The Savage Sword of Conan #16 Review

 

The Savage Sword of Conan #16 Review

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Nicola Scott, Chris Campana & Sean Izaakse

Pin-Ups: Jesús Merino, Luke Eidenschink & Leonardo Manco

Letterers: Richard Starkings & Tyler Smith

Cover Artists: Joe Jusko & Nick Percival

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $6.99 US

Release Date: September 16, 2026

 

Conan has battled Thulsa Doom across time and space. When Doom threatened his homeland, the Cimmerian teamed with a Pict scout to rescue his people from the sorcerer's clutches. He fought alongside King Kull and Brissa's distant ancestor Brule. The Cimmerian has joined forces with occult detectives John Kirowan and John Conrad. He's stood shoulder to shoulder with Solomon Kane, Dark Agnes, and El Borak to combat a creature that could attack people through their memories.

 

Still, no matter how many times Conan defeats him, and who the Cimmerian fights alongside, Thulsa Doom resolutely claws his way back to life and power. How will Thulsa Doom threaten Conan next? And what other legendary warriors will get drawn into the soul-stealing vortex of the Black Stone's power? Let's shout "Hail Crom," leap into The Savage Sword of Conan #16, and see!

 

Story

In "Conan: Massacred Memories," Jim Zub looks back at the Cimmerian's childhood. While his father instructed him in Cimmerian beliefs and Lyolf taught him to fight, Conan urged his older friend Hydallan to cast off his fear. Jim Zub shows us life in the village of Erianne from Hydallan’s eyes. The story moves back and forth in time, weaving Conan into Hydallan’s life. It also shows the Cimmerian's life after Conan departed to explore other lands. Hydallan’s life is filled with joys and sorrows. Yet Conan remains someone who inspires Hydallan, even if he cannot hope to emulate him.

 

Unlike Hydallan, gunslinger Steve Corcoran enjoys Conan’s fearless nature but lacks Hydallan’s morality. In "The Ghosts of Wahpeton," Jim Zub summarizes Steve Corcoran's adventures in Robert E. Howard's novella, "The Vultures of Wahpeton." While Hydallan loses much but retains his will to carry on, Steve Corcoran loses everything and lacks a reason to continue. But as with Hydallan, when Death comes calling, Steve Corcoran gets a second chance in The Savage Sword of Conan #16.

 

After venturing into the Hyborian Age and the Old West, Jim Zub transports readers to Eastern Europe in the early 20^th Century. In “The Warrior Within,” Zuleika is a girl foraging for mushrooms. Given her Circassian heritage, others prey on her people. Like Hydallan and Steve Corcoran, Zuleika loses people she cares about. Still, she finds ways of coping with her losses and hardships as a woman in a male-dominated society.

 

Unlike Dark Agnes, Zuleika cannot channel her anger to become a fearless warrior. Yet the skills and mental discipline she learns as a serving girl in Stamboul fill her with her ancestors' courage. And perhaps, like Conan, King Kull, and the Pict Brule, Zuleika can find a way to contact her earlier counterparts in The Savage Sword of Conan #16.

 

Art

Cimmerians hide along the road as Aquilonian soldiers in armor, uniforms, and helmets leave their garrison. Conan fights wearing a fur across his back, a loincloth, and boots. Hydallan is better clothed, like the rest of his kin. He also carries more arms and a shield. Yet Hydallan watches Conan chart his own course, while he stays with the pack.

 

Hydallan remembers walking through the woods in his youth. Older and taller than Conan, Hydallan swings a stick like a sword and boasts to his smaller friend about the great warrior he will become. Nicola Scott steeps her epic scenes and heartfelt recollections with shades of gray, lending depth and reality to her art in The Savage Sword of Conan #16.

 

After showing Steve Corcoran riding his galloping horse away from his failure, a collage of memories retells his recent events in Wahpeton Gulch. Riding through the lonely desert, the cowboy eventually dismounts and reclines against a rock, tipping his hat over his head. When he awakens, a strange sight and a visitor propel him on an unexpected adventure. Chris Campana uses black lines, inked backgrounds, silhouettes, and crosshatching in this story about a Western gunslinger embarking on an otherworldly adventure.

 

As a child, Zuleika kneels among mushrooms sprouting around a tree stump. Streams of light pervade the canopy, illuminating the girl and making the ground glow. Mesmerizing imagery conjured from a battle between darkness and light conveys the majesty of young Zuleika’s spirit in The Savage Sword of Conan #16. Despite all the trauma she endures, a memory of a woman clad in gems, fine linens, and a warrior's garb helps the girl endure the wooden cages, lattice windows, hinged screens, and stone walls that enclose her in Sean Izaase’s art.

 

Lettering 

Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith fill white dialogue balloons with black uppercase dialogue. Hydallan relates his story with white letters in black boxes, while white dates in black boxes chart Zuleika’s life. Black uppercase letters in white boxes share Steve Corcoran’s struggles, while letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Sound effects fill the air as Hydallan and Steve Corcoran reach a nadir and confront a potential way forward. Thanks to Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Thulsa Doom and the power of the Black Stone unite heroes and villains across history. As the sorcerer realizes that Conan has become his nemesis, more people enter his orbit. Jim Zub introduces three people who have survived against the odds. But what role they will play in Thulsa Doom’s next foray on the Cimmerian is anything but certain in The Savage Sword of Conan #16.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see The Savage Sword of Conan #16 Preview. 

The Savage Sword of Conan #16 Preview

 

Cover A: Joe Jusko

Conan has battled Thulsa Doom across time and space. When Doom threatened his homeland, the Cimmerian teamed with a Pict scout to rescue his people from the sorcerer's clutches. He fought alongside King Kull and Brissa's distant ancestor Brule. The Cimmerian has joined forces with occult detectives John Kirowan and John Conrad. He's stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Solomon Kane, Dark Agnes, and El Borak to combat a creature that could attack people through their memories. 

Still, no matter how many times Conan defeats him, and who the Cimmerian fights alongside, Thulsa Doom resolutely claws his way back to life and power. How will Thulsa Doom threaten Conan next? And what other legendary warriors will get drawn into the soul-stealing vortex of the Black Stone's power?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics & Heroic Signatures:

 

The Savage Sword of Conan #16 Preview

Writer: Jim Zub

Artists: Nicola Scott, Chris Campana & Scott Izaakse

Publisher: Titan Comics

Issue Description: 68 Pages, Black-And-White

Price: $6.99 US

Release Date: September 16, 2026

 

THE SAVAGE SWORD and CONAN monthly comics collide with a special crossover issue! Prepare for the launch of the new Conan mini-series, TIDES OF THE TYRANT-KING, with this special issue boasting three thrilling tales from legendary writer JIM ZUB.

 

Featuring a mesmeric CONAN tale of corrupted memories and creeping madness with artist Nicola Scott, a return to the weird western world of Howardian gunslinger STEVE CORCORAN in a sequel to the classic "Vultures of Whapeton" with artist Chris Campana, and a descent into the shadowed past of mini-series femme fatale ZULEIKA with artist Sean Izaakse.

 

Bolstered with an array of pin-ups and incredible covers from Joe Jusko and Nick Percival, THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Issue #16 one is not one to be missed!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's another cover option:

 

 

Cover B: Nick Percival

 

 

 

Here's a complete listing of available covers:

Cover A: Joe Jusko

Cover B: Nick Percival

Cover C: Joe Jusko Virgin Cardstock

Cover D: Nick Percival Virgin Cardstock

 

Available from local comic shops. For UK & Europe visit Forbidden Planet

 

For more details, visit Titan Comics.

 

Thanks to Titan Comics & Heroic Signature for sharing this preview with us. 

Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2 Review

 

Writer: Steve Foxe

Artist: Andrea Broccardo

Colorist: Brian Reber

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Leinil Francis Yu & Dean White; Chris Campana; Craig Yeung & Rachelle Rosenberg

Designer: Carlos Lao

Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Recap Art: Mark Bagley

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 25, 2024

 

While Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Shift have been playing nice with the Vermin, Gwen Stacy and Chameleon gave one of New York’s humanoid rats a roast. But Ben Reilly is a changed man. With his scrambled memories, the former Scarlet Spider enters the fray and kills Jackal’s creations before he wonders, “Gee, might they be sentient?” Ben might not have much to spare, but Druig wants a piece of his mind anyway. What chaos will Chasm unleash when an Eternal messes with his muddled mind? And can his clone brother Kaine help Ben recover what he has lost? Let’s refill our psychoactive goo guns, leap into Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2, and find out!

 

Story

Ben Reilly spent so long trying to be Spider-Man that he doesn't know who he is. The situation worsened when Maxine Danger messed with his memories. Now Druig is influencing him. When Ben realizes he has been sleepwalking, he wonders what else he can try to regain control. His girlfriend offers him fun and diversion in Steve Foxe's story. But Ben's love for Janine is coupled with need. Ben relies on her to retain his sanity in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2. Where would he be without Janine?

 

Like Ben, Janine doesn’t view sleepwalking as a step toward mental recovery. She tries to distract him from his dark thoughts, but her bright ideas leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Still, she has one more card to play. Or should I say a mask? After using her Frankenstein's Monster and Werewolf masks, she pulls out another to help Ben. Using it exposes Janine to danger but demonstrates her commitment to him.

 

Kaine Parker has been following Ben and Janine’s trail of destruction. In the hospital morgue, Kaine doesn’t realize that Druig helped Ben reconstruct Freak. Using the dead Vermin and his psychoactive goo instead of lightning, Ben cobbled together a Super Freak. The monster pursues Kaine through the hospital. Kaine's plan doesn't include bringing the Super Freak home to his mother. (If he had a mother, that is). Kaine wants to get it away from people before the Super Freak brings someone's spirit down. 

 

 

 

Art

On his hands and knees, Moleman looks up at Druig. With a spider crawling over his hand, the Eternal looks down upon another cowering mortal in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2. Kaine somersaults over Super Freak while a portable exam table crashes into the wall and ceiling. One of Jane Foster’s associates hangs from glowing webs alongside a security guard. The supersized Freak pursues Kaine down a corridor that evokes Jackal’s horrors chasing Peter Parker through a nightmare train. Andrea Broccardo’s Super Freak design suggests that HR Giger's Alien art diverted Druig. Kaine's solution to his Freakazoid dilemma evokes how Daniels and Tennessee banish unwanted guests from the Covenant's terraforming bay in Alien: Covenant.

 

Black and red Kaine battles a brown and red Super Freak as a suspended medical examiner’s blue scrubs pair with the blue-tinged white floor and wall tiles. A gray villain who liked Anna Watson stares through a transparent barrier and across a hallway grounded with black and grey flooring and illuminated by a glowing glass ceiling. Chasm’s lavender and black pairs with Hallows Eve’s mauve and black as yellow windows in distant buildings shine against a gray sky. The lovers regain their usual vibrant purple, green, orange, and black in their holy abode. But when Hallows Eve slips on another mask, she explores Brian Reber's purple and lavender world in orange, gray, red, yellow, and white finery.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips black uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and Kaine's white thoughts into red narrative boxes. Words grow bold for emphasis, swell or change color for volume, and rarely shrink. Colorful and transparent sound effects help us hear Super Freak’s rampage and Janine's world shatter, while a yellow and orange growl suggests the rise of another spider villain in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

As an Eternal, Druig has too much time on his hands. Instead of taking night classes at Empire State University or volunteering at FEAST, Druig seeks diversion by manipulating others, including those with all eight eyes open in Chasm: Curse Of Kaine #2.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Amazing Spider-Man #57 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells

Penciler: John Romita Jr

Inker: Scott Hanna

Colorist: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Morry Hollowell; Rogê Antônio & Marcelo Maiolo; Chris Campana & Edgar Delgado; Ryan Meinerding; Claudio Sciarrone

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: September 11, 2024

 

Spider-Man caged the bear. Now he pokes him. As Spider-Man rejoices, Tombstone regards him from the other side of the glass partition. Will Tombstone become the new Kingpin of Ryker’s Island? Or does Lonnie Lincoln have another card to play? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #57 and find out!

 

Main Story

Spider-Man's victory proves short-lived. Alice may be in chains, but Tombstone makes bail. Peter Parker confronts Lonnie's lawyer later. "You are so cute when you're angry," Michele says. "What'd you do?" Peter Parker asks. "My job," she responds. Perhaps Michele might have shuffled her feet on Lonnie's release had Peter been a better friend to her. But he arrived late for dinner after Randy and Janice’s wedding ended in tragedy. Worse, Peter refused to acknowledge the validity of Michele’s views. Worst of all, he told her that Tombstone was a villain when her client was on life-support. (The Green Goblin’s meddling didn’t de-ice their relationship either).

 

While Michele ensures the law protects everyone, Luke Cage, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man work to circumvent the criminal justice system. Randy Robinson may have campaigned to overthrow Fisk’s Law, but Luke, Jen, and Peter blatantly disregarded it during the Gang War. They even joined forces with Lonnie Lincoln amid the chaos, only to see Lonnie change his tune and become the new Kingpin of New York. In Amazing Spider-Man #57, Spider-Man contemplates the need to make the laws he wants to live by. Then Spider-Man argues that he should decide who does what in his city. But someone would inevitably ascend to Wilson Fisk’s throne. Shouldn’t Mayor Cage, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man regard Tombstone’s criminal leadership as preferable to mob bosses like Hammerhead and Madame Masque?

 

Peter, Luke, and Jen huddle in Gracie Mansion until Luke calls the play. Then, they work together to ensure they gain all ten yards in Amazing Spider-Man #57. Yet at Ryker’s Island, Lonnie stated that Spider-Man hadn't learned what he tried to teach him. Despite Janice's familial and criminal experience, Lonnie outfoxed his daughter in the Gang War. How accurately can Luke Cage, Jennifer Walters, Peter Parker, and Janice Lincoln predict Tombstone’s actions?

 

 

 

Art

John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna’s bars, overhead lights, cubicles, viewing windows, counters, and diagonal mesh grills reinforce Tombstone’s rigid surroundings. The lines on Lonnie’s face, neck, and arms show how a life of crime has aged him. When he realizes Spider-Man convinced Janice to testify against him, irregular fractures appear on his white forehead. Yet when Lonnie hangs up the phone, rises, and walks away, a smile creases his face. On the other side of the glass, red lines radiate from Spider-Man’s head. He slams his fist into the counter, creating a web of broken laminate. Outside the courthouse, Michele’s determined expression relaxes when Peter accosts her. Then, she emulates Tombstone and walks away. If not for Marcio Menyz’s flesh tones, Peter’s expression would evoke Tombstone’s when backed into a corner.

 

Sunlight casts a diagonal shadow across the covered front porch of Gracie Mansion. Luke's gold shirt, She-Hulk's green skin and purple costume, and Spider-Man's red-and-blue outfit glow with vitality against the softened colors of Luke's comfortable office. White Rabbit's cell phone illuminates her face while overhead lights make her attire gleam in the darkened room. An armored vehicle races down the street when the moon projects white rings toward the glowing New York skyline. The vehicle's headlights project white circles, while those lining the top glow red and blue. As Spider-Man crouches on the roof, surrounded by circles of red and blue light, perhaps he contemplates a patriotic victory like the revolutionary soldiers at the Battle of Saratoga.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes in Amazing Spider-Man #57. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell and change color for increased volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Colored and transparent sound effects announce the end of a conversation, a woman’s desperate act to save her beloved, Lady Octopus giving her arms a workout, and Tombstone acting to preserve his power. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Kingpin makes a play for his daughter. Heroes and villains wield the American justice system in their best interests. And Digger has a spectacularly uplifting experience in Amazing Spider-Man #57.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3 Review

 

Writer: Justina Ireland

Pencilers: Marcelo Ferreira & Chris Campana

Inkers: Roberto Poggi & Craig Yeung

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi & Rachelle Rosenberg

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 17, 2024

 

Peter Parker teamed with the Lizard and Misty Knight to rescue her partner Colleen Wing and Dr. Michael Morbius. Maxine Danger told Spider-Man, Lizard, and Misty where to find their kidnapped friends. But Theocritis holds Dr. Morbius under his spell while his underlings give Colleen love at first bite. Can Team Blood Spidey rescue their friends and prevent Theocritis from converting innocent people into vampires? Let’s grab some garlic, thwip into Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3, and find out!

 

Main Story

Maxine’s former underling used Dr Morbius’ blood to develop three new products. TJ used Lure to summon vampires to work for him. TJ changed his name to Theocritis and used Change to voluntarily and involuntarily convert Humans into vampires. But his third product, Cure, only provides temporary relief from vampirism. In Justina Ireland’s story, TJ needs Dr Mike to turn his treatment into a serum that will defang vampires permanently.

 

In Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3, Team Blood Spidey steals a van and rams through the garage doors of TJ’s headquarters. Misty takes Maxine’s flash drive in search of a USB port. Spidey thwips up the stairs after Lizard to ask for directions to Dr. Mike's swank lab. He finds one employee extraordinarily helpful. Like Dr Morbius’ new assistant Whitney, who TJ lured into vampirism through a dating app, the vampire worker didn’t choose to become a True Blood.

 

Despite her kicking and quipping in the Hemoglobin Inc. garage, Colleen felt a little down after her first blood donation. Yet, like Buddy Ryan in Night Court, she's feeling much better now. TJ's forced conversion brings Colleen surprising joy. She's so enthralled with her afterlife that she argues its merits with Misty. If Colleen can't convince her fellow Daughter Of The Dragon, she’s got another role in mind for Misty.

 

Dr Morbius struggled for years to find a cure for vampirism. Like the recipients of TJ’s Cure, he cannot exorcise the blood hunger from his body. In Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3, Dr Morbius utilizes TJ’s First-Class laboratory with all the latest scientific equipment to find the solution that has eluded him. So what if TJ forcibly converts Humans into vampires? With Hemoglobin Inc.'s impressive resources, it’s only a matter of time until Dr Mike discovers a permanent Cure for everyone.

 

 

 

Art

Spidey crashes onto a delivery van, thwips away vamps as Misty revs the engine, and goes Teen Wolf Surfing into Hemoglobin Inc. As Misty slips her flash drive into a computer, a silhouette with golden hair spies Misty’s golden arm. But when the lights come on, Colleen’s hair emulates her Bronze Age origins, and her skin is washed white as snow in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg brings vibrant colors to Marcelo Ferreira, Chris Campana, Roberto Poggi & Craig Yeung's art. Spider-Man's blue and red stand out against the turquoise walls as gray-skinned vampires greet a green Lizard clad in purple Hulk slacks and a white lab coat. Lizard's green skin contrasts with a pistachio combatant who emulates the Nazi guarding The Flying Wing in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. The yellow flames leaping from Spider-Man’s purple head dance in the tomato sky as Peter Parker confronts the vampire he believes created this Fright Night in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3.

 

Cory Petit thwips large black uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and white narrative boxes with red borders. The Lizard’s giant roars threaten to pierce dialogue balloons. While Lizard’s hisses swarm this twilight battle, Petit’s vibrant and transparent sound effects reveal Lizzie’s brawlin’ muscles’ concussive power during this forever night. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Hemoglobin Inc. offers employees rapid career advancement, transformative economic benefits, and a zest for life. Yet Peter Parker won't stand by and watch others endure transformation without representation or leave them to face the moral quandaries he battled when a spider bite changed him forever in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #3.

 

Rating 8.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2 Review

 

Writer: Justina Ireland

Pencilers: Marcelo Ferreira & Chris Campana

Inkers: Roberto Poggi, Sean Parsons & Craig Yeung

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi & Rachelle Rosenberg

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 12, 2024

 

Peter Parker teamed with the Lizard and Misty Knight to rescue her partner Colleen Wing and Dr. Michael Morbius. The Lizard led Spider-Man and Misty to an abandoned church with an underground lair. But when vampires swarmed the fake church, the terrific trio sought refuge at a church guarded by troops armed with holy water weaponry. Can Spider-Man, Misty, and Lizard rescue Colleen and Dr Mike? Does Dr Mike have a cure for vampirism? And why do vampires seem drawn to the Lizard? Let’s grab some garlic, thwip into Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2, and find out!

 

Story

TJ once worked for the Beyond Corporation. Now, he is Theocritis, the vampire CEO of Hemoglobin Inc. Theocritis is developing three vampire-related products for the market. One of them is Cure, which curbs a vampire’s bloodlust. Theocritis used Dr Morbius' blood to engineer Cure. Dr Morbius has spent years seeking a way to go from Living Vampire to Human. Hemoglobin Inc. hasn't found the solution, but they've achieved promising results. Dr Morbius agrees to peruse their research and see if he can help Theocritis. Although he plays it cool, Dr Morbius has a good reason to help out Theocritis in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. The vampire CEO imprisoned Dr Morbius’ friend, Colleen Wing. The private eye can shrug off a pair of handcuffs, but Colleen will need more than a hairpin to escape the vampire compound.

 

While others largely yanked Peter’s strands until now, he plays detective as effectively as Colleen or her partner Misty in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. He doesn’t benefit from Theocritis’ briefing, but Spider-Man intuits the Lizard's vampiric appeal. That victory comes with a cost. Still, it enhances Spider-Man's understanding of the web in which Misty and the Lizard ensnared him. Theocritis founded his company on Beyond Corporation’s proprietary technology. Maxine Danger insists that anything Theocritis develops belongs to her. Spider-Man plays it cool and doesn’t give away that he discovered Misty and Colleen were working with Maxine Danger.

 

Justina Ireland doesn’t clarify Theocritis’ connection with Blade and The Structure. Still, a vampire invasion provides the perfect cover for Theocritis to ramp up his vampiric business operations. Theocritis is on a rapid journey from office flunky to CEO, but he's still a fanboy. The way he manipulates an employee suggests his goals are less than noble. Still, at least Theocritis' efforts address a social ill that most elected officials would rather ignore than tackle.

 

 

 

 

Art

Justina Ireland’s story is so spectacular that it takes an army of artists to bring it to life in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. Marcelo Ferreira, Chris Campana, Roberto Poggi, Sean Parsons & Craig Yeung convey the impressive laboratory of Hemoglobin Inc. Colleen peers out through the glass panel of her sanitized pen. Her expression and the bite marks on her neck suggest she's no longer in a hitting-and-quipping mood. High-speed camera shots reveal Spider-Man's acrobatics in the park, but the Lizard's ground-shaking landing disperses the undead. Maxine Danger may have escaped jail, but the prim and stylish CEO opts for attire and a new corporate vehicle taken from Wez’s gang in The Road Warrior.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg conveys the cleanroom environment of Theocritis' biotech startup. He may wear a suit, but his all-red ensemble suggests his likely future residence, provided Maxine doesn't get to him first. The skies of New York take on attractive pinks, purples, and oranges. The lamp posts and the glowing headlights of Misty’s motorcycle illuminate the yellow-green ground fog that hovers over the park. Rosenberg also enlivens silhouettes with purple highlights, completing the eerie atmosphere in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. Amid all the gray, bloodless vampires, Misty Knight's red outfit, enlivened with reflective black leather and her golden arm, seems the perfect foil for pink-haired Maxine's Punk sensibilities.

 

Cory Petit thwips large black uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and white narrative boxes with red borders. Spider-Man’s thwips and the Lizard's roaring complete this story of corporate warfare and the toll it takes on everyone when CEOs value profits over people. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

After his recent battles with Ben Reilly, Peter Parker finally meets the woman who stole his clone’s memories. While Miles Morales’ mentor agrees to meet Peter halfway, her partner is in danger of joining the undead in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. But is a manufactured vampire the equal of a natural-born bloodsucker?

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Red Goblin #9 Review

 

Writer: Alex Paknadel

Penciler: Chris Campana

Inker: Roberto Poggi

Colorist: David Curiel

Letterer: Travis Lanham

Cover Artist: Kendrick “Kunkka” Lim

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 4, 2023

 

Normie Osborn, the son of Harry Osborn and Liz Allan, has a friend. His name is Rascal, and he was a gift from Dylan Brock. Will Venom’s generosity result in tragedy? Let’s leap into Red Goblin #9 and find out!

 

Story

Like Peter Parker, young Normie’s always seen the best in his friend. But Rascal’s hunger for violence has influenced Norman Osborn’s grandson. Normie partnered with Miles Morales to find his missing schoolmate. But knowing Spider-Man wouldn’t let him kill Phil Urich, Normie gave Miles the slip and Rascal free reign.

 

Rascal tries to comfort Normie. He won't let Normie turn them in to the authorities, so he goes after a boy who attacked Normie at school. Latching onto his host’s painful memory, Rascal runs to Harry Osborn's grave. He digs into the soft earth and exhumes Normie's father. If he crushes Harry's remains, might that bring Normie peace?

 

As the relationship between Normie and his grandfather has dominated this series, Norman Osborn finds the symbiote and confronts him. Unlike his grandson, Norman never believed in the symbiote's potential for good. But can the Gold Goblin take down Rascal in Red Goblin #9? And can Normie reassert control over his violent symbiote?

 

Red Goblin action figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

Art

As Quinton and his parents watch evening news reports about Normie’s disappearance, their disdain for Norman Osborn and his Oz-Spawn is evident. Rascal looks menacing as he captures the bully but freaks out when the family dog leaps to the rescue. The Gold Goblin makes interrogating a member of Urich’s Goblin Gang old hat. Yet Normie’s memories of his father’s death evoke pages from a medieval manuscript. Symbiotic artists Chris Campana and Roberto Poggi combine entrancing art styles that build toward a concussive confrontation in Red Goblin #9.

 

Stars shine in the dark skies above Quinton's house in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Dim interior lighting reveals the detectives questioning Tim Anders. Norman's gold faceplate shows reflections of the green-covered Goblin Gangster as he stands on a roof under a bright blue sky. Brown, orange, red, beige, and yellow color Normie’s memories. Yet red dominates this issue, as David Curiel emphasizes that Rascal rocks Red Goblin #9!

 

Black uppercase words inhabit white dialogue balloons. Rascal's hisses appear as white letters in red balloons. Light green narrative boxes reveal Normie's thoughts as he tries to reign in Rascal's excesses. Travis Lanham makes Alex Paknadel’s heartrending drama poignant through his colorful dialogue and violent sound effects.

 

Final Thoughts

A child’s optimism turns to agony when he crosses the line in Red Goblin #9. Next time Dylan Brock feels generous, perhaps he should give Norman Osborn’s grandson a gift certificate to Chuck E. Cheese.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.