The Walking Dead, Vol. 9: Here We Remain by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn | Rating: ★★★★☆

I think we can all agree that The Walking Dead is one of the most iconic comics in the modern horror genre both because of the show's obscene popularity and the comics startling beginnings. Volume 9, Here We Remain, reminds us why the series has spawned such a large fanbase that only continues to grow. Here We Remain is both terrifying and heartbreaking in its base of emotions. Which is both an incredibly moving trait and overwhelming.

We saw the end of an era in the previous installment that was what laid the groundwork for this one. Here We Remain is a testament to the fact that The Walking Dead is more than just another horror-themed zombie story, there is this startling amount of humanity and soul even as we see these characters forced to move forward in the face of loss and terror. Here We Remain signals another change to the story as Rick and Carl struggle with the deep cut of loss and begin their next chapter. The sense of doom lingering in the background like the shadow it has always been.

The thing about Here We Remain is that, now that we've lost so many more, it reminds us of the dire situation these characters are in. And how utterly unprepared they are.

Archie Archives: The Double Date and Other Stories by Harry Sahle (Contributor), Ed Goggin, Bill Vigoda, Various (Illustrations) | Rating:  ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Edelweiss by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Nostalgia, I'm ready for you! A blast from the past, this dive into the Archie Archives is just as trippy and fun as you expected. It's a total must-have for anyone who is looking for a bit of cheery fun and lifelong Archie Andrews fans will surely enjoy this bit of time travel. I've been a fan of Archie all my life--the good, the bad, the classics, the modern. If I've had access to it, I've definitely read it and tripped over myself somewhere in the process.

An American classic, Archie Andrews has always been a staple in comic books and as the times (and the plots change) this never does. With the recent release of a new-Riverdale, with the CW's hit show adaptation and new comics such as Archie, Vol. 1: The New Riverdale and the horror filled romps of Afterlife with Archie, Vol. 1: Escape from Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Vol. 1: The Crucible--Archie Andrews is as popular as ever and with good reason.

Is this going to be appealing to all Archie fans? No, probably not. As someone already said, a lot of the stories haven't particularly aged well.

The Walking Dead Volume 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore (Illustrator) | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

The Walking Dead is--and always will be--one of my all time favourite comics. Days Gone Bye proves to not only be one of the most compelling first installments to what appears to be (on first read) one of the best releases in recent years. Admittedly the first few are fantastic but lack a little bit in comparison to future volumes. That doesn't make Days Gone Bye any less than it is.

The thing about zombies in popular fiction is that a genre (more than one, really) bends to fit a certain story type and often the tropes just don't work. In that sense, it's kind of like all warmth has been sucked dry from the tale and it becomes the zombie they are writing about. The Walking Dead has never had that problem--and hopefully never will.

What always strikes me about revisiting Days Gone Bye is that it always feels like what's old becomes new again. It's an introduction to this world the characters are forced to survive in but it also gives that glimmer of strength and perhaps a bit of hope. Looking back at this you can't help but to feel a bit of nostalgia because it's more than just another end-of-the world rundown story.

Deadpool, The Complete Collection (Vol. 1) Daniel Way (Writer), Andy Diggle (Text), Steve Dillon (Illustrations), Paco Medina (Illustrations), Carlo G. Barberi (Illustrations), Bong Dazo (Illustrations) | Rating: ★★★★☆

All right, all right, I'm way late to the game in actually reading Deadpool. I had read a few issues here and there through the years (something that would have been impossible to avoid considering my ex was obsessed with him) but not the entire collection. When I saw that the library had the first two volumes, I pounced (and vowed to buy the rest in time) and devoured them in a very small frame of time.

Marvel has always been one of my go-to favourites when it comes to comic books and this graphic novel illustrates why. Deadpool is hilarious and dark--action packed and... well, did I mention hilarious? It's easy to see why he has become such an iconic fucker (can we just curse freely in Deadpool reviews?) and why his stories are so appealing to comic readers. I loved seeing familiar faces from varied Marvel stories popping up here and there; seeing Deadpool's origins (or parts of them) was truly entertaining. I have always had an interest in characters that toe the lines and have a bizarre sense of humour, so it's only natural I love Deadpool.

Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies (Rebirth) by Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp, Laura Martin | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

A massive improvement from the last issue I read from the DC Universe Rebirth sets. Oh, fine--I'm a total cliche and a sucker for anything Wonder Woman. I love my bad-ass leading ladies and am here for the dramatic and action packed issues that comics are known for. This is one of my favourite spins on Wonder Woman in terms of the graphics. I loved flipping through the pages and seeing the glorious drawings come to life in real colours. I cannot praise it enough for the artwork.

You know the type of work that makes you swoon? That's what you will find in this little guy. I am 98% sure I spent the entire time consumed by the desire to swoon at every page. Which would be awkward if it wasn't understanding, right? Right?! Just nod along with me, okay? Wonder Woman, Vol. 1: The Lies wasn't the strongest in terms of the actual story telling but it was definitely better than the last DC release I picked up (Justice League, Volume 1: The Extinction Machines) and a quick read that is worthy of admiration.

Justice League, Volume 1: The Extinction Machines (Rebirth) by Bryan Hitch, Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Tomey Morey | Rating: ★★☆☆☆

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Real quick question: is it just me or are the DC Universe Rebirth issues getting more and more... lackluster? Surely I can't be the only one with lukewarm feelings towards it. What started off solid took a serious turn towards dull and forgettable. While the artwork is still some of the best--I couldn't finish it thoroughly but I did look at the artwork like a child devouring a picture book--it doesn't save the rest of it. I made it further in this installment of Justice League than I predicted (entirely due to the artwork) and, when I put it down, I felt so underwhelmed.

Perhaps I am in a rut when it comes to what I'm reading lately but in my honest opinion I feel as if this rebirth was actually as dead as a door nail. The biggest issue I had with it was the wasted potential it had from the start and how it had its moments where it looked like it would breathe some new life into the plots, it just didn't. Over and over again it left me feeling strongly about the questions of, "IS THAT IT?' and I really can't get past it.

The Flash, Vol. 1: Lightning Strikes Twice by Joshua Williamson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, Steve Wands, Karl Kerschl | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

When I first saw the descriptions on these rebirth issues of the DC universe I was both a bit skeptical and a little hopeful. Taking on iconic characters, keeping what makes them beloved and maybe a little timeless, and then turning them into something new and refreshed is difficult. It's not an easy task and can often translate poorly. The last thing that you want is to ring a series dry and not do it justice, but this take on The Flash is true to tone and spices up a tried formula in ways that will impress old readers and draw in some new fans. 

The bad news is that, despite the good in it, it's not going to be for everyone and it certainly isn't my favourite comic to date. It has a lot of slow moments and a whole lot of repetitive things to it that will put a lot of us off but if you stick it out, it does have its more genuine moments. If you don't like The Flash--if his brand of superhero and story lines aren't your cup of tea, then don't pick it up. You won't like it if you already dislike the vast catalogue of stories that have been around for decades. Simple as that.

Jughead (2015) #4 by Chip Zdarsky & Erica Henderson | Rating: ★★★★★  

Archie Comics does it again! I mean listen, I am probably slightly biased on the matter--I would definitely call Archie my ride or die comics--but the recently rebooted Jughead stories just keep getting better. In #4 we are continuing the trail of mystery (is the new staff at Riverdale up to something? If so, what?) with humour (a lot of humour!) and of course familiar faces. 

Oh, yes! Not to mention hilarious dream sequences--say hello to Slackbeard! I am either really tired (plausible) or really easily amused because I'm almost always howling with laughter at the vivid and creative dreams he has. While this one doesn't beat out Game of Jones or their spoof on U.N.C.L.E it is still filled with good old fashioned nostalgic humour that even the oldest Riverdale fans can appreciate. Tied it up in one stunning bow (that! artwork! I! feel! faint!) and you've got yourself a can't miss comic. 

Honest.

Even better we get to see more interactions between Jughead and his friends. We get more of Dilton Doiley filling in the position of his partner in crime; as Jughead tries to crack the case on whether or not they are in serious trouble (danger!) at school. I've got a hint for you: HACKING and a bit of a backfire. Because what is an Archie comic without a little mischief gone wrong? 

Jughead (2015) #3 by Chip Zdarsky & Erica Henderson | Rating: ★★★★★ 

SO. So. You guys know how I said that Issue #2 was my new favourite in this reboot of Jughead? I lied. I mean... in my defense, it's entirely because I didn't expect them to go all The Man From U.N.C.L.E on my ass. But here we are. The third installment of the phenomenal re-imagined Jughead is even better than the first two. I loved the tone of conspiracy and humour to it. Everything played out well and the artwork is just as nice as ever.

Picking up immediately where #2 left off, we find our boy in some hot water over an incident at school. Cleaning up after this mess isn't easy especially when you consider how much the new staff at school seems to hate Jughead. He is definitely a nuisance in their eyes which is hilariously true--he is Jughead Jones, after-all. His best friend is Archie Andrews. You get the picture.

Riverdale is just as fun and full of trickery as ever. There's something teasingly witty about this issue and I found moments to be more funny than they probably were. Once more, we strike gold with a Jughead Jones dream sequence. I love all the references they sneak in those and this issue is no different. In fact, while I loved their spin on Game of Thrones, I loved this U.N.C.L.E reference more.

Jughead (2015) #2 by Chip Zdarsky & Erica Henderson | Rating: ★★★★★ 

Jughead Jones is back and better than ever! In Jughead #2, everyone's favourite is in for some serious trouble--detention! Gasp! Howl! The horror! In my humble opinion, Jughead #2 is even better than the first installment of the newly rebooted Riverdale favourite and as usual is totally giggle worthy. Can I say that without sounding lame? Definitely not. Am I going to say it anyways? Duh.

Once more, the new Jughead combines new and old traits together; tying generations of fans up quite nicely. I found this installment to be more humorous than the previous which is saying something, since the last one was pretty damn funny! Of course, I am biased--as you know, Jughead Jones is one of my favourite comic characters of all-time. In #2, the artwork is on point and the characters we know and love are just as fun as they've always been. I couldn't get enough of it!

And I'm not going to lie, I totally cackled during the scene in detention when Jughead and Dilton were talking. "Your dad's name is Harvard?" Dilton? Hello, Dilton? (I actually wanted to add: is this thing on? To this entire scene. I was giggly, I guess.) The way that this scene is portrayed is classic Archie all the way and as mundane as it seems, it just made me smile like a doofus. Or like a Jughead who just spot a burger--whichever.

Jughead (2015) #1 by Chip Zdarsky & Erica Henderson | Rating: ★★★★★  

Jughead Jones has always been one of my favourite fictional men (er, boys) so it's going to come as no surprise that I loved the first issue of the newly rebooted Jughead comics. There's something undeniably retro and modern about this particular portrayal of Jughead and I absolutely appreciate that. He's visibly different (look at that incredible new artwork!) but still the same old Juggy and you have to really hand it to Archie Comics for the way they are modernizing their characters once more. 

Filled with food and humor (the injustice of a new set of rules for the cafeteria food!) it is the perfect illustration of who Jughead Jones is. You can see the past adaptations and present ones college in #1 and that's what makes reading it so fun. It's one of those "what is old becomes new again" scenarios and lifelong fans of Jughead will appreciate it. The story is classic Archie style--new spines on old characters that has such a feel-good vibe to it. Plus, it's only right that Jughead's newest incarnation features food as the central plot to its first issue--because what is Jughead without his love of burgers? 

I found myself cracking up more times than I could count and when Jughead is knocked out cold, his dream sequence is by far one of my favourite columns in recent Archie releases. Bring on the Game of Jones, am I right?