Every week, comic fandom is gifted with a slew of fantastic stories from a slew of fantastic creators. These days there’s just so much good stuff out there that it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re new to comics. Thus AIPT presents to you, Fantastic Five! A weekly column where we pick five fantastic books released during the week and tell you why you should take a chance on them via a snippet from our reviews.
Enjoy, and happy reading!
Undone by Blood #5
Words by Lonnie Nadler & Zac Thompson. Art by Sami Kivela.
With what writers Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson have achieved, this issue pays off all the slow-burn moments in the last four issues. This series has always employed some wonderfully Western tropes and continues to subvert the minutia through Ethel’s own character. This story has also consistently boasted some of the best set-pieces and action scenes that are being executed in all of comics. (10/10)
–Arbaz M. Khan
Marauders #11
Words by Gerry Duggan. Art by Stefano Caselli.
The writing by Gerry Duggan is just so emotionally powerful, and it’s clear that he understands Storm and Emma Frost. The art by Stefano Caselli and Edgar Delgado is really incredible, especially in this issue. There is a moment toward the end of the issue that is just so beautiful that I want it framed on my wall. You’ll have to go buy the issue to see what I am talking about! (10/10)
–Ryan Pagella
Judge Dredd: False Witness #2
Words by Brandon M. Easton. Art by Kei Zama.
Judge Dredd has always been at its best when the tale allows the reader to get out of it what they put into it. Some can take his conservatism as seriously as others, while others can take it for the rocking joke that it always is. Dredd has always been horror and a joke at the same time, which unfortunately fits the time we’re currently living in extremely well. (9/10)
–Arbaz M. Khan
Alienated #5
Words by Si Spurrier. Art by Christian Wildgoose.
Spurrier and Wildgoose have crafted with despair, anger, and fully realized people a fantasy that works superbly on so many levels. Alienated floats in an air of supernatural disquiet and tension, at a point of reflection, mirrored in everything and everyone. (9/10)
–David Brooke
Empyre #5
Words by Dan Slott & AL Ewing. Art by Valerio Schiti.
Above all, this issue will finally give the Cotati a striking and scary moment. I won’t spoil it, but something is said that clearly conveys why a plant-based people are a scary enemy. That said, it’s hard to hate the Cotati or their leaders. From the start, it wasn’t clear what exactly they wanted to do — it took a couple of issues to get there, and even in this fifth issue, the enemy is more cultish in their approach than pure evil. That makes their motivations more misguided, and possibly capable of changing their minds than a traditional enemy that must be stopped at all costs. (8.5/10)
–David Brooke
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