Welcome to the very first edition of our new, weekly series of comic reviews!
As you all know, we’ve got a lot of avid comic book readers here at Nerdophiles. There are a lot of series we follow each week but up until now we’ve focused primarily on doing trade reviews. But comics come out every week! So we’re shaking things up and challenging ourselves to keep up with some of our favorites as they release. This will give us a chance to not only promote series we love more but to talk with you guys about them, too!
We’re super excited about this and we hope that you all will enjoy our reviews and join in the discussion by posting your thoughts in the comments below.
I’m writing all the reviews this week so here are some of the great comics I read through this week!
UFOlogy #1 of 6
Author: James Tynion IV and Noah J. Yuenkel
Artist: Matthew Fox
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Source: BOOM! Studios DRC
★★★★☆
BOOM! Studios had me at ‘James Tynion IV’ with this one. The Woods has been my favorite on-going series basically since it started. So I figure pretty much everything this guy touches is probably gold. UFOlogy is no exception. Set in the small town of Mukawgee, Wisconsin, UFOlogy follows two high schoolers in a story that’s reminiscent of a teenage X-Files reboot.
Since this is a first issue, there’s a bit more to say about this one.
Read the full review here!
Cluster #3
Author: Ed Brisson
Artist: Damian Couceiro
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Source: BOOM! Studios DRC
★★★☆☆
The last issue ended with Halloran getting shot by some MID deserters. But it turns out there’s a lot more to these renegades than meets the eye. They say they can deactivate the detonators in our survivors’ chests. But they want Samara’s help in reaching out to her father to tell him the truth about the MID on Midlothian – that they are systematically wiping out two native populations in their terraforming efforts. Big surprise – humanity is the real bad guy in all this. This ragtag resistance hopes to get help from Samara’s big shot senator father (who isn’t too happy with her after she killed her sister with her drunk driving). Unfortunately they are found by the MID and two of the only characters I cared about either end up dead or betraying everyone. So, that’s a bummer (okay, Halloran betraying them was great for the plot but still).
I enjoy this book for the most part but that’s just because sci-fi political thrillers are my jam. This issue was all right but I didn’t feel like it was as strong as the last two. Still, this series has me hooked. It’s still finding it’s pace and I’m hoping the next few issues iron out some of the wrinkles in this otherwise pretty good comic.
Feathers #4 of 6
Author: Jorge Corona
Artist: Jorge Corona
Publisher: Archaia
Source: BOOM! Studios DRC
★★★★☆
Poe and Bianca barely escape the Towers after Z’s plan to trade them for the mice who were arrested backfires spectacularly. Their escape is short lived because as soon as they get away with the other mice (thanks to some quick thinking from R) the man who has been taking them away all along catches up with them. He wants Poe to come with him willingly – and if he doesn’t he’ll take Bianca. But Poe, in his desperation, takes a leap of faith and flies away with Bianca back to the City. Unfortunately, he’s not welcome by any means and though the Guardian’s statue may speak to him (apparently) he’s not given any time to find out what she might say before he’s run off by folks from the City.
With every issue I wonder more and more how Feathers is just a six-issue miniseries. It’s so good and there are still so many secrets that need to come to light. This issue was pretty emotional all around. I felt bad for Poe – the kid so desperately needs answers and to simply belong. And I’m incredibly worried about what this murderous pied piper means for him – and the rest of the mice. Definitely can’t wait until issue #5 comes out!
Neverboy #2
Author: Shaun Simon
Artist: Tyler Jenkins
Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Dark Horse
Source: Dark Horse DRC
★★★☆☆
All right, so, this second issue takes basically all the questions you might have had about the last issue and pummels you with answers and exposition. They do so in the guise of a new character – Julian Drag. He’s a washed out artist who has long since lost his muse but for whatever reason he can see Neverboy. After learning a bit more of Neverboy’s sad tale of woe we learn that there are pathways between the imaginary world and the real world. The folks chasing after Neverboy are from ‘the Diner’ which serves as this gateway. Julian’s down to help Neverboy find and rescue his fictitious family – but on the condition that he show Julian the Diner. Considering one of Neverboy’s friends warns that doing so could end all of imagination and/or reality as we know it… going to say that’s probably not going to end well.
This issue was pretty heavy handed on the text and explanation. Julian’s a cool character so we’ve got that going for us. Still not sure why imaginary friends taking drugs helps them stay in the real world. I suspect we’ll have that explained later on. The artwork remains trippy and awesome. I think I’ll stick it out for another issue or so before making any definitive decisions on this one. Rescuing one’s family certain tugs on my heartstrings – even if they aren’t real.
The Woods #12
Author: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Dialynas
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Source: BOOM! Studios DRC
★★★★★
Everything The Woods has been building towards for the past few issues comes to a head in this issue. Sanami, Calder, and the others make it back to the school ahead of Coach Clay but only barely. It turns out that after he murdered the principal the student body and faculty came together and the school is beginning to work like an actually functional community with Maria leading their duly elected council. Sanami and Calder buy them a little time by demanding a negotiation with the approaching army under New London’s own, revered Articles of Incorporation. But how long will that keep Coach Clay at bay? Not long probably. Meanwhile New London has other problems to deal with. Adrian – after a final heart to heart with Isaac – kills the Duke and many others before allowing the black stone buried beneath the city to engulf him entirely. Just as he’s about to unleash his new found powers, though, Karen stabs him through the chest giving them what is likely to be a very brief reprieve from the dangers of the black stones.
Talk about intense! Though, yes, Adrian’s ultimate fall at the hands of one his friends was a little predictable it was no less gut wrenching. I feel for Isaac and I hope that Ben can help him through it all. I’m also really glad that things back at the school finally seemed to settle down and start to work out. But while Adrian may be down Coach Clay is still at the gates and Calder’s sociopath of a brother is in the halls as an elected council member. That can’t be good. Hell of an end to a full year of the Woods. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
What was on your pull list for April 1st?
Let us know in the comments!
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