Trading Pages: New Releases April 2025
A new batch of trade paperbacks and hardcover comic books dropped this month. Check out which titles are worth your time in the March 2025 edition of Trading Pages.
While numerical scores are not provided, these collected editions are graded on a scale of: Must Read, Add to TBR, or Maybe Pass.
Rat City Vol. 1
Set in the Spawn Universe, Rat City Vol. 1 takes all of the action and stunning art Spawn is known for and introduces a new member set in the future.
Peter Cairn is the latest addition to the Hellspawn clan after an attack left this solder forced to use prosthetic legs connected to the necroplasm of Al Simmons.
Bullets and neon lights fill the pages of this latest Spawn Universe series, and while the character developments take a back seat, conspiracy and double-crosses fill the panels crafting an action-packed but slightly bloated story.
Written by Erica Schultz with art by Ze Carlos, and colors by Jay David Ramos, Peter’s story may not be the most exciting of the Hellspawn (for now) but the cool character design and adrenaline filled set-pieces more than make up for the so-so story.
Part of the challenge readers may find is the lack of an emotional connection to Peter. Throughout this series there are struggles and losses—which of course are emotional—but much of the time is spent seeing what happens to Peter rather than having moments that let readers connect and root for him. While there is time for future installments to give Peter a more fleshed out experience, Vol. 1 still manages to put together a solid addition to the Spawn Universe. Spawn has always been about what looks cool in terms of character design and violent moments—and Rat City picks up the mantle and keeps the action going its in futuristic story.
Readers who are already invested in the Spawn Universe will likely pick this trade up and be more than happy as we already know how the world of Spawn operates, however, anyone exploring this series with little to no context may find themselves less than enthusiastic.
Verdict: Add to TBR
By Erica Schultz (Author), Ze Carlos (Illustrator), and Jay David Ramos (Colorist)
Published by Image Comics
Barfly Vol. 1
Barfly Vol. 1 does the impossible and makes readers give a shit about a fly. It’s bizarre to consider, but certainly a testament to the creative team.
Set in the Minor Threats Universe, Barfly tells the story of Shiteater, an ex-henchmen doing his best to survive in a world not meant for humanoid-bug creatures. While the story is by Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum, the sharp humor from writer Kyle Starks is on full display.
I found myself giggling and simultaneously saying “WTF” throughout the story of Shiteater, but there is certainly something to be said about a writer who can combine a range of emotions in a crude story. It helps that Ryan Browne is on the art and honestly, there isn’t a more perfect artist to visualize a dingy and f-cked up world that surrounds the character of Shiteater.
This series is a close “Must Read,” however I would argue some readers unfamiliar with the Minor Threats Universe might find themselves confused as they root for an ugly MF who just wants to get by.
Verdict: Add to TBR
By Michael W. Conrad (Author), Nathan Ooten (Illustrator & Colorist), and Kyle Arends (Letterer)
Published by Dark Horse Comics
‘Patra
‘Patra’s angle offers a unique concept. A girl is armed with a magical mask and dagger giving her supernatural powers to avenge her family’s death. However, this story falters as much of the cruelty is excess and the visuals are overwhelming.
I’m not one to shudder from violence in a comic—especially as a reader of the series Something is Killing the Children—but ‘Patra is a tense and dreary story that will likely make readers question the point of the over the top violence.
The idea behind the story is intriguing, but this is a prime example of “less is more.” There is a reason why films like JAWS barely show the violence. There is power in showing vs telling. In the case of ‘Patra, I suspect the enormous amount of horrors on the pages may be designed to increase vindication readers find by the end of the four issues, but I found myself needing to consume something light-hearted to get past the gruesome story.
It’s not a “bad” comic and some readers may find the character designs to be cool, but the villain is a testament to the cycle of violence without giving any substantial meaning for the reader to take away.
Verdict: Must Read
By James Robinson (Author). Scott Kolins (Illustrator), and Jim Campbell (Letterer)
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Hey, Mary!
Part coming of age story, part history course, but all heart, Hey, Mary! gives a sincere insight into the complexities of growing up gay in a Catholic family—and a reminder of why it’s possible to be both.
This honest and sometimes blunt portrayal of faith and acceptance puts a mirror to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, and challenges teachings that many Catholics have been taught without delving into the territory of disrespect.
The story follows a young boy named Mark whose mom and dad are incredibly devout Catholics. As Mark has gotten closed to his friend Luka, a proudly gay friend, Mark goes on a journey of understanding of how he may be gay and Catholic—but he isn’t the first.
Written by Andrew Wheeler with art by Rye Hickman, this story is incredibly vulnerable and answers a lot of challenges that members of the gay community, and their allies, have struggled with. A core value of the Catholic Church is God creates humans, doesn’t make mistakes, and compels followers to love one another. So if this is the case, the existence of gay people—or other members of the LGBTQ+ community can’t be considered flawed because they are made by God.
This is just one of many arguments and commentary of the Catcholic Church by Wheeler and Hickman fuse biblical references and panels full of historical figures and their stories to both act as a way for Mark to find strength in having two components to his identity while also giving points of consideration for the reader.
This isn’t a fast-paced read and that’s a good thing. The amount of historical details are well-discussed and this allows for an ensemble of people such as Michelangelo, Joan of Ark, and St. Francis of Assisi to pop into Mark’s subconscious and provide education and thought-provoking points.
This story is incredibly powerful and brave as there are senses of pride of being gay as well as being Catholic. It’s not often that Christianity and sexuality are fused, but anyone who picks up this story is sure to not only learn something, but certainly become a better person if they open their heart to it.
Verdict: Add to TBR
By Andrew Wheeler (Author) and Rye Hickman (Illustrator)
Published by Oni Press