Jake Murray - COMICSXF https://comicsxf.com The comics criticism you crave Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:40:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/comicsxf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-orange-favicon-2.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Jake Murray - COMICSXF https://comicsxf.com 32 32 107498702 Our Son Pete 36: X-Force #102 with Jake Murray https://comicsxf.com/2026/03/10/our-son-pete-36-x-force-102-with-jake-murray/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=56207 Jake Murray joins Dan to unpack X-Force #102, the dawn of the Counter X era, in which Warren Ellis returns to his OC and everyone gets new costumes.

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]]> 56207 A heartbreaking new take on the zombie story in Image’s Everything Dead & Dying #1 https://comicsxf.com/2025/09/07/everything-dead-and-dying-1/ Sun, 07 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53998 Jack Chandler is the sole survivor of the zombie apocalypse in his rural farming community, but rather than eliminate them, he has chosen to continue living alongside the undead — including the husband and adopted daughter he fought so hard to have. But when his town is discovered by outsiders, Jack suddenly becomes the one...

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]]> 53998 Marvel’s Imperial #3 gives the game away, then begins playing a new one altogether https://comicsxf.com/2025/08/24/imperial-3/ Sun, 24 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53873 The conflict begins to spread out to the wider universe! Find out who’s really orchestrating the great game of cosmic houses as the last chance to stop a universal war presents itself. Imperial #3 is written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Iban Coello and Federico Vicentini, colored by Federico Blee and lettered by Ariana Maher...

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]]> 53873 Why Image’s Assorted Crisis Events by Camp and Zawadzki is the comic of 2025 https://comicsxf.com/2025/07/31/assorted-crisis-events-5/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53647 After millions of years trapped in the same 60 seconds, Anna has to readjust to life on the straight and narrow. But even out of the time loop, all roads seem to end where they began. Will Anna be able to escape endless recursion? Assorted Crisis Events #5 is written by Deniz Camp, drawn by...

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]]> 53647 Marvel’s Imperial #2 reminds us of a certain kind of Invasion https://comicsxf.com/2025/07/18/imperial-2/ Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53436 Against the fallout of someone mysteriously killing the rulers of the Marvel galactic empires, the fires of war are lit! As that conflict simmers, Nova and Star-Lord race to discover who is behind all these evil acts — a journey that takes them to the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. Imperial #2 is written by Jonathan...

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]]> 53436 12 new X-Men series we want to see announced after the Hellfire Vigil https://comicsxf.com/2025/07/06/12-new-xmen-comics-after-hellfire-vigil/ Sun, 06 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53239 This week sees the release of X-Men: The Hellfire Vigil, an all-hands-on-deck jam that sees the various factions of the mutant diaspora reunite to remember the island they all used to live on. Given the number of From the Ashes titles we’ve seen ended in the runup to the Vigil (NYX, X-Force, X-Factor) and the...

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]]> 53239 X-Men: The Hellfire Vigil is one weird wake  https://comicsxf.com/2025/07/06/xmen-hellfire-vigil-2/ Sun, 06 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53248 One year ago, at the final Hellfire Gala, the dream of a unified mutant nation was forever shattered by a cowardly sneak attack by anti-mutant forces. To mark the moment and to proclaim loudly and strongly to all concerned that mutantkind still stands, the time has come for X-Men of all stripes to come together...

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]]> 53248 Emo Wally, a minotaur and Ra’s al Musk in Absolute Flash, Wonder Woman and Superman https://comicsxf.com/2025/06/29/absolute-flash-wonderwoman-superman-batman/ Sun, 29 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=53128 Welcome back to Talking Absolute, where we at ComicsXF analyze the Absolute DC storylines, controversies and themes that have captured our imaginations each month. Today, we’ll be covering the titles released in June, featuring emo Flash, a Musky Ra’s al Ghul and something stinky in Absolute Wonder Woman. Absolute Flash #4 Written by Jeff Lemire,...

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]]> 53128 Imperial #1 impresses on scale and ambition, but needs a heart https://comicsxf.com/2025/06/08/imperial-1-review/ Sun, 08 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52922 A sweeping Marvel cosmic event! Imperial is a story of intrigue, mysteries and war, which takes place against the backdrop of the formation of a new galactic order in the Marvel Universe. Featuring HULKS, BLACK PANTHERS, NOVAS, GUARDIANS and COSMIC KINGS and QUEENS. It’s the must-read book of the summer! Imperial #1 was written by...

