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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Shean

Killmonger #4(Marvel)- In the penultimate issue, we see what’s left of the team reunited but not is all what it seems. As Erik tries to convince King to come to Wakanda, he finds a hesitant mentor. Meanwhile, Knight has her own plans and betrays them all, leaving Erik, King and his wife, Celia for death. By issue’s end, Erik gets his calling from Mother Bast, as gets focused more than ever and pursues a path to revenge. Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy

Conan The Barbarian #3 (Marvel)– In this particular issue, we find out just how tough a young Conan is. As we find a 17 year old Cimmerian who is sentenced to hanging but was strong enough to withstand the gallows and kill anyone who stood in his way. As he gets recaptured and become a true believer in the most unexpected way. By issue’s end, luck was on his side until now and what lies ahead isn’t pretty. Overall: 9
Recommendation: Buy

Old Man Quill #1 (Marvel)– We find quite a melancholy tale in this different tale of this sometimes intergalactic jokester. As we find him as the Emperor of Spartax and attacking a foe who outsmarts him. His world is turned upside down, as we find him years later, broken and a king without a kingdom or a Fam. This until his old crew, The Guardians Of the Galaxy finds him for one last job, one that leads him to the Wastelands where Doom is King. Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Gunhawks #1(Marvel)– In an excellent Western comic, you get a tale of an Invincible lawman, whose days are numbered, as an old foe shows up. The art in this book is breathtaking as it feels like early Frank Quitely. The story definitely feels like a classic William W. Johnstone tale. By issue’s end, a story that will definitely make you pop culture in your favorite John Wayne Western. Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Star Wars Age of Republic: Anakin Skywalker #1(Marvel)- I will keep this one sweet and short. This book had a ton of promise on premise alone, what we get is an earnest story that falls through. Overall: 6 Recommendation: Borrow

Ryan C

Red Sonja #1 (Dynamite)** – Mark Russell can do no wrong, it seems, but as it turns out, swords-and-sandals is something he does extremely right, indeed. A simple, well-structured script sets the stage thoroughly and completely for new and old readers alike, the characterization is spot-on, and Mirko Colak’s art is absolutely perfect for this sort of genre yarn. Everything you love about comics in one tidy package. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

The Girl In The Bay #1 (Dark Horse/Berger Books)** – The consistently-undervalued J.M. DeMatteis turns in one of his best scripts in years in this hippie-flavored existential murder mystery loaded with strong dialogue, great characters, and his trademark eastern mysticism, while newcomer Corin Howell’s art is rich, detailed, and very near fundamentally flawless. A couple of uncharacteristic and frankly embarrassing editorial “misses” take readers out of the book for the briefest of moments, and you’d certainly expect better in that regard from Karen Berger, but apart from that, this is very nearly perfect comic book storytelling. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

 Female Furies #1 (DC)** – The Fourth World as feminist metaphor? Believe it, as writer Cecil Castellucci and Perez-influenced artist Adriana Melo re-purpose Jack Kirby’s greatest opus as a battle for gender equality with Granny Goodness in the role of sci-fi suffragette. Equal parts darkly humorous and frankly disturbing, this is none-too-subtle stuff, but quite affecting and very well-realized. I’m already thinking six issues of this may not be enough. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

The Green Lantern #4 (DC)** – Grant Morrison continues to be his new, decidedly-less-ambitious iteration of himself, but he nails sci-fi gunslinger tropes with a fair amount of precision and Liam Sharp’s art just gets better with every issue, here his inventive page layouts complementing the script rather than drawing attention away from it. The real star of the show, though, continues to be Steve Oliff, who is showing once again why he’s still the best colorist in the business. Overall: 8 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 (**).