Welcome back to this week’s edition of the comic book reviews round-up! In a packed week of releases we will be spotlighting Nightwing #116, Scarlet Witch #2, The Spectacular Spider-Men #5, Titans #13, and Ultimate X-Men #5. Find out how these turned out with our comic book reviews below.
DESTRO #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Rus Wooton
In the war we see play out of Destro vs Xamot and Tomax there are no sides to be on. And that is where the magic of Destro #2 is shown. This comic book unapologetically nails what would happen when two villain groups fight it out in all out war. The results create even greater interest in what is going on in the GI JOE side of the Energon Universe. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
I HEART SKULL-CRUSHER! #5
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Alessio Zonno
Colorist: Angel De Santiago
Letterer: Jim Campbell
I Heart Skull-Crusher! #5 delivers an energetically fun conclusion to the first story arc of Josie Campbell and Alessio Zonno series. The presentation alone emphasizes what has made this one of the standout new comic books released this year. If you haven’t had the chance to check out this series yet make sure to pick up the trade for I Heart Skull-Crusher! first story arc when it is released. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
NIGHTWING #116
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott
After two issues of build up we get really into the meat of the “Fallen Grayson” story arc. With that we get what’s at stake with Dick Grayson and his allies dealing with the fallout of Heartless and Tony Zucco framing Dick Grayson for being “Heartless.” The way it was all handled really pushed this story into another level as the ramifications can be massive beyond “Fallen Grayson.” The ramifications make Heartless a villain you love to hate while rooting for Dick Grayson to overcome every obstacle. It all leads to Nightwing #116 having a massive ending that was something completely unexpected but absolutely hype.
Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10
PHOENIX #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Alessandro Miracolo
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Cory Petit
Phoenix #1 nails what it needed to get over Jean Grey as a cosmic solo superhero. The scope of this series creates a lot of excitement for the future direction of this series with strong potential. If it wasn’t for one distracting narrative choice this would’ve been more highly viewed. If you’re an X-Men fan, make sure to pick up this comic book. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
SCARLET WITCH #2
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Jacopo Camagni
Colorist: Frank William
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Scarlet Witch #2 is such a refreshing reading experience. The biggest reason for that is how Steve Orlando and Jacopo Camagni maximize tapping into the unlimited potential of Marvel’s magic realm. The way they use the Queen of Nevers and Moridun. The differences with how these two interactions go down for Scarlet Witch drives the interest to her character arc yet another level. They also work to further put over the dangerous figure that Griever at the End of All Things is. The way Quicksilver and Polaris are integrated just adds to how engaging this entire comic book is
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MEN #5
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Greg Weisman
Artist: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Victor Olazaba
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
For as interesting as it was to see what Peter Parker and Miles Morales “dream lives” were at the end of the day what makes this series special is the chemistry they share as a pair. The Spectacular Spider-Men #5 is a reminder of that unique element within the Spider-Man franchise as even when Peter and Miles are fighting each other there is a great amount of fun. The chemistry between the Spider-Men makes every other aspect of this comic book stronger. That is especially the case with the villain plot led by Hammerhead and how he is able to shift his crews plan when the Spider-Men start catching onto their plot. It leads to what is the most enjoyable issue of this series thus far.
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
TITANS #13
CREATVE TEAM
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Other than the opening page and final three pages Titans #13 is largely a filler chapter in the “Dark-Winged Queen” storyline. That is not a good thing considering those pages are the ones involving the Titans themselves. There is a spinning our wheels feeling as rather than dealing with Dark Raven revealing herself to the team its done away with because magic can do that. It would’ve been more excusable if we didn’t get what felt like recycled scenes of Dark Raven being secretly toxic with Beast Boy. And while Daniele Di Nicuolo’s artwork has a fun energy the style is more fitting for Teen Titans than the Titans.
Overall Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10
ULTIMATE X-MEN #5
CREATVE TEAM
Writer & Arist: Peach Momoko
Script Adaptation: Zack Davisson
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Five issues in we are finally starting to get a picture of what the Ultimate X-Men team will be looking like. We are still a bit off from that moment as Ultimate X-Men #5 gives us more of a hint at the big team moment with Hisako Ichiki and Mei Igarashi having an extended interaction with Ultimate Nico Minoru. The interaction accomplishes both showcasing the chemistry between the bigger cast and furthers the threat of Ultimate Shadow King. Those developments along with the surprising scenes involving Surge builds more momentum for the conclusion of Peach Momoko’s first Ultimate X-Men story arc.
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
WONDER WOMAN #11
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Tony S. Daniel
Colorist: Jay David Ramos
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Wonder Woman #11 accomplishes exactly what readers looking to check out tie-ins to big comic book events will want. Tom King expands on what we saw in Absolute Power #1 by giving us what felt like director’s cut content that provided insight into Wonder Woman’s side of the story. In the process King and Tony Daniel deliver what is easily the most fun issue of this creative run to date. Click here to read full review.
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
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