Odyssey was an official selection of SXSW, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and more, and is currently at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Odyssey lands on Video on Demand today, 4/28. Cineverse has provided GeekDad with a digital code to give away to one lucky reader. Simply fill out the form below, and you will be entered to win. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Tuesday, 4/27, after which a winner will be randomly drawn. Sorry, U.S. residents only.

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Odyssey is on VOD 4/28 from Cineverse.

Today’s roundup includes the very big (the biggest?) to the very small (which “micro” is micro-er?). As usual, most of these are for games I haven’t gotten to play myself, but this time around there are several that are expansions or sequels to games I have played, so I have at least a bit of personal experience with them.

New to crowdfunding? Check out our crowdfunding primer.

Dungeon Crawler Carl: Role-Playing Game & Unstoppable from Renegade Games

I’ve been reading through the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and writing about them in my Stack Overflow column—Book 8 is coming out in a couple weeks and I’m excited to see where the story goes next. In case you’re not already familiar with it, it features a guy (Carl) and his cat (Princess Donut) who end up stuck in a multilevel dungeon built by aliens taking over Earth, as part of an intergalactic reality show. The stories include lots of details about stats, spells, inventories, and so on, which the crawlers access through menus as if it were a videogame—which also happens to make it great material for an RPG.

This Backerkit campaign includes two separate games: one is the RPG (which includes rulebooks and custom dice and a bunch of miniatures), and the other is a DCC-themed version of Unstoppable, a card-crafting game by John D. Clair. Although much of the attention—and the bulk of the stretch goals—seems to be on the RPG side of things, I’m more of a card game person myself. I’ve played the original Unstoppable game, and I’m excited to see the changes in the Dungeon Crawler Carl version.

Unstoppable uses some oddly-shaped cards with cut-outs, and as you play you will add upgrade cards to the sleeves that will fill in the cut-outs, giving you improved abilities when you play the cards. However, every card is double-sided and the back is a threat that you’ll have to fight … and upgrades also make the threat a bit more challenging. It’s a very cool system, designed for solo or 2-player cooperative play. The DCC Unstoppable will include the first three dungeon floors, with some expansions that add the fourth floor and additional characters. Watch for my review of the original Unstoppable soon!

Mega Empires: The Far East from Ares Games

Okay, I don’t know a whole lot about this one, but since I promised “very big” I figured I better include this game that claims to be “the biggest board game in the world.” It’s a civilization-building game, and although these two Far East titles (North and South) are standalone games, you can also combine them with other Mega Empires sets (sold separately) to play with up to 30 people! You’re gonna need a bigger table for sure. (How well do these games handle representation of the various cultures across the world, and what’s their take on colonizing? That’s something I’d probably look into a little more closely if I were going to back the campaign myself.)

Arcs: Beyond the Reach from Buried Giant Studios

Arcs is a 4X game with an unusual trick-taking(ish) mechanic at its core. The card you play to the trick determines what actions you can take as you move your spaceships throughout the galaxy, build facilities on various planets, or wage war on other players. There’s a campaign mode in the first expansion that plays over 3 sessions and has multiple branching paths that lead to different outcomes. Beyond the Reach includes three expansions to choose from: one that expands the base game, and then two that add to the campaign.

Arcs was originally published by Leder Games, and this is the first offering from Buried Giant Studios, a new studio formed this year with some of the folks from Leder Games to focus on some of their bigger titles like Oath and Arcs. I’ve gotten to play Arcs a few times but have yet to tackle the campaign, but it’s on my bucket list!

Earth Express and Behind the Lens from Inside Up Games

Earth was one of our 2023 Game of the Year finalists—it’s a tableau-building game about plants and landscapes, and it’s great for people who like looking for great card combos. Yesterday, for Earth Day, Inside Up Games launched a campaign for two standalone Earth-related games. Earth Express is a smaller, faster version of Earth—the same theme about building out an environment, but in about 20 minutes. Behind the Lens is about taking photos of nature, and uses a sort of sliding-tile puzzle as the system for setting up your camera to get those incredible shots. I’ve received prototypes of the two games, so I’ll have more in-depth reviews of those in the coming weeks!

Reactor Rescue from Labbox Education

I’m not familiar with Labbox Education, but I came across some ads for Reactor Rescue that looked intriguing. It’s a strategy game about racing to repair your spaceships, and the gimmick is that you actually build real, working circuits as part of the game. I love this concept of learning some basic electronics through fun!

Unearth 10th Anniversary Edition from Brotherwise Games

Unearth, a tile-laying game about unearthing ruins from an ancient civilization, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new edition that includes updated graphics and gameplay, plus some new expansions. There’s a regular edition and a deluxe edition (with wooden components), but both include all the same gameplay. I wrote about it back in 2017, but the original has been out of print for several years, so here’s another opportunity to experience it.

Dice Throne Digital from Dice Throne

Dice Throne isn’t quite 10 years old yet, but it’s getting there—and over the years it’s had several expansions, including a whole set of Marvel characters. This campaign is for a cross-platform digital version that will include a rogue-lite campaign in addition to the ability to play against other players. There will be 8 characters at launch, but there are plenty more in the Dice Throne library that will be added later on. The game will eventually be free to play but you’ll pay to unlock more heroes; backers of the Kickstarter will get early access to the game, plus better bundle prices for the heroes.

Gal4Xeon from Eurydice Games

If you like roll-and-write games, here’s a 4X game with a difficult-to-type title! The campaign is an inexpensive print-and-play, so you’ll get the files both in color and in a low-ink black-and-white version depending on how fancy you want to get. Play solo or multiplayer, with each player using the same dice values to expand their influence across the galaxy. And if you missed Eurydice Games’ previous roll-and-write games, you can get the whole bundle of five titles for £17 (about $23USD).

Arribada & Seagrass from Bitewing Games

Here are two adorable games—one about nesting sea turtles, the other about exploring reefs—that have optional travel cases so you can play on the go. Bitewing Games has made a number of titles with these travel cases and they look fantastic (though I actually haven’t played any of them myself).

Monster Decoy from PhantomLab

Monster Decoy is a little 2-player tile game about walling off regions to capture monsters, using little 3×3 tile grids. It reminds me a little of Go since you’re trying to surround regions of the other player’s color, but instead of single stones you’re placing tiles that include both black and white regions. I hadn’t heard of PhantomLab before, but the graphics for Monster Decoy caught my eye, and then I saw that there are a bunch of other cool-looking games listed as add-ons for the campaign. I’m planning to take a closer look at all of those soon.

Micro Hero: Ulysses and Micro Hero: Achilles from Grammes Edition

Here we are at the “micro” end of things! The Micro Hero series started with Hercules, which funded on Kickstarter last year in January and delivered by summer. It’s a solo card game about facing the twelve tasks using a kind of deck-building system with a bit of a puzzle in how you play out your cards each turn. The artwork is very silly, and puts a spin on the classic myths. This current campaign is for two more sets featuring Achilles and Ulysses, with very different mechanics.

One unique feature about Grammes Edition is that their campaigns have a “pay what you want” system. You actually can just back the project for €1, though they have some suggested levels—the games will eventually retail for €12. I’m backing these myself because I liked the concept (and found Micro Hero: Hercules a tricky challenge!), though the one caveat is that I didn’t like the card quality of Hercules—the linen finish on the cards for some reason was very grippy so the cards don’t slide apart from each other, making the card handling difficult. The narrow size of the cards means that my regular card sleeves are too wide, so finding sleeves that fit the cards and still fit the game into the tuckbox was a Herculean task in itself. Still, you can’t beat the price!

Micro Games: Spring 2026 from Button Shy Games

Oh, there’s that word “micro” again! This time it’s for four small games from Button Shy. If you’re familiar with Button Shy, you may notice something unusual in the image above: boxes! For various reasons, Button Shy is finally putting their micro games into small boxes instead of just the vinyl wallets, though if you still want a wallet they’re available as an add-on in this Kickstarter.

This set of games includes Astro ROVE, the latest in this line of solo puzzly exploration games; The Rise of a Jarl, a solo game about building a Viking civilization; Everything Machine, a word-association game; and Shaper, a guessing game where you create visual clues by assembling various shapes printed on the cards. While I’m a little sad that the wallets are sort of phasing out, I understand the reasons for the boxes (and I’m glad it’s still possible to get wallets for these titles, at least).

Catch fish and lay eggs to be the best of this Pack of Penguins!

What Is Pack of Penguins?

Pack of Penguins is a game for 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, and takes about 10 minutes to play. It’s currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, with a pledge level of $20 for a copy of the game. If your kid can compare numbers (between 1 and 50), then they can learn this game.

Pack of Penguins was designed by Bin Lee and published by Imagine Bin, with illustrations by Kendal Gates.

New to Kickstarter? Check out our crowdfunding primer.

Pack of Penguins Components

Note: My review is based on a prototype copy, so it is subject to change and may not reflect final component quality.

Here’s what comes in the box:

• 5 Nest cards
• 5 Penguin standees
• 15 Ice Floe cards
• 50 Penguin cards
• 25 Fish tokens
• 45 Egg tokens

Nothing too complicated here: some cards and some tokens and standees. The illustrations on the standees are cute, showing five different types of penguins (which are also identified on the back of the rulebook). The penguins also appear in the corner of the nests to make it easier to tell who’s who, in addition to the colored backgrounds of the nest cards.

The penguin cards are very straightforward: each one has a number from 1 to 50, printed in two orientations to make it easy for anyone to read upside-down, and also indexed in all four corners. It would be cute to have some illustrations on these, but they serve their purpose just fine.

The ice floe cards have five boxes, each showing some combination of fish and eggs, as well as a little notation indicating the direction of the number line from 1 to 50. The cards have a cute little image of penguins on the ice at the bottom; the rewards line and the number indicator are a little unpolished, but easy to read.

The whole game comes in a small box, so it’s compact and easy to take anywhere.

How to Play Pack of Penguins

The Goal

The goal is to have the most eggs at the end of the game.

Setup

Make a supply of the eggs and fish.

Shuffle the ice floe cards and make a stack of 7 cards, putting the rest in the box. Reveal the first ice floe card.

Shuffle the penguin cards and deal 8 to each player.

Give each player a nest card and matching penguin standee.

Choose a starting player at random. (My suggestion: the player who most recently laid an egg or ate a fish.)

(When playing with fewer than 5 players, there will be some stacks of penguin cards for the automated players as well.)

Gameplay

The game is played over the course of 7 rounds, one for each ice floe.

In turn order, each player plays a penguin card from their hand into a number line next to the ice floe card, arranging them so that the cards are in increasing order (matching the ice floe card), and placing their penguin on their card.

(With fewer than 5 players, the dummy players will play cards to the line first so that there’s always a total of 5 penguin cards played to the line.)

Once five penguin cards have been played, check the ice floe card and give everyone fish and/or eggs according to their location in the number line. The player at the location with the red star (which also has the best reward) will go first in the next round.

Discard the penguin cards and the ice floe card, return all the penguins, and then reveal the next ice floe card.

Game End

The game ends after 7 rounds. (Players will have one penguin card left over, which is just discarded.)

The player(s) with the fewest fish must discard 2 eggs each.

The player with the most eggs wins, with ties going to the player with the most fish.

2-Player Rules

In a 2-player game, each player gets 2 penguins and 12 penguin cards, and you only use 2 ice floes. Players will alternate playing penguin cards until each player has played one for each of their penguins, keeping their rewards separate, and final score is the total between your two penguins.

Why You Should Play Pack of Penguins

Pack of Penguins is a quick little game that reminds me a little bit of Go Nuts for Donuts: there’s a line of rewards and everyone is trying to get the one they want. In this instance, however, instead of choosing simultaneously (and occasionally smashing the donuts), the penguins are jockeying for position, squeezing into the line and hoping to end up in the best position to collect fish and eggs.

Of course, the best position changes from round to round, as does the relative value of what’s considered “best.” On one ice floe, the highest reward might be 3 eggs and require the lowest penguin card; on another, the highest reward may be 1 egg and 1 fish, and needs the 4th highest card. Unless you have the 1 or the 50, there’s never a guarantee that the card you play will get you into a particular place in the line, so going last gives you a big advantage. 

Even then, you’re limited by the cards in your hand. You’re dealt all of the cards at the start of the game, and you don’t draw any more. That means you can strategize a little bit about when to use highest cards or lowest cards, or whether to spend cards that are very close to each other sooner so that you have more flexibility later in the game.

The two different rewards—eggs and fish—are a clever mechanic. Fish aren’t worth points in themselves, so they’re not as valuable as eggs. However, losing 2 eggs at the end could end up costing you the game (as it did for the green player in the game shown in the photo above), so you really want to track who has the fewest fish and try to stay ahead of them.

All in all, it’s a cute game, not especially deep but I’ve had fun playing with my kids and even with my adult gamers as a way to kick off a game night or while we’re waiting for everyone to arrive. If you love penguins and a light bit of “take that,” waddle on over and take a look!

For more information or to make a pledge, visit the Pack of Penguins Kickstarter page!

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Disclosure: GeekDad received a prototype of this game for review purposes.

Harley Quinn #61 – Elliott Kalan, Writer; Carlos Olivares, Artist; Marissa Louise, Colorist

Ray – 8.5/10

Ray: Last issue introduced us to the newest version of Harley – Bat-Quinn, a ruthless vigilante who seemed to be the latest manifestation of Harley’s mental illness. But this issue makes clear it’s not just Harley having a breakdown after her breakup with Ivy. That becomes clear when we’re met with a pink-skinned Harley wearing normal clothes. It seems like after DC KO, the leftover Alpha Energy allowed Harley to split into two people, one her angry side and the other her logical side. Which leads her landlady to ask…where the funny side? After both sides make clear they really have no interest in reuniting with the other, Bat-Quinn goes off to meet with Althea Klang, who makes pretty clear she’s not interested in this Harley – especially after seeing her brutally beat perennial villain Captain Blimp. It’s an interesting take on Harley’s identity crisis, but taking all the humor out of Harley seems like a dicey proposition long-term.

Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #5 – Erica Henderson, Writer/Artist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Erica Henderson’s reinvention of Harley and Ivy’s first meeting and their genesis as a couple has been a lot of fun, but this issue brings in one of my favorite obscure characters in the DCU – Ma Hunkel, the tough-as-nails blue-collar momma who was actually DC’s first female superhero. With a little extra Brooklyn energy, she winds up taking in the two temporarily as they recover from the previous issue’s events. Ma runs a busy mixed-use building where she looks after several foster kids off, the books, and she wastes no time putting Harley and Ivy to work and digging into the insecurities that lead to their self-destructive behavior. Harley takes it well, Ivy…less so, but after some encouragement from Harley, she joins her and tries to keep an eye on the kids. It backfires in epic fashion as another major Bat-rogue shows up. This is one of the most entertaining issues of the series so far.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #3 – Chris Condon, Writer; Jacob Phillips, Artist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Of the three new Vertigo books that have launched so far, this is the one with the most straight-forward feel. It’s a classic noir mystery by a pair of creators who are masters of the genre. Even when there isn’t anything supernatural going on – so far – the sense of suspense and dread carries the day incredibly effectively. When we last left off, Ezra Cain was investigating the disappearance of a hardworking immigrant, and traced it to the factory of a man named Hans Huber. He sees strange things outside, such as a man with apparently metal legs, and then gets knocked out – only to be met by Huber, who puts on quite the show. You have a “kidnapping victim” who claims simply to be married to his work, and a criminal mastermind who claims to be a humanitarian. Cain does his best to seek answers, but is eventually forced to walk away with his life.

From there, Cain goes into friendlier quarters – sort of. He’s reunited with some old friends, but the drink-up is set at a police bar – and we know Cain has a tricky history there. As a former cop who was drummed out of the force, he still has some friends but a lot more enemies. An encounter with his former chief results in a brawl that nearly gets him killed, and it comes to light that Cain was fired for interfering in what likely would have been a fatal beating for an innocent boy. Many officers still hold a crudge, considering Cain a “Rat”, and he’s marked the second he walks into the bar. The tension in this scene is excellent, and even if this issue doesn’t really have any more reveals about the supernatural mystery that’s been set up, it does an amazing job of establishing the world we live in, as well as the way the various plots in the background might be starting to intersect.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 – Kelly Thompson, Writer; Hayden Sherman, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist

Ray – 10/10

Ray: This series is like a puzzle box, revealing piece after piece of Diana’s backstory in hell with each issue. The opening segment from this installment, featuring Circle and Aphrodite, recontextualizes Diana’s past and her relationship with the world around her in a way I never thought possible. But there’s no time to reflect on that, because we’re thrown back into the battle against Veronica Cale’s army. The mysterious skeleton infused with magical flame that Diana faced last issue is one of the scariest villains of the series so far, but there’s also a huge twist to its presence – it’s actually Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna’s father, trapped in a hell of his own making ever since he was forced to make an impossible choice years ago. Diana is able to penetrate the magic and make her way to the limbo where his soul was held – something only possible because of the unique mix of Goddesses that forged her.

Hayden Sherman is one of the best artists in the business, and it’s amazing how they manage to make a scene set in a literal void just as compelling as the battle sequence before that. The work they do with facial expressions alone is amazing. While Diana once again does the impossible and finds a third way when told she has only the choice between two bad options (and possibly forges a life-long ally in the process), Cale continues to escalate her war and deputizes her one remaining soldier – Giganta – to capture Barbara Minerva. Could this be the dawn the new Cheetah we’ve all been looking forward to (and maybe dreading)? If so, this will be one of the few cases where we’ve really gotten to know Barbara before her transformation. Another new threat emerges in the end, letting Sherman once again show off their skill with creatures, and it’s another phenomenal issue from beginning to end.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Absolute Flash #14 – Jeff Lemire, Writer; Haining, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 10/10

Ray: This series has probably been the most character-driven of the Absolute line until now, but as it enters its second year, Lemire and new artist Haining have escalated the threat level and doubled down on the lore, resulting in one of the most stunning issues in the entire line so far. Wally and Linda, in trying to find answers about the true extent of Wally’s powers, have found themselves in the Mirrorverse, a twisty visual place that feels something like a carnival funhouse straight out of Hell. They’re pursued by hundreds of homicidal mirror clones of the Mirror Master, all single-mindedly stalking them. To illustrate just how bizarre this place is, Haining plays with the format, requiring readers to flip the book and even briefly read it manga-style to understand the dialogue and putting us in the shoes of our confused heroes as the world shifts around them. (This also has the unfortunate side effect of not making this issue very digital-friendly).

As they run for their lives and continue to explore this strange world, it becomes clear it’s not just a maze – it’s a gateway. Wally and Linda get clues from the outside world, including a look at the bizarre creatures that inhabit the Speed Force. The mirrors almost seem to be taunting them, showing them glimpses of the life they could have had – Linda’s long-missing older brother is glimpsed in a bad situation, and Wally gets a clue as to the location of his father, who sacrificed himself to the Speed Force in the conclusion of the last arc. Meanwhile, the duo gets an unexpected ally in the form of the original Mirror Master, Sam Scudder, who not only didn’t intend for things to get this far – but has surprising ties to the man who began it all. This issue is one of the best of the entire run, reminding me a little of the brilliant Court of Owls labyrinth issue that helped to put Scott Snyder on the map in 2011.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Justice League Unlimited #18 – Mark Waid, Writer; Clayton Henry, Artist; Tamra Bonvillain, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Last issue introduced us to a very intriguing new concept – a supervillain amnesty program by the Justice League, as the heroes realize that they’ll need everyone’s help to deal with Darkseid’s upcoming next move. It was simply teased last issue, but this one makes clear what’s going on. It applies to everyone except the worst psychopaths like Joker, but there are conditions. For one thing, every former villain is tethered to the Phantom Zone and can be shunted there if they betray the team or violate the no-kill rules. For another, each reformed villain has a “parole officer” among the heroes. And finally, it’s secret until they know it’s a success. Several of the younger heroes, particularly Air Wave and Judy Garrick, are skeptical about this – and I love the choice of Plastic Man to sell them on it. Not only is he a reformed villain himself, but he’s hilarious.

There are a lot of subplots in this issue, some setting up other books. Guy Gardner is taking his leave from the team, heading back to fulfill a larger purpose with the Green Lantern Corps – but first he gets to explain that purpose to Ted Kord, leading to the funniest moment of the issue and a great tribute to one of the best JL runs of all time. Meanwhile, Booster, J’onn, and Mary Marvel kick off their hunt to Superman – which leads to them finding Superboy instead over in Waid’s other title. Meanwhile, the villains have their own challenges, as one fails his first test and Giganta, Starro, and others face crucibles. But Luthor, who has his full memories back, has his own plan for this opportunity, and it’s a brilliant example of how Luthor is always thinking two steps ahead of everyone else. He doesn’t betray the League – but he does force their hand in a way only he would think to do.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Green Lantern #34 – Jeremy Adams, Writer; Ig Guara, Montos, Artists; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Jeremy Adams has now split this book into two narratives, with Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner essentially swapping places. Kyle is back on Earth, along with young thief Odyssey – and he doesn’t have any time to get used to it, as he’s immediately mopping up escapees from the ScienCells. His first opponent is Gridlock, a massive alien terrorist who wants to detonate Earth, and the opening fight is action-packed with a pair of newscasters calling balls and strikes. But as soon as that’s over, there’s another problem – money. While Kyle insists they need to get jobs, Odyssey immediately gets approached by a shady talent scout and winds up getting impromptu Hollywood stardom. It’s a fun little twist that adds a new element to the story – Kyle has always been based in LA, but in a part far away from the big power brokers. Well, now it’s coming to him, whether he likes it or not.

Hal, meanwhile, has even higher-stakes adventures to pursue, as he’s back in space with the help of Jayna of the Wonder Twins. She wants to find her brother (last seen backing Aquaman up against Dagon), and he wants to find answers about his visions from the Book of Oa. But someone doesn’t want him to get those answers. The Guardians, who were recently brought back from oblivion, have suddenly turned secretive and aggressive – and when Hal arrives on Oa, they quickly try to kill him. This is out of character even for them, and it creates a bizarre dynamic as Hal and Jayna run for their lives. The ending brings in a new player who I don’t recognize at first, but he looks like an an intriguing addition. Overall, this issue is a good start for the new format and promises some entertaining new dynamics as two of our favorite Lanterns adjust to the reshuffle.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

The Flash #32 – Ryan North, Writer; Gavin Guidry, Artist; Adriano Lucas, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Ryan North wasted no time making his mark on this title, with an issue that firmly brought Wally West back to being a family man and a hero of the people. The problem is, the people like him a little too much. A shady online content creator has started a contest for people to film themselves getting rescued by the Flash, and now they’re throwing themselves off rooftops and doing other risky stunts to force the rescue. Wally is being run ragged, has to cut out of family dinners every fifteen seconds, and he’s getting increasingly frustrated. But then something weird happens. He recognizes one of the people throwing themselves off rooftops – it’s his long-time enemy, Captain Cold. At first, I assumed that it was a guy in a costume, but no – it’s the genuine article, and he knows something that he needs to get Flash’s attention about. He knows about the bigger threat facing the city – and it could be cataclysmic.

This issue feels like a hard reset for Captain Cold’s characterization, ending his time as an A-list supervillain and bringing him back to the work-a-day crook with a sense of honor he used to be. That’s very welcome, especially as he and Flash are hilarious as they snark and insult each other through their investigative mission. With a new priority, Flash starts taking pre-emptive measures to keep people safe – essentially yanking people out of the way of streets and off rooftops before he even knows if they’re jumping or not. This leads to a lot of hilarious visual gags – but even the fastest man alive can’t be everywhere, as he learns the hard way. North does an excellent job of getting across just how stressful this situation is for someone like Wally, and the stakes escalate massively at the end of the issue. This feels very much in the vein of the best Flash runs, particularly those by Johns and Waid so far.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Batman: Detective Comics #1108 – Tom Taylor, Writer; Pete Woods, Bruno Adbias, Artists; Lee Loughridge, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: In only one issue, Tom Taylor did a great job of establishing a new mystery and a new character dynamic in this title, with Green Arrow and Black Canary moving to town, as well as a shady AI company moving to bump off whistleblowers one by one in anticipation of acquiring Queen Industries. Last issue saw the trio of heroes celebrate Wildcat’s life as Canary took over his gym, and then go to pay tribute to another fallen comrade – Prion, a mystery vigilante they all knew when they were young. This issue finally shows him in full, as the trio encounter him in a flashback, and the young bird-themed vigilante helps to foil a hostage situation before departing, his mysteries intact. There’s now a new puzzle involving a mystery girl who paid his grave a visit despite him having no known relatives, but there’s no time to focus on this question – because Klep Corp is about to strike again.

This arc so far is a little lighter than the previous one – there’s a fantastic segment with the three vigilantes in Batman’s hatchback car with secret Batmobile abilities – but there are no shortage of high stakes as well. The last surviving whistleblower is under 24/7 guard, but his transport van suddenly goes rogue and seemingly drives off a bridge with him and several guards in it – hinting at a massive hacking operation. Batman takes charge of keeping him safe after the rescue, but now it’s Green Arrow’s time to turn the screws on the villain. There’s a really satisfying moment when Queen faces off with the head of Klep Corp and lets him know exactly what he thinks of his offer, even if we never see the words involved – we can guess. But then, the main mystery that’s been set up comes back in a big way, and one character’s actions at the end throw everything we know so far for a loop.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Superman #37 – Joshua Williamson, Writer; Dan Mora, Artist; Alejandro Sanchez, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Josh Williamson continues to do the impossible, making Superboy Prime not just a legitimate lead character, but one of the most entertaining and human ones out there. He’s settling into a new life as the primary Superman with Kal-El missing, but he’s starting over in a lot of ways. He has a low-rent job at a comic book store, most of the other heroes don’t trust him, and even those who give him a fresh slate are awkward around him. That’s definitely the case for Ma and Pa Kent, who open their house to him for lunch, but are clearly ill at ease – especially with a Justice League team led by Power Girl hovering menacingly overhead. Complicating things even more, Prime is running into trouble at his new job, showing up late frequently due to superhero things. It’s interesting to see how this very human plot rattles him, something Superman never really had to deal with.

At the core of this story is his desire for a new start, one where he’s not judged for his past crimes in a past continuity, and that leads him to Gotham – where he seeks help from Damian Wayne, who was probably just as disliked by fans as Prime when he first appeared. Damian has made a huge recovery from that, of course, but he’s not quite so generous towards Prime at first. As they battle a particularly menacing version of Clayface, with some great visuals by Mora, they do come to some sort of an understanding. This issue is hilarious in places, with Prime having a sense of meta-awareness that is really unique in characters and leads to some amazing one-liners, but there’s a surprisingly personal touch to the whole thing that really makes it work. The ending promises a surprising new villain – one who has an unexpected personal connection to Prime as well.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Ground of Aces is a PC video game developed and published by Blindflug Studios AG. It is currently available on Steam in Early Access for $29.99. The game had a successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2023. It released in early access in June of 2025 and since that time has had several upgrades and improvements. When you start the game, you are given a plot of land along with a barracks, a few personnel, supplies, and orders to build an airfield. You will start off clearing an area for your first runway and gathering resources to build the runway as well as a spot for your first airplane. As you select trees to cut down, rocks to break, water to collect, and structures to build, your personnel will automatically move to complete the task. As the day comes to an end, your personnel will need some down time. You need to make sure they have chairs to sit in and other recreations. Then each person needs a cot where they can sleep. While you start off with some rations, you will need to find food sources in the area around you and harvest them. Build a kitchen to prepare better meals for your workers. 

As you progress through the game, you will need to construct buildings to store your supplies and workshops to turn logs into lumber and create other resources from raw materials. Once you have your first airplane, a biplane fighter, you will receive missions on which to sent it. As you expand your base and build longer runways, you will unlock access to more powerful fighters and eventually bombers. As you have more planes, you can receive more difficult missions which provide not only higher risks, but greater rewards. As your airfield becomes a larger threat, the enemy will take notice and attack. Therefore you will need to build anti-aircraft defenses and then put your people to work repairing the base after these attacks. 

Since I am a military history major who specialized in WWII and a current high school history teacher, I was very interested in playing this game, especially since I have studied the Battle of Britain quite a bit. Since there was so much to do in the game, I worried it might be tough to learn to play. However, the campaign is written to teach you the game as you go. The objectives really guide you through the process. For example, your first objectives are to build an airstrip and parking spot, order an airplane, and build some beds for your personnel. Then after you complete those, you will need to harvest 5 trees, build a saw station, craft 5 sets of planks, and build a radio station. By only giving a few objectives at a time, it helps new players really learn all there is in the game. 

Blindflug has a roadmap of almost 60 features they want to add to the game. Currently they have implemented about half of them. I have really enjoyed playing Ground of Aces. While the main focus is on building an airbase, it also allows you to build up your squadron of planes, train your pilots and crews, and then send them off on missions. Though you do not actively control the planes, your decisions help influence the results of the missions. So far the game has a lot to offer and I am excited for all the other features they continue to work on. Even though it is still in early access, the main part of the game is in place and you can play through it, learning the game in the campaign. Then you can take on new airfields and build them up. If you enjoy base building simulations and interested in WWII, then I recommend you give Ground of Aces a try. 

Here is the launch trailer:

When sitting at a desk for hours at a time, it is important to have not only a comfortable chair, but also one that is ergonomically designed to keep your body from getting sore or out of alignment. Over the years and decades, I have had many different chairs both at work and at home. Some are better than others. However, I am always looking for a better chair. Therefore, when I learned about the C7 Max by Flexispot, a brand I have been impressed with in the past, I wanted to give it a sit down. 

What Is the FlexiSpot C7 Max Premium Ergonomic Office Chair?

FlexiSpot is a furniture manufacturer that not only makes ergonomic desk chairs, but also recliners, sofas, standing desks, and even adjustable beds. The C7 Max is one of their top of the line models. Let’s take a look at its features starting with the top. It has a 3D headrest that can be adjusted up or down over 2 inches along with two pivot points allowing it to rotate and tilt it to fit your needs. The upper backrest can be adjusted up and down through five settings while supporting the natural curvature of the spine and helps you maintain a healthy posture. 

Below the backrest, the dynamic adaptive lumbar support eases lower back pressure while reducing irritation to the sciatic nerve when sitting for long periods. As we get down to the seat, it can be moved forward and back 1.6 inches to help reduce leg fatigue by relieving thigh pressure and improving blood circulation. For the seat, you can choose between a latex seat cushion or a DuPont mesh with increased breathability. 

The C7 Max features what FlexiSpot calls 5D armrests. They can raise and lower 3.15 inches and rotate at the top of the support as well as where the pad connects to the arm on the support. This allows an incredible amount of flexibility. You can essentially extend the rests forward or back, move them away from or towards your body, and even angle them towards each other to support your arms while your hands are clasped together. 

There is an option to include a footrest. This extends out from below the seat and rotates to support your legs horizontally. The footrest is padded and extends to your calves or ankles depending on the length of your legs. Combined with the ability to tilt the backrest back, this turns your desk chair into recliner. Continuing all the way to the bottom, the legs at the base have footpads molded into the legs so you can rest your feet on them. 

 The C7 Max is currently available directly from FlexiSpot. The chair is currently on sale and starts at $429.99 and shipping is free. If you want to upgrade it, the mesh seat is an additional $20 and the footrest adds $40. FlexiSpot includes a 10-year warranty.  

Why You Should Get the FlexiSpot C7 Max Premium Ergonomic Office Chair

I recently had the opportunity to review the E7 Plus Max Standing Desk and have been very impressed with it. With a new desk, I really needed a new chair. When I received the C7 Max, it came well packaged in the box with plenty of padding and protection for the latex foam seat and mesh back. The instructions for assembly were easy to follow and it even included an allen wrench for the screws. Once it was assembled, I put it to use. I have been using it for a couple weeks and it has become my favorite chair. I like the ability to adjust it just how I want it. The arm rests are incredibly versatile. I can rotate them and move them just how I want. When typing I keep them apart and at the level of my desk. However, when playing video games with a controller, I can move them towards each other to better support my forearms. 

The latex foam seat stays surprisingly cool and is quite comfortable. However, I think my favorite feature are the footrests. After a day at work, I like to sit in a recliner and put my feet up. However, if I still need to do some desk work, I can now still put my feet up while sitting at the desk. In fact, as I write this article, I am sitting most comfortably with my legs up on the footrest. I have even reclined back with my feet up and taken a nap in the chair. Finally, the C7 Max is well made. This chair has some weight to it and has sturdy construction. I can truthfully state that the C7 Max is my new favorite chair. Now that I have one at home, I need to get a second chair to use at work. If you are in the market for a standing desk, then I highly recommend considering the C7 Max Ergonomic Office Chair. 

Check out the FlexiSpot website for more information and to make a purchase.

Here is a video showing the features of the C7 Max Ergonomic Office Chair.

Disclosure: GeekDad received a sample of this item for review purposes.

End of Life #3 – Kyle Starks, Writer; Steve Pugh, Artist; Chris O’Halloran, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Of all the new Vertigo books to come out of this first wave, this one has the most straightforward plot, but it makes up for it with a ton of humor and some surprising emotional honesty. Eddie Stallion, on the run from his own criminal syndicate after accidentally robbing them, has reunited with his dying hitman father as the two try to reconcile amid their ongoing dislike for each other. Despite the tension, Eddie finds himself in a very awkward situation while helping the old man, and while the dark humor involved could go very wrong in lesser hands, the scene surprisingly works. There’s a great scene between Eddie and another resident of the small town that will be all too relatable for anyone who’s dealt with an aging or sick parent towards the end of their life, and the book manages to get really emotional when it’s working with these themes.

But this is ultimately an assassin comedy, and Eddie is never allowed to forget that he’s a marked man for too long. He tries to go about his daily life in the town, insulting plenty of people along the way, but it’s not long before the next villain shows up. In the form of a man in a chicken suit who only says the words “Big Cock” over and over again. This scene is absurd, but there’s also a level of over-the-top action and violence that reminds me a lot of the great recent action-comedy Bullet Train. Most of Kyle Starks’ best work has this same level of absurdity to it, and Steve Pugh’s art is just cartoony enough to work no matter the context of the scene. The story itself is a little bit of a slow-burn, with each issue usually containing one showpiece fight scene, but the small cast of characters and the setting are all compelling enough that it works and has me excited for the next issue every month.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Catwoman #86 – Torunn Gronbekk, Writer; Davide Gianfelice, Artist; Patricio Delpeche, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Much like Nightwing, this is a continuing run, but one that has suddenly taken on a much darker tone. That’s because we’re returning to one of the darkest stories in DC history, and bringing back Selina’s arch-nemesis – Black Mask. The sadistic crimelord tortured Selina’s sister into insanity years ago, and Selina struck back hard. Now he’s back for revenge, and Selina’s return to Gotham has turned into a nightmare. She visits an old friend of hers, only to find him brutally murdered and herself framed for the crime. All of a sudden, she’s on the run with only a few people she could trust. She instantly seeks out Holly, her old friend and the one she was trying to help out with her most recent hype – but even from their brief text conversations, Holly is acting oddly. The meeting between them in Holly’s loft is when this issue takes the turn from unsettling to deeply disturbing.

That’s the tone that Black Mask brings to every story he’s in, so it’s not a surprise, but he’s not the only major player here with a grudge against Selina. There’s a second villain as well, one whose grudge is just as personal, and she’s out for blood as well. The first part of Gronbekk’s run mostly involved original characters and created a whole new mythology for Selina’s time abroad under different identities, but now she’s making up for lost time by bringing in a lot of players from Selina’s past books. I’m particularly happy to see the return of Slam Bradley, one of the most underrated DC characters (who most recently starred in a stand-alone Tom King book that was pretty fascinating). This book takes a distinct turn into pitch-black noir and promises to go even darker next issue, as Black Mask seems determined to track down everything Selina has left to lose and put it all on the table.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Nightwing #137 – Dan Watters, Writer; Denys Cowan, Penciller; Norm Rapmund, Artist; Francesco Segala, Colorist

Ray – 9.5/10

Ray: Although Dan Watters is technically continuing his run from the previous arc, the addition of Denys Cowan and a new direction makes it feel like a fresh run – and one that has taken a massive step up in quality. A new Mayor has quickly turned Bludhaven into a much darker place, as the haunted city’s ghosts are coming to the surface. In the previous issue, Nightwing’s attempts to figure out who was attacking people on the city’s new freeway led to a horrific car crash as he was attacked by what might have been a ghost. Now the whole city is blaming Nightwing for the tragedy, and he’s not so sure himself. At the same time, a new threat is emerging – a mysterious sniper is targeting people around the Bludhaven Bridge, a century-old span. And when part of the bridge’s foundation is exposed, it reveals long-buried bodies that were entombed in the structure itself.

One of my favorite things about this new run is that it makes Bludhaven feel like a character in the story in the same way the best Gotham stories do. This is a deeply cursed city, with its foundations built on innocent blood, and now those ghosts are coming home to roost. Batman guest-stars in this issue, not pursuing Nightwing for his supposed crimes but checking in on his son as Nightwing clearly starts to become more and more driven to the expense of everything else. There are some great scenes between them that drive home that despite the strong differences they have, these two are clearly family and love each other. That kind of complex dynamic also drives the villains, as there’s a deeply tragic story behind the snipers and a twisted desire at the core. This issue has a psychological complexity to it that I really wasn’t expecting, and these first two issues have been home runs.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Lobo #2 – Skottie Young, Writer; Jorge Corona, Artist; Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: In an action-packed first issue, Lobo faced a fate worse than death – mass marketing. He found out that his bounty-hunting business had been taken over by a massive corporation, which now controlled his services. They still wanted him to hunt and kill for them – they just wanted him to do it in a more image-friendly, commercial way. So Lobo is now the star of a bounty-hunting reality TV show – whether he wants to be or not. That means a makeover to give him a very 90s-influenced suit of armor, as well as a whole lot of canned lines he’s supposed to repeat when claiming a bounty. Not only does he hate all of this, but he keeps ruining takes when he quickly kills his bounty instead of bringing them in with TV-friendly tactics. It’s pretty clear the partnership isn’t working – and Lobo wants everyone to know that. So it’s no surprise when the dreaded retooling comes down the pipe next.

It’s pretty clear Lobo isn’t a good hero or even an antihero, so there’s only one thing to do – pit him against a hero. And that’s how Emperor Aquaman winds up with a bounty placed on his head. Reading this issue after an issue of Jeremy Adams’ title is a bit of a head-trip because…this is not the same character. This version of Aquaman is a boastful bruiser clearly inspired by some of his cartoon appearances, but thankfully not the most infamous one. That’s the thing about this title and most of Young’s work in general – it’s best understood as a comedy and a bit of a parody. This is his first attempt to write a comic in the main line of the DCU, and because of that, it’s going to be a bit rough when it comes to characterization in places. But despite that, it’s a really funny take on Lobo with some fantastic action, and any fans of I Hate Fairyland will continue to have a great time.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

In the 12 years and roughly two console generations since the North American 3DS debut of Tomodachi Life, much has changed across the gaming landscape. For example, the advent of the “cozy game” genre—popularized in no small part by the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons during the height of the COVID pandemic—has opened up even more of the marketplace to the notion of relaxing and largely non-violent gameplay.

This, coupled with the recent arrivals of both a much-needed content update for New Horizons and the spectacularly charming, narratively driven Pokémon Pokopia, has really set the stage for the return of surrealist city-building sequel Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Arriving this week on the Nintendo Switch family of systems (MSRP $59.99), Living the Dream takes everything weird and wonderful about the handheld original and super-sizes it, offering untold hours of enjoyment with only a couple of minor shortcomings.

In addition to a nicely revamped Mii creation system (which I lovingly detailed in last month’s preview coverage), Living the Dream‘s other obvious immediate upgrade is your Miis’ homes. Despite a real-world economic downturn, the inhabitants of your new Tomodachi Life island have moved on from apartment living to begin their virtual lives in brightly colored private bungalows that coordinate with their starting outfits and are determined by their overall personalities (like Ambitious : Achiever or Reserved : Perfectionist).

You’ll arrange these houses around the central Wishing Fountain on an initially meager atoll. Powered by the Warm Fuzzies acquired from your Miis, this Wishing Fountain is a singularly important feature, but it’s not your island’s only landmark.

Various unlockable amenities such as the MNN news station, Tomoria restaurant, Fresh Kingdom food mart, and Where & Wear clothing will (eventually) span from shore to shore. These locales provide backgrounds for your inhabitants’ silly interactions, as well as ways to acquire the clothing, food, and accessories they desire.

And their desires, as always, are paramount.

In time, you’ll be able to customize everything, from Miis’ individual homes to the island’s shoreline, paths, trees, and flowers—with additional options for things like clothing and food of your own creation.

Fueled by those Warm Fuzzies and the steady trickle of cash you acquire from your citizens, growth and advancement are rewarded with… well, more growth and advancement. Better items, new facilities, and simply more content overall are the carrots that keep the story of your island community moving ever forward. As the island grows in size—I believe mine reached its maximum square footage at around half capacity, or 35 Miis— it increases its quality of life and its very culture.

Miis regularly ask you, their creator, probing questions about your own likes, hopes, and dreams, and your answers become a part of island lingo, little conversation starters that your Miis use to communicate. My favorite movie? Suspiria. A treasured pastime? Drinkin’. My preferred villain? Magneto. Each of these little nuggets, for good or ill, has become a part of my Living the Dream experience.

Unfortunately, though, it seems like these words are just that: words.

For example, when pressed about a famous person I’d like to meet, I typed Bea Arthur. Shortly thereafter, ol’ Dorothy Zbornak was the talk of the town. However, when I moved Bea herself to the island—it was as easy as choosing “Add a Mii” from the in-game menu and giving her all the humor and sass of the original—no one ever really made the connection between this hot topic and our newest citizen.

The menu, I might add, is a perfect little piece of UI. Press X to bring it up, and it slides in from the right side of your screen. Here you have easy access to your settings and save function, Mii creation, your resident list, and even more exhaustive resources like your item catalog and island info. The latter provides all your residents’ personalities and lingo, as well as the seemingly nebulous “additional details.”

This was where I spent an exorbitant amount of time monitoring my care record (basically, the happiness and accomplishments of my Miis), my land/object use, and some cool demographic data. My island’s average age, it seems, is 44.4 years old. Also, my island vibe is “survivalist island,” which is… never really explained.

Land use and lingo aside, Living the Dream really is all about the Miis. Sometimes they are content to make their own decisions and live their own tiny, digital lives, but other times they crave divine intervention. Mapped to the Y button is a Mii quick menu. Press it to open a scrollable list of your occupants, complete with various indicators to let you know of any currently in-progress drama.

Some might be dreaming (indicated by the Mii dressed in PJs and a nightcap). You can select them to view the dream, which usually unlocks food or other items. They may also be satisfied, angry, or out of sorts—situations you can choose to address or just let them be—but often they’ll actively need your attention.

Indicated by flashing icons or colored thought bubbles, these occurrences are the bread and butter of the Tomodachi Life experience, where all that mad magic really happens. Maybe they’re having intrusive thoughts they need you to dispel, or perhaps they just feel a bit peckish. It could be that they want new clothes or to live in a new environment. Sometimes they’ll want to play a game of object identification with you, which provides a shot at unlocking additional treasure items.

Along the way, Miis can discover their favorite foods (complete with over-the-top cutscenes), play with the pets and treasures you, their benevolent god, provide them, and can even be rewarded with specialty goods and personality quirks as they level up, all serving to make them more properly fleshed-out characters.

Still, food, clothing, shelter, and your undivided attention won’t always satisfy your quirky islanders. They seek interpersonal connections with their fellow Miis.

Just like in real life, some folks hit it off, and some don’t. Sometimes a strong friendship can develop into romantic feelings, and even marriage, and other times there can be a rare and volatile instant infatuation.

None of this guarantees that the other party is interested, though, and whether it’s moving in as platonic roommates, pursuing a more romantic endeavor, or tying the knot, love is a two-way street. As your island’s de facto creator, you do have a little pull. You can place two Miis close together to prime interaction via a meet-up and actively encourage their interest in each other. But not even this is a surefire way to play ultimate matchmaker.

That isn’t a bug but a feature.

In fact, it’s Tomodachi Life‘s secret weapon. You can try your best to mold a character into what you want them to be, only to discover that they have different plans.

Living the Dream provides a wonderful system for creating in-game analogues of your friends, family, and favorite celebrities, complete with personality preferences, flexible forms of gender expression, and a some-all-none approach to romantic attraction. You can tailor these things to your liking, fine-tune them with personality quirks such as the way they move, stand, or speak, and put them close to those you want them to mingle with, but you can’t make them love (or, for that matter, like) each other. Hell, you can’t make them like fried chicken! Such is life, and such is Tomodachi Life.

Whether you discovered the series yourself at launch, later in the 3DS lifespan, or simply came across it well after the fact when your favorite streamer played it, you’ll find all the very best that it has to offer here in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream—and much, much more!

There are so many things going on here in Living the Dream, so much canvas on which to paint, that it’s hard to find anything to complain about. (Not that this will stop me.)

The current online scuttlebutt seems to be focused on the game’s maximum number of Miis. It’s 70, down from the 3DS iteration’s 100. I understand the concern, but for me, that’s proven to be more than enough characters to keep me occupied.

My only real gripe concerns the lack of two quality-of-life features present in the original. The first is touchscreen support, which was very much integrated into the bulk of the 3DS gameplay, but here on the Switch is rather hit or miss.

Yeah, I can use it during Mii creation and some of the minigames, but it’s surprisingly absent from big swaths of the rest of the title, like navigating the map or the important Island Builder mode. Also, while the previous release had a QR-code system for easily sharing and importing Miis, Living the Dream does not. I understand that this specific feature relies heavily on an in-game camera, which the Switch lacks, but I’d love to see some kind of code-based system or online sharing platform integrated at a later date.

That all being said, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is another enchanting life-sim experience that has already become my new go-to title. (Apologies to all those Pokopia creatures still patiently waiting on their new homes.)

Young or old, returning fan or newly interested party, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is among the very easiest of recommendations. My only advice is to approach the experience at your own pace, regularly choose the option that looks like the most fun, and always, always embrace the weirdness.

Review materials provided by Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. On my island, Ella Purnell is best friends with Chappell Roan, and I feel like that’s a world we’d all like to live in.

Batwoman #2 – Greg Rucka, Writer; DaNi, Artist; Matt Hollingsworth, Colorist

Ray – 9/10

Ray: Greg Rucka’s writing has always kept its secrets close to its chest, introducing us to a new status quo and letting his taciturn characters parcel out information at their pace. That was definitely the case for the first issue of this title, which saw Kate Kane seemingly voluntarily checked into a Greek sanitarium, seeking peace and healing after a final battle with Alice apparently killed her sister once again. Kate seemed reserved, haunted, but it soon became clear that the place she was secured in wasn’t a place of healing at all. It was a hideout for a cult, and she was the subject. The growing evidence that something was wrong eventually led Kate to launch a breakout, donning her Batwoman costume for the first time in a while to investigate. But as the opening to this issue makes clear, she’s not alone in the Greek Isles. Jacob Kane is watching – and he wants to make sure Kate stays put.

Jacob has always been a fairly ambiguous character. Rucka wrote him as Kate’s primary partner in heroics, often serving as the man behind the hero. But under Tynion, he was a more sinister figure who wanted to bring military-style policing to Gotham. Here, he’s clearly concerned with his daughter, but it’s not clear how much he knows about the sinister goings-on at the center. He’s clearly horrified when Kate breaks free, but she soon finds herself pulled into a brawl with cultists. The overarching villain of the arc, Mr. Gores, gets a little more spotlight this issue as it becomes clear he’s not truly a part of the women-dominated society that runs the facility. As the issue wraps up, we get a clearer picture of where Kate’s mind is right now – and it’s not good. I could quibble with the pace of this series, but it works to create a sense of tension as we build towards a much bigger conspiracy.

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes