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In this week’s Wednesday Comics Reviews, we take a look (heh) at Blink and You’ll Miss It, get romantic with Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire, take a hike with Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone, and more! We also look ahead at Everything Dead and Dying #1, the latest from Tiny Onion! Plus, as always … The Prog Report!
Blink and You’ll Miss It #1
Writers: Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan
Art: Keith Browning
Colors: Brad Simpson
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Review by Clyde Hall
Hemingway may have regarded ‘home’ as a place left behind in order to come back afterward, but he clearly didn’t hail from Perennial Harbor. Jessica Harmon only returned there armed with hope and a prayer regarding her childhood friend, a soulmate consigned to the rearview a lifetime ago. The good news, she does reconnect with Melody. The worst news, she also reconnects with Perennial Harbor. It’s remote and picturesque. It’s virtually unchanged since those long ago childhood days.
And Jesse finds herself engulfed by it like a mosquito trapped in amber. But this is an amber that sucks your blood. Or at least that’s the atmosphere effectively established in the first issue of Blink and You’ll Miss It. Writers Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan weave a skein of unease from Jesse’s narration, one that coaxes the reader in and slowly shares details regarding our protagonist, her parents, Mel, and the town. By centering on Jesse and Mel in their shared past and in their eventual reconnect almost a half century later, Parker and Sheridan also present a tale appealing to multiple generations.
In effect, they’re first issue guides us in piecing together the puzzle of Perennial Harbor as Jesse retraces her steps through a creepy homecoming. But even in the midst of malaise, there’s still a moment of nostalgic craving, my favorite part of the story. Because, no matter how hellish, where we took our first steps have enduring power residing in pleasant recollections. How often are we lured back to somewhere we’d rather not be by minor, dangled desires floating with fondness in our reminiscences?
In the wrap up, there’s a definite reunion between Jesse and Mel, but one that only levels up the uncertainty of their situation. Especially when it turns into a community convocation, a moment which resonates somewhere between Briga-doom and Stranger Things: TNG.
Artist Keith Browning does a good job matching the pulse of the script with a moody, faux innocence style. It’s stoked by the subdued colors of Brad Simpson. Together, they capture Perennial Harbor’s essence as an eerie, oversized snow globe of sinister intent. One you’d fear shaking, just in case it summoned something even a Dybbuk box couldn’t contain.
If you’re searching for late summer reads that carry an autumn chill, look no further than the premiere of Blink and You’ll Miss It. Just be advised that the creative team is building suspense and unwrapping the riddle of this surreal setting slowly. So, it may not be a cuppa if action and high tides of gore are your horror comic preferences. But if you enjoy being steeped lovingly in a baleful, potent brew promising nightmares to follow, this title will satisfy.
Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire #1
Writer: Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
Artist: Alex Nieto
Letterer: Clem Robins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Review by Jared Bird
The latest in the ongoing line of Hellboy in Love miniseries, The Art of Fire sees Hellboy, B.P.R.D Agent and everyone’s favorite demonic hero, once more accompanied by archeologist Anastasia Bransfield. Their journey takes them on a trek to Iceland in search of evidence of a seemingly impossible network of occultists. When an old dig site holds answers, Anastasia and Hellboy will go on one of their riskiest adventures together yet.
Following up from 2023’s The Key To It All one-shot, the two lovers continue their search for the mysterious Suaren Artea cult, going back to the site of one of Anastasia’s first digs as an archeologist with her new found understanding of the supernatural hoping to aid in their search for answers. As with previous entries in the Hellboy In Love line, there’s a romantic, pulpy and adventurous tone to this, less serious and gothic than many mainline Hellboy entries. You can read this miniseries without having read the previous ones, as it sets up the core conflict well on its own merits, but I would recommend checking out previous entries to get the full experience. It’s very much in the side of Hellboy that’s firmly a swashbuckling adventure – whilst some might not enjoy that element as much, I think it’s fun and it helps add depth and a different side to Hellboy’s adventures. They’re not all haunting and melancholic. Big Red’s relationship with Anastasia remains a really well-written dynamic for the character, bringing out a cute and wholesome side to the character and his romantic desire to be loved, something the mainline comics mostly avoided going into depth about. There is still a sense of tension however, because Hellboy is not with Anastasia in later entries in the concluded main story, so every threatening encounter has a sense of fear to it, given Anastasia’s uncertain fate.
The script, by the now-regular Hellboy writing team of Mike Mignola (the series’ original creator) and Christopher Golden, is really good. It’s witty and fun, with Golden’s sensibilities helping keep the character of Hellboy feel fresh and unique even after so many entries focused on him. The two work together incredibly seamlessly, creating one singular voice that works well for the new direction the overall Hellboy universe has been shifting to for the last few years. They both handle the whimsical, fun tone of this series well, creating an interesting and exciting read reminiscent of classic pulp adventures but with a modern flair to them. The artwork, illustrated and colored by upcomer Alex Nieto, is fun and fits in well with the house style that the Hellboy universe has. It’s got a cute, cartoon-like element that particularly thrives during the scenes of flirting and dialogue between Hellboy and Anastasia, but also works during the climax of the first issue when magical events begin to happen and things start to get a bit more intense. Whilst it’s still a little clear that Nieto needs a bit more experience in some aspects of the process of making comics, the book still looks good, and I would not mind seeing his artwork continue to feature in the larger universe.
Overall, Hellboy in Love: The Art of Fire #1 is a fun read – a pulpy, romantic adventure with good character writing. Long-time fans will enjoy another installment in the larger ongoing Hellboy saga, that continues to flesh out his character and show a new and different side of him. Anastasia remains one of the most compelling characters that Mignola has introduced in years, so it’s great to see more of her and her fun dynamic with Hellboy himself. With solid art and a good script, it’s a cute and pulpy adventure that’s easy to get lost in, which is sometimes all you need.
Godzilla: Escape the Dead Zone #1
Writers: Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan
Artist:Pablo Tunica
Letterer and Designer: Nathan Widick
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Review by Jordan Jennings
This week we are treated to the latest book in IDW’s newest Godzilla initiative, Kai-Sei era, with Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1. The book follows the survivors of the Godzilla attacks on Seattle, Washington and the larger Pacific Northwest area. The region, long declared a Deadzone by the US Government, is full of humans, kaiju, and something in between. Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan do a stand out job finding a niche in this new Godzilla shared universe with this title. We have seen Kaiju attack survivors in other Godzilla stories, but until recently they weren’t the focus of the story. Yes, the humans in Godzilla movies and comics have been a long time central feature, but we rarely focus on the human element in the long-term aftermath of an attack.
Longtime readers of the Wednesday Comics column will know I am a strong advocate for the human angle in Godzilla stories. I think they are essential to Godzilla because they provide a connection for us to this fantastical world of giant, irradiated dinosaurs. We see people deal with Godzilla related trauma in the Heisei era of films, as they are the tightest narrative between Godzilla films when compared to the other era, but Escape the Deadzone does something different. It focuses on the YEARS after a Godzilla attack. This has become more commonplace in Godzilla related books with Mothra Queen of Monsters, UltraMega, and some of the recent Godzilla Rivals comics showcasing this lingering damage and how society responds. What makes Escape the Deadzone stand apart from the rest is that the book is effectively a Western with a man/kaiju with no name wandering the Deadzone trying to get by.
Parker and Sheridan don’t really focus on Godzilla much in this issue. He only makes a brief Eye-Catching appearance in the early pages. This allows for the world to grow and breathe some. The book is paced excellently and doesn’t drag any one place too long, much like the unnamed protagonist. The use of a 3rd person narrator may be a bit much for some readers, but I personally enjoy that narrative device in comics. I don’t always want to be in the character’s head and instead just see the action and have the narrator just allude to the weight of the moment.
The art by Pablo Tunica is the definitive star of the show. It is extremely dynamic and cartoonish at times. Tunica’s designs for this weird Cyberpunk post-apocalypse is damn delightful and we see a lot of neat visual nods to other Godzilla stories as well as just some great world building. The design of the Human/Kaiju hybrid protagonist is captivating and grotesque. It manages to thread that needle between goofy and scary quiet well and I don’t believe many other artists could do just that.
I deeply enjoyed Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1. It does something the other Godzilla books just don’t do much of and does it well. I highly recommend any Godzilla fan to check this one out.
Ancestral Recall #1
Writer: Jordan Clark
Artist: Atagun İlhan
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Review by Khalid Johnson
On first impression, Ancestral Recall made me think about the legacy of Black storytelling and the way that we keep the memories of our ancestors alive through our stories and in our actions. Writer Jordan Clark defines ancestral recall as an instinctual bridge from past to present. From present to future. Black history is infused on the pages of this first issue, beautifully illustrated by Atagun İlhan as we meet figures from the past, intertwining themselves with the actions of our protagonist, painter Melvin Waring.
İlhan’s art is expressive, with beautiful colors and a sense of warmth as we are situated in Oakland, California. An apt comparison here is Everything Everywhere All At Once, where different versions of Evelyn Wang across the multiverse help inform our Evelyn as she fights to save her daughter. Melvin is informed not by the multiverse, but by figures in time, in Black history, connecting across the diaspora, from L.A. in 1932 to Spain in 1814 in this issue. Our setup here is Melvin struggling to find artistic inspiration for his next painting as his wife, art dealer, and agent, June Waring works to support him both as a professional and romantic partner.
It’s very endearing to see older, mature Black love as is shown on these pages; Melvin and June have some loving banter and feel organic even as Melvin is generally a disgruntled man who doesn’t really seem to be too sociable outside of June. As a conspiracy of disappearances makes its way to Melvin through neighbor Myran Byun it finds its way into Melvin’s home as June disappears, setting Melvin on a journey with Myran to go find his wife. The supernatural elements kick up from there, with a backdrop of corporations and artificial intelligence creeping into the lives of our characters and the environments, highlighted by Black history and further connecting itself to our reality.
As people are being abducted and disappeared, history teaches us to resist and here it teaches Melvin how to fight back, where to begin to search. A strength of this work is that it encouraged me to look into these people, these ancestors. Where Melvin is pulled to ancestral recall, the reader is invited into this recollection and truly I think this is a premise that sings as it celebrates Black history, an immutable presence that has shaped our present and continues to shape our future.
This is a compelling first issue, smartly written with beautiful art and some inspired paneling especially in the last few pages, and I am excited to read more.
FOC Watch
These books are available for pre-order now.
Everything Dead and Dying #1
Writer: Tate Brombal
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Colorist: Pip Martin
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics – Tiny Onion
Publication Date: September 3, 2025
Review by Zack Quaintance
I’m not sure how much I can really say about this one without spoiling some of the central qualities that make it a compelling read, but I will try my best to articulate what makes Everything Dead & Dying a very worthy comic to pick-up. I think first and foremost, it’s important to know that this is a very moody comic. Everything Dead and Dying is without question a horror story, one that as the above cover implies features illness and the undead, but moreover, writer Tate Brombal has scripted a story that deals in universally-relatable terrors, in things like imagining your loved ones suffering and also in occupying a prison of denial.
It’s from these familiar fears that the genre touches in Everything Dead and Dying grow. The other central quality that seems likely to reel in most readers is, of course, the artwork of Jacob Phillips, who is quietly establishing himself as the go-to creator for far-flung stories of rural America. Phillips has honed his visualizations of this setting (which is, presumably, a bit unfamiliar to him, as he’s British) for years now, dating back to his star turn on That Texas Blood. And it shows in this book. Everything from the scenes out in the field to the farmhouse interiors are really spot-on. And colorist Pip Martin enhances it all the further, doing the tricky work of oscillating between Americana and gritty, bloody horror viscera. And, of course, Aditya Bidikar remains arguably the best letterer working today.
So, all the individual contributions in this book are absolutely ace. And — again, I don’t want to spoil it — Everything Dead and Dying #1 also has somewhat of a twist ending that makes it feel like a different sort of zombie story, or at least one that wants to use a fresh jumping off point to explore the genre. I’m not entirely sure the western setting has earned its way in just yet — honestly, it feels like this one could be set in any pastoral smalltown, but hey, westerns are fun.
Overall, Everything Dead and Dying #1 gets a very strong recommendation from me, ranking as it does in the upper tier of new #1 debut issues I’ve read this year. Don’t miss it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones
Writer: Alex Paknadel
Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letterer and Designer: Darran Robinson
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Publication Date: September 17, 2025
Review by Zack Quaintance
I’ve really been enjoying the reinvigorated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles main book, driven by the powerhouse creative team of Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra, and I expect to continue enjoying it once they cede the reigns to Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II. But I only really bring that up to point out that this first year of the new run has focused in depth on the four Turtles themselves, at times to the detriment of catching up with TMNT’s underrated supporting cast.
But the line is starting to change that, bringing in great creators to tell stories with the peripheral characters that flesh out the Turtles’ well-known world. Later this month, we’re getting a new Shredder book with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #1 from Dan Watters, Michele Bandini, and team. And then in September, we’re getting a Casey Jones centered series from Alex Paknadel, Amancay Nahuelpan, Luis Antonio Delgago, and Darran Robinson. This is, quite simply, great news.
See, Casey Jones had sort of been shunted away from the Turtles to make way for the current storyline, shot and left to recuperate largely off panel — until now. This book finds Jones still nursing his injuries, battling both the physical and emotional fallout. As the story in this new #1 progresses, Jones starts to get back to his old ways, wielding his sports gear and taking the fight to the streets of New York City.
In this way, I think it’s basically everything you could want from a Casey Jones comic. It feels easy enough to get into even if you’re not entirely up on the character’s recent history (there’s an inobtrusive and effective recap of his status quo), and it also reels you in with his fight to first recover and next to save a small mutant who’s about to be harmed by Jones’ former gang. There’s great character-centric work, classic Turtles ninja action, and a nice setup for what’s to come in the rest of this series.
I’ve written this before, but it’s a great time to be a Turtles fan. And books like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones are keeping those good times rolling, bashing them along with a bent-ass golf club, as it were.
The Prog Report
- 2000AD 2444 (Rebellion): This week’s Prog serves up the best chapter of Judge Dredd: Tunnels yet, leading us deep into the mutated jungle and delivering an absolutely savage set of revelations. The real star of the show in the strip is the artwork by RM Guera, with colors by Giulia Brusco. This has been an interesting story, with Dredd travelling to this world’s version of Brazil and brushing up against what seem to be pro democracy fighting forces. This week’s chapter takes it to a more savage place, one that feels both surprising and inevitable, and all of a sudden it’s feels like we’re reading a Dredd-ified take on Heart of Darkness. And I love it. The rest of the creative team here is writer Rob Williams and letterer Annie Parkhouse. This week’s cover (above) is by Lee Carter. As always, you can pick up a digital copy of The Prog here. —Zack Quaintance
Column edited by The Beat’s reviews editor, Zack Quaintance. Read past entries in the weekly Wednesday Comics reviews series!
Next week, Bug Wars #6 and I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #5 wrap up a pair of great mini-series from Image, and much more!
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