Jumpscare, Usagi Yojimbo, Vatican City, and Avatar: the Last Airbender

We're back to recap a great week of comics we read here at GamingTrend.com! This week we have a full block of Dark Horse Comics featuring some recognizable icons and some new players to the game! We also have a new feature from Shawn Taylor, a new member of the GamingTrend Comics video team, and a written review from Tim Jenkins! Let's jump in!

Jumpscare – Issue #2

Jumpscare jump-scared us in the first issue with a lot of world-building and fun elements on the superhero genre. With the second issue, it takes it to a whole new levels with bigger stakes... at least... the villains think so.

This series has a lot of themes going on. The horror is the mainline theme with Jumpscare's abilities all being based on what horror movie weapons she's seen in movies. However, a lot of themes of religious trauma and parental trauma are clear with her relationship to her family.

The marriage of the two have created an interesting and beautiful story of sadness and anger. We'll just have to wait and see where it goes next!

Get a copy from DarkHorse.com: https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3014-586/Jumpscare-2

Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums – Issue #2

This issue continues the thrilling pursuit as Usagi, Gen, and Yuki track a mysterious force leaving chaos in its wake.

The story shines with excellent characterizations—each interaction layered with wit and tension that feels earned. The flow of the artwork is masterful and clean cut, guiding the eye seamlessly through action, quiet moments, and suspenseful beats alike.

With strong pacing and a growing sense of danger, Part 2 elevates the mystery while staying true to the heart and honor that define Usagi Yojimbo. A top-tier entry in this mini-series that delivers, enthralls, and entertains with blade-like precision.

Get a copy from DarkHorse.com: https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3016-559/Usagi-Yojimbo-Ten-Thousand-Plums-2

Vatican City – Issue #1

As with everything I've read from Mark Millar, it starts out with a brutal and gripping take on world-building.

Quickly, we see the vampire armies eliminating threats with a level of precision I've never seen from vampires before. They are quick to find the heart of the city and pierce through until there's nothing left.

While this is a first issue meant to lay the groundwork of the series, it doesn't hold back. This is the first of three issues, so we have to work fast, and they do! This'll be a must read for anyone who calls themselves a fan of the vampire genre.

Get a copy from DarkHorse.com: https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3017-214/Vatican-City-1

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Ashes of the Academy Review

Ashes of the Academy is a fun, heartwarming addition to the ATLA mythos. Set after the end of the original cartoon, it follows Zuko’s younger half-sister Kiyi (who was introduced in a previous comic series The Search, also available from Dark Horse Comics) as she begins her education at the Royal Fire Nation Academy.

But hidden beneath this all-too relatable story by Faith Erin Hicks about conflicts at school is a message about tradition, and the harm that can come from clinging too tightly to things that may be better left in the past.

Whether you’ve read the other Avatar: The Last Airbender comics or have only seen the original cartoon, this thoughtful title is definitely worth a read!

Read the full review from Tim Jenkins below.

Get a copy from DarkHorse.com: https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3009-127/Avatar-The-Last-Airbender--Ashes-of-the-Academy-TPB

Coming this week from GamingTrend Comics:

Impressions of Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories: Codebreaker – Issue #1, The Magic Order 5 – Issue #2, and Cyberpunk 2077: Psycho Squad – Issue #3!

Stay tuned to GamingTrend.com for all the news, reviews, and interviews you could want: By humans, for humans!

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