Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: The Power Fantasy #8, Assorted Crisis Events #2, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #3, Metamorpho: The Element Man #5, and Absolute Martian Manhunter #2

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Absolute Martian Manhunter #2

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 Power Fantasy #8 (Image) – Caspar Wijingaard‘s art is both heavenly and hellish in this Eliza Hellbound-centric issue from him and Kieron Gillen. Even though she has the power of a nuclear arsenal, Eliza still believes in the Christian God and is wracked with guilt for wiping out the entire continent of Europe. The Power Fantasy #8 explores her backstory and this guilt, which has a little bit of a twist. The system and world of The Power Fantasy is getting increasingly complex, and my enjoyment of it has been off and on. You get quips about Thomas Aquinas and dark red worlds of torment from Wijingaard, but then the momentum gets weighed down by talking heads. I really want to like this book more than I do, but sadly connected more with Gillen’s failed 24 Hour Party People meets Akira Vertigo pitch he mentions in the backmatter than this issue. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

Assorted Crisis Events #2 (Image) – Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki, and Jordie Bellaire juxtapose the life of a migrant man named Jesus who works at a slaughterhouse with the life span of cattle in a powerful installment of Assorted Crisis Events that’s not for the squeamish. Bellaire’s use of red connects blood, wine, and meat in a tragic abbatoir. Sure, there are dinosaurs and a time loop, but Camp and Zawadzki keep the narrative grounded in the unfortunate lived experience of folks who work in factory farms and experience daily trauma so Americans can devour Big Macs. However, Assorted Crisis Events #2 doesn’t read like a vegan PSA, but a beautiful and violent meditation on life, death, and what comes in between. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #3 (DC) – Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch‘s Superman/Lex Luthor magnum opus ends with a solar system spanning battle against Brainiac that also acts as a direct refutation of Man of Steel. Even with his powers on the fritz, Superman tries to find a way to save Earth without taking a single life, including that of his arch-nemesis Luthor. Hitch, inker Kevin Nowlan, and colorist David Baron‘s widescreen art is a perfect fit for this story’s epic scope although I feel like the Lex Luthor getting superpowers was handled much better in Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman. Also, the actual ending of Waid’s plot feels a little rushed. However, Last of Days of Lex Luthor is a solid evergreen Superman story even if it pales in comparison to, say, Superman Birthright or “What Happened to the Man of Tomorrow”. I do love how Mark Waid repurposes Silver Age concepts for contemporary comics and the intricate detail of Bryan Hitch and Nowlan’s art line art that doesn’t sacrifice motion or storytelling. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Metamorpho: The Element Man #5 (DC) – The stakes rise as Metamorpho and his friends fight evil suns in the lore-packed Metamorpho: The Element Man #5 by Al Ewing and Steve Lieber. This issue goes guest star heavy with appearances from Element Woman, Element Dog, and ancient Roman Metamorpho, Algon. Ewing gives them unique personalities and skills to fight the solar threat of CYCLOPS while riffing off forgotten characters and convoluted backstories in superhero comics with Element Woman not being in the spotlight for a while. The fight sequences continue to creatively showcase these characters metamorphic abilities with Lieber pulling off both the funny faces and the big explosions. This wasn’t my favorite issue of Metamorpho: The Element Man, but the final couple of pages set up an epic reveal and showdown in next month’s issue. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Martian Manhunter #2 (DC) – A police officer/Martian investigates a hate crime against Syrian refugees in Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez‘s Absolute Martian Manhunter, but the comic is so much more than that one line plot summary. Rodriguez’s synesthetic color palette and trippy layouts combined with Camp’s insightful captions create a reading experience akin to radical empathy by way of telepathy. John Jones doesn’t just read folks’ minds, but sees their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and full lives. He’s light years away from being the rock of the Justice League, but the chaos of the visions he sees make for more interesting reading with Javier Rodriguez doing an all out visual assault on the comics medium. Absolute Martian Manhunter is definitely one of the books that I would show people as an example of how comics as medium are different and can do unique things that film can’t. This comic is like listening to music with synesthesia or tasting poetry while providing a warts and all look at existence in 2025. Overall: 10.0 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Godzilla vs Hulk, Summer of Superman Special #1, and DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #2

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Summer of Superman Special

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

Godzilla vs Hulk (Marvel) – Godzilla vs Hulk is a kaiju smashing good time from Gerry Duggan, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Daniele Orlandini, and Federico Blee. The book channels the energy of both anti-Hulk and Godzilla organizations from various comics and movies to craft a new take on the Thunderbolts and also build a relationship between the Hulk and Godzilla. I love how Duggan writes the Gamma Giant as not too smart, but not too dumb and with a great sense of humor. Godzilla vs Hulk is set in the 1980s, and there’s definitely an old school Herb Trimp-esque Bronze Age vibe to the art and storytelling style. I still think Godzilla vs FF is my favorite of the one-shots so far, but this crossover continues to be great fun. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Summer of Superman Special #1 (DC) – Writers Mark Waid, Dan Slott, and Joshua Williamson and artist extraordinaire Jorge Jimenez jam on a time-spanning one-shot that sets up upcoming Superman storylines. (There is an edgy as hell epilogue from Williamson and artist Dan Mora.) However, Summer of Superman Special actually tells a complete story about the relationship between Superman and Lana Lang, who is getting married to John Henry Irons back in Smallville. The strongest, sweetest part of the comic is the Superboy flashback story from Waid who nails Clark’s adolescence awkwardness as well as his great power and history with the Legion of Superheroes. In the second chapter, Slott is definitely feeling his way with these characters and brings in a heavy handed climate change story. (He and the other writers aren’t helped by having the issue’s villains be a non-entity beyond an opportunity for double page punching spreads.) The third chapter ties together the Lana wedding and the clash of superpowers and found/blood family. (Wow, apparently every Superman supporting character except for his parents have super abilities now.) Williamson sets up an uneasy status quo and a dark battle to come building on some threads from the DC All-In Special. Summer of Superman Special isn’t an all-time classic by any means, but it does a great job catching up lapsed readers on the Superman status quo and is a showcase for Jorge Jimenez’s powerful art and Mark Waid’s love of these characters. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #2 – The 2nd installment of Ian Flynn, Adam Bryce Thomas, and Matt Herms‘ intercompany crossover suffers from a slight case of sequelitis with many pages going into the expositional nitty gritty of Darkseid’s plan to take over Sonic’s universe. There’s lots of monologuing to balance out the colorful visuals and peppy banter Flynn writes for Sonic and Flash. (I need more Amy/Wonder Woman ; they have a cute connection.) However, even though it takes a meandering path, DC x Sonic #2 gets the job done by raising the stakes and delivering on iconic moments like Sonic outrunning an omega sanction. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Adventure Time #1 and Absolute Batman #7

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Adventure Time #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

Adventure Time #1 (Oni) – Finn and Jake are back with a new #1 and a new publisher, Oni Press! Nick Winn‘s inventive layouts in the lead storyshow the uniqueness of the comics medium while his script makes you feel like the voice actors from the cartoon are in your head. However, Adventure Time #1 isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but adds new lore to this bright, dense world through the character of Computer Princess that seems cool, but also like she’s one of those people who are into Chat GPT and generative AI way too much. All in all, the main story keeps it weird and has a literal killer cliffhanger. Former Adventure Time storyboard artist/comics memoirist of the working class Derek Ballard tops thing off with a darkly humorous backup story starring Trunks, her backup story, and the grim reaper. Even if you’re not an Adventure Time super-fan, this comic is worth picking up to soak in the cartooning skills of Nick Winn and Ballard. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Batman #7 (DC) – Scott Snyder and guest artists Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente take a bit of a break from Absolute Batman‘s main plotline to introduce a new, horrific take on Mr. Freeze. Martin’s simple shapes and silhouettes for the scenes of action and conversation make the horror of this new Freeze stand out that much more. Seriously, this is more horror comic than superhero comic with one page turn reveal acting as total nightmare fuel. However, Absolute Batman #7 isn’t all Freeze, all the time and gives readers a glimpse into this version of Batman’s more “blue collar” methods as he tries to learn more information about Ark M. Marcos Martin is a true superstar artist, and it’s a real treat to see his unique take on Batman and his rogues’ gallery. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Concert of Champions #1, Resurrection Man Quantum Karma #1, Godzilla Heist #2

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Resurrection Man Quantum Karma #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

Concert of Champions #1 (Marvel) – Concert of Champions acts as a kind of coda to Jason Loo and Rafael Loureiro‘s Dazzler miniseries (Ruairi Coleman helps out on art too, but his style or lack of style blends in well with Loureiro’s work.) and suffers from some of that series’ limitations. The antagonists are one dimensional metalheads, and sadly, the guest stars like Luna Snow and Ghost Spider barely move the needle. Loo definitely has the kernel of a compelling story about aging pop stars and body image, but it gets lost under the barrage of superpowers and dimensional portals. I’m not expecting realism from a Marvel comic, but Concert of Champions works in broad strokes about music fandom and the festival experience putting not super well-done fight scenes over anything interesting. It’s neither a good music or mutant/superhero comic. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Resurrection Man Quantum Karma #1 (DC/Black Label) – Ram V, Anand RK, and Mike Spicer give Resurrection Man the Ol’ Alan Moore/Stephen Bissette/John Totleben treatment in Quantum Karma #1. Beginning with a dusty comic book, they find new humanity beneath the high concept nature of their protagonist digging into his future, past, and beyond. There’s a wonderful fluidity to RK’s art representing the ever-changing nature of Resurrection Man’s abilities. The present day/dying of old age hits harder than the WWII flashbacks, but show the creators’ ambition to create the single greatest Mitch Shelley comic. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla Heist #2 (IDW) – Featuring a pop art color palette from Heather Breckel, epic scale art from Kelsey Ramsay, and an anxiety-ridden script from Van Jensen, Godzilla Heist #2 is an all action second act. The issue follows Pi and the crew he’s thrown is lot into trying to get to Whitehall while evading Godzilla and the UK military. It’s the ultimate video game stealth mission, and there are tons of close calls. What could be table setting for the reveals and higher stakes of Godzilla Heist #3 ends up being a lovely genre mashup in miniature. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #1, Metamorpho: The Element Man #4, Godzilla vs Fantastic Four #1

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We're Taking Everyone Down With Us #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

We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #1 (Image) – I’ve recently seen a decent spy film (Black Bag) and have been bombarded with trailers for another one (The Amateur), but I’ve got to say that Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Landini, Roman Titov, Jason Wordie, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou‘s We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #1 is better than them both. (WTEDWU from here on out.) WTEDWU #1 has robots, mad scientists, explosions, and sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll secret agents, but its main strengths are its heart and unique visuals. Rosenberg and Landini spend most of the comic zeroing on the relationship between protagonist Annalise and her absentee/father mad scientists Vitruvian and make you feel empathy for a character that would disposable in other comics. Also, Landini’s art is super immersive from the tension of a hide and seek game with killer robots to the anguish of digging one’s self out of rubble. His grids paired with Rosenberg’s hard hitting dialogue add emotional depth to talking heads sequences too. Finally, Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering is Eisner-worthy using different font sizes and emphases to add tone, subtext, and even suspense to Matthew Rosenberg’s dialogue and Stefano Landini’s art. If you like old James Bond movies, but wish they had more psychological depth, then WTEDWU is the comic for you. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Metamorpho: The Element Man #4 (DC) – Generative AI, corporate greed, and a Silver Age science spin on the tokusatsu genre come together in another wacky, wonderful issue of Al Ewing, Steve Lieber, and Lee Loughridge‘s Metamorpho: The Element Man. With the previous issue focusing on Java, Ewing switches up the structure of Metamorpho #4 with half the issue centered around the Element Man’s benefactor/manipulator, Silas Stagg. Part dark slapstick comedy, part pointed satire of CEOs gone wild, it sets up the epic clash between Metamorpho and the Stagg HQ hinted at in last issue. Lieber and Loughridge have great fun visualizing the fisticuffs and continuing to be creative with Metamorpho and Urania Blackwell’s abilities with this issue featuring an homage to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Four issues in, Metamorpho: The Element Man continues to be a warm blend of Silver Age pastiche (Big Steranko Nick Fury energy in this issue’s plotting), contemporary satire, and laugh a minute humor. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla vs Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel) – The King of Monsters and Marvel’s First Family collide in a battle royale comic that reminded me of why I fell in love with superhero and kaiju stories in the first place. Current Fantastic Four writer Ryan North handles the script duties focusing the team’s (Reed and Sue especially) ability to science the shit out of any situation, including a giant monster with nuclear breath and another one with three while still having plenty of one-liners and humor. John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna‘s line art is epic and blocky with massive panels of punching, various types of breath, and even homages to Romita Jr’s old art style. But colorist Marco Menyz is this one-shot’s secret MVP as he combines the power cosmic and some of Godzilla and King Ghidorah’s classic attack moves to show how brilliant comics can look. And Godzilla vs FF #1 isn’t just a standalone story (Although it does have a clear beginning and end) as North and Romita Jr. set up future developments in these crossover comics while still focusing on the current battles. This book is a must read for any superhero or giant monster fans. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: The Power Fantasy #7, You Never Heard of Me #3, DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #1, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #2

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DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #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 Power Fantasy #7 (Image) – After last issue’s world expanding, reveal-filled excellence, The Power Fantasy #7 falls off a little bit even though Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard craft some insane flashbacks showing just how Europe was wiped off the map. It’s the most beautiful rave you’ve ever seen and then utter hellish darkness. If anything, The Power Fantasy always has gorgeous visuals, and this issue also provides insight into the Atomic Eliza Hellbound, who gives off very Catholic vibes. The Power Fantasy #7 is rooted in the past of the comic’s world, and hopefully these past events will lead to future developments in the arc. Overall: 6.8 Verdict: Read

You Never Heard of Me #3 (Dark Horse) – Iolanda Zanfardino and Elisa Romboli continue to keep their precognitive comic book interesting by balancing out sadness with potential romance and focusing on the friendship between William, Allie, and Rory. Most of the book is William and Allie trying to prevent Rory from dying and seeing if his saddest moment changes, but they end up bonding with him and doing silly things like making him wear a full motorcycle helmet while skateboarding. I’m really enjoying the camaraderie between this diverse cast of teens and could spend way more than two more issues with them. And as always, Romboli’s layouts capture the joy and pain of William’s visions. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: buy

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #1 (DC) – The Justice League and Team Sonic collide when Darkseid crosses dimensions to obtain the chaos emeralds and try to solve the anti-life equation in this fun-filled crossover tailor made for folks whose idea of a fun Saturday morning was watching the DCAU and then playing Sonic Adventure. (Or their kids!) Adam Bryce Thomas‘ art is both on-model and full of energy and power while Matt Herms pours on the colors while taking the edge off a little bit every time Darkseid and his crew are invovled. Ian Flynn‘s script definitely follows the ol’ intercompany crossover, but I love the pairings he chooses for the Sonic and DC characters after the initial big fight. The page where Batman asks Shadow about losses in his past is quite emotional too, and on the humorous side, Sonic and Flash swap great banter while Cyborg and Tails are the most adorable little science nerds. DC x Sonic Hedgehog #1 has plenty of action and even more fun while staying true to the core of these iconic characters. Honestly, this might make a great first DC comic for kids who dig the recent, underrated Sonic live action films. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #2 (DC) – After a 2 year hiatus, Mark Waid, Bryan Hitch, Kevin Nowlan, and David Baron tour de force look into the relationship between Superman and his greatest foe is back. It’s definitely worth the wait with lavishly, detailed art from Hitch and Nowlan as they and Waid take us on a tour through the different elements of Superman’s world such as the Legion of Superheroes, Themiscyra, and even Lori Lemaris and Atlantis while the Man of Steel looks for a cure for Luthor’s terminal illness. The Last Days of Lex Luthor is very much a middle act so no solutions are found, but Waid excels at writing a Superman who’s maybe a little too noble for his own good. (Hence, Wonder Woman socking him in the jaw.) There’s a moment towards the end of the issue that will excite most Superman fans, and it sets the table for an all-out miniseries finale. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Star Wars Legacy of Vader #2 and Babs #6

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Babs #6

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

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #2 (Marvel) – Although some of the art seems traced from movie stills, the second installment of Charles Soule and Luke Ross‘ Legacy of Vader #2 is a big improvement on its predecessor. There’s definitely some prequel/original trilogy nostalgia, but Soule and Ross use it to show the differences between Vader and Kylo Ren. (Aka Vader didn’t take things so personally.) The fight sequences are entertaining too, especially Kylo taking down Rancors with the greatest of ease. However, Legacy of Vader #2 isn’t just Kylo Ren kicking ass, but there’s tons of exploration into his flaws, and by extension, the flaws of the sequel trilogy. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Babs #6 (Ahoy!) – The first arc of Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows‘ ultraviolent, insult-spewing sword and sorcery piss-take concludes in Babs #6. This is an action-driven issue, but there’s still room for social commentary on how the followers of right-wing/incel/misogynist groups end up getting exploited by their leaders in the end. Also, this comic wins an award for the most creative use of a dick enlargement potion. Burrows takes no prisoners with his art, and the highlight is a double page spread that is half well-choreographed hack and slash, half music video. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

TV Mini Review: Daredevil: Born Again S1E1

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Daredevil: Born Again

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy watches more tv 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

Daredevil: Born Again S1E1 “Heaven’s Half Hour”– After a nostalgic intro featuring banter between Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, and Karen Page, writer/showrunner Dario Scardapane brings the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen’s world crashing down. He draws a throughline between gentrification and maybe Daredevil not fitting in this brave new world where Ben Urich’s niece is basically a TikTok reporter, Murdock goes on actual dates and attends client meetings, and of course, Wilson Fisk campaigns for the highest office in the city. Fisk and Murdock share a diner conversation scene where Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox continue to be positively electric, and the chat acts as a manifest for the upcoming season. “Heaven’s Half Hour” key weakness is its darkness and smoke shaded fight choreography in a pivotal action scene early in the episode, but I applaud some of the needle drops. Of course, Matt Murdock listens to Nick Cave in his apartment when he’s feeling sadness and guilt, and dissociating to TV on the Radio after a criminal wins an election is a big 2016/2024 mood.

Overall Verdict: 8.4

Mini Reviews: Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #1, Cruel Kingdom #3, Secret Six #1

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Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #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 Kingdom #3 (Oni Press) – Cruel Kingdom continues with its blend of horror and fantasy with the anthology having a mainly food-related or political bent. In the lead story “Just Desserts”, satirist extraodinarie Mat Bors and artist Valeria Burzo serve up a most cathartic culinary-themed fantasy yarn about an aspiring chef named Alethea, who wants to please the new emperor with a special dish. I love the detail that Bors’ script goes into setting up the cuisine of this fictional universe, and how he and Burzo spin a story of how the oppressed becomes oppressors in an endless cycle of death, exploitation, and well-prepared fantasy creature. Seriously, Valerie Burzo makes the food in this story simultaneously enticing and disgusting. Cruel Kingdom‘s culinary through-line continues with Christopher Cantwell and Kano‘s “The Feast of Arthur” where the legendary British monarch deigns to visit some local peasants with gruesome results. Cantwell’s script make Arthur utterly elitist and disdainful of his subjects, and he has fun giving the peasants their own dialogue as the lure the wielder of Excalibur into their trap. Throughout the story, Kano demonstrates his range as an artist going from a glorious Prince Valiant style to something more on the disgusting side. If you like your Arthurian legends with a side of class warfare, then this story will be a yummy meal for you. Cruel Kingdom #3 wraps up with ifs weakest story, a plodding Ice Age-set sword and sorcery tale about a hired sword protecting a caravan from various prehistoric beasties. I love artist Andrea Mutti‘s takes on the snowy wastes as well as the different dinosaur and sabretooth tigers that harass the characters. However, Corrina Bechko‘s plot lacks momentum and remembers it has to do a twist ending really quickly at the end. Two bangers and one mediocre story isn’t bad for an anthology, and for the most part, Cruel Kingdom #3 transforms “eat the rich” from theory into praxis. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Secret Six #1 (DC) – If you like heroes on the anti- and/or queer side, then the new Secret Six series by Nicole Maines and Stephen Segovia is worth picking up. I didn’t follow the Absolute Power event so I was lost at some parts, but enjoyed the scenes where Jon Kent and Gossamer were having boyfriend spats. Maines gives Black Alice the best one-liners, and the new team composition is a nice balance between superhero, villain, and anti-hero. Add an interesting hook and some high energy pencils from Segovia, and this is a decent start to the series. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Mothra: Queen of the Monsters #1 (IDW Publishing) -The Queen of Monsters gets her own comic, and Sophie Campbell and Matt Frank start the story with Mothra being utterly defeated by some creepy insect monsters. Seriously, if bugs make you squirm, this might not be the book for you. Campbell’s script connects the traditional Mothra/priestess mythos to the relational trauma between two sisters, but also throws in fun things like evil doppelgangers and time travel. Frank’s visuals are suitably epic and centered around duality while Sophie Campbell pinch hits on some key sequences like when the main characters commune with Mothra’s priestesses for the first time. The color palette in that scenes is so beautiful that it made me want to start a kaiju religion. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Godzilla vs. Chicago, Toxic Avenger #5, Sentinels #5, Ultimate Spider-Man #14, and The Seasons #2

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Godzilla vs. Chicago

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

Godzilla vs Chicago (IDW Publishing) – “The Godzilla Vs” series of one-shots from IDW is an ingenious idea to showcase individual city’s comics writers and artists through the lens of one of fiction’s greatest artists. The lead story “Godzilla Does Chicago” is a love/hate letter to Chicago horror host Svengoolie and infamous Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman whose tampering of a foul ball doomed the Cubbies to 13 more years of the Billy Goat curse. Mike Costa nails the petty, pathetic voice of Mechagodzilla-piloting, lovable loser “Fangoolie” while Ryan Browne‘s well-rendered art captures the high and lowlights and destruction of beloved Chicago landmarks in great detail. Next up is “The Blue Line” by Tim Seeley, which is an ode to the CTA and second chances. Paced like a thriller with the undercurrent of a romantic comedy and the spectre of Godzilla hanging over it all, “The Blue Line” is all about seizing the moment and not being paralyzed by indecision or second-guessing yourself. The tone and art is somewhere between an epic blockbuster and indie slice of life, which is kind of the sweet spot for me. In “Chi Godzilla”, cartoonist Ezra C. Daniels satirizes gentrification and politicians getting developer money through the POV of an alderman who wants to lure Godzilla to his ward so he can build back bigger and better. Daniels’ art reminds me a lot of Tom Scioli or Saturday morning cartoons, but his story is cathartic for the working class and a blast of nuclear breath at the fat cats who want to redevelop neighborhoods for profit. The Godzilla vs. Chicago one-shot wraps up with the hilarious “Godzilla versus Chicago” from Caroline Cash. Cash’s story has the deadpan, sarcastic humor that her self-published indie comics are known for, but there’s less gross punk rock boys and more giant size-changing woman. In fact, her story is one hell of a tokusatsu comic and is a great argument for drinking energy drinks. All in all, Godzilla vs. Chicago shows off the diversity of the Windy City’s cartoonists’ styles and sensibilities and is more fun than the John Stamos butter sculpture at Riot Fest. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Toxic Avenger #5 (Ahoy! Comics) – Toxic Avenger #5 is a cathartic, disgusting, and darkly hilarious to the first miniseries/arc/season from Matt Bors and Fred Harper. There’s the political satire of clean ups, cover ups, and the government totally being cool with aliens/bugs/cicada broods running the Earth, but this final issue wisely centers around the conflict between Bryce and Melvin aka Toxie. Bryce is (literally) toxic Internet culture personified while Melvin just wants to enjoy life and occasionally wear a tutu. They come to blows, and it’s cool to watch Toxie have a screwed up version of a found family while he seizes the day and kicks some ass. Harper doesn’t flinch from showing blood, gore, body parts, and irradiated things fly all adding to the B-movie charm of this comic. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy

Sentinels #5 (Marvel) – Even though it got the length of a miniseries to try to endear readers to its cast of Z-list mutants forced to go on missions for Warden Ellis and fused with Sentinel technology, Sentinels ends with a whimper not a bang. The connection to characters from the 2003 Sentinel miniseries comes a little too late, and honestly, Alex Paknadel and Justin Mason should have baked them into the book from the beginning. Unfortunately, it comes off as warmed over Tsunami imprint nostalgia and even distracts from giving what would be considered the “core” cast members of Sentinels a proper sendoff. It’s fitting that the ending of Sentinels is a verbal trailer for other X-books instead of concluding its characters’ story. Mason and Federico Blee‘s art is cool though, especially when the Sentinel tech grafts to folks’ bodies, and their action sequences have the fury of an early 90s X-Books with arguably the same weak stakes. Overall: 4.9 Verdict: Pass

Ultimate Spider-Man #14 (Marvel) – Once you think this is going to be a typical mid-arc Spider-Man story, Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto twist the knife in once more. But, along the way, Checchetto and colorist Matthew Wilson show off their dynamic approach to action scenes with Spider-Man ducking and weaving from Kraven’s sniper blasts while Mysterio trolls in the corner. Also, away from the hunt, the relationship between the son of Spider-Man and the daughter of the Black Cat blossoms with them sharing a beautiful moment about being legacy heroes/villains. Hickman’s tender care for Ultimate Spider-Man continues to shine even as he and Marco Checchetto take big swings in the main plot. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

The Seasons #2 (Image Comics) – Rick Remender, Paul Azaceta, and Mat Lopes‘ vibrant, yet tragic fantasy comic about anthropomorphized seasons raises its stakes in its second issue. The launch issue was squarely focused on protagonist Spring, but we meet dutiful daughter Autumn, artistic perfectionist Winter, and starlet Summer in this one. Lopes’ palette captures each sibling’s personality, and I love how Remender and Azaceta using seemingly mundane activities like making waffles to dig into Spring’s character. With the exception of Winter’s avant garde paintings, there’s a bright energy to The Seasons #2 combined with an air of colorful menace from the carnival that the ongoing plot is centered around. The Seasons continue to have real Ghibli vibes and is a very different kind of book from Rick Remender and company. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

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