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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Ryan C

Batman #29 (DC)** – Didn’t we already have an “interlude” in the middle of “The War Of Jokes And Riddles” a couple issues back? Well, this “extended-set-piece” issue feels like another one. It’s reasonably clever in terms of its construction, but not earth-shattering, and Tom King’s dialogue often feels stunted and slightly “off.” The idea of Bruce Wayne and his most of his rogues’ gallery sitting down to dinner doesn’t give Mikel Janin much to dig his considerably artistic chops into, either. All told, this is just more running in place. Overall: 4 Recommendation: Pass

Dark Nights: Metal #1 (DC)** – I guess as far as crossover “event” stories go, this one’s not too bad — but as far as comics go, it’s not too good. Scott Snyder’s laborious script is loaded with enough continuity baggage to make even fanbys-turned-pros of the past like Roy Thomas blush, Greg Capullo’s art is a solid notch or tow beneath his previous “Batman” work (and the cover is positively awful), and the “cliffhanger” ending, while surprising, isn’t especially smart in that it opens a whole can of worms that a lot of readers — myself included — would just as well see left alone. Overall: 4.5 Recommendation: Pass

 I Wish I Was Joking #1 (Poochie Press)** – Don’t look now, but Tom Van Deusen might just be the funniest carttonist in the business. Toning down his obviously-exaggerated “asshole persona” from previous books, here he’s very nearly likable as he conducts (okay, concocts, since they’re all fake) interviews with vapid media celebrities like Dave Matthews, Jeff Bezos, and the cast of MTV’s “The Real World : Seattle” that portray them to be every bit the dickheads we know they are, but do so in a manner far more clever, and less directly insulting, than one would expect. Subtlety is a new weapon in the Van Deusen artistic war chest, and he wields it very skillfully indeed — and his art keeps imporving with each successive project, as well. Definitely “must-buy” material. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Briggs Land: Lone Wolves #3 (Dark Horse)** – An immensely satisfying wrap-up to the second three-issue “arc” of this series (Jesus, though — are we going to get a new “first” issue every four months?) sees Brian Wood and Mack Chater coming up with a damn smart and unexpected way to resolve the hostage stand-off at the core of this story, and the final few pages over tantalizing clues as to what each character is thnking — and may be prepared to do — going forward. Way better than any comic about a white separtist sect has any right to be, and Chater’s art suits the gritty and authentic tone of Woods’ script to a proverbial “T.” Ready-for-TV melodrama doesn’t get much better than this. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Ben

Spy Seal #1 (Image) Most ideas we have as teenagers aren’t worth reviving, but that’s not the case for Rich Tommaso’s new Image series. “Spy Seal” #1 is a colorful, quirky debut that aesthetically harkens to Herge’s “Tintin” while having modern sensibilities in pacing. The story is a little predictable in terms of cold war-era spy thrillers, but manages to keep the reader informed on what’s happening. Characterization is light, but it gets better in the later half of the issue. The real issue are some of the tired cliches of fridging/harming women in order to advance the male protagonist’s story. Reviving old school styles and narratives shouldn’t mean repeating their mistakes. Overall, I recommend “Spy Seal” on the pure amount of joy you get from the reading experience. It shines with the eagerness of a creator fully invested in his concept and manages to pull off an appeal to both the adult side of us that enjoys a good mystery along with the inner child that grew up on cartoons of talking animals. Overall: 9

Shean

Luke Cage #4 ( Marvel)-When Luke goes to New Orleans for his the funeral of the scientist who gave him powers, he finds more than he expects. As he is reunited with Warhawk, he soon finds our that Dr. Bursting has kept on experimenting. As he is introduced to KevLar, a younger version of himself who has joined a street gang. As the this family reunion of sorts endures some skirmishes, the reason fight is the evil organization looking to take them out. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Gwenpool #19 (Marvel) – In this issue, Gwenpool breaks the fourth wall and enters an alternate universe. Teddy ends up showing her more than what she expected as she finds out about the different circumstances her family would have taken. Also, in this world, she is actually a villain and Spider-Man’s main tormentor. He traps her to kill her but what both don’t see coming is a another version of herself from her comic showing up. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

George

Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine (Marvel) It’s all about the last few pages, the interaction between Logan and Laura throughout the book is great, but the ending is the best payoff of this Generations event so far. If you didn’t get it go back and pick it up.

Dark Knight: Metal #1 (DC) And here we are again with another mega crisis that will change the DCU as we know it, again. To be fair, the previous comics Dark Days: The Forge and The Casting setup this great premise of a dark corner of the DCU and some type of connection to Nth metal and Batman. Not sure how far down this rabbit hole I’m going to go but Snyder knows how to tell a story and Capullo and Glapion turn in solid art. If you like big events, this will be right up your alley.

Christopher

Dept H # 17 (Dark Horse) Writer and Artist: Matt Kindt While their only way out is charging up, the story jumps to the past. Revealing the history of Lily, and her tragic past with different more vibrant color schemes. Along with showing how Mia and Lily bonded as kids. Despite some incidents with Hari along the way, one thing is certain she didn’t kill him. Now with the H-virus spreading, will they finally be allowed to surface, or is humanity doomed? Overall: 8.5

 

 

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

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 (**).