Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Superman didn't need a crossover event. DC already had a winning formula. Instead of building on Superman's momentum, the publisher is hitting the brakes with an event nobody was asking for.
DC Comics has one of the hottest books in the industry with Joshua Williamson's Superman, but instead of letting that momentum continue, the publisher has launched Kryptonite Kingdom, a crossover that immediately feels like the wrong story at the wrong time. Wes explains why Superman deserved better, why the opening chapter fails to justify its existence, and why interrupting one of DC's strongest runs for another event is such a frustrating decision.
Fortunately, the rest of the week delivered plenty of outstanding comics. Larry Hama continues Snake Eyes' explosive mind bomb storyline in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Masters of the Universe: Genesis reinvents Skeletor's origin, Punisher delivers one of Marvel's most entertaining issues of the year, Phillip Kennedy Johnson sticks the landing on Infernal Hulk, Absolute Batman gets back to everything that made the series special, and Emperor Aquaman delivers this week's undisputed pick of the week.
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 website 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: A Real American Hero #331 — Skybound Entertainment
Writer: Larry Hama
Artist: Paul Pelletier
Snake Eyes' decades-old mind bomb finally detonates, delivering the strongest chapter of this storyline yet with excellent artwork, rising tension, and plenty of classic G.I. Joe action.
Masters of the Universe: Genesis #1 — Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Rick Douek
Artist: Gavin Smith
Skeletor recounts the origins of Eternia from his own perspective in a surprisingly compelling origin story that breathes new life into the He-Man mythos.
Fire and Ice: Darkwolf #2 — Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Dan Panosian
Artist: Andrèe Lunatic
A brutal fantasy adventure packed with breathtaking artwork, relentless action, and the perfect visual style for Frank Frazetta's legendary universe.
Punisher #7 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: Farid Karami
Collateral Damage's tragic past is finally revealed in a violent, funny, and thoroughly entertaining issue featuring outstanding artwork and one of Marvel's most satisfying conclusions of the week.
Infernal Hulk #10 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Adam Gorham
Phillip Kennedy Johnson wraps up another chapter of his horror-infused Hulk saga with an emotional finale that sets the stage for next year's Hulk War.
X-Men of Apocalypse: Omega — Marvel Comics
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Simone Di Meo
A strong finale to one of Marvel's most overlooked X-Men stories, delivering emotional character moments, satisfying action, and a conclusion worthy of the Age of Apocalypse legacy.
Absolute Batman #23 — DC Comics
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Scott Snyder's Batman gets back on track as Scarecrow pushes Bruce Wayne's paranoia to its breaking point in one of the strongest issues of the entire run.
Emperor Aquaman #20 — DC Comics
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: John Timms
Aquaman battles Poseidon in an epic clash that feels ripped straight out of an anime, with incredible artwork, massive stakes, and this week's strongest recommendation.
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
00:00 Intro
01:03 The wrong time for a Superman crossover
03:35 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #331
04:55 Masters of the Universe: Genesis #1
06:42 Fire and Ice: Darkwolf #2
07:48 Punisher #7
09:29 Infernal Hulk #10
11:05 X-Men of Apocalypse: Omega
12:29 Absolute Batman #23
14:12 Emperor Aquaman #20
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.
Superman didn't need a crossover event. DC already had a winning formula. Instead of building on Superman's momentum, the publisher is hitting the brakes with an event nobody was asking for.
DC Comics has one of the hottest books in the industry with Joshua Williamson's Superman, but instead of letting that momentum continue, the publisher has launched Kryptonite Kingdom, a crossover that immediately feels like the wrong story at the wrong time. Wes explains why Superman deserved better, why the opening chapter fails to justify its existence, and why interrupting one of DC's strongest runs for another event is such a frustrating decision.
Fortunately, the rest of the week delivered plenty of outstanding comics. Larry Hama continues Snake Eyes' explosive mind bomb storyline in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Masters of the Universe: Genesis reinvents Skeletor's origin, Punisher delivers one of Marvel's most entertaining issues of the year, Phillip Kennedy Johnson sticks the landing on Infernal Hulk, Absolute Batman gets back to everything that made the series special, and Emperor Aquaman delivers this week's undisputed pick of the week.
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 website 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: A Real American Hero #331 — Skybound Entertainment
Writer: Larry Hama
Artist: Paul Pelletier
Snake Eyes' decades-old mind bomb finally detonates, delivering the strongest chapter of this storyline yet with excellent artwork, rising tension, and plenty of classic G.I. Joe action.
Masters of the Universe: Genesis #1 — Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Rick Douek
Artist: Gavin Smith
Skeletor recounts the origins of Eternia from his own perspective in a surprisingly compelling origin story that breathes new life into the He-Man mythos.
Fire and Ice: Darkwolf #2 — Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Dan Panosian
Artist: Andrèe Lunatic
A brutal fantasy adventure packed with breathtaking artwork, relentless action, and the perfect visual style for Frank Frazetta's legendary universe.
Punisher #7 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Ben Percy
Artist: Farid Karami
Collateral Damage's tragic past is finally revealed in a violent, funny, and thoroughly entertaining issue featuring outstanding artwork and one of Marvel's most satisfying conclusions of the week.
Infernal Hulk #10 — Marvel Comics
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Adam Gorham
Phillip Kennedy Johnson wraps up another chapter of his horror-infused Hulk saga with an emotional finale that sets the stage for next year's Hulk War.
X-Men of Apocalypse: Omega — Marvel Comics
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Simone Di Meo
A strong finale to one of Marvel's most overlooked X-Men stories, delivering emotional character moments, satisfying action, and a conclusion worthy of the Age of Apocalypse legacy.
Absolute Batman #23 — DC Comics
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Scott Snyder's Batman gets back on track as Scarecrow pushes Bruce Wayne's paranoia to its breaking point in one of the strongest issues of the entire run.
Emperor Aquaman #20 — DC Comics
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: John Timms
Aquaman battles Poseidon in an epic clash that feels ripped straight out of an anime, with incredible artwork, massive stakes, and this week's strongest recommendation.
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
00:00 Intro
01:03 The wrong time for a Superman crossover
03:35 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #331
04:55 Masters of the Universe: Genesis #1
06:42 Fire and Ice: Darkwolf #2
07:48 Punisher #7
09:29 Infernal Hulk #10
11:05 X-Men of Apocalypse: Omega
12:29 Absolute Batman #23
14:12 Emperor Aquaman #20
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.
