Updates + comic journey recap 3

Alright so, the gap from the last post to this was a bit longer at five months. Yeah, from August to October, I took a hiatus from comics for various personal reasons but I finally finish the amount I wanted to read.

So time for some updates. First things first, I finally got Threads so you follow me here: https://www.threads.com/@lovecatmgj?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==.

Second, in regards to my YouTube and Twitch channels, I would love to do more with them but my college work, my focus on comic books, and a lack of inspiration for videos and streams, I don’t really have any plans in the near future behinds maybe one thing but I won’t say it because I don’t want to hype it up if I don’t go through with it.

Third, in regards to my writing, I’ve barely done much outside of one story but even then, it's only a few paragraphs. I do have another story haven't updated in a while that I would like to pitch to film studio like blumhouse to get made into a movie. Based on that studio alone, you can get an idea kind of script I’m looking to pitch.

Fourth, I’ve decided to start jolting down the shows I’ve been watching. I'm not gonna any mini reviews right now as comics are taking up most of these entries but you can view them on a Google doc here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FgHV44WM0M2gIpF8rpRFi_BjTNwfF_5wDBvIXHAuz7Q/edit?usp=drivesdk. It has all the shows I’ve recently been watching, my current status with them, what season currently on/last watched, how far I am with that season, and for the hell of it, what country they're from, if I’m watching it subbed or dubbed it's an non-English country and if there's an official English dub available, what network it originally aired in it's home country and where I’m streaming it or if I’m using dvds. I'll use a specific website and/or app to better track them like tv time and maybe I’ll get a letterboxd down the line as I’ve been watching more movies recently. I'll also be updating my watch time on threads.

Ok, so if you don't care about comic books, you can leave now but for those are interested, it's time for the real meat of this article:

As per usual, I’m covering the comic I’ve been listing on my Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/177273337). There are other comics I’ve been reading as shown on my Comic Geeks account but these are usually one shots and I haven't read a enough issues to give my thoughts.

Starting off, let's start the comics I’ve finished or dropped:

Scarlett by Kelly Thompson (Image Comics)

I read the last issue and I’ll say that it was about the same as the other four. It's still the least connected to the Energon universe with the exceptions of Cobra showing up near the end to find Energon and the sword or katana (I assume katana because they're in Japan but I could be misremembering as I last it in June) is heavily implied if not outright stated to be made of Energon. Overall, the series was not terrible, not even bad, it was well made but I don't see myself rereading it again anytime soon. It'll probably be worth reread when Scarlett and/or Storm Shadow join the ongoing series but as of this writing, the two haven't reappeared since this series concluded. As much I wasn't big fun of the series, I think it should've been an ongoing series, focusing on Scarlett, Storm Shadow, and Jinx. It could've been a good excuse to add Snake Eyes but I assume Thompson and by extension Robert Kirkman and Joshua Williamson wants to keep the readers in suspense for the ongoing book. I hope to see Scarlett again in the future, maybe not as GI Joe but still a key character.

Destro by Dan Watters (Image)

Unlike Scarlett, Destro is an important for the ongoing book as it shows Destro recruiting more members for Cobra like twins Tomax and Xamot and one that I didn’t recognize when I read the first four issues. I noticed early that since the Baroness is a Joe in this continuity, Destro is instead with this other woman. At first, I wasn’t too much attention to her and I thought she was a character in one of the GI Joe cartoons or comic books. When I decided to look deeper into these characters, I realized this lady was not originally from GI Joe but rather she's Astoria Carlton-Ritz from the 80s Transformers show aka the Girl Who Loved Powerglide. I was aware of the episode, I had never actually watched it as I’ve only watched season 1 and the movie but I know about this being an odd episode. My best knowledge of this episode is that apparently was coming off the episode right before Powerglide apparently reunited with his girlfriend on Cybertron so yeah, cheating. Overall, it's confusing but somewhat enjoyable. I'm more likely to come back to this as there's probably a lot more stuff I didn't understand on my first read.

