Spiral Comics Blog

IDW’s REVOLUTION cross-over event created a Hasbro shared universe. This new ongoing series is a modern extension of the original toy line from 1985 that spawned a franchise of toys, cartoons, video games and comics. It could be cool. It could be a dud. “Launching from the events of REVOLUTION! The M.A.S.K. team streaks into a dangerous, unstable landscape of dark wars, high intrigue and non-stop action where they’ll encounter the nearly unstoppable threat of Miles Mayhem and his black ops squadron known as V.E.N.O.M.  How will an untested Matt Trakker lead M.A.S.K. through a complex new world order where nothing is what it seems? Join writer Brandon Easton (Marvel’s Agent Carter), artist Tony Vargas (Rot and Ruin) and cover […]

The Iron Man mantle is the latest to get the ‘ole gender switcheroo, as Riri Williams, the MIT student who reverse engineered Stark’s armor and built a suit of her own, steps into Iron Man’s boots. Hijinks, I’m sure, will ensue. There’s been a bunch of fanfare surrounding this character. We’ll see if this “IRONHEART” can capture our own hearts. “From the violent streets of Chicago, a new armored hero rises! Clad in her very own Iron Man armor, Riri Williams is ready to show the Marvel Universe what she can do as the self-made hero of tomorrow. But is she ready for all the problems that come with stepping into Iron Man’s jet boots? Where’s a genius billionaire playboy […]

I’ve got a real soft spot in my heart for the classic Transformers cartoon. The Transformer’s universe of today, however, has gotten so big and confusing, I’d have no idea how to get into any of IDW’s comic series. This one doesn’t appear to carry too much baggage. A clean start with a single focus on a classic character. “REVOLUTION is over-but the danger to Earth is just beginning. As OPTIMUS PRIME pulls Earth into the larger universe, he’s painted a target on Earth…and a new alien incursion begins when a corkscrew shaped craft drills into our world! The next evolution of TRANSFORMERS is here! OPTIMUS PRIME’s past on CYBERTRON haunts his present on Earth! Amazing artist Kei Zama (Scarlett […]

“Marvel NOW” is in full swing again this month with a whole host of new #1’s, including a new relaunch of AVENGERS. This is a perfect time to jump on. The line-up looks like: Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor (Jane Foster), Vision, Wasp, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), and Hercules. The hook this relaunch appears to be overcoming dissention and distrust (following the events of Civil War II) among its roster in the face of evils that threaten the entire world. No problem. The tagline “KANG WAR ONE” implies we’ll see that time-travelling genius who may or may not still be splintered into various alternate versions of himself. I think there’s a cream for that. “The time has come! Their ranks shattered […]

KISS is a world-wide brand extending well beyond their musical albums. When we showed our young kids a picture of the rock group and told them we were going to see KISS in concert, they said, “Oh, I know them from Scooby-Doo!” They have a storied collection of comic adaptations spanning across disparate genres. Here, the writer says she is going more serious with a storyline focused on mythology, heroism and legend with themes inspired by the 1981 album Music from “The Elder”. I’m so ready for a sci-fantasy Kabuki theater! This issue is offered for pre-order in the latest Previews catalog. “KISS is back! Back to the FUTURE in this dark sci-fi adventure. In a world without sun and […]

Mark Millar has figured out some secret formula to comic writing. This latest will be no exception, I’m sure. This issue is offered for pre-order in the latest Previews catalog. “MARK MILLAR & GREG CAPULLO join forces to create the smash hit sci-fi / fantasy story of the year: REBORN. Where do you go when you die? Not heaven or hell; somewhere else. Somewhere you have to fight to survive. Somewhere the people from the past are waiting for you–the good and the bad.”

This one is a good bet. Brian Azzarello writes a mob-era, noir-style, supernatural, crime thriller. That just begs to be adapted into a television show. “Set during Prohibition, and deep in the backwoods of Appalachia, MOONSHINE #1 tells the story of Lou Pirlo, a city-slick ‘torpedo’ sent from New York City to negotiate a deal with the best moonshiner in West Virginia, one Hiram Holt. What Lou doesn’t figure on is that Holt is just as cunning and ruthless as any NYC crime boss. Because not only will Holt do anything to protect his illicit booze operation, he’ll stop at nothing to protect a much darker family secret…a bloody, supernatural secret that must never see the light of day…or better […]

I like Star Trek. I loved the Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) series. I enjoyed most of the other television series. I liked the original crew movies (even the odd-numbered ones). The TNG films got too bloated, in my opinion, but were still watchable at least once. But…Abrams’ reimagining of Star Trek reinvigorated my interest intensely. (I could watch that one again right now, in fact.) The follow-up was good, but not as good, and I have yet to catch the newest film. I’ve never felt the need to know everything about every nook of the Star Trek universe like I do the Star Wars universe. But, if you want to explore the world of Star Trek further, you […]

Vampires have come a long way since Béla Lugosi, and The Lost Boys perhaps helped transform them in pop culture away from the demon of Salem’s Lot to the sensual beauties of The Twilight Saga and The Vampire Diaries. So, you probably have to be the right age to be excited about this one (and maybe have actually seen the two direct-to-video sequels of the movie.) If you need a horrific vampire fix and haven’t read 30 Days of Night, check that one out. You know, Sesame Street’s Count von Count is kinda loveable, I guess. But, as the new host of Sesame Street, we’ll see what HBO does with the character! “The stakes are raised in this nostalgic and […]

Are you kidding me? This mini-series will be epic! DC put out a He-Man mini in June of 2012, but ThunderCats haven’t seen print since 2004 (in the States). And that WildStorm ThunderCats stuff isn’t considered canon because of story inconsistencies. So, I really get the sense this mash-up will be leaning heavily on the original 80’s vibes. If they get it right, it’ll usher in an age of plenty. If they get it wrong, the properties will return to the sarcophagus to regenerate at a later date. “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe team up with the ThunderCats–the epic crossover event you’ve waited thirty years to see! In his ever-living desire to destroy the mighty ThunderCats, Mumm-Ra quests […]