- TERMINATOR: ENEMY OF MY ENEMY #1 – Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been five hours since I read this comic of my own volition. Really, Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy #1 isn’t so much bad and ugly, as it is just seemingly a retread of better stories in the mythos that have come before. The comic features primarily a bunch of scenes we have already witnessed in the first two classic Terminator films, coming across more as nostalgic mimicry rather than adding anything noteworthy to the legend. Farrow Greene is a cool protagonist, but the story we find her in isn’t compelling enough to warrant me coming back for more to see how her story unfolds. That is a shame, as the creative team of artist Jamal Igle (Molly Danger) and writer Dan Jolley (Bloodhound) are known for producing stellar work in the industry. This story just seems unnecessary and ultimately boring. The art elevates the book above 1 Bible territory, but at the end of Judgment Day it is just… 2/5.
- UNDERTOW #1 – Another new Image comics #1 issue hit this week trying to continue the company’s monthly streak of great comic debuts. Steve Orlando (Mystery In Space) writes and Artyom Trakhanov handles the art on this pulp sci-fi adventure story full to the gills (chuckle) with warring Atlanteans, early humans, and strange creatures lurking in the dark. With the only negative being the fact this Padre has to wait another month to read this comic, here come the slew of positives: a genuinely good looking book, every page dripping with lush colors and detailed landscapes both on land, as well as below the seas. Orlando’s story pulls you in from page one — his world building both intriguing and ambitious. The modern slang and dialogue beats can be a bit jarring at first, considering the setting and all, but it does give the characters distinctive, relatable voices. The science is also a ton of fun as is the socio-political backdrop of this latest Atlantean fantasy. Just know, that this hard sci-fi nerd smiled mightily at the mention of anti-grav energy weapons and power sources. All that…without a reference to Tool. How vicarious. 3.5/5.
(More reviews on next page…)