Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Ultimate Universe is about to die. And Deniz Camp is more interested in sounding smart than telling a story.
With only one issue left before Ultimate Endgame, The Ultimates #23 should be the moment everything comes together. Instead, Deniz Camp delivers a poetry-heavy Thor story packed with alliteration, empty themes, and none of the urgency Marvel Comics desperately needs. It’s the worst possible place for a comic like this—and it completely kills any momentum heading into the finale. Deniz Camp wastes The Ultimates #23.
Thankfully, not everything this week is a miss. The dreaded fifth release week actually delivers where it counts, with indie books stepping up in a big way and a handful of titles across Marvel and DC still worth your time. From a surprisingly strong G.I. Joe silent issue to a standout Image finale and a few unexpected recommendations, there are still comics this week that deliver real value.
Big thanks to The 616 Comics — the #1 producer-retailer in the comic book industry. Use code THINKINGCRITICAL at checkout for 10% OFF their exclusive variant covers on their site or app: 🔗 the616comics.com
🎧 Want More No-BS Comic Talk?
The latest Hot or Not Podcast is live right now, covering even more weekly releases and deeper discussion.
Then it’s time for the week’s must-read comics:
G.I. Joe: SSSilent Missions: Firefly — Image/Skybound
Writer/Artist: Jorge Fornés
A silent issue that actually works, delivering clear action, tension, and a strong payoff.
Red Roots #1 — Image Comics
Writer/Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
A violent, strange debut with two wildly different storylines that promise to collide.
The Sacrificers #21 — Image Comics
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Max Fiumara
A tragic but hopeful finale that closes out one of Remender’s strongest creator-owned runs.
Viking Moon #3 — Image Comics
Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Marcelo Frusin
Vikings, werewolves, and brutal survival horror with strong visuals.
Feral #22 — Image Comics
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Trish Forstner
A tense horror issue that raises the stakes and brings Stray Dogs into the mix.
Punisher #3 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: José Luis Soares
A mixed issue elevated heavily by standout artwork and dark humor.
Zatanna #1 — DC Comics
Writer/Artist: Jamal Campbell
A visually impressive debut with strong layouts and fast-moving setup.
Swamp Thing 1989 #1 — DC Comics
Writer: Rick Veitch
Artist: Michael Zulli
A long-delayed issue that finally sees print and delivers a bold, thoughtful story.
Support the Channel / Join the Community
Support Thinking Critical on Patreon for Exclusive Content
🔗 patreon.com/thinkingcritical
Back Channel Memberships
🔗 youtube.com/@Wes_From_TC/join
🛒 Official Thinking Critical Merch
🔗 redbubble.com/people/T-Critical/shop?asc=u
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:48 Ultimates #23 is Everything Wrong with Deniz Camp
03:13 G.I. Joe: SSSilent Missions: Firefly
04:59 Red Roots #1
06:30 The Sacrificers #21
08:14 Viking Moon #3
09:07 Feral #22
10:47 Punisher #3
12:52 Zatanna #1
14:22 Swamp Thing 1989 #1
Follow the Channel
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thinking_critical
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thinkingcrit
📘 Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/1368359010382132
💬 Discord: discord.gg/uHM3Z68
🎮 Twitch: twitch.tv/thinking_critical_yt
Contact Wes
🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/Wes_from_TC
📧 Email: wesdigscomic@gmail.com
🔊 Automatic Dubbing Disclaimer
This video includes YouTube’s automatic dubbing feature for non-English speakers. Translations may contain minor errors and do not always reflect tone or expression. You can switch back to the original English track in the settings if needed.
The Ultimate Universe is about to die. And Deniz Camp is more interested in sounding smart than telling a story.
With only one issue left before Ultimate Endgame, The Ultimates #23 should be the moment everything comes together. Instead, Deniz Camp delivers a poetry-heavy Thor story packed with alliteration, empty themes, and none of the urgency Marvel Comics desperately needs. It’s the worst possible place for a comic like this—and it completely kills any momentum heading into the finale. Deniz Camp wastes The Ultimates #23.
Thankfully, not everything this week is a miss. The dreaded fifth release week actually delivers where it counts, with indie books stepping up in a big way and a handful of titles across Marvel and DC still worth your time. From a surprisingly strong G.I. Joe silent issue to a standout Image finale and a few unexpected recommendations, there are still comics this week that deliver real value.
Big thanks to The 616 Comics — the #1 producer-retailer in the comic book industry. Use code THINKINGCRITICAL at checkout for 10% OFF their exclusive variant covers on their site or app: 🔗 the616comics.com
🎧 Want More No-BS Comic Talk?
The latest Hot or Not Podcast is live right now, covering even more weekly releases and deeper discussion.
Then it’s time for the week’s must-read comics:
G.I. Joe: SSSilent Missions: Firefly — Image/Skybound
Writer/Artist: Jorge Fornés
A silent issue that actually works, delivering clear action, tension, and a strong payoff.
Red Roots #1 — Image Comics
Writer/Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
A violent, strange debut with two wildly different storylines that promise to collide.
The Sacrificers #21 — Image Comics
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Max Fiumara
A tragic but hopeful finale that closes out one of Remender’s strongest creator-owned runs.
Viking Moon #3 — Image Comics
Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Marcelo Frusin
Vikings, werewolves, and brutal survival horror with strong visuals.
Feral #22 — Image Comics
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Trish Forstner
A tense horror issue that raises the stakes and brings Stray Dogs into the mix.
Punisher #3 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: José Luis Soares
A mixed issue elevated heavily by standout artwork and dark humor.
Zatanna #1 — DC Comics
Writer/Artist: Jamal Campbell
A visually impressive debut with strong layouts and fast-moving setup.
Swamp Thing 1989 #1 — DC Comics
Writer: Rick Veitch
Artist: Michael Zulli
A long-delayed issue that finally sees print and delivers a bold, thoughtful story.
Support the Channel / Join the Community
Support Thinking Critical on Patreon for Exclusive Content
🔗 patreon.com/thinkingcritical
Back Channel Memberships
🔗 youtube.com/@Wes_From_TC/join
🛒 Official Thinking Critical Merch
🔗 redbubble.com/people/T-Critical/shop?asc=u
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:48 Ultimates #23 is Everything Wrong with Deniz Camp
03:13 G.I. Joe: SSSilent Missions: Firefly
04:59 Red Roots #1
06:30 The Sacrificers #21
08:14 Viking Moon #3
09:07 Feral #22
10:47 Punisher #3
12:52 Zatanna #1
14:22 Swamp Thing 1989 #1
Follow the Channel
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thinking_critical
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thinkingcrit
📘 Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/1368359010382132
💬 Discord: discord.gg/uHM3Z68
🎮 Twitch: twitch.tv/thinking_critical_yt
Contact Wes
🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/Wes_from_TC
📧 Email: wesdigscomic@gmail.com
🔊 Automatic Dubbing Disclaimer
This video includes YouTube’s automatic dubbing feature for non-English speakers. Translations may contain minor errors and do not always reflect tone or expression. You can switch back to the original English track in the settings if needed.
