February was another packed month of great comic book releases. From debuts of new comic book series to ongoing and mini-series, we had a lot of cool comic book to read this month. With that in mind I’ve put together the 10 best comic books released for the month of February.
AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Daniel Acuña
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Chip Zdarsky and Daniel Acuña did not shy away from asking the question of what is morally and politically right with Avengers: Twilight #2. As we see throughout the first two issues of Avengers: Twilight how those in charge shape the moral and political being complementary or opposing forces. It’s all done while making sure the Avengers are the focal point. Everything is about testing the Avengers we know in a future that has rejected their form of superheroism.
At the same time, it’s never forgotten that this is a superhero blockbuster. Avengers: Twilight #2 delivers cool action within The Raft super prison. The setting enhances the emotional weight between Captain America and the son of Tony Stark and Janet Van Dyne. Their history plays into the impact of the prison fight that breaks out. It all leads to hype moments involving other Avengers members. This is definitely an Avengers: Twilight a strong addition to Marvel’s Multiverse.
BIRDS OF PREY #6
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
After five issues of build-up, Birds of Prey #6 delivers a strong conclusion to the battle to save Sin. Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero handle the scale of Sin being possessed by Megaera to have an end of the world feel. The Birds of Prey came across as the final line of defense against the Godly threat. It made how they came together, with Wonder Woman, to be a payoff to the chemistry this Birds of Prey team built as a team. The fight on Themyscira sold this roster as being one to be invested in.
The ending of Birds of Prey #6 also established the future of this series. Specifically, answering why Barbara Gordon was left out of the roster that launched the series. That reason provides a long-term mission that will hover over this series as other stories are told. It also gives an entry point for Barbara to now be part of the team with this secret mission directly impacting her status quo. That all creates a strong hook for why Birds of Prey is a series from DC Comics not to miss out on reading.
DUKE #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Duke #3 is a great example of how to maximize a setting. No matter how big or small, as long as you can tell a compelling narrative the comic book can draw you in. That’s what Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly do with Duke locked up in prison with Baroness as his neighbor. Their chemistry shines throughout the issue. Even though these are new versions of the characters the aura Duke and Baroness carry are felt. That allows how the greater story going on in Energon Universe is developed in Duke #3 to be an important comic book for fans.
Baroness in particular steals the show. Williamson and Reilly balance out telling Baroness’ Energon Universe origin while making sure Duke is still the focus. The combination of the two makes the developments in this issue hit it out of the park. The ending leaves plenty of questions as to how things will go next as we get closer to the endgame of this story.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/duke-3-advance-review/
THE INFERNALS #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Noah Gardner and Ryan Parrott
Artists: John J. Pearson and Lola Bonato
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Not every story needs to have a character you like. We have many examples of a cast of characters where no one is likable. That is where Noah Gardner, Ryan Parrott, and John Pearson’s The Infernals #1 comes in. The story is compelling because of how the characters are all portrayed as unlikable. The world created enhances what each character represents.
The series debuts right out of the gate as the demonic version of Succession. The son of Satan having to reflect on his death bed that the empire he has created is not going to be left in the best hands. Each of his kids may have an aspect that can run his empire, but their respective flaws are so great that the son of Satan is left uneasy. That all leads to one of the more intriguing narratives we got introduced this month.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/the-infernals-1-advance-review/
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Amy Jo Johnson and Matt Hotson
Artist: Nico Leon
Colorists: Francesco Segala and Gloria Martinelli
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Easily the comic book that I was most anticipating in 2024 was Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return. Amy Jo Johnson, Matt Hotson, and Nico Leon did not disappoint with an absolute home run of a debut issue. They immediately got across what the world would be if the original six Power Rangers stayed together rather than certain characters retiring like they did on the TV show.
