FanlightZone

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** This issue brings a close to the Captain Lane arc, well setting the road for what is to come in this next arc. Jimmy Palmiotti gives the readers a great emotional moment with Zyanya forgiving Tobias and showing that Tobias has found a sense of family. After that Palmiotti wastes no time giving us an introduction to the next demon who will try and test the Gunslinger. This sets the tone for what’s to come as well as build some tension for the present.

The Fantastic Four are not so fantastic in this Halloween story from Benjamin Percy and the team at Marvel. The team isn’t functioning as the familiar unit we’re used to, not really a team at all. The pieces are there but there is a sense of mystery leaving you wondering what has happened to this family or if they were ever a family at all. Reed is at the center of this first issue.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** This first issue introduces a strange, unsettling world that exists inside a version of the X-Men universe readers already recognize. Jonathan Hickman constructs this horror-infused setting in a way that deliberately mirrors the familiar mutant status quo, giving the story recognizable institutions, conflicts, and personalities while twisting them into darker forms. That balance allows the issue to feel immediately accessible without sacrificing its own identity.

Kennedy Johnson takes the typical Spidey mythos and takes some big chances. For the majority of this debut, it hits to create a fresh take. In others, some eyebrows get raised. The opening gives a young Peter his first tragedy. Seeing his mistake costing BAMF their life makes an impact that never escapes him as he gets older. “Power makes Monsters every time” is a line that won’t escape readers’ thoughts as the story moves forward.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** The return of the Kai-Sei Era Godzilla is genuinely cause for celebration, and longtime readers of the series should be thrilled to see this version of the King of the Monsters back in action. Tim Seeley wastes little time pulling the audience into the next stage of this original story, continuing to explore bold new ways of telling a Godzilla tale without losing the scale, emotion, or destructive energy fans expect.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** The deeper this series moves into its apocalyptic nightmare, the more effectively it pulls the reader into the emotional lives of its characters. Zack Kaplan does not rely only on monsters, violence, or the threat of infection to create tension. Instead, he squeezes emotion from every decision and repeatedly forces the reader to consider what humanity actually means when compassion can become a liability.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** As the series progresses, the story becomes increasingly wild without losing the grounded tension that makes its western setting so effective. Dan Panosian continues to build intrigue through an atmosphere of uncertainty, where every new development makes the journey feel more dangerous and the characters less secure. His transition from the shocking death of Hendido directly into the pursuit by the Native American tribe is especially effective.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *** This is an incredible and highly inventive first issue, one that immediately establishes a distinct voice while carefully guiding readers toward a series of increasingly surprising revelations. Joanne Starer layers the story with confidence, using misdirection, character development, and dark humor to ensure that the opening pages are engaging without revealing too much too quickly.

Fraction leads Batman into the cold unknown but not without injecting some light humor in the mix. Verity Pennyworth’s addition to the cast has provided fast one-liners through a chaotic event. Her breakdowns of Mr. Freeze uplift the tension while running around a conflict of “Dr” titles. It’s well paced to give Batman some time to track down his rogue with unexpected results. Readers watch as the encounter leans into a more brooding situation.

Aaron pulls back on the intense action to allow needed insights to creep in. None are more greater than Irons’ acceptance of change. His arrival in Smallville opens up a new avenue for Superman. The writing shows his wonder as Kal welcomes him to the Kent farm. Lo and behold, what he finds in the process is anything but normal.