REVIEW: New Avengers #29

(Marvel Comics, 2015)

Written by Jonathan Hickman
Pencils and Inks by Kev Walker
Colored by Frank Martin
Letters by Joe Caramagna

Things have grown exceedingly dark in this issue of New Avengers as the “Time Runs Out” arc speeds headlong into the massive Secret Wars event and the end of the Marvel Universe as we know it. Series writer Jonathan Hickman crafts one of the most poignant chapters yet in his extensive Avengers opus focusing much of the attention on Reed Richards this time and really spelling out exactly what he and his fellow Illuminati members have sacrificed in the face of almost certain destruction.

REVIEW: ‘All-New Ghost Rider’ #5

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Felipe Smith
Artwork by Tradd Moore
Color Artwork by Val Staples
Lettering by Joe Caramagna

The latest issue of All New Ghost Rider not only brings an end to the Engines of Vengeance story arc but sadly it is also the final issue to be penciled by the dynamic and innovative, Tradd Moore. Moore is leaving to focus on his incredible (and incredibly violent) creator owned Luther Strode series with writer/ co-creator Justin Jordan. This is a crushing blow for

REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #23

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Artwork by Kris Anka
Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna

The events of Original Sin have brought the last will and testament of Charles Xavier to light and suffice to say the discovery was met with shock and awe. The task of gathering together the scattered squads of X-Men

REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1.2

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Dan Slott
Artwork by Ramón Pérez
Color Artwork by Ian Herring
Lettering by Joe Caramagna

Dan Slott has reached that precarious area in the hearts and minds of Spider-Man fans where you either love his work on the character or hate it.  Although there may be varying degrees, there really is no middle ground when it comes to opinions on what the prolific writer has done with our beloved Web-Slinger. I was one of those who

REVIEW: ‘All New Ghost Rider’ #3

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Felipe Smith
Artwork by Tradd Moore
Color Artwork by Val Staples
Lettering by Joe Caramagna

This series came out of the gate strong and has only gotten better. Now three issues into the first arc All-New Ghost Rider is at full speed and not looking back. Felipe Smith has captured the poignant sense of restlessly sought vengeance that fueled James O’Barr’s original Crow narrative, added a liberal dose of intense car action straight out of the Fast and Furious films and gave

REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Main Story:
Written by Dan Slott
Pencils by Humberto Ramos
Inks by Victor Olazaba
Color Artwork by Edgar Delgado

(Credits for Back-Up Stories below)

The past 31 issues of Superior Spider-Man have featured some of the most entertaining and engrossing stories to be found anywhere; the melding of Peter Parker and Otto Octavius was a stroke of pure creative genius on the part of Dan Slott, the resulting character was so much more than

REVIEW: ‘Daredevil’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Storytellers: Mark Waid & Chris Samnee
Coloring: Javier Rodriguez
Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna

New York City was more than just a location in the previous runs of Daredevil; the city itself was a supporting character in many ways. It provided a lush, complex environment that often insinuated its way into the narrative much as it does in the Spider-Man mythology.

REVIEW: ‘Daredevil’ #36

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Mark Waid
Artwork by Chris Samnee
Color Artwork by Javier Rodriguez
Lettering by Joe Caramagna

With one flawless issue Mark Waid has written both a perfect, poignant ending and perfect, promising beginning in the on-going Daredevil story. This issue represents closure in many areas of Matt Murdock’s life while equally illustrating the boundless potential and limitless opportunities that await

REVIEW: ‘New Warriors’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Written by Christopher Yost
Artwork by Marcus To
Color Artwork by David Curiel
Lettering by Joe Caramagna

I have been waiting for this first issue ever since the groundwork for a New Warriors reunion of sorts was put down in Nova. I was around for the first series and always felt that the book deserved a bigger audience. Now I know this is not exactly a reunion, this team is a bit more diverse and dynamic with a roster

REVIEW: ‘Ms. Marvel’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Pencils and Inks: Adrian Alphona
Colors: Ian Herring
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Yes, I realize this book stars a—Oh my God—Muslim superhero! Gasp. Shock. And no, I don’t think Marvel is pandering or trying to be “politically correct,” which is honestly a go-to for trying to describe a character as veering away from the standard (read male and white) blueprint.

REVIEW: ‘Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird’ #1

(Marvel Comics, 2014)

Review by Kenneth Kimbrough

Writer: Brandon Seifert
Penciler: Karl Moline
Inker: Rick Magyar
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

First, a history lesson. While Disney’s Haunted Mansion was still in the concept stage, famed Imagineer Rolly Crump contributed a series of designs for a spill area called “The Museum of the Weird”—a walkthrough section populated with all sorts of strange, supernatural oddities.  Sensing that this was something unique, Walt Disney planned to make the Museum of the Weird into its own attraction

REVIEW: “Superior Foes of Spider-Man” #4

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Shawn Warner

WRITTEN BY: Nick Spencer
ARTWORK BY: Steve Lieber
COLOR ARTWORK BY: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERING BY: Joe Caramagna

Nick Spencer is a force to be reckoned with and he is showing that to the world with Superior Foes of Spider-Man. Armed with a razor sharp wit, deadly dialogue and spot on comedic timing

REVIEW: “X-Men” #1 (2013)

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Cory Thrall

WRITTEN BY:  Brian Wood
PENCILS BY:  Olivier Coipel
INKS BY:  Mark Morales & Olivier Coipel
COLOR ARTWORK BY:  Laura Martin
LETTERING BY:  VC’s Joe Caramagna

This opening issue to Marvel’s newest X title – just “X-Men” this time around – is an interesting one, to say the least.  What you might normally expect from a first issue, and especially an X title, is a huge opener with a ton of weight and characters to toss around, with huge villains and even larger problems.

REVIEW: “Wolverine and the X-Men” #29

(Marvel Comics, 2013)

Review by Shawn Warner

WRITTEN BY:  Jason Aaron
ARTWORK BY:  Ramon Perez
COLOR ARTWORK BY:  Laura Martin
LETTERING BY:  VC’s Joe Caramagna

Time travel seems to be playing a very significant role in the Marvel Now universe and although this is not a time travel story in the way that say Age of Ultron is, this issue of Wolverine and the X-Men does rely at least in part on time travel.