Geek Culture Reviews

For those of us who grew up in the 1990s, Spider-Man: The Animated Series was more than just another superhero cartoon. It was one of the boldest and most ambitious shows Marvel had ever put on TV. Across five seasons, it told sprawling stories about Peter Parker’s struggles, the rise of his villains, and even multiverse-level adventures that rivaled anything happening in the comics at the time. But the series ended in 1998 with one of the most infamous cliffhangers in superhero television history. Mary Jane Watson had vanished. Spider-Man was left searching for her across realities. And then… silence. For over 25 years, fans wondered if they’d ever get closure. While X-Men ‘97 did kind of reveal an ending to the saga, it was a fleeting moment that felt extremely anticlimactic. Now, Marvel has finally answered with Spider-Man ’94 #1, a brand-new comic that acts as a continuation of the animated show. Written by J.M. DeMatteis with art by Jim Towe, the series brings Peter Parker back to...

When it comes to DC Comics, few characters have managed to evolve, reinvent themselves, and remain relevant in the way Harley Quinn has. Originally introduced as a one-off sidekick in Batman: The Animated Series, she has since grown into one of DC’s most recognizable and commercially successful characters. From animated shows to blockbuster films and countless comic runs, Harley has carved out her own chaotic corner of Gotham that feels unlike anything else in the DC lineup. Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Destructive Comics is the latest Harley Quinn trade paperback to refine her voice for modern readers, and it comes with the daunting task of balancing the wild energy fans expect with a sense of direction that keeps the series engaging across multiple issues. This collected edition brings together the first arc of Harley’s new solo comic book series and sets the stage for what looks like an unpredictable, fourth-wall-breaking, and occasionally heartfelt take on the Clown Princess of Crime. For ...

Alien vs. Avengers is one of those crossover comics that immediately makes you stop and do a double take. Marvel’s Earth’s Mightiest Heroes facing off against the acid-blooded monsters of the Alien franchise? On paper, it sounds like pure fan service, the kind of mash-up that lives on fan forums and “what if” conversations. But Marvel has made it real, collecting the full miniseries into one volume that delivers exactly what the title promises. It is loud, violent, pulpy, and surprisingly respectful to both sides of the crossover, even if it does not always avoid the pitfalls of pacing and repetition. For fans of Marvel crossover comics or readers curious about what happens when Xenomorphs invade the Marvel Universe, this book offers a fun, action-packed ride. The setup wastes no time. An extraterrestrial craft crashes on Earth, and with it comes a nightmare stowaway: the perfect predators, the Xenomorphs. The Avengers are dispatched to investigate, but the situation quickly spirals in...

Odysseus continues to defy the gods as a familiar face makes her presence known… PSY Comics return with another thrilling chapter in their epic saga of gods and mortals. This second issue in the adventures of Odysseus not only delivers more spectacular battles and terrifying monsters, but also serves as a bridge to the publisher’s other series, Circe. With Circe stepping into Odysseus’s path, the stakes rise dramatically. How will the goddess of change influence his crew? More importantly, how will she infiltrate the thoughts and resolve of Odysseus himself? Like PSY Comics’ other projects, Odysseus: In Defiance of the Gods - Book Two was brought to life through Kickstarter. At the time of writing, the campaign has been fully funded with support from 136 backers—easily surpassing its £1,000 target and raising an impressive £3,489. Credit to Neil “Bhuna” Roach and the team for their success. The story picks up directly where the first issue left off. Having escaped the Lotus Eaters and ...

Sentinel heads into its 17th issue and the mini-digest shows no signs of slowing down… One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Sentinel is its simplistic standalone format. From what started as a homage to the classic Starblazer digests, Sentinel has grown into its own entity. Within each issue is a complete self-contained story, that’s driven by big ideas with surprisingly detailed character work. More importantly, with each new addition you never quite know what Alan Holloway is going to throw at you. Issue #17 is no exception. Teaming up with Mal Earl , Holloway delivers ‘ They Call Her Trinity ’ in a way that panders to both his sense of what makes a comic book a worthy read and Earl’s unique art style. It’s a story that offers just the right blend of atmosphere, character, and reflection to leave an impression long after the final panel. And whether you’re a long-time fan of Sentinel , or this is your first issue, ‘ The Call Her Trinity ’ is a worthy addition to anyone...

