(W) James Tynion IV, Che Grayson (A) Michael Walsh, Gavin Fullerton
The last surviving killers have arrived in the town square, ready to finish their blood-soaked game. But Oak Valley’s survivors have tricks and treats of their own in store for the Thirteen’s hand-picked murderers, and this year’s tournament is far from over… Rising star CHE GRAYSON (Absolute Catwoman) and breakout artist GAVIN FULLERTON (The Closet) rejoin JAMES TYNION IV & MICHAEL WALSH as the horror phenomenon approaches its unguessable finale!
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
Alias: Red Band #1 (Marvel) – Sam Humphries and Gerardo Borges‘ Alias: Red Band #1 is like the warm embrace of an old friend. It all starts with the visuals as Borges channels Michael Gaydos in his faded out, noir approach with the assistance of colorist Arthur Hesli. His double page layouts where conversations become fights that look like the newspaper columns of the paparazzi photographer that has it out for “the mayor’s wife” aka Jessica Jones. Alias definitely lives up to its “red band” billing with a grisly murder almost on page one, but the conflict is through debates between following the law and doing what’s right and trusting your gut not fisticuffs. A particularly heated argument between Luke Cage and Jessica particularly shows the powerless of power. Alias: Red Band #1 definitely doesn’t have any new tricks, but it brings the aesthetic of Alias to the current Marvel Universe where Jessica, Luke, and engaging third lead Typhoid Mary are worlds away from who they were in 2001. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy
Die Loaded #5 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans expand the world of Die in this consequential, reveal-filled installment of the series. Sophie is still the POV character, but Chuck’s gaming-obsessed daughter Violet takes center stage as the new Master. Die Loaded #5 heads back into the trauma side of Die with Violet dealing with her father’s death through a gorgeous, yet dark island fantasy world. Also, Sophie continues to improve at Die’s mechanics with a side of her maternality as she tries to collect the party and go home. But this is hindered by the aforementioned complex trauma and bleed of Violet, who quickly becomes one of Die Loaded‘s most compelling characters. Throw in a mystery reveal, an Ursula K. LeGuin riff on par with the Tolkien one in Die, and some splendid colors, character designs, and high energy layouts from Hans, and I’m even more hooked on this series. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy
Bleeding Hearts #2 (Vertigo) – Mmm, I love how Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian structure the sophomore issue of Bleeding Hearts. Our lovable zombie protagonist Poke appears in the beginning and the end and has a key moment. However, Bleeding Hearts #2 zeroes in on the potential victims from the end of the previous issue: a mother and her precious daughter named Rabbit. It lays out the difficulty of surviving in this zombified world with unrelenting narration from the mom, who focuses all her energy to giving Rabbit as normal a childhood as possible, including a stuffed animal. However, there are some super disturbing scenes, and Morian captures the trauma seared in Rabbit’s eyes. There’s an old school Frank Miller/John Romita Jr. quality to his figure work that lends the visuals darkness, but also unwavering humanity. By the time Bleeding Hearts #2 wrapped up, I cared deeply about three individuals in this comic and hope against hope for a bond of survival between them. Kudos to Camp and Stipan Morian doing something a little different and switching POVs to give a fuller picture of what this series could be. For old school Vertigo heads, this has Invisibles “Best Man Fall” energy, but with a happier ending. Overall: 9.3 Verdict: Buy
Sirens: Love Hurts #2 (DC/Black Label) – Sirens: Love Hurts continues to be one of the most fun current comics as Black Canary, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy encounter a red herring and uncover more evidence about Gotham’s newest killer of women. Tini Howard‘s script is laugh out loud funny (I’m not over “dick dizzy”), and Babs Tarr brings some fierce fits and even fiercer facial expression accentuated by Miquel Muerto’s dynamic color palette. I love seeing how comfortable Dinah is with her new villain/anti-hero friends especially compared with the boredom of pre-wedding activities. (I could read a whole comic where Dick Grayson plays a wedding planner though.) Astrology ends up playing a key role in the plot, but let’s say Sirens: Love Hurts brings more of a girl’s girl approach to the zodiac killer than David Fincher and company. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy
White-hot new series White Sky, by longtime, comic book and video game writer William Harms, artist JP Mavinga, and colorist Lee Loughridge has sold out completely at the distributor level yet again. Image Comics will rush the debut issue back to print this week in order to keep up with rising demand.
In White Sky, five years ago, the sky went white and the world ended. Now Violet and her father, David, are driven from hiding and forced to cross what’s left of America toward the shattered ruins of San Francisco, chasing a rumor of refuge. But in a land haunted by the dead, nowhere is safe for the living.
White Sky #1, third printing (Lunar Code 0226IM8070) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 8.
NO TURNING BACK! Duke, Roadblock, Scarlett, and Snake-Eyes head deep into Trucial Abysmia on a rescue mission with enemies around every corner!
Story: Larry Hama Art: Andrew Krahnke Color: Francesco Segala Flatter: Sabrina Del Grosso Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have shared a first look at Transformers #31, the next chapter of the two-time Eisner Award winning series from the powerhouse creative team ofwriter Robert Kirkman, artist Ludo Lullabi, colorist Mike Spicer, and letterer Rus Wooton.
Transformers #31 is a standalone, unforgettable Megatron story that kicks off the new story arc of the tentpole Energon Universe series, available on shelves in comic book shops April 8, 2026.
The secret of Megatron revealed!
Megatron has a vision that will change the course of his life…and no one in the Energon Universe is safe.
In addition to the main cover by artist David Nakayama, the lineup of variant covers for Transformers #31 includes an open-to-order cover B by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, a 1:10 incentive variant by Pye Parr, a 1:25 incentive variant by Manabu Yashiro, a 1:50 incentive variant by Ludo Lullabi, a 1:100 incentive foil variant by Patricia Martín, and a blank sketch cover.
The full list of variant covers is below:
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover A by David Nakayama (Lunar Code: 0226IM0463)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover B by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (Lunar Code: 0226IM0464)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Pye Parr (Lunar Code: 0226IM0465)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Manabu Yashiro (Lunar Code: 0226IM0466)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Ludo Lullabi (Lunar Code: 0226IM0467)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover F (Foil) (1:100 Copy Incentive) by Patricia Martín (Lunar Code: 0226IM0468)
TRANSFORMERS #31 Cover G Blank Sketch Cover (Lunar Code: 0226IM0468)
It’s Optimus Prime vs. Elita-1—and the future of the Autobots hangs in the balance! One shall stand and one… ah, you know the rest.
Story: Robert Kirkman Art: Dan Mora Color: Mike Spicer Letterer: Rus Wooton
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
Co-creators Ram V, Evan Cagle and Anand Radhakrishnan (RK) have revealed a sneak peek and details about their new graphic novel series, Deicidium. The creators recently announced a groundbreaking six-figure book deal with French publisher Morgen for worldwide rights to publish the series, and a deal with Image Comics to publish it in English Language territories. Frequent co-collaborators V, Cagle, and RK are setting the stage on a global scale; the series will be published around the world simultaneously, with the goal of cultivating an international fan base. Esteemed editor Eric Harburn, who worked with V on the critically acclaimed book The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, is editing the graphic novel series. Volume 1 will hit shelves in late 2026 and there will be a preview of it available on Free Comic Book Day in May.
Deicidium will span media and mediums, combining the strengths of V, Cagle, and RK’s lauded creations to date with disparate influences across comic books, Euro bandes dessinées, and Manga/manhwa into a singular vision of gods returning to Earth… and humanity’s need to destroy them. Fans of urban fantasy, epic sci-fi, world mythology, and character-driven action dramas will find a robust blend of these in Deicidium.
Featuring gorgeous black and white interiors, Deicidium is set in a future world governed by the marriage between Theocracies and Corporations. Worship is currency, faith is power. Welcome to the industry of belief. In this new found stability, old powers once more return to the world. Gods of fire, wind, volcanoes, jaguars—gods of mischief, stories, love and war—manifesting through everyday people. With the established hierarchy threatened, the powers that be decide to find these newly made gods and kill them. A conflict of control versus freedom. Love and worship. Born of the differing ideological ideas that those who can save us live above us versus those we love and admire will come, as they once did, from within us.
Deicidium Volume 1 will be published globally in late 2026.
The breakout bestselling series D’orcby Brett Bean has sold out completely at the distributor level, yet again, ahead of its previous printing’s release. D’orc #1 will be rushed back to print a fourth time in order to keep up with escalating demand.
Fans are advised to hit their comic shop without delay to grab a copy of D’orc #1 and request the series be added to their pull-lists.
Armed with nothing but a wisecracking enchanted shield and a crippling need for friendship, D’orc follows a lonely orphan who stumbles headfirst into Sunderaine’s never-ending war. Light vs. Dark. Elves vs. Orcs. Wizards vs. Common Sense. Dragons vs. Literally Everyone. And caught dead-center? D’orc. Half dwarf, half orc, and wholly inconvenient to a doomsday prophecy, D’orc’s fated to end the world. Soon, every human, elf, goblin, dwarf, Snargletooth, Necroid, Ice Giant, Trauma Llama, and at least three other unpronounceable magical creatures will know his name. Unfortunately, so will his enemies.
The D’orc #1, fourth printing will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 8.
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have announced commemorative connecting variant covers from Skybound-exclusive artist Tom Reilly and colorist Adriano Lucas coming in June 2026 to celebrate the third anniversary of the Energon Universe, the record-breaking comics line that began with the iconic stealth launch of Void Rivals #1 from writer Robert Kirkman and artist Lorenzo De Felici.
Since then, the Energon Universe has grown to include the two-time Eisner Award winning TRANSFORMERS whose current creative team consists of writer Robert Kirkman, artist Jason Howard, and colorist Mike Spicer,G.I. JOEby writer Joshua Williamson, artist Andrea Milana, andcolorist Lee Loughridge, and now also the brand-new seriesM.A.S.K. bywriter Dan Watters, artist Pye Parr, and coloristPierluigi Casolino, launching June 3.
To mark the anniversary, each Energon Universe comic releasing in June 2026 will feature two sets of open-to-order, connecting, full art variant covers from fan-favorite Energon Universe artist Tom Reilly and colorist Adriano Lucas, the second black & white version of Reilly’s art.
The variants will be available for M.A.S.K. #1, TRANSFORMERS #33, G.I. JOE #23, and Void Rivals #31. With the full art piece featuring 82 iconic characters, including recent Energon Universe returning favorites M.A.S.K., V.E.N.O.M., Arcee Magnus, Crystal Ball, Storm Shadow, and Scarlett, this is a connecting cover set collectors do not want to miss.
M.A.S.K. #1 (Lunar Codes Below| $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
M.A.S.K.#1 Cover E Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas (Lunar Code: 0426IM8004)
M.A.S.K.#1 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly (Lunar Code: 0426IM8005)
TRANSFORMERS #33 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon| $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
TRANSFORMERS #33 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
TRANSFORMERS #33 Cover G Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White)(Connecting) by Tom Reilly
G.I. JOE #23 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
G.I. JOE #23 Cover F Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
G.I. JOE #23 Cover G Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly
Void Rivals #31 (Lunar Codes Coming Soon | $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The anniversary variant covers are listed below:
Void Rivals #31 Cover H Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Connecting) by Tom Reilly & Adriano Lucas
Void Rivals #31 Cover I Energon Universe Third Anniversary Variant (Black & White) (Connecting) by Tom Reilly
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have revealed a first look at interior pages from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1, an all-new one-shot debuting for Skybound’s Silent Missions month. Written and illustrated by acclaimed creator Gabriel Hardman, this issue hits comic book shops on April 8.
The face of comic books changed forever when G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21 introduced fans to the “Silent Interlude,” an action-packed story with no dialogue. This April, Silent Missions Month returns for a second year, but with a new twist: the focus turns to Cobra as its most lethal members take center stage in a new series of silent, high-stakes stories, featuring superstar creators.
In this issue, Gabriel Hardman invites you to the join the next graduating class of Crimson Guard as they complete their final test: protecting Cobra Commander from an all-out assault by G.I. Joe! Failure is NOT an option!
In addition to the main cover by Gabriel Hardman, the lineup of variant covers includes an open to order cover by Jorge Fornés, a 1:10 incentive black and white version of Hardman’s cover, and the continuation of the 1:25 incentive foil letter cover series by Fornés, ultimately spelling COBRA.
The full list of variant covers is below:
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover A by Gabriel Hardman (Lunar Code: 0226IM0345)
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover B by Jorge Fornés (Lunar Code: 0226IM0346)
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover C (1:10 incentive) (Black & White) by Gabriel Hardman (Lunar Code: 0226IM0347)
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Sssilent Missions – Crimson Guard #1 Cover D (Foil) (1:25 Incentive) by Jorge Fornés ($4.99) (Lunar Code: 0226IM0348)
