Batman: Three Jokers Review: Trauma Comes In Threes

DC Black Label, known for publishing mature titles, has provided some refreshing new takes on the Batman mythos, with stories such as Batman: White Knight and Batman: Damned. Characters like The Joker have been reimagined in new ways and that trend has continued with Batman: Three Jokers, which presents three different versions of The Clown Prince of Crime for the Batman family to overcome.

Produced by the superstar trio of Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson, Three Jokers brings together the three members of the Batman family who’ve been most effected by Joker’s actions: Batman, Red Hood and Batgirl. 

House Of X/Powers Of X Review: A New Dawn For The X-Men That Will Never Be Forgotten

The X-Men have spent their entire lives being persecuted and scrutinised by human society. But they continued to rise above adversity and save people’s lives in order to live up to the ideals of Professor X’s dreams. But what happens when Professor X no longer believes his way is enough? What happens when he embraces the ideology of Magneto and creates a mutant society where humans aren’t welcome? You get Jonathan Hickman’s House Of X/Powers Of X.  

Hickman transforms the mythos of the X-Men like never before, creating a story that spans across hundreds of years through intertwining stories like Powers of X. The graphic novel is truly a masterclass in storytelling and world building.

Guest Post: Torso: A Forgotten Noir Masterpiece

Picture this, the year is 1935 and the city of Cleveland, Ohio has just begun to recover from the blow dealt to its economy by the Great Depression. Citizens rejoice, incredibly happy to have finally pushed past the period of uncertainty and fear that nearly cost many of them their lives, and for others did just that.

This period of joy would not last long however, as between the years of 1935 and 1938, a fear would strike the heart of Cleveland, a fear like no other. A fear that resulted in mass hysteria and paranoia, a fear that would leave a stain on the city of Cleveland for the rest of time. The fear of the Torso Killer.

Monitor Review: Sci-Fi Noir At Its Finest

Technology can be a double-edged sword. The more it connects us, the further apart we can feel when there’s nothing but bad news in the world or we find ourselves dissatisfied compared to someone else. But we still have our privacy despite all the data breaches that have happened in the last decade and that’s something to be grateful for.

But what if our privacy was taken away? What if life was simply about collecting and monitoring data? That is the world of Monitor, a dark sci-fi noir graphic novel written by Damian Wampler. Creepy, poignant and gritty, Monitor plays with themes of connectivity and true freedom.

Invaders: War Ghosts Review: A Phenomenal WW2 Story That Redefines The Mythology Of Namor The Sub-Mariner

World War II has inspired some of the most thought-provoking stories in popular culture, and the time period has served as a memorable backdrop in the Marvel Universe. In my opinion, the best World War II comic stories are told through the lens of the Invaders, a team made up of Captain America, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Winter Soldier and Jim Hammond, the Original Human Torch.

All four men were bonded by a sense of camaraderie and necessity that survived until the modern day. Namor’s relationship with the other Invaders is particularly interesting because they are among the few people he considers true friends. In War Ghosts, Chip Zdarsky not only redefines Namor’s dynamic with the team, he also changes the mythology of the Sub-Mariner for the better.

The Banks Review: An Epic, Multigenerational Crime Story Of Empowered Women

When it come to the crime genre, comics are a unique method for storytelling. Whether it’s presenting violence or showcasing the inner monologue of a detective, the graphic medium of comics is perfect for heightening the drama that’s essential for a memorable crime story.

Roxane Gay takes full advantage of that in The Banks, a gritty, multi-generational comic series set in Chicago. The women of the Banks family have built their legacy by being the most successful thieves in the city. But when the youngest member of the Banks decides she wants to join the family business, chaos isn’t far behind.

Sentient Review: A Poignant Story Of Lost Innocence And The Emotional Potential Of AI

Artificial intelligence has developed into a source of limitless possibility for the human race. From eliminating repetitive tasks, to improving the way payments are processed, AI is at the forefront of technology, and sci-fi writers have enjoyed playing with the concept of AI as a force for good and evil.

But what happened If an AI gained emotional intelligence? What if it formed a genuine attachment to the people it was created to protect? Jeff Lemire’s Sentient series poses this idea through the lens of children trapped on a spaceship. Published by TKO Studios, Sentient grapples with themes of family loyalty, love and lost innocence.

Eve Of Extinction Review: A Gripping, Gender Subversive Dystopian Comic Series

The dystopian genre has produced some of my favourite stories. It’s the kind of genre that features relatable themes and highlights the destructiveness of humanity. The best kind of dystopian stories tend to focus on the relationships between survivors. In that regard, Salvatore Simeone and Steve Simeone’s Eve Of Extinction comic series succeeds.

Published by TKO Studios, Eve Of Extinction is set during the outbreak of a virus that specifically affects men. A band of women are forced together to try and survive the destruction, leading to compelling story that deals with motherhood and sisterhood.

Pound For Pound Review: Ballsy, Violent And Utterly Engrossing

The bond that two sisters share can be extremely powerful, especially in the wake of a traumatic family event. In Natalie Chaidez’s Pound For Pound series, the power of sisterhood is put to the test with the story of underground MMA fighter Dani Libra. Ballsy, violent and utterly engrossing, Pound For Pound is the kind of indie comic series that will keep you invested from start to finish.

The series is published by TKO Studios, which binge releases full comic collections at once. So, rather than wait six months to read the full story, I was able to read six issues in one sitting. It’s indie comic storytelling at its finest.

The Batman Who Laughs Review: Nightmarish. Visceral. Unputdownable.

Facing up to nightmares is one of the hardest things that anyone can do. They force us to confront our deepest fears and see the worst parts of ourselves. Over the years, Batman has had to battle with many nightmares. But none have been more terrifying than the Batman Who Laughs, a twisted version of Bruce Wayne who became the new Joker.

In Scott Snyder’s The Batman Who Laughs, the character returns in a huge way to terrify Gotham. The graphic novel features Batman having to find the darkest parts of himself to fight against his doppelganger. But how far is he willing to go and is it true that a Batman who laughs is a Batman who always wins?