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III by Daniel Jose Older (Dark Horse Comics)

I honestly forgot I read this one, it was boring and very forgettable. Star Wars comics are not my cup of tea apparently, or really any tea. I guess the superheroes are more of my coffee. Not much else to say other than the art was decent.

Green Lantern by Jeremy Adams (DC Comics)

Same problem as Star Wars, very forgettable. I dropped it out of boredom. I guess this superhero ain't my cup of coffee. Actually what coffee don't I like because I seem to drink any coffee. I’m starting to understand why people don't really like Adams. Just to be clear, I don’t think he's a bad writer, it just seems to be more that DC (and by extension Warner Bros, as he's also written plenty of direct to video movies) mostly keeps him around because he can write decent stories and meet deadlines because his comics tend to be poor sellers and it's likely going to continue dropping on the charts because as you tell from this section, I stopped this one. Sorry, but I want to focus on other comics I’m interested.

Titans by John Layman (DC)

I kinda prefer this one over Green Lantern but I still dropped this primarily because I wanted to read different comics and I didn’t want to overflow my reading list and I also found this one uninspiring. Layman's still continuing Tom Taylor's "Raven is evil" storyline from the latter's run. I'm starting to see why people prefer 2003 Raven. The highlight for me was issue 20 and that stupid cover that looks like it was trying to emulate a silver age superdickery cover. It's also focused on Beast Boy and Raven's relationship so that's kind of cute. I kinda wish there was a series focusing on the two and their relationship from friends to lovers (maybe enemies to lovers, idk I haven’t read the 80s comics). Someone at DC should get Kami Garcia to write this comic, it would be magical and likely piss people off because this is an action comic but I don’t give a shit. Anyway, back on track, so this is end of Titans for me as a regular read but it won’t be the last time I’ll read this comic or even Layman's run as in a few months, this series will become important again for a DC event although it'll likely not be covered for the next recap but stay tuned anyway.

Next up, the comics I’m still reading:

The Amazing Spider-Man by Zeb Wells, Joe Kelly, and Justina Ireland (Marvel Comics)

The nightmare is finally over, Zeb Wells is finally done with his run and I don’t remember how it ended. I guess I was so excited to move on that it went in as much as it went out. Inbetween Wells and Joe Kelly's run, Kelly and Justina Ireland wrote a story called the 8 Deaths of Spider-Man. From what I read, it's basically a big advertisement for the even One World Under Doom where Doctor Doom becomes like the supreme leader of the world after Doctor Strange gives Doom his powers for reasons I don't know. I did not those powers and I have little in doing so. Despite, I did enjoy a self contained arc about Spider-Man having to fight several villains in a competition to save the world and then one of them turns evil and another one joins Spidey in saving the day. Of course, there's more of Peter being miserable and then he makes out with Black Cat because she’s the rebound girl. Overall, it wouldn't make a bad direct to video movie. Just replace Doom with Strange and you might have something. Here's to hoping the Kelly that something big planning next month.

Sonic the Hedgehog by Evan Stanley and Ian Flynn (IDW Publishing)

You know, I ain't got much to say about Miss Stanley, but I want to talk a bit about Mr. Flynn. He’s a bit of controversial writer and I don't mean like Mark Millar or Garth Ennis in that he's an edgelord. That's more of a Ken Penders thing. Flynn's controversial for his love of references to past Sonic media like making Amy a new age hippie because the manual for Sonic CD mentioned her using tarot cards (although that might more of a sega problem, I don't care enough). I kinda joked when I saw some of the animated Mario movie that Flynn was a ghost writer as I noticed they made a lot of references to past Mario media. I'm only talking more about Flynn than the actual comic but I legit forgot what happened in the comic. Shit happened. Oh well.

Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman (Marvel)

Alright, I really wanna talk about this one because I have a lot to say and I’m gonna some spoilers for issues 10 to 15. First, I found out recently that despite his great writing Hickman was not the original writer attached helm this ship. Apparently, Donny Cates, a writer who I’ve never covered so far (and there's a reason for that) was attached to not just write Spider-Man but to also helm the Ultimate Universe in general but in late 2022 or early 2023, he got into a car accident that paralyzed him for a few months. He's been trying to make a comeback but as of this writing, there's been nothing. I hope he does because I hear his work is good. According to the sources I read, what comes next is that Hickman was called in to replaced Cates for the Ultimate Invasion limited series like Marvel was eyeballing Chip Zdarsky to write USM but Zdarsky turned it down because he was busy writing Batman and he just thought Hickman sound would be a better writer. I guess he was right because I’ve still been liking this comic. Lots of twists and turns at every corner. Peter and Harry find crime in New York, they get kidnapped by Kraven, Peter's son, Richard, gets symbiote powers, Harry fucking dies, and Richard starts dating Black Cat as she’s at least a decade younger than Peter in this continuity. If I do have one compliant is that the covers can be misleading. Issue 15 shows Spider-Man and his daughter, May, fighting Sandman. While Spidey does fight Sandman, it's actually with Richard and May isn't there at all. Similarly, in issue 14, the cover shows Spidey fighting Kraven. While Peter does fight Kraven, he’s not the suit when he does. He doesn't even wear the suit at all this issue. Outside of that though, I still really like this comic and it's sad to hear that it’s ending so soon. Recently it was annoyed that not just USM but the entire Ultimate Universe is ending after only three years. The final issue of USM is coming this January and that means I only have nine issues left. The end is sooner than I thought, but all good things must come to end. Let's hope it's a really good ending.

Deadpool by Cody Ziglar (Marvel)

Now after some more reading and looking at some reviews and discussions. I see that plenty of people have been enjoying Ziglar's run and seem to like Ellie. I'm still not sure though. To me, Deadpool is one of heroes that only one person can be. Ellie can put on a Deadpool suit but she doesn’t feel like Deadpool. She feels more like if Deadpool was a serious. I get that she's supposed to be a straight man to her father, but I guess with so many other Marvel characters, I feel like so many of them could fill that role. One thing I wasn’t expecting other the past few issues was crossing over with Miles Morales, another series written by Ziglar. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as this is a superhero comic but since Deadpool is more of an X-men character (even though I’m pretty he isn't a mutant), it comes off as odd when he's working with mutates. This run is almost over, with only three issues left so I’ll stick around for those and see how it ends. Maybe I’ll change my mind and think the ending is great.

Batman by Chip Zdarsky and Jeph Loeb (DC)

Zdarsky's Batman run comes to end. I think that's the first I read an entire from start to finish. In the end, my opinion on this run is that it was a mess. The general reception I read was that it started off good but it fell off near the end. It's been a while since the beginning of his run (it was three years), but I think that was how I perceived it. I also read the first issue of Jeph Loeb's Hush 2 arc is set to be the final arc of this volume of Batman that started back in 2016. Actually the new volume has already started, being written by Matt Fraction but because Loeb's story keeps getting delayed, the final issue won’t be published until at least February. I'm still several months behind anyway so it’ll likely be out by the time I'm caught up.

Update: when I went to check the release, I saw it actually got delayed again for I think the fifth time. It's now coming out in March. Oops.

Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider by Stephanie Phillips (Marvel)

Gwen Stacy's adventures in Earth 616 continues. So if I can remember correctly, Gwen meets this guy she likes (it's not Peter or Miles or some preexisting character) and then it turns he's a bad guy working his even badder father. His dad tries to shoot Gwen or someone else (I can’t remember exactly) and the guy take's the bullet and oh no he's dying but than Loki shows up out of nowhere and it becomes a completely different comic where it's revealed that Gwen left Earth 65 because Loki was looking for her there and then there’s something about Gwen needing to unlock her true potentional like this is Ninjago or something. And that's where i currently am on the comic. There's only four issues because I heard this comic got cancelled recently so marvel has an excuse to make another #1 a month after issue 15 of this run with the Same writer and creative team and everything. But yeah, this comic has not memorable, been all over the place, but it's still fun to me. I hear writer Stephanie Phillips is also writing a Daredevil series starting this March so I might check that out. i also hear she's a bit of renassiace woman, having a phd in a rhetoric, an expert in hockey and muay thai, and a goth. She may be the right person for Daredevil after that Saladin Ahmed run that people told me it sucked. But may be not, I’m not a futurist. Here's the final four issues of this Gwen's adventures. Hey I just realized that it's called Earth 65 because Gwen Stacy debuted in 1965.

The Flash by Simon Spurrier (DC)

Remember I said I believed that Spurrier didn't have much time on this comic, well last September decided to leave after 25 issues. Despite the poor sales, Spurrier claims it was his decision. So my opinion on the comic is about the same as it was last time. Shit happens. Too much shit happens and I think why I can't enjoy as much I would like to. I guess that what happens with a comic that focuses on people moving very fast. I'll probably drop it in a few issues, even before I reach the end of Spurrier’s run. I'm getting kind of bored and want to focus on other comics.

Superman by Joshua Williamson (DC)

Have I mentioned I really like Williamson's Superman run? I have? Well good because I’m gonna keep talking about it. Spoilers ahead. So Lois gains powers and becomes Superwoman (not the first time apparently, but the first I’ve read this type of story), Doomsday and these aliens want Doomsday but Superman's all like "oh hell nah" and actually teams up the Doomsday, the guy who killed Supes back in the 90s. I don't if it goes against Clark's character to team up with his killer but there's been a shit ton of comics published over the past 30 years I haven’t read so I’ll just roll with it. Then this guy who looks like Doomsday shows named Time Trapper and tries to make a deal with Lois but she's all like "aw hell naw" then the Supercouple fights Time Trapper which ends with Jimmy getting critically injured which results in Jimmy’s girlfriend, Silver Banshee getting pissed at Clark. Meanwhile, Lex starts getting his memories and he and Mercy start making out and Mercy wants to take Lexcorp back. Crazy stuff going on, likely gonna get crazier with DC KO right around the corner, but I’m all for it. I ain't dropping this anytime soon. Go buy it if you haven't.

Transformers by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)

The next chapter of Daniel Warren Johnson's award winning run of Tansformers continues. It's been. 2025 has been a good year for Johnson. His Transformers run has a critical and commercial success, both marvel and dc have been hiring to do a shit ton of variant covers, he got to write a story for Wolverine's 400th issue and most notably, he wrote the annual issue for Absolute Batman over its head writer, Scott Snyder. The third arc of Transformers has been fun, got to see a bunch of new guys added, Spike recovered from his injuries, Cliffjumper is stuck on Cybertron, we got to learn Starscream's backstory, Soundwave became leader of the Decepticons, and most importantly, Megatron has finally entered the story. We're now heading into Johnson's final arc and it's probably gonna be big sendoff to what already seems to be one of the franchise's great writers. Robert Kirkman has taken over as head writer but I can't say anything on his run just yet. Well Danny boy, let's see how you end a story.

Void Rivals by Robert Kirkman (Image)

While the battle between Autobots and Decepticons rages on between Earth and Cybertron, there is another battle somewhere else in the galaxy. The Transformers connections here have gotten stronger. Hot Rod has joined battle and a bunch of others I've forgotten or don't recognize. There's also a bit of GI Joe in there but I don't remember what specifically. It's a fun story between the alien races whose leaders are working together to make their people hate each other because I guess race wars make them a lot of money. To be honest though, I would've dropped this series issues ago had it not been for the Transformers connection. Still, I looked at the covers of the later issues and apparently there's a big arc that's upcoming that's even on each of the covers so I'm curious to see what happens there.

Transformers by Jim Salicrup and Bob Budiansky (Marvel)

Meanwhile back in the 80s, Shockwave has kidnapped the Autobots except for Ratchet and Optimus is at Shockwave's mercy. Ratchet has to team up with Megatron to stop Shockwave but then Ratchet finds the Dinobots in the savage lands (Transformers used to be in the same universe as the Avengers) and they stop Megatron after he betrays Ratchet. That's the basic jist of the story. A lot of explainging going on. More than it needs to. I get that "every comic book is someone's first" and that this was made to sell toys at the end of the day but from a reader in the future that isn't really that interested in the toys, it can come off as annoying. I'm still gonna contiune reading this because I wanna see the issue where Optimus kills himself but these constant explanations every issue are pretty annoying.

Wonder Woman by Tom King (DC)

What do you get when you let a war criminal write Wonder Woman. You get Steve Trevor fucking dying (again apparently) and Diana makes a fourth Wonder Girl using some magic mumbo jumbo using her and Steve's dna so she's basically her daughter. Diana then goes to Washington DC is avenge Steve's death by arresting his killer, this old man who has apparently been running the US as a "secret king" and now it seems like King had been playing Metal Gear Solid recently. Now I want to see Hideo Kojima to write a Wonder Woman comic. I don't care if it's good or bad, I'll buy it. Donna, Cassie, and Yara do some other stuff on other panels that honestly I think was filler to fill up the 22 pages. The only thing that amused me was Diana, Donna, Cassie, Yara, and maybe Cheetah doing a Five Little Monkeys analogy because refrencing classic literature makes it sound deep. I hear there's an upcoming arc involving mice that a lot of people hate. This is gonna suck,

"Save me Kelly Thompson!" I plead to the heavens.

"No my son, it's too late," she responds in angelic voice.

Next you know I was falling into the layers of hell for hours. But isn't hours a long time you might be asking. Yes it is but shut up.

When I made it to the bottom I was greeted by Mephisto himself.

"I'm not scared of you," I stated to him. "I will never sell my marriage that I don't have!"

"Oh, I don't want your marriage," he responded. "I don't care about you, but I know some people who do."

And then one by one, several men appear. I recongized those faces the ones of men whose graves are spit on by the people who once worshipped them: Joss Whedon, Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, and Gerard Jones.

"You guys!?! But none of you are dead yet?!?!" I questioned

"Not our physical bodies but our careers are," Gaiman answered. For some reason, he talks in a Canadian accent. In fact, his voice reminds me of Kuradeel from Sword Art Online Abridged.

"If you think I'm going to let you win easily, then you're wrong! Do you're worst!

"Oh we will! We're gonna make you listen to Korn!"

"Oh that's doesn't sound so bad."

"Neewww Kkkkooooorrrrrrnnnnnnn!"

"OH MY-wait... how new are we talking?"

"2003"

"That ain't new"

"It was new in 2003 but no matter, the album stills sucks, ENJOY!"

"NOOOOOOO!"

I woke up in a cold sweat in my bed, everything seemed normal. I turned my head and there he was, Jeff the Land Shark, looking all excited.

"Sorry Jeff, it just a nightmare. You can go back to sleep now." I ressuared him.

Jeff fell back asleep.

Wtf did I just write?

Power Girl by Leah Williams (DC)

Anyway, after that whole episode above, Power Girl is dating an Asgardian and even goes to Asgard (Disney doesn't own Norse mythology) and then she has other adventures with her friends. That's all I got to say. I still enjoy it but I can see people not liking it because it's not groundbreaking or anything. It's a shame that it got cancelled after 20 issues but at least it made to 11. There's only one issue left, so's let see how it ends.

And finally, the comics I started reading:

The War of the Realms Prelude by Walt Simonson and Jason Aaron (Marvel)

Since we're on the topic of Asgard, while I’ve been reading current comics, I’ve been checking out a bit of an older event comic that was published before I started reading, the War of the Realms. I just wanted to check a Thor event and this one sounded interesting. This mostly contains Jason Aaron's Thor run when Jane Foster wield mjlonir while Thor himself was somewhere else, it doesn't say what happened to him. This also contained an issue of Walt Simonson's Thor run back in the 80s as it contained the debut of Malekith, the main antagonist of War of the Realms. I haven't finished the whole trade paperback for the prelude yet (about 75% of it) but I’ve been enjoying it. Maybe because I’m a fantasy so stuff like Norse mythology catches my attention like Percy Jackson (although that more Greek mythology but there Norse books that are set in the same universe). I'm excited where this story leads to me to and likely to other past events as well.

