Vol. 1: No Normal
Author: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Rating: 2.5 keys
Ms. Marvel is the first issue in a new Marvel (obviously) series about a Muslim girl named Kamala who suddenly finds herself with superhero abilities. After all the hype, I have to say that I expected more. This one fell a bit flat. It lacks in depth and is cliche all the way around. Hopefully there will be more expansion in the sequel.
Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy
Author: Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Artist: Karl Kerschl
Rating: 4 Keys
I am not a DC girl. I am Marvel all the way. However, I have a soft spot for Batman and, of course, Gotham. Naturally, I enjoyed this spin-off tale about Olive Silverlock--student at Gotham Academy. This comic is jam-packed with mystery and tension and gorgeous art. The designs are spot on. My only complaint is that the pages are a little busy--my eyes didn't know where to look first!
The Night Gwen Stacy Died--Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 #121
Author: Stan Lee
Artist: Gil Kane
Rating: 5 Keys
This was the first comic book I ever read and it did not disappoint. I picked up my dad's old, battered copy and delved into the early ages of Spider-Man: the Gwen Stacy era. If nothing else, this issue is climactic and ends on a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger. My single coherent thought is that Spider-Man is so cool.
Author/Artist: Emily Carroll
Rating: 3.5 Keys
Through the Woods is unsettling. It is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Five little mystical stories to keep you up at night. It is whimsical horror. I downright adored the coloring--dominantly black and white with pops of color creeping in--although the drawings themselves weren't my preferred style.
Season 8: The Long Way Home
Author: Joss Whedon
Artist: Georges Jeanty
Rating: 3.5 Keys
This is quintessentially Buffy, through and through. It feels like the show, something I attribute to Joss Whedon's witty writing. However, it isn't without flaws: there is so much happening at once that it is hard to keep track of and I am uncertain about the villain being a government order, as it reminds me of The Initiative in season 4, which I wasn't a huge fan of. But this is Buffy--impossible not to love.
