GI Joe: Silent Interludes (IDW Publishing)
Real American Hero #21
Story By: Larry Hama
Finishes By: Steve Leialoha
Colors By: George Roussos
Origins #19
Story By: Larry Hama
Pencils By: Joe Benitez
Inks By: Victor Llamas
Colors By: J. Brown
One real problem with any comic, movie or video game is the overly dragged out cut scenes or monologues delivered by the villain, or the inner dialogue explaining the heroes motivation behind the mission. What this collection of two issues, one from 1984, and the other from
2010, did, and still does, was inspire thousands of artists, writers and kids playing with their toys. It’s well known that these Silent Interlude stories have been two of the most notable stories to come from the GI Joe archives. An impressive feat for a pair of comics without an ounce of words. (Which I draw an unrelated but still relevant comparison between one of my favorite bands and their music that is all instruments and no words).
The focal point of this amazingly told story, directed through art and action alone, is non-other than the fan favorite Snake Eyes, finally getting to see a ninja become what he truly is, a silent warrior. There may be only one or two panels total that didn’t have thrilling action in it, and even those few panels hit home so hard with who Snake Eyes is.
To accompany the two issues, separated by nearly 30 years, were pages upon pages of details including; vehicle information, location inspirations, Arashikage data (Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes’s Ninja Clan) along with my personal favorite item in the raw pages that were submitted to Marvel for approval. Even if you are not a fan of Snake Eyes (hard to believe) or GI Joe as a whole, this comic can make you a fan without even reading a single word.
*Review by Cory Anderson
Eye of Newt #3 (Dark Horse Comics)
Script, Art, Cover By: Michael Hague
Letters By: Nate Piekos of Blambot
The continuing epic of Arthur the wizard’s apprentice and Morgan le Fay the witch’s apprentice. At this point in the epically 
fantastic story, in a complete sense (illustration, lettering and writing), we have witnessed the two young apprentices tackle various tasks and how each of them handles themselves individually. If you haven’t read the previous issues, this chapter in the miniseries starts you off with a quick reminder of the simple quest, find the powerful elements for you magical device.
Each time I read one of these issues, I think I am prepared for the beautiful high fantasy art, but continue to be blown away by the colors and details each time. The same is true with the story itself. In just over 20 pages, the pairing is whisked from wonderfully illustrated and imagined location to an even more creative location.
One of my favorite things about this story is that through all the tasks, Morgan resolves to solve the problem by fighting and slaying her way through the situation, and Arthur likes to observe and non-violently solve his issues. I am a huge fan of fantasy and magical events, and this miniseries has not let me down once. As a reader we get to read about not one, but two magically inclined apprentices come to power and just how they do that. I cannot wait to read the final issue and how the story concludes.
*Editors Note: Eye of Newt #3 releases in stores on 8/20/2013
*Review by Cory Anderson
Nova Special 001 (Marvel Comics)
Story By: Sean Ryan
Pencils By: John Timms
Inks By: Roberto Poggi
Colors By: Ruth Redmond
Nove Special 001 is the finale of the No End in Sight mini arc involving Cyclops being mistaken for Havok and captured by bounty hunters in Uncanny X-Men Special 001 and Iron Man Special 001 out earlier this month. Nova is my number one favorite character, and I enjoyed Timms’ art style when he drew Nova. He makes him look older and less childish, while Ryan keeps up Nova’s ignorant child behavior.
Nova 001 wraps up the 3 part arc quite nicely. Overall the No End in Sight mini arc was a fun little side adventure that needs no prior reading before jumping in. So if you’ve read the other two specials it’s definitely worth picking up this book. While Gary Choo’s cover art was misleading (like all cover art), I really enjoyed the cover and loved how he visually portrayed Nova. This fun little three parter gives us a good chance to get away from all of the Original Sin madness and just have a good time with some X-men, Iron Man and Nova, as well as give us a bit of Starstalker again. I feel it ends on a good note making readers connect a bit more with the young Nova.
*Review by Everett Harn.
Original Sin: Amazing Spider-Man #7 (Marvel Comics)
Story By: Dan Slott
Pencils By: Humberto Ramos
Inks By: Victor Olazaba
Colors By: Edgar Delgado
In this fifth installment after the return of Peter Parker, we find Peter and Cindy (aka Silk) getting to know each other in more ways than one. Black Cat is going around trying to reclaim her reputation by teaming up with the classic Spidey villain Electro. She goes through some of the criminal hierarchies to find out how she can claim some of the city for herself, and uses Electro as her slightly crazy muscle.
We get to see J. Jonah Jameson’s first broadcast as a TV Anchor and some added mystery with why Cindy’s powers seem to be even stronger than Peter’s. This is the third (I think) issue leading up to the Spider-Verse and the coming of Morlun is mentioned briefly. The art in this book is the same great quality as the first four issues of Amazing Spider-Man. Like the other Dan Slott Spidey books, this book has a few funny moments, that include a scene where Spider-Man calls Silk the Spectacular Spinning Jenny (named after a machine used to spin thread) on live TV. Of course it ends in an all too familiar cliff hanger. Definitely a fun book so go check it out today!
*Review by Everett Harn.
Spider-Man 2099 #2 (Marvel Comics)
Written By: Peter David
Artist: Will Sliney
Colors By: Antonio Fabela
I have always loved Spider-Man, but the one thing I love more than Spider-Man, is the Spidey from the future Spider-Man 2099. In this second issue, we see Miguel trying to adapt to being 90+ years in the past. We get the classic bank heist at the start, followed by some deep character building at Miguel’s apartment. He tries to get the super of his building to soften up and finds out why she’s got such a dark personality. Liz Allen (Miguel’s boss at Alchemax) eventually shows up to ask Miguel some VERY personal questions.
The art in the book is fantastic. I actually am enjoying the art more in 2099 than in Amazing Spider-Man (although they’re both good), there is just something in the way Will Sliney portrays light and shadows that hit me right. Peter David is writing a refreshing and fun story, keeping Miguel on par with Peter Parker in terms of humor. This issue doesn’t have any villains (besides a few bank robbers), so don’t expect more than a few pages of action. It’s really a build up for the all the supporting characters and Miguel himself. If you like Dan Slott’s Spidey comics, you will like this one as well. I’m not sure if Spider-Man 2099 is involved any in the Spiderverse event, but I sure hope so!
*Review by Everett Harn.
Blackout #4 (Dark Horse Comics)
Written by: Frank J. Barbiere & Randy Stradley
Art by: Colin Lorimer & Dour Wheatly
Color by: Colin Lorimer & Rain Beredo
Blackout #4 continues to be a fun series from Dark Horse Comics. The joy of discovering a new hero without the canonladen back story adds to the enjoyment of seeing what the powerful suit Scott Travers wears can do along with him.
His quippy, but not too quippy, demeanor adds a sense of humor while being chased by forces determined to kill him. The story is still clouded in mystery but like Barry Allen and Peter Parker its still fun to revel in new found powers. Frank J. Barbiere keeps the action moving while artist Colin Lorimer lays out the perfect panels to most effectively convey the action. Blackout proves comics can be exciting and thrilling without being completely gritty and dark.
*Review by Enrique Rea