Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: City Boy, Green Arrow, and Fury!

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Fury #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.

Alfie

City Boy #1 (DC Comics) – We anthropomorphize cities and treat them like living things with thoughts and feelings, but what if that were true? City Boy #1 by Greg Pak and Minkyu Jung takes that concept and literalizes it. City Boy #1 stars Cameron Kim, who has the ability to communicate with cities. His power is left a little vague by this first issue. We see a lot of what he can do but we aren’t given a clear explanation of his powers. Cameron was abandoned by his mother at a young age, leaving him to become a natural loner traversing the streets of Metropolis and using his powers to find valuables in the nooks of the city where no one looks. Much like another we are legends title Spirit World, City Boy had a prelude in Lazarus Planet tie-in comic. Reading Spirit World without that tie-in confused me more than a little. Luckily here in City Boy, the story feels completely independent and doesn’t require you to have read the tie-in. The art by Jung is clear and communicative, the real highlight is when we get a glimpse of the true power at Cameron’s disposal. Overall City Boy #1 is a good first issue, it’s intriguing and sets up an interesting narrative. But there is a feeling that this will all read better once collected in trade. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Logan

Green Arrow #2 (DC Comics) – Joshua Williamson, Sean Izaakse, and Romulo Fajardo‘s Green Arrow continues to be a lot of fun with flashy fight sequences and an emphasis on the found family dynamic. This issue in particular has an action comedy vibe with Oliver Queen and Lian Harper fighting injustice and inequality on a farflung planet against literal fat cats, the return of the boxing glove arrow, and Queen having a portable tree house because he’s always getting stranded places. Izaakse breaks up the page into varied panel shapes to keep the battles moving before using traditional square and rectangle panels for interactions between this separated Arrow-family. He and Williamson pay homage to Green Arrow stories of the past while keeping things fresh with Oliver and Lian ending up in a new planet/reality each issue. It seems a bit random at times, but is a nice change of pace for the street level hero. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Fury #1 (Marvel) – Al Ewing, Scot Eaton, Tom Reilly, Adam Kubert, and Ramon Rosanas craft a love letter to Nick Fury Sr. while creating a new beginnings for Nick Fury Jr. in the Fury one-shot. The most appealing thing about this comic is a different artist drawing a different time period in the lives of Nick Fury Sr. and Jr. Eaton leads things off with a Nick Fury Jr. infiltration that is part Steranko, part Secret Avengers setting up the old/new stakes of Scorpio, the Zodiac key, and of course, The Watcher for the folks that remember Original Sin. Next, Reilly goes groovy/space age perfectly complementing Ewing’s Stan Lee-esque writing style and channeling the collage/psychedelic style of the aforementioned Steranko. After that, we’re off to the Sgt. Fury days with Kubert channeling his father and doing a gritty war comic style to go along with his usual dynamic layouts while he and Al Ewing further the family ties aspect of everything. Finally, Ewing and Rosanas tie everything off with a bow in the present with clean, easy to follow to art that’s really the cream of the crop of current Marvel storytelling. Fury #1 does an excellent job wrapping up the Man on the Wall’s 60 year saga while setting up a bunch of future stories down the line for Nick Fury Jr. We’ll see if they stick, and it’s delightful to see Al Ewing and this varied team of artists weave together old Marvel lore in such an entertaining package. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: X-Men Red, Iron Man, Wolverine, and The Nasty

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Wolverine #33

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.

Alfie

X-Men Red #11 (Marvel) – From the ashes of Sins Of Sinister arise the calm before the storm! War is coming! X-Men Red #11 by Al Ewing, Jacopo Camagni, and Stefano Caselli is the series’ triumphant return after a three-month hiatus. Even though the series went on break, the aftermath of the intervening Sins Of Sinister event and Storm & the Brotherhood of Mutants carries on in this issue. It’s an issue entirely of conversations with no action scenes. Luckily Al Ewing deftly navigates this with precision cutting dialogue filled with tension and excitement. The art is no slouch either. The scenes are well-crafted and filled with interesting back-and-forth layouts. Of particular note is one amazing spread toward the end of the issue. This issue is the rising tension before the much-teased Genesis War storyline coming up in the following issues. Even with that being said it’s still a great issue filled with moments readers won’t want to miss! Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Invincible Iron Man #6 (Marvel) – Tony Stark is broke and destitute, relapsed into drinking, and worst of all he’s lost his company to the ruthless Feilong who is mass producing Mutant hunting Stark Sentinels. But none of that matters since Invincible Iron Man #6 by Gerry Duggan and Andrea Di Vito is an 80s throwback. It’s a fun issue but ultimately unimportant to the ongoing narrative. The cover would lead you to assume the issue is a fight between Iron Man and the West Coast Avengers. However as has been the case a few times with this series, the cover lies! The real meat of the issue is a fight between Iron Man and the villainous White Queen, Emma Frost! It’s a fun brawl. Di Vito brings real joy with fast and frenetic action. Emma gets a lot of opportunities to use her telepathy in fun and creative ways against the Bullet-Head. The unabashed homage to the marvel universe of the 80s is a wonderful little thing to behold, sliding timescale be damned. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Wolverine #33 (Marvel) – Beast is on a warpath and the only man who can stop him is Wolverine! with a little help from some friends. Wolverine #33 by Benjamin Percy and Juan Jose Ryp is the latest installment of the Weapons of X arc. The issue largely focuses on gathering Wolverine’s various allies as they all converge on Beast. It’s a good issue but it’s certainly the build-up for the end game of this arc. The art by Ryp is colored by Frank D’Armata, normally I’m not a fan of D’Armata’s coloring work but with Ryp’s pencils, it fits. The art is detailed and gloriously grotesque in a way befitting a Wolverine story. Ryp can draw some of the most visceral gore you’ll find in big two comics. The issue also contains a backup story by Gene Luen Yang and Peter Nguyen. It’s a fine little backup with good art focusing on Wolverine and the little sister of Shang-Chi taking on a monster. It has cute expressive art but it’s a pretty throwaway story, but hey it’s an extra story for the same price, so you won’t see me complaining! Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Brett

The Nasty #2 (Vault Comics) – The kids are trying to figure out what to do and if they can actually create a horror movie before a major festival comes to town. Then, there’s that whole slasher that’s hanging around and only one of them can see? The second issue feels a bit like Clerks III with the crew coming together and figuring out how to make a movie but it’s the ending that really made us take notice. There’s an intriguing direction for all of this to go from here. The art continues to be solid with a style that balances its humor, horror, and heart. Overall, an intriguing series that’s delivering something new with the horror genre. Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Sons of X and Free Comic Book Day!

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X-Men: Before the Fall - Sons of X #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.

Alfie

X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 (Marvel) – I was originally planning on writing a full review of X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 by Si Spurrier and Phil Noto but frankly I don’t think there is enough to this 35-page comic to give me the material for a longer review. It’s not a bad comic, but the whole affair does feel rushed and done with little enthusiasm. If the book itself isn’t excited, why should the reader be? The art is fine, It’s some of Noto’s less exciting works. It fails to deliver on certain aspects of the story where another artist may have been a better fit. X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 reads like a necessary epilogue to the overstuffed Legion Of X that exists solely to set the groundwork for the next chapter of Nightcrawler’s story. Hopefully, that next chapter is more self-excited than this somewhat flat epilogue. Overall: 6.7 Verdict: Read

Brett

FCBD 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Free Comic Book Day has turned into an opportunity for comic publishers to promote what’s coming next in hopes of getting readers excited and coming back for more. This years’ Avengers/X-Men release from Marvel attempts to do that teasing the upcoming “Fall of X” storyline and the mysterious G.O.D.S. In the issue, we get the opening salvo of the false flag operation to turn the world against Krakoa. Overall, the concept is good and interesting but there’s so much that leaves me scratching my head. The stolen Captain Krakoa suit, the attack on Captain America by Orchis, it’s all a little too obvious and easy to refute. There’s just too much surveillance and ways to refute the operation, especially the attack on Captain America. But, it has me intrigued. The latter story is just too little and relies and knowledge of who the character is at the end to really care what is teased. While I’m sure the upcoming series will be good, what’s teased is void of anything to make me want to read it. Overall: 7.75 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Spider-Man/Venom #1 (Marvel) – I honestly remember so little about reading this the day after which is not a good sign at all. Spider-Man fights a monkey and we find out who’s behind it and then there’s some history of symbiotes as well. The former is entertaining enough and the latter has something there but again, had to go look at the comic again to remember any of that. The art though is great and worth checking this out alone. Overall: 7.0. Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Fishflies (Image Comics) – A new comic from Jeff Lemire has me scratching my head and grossed out. There seems to be a lot of bugs and dead bodies in this one and I have no idea what any of it is about beyond just making me skeeved. But, it’s Jeff Lemire and his art is always great and stories pan out in the end. While the issue didn’t tell me a lot, I’m still looking forward to whatever he has cooking in the future. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Dawn of DC Knight Terrors (DC Comics) – DC teases their Knight Terrors event which has something to do with dreams and some villain who’s out for revenge. The issue focuses on Damian and the things that haunt him and the dream within a dream within a dream is a great one-shot that teases what’s to come. Overall, there is a good nightmare aspect to it and the art is fantastic with amazing page layouts, but I still generally have no idea what’s to come. But, between the issue and the concept art in the back, the issue has me more excited for what’s to come. Overall: 8.0 Verdict Buy (it is free after all)

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Green Arrow and Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain!

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Green Arrow #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

Green Arrow #1 (DC Comics) – Oliver Queen teams up with his ward, Roy Harper’s long lost daughter Lian in some kind of sci-fi, dystopian future overrun by Manhunters that is connected to Dark Crisis (Which I didn’t read). Cool action scenes and flourishes aside (Chainsaw arrow!), Green Arrow #1 hooked me in its wholesome middle/flashback bit where Roy and Lian reunite in the middle of some crime fighting in the streets of Gotham. Joshua Williamson and Sean Izaakse spend this first issue re-establishing a kind of Arrow family and bookend with the weird dystopian hellscape. Williamson leans on text box exposition a lot, but also leaves time for memorable splashes and spreads. Even though it doesn’t really quash the criticism that deep down Green Arrow just rips off Batman, having a family dynamic and high energy visuals from Izaakse and colorist Romulo Fajardo definitely have me interested in future issues. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 (Marvel) – With guest appearances from Brian and Meggan Braddock plus a dust-up with Furies in London’s West End, Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #3 feels like a proper Captain Britain comic with Betsy defending the country that gives her her moniker and not just the multiverse. Writer Tini Howard also satirizes the contemporary media landscape (and channels J. Jonah Jameson’s Daily Bugle from across the pond) in how the press perceives this battle while also furthering the Morgan Le Fay magical takeover plot. This is also a quite emotional issue with Vasco Georgiev using plenty of close-up’s to show the stress that both Betsy and Askani are going through, and how it’s affecting their relationship in a mature “We both have tough jobs” way instead of a teen soap opera way. These human moments keep me engaged between the multiversal/chronoskimming antics and offer a nice contrast to the increasingly over the top nature of Morgan Le Fay as Howard and Georgiev start to channel some old school superhero comics in a way that is sure to escalate the ongoing narrative. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Ambassadors, Betsy Braddock, and Jeff!

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It's Jeff #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 Ambassadors #1 (Image) – Frank Quitely does some rare interior art and colors on the latest high-concept Mark Millar comic, The Ambassadors. Basically, the code for superpowers has been cracked by a South Korean scientist, and Willy-Wonka style (Millar mentions this in the dialogue while Quitely does body swapping body horror.), she’s giving them to the six most altruistic people in the world. The Ambassadors #1 strikes a balance between edginess and wholesomeness with new takes on superhero landings and secret bases as well as blood and guts ultraviolence that is even more sickening thanks to Frank Quitely’s detailed art style. All of Quitely’s tricks are here, including freezing the panel in slow motion for a particularly interesting or horrifying moment, like when an ape boy stops a truck in slow motion, and all the doo-dads on the dashboards are suspended in air. The Ambassadors #1 has both a strong story hook, and I’m interested to see all the different star artists’ take on the emerging cast of characters. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #2 (Marvel) – The second installment of Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain explores both multiverses and magic as Askani and Betsy Braddock fight Morgan LeFay in the Captain Carter universe. Tini Howard‘s script keeps everything clear for Captain Carter fans who might have not been keeping up with the Captain Britain stuff and vice versa, and there’s tons of action courtesy of artist Vasco Georgiev and colorist Erick Arciniega, who has a field day with all the psychic knives, blasts, and of course, sorcery. Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #2 continues to build up Morgan LeFay as a xenophobic baddie who wants a non-mutant baddie, and Howard and Georgiev root in her both Arthurian legends and Celtic (Specifically Welsh) folklore. The whole multiversal aspect keeps BBCB #2 from being a retread of Excalibur, and overall, this issue is a fun beat ’em up with queer romance, magic, psychic powers, and plenty of intrigue to keep the overall story moving. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

It’s Jeff #1 (Marvel) – This is the cutest, heckin’ comic ever from Kelly Thompson and Gurihuru. It features the silent adventures of Jeff the Landshark from West Coast Avengers and his various shenanigans with different members of the Marvel Universe. This compilation of three page stories ranging from Jeff channeling his inner Jaws at a pool party to continually stealing Captain America’s shield and especially when he uses fake backdrops to get online clout are sure to make even the most cynical comics fan crack a smile. It’s also a showcase for Gurihu’s skill as visual storytellers, and I love their takes on the different Marvel heroes, especially a perpetually exasperated Kate Bishop. Overall: 10 Verdict: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Chock’Lit Shoppes and Strange Doctors

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Pop's Chock'Lit Shoppe of Horrors

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

Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppe of Horrors (Archie) – This gruesome Archie horror one-shot peers into the secret, disgusting things that go on at Riverdale’s one and only restaurant/late night food spot. It’s anchored by an ever-escalating frame story of two teens forced to clean the shop after they skip out on their check by Amy Chase and Federico Sabbatini and discover new monstrosities in the nooks and crannies of this retro diner. The first story by Ryan Cady and Chris Panda has Sandman “24 Hours” vibes as Kevin Keller learns who he’ll be serving at the Pop’s night shift. Panda’s art is quirky, yet freaky, and he puts a new spin on zombies that’s different from the previous Archie zombie takes while also taking the “customer is always right” to its logical conclusion. Actually, the whole comic is wonderfully vindictive for anyone who’s worked a customer-facing job, especially food service, as it has to get old to watch Jughead put burger after burger on his tab. The final story in the one-shot by Jordan Morris and Liana Kangas has Eyes Wide Shut meets Soylent Green energy, and it’s darkly humorous to see Pop’s turned into a cannibalistic, fine dining establishment with Betty Cooper running around trying to set everything to rights. All in all, Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppes of Horror continues to show that there is a rich vein of horror, anxiety, satire, and yes, humor to be mined from these classic all-American characters. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel) – After being dead, Stephen Strange is back. I have no clue how and it really doesn’t matter in this new volume of the series. We’re given the general gist of where things stand as Strange sees a new role for him in the Marvel Universe. While he’s still there to protect Earth from magical threats, he’s also there to help his fellow heroes. Think of it as a magical private investigator. That allows readers to enjoy some quick hits as we see Stephen having to solve rather fun and funny issues his fellow heroes run into. It’s all cute and interesting but it’s the appetizer to the main course. Magical beings are making Earth their home and in one case there’s been a murder. Who did it? Well that’s kind of the point of at least the first arc of the series. The art is pretty solid and fits a horror with a wink and a nod take of the series. There’s a back-up story featuring Wong who is now part of WAND, a magical SHIELD. That too is also clearly leading to something but unlike the main story, the art feels a bit off. Wong just looks weird to me. Overall, it’s a debut issue that’s fun but also doesn’t quite excite me to go all in. I’ll check out the second issue to see where the murder mystery goes but it feels like a story we’ve seen elsewhere mixed with a comic that entertains but doesn’t hook you. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Mosely, Danger Street, WildC.A.T.s, Nightcrawlers

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WildC.A.T.s #4 cover

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

Danger Street #3 (DC Comics) – Danger Street is really starting to hit its stride as a homage to the 1970s DC series 1st Issue Special . It shares that comic’s focus on B and C list characters while bringing them together through the threat of cosmic destruction and a murder mystery. Plus corporations are trying to make money and wheel and deal. This book is turning into a showcase for Jorge Fornes and Dave Stewart‘s versatility as artists, and they turn on a dime going from the Kirby-esque psychedelia of the Source Wall to, well, 1940s Jack Kirby with the Danger Street Dingbats getting in scraps and looking for their friend’s murderer. Tom King and Fornes also bring a level of psychological depth that the 1970s comics didn’t have with the entire issue framed around Lady Cop (She hates that name though.) dealing with a malfunctioning printer at her work, and you can see the sadness and vulnerability in Starman and Warlord’s faces when a film studio treats them like IP and not people. Danger Street #3 feels both Biblical and slice of life, nostalgic and forward-thinking, and I look forward to seeing Tom King thread these disparate characters closer together. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Mosely #2 (BOOM! Studios) – After a gut-wrenching, powerful first issue, Mosely takes a step back in this week’s issue, but only a small one. Writer Rob Guillory isn’t afraid to get cynical in this script which includes Luddite protagonist Mosely turning his ire towards his fellow humans while trying to take out the tech god that controls the virtual reality playground where humans spend most of their days. (And is also the new jail.) There’s an exhausted rhythm to Guillory’s captions, which is in contrast to the dynamism of Sam Lotfi and Jean-Francois Beulieu‘s visuals. The book is most compelling when it focuses on the relationship between Mosely and his daughter, who is very dialed into what’s going on with the tech gods, but they don’t get a lot of time together in this issue beyond a flashback scene. So, this issue is just a lot of smashing until Mosely literally passes out at the end. While the first issue was more misanthropic satirical, Mosely #2 reads more like a Donny Cates beat ’em up even though a funny, yet poignant smaller scale backup story written and drawn by Rob Guillory gives me hope for future issues. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

Brett

WildC.A.T.s #4 (DC Comics) – Just when you think the series can’t get any better, it surprises you. The issue mainly focuses on Grifter’s battle behind enemy lines as the rest of the team attempts to get approval to save him. It’s an interesting turn of an issue in that its main focus isn’t the action and danger but the actual characters and their relationship. For as dysfunctional as the team is, Matthew Rosenberg reminds us that they are a family in a way. It’s one that might not get along all of the time, fight, and generally want to slap each other, but they’re family and a team that watches out for each other. But, the bigger surprise is the depth Rosenberg gives Grifter. He’s always been a “cool” character, little in words and mostly in action, but here we get his thoughts as the situation gets more and more desperate. We find that there’s a real hero here and despite the cynicism on the surface, he’s really good underneath. Add in fantastic art by Stephen Segovia, Elmer Santos, and Ferran Delgado and you have an issue that defines who these characters are. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Nightcrawlers #1 (Marvel) – Sins of Sinister has been an interesting event showing a world that has gotten out of hand from even Sinister’s machinations. This new miniseries focuses on the Nightcrawlers, genetically spliced Nightcrawler with other heroes who are liberated for some reason. It’s a slice of story in the overall arc and doesn’t quite work on its own. It feels like a story that can’t quite fit in the main event series but also doesn’t quite stand on its own as well. Maybe as the issues play out it’ll work a bit better but as a debut issue, it falls a little short. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Strange Things, Static Returns, Miracleman, and more!

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Static: Shadows of Dakota #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

Stranger Things: Tales from Hawkins #1 (Dark Horse) – The first issue of this new anthology style Stranger Things miniseries from Jody Houser, Caio Filipe, and Dan Jackson focuses on the stories of the regular citizens of Hawkins, Indiana while all kinds of dimension spanning, monster fighting shenanigans are going on in the main plot of the Netflix show. Tales from Hawkins #1 is about two hunters in the woods who end up becoming the hunted and shows how hapless the town would be without the help of a telekinetic preteen, some resourceful kids/teens, and an undaunted sheriff. I love how Jackson varies his color palette from autumn Midwest to utter hopelessness and Filipe’s layouts show off the speed and danger of the Demogorgon. However, the two leads of the story are pretty unremarkable and don’t get much characterization so their dark ends ring hollow even with a surprise cameo at the end. Overall: 6.4 Verdict: Pass

Know Your Station #3 (BOOM! Studios) – Other than the social commentary (Rich people are Karens, especially in space), in Sarah Gailey’s script and the gorgeous and gruesome art and colors from Liana Kangas and Rebecca Nalty, I enjoy Know Your Station because it isn’t afraid to take a beat and zero in on its key characters while the billionaire bodies pile up in the spaceship. Protagonist Elise confides with definite red herring Marin about the communication issues onboard and the graphic, artistic manner of the rich board member’s deaths. But more importantly, she opens up about her imposter syndrome and addiction revealing that she had no formal investigative training and was just going to be a dish washer on board the ship. Gailey and Kangas create a real bond between Marin and Elise as they get know each other on a deeper level until shit hit the fans in a final day-glo page. If you like procedurals/mysteries, but aren’t into cops, Know Your Station is definitely worth a reading. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy

Static: Shadows of Dakota #1 (DC Comics/Milestone) – Vita Ayala and Nikolas Draper-Ivey are back with another high energy Static mini that features glorious action sequences, a look into how Virgil Hawkins helps his community out of costume, and introduces a truly unsettling villain. Draper-Ivey continues to be one of the most interesting artists in superhero comics with his manga influences shining through in emotional scenes like when Static talks to a Bang Baby who’s being chased by Feds and accidentally blows up a city street. And speaking of explosions, Nikolas Draper-Ivey brings a kind of freeze frame effect to the more epic moments of each fight or when Ebon is reaching into a Bang Baby hunter’s brain. Finally, I like that Ayala and Draper-Ivey intersperse quiet scenes between the high octane fights on city streets like when Virgil feeds an unhoused lady and tells off some cops who are rude to her, or when he reflects on the damage his battles do while watching his mom and sister do their EMT work. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Miracleman: The Silver Age #4 (Marvel) – In keeping with the Miracleman tradition, Miracleman: The Silver Age #4 features a 16 page lead story plus a reprint of a Young Miracleman story from the Mick Anglo that ties into what’s going on in the lead story from Neil Gaiman, Mark Buckingham, Jordie Bellaire, and Todd Klein, whose letters do a fantastic job conveying the tone of the dialogue. Plus he gets to riff on family Bibles in the opening scene which shows worshipers at the Church of Miracleman. (It’s sparsely attended.) In keeping with the themes of the series, Gaiman and Buckingham go psychological instead of physical, especially in conversation between Tom Caxton (Formerly Mister Master) and Young Miracleman talking about how what he’s going to do with his life after being the top superhero after Miracleman. Buckingham’s double page spreads combined with small grid panels make the comic seem both epic and intimate. There are worlds between Young Miracleman’s journey to find himself in the Himalayas and the maneuverings on Olympus and especially the Kirby-esque Black Warpsmiths. Reprint pages aside, Miracleman: The Silver Age #4 is an inviting blend of a coming of age story featuring Young Miracleman and a bigger picture plot about a utopia starting to show its cracks. The Warpsmiths are right ; something is definitely off on Earth. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Static: Shadows of Dakota #1 (DC Comics/Milestone) – A fantastic start to the second volume of the series that picks up right after the first ended. With new threats looming the issue acts as both a solid way to catch up on what has happened and also lead into what’s to come. The art is top notch with pages that’ll leave you lingering. This is a hell of a start to the series that shouldn’t be missed. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Plush #3 (Image Comics) – The series continues its twisted ways as we learn more about the cannibal furries. That alone should really tell you everything you need to know. The art is great. The writer is wtf funny. It’s such an oddity and it’s fantastic. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Zombicide: Day One #1 (Source Point Press) – While I know of the board game, I’ve never played it so I’m sure I’m missing some details in the comic. But, from what I know of it, it captures a lot of what people seem to enjoy about it, especially its characters that are full of personality. There’s something fun wit the debut that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Overall: 7.75 Verdict: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Saga #61

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Saga #61

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

Saga #61 (Image Comics) – The beginning of this new arc of Saga focuses on Hazel, Squire, and Alana struggling as unhoused folks on a planet that has become a warzone plus some behind the scenes machinations from The Will, Gwendolyn, and a very badass Petrichor. Fiona Staples‘ visuals do a wonderful job of showing the passing of time with Hazel and Squire’s new outfits revealing how quickly they’ve had to grow up and how angry they’ve become. And speaking of innocence, her flashback to Marko and Gwendolyn with a lot less lines on their faces and lot more jingoism in Brian K. Vaughan‘s dialogue drives home how much he’s missed by readers and characters in-universe. Vaughan and Staples have definitely set him as a common thread in Saga #61 while also focusing on the still-raging and pointless war between Wreath and Landfall. There is true horror in the scenes of carnage on the planet like when a regular grocery store parking lot becomes a sniper’s den. Saga continues to be compelling and feature creative character designs from Fiona Staples and heart-rending narration from Brian K. Vaughan, and issue 61 in particular takes a big swing that we’ll see if it works or not in subsequent comics. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Mini Reviews: Night Clubs, Immortal Sergeant, and Bane Wrestling!?

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Immortal Sergeant #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

Night Club #2 (Image Comics) – This is basically Kick-Ass with vampires from Mark Millar and Juanan Ramirez. The second issue focuses on Danny showing off his new abilities to his friends and giving them to them as well with his sire nowhere in site. It’s definitely leaning into all power, no responsibilities with Danny and his friends recording YouTube videos and beating up bullies. Night Club is definitely derivative of other media/Millar comics, but stylish visuals (You tilt the page when the teens use their powers) and a $1.99 price point make it worth a read for superhero or vampire fans. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Brett

Batman: One Bad Day – Bane #1 (DC Comics) – I generally like the concepts of the “One Bad Day” stories which focus on Batman’s rogues adding a bit of depth to their characters or setting them up for a new direction. This one has Bane somewhat retired and now wrestling. Written by Joshua Williamson, the story is a bit to hit over the head in some many ways, beginning with the wrestling aspect. There’s the duality of what’s real and what’s fake, something that’s been danced around with the character in the past. There’s the whole “wrestling” with who he is. The issue has Bane attempting to finish eradicating the world of Venom as he recounts his and Batman’s adventures to do so. The art by Howard Porter is pretty good and takes the comic from a borderline eye roll in it’s parable to a bit of fun, a comic you can enjoy while relaxing during an afternoon. It’s not bad but Bane is a character that really has so much potential and this issue breaks things down in a way to simplifies his pathos instead of building upon it to return him as the juggernaut character he should be. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read

Immortal Sergeant #1 (Image Comics) – A new comic from Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura!? That alone had me interested in this comic about a comic retiring and still haunted by a past case. The first issue is all set up as we get to know Det. Sgt. James Sargent as he’s about to retire after 45 years. While he comes off as the grizzled cop veteran, unfortunately he also comes off as an asshole. The issue dances around what’s to come without really diving into it, putting the full focus on Sargent. There’s potential there but with a character I hope falls victim to “last day on the beat” tropes for the police doesn’t get me pumped to read more. While I expect things will eventually get good, the start is a bit slow. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

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