This dynamic fantasy series ends in all best ways possible (except for actually being over).

A dazzling drama of big scares and bigger emotions.

I can't hide it: Nights is peak comics storytelling.

Because sometimes closure can be a truly beautiful adventure.

A story that grabs, shakes, and disarms readers in the very best ways.

Home is where the heart (and dead bodies) is.

Nights continues to be a profound book that you must experience firsthand.

Another issue down, and Nights grows ever more robust and life-affirming.

You are not ready or prepared enough for what Lynch is about to cram down your gullet.

Slow Burn continues to set us ablaze with its deep mystery and wells of emotions.

As this flame burns out, it sets your very brain ablaze.

Even just two issues in, the story is a powerful meditation on superheroes, the 20th century, and our own place in building a better, more just world.

You aren't ready for this psychedelic trip into the human condition.

A poignant, trippy ending for this compelling dissection of superhero comics.

If you want to see how a comic can snap your heart and muck with your sense of gravity, issue #4 will do that and then some.

Just 'cause you see it coming doesn't mean it won't rip you in two.

You ain't ready for this one, folks.

Each new issue solidifies it: The Vigil is truly special.

Really and truly: this is essential reading for all comics fans.

A bloody good end to a truly brutal journey.

A story about family, aliens, and transcendence will romance and disarm readers in one fell swoop.

'Golgotha Motor Mountain' is a mystery you don't so much solve as let it unravel its many layers and nooks/crannies in a brilliant symphony.

I think flashbacks get a bad rap sometimes as they're sometimes just a cheap device to draw out stories. But here, this was treated with the subtle care and intention of any other moment in this book, and it lent a lot of heft and power. It wasn't so much a quiet moment before the action picks up with the recently-swallowed (gross, sorry) Guardians but a maelstrom of emotion and history colliding together.

Local Man is the hero for all modern stories about superpowered paladins.

This book continues to scare, dazzle, and engage in decidedly massive ways.

Let me say it again: Nights is truly amazing storytelling.

No mystery here: this book continues to demand our energy/attention.

The series hits yet another high mark with a tale of friendship and obsession.

A blazing start for a truly poignant and affecting bit of noir.

You can't track this bad boy as it rips your heart out.

This grounded, slightly deconstructed take on Superman's early days makes for a true crash course in exploring and appreciating Superman.

Endings suck, but g-d can they also be life-affirming.

This B-squad has A+ potential.

A powerful start for a book that examines home, family, social structures, and the very nature of reality.

This second issue defines the slow but brutally effective path this book is taking to mess with our very equilibrium.

The world is a bright and awful place and I shan't turn away.

Both faithful to the Bram Stoker original, and capable of mining new psychic terrors, this adaptation will consume you from page one.

This passionate remake of the Bram Stoker original continues to be equally scary, thrilling, and all around deeply human.

Another chapter of this bloody good adaptation shows that you can have it all with the right pace and expert application of sensuous gore.

The finale crystalizes this beast of a story's true power in disarming even the most guarded of readers.

Whether a beginning or an ending, this issue delivers.

This story makes you want to tumble deeper and deeper into Wonderland.

This is a superhero story without all the pompous mess; a thriller with ample heart; and an HBO-esque drama with some comic book-style silliness. It's a damn good story, and you'd be wise to join the fray before things truly take off.

Friendship is a blade that cuts both ways.

One hell of an issue.

Blood and guts and the tedium of daily life make for exceptional comics.

Give me even more barbarian journal entries penned in gore!

The debut of 'Blow Away' sets the stage for a deeply human journey into a cold, hard world of big emotions and equally giant mysteries.

Despite a long-ish wait, 'Briar' roars back more funny, bloody, and motivated than ever before.

Like actual cats, this title is playful, unpredictable, and never afraid to draw a little blood.

This cat wastes no time in occupying the most primo spots in pet daycare.

After a brief hiccup, our boy is finally building to something big.

Pardon the cliche, but this finale is an emotional TKO.

This is the issue that drives home the loss and anguish inherent in this fantasy series.

A deep dive into Batman amid some creative circumstances reveals huge truths and demonstrates the hero's value across the board.

This story continues to crackle with life and energy, even as the potential for a backdraft rears its ugly head.

This debut issue shows a well-crafted universe of horror and humanity, a realm we can explore as the book slowly unveils the world in front of us.

As this universe gains new layers, the story never once falters as a top-notch piece of horror-fantasy.

The penultimate issue of 'Edenwood' is full of big reveals, big emotionality, and big stakes.

With its first arc over, there's still plenty of mystery, adventures, and humanity left to explore for this increasingly compelling book.

As the first full arc effectively ends, this series readies to branch into exciting new directions.

'Feral' may be a little gimmicky, but that doesn't stop it from being hugely effective in its layered approach to horror.

Jeff Lemire is working at a career high with this weird and enchanting tale.

With heart and humor galore, this modern 'Friends' continues to engage and entertain.

PKJ's a massive fan of John Stewart, and this book is a poignant exploration of the person beyond those green constructs. And while #1 was a truly solid start, I think PKJ and company hit the veritable second gear with issue #2.

Friend is a four letter word, indeed.

I'm not crying, that's just space dust in my eye.

New members, big reveals, and oversized drama await you in Grootspace.

To quote Mischief Makers, "Through fire, justice is served!

This book is interesting for managing to do so much world- and character-building in such an array of sizes and scopes. And even if that architecture is wildly compelling, it doesn't quite add up to the inner workings of the people in these spaces, who explore ideas both emotional and existential in really novel ways.

A busy issue proves just as heartfelt and essential as ever.

A solid ending brimming with light and intellectual joy.

This issue is both a laugh riot and an existential cluster bomb.

A true hero for our weird, super dumb world.

Enough mystery and heart to make up for cliqued noir tropes.

Emily may shine but this remains the story of Newburn's downfall.

Solid noir like few others can truly muster.

This issue does a bang-up job in balancing a hint of nostalgic Nightwing storytelling and canon while furthering this run's vibrant spirit and mission statement.

Dr. Cecelia Cobbina is the cure for bland superhero comics.

The series you think is about robot racers is a more vivid and thoughtful exploration of our complicated humanity.

This debut is a testament to the power of effective character work.

With the finale of "Protection," the book once again demonstrates its power in telling a highly personal and deeply moving tale of sex and politics.

This issue brings it all together for a massive surge forward.

Because this book's started with a mostly lofty idea, and through key creative decisions, robust collaboration/teamwork, and an overt passion, it's executed that vision in a way that remains approachable even as it's all the more intellectually "involved. To put it more simply, you + this book = a great time.

From sci-fi to horror, this anthology expertly sets the stage for DSTLRY's true revolution: great comics.

'The Displaced' continues to be a deeply powerful story about family, memory, community, trauma, grief, and what happens when that's all that remains.

A gold standard for telling deep, affective westerns in comics.

War is hell, but not nearly as hellacious as working for a spoiled space goddesses.

The second arc ends with weird allies, fresh enemies, heaps of tension, and the promise for even for madness.

With a proper mix of humor, action, thematic gold, and humanity galore, 'The Holy Roller' is now on a proper roll.

A biting end to the latest chapter of this deeply personable adventure story.

Get ready to sacrifice some real tears.

There's some proper adventure to be had once we get to issue #5. And while I can't wait for it and, again, that better mean more stuff with Pigeon it's my hope that this book retains that smaller, quieter focus and accompanying ability to jab our souls with tiny blades. If it can, then this will be a book most of us will never recover from, no matter the available elixirs.

This sci-fi epic promises to be just as heavy on emotion as spaceships and sweet visuals.

This space epic continues to open up like some strange alien flower.

Like Aliens, if the Chestbursters were a strange and beautiful-looking human drama.

Drink the tea, eat the pastry just get to Wonderland pronto.

Realities blur as we reach a vital turning point.

While most video game tie-in titles are iffy, this one makes bold story and design choices to potentially set itself apart.

The story that took off like a magically-empowered demigod settles into itself. But that change of pace opens up new ways to delve into these dynamic characters.

This end may just have you feeling particularly overjoyed.

This book slays.

Issue #4 is likely to be even more of a magically-oriented affair, but there's no denying that #3 cast its own spell with a solid chapter of big fights, robust intrigue, and poignant character developments.

This brawl is only getting started, folks.

The story and hero evolve in bold and deliberate new directions.

This book's gonna crack the safe around your emotions.

This book's teeth sink even deeper.

More like, "The Man of Feels, amirite?!

In this latest issue, the creative time aren't pulling any punches in telling a bloody, highly emotional tale of vengeance and second chances.

Forget most tie-ins: this story feels like a powerful storytelling experience that doesn't so much extend Dark Crisis itself, but its core themes and ideas.

The third chapter of 'Edenwood' may be decidedly more robust, but that beating heart of fantasy heroism remains as approachable as ever.

After a misstep in #3, this issue grabs you by the roots and wrenches out every drop of beauty and heartache.

'Feral' uses cats both as a novel device to stoke nostalgia while clawing away at our sensibilities to tell a deeply brutal horror story.

The journey of John Stewart grows ever more robust and compelling.

The legend of John Stewart grows ever greater.

In which peace and joy are the mightiest of storytelling weapons.

You're the sofa, and this story is the cute, slightly angry Calico cat.

Coming clean can be both a beautiful and horrific prospect.

A life-affirming, physics-smashing family story.

In which the world opens in even more glorious light and detail.

As the bloodshed is turned up to 11, this chapter of the father-son drama delivers both heart and gore.

In addition to poignant emotions and narrative threads, this bottle's packed with blood and gore.

A fun and important addition to this event's deluge of tie-ins.

Sometimes the real terror is getting exactly what you want.

Let's hear it for the man-child for a job done well (enough).

Local Man feels like a perfect superhero story for our time. Not just because of the whole MAGA subplot, but also because it's both earnest and optimistic while never pulling punches in exploring what these stories really say about us as a people.

The "downfall of Easton Newburn continues in dazzling fashion.

There's just so many great decisions here, many of that seemingly small or innocuous, that take this great character work and push it to the upper stratosphere.

A fitting enough ode to antiheroes and outsiders.

An ending, for sure, but hopefully the start of something else entirely.

This vampire story goes for the heart and jugular at every turn.

For fans of life lessons told in the most horrific way imaginable.

While less frenetic in its pace, this second issue lands with heaps more story depth and humanity galore.

This last lap of book one is packed with quick, lean storytelling, powerful character work, and even more visual magic.

Get ready for some big laughs and bigger heartache.

An issue as naughty as it is deeply compelling and emotionally nuanced.

Prepare for a clash both deeply personal and wildly magical.

Growing up is the best worst mistake you could ever make.

The only thing cooler than freezing time is making new friends.

The real terror is having to work for a living.

To his benefit, Morrison has assembled a book that's fun, thoughtful, unabashedly whimsical, and clearly on the side of goodness and light. And that's more in line with The Beatles' general vibe and brand than 1,000 covers of "Hey Jude."

This slice of palace intrigue just got way more intriguing.

This third issue sees a balance struck between silly hijinks and an increasingly complicated take on family, memory, and legacy.

Big emotions more devastating than a giant magical sword.

There's still plenty of questions circulating about the book's enemies and character development, but it's already clear we have a compelling "new" hero in Mary Bromfield.

Greater speed and a bigger story never take away from this story's devastating emotions.

A deliberate take continues to pay off handsomely.

Seasons may change, but a gut-wrenching human drama remains eternal.

As the Creature from the Black Lagoon emerges, we're promised not just teeth and claws but a textured mystery with just as much emotional strength.

Issue #2 builds the story slowly and surely as we venture toward narrative paydirt.

Come for the visceral action, but stay for the heartwarming tale of family and anti-capitalism messaging.

Maybe you can beat Xenomorphs with the power of family?

Aliens, heartache, and stakes galore, oh my!

Somehow the people and the politics are the most nasty and venomous.

A compelling little peek under the Hood.

Red Hood is a star, no matter what Batman says/does.

Universes collide and storytelling magic takes shape.

Fewer multiverses means bigger action and intrigue.

All we need in the multiverse is family and years of trauma.

But we've finally reached the end, and I have to say I'm satisfied enough even if I still can't help but wonder what could have been.

