Sensational Character Find of 2020 or Poochie: We Review Punchline #1 in a Bat Chat Special

Spinning out of “Joker War,” Punchline, Joker’s newest sidekick/associate/disciple, gets the spotlight in this one-shot, where the forgotten member of the Bat family, Harper Row, her brother, Cullen, and Leslie Thompkins each find something about Batman’s newest rogue to fear or aspire to. It’s “Punchline” #1 from James Tynion IV, Sam Johns, Mirka Andolfo, Romulo…

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Adam Hughes’ Art Subtracts by Adding to ‘Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Seven Wives Club’

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Seven Wives Club Writer: Mike Mignola, Artist: Adam Hughes, Letterer: Clem Robins, Publisher: Dark Horse Hellboy lives and dies on tone. It’s the reason every Hellboy movie is missing that little bit of magic Mike Mignola brings. It’s gothic, reflective, tinged with sorrow and regret. That’s what ghost stories are…

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There’s No Escaping the Cycle, and There’s No Escaping This Review of ‘We Only Find Them When They’re Dead’ #3

Captain Malik and the crew of the Vihaan II are trapped in warp space, as they’re pursued by the mysterious government agent Richter. They have two choices: drop out of warp speed and risk being destroyed by Richter, or stay in warp until their engines explode from overheating. Who will survive long enough to discover…

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Why, Will: How Did Donny Do It? ‘Crossover’ and the Magic of Fair Use

Beyond this point lie spoilers for “Crossover” #1. Ye be warned
 The Splash “Crossover,” the meta comic-book-about-comic-books from the mind of writer Donny Cates and artist Geoff Shaw, has a heap of stuff to talk about — the merits of which have already been ably discussed by Big Boss Zack and Dan “the Man” McMahon….

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A Round of Golf and a Teenage Team-Up with Week in Marvel Files with Taskmaster #1 and Magnificent Ms. Marvel #16!

Hello friends and readers! While the swords are a-plenty, we take a smaller look into the exciting debut of Taskmaster #1, written up by the Marvel Files debut of Dan McMahon. Also, Matthew Lazorwitz is in it till the bitter, and gives us his thoughts on Magnificient Ms. Marvel #16! Taskmaster #1 Written by: Jed…

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The Power Rangers’ New Era Continues, and We Still Don’t Know Who the New Green Ranger Is

Two new series, two new teams. The Unlimited Power Era of BOOM Studios’ Power Rangers continues here, and only Lord Drakkon, their greatest enemy, can save them. Writer Ryan Parrott (Mighty Morphin), artist Francesco Mortarino (Power Rangers: Soul of the Dragon), colorist Raul Angulo and letterer Ed Dukeshire reveal a new cosmic threat only the…

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A Contest Of Champions Commences As Krakoa & Arakko Clash While X Of Swords Continues In Marauders #15, Excalibur #14 & Wolverine #7

Ten swords, ten champions, ten battles for the fate of the world. The fighting begins but things sure aren’t what we expected. Christi Eddleman & Vishal Gullapalli dine with the devils in Marauders #15 by Gerry Duggan, Benjamin Duggan, Stefano Caselli, Edgar Delgado, and Cory Petit. Then Nola Pfau & Charlie Davis fight two very…

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ADVANCE REVIEW: AfterShock’s ‘Miskatonic’ #1 Pokes at Lovecraft While Playing with Noir

In its solicit text, AfterShock’s “Miskatonic” promises “a mix of historical crime fiction and Lovecraftian horror that dives deep into the American nightmare.” Let’s get into the new series from Mark Sable, Giorgio Pontrelli, Pippa Bowland and Thomas Mauer and see if it pays off those dark and abominable promises.

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More Swords, More Zords and Parental Horrors Await in This Week’s Staff Picks

Each week, Xavier Files staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays. Vishal’s Pick Marauders #15: When we last left our favorite mutants, they’d had a lovely dinner getting to know their Arakkan counterparts, until Wolverine ruined it by [redacted] Saturnyne. Find out what happens next…

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Happiness Is a Warm Glass of Nice Bourbon: AHOY’s ‘Happy Hour’ and the Right to be Miserable

Happy Hour #1 Writer: Peter Milligan, Artist: Michael Montenat, Colorist: Felipe Sobreiro, Letterer: Rob Steen, Publisher: AHOY It’s 12:48 a.m. Central Standard Time. I am watching what seems to be my 86th consecutive hour of MSNBC (because it is a Rick Santorum-free zone), but all I really want is to go to bed. Well, that’s…

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Is Ghost-Maker Cool? Find out in Our Latest Bat Chat with Matt (and Will!)

Welcome back to Bat Chat with Matt (and Will!). Batman has gone back to basics, and is hunting down leftover Joker thugs when a mysterious new foe with a connection to Batman’s past appears. It’s “Batman” #102 from James Tynion IV, Carlo Pagulayan, Danny Miki, Carlos D’Anda and David Baron. Matt Lazorwitz: This issue is…

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