New Comics Reviews 5/14/25 – 5/21/25: Spider-Man & Wolverine, Superman Unlimited, Invincible Universe Battle Beast & MORE!
New Comics Reviews for Wednesdays 5/14 – 5/21!
Hello! Here are our new comics reviews for the weeks of 5/14/25 – 5/21/25, featuring Spider-Man & Wolverine, Superman Unlimited, Invincible Universe Battle Beast & MORE!
Be sure to check out the review show if you want to hear our full discussions!
Joe’s Reviews:
5/14
Cover by Sophie Campbell
Supergirl #1
DC Comics
Written and drawn by Sophie Campbell
Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
Letters by Becca Carey
32 pages for $3.99
Solicit: THE MAIDEN OF MIGHT RETURNS! IN A NEW SERIES WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY SOPHIE CAMPBELL! Kara Zor-El has been a key member of the Super-Family in Metropolis, but what happens when she strikes out on her own? Follow Kara as she returns to her roots in Midvale…home of Supergirl! But how could this be?! Our hero has not been back in years, and the protector of that town has been saving the day for weeks. Can Supergirl stop the impostor before they steal her fresh start and life? Celebrated writer/artist Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon) makes her mark on the DC Universe with this thrilling debut issue! Plus a new costume designed by bestselling cover artist Stanley Artgerm Lau!
Review: Sophie Campbell is fresh off her critically-acclaimed run on TMNT, and she brings an immediate youthful, vibrant feel that’s been missing from Supergirl for a long time. We see Kara using her powers compassionately, not just punching things, which is nice. Campbell embraces a lot of Silver Age Supergirl concepts but makes them feel fresh, and I was surprised to see elements of the Supergirl CW show pop up as well. The story is also firmly tied to current Superman continuity and makes specific references to Mark Waid’s Phantom Zone arc in Action Comics, so this issue could use some Editor’s Notes. There’s a lot of dialogue (and thought balloons!) but the story doesn’t feel bogged down by it. Campbell’s art is wonderful throughout, filling the pages with a diverse variety of people and body types. Her style is cute and cartoonish, but not so much as to feel out of place in regular continuity. One thing that gave me pause was Campbell’s propensity to give every character a mouthful of huge teeth. It’s an interesting stylistic choice but I don’t really get it. Supergirl is a wonderful fresh start for a character that (apologies to King and Evely), has been far too series for far too long.
Rating: BUY IT
Cover by Walsh & Bellaire
*MATT’S PERMANENT COLLECTION PICK!*
Exquisite Corpses #1
Image Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Michael Walsh
Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Letters by Becca Carey
64 pages for $4.99
Solicit: Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine-this year’s unlucky arena-the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night. Experience a comics event like no other, from the minds of JAMES TYNION IV & MICHAEL WALSH, as they lead a group of the most exciting voices in the industry. Over thirteen blood-soaked chapters, these creators will collaborate and compete to determine who wins and who dies-and the games begin in this triple-sized debut!
Review: The Tiny Onion Empire continues to grow with a story feels like the bastard child of Battle Royale and The Cabin in the Woods. While the elements feel familiar, the story doesn’t feel derivative. Tynion makes the most of his extra pages, introducing dozens of different characters. All of the key players are given enough time to establish their personalities and motivations, and the enormous cast doesn’t make the book feel too crowded. Tynion gives us a few characters to root for, plenty to hate, and even something of a hero to cheer on.
I’ve been a big fan of Michael Walsh since his work on Ales Kot’s Secret Avengers a decade ago. His art in this issue is stunning, full of expressive characters, excellent use of shadows and light, and incredible designs for the killers. Jordie Bellaire does an outstanding job as well. Most of the book is so muted, but then there will be a sudden bright surge of color that leaps off the page.
Exquisite Corpses #1 is an incredible debut issue that does the work of an entire mini-series without feeling like it does too much.
Rating: BUY IT
5/21
Cover by Albuquerque & Maiolo
Superman Unlimited #1
DC Comics
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Colors by Marcelo Maiolo
Letters by Dave Sharpe
40 pages for $4.99
Solicit: DAN SLOTT AND RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE TAKE THE MAN OF STEEL TO NEW HEIGHTS! The summer of Superman heats up with a brand-new ongoing series taking the DCU by storm! When an asteroid the size of Metropolis hurtles toward collision with planet Earth, the Justice League dispatches Superman to avert the crisis–but a sinister threat lurks within that will change the world like never before, and this danger glows green. The Last Son of Krypton must risk everything to save his adopted home, the very home which now tries to kill him, from complete destruction! The Man of Steel is poised to fly like never before in this new cornerstone series, brought to life by the dazzling DC debut of writer Dan Slott (The Superior Spider-Man) and renowned artist Rafael Albuquerque (All-Star Batman)!
