Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 by Tom Taylor

 Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 by Tom Taylor et al.-176 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Swords! Sorcery! Superheroes! A brand-new DC Universe is born from writer Tom Taylor ( DCeased, Nightwing) and artist Yasmine Putri.

An entire medieval world will be forever changed when a spaceship crash-lands from a doomed planet. Years later the El Kingdom reins and Jefferson Pierce, the head of the Kingdom of Storms sees their family as a threat and gathers allies to challenge them. Monarchs will die, kingdoms will rise, and what seemed like the end of the world for many…was only the beginning! An epic high-fantasy story set in a DC Universe where nothing is what it seems…

Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 2 by Tom Taylor et al.-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thoughts: I was intrigued by Batman and other DC characters being put into a medieval world with sorcery and swords and this short series did not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing all of the characters (even many side characters) have a role to play in the story. 

Wade Wilson: Deadpool #5-6 by Benjamin Percy

 Wade Wilson: Deadpool #5-6 by Benjamin Percy-32 pages each, 64 total

⭐⭐⭐⭐

STARING DEATH IN THE FACE! HAMMERHEAD has DEADPOOL'S book of omens. But with BLIND AL in the crosshairs, will WADE sacrifice his life for hers? The secret from issue #1 revealed!

BADPOOLS! Who's that knockin' at the door? Sounds like Wade. SMELLS like Wade. But it's not Wade...OR IS IT?! The BADPOOLS enter the scene, and DEADPOOL's life will never be the same!

Thoughts: I continue to like reading through this series. I am all caught up so far. Deadpool is as irreverent as ever! Blind Al helps Deadpool survive Hammerhead and then a "Badpool" shows up at their door to confront Deadpool. It turns out all those limbs and body parts Deadpool has lost (and then regenerated new ones) have become sentient and are after him. Will he survive? I'll have to continue reading the following issue(s) to find out.

Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 by Brad Meltzer, et al.

Marvel/DC: Spider-Man/Superman #1 by Brad Meltzer, et al.-72 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

THWIP, THWIP AND AWAY! Fifty years ago, DC's Man of Steel met Marvel's friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, and the world of comics has never been the same! In celebration of that historic milestone, thrill to ALL-NEW tales of Spider-Man and Superman and their friends and foes!

Brad Meltzer and Pepe Larraz pit Spider-Man and Superman against Lex Luthor and Norman Osborn as their greatest villains exploit some of their greatest weaknesses!
In the shadow-laden 1930s, Spider-Man Noir encounters the original Golden Age Superman as told by Slott/Martin!
A crisis ensues as Johns/Frank bring the Super- and Spider-families against each together at the summons of Mysterio... but is their true foe an ally out of control?!
Symbiote hordes invade Metropolis as a new War of the Realms ignites in Aaron/Dauterman's epic.
Co-creator of Steel Louise Simonson hammers out the tale of John Henry Irons' clash with the Hobgoblin, as drawn by Todd Nauck!
Kelly/Ramos take us on a campus crossover between Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang!
Miles Morales (Spider-Man) teams with Superman, as Bendis and Pichelli re-team!
All this, and more than a few super-surprises you'll be talking about for the next fifty years!

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories/comics from Marvel and DC. There are more superheroes and supervillains than just Spider-Man and Superman. Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Ghost Spider, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Jane Foster Thor, and so many more make a brief appearance. 

Wade Wilson: Deadpool #3 & #4 by Benjamin Percy

 Wade Wilson: Deadpool #3 & #4 by Benjamin Percy-32 pages each, 64 pages total

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ONLY SMILING ON THE OUTSIDE! WADE WILSON is down, and fate (and the gangsters he’s gotten wrapped up with) keep kicking! He’s smiling on the outside, but what tragic fate has befallen DEADPOOL? Witness the gut-wrenching horror Wade has endured…even as he walks into a deadly murder in Central Park that will change the course of his life!

MOB LIFE! The gangster HAMMERHEAD has cottoned on to DEADPOOL's secret. But WADE can't be bought… No wait, that's not right. Wade can totally be bought. That's his whole deal as a mercenary… OH, Hammerhead has the 'Pool by the floats, that's what it is, and whatever choice he makes, someone close to him will wind up DEAD!

Thoughts: I liked both of these issues/volumes and I look forward to continuing this series. I enjoy Deadpool's irreverence and sarcasm. 

Universal Monsters: Phantom of the Opera Issues #1-4 by Tyler Boss and Martin Simmonds

Universal Monsters: Phantom of the Opera Issues #1-4 by Tyler Boss and Martin Simmonds-32 pages each, 128 pages total

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (for each issue)

This short series is a new take on the Phantom of the Opera story. It is beautifully, hauntingly drawn. The story has some of the same characters as the musical and the novel, but the Phantom or "ghost" turns out to actually be Christine Daae's father. He does many horrible things, including multiple murders, to give Christine her chance and ultimately to become famous himself. 

Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale by Sophie Campbell

 Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale by Sophie Campbell-144 pages

⭐⭐⭐.75/5

A bold new era begins as Supergirl returns to her roots, but an impostor threatens to steal her life before she can reclaim it!

Kara Zor-El is ready for a fresh start, leaving Metropolis behind to rediscover herself in Midvale. But when she arrives, she finds someone else has already taken up the mantle of Supergirl! As she fights to reclaim her identity, she must also face a growing new threat, one with ties to her past, and a dangerous new ally in Lena Luthor. With a stunning new costume and an exhilarating story by writer/artist Sophie Campbell, this collection marks the beginning of a thrilling new chapter for the Maiden of Might!

Thoughts: This isn't my favorite Supergirl comic, but it's still pretty good. It's a little weird that Supergirl was known as Linda Danvers growing up instead of the usual Kara Danvers. The adventures (or "misadventures") are fun to read about even if the stakes aren't very high. It kind of reads like a couple episodes of a Supergirl show. 

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me by Kelly Thompson, et al.

 Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me by Kelly Thompson, et al.-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Trapped in the Maze, Forged by Myth—Wonder Woman Faces Her Greatest Test

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me continues Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman’s bold new vision of Diana of Themyscira. Collecting issues #8–14, this volume finds Wonder Woman navigating the twisted corridors of Area 41’s Black Box Maze—a prison of temptation, trauma, and revelation. As Diana confronts the horrors of man’s world and the truth of her Amazonian legacy, she must choose between rage and compassion, isolation and connection. With supernatural threats erupting across the globe and Smallville under siege, Diana’s journey becomes a battle for identity, justice, and the soul of humanity. Available in both hardcover and softcover formats.

Thoughts: I really liked this volume. I continue to enjoy reading this alternate origin story for Wonder Woman and I'm excited to see what happens next. 

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Thompson, et al.

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Thompson, et al.-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

 Without the island paradise, without the sisterhood that shaped her, without a mission of peace…she’s still the Absolute Amazon!

Spiraling out of the catastrophic events of Absolute Power, a new side of the DC Universe is born—the Absolute Universe!

In a different, darker world, Diana of Themyscira was not raised in paradise, but instead was exiled to the underworld as a baby and raised by an enemy. Darkness and exile did not destroy her; instead, they made her all the stronger—honed into an even greater weapon by tragedy, danger, and magic. Long denied her Amazonian heritage, Diana has finally reached the time for her to rejoin the surface world. Armed with new weapons forged in Hell, and a mission that looks a bit more like justice than peace, Diana will not be stopped on her quest to save the world and discover her place in it, even if that means carving it herself!

Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson is joined by breakout superstar artist Hayden Sherman to reinvent Wonder Woman from the ground up! Collects Absolute Wonder Woman #1-7.

Thoughts: I really like this as an alternate origin story for Wonder Woman. It delves a bit deeper into the Greek mythology lore and I'm here for it. I am looking forward to reading the next volume and I continue to like the Absolute DC Comics stories (so far, anyway).

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

 Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta-176 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Without the wealth, without the cave, he’s still the Absolute Dark Knight! Meet Batman as you’ve never seen him before, reimagined with a modern origin story at the hands of superstar creative team Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta!

An astonishing new version of DC’s iconic characters is here! In the Absolute Universe, familiar heroes have been reinvented from the ground up with origin stories that completely reshape both their abilities and their circumstances but maintain the core characteristics that fans have known and loved for decades!

Bruce Wayne comes from nothing. He’s not the scion of a wealthy empire in Gotham City, he’s the son of a public school teacher who he experienced the unimaginable horror of random gun violence as a child, changing the trajectory of his life forever. With no limitless resources, no billions to fund him, no mansion, and no butler to care for him, Bruce has shaped himself into an entirely different breed of Batman, one that is equal parts brain and brawn, who exists exclusively in the grittiest and most underserved parts of Gotham with no high society mask to fall back on.

Collects ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1-6. 

Thoughts: I really like this new take on Batman's origin. He's not rich and he doesn't come from a prominent family. He's still Bruce Wayne and he went through a traumatic event as a child. This is even grittier than The Dark Knight Trilogy of movies. It's raw and real. I am looking forward to reading Vol. 2 Abomination.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes

 Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes-224 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

It’s Supergirl like you’ve never seen her before, in a character-defining sci-fi/fantasy masterpiece from Mister Miracle writer Tom King and Wonder Woman artist Bilquis Evely!

Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but she now finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman’s fame.

Just when Supergirl thinks she’s had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

Thoughts: The upcoming Supergirl movie from DC Comics is supposedly based on this comic series and I've read that this is a really good comic. It didn't disappoint. This is a really good, nuanced take on Supergirl. 

Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones

 Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones-208 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She's super-strong. She can fly. She crash-landed on Earth in a rocket ship. But for Kara Danvers, winning the next track meet, celebrating her 16th birthday and surviving her latest mega-zit are her top concerns. And with the help of her best friends and her kinda-infuriating-but-totally-loving adoptive parents, she just might be able to put her troubling dreams--shattered glimpses of another world--behind her.

Until an earthquake shatters her small town of Midvale...and uncovers secrets about her past she thought would always stay buried.

Now Kara's incredible powers are kicking into high gear, and people she trusted are revealing creepy ulterior motives. The time has come for her to choose between the world where she was born and the only world she's ever known. Will she find a way to save her town and be super, or will she crash and burn?

Caldecott Honor and Eisner Award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer) and Eisner Award-nominated artist Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer) combine forces for this incredible coming-of-age tale! This is the Girl of Steel as you've never seen her before.

Collects the limited series Supergirl: Being Super #1-4.

Thoughts: This is a good, new origin story for Supergirl. I've seen all the seasons of the CW show and I really enjoyed that. This is right up there with that show. 

Wade Wilson: Deadpool (2026-) #2 by Benjamin Percy

Wade Wilson: Deadpool (2026-) #2 by Benjamin Percy-24 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

NO MORE CLOWNING AROUND! A deadly subway caper shows DEADPOOL the The secret message he received was right! And with intel on crimes before they are committed, Wade Wilson has no choice but to do the right exploit his insider knowledge for PROFIT and COLD HARD CASH! Merc's gotta merc! But can he outrun the horrible pain of his tragic mistake, or is this all setting Wade up for the worst fall of his life?

Thoughts: This is a fun, short read from a new series about Deadpool. I've seen all the Deadpool movies, so I thought I might enjoy this and I was right. 

Wonder Woman: Black & Gold 2026 Special by Steve Orlando, Tom King, and Rossi Gifford

Wonder Woman: Black & Gold 2026 Special by Steve Orlando, Tom King, and Rossi Gifford-40 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Witness thrilling tales starring the Amazon Princess—embellished in the color of her famous lasso. This round, the Eisner Award-winning team of Tom King and Mitch Gerads (Mister Miracle, One Bad Day) reunites, Steve Orlando has Diana search for the truth in a land of lies, Alyssa Wong brings Wonder Woman to the Spirit World, and the team behind Wonder The Adventures of Young Diana is back for more!

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this collection of stories. My favorite was the first in which a young girl, Penny, waits with a museum docent to finally meet Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman gets delayed fighting off several villains, but eventually shows up and Penny gets to meet her. I liked all 5 stories, though.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #3 by Sophie Campbell; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #4 by Caleb Goellner

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #3 by Sophie Campbell-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis: As if the outcome of Leonardo vs. the original Shredder weren’t shocking enough, the Ninja Turtles are blown away to discover they’re not alone in the otherworldly realm of the Battle Nexus—or, indeed, in the universe itself. When the twisted battle master [REDACTED] calls for a wildcard match between former flames Raphael and Alopex, their prodigious fighting skills—and unbelievable tempers—could bring down the entire Battle Nexus!

Thoughts: This is a fun, short read! I've enjoyed reading this short series and getting back into TMNT. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus #4 by Caleb Goellner-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis: Where do Battle Nexus fighters go when they lose? You can bet it’s not very pleasant, as one of our Ninja Turtles heroes discovers when he’s transported there after a brutal bout. But what he finds is something he never himself. Meanwhile, Donatello is pitted against Metalhead, a robotic Ninja Turtle from another universe! Originally designed by a version of Donnie to help the TMNT become the best fighters they could be, this Metalhead has been reprogrammed to use all of Donnie’s brilliance against him! How can one Ninja Turtle hope to defeat a state-of-the-art machine that knows every fighting style in existence?!

Thoughts: Before reading this series I didn't realize there's a multiverse in TMNT. It seems like there's a multiverse concept in a lot of comics now. I continue to enjoy reading this series and I'm excited to read the conclusion, which is the next volume.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2024-) #16 by Gene Luen Yang , Freddie E. Williams II

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2024-) #16 by Gene Luen Yang, Freddie E. Williams II-32 pages

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis: It’s Ujigami vs. Casey Jones, with Raphael caught in the middle! The Ujigami has vowed to protect the Turtles from their greatest enemies, so why is he attacking Casey? Meanwhile, Shinigami goes behind Karai’s back to make a power play of her own, involving a dangerous new ally. The first step in their plan requires blood from a very specific target…and in very large amounts!

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this one. It has been fun to get back into comics a bit. I'm interested in reading more from this series and the Battle Nexus series.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, #15 (2024-) by Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II, et al.

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, #15 (2024-) by Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II, et al.-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis: Father and sons, together again! The Turtles are overjoyed to have Splinter back with them, but there are dark things lurking in the shadows—a mysterious new magic-wielding foe disrupts the family reunion! The Turtles also learn who Ujigami’s next target is, and the race is on to save one of their greatest allies!

Thoughts: I came in during the middle of the story, but it didn't bother me at all. This is a fun, short read. I plan to read the next in the series. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus, #2 by Paul Allor, Ben Bishop, and Luis Antonio Delgado

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Battle Nexus, #2 by Paul Allor, Ben Bishop, and Luis Antonio Delgado-32 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis: Stranded in the Battle Nexus dimension by a twisted villain bent on annihilating every Ninja Turtle in the multiverse, the TMNT are forced to fight some of the greatest warriors of all time. In the first official bout, Ninja Turtle leader Leonardo is matched up with the TMNT’s greatest enemy, the Shredder! But our Leo is surprised to discover this is not the Oroku Saki he knows so well, but someone entirely different…someone much more deadly…someone who hates him with a fire he’s never felt before. Prepare yourself for the return of the most iconic and fearsome villain in Turtles Eastman & Laird’s original Shredder!

Thoughts: I enjoyed reading this. I decided to get back into comics a bit. I saw this on the shelf at the comics store and thought it looked cool. I liked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid. This is a fun, short read. 

Abridged Classics by John Atkinson

Abridged Classics: Brief Summaries of Books You Were Supposed to Read But Probably Didn't by John Atkinson -- 160 pages

This is a collection of one or two-panel comics that summarize literary classics.  I found the collection amusing to read.  It was interesting to see how the books could be cut down to a one to two sentence summary.  I did find some of the selections odd and not necessarily what I would consider a classic.  Still, this is definitely a fun book to read for book lovers.
 

The Evil Secret Society of Cats by Pandania

The Evil Secret Society of Cats, v. 1 by Pandania - 135 pages
The Evil Secret Society of Cats, v. 2 by Pandania - 138 pages

This is a series of individual comics about cats trying to teach humans to fear cats.  I found the comics amusing individually however reading them one after another in a collection kind of watered down the fun.  I was a little repetitive.  Still, I think cat lovers would really enjoy this series.

 

Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.

 Star Wars: The High Republic, Vol. 2: The Heart of Drengir by Cavan Scott et al.-120 pages

I read the first volume recently and I enjoyed it. I want to continue reading through this series. These comics/graphic novels are supplementary stories to the novels set during the High Republic era of Star Wars. In this one, the Jedi (including Keeve Trennis and her master Sskeer) are allied with the Hutts to rid the galaxy of the Drengir (dark side force sensitive plant-like creatures bent on the destruction of the Jedi). The Jedi, led by Marshal Avar Kriss, are trying to find the "Heart of the Drengir" also known as the "Great Progenitor" because if they destroy it, then they destroy the Drengir. The Jedi also continue to encounter the Nihil, who are a sworn enemy. I continue to enjoy reading through these and look forward to reading the third volume.