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. 

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. 

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.

Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

 Crisis on Infinite Earths (Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12) by Marv Wolfman and George Perez-368 pages

Originally published in 1985, Crisis was a game-changer for DC Comics (and for comics in general). Worlds and superheroes perish in this epic battle of good vs. evil. I wanted to read this because I watched the CW "Arrowverse" crossover featuring Supergirl, The Flash, Green Arrow, and many others. A scene from the crossover episodes piqued my interest in reading the original comic material. This comic and the TV crossover are similar, yet different. I enjoyed reading this comic, but I enjoyed the TV crossover more. However, the CW crossover wouldn't have been possible without the original material, so this gets props for that. 

Teen Titans: Earth One Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire

Teen Titans:  Earth One Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire - 144 pages

They were just kids with the same problems as anyone. Victor Stone's mother wouldn't stop pushing him to be more than who he is. Tara Markov's mom couldn't tell you a thing about her daughter if her life depended on it. Joey Wilson was drawing further away from his peers every day, into a self-imposed world of silence. And Gar Logan had everything he could want, except the answer to what was happening to him...

...something that would happen to them all.

After months on the run from the twisted project that created them, Cyborg, Terra, Beast Boy, and Aqualad are near their breaking point, barely surviving on what they can steal, squatting in the ruins of an abandoned subdivision. But as they reach their lowest ebb, their creator, Dr. Niles Caulder, is ready to make his move...and they're about to learn that they weren't the only kids to go through Caulder's twisted process! There are more children with powers out there, and unlike our heroes, they were raised for only one purpose--to be the living weapons Caulder wants ALL his Titans to be!

Teen Titans: Earth One Volume 1 by Jeff Lemire

Teen Titans:  Earth One Volume 1 by Jeff Lemire - 144 pages

The Teen Titans never felt like normal kids... but they had no idea how right they were. Their seemingly idyllic Oregon upbringing hides a secret -- one that will bring killers, shamans, and extraterrestrials down on their heads, and force them into an alliance that could shake the planet to its foundations!

Superstars Jeff Lemire (ANIMAL MAN, GREEN ARROW) and Terry Dodson (WONDER WOMAN) reinvent DC's youngest heroes, with an all-new mythos in an all-new world!

Sandman Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman

240 pp. After being imprisoned by humans for decades, Dream escapes from his prison and tries to reclaim his kingdom. Gripping and dark, in true Gaiman fashion- along with unexpected crossovers with the DC Universe.

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller, 136 pages

*spoilers

Bruce Wayne is Batman...now that I got that out of the way, on with the review.  Everyone knows Batman and his passion for dishin' out sweet vigilante justice.  We all also know that his parents were killed when he was young and that his rogue's gallery is well fleshed and eclectic.  But what about how Bruce Wayne became Batman?  What about his first year back in Gotham after traveling the world?  How about Commissioner Gordon, what's his deal?  Well, these questions and more are answered in Miller's Batman: Year One.  Read as Batman takes on his toughest enemies yet: inexperience and a corrupt police force.

Sarcasm aside, all heroes start somewhere, and Batman is no different.  I really like how Miller split focus between Batman and James Gordon, but kinda felt the Catwoman origin story was unnecessary.  Overall though, it was a good story.

Batgirl: Year One by Scott Beatty

Batgirl: Year One by Scott Beatty, 212 pages

Barbara Gordon wants more in her life than to be a librarian.  But, her father, Commissioner James Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department, won't allow her to join  the force.  Barbara is not tall enough for the FBI, so she creates her own identity as Batgirl.  This volume also features Batman and Robin, as well as Black Canary.  Batgirl has to remain strong as she fights enemies like Killer Moth and Firefly.  Batgirl is a great role model for young  women.  She is strong, trying to create her own identity independent of Batman.  Batgirl: Year One is full of colorful illustrations and great action.