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

What If..? Galactus Transformed Rogue (Marvel) – When it’s not failing at using Southern dialect and referring to the singular entity Galactus as “y’all”, What If…? Galactus Transformed Rogue is a sci-fi parable with a touch of humor. Ann Nocenti and Stephen Byrne also do a good job of showing the strain of selecting planets for Galactus to devour on Rogue while also counterbalancing it with why he’s necessary for the balance of the universe. Flickering cameos from the X-Men, Gambit, Mystique, and Destiny show how lonely Rogue’s life is in this one-shot although her costume is stylin’. Overall: 6.8 Verdict: Read

Toxic Avenger #4 (Ahoy) – In Toxic Avenger #4, Melvin faces off against his old bully Bonehead, who sold out to became a puppet for pro-nuclear waste corporate propaganda. But Toxie has a secret weapon, his crush Yvonne. Mat Bors and Fred Harper clear out some time for awkward teen romance between the laugh out loud satire and bugging out visual gags. The scrutiny on the battle between mutated teens has brought eyeballs to the cover up company’s videos, but they want to pull out the like US did in Vietnam. This issue sets up a gloves are off, humans vs aliens finale with a side of mutation and deadpan humor. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #3 (IDW) – Tom Scioli wraps up this fever dream of a miniseries with a battle royale in Transylvania between Godzilla, the Universal Monsters, and a few surprise late entrants. There’s something so satisfying about Godzilla backhanding Dracula, or pages of Jay Gatsby and the G-Men riding motorcycles to evade the King of Monsters. Scioli’s art channels high energy toy advertisements while his scripting is very midnight movie although he gets a little literary and poignant towards the end using the final fight as a metaphor for misguided optimism about the rest of the 20th century. One conveniently introduced plot element ends up wrapping up the series, but all in all, I had a lot of fun with this mini. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 (DC) – Absolute Wonder Woman #4 is at its best when it lets Hayden Sherman‘s epic layouts and art do the talking instead of walls of text from Kelly Thompson. Thompson and Sherman continue to add elements from classic Wonder Woman comics to the series and remix them, and I love their occult-meets-P.I. take on Etta and Gia Candy, who play a key role in helping Diana save the day. Colorist Jordie Bellaire‘s reds and blacks are working overtime this issue as a dark, yet glowing magic-infused Wonder Woman squares up against the Tetracide. Absolute Wonder Woman #4 has boss fight energy, but Hayden Sherman’s art is glorious and the banter between Diana, Steve Trevor, and the Candys are charming. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Metamorpho: The Element Man #2 (DC) – Al Ewing, Steve Lieber, and Lee Loughridge‘s Metamorpho: The Element Man #2 takes aim at nostalgia culture, AI art, and pop star standom in another groovy issue of a comic that transcends the Silver Age pastiche genre. Even more so than the launch issue, Metamorpho #2 masterfully mixes old and new with villains straight out of the 1960s (Or Austin Powers.) and social commentary about art and capitalism that is relevant today. Ewing’s plot is chock-full of science and chemistry which is also what Metamorpho and Element Woman have with Lieber and Loughridge turning the visuals up to eleven when they change into various chemicals. I also enjoy this book’s mature approach to relationships with some gaslighting and jealousy making appearances between pop star superhero antics. Throw in an epilogue sequence that widens this quirky, little books scopes, and Metamorpho #2 is on its way to the top of the best current comic charts. Overall: 10.0 Verdict: Buy