Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: Wolverine, Avengers Assemble, The Domain, an Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

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Wolverine #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Wolverine #1 (Marvel) – Opening with Logan running with a pack of wolves, Wolverine #1 trods familiar ground, but the ultraviolence of Martin Coccolo‘s visuals and the poetry of Saladin Ahmed‘s captions for its protagonist, Nightcrawler, and even Cyber keep it from getting too stale. It does fall into the trap of being a puzzle box story like a lot of the “From the Ashes” title, and the overarching villain seems a little corny. However, I’m not complaining too much about a comic where Wolverine goes berserk while also being besties with the blue elf. Overall: 7.2 Verdict: Read

Avengers Assemble #1 (Marvel) – Expansive cast of characters, check. Punchable Neo-Nazi villain, check. Fun one-liners and fight scenes, check. Steve Orlando, Cory Smith, Oren Junior, Elisabetta D’Amico, and Sonia Oback turn in an adrenaline rush of a launch issue in Avengers Assemble #1. With a blend of A-listers (Captain America), recent MCU darlings (Shang-Chi, Monica Rambeau), and delightful B and C-listers (Julie Power, Night Thrasher), this comic is accessible to the new fan and the hardcore. Narrativewise, Orlando splits the action between a fight with a powered-up Sin and a poker game between the late arrivals to Avengers Mansion. It’s the perfect combination of characterization and ass kicking with Smith and company getting ample opportunities to show off the team’s power set. My only qualm with this book is that it looks like it’s only a five issue miniseries. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

The Domain #3 (Image) – The in-universe Dallas Comics book from Public Domain contains to be a solid sci-fi/superhero read from Chip Zdarsky, Rachael Stott, and Eren Angiolini. Stott’s slick visuals get kicked up a notch as Des actually uses her powers for good (And not so good.), and the aliens carrying the Domain bracelet try to get them back. Zdarsky’s dialogue for the extraterrestrials is really funny like a running gag of not killing any humans that sadly ends in a neck snap once the, ugh, Space Force gets involved. The Domain continues to be a little bit Doctor Who, a little bit of the human drama of the better Spider-Man comics, and an intelligible Spider-Man. It’s fun to read in conjunction with the characters and themes of Public Domain, but also works well as a standalone narrative. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (IDW) – The second issue of the Jason Aaron run on TMNT features art and colors from Rafael Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo and centers around Michelangelo’s hollow life as the star of a Japanese ninja TV show. I love that Maiolo uses a similar palette for the glitz and glamor of paparazzi and Mikey’s diamond-encrusted nunchaku as well as the blinding high tech armor of the ninjas that attack him in the penthouse. On the characterization side, Aaron peers into the broken, lonely child underneath the class clown, and Albuquerque shows how Mikey’s ninja skills has devolved compared to his opponents. The ending is a little cliched fakeout superhero comics, but the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series continues to have breathtaking visuals, strong action, and interesting character development. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Mini Review: Rings of Power S2E2 “Where the Stars are Strange” and E3 “The Eagle and the Sceptre”

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Rings of Power S2E2 "Where the Stars are Strange"

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy get to more things than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the movies, tv shows, comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Rings of Power S2E2 “Where the Stars are Strange” – Veteran TV writer Jason Cahill (Sopranos, Fringe) weaves together an episode of corruption and decay after Rings of Power’s premiere had a glimpse of hope with the healing power of the Elf Rings. However, that all is stripped away when Galadriel has a red-tinged vision of Celebrimbor being corrupted by Sauron. The actual, climactic scene of Sauron corrupting Celebrimbor is a masterclass from actors Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards. Slight changes in his accent transform Vickers from a down on his luck Man to an envoy of the Valar. (The invisible gods of Middle Earth.) Sauron with an assist from Celebrimbor’s assistant Mirdania (A scene-stealing Amelia Kenworthy.) plays on the Elf smith’s weaknesses and desire for creation and accomplishment. It’s like watching Lucifer assemble an army to take on Heaven in Paradise Lost and makes for compelling television. Sauron and Celebrimbor’s first target for rings of power are the Dwarves who are struggling with some MacGuffin-y issue. However, the scenes with them shine thanks to a humorous and charismatic performance from Sophia Nomvete as Disa, one of the bright spots of Season 1. It’ll never get old watching her tell Prince Durin and King Durin to get over themselves. The other main plotline in episode 2 is The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy entering the land of Rhun. A random appearance from Ciaran Hinds as Diet Caffeine Free Saruman aside, this plot trods story ground from the first season arc with these characters with The Stranger being enigmatic, losing control, and being surrounded by weird magic freaks. (They have Green Goblin masks now.) One struggling plotline aside, I enjoyed this episode, and directors Charlotte Brandstrom and Louise Hooper make the no-expenses-spared visuals shine. Overall: 8.0

Rings of Power S2E3 “The Eagle and the Sceptre” – After the first two episodes had big plots dealing with Elves and Dwarves, Helen Shang‘s script for “The Eagle and the Sceptre” focuses on Men, both Numenoreans and the Southlanders left in the wake of last season’s battle against Mordor. The political maneuvering in Numenor is really intriguing with Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) playing both the populist and elitist in attempt to prevent the now-blinded Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) from succeeding to her father’s throne. An added wrinkle is Elendil’s daughter Earien (Ema Horvath) supporting him when it’s revealed that Miriel had a palantir in her tower. (Peter Thiel named his company after it so it’s definitely bad.) Along with this, Shang and directors Louise Hooper and Charlotte Brandstorm focus on Isildur (Maxim Baldry) trying to find a way off Middle Earth, his horse, and various other side quests featuring the badass elf Arondir from last season, the annoying Theo, and a new, not what she seems female character, Estrid. The Southland sequences were the weakest in the previous season, but I love the political parallels between Numenor and colonial powers like the US and UK interfering in a war and leaving the folks affected by it to scrape by. This, but with mountain trolls and giant spiders. And, finally, in what has made Rings of Power Season 2 much more compelling than it’s predecessor, we see more of the corruption of Celebrimbor with Sauron just walking around and watching him alienate his fellow Elves as he begins to forge the seven Dwarven rings. It’s the whole the Devil doesn’t damn you to Hell, but you damn yourself saying played out with some wonderful glances and smirks delivered by Charlie Vickers, who is enjoying the Annatar role. Overall: 7.7

Mini Reviews: Exceptional X-Men, Public Domain, Minor Arcana, and Cruel Universe

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Exceptional X-Men #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Exceptional X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Exceptional X-Men #1 is the best first issue of “From the Ashes” by a mile. Eve Ewing, Carmen Carnero, and Nolan Woodard craft a Millennial/Gen Z alliance in superhero garb as ordinary bartender Kitty Pryde saves burgeoning mutant Trista at a Bunny Starlite Dream gig. The Black and queer subtexts become text in this book, but Carnero also draws some dynamic action sequences with pops of color from Woodard, especially during the concert. This is the smart, relatable, slice of life X-Book, but it’s definitely not a Kitty Pryde solo book if the last few pages have anything to say. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Public Domain #8 (Image) – In Public Domain #8, Dallas Comics is up and running with a brusque, no-nonsense colorist and a taciturn letterer being added to the staff. Of course, there’s personal complications galore as well as their distinguished competition in the way of their triumphant creator-owned comic book success. I love how Chip Zdarsky melds late stage capitalism along with the history of comics in this issue. For example, there’s a bullpen, but not a lot of collaboration in it because of clashes in working personalities. Also, some of the trademark battles between Dallas and Jaspers evoke the Golden and Silver Age of Comics in trying to trademark characters and variant of characters. (E.g. Wonder Man, Captain Marvel to name a few.) And, of course, it’s all drawn lovingly with distinct personalities for each character by Zdarsky. The flat colors work well for the kind of story that’s being told like a fading gold sunset for the Dallas Comics team all being in the office at once. Featuring family drama, inside baseball, and nine panel grids, Public Domain continues to be a tense delight. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Minor Arcana #1 (BOOM! Studios) -From its dreamy living inside a tarot card intro, Jeff Lemire‘s Minor Arcana #1 has got atmosphere in spades. It follows a young woman named Theresa who moves back to the small town of Limberlost to help her sick mom and run her magic shop even though she doesn’t believe in those kind of things. Minor Arcana is an immersive read with wispy linework from Lemire to go with the terse, angsty prose. Theresa doesn’t want to be in her old haunts where she’s confronted by spectres of her past, including her alcohol addiction when she automatically stumbles into a bar after a tiff with her mother. Minor Arcana #1 is a melancholy tone poem that hits like the scrawly Depeche Mode and The Cure posters in Theresa’s childhood bedroom. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Cruel Universe #2 (Oni Press) – Cruel Universe #2 kicks off with “Organic”, a portrait of pure disgust from Stephanie Phillips and Riley Rossmo that pokes fun at the hypocrisy of so-called organic companies. It’s about a farm where humans are the meat and everyone’s okay with that in a delightfully deadpan way. There aren’t any real personalities to latch onto, but Rossmo’s layout for the slaughter sequence has to be seen to be believed. Next is “Brilliant and Deceived”, a classic twist-ending two page shocker from Ben H. Winters, Leomacs, and Inak Azpaizu that riffs on the Bride of Frankenstein. It feels like a classic EC story thanks to Leomacs’ retro style art and costuming plus Azpaizu’s flat colors The third story is “And the Profit Said…” by Chris Condon, Javier Fernandez, and Alessandro Santoro. It’s about a man with inoperable brain cancer working a dead end job who gets some experimental surgery from his employer and sees the future. This begins as a gift, but eventually becomes a curse. I love the bits of this story that are a dark reflection of the American dream, but the ending seems rushed and unsatisfying. Fernandez’s visuals are quite gruesome though, and Santoro’s palette truly captures the emptiness of corporate life. Finally, a sci-fi gun changes an injured cowboy’s life in the fittingly named “Ray Gun” from Christopher Cantwell, David Lapham, and Nick Filardi. Thanks to Lapham’s chops, this story has the slickest panel to panel storytelling of any of the stories in Cruel Universe #2, and the effects of the gun itself is sci-fi horror at its finest. At first, it’s cathartic to see protagonist Buck gun down his asshole boss, but this power is slippery slope and he’s just a pawn in a bigger game. Cruel Universe #2 is a showcase for some talented comics artists and really captures the helplessness of life under late stage capitalism with a side of cannibalism, mad scientists, precognition and ray guns. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Mini Review: Rings of Power S2E1 “Elven Kings Under the Sky”

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Rings of Power S2E1 "Elven Kings Under the Sky"

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy get to more things than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the movies, tv shows, comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Rings of Power S2E1 “Elven Kings Under the Sky” – The Season 2 premiere of Rings of Power is sometimes excellent, but it can also be really silly (Symbiote Sauron!) with soap opera plotting that feels like reheated leftovers of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings films. Per its title, “Elven Kings Under the Sky” focuses on the three Rings forged by Celebrimbor in the season 1 finale. True to his character later in life, Elrond (Robert Aramayo) thinks they’re corrupted while Galadriel (An excellent and vulnerable Morfydd Clark) and Gil-Galad (A regal Benjamin Walker) think they can help revitalize the Elven race. Elrond goes on the run and is a very silly fugitive, but an appearance by the enigmatic Cirdan the Shipwright (Ben Daniels) put things into perspective. Also, director Charlotte Brandstrom makes the scenes with the Elves and rings sing with light and color. The plot with the Stranger, Nori, and Poppy aka Wish.com Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam is plodding with strained attempts at humor (Hobbits used to eat bugs though!) and another boring bad guy. However, the real protagonist of this episode is Sauron (Charlie Vickers), who continues to manipulate his way into becoming to the Big Bad of Lord of the Rings. A poorly lit prologue sequence fleshes out his backstory and motivation in the previous season with a truly epic scene of basically an elf twink Nazi version of Sauron getting shanked by his Orc followers. This also establishes that Sauron can change form and face and is basically unkillable. I’m not 100% back on board with Rings of Power after its Season 2 premiere, but love that the show is exploring themes of power, corruption, and lies thanks to writer Gennifer Hutchinson. Also, visually, it looks like a blockbuster film with the exception of the bland desert the Stranger and the halflings are running around in. Overall Verdict: 7.2

Mini Reviews: William of Newbury, X-Men, NYX, and Aliens vs. Avengers

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Aliens vs. Avengers #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

William of Newbury #4 (Dark Horse) – Michael Avon Oeming concludes the William of Newbury with a green-tinged romp into the land of Faerie to rescue two children and hopefully regain William and his brother Edward’s souls. A highlight of the series has been the friendship between the monk William and the non-Christian thief Winnie, and this bond comes in handy during the events of this final issue. Also, Oeming leaves it all out on the drawing board with eerie visions and swashbuckling fights in William of Newbury #4‘s new setting before settling back in the world of medieval England. This series was a really creative take on historical fiction and the anthropomorphic animal fantasy genre with its dry sense of humor and propensity for the weird and uncanny. Hopefully, there will be further adventures for William, Winnie, and maybe even the Faerie children. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy

X-Men #3 (Marvel) – Jed Mackay and Ryan Stegman (With JP Mayer and Livesay on inks) finally hit their stride with X-Men #3. They use the past indignities of the Krakoa era to fuel the twin rages of Scott Summers and Idie Okonkwo. Idie aka Temper shines in this issue as she cuts Magneto down a peg and roasts the utopian ideal of Krakoa before deep freezing some attackers who are trying to destroy Cerebro. Stegman’s art in this series is still from the 1990s Jim Lee cool pinup pose school, but he brings some strong storytelling chops to the argument between Cyclops and the government agent Lundqvist with coffee mugs and diner plates flying. Cyclops is definitely back to being a freedom fighter, but it’s starting to take a toll on him even in his home state of Alaska. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

NYX #2 (Marvel) – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Francesco Mortarino, and Raul Angulo‘s NYX #2 focuses on Wolverine as she deals with the specters of her past (From the previous NYX series.) and tracks down the mysterious Mr. Friend. The comic shows Laura indulging in her dark side with Angulo providing a shadowy palette to match. She teams up with a mutant named Local whose power basically hacks New York City leading to many creative sequences. The single-character focus of NYX continues to work well with fleeing appearances from Ms. Marvel and Prodigy showing how isolated Laura is although she does find some fleeting moments of happiness between the property destruction and skin getting flayed off. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Aliens vs. Avengers #1 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic, and Ive Svorcina reunite on Aliens vs. Avengers #1, which is more than your typical “intercompany” crossover. Instead of having the current Avengers lineup fight xenomorphs, they craft a dystopian world of just a few aged heroes fighting back in the Weyland Yutani tower. Ribic is so good at drawing hopeless faces, and his fight choreography is unparalleled because nothing beats Hulk smashing a Xenomorph. Featuring an utterly hopeless tone and intergalactic scope, Aliens vs. Avengers #1 feels like a dark coda to Hickman’s Avengers run. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Jenny Sparks, Paranoid Gardens, and Ultimate Spider-Man

