This Week’s Comic Book Reviews: 8/21/2024

Welcome to this week in comic book reviews! The staff have come together to read and review nearly everything that released today. It isn’t totally comprehensive, but it includes just about everything from DC and Marvel with the important books from the likes of Image, Boom, IDW, Dark Horse, Dynamite, and more.

The review blurbs you’ll find contained herein are typically supplemented in part by longform individual reviews for significant issues. This week that includes Wolverine: Revenge #1, Jenny Sparks #1, Standstill #1, and Huge Detective #1.

Our ratings are straightforward: we give a whole or half number out of five. If you’d like to check out our previous reviews, they are all available here.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #30

Waid once again focuses on the past to weave a strong one-and-done issue that centers on the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel sharing their first adventures with Wonder Woman. Glen Melnikov fills in admirably for Dan Mora, depicting the many heavy hitters of the DC Universe. World’s Finest #30 is a fantastic one-shot story, showcasing the dynamic between the characters and an outside-the-box storytelling approach. Ideal for superhero fans.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #2

Allwinter continues with two quick-paced chapters. Slade encounters an old flame and his wayward daughter while becoming entangled with Alec, a literal dose of color in a grey-toned world, pushing Deathstroke into new storylines. Jonathan and Martha Kent gravitate towards a baby Arthur, adding intrigue about their roles.

Rating: 4 out of 5

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #3

The fight against Punchline progresses, with a closer look at the heroines and villainess. Willaims injects a wild new take on the White Rabbit, leaning into a breezy and fun story. The series knows what works and delivers well.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

GREEN LANTERN: WAR JOURNAL #12

The conclusion of Green Lantern: War Journal is epic. Phillip Kennedy Johnson wraps up various threads without overwhelming the characters. Montos and Adriano Lucas deliver visually striking sequences. The ending sets up compelling future developments for John Stewart and his allies.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

JENNY SPARKS #1

Jenny Sparks returns in her own story. The timing is interesting as The Authority is set to hit the big screen. Tom King’s storytelling makes this more than just a nostalgic return, hinting at something bigger.

Rating: 4 out of 5

NIGHTWING #117

Taylor and Redondo showcase an astonishing understanding of Nightwing. The character’s depth and the epic action sequences make this issue a standout. The title has never been better.

Rating: 5 out of 5

SUPERMAN #17

Superman #17 ties into Absolute Power seamlessly. Joshua Williamson brings Zatanna into Superman’s magical adventure, creating delightful results. The artwork by Jamal Campbell and Ariana Maher excels. All in all, a big win for DC.

Rating: 5 out of 5

TITANS #14

Taylor and Meyer use sequential storytelling masterfully. Although the past two issues chipped away at its foundation, the quick exposition scene irons out any wrinkles. It’s shaping up to be a comic for the ages.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

WONDER WOMAN #12

Diana teams up with Damian to locate Waller’s prison. Though the idea is intriguing, the issue feels repetitive, aiming for heartfelt character development but falling short. Tony Daniel’s art, however, is a treat.

Rating: 3 out of 5

DAREDEVIL: WOMAN WITHOUT FEAR #2

This series stalls somewhat as the story takes place within a single set piece. The issue progresses only slightly but Downling’s art remains a visual treat.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

DEADPOOL #5

A brutal fight between Deadpool and Death Grip, leading to a definitive ending. Deadpool’s supporting cast shines and the story sets the stage for future intrigue.

Rating: 4 out of 5

GET FURY #4

Frank Castle enacts his plan to free Nick Fury, delivering intense action sequences. The plot is layered with depth, culminating in a tense buildup to the next issue.

Rating: 4 out of 5

GHOST RIDER: FINAL VENGEANCE #6

Percy and Kim wrap up their story with Parker Robbins as the Hood. The finale is solid, but the series feels too short to fully explore its potential.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

GIANT-SIZE THOR #1

Despite its title, the issue moves quickly, exploring the nature of stories. It pits Thor and Hercules against a literal “Giant-Size Thor.” The artwork, though heavy and muddy, sells the biggest moments well.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1

A few separate stories featuring Miles Morales. The opening tale, with Miles learning about his family, stands out. There’s a tease of a crossover at the end.

Rating: 3 out of 5

NAMOR #2

Aaron’s Namor is an excellent character study. The two timelines balance perfectly, constantly setting up the next, making the issue a breeze to read.

Rating: 5 out of 5

PHOENIX #2

The series continues to impress with its unique take on Jean Grey’s abilities in space. Marvel ties feel genuine, and the visuals are both poise-filled and humorously engaging.

Rating: 5 out of 5

PREDATOR VS. BLACK PANTHER #1

An action-packed debut that balances two vastly different franchises. Percy crafts a script that gives ample time for the story to breathe on all sides.

Rating: 4 out of 5

SCARLET WITCH #3

The series hits an incredible high point with dense exposition and two harrowing scenes. The creative team delivers sequences that defy expectations, making this comic a majestic example of the medium.

Rating: 5 out of 5

SPIDER-WOMAN #10

The series concludes with a thrilling battle between Spider-Woman and The Assembly and Gremlin. The dialogue and humor are spot-on, and the action sequences are superbly executed.

Rating: 4 out of 5

STAR WARS #49

With Zahra reemerging, Leia and Luke defend themselves while grappling with their darker reactions. The high stakes make it a thrilling story, despite anticipating no major narrative ramifications.

Rating: 3 out of 5

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8

The series continues to excel with smart, funny, and classical writing by Jonathan Hickman and vivid artwork by Marco Checchetto. It’s a fresh reinvention worth every second.

Rating: 5 out of 5

VENOM WAR: CARNAGE #1

A slow-paced story with Carnage and Cletus Kasady gathering intel on a secret weapon. Despite the bloodshed, the story showcases why Carnage is a feared figure.

Rating: 2 out of 5

VENOM WAR: VENOMOUS #1

Black Widow and her symbiote Silver join Eddie Brock in this miniseries. The issue sets up a big problem and delivers adequate action sequences, making it functional as a standalone adventure.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

WOLVERINE: REVENGE #1

Despite its bombastic nature, the issue efficiently centers on Capullo’s expressive action sequences. It’s a lean and incredibly fun superhero presentation of Wolverine.

Rating: 4 out of 5

BLACK CLOAK #7

The new issue reads quickly, focusing on character-driven storytelling rather than world-building. The tension between Pax and Phaedra is relatable and maturely handled, making it a worthwhile read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

BLOOD SQUAD SEVEN #4

The team takes down Ripcord with no surprises. The superhero fight resembles many previous ones, with no novelty. The broad mysteries remain grounded in generalities.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

DESTRO #3

Destro’s duel with Chameleon is thrilling, revealing the nature of Clan Destro. The well-constructed midpoint of the miniseries makes Destro one of the most intriguing characters.

Rating: 4 out of 5

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #309

Balancing absurd situations with serious drama, this issue treats stakes and characters with respect. The action can be tough to follow, but the art is sharp and keeps a lively pace.

Rating: 4 out of 5

LOCAL MAN #13

The latest arc ends meaningfully, confronting superhero comics nostalgia in fresh ways. It’s a bona fide gem in the postmodern superhero moment.

Rating: 5 out of 5

PLASTIC: DEATH AND DOLLS #3

The big violent splash pages are the best moments, but the narrative isn’t selling well. The writing feels on-the-nose and the archetypal characters are growing thin.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

REDCOAT #5

The issue stumbles with too much exposition. While it has good character interactions, the facial expressions and some story elements miss a beat. Nonetheless, it ends with an intriguing reveal.

Rating: 3 out of 5

SELF HELP #3

The story’s detour throws off the pace initially, but it gets back on track, adding depth with the family’s involvement. The series’ success will depend on its conclusion.

Rating: 3 out of 5

STANDSTILL #1

Ryker Ruel uses a time-freezing device, leading to thefts and mysteries. Governments are becoming aware, with a scientist sacrificing much to uncover the truth.

Rating: 4 out of 5

WITCHBLADE #2

The series puts its stamp on the character, smartly and timely addressing feminist themes. The artwork complements this, making it an awesome real starting point for the series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

BLOW AWAY #5

The final issue resolves the mystery and Brynne’s journey well, giving her redemption and purpose. It’s a strong conclusion to a solid story.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

BRIAR #8

Briar and Spider reconcile, plotting a prison escape. While the escape relies on luck, the series finds better footing to move forward.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #14

This arc is intense and gritty, hitting harder than most of the series to date.

Rating: 4 out of 5

CROCODILE BLACK #4

The unpredictable journey continues, shaking up the status quo with twisted and heartbreaking moments. It remains a fascinating read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #2

Improved from the first issue, the trio of stories still fall short of being unrelenting nail-biters but offer interesting, socially relevant takes.

Rating: 3 out of 5

HUGE DETECTIVE #1

An engaging debut with Tamaki and Gyant’s partnership in a world where giants resettle Australia. Layered characters and conflicts make it a promising start.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

JOY OPERATIONS 2 #3

Joy and Hampton are reunited, bringing intrigue and colorful art. The duality of two people sharing one body is tackled interestingly.

Rating: 3 out of 5

LAWFUL #3

Improving upon earlier issues, the action sequences raise the stakes. Sung begins to acknowledge his situation, making the story more compelling.

Rating: 3 out of 5

NIGHT CLUB 2 #1

This debut feels cringe-inducing, catering to a younger audience but failing to land an adequate story. Even the kinetic artwork can’t save it.

Rating: 1 out of 5

PARANOID GARDENS #2

Revealing various conspiracies, the issue maintains an unsettling ambiance. The art pulls readers into uncanny valley, making it a unique and special series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

PATRA #1

A horrible crime