The new world of Black Panther grows ever more human and engaging.

Na na na na na, great issue!

Sometimes you've got to go backwards to move forward.

Black Panther's "vacation continues to pay off in some major ways.

Like the titular hero, this story cuts deep without you fully realizing it.

The road from hell is less about intentions and more meaningful character work.

More strategic magic and grittier noir is the optimal formula.

We built this city on poignant human drama and superhero action.

The issue dances around you before pummeling your chest.

If you don't have a villain, you don't have story.

A tale of second chances and revenge begins with raw emotion and empathy.

Dark Horse's newest series combines 'Red Sonja' with a heaping helping of drama.

A bloody good, if not all-too-direct, tale of crusading action.

This issue cuts to the core of the book's interest in identity and the self.

Sure, I still think I prefer DC to Marvel's Halloween offerings. But there's no denying that this title had a solid mix of laughs, scares, and even a regular sprinkling of more poignant topics/ideas. (That last bit really sets it apart for better and worse, and it feels like a compelling enough bent.) If someone gave me this in my bag on Halloween night, I'd share it with some friends instead of chucking it at someone's house.

After a lukewarm start, this second issue turns up the heat in character development, overall pace and intensity, and the general stakes at play here.

While this new series nails the Merc with a Mouth, it could set itself up for a future tumble.

Shintaro Kago deftly combines realism and absurdity for a manga title that's equal parts joyful, evocative, and jarring.

Family Tree has become a huge favorite in just two issues, which is amazing because it took me Greg Rucka's entire run on Wolverine to be quite as certain. It's the emotional weight, the unsettling imagery (that's also deeply touching), the exploration of family and fatherhood, and the way this tree-based mystery flourishes inch by painful and exciting inch. It doesn't so much grow on you as it bursts fully in bloom from your chest cavity.

Cute and creepy, this book is finding itself more and more.

This comic "sitcom" brings the tropes while still delivering great emotions and character development.

The real ghosts are the sentiments we try to bury under the surface.

We're building up John Stewart in a thoughtful, impactful manner.

In space, everyone can hear you become a better person.

Bring the popcorn and the Kleenex, 'cause you're going to need both to tackle this giant-sized drama.

It's an exploration of how you might not be able to meet your heroes but you can interact with them in the great abstract that is creative expression. And it's a solid reminder that the best stories can and will live forever, even if they're about the one-millionth spacefaring hero.

The balance of power shifts as our interest grows ever wider.

If you want to save the world, you've got to shatter a few hearts (and maybe some kneecaps?)

No one's eventual downfall has ever seemed so delicious.

The life of Easton Newburn grows ever darker, compelling, complicated, etc.

It'd be a real shanda if you missed out on this book.

Fantagraphics unveils an exciting debut issue of its new anthology series built on a diverse group of creators, intriguing stories and art, and a whole heap of creative potential.

Another promising collection of weird and wacky comics from across the indie scene.

A compelling and cohesive collection celebrating indie comic goodness.

A transformative and entertaining spin on the same old vampire story.

A new title, but same old wonderful vampire hijinks.

Life sucks and maybe that's a good thing?

The heisting grows ever bigger and more rich.

Petrol Head and co. continue down a bath that expertly rides the line between action, comedy, and drama toward compelling new paths.

Because this book's started with a mostly lofty idea, and through key creative decisions, robust collaboration/teamwork, and an overt passion, it's executed that vision in a way that remains approachable even as it's all the more intellectually "involved. To put it more simply, you + this book = a great time.

I continue to fall deeper and deeper for this wacky little tale.

A powerful exploration of youth's splendid highs and gut-wrenching lows.

This quest is becoming all the more compelling and rewarding.

A chapter of big enemies and even bigger revelations.

Ultimately, we like horror tropes like this not cause they're groundbreaking but because they force us to empathize and engage with the people on screen before they may get shuffled off this mortal coil. We also like horror because it makes the most of these huge, over-the-top, hyper bloody scenes to foster a level of intimacy. And this book has done all of that thus far, including doubling down across issue #3.

The war may end but the glorious suffering persists.

The cats really were this big force across the issue, and the reason why this book is humming now more than ever.

