Geek Culture Reviews

Every now and then, a comic enters my airspace that reminds me why the medium is a pretty powerful storyteller. The Gloriously Untrue Adventures of Sapphira is one of those discoveries. It is unpredictable, self-aware, and strangely emotional. It’s the sort of book that defies every rule of structure yet somehow feels entirely complete by the final page. Written and illustrated by Sapphira Olson , this opening issue drops you into a world that feels half dream and half diary. A mysterious goddess narrates her own strange existence, while a space kitten drifts through her reality like a spark of chaos. It sounds ridiculous when you try to describe it out loud, but that is part of its charm. Olson uses absurdity as a language of truth, exploring identity and creativity through humour and vivid bursts of imagination. What struck me first about this journey was how alive it feels. Olson’s unique art style brings its own rhythm to each page which sees us moving between bright explosions of...

Blade Runner 2019 is one of those rare tie-in collections that manages to feel both faithful to its source material and daring enough to expand it in meaningful ways. Published by Titan Comics, this omnibus gathers the entire twelve-issue run of Blade Runner 2019, the first major comic project set within Ridley Scott’s celebrated cyberpunk universe. Co-written by Michael Green, who co-penned Blade Runner 2049, alongside veteran comic writer Mike Johnson, and illustrated by Andrés Guinaldo with colors by Marco Lesko, this volume does more than simply repackage a story. It provides a complete and cohesive experience, one that enriches the Blade Runner mythos while standing strong on its own as a noir detective saga. What makes the omnibus immediately striking is how it situates itself within the larger timeline of the franchise. The story unfolds in Los Angeles in the year 2019, parallel to the events of the original 1982 film, yet it does not rely on cameos or overused references to kee...

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...

When Event Horizon hit cinemas in 1997, it was dismissed by critics and largely ignored at the box office. But over time, the film grew into something much bigger than a forgotten sci-fi horror experiment. It became a cult classic, celebrated for its grim tone, unforgettable visuals, and the chilling suggestion that hell itself exists not in some mythical underworld, but in the black nothingness between stars. Now, nearly three decades later, IDW Publishing and writer Christian Ward are returning to that terrifying universe with Event Horizon: Dark Descent. Instead of retelling the story of the film, Ward and his creative team dig into the untold history of the ship itself. The result is a comic that feels both like a lost chapter of the movie and a fully realised piece of cosmic horror in its own right. The first issue of Dark Descent isn’t interested in easing you in gently. From the very beginning, there’s a sense of unease baked into every panel. The story focuses on the Event Hori...

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 ...

There are stories that feel like they were made for comics, and  Hawkmoon: The Black Jewel (adapted from Michael Moorcock ’s original Runestaff novels), is one of those stories. Full of strange science, dark sorcery, and bleak, imaginative landscapes, Hawkmoon plunges readers into a post-apocalyptic Europe that has more in common with the myth’s of old than with the modern day. It’s violent, romantic, philosophical, and sometimes absurd, but above all it  always remains captivating. For those unfamiliar with the source material, Hawkmoon belongs to Moorcock’s sprawling “ Eternal Champion ” multiverse. Where Elric of Melniboné dealt with personal doom and metaphysical warfare, Hawkmoon is closer to a political rebel. The setting is a shattered Europe ruled by the tyrannical Granbretan Empire, whose rulers don grotesque animal masks and wield a terrifying mix of magic and science. Into this comes Dorian Hawkmoon, a brooding, reluctant hero from the occupied land of Köln, who is ...