crain

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Drew Moss; Andrea Broccardo; Clayton Crain

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“Supernatural” created by Eric Kripke

"Supernatural" was an American television series created by Eric Kripke. It debuted on The WB broadcast network on September 13, 2005 and subsequently became part of successor network, The CW. The series ended November 19, 2020, after a total of 15 seasons and 327 episodes. “Supernatural” starred Jared Padalecki as “Sam Winchester” and Jensen Ackles as “Dean Winchester,” two brothers who hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings.

DC Comics and its Wildstorm imprint published four Supernatural comic book miniseries over a period from 2007 to 2011. Now, Dynamite Entertainment has the license and has launched a new series, Supernatural. It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Eder Messias and others; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry. According to Dynamite, this new comic book is set between Supernatural Seasons 1 and 2, and finds Dean and Sam Winchester forced to take on a new threat before they can continue their hunt for the demon that killed their mother, Mary Winchester.

Supernatural #3 opens in Erie, Arizona where two live action-role players, Johannes and Orville, get in deeper than at least Orville expected. A week later, the “monster hunters,” Sam and Dean arrive and have to make a stop because of car trouble.

Now, a group of Johannes and Orville's friends go looking in the woods for their pals, and face a mysterious attack. Luckily, Sam and Dean are tracking them and comes to the rescue. In this case, however, the weapons this role-players face are real, and the Winchester brothers are about to suffer than own supernatural hassles.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Supernatural #3 is one of the latest, and it is the second “Supernatural” comic book that I have read.

I did not read any of the DC/Wildstorm's Supernatural comic books, and I only watched the first few seasons of “Supernatural.” When I tried to rejoin it later in the series run, I just couldn't reconnect. Eventually, I'll try streaming it... all 15 seasons...

Supernatural #3 is an interesting but not really special issue. It is the first misstep in this series for writer, Greg Pak, but, as this seems to be the first part of a story line, I'll wait to see what the fourth issue offers before making a final judgment.

Artists Eder Messias, Pasquale Qualano, Alessandro Ranaldi, Vincenzo Federici, and Gerardo Gambone continue to create creepy moods that make this series feel genuine to its source material, the television series, “Supernatural.” Ellie Wright's colors capture the garish supernatural elements that appear in this tale, while letterer Jeff Eckleberry creates a kind of soundtrack for this tale of the supernatural gone amok.

Dear readers, let's keep following this iteration of the adventures of the Winchester brothers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the television series, “Supernatural” may want to try the new Supernatural comic book series.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Thursday, January 22, 2026

Comics Review: "ARCHIE Christmas Spectacular" 2025 Chills at the North Pole

ARCHIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (2025)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Dan Parent; Tom DeFalco

PENCILS: Dan Parent; Steven Butler

INKS: Bob Smith; Jim Amash

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Gillian Swearingen

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent

VARIANT COVER ART: Dan DeCarlo

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2026); on-sale December 3, 2025

Rating: All-Ages

Archie and the Gang in “Chill Out!”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics frequently publishes holiday themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “Archie and the Gang”). The latest is Archie Christmas Spectacular, 2025 edition. It features one new story and five reprint stories. The new story is entitled, “Chill Out!” This five-page tale is written by Dan Parent; drawn by (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and the Gang in “Chill Out!”:

Archie and the Gang are headed to the North Pole. It all starts when Santa Claus' daughter, Noelle Claus, invites Archie to the North Pole High Christmas Dance. This time, however, Betty and Veronica are not the two females fighting for that first dance with Archie. They are Noelle and Sugarplum, a fairy who is one of Santa's holiday helpers.

Still, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, and Jughead won't be left behind, especially because Veronica has been invited by a new-look Jingles the Elf. So what will happen when the gang from Riverdale learns that high school is the same everywhere – even the North Pole?

THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time. For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review. Archie Christmas Spectacular – 2025 edition – is the latest.

I have missed some emails sent to me by Archie Comics' marketing department. One of those emails included the review PDF for Archie Comics Spectacular. I am glad that I found it because I enjoyed this issue's new story, “Chill Out!” I usually like the Archie Comics short stories created by writer-artist Dan Parent, and this one is quite nice. It captures the quintessential Archie-Betty-Veronica love triangle with a delightful new twist.

The rest of the Christmas stories in this issue star a number of lesser known Archie Comics characters. There is a story starring “Kardak the Mystic,” who received a superhero reboot in 2024's Kardak the Mystic #1. Golden Age Archie Andrews' contemporary, “Wilbur Wilkin,” appears in three stories. “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” also leads a tale featuring Archie and the Gang.

Dear readers, I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics, especially when it comes in Christmas packaging – anytime of the year. So, yes: I am suggesting you read Archie Christmas Spectacular – 2025 edition.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie Christmas Spectacular – 2025 edition.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://x.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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Sunday, January 18, 2026

Comics Review: "NEMESIS FOREVER #5" Gives the Devil His Due

NEMESIS FOREVER #5 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Mateo Scalera

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Scalera

36pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (January 2026) on-sale: Wednesday, January 7, 2025

Age range: 18+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Forever is a five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar and publisher Dark Horse Comics. It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Nemesis Rogues' Gallery (2024). Besides Millar, the rest of the creative team is comprised of Matteo Scalera (artist); Giovanna Niro (colors); and Clem Robins (letters).

Nemesis Forever finds that Nemesis, the world’s most dangerous man, has now made himself into one of the richest. No longer content just to terrorize the forces of law and order, Nemesis has a new plan: seize control of the world itself and enslave humanity with super-technology. For now, Kitty Tepper a.k.a. Sofie Stein, a CIA deep undercover agent, may be the only person who can impede Nemesis... at least a little.

Nemesis Forever #5 opens in San Francisco as Nemesis – in his “Hans Berg” tech billionaire identity – makes a move to take out a tech rival. However, it all comes to a screeching halt when Nemesis discovers the truth about Sofie Stein. Now, Nemesis may be faced with making his final stand.

However, Sofie Stein, who is really CIA agent Kitty Tepper, is finding her time undercover with Nemesis terrorist cell, “Nemesis HQ Number 5,” starting to run down. Now, Kitty has to make he final stand.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. Nemesis Forever #5 is the latest PDF that I have received.

The “Nemesis trilogy”: Nemesis: Reloaded, Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery, and Nemesis Forever, comes to an end and reveals the fate of the world, which Nemesis had planned on ruining and then ruling. The ending is classic Mark Millar as the ending plants interesting seeds. More than that, Millar resolves this story in a most shocking manner, contriving a way of overwhelming a super-powered being that has previously seemed incapable of ever being overwhelmed – at least the way other stories presented him.

In Nemesis Forever, artist Matteo Scalera and colorist Giovanna Niro produced some of the prettiest art to appear in a superhero (kind of) comic books over the last decade. Scalera and Niro's storytelling here is a bombshell of beauty and brutality, and the result is a visually and graphically gripping narrative. I must also shout out letterer Clem Robins. He does not let himself get left behind because his lettering is as tight as ever.

Dear readers, I said that we should expect a crazy ending. We got the crazy and the unexpected.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar's comic books of his Nemesis series will desire Nemesis Forever.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The trade paperback collection of "NEMESIS FOREVER" is due May 2026 and can preordered at Amazon.

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