A winning finale for this cute and quirky (super) dog's tale.

Like "The birds and the bees" but with actual insight. And fight scenes.

The sex-positive tale of revolution starts letting the characters shine bright.

A mid-series "flashback" provides new insights and emotions.

An imperfect issue about opening up and expanding the world before all hell breaks loose.

These sons may be sinister, but there's a lot of emotionality and potential in their pursuit of fate and legacy.

The story and art align as this book makes good on its magical potential.

When fantasy and reality collide, there's true magic to be found.

It's made this human story of heroes more gentle and slow moving than it needs to be, and having more visual razzle dazzle would go a long way to landing closer to the realm of genuine thriller.

Even if this story isn't as strong as others Bang! really nailed the rush and absurdity of this specific plot device there's evidence here that as these two worlds further blur, there could be a gritty slice of noir adventure awaiting readers. You've just got to hold on and wait for the walls to really start crumbling.

Subgenre is still building, and the end result could be a triumph or a meta letdown.

It's a bigger book now, even as some things remain undeveloped for the time being, and one that has real layers. In a big way, that connects it even further to other grand sci-fi franchises, and makes everything feel all the more important.

After a generally solid first frame, this book cuts down on the humor and upps the heart (and violence) to gain proper momentum.

The fourth issue sees the humor and heart shine even as there's still some minor concerns with this book's fundamentals.

This story might spring on you just like the wolf.

'Uncanny Valley' is a story about family and connection that never skimps on the emotionality or the sheer whimsy.

With new layers and a continued commitment, 'Uncanny Valley' is becoming a wonderful, reality-smashing family drama.

You're the animal if this book doesn't grab you by the heartstrings.

They're coming to take you away to the realm of magically vintage horror.

Despite some issues in this debut, 'Ain't No Grave' is a truly promising and potent slice of highly emotional, semi-magical western storytelling.

The two worlds coalesce for better and worse.

There's more horror to come, but for now a scary misstep.

The only bug here is maybe not enough time and space?

While this meta series is still forming, issue #2 helps shape the story and motifs in a major way.

The duo of Hill and Soy have forged an Outsiders with equal parts potential and predictability.

While not as well-rounded as other issues, 'Batman: Urban Legends' #17 does a solid job in providing stories that use Batman as a perfect lens to explore issues of friendship, power, collaboration, and how superheroes exist in our world.

One wedding and a rather fun time.

An interesting chapter for this story's immersion as a generally vital series.

This one's out there, for better and worse.

A solid, if slightly uneven finale for a solid, slightly uneven book.

A grand enough finale for a more thoughtful Daywalker.

A truly dynamic lead helps establish this supernatural cop story.

New town, same Boy.

What he really built was a poignant story of community and grief.

A comic that plays rope-a-dope with your own familial relationships.

If you like books involving cute animals, families, pirates, and dissections of sociopolitical structures, then jump aboard.

Crusader speaks to me not just because of all the dope sword fights but because those battles forge a path for this story. The fact that more is being done to ground and extend these characters and make us question who is doing what and why feels like a victory worthy of celebrating.

Another tie-in where we get to delve into the splendid heart of a big-time DC hero, with mostly compelling results.

Despite a tendency for the cheesy and the heavy-handed, this giant-sized collection showcases some of the robust humanity that defines DC's catalog of characters.

In a career of telling these stories, Jeff Lemire arrives at something truly terrifying.

We get to see a lot but not nearly enough actually happens.

You can't duel your way out of loving this little tale.

More horror could mean vital things or a loss of humanity.

The dead do tell tales, and you'd be wise to listen.

The construct you'll need most is a pack of tissues.

When you're not learning, you're busy feeling all of the things.

There's a reason Ignited is leading the H1 charge: even with more tantalizing premises in books like OMNI, this series feels like it'll hit the hardest. If anything, as they build the world around it, Ignited may only open up further with new insights and understandings of Phoenix and the world it occupies. And whatever kind of place that is, it'll be worth the deep dive.

A bit more mass and gravity to this wildly psychedelic tale.

When this book emphasizes its primary father-son narrative, it'll leave you feel drained.

Friends are fun (and so are booby-trapped warehouses and karate kicks).

