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Epicstream Comic Book Reviews for this Week: 10/24/2018 - Featuring Books of Magic #1, The Return of Wolverine #2, The Punisher #3, More!


Epicstream Comic Book Reviews for this Week: 10/24/2018 - Featuring Books of Magic #1, The Return...

BOOKS OF MAGIC #1Written by Kat HowardArt by Tom Fowler

Having read the book adaptation and the original series by Gaiman, I have high hopes for this reboot. While the original versions were excellent, Issue #1 kicks off to a mediocre start. It’s very light on fantasy, magic, and plot. It focuses more on the juvenile school aspect of a bullied Timothy Hunter and lacks the fantastical feeling of discovery in the original series. Unless you are entirely new to the series, save your money and hop on with Issue #2 instead.

Rating: 6 out of 10

COLD SPOTS #3Written by Cullen BunnArt by Mark Torres

One of my favorite things about Cold Spots is that it comes with a QR code to download music specially made to be listened to while reading each individual issue. The first two issues of Cold Spots built up a suspenseful and eerily creepy mystery involving a small town and island along a waterfront. Issue 3 answers the mystery. The art style is a bit amateurish and could be better. If you’re looking for a chilling tale to read this Halloween and have a bit of patience, this might be the right title for you.

Rating: 5 out of 10

SPIDER-GWEN: GHOST-SPIDERWritten by Seanan McGuireArt by Rosi Kampe

There’s a lot of Spider-Man comics right now, so if you’re going to release a new Spidey title, it needs to be good. There wasn’t a whole lot going on here artwise or storywise. Gwen encounters a few common criminals and a Green Goblin wannabe. Finally, she bumps into an alternate universe Peter Parker… and that’s it. I’m not sure what the appeal of this series is, other than the fact that the main character is Spider-Gwen.

Rating: 4 out of 10

OLD LADY HARLEY #1Written by Frank TieriArt by Inaki Miranda

Tieri’s risk-taking with Old Lady Harley #1 is commendable. There are some interesting concepts here, but the plot is a hot mess. Art is pretty fleshed out and background panels are detailed. The book is weird enough to be interesting but rushes through plot points too quickly to fully enjoy them. Reading Old Lady Harley is like being on a roller coaster ride. It might be a lot of fun, or it might make you nauseous, or both.

Rating: 5 out of 10

THE PUNISHER #3Written by Matthew RosenbergArt by Szymon Kudranski

The Punisher continues to impress. Filled with cinematic action sequences, great dialogue, and Frank Castle doing what he does best. Issue #3 integrates superhero cameos to perfection. So far, The Punisher is among the best of Marvel’s Fresh Start. Frank Castle has never been in better hands than with Rosenberg and Kudranski.

Rating: 10 out of 10

THE RETURN OF WOLVERINE #2Written by Charles SouleArt by Declan Shalvey

The pencil work and coloring in issue #1 was amazing, but issue #2 is disappointing with the artist switch. Colors and action panels are good, but the pencilwork in this issue felt more like a budget Indy title. Story-wise, I like where the series is going. I'm not too fond of the whole save the kid development, as it's an overdone cliche.

Rating: 5 out of 10

THE SENTRY #5Written by Jeff LemireArt by Joshua Cassara

This is the epic conclusion to the 5 part Sentry mini-series. Lemire has destroyed the Sentry as we know him and created something new and terrifying in his place. This was a brutal and superb series, full of betrayal and violence with a personal touch. It finishes with an open ending. Hopefully, we will see more of the new Sentry in the future.

Rating: 10 out of 10

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #8Written by Nick SpencerArt by Humberto Ramos

Issue #8 begins another good Spider-Man arc. The Amazing Spider-Man is one of the most fun runs from Marvel right now. It’s written in the classic Spider-Man manner. This issue has a unique and entertaining plot that involves the mysterious disappearance of superhero gear from nearly every character.

Rating: 9 out of 10

INFINITY WARS: SOLDIER SUPREMEWritten by Gerry DugganArt by Adam Kubert

As a “What if” kind of story, the Infinity Warps issues have an interesting premise. While it sounds compelling, the implications of two characters warping together everywhere in the universe end up creating a convoluted issue. A lot of the creative effort appears to be used to decide which characters merge with who and the implications of that, which results in less creative efforts being put into the rest of the story.

Rating: 4 out of 10

X-O MANOWAR #20Written by Matt KindtArt by Juan Jose Ryp

X-O has been one of my favorite ongoing series. The first 18 issues of Kindt’s run have been fantastic! Issue 20 brings us some tie-ins with the Divinity series. I feel this arc is more of a crossover generic event than the typical outstanding quality of X-O. It’s a serviceable read that will entertain most Valiant fans, but It’s certainly not the best arc of the series.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Pick of the Week: The Punisher #3

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