G.I. Joe by Joshua Williamson (Image)

The GI Joe ongoing series begins with Joshua Williamson, who previously wrote Duke and Cobra Commander, at the helm. So far I’ve read the first five issues but I’ve been enjoying them. A couple of deaths of long running characters in other continuities, a few connections to Transformers, and seeing new characters is new roles like Astoria is a freaking badass sniper in this universe. Man it's gonna be weird whenever I get around to watching the second season of Transformers. I already from looking at the covers in advance that the Transformers are going to be in comic soon so I’m excited to see that because honestly, that's the only me and many others are reading this but I’m willing to wait. maybe next time they'll finally introduce Snake Eyes.

Power Rangers Prime by Melissa Flores (Boom! Studios)

From the ashes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a new universe is created, called Power Rangers Prime. A new team of rangers, consisting of Lauren from Power Rangers Samurai, Orion from Megaforce and three other guys I don't recognize probably because they were made up for the comic. These five have to save the world from evil with the help of Rita Replusa (wait, what). Also VR Troopers are supporting characters. It's all all over the place. I already miss when Power Rangers wasn't as heavy in sci fi. I was also expecting a more straight forward adaptation of season 3 of Mighty Morphin but Kat doesn't show up at all. I guess others might have the opinion because I read that the sales were low and that this comic got cancelled after 16 issues. I'm likely gonna drop this before I reach there but let's see how far we make it.

Marvel Rivals Infinity by Paul Allor (Marvel)

Time for a first-run webcomic. I've been playing a lot of Marvel Rivals over the past year. It's pretty fun although there are very frustrating points like any video game. To advertised the game, Marvel published a series of webcomics that debuted on Marvel Unlimited, but they were later released in physical formats. I've read the first six issues and they were fun. Not amazing or memorable but I think Allor did at least a decent job in showing off who's in the game. There's still more that I haven't read yet like issue 6 ends with a teaser for the Fantastic Four update so I'm gonna read that and tell you how I feel about that.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Jason Aaron (IDW)

Last but certainly not least, the 80s icons themselves, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Unlike the more family friendly cartoon, this comic is very dark and very edgy. The Turtles have fled New York, are chilling in New Jersey, and Donnie has gone crazy as he thinks that a dead rat is Splinter. Except in the last issue, where it's heavily implied that the rat is still alive and might actually be Splinter. It's very confusing as it has contains a lot of information I have no idea on because that was whole decade of comics I haven't read and I'm not that big on TMNT knowledge. I know about Leo, Donnie, Raph, Mikey, Splinter, April, Casey. Shredder, Karai, Bebop, Rocksteady, Kraang, Baxter Stockman, which is plenty, but I'm pretty sure that are many more I don't know about. From what I read though, I kinda like it. Maybe because I like Jason Aaron's writing but maybe I have a soft soft for Ninja Turtles. Who knows but I probably a few more issues. Probably not likely to be an active reader, not helped by the news that Aaron recently left the comic but you

never know

And that's gonna be it for now. I'm currently 8 months behind, about the same as last time. I'd like to thank you all for reading but before I’m done, here's an overall ranking of all the comics I’ve read from best to work:

Ultimate Spider-Man

Superman

The War of the Realms Prelude

Titans

The Amazing Spider-Man

Power Girl

Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Transformers (2023)

G.I. Joe

Void Rivals

Marvel Rivals Infinity

Wonder Woman

Destro

Scarlett

Power Rangers Prime

The Flash

Batman

Transformers (1984)

Deadpool

Sonic the Hedgehog

Green Lantern

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III