Author: Brandon Carlisle

Star Wars: The High Republic #1 Marvel Comics Writer: Cavan Scott Artist: Ario Anindito The High Republic is here! A brand-new era in Star Wars canon taking place around 200 years before The Phantom Menace. Shortly after the events of the novel Light of the Jedi, we join Jedi Master Sskeer as he trains Padawan Keeve Trennis. This issue focuses mainly on introducing these new High Republic characters and establishing the Jedi Order in this time period. The plot is a little thin so far, and this new era will take some adjusting to. However, It’s exciting seeing Cavan…

Suicide Squad #11 DC Comics Writer: Tom Taylor Artist: Bruno Redondo & Adriano Lucas The finale of Tom Taylor’s Suicide Squad maxi-series is here! The ex-members of The Suicide Squad are working to stop Black Mask as well as wrapping up loose ends. The action here feels a little rushed, but the resolution is wonderfully done. With this issue, Tom Taylor says goodbye to Suicide Squad, but it’s clear that he has more plans for The Revolutionaries on the horizon. The cold opening of this issue reveals that Jog, the French speedster that died back in Suicide Squad #5, has risen back from the…

Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #1 DC Comics Writer: Katana Collins Artists: Matteo Scalera Batman: White Knight has had a strong storyline throughout its series, and Harley Quinn is already showing the potential of being just as good. Harley Quinn has been a compelling character since the start of this story, and now she is just as interesting as ever. I was not expecting her to get her own series in this universe, but it is absolutely deserved, and I’m excited to see where this is heading. This series takes place a few years after the events of Curse of the White Knight.…

Strange Adventures #6 DC Comics Writer: Tom King Artists: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner Strange Adventures continues to be a slow burn, but a well-calculated one. Although not much seems to happen in this issue, the conversations between the central characters make for a worthwhile inclusion in the story. Alanna keeps growing as a character as the focus slowly shifts to her, and her motivations are still clouded in mystery. With Mr. Terrific’s ongoing investigation, the character has been shown for the most part in this series in an analytical, professional setting. This issue instead shows a personal, more laid-back Mr. Terrific, as he goes…

The Ludocrats #5 Image Comics Writers: Kieron Gillen and Jim Rossignol Artists: Jeff Stokely and Tamra Bonvillain The Ludocrats reaches its epic conclusion with this issue, which sees Otto von Subertan on trial for his life. He’s been betrayed by his friends, and all hope seems lost. How can the wacky, fun-loving characters recover from this? As it turns out, pretty easily. Nonetheless, this series concludes just as joyful and fun as it started. As fast and casual as this conclusion seems, it’s perfectly fitting for this series. Problems the Ludocrats face are often resolved through nonsensical logic and fourth-wall breaks, and the climax is…

Suicide Squad #9 DC Comics Writer: Tom Taylor Artist: Bruno Redondo & Adriano Lucas After several issues of very-well-done character studies, it’s back to the action for Suicide Squad. The Squad is ready to take down Ted Kord, and they are operating as a perfect unit. Several twists and turns ensure, and a shocking moment that the Squad may never recover from. (Well, it’s shocking if you avoided DC’s marketing for it.) The Suicide Squad has a plan, and they execute it perfectly. The team is working like a well-oiled machine, which is extremely satisfying to see. It’s great how each member of the team…

Bill and Ted Are Doomed #1 Dark Horse Comics Writer: Evan Dorkin Artist: Roger Langridge In this prequel series to the new Bill & Ted Face the Music film, we get to see what Bill and Ted have been up to since their adventures and journeys thirty years ago. Taking place several years after the events of 1991’s Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, it quickly becomes clear that Bill and Ted didn’t rise straight to stardom like the films would lead you to believe. The year is 2000, and the dudes are broke and creatively drained. Frustrated with how their career is turning…

Hawkeye: Freefall #6 Marvel Comics Writer: Matthew Rosenberg Artist: Otto Schmidt The finale of Hawkeye: Freefall! Treated as more of the end of an arc rather than a final conclusion, there is still a sense of ultimatum and enough satisfaction to make this a good ending to a wonderful Hawkeye run. There’s a lot of blood, a lot of sadness, and Hawkeye wearing more bandages than ever. Continuing with the dark tone that the last issue ended on, things get much more serious for Clint. With nothing more to lose, Clint puts everything he has into stopping Bullseye and The…

Suicide Squad (2019-) #8 DC Comics Writer: Tom Taylor Artist: Daniel Sampere & Adriano Lucas While the ex-members of The Suicide Squad plan their next move in taking down Task Force X, secrets of the past emerge. The origin story of The Aerie is revealed, and it ends up being really sweet. While serving as a good story on its own, it may be more connected to the villain’s plot than the characters realize. In the previous issue of this series, character and depth were added to Deadshot. This issue gives The Aerie the same attention and service that…

The Ludocrats #4 Image Comics Writers: Kieron Gillen and Jim Rossignol Artists: Jeff Stokely and Tamra Bonvillain The Ludocrats continue their quirky and colorful adventure as the story rushes into its final act. This is the penultimate issue of the series, and it does exactly what it should. The end draws near, twists are thrown into the mix, and the comedy never lets up. The four remaining Ludocrats have to escape a trap with the help of some multi-dimensional shenanigans. After that, they are faced with their lowest point and have to decide what to do next. While some…