Comic Corner Review Roundup – Best Comics From October 21

It’s the most wonderful time of the week yet again, when fans can head to their favorite local comic store and pick up the best comics of the week. I’m talking about new comic book day, of course, and this week we are breaking down some of the biggest books from DC, Marvel, and IDW Publishing. Let’s start with the best comics from October 21st edition of the Comic Corner Review Roundup, with a jump into the past alongside Superman’s greatest villain.

‘Action Comics’ #1103 Review

Lex Luthor is one of the greatest comic villains of all time, and his reputation for ruthlessness is well known amongst comic fans. Recent storylines in Superman have brought additional dimensions to the character, and now in Action Comics #1103, the team of Mark Waid, Patricio Delpeche, and Steve Wands is diving further into the character’s history to help paint a more complete picture of what led to the Lex we know today.

That picture is relatively bleak thanks to Lex’s deadbeat and abusive father, Lionel. While you know the villain Lex grows up to be, it doesn’t prevent your heart from breaking whenever his earnest attempts to make his father proud are met with violence and trauma. The same is true of his interactions with others as they drift through his life, and without the unflinching love of his mother, Leticia, Lex wouldn’t have a single connection to hold onto.

Lex’s story is then contrasted with Clark Kent’s childhood with the Kents. Not only does it highlight the unique circumstances that helped shape Lex and Clark as individuals, but it also showcases how even the warmest of environments can carry their own challenges. It turns out parenting is always a challenge, no matter the circumstances.

Delpeche and Wands brilliantly capture the highs and lows of each pivotal moment in Lex and Clark’s childhoods. Watching Lex and Leticia navigate Lionel’s jealousy and rage is absolutely gutting, while watching Martha and Jonathan lean on each other in the most stressful moments is hopeful and inspiring. All of this is impressively conveyed through the gorgeous artwork, vivid colors, and fantastic lettering, and those last few pages can’t help but leave an impression. Lex Luthor: Year One is off to a stellar start, and I couldn’t recommend it more, making it easily one of the best comics from October 21.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Published By: DC Comics
Written By: Mark Waid
Art By: Patricio Delpeche
Lettered By: Steve Wands

‘Avengers: Armageddon’ #5 Review

Avengers: Armageddon might have taken a bit longer than expected to pick up speed, but with Avengers: Armageddon #5, Marvel has delivered on the series’ initial potential. Not only does the series nail the landing, but it does so while also creating an exciting launchpad for the Marvel Universe moving forward, especially for the Avengers.

Chip Zdarsky explores multiple threads and characters through the fallout of the explosion caused by Thunderbolt Ross, and almost all of them are intriguing in their own right. Having Spider-Man be such a central viewpoint character helps to bring more humanity and groundedness to an otherwise grander-in-scale story, but he’s far from the only standout character in the issue. Wolverine, Invisible Woman, Captain Marvel, and Iron Man all have compelling moments, and they all feel like critical parts of a welcome cohesive vision for the Avengers moving forward.

Armageddon has featured stellar artwork throughout, and Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar, Ario Anindito, Jesus Aburtov, and Cory Petit deliver another strong entry in the series. There’s not much action here, but the issue still packs a punch. Whether it’s through a poignant confrontation between Wolverine and David Colton, a loaded discussion involving the Secretary of State and the Fantastic Four, or an earnest plea from Spider-Man on deaf ears, the art expertly conveys the weight and impact these moments carry and what they could imply moving forward.

If anything, the most impressive part of Avengers: Armageddon #5 is the excitement it creates for Avengers #1. The status quo around Marvel’s heroes has shifted into new territory, and the team members are all facing new challenges to face or relationship dynamics to deal with. That’s not even getting into that blockbuster last page, which holds all sorts of potential and should excite longtime fans.

Avengers: Armageddon #5 has set the stage for a new era of Avengers, and I couldn’t be more excited to see how it all plays out.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Published By: Marvel Comics
Written By: Chip Zdarsky
Art By: Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar, and Ario Anindito
Colors By: Jesus Aburtov
Lettering By: VC’s Cory Petit

‘Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos’ #2 Review

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might have ended as an animated series, but the party has thankfully continued in the pages of IDW Publishing’s hit comic series. That is once again the case in the Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos miniseries, and issue #2 is a delight from beginning to end.

If you’ve ever hoped to see a wild Turtles adventure on the water, the team of writer Andrew Joustra, artist Louie Joyce, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry have answered the call, and you will not be disappointed. The camaraderie among the brothers is here in spades, and even without a villain in sight, watching them all interact would be worth the price of admission alone. The good news is that there’s not only an awesome villain, but the supporting cast of oddballs is just as compelling. Once combined with the Turtles and Splinter, you’ve got a recipe that is consistently thrilling and often hilarious, and it’s one not to be missed.

Joyce’s artwork captures the spirit of these characters brilliantly, and Eckleberry’s lettering is off the charts. One splash page creates an entire series of events underwater from the moment they splash down, and it’s beaming with both personality and intensity. As for Armaggon, this interpretation of the character is already becoming a favorite, and when he’s in the same issue as Ray Fillet, you know you have something truly special.

Don’t sleep on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #2, because you’ll miss out on quite the delightful adventure if you do.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Published By: IDW Publishing
Written By: Andrew Joustra
Art By: Louie Joyce
Lettering By: Jeff Eckleberry

‘Wonder Woman’ #38 Review

The battle between Wonder Woman and The Matriarch has been steadily building, and with the events of Wonder Woman #38, the foundation for their final battle has now been set. In many ways, Wonder Woman #38 feels like the full-circle moment we’ve been waiting for since the initial story of The Sovereign began.

Tom King has created quite the adversary in The Matriarch, and issue #38 marks a vital next step in her villainous journey. Not only does she prove to be a viable threat to Diana in terms of power, but her mix of admiration and contempt for Wonder Woman creates a welcome unpredictability that can throw everything into chaos. With the way the issue ends, her wild card nature becomes even more critical, and the showdown it teases has the potential to be absolutely epic.

Praise is also needed for artist Daniel Sampere, colorist Alejandro Sanchez, and letterer Clayton Cowles. When The Matriarch is front and center, she commands all attention, and there’s one moment midway through that delivers a knockout punch in more ways than one. That said, it’s difficult not to give the MVP honors to Nubia, who is given the room to shine and more than takes advantage. Honestly, that battle could have lasted 10 pages, and I would have still been locked in, so hopefully there’s another bout waiting in the wings.

One thing I will mention is that the Wonder Woman 2026 Annual: Wonder War – The Matriarch Special feels like necessary reading. While you can still read this issue and get the big story beats, the rivalry with Nubia and Matriarch’s internal conflicts play into this issue in a major way, and both of those elements are explored in detail in the special. That context allowed me to enjoy the issue far more than I would have without it, so if you have the ability to read that as well, I would greatly recommend it.

Wonder Woman has set the stakes and its cast, and now it’s on the team to bring it all home and deliver a satisfying payoff. After Wonder Woman #38, all of the pieces to make that happen are accounted for, so here’s hoping the story crosses the finish line in style.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Published By: DC Comics
Written By: Tom King
Art By: Daniel Sampere
Colored By: Alejandro Sanchez
Lettered By: Clayton Cowles

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