All-Rounder Meguru, Volume 2 by Hiroki Endo Review

Young Meguru continues his MMA training in the wake of his first book defeats. But his new teacher’s a GIRL – ewwww! And he’s got a new sparring partner – who’s also a GIRL! Groooossss - cootie alert!

Johnny Appleseed: Green Dreamer of the American Frontier Review (Paul M. Buhle, Noah Van Sciver)

(Movie trailer voice) At a time of change… in a new world… there was a man… a bearded man… who wandered the land spreading a message of peace, kindness, love… and apple seeds. A legendary man some called JC… probably. John Chapman was – Johnny Appleseed! And he had a boring life!

Powers of X #1 Review (Jonathan Hickman, R.B. Silva)

So, one of the lingering questions from last week’s underwhelming House of X #1 was the meaning of the title – the “X” supposedly meant “ten” as in the Roman numeral. Right off the bat of Powers of X #1, Jonathan Hickman explains it, as well as the structure of his X-Men story: X0 is Year 1 (the past, or “classic” X-Men) and X1 is Year 10, which is the timeline House of X is set in – so that’s the meaning of the “ten”; House of X is X-Men Year 10. Ten years from when the X-Men were founded, in this timeline, I guess?

The Defenders: The Best Defense Review (Al Ewing, Gerry Duggan)

Doctor Strange is dead, Hulk, Namor and Silver Surfer are putzing about, and someone wearing a sheet is stabbing people. The Best Defense is the worst Defenders book I’ve read yet!

Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter Review (Kelly Thompson, Mattia de Iulis)

Jessica Jones’ daughter Danielle has suddenly turned purple! Buh how?! Zebediah Killgrave, the Purple Man, is dead – isn’t he???

Superman, Volume 6: Imperius Lex Review (Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason)

Lex booms the Superfam over to Apokolips to become its saviour because Superman is somehow The Chosen One – yowzers, Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason sure are imaginative, original writers! Why does Lex suddenly care about Apokolips’ wellbeing? Because contrived bullshit. Tomasi/Gleason are horrible writers, they don’t need reasons! He might’ve had reasons but I was beyond bored to notice. And Lex is bopping around in a Superman armor these days and pretending to be good so the reason was probably equally dumb and uncharacteristic anyway.

The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis Review

The Man Who Fell to Earth is my second Walter Tevis novel and unfortunately I didn’t like it anywhere near as much as I did The Queen’s Gambit.

Jimmy Olsen #1 Review (Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber)

Matt Fraction becomes the latest former Marvel writer to join DC, alongside his buddy Brian Bendis (Superman) and wife Kelly-Sue DeConnick (Aquaman), making his debut with Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #1, the first part of a 12 issue limited series.

Queen and Country, Volume 1: Broken Ground Review (Greg Rucka, Steve Rolston)

Wow, this is one of the most tedious comics I’ve read in some time! It’s basically super-shite Bond. Female Bond-esque agent goes on a generic hit job somewhere out east – the Russians are the villains once again, unsurprisingly given how uncreative this book is – before heading back to Vauxhall Cross for a debrief. Cue endless interminable scenes of interdepartmental squabbling between bureaucrats from MI5 and MI6!

House of X #1 Review (Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz)

Mutant numbers are drastically on the rise. New projections show that in 20 years homo superior will eclipse homo sapiens as Earth’s dominant species. The X-Men are united under the leadership of Charles Xavier and are gathering all mutants to the mutant nation of Krakoa. They have consolidated power through creating powerful new drugs to aid humanity that cure its most devastating physical and mental diseases and extends longevity. But where did this new medicine come from? Will the rest of the world respect Krakoa’s sovereignty or will the mutants have to fight for their right to party exist as a nation? And what’s going on in the disembodied Sentinel head floating near the sun…

Nichijou, Volume 6 by Keiichi Arawi Review

Nichijou Volume 6 is one of the weakest books in Keiichi Arawi’s series yet.

Invincible Iron Man: Ironheart, Volume 2: Choices Review (Brian Michael Bendis, Stefano Caselli)

Iron-Riri’s still getting used to being Marvel’s latest young black girl Tony Stark derivative not called Moon Girl! But life’s hard for a super-genius with unlimited resources. Wait - no it isn’t! But she’s got Choices to make! She’s gotta pick between an MIT scholarship, a spot on the Champions or working for Stark Industries! Wait - no she doesn’t! She’s already picked Tony. Huh… I guess have her fight some nobodies and beat them easily? The Bendis standard it is!

The Order of the Day by Éric Vuillard Review

Eric Vuillard recounts certain scenes from the 1930s during Hitler’s rise to power: German business titans giving money to fund his political campaigns, Hitler bullying Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg into agreeing to the Anschluss, and Neville Chamberlain and co.’s failed attempts at appeasement.

Giant Days, Volume 12 Review (John Allison, Max Sarin)

Ed and Neen have their first fight, Daisy takes a driving test and will Ess have a fling with - gasp! - Dean Thompson?! Also Su-Pto dons the proverbial deerstalker (and Esther’s goth scarf) to hunt down the comics shop thief before returning to the fearsome Northampton for the nuptials of McGraw’s pranktacular bro Frank and a member of the hated Shaw clan. It’s all to play for in Giant Days, Volume the 12th!