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

The Wicked + The Divine #33 (Image)**  We were promised a big cliffhanger this time out, but that’s not exactly true : we’ve got two or three of ’em, depending on what surprises you. Lots more questions than answers, which is good, and while Kieron Gillen’s “too cool for school” highly-stylized writing style still grates on me at times, Jamie McKelvie’s art is, as ever, absolutely superb. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Batman #35 (DC)** Tom King and Joelle Jones wrap up their little Catwoman-vs.-Talia al Ghul three-parter with probably the best installment of the bunch, featuring some quite nice character moments between Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne, some dynamic fight sequences, and some stunning art. Nothing too terribly awe-inspiring, by any stretch, but better than what we’re used to from this series. Overall: 6.5 Recommendation: Read

The Wild Storm #9 (DC/WildStorm)** Another solid installment from Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt that features a tighter focus around a smaller cast of characters than most previous issues, and the result is a brisk, at times breathtaking read with one of the most superbly-delineated fights you’ll see in any book this year. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Ringside #13 (image)** Don’t look now, but Joe Keatinge and Nick Barber seem to be putting some serious effort into this series again after mailing it in for a good six issues or so. Keatinge’s wide-ranging script is beginning to see its multiple plot points begin to converge, and Barber’s art is looking more polished and determined. We’re nowhere near the heights achieved by the first few installments yet, but it’s good to see that things are on an upward trajectory. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Christopher

Dept H #20 (Dark Horse)The tension continues to increase as the surviving crew of Dept H still struggle to get to the surface. Like previous issues, this one does reveal a backstory. This time it is Q’s one of the few characters whose backstory hasn’t been heard. The are continues to darker in the present then it is the past, keeping this issue consistent with previous issues. Writer and Artist: Matt Kindt Overall.:8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Logan

The Batman Who Laughs #1 (DC)­­ The Batman who Laughs is a fantastic tie-in to DC Comics’ Metal event that examines the nature of evil through the lens of the classic rivalry between Batman and the Joker. Riley Rossmo’s art is seriously messed up, and his layouts mirror the funhouse mirror chaos of the Joker, who is killed by Batman and then infects him with his madness. (Rossmo also successfully executes a jump scare in a comic book.) There have been a bunch of evil Batman Elseworlds stories over the years, but James Tynion and Rossmo go deeper psychologically and show how breaking bad affects Batman’s relationships with his family and Superman. If this was the last Batman/Joker story ever, this would be a good way to go out . Overall: 9.5 Verdict: Buy

The Punisher #218 (Marvel)** Frank Castle and Nick Fury Jr. are a match made in hell in Matthew Rosenberg, Guiu Vilanova, and Lee Loughridge’s new Punisher series. Rosenberg’s script is fairly humorous as a bureaucracy bound super spy trades wits with a single minded killing machine. Frankly, Fury is using the Punisher to cover his own ass and realizes that maybe letting Frank steal the War Machine armor was a terrible idea. Vilanova’s art is gritty and draws Frank with a stoic demeanor that masks a psychopath underneath in a similar way to Steve Dillon’s work. Some of his fight scenes are crowded and hard to follow, but weird numbering aside, Punisher #218 is a darkly violent, way too many guns toting, international take on the classic vigilante/anti-hero/villain. Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Read.

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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 (**).