The Comics Nexus

The Origin and Legacy of Venus de Milo - Next Mutation

FLAMING CARROT COMICS #25-27

APR 1991 By Bob Burden , Roxanne Starr, Joe Pruett, Dave Newton, Rod Whigham, Pat St. Amour, Marsha Jensen, and Todd McFarlane

Flaming Carrot and the Mystery Men visit New York to (presumably) fight a group of villains. But when Raphael becomes amnesiac, Flaming Carrot recruits him for the Mystery Men as "the dark avenger!"... or bread boy.

RATING: GOOD

It's been a while since I read Flaming Carrot. I had these issues for at least a year now, and I was waiting for the right time to read them. I have to say that it wasn't as funny as I hoped.

I think there are two things dragging this story down. One is the Mystery Men, and the other one is the Turtles.

Ever since Bob introduced them, the Mystery Men have been changing the vibe of the book. It just doesn't feel like they should be in the same comic. It's not that they are not funny, but I don't know, I think the story is getting too all over the place.

I enjoy Flaming Carrot by himself (and he was funny with Raph too), but also bringing the Turtles in the mix brought some of their more "grounded" attitude, if such a thing can be said of the Turtles.

Of course, the Turtles were also goofy. But the joke density was very low.

The story introduced some "vague dudes" in the first issue, reappeared in the second one, and they were later forgotten. Well, there was an alternate ending to issue #27 that Bob published in #28.

Turtles of Grayskull: A continuity-breaking adventure - TMNT Comics

NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE: THE DAKOTA INCIDENT

APR 2026 By Nikolas Draper-Ivey, Joseph P. Illidge, Stephanie Williams, Morgan Hampton , Edwin Galmon, Valentine De Landro, Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Fico Ossio, Jason Paz, Andrew Dalhouse, Marissa Louise, John Kalisz, Ulises Arreola, Diego Olortegui, and Mark Waid

In this special chapter of New History of the DC Universe, we find out why the Dakota heroes were absent in recent years.

RATING: GOOD

This is a very different book compared to "New History." Except for some crossovers, I have never truly read the Milestone universe, but I did read Static from the new 52 era (which is now out of continuity).

I cannot say I understand everything that happens here. The incident itself is easy to follow, but why the timeline changed... I am not sure. I am guessing it was one of those damn crises.

I am also not sure this was a good idea... to force heroes into becoming civilians for years. At least, if I understood this correctly. I am pretty sure Batman wouldn't comply like this... so why would all this heroes do that?

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #2-5

JAN 2025 By Kelly Thompson , Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey

Diana faces the Tetracide, even if she has to make a grave sacrifice.

RATING: AWESOME

This is the kind of reinvention that is worth exploring. The elements are there, the details are somehow different... but the characters are the essence of themselves, and it works.

Let's be honest, this is not a formula you can use over and over with success. You need the craft to make it work. Kelly wrote characters I care about, and more importantly, a Diana that feels real. Especially because she doesn't come from a utopian society, but hell, and I find that a little more relatable (somehow). Or inspirational.

There are of course a few twists in this story...

And these made every issue an interesting piece of the puzzle.

Farewell: Leo’s Second Chance at Closure - Rise of the TMNT

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1

DEC 2024 By Kelly Thompson , Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey.

Diana has been raised in hell, sent there by the gods to hide her from the world. But after learning about her true identity, she takes on the mission of protecting the human race from the monsters.

RATING: AWESOME

What? Only one chapter? Yes, this is all the time I have!

But you know what... it was more than enough time to understand what all the hype was about.

I usually hate Circe... probably because of how much the character was overused over the years... but this Circe felt like I know her... which isn't very common in American comics.

I'd have to say that most of what I like from this issue, is her. Then, of course, is Wonder Woman, but she kind of only starts shining in the end. But still, I found the story very engaging and emotional. Very relatable. The art somehow reminded me of Cliff Chiang. Like a polished, more mainstream version of him.