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

X-Factor #10 (Marvel)– Throughout its ten issue run, X-Factor definitely had an identity crisis. It wasn’t sure if it wanted to be a continuity-driven mystery book, Law and Order: Krakoa, or a queer mutant hangout comic. Leah Williams, David Baldeon, and David Messina definitely make this final issue of the comic Krakoa: SVU by wrapping up the long-running subplot of Prodigy solving his own murder. However, due to the need to wrap up the Hellfire Gala event and set up Trial of Magneto as well as several other loose ends, this storyline based on the real killing of queer Black men does get the time or sensitivity it needs. Although, X-Factor #10 doesn’t really work as a whole and has its share of tonal whiplash moments (Aurora and Akihiro flirting while Prodigy confronts his murderer), Williams and Baldeon do capture some great character moments like Northstar being proud of Polaris joining the X-Men, Eye-Boy learning how to do new things with his powers, and any time Prodigy and Speed are cute together. But, all in all, X-Factor will go down as squandered potential for me: a great cast of mostly queer characters, a decent procedural hook, but lots of half-starts and oodles of rushed sub plots. Overall: 5.9 Verdict: Pass

Cable #11 (Marvel)– Cable #11 chronicles Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto’s final approach to a showdown of Kid Cable, Old Man Cable, the Summers family, and some original X-Force mainstays against a baby-sacrificing, hiding very well Stryfe. The final issue is sure to be a gun-toting, sword swinging, and power-flaunting punch-up so Duggan goes quiet on the penultimate one and spend time showing interactions between the Cables as well as his relationship with his “son” and “daughter-in-law” plus his romantic relationship with the Stepford Cuckoos. In Noto’s hands, talking heads are never boring, and he milks comedy out of Deadpool showing up in a serious book and pathos out of Old Man Cable going on basically a suicide mission. Plus there are the aforementioned swords and cool vehicles. It’s all really back to basics Cable comics, body slides and all, but with a family dynamic that has honestly been the highlight of the series along with watching Kid Cable try to grow into the role of the legendary timeline hopping gunslinger/ultra-powerful mutant. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Crossover #7 (Image)– Chip Zdarsky, Phil Hester, and Ande Parks are unleashed to play in the Crossover sandbox and turn in easily the best issue of the series. Something is hunting down comics creators and instead of having a basic action adventure issue, we get to see Zdarsky and Hester with both humor and pathos grapple with Steve Murray and his Chip Zdarsky persona. In fact, this issue is a sequel to the Sex Criminals issue where Zdarsky and Matt Fraction put themselves in the book as characters. Through a combination of in- and dick jokes and sweet moments like Chip Zdarsky spooning himself, Crossover #7 ends up a meditation on using fictional personas to feel better about one’s self and say things that your “real” self could never say. It also has a cool final page that introduces a couple awesome players to the Crossover world and are a perfect fit for Phil Hester’s art style. I’m not the biggest fan of Crossover in general (Except for Geoff Shaw and Dee Cunniffe’s visuals), but this issue shows that it works as a place where talented comics creators can interrogate themselves and their work. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Beta Ray Bill #4 (Marvel)– This is a quieter installment of Beta Ray Bill #4 with Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer plunging into Bill’s past trauma with Skuttlebutt in tow. It’s the insightful character exploration that makes me care for Bill even if I haven’t read a lot of comics with him in it, and it shows the budding connection between Bill and Skuttlebutt. Bill is a great warrior who is insecure about his looks, and Johnson shows both side of this coin in Beta Ray Bill #4 with poignant panels of Bill weeping in the mirror to big splash pages of him fighting a tentacle monster or getting ready to battle this mini’s “final boss”. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

United States of Captain America #1 (Marvel)– Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham interrogate the meaning behind Captain America’s shield and its connections to patriotism, nationalism, and yes, heroism in United States of Captain America #1. Eaglesham’s art is photorealistic without sacrificing motion of fluidity and reminds me a lot of Steve Epting’s work on Captain America with Ed Brubaker. This extends to its spy thriller meets political satire tone with one page montage on how different people use the Captain America logo to prop up different beliefs. However, United States of Captain America #1 has one amazing trick up its sleeve: Aaron Fischer, Captain America of the Railways, who protects queer and unhoused youth. He makes a big impression on Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, and Josh Trujillo and Jan Bazaldua tell his origin in a powerful backup story that goes after governments for siding with corporations over people. It’s a memorable piece of queer liberation in a corporate candy shell, and I hope Aaron Fischer has a longer shelf life beyond this miniseries, but I’m not holding my breath. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Brett

The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield (Archie Comics) – A mess of a debut, if this is supposed to lead to something bigger, it’s a rough start. Rob Liefeld headlines this reboot of Archie’s superhero line but drama behind the scenes seems to have derailed this project before it starts. The end result is a comic that feels like a story was crammed into Liefeld’s art. It’s pinups with pictures. If you’re a fan of Liefeld’s art, this is for you, but beyond that, avoid this one. Hopefully, someone hops on this line and delivers an ongoing vision as there’s a lot of potential here. Overall Rating: 5.0 Recommendation: Pass

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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 (**).