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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on May 24, 2016 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.

Paul

Top Pick: DC Universe Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – Wait, what??? A DC title on my list? AND the top pick?? Yup…I am really looking forward to this Rebirth thing that’s coming up. I didn’t get into New 52 (though I did read a few titles) but this looks like a good opportunity to dive into DC again. I’m sure this will be something that is talked about for a long time, and I don’t want to be left out of the conversation.

Extraordinary X-Men #10 (Marvel) – The Apocalypse Wars are in full swing, and the X-Men are making their away across the different lands of Omega World trying to get back to their time and save their teacher in the process. I’ve enjoyed reading this latest story arc; it’s been action filled and fun to see the younger X-Men spending their time in this world and growing into X-Men.

Mockingbird #3 (Marvel) – this has been an interesting read; Bobbi having numerous side effects from her exposure to the Super Soldier formula and the Infinity formula has lead to some weird things happening to her. And not to mention keeping up with SHIELD and her spy duties. All in a days work for her, and I am looking forward to see where this leads.

Scooby Apocalypse #1 (DC Comics) – Ok so now you’re thinking I’ve just totally lost it. ANOTHER DC title on my pick list…and it’s Scooby Doo?! This looks interesting to me; sounds like a great twist on a childhood classic and the redesign of the characters does look pretty cool (though I’m still on the fence about hipster Shaggy). But this looks like a fun ride.

Madison

Monstress #6 (Image Comics) – Monstress is easily and very quickly becoming one of my favorite comics. Marjorie Liu has written an amazing fantasy story with great underlying themes, and Sana Takeda’s gorgeous illustration makes the characters and world feel real.

We(l)come Back #8 (BOOM! Studios) – I’m so sad that this is the final issue of the series! Sebela has taken an awesome concept (time traveling assassins) and fleshed it out into an amazing story with characters you love and root for.

Alex

Top Pick: Divinity II #2 (Valiant Entertainment) – A sequel to one of the best miniseries I’ve read in a long time always interests me. When the first issue actually lives up to expectations? I’m in.

Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas #1 (IDW Publishing) – I loved the graphic novel version of this, and having seen a sampling of the special features included in this 48 page comic when I had a chat with Troy Little, I’m super excited to get a chance to read the finished article.

Johnny Red #7 (Titan Comics) – I just love this series. The artwork, the story, the setting… everything about this comic just works for me.

Judge Dredd #6 (IDW Publishing) – Didn’t the last issue just come out? I could probably find out, but I don’t care enough to find out. I’m just happy to read the next issue.

Brett

Top Pick: Tomboy #5 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – Such a fantastic series that’s a bit horror, a bit action, a bit superhero and all staring a teenage girl into anime. This is a mature title that is grossly overlooked and one that is flying under the radar. Every issue has knocked it out of the park and I expect no less from this.

Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 (Marvel) – Steve Rogers is back as his younger self and donning the mantle of Captain America once again. It’ll be interesting to see how this comic makes itself stand out from the Sam Wilson led one, and also how Steve acts now he’s back to the way he used to be.

East of West #26 (Image Comics) – It feels like forever since the last issue and that’s a shame because this apocalyptic Western is an amazing read with every issue.

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas #1 (IDW Publishing) – I read the full graphic novel, and now broken out in single issues, I’ll read it again. It perfectly captures the frenetic nature of the novel and movie that came out of it.

Nighthawk #1 (Marvel) – The Squadron Supreme character gets his own comic series. The fact David Walker is writing is is what has me really interested and how he makes the character stand on his own as opposed to a certain other big city vigilante from another publisher.

Review: Monstress #5

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Madison Butler

It’s difficult to believe the story in Monstress #5 was contained to a single issue. Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda have outdone themselves in bringing the latest chapter of Maika’s story to life. Monstress’s oversized first issue certainly established that the story is a steampunk fantasy epic, but #5 truly gives the sense that this is a series to watch in the long haul.

The newest installment in Liu’s fantasy epic offers answers, background, and significant character development in what is perhaps the most information-packed issue since Monstress #1. The summary at the beginning of the book is always helpful, because even the closest of reads can leave readers missing details. Monstress #4 left Maika being hunted by the Federation of Man, the religious Cumaea, the Arcanic Dawn Court, and now, the Dusk Court. Monstress #5 provides background on these organizations, developing the stories of the Courts and pushing the plot of the Cumaea along after their stronghold in Zamora was decimated. All signs point toward a dramatic retaliation from the Cumaea, but Liu does establish more depth than their story and background has previously been given. The worldbuilding in the story is often subtle, but is at times overt with lessons from Master Ren featured as something of a postscript to the story. All contribute to a world that is beautiful to look at but unspeakably cruel in nature.

In addition to providing character insight, Monstress #5 deepens the theme of racial inequality. It has already been established that Maika is a war survivor, but the extent of her experience was unknown, and readers will finally get to discover more of Maika’s mysterious origin, as well as background on Tuya, the girl who is present in Maika’s flashbacks. Readers who are on the fence about Monstress would likely benefit from this issue, as it answers a number of questions.

With so much going on, Monstress #5 drives the story in a new direction and raises an entirely new set of questions. The pacing of the story remains as steady as ever, and Maika’s character and relationships with the Monstrum and others continue to develop bit by bit. It’s rare that Maika interacts with people she chooses to interact with, and her relationship with Tuya is a side that Maika doesn’t usually outwardly show.

Sana Takeda’s art is just as stunning as ever, giving each character a distinct set of movements and expressions. The character design (especially for the Dusk Court and Cumaea) is engrossing to look at with gorgeous detail. The colors of the story are muted and dreamy, adding to the fantasy of the story, while pops of color emphasize individual characters. Each new character is more interesting than the last, with variation that keeps every character on the page distinct in race and body type.

As usual, Monstress utilizes every bit of space on its pages to weave an increasingly complex narrative. As usual, though, the story is absolutely worth reading and deserving of the time it takes to understand the narrative.

Story: Marjorie Liu Art: Sana Takeda
Story: 10.0 Art: 10.0 Overall: 10.0 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

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.

Elana

Top Pick: No Mercy #9 (Image Comics) – This is the most powerful issue of a comic you will read this month. It actually can stand alone if you haven’t read the series, because it’s that good and complete.

This month’s issue features the only trans male character in a mainstream comic. The ONLY one. I’m not surprised that a series which has dedicated itself to portraying an honest, diverse and realistic range of teens is the book that finally has a character like this. The story offers insight into a great injustice happening to all sorts of young people who society labels as “deviant”.

No Mercy is an unflinching series with high stakes, zero predictability and an extremely high level of moral responsibility. It lives up to it and we are stronger for reading it.

Goldie Vance #1 (BOOM! Box/BOOM! Studios) – A Girl Detective! A fun resort setting! Charming and accessible art! Could this be the diverse and actually creative Nancy Drew we never had before? Probably.

Alex

Top Pick: Moon Knight #1 (Marvel) – I am one of the few (read only) Moon Knight fans at my comic shop, and I knew I’d be picking this comic up anyway, but with Jeff Lemire and Jordie Bellaire involved Marvel may as well just take my money. I’ve been chomping at the bit for this comic ever since I saw who the creative team involved was.

A&A: The Adventures Of Archer And Armstrong #2 (Valiant) – Last issue took me entirely by surprise, and I absolutely loved it. I’m incredibly pumped for the second issue this week.

Voracious #3 (Action Lab Entertainment) – I can’t get enough of this series. I honestly can’t. It’s an amazingly fun comic about the owner of a diner who is also a time travelling dinosaur hunter (where else do you think he that you have to read.

Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #6 (Valiant) – After the brilliance of last issue, this issue has a lot to live up too (spoiler: it does). I can’t wait to get my hands on the print copy.

Javier

Top Pick: The Last Contract #4 (BOOM! Studios) – This is the last issue. The Geriatric Hitman with No Name closes the gap on his violent past. Bittersweet moment, I was hoping it would continue as a series, or at least for 12 issues. Maybe we’ll get lucky and Clint Eastwood picks this up for film.

Black Road #1 (Image Comics) – I’ve been on a Viking kick these past few weeks with the History Channel’s show, and I have Wood’s collected Northlander series in TPB, so the more Vikings the better.

Carver Paris Story #3 (Z2 Comics) – Old school pulp noir in a Paris setting. It’s a brutally simple and effective book.

Delete #2 (Devil’s Due) – This is cool sci-fi action story with Armenian gangsters. Philip K. Dick meets Lone Wolf and Cub when a simple muscular Handyman teams up with an orphaned girl against killers.

Starve #8 (Image Comics) – Another Brian Wood book. It’s underrated, but I think word is getting out on this series. Food and comics, why didn’t I think of this first. It really is good reading.

Brett

Top Pick: Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #4 (DC Comics) – A great allegory about the Syrian refugee crisis and ISIS. A great example of how comics can be so much more than spandex and powers, even when they feature spandex and powers.

Monstress #5 (Image Comics) – As always a fantastic series that blends fantasy and politics. This is world building at its best, and I can’t wait to see where it all goes. Add on top of that beautiful art and you’ve got one of the best comics on the market.

Moon Knight #1 (Marvel) – Fascinated to see what they do with this series.

Nameless City Vol. 1 (First Second) – An adorable graphic novel, the first in a series. It’s a great read geared towards younger kids I think, but also very enjoyable for adults too. The series is about a city controlled by an army and the a new soldier becoming friends with one of the town people.

Star Wars Special: C-3PO (Marvel) – I want to know how he got that red arm!!!!

Comics Herstory: Marjorie Liu

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Madison Butler

Marjorie Liu is a lawyer-turned-writer who has written a number of fiction novels as well as comics.

Liu began her career in comics writing tie-in novels for Marvel. After the publication of X-Men: Dark Mirror in 2005, Liu wrote several other series for Marvel. She is most known for her work on X-Men titles, including NYX: No Way Home, Dark Wolverine, X-23, and Astonishing X-Men. She also wrote Black Widow: The Name of the Rose. Liu brings depth to each character she writes, and has established their personalities as well as their stories.

Astonishing X-Men received national attention, as part of the story included Northstar marrying Kyle Jinadu. This was the first gay marriage in mainstream comics, though Midnighter and Apollo had married in Wildstorm’s The Authority several years earlier. Astonishing X-Men was subsequently nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic Book.

Currently, Liu is writing Monstress, a hit series from Image. The story is about Maika, an Arcanic girl determined to escape capture and seek revenge for her mother’s murder. The main characters, all women, offer nuanced depictions of women–each is a flawed character in an equally flawed world. Set in an alternative version of 1920s Asia, Monstress explores themes of racism, war, and slavery and exemplifies a vast amount of worldbuilding not usually present in comics. Even though only four issues have been published, Monstress is already bending the comic genre by blending manga and Western comics into something that’s like nothing else in the market.

In addition to writing for comics, Liu has written more than 19 novels, most notably the Hunter Kiss and Dirk & Steele series, which respectively fall into the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres. She has also written a number of short works that were published in various anthologies. In film, Liu wrote the story for the 2014 animated Marvel movie Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher, which forced Black Widow and Punisher to work together to prevent a global takeover by terrorist group Leviathan.

Liu is another skilled writer who is versatile across multiple genres, and her work is an example of how comics can be used to teach or make a larger point. She currently teaches comic writing at MIT.

Around the Tubes

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

It’s new comic book day tomorrow? What’s everyone excited for? Sound off in the comments below! We’ll have our picks in a few hours.

Until then, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Newsarama – Retiring Robbi Rodriguez To Say Comics Goodbye with Gwenom – A shame, his art is fantastic.

Around the Tubes Reviews

CBR – Extraordinary X-Men #8

CBR – Monstress #4

CBR – Power Man and Iron Fist #2

CBR – Superman: American Alien #5

Comic Attack – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #56

Newsarama – Best Shots Reviews: Scarlet Witch #4, Black Canary #9, Legends of Tomorrow #1, More

Around the Tubes

Review: Monstress #4

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Madison Butler

The worst part about reading Monstress is that it’s over far too quickly. Writer Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda have created a world both beautiful and terrible, and above all, utterly engrossing. The writing and art have been consistently gorgeous, evolving for the better each issue.

Liu has been careful in her reveal so far, purposefully immersing readers in the world bit by bit. With Monstress #4, she and Takeda create a bigger backdrop for the story, going into more detail on the political climate among the Cumaea, the Federation of Man, and the Arcanic hybrids. Significant character development gives the Inquisitrixes more presence in the story, and the Monstrum inside of Maika continues to make itself known. Liu’s worldbuilding is also increasingly expanding, giving more of a sense of the different races inhabiting the society and how they fit with one another. One helpful aspect of the story is the excerpt included at the end of the comic, which details the history between the Cumaea and the Arcanics.

Maika is again forced to confront the Monstrum, or it is forced to confront her as their relationship develops. The pacing of the story is steady, never too much at one time. It is deliberately unclear, and the information that Liu works into each issue is enough to keep readers guessing, but enough that the story doesn’t become frustrating in its obscurity. This is something that, overall, makes each new piece of information all the more exciting.

One thing that has never been in question, though, is that the obvious cruelty of the world runs much deeper than anyone knows. The series has consistently earned its mature rating, but not without reason. Cruelty and violence are important aspects of the story, allowing Maika to grapple with the morality of her revenge and how far she will go to achieve it.

Monstress is deserving of time, as it becomes a little more understandable on the second read through. It’s a comic that demands attention from the reader, not only for the story, but for the art, as well. Sana Takeda’s style is beautifully fluid, and each panel is full of movement. The character designs are each more visually interesting than the last, set against gorgeously detailed backgrounds. Takeda’s painterly art contributes to the sense that Monstress isn’t an average fantasy story.

Both visually and story-wise, Monstress continues to be one of Image’s most unique publications. The next two issues will be released monthly, after the short break between Monstress #3 and #4.

Story: Marjorie Liu Art: Sana Takeda
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

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.

Mr. H

Top Pick: Superman #50 (DC Comics) – Truth be gone! Superman is back and he gets to meet Pre 52 Clark? Absolutely on board for this one. Hope we get a lot on all the supporting cast and how they react to Clark fully back. Good to see the S in the sky again. Great Caesars Ghost it took long enough.

Dragon Age: Magekiller #4 (Dark Horse Comics) – So this book has been the guilty pleasure of my pull list each month lately. Greg Rucka and Carmen Canero do an awesome job of hitting the fantasy bone with great characters and fun as hell dialogue. Sad it’s winding down. Only one more ish to go…

International Iron Man #1 (Marvel Comics) – While I’m not completely hating Invincible Iron Man, there is definitely something lacking. Hoping that one of my favorite all time teams can bring the flash back to Tony’s tales. I don’t need a ticket to Stark Expo for this one. I’m already there.

Paul

Top Pick: Extraordinary X-Men #8 (Marvel) – I know, they’re pulling the Apocalypse Wars to coincide with the upcoming movie; but Apocalypse is a great villain, so I’m excited for this to start. Not so keen on the fact the X-Men are going into the timestream…again! Haven’t they already made a big enough mess with all the time travel? I’m really hoping this is a great story arc…and I love this team line up.

All-New Inhumans #5 (Marvel) – So Crystal and her team are exploring the skyspears around the world, stopping in China first…and Spider-Man is joining them. An interesting team up, and I’m looking forward to see it.

All-New X-Men #6 (Marvel) – Still a fun ride, but I’d like to see a little more from this title then just Warren worrying about Laura, Evan and Idie standing around in the background and Hank feeding their pet Bamf. A more substantial story would be nice; yes I know young Scott is trying to redeem himself but ok…and?? The fun ride is getting a little stale, I want more from these kids.

Scarlet Witch #4 (Marvel) – This is the book I’m really rooting for; I haven’t been enjoying it 100% and I just hope it finds its footing with the potential I know it has. Wanda is such a great character, one of my favourites and I think she needs a title to shine in.

Uncanny Inhumans #6 (Marvel) – I am loving that they brought the Quiet Room from Secret Wars into the main universe, and I’m really liking the idea behind it; a neutral zone for meetings, gambling and a good time. Of course, it all goes to hell and Black Bolt has to clean it up the mess. Really enjoying this book and liking this new side of Black Bolt.

Alex

Top Pick: Wrath Of The Eternal Warrior #5 (Valiant) – Juan Jose Ryp and Jordie Bellaire are the talented artists joining the phenomenal writer Robert Venditti for this issue. That alone makes me drool with anticipation, but the fact that this is the first of a two part story makes me positively giddy. It has been years since I’ve read a two part story for a character I love as much as the Eternal Warrior. I can’t bloody wait.

Javier

Top Pick: Devolution #3 (Dynamite Entertainment) – At first, I picked this up only because Remender wrote it. Now that I am firmly aware of its premise—a devolved world resulting from a man made virus created to eliminate religious beliefs, and by extension strife and war—I’m hooked for the long haul.

3 Devils #1 (IDW Publishing) – I really don’t know much about Bo or this book. All I know is that it’s a “supernatural western with a gypsy girl, an ex-slave with no soul, and a human wolf.” Taking a risk but sounds promising.

Clean Room #6 (Vertigo) – Gail Simone’s dark, demonic, bloody, and cultish book is giving me nightmares, and I love it.

Legends of Tomorrow #1 (DC Comics) – Old school writers (Gerry Conway and Len Wein), and a new take on Sugar and Spike (sorry, but if you automatically recognize these two, then you’re probably old). I am eager to see what DC does with this.

Starve #7 (Image Comics) – Having grown up in East New York during the 1980s, this will not be my first experience with urban chicken farms (my Uncle had one on Euclid Avenue); but I am curious about the “Black Market Greens.”

Brett

Top Pick: A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong #1 (Valiant) – It’s been too long since we had an Archer and Armstrong comic from Valiant. Each time this team has been on the printed page, I’ve been beyond entertained and usually howling with laughter. Always a fantastic read, and I expect no less from this debut issue.

All-New Classic Captain Canuck #1/Captain Canuck #7 (Chapter House Comics) – Pure, fun super hero comics with none of the negative grim and gritty. A fun read that has a classic feel about it.

Legends of Tomorrow #1 (DC Comics) – I like anthologies and this series is going to spotlight various characters in each issue. This has Firestorm, Sugare & Spike, Metamorpho, and Metal Men and that combo has me excited to see where this goes and hoping for a long run.

Monstress #4 (Image Comics) – An amazing world that builds with each issue. I’m not a big fantasy fan, but this series has me hooked. A deep read and just jaw dropping art.

Superman: American Alien #5 (DC Comics) – A solid deconstruction of Superman with a rotating cast of artists with each issue. I think it’s the best Superman on the market right now.

Sell-Outs and New Printing Roundup

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Check out some of this week’s announced sell-outs and new printings.

DC Comics

Cowabunga! DC Comics has announced that Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 has sold out and is going back to press. The comic by James T. Tynion IV and Freddie E. Williams II will get a second printing with a new cover and arrive on shelves March 16th.

Image Comics

Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda have captivated fans with the launch of their dark fantasy adventure, Monstress. Image Comics has announced that issue #3 is being fast-tracked for a second printing to keep up with increasing customer demand.

Monstress #3, second printing will arrive in stores on Wednesday, March 16th. Final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, February 22nd.

Udon Entertainment

With every single variant cover completely sold out at the distributor level, UDON Entertainment’s Street Fighter Unlimited #1 has proven an unmitigated success. If you missed out on a copy, UDON has you covered with an aptly-named “Round Two” variant created specifically to satisfy voracious fan demand – in fact, this new variant is already in stock and available for retailers to order now!

Featuring all-new cover art by series artist Joe Ng, the Round Two variant cover of Street Fighter Unlimited #1 depicts a heated match between series icon Ryu and Street Fighter III alumnus Alex.

The new Street Fighter Unlimited #1 Round Two variant is available now!

Around the Tubes

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

It’s a new week! We’ve got podcasts, interviews, reviews, and more. For our readers in Iowa that are able to, make sure to get out to caucus tonight! It’s also the first of the month so we have demographic data coming and Black History Month, so expect coverage geared towards that too!

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

Around the Tubes

The Beat – Angoulême Festival manages to get even worse by humiliating cartoonists with “Faux Fauves” – We’re not covering these asshats anymore until they clean house. Not funny. Not cool.

Vail Daily – Mom and daughter explore cruelty of bullying through humor in ‘Out of Bounds’ – Very cool to see this.

Atlanta Blackstar – South African Artist Diversifies the Superhero Universe with ‘Kwezi’ – Diversity is a good thing.

Elle – How Cosplaying as Betty Draper Saved My Self-Esteem – A great read.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comic Attack – Cyborg #7

Talking Comics – Funk Soul Samurai #1

Talking Comics – The King’s Leap

Talking Comics – Magpie #1

Talking Comics – Monstress #3

Talking Comics – Of Stone Vol. 1-3

Comic Attack – Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death #1

ComiConverse – Snow Blind #2

Talking Comics – Tragic Tales of Horrere #1

Around the Tubes

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 2/1/2016

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Alex K Cossa

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

Judge Dredd #2 (IDW) This is one of the more interesting Judge Dredd stories I’ve read in a long time; by taking the urban judge, jury, and executioner out of his most well known setting, we get to see a fish out of water as Dredd tries to enforce the law in a lawless land. Although far from a comedy book, there are some laugh out loud one liners here – frequently at Dredd’s expense. And before you ask, you don’t need to be a fan of Mega City One’s most famous citizen to enjoy this comic. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Victorie City #1 (IDW) This comic has a brilliant raw aesthetic to that you can’t help but love, and that compliments the gritty dectective fiction so very well.. So far, this issue is what DC’s Gotham tv series wishes it was. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Brett

Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers #3 (IDW Publishing) – Not the strongest Transformers series. I think this one is for folks who have read the previous Wreckers stories, which I haven’t. Still, some interesting stuff here that expands the Transformers IDW Universe. Overall: 6.8 Recommendation: Pass

Superman #48 (DC Comics) – We’re getting closer to a return of the Superman we know, but I’m still not sure where they’ll go with his Clark persona. There’s a stealth epic story here, it’s just no one seems to know about it. It’s all interesting and a different take, but still not completely enjoying it. Overall: 6.9 Recommendation: Pass

Cry Havoc #1 (Image Comics) – A fantastic debut that’s a hell of a read and sets up a very interesting world. Looking forward to seeing where this all goes. Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

East of West #24 (Image Comics) – An interesting issue that seems to be really moving us towards some confrontation. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

The Fuse #17 (Image Comics) – If you’re a fan of police procedurals, this is one to check out, especially if you enjoy a sci-fi twist. Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Read

Monstress #3 (Image Comics) – Just when I don’t think this series and world can get more interesting, it somehow does. This is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Overall: 8.7 Recommendation: Buy

Revival #36 (Image Comics) – Still no idea where this series is going, but there’s a hell of a conspiracy building. Still a favorite of mine and look forward to seeing where each new issue takes us. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

Ringside #3 (Image Comics) – This series has been nothing of what I expected at all. It’s been solid so far, more like a less gritty revenge tale. There’s not a ton of wrestling like I expected, but holy crap is it good. Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

Southern Bastards #13 (Image Comics) – This issue shows why this series is one of the best out there. This is Boss’ series completely and has been an amazing build since the beginning. Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy

Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel) – Holy crap was this a good first issue. It captures the feel of the Western genre the original story evoked mixed with a great revenge story. So fantastic. Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy

Faith #1 (Valiant) – An absolutely fantastic debut for a series that’s tons of fun and a character who looks like an actual person. So much fun and I’m really hoping this becomes an ongoing. Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Mr H

Superman #48 (DC Comics)* – So we can tell we are getting to the end of the line with the great Clark Kent experiment as he continues on his quest to regain his powers. So far it’s taken him to friends, foes, amazons and now the last thing you thought you’d ever see is kryptonite. While this story arc has done wonders for revamping Vandal Savage, the rest has fallen severely flat. Of course I’m more than excited for Superman to be back in full force, but I’m weary of the writing. You want a great Superman title? Read Lois and Clark monthly. The countdown to issue 50 is on. Will the launch be successful? Time will tell. The cliffhanger here was interesting though. Multiple artists on this issue dragged it down a bit for me visually however. The sooner we get Superman back. The better. Story: 7 Art: 6 Overall: Read

Paul

All-New All-Different Avengers #4 (Marvel)* – The new team of Avengers assemble to take down a mercenary named Cyclone who can create, yup, cyclones, who was hired to destroy casinos on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Ohhh where to begin with this. Well it definitely is all different, but not in a good way. The book opens with Jarvis sighing and showing how little he is looking forward to be joining the newest team of Avengers…which is totally out of character for Jarvis! Turning his nose up at the facility, the accomodations, the technology…which is NOTHING like the Jarvis we’ve seen over the many years. I’d be checking this Jarvis to see if he was a Skrull. And on the flip side, we have Thor flying off on her own, not listening to anything the others have to say, so sure she can handle the problem on her own..which she can’t..and drops a few hints to the others which gets them questioning that maybe an asgardian is not under that helmet. This is a completely different Thor then what we see in the pages of The Mighty Thor, and I am not a fan. And then we have the junior members who, like the first 3 issues of this book, do nothing but bicker and fight and squabble. Ok we get it, they’re teenagers…can we maybe break the mold and show them do something else? For the MAIN Avengers title, I am not terribly impressed, but compared to Uncanny and New Avengers, it is the better title out of the 3…but not by much. Overall: 6 Recommendation: Read (if you have some time to kill)

Ryan C

The Twilight Children #4 (Vertigo)** – Something of an underwhelming finale to Gilbert Hernandez and Darwyn Cooke’s otherwise-exceptional series, nothing is explained here so much as it’s simply concluded. Certainly plenty of food for thought here and Cooke turns in arguable the best single issue of his entire career (which is saying something!), but I honestly don’t know how much of what’s left hanging is as a result of Hernandez deliberately channeling his inner David Lynch, or if he just couldn’t think of any explanations for the phenomena he was presenting and gave up trying. An intriguing way to wrap things up, for sure — but perhaps for the wrong reasons. I have a feeling this series will have a small but loyal cult attach itself to it in the years to come, while everybody else will just sort of scratch their heads and wonder what all the fuss is about. Story: 6 Art: 10 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Southern Bastards #13 (Image Comics)** – It feels like we’re getting away from the stand-alone “character vignettes” and back into traditional plot progression territory as the Jasons (Aaron and Latour) prepare to put the wraps on their “Homecoming” story arc. Coach Boss may be well and truly fucked at this point — but do we still hate him enough to kick back and watch his demise with glee, or are we hoping he’ll fight his way out like a cornered dog, as he’s done in the past? I admit I don’t rightly know myself — and that’s one of the very best things about this series. Story:9 Art: 7 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Sean

Insufferable Volume 1 (IDW Publishing) – what happens to your favorite heroes when they retire? Some would make you believe some scenario like “Kingdom Come”, I believe it would be something like this. Mark Waid has done a different spin on the Batman and Robin myth is much like Image’s “Sex”, but even more tongue in cheek. This goes the way of If Robin had a huge ego after they retire and he has to team up with Batman for one last case. An enjoyable book from start to finish. Art: 8 Story: 9.5 Overall: 9.6

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 (**).

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