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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Brett

Wednesdays 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.

Brett

Top Pick: Mike’s Place: A True Story of Love, Blues and Terror in Tel Aviv (First Second) – The graphic novel recounts the true story of a suicide bombing at Mike’s Place, a bar where people of all persuasions get together to enjoy music and beer. It’s beyond moving, and hits you with a punch to the gut. Just an amazing example of using graphic novels to recount real life and history.

Batman #41 (DC Comics) – James Gordon in a robot/mech Batman suit? Yes please! Scott Snyder has been an amazing writer on Batman and it’s sure to look amazing with Greg Capullo on art. The all-new Batman makes his debut! What happens next? This is the new era in Gotham and it looks awesome.

Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1 (Marvel) – They are the elite. The best of the best. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kelly Thompson take Carol Danvers and her team of elite pilots into Secret Wars. It looks awesome. Beyond awesome.

The Disciples #1 (Black Mask Studios) – In the near future, Dagmar, Rick, and Jules, intrepid private eyes/bounty hunters, have been hired by a high ranking Senator to retrieve his teenage daughter who’s run off to join a mysterious religious cult. The latest from Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten.

Starve #1 (Image) – In a world torn apart by starvation and rising water, Chef’s are stars, especially one. This is the story of a popular cooking competition television show, and its star who wants to bring it down.

Edward

Top Pick: Gotham Academy #7 (DC Comics) – This title was an unexpected standout before Convergence, and while the crossover might have lost a bit of momentum for the title, it remains to be seen where the series can go from here, especially with the addition of Damian Wayne.

Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1 (Marvel) – Marvel has to get the ball rolling after giving Carol her own movie, but previous attempts have not always gone so well. With budding superstar writers Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kelly Thompson on board this might be the vehicle to put Carol where she belongs.

Silk #5 (Marvel) – Flying under most people’s radar is the most engaging of all the Spider-books, and Marvel’s most intriguing Spider-Woman.

Starfire #1 (DC Comics) – Starfire gets her own ongoing series for the first time ever. It will be interesting to see if the series’ less serious tone can stand a chance against other titles.

Starve #1 (Image Comics) – From a near future where humanity is obsessed with celebrity and looser with the laws, a celebrity chef returns to an unexpected challenge.

Elana

Constantine the Hellblazer #1 (DC Comics) – I’m going to have to come clean: I never read Hellblazer. I mostly know John Constantine via Swamp Thing and his various guest appearances over the years plus the recent television show which we reviewed the earlier part of. Occult detective/conman/former punk band frontman is a great logline if I ever heard one. He’s just the sort of character I’d enjoy reading (and not only because we have a good amount of music collection overlap and bi-solidarity and whatnot).

So, I can’t wait to check out this series premiere by artist and now writer, Ming Doyle. She’ll be our podcast guest on Monday! Doyle’s created some of the most beautiful and singular art in comics so while I’m a bit sad that there’s someone else on art duties, Riley Rossmo‘s art looks evocative and unique too. Co-writer is James Tynion IV.

1602 Witchunter: Angela #1 (Marvel) – Now here’s an alternate history Secret Wars book I can’t wait to read! It sounds sword and sworcery-ish and a whole lot of fun. Writers Marguerite Bennett, Kieron Gillen and artists Stephanie Hans and Marguerite Sauvage set up what looks to be a lovely package of King James England era heroics. I found the story in the other costume period drama Secret Wars book underwhelming: a faux Medieval themed Young Avengers-y book. But I have faith in these creators to put together something worthy of this stunning cover.

Gotham Academy #7 (DC Comics) – Did you hear? Bruce Wayne’s son Damian is now enrolled in Gotham Academy! He’s going to keep tabs on our misadventuring cohort of rebellious and lovable kids and keep them out of trouble. Or maybe just scowl and act aloof. It’s anyone’s guess!

Jack Kirby: Kamandi Artist Edition (IDW Publishing) – You really love me, right? You know how happy it would make me to get this gorgeously put together compendium of one of Kirby’s later masterpieces? Kamandi is/was “The Last Boy on Earth!” an inspiration for characters like the beloved Finn the Human of Adventure Time. Put it on your gift lists now because it’s going to be beautiful.

Silver Surfer #12 (Marvel) – This series has been fantastical with some of Allred’s most creative art in years. But the series is about to end. The previews make this story look like our heroes are trapped in a dream of some kind. Lots of time and space paradoxes have sprung up of late in this book. I feel like the previews are lampshading Dawn becoming the new Silver Surfer. That would be a pretty wild conclusion!

Pharoah

Top Pick: Ghost Racers #1 (Marvel) – This the title I have been looking forward to since it was first announced, as every Ghost Rider that has ever existed or ever even mentioned now compete against each other against all odds for freedom.

Injection #2 (Image) – When Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey left Marvel’s Moon Knight last year, one could only wonder hat this dynamic duo would be doing next. I can only say they did not disappoint , with this series so far, the first issue was a gut punch, the second issue , can only be an uppercut.

Red Hood & Arsenal #1 (DC Comics) – Out of the DC YOU reboot going on at DC, this sounds like one of the more promising titles, as Red Hood has become a fan favorite, now teamed with rogue hero, Arsenal, definitely sounds like a lot of fun, as these two fight against the underworld of the DC Universe.

Starve #1 (Image) – I have been interested in this series since it was first introduced at Image Expo and Brian Wood has never disappointed since his days working on the landmark, DMZ. A story that sounds like Masterchef meets Survivor, pretty cool.

Weirdworld #1 (Marvel) – Part of the Secret Wars titles , but written by Jason Aaron of Southern Bastards fame and art by Mike Del Mundo, defintely one of the more interesting series to crop out of this Marvel event about a new character named Arkon, a medieval warrior type.

Review: Gotham Academy Endgame #1

Posted on April 1, 2015 by

So far in its short but excellent run, Gotham Academy has managed to capture interest due to its close connection to Gotham, but also that it skirts the connection to create its own unique narrative. The stories have thus been focused in a particular direction and they have thus maintained similarities in tone and content. This issue is the first break in that trend, focusing instead on activities which would be something much more closely linked to the activities of young people. At the same time, while this is essentially a loose collection of horror stories, it does the same as always with this series as it balances some connection to Gotham with its own stories, even if it is more of an aside than anything.

There is a bit of a forced setup as the girl’s are forced to camp out in the school gym because of a virus spread by the Joker. It is a bit of a disconnect that something so dangerous is treated in such a cavalier manner, but it does work to get the characters into tents to tell spooky stories. What is particularly interesting in this story is the combination actual urban legends with that of the Joker. There are only three stories told, but each connects in way, either to the Joker or to the Red Hood, and adds a bit of background to the character who has none. Although the background is usually considered to be much more mundane (falling in a vat of acid) as the Joker represents true chaos and anarchy, there is no reason to think that in some way that he is not tied to these stories in some way.

There is perhaps a bit of a disconnect between this standalone issue and the rest of the series, but it doesn’t really matter. While this does not advance the main plot of Gotham Academy in any way, it is also nice as it helps to develop the characters in a more complex way, even if they did not need much more development as opposed to a lot of other comic characters. This issue also ties the characters together with Gotham once again, though also really doesn’t at the same time. It is this balance where the series finds its success and it finds it here too, even if it is relatively unimportant to the overall narrative of the series.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher Art: Jeff Stokely
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.3 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

Around the Tubes

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Brett

It’s new comic day tomorrow! Stay tuned throughout the day to catch our suggestions as to what you should be checking out this week.

Around the Tubes

Kotaku – Designing Batgirl To Fit Chris Nolan’s Batman Movies – This is pretty cool.

CBR – West, Ward To Reprise Batman & Robin Roles In 50th Anniversary Film – People clearly remember it being better than I do.

Robot 6 – Lobo co-creator Roger Slifer passes away – Our thoughts are with his friends and family.

The Beat – Baseball, Comic-Cons, and Paying Volunteers – This issue again?

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comic Vine – Avengers: Rage of Ultron

CBR – Avengers: Rage of Ultron

CBR – Darth Vader #3

CBR – Gotham Academy #6

Nothing But Comics – Space Riders #1

Around the Tubes

Around the Tubes

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Brett

Emerald City Comicon has wrapped up. Any announcements that got you excited?

Around the Tubes

CBLDF – Palomar Stays on Shelves in Rio Ranch – Good to hear!

Kotaku – New Jersey Game Store Swatting Takes An Uglier Turn – Beyond dangerous, the folks who do this deserve long jail sentences.

iO9 – The Worst Avengers story EVER – Yeah, this was a bad one.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comic Vine – The Black Hood #3

Talking Comics – Gotham Academy #6

Talking Comics – March of the Crabs Vol. 1

The Beat – The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1

The Beat – Wayward #6

Around the Tubes

Around the Tubes

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Brett

The weekend is almost here! While you count down the hours until then, here’s some news and reviews you might have missed.

Around the Tubes

The Orion – Press Pause: Embracing changes in comic books like Miles Morales as Spider-Man – A good read.

Around the Tubes Reviews

IGN – Avengers & X-Men: AXIS

The Fandom Post – Empowered Unchained

The Beat – Gotham Academy #6

ICv2 – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 1 – Phantom Blood Vol. 1

IGN – Jupiter’s Legacy Vol. 1

Bloody Disgusting – Murder Book TPB

CBR – Wytches #5

Around the Tubes

Around the Tubes

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Brett

It was new comic day yesterday! What’d everyone get? If you’re still undecided check out all the links to numerous reviews below.

Around the Tubes

GamePolitics – Report: YouTube finally taking game streaming seriously – Maybe we’ll start streaming?

Kotaku – Please Stop Putting Stan Lee’s Name on Things – Amen.

iO9 – 9 Batman Knock-Offs That Utterly Miss The Point Of Batman – Have any to add to the list?

The Huffington Post – Charlie Hebdo To Receive PEN Award – Congrats!

Bleeding Cool – ‘It’s About Ethics In Comic Book Publishing’ – All conflicts should be disclosed at all time, and free items should be disclosed as well.

The Outhousers – Interview: Erik Larsen Goes In-Depth on CostumeGate, Costume Design, and the State of Comics – Great interview.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comic Vine – Amazing X-Men #18

Comic Vine – Aquaman #40

CBR – The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

Comic Vine – Batman and Robin #40

Comic Vine – Batman Eternal #51

Comic Vine – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad #1

Comic Vine – The Black Hood #2

The Outhousers – Chew #47

Bleeding Cool – Curb Stomp #2

Comic Vine – Daredevil #14

Comic Vine – Darth Vader #3

Comic Vine – Deadpool #44

Comic Vine – The Flash #40

ICv2 – The G-Man Super Journal: Awesome Origins HC

Comic Vine – Gotham Academy #6

Bleeding Cool – Gotham Academy #6

Comic Vine – Gotham by Midnight #5

The Outhousers: Grindhouse: Drive In, Bleed Out #3

The Beat – Hit: 1957 #1

Talking Comics – Hit: 1957 #1

CBR – Jem and the Holograms #1

Comic Vine – Jem and the Holograms #1

CBR – Miami Vice Remix #1

CBR – The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1

Comicsgirl – Part-Time Princesses

The Beat – Past Aways #1

Bleeding Cool – Providence #1

Comic Vine – Rumble #4

Comic Vine – Wytches #5

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Review: Gotham Academy #6

Posted on March 25, 2015 by

So far into its run Gotham Academy has been one of the biggest surprises coming out of DC Comics in years. It features a group of characters that are ostensibly connected to the DC universe, but who are also mostly on their own. In the first issues, Batman (or Bruce Wayne) has shown up from time to time, but the story has focused mostly on the Academy itself with Olive as its main feature. She has been portrayed as a complex character, one that is striving to do well at school while also dealing with a recent tragedy. The introduction of Killer Croc brought the series back into the DC Universe, albeit only a little, though the events of the previous issue produce more connections, directly through the inclusion of Batman.

This issue deals with the fallout of those events, included a short battle between Batman and Croc, but the focus lies where it should, on Olive. While she deals with the after effects of the revelations about her mother by Croc, she realizes that she is part of a bigger story, one which ties the Academy into a deeper story. This was a nice moment for the series, which gave Gotham Academy a bit of a Morning Glories vibe, although it was also short lived. In what will be a common occurrence for all of DC Comics leading into Convergence, this issue also felt a little bit like one which is the final issue of the a series. This gave it a bit of a somber attitude as it tried to wrap up some plot details with a degree of finality, even if the series is still scheduled to return in June.

The series still stands out as one to watch at DC, only it must be noted that once again a big DC wide crossover is thrown into the mix and will have an impact on this series. It would seem as though the series is teetering on some kind of a breaking point as the epilogue throws a bit more Batman into the Academy, which might work for the series and it might not. Nonetheless this issue works where it needs to, and while it might not be as strong as others in the series, its quality is still above what to expect from other series.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher Art: Karl Kerschl
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Brett

Wednesdays 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.

Brett

Top Pick: Past Aways #1 (Dark Horse) – Matt Kindt is one of the best writers out there, constantly delivering with stories that pay off multiple times during their runs. His latest series has a time traveling twist seeing a group get stranded in the distant past…. 2015!

D4VE #2 (IDW Publishing) – Take the movie Falling Down and mix it with The Office or Office Space, and you get this series which sees a former war hero deal with his dull desk job life.

Jem and the Holograms #1 (IDW Publishing) – Jem goes from cartoon to comics in this brand new series just in time for its 30th anniversary. The first issue is beyond fantastic, giving a story that’ll appeal to old fans and new readers. Expect Jem to be a big thing again.

Skullkickers #31 (Image Comics) – Jim Zub’s off the rails fantasy series is always entertaining. Its been a bit since the last issue, but this one starts a whole new arc that’s a good starting point for readers. Even if you’ve never picked up an issue before, you’ll be entertained.

We Can Never Go Home #1 (Black Mask Studios) – The series sees two rather odd high school students team up after they find out about each others powers. There’s clearly more to the story, and I have my suspicions, but the first issue is gripping, and very entertaining.

Edward

Top Pick: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad #1 (Marvel/Disney) – Disney tries to adapt its rides to other media, and it worked really well with Pirates of the Caribbean. It will be interesting to see if this works.

Grimm Fairy Tales Presents the Little Mermaid #2 (Zenescope) – The first issue was a combination of mermaids and science fiction, which is a pretty interesting mix.

Jem and the Holograms #1 (IDW Publishing) – This relaunch issue looks like a lot of fun, where 1980s big hair meets modern young woman.

Morning Glories #44 (Image Comics) – The mini story arc within the larger story arc within the larger story is getting closer to resolution as Casey gets closer to winning her seat as class president.

Suicide Risk #23 (BOOM! Studios) – Every issue of this series seems as though it finds a new way to surprise, and almost every one of them seems to be better than the last.

Elana

Top Pick: Jem and the Holograms #1 (IDW Publishing) – We had writer Kelly Thompson on the podcast last night and we couldn’t stop gushing. This is a fun and compelling first issue. The new origin story is emotionally resonant and is an approachable and relevant comic to share with older kids. Also, I noticed that when I posted about it on Facebook I had friends coming out of the woodwork to talk about how much they loved the show back in the day. This is a great comic to share with your friends who grew up with the show and maybe don’t read comics on their own. The art by Sophie Campbell, (who just came out as trans!) is lovely, fun and inclusive. Every comic should aspire to the body diversity reflected in this book. And the colors make it a good inclusion in any Easter baskets you might be making.

All-New X-Factor TP Vol. 3 AXIS (Marvel) – I really enjoyed the series and was sorry to see it cancelled. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out and buy the trade. I actually think this book will be even better in trade. The stylish art is first rate with an angular style that reminds me of fashion illustration. It’s refreshingly female-gaze-y. Peter David’s characterizations are perfect and charming as ever. He writes Quicksilver better then any other writer EVER. He has the best feel for all of the characters. So if you are a fan of anyone on the team (Gambit, Polaris, Danger, Warlock, Doug Ramsey) you absolutely need this book.

Elektra #11 (Marvel) – I’m one of this book’s biggest proponents. It didn’t seem to find its audience. But if you like scary comics that still feel like a superhero book then you need to read this. The painted art is striking new ground and looks very adult. If you enjoy the character Elektra at all then you need to be reading this before it gets canceled. Kind of feels like the classic Daredevil “Fall from Grace” TP.

Gotham Academy #6 (DC Comics) – Speaking of cliffhangers, I am more intrigued by this series than ever. It is easy to fall in love with the emotionally real yet adorable teen characters and the charming and unique art. It’s still Hogwarts in Gotham and approachable as heck.

The Wicked + The Divine #9 (Image Comics) – This may be my favorite current comic series. The mystery our heroine is trying to solve continues but last issue ended on an intriguing personal cliffhanger for her. Our protagonist, Laura is about to have one of her personal desires fulfilled. But how is it really going to work out for her!? <commence excited bouncing, squealing, and clapping of hands>

Review: Gotham Academy #5

Posted on February 27, 2015 by

So far in this series, the direction and overall story of the characters has been a bit convoluted. it has focused on Olive Silverlock, a girl that is sequestered at a boarding school set in Gotham, and among the many mysteries that she and her best friend Maps have to investigate, they all seem to be somehow associated with the school’s North Hall. The series has kept its readers guessing as well. In a superhero setting that is arguably more realistic than others, Gotham Academy might have been the type to mix a bit of reality into the supernatural. It becomes evident in this issue that it is not the case. Instead the series takes a different approach and one which has never been tried before in comics, as the regular people in Gotham are portrayed as regular people from the real world, but that the superpowered nature of some is explained by supernatural explanations.

In this issue both a vampire and a lizard man are explained in this way, and while it is not necessarily either Man-Bat or Killer Croc that are being referred to, it it still evident how people could make the mistake. While this is the most noteworthy innovation of this issue, it is also the source of the main drawback, as minor as it is. For the first time maps is shown talking in Dungeons and Dragons lingo, which is likely understood by most comic fans, but as this comic has the ability to reach out to mainstream interest, it also comes across as a bit heavy. A couple or references would be fun, but it is risks becoming too niche in its references.

This series is still one of the standouts among the big two, and while others are being rolled out to compete with the success of this and Batgirl, it is evident that (while the newer series are not necessarily bad) that this is a step above. The characters are approachable and the story is enchanting and engaging, and this series remains a success story and provides an example of how to do comics right.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher Art: Karl Kerschl
Story: 8.9 Art: 8.9 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy