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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Books

5/7/2026

 
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Comic Collection
The 1980s were home to plenty of animated TV shows used as gross marketing ploys to sell toys to kids. But for those of us who grew up during that era, we hardly cared. We still hurried home every afternoon to watch our favorites — and one of the most famous was He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. 

Indeed, He-Man ruled the airwaves and toy aisles. If you’ve ever found yourself shouting "I have the power!" while brandishing a plastic sword, then you’re no stranger to the legendary Masters of the Universe franchise.

At the heart of this epic saga is He-Man, a superhero who hid his rippling muscles and superhuman strength behind the alter ego of the mild-mannered Prince Adam. Together with his trusty allies, He-Man defended the mystical secrets of Castle Grayskull and the entire universe from his sinister uncle, Skeletor. 

The television series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" was a colossal hit in the 1980s, skyrocketing sales of Mattel's action figures to new heights. Kids across the country couldn’t get enough of of He-Man and he certainly inspired other toy companies to follow suit. See my blog Reliving 1980s Animated TV.

But the magic didn’t stop at the small screen. The show was accompanied by comic book tie-ins which continue up to this day. And while He-Man’s adventures were initially confined to the TV, toys, and comics, it wasn’t long before motion pictures followed. The first big screen adaptation, Masters of the Universe, hit theaters in 1987, with the aptly-cast Dolph Lundgren squeezing into He-Man's iconic furry cod-piece. While the film might now be considered a cult classic, at the time it was a disaster. No wonder if took nearly forty years to get a reboot, this time with Nicholas Galitzine wielding the Sword of Power. The film releases on June 5. 

He-Man has become more than just a character; he's a cultural icon. Over the years, countless books have been penned about the TV series, toys, comics, and He-Man's monumental impact on pop culture. He-Man's true strength is in the joy and nostalgia he continues to bring to generations of fans — so I’ve put together a curated list that touches on the show, the comics, the toys and the cultural influence. 

RELATED: Reliving 1980s Animated TV | Down the Teen TV Rabbit Hole | 

Masters of the Universe Books

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Newspaper Comic Strips by Chris Weber
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Newspaper Comic Strips by Chris Weber
He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures by Various Authors
He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide to the Classic Animated Adventures by Various Authors
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Volume 1: The Sword of Flaws by Tim Seeley
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Volume 1: The Sword of Flaws by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe: Forge of Destiny by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe: Forge of Destiny by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe: Revolution Library Edition by Kevin Smith
Masters of the Universe: Revolution Library Edition by Kevin Smith
Masters of the Universe/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles of Grayskull by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles of Grayskull by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe: Masterverse Volume 1 by Tim Seeley
Masters of the Universe: Masterverse Volume 1 by Tim Seeley
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium by Danielle Gelehrter
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: A Character Guide and World Compendium by Danielle Gelehrter
Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe by Various Authors
Art of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe by Various Authors
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection by Various Authors
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection by Various Authors
The Art of Masters of the Universe: Revolution by Mattel and Powerhouse Animation Studios
The Art of Masters of the Universe: Revolution by Mattel and Powerhouse Animation Studios
The Art of Masters of the Universe: Origins and Masterverse by Mattel and Alex Irvine
The Art of Masters of the Universe: Origins and Masterverse by Mattel and Alex Irvine

For the Love of Giant Monsters

5/2/2026

 
Picture
​I grew up loving giant monster movies. I'd tune into them every Saturday afternoon by middle school I was making my own versions using an old 8mm camera. Later, I relived the fun as Elvira's Movie Macabre and Mystery Science Theater 3000 hilariously riffed on them.

I’ve wanted to create a list of the best comics and graphic novels featuring giant monsters (also referred to as kaiju) for a while now, but I thought I’d start with some background on this cultural phenomenon, at least as it relates to pop culture. 

King Kong (1933) is generally considered the foundational giant monster in popular culture. (There are some earlier examples, of course, but Kong started giant monsters down a path to popularity, which continues to this day.) Even as I'm writing this, it occurs to me that just last night I was watching the big monkey punch out Titan X on Monarch: The Legacy of Monsters. Time creeps along, but big monsters persist, I guess.

At the time of its release, Kong was probably viewed as a kind of Beauty and the Beast tale... the savage animal is tamed by his inexplicable love for a tiny blond woman (Fay Wray). More modern sensibilities probably see it differently, with Kong and his imitators — like Mighty Joe Young — symbolizing human exploitation of nature. But after World War II and with the onset of the nuclear age, giant monsters took on new and more sinister significance.

The best known of this new breed of monster was Godzilla, introduced in 1954 by Toho Studios and a direct metaphor for the nuclear age. Japanese giant monsters (also known as kaiju) were no longer oddities of nature captured from remote and exotic lands to be displayed in a sideshow. Now they were heartless killing machines created by human meddling in the natural world. The message was clear — humanity is fucked, and we did it to ourselves. Godzilla may be stamping Tokyo into oblivion, but he wouldn’t be doing any of that if we hadn’t set off nuclear warheads in Bikini Atoll. 

During the same era and across the Pacific Ocean, giant animals terrorized American communities. In most cases, American monsters weren't as fanciful as their Japanese counterparts, but rather existing species mutated to immense size by radioactivity or other human technology gone awry. Massive spiders, Gila monsters, ants, and grasshoppers ran rampant through small towns and big cities alike. They too warned of the horrors of radioactivity and nuclear testing, but bringing it home to small towns and middle class neighborhoods.

Ultimately, maybe even paradoxically, these behemoths were brought down by the might of the modern military, while some humbled scientists waxed philosophical about humanity's persistent habit of “meddling in God’s domain.”

From the 1960s through the 1980s, giant monsters stepped out of the horror realm and became superheroes marketed as family entertainment. Big monsters might still be threatening humanity and destroying cities, but now we could count on friendlier kaiju to chase them off. In 1965, Daiei Film introduced a flying, fire-breathing turtle called Gamera, who was intended to compete directly with Toho’s Godzilla. Billed as “the protector of humanity,” the Gamera films prominently featured child characters who both empathized and could communicate with Gamera. 

By the early 90s, misguided science again burdened us with giant monsters of dark purpose. Jurassic Park led the way by reanimating extinct dinosaurs, which its sequels exaggerated to absurd lengths. Giant monsters became something we both feared and mocked. Parodies and near-parodies like Leviathan, Arachnophobia, Deepstar Six, Tremors, and the ongoing Godzilla and Gamera series mixed horror with humor, and often downplayed moralizing in favor of a more dystopian tone. This trend continues today, giving us some very watchable films like Pacific Rim, Cloverfield, Pitch Black, The Host, Cabin in the Woods, Kong: Skull Island, and Trollhunter.

Though giant monsters found fame in film, they’ve also starred in many books. Below, I’ve selected titles reflecting these trends, and though the vast majority of books are about Godzilla, and I've tried to throw in a few surprises as well. Most, but not all, are comics or graphic novels. 

RELATED: Absurdity in Space: Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Black Lagoon Legacy | Review: Godzilla vs. Portland 

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp by Rosie Knight
Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp by Rosie Knight
Godzilla: War for Humanity by Andrew MacLean
Godzilla: War for Humanity by Andrew MacLean
Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 by Brian Buccellato
Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 by Brian Buccellato
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong by Brian Buccellato
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong by Brian Buccellato
Godzilla Minus One by Takashi Yamazaki
Godzilla Minus One by Takashi Yamazaki
Godzilla: Skate or Die by Louie Joyce
Godzilla: Skate or Die by Louie Joyce
Godzilla Vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Vol 1 by Cullen Bunn
Godzilla Vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Vol 1 by Cullen Bunn
Godzilla Vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Vol 2 by Cullen Bunn
Godzilla Vs. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Vol 2 by Cullen Bunn
Godzilla Vs. America: Kansas City by Baldemar Rivas
Godzilla Vs. America: Kansas City by Baldemar Rivas
Godzilla Vs. America: Boston by Hanna Cha
Godzilla Vs. America: Boston by Hanna Cha
Godzilla Vs. America: Los Angeles by Dave Baker
Godzilla Vs. America: Los Angeles by Dave Baker
Godzilla Vs. America: Chicago by Caroline Cash
Godzilla Vs. America: Chicago by Caroline Cash
Godzilla: The Half-Century War by James Stokoe
Godzilla: The Half-Century War by James Stokoe
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 1 by Chris Mowry
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 1 by Chris Mowry
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 2 by Eric Powell
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 2 by Eric Powell
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 3 by Duane Swierczynski
Godzilla Library Collection, Vol. 3 by Duane Swierczynski
Godzilla: End of the Reign - Kai-Sei Era by Tim Seely
Godzilla: End of the Reign - Kai-Sei Era by Tim Seely
Starship Godzilla - Kai-Sei Era - First Wars by Chris Gooch
Starship Godzilla - Kai-Sei Era - First Wars by Chris Gooch
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone - Kai-Sei Era by Ethan Parker
Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone - Kai-Sei Era by Ethan Parker
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre by Tom Scioli
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre by Tom Scioli
Godzilla vs. the Marvel Universe by Ryan North
Godzilla vs. the Marvel Universe by Ryan North
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla by Tim Seeley
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla by Tim Seeley

Miscellaneous Kaiju

Mega by Salvador Sanz
Mega by Salvador Sanz
Ultramega by James Harren Volume 2: Smells Like Kaiju by James Harren
Ultramega by James Harren Volume 2: Smells Like Kaiju by James Harren
Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters by Randy Brown
Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters by Randy Brown
DC Finest: Justice League of America: Starro the Conqueror by Gardner Fox
DC Finest: Justice League of America: Starro the Conqueror by Gardner Fox
Godzilla Legends - Mothra: Queen of the Monsters by Sophie Campbell
Godzilla Legends - Mothra: Queen of the Monsters by Sophie Campbell
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 1 by Zander Cannon
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 1 by Zander Cannon
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 2 by Zander Cannon
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 2 by Zander Cannon
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 3 by Zander Cannon
Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 3 by Zander Cannon
Giant Kokjü by Gerry Duggan
Giant Kokjü by Gerry Duggan
Giant Killer by Zac Gilbert
Giant Killer by Zac Gilbert

Truth, Justice and Great Responsibility

4/21/2026

 
Superman Spider-Man Crossover Comic
I grew up with Superman and Spider-man. They were literally my first great comic book loves.

As a child, I obsessively watched the black-and-white repeats of The Adventures of Superman (1952-1958) starring George Reeves or got up early every Saturday morning to thrill to Super Friends (1973-1985), where the Man of Steel was indisputably the lead character.

Afternoons were Spider-Man time. The 1967 animated series ran in syndication after school — and yes, like so many nerds of my generation, I can still sing the iconic theme song in its entirety. 
But the afternoons also meant I could look forward to Stan Lee's Spider-Man comic strips, which ran daily in the Tucson Citizen newspaper starting in 1977.

In my youth, I don't know if I ever imagined Superman and Spider-Man teaming up. But thanks to Marvel and DC Comics continuing their tradition of superhero cross-overs, we have a new Superman / Spider-Man comic book. Like previous versions, it contains various stories, this time spearheaded by powerhouse creators like Mark Waid, Jorge Jimenez and Jim Lee.

Thanks to decades of variants and multiverses, the book features different team ups — sometimes of Superman and Spider-Man, but also of their friends, family members and tangential characters. My two favorites were titled "Truth, Justice and Great Responsibility" and "Tapping In."

The first features the iconic versions of the main characters going up again Doctor Octopus who's under control of Brainiac. The artwork by Jorge Jimenez is fantastic!
Superman and Spider-Man in Truth, Justice and Great Responsibility
Superman and Spider-Man in Truth, Justice and Great Responsibility
The second finds Peter Parker discovering Superboy-Prime in his apartment... apparently trying to steal his spider suit. But why? Superboy-Prime is a really interesting and complex character who kind of lives outside the multiverse and sees it all for what it is — pages in a comic book. The intricate artwork by Daniel Sampere is gorgeous, even if the storyline is a little hard to follow.
Spider-man and Superboy Prime in Tapping In
Spider-man and Superboy Prime in Tapping In
Other stories include:

"The World's Finest" finds Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson in a friendly and humorous conversation about careers and navigating relationships with super-powered men with secret identities. Plus, they crush hard on Gambit. 

"The Bridge" offers some "dad to dad" bonding as Jonathan Kent and Ben Parker encounter each other during a torrential storm — and prove that their son/nephew aren't the only heroes in their families. 

"Beyond the Cobwebs of Tomorrow" features Superboy and Spider-Man 2099, with Batman. In this story, the superheroes realize that they're on parallel paths as they slip through time to stop the brutal reigns of Dr. Doom and Lex Luthor. 

"Jimmy con Carnage" is an amusing short where Jimmy Olsen leaves Metropolis and goes to work with Peter Parker at the Daily Bugle, where he must endure the ultimate boss-from-hell — J. Jonah Jameson. In is quest to please J. Jonah with photos of Spider-Man ("who's Spider-Man??"), Jimmy mistakes Carnage for the web-slinger. 
Jimmy Olsen vs. Carnage
"Bias" takes a page from our modern talk news with Lois Lane and J. Jonah Jameson having a fiery debate about media and how it covers the likes of Superman and Spider-Man. And also Wonder Woman, Captain America and the Fantastic Four. 

Continue to watch this website as I will be debuting a curated Spider-Man book list in the near future. You can find my Superman Collection here.

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RELATED FEATURES: When Jason Todd Helped Save Superman | Review: Superman: The Harvest of Youth | It's Jason Todd vs. The Joker in DC's KO Series | ​Batman / Deadpool Crossover is Out | 

Review: Godzilla vs. America - Portland

4/6/2026

 
Godzilla vs. Portland
Godzilla rampages across the United States in IDW’s "Godzilla vs. America" series, with each comic unleashing chaos on a different city. The latest installment, "Godzilla vs. Portland," released in March 2026, invites readers to experience this unique blend of local culture and monster mayhem. I couldn’t resist picking up a copy when I stumbled upon it during a visit to Portland this past weekend.

One of the standout features of this miniseries is its commitment to authenticity, which engages local writers and artists to capture the essence of each city. "Godzilla vs. Portland" is no exception, and it’s clear that the contributors have a genuine love for the City of Roses. The comic contains four short stories, each offering a different slice of life from Portland, albeit with a giant lizard stomping through town.

The stories within "Godzilla vs. Portland" vary in quality, with two particular tales standing out above the rest.

Dog Day Afternoon by Cat Farris was my favorite. This story captures Portland’s quirky culture by focusing on two locals engrossed in a heated debate over the city’s official hot dog recipe. Amidst debate, they remain blissfully unaware of Godzilla’s destruction all around them. Farris nails the Portland vibe, from therapy llamas to the gag-inducing mention of kale sauerkraut, making it a delightful parody that resonates beyond the monster chaos.
Godzilla vs. Portland, Dog Day Afternoon
Godzilla vs. Portland, Dog Day Afternoon
Godzilla vs. Portland, Dog Day Afternoon
High Score by Caitlin Yarsky, set in 1981, connects Portland’s Polybius urban legend to Godzilla’s arrival. A local news reporter makes a startling discovery — achieving a certain score on the mythical arcade game summons the monster from the Willamette River. It's pure classic monster movie melodrama with a modern day twist. 
Godzilla vs. Portland, High Score
Godzilla vs. Portland, High Score
Godzilla vs. Portland, High Score
While I enjoyed these stories, I wonder if the anthology’s highly local-centric approach might limit its appeal, especially for readers unfamiliar with Portland. Many in-jokes and cultural references may not resonate or could be misunderstood by outsiders. The risk with such a concept is that it can lean too heavily on stereotypes or niche humor, which is primarily appreciated by residents, making it less engaging for a broader audience.

​However, even with these potential hurdles, the anthology remains an entertaining concept. The juxtaposition of a global icon like Godzilla with the idiosyncrasies of various American cities makes for a fun read. 

​RELATED: Black Lagoon Legacy | The Legend of the Dark Pyramid | A Tale of a Desert Phantom | Encino Man and the History of Teenaged Monsters 

Review: Superman: The Harvest of Youth

4/1/2026

 
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Superman: The Harvest of Youth by Sina Grace explores Clark Kent's formative years, set against the tranquil farming community of Smallville as he navigates the trials of high school. Despite having all his superpowers, Clark has yet to embrace the Superman identity or even understand how best to use them. 

The story kicks off as Clark arrives at Smallville High to find that Alvin Buenaventura, a new and largely unnoticed peer, has tragically taken his own life on campus.

The incident deeply disturbs Clark, who, through his superpowers, accidentally witnesses the grim scene. Haunted by a sense of responsibility, Clark remembers his brief time on the track team with Alvin and wishes he could have intervened. In an attempt to find solace and extend support, Clark, alongside Lana Lang, reaches out to Alvin's sister, Amy. As they console her, Amy asks for their help decoding a mysterious kangaroo drawing found among Alvin's belongings.

Amy and Clark develop a budding affection as they try to understand Alvin’s suicide. They uncover that the kangaroo image is an Australian cartoon character called Darby-Roo, which has been co-opted by American hate groups. This revelation foreshadows troubling events as armed teenagers disrupt a high school debate meeting. Clark swiftly neutralizes them, only to realize the guns were harmless toys. Among the saved is a young Lex Luthor.
Picture
Picture
Picture
As Darby Roo's misogynistic graffiti starts popping up around Smallville, Clark's friend, Gilbert Stockwell, becomes ensnared by the group's toxic online community. Following a frustrating skateboarding accident, Gilbert grows distant and resentful towards his friends and finds solace among his online “friends.” Clark, hoping to redirect Gilbert's anger, secures him an internship at LuthorCorp through his friendly connection with Lex.
However, Gilbert's bitterness only festers, and spurred on by the shadowy leader of the Darby-Roo group, he exploits his new role at LuthorCorp to unleash a small army of robots on the Downtown Smallville festival. With Pete's help, Clark neutralizes the threat, leading to Gilbert's arrest and subsequent placement in juvenile detention. 

It’s Lana who uncovers that the sinister Darby-Roo group is orchestrated by Mister Mxyzptlk, a mischievous imp from the fifth dimension known for creating chaos to amuse himself. In this case, Mister Mxyzptlk is  tapping into the rage and resentment of young men to create chaos. Having Mister Mxyzptlk as the mastermind behind the Darby-Roo conspiracy is a good choice, but he is not fully explained in this book, and probably only seasoned Superman readers would catch who he truly is!

Indeed, if Clark once fought Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan, his 21st-century adversaries in The Harvest of Youth are incels and online hate groups. The narrative effectively illustrates how both positive and negative online reinforcements can skew perceptions, pushing ordinary individuals towards irrational actions.
Superman Harvest of Youth image
Superman Harvest of Youth image
The dialogue and character interactions are crafted with authenticity. In particular, Gilbert's descent into anger, fueled by his resentment toward male “pick-up artists” (i.e., boys who can get dates like Clark and Pete) and toward women (especially those he thinks have rejected him, like Lana and Chloe), is portrayed with chilling accuracy. But while Gilbert is a highly effective character, other familiar Smallville faces, like Chloe, feel underutilized. Additionally, the initial mystery surrounding Alvin's suicide remains mostly unresolved. We are left to assume that his rejection by the Darby-Roos was the impetus for his suicide, but this is vague, and we never really learn much about him. 

Despite some minor shortcomings, the book delivers a poignant message about the limits of Clark's abilities. The realization that he can't save everyone — especially from themselves — underscores a reality he will struggle with his entire life. The portrayal of Clark as an empathic and hopeful "regular kid" with hidden abilities naturally recalls the appeal of the "Smallville" TV series.

However, the artwork doesn't quite match the story's depth, leaning towards a cartoonish style that I personally found distracting. Did anyone else think Lex Luthor looked too much like Tintin? 

In sum, Superman: The Harvest of Youth is a thoughtful exploration of Clark Kent's early years, blending familiar superhero elements with timely social commentary. While it may have its flaws, it remains a compelling read for fans old and new.

RELATED: Superman Collection | When Jason Todd Helped Save Superman

Nightwing: The Crossroads hints at an urban horror story arc

3/20/2026

 
Nightwing The Crossroads
Nightwing #136 by Dan Watters picks up the pieces from the chaotic end of the "Cirque du Sin" storyline in which Blüdhaven is nothing but rubble and ruin. (Read this storyline in Nightwing Vol. 1: On with the Show and Nightwing Vol. 2: Death Traps.

And Dick Grayson / Nightwing is in mourning — not for a person, but for the Blüdhaven he once knew. A Blüdhaven he’d invested so much of his own energy and wealth to make better. What’s more, Dick has been betrayed by his half-sister and the city’s former mayor, Melinda Grayson-Lin, who’s now been replaced by the even more corrupt Bernard Bisogni. Mayor Bisogni has some megalomaniacal plans for Blüdhaven — and they look a lot like turning the city into a mini-Gotham!
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As Blüdhaven begins its grim transformation, whispers of missing people, ghostly sightings, and murder weave through the streets. From the first page, Nightwing #136 has a real urban-horror vibe, and it’s delightful.
Is that Dick Grayson?
Nightwing on patrol in Bludhaven
Nightwing's decision to patrol the streets rather than the rooftops shows he's committed to seeing the city from the perspective of its inhabitants — literally experiencing it at Ground Zero. As Dick himself reflects, “To understand how my home is changing... I have to see it from the same angles as everyone else who lives here.”

While cruising a newly built superhighway, Nightwing encounters a bedraggled woman wandering in and out of traffic. In true Dick Grayson fashion, he offers her a ride, thinking she might need medical care. (Can you imagine Batman picking up a hitchhiker?) But Nightwing’s act of kindness takes a bizarre turn when the woman pulls a knife on him, claiming to be a witch. Naturally, Nightwing is inclined to think she's having a mental breakdown or is under the influence of something.

The situation escalates when the woman starts bleeding from the eyes. Nightwing is anxious to get her to the hospital, but she insists they stay on the highway to reach "the crossroads." It's all very cryptic and supernatural. Their resulting struggle for control of the car concludes in a massive pileup. The woman vanishes, leaving behind countless casualties, including an injured Nightwing is left to question if she was even real. And if she wasn't, he's directly responsible for the disaster.
Pileup on the Bludhaven superhighway
Nightwing has a vision of the witch
The encounter with the witchy woman directly ties into the “Vanishing Hitchhiker” tales, a legend that dates back hundreds of years — and as a fan of urban legends, I love seeing it here! The woman's tales of witchcraft trials and mass executions provide more context to Blüdhaven's strange past. (Remember the secret pirate society from previous storylines!) Indeed, I suspect “The Crossroads” story arc will be a chance to explore Blüdhaven's history in an unprecedented way! 