Review: It seems like a lot of people were worried about Dan Slott’s move to DC. Not sure what they were expecting, because this issue is PEAK Slott. The writing style has a slightly cheesy, Silver Age tinge to it, but it’s fitting for a story about this character, and it doesn’t descend into full blown hokiness. Slott packs the pages full of story development, and then gives an effortless summary of the Man of Steel’s life that folds familiar moments with updated continuity to create a new history for Superman. His time as Superboy, growing up with Krypto, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Reign of the Supermen…It’s all here, along with some new stuff inspired by the original Richard Donner film. In his final push against the Kryptonite asteroid, Superman delivers an iconic line while saying goodbye to his son and I legitimately got choked up. And that’s just when the story STARTS.
Rafael Albuquerque also seemed like a divisive choice to tackle the art and I get it. His style is very unique but if Superman doesn’t look right, then things feel off. I had zero problems with the art in this issue. His Superman is unquestionable human and relatable. Albuquerque also makes the world of Metropolis his own in a way that reminded me of the great Jon Bogdanov from the Death of Superman era. Not that their styles are similar, but both artists maintained their own unique style but still delivered plenty of iconic hero moments worthy of classic artists like Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and John Byrne.
This art might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s outstanding. Superman Unlimited exceeded my expectations and dispelled any misgivings I had about Slott’s move to DC. I’m excited to see where he takes the Superman and the DCU from here.
Rating: BUY IT
Cover by Bradshaw & Rosenberg
The Thing #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Tony Fleecs
Art by Justin Mason
Colors by Alex Sinclair
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramanga
32 pages for $4.99
Solicit: THE THING CLOBBERS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! Ben Grimm may be the strongest member of the Fantastic Four, but once upon a time, he was just a scrawny kid from Yancy Street. When an unexpected visitor from his past sends him on a search for a missing child, the Thing must unravel the mystery even if that means becoming a wanted man! Get ready to see the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing versus every super-powered criminal and bounty hunter in New York City! Writer Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs) and artist Leonard Kirk (OOPS! JUST KIDDING, IT’S NOT HIM) give a glimpse into the history of the Thing that reminds you why Ben Grimm is the heart of the Marvel Universe…and why you don’t want to let him hear you say that!
Review: I honestly had no idea there was another Thing series coming out, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this on the release list. This is set in the past, but I don’t think it’s one of those flashback minis we tease Marvel about. There’s no subtitle for one thing, and it doesn’t seem tied to any particular storyline. It’s just…set in the past for some reason? Regardless, Tony Fleecs does a great job capturing Ben’s voice for the most part. However his Yancy Street accent kinda comes and goes. The story is simple enough, but it fits well with Ben’s “just a guy from the neighborhood” personality. It begins with a DJ straight out of The Warriors or Fallout 3 announcing a bounty on the Thing’s head, before flashing back to see how we get there. Though the stakes are serious and personal, the story light reading and a lot of fun. Justin Mason comes to us from the doomed Sentiles series that launched with the X-Men’s From the Ashes era. His work here is a lot cleaner and shows a lot of improvement over that series. There are some problems with proportion and foreshortening here and there, but great job overall. I didn’t know what to expect from The Thing #1 but I ended up really enjoying it. I definitely recommend checking it out if you have a few extra bucks to spend at the comic shop this week.
Rating: BUY IT
Matt’s Reviews:
5/14
Cover by Ryan Ottley
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1
Image Comics/Skybound
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Ryan Ottley
Colors by Annalisa Leoni
Letters by Rus Wooton
40 pages for $3.99
Solicit: THE BEST NEW (NOT QUITE A) SUPERHERO SERIES IN THE UNIVERSE! Cursed with an unquenchable thirst for violence, BATTLE BEAST searches the universe for the one warrior mightier than him — and a glorious death, his only reward. But even in a universe of mighty Viltrumites like Invincible and Omni-Man, it seems that no one may be able to stop the galaxy’s deadliest warrior… unless he does the unthinkable. Superstars ROBERT KIRKMAN and RYAN OTTLEY present the most demanded INVINCIBLE story of all time, revealing the secret story of Battle Beast that’s perfect for any long-time fan (no spoilers!) and new readers alike.
Review: Fans of Invincible will instantly feel at home with Ottley and Kirkman’s return to this universe, spotlighting one of their best side characters. Coming off his run on Incredible Hulk, Ottley is working at peak levels, delivering incredible action scenes and gore-packed panels soaked in blood of all colors—the biting scene is really something. New readers will be just fine jumping in with this first issue. Kirkman promises cameos from other characters down the line, but this debut sets a clear new mission for Battle Beast, one that’s sure to introduce an impossibly big bad for him to dismember with each issue. It’s a simple format, but no one delivers violent action on this scale better than these creators. It’s great to see Battle Beast back.
Rating: BUY IT
Cover by Artyom Topilin
Dark Regards #1
ONI Press
Written by Dave Hill
Art by Artyom Topilin
Colors by Brittany Peer
Letters by Troy Peteri
40 pages for $3.99
Solicit: SOMETIMES YOU BREAK THE INTERNET — AND SOMETIMES THE INTERNET BREAKS YOU! AT LAST—THE TRUE STORY OF THE VIRAL HOAX SO INSANE IT COULD ONLY BE TOLD AS A COMIC BOOK! From the honestly pretty impressive mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill (Tasteful Nudes) and breakout artist Artyom Topilin (I Hate This Place) comes the SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale of how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon… and accidentally started an international incident that almost wiped Gary, Indiana, off the map! Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene — a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint — a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge… and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
Review: Music and stand-up comedy don’t usually translate well to the comic page, but musician and comedian Dave Hill—who you might remember from “that thing before” (Hill’s intro to most of his social media vids)—is telling a true story in his comic debut. Or at least, he’s adapting his Black Metal Dialogues stage show to comics with help from Artyom Topilin’s excellent cartooning. Hill uses an interview with journalist and fellow music nerd Malcolm Gladwell to recount the tale of his alter ego, Lance, whom he impersonated for two years back in 2004 to court one of Norway’s most brutal black metal labels—armed with some old-fashioned metal shit-talking about their current “totally wuss” lineup of fake metal bands. Lance dubbed himself the king of black metal and became the lone member of “the most extreme, brutal, and Satanic black metal band of all time,” Witch Taint.
Hill nails the story’s beats and injects his signature dry, nerdy humor into the dialogue, while Topilin clearly did his homework—capturing the look of darkly self-righteous Norwegian metalheads as they travel to Gary, Indiana, to kick Lance’s ass. Dark Regards is a hilarious true story that both celebrates and skewers metal’s most sensitive—but totally evil—subgenre.
Rating: BUY IT
5/21
Cover by Zander Cannon
*JOE’S PERMANENT COLLECTION PICK!*
Sleep #1
Image Comics
Created by Zander Cannon
32 pages for $3.99
Solicit: When Jonathan Reason falls asleep, he becomes… something else. Every night, it stalks his quiet town, killing (seemingly) indiscriminately. When he wakes, covered in blood, our story begins. This new horror mystery from ZANDER CANNON (Heck, Top 10, Kaijumax) shows us the horrifying waking hours of an unwilling part-time killer.
Review: Zander Cannon is scaling back from his usual massive world-building to tell a compelling small-town mystery. Using gray tones punctuated by vibrant reds, Cannon deliberately highlights clues in what appears to be a Jekyll and Hyde–style story—but it can’t be that simple, can it? The main character’s glasses, a name scrawled on a homeless woman’s wrist, that same name written on a dumpster… What does it all mean?
Sleep takes its time setting up a mystery, lingering with the main character in his quiet hometown, where he bumps into an old friend who just returned—coincidentally, right as the murders began. There’s clearly more going on here, and Cannon isn’t going to spoon-feed you answers—but he will print your theories in the letters page.
I don’t have any guesses yet, but Sleep #1 is a strong first issue, featuring excellent, understated art from a creator meticulously laying out a puzzle piece by piece. I’m betting it only gets better as it all comes together.
Rating: BUY IT
Cover by Kaare Andrews
Spider-Man & Wolverine #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Mark Guggenheim
Art by Kaare Andrews
Colors by Brian Reber
Letters by VC’s Travis Lanham
32 pages for $4.99
Solicit: THWIKT! Did you hear that? That sound can only mean one thing: two of your favorite Marvel heroes doing what they do best! With great power, there must also come… the best there is! SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE team up for the biggest adventure in Marvel comics! Who or what is targeting this unlikely duo, and what can they do to stop it? Get ready for a nonstop thrill ride of big villains, bigger threats and even bigger surprises as LOGAN and PETER PARKER team up against the machinations of a plot too big for just one hero…
Review: I’m going to make some AI comparisons here, but let me be clear: I’m NOT accusing anyone who worked on this comic of using AI. That said, if you did ask AI to create a comic starring two of Marvel’s hottest heroes that would sell a million copies in 1995, this is exactly what it would spit out.
Guggenheim’s story doesn’t waste time selling the team-up—it moves at full-on ADHD theater speed. The plot itself is a boilerplate “retrieve the dossier that will expose EVERY SECRET MISSION EVER” kind of affair. Meanwhile, Andrews is channeling every popular ’90s artist you can name. Joe Madureira’s Wolvie, McFarlane’s Spidey, and J. Scott Campbell’s waif-like women all make appearances. While the art is solid, some homages come off as straight-up lifts (like Spidey in the knees-up web-thwipping pose). Other panels get a little weird—Wolverine doing the limbo, Spider-Man looking like he’s cramping up—but overall, the book looks great. Maybe too great if you’re already burned out on ’90s nostalgia.
The villain team-up makes even less sense than the hero one. I can’t think of a reason they’d join forces other than: “I hate Spidey, you hate Wolvie, they’ve got a new monthly title. Let’s do this!” But maybe that’s all a story like this needs.
If you’re here for Spidey and Wolvie beating up each other’s villains, big guns, and cute babes drawn in tribute to every classic ’90s artist ever, then I’ve got a comic for you. Just don’t think too hard about it.
Rating: SKIM IT
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