The story did a great job at respecting each of the characters. Where they all end up in the future made sense for what this team would accomplish and move on to do. At the same time, the story did well in honoring Trini and Tommy with what happened to them. The unknown villain of this series is established as a credible threat with what they do. This is certainly a must-read for all Power Rangers’ fans.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/mighty-morphin-power-rangers-the-return-1-review/
NIGHTWING #111
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad
Artists: Sami Basri and Francesco Francavilla
Inker: Vicente Cifuentes
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Nightwing #111 does an excellent beginning the end of the Heartless Saga that Tom Taylor kicked off his creative run with. Without the villain even appearing on screen, Heartless presence was felt. Immediately we are thrown into the impact of Heartless methods impacts his victim. How Nightwing, along with Batman, respond showcases why he is such a great hero. Its not about a punch being thrown or cool moves. Simply being there for those who need help shows the kind of hero Nightwing is.
This issue also works in the current state of Nightwing and Batman’s relationship post-Gotham War. The way the original Dynamic Duo interact with each shows some tension but it does not get in the way of their work. They have too much history with each other to let one event break their bond. This is best seen with how Batman handles the news Nightwing has lost the ability to jump. The careful handling of this development is an example of what has made Tom Taylor’s run so special.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/nightwing-111-review-heartless-takes-his-talents-to-gotham-city/
PINE & MERRIMAC #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Fran Galan
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
From the moment you open Pine & Merrimac #2 you see all of the energy from the small town our characters live in. Fran Galan packs every panel with so much character, a tone set by the first panel. The opening scenes get you right back into why Linnea and Parker Kent were leads Kyle Starks and Galan got you invested in during the first issue.
Going from this small town opening to a mysterious island adventure opens Pine & Merrimac to a bigger story with the tease of a larger conspiracy going on. The hints to a greater conspiracy makes keeps Linnea and Parker on their toes as they dive deeper into the mystery they are investigating. This all leads to leaving you as the reader looking forward to what will happen next.
SCARLET WITCH & QUICKSILVER #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Lorenzo Tammetta
Colorist: Frank William
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver #1 fully taps into the potential of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff’s dynamic. It’s not only their dynamic that shines but also their history. Steve Orlando and Lorenzo Tammetta embrace the history of both characters to create a story that brings in fans of both characters. It made for a much more compelling read.
Addressing their history with Magneto was what made this issue a standout. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver may not be mutants anymore but their history with Magneto as their father is still there, whether they like it or not. The way this particular relationship the siblings share opened the door so their shared history isn’t something that is swept under the rug. They done things, individually and to each other, that can’t be forgotten. It set-up for what is looking to be one of Marvel’s best comic books of 2024.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/scarlet-witch-quicksilver-1-review/
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Bryan Edward
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Colorist: David Curiel
Letterer: Cory Petit
Ultimate Black Panther #1 is a great example of the potential there is with a new universe. The new Ultimate Universe is an opportunity to explore characters in ways that utilize history of all previous versions across comic books, TV shows, movies, etc. Taking that history to create something new is what Bryan Edward and Stefano Caselli accomplish.
Ultimate Black Panther isn’t just looking to do something new. There are lessons learned of all the successful versions of the character and their world to test T’Challa as Wakanda no longer can avoid what is going on in the Ultimate Universe. How not only T’Challa but other notable, fan favorite characters respond creates a compelling narrative to follow. This leads to Ultimate Black Panther to not just be T’Challa’s story but one of a cast of leads that will carry this series together.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matt Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Progression. That is the first word that comes to mind when reading Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s Ultimate Spider-Man. With how often Spider-Man’s origin story has been told there isn’t anything “new” that can be done with this story. Instead, what we see with Ultimate Spider-Man #2 is how becoming a superhero is about Peter Parker stepping forward.
Best of all, that step forward is being made while addressing Peter doing this in his 30s after he has built a career and family. We already saw in the debut issue how MJ will continue to be Peter’s lightning rod with their supportive relationship. Ultimate Spider-Man #2 brings in Peter and MJ’s daughter, Mayday, to play an important, some could say show stealing, performance. Mayday’s role in what Peter as Spider-Man represents makes this journey so much more compelling.
Full Review: https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/ultimate-spider-man-2-review/