Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1, Imperial #1, and Godzilla Heist #4

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Imperial #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

Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1 (Marvel) – Although it features expertly rendered art from Joe Quesada and warmly nostalgic coloring and letters from Richard Isanove and Richard Starkings, Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1 is a self-indulgent epilogue to Priest‘s iconic run on Black Panther. It’s both self-serious and parody with Priest’s narrator (Still Everett Ross!) poking fun at his non-linear storytelling. Priest goes back and forth in time without spending enough time to set up each era. Even the notes in the back feel like half-baked worldbuilding compared to other potential futures in the Marvel Universe, and some of Priest’s word and dialogue choices are cringeworthy. I feel like this comic might have been fun in 1998, but it feels like moldy leftovers in 2025. Joe Quesada deserved some better scripts for his return to interiors. (Thankfully, Marvel Knights #1 is less wordy than Kevin Smith’s Daredevil.) Overall: 5.3 Verdict: Pass

Imperial #1 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Iban Coello, and Federico Vicentini‘s Imperial is a little space opera, a little mystery, and a whole lot of fun. Heads of state across the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe are getting poisoned included Hulk’s estranged son Skaar, and a disparate cast of characters must find out who’s responsible before the universe breaks out into war. Imperial #1 is full of political intrigue, but what’s really compelling is the tension between father and son represented between Peter Quill and J’Son of Spartoi and the aforementioned Hulk and Skaar. Richard Rider’s Nova presence is welcome too, and Hickman, Coello, and Vicentini ably balance space action and passive aggressive backstabbing. Imperial #1 is an epic first salvo in a blockbuster summer event series that (as far as I know) doesn’t require reading 20 other books. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla Heist #4 (IDW Publishing) – Van Jensen, Kelsey Ramsay, and Heather Breckel get the job done in this fast-paced penultimate issue of the heist/double crosses with giant monsters miniseries. Protagonist Jai comes face to face with a mad scientist and his mother’s invention Mechagodzilla all the while Godzilla is rampaging through London. Godzilla Heist #4 is light on the Godzilla and heavy on the heist with Jai spending the issue trying to get out of a very stressful situation punctuated by Breckel’s use of reds. There are also some flashbacks, a wee bit of character growth for Jai, and plenty of gun play and hand to hand action setting up a battle royale in the finale. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Monster High: Pride 2025, Metamorpho: The Element Man #6, Absolute Martian Manhunter #3, Detective Kaiju #1, Mommy Blog

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Mommy Blog

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

Monster High: Pride 2025 (IDW) – Monster High kicks off Pride Month a week early with a couple cute, yet spooky stories. First up is a “fiends” to lovers called “Math Camp” by Jacque Aye, Siobhan Keenan, and Bex Glendining, which was also relatable to me as someone with lifelong math anxiety. I love the chemistry that Aye and Keenan craft between Clawdeen Wolf and Toralei, and how Clawdeen uses her knowledge of fashion to get through math equations. The plotting, puns, and bright colors are like an old school Saturday morning cartoon, but fierce and more queer-inclusive. The second story by Megan Brown, Bowen McCurdy, and Katherine Shuda deals with the ramifications of an emotional vampire using the “L” word. (Love, not lesbian.) McCurdy orchestrates a dangerous situation set up in a haunted fairgrounds to bring them together and even throws in some chibi style art to make the action/chase sequences even more adorable. I feel like being queer and being into monsters goes hand in hand, and Monster High: Pride 2025 pulls this off in a really fun way. I’ve always thought their characters have had the best aesthetics, and it’s nice to learn about their actual personalities in this comic. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Metamorpho: The Element Man #6 (DC) – One of the most underrated DC books of the past few years concludes in freakish fashion as Al Ewing, Steve Lieber, and Lee Loughridge put Metamorpho through his final paces in a fight against Solaris, the Tyrant Sun. There’s still a Silver Age energy to Ewing’s dialogue and captions (So much alliteration!), a touch of early Bronze Age in some of the deep cut references and winking nods at the book’s cancellation, and Lieber even turns in some Golden Age art in a unique two page seqeuence. But Metamorpho #6 also feels like the eccentric cousin of Grant Morrison’s DC One Million and All-Star Superman, especially in the climax of the battle between Metamorpho and Solaris. The final issue ends up being a love letter to the different eras of superhero comics and reminding us that they’re at their finest when they’re at their weirdest. Of course, there’s plenty of heart and heroic sacrifice too with Sapphire Stagg and Metamorpho rekindling their romance. I would love a lot more adventures with this style of writing and art, but six near perfect issues is a damn good run. Overall: 9.6 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 (DC) – Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez‘s Absolute Martian Manhunter continues to be one of the most immersive and impactful comic of 2025. This is a book that can be read on a variety of levels: Rodriguez’s trippy imagery and more traditional art, Camp’s narrative captions for John Jones, and Martian vision, which letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou conveys in (At times literal) cloudy script. The plot of the issue deals with Jones investigating a series of homicide/arsons done against unhoused folks as the White Martian threat ramps up, and it turns into a beautiful, occasionally violent meditation on home, shelter, and being. Javier Rodriguez’s art makes the familiar alien in scenes like Jones interacting with his two distant kids. Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 is walking in someone else’s shoes, but with extra visual flair. Overall: 9.6 Verdict: Buy

Detective Kaiju #1 (Massive) – Despite its super cool title, Michael Calero and Kit Wallis‘ Detective Kaiju #1 is a fragmented first chapter. (Disclaimer: I haven’t read Quested, the series’ parent book.) The main thing that took me out of the book was figuring what the protagonist’s size was at any given time ; sometimes, he has the physical proportions of, say, Hellboy and sometimes he’s Godzilla-size. It left me wondering if the sequences Detective Kaiju is a private eye are dream sequences, and the ones where he’s facing the military and tanks are reality and vice versa. Even this quibble aside, overall, Detective Kaiju #1 feels like a collection of loose incidents instead of a coherent chapter in a narrative although I appreciate Calero’s lettering and some of Wallis’ design choices. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Mommy Blog (Image/Ninth Circle) – Mommy Blog is an incredibly frightening, yet darkly hilarious one-shot from Marguerite Bennett, Eleonora Carlini, and Hoyt Silva that holds up a mirror to mom/influencer culture and laughs at it with a bloodstained mouth and visually cartoonish glee. Bennett’s script is wordy, but absolutely dripping in wit quickly introducing the main character, her world, and off-base opinions. Capitalism and white supremacy are Bennett and Carlini’s main targets, but they make the medicine go down with blood, gore, and suburban drama. This is a horror story for our always on/always live streaming culture where public and private life blurs together unrecognizably and relationships are just stepping stones. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #3 and Superman Unlimited #1

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Superman Unlimited #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

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #3 (DC) – Ian Flynn and Adam Bryce Thomas keep the DC Comics/Sonic crossover fresh and fun in the miniseries’ 3rd issue. With the JL trapped in the Sonic Universe, Team Sonic takes over and does an admirable job protecting the DC Universe from various villains. Thomas’ combinations of the Sonic characters and DC characters’ costumes is adorable, and Flynn scripts some fun situations like Lex Luthor trying to manipulate/poison Knuckles with kryptonite, Amy Rose hitting Gorilla Grodd with a big hammer, and an especially epic showdown between Shadow and Joker. It’s fanservice at its finest, but it’s nice to have a break from the big plots and just have Sonic and his friends interact with more characters in the DC Universe with some colorful action from Adam Bryce Thomas and Matt Herms. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Superman Unlimited #1 (DC) – In his first full comic written for DC Comics in decades, Dan Slott takes a big swing and shifts Superman and his family’s status quo with the help of one big Kryptonite asteroid coming towards Earth. He, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo have Superman get almost killed in Superman Unlimited #1, use his near-death state to re-tell his history/origin, and then introduce a new status quo to the DC Universe. It’s ambitious to say the least even though most of the comic feels like a cover song although it’s cool to see Albuquerque illustrate Smallville and iconic moments like the Death of Superman. I don’t know if Slott can pull it off, but this first issue is an era-introducing statement so I’m on the ride for now. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Godzilla vs X-Men, Supergirl #1, Absolute Batman #8, Exquisite Corpses #1, Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1

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Supergirl #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

Godzilla vs X-Men (Marvel) – Godzilla continues his Marvel Universe Eras tour with a stop in the early 1990s and the X-Men lineup (Sans Jubilee) used for the classic animated series. It’s fitting that Fabian Nicieza handles the scripting duties, and he slips into the old hated and feared routine with a side of the kaiju genre. He and artist Emilio Laiso utilize Godzilla’s size scale to do some epic vertical fight sequences, including the best use of the Super Adaptoid in recent memory as an Ultraman/Voltron type figure. I also love the bond Professor X shares with Godzilla through their psychic link. Godzilla vs. X-Men has big-time action while still remaining true to the core of both properties and shows that Nicieza still has his fastball. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Supergirl #1 (DC) – Sophie Campbell and Tamra Bonvillain‘s Supergirl has both Silver Age zaniness (Super-pets, mistaken identities, thought bubbles) and bright, contemporary visuals to go with nuanced characterization of its lead character. Kara struggles with her identity as superhero, Kryptonian, and citizen of Earth, especially when her parents invite her back to see her in sleepy Midvale where things are a little, shall we say, Twin Peaks-y. Sophie Campbell nails Kara’s voice and gives the book a fun, yet mysterious vibe that’s also new reader friendly. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Batman #8 (DC) – Absolute Batman continues to have some of the best fight choreography in comics with guest artist Marcos Martin bringing the horror-tinged noise while Batman fights to get out of one of Mr. Freeze’s cryo chambers. He and writer Scott Snyder also use Bruce’s time in cryo to really zero in on the trauma he felt after his dad’s passing along with the guilt his late friend, Matches Malone, felt. Absolute Batman #8 puts this working class conception of Batman to good use having him integrated into his community (That happen to share the names of his greatest foes.) instead of being in a dark manor far away. Martin’s conception of Mr. Freeze will haunt me for quite a while, but it will be nice to get back on the Ark M plotline. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Exquisite Corpses #1 (Image/Tiny Onion) – James Tynion, Michael Walsh, and Jordie Bellaire kick off an immersive horror/conspiracy universe in the triple-sized first issue of Exquisite Corpses. The high concept premise of the 13 wealthiest families hiring killers whose weapons are revealed to them on a playing card is reminiscent of things like Battle Royale, The Purge and even previous Tynion comics like Department of Truth and Something is Killing the Children. However, this first issue gives us folks to root for in the midst of the decadent carnage, and its extra length introduces the 12 killers with aplomb while leaving a room for a little a room. Slasher film plus March Madness plus paranoid conspiracies equals take money. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 (Image/Skybound) – No prior knowledge of Invincible is needed for this violent, guilty pleasure of a fight comic from Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, and Annalisa Leoni. After being kicked into a portal by Invincible, Battle Beast is on a quest for a worthy opponent to put him out his misery, but that’s easier said than done. Ottley and Leoni fill the pages of this first page with oodles of colorful extraterrestrial gore and body parts with most of the issue being a brutal fight sequence. However, Battle Beast #1 isn’t without a sense humor, and I live for the banter between the protagonist and the computer of ship whose crew Battle Beast previously brutally murdered. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Absolute Green Lantern #2 and Godzilla Heist #3

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Absolute Green Lantern #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

Absolute Green Lantern #2 (DC) – Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay turn an old, dying alien into a super freaky horror antagonist in Absolute Green Lantern #2. Much of the story is set in flashbacks showing a Frieza-esque Abin Sur wreaking havoc slicing through bodies and Lindsay’s panel layouts too. There’s also a decent mystery vibe going on throughout the whole issue, and Ewing turns the traditional Green Lantern mythos on its heels with the gift of “no fear” being more of a curse than a blessing. I’m not a big Green Lantern guy, but this series definitely has my interest plus I’m digging Jahnoy Lindsay’s manga inspired approach to character design and storytelling. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla Heist #3 (IDW) – Van Jensen and Kelsey Ramsay kick off the double/triple/quadruple crossing phase of the heist in Godzilla Heist #3. There’s tons of action and mayhem, but the comic doesn’t lose sight of its emotional heart which is that protagonist Pi’s mom (Aka the inventor of Mechagodzilla) was ripped off by the British government, and he’s coming to get his revenge. There are lots of spinning plot plates in Godzilla Heist #3, but they land smoothly for the most part ending on a killer cliffhanger. However, the real treat of the book is the spectacle of Godzilla obliterating London while Pi uses gadgets and tries to manipulate him while trying to get to the prize with all of his body parts intact. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Thunderbolts* welds superpowers and interpersonal struggle to craft an action packed and heart rending story

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Thunderbolts*

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy are unable to get long reviews written. When that happens you’ll see these “mini reviews.”

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Thunderbolts*– When Thunderbolts* began with the comic panel intro instead of the MCU, I knew it would be a solid flick. It’s an ode to the hard cases and the girlies with mental health struggles who just happen to have the powers of Superman or Russian spy martial arts. Director Jake Schreier wisely centers the film on Yelena Belova’s (Florence Pugh) journey, and her gifts for wry comedy and deep emotion are on display. I especially love her interactions with Bob (Lewis Pullman) and Red Guardian (David Harbour), who brings the loudest laughs. Instead of focusing on the next film, Thunderbolts* welds superpowers and interpersonal struggles to craft an action packed and occasionally heart rending story. Seriously, Yelena’s story is relatable to anyone who feels lonely and left out. Overall Verdict: 7.0

Mini Reviews: Wolverine and Kitty Pryde #1, We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #2, Godzilla vs. Spider-Man, Lost Fantasy #1, Godzilla vs Los Angeles

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We're Taking Everyone Down With Us #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

Wolverine and Kitty Pryde #1 (Marvel) – Chris Claremont pens a sequel to the excellent 1984 Kitty Pryde and Wolverine miniseries that transformed her from Sprite to Shadowcat and from a Chicago suburban brat to a badass ninja. But she still has a little of the brat in her in the opening issue of Wolverine and Kitty Pryde, which features extended fight and training scenes, a reminder that Kitty Pryde’s dad and Professor X fought together in some war, and a truly trippy ending. My favorite part of the comic was Damian Couceiro‘s art that channels the explosive cartooning that John Romita Jr. and a young Frank Miller did during that era. It definitely feels like a lost relic from 1985 with much less overwrought caption boxes. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read

We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us (Image) – Trying to escape from Agent Rook with the help of her dead father’s robots, Annaliese starts to come into her own as a badass in We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #2. Matthew Rosenberg‘s henchman banter game is on point, and Stefano Landini and Jason Wordie turn in colorful explosions and fun panel layouts like a 12 panel grid of a meeting between supervillains with each baddie occupying 25% of the page. Desperation and confusion are recurring themes for this comic, but thankfully not for the reading experience as Annaliese starts to piece together the situation she’s stuck in. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla vs. Spider-Man (Marvel) – Joe Kelly, Nick Bradshaw, and Rachelle Rosenberg go back to the 80s as a black symbiote suit-wearing Spider-Man fights Godzilla and a love triangle between Mary-Jane and Black Cat. Kelly takes a quip a minute approach to scripting, and editor Nick Lowe tags in with notes mocking how convoluted Marvel continuity has gotten in the past four decades. But beneath the humor and Bradshaw’s epic renditions of the King of Monsters consumed by a Venom symbiote, Kelly has a good understanding of Godzilla as a protector of Earth from external threats like Venom and Knull. Also, his Peter Parker is the perfect hapless dork. Godzilla vs. Spider-Man has some epic fight sequences and is a perfect throwback comic even leaning less on guest stars than previous Godzilla vs. installments. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Lost Fantasy #1 (Image) – Lost Fantasy is a new conspiracy-tinged fantasy series from Curt Pires and Luca Casalanguida. The first issue plays all the Chosen One beats in a slice of life setting before overturning the apple cart and setting up a dark, mysterious future. It strikes the right balance between action and worldbuilding with Pires and Casalanguida creating a proper alternate history world. As an added bonus, there’s a backup from Rockwell White, Pires, and Alex Diotto continuing the story of the “Indigo Children” that features interesting riffs on the Superman origin story and rhythmic grid layouts. It definitely made me want to go back and read the Indigo Children trade paperback. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla vs Los Angeles (IDW) – The King of Monsters heads to the City of Angels in Godzilla vs Los Angeles, which is a showcase of the different cartooning styles of Angeleno creators. The first story in Godzilla vs Los Angeles, “Eye in the Sky” is an ode to heroic journalists from writer/artist Gabriel Hardman. Two traffic reporters whose job is being fazed out by drones take advantage to do some actual journalism, and Hardman is game to follow their dangerous journey shooting a Godzilla attack from a variety of angles. Hardman uses sharp, sudden panels to build tension as one of the protagonists starts shooting Godzilla from his iPhone on the kaiju’s back, and it ends up being a heightened homage to some of the bravest folks period. Featuring colorful cartooning from Nicole Goux and a witty script from Jordan Morris, “The Big Break” is a love letter to the very touristy, yet very L.A. studio tour complete with bad puns and annoying corporate mascots. I love the interplay between the script that the main character delivers for the tour and her very sad inner captions. However, “The Big Break” takes a fun turn once Godzilla gets involved and features some fancy driving and layout work from Goux ending with a tribute to a very family friendly film franchise. The third story in Godzilla vs. Los Angeles is a humorous history lesson about the subway system in L.A. from cartoonist Dave Baker, which would make a great place to hide from Godzilla and other kaiju although some Angelenos will take their chances and stay in their cars. I really enjoyed this story as a public transit enthusiast, and Baker’s writing style is accessible and humorous to go with his art that falls more on the cartoonish side of things. Godzilla vs Los Angeles concludes with J. Gonzo, Scott Hanna, and Heather Breckel‘s “Godzil-LA”, which is kind of the people’s tokusatsu history of L.A. as graffiti artists and film craftspeople from different L.A. neighborhood band together to take out the kaiju. “Godzil-LA” is a vibrant finisher to a comic that shows the tenacity and vitality of Los Angeles to withstand kaiju attacks in the ficitional world and wildfires in the real world. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

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

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