I Love Comics (Blah, Blah, Blah….)

NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (04/09/25)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*

Absolute Batman # 7
Action Comics # 1085
Amazing Spider-Man # 1
Aquaman # 4
Batman & Robin # 20
Daredevil # 20
Geiger # 13
Incredible Hulk # 24
Phoenix # 10
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider # 12
Transformers # 19
Uncanny X-Men # 13

Absolute Batman # 7 – The latest issue of “Absolute Batman” reinvents another familiar villain, Mr. Freeze, with a chilling backstory and eerie design that will captivate fans of this series (**NO SPOILERS**). I must say that Scott Snyder delivers without missing a beat as the plot alternates between Bruce talking to his friends about the mystery of the Ark M experiment, Matches Malone (who gets a more respectable reinvention), and his identity as Batman. This narrative sets the stage for inner conflicts that will arise. This new version of Mr. Freeze is deadly enough to pose a significant threat to Batman and Gotham as a whole. It’s refreshing to know that the concept of the loving husband with the freeze-ray gun is long gone, replaced by a monster with a horrifying, skeleton-esque physique that is sure to terrify anyone. The right amount of world-building and intense drama, not to mention the dynamic chemistry between Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin (who delivers his best yet terrifying art to date), makes this installment of “Absolute Batman” another satisfying read.

Amazing Spider-Man # 1 – Spider-Man receives a vivid reintroduction with a new number one (legacy number # 965) and a fresh start courtesy of Joe Kelly (who is now the regular writer). Right away, Kelly infuses this new chapter of ASM with humor and heart, bringing back the old-fashioned elements that made this Marvel’s flagship title. The high-octane action is more than enough to elevate the heroic moments while ensuring the story stays entertaining for both old and new readers. After the “8 Deaths of Spider-Man” debacle, it seems this new beginning has reinvigorated Kelly as we see glimpses of his earlier work while forging ahead with something new and refreshing that reminds readers why ASM remains a unique title. Pepe Larraz (making his ASM debut after years as a flagship artist on the Krakoa-era X-Men titles) gives this new iteration of ASM a much-needed boost with his stellar art; Longtime Spider-Man artist John Romita Jr. does the best he can, especially when introducing the new villain Hellgate. It’s been said that ASM had its hits and misses in earlier runs, but this one looks promising enough to make Spider-Man great again. Seeing Joe Kelly writing an ongoing title again is more than enough to invest in this new era of The Amazing Spider-Man.

Daredevil # 20 – This issue of “Daredevil” kicks off a new arc with Matt Murdock battling guilt after the events of the previous arc while dealing with an odd but mysterious plant-based infection threatening Hell’s Kitchen (you have to see it to believe it). Saladin Ahmed dives deep into the notions of faith and defeat, guiding the readers through Matt’s journey while also exploring DD’s vulnerability in a way that’s never been seen before. This highlights the character’s Catholic roots, reaching a point where he nearly throws in the towel. The reintroduction of Nyla Skin (a character from Ann Nocenti’s historic run) and the return of DD’s black armor from the 90s are two main elements that successfully draw interest in this title while paying homage to past DD eras, making it relevant to DD’s current situation. Watching Murdock’s faith be challenged while he grapples with his guilt over the killing of Bullseye is compelling enough to keep readers invested, but let’s hope this new arc concludes compellingly rather than resorting to a quick resolution that might feel empty.

Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around, and I look forward to seeing you next time.

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