Review - Angelica Reigns #1 (@EvoluzionePub)

"Epic fail."

Family is family. You take the good with the bad, mainly because you're always going to be tied to your family. Things like that are a little trickier when your mom is a witch like in Angelica Reigns #1 from Evoluzione Publishing. The issue is written by Brian Hawkins, illustrated by Federico Sabbatini, colored by Chiara Miriade and lettered by Brant Fowler.

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Review - Survival Fetish #1 (@blackmaskstudio)

"...amazing has an expiration date."

Honolulu is--by most accounts--a beautiful city on one of the most beautiful islands on the planet. There's great weather, nice people and really no reason to be inside. That is, unless you're in the Honolulu from Survival Fetish #1 from Black Mask Studios. The issue is written by Patrick Kindlon, illustrated by Antonio Fuso and lettered by Jim Campbell.

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Review - Skyward #1 (@ImageComics)

"It's happening. No one believed me but...I was right."

Gravity is one of those fundamental knowns in the world. What goes up, must come down. Everything we know about how to live is largely based around the concept that you can't get into the air without the help of something else. That all changes in Skyward #1 from Image Comics. The issue is written by Joe Henderson, illustrated by Lee Garbett, colored by Antonio Fabela and lettered by Simon Bowland.

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Review - World of Tanks: Citadel #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"All in all, it was going to be a hot summer."

World War II has no shortage of tales about valor and combat, but those involving tanks are some of the more fascinating from a strategy perspective. The idea of both sides charging into battle with massive tanks rolling through is one that was really a modern (at the time) take on an older warfare strategy. In World of Tanks: Citadel #1 from Dark Horse Comics, that strategy gets top-billing. The issue is written by Garth Ennis, illustrated by P.J. Holden, colored by Michael Atiyeh and lettered by Rob Steer.

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Review - Resident Alien: An Alien in New York #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"Morning, Doc."

Finding out that aliens lives among us would certainly be surprising on some levels, but would make sense on other levels (depending on who it was we found out was an alien). There's a hope that such an alien would want to do good and be nice to others though. That's certainly the case in Resident Alien: An Alien in New York #1 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Peter Hogan and illustrated by Steve Parkhouse.

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Review - Robocop: Citizen's Arrest #1 (@boomstudios)

"--in Detroit's history, we've never see corruption like this--"

Robocop depicted Detroit as a city on the brink of complete desolation. The sad thing is that the real-world counterpart of the city isn't faring much better. In Robocop: Citizen's Arrest #1 from BOOM Studios, New Detroit offers a glimmer of hope for its citizens. The issue is written by Brian Wood, illustrated by Jorge Coelho, colored by Doug Garbark and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.

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Review - Xerxes: The Fall of the House of Darius and the Rise of Alexander #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"It begins, as all wars doo, with a grievance."

Like all good empires, the Greek empire had its power before falling. Same goes for the Persians. Where they intersect is Xerxes: The Fall of the House of Darius and the Rise of Alexander #1 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written and illustrated by Frank Miller and colored by Alex Sinclair.

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Review - Portal Bound #1 (@AspenComics)

"Technically the portal isn't magic--"

It may not be well-known or proven, but there's a good chance that Earth is tied to other planets via some sort of direct link. Those links have yet to be discovered, but chances are if (when?) they are it'll be made clear that there's a lot going out there that we have no clue about. In Portal Bound #1 from Aspen Comics there's a war going down on one of the planets tied to Earth and they need Earth's help. The issue is written by Mark Roslan and Gabe Carrasco, illustrated by Alex Arizmendi, colored by Wes Hartman and lettered by Zen.

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Review - Demi-God #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"Bout time you showed up. I've been waiting."

Olden times often featured gods ruling the lives of mortals on Earth. Those gods may or may not have had any influence on the inner workings of man, but there were definitely stories about their interactions. In Demi-God #1 from IDW Publishing, Jason is the newest character to have a tie to Greek gods. The issue is written by Ron Marz, illustrated by Andy Smith, colored by Michael Atiyeh and lettered by Steve Dutro.

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Review - The Crow: Memento Mori #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"Son of man, set your face against Sidon; prophesy against her."

The Crow is a pretty popular character in some circles. The fact that Brandon Lee while filming the titular character adds another level of gravitas to the property and plays into the mythos surrounding it. That's why The Crow: Memento Mori #1 from IDW Publishing has a lot of moodiness to work with. The issue is written by Roberto Recchioni, illustrated by Werther Dell'Edera, colored by Giovanna Niro and lettered by Giovanni Marinovich. "Buried Virtue" is written and illustrated by Matteo Scalera, colored by Moreno Dinisio and lettered by Marinovich.

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Review - Black Hammer: Age of Doom (@darkhorsecomics)

"...I remember everything! I know where we are!"

Superhero team-ups are nothing new, but the cause for their coming together can be. In the case of the seemingly misfit superheroes in Black Hammer: Age of Doom #1 from Dark Horse Comics, their time together is focused on one objective: getting the hell out of their current situation. The issue is written by Jeff Lemire, illustrated by Dean Ormston, colored by Dave Stewart and lettered by Todd Klein.

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Review - Breathless #1 (@BlackMaskStudio)

"I feel great."

Advancements in medical research are often hailed as breakthroughs when they can help a significant portion of the population. The problem with said breakthroughs is that most of the time they're bankrolled by the private sector in a quest to find the next billion dollar drug. Breathless #1 from Black Mask Studio seems to focus on a breakthrough that's a lot more sinister. The issue is written by Pat Shand, illustrated by Renzo Rodriguez, colored by Mara Jayne Carpenter and lettered by Jim Campbell.

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Review - Isola #1 (@imagecomics)

"Long dream't Crown Awakens four Mark haunted hearts To Isola's Shores."

Fantasy tales come and go, but few ever reach "epic" status. Isola #1 from Image Comics might just be the next one to do it. The issue is written by Brenden Fletcher, illustrated by Karl Kerschl, colored by Msassyk and lettered by Aditya Bidikar.

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Review - Jirni Volume 3 #1 (@AspenComics)

"Perhaps not as easy as you might think."

The life of a djinn is one fraught with peril and danger. Most everyone they encounter fear them and try to kill them, while others who aren't afraid of them want them to join them in dangerous situations as leverage. Ara finds a little bit of both in Jirni Volume 3 #1 from Aspen Comics. The issue is written by J.T. Krul, illustrated by Michael Sta. Maria, colored by John Starr and lettered by Micah Myers.

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Review - Lucy Dreaming #1 (@boomstudios)

"School is overrated!"

High school is different for everyone involved. Some people cruise on their popularity while others are less vocal because of their lack of popularity. The four years typically dictate the rest of your life though and for Lucy in Lucy Dreaming #1 from Boom Studios those four years are going to be a lot more jam-packed than expected. The issue is written by Max Bemis, illustrated by Michael Dialynas, lettered by Colin Bell.

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Review - American Gods: My Ainsel #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"Festive, yet classy."

American Gods is one of Neil Gaiman's greatest works that's slowly making it way to the comics. If you've been dying for another incarnation, then American Gods: My Ainsel #1 from Dark Horse Comics can scratch that itch. The story is by Neil Gaiman, written by P. Craig Russell, illustrated by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

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Review - Highest House #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"Your master must be some great lord, surely."

The life of a poor child in a peasant village features days filled with skipping rocks, singing to oneself and generally passing the time. There's not really an awareness or sense of anything greater and just being able to survive is a gift. In The Highest House #1 from IDW Publishing, some of those children find out there's a bit more to life. The issue is written by Mike Carey, illustrated and lettered by Peter Gross and colored by Fabien Alquier.

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Review - Come Into Me #1 (@blackmaskstudio)

"What is marvelous our mind's ability to generate emotion."

People will often say "I know your pain" or "I know what you're going through," but very rarely do they fully understand exactly what it is that person is experiencing. Empathy is only as good as the experience of the empathizer so being able to truly get into another's head would do wonders for increasing empathy. Such an action bears a cost though as imagined in Come Into Me #1 from Black Mask Studios. The issue is written by Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler, illustrated by Piotr Kowalski, colored by Niko Guardia and lettered by Ryan Ferrier.

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Review - Wailing Blade #1 (@ComixTribe)

"They will hate you."

Every good tyrant needs a good executioner. Every good executioner needs a good blade. Wailing Blade #1 from Comix Tribe has both of the above and then some. The issue is written by Rich Douek, illustrated by Joe Mulvey, colored by Christopher Sotomayor and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

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Review - Betty 'The Slayer' Mitchell #1 (@Markosia)

"Dear Miss Elizabeth Mitchell. I hope that this letter reaches you soon. We are really in desperate need of your services..."

History is littered with heroes and villains. The two fight one another in an endless struggle for dominance. Sometimes though a new hero is inserted in history against a familiar villain. Betty 'The Slayer' Mitchell #1 from Markosia is one such instance. The issue is written by Alex Giles and illustrated by Oscar Perez Gallardo.

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Review - Prism Stalker #1 (@imagecomics)

"We were cowards once. You and I."

Subjugation is never easy for the subjugated. Those in power tend to relish that position of authority and will do what is necessary to maintain it. That doesn't mean that uprisings foment themselves as in Prism Stalker #1 from Image Comics. The issue is written and illustrated by Sloane Leong.

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Review - The Beef #1 (@imagecomics)

"Not the burgers!"

A diet consisting entirely of hamburgers, french fries and soda isn't really one that someone should strive to maintain. There are still plenty of people in the world (America specifically) who don't mind the excess, consequences be damned. In The Beef #1 from Image Comics, that diet could turn into something else entirely. The issue is written by Richard Starkings and Tyler Shainline, illustrated by Shaky Kane and lettered by Starkings.

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Review - The Wilds #1 (@blackmaskstudio)

"They're coming..."

Dealing with society is its own beast. Dealing with a society that has individuals who act like beasts is something else entirely. In The Wilds #1 from Black Mask Studios, life must go on. The issue is written by Vita Ayala, illustrated by Emily Pearson, colored by Marissa Louise and lettered by Jim Campbell.

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Review - Vampironica #1 (@ArchieComics)

"...this will all be over soon."

Vampires are eternal, both in life and popular culture. So of course it makes sense that they would invade Riverdale in Vampironica #1 from Archie Comics. The issue is written by Greg Smallwood and Meg Smallwood, illustrated by Greg Smallwood and lettered by Jack Morelli.

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Review - James Bond: M (@dynamite)

"There are always consequences to your actions."

Being a supervisor to 00 agents brings with it a tremendous amount of responsibility. That responsibility includes cleaning up any messes those agents may make. In James Bond: M from Dynamite Entertainment, one of those messes that need cleaning is made by the supervisor himself. The issue is written by Declan Shalvey, illustrated by PJ Holden, colored by Derbhla Kelly and lettered by Simon Bowland.

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Review - Lucas Stand: Inner Demons #1 (@boomstudios)

"I don't like demons, and I don't like liars."

Fighting demons is an ongoing endeavor. It takes stamina, grit and a resolve to keep on keeping on in the face of adversity. In Lucas Stand: Inner Demons #1 from BOOM! Studios, that quest continues. The issue is written by Kurt Sutter and Caitlin Kittredge, illustrated by Jesús Hervás, colored by Alex Guimarães and lettered by Jim Campbell.

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Review - Postal: Mark #1 (@TopCow)

"Peace came for Eden, but not the Shiffron family."

The family dynamic is extremely hard to define. What works for one family may not work for another family, which means that different families have different problems they must contend with. Postal: Mark #1 from Top Cow Comics looks at some of the woes beguiling the Shiffron family. The issue is written by Matt Hawkins, illustrated by Raffaele Ienco and lettered by Troy Peteri.

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Review - Xena #1 (@DynamiteComics)

"Then it's a good thing I'm no coward!"

Xena is a warrior princess. She's combat capable and has a heart that won't let the innocent be harmed. In Xena #1 from Dynamite Comics, she's making her way through the countryside with those same traits. The issue is written by Meredith Finch, illustrated by Vicente Cifuentes, colored by Triona Farrell and lettered by Cardinal Rae.

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Review - Musketeers #1 (@zenescope)

"The book of fables chose you three, to activate your dormant highborn heritage. The next choice is yours."

The Three Musketeers prided themselves on their teamwork and camaraderie, working flawlessly together to get out tough spots. That relationship is what allowed them to endure and in Musketeers #1 from Zenescope Entertainment that relationship is put through its paces. The issue is written by Terry Kavanagh, illustrated by Daniel Maine, colored by Bryan Valenza and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

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Review - Oblivion Song #1 (@ImageComics)

"I call it the Oblivion Song."

