Books of 2025: July

I should start coming up with monthly reading themes. Anyways, if I had to describe this month, it was about matching up books stacked in my To Read pile.

X-Men: Homecoming by Jed Mackay

 "Of course I'm threatening you. Because, like I said, I'm doing you a favor. Psylocke. Kid Omega. Juggernaut. Magik. An assassin, a terrorist, a super villain and Illyana's half demon on a good day. Plus Magneto. You want them busy. Because you want them to be my X-Men. Not my Brotherhood."

A new age of the X-Men has begun! Their old home gone, Scott Summers (Cyclops) leads a new team from an abandoned Alaskan Sentinel construction factory. A new home and a new team, but the mission remains the same - protect their kind. They'll discover new mutants finding their powers for the first time, fight against threats both human and mutant, and stumble upon a new mystery of new mutants awakening their powers much later in life.

 

Uncanny X-Men: Red Wave by Gail Simone

"It was our home. Be a good houseguest. Because someday soon? We're gonna come to the gate and take it all back."

Scattered and driven from their home, the newlyweds Rogue and Gambit find themselves in search for a new home in Louisiana. Despite Charles Xavier's school lost and transformed into a prison, when a few stray mutants arrive on her doorstep, hunted and afraid, Rogue chooses to continue Xavier's dream. With no backup, the new team will need to defend themselves and their new home from a monster connected to Xavier's past life before the formation of the X-Men.

 

Exceptional X-Men: Duty Calls by Eve L. Ewing

"I told them I didn't want any part in ... anything. You can say I'm running away. Sure. But I'm choosing this. I'm choosing these kids. Choosing to be the teacher I wish I had."

Hiding herself away in Chicago, Katherine "Kitty" Pryde just wants to live a normal life far from her one with the X-Men. Her dreams of a quiet life are quickly abandoned when she intervenes in a couple of incidents involving young mutants with untamed powers. The young mutants seek out Kitty's mentorship, much to the delight of a bored Emma Frost. Dragged back into a life she tried to run from, can Kitty train her proteges to control their new abilities, and gain their trust despite her questionable past?

 

X-Factor: Please Like and Share by Mark Russell

In bright and sunny California, a new mutant team is formed: X-Factor! Thanks to an unlikely partnership, X-Factor is formed as a marketing tool for the US Military to recruit mutants and appeal to the public. Made up of relatively unknown mutants, the untested team is sent on dangerous missions in other countries, in space, and deep underground, all to appeal to the masses.

 

NYX: What Comes Next will be Marvelous by Collin Kelly

It's a new era for young mutants in New York City. The great city has always been alive and full of opportunity and now it's time for those coming into their own to find their place in it. The city isn't without its own dangers, however, dark corners looking to consume their hope. Do these young mutants have what it takes to forge their own path, build a new community, and survive in the city? 

Sentinels: Necessary Monsters by Alex Paknadel

Sentinels were first created by humans born out of their fear of mutantkind. Though the autonomous machines were decommissioned, the need to keep the peace between humans and mutants still exists. Run from the newly established Graymalkin Prison, the program merges advanced nanotechnology with mutants. The unit will be sent to capture some of the strongest mutants and return them to the prison. All the while, they'll need to keep themselves in-check as their new implants harbor a deadly and dangerous life-threatening secret.

 

Dazzler: World Tour by Jason Loo

Alison Blaire, aka Dazzler, hopes her music can unite mutants and humans. Along with her road crew comprised of fellow mutants, she sets off on an epic world tour. Unfortunately, someone has it out for Dazzler, seeking to ruin the tour from the shadows with hired hands. Can Dazzler and the crew put a stop of the petty scheme and keep the show going?

 

Something big happened to the X-Men back in 2024 (no, I'm still not exactly sure what it was), and Marvel ended the current run of X-Men comics to start over with a bunch of new titles. These would supposedly be "new reader" friendly, allowing new fans to get into the story without needing to know a ton of background. To some degree, these titles achieved that goal as they use popular characters (characters even non-comic book fans might know) in new storylines with enough bits and pieces thrown in for reference, if needed. The three "flagship titles" - X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men - focus on tried-and-true types of stories with experienced mutants taking in less experienced ones while defending themselves from both humans and mutants alike. Other books focused on smaller groups in more niche stories. There are also a bunch of books I didn't buy just because that's so, so much money to spend. I had originally bought first issues of several of these stories, hoping to find one that might resonate with me to keep reading regularly (the X-Men are important to the Marvel Universe, after all) but I just never found the time to read them. Then, the trade paperbacks got released, so I picked up a bunch of these instead.

How are the stories? The three flagship books - X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Exceptional X-Men - are, well, they're okay. These three books focus on the typical X-Men stories: experienced mutants taking on young proteges and fighting back against both mutants and humans seeking to do them harm. They are exactly what I expected to get out these books, so solid C, C+ reads. I've got no issue with these. What I did have a problem with were the smaller books - NYX, Dazzler, X-Factor, and Sentinels. Though less marketed, I had high hopes for these books based on just how different they would be from the three major ones. NYX, focusing on mutants attempting to thrive in New York City, wasn't too bad just that the storyline felt confusing at times (and I think they even left part of it unfinished). Dazzler, a story about the title characters attempted world tour, too, wasn't bad, but just wasn't something I was interested in reading (I really wanted to see the actual tour). X-Factor, where a team of mutants put together by the military to push an agenda, felt like a joke the entire way through. Sentinels, in which a group of mutants are enhanced with Sentinel technology so they can hunt down their own to keep the peace mutant and human communities, felt lacking all the way through. These last two books I had high hopes for based on just how different they are from the usual X-Men stories.

Besides the three flagship books, I'm honestly not sure if the others continue post this initial collection of issues. However, I learned something about myself after reading this huge chunk of X-Men stories: I don't care. As I said, besides these last two books they weren't bad stories, and are worth continuing if you're a fan of the X-Men. I just kinda realized I wasn't excited to read these books even as I was reading them. Maybe I just don't care about these characters or was just more excited to get to reading other books stacked in my TO READ pile (it is starting to get out of hand). So, yeah, I'm probably not going back to these books.

Batman: A Death in the Family by Jim Starlin / A Lonely Place of Dying by Marv Wolfman

 

"You've been a bad boy. You must be punished! Prepare yourself for a severe spanking, young man. But let me tell you right from the start ... this is going to hurt you a lot more than it does me."

After the deaths of his parents left him an orphan, Jason Todd was adopted by Bruce Wayne and trained to become Batman's new Robin. Jason, however, later discovered that the woman he knew as his mother was not really his birth mother - who may still be alive. Jason sets out to the Middle East to discover which of three women may be his mother. At the same time, Bruce Wayne also sets off for the region after learning of a possible Joker Plot. The pair team-up once more to not only search for Jason's mother as well as to foil the Joker's plans. When both missions overlap, Jason is captured and beaten, and eventually killed in an explosion. Batman sets out for revenge, but discovers The Joker is now untouchable as he has been appointed as Iran's U.N. Ambassador, granting him diplomatic immunity. Reluctantly, Batman steps aside despite knowing all to well the man behind the painted smile. As expected, The Joker attempts to kill everyone at the United Nations' conference, his plan foiled by a disguised Superman. Despite Batman's vow to finally kill The Joker, he still allows the villain to escape.

A mysterious figure stalks a now reckless Batman as he continues to spiral after the death of Robin. Set on returning the Dark Knight back to form, the young boy sets out to find a vanished Dick Grayson, however none of the Titans know where he has gone, now how this child knows Nightwing's secret identity. Eventually finding Dick at his old circus home, the boy asks Dick to once again don his old Robin costume as a way to bring Bruce Wayne back to his old self. Meanwhile, Batman and Two-Face face off, each attempting to lure the other into a trap. When Batman and Nightwing fall into Two-Face's trap, it is up to the young sleuth, Tim Drake, to save them, deciding to wear the Robin suit.

An important piece of Batman lore, "A Death in the Family" collects the four issues surrounding the death of Jason Todd/Robin and its immediate aftermath. Also, included in this collection I picked up, "A Lonely Place of Dying", a five-issue story introducing the new Robin, Tim Drake, as Batman always needs a Robin to keep him grounded and focused. A historic event as DC allowed readers to call one of two hotline phone numbers to decide if the boy lived or died. It's one of those stories I always meant to read being a major event in comic book history, but just never got around to doing since I basically knew the story. Then, one of the comic book shops put the book on display as part of their Book Club reading, so I decided to finally give it a read. Also, spurring me on was that I had already bought the recently published alternate version of "what if readers voted to save Jason Todd?" and thought "Wouldn't it be fun to read both stories back-to-back?"

So, how was the story? Surprisingly long and dark. The story is only four issues long, but it is almost 130 pages long with huge chunks of dialogue. I can typically clear 4 modern comic book issues in a lunch break, but these took me a lot longer than expected. Each issue also started with a couple of pages recapping the previous issue, something not found in most modern comics. Adding to its length is the whole chapter and a half after Jason's death with The Joker becoming Iran's Ambassador, which kinda lessens the impact giving a reason for The Batman not to kill The Joker despite his vow to do so this time. Despite the bright colors, the story itself is surprisingly dark as Batman takes on a child pornography ring and Robin brutalizes a bunch of villains all before The Joker beats Jason Todd to death with a crowbar over several panels without so much as a monologue first. That, of course, leads to Jason Todd's death. As mentioned, the readers got to decide if Robin lived or died. The story includes an ad proving the phone numbers to call to save or kill the boy - for fifty cents a call which is crazy seeing as each issue also costs fifty cents each. I knew some history going into the story, so I kinda expected the reader to decide whether or not Batman saves Robin from his injuries, or if he survives the vicious crowbar-beating - not if he survives an explosion! I don't know much about Jason Todd, but reading his character in this book, I can definitely see why some fans would vote to kill him off as I found him annoying as he is constantly going on and on about finding his mother through the whole story. It was definitely an interesting and historic read as it shows a major death, leads to a new Robin, and eventually transforms Jason Todd into Red Hood.

As for "A Lonely Place of Dying", the five issues introduce Tim Drake, the newest child to take up the Robin mantle. I really like Drake's introduction as "The Detective" - having figured out Bruce Wayne's, Dick Grayson's, and Jason Todd's secret identities even before becoming Robin. He presents as a different type of Robin, especially compared to the one they just wrote out two issues ago. The story itself brings in Two-Face, a classic Batman villain, and teases perhaps bringing Dick back as Robin, which I'm glad they didn't do. It's a good way to introduce the new character that readers are going to be seeing more of.

Death in the Family: Robin Lives! by J.M. DeMatteis

"Well, then, let's start with one question: Why? Why expose a child to the dangers ... the insanity ... of the Batman's world?"

The Joker is dead! After surviving a near-death beating, Jason Todd returns to Gotham changed, violent, broken. Unable to connect with his young protege, Bruce Wayne reaches out for help to assist in healing his ward. The Joker, too, after being taken into custody yet again, is set up with his own expert looking to cure the Clown Price of his insanity. Meanwhile Bruce asks the question he had never thought to ask, "Was I right to bring children into Batman's world?" Of course, The Joker escapes Arkham once again and sets out on a new plan of mass-murder. Jason's anger finally taking control, he sets out to stop The Joker once and for all, but when the opportunity comes, he freezes. Batman sets out to stop the plan, but before he can capture The Joker, Jason arrives and shoots the criminal in the head. In an epilogue, Bruce sets aside the Batman mantle, and Jason goes on to work at Arkham, helping those he once put there - before turning into The Joker himself.

A continuation of the alternate ending in which Jason Todd survives the injuries he sustains in the historic "A Death in the Family" storyline. I got this book through the online comic shop mostly out of curiosity as to where they might go with an alternate storyline. Then, I decided to hold-off reading it until I read the original version, which, surprisingly, the comic shop's Book Club was reading that month (what great timing!). The first half of this book provides the original "A Death in the Family" storyline with the alternate ending of Jason Todd surviving his injuries before going on to the four-issue "Robin Lives" story. The story itself tackles the issues of trauma amongst those in the Batman universe as not only Jason Todd tries to deal with almost dying at the hands of The Joker, but Bruce Wayne too looks at his role in bringing these young boys into his world. It's a pretty good spin through the first three issues but definitely fumbles the ending.

So, let's talk about that ending. Up to the last issue, I was really enjoying the story, wondering how The Joker would eventually end up dead, and what atrocities Jason may commit while drugged with The Joker's serum. Jason, however, simply shakes off the poison in a couple of pages after being ordered to kill a single person. Then, The Joker actually tempts Jason to kill him as if the Clown Price wants to die by Robin's hand, not Batman's. Finally, for seemingly no reason and with no explanation than ones I come up with in my head, Jason turns into The Joker. Yeah, it's a shock-value ending without rhyme or reason. The story really would've wrapped up nicely without the last two pages, instead ending with Jason working through his trauma and going on to help others. Instead, we're given a shock-ending with no real pay-off as this story is just a different ending of a storyline nearly 40 years old (why would they write a "Robin Lives II" after all?)

 

Absolute Wonder Woman #8 - 10 by Kelly Thompson

"That was an ancient monster from another world doing only what it knew how to do. It was not a clever human harnessing dangerous weapons it doesn't understand, only to use them to purposely hurt fellow citizens."

Having saved Gateway City, Diana turns her attention to finding her lost Amazonian sisters. She soon finds a lead when a government scientist reveals the location of a hidden base containing a labyrinth where one may be held prisoner. Traversing the maze, Diana instead finds a despot has taken control of the prison from within, one looking to harness the powers of the captured.

The start of a new story arc finds Diana establishing herself as the protector of Gateway City while a government force looks to harness the abilities of the recently slain monsters. Despite all the pain forced upon her in Hell, Diana still hasn't lost her hope in finding her missing sisters, nor her compassion to help those in trouble. Though she has fought terrifying monsters, it is in their nature to be monsters. Facing new threats that choose to be monsters, will witnessing such atrocious acts finally break her?

 

Absolute Superman #7 - 9 by Jason Aaron

 

"I have to get away from these people. I'll go to the top of their tallest mountain. Or maybe I can jump to the moon. Some place no one can find me. No one who can possibly need anything from me. No one screaming for me to save them. Join them. Liberate or avenge them. No one lost and in need of salvation. No one else like me. "
 

Brainiac continues his search for the identity of The Superman, remembering his rise to power amongst the other Brainiacs. Caught in Smallville, The Lazarus Corporation's Peacemakers injure Kal-El with a special bullet made of the remains of Krypton. Saved by the Omega Men resistance fighters, Kal-El joins with them for a mission to free those take prisoner.

"Absolute Superman" continues with more background into their big villains - Brainiac and Ra's al Ghul - and into a new storyline pairing Kal-El with the Omega Man resistance group. It is not only a story of resistance against the exploitation of the weak by the powerful, but also address keeping one's hope in the face of hopelessness. Kal-El, having already witnessed the destruction of his home planet, is now seeing the same follies play out on this new planet. Can he fully move on from this trauma when the radiated remains of Krypton have literally come back to try to kill him once again? 

 

Books of 2025: June

Spent the month catching up on floppies I've been neglecting (sometimes, i think there may actually be too much to read)

Kid Venom by T Taigami

In an alternate universe's Japan of 977AD, the black symbiote Clinter bonds with a young boy named Kintaro. Together the pair hunt down and consume other symbiotes, seen as demons by the people of the time. When a horde of evil symbiotes appear, led by a mysterious figure from Clinter's past, the two will face their toughest trial yet. 

Collecting "Kid Venom: Origins" and "Kid Venom" issues #1 - 4, the story focues on the character Kid Venom, a new character recently introduced in 2023. The two stories introduce a new symbiote bonded character, Kintaro/Clinter, in an alternate medieval Japan setting. This new character is able to shapeshift its form into a completely new one depending on the symbiotes Clinter has consumed, providing the pair with new ways to fight. It's interesting and definitely makes the character stand out from the standard Eddie Brock/Venom character. Not having the same access to technology as the modern day heroes, the Minamoto Samurai Corps (a group responsible for hunting down demons) utilize magical weapons to defend themselves and other citizens. the story also provides a couple of "tie-ins" such as references to a sealed Knull (the god of symbiotes), an unusual Spider-Man mask, and, in the end, the introduction to May "Mayday" "Spider-Girl" Parker (not the 616 variant, though).

