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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Joe

Mister Miracle # 5 (DC Comics) King and Gerards have been weaving a wonderfully epic tale using the eternal war between Apokolips and New Genesis as a back drop. That is not where the book shines though. King has an amazing way of making these awe inspiring deity-like characters so very human. I loved everything in this issue. Where have we ever seen a trial of a Superhero much less a New God, take place in his living room? The issue issue the aftermath of Scot Free being sentanced to death by the New Highfather, Orion. Scot does what anyone would do with their last days: spend it with the person he loves most. The way Barda is presented here is such a joy as she is trying to hold it together knowing her love is sentanced to imminent death. They take selfies with fans, have a last meal and get hilariously stuck in traffic just like any human couple and it never feels above them. King has found a way to make the New Gods very relatable and this whole series has been a triumph. I might be out of line here but  Overall: 10. Yeah thats right. Read if you disagree. It’s that good.

 

Shean

Despicable Deadpool #290 (Marvel) We catch up with Wade and Cable as they chase Stryfe, Cables evil across time and space. Their travels bring them to NYC, where they get in a scuffle with some Vampires . The funniest scene in the book is when they enter a portal where the reader gets to see 100 different versions of fun himself.By book’s end, Deadpool kills Viking Cable as the duo realizes Stryfe is about to make some clones of himself once again. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

She Hulk #160 (Marvel) We catch up with Jennifer shortly after being abducted by The Leader and his sycophant, Robyn. As this issue becomes the Marvel version of “Misery”, as Robyn regails her with tales of how much of a fangirl she is of She-Hulk. We flashback to how Robin abducted Jennifer and gets into the reasons why. By the end of this episode, Robyn becomes Jennifer’s version of Abomination. Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Ryan C

Brilliant Trash #2 (Aftershock) – This series seems to be shifting its focus to a third protagonist in just its second issue, while the main character who appeared on the cover last time out is literally nowhere to be found. If that makes it sound like writer Tim Seeley’s attention span is spread pretty thin, well — that’s precisely the case. Priscilla Petraites’ art is still nice enough, if unspectacular, but it’s not only difficult to see where this book is going — it’s difficult to figure out where it is now. Overall: 3. Recommendation: Pass

Grass Kings #10 (Boom! Studios) – An uncharacteristically weak issue this time out, as writer Matt Kindt deepens the murder mystery that has moved to the series’ core with clumsy and stilted dialogue, while Tyler Jenkins’ watercolor-style art looks nice enough on a “macro” level — but on a “micro” level is pretty damn flawed given that his characters’ facial expressions often bear little to no resemblance to the action taking place in the scene or even to the words coming out of their mouths. A weird one, to be sure. Overall: 4. Recommendation: Pass.

Mister Miracle #5 (DC)** – What’s supposed to be the last day of Scott Free’s life proves to be a compelling examination of his relationship with his wife, Big Barda, that’s by turns touching, philosophical, romantic — and even kinky (although the particular bit of “adult fun” they’re into shouldn’t be all that surprising given that we’re talking about an escape artist here). All that being said, the “cliffhanger” ending, while brutal, is anything but surprising. Apart from that, though, Tom King and Mitch Gerads are still firing on all cylinders. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy

Royal City #8 (Image)** – Jeff Lemire’s slow-burn trip back to the early ’90s is certainly compelling, if so far free or anything remotely resembling surprises, but it’s the humanity of his central characters that’s the real “hook” here, and those hooks are getting into readers very deeply indeed by this point. Nothing flashy or overwhelming here, just solid, smart, resonant storytelling that pretty much anyone can relate to. Quiet and gripping at the same time? That takes some real skill right there. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy

Logan

WicDiv Christmas Special (Image) The WicDiv Christmas Special is the sexiest and most emotional piece of fanservice you will read in 2017. Kieron Gillen and guest artists Kris Anka, Jen Bartel, Emma Vieceli, Rachel Stott, and Chynna Clugston-Flores show the beautiful, volatile relationships of the Pantheon before everything went haywire. The Anka drawn Baal and Inanna penises are definitely the main attraction here. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

 

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 (**).