The Batman Adventures #21 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Famed biological researcher, Dr. Emile Dorian had escaped from Arkham Asylum. Placed there by Batman and Selina Kyle, Dorian first plans tortuous revenge and then to biologically alter the DNA of the Dark Knight and Catwoman. To capture the pair, Dorian visits Dr. Kirk Langstrom, where the evil scientist injects Langstrom with a new version of the Man-Bat serum. 

Now under Dorian's control, Man-Bat succeeds in capturing Batman first. In the meantime, a mysterious figure has traveled to Dorian's island compound where he meets Tygrus, a mutated cat creature that fell in love with Selena. The stranger turns out to be a werewolf and he's hoping Dorian can do something to reverse the man's lupine curse. Tygrus agrees to help the desperate man and they travel to Gotham to find Dorian.

Tygrus and his new friend first go to Selena Kyle's apartment. There, they witness Man-Bat kidnapping the woman and they follow them to Dorian's new lair. When they approach Dorian, the biologist agrees to help both the reluctant werewolf as well as Tygrus. Seeing that Tygrus desperately wants to be with Kyle, Dorian decides to help his creation become human. Seeing the ultimate revenge, the scientist will conduct a brain swap between Tygrus and the Batman!

A sequel to the season 1 episode of Batman: The Animated Series 'Tyger, Tyger', this issue brings back all the major players along with the addition of the werewolf. Though it is not disclosed in this issue, the wolf man is Anthony Romulus, who first appeared in the season one episode 'Moon of the Wolf.'

Kelley Puckett was the writer. Artwork by Mike Parobek.

Completing this review completes Task #14 (Batman Comic from the 1990s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez

Duke is a werewolf. Earl is a vampire. They're friends but they act like they hate each other. Since Earl is in a vulnerable state during daylight hours, Duke is his pal's protector. Imagine Lennie and George from Of Mice and Men. I picture Duke and Earl as the main characters from Tremors: rude, crude and a little dumb. But what they lack in book smarts, they make up for with rugged ingenuity and supernatural powers. While those characters were played by Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon, I don't really envision those actors as Duke and Earl. In terms of Duke, I picture Tyler Labine from Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil. But hairier. I couldn't picture anyone famous for Earl.

Okay, back to the story...

The two drifters wind up at an all-night greasy spoon looking for gas and grub. Instead, they wind up having to take on a legion of zombies. So begins a tale that I could see being a Netflix series or even a SyFy movie that takes the two characters and puts them against a young adult aspiring pagan priestess who wants to usher in the apocalypse. Turns out that the truck stop is situated on the nexus point that will open up the gates of the underworld and introduce ancient deities to the 21st century.

If you can get past the clunky first two chapters, you're in for a treat. It was almost like the author had a little trouble getting out of the starting gate. (This 2005 work from TOR Books was his first novel.) I find as a rule of thumb that anytime a character is described as wearing a T-shirt with a funny but also inappropriate saying on it, there's just something off about the storytelling. Heck, Stephen King and Douglas Adams were both guilty of this at times. But I am very glad that I pressed on with the book.

Gil's All Fright Diner does some really clever work re-adjusting the established rules behind traditional folk characters such as the Wolfman, vampires, zombies and especially ghosts. There's a whole dichotomy that makes ghosts more believable in this world than here in reality. And they're smartly written too.

I liked the universe that writer A. Lee Martinez created and I was actually disappointed to see this book end. It's not a world that I would want to live in. But it's definitely a place that I would like to visit again. Sadly, though Martinez has written other similar type works of horror/comedy/fantasy, it doesn't appear that Duke nor Earl return in any of them. That being said, I wouldn't mind giving another one of the author's works a try and he's got a couple that do look interesting.

We'll see...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Crime Patrol #11 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

(Issue read was Crime Patrol #5, the Gemstone Publishing August, 2000 Reprint Edition)

Though 1950-55 was the heyday of EC Comics, William Gaines and company were perfecting their brand in the late 1940s. Starting out as International Comics before a name change to International Crime Patrol, what would become just Crime Patrol with issue #7, focused on gritty violent crime stories. The police might not get their man. But justice was always done by the end of each story.

In 1949, when this issue was originally published, publisher Gaines and editor and artist Al Feldstein had begun to experiment with horror. That's why the middle story, 'The Werewolf's Curse'!, was included in a book devoted to criminal activity. As readers of Crime Patrol began to write letters praising these tales of terror, Gaines and Feldstein saw the merits in releasing an all horror comic. Crime Patrol #15 introduced readers to the Crypt Keeper who hosted the Feldstein tale 'Return From the Grave' Two issues later, Crime Patrol morphed into The Crypt of Terror, hosted by the ghoulish Crypt Keeper. Another two issues later, the publication would make more final name change to Tales From The Crypt and the short-lived Age of EC Comics was born. As a cost-cutting measure with US Postal Service permits, the numbering was never altered throughout the publication's lengthy evolution.

Crime Patrol #11's first story claims to be a true life tale taken from the files of the FBI. Proclaiming that the names were changed to protect the innocence, the true crime moniker was more than likely a story gimmick to sensationalize the kidnapping of a wealthy socialite for ransom by a couple of small time crooks. 

The third story is an account of a female pickpocket forced into working as a card sharp for a seedy carnival owner. There is no mention of this tragic tale being based on reality or not.

As for the middle feature, 'The Werewolf's Curse!', it's based on a classic horror trope. A pair of siblings have inherited a castle. Legend has it that the fortress is cursed by a werewolf which both heirs laugh off as pure legend. That is until their faithful dog and the caretaker of the manner are both mauled by an unseen assailant. This story lacks the signature twist ending that would become the staple of the EC line. Instead, the reader is left to wonder if there really was a curse of a lycanthrope or if the countryside was terrorized by some other unknown beast that could walk on two legs.

With this issue, featuring art and story Al Feldstein with contributions by Richard Krause, Howard Larsen, H.C. Kiefer and a dramatic cover by Johnny Craig, this isn't a perfect EC Comic, but you can see that things are slowly falling into place for William Gaines and company.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #18 (An EC Comic (Reprints are allowed) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

A Vampire in Hollywood: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

The last few issues of Supernatural Law are collected in this volume. 

I personally have a connection to this book as I was one of the backers on Kickstarter for the publication of A Vampire in Hollywood. Yes! My name is really inside this book, somewhere in the back. 

When I backed this project, I opted for an autographed copy of a rare collection of Supernatural Law comic strips commonly known as 'The Red Book', due to the blood red cover. That was about 7 years ago. Just recently, I decided to stop sitting on the pot and complete my collection. (Naturally, I've learned that I'm actually farther away from finishing up my run of Supernatural Law books.)

The cover story of this book is about a 5th generation vampire who's being sued for sexual harassment. The reluctant vampire is claiming to have been outed as a bloodsucker, even though he's a vegetarian. But when his newfound popularity opens the doors to Hollywood stardom, all of a sudden, this milksop will embrace his inner Nosferatu!

While in Burbank, Wolff & Byrd will entertain a series of pitches for a Supernatural Law movie. Led by former Mavis boyfriend, Toby, this pitch session will be anything but normal. 

Oh, and remember when I said that the original Supernatural Law graphic novel, The Werewolf in New York was set to be read before this book? Well, Wolff & Byrd are in California as an in-direct follow-up to the events of that story. While Leon, the werewolf from that graphic novel is never shown, scenes from that graphic novel are used in the 'sequel' story. 

Lastly, things come to an end for both Supernatural Law (the comic book, not the series itself) and Mavis, the sister series. With Mavis, she's got a new beau and she's desperate to show off him at a gathering of friends. But he's got a complicated history with one of the other party goers. And the birthday boy guest-of-honor is nowhere to be found!

With Supernatural Law's last issue, Woff & Byrd defend their most famous client aside from Count Dracula. It's Troma's Toxic Avenger! Toxie has become the pariah of hometown Tromaville and needs the counselors of the macabre to come to his defense. Featuring the George Lucas of Troma Entertainment, Lloyd Kaufman as narrator and extra guest star!

I always enjoy reading Batton Lash's Supernatural Law. But I think this volume was the most fun I've had since reading volume 3: The Vampire Brat. It's got great storytelling. Awesome artwork. And with that last story, it also gets downright silly. And I loved every page of it!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Werewolf of New York: A Supernatural Law Book (A Madman Re-Read)

The Werewolf of New York is the first Supernatural Law original graphic novel. It's also the first full-color story! In the reading order of things, yes, you do skip in-between the individual Supernatural Law issues. At another review post, I'll explain why. But for now, it's all about lycanthropy. 

Leon Reed has a chance encounter with some wolfsbane and turns into a werewolf as a result. During one of Leon's monthly changes, he attacks a man with a gun. Leon claims it was all in self defense. But it's election time and both the New York District Attorney and the judge proceeding over the case are up for re-election. Still, to throw Leon behind bars for a first offense wouldn't be just. So probation and rehab are ordered.

In the 28 days leading up to his next transformation, Leon attends a 13-step program to curb his animalistic urges. Meanwhile, a shape-shifters rights group is in the wings mucking things up. They believe that Wolff & Byrd aren't doing enough for Leon. These activists believe Leon should be encouraged to embrace his wild side and run free. And they're not afraid to flood the airwaves with their message!

Many of the stories of Supernatural Law appear to be parodies of monster flicks. But underneath, a ton of these stories are satire of important social debates of the day. Batton Lash has done stories on the First Amendment, divorce, abortion and many other issues that seem to grace the floor of our higher courts. The Werewolf of New York is a little bit about animal rights as well as gender rights and identity. But the overall message of this graphic novel is about the overly pervasive role of media in our lives. 

Batton Lash's storytelling isn't an issue. It's amazing. And I really liked that Wolff and Byrd's personal lives take a backseat here for a change. But I did think that the artwork was uneven. I've complained in the past about how Mavis looks like she's from Riverdale and different from everyone else. I've gotten over that as I see that Lash likes to incorporate from different art styles. But when Leon changes to a werewolf, Batton Lash for some reason can't draw him consistently. 

There have been other werewolves in this series before. And they've looked amazing. Mostly, because Lash draws upon 100 years of cinema's most iconic lycanthropes. I think when needing to create a changeling from scratch, Lash had some difficulties.

I also want to point out that I recently learned that during this time Batton Lash was having some severe health issues. If the entire book was at a lower level of quality, I would be graceful towards the Supernatural Law creator. But really, it's just the werewolf artwork that is not up to snuff. So, I hope with this re-read, I am being fairer than fair on this. 

I really enjoyed re-reading this one. I really don't seem to remember it all that much from before. That was 8 years ago and it kinda scares me that I seemed to have blanked out on about 80% of this book. But I guess it was fun to feel like I was reading an all-new Supernatural Law story. maybe...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #98

The Pioneer Wolverine story comes to a close. I love how the people of the Blackfoot tribe call him Skunk-Bear. I kinda hated how this great story ended. Make sense for it to end as it did. I just didn't appreciate it. All except that last panel. That was epic!

A short Ghost Rider story begins in this issue. Despite being told that the Ghost Rider stories were going to be team-ups, this two-parter doesn't appear to be such. What keeps me from hating this story is that it takes place during Christmas. An unexpected holiday story stuck in the middle of an unassuming Marvel Comics Presents. That's a broken promise I can get behind. 

I'm also a fan of the two single issue stories. One has the Werewolf by Night taking on Sabretooth in rural Kansas.

The other is about the reformed Daredevil villain, Gladiator. Now going by his real name, Melvin Potter, he owns a costume shop with the woman he loves. Everything seems serene until a young punk comes to him asking for a Gladiator costume. The Gladiator costume with working buzz saws and everything. And should that reformed villain refuse, that serene life might be in jeopardy. Looks like Melvin Potter might need to suit up one last time.

Not my favorite issue. But with a holiday miracle, despite it's smearing of coal, among 3 very good segments, I was happy.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #54

A couple of issues ago, I talked about an 8-pager starring the Hulk. I mentioned that Hulk was green and he wasn't being referred to as Mr. Fixit. I wondered if this was a flashback. It appears that that story was indeed a flashback because the Hulk is here and he's gray once more. Whether Hulk is still a mob bouncer by the name of Fixit is unclear. That's mostly because in the opening salvo of this Wolverine team-up, Logan mostly encounters Bruce Banner as he's getting his butt kicked by a grizzly bear! Why isn't he hulking up? I think we'll have to wait to the next issue to find out!

The Stingray story in which Tiger Shark is his brother in-law is fantastic. I'm eager to see where this is going!

Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night, begins a 6-part story. His wolf form is growing ever more fierce. Every full moon, Jack is chaining himself in a cloistered area. However, there's been a number of slayings that look like the result of a wolf. Is Jack losing control to the point that he's escaping, killing and then re-chaining himself to a concrete wall? It doesn't seem possible. But the evidence of a werewolf killer is pretty damning. 

In the one shot story, the secret Kali-loving hero, the Shroud encounters a dangerous young girl. With her ability to project intense light, this woman is the antithesis of the Shroud and she's sworn to revenge her family by killing any and all followers of the god Kali! That means Shroud has a giant target on his back!

All 4 segments were very good. Wolverine is better when he's not so arrogant. Stingray deserved his own series, as long as if it was penned by the legendary Len Wein (Swamp Thing). I'm intrigued by the mystery at the center of the Werewolf by Night story. And I really enjoyed the Shroud story. 

I was completely surprised by that because from encounters within the pages of Super-Villain Team-Up and Spider-Woman, I loathed this character. But with a much better framework story explaining his whole hero posing as a crime lord shtick and Batman-like compassion, I had a much favorable view of Shroud. It doesn't mean I'm going run out and buy a full run of Shroud appearances. But I don't dislike the character anymore- for now!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Fangs

What happens when a 300-year old vampire and a modern werewolf fall in love? Sarah Anderson's Fangs attempts to answer that question with a series of small snapshots of the process of finding your 'soul' mate. From those awkward introductions to navigating the rules and norms of each species to the first fight and ultimately moving in together, this was a creative story that really made me chuckle. 

I made a trip to the library today and I thought I had my reads all ready and picked when I came across the graphic novel Halloween reads display. I saw Fangs sitting there with it's simple scarlet cloth bound cover and stunning 1920s styled image of the Vamp on the cover and I just had to have it. The back cover offers zero information about what the story had to offer. So, I really have to take a leap of faith with this graphic novel and I must say that trust fall paid off. 

The idea of 2 monsters falling in love isn't really new. Frankenstein's monster has his bride. And when it comes to inter-species marriage between monsters, naturally you refer to The Munsters. But having a vampire and a werewolf getting along like this is a fairly new thing. I mean doesn't Hollywood basically tell use that the two types of monsters hate each other as mortal (or is it immortal) enemies?

Fangs is both an allegory for interracial relationships and a text book for modern dating and cohabitation which these days seem to be anything but normal. 

It's a light read with hints of the Addams Family, The New Yorker Magazine and Sex and the City. This is something that your typical non-graphic novel reading friends could enjoy along with you!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out 10 stars. 

