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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Logan

Action Comics #1007 (DC)– With new artist Steve Epting (Velvet, Captain America) onboard, Brian Michael Bendis’ run on Action Comics takes a bit of a subterfuge approach to the Big Blue Boy Scout with appearances from General Lane, Amanda Waller, and Jimmy Olsen infiltrating a cult with the power of smooching. His plotting has been a little predictable, but Bendis has done a fantastic job letting readers get to know members of Superman’s supporting cast in Action Comics. Jimmy takes the spotlight, and his youthful naivete and hunger to get the big photograph are on full display mainly through explosive imagery from Epting and colorist Brad Anderson. Bendis and Epting also provide a big emotional beat in Action Comics #1007 that may prove controversial. I’ve been keeping up with this book and not Superman so much so some of Lois Lane’s characterization is a mystery to me even though it seems like Bendis might be breaking them up, especially after the events of this issue… Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read

 Age of X-Man Alpha #1 (Marvel)– Ramon Rosanas’ smooth art and Triona Farrell’s flushed out colors set the scene for this Nate Grey-centric alternate universe X-event. Writers Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler craft the flip side of Age of Apocalypse: one where Professor X, Cyclops, and Logan sacrificed themselves to create a perfect world. Everyone is happy, but also everything is regimented, and reflection on history is frowned upon. Enough is teased out in this first issue that it makes me want to explore the nooks and crannies of a world where apparently romantic relationships are banned, and Nightcrawler is a movie star. It’s good read if you like seeing the cracks in utopia and even if you’re a bit behind on the current X-books. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Captain America #7 (Marvel)– Steve Rogers is being accused of the murder of Thunderbolt Ross with his vibranium shield while a cabal of (sometimes literal) corporate vampires called the Power Elite run the United States in the vacuum that HYDRA left behind. Ta-Nehisi Coates and Adam Kubert begin this new arc exploring the desecration of symbols that stand for bigger things. Kubert is a veteran artist with a good eye for layouts and choreography and draws one hell of bar fight between Bucky and some goons. But his and Coates’ best visual moments come in a nine panel grid conversation between Steve and Sharon Carter about whether he should turn himself in or not that ends up being a conversation about the American flag really stands for. And the outcome is pretty exciting story-wise too as the final page gave me goosebumps about the future of the series Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Ryan C

Bone Parish #6 (Boom! Studios)** – Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf are really putting together a solid little horror series here. Moving the pieces into place for the second-half run they hit all the right notes with solid characterization, intriguing plot developments, and creepy, atmospheric art. I’m really digging what these two are laying down here. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

The Quantum Age #6 (Dark Horse)** – A more interesting wrap-up to this six-part “Black Hammer” spin-off than it looks to be at first when you consider that what initially appears to be an “easy out” on writer Jeff Lemire’s part actually plants the seeds for all kinds of interesting developments down the road, and Wilfredo Torres’ art is just plain perfect for this kind of fun, energetic, sci-fi yarn. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #1 (Dynamite) – Most everyone knows this is the character that Ozymandias from “Watchmen” is based on, and writer Kieron Gillen uses that to his advantage, playing up the “meta” aspect by springboarding off Ozy’s ultimate mad “interdimensional invasion” plan and revealing a truly surprising hidden hand behind the whole thing. Casper Wijngaard’s art is fairly standard super-hero stuff, but it works just fine for this kind of story. Clever, compelling stuff across the board. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Ice Cream Man #9 (Image)** – It’s great to see this linked horror anthology back after a short hiatus, and writer W. Maxwell Prince appears to be tying the previous stories together, as well as fleshing out his protagonist’s backstory, with this “outer-space western” that gives artist Martin Morazzo plenty to sink his teeth into, as well as providing lots of fuel for your nightmares. This series just keeps getting stronger and stronger. 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. 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 (**).