Traveling between parallel universes is no small feat. You have to contend with being able to do it, but also having to figure out what's going to be on the other side when you jump. In Oblivion Song #1 from Image Comics, what's on the other side is not very endearing. The issue is written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Lorenzo De Felici and Annalisa Leoni.

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Review - VS #1 (@ImageComics)

"I can't abide a silence."

Everyone loves a good game show. The people playing the game show typically also love it as well, unless the game show involves lots of gunplay and the threat of death. VS #1 from Image Comics has all of the above. The issue is written by Ivan Brandon, illustrated by Esad Ribić, colored by Nic Klein and lettered by Aditya Bidikar.

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Review - Legenderry: Red Sonja #1 (@DynamiteComics)

"Boom."

Red Sonja is someone you want on your side and not someone you want to go up against. She has a way of running through opponents with an almost reckless abandon and that's no different despite the setting. In Legenderry: Red Sonja #1 from Dynamite Comics, the setting is new, but the outcome is the same. The issue is written by Marc Andreyko, illustrated by Igor Lima, colored by Adriano Augusto and lettered by Thomas Napolitano.

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Review - Portal Bound #0 (@AspenComics)

"Keep her safe, Horuk. If sybil ends up being dragged into this...it will be your end."

We all need a little help from time to time. How that help is applied varies based on who's asking for it. In Portal Bound #0 from Aspen Comics, Sybil needs help from someone else she doesn't even really knows exists...yet. The issue is written by Marc Roslan and Gabe Carrasco, illustrated by Alex Arizmendi, colored by Wes Hartman and lettered by Zen.

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Review - Gideon Falls #1 (@imagecomics)

"Our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name."

People turn to different coping mechanisms for different events. Some people turn to religion, some people turn to a psychosis. Regardless, there's something for everyone to cope with things and Gideon Falls #1 from Image Comics has both. The issue is written by Jeff Lemire, illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino and colored by Dave Stewart.

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Review - Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart (@blackmaskstudio)

"My name is Eli Franklin, I'm fifteen, and I don't think I'm like most girls in Helena, Montana."

America has a lot of issues with its identity. Many (most) of them are rooted in centuries old stereotypes and prejudices that are derived from a different era. Despite the best efforts of some, there are others desperately clinging to the way things were which makes a book like Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart from Black Mask Studios all the more relevant. The issue is written by Kwanza Osajyefo, illustrated by Jennifer Johnson and lettered by David Sharpe.

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Review - Mata Hari #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"...help me make my revenge."

One of the most important components of war is espionage. The thing is, you never hear that much about it--otherwise, the spies would be really bad at their jobs. Dark Horse Comics takes a look at a spy who wasn't bad at her job in Mata Hari #1. The issue is written by Emma Beeby, illustrated by Ariela Kristantina and colored by Pat Masioni.

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Review - Gears of War: The Rise of RAAM #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"They deserve some recognition for their good."

Gears of War was a tour de force when it first released for the Xbox 360 in November 2006. The game pushed the limits of violence and relied on a fresh take on the cover system to offer fast combat and gameplay. The prime nemesis in the original game was RAAM, a Locust leader with an axe to grind against the COGs. In Gears of War: The Rise of RAAM #1 from IDW Publishing, readers gain a little more insight into RAAM's thought process. The issue is written by Kurtis Wiebe, illustrated by Max Dunbar, colored by Jose Luis Rio and lettered by Gilberto Lazcano.

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Review - Eternal (@blackmaskstudio)

"Let us be the heroes who freed the land..."

Warriors wage wars. During peace though, warriors must be people first, tending to their families and contributing to society. When the former threatens the latter as in Eternals from Black Mask Studio, one warrior will go to great lengths to ensure that her people are safe. The issue is written by Ryan K. Lindsay, illustrated by Eric Zawadzki and colored by Dee Cunniffe.

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Review - The Servant #1 (@KingBonePress)

"Promises or lies I wonder...?"

Life in a high-fantasy setting has its ups and downs. On good days, you're not eaten by a dragon or being accosted by robbers. On bad days, you've got to deal with a whole lot of danger every day. In The Servant #1 from King Bone Press, there are both good days and bad days. The issue is written by Jason Ford, illustrated by Felipe Anguiano and lettered by Rob Jones.

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Review - Days of Hate #1 (@ImageComics)

"Remember when we all hated on 2016 online? Called it a 'trash fire?'"

It's not an understatement to say that the United States of America needs a lot of work. People are digging in deeper on their sides, prompting the opposite side to dig themselves even deeper. What it leads to is a continuing spiral of hatred and distrust, something that's on display in Days of Hate #1 from Image Comics. The issue is written by Aleš Kot, illustrated by Danijel Žeželj, colored by Jordie Bellaire and lettered by Aditya Bidikar.

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Review - Incognegro: Renaissance #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"So, we're just going to walk into this white man's house? And you're sure I'm invited? Better yet--are you even invited?"

Believe it or not, racism is still around. For all the strides that individuals such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln made in improving race relations, there are those who are insistent on tearing things apart and just being bloviating, racist, misogynists in general who just so happen to be President of the United States. There's still plenty of room for a story like Incognegro: Renaissance #1 from Dark Horse Comics to serve as a reminder that we've got a long way to go. The issue is written by Mat Johnson, illustrated by Warren Pleece and lettered by Clem Robins.

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Review - Van Helsing vs. Robyn Hood #1 (@zenescope)

"What idiot said baking is relaxing?"

Liesel is a vampire hunter. Robyn Hood is an archer from another time. The two of them are more than capable of holding their own when teamed with one another. When putting their talents on display against one another like in Van Helsing vs. Robyn Hood #1 from Zenescope, then things get real. The issue is written by Ralph Tedesco, illustrated by Allan Otero, colored by Leonardo Paciarotti and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

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Review - Dejah Thoris #0 (@DynamiteComics)

"We killed it. We killed our planet."

Climate change is real despite what some will tell you otherwise. On Mars for instance in Dejah Thoris #0 from Dynamite Entertainment, the disbelief led to its destruction and Dejah Thoris is tasked with saving it. The issue is written by Amy Chu, illustrated by Pasquale Qualano, colored by Valentina Pinto and lettered by Thomas Napolitano.

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Review - Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #1 (@ValiantComics)

"Well, the world's greatest spy has his limitations."

When you're a world-renowned spy, there are few things that are outside of your capabilities. In fact, being able to accomplish any objective is usually par for the course for those spies who are at the top of their game. Ninjak is such a spy, but in Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #1 from Valiant Comics he may be having second thoughts about being so good. The issue is written by Eliot Rahal, illustrated by Joe Bennett with Belardino Brabo, colored by Ulises Arreola and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

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Review - Belle: Beast Hunter #1 (@Zenescope)

"Girl meets boy. Boy attacks girl. Girl kicks the crap out of boy, letting him know his mistake."

The song says that it's a tale as old as time, but the only thing old about Belle in Belle: Beast Hunter #1 from Zenescope is the notion that she can't physically fight any and all beast comers. The issue is written by Dave Franchini, illustrated by Bong Dazo, colored by Juan Manuel Rodriguez and lettered by Kurt Hathaway.

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Review - Planet of the Apes: Ursus #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"No sharing, no hiding. He can simply be Ursus."

Living on any planet is rarely made as easy as it could be. Being a human on the Planet of the Apes brings with it its own sort of challenges. Being a primate on the Planet of the Apes brings with it a wholly different set of challenges. Ursus is up to the challenge in Planet of the Apes: Ursus #1 from IDW Publishing. The issue is written by David F. Walker, illustrated by Chris Mooneyham, colored by Jason Wordie and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.

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Review - Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Leia (@IDWPublishing)

"Some days, it feels like my destiny is not of my own choosing."

There's an ever-present balance between light and dark in the Star Wars universe and one of the lightest of the light is Princess Leia. The woman has fought her way through all manner of hardships due to sheer persistence--everything from daring escapes to an absentee father. In Star Wars: Forces of Destiny Leia from IDW Publishing, her role as a leader gets bolstered even more. The issue is written by Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet, illustrated by Charretier, colored by Sarah Stern and lettered by Tom B. Long.

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Review - Koshchei: The Deathless #1 (@DarkHorseComics)

"I always felt bad about that--the dagger in the back. But I was very angry."

Hellboy does what he does very well. There are very few opponents where he's evenly matched and one of those opponents is Koshchei. In Koshchei: The Deathless #1 from Dark Horse Comics, that characters gets even more attention. The issue is written by Mike Mignola, illustrated by Ben Stenbeck, colored by Dave Stewart and lettered by Clem Robins.

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