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 reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Alfie

X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 (Marvel) – I was originally planning on writing a full review of X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 by Si Spurrier and Phil Noto but frankly I don’t think there is enough to this 35-page comic to give me the material for a longer review. It’s not a bad comic, but the whole affair does feel rushed and done with little enthusiasm. If the book itself isn’t excited, why should the reader be? The art is fine, It’s some of Noto’s less exciting works. It fails to deliver on certain aspects of the story where another artist may have been a better fit. X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 reads like a necessary epilogue to the overstuffed Legion Of X that exists solely to set the groundwork for the next chapter of Nightcrawler’s story. Hopefully, that next chapter is more self-excited than this somewhat flat epilogue. Overall: 6.7 Verdict: Read

Brett

FCBD 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Free Comic Book Day has turned into an opportunity for comic publishers to promote what’s coming next in hopes of getting readers excited and coming back for more. This years’ Avengers/X-Men release from Marvel attempts to do that teasing the upcoming “Fall of X” storyline and the mysterious G.O.D.S. In the issue, we get the opening salvo of the false flag operation to turn the world against Krakoa. Overall, the concept is good and interesting but there’s so much that leaves me scratching my head. The stolen Captain Krakoa suit, the attack on Captain America by Orchis, it’s all a little too obvious and easy to refute. There’s just too much surveillance and ways to refute the operation, especially the attack on Captain America. But, it has me intrigued. The latter story is just too little and relies and knowledge of who the character is at the end to really care what is teased. While I’m sure the upcoming series will be good, what’s teased is void of anything to make me want to read it. Overall: 7.75 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Spider-Man/Venom #1 (Marvel) – I honestly remember so little about reading this the day after which is not a good sign at all. Spider-Man fights a monkey and we find out who’s behind it and then there’s some history of symbiotes as well. The former is entertaining enough and the latter has something there but again, had to go look at the comic again to remember any of that. The art though is great and worth checking this out alone. Overall: 7.0. Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Fishflies (Image Comics) – A new comic from Jeff Lemire has me scratching my head and grossed out. There seems to be a lot of bugs and dead bodies in this one and I have no idea what any of it is about beyond just making me skeeved. But, it’s Jeff Lemire and his art is always great and stories pan out in the end. While the issue didn’t tell me a lot, I’m still looking forward to whatever he has cooking in the future. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)

FCBD 2023: Dawn of DC Knight Terrors (DC Comics) – DC teases their Knight Terrors event which has something to do with dreams and some villain who’s out for revenge. The issue focuses on Damian and the things that haunt him and the dream within a dream within a dream is a great one-shot that teases what’s to come. Overall, there is a good nightmare aspect to it and the art is fantastic with amazing page layouts, but I still generally have no idea what’s to come. But, between the issue and the concept art in the back, the issue has me more excited for what’s to come. Overall: 8.0 Verdict Buy (it is free after all)

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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 (**).