Jughead: The Hunger #1

Story by Frank Tieri
Art by Pat and Time Kennedy
Colors by Matt Herms
Inks by Bob Smith and Jim AmashPublished by Archie Comics 

Earlier this year, in it’s pretty successful attempt to re-brand itself as more contemporary, Archie Comics issued a series of one-shots with a horror theme. Under it’s Archie’s Madhouse imprint, Jughead: The Hunger was one of those titles. Editors promised that if any of those stand alones were a hit, they would return in a new monthly series. Well, The Hunger was a smash and the editorial staff have kept their promise.

The book begins a month after the events of the Jughead: the Hunger one-shot. Jughead Jones is on the lam from werewolf hunter Betty Cooper. He’s run away and taken a job at a circus, cleaning animal cages by day. By night, Jughead chains himself to his trailer until his animalistic urges pass. Meanwhile, Jughead’s last victim before fleeing Riverdale, Reggie Mantle is about to see life in a unexpectedly new way…

Books like Jughead: The Hunger and Afterlife with Archie are what I wish the CW’s take of the Archie Universe, Riverdale, was more like. In fact, when rumors swirled that the Afterlife with Archie storyline was going to be the focus of season 2, I bought the entire run. I would much rather watcha scary live-action version of Archie and the gang, than a 90210 murder mystery.

Thankfully, there’s books like Jughead: the Hunger to whet my appetite. Written by the amazing Frank Tieri (Gotham Underground), there’s so much creepiness in these 22 pages than in most horror movies in theatres now days. Plus, I really like this kick-ass Buffy the Vampire Slayer version of Betty. And I love how she man-handles a very wimpy Archie Andrews!

Jughead: the Hunger features art by The Death of Archie’s Pat and Tim Kennedy. The duo put a unique spin on the characters. It captures a classic image of these iconic characters while updating them for a modern day thriller. Add amazing inks by Bob Smith and Jim Amash with the eerie color palette of Matt Herms (Afterlife with Archie) and you’ve got a potential visual horror classic in the making here.

Some readers may hate this new take on a nearly 80-year old group of teenagers. But this series is an alternate take on the Archie gang. So put away your established biases and take a chance on Jughead: The Hunger. I promise you, after one issue, you’ll be rushing back to your LCS in November for seconds!

Issue #1 of Jughead: The Hunger debuts in stores on October 25th.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Criminal Macabre/The Goon: When Freaks Collide #1

   When a gang war between vampires and werewolves erupts in old Chicago, the two factions call in some big time help. 

   Enter The Goon and his sidekick, Franky.  

   Enter PI Cal McDonald and his ghoul partner, Mo'lock.

   Stuck in a dimension in-between Cal and the Goon's two worlds, our heroes will meet in typical comic book: first they'll battle, then figure out what's really going on, and finally kick some major butt. But this wasn't any typical crossover/ team-up because when you have Steve Niles and Eric Powell put together in the same project, the results are gonna be anything but typical. 

    A really fun story that ended way too soon. I wish this was a 2 or 3-parter- especially with that twist ending!

   Worth Consuming!

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
   

Legends of the DC Universe #22

The Man of Steel returns for the third time to Legends; this time to investigate reports of an alarm going off at an old government research lab. There, Superman discovers a mad scientist named Dabney (ooooooh, scary!) and his latest creation: a micro world inhabited by creatures inspired by classic horror films.

   This tiny planet is threatening to attack ours with a powerful cleansing agent that would send our earth into chaos by dissolving earth's supply of plastic. Oh, come on- who'se writing this?

    LAME! Lame, lame, lame!

   Supposedly this Dabney character is supposed to be a villain from the Kirby years. I don't recall him. The madman is looney, but he's really laughable.

    Plus, if a planet the size of a beach ball was threatened ours, I'd probably use it as a pool toy to render it obsolete. However, Superman must abide by his strong moral code and thus he with Dabney in tow, allows himself to be shrunk down in hopes he'll be able to appeal to the despot whose got planet earth in his crosshairs.
 
 If it wasn't for the art, I'm not sure if I'd really enjoy this issue at all. As I said, the plot was awful. But the detail of Dabney's lab and the Kamandi-like atmosphere of the tiny planet were masterfully drawn. I'm a big fan of artists who love to include those tiniest of details below and Jose Ladronn takes such care that his rendering of a discarded soda can is as detailed as werewolves that sweep to rescue Superman and Dabney from zombies.

     As far as I know, I've never come across his work before. But I hope to come across it real soon.
Oh, wait- there's next issue!
   
   Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Werewolf of New York: A Supernatural Law Book

I’m a big supporter of Kickstarter. Let me take that back- I love the idea behind Kickstarter. I’ve yet to ever donate any money to anyone’s projects.

  For those in the ‘no’ Kickstarter is a web site were people who have a project, be it a book, piece of art, a film, or restaurant, that they’d like to do but lack the funds to get starter. These dreamers put together a business plan in hopes of intriguing potential investors. If the project is fully funded, then as repayment, the hopeful entrepreneurs will offer rewards that could range from an autographed CD all the way to a fully catered banquet for you and forty of your friends. The size of the reward is in regards to the amount of money you donate. I think all projects must start with a $1 donation but can go for thousands of dollars.

  I mention all of this because the book I am reviewing came to be thanks to a Kickstarter project. The Werewolf of New York is the latest book in the Supernatural Law series. The brain child of Batton Lash, Supernatural Law follows the law firm of Wolff and Byrd and their high-profile law firm that only takes on cases of the macabre. In this, the first ever graphic novel featuring the team, a reformed werewolf is allowed parole only if he undergoes rehab to rid himself of his monthly urge to howl at the moon.

  Standing in the young man’s way is a group of pro-werewolf activists who feel that such legal judgments are unjust. Wolff and Byrd seem to have the man on the road to recovery when sightings of a mad wolfman begin suddenly. Has our paroled wolf fallen back off the wagon or is this groups of ‘pricks’, that have taken a strange interest in his affliction, behind these new attacks? (I use the word pricks only as it’s an inside joke used to describe the protesters often based on an anagram of their name- not as an insult.)

  I’ve been a fan of Wolff and Byrd for years. Their adventures are bizarre, funny, and actually very technical in a legal sense. Artist and Writer Batton Lash has a very clean style of art and it make look familiar to you. Thanks because Lash has been a frequent contributor to Archie Comics for decades. Here’s my only problem with his art- it’s inconsistent in terms of character renderings. Look at the cover- the werewolf looks super creepy (that’s good), the female, Wolff, looks like a stunning 80s bombshell (that’s good, too), while the guy, Byrd, is all round and dumpy like a fat Reggie (that’s not good!)

  Some characters possess a stylized quality shown in some of the best horror comics of the 70s. Yet ever once and a while, Lash slips in a character that food some reason looks like one of the Archie gang. Why can’t the characters be all gothic looking or all residents of Riverdale?

  When it comes to plotting and storytelling, Lash is top notch and I really have no complaints there. He is known to overuse a joke to the point of near exhaustion. But that can be overlooked as even the characters themselves seem to know that fact. Finding Supernatural Law books is hard to do. It’s an Indy title and a web comic, something I did not know until I read the afterword (or was it the preface?)

I got lucky to find this on the new arrivals shelf of a used book story for literally a song. But now that I know how to get my hands on more material frequently (and in its intended format) I’ll be a frequenting the Supernatural Law web page for here on out. And don’t worry; I haven’t given up on paper comics- a web comic is supposed to be on the web (though it doesn’t hurt to put them to paper.) Plus the web comics’ medium is a great way for aspiring comic artists and writers to get their material out there in hopes of attracting a crowd and maybe a publisher in a more economical fashion. Batton Lash, being a user of Kickstarter understands this. He used his web page to promote this book as well as achieve funding through Kickstarter. Lash understands that a comic is meant for paper. Sadly, the economy makes this fact very hard for the little guy. So, support web comics, folks and hopefully one day they’ll end up where they belong- on the shelf or in the long boxes of your comic book collection.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.