Welcome to the weekly SuperBro Comic Corner. Every week, a few of our avid comic readers will be reviewing, analyzing, and recommending which comic books we feel you, our readers, should check out. Could be old, could be new. Comics are the source material for our most beloved films and TV shows so let’s take a look at what our staff read this week, who knows? Some of them may or may not be made into a movie one day (if they haven’t already).

Cyborg #3 (2016)

Review by: Michael Marinelli (@mmarinelli98)

Cyborg #3 is a major step up from the previous issue. It contains action, but still manages to tell a solid story. Some parts of the dialogue feel forced, but the impact of characters’ words and actions aren’t lost on the reader.

John Semper, Jr. is finding his place as the writer of this series. He started out shaky with redeeming qualities, but this issue makes one believe it’s straightening out. Things are looking good: the issue knows what it is and knows how to show what it is.

Will Conrad’s pencils and ink is fantastic, with beautiful splash pages that finally stand out and fantastic intricacies of technology. The drawings of Cyborg are great, with terrific blends of technology and human flesh. Ivan Nunes, the colorist, makes Conrad’s art vibrant and loud when necessary and soft and quiet when necessary. The art in this issue really helps tell the story.

The dream sequences the reader is given, genuinely feel real but have a hint of falsity to remind the reader it isn’t actually happening. The brilliance of this issue is the threat being inside Cyborg’s mind. The issue also sets up new subplot of a lost lover and stolen memories. The ethical debate of purposefully repressed memories is started and likely to be finished in coming issues.

This issue continues the past arc with a fantastic combination of action and plot, keeping the reader interested and waiting for the next issue. The biggest drawback would be sloppy dialogue at times, but it isn’t bad enough to make the reader want to stop reading this great issue.

Rating: 8/10

Batman #20 (2017)

Review by: Marcos Melendez (@bizgamer9)

Well, the time has come. The final issue of the “I Am Bane” story arc in the Batman series has come out and the anticipation was high especially after the fantastic last issue. Does this final issue close the storyline out with a bang or does it disappoint and not live up to the expectation. I went into the issue expecting the same amount of quality as the last issue. That seems a bit unfair but I really wanted to absolutely love the “I Am Bane” arc and I thought the final issue could cement that.

Thankfully, the issue is rather good and pretty fulfilling, even if it seems a bit uneventful. The whole issue takes place in the fight between Batman and Bane, with the narration of Martha Wayne (imaginary voice in Bruce’s head). Martha Wayne explains why and what Batman went through to save Gotham Girl, it served as a pretty good reminder of what had happened before. Batman imagining his Mother talking to him is a bit strange but not entirely out of character. We do see the attachment he has with her in the previous “I Am” story arcs so it was somewhat expected. I enjoyed the way that Martha/Batman was convincing himself that everything he has done has a purpose and that it makes him what he is.

Batman #20 does a great job with Batman as a character, giving him plenty of development here. With that being said, I believe that the same cannot be said for Bane. In the last issue, we focused on Bane and it had some of the best moments in this whole arc. I was hoping for a better conclusion on his character but I felt that the issue only focused Batman and his issues. Which is perfectly fine, but I thought that the issue could have really benefited from delivering a more fulfilling ending to Bane’s story.

Let’s talk about the final fight itself, which is probably my biggest complaint about this final issue. The fight is actually kind of short and almost one sided, with Bane just pummeling Batman to the ground for way too long. But by far the worst part of the fight is how it ends, with Batman just headbutting him once to knock Bane out. Really?, After all of the fighting Bane had done in the last issues, you would think it would take a bit more than a head butt. The moment felt cheap and could have been a lot better.

With that being said, the art through out the issue, including the fight, is quite fantastic. Everything is done with the utmost care, the pages are in such great detail and the blood seemingly pops out the page. The comic is a joy to look at and I was really appreciating the very detailed penciling by David Finch.

Overall, not the exact ending for the story I was looking for but it was good enough. Although I didn’t feel like it was a fulfilling ending to Bane’s arc, the issue still delivered on giving reasons why Batman is the way he is. The art is fantastic, even if the fight itself is disappointing. I though this was going to be my favorite story arc of the three so far but now it’s tied with the “I am Gotham” storyline.

Rating: 7.8/10

Iron Fist #1

Review by: Jordan Humphrey (@airjordo398)

With a new story featuring everyone’s favorite Kung Fu hero, we get a new look at Danny Rand. After the destruction of K’un L’un from the Iron Fist story ark living Weapon. We first see Danny travelling the world looking for fighting rings and beating all the opponents just to find a worthy one because he feels dishonorable and generally thinks he has failed at being Iron Fist. We then see a very depressed and Danny who is struggling because his chi that is powering him has begun to waver. Danny is worried he may never be the Iron Fist again. As we then find our struggling hero in a bar wasting away he gets interrupted by a strange man

This stranger is very powerful and Danny Rand finally has found a worthy opponent. They fight for a couple of pages and see both fighters get many hits in. The stranger then surrenders but tells Danny of a place where there are many great fighters and that he was sent to find Danny. This makes Danny very intrigued as the stranger also mentions an island named Liu-Shi. Danny seems to question the validity of the news he has heard but then on the next page we see him and the stranger on a boat arriving to the island.

I can’t wait to see where this story leaves and if Danny will find more worthy opponents to fight. The fight scenes were incredible for a comic as it showed every punch and kick and was not a quick fight like some other comics. As of the end of the first issue we are introduced to some characters and some of the story which sets up the next comic very well. The art for this book is very realistic, the art is done by Mike Perkins who has a track record for doing amazing art that does not seem cartoonish which fits perfectly with this story.

Rating: 8/10

All-New Wolverine #19 

Review by: Demi Mertakas (@DemiMertakas)

The latest issue of All-New Wolverine, introduces a compelling new storyline for the series, as well as a new suit for Laura Kinney as Wolverine. The new suit gives Laura her own distinct suit as Wolverine, and while the previous yellow and blue suit was a nice way for Laura to carry on Logan’s legacy as Wolverine, this new suit provides Laura with her own unique (and bulletproof) suit that sets her apart as a new and different Wolverine.

The comic itself, starts off a new and different storyline for Laura, with something she hasn’t really handled yet in her solo series. The beginning of this issue shows us an unknown object falling to earth from space, while simultaneously showing us Laura and Gabby on a covert mission with their new suits. The new grey and black suit seems to be more inconspicuous for Laura on covert night missions like this.

Laura and Gabby’s relationship is as entertaining as always with some well written dialogue for their interesting dynamic, showing just how close these two characters are. The issue also includes appearances from other Marvel characters like Ironheart, Nick Fury and Captain Marvel, since this new threat which is somehow centered around Laura, is a large scale attack rather than the covert missions Laura is used to.

This issue alone, is a new start-off point for a very new and different storyline that will definitely leave most readers very curious as to where it will lead or how it will play out. Tom Taylor deserves praise for how interesting and creative his ideas for this series really are, and how they all introduce very interesting concepts and themes. So far these storylines have all paid off really well so there’s a strong chance that this story could continue that success. All-New Wolverine has covered its new character introductions and its tie-ins to Laura’s past, so issue #19 introduces a new and very interesting storyline for these well-established characters which will definitely create a great storyline.

Rating: 8.5/10

X-Men: Gold #1

Review by: Ernesto Valenzeula (@ThisIs_Ernesto)

After the events of Inhumans vs X-Men, the X-Men live to fight another day, with the Terrigen Mist Cloud no longer being a problem for the mutants. Because of this, as evident X-Men: Gold, Kitty Pryde has formed a new X-Men team, and as the title of the first story arc suggests, The X-Men are going back to basics.

The new team consists of Team Leader Kitty Pryde, Storm,  Nightcrawler, Prestige, Colossus, and Old Man Logan. This is no doubt a team of heavy hitters and A-List X-Men that writer Marc Guggenheim (From Television’s Arrow) was able to put together in this comic to bring the X-Men back to their former glory. It is indeed very evident in this comic that the X-Men are back to doing what they do best in the opening action sequence alone, with Kitty Coordinating all of her X-Men to make a clean safe rescue in a collapsed building.

It is through this teamwork that we see a great X-Men free from the burdens of comic events, Terrigen mists, alternate dimensions or anything else like that, but going back to the roots and saving the public while still being hated and feared by them, with an updated take on why people hate mutants as opposed to Inhumans, which actually works very well.

Guggenheim does fantastic writing in this first issue, setting up the team dynamics very well, playing on the character history’s with one another and definitely not wasting time with the ‘Old Man’ Jokes aimed at Logan. Adrian Syaf does fantastic art here as well, giving it the old school feel that this comic needs and represents, with fantastic drawings of characters emotions, and the action is done fantastically as well.

The characterization of the mutants being hated for their genetics is also a great and interesting play, albeit it was done several times over already in X-Men comics. The saving grace for this overuse story beat is the fact that X-Men have been out of the spotlight for a while now, and going back to this old concept after a long break is a welcome idea, with new X-Men readers being enticed and welcome to the concept of discrimination to mutants in the year 2017.

The inclusion of this concept provides some meta commentary from the characters themselves acknowledging how this situation they are in now is just like the good old days, which, in my personal opinion, is fun and welcome for this first issue. The Comic ends on a cliffhanger (as usual with first issues) and introduces a new version of The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants for the X-Men to take on, bringing the ‘Back to Basics’ title to full circle. What this new Brotherhood wants, is still anyone’s guess.

Overall, X-Men: Gold #1 Succeeds in it’s beautiful and somewhat nostalgic art by Adrian Syaf and Guggenheim’s writing and characterization. What it falters in, though, is not being able to provide anything new in terms of story, and that would be my only complaint on the comic. It does feel like the right direction to go in though, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a blast reading this comic. I look forward to seeing what this creative team does with the next issue.

Rating: 8/10

All-New, All-Different Avengers #12 (2016)

Review by: Christian Hubbard (@KyloCool630)

Stuck in the negative zone and desperate to not only escape but save the men and women of the planet being consumed by Annihilus, The Avengers are in for the fight of their lives. Spider-Man (Miles Morales) is stuck in a battle dome with Annihilus himself and The Vision goes to sacrifice himself to unite the two Nega-Bands to shut it down and save Spider-Man from being slaughtered. This team has been known to put their own well-being in the way of saving their teammates and that has been one of the more endearing qualities of the series. Comics are fun when the danger feels real and the relationships appear to be authentic.

Thor has been one of the most dominant members of The Avengers and The Vision has the ability to distract Annihilus but not destroy the Blackstar Weapon. That power lies within The Mighty Thor (Jane Foster), however as she tosses Mjolnir at it, it barely leaves a dent. Leaving the team in distress and disarray.

Meanwhile, Nadia, the daughter of Hank Pym and new Wasp, has been spending plenty of time bonding with The original Wasp Janet Van Dyne. After a girl’s day on the town, visiting the sites and exciting parts of Washington D.C. (including meeting POTUS himself) it is revealed that Nadia is being hunted by the Russian Consulate and they are not very happy.

Back in the Negative Zone,  The Avengers are in the heat of battle with Thor swinging her hammer and Ms. Marvel smashing any and everything in sight. Ms. Marvel shrinks down and sneaks into the Blackstar Weapon in hopes of destroying from within. Unfortunately, the weapon is radioactive and Tony leaps into action! … Only to be stopped by Nova who, as is the theme, goes for it and sacrifices himself to stop the weapon and Annihilus altogether.

Finally, they band together and fight their way out of the Negative Zone and make peace with the people of the planet they just saved. The main goal of them traveling to space before getting stuck in the Negative Zone in the first place is to search for Nova’s missing father. He has been missing for quite some time and The Avengers vowed to help Nova save him at all costs.

The best thing about The All-New, All-Different Avengers is the team dynamic. Tony and Sam Wilson care about the well-being of the younger members of the team, Thor is out to prove herself and her value to the team, The Vision is out to redeem himself following a hacking snafu, and the younger members of the team are just trying to prove that they belong. This is the issue right before the Civil War II storyline begins and it is a perfect set up for a team built by the blood and sacrifice made in the heat of battle before they are forced to decide sides of a war based on their own sets of beliefs and morals. This series has been a favorite of mine since the All-New, All-Different MARVEL began and it continues to impress and elicit real feeling from readers all over the world.

Rating: 9/10