3.5/5 stars. The thing is, I needed this book to be much more obvious. I'm not saying I didn't expect the outcome and feel as if I already knew most of it, because Robards did drop plenty of hints to get me there. What I needed were more from the flashbacks, more feelings from both past and present Claire. That extra 1/2 star there is for the end for the Claire I would have loved to have gotten to know.

I think the parts from the cult leader's point of view were less enjoyable than everyone else's. It wasn't particularly interesting being in his mind, especially since he modeled himself on others and was nothing more than a mish-mash of cult leaders past. It did show he was nothing, but I already knew that.

#Bookstodon #KateRobards #OnlyTheGuiltySurvive #BookReview #2025Reading

At this point I think I've read every suspense novel Brianna Labuskes has written to date, including the as yet unpublished series finale I reviewed last year. I read her most recent series first and it's been fascinating to go back and then watch her develop and refine the stories she tells so well.

Her books all feature multiple points of view from different characters at different times, which not only fills in the story but also obscures details, depending upon who's doing the telling. As with much suspense, her stories are sad, and often the endings aren't happy, merely triumphant. Her stories are puzzles, both for the people solving them and the readers, and her protagonists are often the sort to acknowledge that.

If you like puzzles and unreliable & introspective narrators you might enjoy her books.

#BriannaLabuskes #Bookstodon #2025Reading #BookReview

HorrorGasm (Petite Mort) by Nikki Noir (reviewed earlier)

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! by TJ Klune

I'll Miss Myself by John Wiswell

In the Moon's House (Lady Astronaut) by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Angel's Share by Martin Cahill

The Alice Run by Nancy Kress

Before the Forest by Kell Woods

Spill (Little Brother) by Cory Doctorow

Set in Stone by K. J. Parker

Ace Up Her Sleeve (The Witch's Compendium of Monsters) by Genoveva Dimova

Vigilant (Little Brother) by Cory Doctorow

The Plasticity of Being by Renan Bernardo

Blackjack by Veronica Schanoes

The Two Musics by Michael Cisco

Between Home and a House on Fire by A. T. Greenblatt

The Colors of Money (Everfair) by Nisi Shawl

Other Kelly by Genevieve Valentine

Breathing Constellations by Rich Larson

#2025Reading

Comics & Graphic Novels

The Science of Ghosts by Lilah Sturges

Joy is a forensic parapsychologist who wants to use her ability to communicate with ghosts to help solve their own murders. The biggest problem she has isn't getting people to believe in ghosts, it's getting her ex-wife the cop who is really mad about Joy transitioning during their marriage to help.

Part of this story is about a murder Joy has been hired to solve, the rest is about the other murders, and about Joy deciding who she wants to be and what kind of life she wants to live. And she does decide, with love.

Three Little Wishes by Paul Cornell
What would you do with three wishes? What if they came from Oberon? What if you were a lawyer?

Order of the Night Jay: The Forest Beckons by Jonathan Schnapp
Very cute, very cozy, as fantasy comic book camps tend to be. It's nice to sink into a place where everyone is accepted, mysteries can be solved, and days can be saved.

Dread The Halls by Jordan Hart

Archie Comics: The Cursed Library by Magdalene Visaggio Eliot Rahal
#1: Alpha by Eliot Rahal
#2: Omega
#3: Unbound

Marvel
I'm currently reading Spirits of Vengeance (2024) & Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2024). I'm also currently reading a lot of Moon Knight, Black Knight, and Doctor Strange. Also:

Thunderbolts: Worldstrike (Thunderbolts (2023-2024)) by Collin Kelly

White Widow: Welcome To Idylhaven (White Widow (2023-2024)) by Sarah Gailey

Dr. Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen? (1997) #1 by Marc Andreyko

Strange Vol. 1: I Belong To Death (Strange (2022-2023)) by Jed MacKay

DC
I read nearly everything connected to Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and Absolute Power storylines. I caught up on DC vs Vampires World War V & Jenny Sparks, and I read through Green Arrow (2023) up to the ending of Absolute Power. Also:

Green Lantern/Green Arrow: World's Finest Special (2024) #1 by Jeremy Adams

Zatanna: Bring Down the House by Mariko Tamaki

Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees (2024) #1 by G. Willow Wilson

#2025Reading #Bookstodon
#TheScienceOfGhosts #LilahSturges
#ThreeLittleWishes #PaulCornell
#OrderOfTheNightJayBook1
#OrderOfTheNightJayTheForestBeckons
#JoathanSchnapp #Comics #GraphicNovels

February 2025 Reading

Novels

Hell for Hire: Tear Down Heaven, Book 1 by Rachel Aaron
Tune in Tomorrow: The Curious, Calamitous, Cockamamie Story Of Starr Weatherby And The Greatest Mythic Reality Show Ever by Randee Dawn
Nether Station by Kevin J. Anderson
The Lake Escape: A Novel by Jamie Day
One Big Happy Family: A Novel by Jamie Day

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts

Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #423
Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #424
Bravado: A Tor Original by Carrie Vaughn
What I Saw Before the War: A Tor Original by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Wolf Moon, Antler Moon: A Tor Original by A. C. Wise

Comics & Graphic Novels

Elle(s): Digital Omnibus by Kid Toussaint
Blow Away by Zac Thompson
Masterpiece by Brian Michael Bendis
Star Trek: Celebrations by Vita Ayala

DC

Jenny Sparks (2024-) #6 by Tom King
DC vs Vampires: World War V (2024-) #6 by Matthew Rosenberg
Robins Being Robin by Tim Seeley
Tim Drake: Robin: Vol. 1: Mystery at the Marina by Meghan Fitzmartin
DC One Million by Grant Morrison

Justice League: Vengeance is Thine (Justice League (2018-) Book 1) by Robert Venditti
Justice League (2018-): Galaxy of Terrors by Simon Spurrier
Justice League: Death Metal by Joshua Williamson
Justice League (2018-) Vol. 2: United Order by Brian Michael Bendis
Justice League (2018-) Vol. 3: Leagues of Chaos by Brian Michael Bendis

Wonder Twins (2019-) by Mark Russell
-Vol. 1: Activate!
-Vol. 2: The Fall and Rise of the Wonder Twins

Green Lantern (2021) by Geoffrey Thorne
-Vol. 1: Invictus
-Vol. 2: Horatius
John Stewart: The Emerald Knight (2022) #1 by Geoffrey Thorne
Green Lantern: War Journal (2023-2024) by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
-Vol. 1: Contagion
-Vol. 2: The Builder

Marvel

Blood Hunters #1-5 (2024-) by Erica Schultz
Namor (2024-2025) #1-4 (of 8) (Namor (2024-)) by Jason Aaron

Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonshu (2024-) #1 by Jed MacKay

Hulk vs. Thor: Banner Of War (2022) by Donny Cates
-Hulk vs. Thor: Banner Of War Alpha (2022) #1
-Thor (2020-2023) #25 by Donny Cates
-Hulk (2021-2023) #7 by Donny Cates
-Thor (2020-2023) #26 by Donny Cates
-Hulk (2021-2023) #8 by Donny Cates

#Bookstodon #2025Reading #Feb2025Reading

March 2025 Reading

Novels
A Cold Whisper by Casey Dunn
Hell of a Witch: Tear Down Heaven Book 2 by Rachel Aaron
Hell to Pay: Tear Down Heaven, Book 3 by Rachel Aaron

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts
Folk Tales from Japan: Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales for Children by Florence Sakade.
Florence Sakade was a childhood favorite author. I received one of her books as a gift from my Aunt Sachiko when I was a toddler and I was delighted to find this book at my local library. I've since found her two older books as used hardcovers because I long to read them again.

Comics & Graphic Novels
The Witches of Silver Lake Volume One by Simon Curtis
Dark Ride Volume 3 by Joshua Williamson

DC
Jenny Sparks (2024-) #7 by Tom King. That concluded the Jenny Sparks miniseries and I want to read it again all at once to absorb more. What does the spirit of the 20th century have to say to us about gods and monsters?

DC vs. Vampires: World War V - Darkness and Light (2025-) #1 by Matthew Rosenberg. The Lantern Alfred one. Lovely.

DC: Superman: The Warworld Saga
Superman (2018-) #32 by Sean Lewis
Superman (2016-2018) #31 by James Bonny
Superman (2018-) #30 by Phillip K. Johnson
Action Comics 2021 Annual (2021) #1 (Action Comics (2016-)) by Phillip K. Johnson
Superman: Action Comics (2016-) Vol. 1: Warworld Rising by Phillip K. Johnson
Superman and the Authority by Grant Morrison
Superman: Action Comics (2016-) Vol. 2: The Arena by Phillip K. Johnson
Superman: Action Comics (2016-) Vol. 3: Warworld Revolution by Phillip K. Johnson

Superman: Kal-El Returns by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Superman (2018-) Vol. 1 The Unity Saga Phantom Earth by Brian Michael Bendis
Superman (2018-) Vol. 2: The Unity Saga: The House of El by Brian Michael Bendis
Superman (2018-) Vol. 3: The Truth Revealed by Brian Michael Bendis
Superman: Son of Kal-El 1: The Truth by Tom Taylor
Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021-) Vol. 2: The Rising by Tom Taylor
Superman Action Comics 1: Rise of Metallo by Phillip Kennedy Johnson

#Bookstodon #2025Reading #Mar2025Reading

Marvel

Marvel: Poison X
Venom #162-3 by Various Artists
X-Men Blue (2017-2018) #21-22 by Cullen Bunn
X-Men Blue (2017-2018) Annual #1 by Cullen Bunn

Marvel: Infinity Watch
Avengers Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Derek Landy
Spider-Boy Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Steve Foxe
Moon Knight Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Dan Watters
Incredible Hulk Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Derek Landy
Wolverine Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Ezra Claytan Daniels
Ms. Marvel Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Iman Vellani
Immortal Thor Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Al Ewing
Amazing Spider-Man Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Derek Landy
Thanos Annual (2024) #1 (Infinity Watch (2024)) by Derek Landy
Amazing Spider-Man (2018-2022) Annual #2 by Karla Pacheco
Giant-Size Black Cat: Infinity Score (2021) #1 (Black Cat (2020-2021)) by Jed MacKay
Black Cat Vol. 6: Infinity Score by Jed MacKay
Avengers Annual (2021) #1 (Avengers (2018-2023)) by Jed MacKay
Guardians Of The Galaxy Annual (2021) #1 by Al Ewing
Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018-2022) Annual #1 by Saladin Ahmed
Thor Annual (2021) #1 (Thor (2020-2023)) by Aaron Kuder
Black Cat (2020-2021) Annual #1 by Jed MacKay
Captain America Annual (2021) #1 (Captain America (2018-2021)) by Gerry Duggan Iron Man Annual (2021) #1 (Iron Man (2020-2022)) by Jed MacKay

Marvel: What If…? Galactus (2025)
What If…? Galactus: Galactus Transformed Spider-Gwen? by Kalinda Vazquez
What If…? Galactus: Galactus Transformed Rogue? by Ann Nocenti
What If…? Galactus: Galactus Transformed Moon Knight? by Alex Segura
What If…? Galactus: Galactus Transformed Hulk? by Mat Groom
What If…? Galactus: Galactus Transformed Gambit? by Josh Trujillo

Marvel: X-Men: Before the Fall
Sinister Four (2023) #1 (X-Men: Before The Fall (2023)) by Kieron Gillen
Heralds Of Apocalypse (2023) #1 (X-Men: Before The Fall (2023)) by Al Ewing
Mutant First Strike (2023) #1 (X-Men: Before The Fall (2023)) by Steve Orlando
Sons Of X (2023) #1 (X-Men: Before The Fall (2023)) by Simon Spurrier

Marvel: Continued reading:
TVA (2024-2025) #1-4 (of 5) by Katharyn Blair
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2024-) #10-11 by Stephanie Phillips
Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonsu (2024-) #2-3 by Jed MacKay
West Coast Avengers (2024-) #1-2 by Gerry Duggan
Spirits Of Vengeance (2024-) #3-4 by Sabir Pirzada
Namor (2024-2025) #5 by Jason Aaron
Infinity Watch (2024-2025) #1 (of 5) by Derek Landy
&
Scarlet Witch (2024-) #6-10 by Steve Orlando, which finishes the second volume and this series. Looking forward to the next already.

@genXcrone I really like Steve Orlando, have you been liking his Scarlet Witch series? I haven't checked it out yet

@ikol I enjoyed it a lot. It's Wanda atoning while in good spirits, running a shop with a door that brings people who are in need to her.

@genXcrone ohh that sounds lovely! I might check it out 💚

Novels
Time Loops & Meet Cutes: A Novel by Jackie Lau
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
Psychopomp by Maria Dong
An Uncommon Curse (Curses and Curtains Book 1) by Devan Barlow

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts
Trap Line: A Short Story by Timothy Zahn

Comics & Graphic Novels
The InSpectres Volume One by David Flores
The InSpectres Volume Two by Jarod Hunter Roe
Crowded Vol. 1 by Christopher Sebela
Crowded Vol. 2 by Christopher Sebela
Major Thomás (Comixology Originals) by Omar Morales
Book of Cutter #1 by James Tynion IV
Little Gods - Vol. 1 - The White Dragon by Mathieu Salvia

Marvel
Avengers Inc.: Action, Mystery, Adventure by Al Ewing
Warlock: Rebirth (Warlock: Rebirth (2023)) by Ron Marz
Venom: Separation Anxiety - The King In Purple by David Michelinie
Venomized by Cullen Bunn
Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon (2025) #1 by J. Michael Straczynski

Marvel: Venom War
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Ultimate Universe / Spider-Man #1 by Zeb Wells
Black Widow: Venomous (2024) #1 by Erica Schultz
Venom War by Al Ewing
Venom (2021-) #36-#38 by Torunn GrØnbekk
Venom War: Spider-Man/Lethal Protectors by Collin Kelly
Venom War: Carnage by Al Ewing
Venom War: Wolverine/Deadpool by Tim Seeley
Venom War: Daredevil (2024) #1 by Chris Condon
Venom War: It's Jeff (2024) #1 by Kelly Thompson
Venom War: Fantastic Four (2024) #1 by Adam Warren

Marvel: Continued reading:
Magik (2025-) #1 by Ashley Allen
Namor #6 by Jason Aaron
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2024-) #12 by Stephanie Phillips

DC
Superman (2018-) Vol. 4: Mythological by Brian Michael Bendis

Gotham City Sirens: Book One by Paul Dini

DC: Continued reading:
DC vs Vampires: World War V (2024-) #7 by Matthew Rosenberg

#Bookstodon #2025Reading #Apr2025Reading

May 2025 Reading List

Novels
A Pale Light in the Black (NeoG Book 1) by K. B. Wagers
Hold Fast Through the Fire (NeoG Book 2) by K. B. Wagers
It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest
Then There Was One by Wendy Cross
Service Model by Adrian Tchiakovsky (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
Neon Gods (Dark Olympus Book 1) by Katee Robert

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
By Salt, By Sea, by Light of Stars by Premee Mohamed (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
The Brotherhood of Montague St Video by Thomas Ha (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
The Four Sisters Overlooking the Sea by Naomi Kritzer (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
Laek of Souls by Ann Leckie (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
Loneliness Universe by Eugenia Triantafyliou (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)

Comics & Graphic Novels
Crowded Volume 3 by Christopher Sebela
House of Slaughter Vol. 5 by James Tynion IV
Resident Alien Volume 8: The Book of Life by Peter Hogan
Flavor Girls & Flavor Girls: Return to the Mothership by Loïc Locatelli-Kournwsky
Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch by Emily Hampshire

Marvel
Spider-Society: Enter The Spider-Versers (Spider-Society (2024-)) by Alex Segura

Marvel: Continued reading:
One World Under Doom (2025-) #1-4 (of 9) by Ryan North
Doom's Division (2025) #1-3) by Yoon Ha Lee
Spirits Of Vengeance (2024-) #5-6 by Sabir Pirzada
Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonsu (2024-) #4-5 by Jed MacKay
Infinity Watch (2024-2025) #2 (of 5) by Derek Landy
New Champions (2025-) #1-2 by Steve Foxe
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2024-) #13 by Stephanie Phillips
The Vision & The Scarlet Witch (2025-) #1 (of 5) by Steve Orlando
Magik (2025-) #2 by Ashley Allen
West Coast Avengers (2024-) #3 by Gerry Duggan
Namor (2024-2025) #7 (of 8) (Namor (2024-)) by Jason Aaron
TVA (2024-2025) #5 (of 5) (TVA (2024-)) by Katharyn Blair

DC
Trinity: Generation S by Tom King

DC: Continued reading:
Zatanna (2025) #1-3 by Jamal Campbell

#Bookstodon #2025Reading #May2025Reading

Reading this has been the work of months. I began at the beginning of this year and have been reading a bit at a time, in order according to Marvel.

Marvel: Fall of X (2023)
FCBD 2023 Avengers/X-Men by Gerry Duggan
Invincible Iron Man (2022) #8-13 by Gerry Duggan
X-Force (2019-2024) #43 & #46 by Benjamin Percy
Jean Grey (2023) by Louise Simonson
X-Men (2021-2024) Vol. 5 (#25-29) by Gerry Duggan
Uncanny Avengers: The Resistance (2023) by Gerry Duggan
X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #112-117 by Steve Foxe
Children of the Vault (2023) by Deniz Camp
Immortal X-Men (2022) #14 15 18 Kieron Gillen
Dark X-Men: The Mercy Crown (2023) by Steve Foxe
Astonishing Iceman: Out Cold (2023) by Steve Orlando
Alpha Flight: Divided We Stand (2023) by Ed Brisson
Realm of X (2023) by Torunn GrØnbekk
Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant (2023) by Iman Vellani
X-Men Red (2022) #15 & #17 by Al Ewing
Uncanny Spider-Man: Fall of X (2023) by Simon Spurrier
X-Men Blue: Origins (2023) by Simon Spurrier

Marvel: The Krakoan Era Finale (2024)
Fall of the House of X (2024) by Gerry Duggan
Rise of the Powers of X (2024) by Kieron Gillen
X-Men 2021 Vol 6 by Gerry Duggan
Dead X-Men (2024) by Steve Foxe
Wolverine 2020 Vol 8: Sabretooth War, Part 1 by Benjamin Percy
Wolverine 2020 Vol 8: Sabretooth War, Part 2 by Benjamin Percy
Cable: United We Fall (2024) by Fabian Nicieza
Resurrection of Magneto by Al Ewing
The Invincible Iron Man Vol. 3: Iron & Diamonds by Gerry Duggan
Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace (2024) by Iman Vellani
X-Men: Forever (2024) by Kieron Gillen
X-Force (2019) #50 by Benjamin Percy
X-Men: The Wedding Special (2024) by Yoon Ha Lee

Novels
An Uncertain Murder (Curses and Curtains Book 2) by Devan Barlow
It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson (ARC)
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts
Stone Heart: A Dark Olympus Novella by Katee Robert
Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
Navigational Entanglements by Aliette de Bodard (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier, 1) by T. Kingfisher
What Feasts at Night (Sworn Soldier, 2) by T. Kingfisher (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)

Comics & Graphic Novels
Feral Volume 2 by Tony Fleecs
Small Town Spirits by Zack Keller
Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1 by Roye Okupe
We Called Them Giants by Kieron Gillen (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson (2025 Hugo Award Nominee)
The Horizon Experiment by Pornsak Pichetshote
The Nice House by the Sea Vol. 1 (The Nice House on the Lake (2021-)) by James Tynion IV

DC
DC Pride 2025 (2025-) #1 by Tim Sheridan
Titans Vol. 3 by Tom Taylor
Teen Titans Academy Vols. 1 & 2 (reread)

DC: The Power Company
Black Lightning (2024) by Brandon Thomas
DC Power: Rise of the Power Company (2025) by Brandon Thomas
The Power Company: Recharged (2025-) #1 by Bryan Hill

DC Continued Reading
Secret Six #1-3 by Nicole Maines
DC vs Vampires: World War V (2024-) #9 by Matthew Rosenberg
Zatanna (2025-) #4 by Jamal Campbell

Marvel
Women Of Marvel: She-Devils (2025) #1 by Stephanie Phillips
Doom Academy (2025) by MacKenzie Cadenhead
Timeslide (2024) #1 by Steve Foxe
X-Men: Heir Of Apocalypse by Steve Foxe
FCBD 2025: Fantastic Four / Giant-Size X-Men by Ryan North
X-Treme X-Men by Claremont & Larroca: A New Beginning by Chris Claremont
Bishop: War College by J. Holtham
Unforgiven by Tim Seeley

Marvel: Magik - Storm & Illyana (1984)
New Mutants (1983-1991) #14 by Chris Claremont
X-Men: Magik - Storm & Illyana (Magik (1983-1984)) by Chris Claremont
The Uncanny X-Men #160, Marvel Comics,1982 by Chris Claremont

Marvel Continued Reading
Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonsu (2024-) #6 by Jed MacKay
West Coast Avengers (2024-) #4 & #5 by Gerry Duggan
Namor (2024-2025) #8 (of 8) by Jason Aaron
One World Under Doom (2025-) #5 (of 9) by Ryan North
Bring On The Bad Guys: Doom (2025) #1 by Marc Guggenheim
New Champions (2025-) #3 by Steve Foxe
Magik (2025-) #3 by Ashley Allen
Doom's Division (2025) #4 (of 5) by Yoon Ha Lee
The Vision & The Scarlet Witch (2025) #2 (of 5) by Steve Orlando
Thunderbolts: Doomstrike (2025) #1 (of 5) by Collin Kelly
Infinity Watch (2024-2025) #3 (of 5) by Derek Landy

#2025Reading

Novels
Aftermarket Afterlife (InCryptid) by Seanan McGuire
Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff
Elysium Heist by Y. M. Resnik [ARC]
An Unexpected Feast (Curses and Curtains Book 3) by Devan Barlow
Darkwater Lane: (Stillhouse Lake Book 7) by Rachel Caine & Carrie Ryan

Novellas, Novelettes, Shorts
Asymmetrical: A Tor Original by Garth Nix
The Nölmyna: A Tor Original by David Erik Nelson
The Shape of Stones: A Tor Original by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Landline: A Tor Original by Kelly Robson
Red Leaves: A Tor Original by S. E. Porter
Not Alone: A Tor Original by Pat Murphy
Agate Way: A Tor Original by Laird Barron

Comics & Graphic Novels
Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Volume 1 by James Tynion IV

Archie Meets Jay and Silent Bob One-Shot (Archie Comics Presents & Kevin Smith Presents) by Kevin Smith
This was everything I expected and more. Archie gets a new job, gets too sick to perform, and Jay takes over. Rock!

Archie is Mr. Justice
[Content Note: character death.]
Each book of this special is centered on a different person--Archie, Veronica, Betty, Reggie--and who they become or are made to become in a world of supervillains and superheroes. Mr. Justice is about hope, good intentions, discovering who you are on your own, and a hint of redemption.
Archie is Mr. Justice #1 (Archie Comics Presents) by Tim Seeley
Archie is Mr. Justice #2 (Archie Comics Presents) by Amanda Diebert
Archie is Mr. Justice #3 (Archie Comics Presents) by Kenny Porter
Archie is Mr. Justice #4 (Archie Comics Presents) by Blake Howard

#Boostodon #2025Reading #ArchieIsMrJustice #Comics #ArchieComics

DC
All in Saga (DC All in Saga) by Mark Waid
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville by Joanne Starer

Catwoman: Lonely City (2021-) by Cliff Chiang
Takes place in the '66 Batman universe, set ten years after the massacre that changed everything. A much older Selina Kyle is out of jail for a murder she absolutely did not commit and she's putting her life back together. It goes nowhere she expects or wants and everywhere she needs.

Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend by Alys Arden
Very much captures the Coney Island mystique we've come to expect, and it combines beautifully with mermaids, magicians, and mobsters. These have all mostly been one-shots, but I would adore more in this universe.

DC Continued Reading
DC vs Vampires: World War V (2024-) #10 by Matthew Rosenberg
Secret Six (2025-) #4-5 (Secret Six (2025)) by Nicole Maines
Zatanna (2025-) #5 by Jamal Campbell

Marvel
FCBD 2025: Ironheart / Marvel's Voices by Justina Ireland
Ironheart: Bad Chemistry (2025) #1 by John Jennings
Web of Venomverse: Fresh Brains (2025) #1 by Matt Groom
Avengers Academy Giant-Size (2011) #1 by Paul Tobin
X-Men Annual (2022) #1 (X-Men (2021-2024)) by Steve Foxe
Deadpool Team-Up: Blood of the Dragon by Rob Liefeld. I did it for Gwen.

Doctor Strange (2015-2018)
The art on these is fantastic. I love the comics depictions of Stephen's world as so psychadelically weird. It was nice to meet Zelma and to see the how Bats came along.
Doctor Strange Vol. 1: The Way of the Weird by Jason Aaron
Doctor Strange Vol. 2: The Last Days of Magic by Jason Aaron
Doctor Strange Vol. 3: Blood In The Aether by Jason Aaron
Doctor Strange Vol. 4: Mr. Misery by Jason Aaron
Doctor Strange Vol. 5: Secret Empire by Dennis Hopeless

Marvel Continued Reading
Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonsu (2024-) #7 by Jed MacKay
Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2024-) #14-15 by Stephanie Phillips
Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood (2025-) #1 by Matthew Groom
New Champions (2025-) #4 by Steve Foxe
Infinity Watch (2024-2025) #4 (of 5) by Derek Landy
Magik (2025-) #4 by Ashley Allen

The Vision & The Scarlet Witch (2025) #3 (of 5) by Steve Orlando
I was going to say I need this series to stop stabbing me in the heart with everything that's needed to be dealt with for so long, but I do not want it to stop doing that because it's wonderful. If you've read it, you know exactly what I'm talking about. One perfect family day.

#Boostodon #Comics #2025Reading
#CatwomanLonelyCity #CliffChiang
#ZatannaTheJewelOfGravesend #AlysArden
#TheVisionAndTheScarletWitch2025 #Comics #GraphicNovels #DoctorStrange2015to2018

This is a heist committed by a disparate group of queer women brought together by their mutual fucking over by some asshole guy who thinks he is better than everyone else and by the corporations that let assholes like him get away with it.

It begins with Kiyo, rich and disgraced, needing to get something back so she can take control of her family company. No, it begins with Kiyo, young and naive, taken advantage of. Then there's Finley, who Kiyo's taking care of, and who has a pesky card counting record that is going to be a problem in a casino. Along with them is Ilaria, a member of an ultra-religious Jewish sect who's trapped in marriage with the asshole, and who can blow up anything with anything. On the casino they meet Psalome, a celebrity card dealer and entertainer, her sister Psylina the programmer, and her sister's joyfriend, the casino itself.

It's less a heist, more a convoluted scam, with enough downtime for people to fall in love or at least lust. There's a fascinating to me storyline about ethics and romance. Obviously I enjoyed the characters, and the world, or at least the world of the casino we were shown.

The author has pics of the cover at their Bluesky. It's such a fun cover, with the big spinning roulette wheel/space station in the sky.

#Boostodon #TheElysiumHeist #2025Reading

As everyone has noted, it's a cosmic horror romcom. I'd already jumped up for "Tanya Huff has a new book out," and cozy horror sent it over the top. There's a sweet little town where most things are nice all the time because sometime in the past their ancestors made a deal with "The Dark." Nowadays sacrifices don't have to be literal, but nowadays the magic's weaker and they might be revealed or discovered. Melanie the unemployed not-private investigator shows up to find a missing person and Cassidy, member of the council, Voice of The Dark, knows how that person went missing, just not why.

If anyone's asking and paying Tanya Huff, I'd read more in this world.

It is clever and cute and, yeah, cozy. (Which I keep trying to spell cosy, because that seems cozier.)

#TanyaHuff #DirectDescendant #Bookstodon

Novels

Night of the Witch (Witch and Hunter) by Sara Raasch & Beth Revis

Welcome To Midlife Magic Series by Lauretta Hignett
Susan, You're The Chosen One: Welcome To Midlife Magic: Book 1
It's Called Magic, Susan: Welcome To Midlife Magic: Book 2
Susan, Break The Curse! Welcome To Midlife Magic Book 3

Susan, who has recently been in a mental hospital, is suddenly confronted with elf princes, magic, and someone telling her that she's the chosen one. So she goes with it, and as someone also in (past) midlife, I completely understand her. Whatever it is, why fight it? We no longer have that kind of energy. It turns out that We Do Not Care attitude is how Susan was the only one able to face down monsters that sent other people rightfully quaking in fear. [Content Note: Mention of past death of a pet. There is vengeance but it's a hard thing for Susan to learn and us to read.]

Comics & Graphic Novels

The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos Volume 2 by James Tynion IV

Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 by Christopher Cantwell

Low Orbit by Kazimir Lee

Elsbeth - Vol. 1 by Tristan Roulot
Magic school with a theme I'm seeing more and more: girls can do magic but boys can't. In this case it's because the men were cursed to lose the power of speech and therefore can't speak the spells. Instead of developing accommodations, it's simply accepted the men can no longer perform magic, and this leads right where you think it does. The art by Sarah Conradson is absolutely lovely, both the characters and the backgrounds. This was a lovely peaceful read with just enough conflict to move it along and understanding characters that made me believe there will be a solution. Can't wait to read the next bit.

DC

Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: New World Rising by Jeremy Adams

Zatanna & The Ripper Volumes 1-3 by Sarah Dealy

Absolute Superman Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton by Jason Aaron

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Thompson

DC Continued Reading

Zatanna (2025-) #6 by Jamal Campbell
Gotham By Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age: A League for Justice (2025-) #1 by Andy Diggle
Superman Unlimited (2025-) #1-3 by Dan Slott
DC vs Vampires: World War V (2024-2025) #11 by Matthew Rosenberg
Supergirl (2025-) #1-3 by Sophie Campbell
Green Lantern Corps (2025-) #6 by Morgan Hampton

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton (2025-) #1-2 by Ryan North
The Coppertone cover of issue 1 is adorable.
Content Note for issue #2: as the comic itself says, this issue is the story of a good dog owned by a bad person. I think you could skip reading it and not lose too much storyline.

Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman (2025-) #1 by Tom King
Lil Lizzie meets Mr. Piranha (Pariah) and does her best to help him while she catches Corgi Jon. Lil Lizzie is adorbs and I immediately gave these issues to the mom of a special kiddo who I hope will love them.

Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman (2025-) #2 by Tom King
I can't. I have ceased to can, as we said way back in the day. Girl Wonder aka middle Lizzie meets Boy Wonder aka Jason Todd and together they retrieve Corgi Damian. This stabbed me right in the heart. Lizzie meets Jason before and she knows there's no way to change any of it.

Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman (2025-) #3 by Tom King
Eldest Lizzie meets her Dad and gets an underworld peptalk when she needs it the most, and Cerberus is not as cuddly as the corgis.

Marvel
Howard The Duck (2015) Vol. 0 : What The Duck by Chip Zdarsky

Avengers Assemble: The Serpent Scenario (2024) by Steve Orlando
This is Cap's Aveng.E.R.S., which is like fetch in that it was never going to happen. I like the lineup, and of course Cap's belief they can all do good things, but I'm iffy on the Serpent Society. Also, Marvel, I had enough with Mephisto about the time you disconnected him from Wanda's story, so stop.

Marvel: X-Men Out of the Ashes
X-Men (2024) Vol. 1: Homecoming by Jed MacKay
Exceptional X-Men Vol. 1: Duty Calls by Eve L. Ewing
Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1: Red Wave by Gail Simone
X-Men: Raid On Graymalkin by Jed MacKay
X-Force Vol. 1: Fractures by Geoffrey Thorne
X-Force Vol. 2: The Solution by Geoffrey Thorne
X-Factor Vol. 1: Please Like And Share by Mark Russell
Psylocke Vol. 1: Guardian by Alyssa Wong

X-Manhunt

I don't care about Charles Xavier and his feelings. There, I said it. He never had to hide this from anyone.

Uncanny X-Men (2024-) #11 by Gail Simone
NYX (2024-) #9 by Collin Kelly
Storm (2024-) #6 by Murewa Ayodele
Exceptional X-Men (2024-) #13 by Eve L. Ewing
X-Factor (2024-) #6 by Mark Russell
X-Force (2024-) #9 by Geoffrey Thorne
Exceptional X-Men (2024-) #7 by Eve L. Ewing
X-Manhunt Omega (2025) #1 by Gail Simone

Marvel Continued Reading
Runaways (2025-) #1-2 (of 5) by Rainbow Rowell
Doom's Division (2025) #5 (of 5) by Yoon Ha Lee
West Coast Avengers (2024-) #7 by Gerry Duggan
Gwenpool: All-New, All-Deadly #1 (2025) by Cavan Scott
All-New Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider (2025-) #1 by Stephanie Phillips
The Vision & The Scarlet Witch (2025) #4 (of 5) by Steve Orlando
Power Man: Timeless (2025-) #1-3 (of 5) by Collin Kelly
Moon Knight: Fist Of Khonshu (2024-2025) #8 by Jed MacKay
Gwenpool Special (2015) #1 by Gerry Duggan