This issue also highlights how Dick Grayson is so different from his adoptive father, Bruce Wayne / Batman. While Bruce might have approached the situation on the superhighway with skepticism and extreme caution, Dick's instinct is to empathize and help, even when a knife was at his throat. We’re reminded in a very tangible way of Nightwing’s goal to be a better version of Batman.

The artwork by Denys Cowan, Norm Rapmund, and Francesco Segala is spot-on — dark, moody, and fitting for the eerie storyline. Mostly primary colors (reds, blues, and yellows) are used to capture the sullen atmosphere, where you can almost feel the weight of Blüdhaven’s dark future (and past) pressing down on Nightwing.

I can't wait to see where Dan Watters and his team take us next!

RELATED FEATURES: Nightwing Collection | Nightwing Annual 2024 Revisits an Old Love |DC Releases a Vintage Batman Halloween Story | Batman Collection

Review: Batman & Robin, Year One

2/20/2026

 
Batman and Robin Year One
Batman & Robin: Year One by Mark Waid, Chris Samnee, and Matheus Lopes is a captivating blend of action, humor, drama, and retro-styled art that pulls you into the tumultuous early days of Batman (Bruce_Wayne) and his newly acquired sidekick, Robin (Richard "Dick" Grayson). This story doesn’t just delve into the crime-fighting escapades you expect from Gotham’s finest; it also offers an honest look at the developing relationship between Bruce and his young ward.

The story kicks off in the aftermath of the tragic murder of Dick Grayson’s parents at Haly's Circus. It’s a heartbreaking start that parallels Bruce’s own history and sets the stage for his dual struggles as Dick’s foster father and crime-fighting partner. Right away, Dick is full of enthusiasm but still raw and impulsive. His first foray alongside Batman is a baptism by fire when Two-Face (Harvey Dent) attempts to blow them up by demolishing an entire building. 
Batman yells at Dick about the use of guns
But Two-Face isn’t the only threat to the Dynamic Duo. General Anthony Grimaldi, a new crime boss with murderous ambitions, has just arrived in Gotham. Meanwhile, Laura Lyn, a concerned social worker, questions Bruce’s suitability as a guardian and knows it came about by the billionaire playboy pulling some political strings. Laura is eager to unmask Bruce and place Dick in a more suitable home. This subplot adds a layer of tension as Bruce must convince both the social worker and the boy that he’s a responsible parent — when both of them know exactly what good parenting does (and does not) look like! 

Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce’s loyal butler, emerges as the true parental figure, recognizing that Dick's impulsive behavior as Robin stems from his unresolved grief. Alfred’s wisdom and empathy offer a counterbalance to Bruce’s stern and sometimes bumbling demeanor. It also lays the foundation for Alfred and Dick’s lifelong relationship.
Dick meets with Child Protective Services
As Bruce and Dick attempt to maintain a semblance of normalcy for Child Protective Services, the city erupts in chaos. Grimaldi employs the shapeshifting villain Clayface to infiltrate and incite war among Gotham’s crime families. Meanwhile, Two-Face has recovered a secret Gotham City Police Department file listing potential identities of Batman, with Bruce Wayne’s name among them. Using this file to ingratiate himself with Grimaldi, he convinces Clayface to betray his employer for an even more sinister reason than a gang war.

Chris Samnee’s artwork is striking, placing him alongside other favorite artists like Bruno Redondo and Juni Ba. His use of hard outlines, heavy pen and brush strokes, and a limited color palette evokes the classic feel of 1930s comics, reminiscent of Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy. This retro aesthetic is mirrored in the characters’ clothing, hairstyles, vehicles, and architecture, grounding the story in an era that feels both nostalgic and timeless.

Batman & Robin: Year One is more than a simple reimagining of a well-known story; it’s a heartfelt exploration of the early days of Batman and Robin’s partnership. The book is funny, clever, and at times, brutally honest. It sheds light on how Bruce Wayne became Dick Grayson’s guardian and how both characters struggled to adapt to their new roles.

​Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of Batman, this graphic novel offers a fresh perspective that is both entertaining and enlightening. 

RELATED FEATURES: Batman Collection | Nightwing Collection | Nightwing, Batman and Adoption Problems | Dick Grayson Takes Up the Cowl

It's Jason Todd vs. The Joker in DC's KO Series

1/11/2026

 
Red Hood Vs. The Joker KO Series
HERE BE SPOILERS.
​
If I had to choose two DC characters to battle it out in a no-holds-barred contest, my choices would be Jason Todd / Red Hood versus the psychopath who murdered him — The Joker. Talk about a grudge match! Fortunately, the DC KO series just provided this. 

So what is the DC KO series? Following the events of the "DC All In" saga, Darkseid created a new reality called the "Absolute Universe," and plans to conquer the main DC universe. The only way for the DC heroes to stop him is through gladiatorial "death tournaments" held across a five-level arena. DC Comic fans can participate in an online challenge to predict the winner of each tournament for a chance to win prizes, including being drawn into a future comic.

The Joker officially killed Jason Todd in Batman #428, released in 1988. I won’t rehash the complicated developments that saw Jason rise from the grave and recast himself as Red Hood, but you can read about it in-depth here: Jason Todd's Empty Grave. Suffice to say, that Joker’s actions have haunted Jason ever since. As Jason describes in the opening panels of the comic: 
Jason explains his connection to The Joker
The contestants battle for three rounds. The Joker wins the first round when he lures Jason into a facsimile of the Ace Chemical factory and succeeds in dunking the young man in a vat of the same chemical compound that mutated him. The chemical kills Jason, but in Round Two, he chooses to reform as Robin, the Boy Wonder. But The Joker gets to choose the arena, and he chooses the warehouse where he originally killed Jason in the 1988 comic. The circumstances are identical as well... There’s a bomb set to go off in thirty seconds, giving Jason precious little time to defeat his opponent in the space where he suffered his greatest defeat. As a further homage to the 1988 comics, artist Giuseppe Camuncoli recreates images originally drawn by Jim Aparo, George Perez, and Tom Grummett for the warehouse sequence. In an immensely satisfying moment, Jason wrestles the infamous crowbar from The Joker’s hands and beats him unconscious. The bomb explodes, but this time it’s Jason who survives and carries out the dead body of the supervillain.
Jason carries the Joker's lifeless body out of the demolished warehouse
But there’s still Round 3...

In this round, Jason and The Joker both take the form of the Red Hood. You have to remember that Red Hood was The Joker’s identity before he became the Clown Prince of Crime. As Jason explains:

“Sure, Joker was Red Hood once. But there were so many others. There were older gangs that used the name. Because “The Red Hood” has always been a Gotham phrase. Slang in the bad parts of town where kids like me grew up... Red Hood was the guy who did the thing... the bad guy in the shadows.”

In a sense, this means that Round 3 has Jason and Joker playing the role of each other’s bogeyman, fighting it out in the open grave that Jason escaped during his resurrection. Jason wins again, but not so much based on physical strength as on the realization that he is not defined by what Joker once did to him. 
Jason and the legacy of Gotham's red hoods
This comic book was released in late December 2025. See your local comic book store about obtaining a copy. ​

RELATED FEATURES: Red Hood Collection | Jason Todd's Empty Grave | When Jason Todd Helped Save Superman | Batman Collection

Review: Red Hood: Outlaws, Volumes 3-5

12/28/2025

 
Red Hood Outlaws Reviews Vols 3-5
OTHER REVIEWS IN THIS SERIES: Red Hood: Outlaws Vol 1 | Red Hood: Outlaws Vol 2 | Red Hood: Outlaws Vol 3-5
​

​I’ve been behind on writing book reviews, but I’m finally diving into a combined review of Red Hood: Outlaws, Volumes 3, 4, and 5. These are the last three compendiums of the popular Webtoon series, in which the characters are forced to answer tough questions about what redemption truly means as they try to prove themselves to the Justice League.

​Volume 4 kicks off with the Outlaws caught in a simulation crafted by the Justice League itself. (Mostly Bruce Wayne, because let’s face it, Bruce has a penchant for concocting tests that border on cruelty.) As part of these trials by fire, Jason Todd, Artemis, and Bizarro face off against alternate versions of themselves. Each encounter in the simulation is more than just a battle; it’s a deep dive into past traumas, fears, and failures. For Jason Todd, this means confronting his short stint as the second Robin and his struggle to leave his assassin past behind. His agreement with Bruce to stop killing is not only key to being considered for the Justice League, but also vital if Jason wants to be welcomed back into the Bat Family.

Amidst all this introspection, President Lex Luthor throws a wrench into their simulated journey. His corrupt schemes eerily mirror the chaos of our current political landscape, and when Jason decides to take Luthor’s life, the simulation crumbles and The Outlaws fail. The Justice League withdraws its support, leaving the team vulnerable as intergalactic bounty hunters converge on Earth to claim the substantial rewards on all their heads. During the ensuing battle, Artemis makes a confession that surprises even her — she’s in love with Jason. 

While the feelings between Jason and Artemis are not new, they have remained unexpressed until now. But as the couple celebrates, they pay little notice to how much Bizarro is struggling with the loss of the simulated wife and child he became attached to inside the Justice League’s mind-fuckery. He seeks the help of Dr. Chase Meridian, a psychologist who advises him that the best way to get over his grief is to leave his comfort zone and start forming meaningful attachments to people outside The Outlaws. 

Jason reaches out to his older brother Dick Grayson for help confronting his past and addressing his long-held grudge with Bruce, the adoptive father he’s always felt rejected by. His journey ends with a compromise: he doesn’t have to be an assassin, but he also isn’t built to be a Justice League-style hero. 

Artemis puzzles out what it’s like to be in a romantic relationship and to be a “fallen” Amazon — both topics she’s worked hard to avoid. To do this, she visits a kind of all-female spa in Valhalla, described as a place “for women warriors who are tired of fighting.” Okay, it’s a little goofy if you think Artemis would ever be okay spending her days baking cookies and learning how to knit, but she is anxious to at least not wake up every morning looking for her next fight. However, there’s a darker purpose to the “spa” which has nothing to do with helping female warriors get in touch with themselves, but rather stripping the world’s warriors of their weapons. 

When Artemis fails to show up for a scheduled reunion, Jason and Bizarro realize something is wrong. But infiltrating the “spa” — which has a ban on men — is not going to be easy and requires the assistance of various reluctant allies, including White Cat and Martian Mindhunter. This results in many action sequences, particularly in Volume 5. Artist Nico Bascunan does a good job of rendering these, often in a sequential action-flow that reminded me a lot of Bruno Redondo’s work in Nightwing. 

The series ends on an unexpected high note: with a wedding. But since I don’t want to spoil too much, I won’t say whose. Volume 5 also leaves some dangling threads — so we’ll have to wait and see how and when those are resolved. 

​Confronting their pasts, presents, and where they ultimately want their futures to lie makes Volumes 4 and 5, in particular, some of the best-written and most engaging in the series. Three anti-heroes, who were originally content to distract themselves from their troubles by fighting other people’s battles, finally become multifaceted. And centered. If you think of Volumes 3-5 as the second and third acts of The Outlaws play, then this makes sense and is handled well. While I don’t necessarily think Red Hood: Outlaws was the best storytelling for these characters, it does scratch an itch or two and is bound to put a smile on the reader’s face. 

RELATED FEATURES: Red Hood Collection | Batman Collection | Nightwing Collection | Jason Todd's Empty Grave | When Jason Todd Helped Save Superman

Red Hood: Outlaws Series

Red Hood: Outlaws Volume One by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume One by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Two by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Two by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Three by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Three by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Four by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Four by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Five by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan
Red Hood: Outlaws Volume Five by Patrick R. Young and Nico Bascuñan

Batman / Deadpool Crossover is Out

11/27/2025

 
Picture
The much anticipate Batman / Deadpool crossover comic is now available. Crossovers between these two historic powerhouse rivals have been rare and the last one was over twenty years ago. As the title suggests, the main feature this time has Batman teaming up with Deadpool to resolve a "metafictional threat" from Cassandra Nova, the Marvel Comics supervillain and dark psychic reflection (mummudrai) of Professor Charles Xavier. (You may recall that Cassandra was the primary baddie in the recent Deadpool & Wolverine film.)
Batman Deadpool Crossover
Batman Deadpool Crossover
Batman Deadpool Crossover
Batman Deadpool Crossover
There are smaller team ups as well. Dr. Strange partnering with John Constantine; Nightwing / Dick Grayson and Laura Kinney / Wolverine; Harley Quinn and the Hulk; and Static and Ms. Marvel. All of the storylines are very different in content and tone, varying from weird to whimsical, humorous to somber. The artwork employs the talents from both DC and Marvel and also varies greatly so the book will offer something for everyone — although I personally enjoyed some stories more than others. The Nightwing  / Wolverine team up was especially fun for me, as it reunited two of my favorite Nightwing creators: Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo. 

The crossovers were published jointly by Marvel and DC and feature a variety of alternate covers. Check your local comic book stores for a copy as the DC version was released earlier this week. 

RELATED FEATURES: Batman Collection | Nightwing Collection | Comics Collections
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