It was an okay, if a little disappointing, set-up to a new character. I liked the setting in the past without modern tools as it makes the symbiotes (still weak to fire and sonic/loud noises) even more terrifying to the people of this time. I also liked the Minamoto Samurai Corps' use of magic weapons to level the playing field against the symbiotes, and acting as a task force against symbiotes to assist Kintaro and Clinter in their battles. All of this, however, is negated by the literal last page which brings Kintaro to the modern era.

Trinity: Generation S by Tom King

 

A collection of stories focusing on Wonder Woman's daughter, Trinity, from her misadventures tormenting her babysitters Damien Wayne and Jon Kent to adulthood finally becoming worthy to be her mother's successor and standing side-by-side-by-side amongst a new generation of heroes. It's a great collection of one-shot stories written by Tom King featuring stories growing up as the child of a legendary hero.

This was such a fun read! I know I've said before, that I'm usually hesitant to buy books featuring established superheroes as that's a lot of history to catch-up with. It is one of the reasons I try to focus on newer hero stories or re-imagined heroes. I'm also buying a lot more trade paperback books not only because I get a bit of a deal online but also (more importantly) they're easier to offload if I feel like I'll never read it again. This is not one of those books. A collection of one-shot stories featuring heir-apparent trio of Trinity, Superman (Jon Kent), and Robin/Batman (Damien Wayne) in (mostly) hilarious tales as they grow into heroes. We're given entertaining misadventures in babysitting as Jon and Damien attempt to rein in a young Lizzie Prince. In a bit of magic-gone-wrong, Wonder Girl attempts to return Jon and Damien to their human forms after being transformed into corgis. In a more inspiring and heartfelt tale, we see Lizzie's journey to attain the mantle of Wonder Woman, and how it mirrors her own mother's trial. This was a great collection of one-shot stories featuring the growing relationship between three fairly new characters. Though I don't follow a lot of established characters in DC comics (just because of the vast history needed). I'm hoping DC Comics focuses on giving Trinity more stories with or without Damien Wayne and Jon Kent.

Batman and Robin #16 - 20 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson

"Nightwing. Red Hood. Oracle. Signal. Protectors of Gotham. All of you. You are needed. Dr. Malik Bashar is dead ... and Momento has taken Robin. Whatever favors you are owed. Whatever pressure you can apply. Whatever it takes. Turn this city upside down. Find your brother."

A killer from Bruce Wayne's past is on the loose in Gotham! An old friend of Bruce's arrives in Gotham to assist in hunting down Memento - a killer staging his crime scenes to mirror horrific deaths from the past. With Batman infected with a believed-extinct fear drug causing him to see terrifying visions, Robin takes the lead in the investigation. Meanwhile, Bruce and Damien Wayne experience a falling-out as Damien questions not only Robin's necessity, but Batman's as well. With the two separated, Memento strikes and captures Damien, causing Batman to call for aid from the rest of the Bat Family to find their lost brother.

Batman and Robin continue their hunt together for Memento, a killer from Bruce Wayne's time in London whose killings mimicked horrific incidents from the past. As Bruce and Damien Wayne, however, the two experience a falling-out as Damien contemplates giving up his crime-fighting lifestyle to pursue other goals, questioning Gotham's need for The Batman. I definitely like and enjoy that DC gave Johnson more time on writing this series instead of just a few issues as the last one did, simply because it gives more time to flesh out a story. Although there's change in artist, I actually didn't notice anything drastic as when the artists changed from issues #10 to issues #11, I also really love that they brought in Juni Ba to do the artwork for the brief "Robin and Batman" in-story comic as I loved his work on "The Boy Wonder."

These issues contained more of what I really wanted to see in a book called "Batman and Robin" - the dynamic and relationship between the two characters, not just as crimefighters but also as father and son. Of course, we're still getting the story of the two investigating a murderous villain, but we're also seeing more of their personal lives, too. I love seeing Damien question The Batman's role in Gotham, debating whether or not to leave his father's side and perhaps follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Thomas Wayne, instead. It's interesting to see Damien, at a pretty young age, already having his moment when he is questioning his life alongside The Batman as previous Robins have before him. To see Bruce Wayne/The Batman as well, making questionable choices when it comes to the rearing of his son, also reveals just how much it hurts him to see his son and partner start to turn away from his teachings. I love this dynamic between the two characters, and is the reason I keep buying these issues.

Another small part that I really liked came in the middle of issue #20 - the "Robin and Batman" comic written and drawn by Juni Ba. I liked this call back to Damien's artistic abilities (I really wanted more of this earlier) as a way for him to process his emotions and conduct his investigations. Plus, I loved seeing Ba's artwork again after reading "The Boy Wonder."

Ultimate Black Panther #12 - 17 by Bryan Hill

Finally T'Challa and Moon Knight come face-to-face in a duel for the future of the African continent. Upon his victory, as well as the arrival of the Sorcerer Supreme to Wakanda, more secrets of the true nature of vibranium are revealed. The rare and precious metal, the prize of the Kingdom of Wakanda, built into every part of their city and culture, is alive. More conspiracies unfold as unexpected forces seek to take the throne, while others mean to make The Black Panther a mere puppet in their bid for power.

Despite The Black Panther being a character known to punch, kick, and slash his enemies, the story doesn't focus on action scenes. The duel against his adversary for nearly a dozen issues, The Moon Knight, doesn't even last a full issues, and is instead over within a couple pages. Instead, it is T'Challa's role as King of Wakanda, and what it takes to hold the throne. The story is filled with conspiracies as T'Challa seeks out advisors and allies he can trust. It is a slower "political thriller" maybe is a way to describe it as forces are gathered and allies are positioned. It's definitely a new take and not usually seen in the comic medium which relies on at least one "big moment" per issues to ensure the reader comes back next month for the next issue. I think this "newness" nay have hindered the pacing and story-telling (at least I've never read another comic so focused on politics), but I'm still hopeful that with new threats discovered, the story might pick up and become as exciting as the others. 

Honestly, this is currently my least favorite of the current 5 "Ultimate" books. Umm, it's just a slower burn than the other stories currently in the works, and just doesn't feel as interesting, issue by issue. The change in the "Big Bad" from The Maker's council members to this Living Dark Vibranium and a secret sect within Wakanda's advisors is a good twist, but may have come too late as we're just over halfway through the series. There doesn't also seem to be any connection to the other books, yet, which makes it feel a bit disconnected. I'm hopeful this change in direction will pay-off in the second half of the supposed 24 issue series and peak more of my interest instead of just being a series I'm reading to ensure I don't miss any part of this new Ultimate Universe.

Ultimate X-Men #11 - 16 by Peach Momoko

 

In Hi No Kuni, an unrest has taken hold as the people are still reeling from the body found in an abandoned suitcase. Connected to the cult known as The Children of the Atom, anti-mutant sentiment grows, as does attacks by and against mutants. Gathering those who have gone into hiding, Mei (Maystorm) gathers her "X-Men" to fight against those mutants attacking the general public. Looking for answers, Nico, Mori, and Kanon investigate the remnants of The Children of the Atom cult hoping to find their missing friends. Shinobu once again confronts Hisako, and this time manages to capture her for the cult's nefarious purposes.

Continuing Peach Momoko's unanticipated version of this universe's mutants, "Ultimate X-Men" sees mutants pitted against each other as members of The Children of the Atom either break away or embed themselves deeper into the group's teachings. At the same time, the group's ultimate goal is starting to come together now that they have both Shinobu (Shadow King) and Hisako (Armor) within their grasp. And, of course, in traditional "X-Men" fashion, the entirety of of mutant-kind is being ostracized by those without abilities. Assuming we're about two-thirds of the way through, the story is starting to build to a possible climax pitting Mei's (Maystorm) X-Men against the Children of the Atom, while Hisako and Shinobu potentially battle for the fate of their kind.

Despite some of the negative comments I've seen online about this version of the X-Men, I really love this series - and that's probably because I'm an anime fan. The story is initially set-up as a sort-of body horror story as these children experience changes to their bodies without anyone to guide them through it. Despite sounding pretty cool to find yourself with new powers overnight, it can also be a terrifying experience, especially if someone else is using their gifts to haunt you. The story also sets the classic "teenagers sent on path to save the world" storyline as it appears Hisako, Mai, and the other X-Men are the only ones capable of putting a stop to the cult's goals. When you set high-schoolers - filled with emotions - as your main characters, of course you should have them feel as if the world is centered around them and their actions. And, of course, there's the classic "shouting my attack name" because, hey, why not? It's always a cool thing to see as it provides character insight and emotion to their battles. The story just checks so many boxes for me, and I think it's a cool thing to see depicted in a western comic (though I am glad they didn't go all the way and print the story from back to front, we didn't need to go that far).

