September Comic Review Round Up
Hello everyone, and welcome to a new feature we will be trying out here at Maser Squad! Each month, we will be collecting all of our monthly comic reviews into one article. That way, if you missed any of our Comic Book Wednesday reviews or Kai-sei Fridays, you can find them all here in one place!
Of course, the better option is always to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and turn on notifications so you can see whenever a new video hits the channel. But we're not here to plug our other platforms, so let's get into what you really came here for September's comic reviews!
The Supernova Gods and After You
Our first review of the month covered two manga stories. The Supernova Gods was first, following a team of mech-like heroes who battle monsters. The second manga was After You, a visual story that takes place after a breakup and features some kaiju elements.
Both manga come from creator Drake Tinta, whose art style is absolutely incredible and jaw-dropping. There is a definite Toriyama-esque feel to both the story and artwork, which really helps make these books stand out.
You can see more about these impressive stories from Drake Tinta, which we picked up at this year's Kaiju Brooklyn, in our video review here.
Primal Warrior Draco Azul Issues 1-3
Our next review was another comic series that you could have picked up at Kaiju Brooklyn this year Primal Warrior Draco Azul Issues 1-3. These three issues currently round out the complete series, but there are also novels as well as a WEBTOON series. It was also mentioned that a fourth issue is in the works.
This series from writer Andres Perez and artist Tyler Sowles follows the ancient mech Draco Azul and its new pilot, Eric Martinez, as they try to protect Mexico from the invading kaiju known as the Diablos. Throughout these three issues, I was impressed with Andres' storytelling and Tyler Sowles' art. The kaiju designs were top tier, the action kept you hooked, and Eric's story of discovering Draco Azul and how his life came to where it is makes him a character readers will be drawn to.
We had a great time checking out this series, and if you're looking for a kaiju story with plenty of action, giant robots, and a great central character, Primal Warrior Draco Azul is definitely worth checking out.
You can watch this video review for more thoughts on this series here.
The Horror of Godzilla Issue 1
Our next review of the month was our first Kai-sei Friday in a while with The Horror of Godzilla Issue 1! With the first year of the Godzilla Kai-sei comic series finishing up with Issue 12, the Kai-sei Universe is on a bit of a break until its massive October return. But during that break, we got the first issue of the prequel series The Horror of Godzilla, written by the team behind Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone, Ethan S. Parker & Griffin Sheridan, now joined by artist Tristan Jones.
This first issue of the series takes readers back to experience the horrors of the day Godzilla first appeared in the Kai-sei Universe, after experiments with Kai-sei energy went wrong. This issue holds no punches and is not leaving many survivors. We are really excited to see where this four-issue miniseries goes and what secrets of the Kai-sei Universe it reveals!
You can watch our review of The Horror of Godzilla Issue 1 here, and be sure to check back with the channel for more Kai-sei Friday reviews as we continue exploring the Kai-sei Universe!
Perimeter Issues 1 & 2
We continued to keep the month indie with Perimeter Issues 1 & 2. This comic series has the feel of Black Hawk Down meets Aliens and Starcraft. From writer Jesse Stevens and artist Gabe McIntosh comes a sci-fi war story that follows a military operation from two different teams' perspectives. In Issue 1, we get the first team's perspective, while Issue 2 gives us the second team's side of the battle in this alien monster-filled warzone. Like most war films and stories, these are gruesome stories of combat taken to another level.
I really hope to see the Perimeter universe revisited and see more stories from it. The creature designs are really cool, and I want to see what other horrors lie within the Perimeter universe.
You can watch our review of Perimeter Issues 1 & 2 here.
Steel Victory Issue 1
Next up was Brian Wolf's Steel Victory, a Sentai Noir story that follows Dorian West, a P.I. who was part of a Sentai-like superhero team when he was a teenager. The story shows us many of the former Rangers and where they are in their lives now. One is a cop, while another is a wealthy head of a company that seems to be going rogue, which is what leads Dorian into his latest case.
This story delivered some kaiju action while sticking to its noir roots. Like many noir stories, it has a slow burn that is shrouded in plenty of mystery. We really enjoyed this crowdfunded story, and while there were some difficulties completing the comic, including struggles to find a letterer, the final product turned out great. I really do hope that we get to see more Steel Victory!
You can watch our review of Steel Victory Issue 1 here.
Popeye Kaiju Slayer
To round out September, we finish up with Popeye Kaiju Slayer, a graphic novel from Nicholas Mueller. Surprisingly, this would be our second noir tokusatsu/kaiju comic review in two weeks. This story is a dark, noir-like adventure that follows the famous Sailor Man, who in this universe has mysteriously gained powers that he uses to fight monsters and kaiju. He gets enlisted to take two snake-like rich men, who resemble Ron Burgundy and Frank Reynolds, to Dice Island, where they hope to find a legendary treasure.
This story is part of Raven's Loft's Winnie The Pooh Demon Hunter universe, but it reads perfectly fine as a standalone story. I definitely would like to see Popeye Kaiju Slayer get more stories and find out the origin of his powers!
You can watch our review of Popeye Kaiju Slayer here and be sure to check out the channel for more Comic Book Wednesday reviews!
That wraps up our September reviews! Don't forget to check out our October Release article to see what books, comics, and manga are coming out next month!
Now, check out the links below to follow the creators behind all these great comics and support their work!
Supernova Gods Creator Drake Tinta
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BokuDragonPro/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bokudragonpro/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/Bokudragonpro
Draco Azul Creator Andres Perez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaijunoir
X (Twitter): https://x.com/PW_DracoAzul
Draco Azul Artist Tyler Sowles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylersowles/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/tylersowles
The Horror of Godzilla Writer Ethan S. Parker
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethan.s.parker
X (Twitter): https://x.com/TalesToAstonish
Follow The Horror of Godzilla Writer Griffin Sheridan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grifsheridan
X (Twitter): https://x.com/GrifSheridan
The Horror of Godzilla Artist Tristan Jones
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristans_bones
X (Twitter): https://x.com/tristans_bones
Perimeter's Can't Quit Comics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantquitcomics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantquitcomics/
Website: https://www.cantquitcomics.com/home
X (Twitter): https://x.com/CantQuitComics
Perimeter Writer Jesse Stevens
Perimeter Artist Gabe McIntosh
Steek Victory Creator Brian Wolf (Wolf Comics)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianthomaswolf/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/wolfykins
Creator Nicholas Mueller (The Ravens Loft)
X (Twitter): https://x.com/nicholasmuelle7
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