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

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #2 (IDW) – Jules Verne, Sherlock Holmes, a mysterious time traveller, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and a jealous Tom Buchanan assemble to fight Godzilla in a submarine in Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #2. Cartoonist Tom Scioli revels in showing Godzilla foil Gatsby and Verne’s tech and the resources of American capitalism and destroy various monuments in big splash pages with crayon colors. Something that would potentially be a story-ender in a lesser book ends up just prolonging the characters’ agony. And speaking of agony, between the monsters and missiles and Transylvanian vampires, Gatsby just wants to be with Daisy, who won’t even give him the time of day. Scioli breaks out the florid prose for their interactions while the rest of book is just literature syllabus action figures going to war. The appearance of red-tinged Dracula does put a wrench in things as it looks like the book will go from sci-fi to horror in 2025. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Paranoid Gardens #6 (Dark Horse) – Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Chris Weston, and Dave Stewart‘s weird extraterrestrial retirement home ends on a suitably hopeful and anti-corporate note. This issue reveals the origins of the Gardens and connects it to their current crisis as well as Loo’s personal struggles. There’s a lot of commentary about how art has become flattened and turned into product, including some spot-on jabs at Disney so it’s fitting that this book was published by one of the longest lasting independent comics publishers. Also, Stewart goes full psychedelia with his colors to match the unsettling realism of Weston’s art. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #2 (DC) – The second issue of Alex Segura and Cian Tormey‘s The Question: All Along the Watchtower is a little less mystery and more action with the Eradicator wreaking havoc in the JL’s new headquarters. The series has a real knack for making C or D-list characters with Nightshade and the Bulleteer handling themselves well in the chaos. However, the Renee Montoya/Kate Kane relationship is the emotional core of the series, and Segura connects it to the main mystery making it even more compelling. Overall, The Question: All Along the Watchtower continues to show the richness of the DC Universe. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Batman #3 (DC) – Absolute Batman #3 has more chase scenes, epic moments, heartbreaking flashbacks, and just a smidge of moral compromise courtesy of Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin. There’s a pun that doesn’t quite land, but Black Mask starts to get fleshed out more in this issue with a heightened take on cryptocurrency and private prisons. But he’s also just a physically imposing baddie with Dragotta channeling David Mazzucchelli’s Kingpin as he puts a professional boxer in a chokehold while doing the same to the city. Absolute Batman #3 makes the odds against Batman saving his tumultuous city a little higher while continuing to build up his supporting cast and backstory. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate Spider-Man #12 (Marvel) – Ultimate Spider-Man wraps up an incredible first year with a family holiday soiree. Before a delivering a jaw dropper of a cliffhanger, Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto explore the dynamic between Mary Jane and the Watson family. There are all kinds of little conflicts like between Mary Jane and her sister Gayle, who bristles at her because she chose a “normal life” with Peter and her kids as well as her mother Madeline, who keeps hitting on Uncle Ben. I’m glad Checchetto was the artist on this issue because he’s great at drawing body language and reaction shots, which is a super helpful for a dialogue-driven comic. Ultimate Spider-Man #12 has heartwarming, holiday film energy and lets this book’s supporting civilian cast shine while also having dark undertones around the edges leading into year two. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy