Jack Richardson Comic Reviews

Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 proves that the series has legs, and that those legs are strong. At this point all speculation about the series becoming an ongoing has gone, and I feel very confident about its future.

If there is only one comic book you can afford this week, you owe it to yourself to pick up Absolute Martian Manhunter #9. This is a deep, complex issue that does not talk down to the reader and assumes they are ready to have an honest and important discussion on mental health.

Bleeding Hearts issue 2 proves that this series is built to last and isn’t just a gimmick like some readers may have come away from issue 1 thinking. Issue 2 is a dark, cold, and brooding tale of survival and finding hope through the darkness.

This comic book is definitely bittersweet and can be viewed as a fleeting “what could have been”, but the creative team make the best with what they've got to tell a deep and truly poignant tale full of surprises that are destined to make any fan of Marvel Comics smile.

Bleeding Hearts #1 is a really fun zombie satire that takes the overdone zombie genre and reheats it in fun and interesting ways. I feel that it's still too early to say whether this series will knock it out of the park, but, in my opinion, with Deniz Camp in the driving seat, we are in safe hands.

If you're a fan of Wally West, or just a fan of great storytelling, buy this book. It’s fun, it’s smart, and it’s finally fast again. Just don't try the casserole trick at home.

If you were on the fence after issue #1, Generation X-23 #2 is the issue that should keep you on the pull list. It’s got heart, it’s got grit, and it’s finally giving the Kinney sisters a challenge that they can’t just claw their way out of.

I think Redcoat issue 15 is probably tied as the best issue in the series so far, tied with the exceptional issue 7. Although a relatively relaxed and breezy issue, feeling more like a resting point to catch our breath and revel in the mundane for a short while, it also manages to deliver heavy emotional weight and payoff to readers who have followed the story so far, while also hinting at the future and not revealing too much of its deck.

​If you haven't picked up this series yet, what are you doing? Spawn: The Dark Ages #4 is the turning point we’ve been waiting for. It’s harsh, it’s stylish, and it’s confidently mean in all the right ways. It won’t just entertain you; it’ll haunt you. This is the "Medieval Spawn" story we deserve, and I can't wait to see how Sharp brings this nightmare to its conclusion in the next two issues.

All in all, this is a brilliant comeback for arguably the most poetic and interesting comic currently being printed by one of the "Big Two." Comic fans owe it to themselves to jump on the Absolute Martian Manhunter train before it’s too late. With the first trade paperback—collecting the initial six-issue arc—having just been released, there is no better time to catch up on this psychic masterpiece.

Coming into this issue, I admit I wasn't a fan of Deadpool and largely found him quite annoying, but I really think Benjamin Percy struck the perfect tonal balance for the character and genuinely turned him into a complicated anti-hero in a thrilling setup.

Even though Geiger #18 is a more stripped-down entry in the series than past issues, it still manages to add enough emotional and narrative weight to drive a compelling story that really strips back who Tariq Geiger is as a character. Backed up by killer guest art that helps create great depth and atmosphere for the mythos of Geiger's world, readers are sure to have a lot of fun here.

​Tyler Boss is crafting a story about the dangers of being "seen," while Martin Simmonds is providing the most atmospheric art in the industry. It’s a "duet of romance and horror" that actually lives up to the hype. If you’re a fan of gothic horror or just want to see what happens when you turn a classic monster movie into a psychological thriller, this is a must-pull.

Usagi Yojimbo: Kaito ‘84 is a fantastic first issue that uses fun and memorable characters to tell a story of honor, family legacy, and helping those in need. Using spectacular art as well as entertaining writing, this is a comic book that I’d recommend to anyone of any age.

Absolute Martian Manhunter issue #10's writing leaves a little to be desired, but the reader is bound to still get lost in a technicolor, hippy fever dream of an issue that tries to get to the root of the American Empire.

Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 is a great start to a new run that feels like a great jumping-on point for new fans while also acknowledging the events of past runs for old fans. Great art and an intriguing story make this a fantastic pickup.

Geiger #22 is a story about finding humanity and remembering to reflect on what life is about in a world that is so unforgiving. "Well-written, beautiful, and memorable" is all this reviewer is left with to say. Wow!

While this is another issue where not a great deal happens, I think Jeff Lemire is definitely in it for the long game and is more concerned with grand storytelling than delivering an entire story in one issue, as this issue features some more hints and foreshadowing about what is to come. While I'm still unsure where it's leading, I'm hopeful it will pay off in the long term. This is either a single pull or wait for the trade paperback depending on how you view that statement.

I think Absolute Flash #10 is very easily the best issue yet, and I truly believe many of the seeds Lemire previously planted pay off to great effect. However, the series could still benefit from fleshing out more of the side characters to make the world feel lived-in. I cannot wait to see how this story continues, and I will be first in line to buy Issue #11.

In conclusion, I think Absolute Flash #11 could be the biggest and best yet, with readers finally getting a lot of answers and payoffs to plot points established early on. The issue also suggests that while the future may be very bright for Wally West, it may be much darker for Eleanor Thawne.

Absolute Flash #13 tells the story of Wally West and his newfound friend Linda in a more stripped-back story that sets aside its superhero storytelling to find out who the characters we love are, yet also makes time to please those who are here for The Flash with a long-awaited return of a major villain at the end.

​Ultimately, this is a strong start to the "Flight" arc. Tom Taylor has planted the seeds for an intriguing personal mystery that ties the histories of three of DC’s biggest icons together. While it feels a bit overstuffed for a first chapter, the character beats are strong enough to carry it through the heavy exposition.

In conclusion, I think Flash Issue 27 takes advantage of its tie-in nature to tell a fun Flash Family story that doesn't feel too encumbered by corporate synergy and more like it could be a regular issue. With the caution that readers who are new to The Flash may want to read up a little bit on his mythos, and some questionable artwork, this is a wacky adventure through time for Flash and Impulse

Geiger issue 21 is another very solid and fun issue that is definitely designed for longtime readers of The Ghost Machine canon. That doesn't mean that new readers won't find something to enjoy, though, as I firmly believe they will.

The Final Verdict In conclusion, The Flash issue #30 feels like a solid and rewarding climax to a mixed bag story that has largely felt inconsistent in tone as well as quality. The Flash issue #30 sees the conclusion to the Impulse Control storyline. Although it feels as if there were several missed opportunities along the way, the ending serves as a satisfying conclusion to both this storyline and the creative run for the character.

I think Geiger #19 can feel a bit like a filler issue, and the absence of the series’ core cast is notable, but Ashley Arden’s story remains very entertaining and satisfying. I think it's possible to miss this issue, but in doing so, you'd definitely miss some solid post-apocalyptic fun.

In conclusion, JSA #16 is another fun entry in the "Year One" storyline. It continues to craft a fresh origin for the team, packed with Easter eggs and fan service that long-time readers owe it to themselves to experience. While the pacing remains a slow burn and the color palette can feel a bit stagnant, the character work and historical conspiracy make it a vital piece of the 2026 DC landscape.

JSA #17 delivers a fun throwback homage to the Golden Age of comics, featuring a Bond villain–esque supervillain alongside a group of classic, beloved superheroes.

Is Spawn: The Dark Ages #1 going to set the world on fire? Probably not, but supported by fantastic, highly detailed art and set in a grimdark Europe filled with pagan myth and Hellspawn, this is a fun callback to pulp fantasy in line with Robert E. Howard and Michael Moorcock. Just don't expect any nuanced writing or characters that will blow your mind or surprise you.

Spawn: The Dark Ages #3 will blow you away on each page with its medieval gothic macabre. For fans of classic Conan, Slaine, and 2000AD, this new take on the Spawn Universe won't disappoint

I think that this issue of The Flash is another fine issue of the comic, especially for fans of Impulse. However, I think that if you're new to the series and the characters within, you may find yourself a little bored with the entire storyline, which seems to cater exclusively to big Flash fans.

I believe JSA #14 is a fine addition to the ongoing Year One storyline, although there isn't a whole lot to talk about regarding the greater story at play. Fun character moments and surprises keep the reader's attention for the most part, but you're probably better off waiting for the trade paperback.

Wade Wilson: Deadpool #2 didn’t stand out to me as much as #1 did; however, there are still things to enjoy, and I don’t want to call it quits on the series just yet. I am still hopeful Benjamin Percy brings back the magic he did with issue #1, and this is all just a jigsaw piece in a much wider narrative.

Generation X-23 #1 shows signs of love and some understanding of Laura Kinney as a character, but in my opinion, it suffers from retreading old paths and plotlines seen in past X-23 stories. Maybe future issues will surprise me, but issue one really did not.

Universal Monsters issue #1 strikes hard parallels between uninteresting dialogue and storytelling and breathtaking art. In the opinion of the reviewer, this is some of the best work from Martin Simmonds.

In conclusion, I think The Flash issue #28: Jay Garrick versus Guy Gardner is just fine. It is nothing groundbreaking or memorable, but it is also nothing outright bad either. Personally, I would not go out of my way to buy this unless you are a completionist who has to own all aspects and parts of a comic book event.

Absolute Flash #12 fails to deliver on many of its promises and ends in a very forgettable way. There is a small glimmer of hope for the future of the series, but the writing in this issue doesn’t inspire much confidence.

I'm starting to warm up to this run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles A little more now that character motivations have been explained a bit clearer. I still think it's a step down from the past Jason Aaron run, but it is starting to show signs of improvement.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue #16 has some elements to enjoy, and Gene Luen Yang's run is certainly growing on me. However, it still bears many of the same issues that the past four issues did and hasn't really corrected any of them. The art is very good, as is to be expected from Freddie Williams III, but that only goes so far.

It's been hard for me to write this review as I don't really enjoy being negative, but I don't want to recommend something I don't enjoy. I'm hopeful this run will improve, as one issue feels way too soon to write something off. Here's hoping for a stronger issue 14.

In conclusion, I believe Titans issue #31 is a pretty forgettable comic book, with the details of it already fading from my memory less than a day after reading it. Here's hoping the series' mediocrity is purely down to DC/K.O., and an interesting comic book run is on the horizon.

All in all, this comic was pretty poor and easily the worst of DC K.O. yet. Maybe someone else will get a kick out of it, but I certainly didn't.

In conclusion, Titans #32 sees an end to this latest volume from the Titans team. While the final moments are a little touching, the rest of the comic fails to impress or become compelling in any way. The narrative weight of the volume is lost in the shuffle of the DC K.O. event, and the technical execution of both the art and the script leaves much to be desired.