Author: Matthew Dillon

Section Zero #2 Image Comics Writer: Karl Kesel Artist: Tom Grummett In a regrettable, monkey’s paw type scenario, I got exactly what I asked for with issue #2 of Section Zero. The book follows an eclectic team of supernatural investigators. But now the book is turning away from the supernatural and towards the mundane. Sam Wildman spends most of his time griping about his ex-wife to anyone who will listen and a few people who won’t. That’s especially a problem because his ex is none other than team member Doctor Challenger. Unfortunately this plotline not as compelling as I…

Transformers (2019-) #4 IDW Writer: Brian Ruckley Artists: Sara Pitre-Durocher, Angel Hernandez, Andrew Griffith Issue 4 of Transformers puts a lot of focus on some of the minor characters that played a role in James Roberts’ More Than Meets the Eye. I hold that series to be the gold standard of Transformers media. With that in mind, I do feel that it’s a little unfair to compare it to Brian Ruckley’s new series. But this issue introduces one of MTMTE’s staples and the funeral of another. It’d be easier to take Transformers on its own if it wasn’t currently the…

Transformers #3 IDW Publishing Writer: Brian Ruckley Artists: Angel Hernandez & Cachét Whitman IDW’s newest Transformers series is insistent that the plot is starting to escalate but it doesn’t actually feel that way. The comic has certainly done a lot to build a living, breathing Cybertron. But as I’ve been wont to point out, you can say this about dozens of other Transformers stories. Competent worldbuilding isn’t enough to sell the narrative author Brian Ruckley is eager to tell. At least not without more help from the rest of the plot. I think there’s a good series somewhere in Transformers…

Heroes in Crisis #8 DC Comics Writer: Tom King Artists: Mitch Gerads & Travis Moore Almost the entirety of Heroes in Crisis #8 features a monologue given by Wally West, one of the heroes murdered at Sanctuary. In a possibly intentional meta detail, the character is both alive and dead, trapped in a sort of limbo. But as I’ve said in previous reviews, that’s nothing new. Heroes in Crisis has just been particularly explicit about how DC intends to handle the character. For a generation of readers, Wally West is the Flash. Unfortunately, DC seems hellbent on burying him,…

Stronghold #3 Aftershock Comics Writer: Phil Hester Artist: Ryan Kelly The third issue of Stronghold finally elaborates upon its previously vague premise. It properly establishes the circumstances surrounding “the Zealot’s” imprisonment on Earth as insurance underwriter Michael Grey. The specifics of what he actually is, aside from being nearly god-like, are still developing. Thankfully, the series has managed to gradually present and solve its mysteries without expending them all in one installment. Issue #3 is no exception. Stronghold has a quick pace without feeling rushed. The story still has more than enough room to breathe, though. A little too much room…

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Grand Moff Tarkin (2019-) #1 Marvel Comics Writer: Greg Pak Artist: Marc Laming I’ve found the post-Disney buyout era of Star Wars to be very lacking. I’d be hard pressed to say that George Lucas always handled the franchise properly, but at least his vision for Star Wars extended beyond its profit margins. Even the recent comics, while not bad, have been sorely lacking in many ways. Especially when you compare Marvel’s publications to the high-quality content Dark Horse was previously publishing. Their comics perfectly captured the grimy, complex, but hopeful atmosphere of the…

Section Zero #1 Image Comics Writer: Karl Kesel Artist: Tom Grummett Section Zero #1 is an interesting glimpse back at the comic book trends that dominated the medium 20 years ago. Mainly because it’s a reprint of the never finished series written by Karl Kesel and illustrated by Tom Grummett. Section Zero, originally published in 2000, ended abruptly with its third issue. Now the book returns through Image, with the promise of reaching its long-awaited conclusion. Those who caught Section Zero the first time around should note essentially nothing has changed. And I’m not sure if there’s a market for…

The 25 issue Hourman series written by Tom Peyer is the very definition of a hidden gem. Published in 1999 by DC Comics, it follows the android Hourman, an “intelligent machine colony” modeled off of the World War II hero of the same name. Eschewing the “power for an hour” Miraclo pill of his predecessor, this “new” Hourman has a god-like grasp over time and space. In the series’ memorable first issue, Hourman’s encounter with an ashamed Snapper Car leads the android to forsake his godhood. Now possessing much more limited powers, he sets off on a quest of…

Transformers #2 IDW Writer: Brian Ruckley Artists: Angel Hernandez & Cachét Whitman IDW’s all new but still familiar take on Cybertron has an uncertain future ahead, even if Transformers has only had two issues so far. Writer Brian Ruckley creates a compelling image of the Transformers’ lives before the war. But so did the comics that came before this one. And while this series still needs time to develop, I’m starting to question if this new book can produce something as nuanced or engaging as IDW’s previous offerings. To Ruckley’s credit, there’s still a lot of unknowns in Transformers. Aside…

Heroes in Crisis (2018-) #7 DC Comics Writer: Tom King Artists: Clay Mann, Travis Moore, and Jorge Fornes Issue #7 of Heroes in Crisis sports an evocative cover by Mitch Gerards, featuring Superman breaking up a fight between Booster Gold and Harley Quinn. In an interesting turn of events, the latter is wearing a Legion of Superheroes flight ring. Unfortunately, none of that happens this issue. Superman doesn’t even appear. I suspect that disconnect is likely another unfortunate result of Heroes in Crisis’ abrupt extension. I will admit that regardless of the circumstances, Superman’s angry, pained declaration of “Enough!” does…