CMYK Reviews

I don’t have time to write full length reviews of everything I read, so this is for the issues that don’t make it. All issues are 2026 unless otherwise noted.

Batwoman #5 (Writer Greg Rucka, Artist DaNi, Colors Matt Hollingsworth, DC Comics) – Essentially in its own pocket universe, I’ve been a sucker for Kate Kane & Renee Montoya since 52. This title assumes you’re heavily invested in a lot that’s happened since then. I grasp the basics, but this series has not followed the “every comic is someone’s first” adage. It still builds a great story with suspense as Kate tries to reach her sister Beth from the Religion of Crime. Very good art, too – the darkness matches the moody tone of the book. 3.5 stars

D’Orc #6 (Writer/Artist Brett Bean, Colors Frank William, Image) – D’Orc remains one of my absolute favorite series as of right now, and issue #6 is another fantastic release in it. It’s a big hearted story with a great sense of humor that blends nicely with the action through it, not to mention the engaging art that makes those two tones work nicely together. 5 stars

End of Life #6 (Writer Kyle Starks, Artist Steve Pugh, Colors Chris O’Halloran, DC/Vertigo) – We begin arc two of this fantastic Starks/Pugh joint. Eddie Stallion, the protagonist, remains an idiot jerk and that causes him issues pretty quickly when he was supposedly leaving town. Anatogonist Richard Smiley remains despite being imprisoned. This series is tremendously funny while building great tension. A minor but recurrent storyline is that Sophie, who grew up with Eddie, still yearns for him, and he is extremely selfish and blows it every time. She’s a very sympathetic character. 5 stars

Holy Brawl #2 (Writer/Artist Athila Fabbio, Keenspot) – It’s tough to have a great feel for the narrative when it’s been five months since the last issue, but I seem to recall this jumping away from what the previous story was. Art is generally uninteresting and I don’t know why I should get invested in any of it. Speaking of investing, there’s no world in which these issues should be $6 a pop. Also, the issue oddly smelled like gasoline? I’m dropping this. 1.5 stars

Neighborhood Watch #3 (Writer Sarah Gailey, Artist Haining, Colors Rebecca Nalty, Boom!) – Header image is from this issue. Another one of my favorite series right now. The mystery around a woman who was living a double life, that was only understood partially by two people from different worlds, deepens and the police get involved. And they’re not here to help. This is a very intriguing story with expressive art. It juggles the two sides of this split community – a strict housing development and a leftist commune – tidily. 4.5 stars