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. Given the lack of new comics, expect this weekly update to begin featuring comics that we think you’ll enjoy while you can’t get anything new to read – only new to you.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

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Logan

Joker #1 (DC)– Don’t be fooled by the title, but Joker #1 is actually a Jim Gordon solo comic. James Tynion, Guillem March, and Arif Prianto spin the tale of an old man, who has looked evil in the face and just wants to retire. However, he can’t wash the Joker’s face out of his mind, which is the hook as he comes out of retirement not as a cop, but as a hitman. March tries a new art style in Joker #1 taking a horror approach to the Clown Prince of Crime that’s strongly informed by classic Batman artists like Neal Adams, Kelley Jones, and his take on Gotham is straight out of the Frank Miller playbook with colorful Punchline-themed youth gangs and an overall sense of decay. To go along with the strong visuals, Tynion uses a lot of narrative captions to set up Gordon’s state of mind and relationship to the Joker along with his financial struggles as a retiree. He’s definitely a protagonist worth rooting for, and there’s a bit of mystery as he sets out on his mission. Joker #1 also has a Punchline backup, and it has beautiful art from Mirka Andolfo plus the return of an underrated Batman supporting cast member/Tynion co-creation that should shed light on this villain. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Children of the Atom #1 (Marvel)– Vita Ayala, Bernard Chang, and Marcelo Maiolo do a straight up teen superhero comic in Children of the Atom #1 that starts with Cherub, Marvel Guy, Cyclops-Lass, Gimmick, and Daycrawler holding their own against a team of depowered mutant criminals. There’s some struggles with collateral damage and teleporting far away enough, but they’re definitely on Krakoa and some heavy hitters’ radar. Really, the best part of this comic is when Ayala and Chang do a scene of Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm shooting pool and having a lively conversation about whether they should go after these young mutants or let them be. Chang and Maiolo even add a cool frosting effect every time Jean is speaking telepathically. It’s nice to see these iconic characters be regular people for a bit before the main cast geeks out over them. Kudos to Vita Ayala and Bernard Chang for adding new mutants to the X-book pantheon and also providing a glimpse at mutant youth culture through things like fan wikis, live streams, and even cosplay. Children of Atom #1 strikes a nice balance between slice of life and superhero, and features colorful art. I look forward to learning more about these young heroes. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

X-Factor #8 (Marvel)– Leah Williams and David Baldeon’s X-Factor is a little bit procedural, a little bit horror, and has lots of dying in it. They use Eye-Boy as a POV character to bear witness to the deaths of most of the team and also see every bit of dust and trace of scent on the page. Baldeon’s layouts are bold, especially when Morrigan or Eye-Boy get involved, and there’s a reason she cut through the team with ease. While also focusing on the main plotline, Williams takes all kinds of cute and interesting sidebars like Eye-Boy bonding with Rachel Summers’ pet Amazing Baby or Prodigy continuing to investigate his own resurrection. X-Factor #8 does wrap up with oodles of text box exposition from Leah Williams, but it’s quirky cast of characters and creative use of their power sets keeps it afloat. Overall: 7.8 Verdict: Read

Proctor Valley Road #1 (BOOM!)– With a large cast of characters and heavy dose of 1960s nostalgia, Grant Morrison, Alex Child, and Naomi Franquiz’s Proctor Valley Road definitely comes across as a proof of concept for a Netflix show. However, it’s a fun little creature feature based on real life urban legends around a road between Chula Vista and San Diego. The main cast of girls have distinct personalities and a shared passion for ghost stories and Janis Joplin, and it’s nice to see a regular plotline threaded in between all the darkness and disappearances that colorist Tamra Bonvillain enhances with a shadowy palette that contrasts with the faded out desert colors for the rest of the book. Throw in anxieties about the Vietnam War and racism in the United States, and Morrison, Child, and Franquiz really start to thread the needle between cryptids and the real fears of the time. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read

The Autumnal #5 (Vault)– Daniel Kraus and Chris Shehan small town horror tale continues to build to terrifying crescendo in The Autumnal #5. They alternate between the story of child murderers, killer leaves, and equinoxes being a myth pitting a kindly small town mayor and a drug addict against each other as sources of information. But, in between the investigations and occasional creepy moments, Kraus doesn’t skimp on showing the relationship between Kat, her daughter, and new boyfriend as they adapt to life in comfort notch. Sheehan’s art nails the rhythm of conversation in his paneling while he and colorist Jason Wordie continue to make warm fall days and colors menacing. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Rorschach #6 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – On its own, Rorschach #6 makes absolutely no sense at all. It’s a small piece of a larger puzzle focused on Laura and Wil and a back and forth of letters. It’s the setup of the latter half of the series dropping some hints as to how things have played out but in a picture that’s not clear. The art as always is a bit confusing in what time period it’s supposed to be giving a 70s vibe for what is a more modern story. It’s an intriguing issue but one that’s a bit frustrating on its own. Overall Rating: 6.0 Recommendation: Read

Superman #29 (DC Comics) – It’s a new era for Superman and a new creative team. The issue is really solid with a focus on Jon and how he sees his dad, as well as the knowledge he has of the future. It’s an interesting issue that examines the child and parent relationship as well as Jon’s burden. We also get a decent threat that can hurt Superman delivering an issue where there’s some heart, emotion, and stakes. A back-up story focused on Bibbo is interesting delivering a more traditional action focused story. Overall, a solid debut that has me wanting to see what’s next. Overall Rating: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Wonder Woman #770 (DC Comics) – Wonder Woman was the key to the new DC Universe and as she has rejected her knew role she has been thrust back into the life of a superhero… but where? No longer on Earth, Diana finds herself on Asgard, yes that one, where she’ll do battle over and over. What’s going on? We’ll find out! There’s a backup story featuring a young Diana as well that has a very cute art style and story to it. It’s so different from the main story it’s a bit odd and feels more at home in a graphic novel geared towards young readers. Still, it’s an intriguing start for the series. Overall Rating: 8.0 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 (**).