Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #19
Written by James Roberts
Pencils by Alex Milne
Inks by Brian Shearer
Colors by Josh Burcham
Letters by Tom B. Long
Covers by Alex Milne & Josh Perez, Sean Chen & Tom Chu, and Nick Roche & Priscilla Tramontano
IDW Publishing
Release Date: July 31, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #19 is an amazing continuation of the series. It brings so much more to the storyline.

In this issue, we are treated to Minimus Ambus trying to explain who he is and was. It takes the reader, with Rodimus playing proxy, through how Ambus was Ultra-Magnus, what is the Ultra-Magnus, and how he got there with him in the cell.

This story by James Roberts is truly amazing, and I would definitely recommend it. That said, you will need to have read the previous issues, because the plot is a bit complicated. At points, it can be difficult to figure out what’s going on if you hadn’t read at least a few issues earlier.

G.I. Joe: Special Missions #3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Paul Gulacy
Colors by Aburtov & Grafikslava
Letters by Neil Uyetake
Consulting Editor: John Barber
Editor: Carlos Guzman
Covers by Jim Rugg, Sean Chen, and Paul Gulacy
IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 15, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

G.I. Joe: Special Missions #3 contains a boat-load of action. Pun intended. We’ve got a small team of Joes trying to take down The Baroness, while Serpentor’s up to no good again.

Chuck Dixon’s latest chapter in this opening arc of the book is all action! And that’s the way it should be. After a couple of awesome issues of set up, we start full tilt in the story where the action is non stop, and it continues at that pace for the rest of the issue with about 2 pages of time for you to breathe. There’s a LOT going on here, but it’s all told well, it never gets confusing. The Serpentor story line moves closer to an intersect with the main story, and it’s going to be interesting to see just how and when they cross over. My only complaint is that the Joes rely on a couple of random people to help them, when Dixon easily could’ve had those roles filled by a couple of active Joe members that we’d like to see.

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #4
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Jose Luis
Colors by Inlight Studios
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Sean Chen and Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Bionic Man vs The Bionic Woman #4 is the big action issue that leads up to the big finale next issue. It’s full of action, and crisp, sharp dialogue and great art, to boot!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. LET KEITH CHAMPAGNE WRITE THE BIONIC MAN MONTHLY SERIES!!!! He excells in everything that that book needs on a monthly basis. Humor, great, believable dialogue, the ability to put heroes in “real world” situations without going too over the top. Dynamite NEEDS him on that book!But, back to this issue. Steve is missing 3 of his limbs and he’s up against the main big bad from the series. Who can rescue him? I’m not telling! But, Champagne combines all the charm, action and plot line in this book that it’s a great modern day version of both franchises.

The Shadow #12
Written by Victor Gischler
Art by Giovanni Timpano
Color by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Rob Steen
Covers by Alex Ross, Sean Chen, Tim Bradstreet and Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Shadow #12 is yet another great entry in Dynamite Entertainment‘s pulp hero dynasty. What this company has done with near 100 year old heroes and mystery men is simply amazing. It also doesn’t hurt that they have a fantastic creative team for this book, either.

Victor Gischler goes above and beyond this issue. First off, his dialogue between LaMont Cranston and Magot Lane is straight out of a 1930’s movie. Cranston is high and aloof and Lane is the hopelessly in love girlfriend that’s trying to get him to spend at least ONE uninterupted dinner. From there, Gischler takes The Shadow right into “super hero” mode, which is fantastic. The Shadow’s inner monologues are fun, but sort of creepy. You’re still not sure exactly WHAT kind of hero that he is, and that’s really entertaining for the reader.

G.I. Joe: Special Missions #2
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art by Paul Gulacy
Colors by Aburtov & Grafikslava
Letters by Shawn Lee
Consulting Editor: John Barber
Editor: Carlos Guzman
Covers by Paul Gulacy, Aburtov & Grafikslava, Sean Chen & Joana LaFuente, and Jim Rugg
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 3, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

G.I. Joe: Special Missions #2 picks up right where the first issue left off-with Joes racing against The Baroness to recover the treasure of a fallen ship. All this, and Serpentor is up to no good. Actually, he’s up to GOOD, but that’s a whole nother story.

Writer Chuck Dixon has taken to this new title like a duck takes to water. He really brings a nice contrast to the G.I. Joe line, as this book is pretty much straight-up, Tom Clancy like military maneuvers and Fred Van Lente’s flagship G.I. Joe title has a little more of the theatrics that’s come to be associated with the franchise. Again, this is straight up military action, and that’s what makes it awesome. It’s totally believable characters in totally believable situations. This book is the one with elements of James Bond like levels of spying, action, locations, and intrigue. All the characterizations are strong, accurate and Dixon throws some good old fashioned Joe hallmarks in just for good measure.