What happens when the dream is over? That’s the haunting question at the heart of Avengers:  Twiligh t, Marvel’s latest dystopian saga, penned by the always-provocative Chip Zdarsky and gorgeously illustrated by Daniel Acuña . Set in a chilling future where the Avengers have been disbanded, disgraced, or simply disappeared, the six-issue series offers something rarely seen in Marvel canon: a funeral for superhero idealism, played with a mix of sorrow, fury, and uncomfortable introspection. It’s not the first time Marvel has asked what happens after the end. Old Man Loga n, Marvels , and Ruins have all dabbled in similar territory. But where those stories looked outward at the destruction of the world around the heroes, Avengers: Twiligh t turns inward. It’s about what happens when the world keeps going but leaves its champions behind. And more than anything, it’s about Steve Rogers an icon who wakes up not just in the wrong time, but in the wrong truth. This review contains light...

“Circe! Goddess of Transformation: rejected by her Father Helios for her fascination with mortality. Twisting the knife further into her Sun God Father, she saves Prometheus from eternal torture at the hand of the Furies. And now, though her Mother Hecate shields her on the island of Aeae with Dark Magik, how long can she hide from The Sun God’s glare and thirst for annihilation?” Circe is essentially a story about angry Gods with plenty of issues. If Jeremy Kyle was still relevant he would have a field day picking apart the relationship between Circe and her father the Sun god Helios. Basically it all boils down to Helios renouncing Circe as his daughter due to her choosing to not only save fellow god Prometheus, but also due to her affinity with us mere mortals. So in true “angry gods” fashion he sends the rest of the Greek god family after Circe to show her what she’s missing .Thankfully Circe isn’t on her own as she has Slaine wannabe and Son of Zeus  Herakles on her side. Wha...

A Mission Through Time… As the penultimate chapter in what has become one of my favorite Marvel outings of recent years, Cable: Love & Chrome #4 isn’t just good—it’s devastatingly great. With David Pepose on writing duties and Mike Henderson delivering hard-hitting visuals, this issue stands as the most character-driven and heart-wrenching entry in the mini-series yet.  So grab them hankies, it’s time to get emotional!  Due to the storyline of this issue I will be attempting to refrain from any major spoilers. Please read with caution as some minor plot points may be spoilt . The fourth issue finds Cable grappling with a personal and tactical crisis. Avery Ryder—the fierce and determined leader of the Resistance and a key ally (and possible romantic interest)—has been infected with the Techno-Organic virus. This development pushes Cable into a desperate, time-bending mission to save her, forcing him to confront the paradoxes and pitfalls of changing fate. But while Cable...

Swashbuckling Pirates and nefarious necromancy collide as John A. Short brings the legend of Captain Cinnamon Wylde to the Kickstarter tavern…  ‘Year of our Lord 1727... The golden age of piracy! Captain Cinnamon Wylde is the scourge of the waters around Dead Man's Straits... Raiding slaver vessels and freeing their cargo! Along with her clockwork hand (only losers have hooks) and her homunculus sidekick, Erasmus! But she has a deadly rival in the form of Captain Godiva Dunaway who uses black magic and a crew of zombies to rule the seven seas. Dunaway has plans to take Wylde down using an ancient curse and necromancy! She plans to raise the deadly creature known as the Black Reaper from the waves... a headless horror that cannot be killed because it is already dead.’  As descriptions go, the one for Captain Wilde & The Headless Mariner is a good’en. Promising an old-school action and adventure tale on the high seas with a hint of mysticism, you’ll be forgiven if you read i...