Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "The Fix" #5 / "Cyborg" #1 / "Batman" #7

"The Fix" #5: Aside from having two lead protagonists that are among the best in comics in 2016, the true strength of The Fix is writer Nick Spencer's ability to create supporting characters (the mayor of LA it is here) that are so wonderfully unique and over-the-top, you just can't stop laughing. 

9/10

"Cyborg" #1: A rather surprising issue that predominantly deals with Victor's "soul search" and the emotions it entails. Writer John Semper jr. proves here that he can well handle that emotional side of Cyborg, without ever being in danger of making it kitsch.

8/10

"Batman" #7: Coming from the heights of the "Gotham and Gotham Girl" story arc, this Halloween crossover looks like the first major bump in Batman's "Rebirth" run. It all seems half-baked, with a story that is neither very scary nor thrilling nor even entertaining. And who needs a ripped Hugo Strange?

5/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "The Fix" #4 / "Black Widow" #5 / "Star Wars" #21

I need to catch up with my comics, so here's something new to get up-to-date relatively quickly. Enjoy!

"The Fix" #4: More Mac, more Josh, more Pretzels, more mayhem. Fun, entertaining, hugely disturbing, the surprise series of 2016 keeps impressing.

9/10

"Black Widow" #5: It's pace and relentless action reminds of the fantastic first issue, as Natasha feels the heat on her from everywhere. Still great, even though it lacks some of the magic we were getting used to.

8/10

"Star Wars" #21: Superbly narrated, as its art perfectly matches the comic's sombre atmosphere. Whether you love or hate the Stormtrooper special unit we get to know here, their appeal is unmissable. Marvel's darkest Star Wars comic so far.

8/10

Keepin' It 360: "The Fix" #3

This is somewhat of a surprise, as it hardly advances the comic's main story, but instead devotes itself completely to a new character, Elaina. The Miley Cyrus allusions are obvious, and Spencer's narrator is too patronizing at times, but it still makes for an entertaining read, as Lieber's art and Hill's colors perfectly match the urban madness of The Fix.

8/10

Further Links:

The Fix #1

The Fix #2

Keepin It 360: "The Fix" #2

While not quite as good as #1, The Fix is still comic's guiltiest pleasure right now, and a perfect exercise in how to make your protagonists utterly despicable without ruining the overall experience. Lieber's art and Hill's colors impressively support the light and self-ironic tone of The Fix, as Spencer's dialogues, however, don't always get to the point.

9/10

Further Links:

The Fix #1