As Lucifer inches toward the truth, the past and future swirl together for an intriguing slice of theater.

This end-of-life gangster adventure slowly unveils layers of nuance and history.

The case (and our hero's mind?) may be about to crack wide open.

After some near misses, this issue finally peels back the magical world-building for emotional connections and meaningful storytelling.

A year or so in, and this Fantagraphics series continues to deliver a mighty blast of cerebral, highly evocative comics.

While this volume has some issues, the series as a while continues its weird and wonderful ways.

Marvel's teen heroes prepare for a truly gripping tale of power and control.

The Rat could prove to be the nougat-like core of raw power in a truly spellbinding series.

Gen Z culture, assassins, and demons what more do you need?

A solid improvement as things start to build and coalesce.

The more the merrier (in every possible way, it seems).

The kids are alright even if they're a tad derivative at times.

A slight shift in perspective makes this series practically sing.

With weirdness and heart galore, this dog mostly has its day.

This pup knows what's up.

While this issue had the makings of some huge emotional moments, things didn't deliver as intended.

While mostly as strong as its debut, the second chapter of 'Sinister Sons' demonstrates that there's more growth necessary for this book to fully shine.

After some missteps in issue #3, 'Sinister Sons' roars back with a wild and fun issue with plenty of stakes and big-time feelings.

Life is pain, but it sure is super interesting.

The world here grows all the more rich, nuanced, and spellbinding.

It's all in your head and that's what makes it so dang entertaining.

There's heart and charm galore but the pacing just feels annoyingly off.

There's plenty to like in issue #1. More than being well written and setting the proper pacing, it's something entirely new after Ignited.

After months of waiting, the story's robust emotion and dynamic art isn't enough to really win the final battle.

A compelling new anthology gets it at least 75% right, and that's a win.

It's good to see more of the humanity amid all the monstrosities.

Class warfare with heart and insanity to boot.

Superstar co-writers mostly add to this book's multifaceted approach to exploring community, lineage, and the ups and downs of family.

With heart and magic galore -- not to mention a thoughtful take on the design and narrative -- this debut issue could be the start of a true hero's tale.

A hero found lacking is not the kind of chaos we need here.

No one can hate you the way you fully hate yourself.

Old and new DC meet for a really great start.

This tale continues to invade our very hearts and minds.

It was a decidedly slow moving affair with heavy emphasis on the prep work which felt a touch irksome given that we've only got one issue before the end and we spent a lot of the time dealing with a slow moving truck.

The fantasy is over and a mostly interesting reality awaits us.

Not everyone deserves to be hero, if I'm being honest.

Matt Kindt's newest super-spy series has its obstacles, but he's once again broke new ground in an overused genre.

In which our beloved Captain Britain makes some big moves and even bigger waves.

After three truly great issues, the book falters, wading through some issues while tentatively plotting a way back to the golden path.

Multiversal madness goes both way, it seems.

This title promises big, thoughtful development it might not be totally invested in.

This City Boy's still under construction, but man oh man, does it have damn good bones.

The gators ain't the worst part of this hellish hamlet.

As writer Scott Snyder tries his hand at the heist genre, the first issue feels a little lukewarm in its character development and overall commitment -- even as the artwork sizzles.

This early V-Day present offers up superhero love through uplifting tales of humanity and needlessly hokey, overly gimmicky jokes.

It's an exciting time for Humanoids. This could be the start of an exciting new universe of impactful and relatable heroes " or it could totally be another Wildstorm (fraught with delays, bad politics, underwhelmed fans, etc.). While this preview lacks definitive proof, I nonetheless remain hopeful. Even if these new heroes can't save the world, they just may save us from more of the same.

Come for the expert sportsmanship, stay for the dreamy, dreamy boys and girls.

With a new film (sort of) looming, now seems the perfect time to launch a most entertaining, canon-free tale of the Scarlet Speedster.

In which Godzilla makes pirates truly cool againfor now.

Is there room for bureaucracy in an alien invasion?

With its debut issue, the new H1 imprint from Humanoids lays the groundwork for more grounded, engaging heroes.

