Comic Book Reviews (Week July 21, 2021): Catwoman Issue 33, Project Patron Issue 4 & More!

I’m going to begin my review list by talking about Catwoman issue 33 by writer Ram V. While the issue did make me go, “Why the heck couldn’t Batman appear earlier?” and “Father Valley was able to take Selina down so easily!”, I still enjoyed what happened in the latest installment of Selina’s solo comic book series. I liked Selina and Clayface’s interaction about certain characters needing second chances and how Selina’s been given a whole lot of them due to her connection with Batman. In a sense, being Batman’s romantic partner or even being connected to the BatFamily does come with certain privileges in Gotham and even beyond. With the Caped Crusader quite possibly on her side, I’m excited to see how Selina decides to get back at Father Valley.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Superman and the Authority Issue 1

Okay. Full disclosure. I only picked up Superman and the Authority issue 1 because this story is supposed to feature the queer couple Midnighter and Apollo. Having said that, while those two didn’t appear in the debut issue, I liked writer Grant Morrison giving us a different take on the DC Universe. In this narrative, Superman has grown old and is losing his abilities. This is a Superman who feels guilty about not being able to continue protecting humankind. Even though he’s been fighting the good fight, a lot of bad stuff still happened across the globe. Trouble even came to Earth because of Superman and drama involving various Justice League team members.

Now, Supes (who is running out of time) is ready to create a new team to help humanity even if it means recruiting criminals. The first issue has Supes reach out to Manchester Black. And while I have never been a fan of Manchester Black, I liked him here. Fingers crossed Midnighter and Apollo appear soon.

The art by Mikel Janin (with colors by Jordie Bellaire) is in the style I like. So, that helped me enjoy this issue even more.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Guardians of the Galaxy Issue 16

Writer Al Ewing continues to impress me with how the expanded cast of characters is being handled. Jumping from one team to the next is seamless. Our heroes are getting closer to the endgame of “The Last Annihilation” event and I can’t wait to read more!

Personally, I do find Wiccan going back to chanting spells out loud a bit annoying. I want him to level up out of chanting reality-warping incantations already. He’s done it before. But oh well, I’m at least enjoying Ewing’s take on his and Hulkling’s marriage and ruling Space together. I liked how they had to separate from each other to protect two different planets because duty called. Also, with Wiccan sensing that something bad had happened to a person close to him (FYI Wanda died during the Hellfire Gala and Wiccan’s brother Speed found her body), I can’t wait to see his reaction when he finds out Wanda’s fate.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Captain Marvel Issue 30

Writer Kelly Thompson gave me an enjoyable conclusion to Carol’s journey involving wanting to learn magic to stop a disastrous future. While the final action sequence could have been better when it comes to action, I liked the focus on Carol’s thought process and why she’s been acting a certain way. If you knew you could stop a bad future from occurring, would you do it? But what if stopping said bad future meant the people you met in that timeline will also cease to exist? These and more hard decisions are what Carol’s been struggling with throughout the current arc.

I liked how Rhodey mentioned how she’s been on such a path before in the Civil War II event and she needs to get her act together. Also, it’s the freaking Marvel Comic Book Universe. Regardless of what you do or don’t do to impact the future, random timelines will always exist.

Carol did what she thought was right during her battle with Ove. However, as Doctor Strange mentioned, this isn’t the end of her connection to the magical world. Let’s hope she’s ready for what is yet to come.

Captain Marvel issue 30 also included a short story focusing on Carol going to meet Kamala Khan. In my opinion, writer Jamie McKelvie gave readers one of the best Carol and Kamala team-up stories ever. It was so wholesome. I wouldn’t be surprised if certain readers come close to being all teary-eyed. With Carol out there saving worlds, she doesn’t realize just how much of an impact she’s made on people’s lives. Kamala helping her see that kept me engaged throughout.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP! (Especially because of McKelvie’s story.)

Reptil Issue 3

While I kind of considered not continuing with this series due to it feeling too kid-targeted, I’m glad I decided to pick up Reptil issue 3 from writer Terry Blas. In my opinion, it’s the best issue yet in this miniseries. I liked the conversation between Humberto and Julian about how the young superhero needs to listen to his “inside” voice and not allow his dinosaur-transformation powers to take control. In a way, Julian could relate to Humberto. While Julian can’t transform into dinosaurs, he’s a queer kid who knows what it’s like to figure out your true self.

We got a whole lot of information about the main villain and what he plans to do. With the way Humberto’s parents are involved, I liked the more serious tone the story opted for in the penultimate issue. Also, yes to Humberto telling us a bit about the dinos he transformed into this issue.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes. 

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Power Rangers Issue 9

As usual, we have yet another amazing Power Rangers issue by writer Ryan Parrott. Power Rangers issue 9 showed the Rangers bringing the surviving Hartunians to Safehaven. However, other inhabitants aren’t okay with the Hartunians being there due to their race conquering numerous worlds throughout history. The narrative basically asked if the general public should be made to pay for the actions of a ruthless monarchy. I liked Zack standing up for the Hartunians in front of his friends. Also, even though he could have, Zack didn’t save the Hartunian King from the Empyreal. So, I guess that should count as some kind of justice, right?

I have to say that the resolution to the Hartunian vs Safehaven conflict reminded me of how things are usually solved in Naruto, but it worked due to what we know of Zack as a character.

Coming to the rest of the stuff that occurred in Power Rangers issue 9, it’s clear that you should never trust Drakkon even if you agree with some of his opinions. Also, someone better go and check on Yale.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Save Yourself Issue 2

The second issue of Save Yourself didn’t waste time when it came to giving us a whole lot of information about the dangerous battle being fought on Earth. In my opinion, writer Bones Leopard did a wonderful job of showing Gigi and Shawn’s response to being told the truth about how the beings they have looked up to were the actual villains. One of their planned attacks resulted in Shawn losing his husband Dillon who was also Gigi’s brother. Shawn and Dillon basically raised Gigi together.

While this issue featured some dark moments involving grief, I’m impressed by Leopard’s ability to add in cute little moments between Gigi and Agent Mia without having them feel out of place. Save Yourself continues to be a very well-written queer-involving book involving sci-fi and fantasy. I think everyone should give it a try.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Time Before Time Issue 3

The third issue of Time Before Time by co-writers Declan Shalvey and Rory McConville decided to spend some time to tell us a bit more about our leads Tatsuo and Nadia. Tatsuo’s got a soft heart that gets him into trouble with the Syndicate. We also got to find out about why Nadia stole the time travel pod. Even though it was a bit slow, we did get an interesting thing occur near the end. With the Syndicate and Union having their own motives, Nadia and Tatsuo are on their own.

Also, fun fact, it took me a while to find this comic over on ComiXology because I kept searching for Time After Time complete with the chorus of that song stuck in my head during my search… and it’s back!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Project Patron Issue 4

I was provided a free digital copy of Project Patron issue 4 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

Writer Steve Orlando gave us some very tense moments in Project Patron issue 4 as our team of heroes tried to stand against Woe. While the main characters went over their options to stop Woe, it was clear the power of teamwork had to be used. I liked Moro urging everyone to give it a try. The four members had no choice but to sync with the Patron robot and fight Woe together. I’m actually glad Orlando was able to handle the “power-of-teamwork” narrative without making it come across as a cringey cliche.

Also, Matthew continues to be a delightfully weird villain.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Snow Angels Season 2 Issue 2

I was provided with a free digital copy of Snow Angels season 2 issue 2 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

I have no idea if writer Jeff Lemire is going to let Milli and Mae Mae rest. The two little girls have been through a lot and there’s still a whole lot more waiting for them. Snow Angels season 2 issue 2 didn’t waste time showing us how dangerous the human group that found Milli and Mae Mae in the giant robot was. The reveal about the group’s true intentions came as a surprise to me. I really thought they were going to team up with the girls to fight the Snowman. Sigh! Someone give these girls a break!

We got a lot of information about the settlement that took Milli and Mae Mae hostage and how they have been surviving in the cold. The narrative has been addressing the theme of belief systems and what can happen if what you believe to be real is revealed to be fake or at least not exactly how you thought it to be. Even though we got a lot of worldbuilding in this issue, I still have no idea about Lemire’s endgame with such a story. And that’s what makes this sci-fi comic book series so exciting.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Youth Season 2 Issue 4

I was provided with a free digital copy of Youth season 2 issue 4 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

Trigger warning: This review mentions suicide.

Okay! If you have read my review of Youth season 1, you already know I had certain issues due to the overall queer representation in the story. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not dragging writer Curt Pires. I actually like the concept behind Youth and the fact it’s giving us a queer-inclusive focus in the teen superhero genre. All of my criticism of Youth season 1 came from a well-meaning place because I want this series to continue. (Where the heck is the live-action adaptation? I want it!)

Getting to Youth season 2 issue 4, we got a satisfactory conclusion that also left the door open for more adventures. A major narrative in Youth has been the love story between Frank and River. Issue 4 took us back in time to show what Frank did after he rejected the offer to join Trixy’s team to help other superpowered kids. Losing River hit Frank hard and I liked how Pires handled Frank grieving in his own way. The parties, drugs, and sex were unable to fill the void in his heart. He even went back to his neighborhood and that’s where he got to face his bully.

I don’t want to give too much away, but kudos to Pires for handling the situation a lot better than certain creatives who seem way too attached to the “closeted-bully-to-lover” trope (*ahem* Sex Education *ahem*).

Even Frank wanting to take his own life because he had grown tired of his messed up feelings made sense and, in my opinion, was handled appropriately. There’s dark humor involved in the panels depicting the handful of ways Frank decided to take his own life and how his superpowers kept coming in the way. It all made sense for his character and the tone of Youth.

In the end, Frank getting to know about River still being alive snapped him into place and he did what was needed to save River and the rest of Trixy and Jan’s crew. Also, I have to say that seeing Frank and River being intimate with each other in outer space… now that’s a visual! (Again, where’s the live-action adaptation?)

If you’re looking for a queer-inclusive story that doesn’t hesitate to showcase a cast of young superpowered characters who feel they don’t belong (complete with the accompanying vulnerability, trouble, and ugliness), you should definitely consider reading Youth.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

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