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

Christmas 365 #1 (Dark Horse) – In the vein of Christmas Vacation (Plus supernatural elements), Mikey Way, Jon Rivera, and Piotr Kowalski‘s is all about a dad who takes celebrating Christmas way overboard. But beneath the dream sequences, combusting Christmas trees, and possessed Nutcrackers, it’s a tale about a dad who can’t be there for his family because his job has taken such a toll on him aka it’s super relatable for many readers. There are few little storytelling hiccups in Christmas 365 #1 like similar hairstyles and misplaced word balloons making it hard to keep up with the flow of dialogue and speakers, but for the most part, Christmas 365 is a mischievous, over-the-top holiday comedy that’s going to last for 364 days after Christmas. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

NYX #6 (Marvel) – The main cast of NYX go to a Dazzler show, and of course, it turns out terribly. Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly throw out so many dashed out subplots, returns of characters from NYX Volume 1, and a kind of, sort of mind control plotline and make the whole issue feel very fragmented. However, Michael Shelfer and Elisabetta D’Amico‘s art is gorgeous ; kind of like a mix of Grand Theft Auto loading screens and manga with a dash of the usual Marvel house style. Raul Angulo’s colors also do a great job of showcasing both Kiden Nixon and Local’s powers plus the small slice of Dazzler show we get. NYX #6 isn’t the best issue of the series, but not giving up on one of the better X-titles just yet. Overall: 6.7 Verdict: Pass

Absolute Superman #2 (DC) – Absolute Superman #2 has a refreshing anti-AI/pro-humanity bent from his opening scene where young Kal-El gets called out for not using the Kryptonian equivalent of Open AI on his paper for his Zoom class, but make it sci-fi. Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval extend this to present day by making Lois Lane the POV character as she relates her dealings with Superman using her own handwriting and not Brainiac. It’s a new take on Superman and Lois’ first meeting grounded in the military-industrial complex and with splashy action and high energy colors from Sandoval and Ulisses Arreola. This second issue continues to establish Superman as the champion of the downtrodden and colonized while also adding depth to Lane and building up the evil Lazarus Corporation. There are fewer flashbacks, but they add important context to Superman’s personality like Lara and Jor-El working together to build the ship and making it an ark and not just a single baby carrier. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy