Comic Book Reviews (Week March 23, 2022): My Bad Issue 5, Action Comics Issue 1041 & More!

Welcome to my comic book review round-up for the week of March 23, 2022. I will be reviewing My Bad Issue 5, Action Comics Issue 1041, Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit Issue 4, and more!

Let’s begin with Action Comics issue 1041 by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Continuing the action-heavy premise of the current ‘Warworld’ arc, issue 1041 focused on Midnighter’s mission to save Apollo, basically his husband, while recruiting rebels to his cause. The way a bunch of people confused Midnighter for Superman made me chuckle.

In my opinion, Midnighter’s motivation made sense. As far as he’s concerned, he’s okay with the entire fake planet getting destroyed as long as it meant Apollo was safe. Poor Apollo’s being used as a living battery. Of course, Minighter’s opinion conflicted with Clark’s, who wanted to find a way to liberate the prisoners.

The final panels had Midnighter and Superman banding together. I’m looking forward to the two saving the rest of the members of The Authority and getting a rematch with their foes. The first one didn’t work out well for them. But I think they are better prepared now. Hopefully.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up. 

Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit Issue 4

From writer Samira Ahmed, Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit issue 4 was a way for Ahmed to give readers Qarin’s backstory and why she’s got it out for Kamala Khan. With Qarin blaming Kamala for the death of Ms. Marvel (in her dimension) and the destruction of her world, I think there’s more to the story. I highly doubt Ahmed’s going to close this series with Kamala left carrying such a devastating burden on her shoulders. I wouldn’t be surprised if everything goes back to normal in Qarin’s world during the final issue.

My only gripe would be Nadia van Dyne’s characterization. As someone who is supposed to be very smart, Nadia being confused about recognizing the real Ms. Marvel made no sense to me. Qarin (having shapeshifted into Ms. Marvel) was brutally punching the mysterious trenchcoat person. I think that should have been enough to expose her as the fake Ms. Marvel.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Issue 1

From writer Cullen Bunn, Godzilla vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers issue 1 served a debut that would have had me screaming in excitement as a kid. I mean, I’m still excited about this miniseries as an adult, but at least I have better control of my screaming.

The premise dealt with Rita Repulsa finding an ancient artifact and using it to teleport her team, and the Green Ranger, to a world where the Power Rangers never existed. However, said world did have Godzilla and giant aliens!

The tone’s a bit more kid-friendly than the main Power Rangers comic book series, but Rita’s characterization remained intact. Of course, she would team up with the bad guys to defeat Godzilla and cause more destruction. With the rest of the Rangers tracking Tommy, I’m looking forward to the Rangers befriending Godzilla and working together to take down Rita and the rest of the threats.

The art by Freddie Williams II and colors by Andrew Dalhouse gel together to properly display the epicness of Godzilla’s battle prowess. Godzilla’s really something special. My only criticism would be the facial designs of the human characters.

I’m looking forward to the next issue. And if this series gives me Kimberly’s Zord vs Rodan, I think I’ll faint!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

The Department of Truth Issue 17

James Tynion IV’s The Department of Truth issue 17 did a lot to explain how the Department of Truth functioned and the ongoing battle with The Ministry of Lies. Both departments were in a struggle to warp reality as they saw fit. The current issue used the (still prevalent) conspiracy theory of the fake moon landing and how the Department of Truth “willed” the landing into existence decades ago. The entire thing started out as fake, but due to the laws of this fictional world, it became reality and helped strengthen the idea of the “United States of America” the Department of Truth wanted to foster.

I appreciated the information provided in the current issue because, frankly, a bunch of the previous chapters had been quite confusing. At least, now I can give a short explanation about what’s been happening in the story if I were to recommend this series to someone.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Count Crowley: Amateur Midnight Monster Hunter Issue 1

By writer/actor David Dastmalchian, Count Crowley: Amateur Midnight Monster Hunter issue 1 opened with a narration from a mummy that reminded me of Tales from the Crypt. The debut issue had Jerri trying to figure out a way to kill a werewolf named Steven. But I think she won’t be able to do it because Dastmalchian seems to be giving Steven a sympathetic narrative.

I also liked how the current four-issue miniseries offered a different take on vampire lore. Jerri’s in a whole lot of supernatural trouble and I’m interested in seeing what’s in store for her.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No. 

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Stranger Things: Kamchatka Issue 1

I found Stranger Things: Kamchatka issue 1, from writer Michael Moreci, to be quite enjoyable. It can be a risk to tell a Stranger Things story without the OG cast. So, kudos to Moreci for introducing a new set of characters and keeping my interest. I’m here for Anna and Leonid trying to figure out why their Russian scientist father, Dr. Orlov, got kidnapped.

I liked Orlov’s hesitation when it came to helping his captors use a Demogorgon as a weapon. Being only 4 issues long, the debut did make me wonder whether or not a Demogorgon was capable of kindness (or something similar). If Orlov helped keep it alive, would it repay the favor somehow down the line? Hmmm. 

Does it have obvious queer characters? No. 

Recommendation: Pick it up.

My Bad Issue 5

I was provided with a free digital review copy of My Bad issue 5 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

From co-writers Mark Russell and Bryce Ingman, the first season of My Bad came to a close with issue 5. I think readers will agree that My Bad ended up being one of the best (if not the best) superhero spoofs in the comic book medium. I’m quite impressed with how the creative team was able to deliver banger after banger with each installment, because superhero spoofs run the risk of falling flat right out the gate.

The humor began with the very first page in My Bad issue 5, featuring the recommended reading list, followed by an important warning approved by The Comics Code Authority. The main story showed Emperor King getting annoyed with all of the attention The Accelerator received after his death. Not only that, but we also got an explanation behind why Emperor King sent the salad shooter as a gift to The Chandelier.

While everything came to a satisfying close, we also got a setup for what’s to come next. So, here’s hoping My Bad returns for a second season soon.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Clear Issue 5

I was provided with a free digital copy of Clear issue 5 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

From writer Scott Snyder, with art by Francis Manapul, the penultimate issue of Clear offered Dunes an explanation about what the world around him was actually like and what Kendra wanted to do, even though she died before accomplishing it. I found Clear to contain some interesting ideas about being hyperaware due to the advancements in technology and how, perhaps, down the line more and more people would be willing to do anything to live in their own bubbles and not be burdened by the actual reality.

Issue 5 had Dunes decide what he wanted to do with Kendra’s plan to crash the servers and show everyone what was happening. Let’s see if he’s able to go through with it in the finale.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

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You can read Jessica’s review of Robin Issue 12 here.

Which comic books did you read this week? What did you think of My Bad issue 5?

Let us know.

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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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