Comic Corner Review Roundup – September 16 Comic Pulls

Every Wednesday, a new wave of amazing comics hits your favorite local comic book store, and whether you’re into superheroes, horror, romance, sci-fi, zombies, or anything in between, there’s likely something that will hook your interest. In this week’s debut of Agent of Fandom’s Comic Corner Review Roundup, we are diving into just a few of those options that released on September 16, and the roundup will only expand in the coming weeks. To get things started, let’s take a step into the ever-expanding lineup of DC’s Absolute Universe.

‘Absolute Green Arrow’ #5 Comic Review

Even as several questions finally get answered, Absolute Green Arrow holds onto its most tightly guarded mystery while also creating compelling new questions along the way. That push and pull of the unfolding story pairs brilliantly with the thrilling and often brutal fights peppered throughout the series, and that’s especially true of Absolute Green Arrow #5.

Pornsak Pichetshote‘s winding road of betrayals and surprises constantly makes you question your assumptions, and even when you figure something out, things immediately go left the second you get settled. Rafael Albuquerque‘s characters can’t help but command your attention, either through their expressiveness or grotesque design (looking at you, Grundy), and Marcelo Maiolo‘s colors take those designs to a whole other level while creating an atmosphere and mood that allows Green Arrow to further stand out amongst its Absolute siblings.

Jeff Powell‘s lettering then injects each throwdown with an insane level of intensity, and it all coalesces into another strong outing for one of the Absolute line’s breakout stars.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Written By: Pornsak Pichetshote
Art By: Rafael Albuquerque
Colors By: Marcelo Maiolo
Letters By: Jeff Powell

‘Wonder Woman’ #37 Comic Review

The Wonder War has been building toward a long-awaited reunion, and that reunion finally takes place in Wonder Woman #37. It doesn’t disappoint, as Tom King pays off a lengthy journey while immediately setting the stakes for the story’s next chapter and the captivating foe at its center.

While both journeys have compelling elements, Trinity and Steve’s path towards Diana easily steals the show. Their mid-battle banter is delightful, but their discussions about Diana and Steve’s human limits are some of the book’s best moments. That said, Daniel Sampere, Adriano Lucas, and Clayton Cowles give those scenes a run for their money with an action-packed monster throwdown, and Cowles’ lettering makes every knee-to-the-face feel like it packed the might of a freight train.

As for those final few pages, they’re not only stunning, but they also set the stage for the battle we’ve all been waiting to see, and we simply can’t wait to watch this epic conflict play out.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Written By: Tom King
Art By: Daniel Sampere
Colors By: Adriano Lucas
Letters By: Clayton Cowles

‘Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand’ #1 Comic Review

The Absolute Universe has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year, and yet with each new addition, the world still feels as connected as ever. This is also true of the newest one-shot, Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1, but while Cassandra leaps from the pages of Absolute Catwoman, The Shadow’s Hand feels like the character’s proper introduction, and she’s already one of the world’s most intriguing additions.

While Cassandra first popped up as a potential foe for Catwoman, The Shadow’s Hand offers a deep dive into her history as a daughter caught between two philosophies and the physical trauma she has to endure and overcome. Che Grayson carries over some of the main elements from Cassandra’s story in the main timeline while also weaving in new elements from the world of Absolute, and it feels like a perfect marriage of the two.

The subtle shifts of Cassandra’s mentality over the course of the issue are a credit to the narration and the dialogue, but a major part of why this all excels is the brilliant work of Matias Bergara, Mike Spicer, and Lucas Gattoni, who convey so much of Cassandra’s understanding and growth through her actions and expressions. This story not only defines a new Cassandra, but it also hits the ground running on her relationship with Shiva, Tatsu, Scandal, and more, crafting a world and crew of supporting characters that now 100% has my attention.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Written By: Che Grayson
Art By: Matias Bergara
Colors By: Mike Spicer
Letters By: Lucas Gattoni

For more comic book coverage, subscribe to the Agents of Fandom YouTube channel! Make sure to follow the Agents of Fandom socials for the latest entertainment news and reviews.