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

Violent Love #8 (Image)** – Frank J. Barbiere and Victor Santos continue to quietly toil away on the best book almost nobody reads, and ya know what? It’s their loss for passing on it. Our two protagonists finally “hook up” in this issue, and it’s well worth the wait as Santos proves that the only thing he’s better at drawing than noir-esque violence is — noir-esque love, hence the title. Some double-dealings are brought to light, as well, all delivered with a heavy (and awesome) sheen of ’70s grindhouse low-fi panache. The backup strip by Ryan Ferrier and Jamie Jones also continues to impress. Overall: 8.5. Recommendation: Buy

Batman #31 (DC)** – So, now we know what all that build-up surrounding Kite Man was for — he’s a convenient plot device that we had to give a shit about first in order for the timing gimmick he’s put to use as to have any impact. Guess what? It still doesn’t — because telling a long-form storyline through a series of disconnected vignettes just plain doesn’t work. Bless Mikel Janin for still clearly giving his all on art, but man, Tom King just straight-up doesn’t know what he’s doing with this book. Overall: 3. Recommendation: Pass. I purchased my copy because I clearly never learn.

Unholy Grail #3 (Aftershock)** – If you’re a sucker for Arthurian lore, as I admit I am, this series pretty much has it all — but man, if you’re unfamiliar with the “source material” (a term I will always hate), I can only imagine how confusing this all would be at this point, because Cullen Bunn’s script pre-supposes fairly solid knowledge of the subject and the heavily-compressed timeline more re-interprets events than it does actually explore them. The whole Guinevere/Lancelot tryst takes center stage this time out, with an intriguing new origin for Morgana LeFay rising from it, and Mirko Colak’s art? Hey, it’s just plain gorgeous. DC needs to put these two on their next re-launch of “The Demon” fast. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

The Unsound #4 (Boom! Studios)** – Speaking of Cullen Bunn, this “haunted insane asylum” mini-series is getting pretty damn trippy, and this time out we’re treated to a group therapy session from hell — or a neighboring nether-realm of some sort — that brings to light some genuinely creepy shit and leads to another pretty solid cliffhanger. Jack T. Cole’s art is the real star of the book, though, and the fact he’s not cut in on the copyright action for this title is a real crock of shit because he’s the best reason to be buying the comic — and buy it you should. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Whoops, my bad, I already gave that part away.

Shean

Defenders #5 (Marvel) We catch up with our heroes shortly after they battle and capture Diamondback, which leaves Danny Rand hurt. On the way to jail,he is locked up with the Punisher,where a short skirmish takes place in the paddy wagon, where he escapes.The gang splits up scouring the city to find him. The reader finally sees he lands at Black Cat’s lair,where he unloads a striking betrayal. Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy

Luke Cage #5 (Marvel) What started out as way to pay tribute to someone who he thought was a mentor becomes a fact finding mission and an unlikely reunion. As Luke finds out his mentor is not dead and has steadily experimented on dozens of others. We catch up with him and KevLar who has just killed all his friends as he just realized they were turning them into weapons. By issue’s end, everything comes full circle, justice gets served but not everyone gets out of it clear. Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

Generations: Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel #1 (Marvel) Another bending of time and space allows Ms Marvel to enter the same Universe as Captain Marvel. She enters vintage Metropolis where Carolina Danvers works for the Daily Planet and Khamala is am intern. The step back in time is not without is troubles, as Nightscream, a Shiar who has a vendetta with Danvers. By issue’s end, a final skirmish ensues between the three,but both Marvels end victorious. Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

 

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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 (**).