2026 Comic Log

I... genuinely think this is one of my favorite runs of all time. Mind you, Daredevil is one of my favorite characters and I am a relatively newer comic fan, but holy shit. Zdarsky's characterization of Matt is so on-point every single issue was just a straight up plessure to read. Coupled with Checchetto's gorgeous art, and the other artists who sub in for issues here and there, this is like an all-time series for me. I loved seeing how Matt, a deeply Catholic man, grappled with being the cause of someone's death after sticking to a strict no-killing code this whole time. I loved seeing Electra's Daredevil have some moral struggles of her own with her little sidekick. The interactions between Peter and Matt in this run are, I'm not even lying, probably the best in Marvel comic history. I just loved this run, man.

DAMIAN WAYNE THEY COULD NEVER MAKE ME HATE YOU!!!!!! God this is such a sweet story. I wish this was canon, but I'll settle for just knowing it's real in my heart LOL. I'm extremely fond of Damian, he's my favorite Robin and one of my favorite characters, period, but I often feel like writers dismiss his backstory and his heritage. He was raised as a cold-blooded assassin that wasn't allowed to make mistakes, of course he's going to struggle adapting to Bruce's morale code and freak out when he feels like his position in the Wayne family is threatened. This story does a great job at highlighting these struggles. The stand-out issue is, of course, the one between Damian and Jason Todd. They're jealous of each other for exact opposite reasons, but they still care about the other. I also appreciate that Ba avoids making Jason out to be some cruel villain without a heart like a lot of DC writers do (coughMorrisoncough).

At this point, what can I say about the Absolute universe that anyone else hasn't said? An insane, balls-to-the-walls, fresh take on Batman's orgins that actually feels original for once and doesn't feel like a slog to turn the page. I've seen people market this as a good starting point for new comic fans/readers, and I would tentatively agree with you, but I feel like you may get the wrong idea of what modern day Batman stories look like from this. Still- you should read this. Like right now. Go on. Read this.

This was so beautiful it genuinely made me tear up. It feels like I keep giving all these comics 5 stars, but that's just because there are so many good ones out there I happened to pick up. This one, in particular, feels like it sits above the rest of them in terms of quality. It's utterly gorgeous from the writing, the pacing, the characters, and, holy shit, THE ART. The art in issue one, by Phil Jimenez, in particular is awe-inspiring, but every artist and colorist who worked on this did such an amazing. I beg you, if you're someone looking at my nonsense reviews, to go look this comic up and just scroll through it. This is less of a "DC superhero comic" and more of a Greek mythology story. This comic made me feel so much rage at the injustices done to women all across the world and throughout history, and makes me realize just how little has truely changed for most women in our modern world, and yet, it tells you to still be compassionate. Violence and rage can be justified and used, but it should not be the default. Your kindness and ability to forgive can be more impactful than raising a sword.

So this encompasses all of Tom Taylor's run on Nightwing. I'll be honest, I don't think you're going to find a more devisive comic run in modern DC history than this one. I'm... unimpressed by this. For all intents, this should be a 3 star to me, but there are just so many better takes on Dick's character that this just being "passable" doesn't cut it. The highs in this run are very high, though most are due to the art and flow of action between a panels, and not really because of the writing. The lows? Well. Dick comes off as "goofy, lovable himbo with slightly troubled past" for most of this run, and it doesn't leave a good taste in the mouth. Everything is... fine, but just slightly off. I just think there are better Nightwing runs you could be spending your time reading.

HOLY SHIT. This was such a surprise gem for me. It's unfortunate that this is one of those stories you really need to slog through the first few issues of for it to become anything good. It follows an almost textbook plot progression for the first 4 issues of a down-on-his-luck protagonist randomly coming into contact with wacky magical space powers and woah- suddenly he can do all this stuff, woah! But it randomly takes a sharp, kinda dark(ish) turn at issue 4, and then the story just... like, randomly improves significantly. It's so crazy to me. And then, issue 10 has some of the best emotional pay-off I've ever read in a comic. I've so glad I suck with this, and will happily be continuing on as it comes out.

Hm. I have a difficult relationship with the IRL Lex Luther's works, but Damian would not exist without him, so I have to tolerate his strange writing choices. I'm not at all a fan of how Talia is made out during this run, but the relationship between Dick as Batman and Damian as Robin is one I love to this day. The first Robin coming back to dawn the cowl he never wanted to have in the first place and the newest Robin who believes he is owed his position and the future cowl as a part of his birthright. There's some major downs in this series (coughVibratorHeadJasonToddcough), but as a whole... I do like this run, and think fondly of it. I just wish it wasn't so, uh... smeared.