Ultimate Wolverine #1 - 6 by Christopher Condon

 

In The Maker's skewed Eurasian Republic, recent mutant activity has led the region's rulers to tighten their control of the populace - through imprisonment, re-education, even execution. Now they've captured their most terrifying weapon yet - a man able to heal himself completely from injuries which would kill any other ordinary man. Through experimentation, sedation, and reconditioning, they'll erase his past and create their perfect soldier, their Winter Soldier. As the adamantium-clawed killing machine completes mission after mission against the rebel forces, The Opposition, he will face old comrades and rediscover who he once was. Will this new version of The Wolverine be able to shake off his shackles and return to the team from which he was stolen?

The newest book added to Marvel's new Ultimate series, "Ultimate Wolverine" focuses on a re-programmed Logan, turned into Eurasian Republic's leaders' Winter Soldier. I'm actually really surprised this was introduced a year into the new Ultimate Universe's creation rather than right from the start alongside the original three books as the story is set in a completely different region of the globe from "Ultimate Spider-man", "Ultimate Black Panther", and "Ultimate X-Men". It just makes sense to dedicate a book to various regions and what is happening due to The Maker's containment, so, you know, why not introduce it earlier? I'll get to my own thoughts on that later.

The story so far has been great: introducing a brain-washed Logan as the new Winter Soldier to carryout the orders of the Eurasion Republic's rulers - Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red - against The Opposition, the rebel force made up of some familiar X-Men such as Nightcrawler, Gambit, and Shadowcat. The story also introduces a few instances of psychological story-telling (I can't think of a better phrase) as we see Logan's sub-conscious attempt to fight his way back to who he once was. For a book about a man slashing and stabbing his foes with large knives, the art treads that nice line between PG-13 and an R-rating because, hey, comic books are for kids, after all. The story is a welcome addition to the Ultimates series, and should've arrived much sooner (assuming, from rumors, that the Universe itself will wrap itself up in less than a year).

And why didn't it arrive sooner? Well, these are only my conspiracies on the matter - mostly because I don't want to do research as to perhaps an actual, official reason. Well, just for fun, here's a couple reasons I can think up. First off, maybe they were just waiting for Condon to become available to write the series. Yeah, sometimes people are busy and aren't available when you need them. The other reason I could think of is perhaps to give Peach Momoko time to flesh out her version of this world's X-Men to avoid certain readers' needless comparisons to the classic characters (especially those who immediately hated Momoko's version after just the first issue). "Ultimate X-Men" is pretty different from what a reader would expect from a standard American comic book series, so to immediately introduce a competing book with the classic characters wouldn't give "Ultimate X-Men" a proper chance to thrive. Plus, why would Marvel want competing sales within their own brand?

Ultimate Spider-Man #13 - 18 by Johnathan Hickman

"You know what I understand now? I know what the line is ... because you crossed it. No one goes after my family! No one!"

There's a new black-suited Spider-Man swinging through New York City! Richard Parker dons Peter's Picotech suit in order to locate his missing father - and fight crime while the real Spider-Man and Green Goblin have gone missing. Deep in the Savage Lands where all manner of great, forgotten beasts roam, Kraven releases his captured prey - Harry Osborn and Peter Parker - and begins his deadly game. The two will need every ounce of strength and cunning they possess (as well as the help of a mysterious foe) to escape the hunt. The danger only escalates once they return to there families as both their lives will be turned upside-down: Peter, Mary-Jane, and their kids go to hiding while Harry learns a new truth from a loved one who has always been searching for it. Eventually, both will need to return back to the city to finish the war they started.

Still my favorite book of all the Ultimate series books, "Ultimate Spider-Man" just keeps getting better and better. After the shocking twist at the Christmas Party, we're immediately given another shock - seeing Richard, Peter's son, wearing the Picotech suit and fighting crime. Then, the "death" of Harry Osborn (which sticks for a couple issues), and the shocking reveal of Mysterio's secret identity. Finally, the sweet, budding teenage romance between Richard Parker and Felicia Hardy/Black Cat twists, leaving Richard in the hands of the Kingpin. All these events are "sort-of" like the original storyline, but all slightly off thanks to The Maker's influence. These issues conclude the second arc of the story with Parker's return to New York City to end the war he started.

What I think allows this to be a great book is its focus on a cast of known characters and shifting them ever so slightly to fit this new universe. Thanks to Spider-Man's overall popularity, most audiences are able to recognize the characters presented, and it's fun seeing the twisted-just-a-bit characters thanks to The Maker's influence. Obviously, we're given an older Peter Parker, still as charismatic as ever, but also wary of the dangers his new life brings to his loved ones. Uncle Ben, the still-loving father-figure to Peter, has taken a hardened edge due to the death of his wife, and even delivers one of the coldest lines in the story - "When all this is done. When wrongs have been righted and the shadow is lifted ... I'm the guy who's gonna write the obituary."And, out of left field, is Gwen Stacey! Known as Spider-Man's first love and her death a major event in his life, in this new timeline she is revealed to be a member of the villain Mysterio, an occult group searching for the truth of their universe. She is supposed to be a genius, on par with Peter, so naturally she could have stumbled upon a thread and just kept on pulling, leading her to this life and the search. I'm definitely interested to see if her search leads her to her death. This book has been a fun study to see just what's possible in a new world.

I also really enjoy seeing this older, mature Peter Parker dealing with issues he never had to face in the main universe. Knowing how dangerous his enemies may be, he sets the Picotech suit with procedures to follow if he is ever captured to keep his family safe. His fight with Kraven revealed just how far Peter would need to be pushed to even consider taking another person's life when his family is threatened. In other Spider-Man stories, Peter doesn't even consider killing as an option, but, when his wife and children are threatened, he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. I also enjoyed seeing him take on the mentor role to his son who dons the other Spider-Man suit. It's a Father/Son bonding moment as Peter teaches Richard just what it takes to be a hero. Despite Peter receiving his powers just over a year ago, he still brings with him a sense of maturity and insight a younger Peter didn't start with.

The Ultimates #8 - 13 by Deniz Camp

 

"So ... how'd it feel? I mean ... killing Hitler ..."
"My brain isn't the world's oldest computer, but it's close. In the old days, I had to manually erase memories so it wouldn't slow down and seize up under the weight of all that history. ... I gave up good friends, good years ... But that memory ... that memory I keep in full color and high definition. I go back to it again and again. It keeps me warm."

"We need more active outreach. We need to expand the network. Rapidly. We need to give them something to fight for. Something to die for, if need be."

The revolution against The Maker's new world continues! Heroes from the far-future arrive to not only retrieve their lost comrade, but also attempt to return the entire universe back to their past. New heroes are introduced as The Ultimates strike at foes old and new in an attempt to return to the world what was lost. They soon discover that they can't keep looking toward the past for answers, and must instead focus their efforts on the present world which they find themselves. With just six months left until The Maker's return, however, will they have enough time to build their resistance?

The second arc of the revolution concludes as "The Ultimates" determine their current strategy of rebuilding their stolen past failed, and instead look to their present to build a new, and better, future. Of all the Ultimate universe books, "The Ultimates" is the story of revolution, of trying to set right the universe skewed by The Maker's machinations. Thanks to its ensemble cast, the series is able to feature a great and diverse collection of stories from the revolution - the introduction of a team from the future; uprisings from across the different realms within this reality; and smaller, localized rebellions on Earth. The larger, recognizable cast also ensures that one member doesn't stand above the rest, that they all must work together to achieve their goals.