I think this series raises some big questions, but mostly it just sort of lays out a thing for us to explore of our own accord. Even without big trucks and explosions so far, this Baker has the potential to be just righteous enough.

This second issue is both an effective change in pacing and a doubling down on bad habits.

And I really want this process to land with its full weight. Because it feels like we're trying to take a firmly old-school DC comic (over-the-top sci-fi with Swiss army knife powers and invading alien hordes) and trying to re-contextualize and/or update it for now.

A slice of what makes DC Comics so fun and charming (and totes weird).

The Thin White Devil returns to break hearts and burn his enemies asunder.

Love can be a bloody, mostly wonderful slice of madness.

The real terror is this book's continued inability to fully commit.

This new fantasy series glides the line between grit and depth and fanciful fiction.

After so much promise in issue #3, we're left again in the weirdest of places.

Fantagraphics' crack editors continue the series with an entry that pushes all sorts of boundaries while providing plenty of chuckles and head scratches.

The sixth installment of Fantagraphics' spotlight anthology keeps the hits (and slight misses) rolling.

After two great first laps, 'Petrol Head' has to make a slightly underwhelming pit stop before the journey ahead.

I can't explain it and you wouldn't want to me to just read it.

Corporate sponsors may be icky, but good comics are good comics.

Every dog has his day (when you give him the chance).

The magic here is real, but time will tell if this book breaks its own spell.

The magic is real, but that don't mean it's perfect.

Love is weird, beautiful, and maybe a tad predictable.

The '90s vibes may be too strong sometimes, yeah?

Nothing scarier than a good enough story.

Is this a great new story of art vs. creation, or a metatextual minefield?

It's basically Fabulous Mr. Fox as written by Stephen King.

A trip down memory lane into wrestling's golden age proves entertaining if not slightly superfluous.

Maybe not "so good, it's scary," but a seasonally appropriate mix of cheesiness, body horror, and nostalgia.

This commandment isn't quite as divine as it ought to be.

I get that trying to have this book's more fantastical stuff become divorced from the grounded reality isn't a likely prospect; it's the two halves that really shape and inform one another. But as it is right now, it's that heft of our world that's preventing this book's upsides (the family drama, the brain-melting body horror, and the alien "magic) from truly excelling and engaging readers in some vital ways.

An intriguing, deeply jarring meditation on fathers and sons -- with monsters.

A flipped vampire story may still be just another vampire story.

A wonky storyline and forced inconsistency in the narrative don't make for the best of times.

Despite looking great, 'Sinister Sons' can't really get on the same page long enough to make this core friendship a thing.

In space, everyone knows that you're a giant loser.

There's nothing more terrifying than when a great book hits a stumble.

A masterclass (and minor drag) in pure horror storytelling.

Love and friendship might save the day, but there's still plenty of hell to pay on the road to decency.

Endings ain"t easy, and this one reflects that in ways both good and bad.

You're only as good as your villains, it would seem.

After some great tie-in issues, this one about the Emerald Archer focuses less on character insights and development and more on a trite love story.

Is this entertaining? Sure, and that's the problem. The issue traded true subtext and layers for a flashy approach to cheap storytelling.

This alien invasion mostly landed as a disappointing dud.

You wish this quest's worst feature were just giant monsters and gnarly volcanoes.

Relics has earned my attention as much as my caution. There's a lot to hope for this book to eventually display or achieve, but that could just as easily not be the case as we're left with more mid-tier Y.A. I'll keep reading regardless, but like dealing with actual teenagers, I only have so much time and patience.

There's as much to love as sort of feel annoyed by at this point, and it's becoming increasingly hard to balance these takeaways and still give Kudraski the leeway needed to really push this story to where it might go. Because after five issues, it still feels too early on in the narrative arc, and his ceaseless world-building is really starting to feel more like arrested development.

For once, face-eating monsters may not be nearly enough.

Is someone still a hero when their suffering is either too deserved and/or unappealing?

Forget heaven, all dogs can be good and earnest superheroes.

Thus far, this series has some promise, but it may need to go back to fix a few fundamental flaws.

Who says your hero has to appear in a story?

The research station isn't the only thing that'll leave you feeling cold.

After a number of disappointments, my remaining patience may have finally up and vanished.