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

Wolverine #1 (Marvel) – Opening with Logan running with a pack of wolves, Wolverine #1 trods familiar ground, but the ultraviolence of Martin Coccolo‘s visuals and the poetry of Saladin Ahmed‘s captions for its protagonist, Nightcrawler, and even Cyber keep it from getting too stale. It does fall into the trap of being a puzzle box story like a lot of the “From the Ashes” title, and the overarching villain seems a little corny. However, I’m not complaining too much about a comic where Wolverine goes berserk while also being besties with the blue elf. Overall: 7.2 Verdict: Read

Avengers Assemble #1 (Marvel) – Expansive cast of characters, check. Punchable Neo-Nazi villain, check. Fun one-liners and fight scenes, check. Steve Orlando, Cory Smith, Oren Junior, Elisabetta D’Amico, and Sonia Oback turn in an adrenaline rush of a launch issue in Avengers Assemble #1. With a blend of A-listers (Captain America), recent MCU darlings (Shang-Chi, Monica Rambeau), and delightful B and C-listers (Julie Power, Night Thrasher), this comic is accessible to the new fan and the hardcore. Narrativewise, Orlando splits the action between a fight with a powered-up Sin and a poker game between the late arrivals to Avengers Mansion. It’s the perfect combination of characterization and ass kicking with Smith and company getting ample opportunities to show off the team’s power set. My only qualm with this book is that it looks like it’s only a five issue miniseries. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

The Domain #3 (Image) – The in-universe Dallas Comics book from Public Domain contains to be a solid sci-fi/superhero read from Chip Zdarsky, Rachael Stott, and Eren Angiolini. Stott’s slick visuals get kicked up a notch as Des actually uses her powers for good (And not so good.), and the aliens carrying the Domain bracelet try to get them back. Zdarsky’s dialogue for the extraterrestrials is really funny like a running gag of not killing any humans that sadly ends in a neck snap once the, ugh, Space Force gets involved. The Domain continues to be a little bit Doctor Who, a little bit of the human drama of the better Spider-Man comics, and an intelligible Spider-Man. It’s fun to read in conjunction with the characters and themes of Public Domain, but also works well as a standalone narrative. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (IDW) – The second issue of the Jason Aaron run on TMNT features art and colors from Rafael Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo and centers around Michelangelo’s hollow life as the star of a Japanese ninja TV show. I love that Maiolo uses a similar palette for the glitz and glamor of paparazzi and Mikey’s diamond-encrusted nunchaku as well as the blinding high tech armor of the ninjas that attack him in the penthouse. On the characterization side, Aaron peers into the broken, lonely child underneath the class clown, and Albuquerque shows how Mikey’s ninja skills has devolved compared to his opponents. The ending is a little cliched fakeout superhero comics, but the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series continues to have breathtaking visuals, strong action, and interesting character development. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy