Welcome back to the first comic book reviews round-up of 2025! With a new year we got a year of new comic books to be excited for. For this edition of the comic book reviews round-up we are looking at Absolute Superman #3, Batman #156, Birds of Prey #17, and The Ultimates #8. Find out how these turned out with our comic book reviews round-up for January 1st.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
After the previous issue focused on the present, Absolute Superman #3 placed a spotlight on the past. Specifically, Kal-El’s history on Krypton before it exploded. Getting this extended time on Krypton opened up the mythology to further craft the unique identity of the Absolute Universe. In the process Lara-El is put over as a total badass with what she and Jor-El continue to work on to save their family given a cool twist. It is a twist that builds anticipation for the inevitable fate of Krypton. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
BATMAN #156
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Tony S. Daniel
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
The end certainly feels near for a major era of Batman. Though the way we are getting there is not giving the vibe of epic payoff. Instead, it is feeling as though we are speed running to the end with every angle that Chip Zdarsky has introduced in the late stages of his creative run being addressed. While that works for certain elements like the Commander Star story, it hurts others like the developments with The Riddler, Court of Owls, and Jim Gordon. By the end all we can hope is that the final chapter of this story can recover and provide a satisfying conclusion.
Overall Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
BIRDS OF PREY #17
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sam Basri
Inker: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Birds of Prey #17 is the most important issue of this series to date as it wraps up one of its major plotlines started in the first story arc. That plotline is in repairing the relationship between the Birds of Prey and Amazons. This is accomplished simply by having the Birds of Prey doing what they do best, saving the day. In saving a number of Amazons they are able to prove themselves as allies, while also saving one of their own in Cassandra Cain. Ending that major plotline opens the Birds of Prey to start 2025 fresh with other stories
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
THE ULTIMATES #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham
The Ultimates #8 lays out a path towards the bigger direction for the Ultimate Universe in 2025. This set-up uses some of the teasers we got in Timeslide to set things up. It also effectively introduces us to a version of the Guardians of the Galaxy that finally provide America Chavez some much needed character development. Accomplishing these things sets up the actions the Ultimates take from here to be something to continue to return to find out what happens throughout 2025.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
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