Why We Review Comics

Let’s face it. Comics are expensive these days! With so many books to choose from it’s rough when you spend your hard earned cash on a book that’s not so great. Well, we do the comic reading for you and let you know what’s good, and what’s not so good.

Remember, just because one issue might be bad, doesn’t mean the entire story arc is bad!

Publishers and creators: If you’d like for us to review one of your books for you, please contact us!

About The Authors

J. Montes (Editor-In-Chief)

J.Montes has always wanted to work in the comics industry. He tried briefly in the early 1990s to break in as a self publisher, but failed miserably. He did have the opportunity to work with the then budding talents of Tomm Coker (Agents of Atlas), Jeremy Love (Bayou), and Calvin Irving (Chapel). Since then, he’s gone on to other things like the co-founding of IGN.com and other projects related to the video gaming industry.

Despite all these accomplishes, Jay’s #1 passion is still comic books. He still, some day, hopes to work in it at some capacity. Web of Spider-Man #1 is considered as one of the books that got him into comics (in a big way) and he has a great fondness of Spider-Man’s black outfit. Jay has been reading comics since 1985.

Raymond Hilario (Managing Editor)

Raymond Hilario is a writer from the Silicon Valley whose interest in comics dates all the way back from episodes of Batman the Animated Series, and reruns of the Adam West Batman. Like most 90’s kid, the first comic book he owned was Chris Claremont’s and Jim Lee’s X-Men #1 (Magneto cover). Before coming to WCBR, his work in the comics industry include serving as an editor for Comictopia.

Today, most of the titles that Ray buys either comes from DC or the more independent labels, but he still reads anything and everything that everyone’s buzzing about. Some of his favorite writers and artists are: “80’s Frank Miller,” David Lapham, Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, Judd Winnick, Jacen Burrows, Jordi Bernet, Sam Keith, Ethan Van Sciver, and Frank Quitely. One of his favorite Batman short stories is Batman #634, and to this day he still believes that some of the best Batman stories ever told came from the Animated Series.

Daniel Yanez (News Editor)

Daniel Yanez had a couple of comic books taken from him when he was in high-school (you’re not supposed to read them in class) in Argentina. He started collecting DC comics (Batman, Superman, The Flash), but after a year or two, the publisher distributing the books in Argentina shut down and comics were no where to be found. Then, one day he was at comic book store and saw the beautiful cover of Witchblade #1. Being a gift from his friends made it easier on his pocket, and soon after, he bought the first four issues.

He then started collecting the title along with the The Darkness. Daniel’s not a fan of superhero books, but he can stand to read a couple here and there. Artists that he enjoys include Michael Turner, Mike Choi, Eric Basaldua, Jo Chen and J. Scott Campbell. Writers: Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan and Christina Z.

Kyle Posluszny (Senior Editor)

Kyle Posluszny recently came back to the world of comics after a long hiatus. He randomly chose a few books while browsing the local comic shop and, as they say, the rest is history. So thanks to the Warren Ellis run of Thunderbolts, the incredible art of Witchblade, and the chaos of The Messiah Complex, Kyle is now here to give you, the reader, the best reviews he can.

Current favorites: Transhuman, The Darkness, Witchblade, nearly any X title, The Walking Dead, Thunderbolts, Avengers:The Initiative, and anything to do with the Secret Invasion.

Andrew C. Murphy (Editor)

Andrew is another comic junkie who thought he’d kicked the habit back in the 80’s, only to discover that a few years back they started making comics that don’t insult your intelligence or aesthetic sense but still give that same old 12-year-old-reading-them-on-the-drugstore-floor kick. Don’t tell his wife how much money he’s spending on the damn things.

Andrew’s website is andrewcmurphy.com and his novel Steel Sky is available on Amazon.com.

M. Staples (Editor)

M. Staples is pretty much a newbie when it comes to comics. He started reading in May 2007 when he happened to see an issue of Spider-Man: Back in Black in his local Border’s and wondered why the heck Spidey would ever go back to the Black costume. (So yes, the movie tie-in gimmick actually worked!) From there he has delved into the world of the Marvel Universe and eventually started reviewing the comics he enjoyed on his blog - which later led to him joining the crew at WCBR here. He may not be as seasoned as some of the other staff members, but he brings a fresh perspective that’s rarely seen: One of a new comic reader. Staples is a paranoid person who will not reveal his first name online (but would love to see your guesses) and currently enjoys Fantastic Four, Thor, and Avengers: The Initiative, as well as watching Lost, listening to movie soundtracks, and losing the game.

Matt Allen (Missing Editor)

Matt’s first entry into superheroes as a kid was was Superman. Being the youngest of four brothers, he used to hear all the stories about different comics, but couldn’t read them due to being a “careless kid” who didn’t know how to handle comics. This lead to early days or late nights sneaking into his brothers’ stashes of comics and reading them. Eventually, Matt began collecting those pesky Marvel trading cards from a vending machine in Junior High which led to buying comics whenever his brother brought him along to the local comic store.

Titles he’s currently reading include Spider-Man, X-Men, and the occasional Batman issue. He’s also enjoying the hell out of R.A. Salvatore’s line of books from Devil’s Due.