Scott's Take: The Flesh King: The Discreet Eliminators Series by Richard Kadrey

 

The Flesh King by Richard Kadrey is the second novella in The Discreet Eliminators series that began with The Pale House Devil. I had thought I had reviewed that one, but neither I nor dad can find any trace of it here on the blog.

 

The trio of hit people are now in New York City and living in a former police station. The local mob want them to go after a serial killer called the Flesh King. This killer is absorbing the flesh of people and leaving what’s left behind in a mess. Of course, this is getting the attention of the police who have no idea what they are actually dealing with. The local mob wants them to cap this freak and then they will talk about hiring them for actually paying work. So, the hunt begins.

 

This is a dark horror themed story with plenty of action and some humor. There is a good amount of character development in the short run time of this book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The ending sets up another book, but we will see if we get it.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4asRBzE

 

 

My slim hardback reading copy came from the Central, aka Downtown, Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: Bug Wars Book One: Lost in the Yard by Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Colorist), and Becca Carey (Designer)

  

Bug Wars Book One: Lost in the Yard by Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Colorist), and Becca Carey (Designer) is a weird book. I am not sure who the intended audience is. It’s sort of Game of Thrones-ish, sort of Conan-is, sort of a lot of fantasy adventure deals. No matter what you try and compare it to, the deal is told from a kid’s perspective of life among the bugs with bug worldbuilding pages by his dad. It is weird.

 

A kid and his family are forced to move to his deceased dad’s place. Slade has inherited his father’s love of bugs. Sydney, his brother,  has an intense hatred of them and blames them for the death of their father. During an argument between the two, Slade is shrunk to the size of a bug and winds up outside the home. He is now stuck in bug world. A word that is remarkably like his own normal world. He now seeks to survive, get back to normal size, and return home. He also wants to uncover why his father died and protect his brother from the bugs vengeance.

 

There is nudity, bestiality, violence, cussing, torture, slavery, and way more. This is a very adult book that, for some reason, stars a child protagonist. It is not ever clear if he is a pre teen or a little older. The read also comes across to this reader as two different books stuck together. Some aspects of it seems forced.

 

The art is excellent, even though most of the humanoid insects end up looking basically human except for some minor changes. The world building is interesting, even if the bug facts were disgusting and made me hate bugs even more. There is a larger world built up.

 

Major Spoiler---the book synopsis claims Slade will uncover the truth about his father’s death. That does not happen at all. Maybe the sequel will explain. The book raises more questions than answers.

 

There will be a second book and a one shot about the witch spiders released at some point. How it will be collected has yet to be announced. The title of the second story arc is The Fellowship of The Fucked-Up. Clearly a play on the Lord of The Rings series.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4taWpRB

 

My paperback reading copy came from the Vickery Park Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman

  

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman is the third book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and my least favorite of the series so far. I got tired of the basic concept of the book before the end.

 

In this book, Carl and friends are forced to fight underground in a series of tunnels, subways, etc. And that’s the book. They flight underground in various locations and conditions.

 

There is intrigue from human crawlers, and world building, and a ton of action. The human crawlers are finally working together. A lot of the supporting characters get to come back here. There is humor and it is a fun read, but the concept does not really need a five hundred plus page book. I just got tired of the idea of the book before the author wounded it up. He had a lot of clever ideas in this one, but it just did not work for me.

 

There is a map that is added at one point that is supposed to help explain things.  As maps go in a fantasy series, the one here is pretty weak and not very good. I have seen way better. I did like how some of the chapters had little illustrations on top.

 

There is a short story included that continues the things happening backstage. One hopes at some point that stuff will matter.

 

The next book sounds way better. The Gate of the Feral Gods where Carl and friends deal with a series of castles. One of which is a floating fortress guarded by gnomes. A castle made of sand. A robot guarded submarine.  A haunted crypt. Somehow, I guess all four count as castles.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4a9FiXs

 

 

My hardback reading copy came from the Forest Green Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: Resurrection by Derek Landy

 

Resurrection by Derek Landy is the tenth book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series, but it is a relaunch point, so it is supposed to be a fresh start. I read this book through the Hoopla App by way of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

In this book, Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery reunite several years after the ninth book. Valkyrie Cain is suffering from PTSD, but has finally returned to Ireland alongside her dog Xena. Skulduggery convinces her to return to duty for just 24 hours to help him stop the resurrection of an ancient evil. They also need someone to go undercover and infiltrate the group that is recruiting at the local magical high school.

 

In a satire of Harry Potter, they recruit Omen Darkly, the Chosen’s One’s brother. Often overlooked and used to being forgotten, he is the perfect spy since no one notices him or cares about him besides his brother, some of the teachers, and his best friend, Never.

 

There are plenty of new characters since most of the previous cast of the nine previous books are benched. A satire of Donald Trump is also introduced, but I found it too accurate to the real deal to really find it funny at all. There is plenty of action, humor, and character development.

 

Skulduggery Pleasant’s past is explored more and secrets he has kept are revealed. I liked the relationship between Auger (the Chosen One) and Omen his brother. I do wish the event’s involving Auger, who is clearly a hero doing heroic things, were better fleshed out and filled. Even if it is funny that characters will run across him while he is fighting monsters with his friends.

 

The 11th book in the series is currently in my TBR pile through Hoopla, Midnight picks up after Resurrection. According to the Hoopla’s plot synopsis paraphrased-- A serial killer has abducted Alice (Valkyrie Cain’s sister) and it’s up to Valkyrie and friends to save her. Valkyrie has not been in touch with Alice that much after what she had to do in the ninth book to save the world. Valkyrie will have to confront her past if they stand a chance on saving Alice. 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/49vwif0

 

 

I read this book through the Hoopla App by way of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom with Luciano Vecchio (Illustrator, Cover Art) and, Jim Towe (Illustrator)

 

Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse by authors Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom with Luciano Vecchio (Illustrator, Cover Art) and, Jim Towe (Illustrator), is a miniseries where the Spider-Man of various universes go to war against the Venoms of various universes. The trade, which will come out in January, will collect the Web of Spider-Verse, Web of Venomverse prequels, and the main series. I read this through the Marvel Unlimited App.

 

The entities that individually control each groups have suddenly decided that the other entity and their group must die. So, each entity selects a team of heroes from each group and forces those selected to fight to the death to save their group.

 

The Spider-Verse team is led by the main Spider-Man (Peter Parker of Earth 616), and includes Spider-Ham (a cartoon pig that was bitten by a radioactive Spider), a super solider, and others. They must go against the symbiote team. A team that is led by an Eddie Brock Venom that murdered the Peter Parker of its universe and now tries to be a hero.

 

The prequels are not very relevant to the main series and just are used for backstory for some characters who show up. For example, based on the prequel, one would think that a vampire Spider-Man was going to play a big role in this series. Instead, despite getting a lot of pages in a prequel, it just shows up for the big fight at the end. This happens quite a lot with a number of such characters that just show up in the big fight at the end. A lot of the prequel characters only exists to fill big fight at the end.

 

The art, across the board, is just okay at best. This is an action-adventure style deal that tries to take itself seriously, but as a reader, one knows they are not going to wipe out a whole group of heroes. The ending is pretty predictable so the read is just a fun time where one gets to see these two groups fight. So, if you are a fan of either group you might enjoy this title as long as you just treat as a not a serious read.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4aun9FK

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: The Malevolent Eight by Sebastien De Castell

 

The Malevolent Eight by Sebastien De Castell is second book in the Malevolent series that began with The Malevolent Seven. At this point there is supposed to be a third book in the series, The Malevolent Nine, but the publishing date is unknown. All we have, for now, is the reference to it in the author’s multi page acknowledgement section at the back of the book.

 

Spinning out of the events of the first book, The Lords Celestine (their version of angels) and the Lords Devilish (their version of demons) are recruiting humans to wage war against their counterparts on the Mortal Plane (quasi Earth). Cade and his friends (The Malevolent Seven) are attempting to stop the war before it truly gets going by murdering people both sides until they call it off. Of course, things only get worse from there. As happened with the first book, the plot synopsis does not really reflect what the book is actually about and I am not going to ruin with a more accurate description.

 

This book has humor, action, sex, extensive and graphic torture scenes, and much more. If you enjoyed the first read, you should enjoy this book as it is more of the same. As was true with the first one, this is very much an adult book. Like the previous read, this one also gets weird at times, but in a good way. For example, one of the new characters introduced to join the team includes a vampire Kangaroo from another dimension. About halfway through the read, the Kangaroo also learns and can speak Samuel L. Jackson’s favorite movie curse word.

 

I read the hardback book through my local library and enjoyed it a lot. I am eagerly awaiting the third book which is supposed to be the final book in the series.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4aRlp9V

 

 

My hardback reading copy came from the Central, aka Downtown, Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

 

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman is the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. In this read, Donut and Carl are now further in the game alongside Mongo (Donut’s pet dinosaur) and have reached their first major town. There are quests now being thrown into the game to make things more complicated. Carl and Donut and others must put a stop to a murder circus full of infected monsters. They also need to stop someone who is dropping dead hookers from the sky. All of that must be done while still trying to survive the alien factions that are running the games. 

 

I read the large print edition from my local library which includes a bonus short story about the meth dealing lamas from the first book.  This second book I think is better than the first because there are less exposition dumps than the first. There is still plenty of action, humor, and monsters. We have nudity, nudity, zombies, Krause (a type of monster), and a lot more.

 

Mongo has grown on me as a character in the last book I just found him annoying but I see why he is an important character now.

 

 I am currently on hold at my local library for the third book in the series, The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4qLf8B8

 

 

My reading copy, in paperback large print, came from the Kleberg-Rylie Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026

Scott's Take: Godzilla vs the Marvel Universe by Ryan North, Gerry Duggan Gerry Duggan, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator), Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art)

 

Godzilla vs the Marvel Universe by Ryan North, Gerry Duggan, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator), Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art), collects a series of one shots (one shots for those who don’t know are single issue stories that are supposed to be self-contained). I read these through the Marvel Unlimited app.  In these one shots, Godzilla crossovers and battles various heroes in various times throughout the history of Marvel.  So, you have the 90s X-men vs Godzilla, 80s Spider-man vs Godzilla, Modern Thor vs Godzilla and more. This is just a fun crossover with various heroes dealing with Godzilla.

 

They don’t seem to connect at all and there are no shared creative teams or story. Most of the reads have good art except for the John Romita Jr for the Fantastic Four. I think his art is blocky. Most of these stories are action packed with humor. Some of which is forced, such as Nick Lowe’s editorial jokes in the Spider-Man story. I think he negatively impacted the story overall, but I also have a negative opinion of him based on his public comments about Spider-Man fans. The only story I really did not like was the Hulk vs Godzilla which goes downhill once he introduces some vague villain from the Godzilla Universe. I’d never heard of the character and the story made no sense. 

 

Overall, I think this is a fun collection that leans heavy into the Marvel Universe and not as much in the Godzilla Universe.

 

By the way, there is another Godzilla series that seems completely separate.  Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe has two issues so far at Marvel Unlimited as that is all they have put up. The collected volume is supposed to be released in March 2026. It seems to be completely separate and has all the heroes teaming up to stop him.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4iHvXdn

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Marvel Tales by J. Michael Straczynski, Will Robson (Illustrator), Bernard Chang (Illustrator), Elena Casagrande (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art)

 

Marvel Tales by J. Michael Straczynski (usually referred to as JMS), Will Robson (Illustrator), Bernard Chang (Illustrator), Elena Casagrande (Illustrator), and Leinil Yu (Cover Art), is a series of one shots (stand-alone single issue stories) collected here that I read through Marvel Unlimited. Most of these are team ups or vs between two characters except for Spider-Man vs the Sinister Sixteen. Rocket Raccoon and Dr Doom team up, Captain America and Volstagg (Thor’s friend) team up, while there is Ghost Rider vs Galactus, Nick Fury takes on Fing Fang Foom (Space Dragon), and other interesting tales.

 

These are fun interesting stories. Some of which are funny. I enjoyed all of them. My favorite was Rocket and Doom’s team up but The Volstagg, Nick Fury ones made me see the characters in a new light. The Spider-Man was the funniest. The plot in the Spider-man has various heroes like Thor, Strange, more trying to share a nice dinner while villains are eating in the same French Restaurant.

 

Each team up or vs are fun reads that shake things up by putting characters together who usually don’t get to team up except for Hulk and Strange. They team up a lot. I think this is a read worth reading.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3XFHGzv

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Red Hulk Vol. 1: Prisoner of War by Benjamin Percy and Geoff Shaw (Illustrator, Cover Art)

 

Red Hulk Vol. 1: Prisoner of War by Benjamin Percy and Geoff Shaw (Illustrator, Cover Art) is a tie in series to One World Under Doom. Doctor Doom has conquered the world and kidnapped various people including military strategists like Thunderbolt Ross aka Red Hulk. He is forcing these people into working in a think tank on how to maintain Doctor Doom’s power. Of course, Red Hulk wants to escape. But, even if he does. he is far from home in the country of Latveria and Doom owns America now too.

 

The art is good and this is an action packed series where the odds are against Red Hulk. Joining him on this journey is Deathlok and Machine Man. A Deathlok is a zombie cyborg solider and there have been a lot of them. I am not even sure which one this was. Machine Man is an android. I have never cared about any of them before this read, but this was still a fun read.

 

There will be a second collected book in this series titled Red Hulk Vol. 2: Mission: Latveria. That will be the last volume that Red Hulk will tie into the current Captain America Series and probably be a part of the aftermath of One World Under Doom.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3KkdXZO

 

I read this through Marvel Unlimited. 

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: The Rocketfellers Volume 1: First Family of the Future by Peter J. Tomasi (Author) and Francis Manapul (Illustrator)

 

The Rocketfellers Volume 1: First Family of the Future by Peter J. Tomasi (Author) and Francis Manapul (Illustrator) is a new series in the Ghost Machine Universe like Exodus and several other books I have reviewed on here. The Rocketfellers are from the 25th century and they have time traveled backwards to our more primitive time to hide as part of a witness relocation program. They are to remain here until the bad guys can be stopped in their time. All they have to do is not cause any trouble and eventually they can go back. Of course, like any dysfunctional family, they could not do that.

 

This is an action-packed sci-fi adventure with excellent art. Each issue does not really connect very well together and it is done in a strange way, but I still liked the read. For example, they do the origin issue, then a Christmas issue, then another issue. There is not a lot of answers provided about what is going on in the big picture. That is supposed to be explained in Volume 2.

 

This first volume is focused on getting to know the family. You have an ex special forces soldier grandpa, a mad scientist dad, a former astronaut adrenaline seeking mom, a brainy but immature son, and a kind hearted young daughter. Also, there is a robot dog.

 

I am looking forward to reading Volume 2 whenever it does come out. Hopefully, among other things, they will explain the secret of the eyeball (Yes, there is a mysterious cybernetic eyeball involved).

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4pdhQyy

 

I read this through Hoopla App by way of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman is the first book in a multi book series. There is also a graphic novel version that you can read each chapter weekly through Webtoon for free as it is released. Those issues will be version which will be collected into a finished volume later. I first read some of the graphic novel that is out and decided to read the book version. The graphic novel version cuts out some of the adult content and seems to be more teen friendly than the book.

 

In this series, Carl is an ex-Coast Guard member who has recently broken up with his cheating girlfriend. He is alone with her prize-winning show cat, Princess Donut. It is a snowy night and Princes Donut has decided to escape their dwelling. This means Carl has to, without pants or shoes, chase after the cat before it freezes to death. Since they are both outside, they are some of the few survivors of a massive alien attack that causes all buildings everywhere to suddenly collapse killing anyone who is inside a building at the time.

 

Those who were outside and survived are then rounded up by the aliens who have plans for them. They will now be forced to fight for their lives in a televised game show that will be watched by other space aliens elsewhere. The aliens have designed this gameshow based on video game logic, so Princess Donut and Carl must face goblins in level 1 if they wish to survive. This is just the beginning of their journey as a man and a cat must face the apocalypse together.

 

This book has plenty of adult content. There is drinking, smoking, peeing, violence, and even an AI generated sex tape comes to pass.  This is a violent humor filled adventure. There will be death and a talking cat. Princess Donut is leveled up by the aliens to be a true partner for Carl. So now the cat can talk and cast magic spells.

 

I read the large print version of this from my local library which included a bonus short story from the perspective of one of the goblins. There are seven books in the series out now. Book eight, A Parade of Horribles, comes out in 2026.

 

The second book in the series is called Carl’s Doomsday Scenario as a man and his cat continue their quest to survive the game. Carl still has no pants and no shoes. There is an important reason why this is, but I am not going to ruin it for you.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/448BhQX

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Predator versus Spider-Man by Benjamin Percy and Marcelo Ferreira (Illustrator)

 

Predator versus Spider-Man by Benjamin Percy and Marcelo Ferreira (Illustrator) collects the miniseries which is set in the same universe as Predator vs Wolverine, Predator vs Black Panther. This miniseries sees Spider-Man attempting to stop a new serial killer during a power outage in New York. The new serial killer is a rogue Predator. It is not long before Kraven the Hunter and other Predators arrive to make matters worse.

 

Spider-Man and Mary Jane both have big roles in this quick action packed and incredibly violent horror style miniseries. The violence is not shy at all. People are skinned and way more. The art is intense and does a good job of showing the horror of the situation.

 

My one gripe is the ending is not really an ending. Instead, it is set up for the Predator vs Marvel Universe miniseries.  A book should have a proper ending and not just leave the reader going—Okay, so that’s it.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/435P9Lw

 

I read this through the Marvel Unlimited app.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Naruto by Caleb Goellner, Hendry Prasetya (Illustrator), and Jorge Jiménez (Illustrator)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Naruto by Caleb Goellner, Hendry Prasetya (illustrator), and Jorge Jiménez (Illustrator,) is a 4 issue crossover miniseries where Naruto and TMNT crossover in a joint universe away from either of the main universes.  April O’Neil, the human friend of the TMNT, visits the Hidden Leaf village (home of Naruto) on a secret reporter mission. Team 7 (Naruto and friends) are assigned to escort her back to the Big Apple Village (New York in a Ninja world), but are attacked by the Foot Clan. After defeating them they are attacked again by the TMNT in a classic misunderstanding battle before teaming up. The rest of the volume is the two teams becoming friends and eventually taking on the Shredder.

 

This action-packed humor filled read is rather short, but fun. The art is really good and so is the characterization. The creative team does a good job of putting the Ninja Turtles in the Ninja World while keeping the core elements of TMNT. I really enjoyed this read as a fan of both groups and I hope they do more.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4qcb9y8

 

 

My digital read came by way of the Hoopla App and the Dallas Public Library System.

 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Power Rangers Prime Vol 1 by Melissa Flores and Illustrator Michael YG

 

Power Rangers Prime Vol 1 by Melissa Flores and Illustrator Michael YG is an Elseworlds read separate from the main Power Ranger universe. In this universe, the Power Rangers teamed up with the Eltrains (blue humanoid bald aliens) to stop a different alien invasion then the Eltrains refused to leave. They hunted down the Power Rangers and colonized the planet.

 

Now, many years later on a conquered Earth, a Red Ranger (Lauren) barely escapes a hunting patrol of Eltrains by hiding in a dumpster. Luckly for her, the alien who stumbles upon her hides the wounded ranger from the patrol. The wounded ranger wants to rescue her family from one of the Eltrains detention centers. Along the way she makes friends with various characters. While she is recovering from her injuries. Rita Repulsa escapes her prison, and seeks to strike back against the Eltrains.

 

So, in this universe Rita Repulsa (the long-time villain of the Power Rangers universe is a mentor to the new Rangers). I really enjoyed the Red Ranger and Rita characters. The other 4 main characters did not grow on me.

 

This is a very short read as only 4 issues are collected and the read ends abruptly. The art is really good and this universe is a deep dive of the Power Ranger mythology. It is a fun fast paced read with some action and humor.

 

I am not sure how old the characters are supposed to be. I think college age since two of the characters are living together, but I am not sure. There are at least two more volumes planned. I am looking forward to reading more of this universe. Hopefully, they can flesh out the other Rangers more and flesh out the bad guys more. So far, the Eltrains are just generic alien overlord villains.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3ISz6K3

My print reading copy came from the White Rock Hills Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Fantastic Four: War Zone by Greg Cox

 

Fantastic Four: War Zone by Greg Cox is a prose novel which I read through Hoopla which was a reissued version of the original story which came out a long time ago. Don’t be fooled by the stylings of the graphic novel cover as this is a regular novel.

 

In this adventure, creatures from the Negative Zone are entering their universe and threatening Earth. Someone has opened a portal into the positive universe and seeks to invade. It looks like Blastaar and Annihulus are back to their old tricks again. It’s up to the Fantastic Four to save the day. Again.  While Reed and Ben go to shut down the portal from the Negative Zone, Johnny and Sue will defend New York from the invaders and protect the Fantastic Four’s portal so Ben and Reed can come home.

 

This is a fun read with a writer who really knows each character. Each of the Fantastic Four are given multiple chapters from their POV. There is a lot of detail written in to each scene. It’s a read that constantly switches from one group to another. There is also a lot more violence as well as a higher civilian death count than a typical Marvel read as the consequences of invasion are felt by the people of New York.

 

I have never found Annihulus that interesting, but this writer has piqued my interest in learning more about the character.  This was a really good read set some time in the past of the Fantastic Four as both Valeria and Franklin are little children. I think this read would be a good basis of a movie at some point.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3I6QTwF

 

As stated in the review, my digital reading copy came by way of the Hoopla App and the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Fantastic Four: A Family (Anti)Matter by Stacy McAnulty and Matt Kaufenberg (illustrator)

 

Fantastic Four: A Family (Anti)Matter by Stacy McAnulty, and Matt Kaufenberg (illustrator), is a book geared towards young readers that I read from my local library. Johnny is bored one day and accidentally opens a hole into the negative zone (an antimatter universe). It is up to him and the rest of the Fantastic Four to stop it before it destroys their universe.

 

The book is full of awesome artwork with fun background details and great characterization of each member of the team. This is a fun, if rather short read befitting the age group, that also includes scientific explanations for kids on what happened at the end. This is a light hearted read and was pretty enjoyable even for an older reader like myself.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4gn6epB

 

My hardback reading copy came from the Central, aka Downtown, Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Scott's Take: Magik Vol. 1: Unleashed by Ashley Allen, German Peralta (Illustrator), and J Scott Campbell (Cover Art)

 

Magik Vol. 1: Unleashed by Ashley Allen (Author), German Peralta (Illustrator), and J. Scott Campbell (Cover Art) is about Magik who is one of my favorite X-men. In this read, mutants are being abducted for nefarious purpose by a demon Liminal who seeks to convince Magik to join him in taking over the world.

 

This is a globetrotting adventure to stop a demonic invasion. It is full of action and adventure accompanied by great art. I really like Magik as a character and it’s nice to see her get the solo spotlight. I highly enjoyed this read and I am looking forward to Vol 2 which should end the series. It is unknown if it is done or just going to be relaunched since the entire line of X-Men is getting shuffled again.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/48fhbr2

 

I read this read through the Marvel Unlimited app.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025