Transformers: Dark Prelude
Trade Paperback | Kindle Edition
Written by James Roberts, John Barber and Nick Roche
Art by Steve Kurth, Chee, Nick Roche, David Daza, Matt Frank and Agustin Padilla
Inks for Orion Pax by Juan Castro
Colors by J. Aburtov, Graphikslava, Ronda Pattison, Len O’Grady, Zac Atkinson, Thomas Deer and Joana LaFuente
Letters by Shawn Lee
Series Edits by John Barber and Carlos Guzman
Collection Edits by Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon
Cover by Nick Roche
IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 14, 2013
Cover Price: $19.99

Transformers: Dark Prelude collects the storylines of Orion Pax, ThunderCracker, Megatron, Bumblebee, TrailCutter and Hoist in an overarching story that spans millions of years, from the distant past, to now. Each story shows a major event from each character’s life. This allows for a more in-depth view into each character’s make up and driving forces.

The abrupt changes between the different stories can be a bit much but do help to distance each story from the last. This was also helped by each character’s changes in appearance between stories. These stories add to lore of this Transformers universe in a wonderful way.

Transformers Robots in Disguise
Written by John Barber
Art by Andrew Griffith
Colored by Priscilla Tramontand
Lettered by Shawn Lee
Edited by Carlos Guzman
Covers by Andrew Griffith, Casey W. Coller and Livio Ramondelli
IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Proving to be a great run, Transformers: Robots In Disguise #20 is an amazing continuation of this series. It starts out with somewhat of a recap, and brings us through Starscream’s first day as the leader of Iacon. Trying to do his best in the aftermath of the battle the night before, many obstacles are definitely testing the new leader. Top of the list is dealing with the blackout. This is made more difficult with the added hassle of a pesky conniving Z’Verian Mole-Rat. But it’s also made more difficult by some disturbing revelations about Scoop.

The artwork of Transformers: Robots In Disguise continues to impress me, fitting not only the story but also the spirit of the characters. The detail of the wear and tear on the machines helps bring grittiness to the comic.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24
Written by Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow & Tom Waltz
Script by Tom Waltz
Art by Mateus Santolouco with Mike Henderson
Colors by Ronda Pattison
Letters by Shawn Lee
Editor: Bobby Curnow
Covers by Mateus Santolouco, Kevin Eastman & Freddie Williams II
IDW Publishing
Release Date: July 31, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24 is the latest chapter in the “City Fall” storyline, and to say it’s dark and gritty would come close to being the understatement of the year!

Writers Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Tom Waltz turn out what is the darkest chapter in this story so far. And, believe me, that’s saying something. The Turtles are forced to team up with Old Hob to find Leonardo and I’m pretty sure they wish they hadn’t. This is the best issue of Turtles that I’ve read in quite a while. Although, if you’ve been keeping up with the series, you know what’s coming, it doesn’t make it any less surprising or shocking when it does happen. There’s a bunch of great twists and turns here, as well as a compelling subplot that you care about just as much as you do the main story. Overall, a great issue by the writing team.

The Crow: Curare #1
Written by James O’Barr
Illustrated by Antoine Dodé
Colored by Antoine Dodé
Lettered by Shawn Lee
IDW Publishing
Release Date: June 12, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Crow creator James O’Barr makes a much-celebrated return to his beloved character with his latest paranormal crime drama The Crow: Curare #1 from IDW Publishing.

Thanks to the strength of the O’Barr’s writing and his tendency to NOT pull punches, dedicated fans of the The Crow tales will feel like they’ve been reunited with an old friend while readers new to the work will probably wonder if they’ve stumbled into a late-night cable series instead of a comic book.

O’Barr continues to deliver a surreal mix of plausible real-life horrors with supernatural vigilante justice in this launch. Down-on-his-luck detective Joe Salk is haunted, both figuratively and literally, by a case involving the brutal murder of a young girl. He becomes so consumed with trying to find justice for a victim that reminds him of his own children that he eventually causes his marriage and family life to crumble.

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.