Comic Book Reviews (Week June 15, 2022): X-Men Red Issue 3, Power Rangers Issue 20 & More!

Welcome to my comic book review round-up for this week. I will be talking about X-Men Red issue 3, Power Rangers issue 20, Jurassic League issue 2, and more!

Let’s begin with X-Men Red issue 3 by writer Al Ewing. Readers were looking forward to Tarn vs Vulcan which was telegraphed in the previous issue and the latest installment delivered just that and more. I liked how Ewing built the hype for the upcoming match. Storm continued to be suspicious of Abigail, and it was nice to see other X-Men feeling the same. I’m looking forward to having everyone banding together to figure out what to do with the annoying problem that is Abigail Brand.

As for Tarn vs Vulcan, I wasn’t expecting it to go the way it did. Even though Abigail trained Vulcan, his opponent got the upper hand because of Vulcan’s ego. Having faced defeat from Storm and now Tarn, I’m ready to have Vulcan really tap into his true potential. There’s something bubbling under the surface in Vulcan’s psyche, and I want it to be released.

The biggest surprise was Magneto deciding to face Tarn the Uncaring to win ownership over the Seat of Loss. The way Magneto went about the fight made a lot of sense. He was able to block Tarn’s psychokinetic ability to control DNA by having Tarn wear his iconic helmet. Seeing Magneto proceed to crush Tarn’s head was very satisfying. Due to the Arakki not believing in being resurrected, I guess this is likely the last we have seen of Tarn unless he pulls a Sinister and has clones of himself growing in some secret lab.

Another defeat in X-Men Red issue 3 came courtesy of Roberto. Isca’s well-known for having the Omega-level ability that prevents her from losing. Her power can’t be turned off and she will always win. However, Roberto had her SHOOKETH after he stated her weakness. The Arakki throwing a tantrum when things don’t go their way will never stop being unfunny to me.

With Magneto now sitting in the Seat of Loss and joining Storm in governing Arakko, you just know Abigail is unhappy. She’s going to try another secret strategy and I hope we get to see Storm put Abigail in her place real soon.

The current X-Men Red comic book series is more or less the mutant version of Game of Thrones and I’m here for it.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Jurassic League Issue 2

From Juan Gedeon and Daniel Warren Johnson, Jurassic League issue 2 served as another enjoyable chapter in the six-part series. Who would have thunk a story about weird-looking dinosaurs would be so well-written? I’m impressed.

The second chapter had our superheroes coming together to protect Supersaur’s people. Seeing the iconic Trinity stand together in the final panel made me smile. The characters are dinos, but they still feel like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

The latest installment also gave us more details about what certain evil beings have been doing and why human communities are being targeted. With only four more issues to go, I really hope this series comes back for a second round very soon. From the fictional world, the art, and the character beats, everything works in the story’s favor.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Power Rangers Issue 20

From writer Ryan Parrott, Power Rangers issue 20 was a very character-centric chapter as it dealt with Jason attending his mother’s funeral on Earth and Andros trying to interrogate a prisoner in space. Parrott handled Jason’s interactions with his teammates, Zordon, and his father well. Of course, Zordon and the rest of the Rangers wanted Jason to take the necessary time to grieve. However, Jason wasn’t ready to be benched. He didn’t want to stop fulfilling his Ranger duties so he could experience some alone time and cry. I think Jason not wanting to be alone made sense.

Jason’s guilt over not answering his mother’s final call and Zordon telling him it wasn’t his fault made for a very powerful scene. Even though Jason’s never been a favorite Ranger of mine, issue 20 really made me feel for him. 

As for Andros, the dude’s just too focused on revenge right now and I think all of that intensity is going to come and bite him down the line. He’s going to put himself and his companions in danger.

Andros and Jason’s losses had certain similarities. I liked how Jason stated that at least Andros had a target in mind. Andros knew whom to blame for the loss he’s experienced. On the other hand, Jason had no one to punch to release his anger because his mother died in her sleep. 

Good stuff, Parrott. Good stuff.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

The Ocean Will Take Us Issue 3

Writer Rich Douek gave me some creepy Umbrella-ish vibes (from the Resident Evil franchise) in The Ocean Will Take Us issue 3 as we got to learn more about the fictional town the story’s set in. The adults, working for the Triton company, are clearly lying. Apparently, the interest of the employees in saving the world triumphed over the wellness of certain family members.

Our young sleuths have exhausted their options for help. They definitely can’t go to the cops. And with how things ended with Liz being in danger, I hope they are able to save her before time runs out.

My only complaint would be the art in certain panels. During some of the scenes where the characters should be worried or terrified, the expressions don’t match the mood. The faces look way too calm, in my opinion.

Does it have obvious queer representation? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up!

Love and War Issue 3

I was provided with a free digital copy of Love and War issue 3 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own. 

Writer Andrew Wheeler continued to showcase the enjoyably messy emotions of the main cast as they participated in a training session. I don’t know about you, but I feel that Jocasta and Domo really need to have a talk. I get that Jocasta’s competitive, but she tends to go a bit too far. Here’s hoping the two are able to work things out as co-captains because otherwise there is no chance of their team winning.

I’m kind of impressed by how petty Jocasta ended up being by having the rival school team, which included Gabe, be part of the training session to throw Domo off, but come on, it was still not a good thing do to. Her plan kind of backfiring on herself made me laugh, though.

As for the situation involving Domo and Gabe, I feel Domo deserves someone who wants to be with him. But Domo’s still young and having him come to such a realization isn’t going to be easy. And I’m not vilifying Gabe. I understand the issues he’s facing. But Domo doesn’t need to be part of said issues.

Emil asking Domo out was a nice move. I do feel Emil’s feelings for Domo are real. However, if you ask me, I think Domo needs to start focusing more on himself and not entangle himself in romance for a while. But again, these are young characters and that’s going to be easier said than done.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Wheeler has planned for everyone. Also, I could be wrong but the scene where Domo mentions not being in love with Gabe while sitting in front of a statue of an angel felt like a Hercules reference to me.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up!

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Which comic books did you read this week? Did you enjoy X-Men Red issue 3?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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