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Transformers #13 (2023) review

Is it More Than Meets The Eye Time? You bet! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series! Well, he maintains the reins on the writing of this series at least, as does Mike Spicer on colors. Jorge Corona has taken over regular penciling duties with a style all his own. However, this thirteenth issue sees Jason Howard step in to pencil a sort of one-off story. We last saw Starscream gravely wounded and thrown to his death by Soundwave. As he lies in disarray, here we get an origin tale for the treacherous Seeker that plays out in his memories. Starscream’s origin? That’s what I said. The being known as “Starscream” is born here, as we flashback to his more idealistic and youthful days on Cybertron. Then known as “Ulchtar” (a nice deep-cut reference to a pre-production name for the character), he pals around

Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons II - Sons of Giants #4 review

Godzilla: Skate or Die #4 review

Conan the Barbarian: Battle of the Black Stone #2 review

Battle of the Black Stone part 2: Bond of the Black, the epic new Conan event from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics continues. The tortured writer James Allison appears as an apparition. He mentions that he's deceased, a former story maker, drawn to mighty, courageous spirits. Solomon Kane is sure that Allison is suffering eternal punishment in hell. The old gunslinger El Borak wants answers. Allison confirms that not only is El Borak marked by the BLACK STONE, he's also HUNTED. A portal that looks exactly like the mysterious BLACK STONE eye symbol pops up to disgorge The Dark One aka the Master of the Monolith into our plane of existence! The Dark One starts massacring the members of the Wanderer's Club. El Borak decides to attack The Dark One with a sword and John Conrad tries to gun it down. They both fail miserably. Out of nowhere, Brissa, the time displaced Pict scout of the Gurian tribe, stabs The Dark One. She encourages El Borak, Kirowan and Conrad to fight on.

Godzilla Rivals: Mechagodzilla Vs. King Ghidorah review

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #2 review

A brief flashback gives us the final moments of the man who would soon 'donate' his brain to the Doctor's experiments and become the monster. In the present, Fritz is threatened by Henry's old Professor and takes his frustrations out on the monster, beating it savagely. Later, after teasing the monster with a torch, it lunges forward and snaps Fritz's neck. A lot going on this issue. The flashback to the last moments of the man who would 'give' his brain to the monster were interesting. The rest of the issue is largely centered on Fritz, as he is killed off at the end by the monster. The drama surrounding Henry, his old Professor, best friend Victor and fiancé showing up is largely playing in the background. But, if you are familiar with the events of Frankenstein either through the novel or one of the many film adaptations, you know what is going on here. seven out of ten.

Star Trek #24 review

The Pleroma explodes with the USS Theseus barely managing to stay ahead of the shockwave. Dr. Beverly Crusher, still in command, directs Tom to fly through the Guardian of Forever. As the ship begins to break apart from the strain T'Lir uses his powers to restore shields. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sisko speaks to his mother. He attempts to use his 'Prophet' abilities to lead the ship to safety. The Theseus emerges... in fluidic space. A lot going on in this issue, what with the universe seeming to crumble around our crew. This is the second time (that I'm aware of at least) we've seen a ship fly through the Guardian of Forever, the first was a TOS shuttle in a fan film. Again, I'll say I wish Scotty had more to do. At times it feels like TOS characters like Scotty and Spock in Defiant have little to do but serve a specific function. After all this back and forth I do wonder where exactly Sisko will end up. Will he return with his mother? Will he see his

Star Trek: Defiant #19 review

On the edge of the Neutral Zone the Defiant is pulled out of warp by a small shuttle. The pilot is Dr. Julian Bashir. He asks that Miles O'Brien not get involved in the Romulan matter... a request that comes directly from Section 31. In prison Spock learns how the Romulans destabilized their star in a failed cloaking experiment. Spock is saved from the Romulan guards by Sela, they attempt to escape together but are caught by her father's forces. After all these years we finally know what caused the supernova that destroyed Romulus. The Romulans, in an attempt to cloak their entire solar system during the Dominion War, accidentally destabilized it. A secret which has been kept secret. It is nice to see Ro Laren and B'Elanna Torres working together. After so many issues of their bickering they work well together. The interaction between O'Brien and Julian was very brief this issue, brief and somewhat tense. I hope we have not traded the bickering Ro and B'

Conan the Barbarian #15 (2023) review

The adaptation of The Frost-Giant's Daughter aka The Gods of the North is finally here. Jim Zub's Frozen Faith part III: Gods of the North. In the plains, on the red-stained snow, Wulfhere lies dead with all of his weapon-men. Only one Vanir still stands, and it's not Bragi. Now only two players remain on the ice. It's Conan vs Heimdul. Conan murders Heimdul. Atali, the Frost Giant's Daughter, appears, the luster of her golden locks blind Conan. Conan thinks that Niord might have been ambushed. Atali compels Conan to follow her into the wastes of the north. Atali's father, Ymir, calls upon his giant sons, the brothers of Atali, to annihilate an exhausted Conan. Conan rises to the challenge and slays both brothers. Conan, still consumed by lust madness, finally catches the daughter of Ymir. The golden haired witch cries out to her unseen father to be saved from Conan's nympholepsy. Enveloped in a cold blue flame the Frost King's daughter vanishes. Hors

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #310 review

Creators : Larry Hama (writer), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Tony Kordos (inks), Francesco Segala (colorist), Sabrina Del Grosso (flatter), Pat Brosseau (letterer) Story : The Battle for Springfield continues, and we realize Cobra is leading Serpentor Khan's forces into a trap. Cobra Commander realizes that the Dreadnoks and the Baroness are there and sends his stand-in in the battle armor to get them. Dawn decides to save the police officer that helped kill her family. On Cobra Island, Serpentor Khan decides to lead the next wave against Cobra as the Joe recon team escapes but is gunned down in the ocean (though they survive and float on the unit containing a clone of the original Serpentor). In Springfield, the Crimson Guard in Cobra Commander's battle armor engages the Dreadnoks and is able to seriously wound the Baroness. The Joe Ninja Team is taking heavy fire as well (with the police officer almost killing Dawn but dying by enemy fire) when they meet up with the Dreadn

Destro #4 review

Creators : Dan Watters (writer), Andrei Bressan (artist), Adriano Lucas (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Tomax and Xamot are meeting with Artyom Darklon, willing to buy MARS since Destro hasn't been seen in 8 days. However, they are disappointed to discover that the Battle Android Troopers aren't able to live up to their expectations. Meanwhile, Destro has been reading over many confidential U.S. government files and is making his next move. Destro makes an appearance at a party hosted by Astoria Carlton-Ritz (The Girl Who Loved Powerglide), who tries to run from Destro but he and Scrap-Iron are able to stop her. It ends up, Astoria is much more shrewd than she appears and tells Destro about Project Overkill, an AI system meant to defend the world. It was Overkill that attacked the arms show (though it was Astoria who tried to kill Destro). Back at M.A.R.S. Industries, Tomax and Xamot welcome Cobra Commander. Writing : This issue really takes what we thought w