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

Jenny Sparks #1 (DC/DC Black Label) – The Spirit of the 20th Century returns with a whimper, not a bang in Tom King and Jeff Spokes‘ Jenny Sparks #1. The comic which focuses on Jenny Sparks’ unexpected return to take out a deranged Dr. Manhattan, er, Captain Atom when the Justice League can’t is just (censored) swearing and edgelord posturing. Sparks did have an origin miniseries in 2000, but she’s really no fun without the Authority to riff on which is lampshaded in some of Captain Atom’s taunting dialogue. King and Spokes go full Pulp Fiction 90s and tell a non-linear story from different viewpoints that ends up colliding at a bar, but they end up feeling like distractions from Sparks’ return and Atom’s rampage. Jeff Spokes’ art has some creativity to it, especially when Captain Atom uses his powers, but you’re better off dusting off your old Ellis/Hitch (Or even Millar/Quitely) trades or watching Justice League Unlimited Season 2, Episode 9 than reading this new take on Jenny Sparks and Nathaniel Adam. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Paranoid Gardens #2 (Dark Horse) -Little bit of a second issue slump for Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Chris Weston, and Dave Stewart‘s Paranoid Gardens, but we find out a little bit more about the suspicious monkey mask guys and the nefarious Dr. Zerc. But the best part for me is Lou just trying to maneuver through life working at the weirdest care home in the universe, figuring out her potentially gifts, and her connection to the superhero admitted in the last issue. Weston’s art continues to be a deadpan delight, especially a series of multiple panels where the guy who was shooting heat vision last issue is drooling because he’s so doped up. Paranoid Gardens still revels in its uniqueness, and I’m interested to see the answers to some of these mysteries, including Lou’s past. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, and Matthew Wilson‘s reimagining of Peter Parker’s Spider-Man continues to be one of my favorite comics of 2024. It juggles poignant character moments with long form plotting. For example, J. Jonah Jameson gets moments both silly (Arguing about sandwiches at a bakery that he thinks is a deli.) and sincere (Having a heart to heart with Peter’s son, Richard.) with Hickman giving him depth although he’s the books sixth or seventh lead. There are unbroken moments of Peter with his family and friends that balance out the high tech superheroics and cloak and dagger work as a Tony Stark guest appearance connects Peter and Harry Osborn to the larger world of the Ultimate Universe. And last, but not least, the Sinister Six are actually scary again! Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy