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.

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Alex

Batman #10 (DC) I’m torn on this. There were some cool moments, and the art is great, but there wasn’t enough to make me beg for more. There was barely enough to make me care for the next issue. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Cryptocracy #5 (Dark Horse) A fast paced issue in terms of the plot developments, but we seem to take a little break from the craziness – for a few pages at least. This has been a solidly enjoyable series thus far, but isn’t quite at the Must Read level yet. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

The Hangman #4 (Dark Circle) The problem with such huge delays between issues is that people forget about the series and don’t notice the finale when it comes out. I missed this last week… and I probably could have missed it this week, to be honest. Overall: 4 Recommendation: Pass

Moon Knight #8 (Marvel)** I’m genuinely torn on this comic. I want to like it, and I do to a certain extent, but I have no idea what the hell is going on. I actually think that I’m beginning to enjoy the series a whole lot more because either I’ve started to catch on, or Jeff Lemire is guiding the plot to a conclusion of sorts. I’ll be back for at least one more issue. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Unworthy Thor #1 (Marvel) It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Marvel comic that I enjoyed as much as this that wasn’t Old Man Logan. Jason Aaron has a fantastic grasp on Marvel’s former hammer swinger, and seeing the god hit rock bottom before getting a glimmer of hope makes for a spectacular comic. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Joe

The Unworthy Thor #1 (Marvel) – I have been waiting for this issue for awhile, and so far it delivered exactly what I wanted and more. The Mighty Thor is one of my favorite current Marvel books, and I love what Aaron has done with it. In this first issue we get a self-loathing but still mead-loving Odinson. He still has his metal Uru arm, and is still sulking about whatever was whispered to him that made him unworthy. We don’t get a ton of answers yet, but we get fighting, biting, Toothgnasher the goat, Beta Ray Bill, a Secret Wars reference, and a pretty huge set up that made me even more excited for this series. The art by Olivier Coipel and colors by Matthew Wilson are fantastic as well. They did a great job fitting the dark and gritty tone of the book. When people say Marvel has lost it, these are the kind of books I point to. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Nightwing #8 (DC) – This has continuously been one of my favorite DC Rebirth titles with every issue. I love the contrast between Nightwing, Raptor, and Batman. This series has been about Dick finding himself, and taking a look at Batman and Bruce as his mentor. With the shocking events of the last issue, Nightwing has to confront not just Raptor, but his past in the circus, his need to be there for Batman, and facing the memories of his mother. This was an excellent issue, and a great way to end this arc. I think Tim Seeley is doing a fantastic job on this run, and more people should be reading it. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Ryan C

The Flintstones #5 (DC)** – I don’t know how Mark Russell makes this disjointed script work, with have of it being a “present”-day allegory for the outright stupidity of the Trump campaign and the other half being a thinly-disguised Stone Age take on the Vietnam war told in flashbacks, but he pulls it off without a hitch, while Steve Pugh delivers his usual solid art. I keep saying it to anyone who will listen — this is the best thing DC’s got going right now, and one of the very best comics being published today, period. Overall: 9.5. Recommendation: Buy

Foolkiller #1 (Marvel)** – Max Bemis and Dalibor Talajic bring back one of Steve Gerber’s trademark idiosyncratic creations, this title focusing on his second (of four, I believe) iterations, and re-introduce readers to the character and concept succinctly and successfully while planting the seeds of an ongoing mystery that promises to be pretty good if successive chapters are as well-executed as this first one. Top it off with a stylish Dave Johnson cover and you’ve got one of the better debuts of the latest “Marvel Now!” re-launch so far. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy

The Avengers #1 (Marvel)** – One of the big cornerstones of the umpteenth “Marvel Now!” is the umpteenth relaunch of their purportedly “premier” team book, but this iteration of “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” is smaller, weaker, and more Spidey-centric than earlier versions, with Parker Industries stepping in as financier/landlord now that Tony Stark and his company are out of the picture. Don’t worry, though — all Mark Waid and Mike Del Mundo have planned is another long-form storyline centered around a fight with Kang. Dull, lifeless stuff right from the word “go,” there’s nothing here you can’t either live without or predict well in advance. Overall: 3. Recommendation: Pass

Shade, The Changing Girl #2 (DC/Young Animal)** – The second issue of Cecil Castellucci and Marley Zarcone’s distinctly “oddball” series leaves dangling many of the more intriguing plot threads raised by the first in favor of an installment that more or less runs in place as our title character comes to grips with her new body and life, but I’m still digging how Ditko-esque the proceedings are in general, and don’t plan on jumping ship anytime soon. I just hope we get a bit more forward progression next time out. Overall: 7. Recommendation: Read

Shean

Occupy Avengers #1 (Marvel): The world’s societal ills have had an impact and activism has recently been increasingly rampant and it would only make sense before some of those issues were examined in the proper scope of comics. Enter Clint Barton’s Hawkeye, Matt Fraction portrayed him as a fun loving , wisecrack who can tend to be self righteous and it definitely remains the standard bearer when it comes to this character . I can definitely say, David Walker has given us a different take that still entertains but as the great KRS-One said ” edutain”, as follow Hawkeye and Red Wolf as they investigate water contamination at a Native American reservation. What the creative team does here , in this first issue, is remarkable, to pack this much intriguing narrative in such few pages with such beautiful backdrops, which makes this , a definite buy. Overall: 10:4 Recommendation: Buy

Bitch Planet #9 (Image)– Kelly Sue Deconnick is at the top of her game since she left Marvel and this series more than proves she is not only a great writer but a great business mind . In this issue of Bitch Planet, the reader gets a front row seat into the mayhem of a prison riot as we find Kam reuniting with Mo and we get introduced to a new leader. We also find out who started the whole riot in the first place and the extenuating circumstances which lead to this . The essays and interviews in the back , is why I will always read the single issues of this series .Overall:9 Recommendation: Buy

Steven

Avengers #1 (Marvel) – Writer Mark Waid drops the ball with this first issue. Writing is vague and doesn’t set up things well. Art by Michael Del Mundo was disappointing, kinda reminded by of a courtroom sketch. I was not impressed by this issue at all.  Overall: 3 Recommendation: Pass

Patrick

Bitch Planet #9 (Image)* – “Order is not justice.” Prison architect Makoto Maki blows the doors open without the slightest idea of what he’s doing. Now not only is there a riot, but a riot in which the various prison populations mix explosively. President Eleanor Doane makes her return… but what kind of authority can she exert in this most toxic of environments? Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro and company are putting out one of the most interesting comics out there. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

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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 (**).