Tag Archives: gotham academy

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The weekend is almost here! How are folks spending the long weekend? While you decide on that, here’s some comic book news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

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Comics Alliance – Kyle Starks’ ‘Sexcastle’ Optioned By Fox, With ‘Workaholics’ Creators And Russo Brothers Attached To Direct – Interesting.

The Outhousers – ‘Fantastic Four’ Nominated for Five Razzies – Mazel Tov!

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Doctor Who: Four Doctors

Talking Comics – Gotham Academy #14

The Outhousers – Gutter Magic #1

CBR – The Legend of Wonder Woman #1

CBR – The Mighty Thor #3

CBR – Superman: American Alien #3

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It’s a new week and we’re getting closer to a new year! We’re thinking through our best of 2015 list, but what do you all think should be on?

While you think about that, here’s some comic book news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

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The ComiChron – Miller’s Dark Knight returns to top of comic sales charts in November 2015 – A slight improvement for DC.

M Live – Longtime collector to open Grand Rapids comic book store – Great to see new shops open.

AFP – New Dutch graphic novel reveals life with disabled mum – Sounds very interesting.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Batman News – Batman #47

The Rainbow Hub – Constantine the Hellblazer #7

The Rainbow Hub – Detective Comics #47

The Rainbow Hub – Gotham Academy #13

The Rainbow Hub – New Romancer #1

The Rainbow Hub – Starfire #7

CBR – We Stand on Guard #6

Mini Reviews for the week ending 12/12/15

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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 short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

Alex

Batman #47Batman #47* I could do with less Jim Gordon and more Bruce Wayne, if I’m being honest, but this was a solid comic. There’s certainly a crescendo we’re building toward here, and it’s gong to be glorious when it breaks. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

The Shadow #5 was a fairly decent ending to a story that, for the most part was pretty good. And I think that’s the problem here; the story arc was good, but it could have been better.Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

The Precinct #1. Steam punk, cops and magic. It’s a great combination. Overall 8.75 Recommendation Buy

Heroes Vengeance #3 Yeah, it’s okay. I’m losing more interest issue by issue, which is a shame because this started off very strongly. Still, it’s worth a read – for now. Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Read

The Troop #1 was an entertaining read. Starting a new superhero universe largely from scratch is never easy, but this one shows promise. It’s got the feel of early X-Men comics, but much less innocent, and in a much darker setting. Well worth checking out. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

 

Brett

Street Fighter Unlimited #1 (Udon Entertainment) – I haven’t read a Street Fighter comic in a long time, and appreciate the video game series (though wasn’t very good at it). This comic series feels like an extension of the video games series in a good way, a great adaptation, which is something that completely caught me off guard. You usually don’t see this quality in a video game comic adaptation. The story is solid, focusing on Ryo and the dark energy within him. You don’t need to know the greater Street Fighter world, again a good thing, to enjoy this first comic, everything is laid out perfectly for new and old fans alike. An absolute must get, can’t wait to see what comes down the road. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

 

Elana

Monstress_02Gotham Academy #13*: I miss Karl Kerschl’s art a lot. Adam Archer’s art style is cartoony but I find it unattractive but I will give him this: the characters of color are clearly drawn with distinctive features. Colorist Serge LaPointe does a great job with skin tones in particular. In a medium where everyone ends up looking white, even when they aren’t, touches like this are really important. Interesting character development here too. Overall 8 Recommendation: Buy

Angela Queen of Hel #2*: It just keeps getting better. I love how the comic is handling the romantic relationship between our two female leads. The jokes are killer. Sera (who is the best) insults Alanis Morissette’s song “Ironic”, quotes Pat Benatar and air guitars to Norse Metal. Her answer to “why do you know so much about everything” is essentially “because Bardic Knowledge +20”. Like I said, she’s the best. While the colorist is still making Sera too pale and Kim Jacinto draws her too thin Stephanie Hans nails it every time and her art is always stunning across the board. I’ve also heard that in the future, Sera’s skin-tone will be recolored to be brown as it’s supposed to be. Overall 9 Recommendation: Buy

Monstress #2: The best high fantasy series in ages. Beautiful and disturbing. A fantasy series for grown-ups. Issue 2 fleshes out the world and characters just the right amount and is full of unsettling revelations that feel “earned”. The 25 pages are absolutely packed with story and images you won’t find anywhere else. The costumes in this issue are outstanding. Overall 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

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

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 (**).

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Monstress02_coverWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (DC Comics/IDW Publishing) – If this comic doesn’t excite you in some way, then I don’t really think anything I say here will change that. But this is a comic I’ve been waiting a decade for.

Ninjak #10 (Valiant) – A new story arc sees the technologically advanced ninja cross into the supernatural. I’m looking forward to seeing Ninjak as a fish out of water, so to speak.

We Stand On Guard #6 (Image Comics) – I’m sure there’ll be an epic conclusion here, and with all the rich connotations that have been sown throughout the series I don’t know how comfortable it’ll be to read. Which is exactly why I want to.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Monstress #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue blew me away with a deeply layered comic that mixed genres, concepts, and packaged it all with beautiful art. The first issue was oversized and I still craved more, it was that good. One of the best debuts of the year, I expect the second issue to be just as good.

Detective Comics #47, Gotham Academy #13, Grayson #15, Red Hood/Arsenal #7 (DC Comics) – All Robin War tie-ins. The lead in comic kicking off the event was solid, and this is event is one that I’m really looking forward to.

The Massive: Ninth Wave #1 (Dark Horse) – The original series tackled the concept of survival in a post ecological disaster world. I could debate that ending for along time, but the rest of the series was good. This prequel takes us back before the collapse and features the familiar crew of the Ninth Wave. This is environmental activism in comics.

Tomboy #2 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – The first issue of this series was one of the other best debuts of the year. It completely caught me off guard, and holy crap was it good. I can’t wait to read the second issue, it’s one of the first comics I plan to read this week to see what happens next and where this series goes.

The Walking Dead #149 (Image Comics) – After the ending of the last issue how could this not make it on the list? We’re one away from the big 150, and I expect something huge for that issue, so need to see the build up too.

 

Elana

Constantine the Hellblazer #7 (DC Comics) –  Constantine reunites with Swamp Thing: the herbacious hero in who’s book he first appeared! This is my favorite DC series now. Creative, funny, dark and damaged.

Gotham Academy #13 (DC Comics) – Brand new story arc for my favorite teenage characters in my favorite fictional school. It looks like they’ll be forced to take sides in a currently political debate over teenage vigilanteism going on in Gotham. Can’t wait to hear these kids hash out a serious issue. Enjoy Karl Kerschl’s beautiful art on this book while he’s still there!

Monstress #2 (Image Comics) – Easily the most imaginative new fantasy series in ages. Breathtaking art. Complex fantasy world-building that feels entirely fresh. The series touches on real world evils like war crimes, slavery and eugenics. And there are no bearded white dudes that you can’t tell apart. Actually, I think there’s no white people in this at all!  Marjorie Liu was our podcast guest: listen to our interview with her to learn more.

No Mercy #5 (Image Comics) – College bound kids on a “charity” trip to pad their resumes now find their lives in peril. This series is both extremely suspenseful and thus far, extremely realistic in ways that make it even more disturbing. The cast of teens are so damn familiar because you’ve met them all in real life. Yet no reader could have a clue about what’s going to happen next. Check out our podcast with writer Alex Di Campi to hear more.

Snow Blind #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Alaskan teen trying to get to the bottom of his messed-up family’s mysterious past. Quirky art, heavy on the symbolism. Promising start for a new series.

 

Javier

Limbo #2 (Image Comics) – This is my pick of the week.  Yes, yet another supernatural detective story. This one is set in Dedande (Dead End?) City.  A sort of Magnum PI based Mexican purgatory I’m guessing, but Dan Watters hasn’t revealed much yet. This urban fantasy has a voodoo queen with a fetish for 80s mixtapes, and Wijngaard’s art is captivating.

Ninjak # 10 (Valiant) – I’m a big fan of Valiant books; they put out quality work. This is a good jumping point for new Ninjak fans. Operation: Deadside, a four issue arc written by Matt Kindt, starts this week. Plus Shadowman makes an appearance.

Saints #3 (Image Comics) – Saintly super-powered teenagers on a road trip. I’ll admit I’m into the religious themed good versus evil themed books (i.e. Tithe is another favorite). Mackey’s snappy dialogue and Lewis’s sacrilegious art has me hooked; but I can see how this is going to be one of those books you either love or hate.

Snow Blind # 1 (BOOM! Studios) – This new four issue series from Boom!Studios, written by Ollie Masters (The Kitchen) and drawn by Tyler Jenkins (Peter Panzerfaust) promises to be a witness protection noir story set in the snow-covered landscape of Alaska.  If this is consistent with Ollie’s work on The Kitchen we are in for a cold-blooded treat.

Ultimates #2 (Marvel) – Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Ms. America Chavez, Spectrum, and Blue Marvel are back this week to tackle the Galactacus problem.  This issue can make or break the series.  Issue #1 I thought was spectacular, and I’m rooting for them to do more of the same this month.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Scarlet Witch #1 (Marvel) – Wanda has her own title.  That is all :)

Secret Wars #8 (Marvel) – This series is trudging along to the finale….I just want to see how it all ends already!  But I am looking forward to the Thing laying a king size smack down.

Ultimates #2 (Marvel) – How do you solve a problem like Galactus?  Apparently the Ultimates have the answer…but does Galactus even want to hear it?  This is going to be interesting.

Around the Tubes

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It’s new comic book day tomorrow! What are folks excited for this week? We’ll have  our picks in a few hours, but until then, here’s some comic book news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Medium – The US Rebel Alliance Strikes Back – An awesome read.

CBR – The Mission: “Black Panther,” Director Diversity and What Happens Next – Joe is always a must read.

The Beat – It’s complicated: Marvel Netflix TV and movie characters won’t crossover in Avengers: Infinity War – When expectations go too far.

The Outhousers – Marvel Hires Showrunner for Canceled Iron Fist Show – So chalk another wrong bit of news from all those sites saying the series was cancelled.

Loser City – Down and Out in Terminal City: Catching Up with Ed Brisson – A good interview.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

The Rainbow Hub – Extraordinary X-Men #3

CBR – Gotham Academy #12

CBR – Paper Girls #3

Nothing But Comics – Showman Killer: Heartless Hero

CBR – The Vision #2

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Around the Tubes

Panels – Need More Colors in the Rainbow: Jessica Jones and LGBTQ Representation – Warning spoilers, but a good read.

Panels – Read Harder: Comics About a Religion Other Than Your Own – A cool read.

Panels – Jessica Jones and Toxic Masculinity – Another good read.

ICv2 – Barnes & Noble Closing Fewer Stores – Well that’s good news.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comics Alliance – All-New X-Men #1

Panels – Daredevil #1

Comics Alliance – Daredevil #1

The Rainbow Hub – Gotham Academy #12

The Rainbow Hub – Harley Quinn’s Little Black Book #1

The Rainbow Hub – Robin War #1

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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JR2_CoverB_VariantWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Howard the Duck #1 (Marvel) – Chip Zdarsky is putting out one of the most entertaining Marvel comics around with Howard the Duck. My top pick was a tough decision between this and Johnny Red #2, and that’s honestly a good problem to have.

Bigfoot: Sword Of The Earthman #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – This looks like a mix of John Carter, Gladiator and Bigfoot. Which sounds amazing.

Extraordinary X-Men #3 (Marvel) – I actually never read issue #2 due a slight snafu with Diamond not delivering it to my LCS, so I’ll be getting two issues to read on Wednesday, and based on the buzz I’ve heard about #2, I’m excited for #3 as well.

Johnny Red #2 (Titan Comics) – This Garth Ennis penned series came out of nowhere last month to be one of the best comics I ended up reading with it’s tale of a Second World War British fighter pilot facing off against the Nazi’s in Russia. I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue.

Seduction Of The Innocent #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – looks like an old school crime comic with some modern flair. My fancy is tickled.

 

Ash

Top Pick: Spidey #1 (Marvel) – As a huge Spider-Man fan I am always excited and interested in new titles, and this is no different. A fresh take on a young web-head…well it has been done before (Ultimate Spider-Man anyone?) but you know I am really excited by this new take. It promises to be fun, action packed and completely modern (#Spidey?). The artwork is bold, bright and as fresh as the plotline promises to be. For any true-believers out there, this is an issue not to be missed!

 

Brett

Top Pick: The Private Eye Deluxe Edition (Image Comics) – It’s actually a tough week for choices and I could easily do a top twenty myself, but I have to go with the Private Eye as my top pick. First, there’s a good chance you missed this when it was first released as a digital comic. Second, it’s by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin. Third, it’s fantastic. Fourth, this series was launched as a pay what you want directly from Vaughan, and is a solid example of disrupting the system successfully, so much so it’s in print. So, pick this up in print, or go and grab it digitally. Just make sure to read it.

Carver: A Paris Story #1 (Z2 Comics) – Z2 has been putting out solid books regularly and this new series has a nice throwback to 70s European action films. There’s lots of cliches, but that’s partially what makes it all really fun. This should be creator Chris Hunt’s break out series. Do yourself a favor and give it a look.

Johnny Red #2 (Titan Comics) – Did you read the first issue? If so, that should be reason enough as to why this is on the list. Writer Garth Ennis is taking on the classic character and doing so in a brilliant way. Just completely caught me off guard int he quality, because holy crap it’s good.

Sheriff of Babylon #1 (Vertigo) – I did an early review of the issue and it’s not what I thought it’d be. At its heart, Sheriff of Babylon is a crime comic set in a warzone. What’s really impressive and fascinating is writer Tom King’s use of his real life experiences.

X’Ed #1 (Black Mask Studios) – It’d be easy to just call this Inception the comic, but there’s much more going on here than a trippy dive in to someone’s mind. The comic has some really interesting twists and turns in the first issue that kept me on my toes, and that ending is rather intriguing. Black Mask Studios has had a string of hits and I expect this to be their next.

 

Elana

Cyborg #5 (DC Comics) – Writer David F Walker is doing something significant in sci-fi with this comic. It’s a superhero series about race. I’m a huge supporter of where he’s going with this. Listen to our interview with him a few weeks back.

Gotham Academy #12 (DC Comics) – This is one of my favorite comics and I feel like its been going under the radar. Amazingly written, a diverse group of kids, art that can be both adorable and haunting as needed. I don’t even catch all of the easter eggs and references to Batman lore from ages past but that doesn’t matter.  The school is haunted both literally and metaphorically and it’s impossible to not be invested in these stories. This is the last issue of a wonderful arc.

The Humans #10 / Image Firsts The Humans #1 (Image Comics) – If you’ve been reading this kickass 1970-biker-apesploitation series then you need issue 10, the culmination of the first miniseries. This month Image Comics is also reissuing number 1 so tell the fresh meat there’s something they need to buy for good times and cheap thrills. This comic feels like an ultra-violent 1970s underground comic, it comes with it’s own online soundtrack and the art is freaking flawless. Still not convinced? Here’s my review of the first part of the series.

Papergirls #3 (Image Comics) –  This is the new Saga: very friendly to non-comics readers, totally enchanting, breathlessly exciting and full of amazing female characters. Read J9s review of issue 2. Boy, that was a “heart in your throat” cliff hanger at the end of the last issue!

Space Riders TP Vol. 1 (Black Mask Studios) – It feels like 70’s Jack Kirby filtered through many levels of Heavy Metal Magazine (think Moebius, Druillet). Only more underground and loose. A bit of a space western with a Jodorowsky-ish flying skull ship! A more Red Sonja-ish Gamora. Christy Karacas (creator of the cartoon Super Jail) levels of choas and scribble. If my description makes sense to you then you’ll probably like this. If my description doesn’t make sense to you, and you are ok with that, you may like it too. “I like my coffee like I like my space: black and infinite”- Capitan Peligro.

 

Thomas

Top Pick: Robin War #1 (DC Comics) – Perfectly timed for the winter season, DC Comics is running a small event that crosses over the various Robin titles, bookended by these one-shots. Previews and solicits make this event look like it could be a lot of fun, so it’s a definite must-read!

All-New X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Continuing Marvel’s All-New All-Different launches, this gives Dennis Hopeless the chance to write young superheroes once again. The All-New X-Men – minus Jean Grey, but with Kid Apocalypse and Idie added to their ranks – are headed for a road-trip to decide their role in the future of the Marvel Universe. All-New X-Men may not be set to headline the X-Men range as it did under Brian Bendis, but it still looks set to be one of the most fun comics out there.

Exit Generation #3 (ComixTribe) – Sam Read and Caio Oliveira have been producing an unusual but fantastic series, steeped in sci-fi and with an admirable sense of style. Independent comics don’t often get the attention they deserve, and this series is one that deserves a lot of attention!

Invincible Iron Man #4 (Marvel) – One of the strangest shifts in All-New All-Different Marvel is a change in Mary-Jane Watson’s status quo. She’s going from a member of Spider-Man’s supporting cast to a member of Iron Man’s supporting cast, and this is the issue that kicks that off. It’s going to be fascinating to see how (not to mention why) Brian Bendis pulls this off…

Spider-Gwen: Most Wanted Trade Paperback (Marvel) – The first Spider-Gwen series (shorted to a miniseries due to Secret Wars) was tremendously popular, and this is the chance to collect it as a trade paperback! Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez pull off a tremendously fun story with energy and verve, and this book is sure to impress anyone who didn’t pick up the original issues.

Mini Reviews

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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 short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

CageHero01_Cover-COLORSAlex

Cage Hero #1 is a surprisingly enjoyable mix of superpowers and mixed martial artists. A fun comic that has an amusingly unique take on the superhero origin story (even if the high school setting is somewhat familiar). Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read.

One of the more interesting takes on the vigilante heroes lately has come in the form of The Black Hood. Issue #6 is a standalone tale that focuses on the title character’s battle with an addiction to prescription  pain killers while he continues to go beyond the law in administering justice. The art is crisp and the colours entice you into the brutally honest world within these pages. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Mono is a superbly envisioned collection about a secret agent with a prehensile tale that is, frankly, visually stunning. This was a collection that captivated me from start to finish with it’s mix of pulpy goodness and pseudo history, it was a joy to read. Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Brett

Art Ops #1 – A fascinating new Vertigo series I’m still trying to wrap my head around. It’s basic idea is that art is real, and there’s this agency that protects the beings within the pictures. At least that’s my understanding of it. It’s pretty out there. Not sure if I’m totally sold, but it’s absolutely original. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

ARTOPS-Cv1-96f41The Black Hood #6 – A one-shot that seems like it’ll lead into the next story arc. Howard Chaykin joins on art, and while I figured out the twist a bit before it was revealed, the comic is still really entertaining. If you’re looking for a comic about a cop/junkie/vigilante, then look no further! Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Chew #51 – The series is coming to its finale and this is our first look after its major confrontation and battle. We get to see where some characters are in their lives and what the world is like. There’s still some big questions to be answered, but this comic continues the over the top humor that consistently gets me to laugh. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

The Hangman #1 – This first issue is fascinating. It doesn’t quite get us to what I think is where the series goes next, but we learn about the boogeyman that is the Hangman in the mob. The comic is absolutely adult, and really puts the “dark” in Dark Circle. It definitely piqued my interest. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Revival #34 – What brought all the folks back to life? We still don’t know what’s behind Revivers, but this issue has some impressive revelations that started to make the puzzle clearer. It’s also a hell of a confrontation between Dana and her father. It’s an issue full of emotion and catharsis, a great jumping on point. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Daphne

The final issue of the A-Force miniseries was awesome. Ending it with an all-out war that showcased dozens of Marvel Comics ladies was a great decision, and makes me super excited for the full series to come out. The series itself wasn’t as strong in the middle as its beginning, but it ended with a great climax and I can’t wait to see more. Overall Score: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Ms. Marvel ended on a high note in time for the big company-wide relaunch initiative. With Kamala’s world ending we finally get some plot points wrapped up in really satisfying ways, and the story ends in a really optimistic and emotional that is totally worthy of the Miss Marvel name. This was probably the best “Last Days” story to come out of Secret Wars, and I love that it left us with both closure and a great setup for things to come. I can’t wait to see what happens with the relaunch. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Elana

Catwoman-45This has been a banner month for Catwoman, Constantine and Gotham Academy. Each has just printed it’s best issue yet. Each of these comics reaches a pinnacle of a completely compelling storyline here and delivers and delivers and delivers. These are among the best comics today. Buy. Buy. Buy.

Over the Garden Wall issues 1 and 2 are lovely contributions to the world of the animated show. I rewatched the cartoon after reading them and they fill in the blanks in the series so well that I would strongly suggest anyone who likes the cartoon pick up these comics immediately. They are charming and wistful like the series. They even contain a page of sheet music in the back! Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Heathen from comixology submit: promising fantasy/folklore story from a promising new creative talent Natasha Alterici. Compelling queer female lead. Evocative painted art. You can shiver it it looks so cold. I hope she continues the series! I’ll give it an 8 if she can keep this up! Recommendation: Buy.

Revenger from comixology submit: this is an angry comic. The art evokes Benjamin Marra (his art is also angry). If you are in the mood for angry, revenge violence with a very raw nerve core then give this a go. It’s got that ugly but compelling look to the art. Badass black butch female lead who reminds me of a cross between Grace Jones and The Man with No Name. Feels pretty punk rock. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Concrete Park Volume 2 this is a radical scifi book with politics on it’s sleeve. Striking character design. Impeccable world building. Check out those maps! The world they invent is completely unique. An urban dystopia in space. Strong critique of the prison-industrial system and sexism. It deserves a full length review. This was the best thing I got at New York Comic Con. I love it so much! And I’ve only read the 2nd volume. Definitely going to buy the first one but I think it speaks to how well written the 2nd volume is that I was able to get totally involved in it without any of the earlier information. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Kenny

Colder: Toss the Bones #2 continues its trend of being creepy as hell. Nimble Jack’s relentless tormenting of Declan plays on the idea of that feeling that someone is watching you. The story toys with that psychological idea to great effect. It is uncomfortable seeing Declan unknowingly having his life manipulated by Jack. Each of Jack’s action are so dark and uncomplicated by morality, that he has become a menacing figure who seems unstoppable at this point. This comic is still proving to be one of the best horror comics out and one that needs your attention. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is moving in a completely new and exciting direction after the epic conclusion of TMNT #50. Issue #51 sets the stage for a Turtles’ arc as they try and navigate their new position as, well, I won’t spoil it for you. Find out for yourself and see the one of the most interesting premises for a Turtles story I’ve seen in a long time. Overall 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

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

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Batman #44 CoverWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Ninjak #7 (Valiant): Over the past few months I have been devouring anything that Valiant has been producing, and pretty much all of it has been as good as I hoped it would be. I quite enjoyed the last issue’s (slightly) slow build up, and I can’t wait for this issue.

Batman #44 (DC Comics): Although I think it’s only a matter of time before Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl again, I’m looking forward to seeing Jock take on the Dark Knight. The only thing stopping this issue from being my top pick this week? The $4.99 price tag.

Unity #22 (Valiant): I’m actually looking forward to this for a slightly different reason; I haven’t been reading Unity – yet – because the comic has been in the middle of a story arc. This issue marks the finale of that arc, so I’ll be able to pick it up in trade form, and begin reading Unity with issue #23. Oh yes. More Valiant.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire #1 (Marvel) – It begins here! Bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, this series takes us past the destruction of the second Death Star into a world with a shattered Empire. Courtesy of writer Greg Rucka!

Bitch Planet #5 (Image Comics) – After a hiatus that was too long, this series that tackles social issues in the form of a prison exploitation story is back. Hopefully the break has not diminished it’s excellence, but it’s near the top of my “to read” pile for the week.

Rebels #6 (Dark Horse) – Writer Brian Wood continues to bring us an entertaining and gripping look at the Revolutionary War, mixing in a bit of the philosophy behind it.

Starve #4 (Image Comics) – The world is messed up and the television show Starve mixes a celebrity chef cooking competition with excess. The characters are fascinating, and the underlying message of the series could be debated about for some time. A big middle finger to the Food Channel and all of the cooking competition shows out there.

TET #1 (IDW Publishing) – Eugene Smith is desperate to leave Vietnam behind, and begin a new life with the woman he loves. But when a fellow Marine is brutally murdered, Eugene’s plans are thrown away, forever. All’s fair in love and war, right? This crime/romance story set at the height of the Vietnam War and the decades that followed sounds too interesting to not read.

 

Elana

Top Pick (tie): Bitch Planet #5 (Image Comics) – Probably the most important comic being made today in terms of the issues it explores like social enforcement of gender roles, racism and the prison system. In some ways it’s been a slow burn developing the story (in part because of the pace of the releases, not that it hasn’t been worth the wait). Yet the worldbuilding already feels so fleshed out. That’s probably because this dystopia is far too much like the real world of today. No wonder the series has such a loyal following.

Top Pick (tie): Phonogram the Immaterial Girl #2 (Image Comics) – Music is magic in Phonogram. Creators Gillen and McKelvie are masters at building fantastical metaphors for growing up and developing your sense of self that feel more real then any more “realist” or literal narative could ever be.

Our protagonist, Emily used her powers to exile her depressed teenage psyche to the netherverse beyond the mirror. While this gave her the hard exterior to become the Poptomistisn embracing maven she is today it also makes her past self her own worst enemy.

Last issue ended with Emily’s sad old self dragging her into Aha’s legendary “Take On Me” video video behind the screen of her TV. How will she escape? (Read my review of issue 1. A new essay is on its way)

Catwoman #44 (DC Comics) – Last issue ended on a huge cliffhanger. Will either of the series’ two Catwomen- Eiko and Selina survive? That was a serious fall. And have you seen the stunning Kevin Wada cover of our two Catwomen tangoing? Meow.

Gotham Academy #10 (DC Comics) – Easily one of DC comics’ best books. The cast of characters and art are utterly charming. But the story also delves into real emotional turmoil that kids will recognize (& older readers will look back on and remember). The book is perfect on the perifery of the Bat world but requires no knowledge of Batman related comics to enjoy.

The Michael Moorcock Library Volume 2: The Sailors on the Seas of Fate HC Vol. 2 (Titan Comics) – This is not Conan. This is not Red Sonja. This is trippy as hell! This is the second volume of a brand new reprinting of Roy Thomas, P. Craig Russell, and Michael T. Gilbert’s take on Michael Moorcock’s fantasy epic, Elric of Melniboné. While the story is quintessential 70s psychedelic sword and sorcery if you haven’t delved specifically into Moorcock’s works before it will feel utterly new to you. The work that was inspired by it is not like it. So treat yourself to this beautiful volume.

 

Kenny

Top Pick: Tyson Hesse’s Diesel #1 (BOOM! Studios) – The fantastical sky pirating world of Diesel has had me excited to read it since I first heard about it weeks ago. Now, that I finally have the chance to get my hands on it I could not be more thrilled.

Batman #44 (DC Comics) – The safest pick coming out of DC right now is Batman because it has been so constantly good in the hands of Scott Snyder. And, adding one of my favorite artists Jock into the mix makes this a must read.

Catwoman #44 (DC Comics) – Catwoman has been one of the pleasant surprises of the last few months, creating a really intriguing and exciting crime drama. I cannot stop myself from watching Selina’s criminal empire crumble and after the events in issue 43 I have to know what comes next.

Holy F*cked #1 (Action Lab – Danger Zone) – If you just want some utterly ridiculous fun while reading comics then you need to check out Holy F*cked. It is an absolute blast.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Batman #44 (DC Comics) – Snyder and Jock team reunited for a one off that shows Bruce back in the cowl and gives us an insight to the origin tale of Mr. Bloom. Yes I may miss Capullo for one month but this should be great!

Action Comics #44 (DC Comics) – Truth comes to an end. Will all the answers set us free? Only Kuder and Co. know.

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #5 (Marvel Comics) – I am very pumped for this one. Now that they got through the prodding first few issues, last month really turned up the heat. We get Spidey and Annie May side by side fighting for survival of their world. I cannot wait! Let’s see that Parker luck in full force!

TMNT Color Classics Series 3 #9 (IDW Publishing) – Turtles. Color. Classics. Always there.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Siege #3 (Marvel) – One of my favourite titles to come out of Secret Wars.  Abigail Brand is front and center, defending the SHIELD in a never ending battle from the hordes that would lay waste to Battleworld.  Issue #2 ended with Abigail seeing a familiar face leading the charge against her…can’t wait to see this go down.

A-Force #4 (Marvel) – A mysterious new ally!  A traitor in their ranks!  And the Thors are on their way to uphold the laws of Doom.  She-Hulk has fought hard for Arcadia…is she about to lose everything?  Looking forward to finding out!  This has been a fun book from the start that hasn’t disappointed.

Civil War #4 (Marvel) – Issue #3 showed us a third party pulling strings in this civil war…and the Punishers are just too damn cool.  Iron Man and Captain America are getting desperate…will either one stand victorious?  This has been a surprise hit with me; I’ve really enjoyed seeing these characters in what seems like a ‘What If?’ story.  It doesn’t feel like a tie in book, but more of a fast forward if the war went on.  If you’re not reading this one, what are you waiting for?

Review: Gotham Academy #9

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ga009Gotham Academy has hit a note with so many readers specifically because of its approach to its characters.  The characters have been written with depth from almost the beginning, making them approachable and likable almost from the first page.  The writing of the series has also benefited the setting, specifically to fit perfectly into Gotham, where the supernatural can be mostly explained by the real life antics of bad guys, perverting science to their own means.  Thus while there is a were-bat on campus, it is as a result of Kirk Langstrom, not because there are actually such things as were-bats.  With every bit of reality though, there was still a bit of the unexplained, and in the case of the series protagonist, there was still something elusive about her background.  For the series which seemed like a DC version of Morning Glories, the setup seemed to be somewhat familiar except for the mind bending developments that Morning Glories undergoes.  Or at least it was different until now.

With the werewolf on the loose at campus it falls to the team to track him down.  In the meantime Olive is making new discoveries of her own, specifically that there are reasons why she is at the Academy to begin with.  These discoveries have to take a backseat to other interests though as she finally goes to visit Tristan, and as the werewolf comes back into the picture.  There are some unexpected developments – there always are in this series – though not as unexpected perhaps as what we see here.

The outlook of the series might have changed a little bit with this issue, but the quality has not.  Especially as this seems to be somewhat of the end state for this first overall story arc of the series, a lot of different approaches could have been taken to get here,  but none would have created such a sizable depth of characterizations for those only ten issues into their publication histories.  As it stands, this remains one of the best series on offer from DC, even if its initial aura of mystery is replaced by something else.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher  Art: Karl Kerschl
Story: 9.2 Art: 9.2 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

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