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.

Logan

Ultimate Spider-Man #7 (Marvel) – Marco Checchetto is back on art, and the visuals in Ultimate Spider-Man #7 sing, especially when Spider-Man and the Green Goblin throw down. However, he and Jonathan Hickman just make this a training bout as Otto Octavius integrates some of the Stark-tech in their suits, including an onboard AI. Spider-Man chooses himself as the AI while the Green Goblin chooses his father, Norman Osborn. This high tech take on classic Spidey tropes like Spider-Man talking to himself during fights, Green Goblin hearing voices in his head, and Harry Osborn’s daddy issues is pure Hickman, who also starts to integrate Ultimate Spider-Man with the big picture of the Ultimate Universe. However, there’s still plenty of times for subplots and bonding like Uncle Ben and J. Jonah Jameson teaming up on their news enterprise thanks to a venture capital infusion from Gwen Stacy. Ultimate Spider-Man #7 has slick, yet emotionally engaging visuals from Checchetto and colorist Matthew Wilson that pair well with Jonathan Hickman’s script that puts character relationships and bonding at the forefront with the tech/world-building as window dressing. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Firefly ‘Verses #1 (BOOM!) – Firefly ‘Verses #1 has gorgeous art courtesy of Lalit Kumar Sharma, but Ryan Parrott‘s script is a little underdeveloped giving the Alliance and Independents the “both sides” treatment. For a “what if” type comic, Firefly ‘Verses #1 is quite faithful to the TV show’s pilot reenacting the Battle of Serenity Valley, but having the Browncoats defeat the Alliance. Much of the comic shows that life is just as bad, if not worse under the Independent Coalition of Planets with the inner planets struggling versus the outer ones in the show. Like the first season of Firefly, the main plot centers around a mysterious Tam sibling (Simon, in the comic’s case), there’s a heroic death, lots of Whedon-y dialogue, and there basically ends up being a similar status quo to the TV show. There’s a little shard of an anti-authoritarian bent in Firefly ‘Verses #1, but mostly it’s just an opportunity for Parrott to indulge in his nostalgia for the show. Sharma does do a good job of making the story slightly askew and offputting though. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

William of Newbury #3 (Dark Horse) – Michael Avon Oeming‘s tale of an eccentric raccoon monk/exorcist continues in William of Newbury #3. The issue is bookended by William and his thief (But possibly becoming more pious.) companion Winnie dealing with an unquiet spirit in a churchyard in Scotland, but mainly digs into the backstory of William and his more serious brother Edward, who keeps trying to get him on trial from the church. Oeming uses a sickly green palette and light inking to show the half-remembered past and show that Edward thinks that he and William don’t have souls and were swapped out with the children of fairies. This sets up William’s motivation as he fights supernatural beings to be worthy of having a soul and going to heaven one day like Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but more animal and less vampire. Michael Oeming uses a different kind of art style in William of Newbury, more Mignola and less Toth, and combined with its sheer weirdness, it continues to be an enjoyable series. Overall: 7.8 Verdict: Buy

Grommets #3 (Image) – Rick and Brian get way too high, skip school, and strike out with their crushes in Grommets #3 from Rick Remender, Brian Posehn, and Brett Parson. This issue doubles down on the gross-out humor with Brian and Rick scoring some weed from a Spencer’s Gifts’ employee, but having nothing to smoke it with except a really suspicious soda can in the alley. Parson and colorist Moreno Dinisio really nail the overstimulation of mixing substances and arcades throughout the issue before mellowing out with a beautiful bonding moment between Brian and Rick. The shenanigans and pitfalls keep Grommets entertaining, but their friendship and the period accurate visuals is the heart of the series. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy