It’s time for another round of comic book reviews. There were a lot of major releases this week to talk about. With that in mind this week we’ll be covering Absolute Superman #24, Batman #14, M.A.S.K. #5, Midnight Spider-Man #1, and Midnight X-Men #1. Find out how these comic books turned out with the latest comic book reviews round-up below.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #24
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Becca Carey
Absolute Superman #24 slowly moves the “Get Brainiac” story with what is one of the best issues of this series so far. It is a time where even if the main story involving Brainiac doesn’t quickly advance Jason Aaron makes up for it by telling an incredible story about Absolute Steel. While Absolute Steel was a major part of the previous story arc here we see him as a fully developed character. We not only get to know about Absolute Steel but also see how he and Kal-El are able to develop a dynamic that you feel they are best friends by the end of this issue. It is a friendship that will be important to both of them moving forward.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
BATMAN #14
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Matteo Scalera
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
As a standalone comic book Batman #14 does a great job telling a story that spotlights where Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries are at. These two are very underutilized characters and Matt Fraction shows exactly why. There is a great sense of drama with where Batman finds Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries as they are simply trying to survive. At the same time we see why Verity Pennyworth has been a strong addition to the supporting cast. Unfortunately, for all the stories strength, Batman #14 also highlights how disjointed the Bad Seeds crossover is. It doesn’t feel like we are in the middle of a big event since it does feel like there is so much of Bad Seeds that is happening offscreen.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
M.A.S.K. #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Pye Parr
Colorist: Pierluigi Casolio
Letterer: Rus Wooton
M.A.S.K. #5 keeps the story moving at a steady pace. Dan Watters has found a good grove with how quickly the story needs to move. That allows the more dialogue heavy conversations we go feel like they are helping flesh out the M.A.S.K. side of the Energon Universe. And when needed Watters steps back to have Pue Parr tell the story with the action at the right time. This timing helps the story of this series feel like it is getting bigger with each passing issue.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Scietronc
Colorist: Neeraj Menon
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Midnight Spider-Man #1 does a very good job at showcasing the potential that creators have with this new Marvel Midnight Universe. Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scietronc utilize Spider-Man’s iconic origin and twist it in a way that you always have a feeling of unease with each page you turn. That tone is established at the very beginning with the horrifying event we see a young Peter Parker suffer with his childhood pet. From there the tension never lets you go, which makes the event that turn Peter into Spider-Man something that leaves you with pure chills.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Matteo Della Fonte
Colorist: Arthur Hesli
Letterer: Cory Petit
Jonathan Hickman once again reminds the world why he is a master world builder with Midnight X-Men #1. Throughout this debut issue Hickman utilizes iconic parts of the X-Men franchise and alters them in a way that the reader has a sense of familiarity with the world while feeling like it is something completely new. There is a core part of where we find each of the X-Men characters that you believe who falls on the regular humans, mutant, vampires, and Empyres are. Matteo Della Fonte and Arthur Hesli deserve just as much credit for how they balance a horror aesthetic with the normal Marvel Universe look and feel. This helps create a vibe where things can quickly take a turn when you least expect it.
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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