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Jenny Sparks #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Jenny Sparks #1 (DC/DC Black Label) – The Spirit of the 20th Century returns with a whimper, not a bang in Tom King and Jeff Spokes‘ Jenny Sparks #1. The comic which focuses on Jenny Sparks’ unexpected return to take out a deranged Dr. Manhattan, er, Captain Atom when the Justice League can’t is just (censored) swearing and edgelord posturing. Sparks did have an origin miniseries in 2000, but she’s really no fun without the Authority to riff on which is lampshaded in some of Captain Atom’s taunting dialogue. King and Spokes go full Pulp Fiction 90s and tell a non-linear story from different viewpoints that ends up colliding at a bar, but they end up feeling like distractions from Sparks’ return and Atom’s rampage. Jeff Spokes’ art has some creativity to it, especially when Captain Atom uses his powers, but you’re better off dusting off your old Ellis/Hitch (Or even Millar/Quitely) trades or watching Justice League Unlimited Season 2, Episode 9 than reading this new take on Jenny Sparks and Nathaniel Adam. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Paranoid Gardens #2 (Dark Horse) -Little bit of a second issue slump for Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Chris Weston, and Dave Stewart‘s Paranoid Gardens, but we find out a little bit more about the suspicious monkey mask guys and the nefarious Dr. Zerc. But the best part for me is Lou just trying to maneuver through life working at the weirdest care home in the universe, figuring out her potentially gifts, and her connection to the superhero admitted in the last issue. Weston’s art continues to be a deadpan delight, especially a series of multiple panels where the guy who was shooting heat vision last issue is drooling because he’s so doped up. Paranoid Gardens still revels in its uniqueness, and I’m interested to see the answers to some of these mysteries, including Lou’s past. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, and Matthew Wilson‘s reimagining of Peter Parker’s Spider-Man continues to be one of my favorite comics of 2024. It juggles poignant character moments with long form plotting. For example, J. Jonah Jameson gets moments both silly (Arguing about sandwiches at a bakery that he thinks is a deli.) and sincere (Having a heart to heart with Peter’s son, Richard.) with Hickman giving him depth although he’s the books sixth or seventh lead. There are unbroken moments of Peter with his family and friends that balance out the high tech superheroics and cloak and dagger work as a Tony Stark guest appearance connects Peter and Harry Osborn to the larger world of the Ultimate Universe. And last, but not least, the Sinister Six are actually scary again! Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: The Ultimates and Jonny Quest

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Jonny Quest #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

The Ultimates #3 (Marvel) – Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, and Federico Blee use the superhero genre and the character of the Hulk to explore the dark history of American nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. They deconstruct the classic “monster island” trope through the character of Tara, who has seen her people devastated by gamma radiation tests presided over by Director Banner. Of course, the American government wouldn’t do these kind of tests on American soil, but on land where they don’t care about the humanity of the inhabitants. I love Camp’s sly characterizations of Iron Lad as naive and of Thor and Sif literally living in a fantasy world as they recklessly beat on gamma-powered animals and humans. Although Frigeri and Blee deliver on the big monster action, Ultimates #3 is more an ode to decolonization and reparation, more Godzilla Minus Zero than Godzilla vs Kong. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Jonny Quest #1 (Dynamite) – Joe Casey and Sebastian Piriz balance darkness and nostalgia in their new take on the classic Hanna Barbera cartoon. Jonny Quest #1 isn’t the 60s, but it’s also not Venture Bros. Lorenzo Scaramella’s palette is as bright as ever, but the Quest Family come to terms with their own mortality while investigating their base after a mission. Casey slowly unpacks the new status quo, and Piriz introduces a new, yet familiar face who is drawn in a more photorealistic manner than the classic Doug Wildey designs. At times, Jonny Quest #1 is a fun read (Rocket belts! Cute dogs), but there’s just a hint of sadness because adventure for adventure’s sake really isn’t a thing in the 2020s. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Cruel Universe, Space Ghost, Public Domain, and Uncanny X-Men

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Uncanny X-Men #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Cruel Universe #1 (Oni Press) – Cruel Universe #1 starts things off with a bang in “The Champion” from Matt Kindt and Kano, which is about space gladiators, including a T-Rex. I enjoyed the reader-incriminating twist in this one as well as Kano’s pulpy art. Next, a man and a woman investigate a black hole and the possibilities of time travel in “Solo Shift” from Corinna Bechko, Caitlin Yarsky, and Michael Atiyeh. This story explores the inevitability of fate in the depths of space with a side of toxic masculinity and pretty colors from Atiyeh. Following up that utter depression, “Drink Up” is about a rich guy who tries to find the Fountain of Youth from Chris Condon and Jonathan Case. I enjoyed Case’s art, especially the over-top facial expressions and bold colors when the protagonist Edenspoil finds the fountain, but the story is sadly predictable. It’s fun to watch a billionaire get their comeuppance though. Finally, “Priceless” from Ben H. Winters, Artyom Toplin, and Brittany Peer is the most high concept of the Cruel Universe stories and follows the exploit of man with a node in his brain so a bedridden, (of course) wealthy old man can have memories and experiences. Peer’s flat colors, Tomlin’s inventive Euro art style, and Winters’ wide-ranging approach to morality is a solid close to the anthology. Cruel Universe #1 has one stone-cold classic, a couple solid morality tale thrillers, and one stinker so not a bad batting average for this anthology’s first outing. I definitely enjoyed the art and colors in each short story, especially Kano and Artyom Toplin’s work. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Space Ghost #4 (Dynamite) -Zorak finally appears in Space Ghost #4, and David Pepose, Jonathan Lau, and Andrew Dalhouse make him one freaky dude. He’s not just your run of the mill supervillain, but a death cultist who wants to summon the locust god Lokar and end the universe. Pepose creates tension by splitting narrative with Space Ghost off trying to find Zorak while Jace, Jan, and Blip chill at the Ghost Planet until they decide to investigate a Galactic Patrol distress signal. Lau uses violent flashback sequences and close-ups of Space Ghost’s eyes to emphasize the seriousness of Zorak’s threat with the encounter showing perhaps why Space Ghost was so closed off in the early issues. Featuring big-time action and raised stakes that are bolstered by the time we’ve spent with Jan, Jace, and Space Ghost, this is the best issue of the relaunch so far. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Public Domain #7 (Image) – Chip Zdarsky‘s Public Domain continues to be satirical inside baseball goodness with a heart. Issue seven introduces Dallas Comics’ new editor Cynthia Dann who evokes shades of great editors like Louise Simonson, Ann Nocenti, and Karen Berger while critiquing the staff members and sparring with the money guys. On Jerry Jasper’s side, he has to deal with the combination of a British Invasion piss-take on script and a Extreme-era Image parody on art, and he hates what the Domain has become. Zdarsky writes fun, conversational dialogue, but he also knows when to let the silences linger like Dallas and Jasper coming to terms that their co-creation is no longer their own. Public Domain #7 is a book where you’re feeling tension when two old guys talk in an even older bar, and it makes you love and hate comics all the same. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Uncanny X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Gail Simone, David Marquez, and Matthew Wilson kick off the new volume of the flagship X-Book with the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters being turner into a mutant prison. And then various X-Men just hang out for the rest of the issue. So, yeah, the threat may seem generic, but as a fan of the X-Men playing various sports, this issue was enjoyable to me. Simone gets Wolverine’s nobility, Kurt’s faith, Gambit’s roguishness, and of course, Rogue’s vulnerability as she’s the kind of team leader and POV character. Plus Marquez and Wilson make everyone look good, especially when they’re fighting a giant dragon in Mexico. I love the little manga touches he brings. Uncanny X-Men #1 isn’t groundbreaking, but some nice character interactions and slick art make it enjoyable enough. Nothing wrong with a Rogue/Gambit/Logan road story. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Spider-Man, Firefly Verses, William of Newbury, and Grommets!

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Ultimate Spider-Man #7

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Ultimate Spider-Man #7 (Marvel) – Marco Checchetto is back on art, and the visuals in Ultimate Spider-Man #7 sing, especially when Spider-Man and the Green Goblin throw down. However, he and Jonathan Hickman just make this a training bout as Otto Octavius integrates some of the Stark-tech in their suits, including an onboard AI. Spider-Man chooses himself as the AI while the Green Goblin chooses his father, Norman Osborn. This high tech take on classic Spidey tropes like Spider-Man talking to himself during fights, Green Goblin hearing voices in his head, and Harry Osborn’s daddy issues is pure Hickman, who also starts to integrate Ultimate Spider-Man with the big picture of the Ultimate Universe. However, there’s still plenty of times for subplots and bonding like Uncle Ben and J. Jonah Jameson teaming up on their news enterprise thanks to a venture capital infusion from Gwen Stacy. Ultimate Spider-Man #7 has slick, yet emotionally engaging visuals from Checchetto and colorist Matthew Wilson that pair well with Jonathan Hickman’s script that puts character relationships and bonding at the forefront with the tech/world-building as window dressing. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Firefly ‘Verses #1 (BOOM!) – Firefly ‘Verses #1 has gorgeous art courtesy of Lalit Kumar Sharma, but Ryan Parrott‘s script is a little underdeveloped giving the Alliance and Independents the “both sides” treatment. For a “what if” type comic, Firefly ‘Verses #1 is quite faithful to the TV show’s pilot reenacting the Battle of Serenity Valley, but having the Browncoats defeat the Alliance. Much of the comic shows that life is just as bad, if not worse under the Independent Coalition of Planets with the inner planets struggling versus the outer ones in the show. Like the first season of Firefly, the main plot centers around a mysterious Tam sibling (Simon, in the comic’s case), there’s a heroic death, lots of Whedon-y dialogue, and there basically ends up being a similar status quo to the TV show. There’s a little shard of an anti-authoritarian bent in Firefly ‘Verses #1, but mostly it’s just an opportunity for Parrott to indulge in his nostalgia for the show. Sharma does do a good job of making the story slightly askew and offputting though. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

William of Newbury #3 (Dark Horse) – Michael Avon Oeming‘s tale of an eccentric raccoon monk/exorcist continues in William of Newbury #3. The issue is bookended by William and his thief (But possibly becoming more pious.) companion Winnie dealing with an unquiet spirit in a churchyard in Scotland, but mainly digs into the backstory of William and his more serious brother Edward, who keeps trying to get him on trial from the church. Oeming uses a sickly green palette and light inking to show the half-remembered past and show that Edward thinks that he and William don’t have souls and were swapped out with the children of fairies. This sets up William’s motivation as he fights supernatural beings to be worthy of having a soul and going to heaven one day like Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but more animal and less vampire. Michael Oeming uses a different kind of art style in William of Newbury, more Mignola and less Toth, and combined with its sheer weirdness, it continues to be an enjoyable series. Overall: 7.8 Verdict: Buy

Grommets #3 (Image) – Rick and Brian get way too high, skip school, and strike out with their crushes in Grommets #3 from Rick Remender, Brian Posehn, and Brett Parson. This issue doubles down on the gross-out humor with Brian and Rick scoring some weed from a Spencer’s Gifts’ employee, but having nothing to smoke it with except a really suspicious soda can in the alley. Parson and colorist Moreno Dinisio really nail the overstimulation of mixing substances and arcades throughout the issue before mellowing out with a beautiful bonding moment between Brian and Rick. The shenanigans and pitfalls keep Grommets entertaining, but their friendship and the period accurate visuals is the heart of the series. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Movie Mini Review: Deadpool & Wolverine

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Deadpool and Wolverine

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy see more movies than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the movies, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Deadpool & Wolverine – Whether intentionally or not, Deadpool & Wolverine shows that staking your entire cinematic universe on a multiverse is quite the silly proposition. Directed by Shawn Levy and a blue screen in London and featuring five credited writers (Included Hellions and Amazing Spider-Man‘s Zeb Wells!), Deadpool & Wolverine is a potpourri of tones from deadly serious to goofy as hell and is a love letter and piss take to the inconsistently good Marvel comic book films of the 2000s.

Ryan Reynolds bats around .300 or so with his quips and fourth wall breaking while Hugh Jackman is good even when the film around him is bad. The real standout are some cameos that I won’t spoil, and Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova. Deadpool & Wolverine respect the character’s origins in Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s New X-Men while Corrin plays the role with a gleeful menace. The lowlights of the film are anything having to do with the TVA (Doctor Who, but bureaucrats=yuck) and a predictable, poorly choreographed third act. Also, Rob Delaney is in the movie way too much ; is this early 2010s Twitter?

But, if you grew up on the Fox Marvel films and liked the previous Deadpool films, this is worth watching, especially with friends who have vastly different opinions than you so you can debate after.

Overall Verdict: 6.9

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