**AS ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT THERE WILL BE SLIGHT SPOILERS, READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!!**

X #18
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Eric Nguyen
Reviewer: Ray Willis

X, the fearsome protector of Arcadia city is captured by the Pig men after getting help from Leigh Ferguson. Duane Swierczynski really crafts a really good story of horror in this this arc of X. The use of plastic surgery is a risky business with people wanting to look younger and fix things about themselves but Swierczynski turns it on its head. The way Swierczynski constructs the story of this crazed doctor and his attempts at finding the right skin is very well crafted. The dialogue is solid and we get to know more about X’s skin healing properties through a variety of tests by the doctor. The pacing was really good, switching between the time of X’s capture and the present time frame that’s easy to follow.
The art by Eric Nguyen is really good and some scenes in this issue are down right scary. With the gruesome looking pig mask and the very well drawn characters this is a really good drawn issue. A slight spoiler but there is a skinless man in this issue and also a very trippy scene that takes place in this issue which is very gruesome.

I did not find anything wrong with this issue at all. I found this issue really entertaining and had a nice flow to get more information on the what happens to X. The solid work by Duane Swierczynski really captures the tale of this mad plastic surgeon and Eric Nguyen’s artwork complements the writing of this issue.
5 out of 5 Surgeons

Wytches #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock
Reviewer: Alex Krefetz

It’s October, and as good of a time as any to put out some good horror comic books. Enter Wytches from Scott Snyder and the mononymous Jock. Snyder’s worked on horror comics in the past including the excellent American Vampire in addition to his current run on Batman, and Jock is no stranger to creepy art sensibilities with his dark takes on several superheroes. The two have produced a comic that is not only great, but lays the groundwork for even more.

This issue introduces us to reclusive daughter Sailor and her parents Charlie and Lucy. The family has just moved to a new town after an incident involving Sailor and another girl, and we see a family struggling to overcome some bad times. Snyder does a great job giving us enough information about each character to satisfy yet still want to know more about what is happening. The main story follows Sailor’s first day at a new school and looks back to how she and her family have ended up here.

I guess it’s not really a spoiler to say there are witches in this book. In this first issue, we only get a glimpse at what these creatures look like and what there capable of, but this brief look gives me more than enough reason to hope I never encounter a witch. Jock’s’ signature inky style paints a picture of a dark, shadowy world of exaggerated features and piercing stares. It’s similar to his previous horror work, and still has the ability to really creep out a reader.

These two working on a horror book is truly a match made heaven (or hell). I don’t read many horror comics, but a story like this reminds me of this subgenre and why its one of the most popular genres today. If you’re looking for something to get you in that Halloween spirit, this is the book for you.

4 out of 5 pointy black hats

Amazing Spider-Man #7
Writer: Dan Slott and Christos Gage
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Reviewer: Oz Longworth Jr. aka Not To Be Confused With That Guy From That Show

Thus far, it’s been wonderful having Peter Parker back in full Spider-garb where he belongs. Amazing has spent a lot of time a). doing damage control in the wake of Superior and b). laying the groundwork for a whole other threat from an old foe just on the horizon, tearing it’s way through the multiverse coming for Peter. While most of this has been happening so far in Edge of Spiderverse (which is fantastic, by the way), Dan Slott seems to be doing a good job of keeping the kind of fun in Amazing that reminds us why we love Spider-books in the first place.

This issue picks up after Spidey and his new not-girlfriend, Cindy Moon survive and overcome a double team attack from Electro and Black Cat. While Cindy runs off to do some soul searching, Peter’s stumbles onto a robbery, a case of mistaken identity and an opportunity to lend aid to a certain fledgling superheroine: Kamala Khan, the new Ms. Marvel. Honestly, this was the team-up I was hoping would happen eventually. Kamala’s awkwardness and Peter’s built-in hilarity are a match made in dialog heaven. Slott and Christos Gage (who scripted Slott’s plot) seem to have a good time allowing for Peter’s “Oy, what now?” attitude and Ms. Marvel’s never ending fangirl-isms to play off of each other in a fast paced, fun team-up romp. Giuseppe Camuncoli’s pencils are a fun compliment to the script as well. He handles Kamala’s “everyday girl” look much better than I expected from artists outside of the team working on her solo title. Her first panel alongside Spidey is a gorgeous moment that fans of both will be geeking out on for a while.

Bottom Line: Gorgeous looking, appropriately paced, fun team-up between Marvel’s mascot and it’s latest sweetheart. I am definitely excited for next issue.

4.5 out of 5 webs of intrigue