GNE Reviews

 Outriders feels very much like an old-school shooter with many elements from some of the most beloved shooters in gaming history.  Developer: People Can Fly Publisher: Square Enix Platforms _______________________________ Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X/S Stadia Release April 1, 2021 In Outriders: Humanity's efforts to colonize the alien planet, Enoch, went astray as the expedition team encountered a massive energy storm, known as "The Anomaly", during their search for a mysterious signal—which may indicate hope for humanity's future. The storm grants both Enoch's inhabitants and the colonists  superpowers. My favorite thing about Outriders was its ability to create a hybrid shooter with RPG elements that provide us with a mixture of brutal, and bloody combat that is frantic and energetic and one hell of a fun time.  The character customization gives RPG fas a taste of what is arguably one of the most time-consuming and a

  ‘BRZRKR’, the new series with illustrations from Ron Garney & Matt Kindt/Keanu Reeves’ penned a premiere issue that is as immortal as our protagonist. Writers: Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt Artist: Ron Garney Colors: Bill Crabtree Letters: Clem Robins Published by: Boom! Studios The premiere issue of BRZRKR, the new series from Boom! Studios and written by the duo of Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt is a bloody, action-packed thrill ride of mayhem and destruction. Did I mention it’s bloody? BRZRKR is one of those rare series that is created for a much broader audience as well as comic book fans. Matt Kindt, who is no stranger to providing us with some of the most adored series' on comic book shelves, collaborates with the genius of Keanu Reeves who brings an element to the dialogue and plot that I can I imagine only he could present, plus he’s JOHN FREAKING WICK! This is the perfect storm of a creative team ladies and gentlemen, From the first page, as we are dragged through an acti

  ** WARNING** ** CONTAINS SPOILERS** Radiant Black #1 Writer: Kyle Higgins Artist: Marcelo Costa Letters: Becca Carey Publisher: Image Comics I went into this book expecting to see particular groundwork that we can sometimes see in an origin story. Something I did not expect was to see was such a relatable character. Many of us have found ourselves in situations that truly test our will, it’s a climb that many of us will always look up at in defeat. That is Nathan Burnett, our protagonist. He followed his dream, and it remained nothing but a dream. From the first few pages, we see that the pursuit of writing has left him broken. I’m not talking about Anakin Skywalker turning to the dark side broke, but more-so, Eeyore with a rain cloud hanging over his head broken. On the brink of financial ruin, Nathan asks the million-dollar question. Why will banks only lend us money when we have money? Higgins does a spectacular job of writing a character we can instantly feel empathetic for. Cost

  David Booher and Drew Zucker have created a magical world that new readers of today will look back on like we do with The Wizard of Oz. Once again we find ourselves fairing farewell to our little tin hero. This time, with knowing that he will return for more adventures in 2021. His next journey will be “Canto & The City of Giants”. After having read the final issue of this mini-series, I can say with almost certainty, that this upcoming series will be concluding the journey that Booher and Zucker embarked on in 2019. I believe that very rarely do we know that we are experiencing a series that will become an icon in comic book history. This series will be talked about for a long time and finds its place, in my opinion, with the likes of Saga, Monstress & The Wicked + The Divine. We are witnessing the creation of a series that will inspire many of the future creators in the coming years! In the final issue of our 5 issue mini-series of Canto II, Canto has made his way up the Ye

Writer: Conor McCreery Artist: V.V. Glass Colors: Natalia Nesterenko Letters: Jim Campbell Published by: Boom! Studios ** WARNING** SPOILERS AHEAD Boom! Studios has never had a shortage of fantasy comics coming out of their line of books. This isn’t a bad thing, because they all have been home runs and they always find a way to give you something different and special with each different series. This is what we get from The Last Witch.  All credit goes to V.V. Glass and Natalia Nesterenko for the first page. For all respects to Conor McCreery’s writing, which is consistently good. The art is what pulls us in straight from the first panel. We are instantly introduced to our protagonist Saoirse, the level of expression that is presented to us on this first page, sets the stage for where most of our story will take place in this issue.  Conor McCreery presents us with some quality character development and sets the premise of the world our characters inhabit. This issue is very much a slo

  Writer: Donny Cates Artist: Geoff Shaw Colors: Dee Cunniffe Letters: John J. Hill Published by Image Comics **WARNING** SPOILERS AHEAD I am sure that everyone spent most of their childhood dreaming they would get to live amongst heroes. Hoping we’d look up and catch a glimpse of Superman as he zooms through the skies of Metropolis. Walking past Avengers Tower and hoping this would be the day you get to see an Avenger! Hoping one day you would get to do much as touch the rainbow bridge of Asgard. Who wouldn’t want to walk a dark alley of Gotham City... well okay, maybe not this last one.  Crossover has given us this and more... Something we failed to realize as children, is the fact that all the greatness of these heroes coming to our world, would also bring the horrors that plague these fictional worlds. Our worlds have collided albeit unsteadily.  Where issue # 1 succeeded in building the world in Crossover, issue # 2 succeeded in setting the foundation for the story. Issue 3 furth

  Written by: David Booher Art by: Drew Zucker Colors by: Vittorio Astone  Published by: IDW Publishing Synopsis: After a tragic loss to his party, Canto sets off alone to complete his quest to lift the curse from his people’s clocks. He knows he must climb the Yellow Mountain, but first, he must face some familiar foes… who may cause him a giant problem. Canto’s penultimate issue has arrived and it’s a GIANT issue. Canto has just lost his dear friend, his party has disbanded, and our tin hero has set off on his own. A familiar path our hero has taken before. That’s not the only familiarity in this issue, for shortly into the issue we encounter two familiar voices. THE GREAT GUARDIANS OF DIS! This is a completely refreshing and not-so-surprising encounter. They are by far two of my f

  Written by: Aimee Garcia & AJ Mendez Art by: Martin Coccolo Colors by: Katrina Mae Hao Letters by: Neil Uyetake Published by: IDW Publishing SYNOPSIS: As Runa, Saarvin, Patience, Amos, and Belvyre trek across the icy tundra in search of a hidden city whose magic could help save their own, they find themselves at the mercy of the blighted landscape… and hunted by unimaginable monsters. Based on the massively popular game and featuring a brand-new cast of characters, written by New York Times bestselling author AJ Mendez and writer/actor Aimee Garcia! Let me start out with a fair warning, I have never had the opportunity to play Dungeons & Dragons. Not for lack of trying, I have just never had the opportunity to join a party. My apologies if anything went over my head. That being said, as a fantasy/adventure comic, this series definitely ranks among my favorites. There’s something special about watching an RPG’esque story unfold with a party that comes together through matters

  Issue #1 of the 3 issues mini-series hits the ground running with Johns’ and Fabok’s immensely groundbreaking work. The character focuses on Red Hood and Batgirl while pushing the plot forward with the Joker.... or Jokers. All the while, giving Batman the panels that Batman demands, (because come on he’s Batman.) It really is truly impressive work by Geoff Johns. The creative team gave us a beautifully balanced first issue that will take you from the ominous streets of Gotham resonating its inner Black Sad for us noir detective fans to the action-packed panels showcasing the fighting skills of our favorite Bat-family members. This issue leaves us contemplating whether a certain character got the vengeance he deserved or if, like the Joker put it, “You are my Robin”.  - Sir Thomas

  Writer: Rich Douek Artist: Alex Cormack Publisher: IDW Comics Sea of Sorrows is a complimentary title to the horror comic written by Rich Douek and art by Alex Cormack. The first issue alone is able to set the plot to what will become an eerie unwonted story of treasures, war, and the vast mysterious ocean. Deke has persuaded Owney Madden to let him take a crew out to sea, in a gamble to find treasures and repay his debt to him. What they are searching for is an uncharted German boat that was rumored to have goods, specifically gold. Shoals emerge holding the beam of relief and greed that confirms the fate of everyone aboard. As the crew spends the night getting lost in celebrations, Shoal's mind drifts to the creature he perceived to have encountered down below. With the reteaming of Douek and Cormack, Sea of sorrows starts off strong by luring you with story plots that will never fall from enticing. Cormack is able to visually capture the essence of a cre

  Synopsis:  In Scandinavian folklore, there exists a vengeful ghost known as the Myling. A man traveling at night comes across a haunting cry from within the forest. He enters it to find a spirit who demands to be carried to its proper burial site. The man agrees, but as he travels forth, the spirit's grip tightens... it grows in size...and the man moves slower and slower. Can he unburden himself of this terrifying weight before it brings him down for good? Boom! Studios has a true horror comic headed our way on March 11th with Jim Henson’s newest entry of The Storyteller: Ghosts # 1 is from cartoonist Márk László, colorist Patricio Delpeche, and letterer Jim Campbell. The first of a four-issue anthology mini-series based on the Emmy Award-winning television show The Storyteller: Ghost Stories sets the tone with a morbid tale of the Myling. Traditionally the issue begins with The Storyteller and their canine companion which right here should be a BIG selling point in which th

  Writer: Gabby Rivera Artist: Royal Dunlap Colors: Kieran Quigley Letters: Jim Campbell Published by: Boom! Box, an imprint of Boom! This is only the third installment of this amazing series by Gabby Rivera and Royal Dunlap. I feel like an issue hasn’t come out in a long time and I was very excited to get my hands on this and finally find out what’s next for b.b. free. This comic keeps you hooked. If the story isn’t driving you crazy and making you want more then the art and colors keep you pining for more of Rivera’s twist of a fractured United States. Every issue exposes a little but also forms a slew of new questions. It’s equally satisfying and exasperating. In this specific issue, you finally get to see Chulita kick some ass, which is awesome seeing as she’s wheelchair-bound and there’s a stigma that comes with a wheelchair that this comic obliterates. This series does a great job of giving you 2 incredibly strong female characters who go against every societal norm you can thin

  I grew up with superheroes being a big part of my life, much like most children I would assume. My earliest memories of Spider-Man are the 90's series which along with X-Men also of the '90s shaped the beginning of my love for Marvel. Along with that came the side-scrolling Spider-Man game for the SNES. It may not seem like much now but those of us who played it definitely remember the thrill of being tasked with the "great responsibility" of being Spider-Man even if it was in a video game. Fast forward to the year 2000 and the web-slinger had broken out of his side-scrolling saving the world duties and had busted out into an open-world sandbox video game with Spider-Man on Playstation 1. This game also based on the 90's series The Amazing Spider-Man and powered by the Tony Hawk Pro Skater kicked open the door for how AMAZING Spider-Man was to me. This game also led to one of my favorite Spider-Man entries with Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace on the Gameboy A