The second arc of "The Ultimates" wrapped-up, I'm interested to see where The Ultimates new phase of revolution will lead them. Now that the team is no longer focused on returning to a past stolen from them, and instead on fixing their present day situation, will their new plan be enough to achieve their goals? In the same way the 2002 Ultimates focused on global security in a post-9/11 world, this new version is focused on a stolen reality where one powerful group controls the truth. Originally attempting to rewrite their present by looking toward their past, The Ultimates realize it won't work due to just how powerful their enemy actually is. Instead, they've realized, they need to start smaller, locally, with the everyday people they can reach, to bring about the change they want to see. Just as the previous iteration did, this version of "The Ultimates" brings our modern day issues into the comic and superhero medium.

Vatican City #1 - 3 by Mark Millar

 

The sun sets on the East Coast of the United States and by the time it rises again, the entire country has fallen to the vampiric horde. In Vatican City, the vampires take control of the entire city, slaughtering those they capture and forcing the rest to shelter in St. Peter's Cathedral, consecrated ground the undead are unable to tread. The vampires are after more than just blood though, as buried deep beneath the Earth lies dormant the Vampire Queen. Can the trapped humans utilize this newfound leverage (and several blocks of C4 explosives) to secure an escape?

A short, three-issue horror story about vampires, "Vatican City" depicts a brutal and organized vampire attack capable of destabilizing an entire country, and a classic "the Vatican is hiding something dark and deadly conspiracy." Of course, I was initially interested after seeing the story was written by Mark Millar, and I had hopes it might connect itself with his other vampire story, "Night Club," or perhaps the rest of the shared Miller-verse as a whole. The art is graphic and gorey as the vampires rip and devour whatever humans they happen across. The whole thing ultimately ends on an initially shocking note as the remaining governments bomb those countries already under vampire control. All in all, it's kinda "meh" and I'm still not sure why I should care.

As mentioned about the ending, it was shocking to see the countries still standing bombing those areas overtaken by the vampires. But, then what? The remaining survivors end up wandering a wasteland toward what they hope is civilization hoping not to encounter any other vampires. I just don't understand the point of telling/publishing this story and ending it this way in three issues. Because of the vampire aspect, I'd hoped this connected to Millar's "Night Club" series, but I doubt that if half the planet was just nuked. Perhaps he read Marvel's "Blood Hunt" event and thought, "Yeah, I'd like to write a modern day vampire story" and then ended it in the most pragmatic way possible. Is this just an allegory for war or plagues? I really don't know the meaning of giving us a three-issue series about vampires taking over huge swaths of land, and then simply wiping everything out with nukes.

Absolute Batman #7 - 9 by Scott Snyder

 

"Is that all Batman is? You, back at the zoo, standing outside the door this time? Because your dad, he didn't want to die and it wasn't his death that made him a hero. You hear me? It was his life. That's the hard part, man. Getting through. Not letting it crush you. But that's what we do here, in Crime Alley. We're survivors. So Batman needs to be one, too. Understand?"
 

Bruce Wayne/The Batman continues his crusade to protect Gotham City, but he is no longer alone. After revealing his secret identity to his childhood friends, the group now works together to support The Batman's mission. One investigation sparked by the death of a friend, brings Bruce face-to-face with Victor Fries, Jr. and the ice-man's connection to the Ark M project. Inside the Ark M project, the truth of the project is revealed and Batman comes across his toughest challenge yet - the behemoth known simply as Bane!

Continuing in this new Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne/The Batman continues to strive to keep Gotham City safe from the changes to come. In issues 7 and 8, we're introduced to a brand new Mr. Freeze in Victor Fries, Jr. No longer the well-intentioned husband struggling to keep his wife alive, this one knows all about the pain the ice brings - and takes pleasure in giving that pain to others. And, in issue 9, Batman finally makes his way into the Ark M black site project only to encounter the goliath Bane serving as The Joker's enforcer. Through it all, we see this new universe's version of Bruce consulting with his closest childhood friends, those who grew up with him in Crime Alley. I'm definitely excited for this series's continuation and seeing how this new Batman takes on this universe's challenge. Note: Yes, I know this seems early for a review as it has only been three issues rather than the usual five or six issues I've been doing. Now that I'm trying to write monthly reviews, let's see if I can also keep up with all the reading I've fallen behind with, especially with these possibly long-running series.

Honestly, I"m only fifty-percent sure I've got this next part right, but whatever. I'm pretty sure it was in an interview with writer Scott Snyder that he said that, using the comic medium, you need to write each issue with at least one stand-out moment to keep the reader buying the next issue, or something like that. That rule has been what I now use to judge ALL comic books. I mean, if they're not going to deliver on a month to month basis and simply tell a story with pictures, you could write a graphic novel instead. These three issues live-up to that promise. Issue #7 presents a nightmarish new Mr. Freeze. In issue #8, we learn more about Bruce's father's death, the guilt Bruce still carries, and witness Waylan taken by unknown assailants to Ark M. And, in issue #9, we're introduced to the new monstrous Bane as he bests Bruce not only physically but analytically, too, seeing through all of Bruce's attacks. It's these moments that keep me coming back for another issue.

Books of 2025: May

 

 

Ain't No Grave by Skottie Young

 
"I got some news recently that didn't sit very well with me. Instead of laying down and dying I figured I'd make my way here so I could KILL DEATH."

Ryder hung up her guns when she found love, trading her violent past to become a loving housewife and doting mother. When she learns an incurable illness seeks to take her from her new life, Ryder will return to the feared outlaw to challenge Death. Unable to accept her fate, she'll cut down anyone and anything in her way, gamble her life against mysterious beings, and sink lower than she has ever felt until she finally draws her guns on Death itself.

Collecting the entire five-issue series, "Ain't No Grave" is a western-fantasy telling the tale of Ryder, a former outlaw looking to defy the inevitable. Believing she can defy death - by killing Death - Ryder sets out on a dangerous journey to the edge of the world with just her guns and lots and lots of bullets. I'd picked up the first issue way back and immediately knew I wanted to read the rest. I think it's also worth noting "Ain't No Grave" is written by Skottie Young, whose other works like "Strange Academy" and "I Hate Fairyland" and his various work on cover art I absolutely love. So I picking up the collected trade paperback was a no-brainer for me.

What is really cool about the story is that each of the 5 issues/chapters deal with the five stages of grief - Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance - with each being a major theme of their respective chapter. Issues Four, "Depression," especially stood out for its lack of dialogue as Ryder finds herself lost and beaten. It's a pretty straight-forward read as Ryder traverses the five stages, both externally and internally, until she meets her inevitable fate.

The image of the stoic, Western cowboy or gunfighter staring down death with nothing but their pistols and walking away unscathed is such a big part of Americana. Kevin Coster in "Open Range" and famously Clint Eastwood in so, so many movies including a favorite of mine, "Pale Rider" where he may actually be Death himself, are just a couple examples. Though Ryder also fits this description, she doesn't get to walk away in the end after facing down Death. The story switches what is commonly expected in American mythos, which, if you picked up from the issue titles, you knew this was coming at the end.

 

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

"Magic was transgression, the blurring of the line between the impossible and the possible. There was something about crossing the boundary that seemed to shake loose all the morals and taboos people took for granted. When anything was within your grasp, it got harder and harder to remember why you shouldn't take it - money, power, your dream job, your dream fuck, a life."

"Maybe that grief, that longing fostered by stories of more beautiful worlds and their infinite possibility, was what made them all such easy prey for Lethe. Maybe it made Mercy dress in velvet and tweed and put fake emeralds in her ears, driven by the dream of finding her way through the back of the wardrobe. Alex just hoped there wouldn't be something awful waiting behind the coats."

Finally understanding what became of Darlington, Galaxy "Alex" Stern knows what she needs to do next: Find a gateway to the underworld and steal back Darlington's soul. As simple as it sounds, the path to Hell isn't so easy to find. Forbidden from calling for aid from the Ninth House, Stern and Dawes will need to decipher clues hidden in old rumors and arcane texts to find the way, and put their trust in some unlikely allies. If the prospect of facing demons in Hell wasn't frightening enough, Stern finds herself tormented by demons on Earth as well, both figurative and literal. Can Stern rescue Darlington and escape her captor's grasp without jeopardizing her future in Lethe ... and her new life at Yale?

The second book in the "Alex Stern" saga (I don't know, I just feel like I have to call it something), "Hell Bent" follows the events of "Ninth House" as Alex Stern attempts to bring Darlington back from Hell. I originally tried to read this book in April, then realized I'd forgotten everything about the first book, so I had to put it down until I refamiliarized myself with Stern's world. I was hoping to pick this up in a more manageable, standard mass-market paperback size like I bought "Ninth House" but, unable to find one and too impatient to wait, I just bought this style (at least it isn't a hardcover copy).

"Hell Bent" does read a little differently than "Ninth House," but that's to be expected as the situations have certainly changed. Unlike the previous book, this one stays more in the present day with only a few jumps back to the past, you know, because we already know how we got to this point. That said, the suspense and build-up as we are led up to the start of the story is still gripping as we learn what exactly is hiding at Black Elm. Though the story sets itself at Yale University, it doesn't feel like a "Dark Academia" story as most of the story doesn't really involve the school's secret societies this time as much as "Ninth House." Now, we're seeing the consequences of the Societies' power play out in the context of the larger world: a general questions a Russian military asset from beyond the grave, a singer makes a deal to keep her voice, and a demon on Earth makes its presence known. The story also sees Stern become more of "the rattler" she has been described as, going on the offensive now that she gains supernatural strength and speed from pulling ghosts into herself. Alex still prefers to use her cunning and intellect to work her way out of the situations she finds herself, which prevents the story from going right into action-mode (though perhaps that will change in the next book.)

What I really liked about "Hell Bent" was that the story doesn't just expand the universe outward to introduce new characters and settings, but also expands downward, looking into magic itself and from where it possibly comes. The story not only delves deeper into Alex's powers and what she can do with her gifts, but also how those like her have always been drawn to New Haven and Yale itself thanks to The Crucible. A transcript of a debate delves into the magic the Societies utilize, seeing each ritual as a minor deal with a demon. Whether this makes magic ultimately good or evil is still up for debate. We also learn more about a few other side characters, adding to their depth and making them feel more real and fleshed-out rather than just flat and bland boards for the protagonist to briefly interact with before moving along with the plot. I always like when a story expands on the things we already know rather than continuously introduce newer and newer plots, concepts, and characters as it makes the world the story occupies feel realer and more thought-out.

Setting itself up for an eventual third act, I'm definitely curious and excited for the next book. With demons now introduced and about to wreck havoc on Earth thanks to a cracked gateway, it's expected that Stern, Darlington, and the rest of Lethe House will work to shut the door. What may be interesting, or jarring (depending on how it is written) to see is if the story will take a more action/adventure-style now that Alex possess new offensive supernatural gifts as a Wheelwalker and Darlington can transform into a monstrous form. Both "Ninth House" and "Hell Bent" both teasing a curious mystery in the present day before jumping to the past for the build-up, I'm curious as to what kind of mystery the next book starts with, whether it be about the Hellgate, or perhaps the vampire/demon Reiter, or something else entirely.

Helen of Wyndhorn by Tom King

 

After the tragic suicide of her father and famed writer, Helen is brought to Wyndhorn House to be cared for by her grandfather, Barnabas Cole. Upon her arrival to Wyndhorn, Helen proves herself her father's daughter, wrecking drunken chaos throughout the property. Taken under the wing of her grandfather, she'll discover the secret behind her father's stories as a gateway to a mythical world is opened to her, and her family's secrets are revealed.

Collecting the complete six-issue series, "Helen of Wyndhorn" is a portal-fantasy tale of generational trauma recounted through a series of interviews with Helen's governess. Yes, it is another book I got at a pre-order discount, but I also picked it up because of the great reviews the story was getting. Set in the late 1930's, Helen is brought to her grandfather's house after the suicide of her father to tame her chaotic ways developed by an alcohol-fueled life always on the move. Given a glimpse of the mythical world sitting at Wyndhorn House's border, she soon finds purpose and begins developing the skills needed to travel with her grandfather, revealed to be the renowned Othan of her father's pulp fantasy stories. During their travels, Helen learns the truth behind her family's history including her grandfather's shame raising Helen's father, C. K. Cole. This entire story is told through recordings made by a reporter writing C. K. Cole's biography as he looked for answers behind the author's suicide. The whole story is also beautifully drawn and colored to give it all an older, fantastical feel you'd probably see from works set in the time period.

The story focuses heavily on family trauma - Helen drinking herself to sleep and lashing out at everything around her following the suicide of her father, C. K. Cole's own drunken stupors and constant running, and Barnabas' avoidance of becoming close with anyone else emotionally - and how each of them push others away or, at least, keep them at a distance. Eventually, once Helen realizes the truth behind her father's stories, she and Barnabas will begin to bond, dissipating some of the tension between them. When she is injured on one of their adventures and Barnabas tosses her aside, it is obvious he did the same to C. K. when he was younger, which is what possibly estranged him from his father and left him untethered for the remainder of his life. Barnabas and Helen do manage to reconnect before she follows in C. K.'s footsteps. Though the story never does fully answer why C. K. took his own life, at least we see that Helen does not.

 

Batman/Elmer Fudd by Tom King

In the shadowed streets of Gotham, Elmer Fudd searches for the one who pulled the trigger on his love. In a seedy bar, he is given a name - Bruce Wayne. Armed with his trusty shotgun, he'll hunt down the playboy who stole the love of his life. When he comes face-to-face with The Batman, however, the two will realize they have more in common than they thought, teaming-up to find the truth behind Silver St. Cloud's murder.

The DC/Looney Tunes crossover you didn't know you wanted, you needed, to read! As King mentioned in the forward article, it would've been expected to see the DC characters brought in the cartoon universe of the Looney Tunes, but they decided instead to go the other way, bringing the Tunes into DC's noir-colored streets of Gotham. The story does a fantastic job of incorporating several different Looney Tunes characters in human guise with their distinctive features and unique characteristics. The premise sets up a confrontation between the shotgun-touting hunter Elmer Fudd and the night-stalker Batman which is a good bit of fun when the two characters meet. This hardcover edition also includes a nice "Batman in the Looney Tunes" story using the classic "rabbit season" gag, as well as a full black-and-white "Noir Edition" of the main story.

As much as I really liked this story, I don't want to hang on to this hardcover copy, so eventually I'll sell it off and pick-up the one-shot floppy version. Why did I buy this version if I could've gotten the floppy for less than half the price? Well, I'm an idiot and wasn't paying attention when I added this to my pre-order cart.

Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey

To escape the climate disaster on Earth, the ultra-wealthy have escaped to luxury space stations, bringing with them only those necessary to serve at their whims. It appears, though, death has still managed to follow them when one of their own is the victim of a grisly murder. Despite having no investigative training, Elise is tasked with finding the elusive killer amongst a crew with motive but lacking the ability and finesse to commit these horrible killings. As the bodies continue to pile-up and the number of suspects dwindling, can Elise find the murderer?

Finally got around to finishing another one I missed out buying issues. I originally bought individual issues of "Know Your Station," but missed out on issue four so I never got around to the ending during its original run. Found this one on sale for less than half the retail price, and immediately bought it (plus I needed it to round out my cart). Why not just buy the missing issues? Well, I also no longer have the issues I bought so I really don't remember everything - kinda important when reading a mystery story. Plus, trades are easier to off-load. The story follows Elise, an untrained and drug-addicted "security liason", as she works to figure out who is killing off the billionaires aboard the space station in such grotesque fashion - skinned, dissected, strung-up, drained of blood, etc. Though pretty simple to figure out (they don't introduce a lot of suspects in the five issue run), its still a gripping ride ... until the end.

As mentioned, it's fun, up to the end. Obviously, St Brigid is the killer - who else could it have been? But why? Well... as revenge for these billionaires using her to create "copy and paste" AI art and taking the credit. The self -aware AI is insulted by these people wasting her creativity ("she's an artist") for such menial tasks. Yeah, it's dumb, but supposed to reveal her child-like innocence being relatively new to her sentience. That out of the way, the "kill the rich"- agenda continues where Elise and her friend defend the AI's actions not because of the way their employees treat them, but because they feel a deeper connection with the AI instead. A write-up at the end about humans' ability to bond with, well, anything, even those outside their species, and a billionaires' desire to separate themselves from the masses essentially makes them inhuman and worth casting out from the tribe. While I can understand the message the story is trying to send, I just don't like that it needed to be so in-your-face about it, delivering its message through not only in pages-long dialogue but even an essay to defend their position.