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]]> 52922 Talking DC’s Absolute Martian Manhunter #3, Absolute Wonder Woman #8 & Absolute Flash #3 https://comicsxf.com/2025/05/28/absolute-flash-wonderwoman-martianmanhunter/ Wed, 28 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52838 Welcome back to Talking Absolute…, where we at ComicsXF analyze the Absolute DC storylines, controversies and themes that have captured our imaginations each month. Today, we’ll be covering the titles released in the back half of May, talking teenage angst in Absolute Flash, gaseous villains in Absolute Wonder Woman and humanity’s clouded judgment in Absolute...

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]]> 52838 Meet Absolute Black Hand, Brainiac and Mr. Freeze as our DC Absolute coverage continues https://comicsxf.com/2025/05/18/absolute-greenlantern-superman-batman/ Sun, 18 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52604 Welcome back to Talking Absolute…, where we focus on the storylines, controversies and themes that have captured our imaginations in the Absolute DC titles each month. Today, we’ll be covering the first half of May and three new issues. Guest artists, surprising alternate origin stories, villains in starring roles: Absolute DC has sprung some surprises...

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]]> 52604 Talking DC’s Absolute Martian Manhunter #2, Absolute Flash #2 & Absolute Wonder Woman #7 https://comicsxf.com/2025/05/04/absolute-martianmanhunter-flash-wonderwoman/ Sun, 04 May 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52365 Welcome, everyone, to our first monthly edition of Talking Absolute …, where we’ll focus on the storylines, controversies and themes that have captured our imaginations in the Absolute DC titles each month.  April was the first month to have releases from all six series, so what better time to start than this? So far, we...

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]]> 52365 Assorted Crisis Events #2 puts the trauma of the immigrant experience through the meat grinder https://comicsxf.com/2025/04/24/assorted-crisis-events-2/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52320 What stalks the blood-soaked kill floor? A dizzying, heartbreaking, hallucinogenic trip through the endless slaughterhouse! Witness a man’s life cut up, ground down and packaged for easy consumption in Assorted Crisis Events #2, written by Deniz Camp, drawn by Eric Zawadzki, colored by Jordie Bellaire, lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and designed by Tom Muller for...

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]]> 52320 Marvel’s Ultimate Wolverine #4 channels the original ‘Weapon X’ story to great effect https://comicsxf.com/2025/04/20/ultimate-wolverine-4/ Sun, 20 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52254 THE WINTER SOLDIER THAWS? Wolverine’s confrontation with Kitty Pryde and Gambit leaves him disoriented, violent and questioning his Maker’s Council overlords. Who is “Logan”? Ultimate Wolverine #4 was written by Chris Condon, drawn by Alessandro Cappuccio, colored by Bryan Valenza and lettered by Cory Petit. Survivor. Soldier. Hunter. Specimen. Animal. Relentless. Sputnik. No, that’s not...

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]]> 52254 Examining the 2nd wave of DC’s Absolute line: Flash, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern https://comicsxf.com/2025/04/04/absolute-flash-martian-manhunter-green-lantern/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:14:49 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52158 Jake Murray: Let me start off with the coldest take since Dr. Victor Fries took up his nom de guerre: The first wave of titles in DC’s Absolute line have been pretty damn successful (that’s Absolute Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for the dozen or so uninitiated). Let me stun you with another ice-cold blast...

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]]> 52158 ADVANCE REVIEW: We’re Taking Everyone Down with Us #1 brings to new life to ’60s genre fiction https://comicsxf.com/2025/03/30/were-taking-everyone-down-with-us-1/ Sun, 30 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51910 After her mad-scientist father is killed by the world’s greatest spy, 13-year-old Annalise is left all alone in the world. Sort of. Her dead dad’s robot bodyguard is following her around for some reason. Now Annalise has a choice: try to lead a normal life for the first time ever, or seek revenge and maybe...

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]]> 51910 Alcatraz, the Jersey Devil, the Lucky Devils and the Path to Hell in an all-indie CXF mini reviews https://comicsxf.com/2025/03/27/mini-reviews-alcatraz-devil-devils-hell/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52093 In a bid to broaden the number of comics we cover at ComicsXF, we give you, the reader, these mini reviews of some recent releases. Out of Alcatraz #1 W: Christopher Cantwell | A/C/L: Tyler Crook | P: Oni Press Remember Alcatraz, one of those Lost-esque mystery box shows, about time-traveling Alcatraz inmates and guards starring Sam...

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]]> 52093 ON THE X-MANHUNT: X-Force #9 lays a giant egg https://comicsxf.com/2025/03/23/xforce-9/ Sun, 23 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=52007 Sage and Professor X go way back, to another war and another time. But now, in his hour of need, will Sage use her talents to aid the professor’s quest, or put a stop to his manic mission? X-Force #9, the penultimate chapter of “X-Manhunt,” was written by Geoffrey Thorne, pencilled by Marcus To, colored...

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]]> 52007 Assorted Crisis Events #1 the perfect dizzying, chaotic allegory for our current moment https://comicsxf.com/2025/03/16/assorted-crisis-events-1/ Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51942 Time is having a crisis. Mingling in the red-light district, you can find actual cavemen, medieval knights and cyborg soldiers on leave from World War IV. Victorian debutantes amble their way into cellphone stores, confused and bewildered (what is a data plan?). On their way to work, bleary-eyed commuters get trapped in time-loops, assaulted by...

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]]> 51942 CXF mini reviews of Bug Wars, The Lucky Devils, The Seasons and Miles Morales: Spider-Man https://comicsxf.com/2025/02/16/mini-reviews-bug-wars-lucky-devils-seasons-miles-morales/ Sun, 16 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51677 In a bid to broaden the number of comics we cover at ComicsXF, we give you, the reader, these mini reviews of some recent releases. Bug Wars #1 W: Jason Aaron | A: Mahmud Asrar | C: Matthew Wilson | L: Becca Carey | P: Image It’s war in rural Alabama, as Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar’s...

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]]> 51677 ComicsXF’s official ranking of the From the Ashes X-Men books https://comicsxf.com/2025/02/02/comicsxfs-official-ranking-of-the-x-men-from-the-ashes-comics-so-far/ Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51029 As of this writing, there are 13(!) monthly X-books on the shelves, two of which — X-Men and Uncanny X-Men — ship on an 18-issue-a-year schedule. That’s a lot, and there’s more coming, including Laura Kinney: Wolverine (who is already starring in NYX); a Timeslide one-shot co-starring Cable and Bishop; Magik (who is already starring...

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]]> 51029 Better late than never: ComicsXF’s 14 geeky New Year’s resolutions for 2025 https://comicsxf.com/2025/01/29/better-late-than-never-comicsxfs-14-geeky-new-years-resolutions-for-2025/ Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51531 It’s a new year, and in true new year’s tradition, the ComicsXF team has set some New Year’s resolutions. Also in New Year’s tradition, it’s almost the end of the first month of the year, and we’re just now getting to it, and, look, the beginning of the year was a lot OK? So sit...

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]]> 51531 Diana commits Tetracide … cide in Absolute Wonder Woman #4 https://comicsxf.com/2025/01/22/absolute-wonder-woman-4/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51439 The Tetracide is “The Four Killer,” and Diana has done the unthinkable to escape its fatal grasp. The move may have saved her to fight another day, but the price Diana paid is more than she can stand to lose for the fight that’s coming. She will need the help of her allies both old...

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]]> 51439 Uncanny X-Men #8 brings the ‘Raid on Graymalkin’ to a close https://comicsxf.com/2025/01/19/uncanny-xmen-8/ Sun, 19 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51320 The explosive saga ends here, with Rogue and Cyclops on opposite ends of the mutant struggle, perhaps forever! Are they honoring Xavier’s legacy or destroying it? Do they choose loyalty or the law? An all-out action issue that will affect both teams (and the entire mutant community) with devastating results. Uncanny X-Men #8 is written...

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]]> 51320 Ultimate Wolverine #1 finds a new take on the old ultraviolence https://comicsxf.com/2025/01/19/ultimate-wolverine-1/ Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://comicsxf.com/?p=51378 To maintain control of their corner of the Maker’s world, three members of his council — Magik, Colossus and Omega Red — deploy their most lethal asset: the Winter Soldier! But who is the weapon behind the mask? Ultimate Wolverine #1 is written by Chris Condon, drawn by Alessandro Capuccio, colored by Bryan Valenza and...

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