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. 

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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.

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.

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.

Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People

Daredevil is one of the most down to earth superheroes in the Marvel Universe. His powers and personality make him the kind of person you can root for. Recently, I’ve been delving into the Man Without Fear’s history and I came across the graphic novel Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown. Written by Charles Soule, the story revolves around Matt Murdock returning to New York with a new purpose. In the depths of Chinatown, Daredevil learns what it means to take on an apprentice for the first time.

Red Hood And The Outlaws #25 Review: Jason Todd Gets His Edge Back In A Big Way

A series I’ve been following for a long time is Red Hood and The Outlaws, and it’s been amazing to see how Jason Todd has grown over time. Since DC Rebirth, Red Hood has been operating with Batman’s approval, providing he didn’t kill anyone. But after finding out the Penguin was involved in sending Willis Todd to prison, Jason shot the crime boss in front of the world. Red Hood and the Outlaws #25 deals with the aftermath, putting Red Hood and Batman on a collision course with each other. The emotion-packed issue is one of the best that Scott Lobdell has ever written.

Sentry #2 Review: Mental Health Mayhem In An Action-Packed Story

Seeing a superhero struggle with their mental health makes for an engaging story, which is part of what makes the Sentry such a fascinating character. Jeff Lemire is currently writing an ongoing series about Robert Reynolds and his battle to contain his alter egos. Sentry #2 picks up from a strong opening issue, with Bob realising that he needs to track down the device that is preventing the Void from returning to the real world. Themes of isolation, reality and mental instability are explored in a tightly-paced story.

Lucy Chaplin: Science Starlet Review: Female Empowerment And Realistic Women

Comics provide an excellent opportunity for worlds to be created, with characters spinning off into their own series. Drew Edwards, the writer of Halloween Man, decided to do exactly that by creating Lucy Chaplin: Science Starlet. The comic features the adventures of Lucy Chaplin, a capable scientist who is considered to be one of the greatest minds in the world. The comic is intriguing because it contains a mixture of feminist empowerment and gender politics.

Sentry #1 Review: An Intriguing Issue Of Superhero Addiction And Mental Health

Everyone has their own definition of a superhero. Some people might see them as invincible powerhouses that can overcome any challenge. But many superheroes struggle with their mental health, and the Sentry is one of the best examples. Sentry #1, written by Jeff Lemire, sees the Golden Guardian return in a new series. Yet the return of Sentry also heralds the return of his dark alter ego, The Void. Sentry #1 brings up the idea of whether being a superhero can turn into a drug, so there’s a lot to be intrigued about.

Abbott #5 Review: A Satisfying, Supernatural Conclusion To An Exciting Series

Since it started in January, I’ve been following Saladin Ahmed’s Abbott series, which has continually impressed me with its subject matter and protagonist. Elena Abbott’s journalistic integrity combined with her status as a black woman has provided an interesting journey. Each issue has built momentum, showing elements of a supernatural threat lingering over Detroit. In Abbott #5, Elena finally confronts the demons of her past and future with explosive results.