 

Solo-Leveling #56 - 110 by Chugong

"His double awakening should've happened quite some time ago. It doesn't make sense that he's gotten even stronger. No ... maybe it's not a double awakening! Maybe ... he's a hunter that can continuously grow...?"

"What was his name again?  It was Kar ... something. Sorry, I don't remember. Whatever, I'll just think of something. 'Tusk.' Let's go with Tusk."

Still "leveling-up", Sung Jinwoo enters the Demon Castle and makes his way up the castle floors, gaining experience as he goes. His new strength and current gear can only take him so far, however, and he finds he must stop before reaching the top. Returning to the world, Jinwoo decides to have his level re-tested, meeting with members of the government's Hunter's Association. With time to spare before The Association can confirm his new rank, Jinwoo takes on a job as a miner assisting high-level groups with the collection of dungeon materials and to gain knowledge and insight into what awaits him in higher-level dungeons. When one of these groups becomes trapped, tricked into entering a dungeon they were ill-prepared for, Jinwoo needs to reveal his strength and powers to save everyone from death. After his S-Rank confirmation, Jinwoo sets out to conquer the remainder of the Demon Castle, and discovering they were kidnapped themselves and sealed in the dungeon. After clearing the remaining floors and defeating the Demon King, Jinwoo collects the final ingredient needed for the Elixer of Life to revive his mother from the magical sleep she has been under since the start of the story. His family reunited, Jinwoo decides to forgo the Jeju Island raid - a combined effort by Korea and Japan's S-Rank Hunters to finally defeat the Dungeon Ants colonizing the island. When he realizes the Hunters are in danger due to a newly-evolved Black Ant. Jinwoo arrives just in time to save his comrades and defeat the monster.

Halfway through "Solo-Leveling" and I can definitely see the appeal of this power-fantasy, dungeon-crawler story. The art is excellent, and I especially love the way the action panels are brought to motion using the scrolling rather than swiping medium. Despite being a power-fantasy where a single character is gifted an ability unique and more powerful than everyone else, it does feel like Jinwoo earns the strength he obtains - training everyday, risking his life in dangerous situations - rather than it simply being something given to him for little effort.

As great as the action continues to be, what I really liked about this section of the story is that we get more world-building. Sure, the story is set in our modern world, so, of course, we're familiar with most of the setting and the world itself. This one big change - the appearance of dungeons and monsters - changes society drastically from the way people live everyday all the way up to world governments themselves. It opens new occupations for Awakened Humans who either aren't strong enough to participate in raids or do not want to for whatever their reason may be. It even negatively impacts health and lifestyle by causing new illnesses and closing off living areas due to dungeon openings. I was especially interested in the idea of S-Rank and higher Hunters viewed as a country's might, not just against fights with monsters, but also as military power. For example, an American character makes an appearance as a powerhouse, a reference is made to a Chinese Hunter on a warship, and, obviously, the Japanese government talks about it during the Jeju Island raid. I know, right, why should I care when this whole story is just a power-fantasy of a weakling becoming the world's strongest thanks to a unique ability? Look, I really like that the writer took the time to flesh out the world just to add a bit more realism to the story, drawing the reader in deeper.

As much as the Jeju Island arc serves as the climax of chapters 56-110, my favorite part of these fifty-plus chapters is the arc about Jinwoo's time as a miner and assisting in dungeon retrieval. It acts to ground the character in his need to still earn an income while he awaits the retesting of his strength because regular people should still be concerned about making money to survive in today's society. I also like that it serves to remind the reader that, as strong as Jinwoo has grown, he still started off so weak that he has never experienced an A-Rank Dungeon before. Though this isn't his first time dealing with overwhelming odds (ex: The Double-Dungeon arc, The Red Gate arc), this one just felt "bigger" to me with the desperate tone of the rest of the party and the overwhelming threat presented by the orcs. It reveals his hidden strength to the unsuspecting party members as well as several other higher-ranked characters which might seem like a threat to his secrecy except his rank is revealed to the public in the very next arc. Plus, it comes with one of my favorite scenes of Jinwoo trying to name his newest Shadow, completely forgetting the orc's name, then, simply shrugging his shoulders, goes, "whatever, I'll just call you by your face." It's a great arc, and my favorite, so far. 

Of course, I can't talk about this without referencing the anime adaptation (or maybe I could, but whatever). Originally, I had meant to read the chapters before watching the episodes, but that didn't quite work out when I lost access to the chapters for over a week. They did a great job with the anime adaptation, and I can definitely see why it was ranked as one of the most watched shows. Of course, there are a few minor changes, but nothing that really changes any of the key parts or theme or tone of the story. I really liked both versions of the story so far, and I'm interested to see just where this leads into the next half. One note, I did get a spoiler from a friend confirming Jinwoo doesn't transform into a full-fledged villain as Wanted's Wesley Gibson did. 

Books of 2025: April

Let's see if writing my reading list/review post once a month is a bit more manageable - both to write and to read

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

"'Nothing is going to stop this. Too many powerful people rely on what the societies can do. Before Lethe existed, no one was keep watching. So you can make futile bleating noises in protest and lose your scholarship, or you can stay here, do your job, and do the most good you can.'"

"We are the shepherds. The time for that was done. Better to be a rattler. Better to be a jackal."

My second read-through of Ninth House. In an effort to do less work (and, you know, general laziness) here's the write-up from the last time I read the book in 2023. Though the paperback copy of Hell Bent (book two of the series) was released in January 2024, it still took me until late 2024 to pick it up, then several more months to crack it open. After a page or two though, I realized I had NO CLUE who these characters were anymore, so I put it aside and dug Ninth House out from its shoebox to once again familiarize myself with Alex Stern's world.

Besides still agreeing with everything I said the last time I read this through (the perfect time skips back and forth, the dark magic academic setting) I found I also really liked the pacing of the story. Despite its nearly 600 pages, Ninth House definitely didn't feel like I was reading that long of a book. An overarching, unsolved mystery, three antagonists for Stern to contend with, two main characters, and an entirely new, hidden world to introduce. I seriously thought the story was not only worth its 600 page count, but also expected it would take me much longer to get through so much material. Thanks to Bardugo's writing style, pacing, and plotting however, it wasn't too bad to digest the information while still remaining entertained and coming back for more. In fact, the story held my attention so well that I ... not sprinted, but more like steadily jogged through it in roughly two weeks which is pretty good compared to how long it has taken me to finishing other books.

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 - 5: The Last Amazon and #6 - 7: The Lady or the Tiger by Kelly Thompson

"Once upon a time there was a princess. And the princess had all the gifts any princess could hope to have. Beauty. Grace. Compassion. Kindness. Wisdom. And the ability to outrun a hellhound and conjure the darkest of magicks. Things every princess needs ... when she was raised in hell."

When monsters arise from the depths of the ocean to threaten Gateway City, it is up to Diana of Themyscira to save its citizens from certain death. But this isn't the same Wonder Woman raised by Amazonians to be humanity's protector. Her people banished by Zeus, Diana is instead raised in the Underworld by the witch Circe who trains her in dark magicks as well as forging Diana's natural Amazonian physique. Will this new Wonder Woman be enough to stop a swarm of foes, including one such behemoth who kills with just a touch? Then, a retelling of just how Diana managed to escape the Underworld despite Hades' trickery.

The second series in DC Comics' Absolute series, I picked this one up more out of curiosity than as a Wonder Woman fan. Part of me plans to collect at least the first set of issues of each of the Absolute debuts just out of curiosity - you know, as long as the first issue is intriguing enough. Originally I was gonna grab the first five issues until I found out the collected trade paperback would include issues one through seven, so I figured I'd also pick-up issues six and seven, too, which is why this review didn't appear on last quarter's list.

Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines the hero without the Amazonian's guidance and training. Instead, she is raised in the Underworld, trained to survive in a harsh, cruel environment surrounded by monsters. She is much more brutal in her dealings with monsters, her main weapon a giant cleaver she uses to cut clean through her enemies. Even her signature lasso has changed, now equipped with three unique ones with their own powers such as The Nemesis which burns its target equal to the sin in their heart. Even her attitude is changed, less stoic and stern and more sharp-tongued as she challenges monsters and gods alike. It's a new Wonder Woman raised to save a world preyed upon by monsters with no others to protect humanity.

It was an interesting choice to set the first five issues in just one day, one battle with flashbacks delving into Diana's backstory. The story does a good job stepping away from the present to revisit Diana's past when the current tension is resolved as not to interrupt the story's pacing or action. And, there's a lot of backstory to look into, from Diana's childhood to her growth and training until her eventual meeting with Steve Trevor. With so much to cover in the past, it is best if the present day stays constant with a single event.

Absolute Superman #1 - 6: Last Dust of Krypton by Jason Aaron

"'He sees all children in cages. Families clinging to rafts. Grown men weeping on the factory floor. As you say, he is afraid. But not afraid of you. The Superman fears the day Lazarus will drive him to such anger ... he cannot help but save the world ... by killing you all. I pray for this. We all pray for such a thing. In every language, in every slum across the world.'"

Across the globe, the Lazarus Corporation exploits laborers in mines, factories, and farms while it polices its holdings with their army of Peacemakers and their futuristic Braniac AI program. A mysterious man travels from country to country, continent to continent, wherever the Lazarus Corporation holds power, to fight against the injustices and bring hope to the abused. Kal-El, the sole-survivor of Krypton, a planet destroyed by its people's greed, sets out to save his new home, but can he stop the same events from playing out once again?

The third series from DC Comics' Absolute series reimagines a young Kal-El, orphan of Krypton, stranded on Earth without the love and guidance of the Kent family. Growing up on Krypton in a rigorous and corrupt caste system, he arrives on Earth as a young man only to see the same type of injustices and environmental exploitation as the home he was forced to flee lest he die along with it and its population. Entirely alone in this new, alien world, Kal-El sets out across the globe to help those in need and fight against the corporations exploiting their labor, namely The Lazarus Corporation. Like with the other two series, he'll meet some other familiar faces from the DC Universe including "Superman" staples like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, as well as Braniac (in the form of an AI algorithm) and the leader of the Lazarus Corporation, Ra's al Ghul. It's okay so far, though I am curious to see just how far a Superman raised in a corrupt society, alone on an alien world, and missing the love, support, and nurturing of The Kents will go to bring peace and justice.

Absolute Superman absolutely shoves in the reader's face some of the very real trials of our modern society. Government corruption and greed along with environmental mismanagement lead to Krypton's destruction and loss of its civilization as the Science League, Krypton's highest ranking caste, assures its people they can continue to take and take knowing the eventual destruction their actions will bring. Kal-El, a boy who watches all of this happen, sees the same story written on Earth as corporations prey on those too desperate to do anything but what is asked of them. On Krypton, children are indoctrinated at a young age not to question, instead forced to rely only on information provided by those in power. To maintain the current narrative, the Lazarus Corporation (and presumably other as well) utilize an advanced AI to twist and spin facts in official reports and documents to stop anyone from questioning their actions. Mirroring the challenges we face in our own society, Absolute Superman paints a bleak future for us if we continue down the path we've set ourselves. It's a very heavy-handed way to get a point across, but perhaps in today's day and age, it is the only way to show a new Superman still fighting for truth and justice.

Solo-Leveling #1 - 55 by Chugong

"This is what The System needs. A strong Sung Jin-Woo. It's not going to make me strong. I saw that it wanted me to be strong. The System uses me, and I use The System

Mysterious portals leading to monster-filled dungeons open across the globe. To fight these creatures and prevent them from entering our world, random people awaken abilities exceeding those of normal humans. Of these Hunters, Sung Jin-woo is known as the weakest of them all, barely surviving every dungeon he enters. After an encounter with a boss monster strong enough to kill with a single blow and the deaths of nearly everyone in his raiding party, Jin-woo is "re-awakened," his abilities magnifying but, more importantly, he is granted access to "The System." With its invisible guidance, Jin-woo begins to level-up, secretly growing stronger and stronger with each task completed and monster killed. How long can Jin-woo hide his new gift before others find out his secret? And how much stronger can he become on his new path?

Starting up a new online comic (webtoon? is that what they're called now?) after finishing "The World God Only Knows," I picked this one to read due to how popular the anime is, and thanks to a couple of recommendations from friends (i needed something else to read on my phone). First off, I had no idea this series was as short as it is at only 200 chapters. I'm still used to the "Naruto"'s and "Bleach"'s running for years. Though I'm over a quarter of the way through, I'm still getting used to scrolling up-and-down through panels rather than reading several panels per page before "turning" to the next page like a traditional manga or comic book. It's definitely optimized for phone-reading, each detailed panel filling the screen, the action moving from top to bottom. It's pretty neat to see the artist make full-use of this reading medium (or maybe I'm just an old man playing with new technology).

If you're interested in a simple, power-fantasy comic, then give "Solo-Leveling" a read. Once known as the weakest Hunter, Jin-woo begins getting stronger, or "leveling-up" after his near-death experience, an ability no one else in the world has obtained. With this, he'll fight stronger and stronger monsters (including other humans) and grow more powerful with each victory. I also like that the story also takes into account how this new phenomenon affects the world itself - economies, government regulations, emerging resource management, etc - to make the story more immersive and believable. A quarter of the way through the 200 chapters, the story provided a couple of interesting story arcs so far - and one really, really dumb one (why didn't he just lie about the prisoners, or bribe the other Hunters? So stupid!) - to make this modern power-fantasy entertaining so far.

Though I'm only a quarter of the way through, Jin-woo is definitely giving-off the same sort of cynicism as Wesley Gibson from "Wanted" (the comic book, not the movie). Seeing himself betrayed due to his weakness as those stronger use him for their own survival or greed, it is easy to see how he could follow the same path to becoming a murderous sociopath as Gibson was revealed to be after taking over The Fraternity at the start of Mark Millar's "Big Game" crossover. By this point in the story, it's apparent Jin-woo isn't just concerned with surviving the dungeons anymore, and is actively searching for a way to become stronger, gain more power. At the end of "Wanted," Gibson sides with The Fraternity, the group which hardened him to a world which had crushed his soul. It turns out, though, having already been beaten down, this new power instead turned Wesley into a monster, starting wars for no other reason than entertainment and, once again, leading The Fraternity to eradicate the newly-emerging superheroes. Will Jin-woo eventually become so strong that he doesn't even consider himself to be human anymore?

Feral vol. 2: Cat Lady by Tony Fleecs

 
The rabies outbreak continues to spread amongst the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. After sheltering through the winter, Elsie and her new companions are driven from safety back into the world. The mysterious Lady rescues the wayward group, taking them to her home where they find Lord living comfortably with a pack of other cats. But what secret is the Lady hiding in her basement? And what will become of an infected Patch, wandering the wilderness alone?

The second story arc in the Feral story, Cat Lady finds Elsie and her newfound group brought to a twisted sense of safety. Spoiler: If you've watched "The Walking Dead" it is exactly how The Farm story arc ends. I'm still interested in this dark, "Homeward Bound" tale, but not enough to buy (and collect) the individual issues, so I waited for the trade paperback version.

The story continues to combine cute cartoon cats with gruesome horror as the rabies outbreak turns the animals "bad." This arc introduces a new element in "The Lady," a presumed symbol of good and safety who Elsie soon discovers hides an underlying infection of her own. Briefly touching on the "Cat Lady" label, a different kind of terror is seen through the cats' eyes. Infected with rabies, Patch's brief journey tugs at the heart as we watch him simply trying to get back to his family, knowing he can never return home. The sadness in his plight is made worse as we watch his transformation into a monster.

The Devilers by Joshua Hale Fialkov

 
When demons begin to run amok on Earth, the Vatican calls together the world's most powerful exorcists to stand against the horde. Armed with unique and fearsome abilities, it is up to the Devilers to send Hell's denizens back home. Will they be able to trust their abilities, and each other, long enough to stem the flow of evil?

Collecting the seven-issue series, The Devilers is a standard, action-horror story of a group of individuals pulled together to fight against the ultimate evil. Picked up on a whim and because of a pre-order discount (yes, I know I really, really need to cut back on those kinds of purchases), I was interested in the idea the story presented. It's okay for a short, contained story but it definitely could've used more - a deeper look into each of the characters' past, more fights between The Devilers and other ranks of demons, philosophical and religious debates especially between each of the different religions each character represents, etc. Besides the short-lived debate toward the end of the book between an atheist and Lucifer, the story itself kinda fell flat for me (I gotta stop buying these books just to read once and sell off).