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

DC’s Lex and City #1 (DC Comics) – The fittingly named DC’s Lex and City is a mega-size one-shot about the many varieties of love and friendship in DC’s fictitious cities from a murderer’s row of creators. First up is Sina Grace‘s “Lex and the City,” which features the hilarious image of Lex Luthor typing away at his laptop a la Carrie Bradshaw while still having a robust arc for gossip journalist turned investigative reporter, Trish Q. In the next story, getting a Valentine’s Day gift is difficult especially when your girlfriend is a green-skinned eco-terrorist, and you’re a clown who hears voices in your head. Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Snotgirl‘s Leslie Hung turn in a story that is simultaneously sweet and sexy with Hung’s storybook-style visuals its main highlight. Speaking of sweet, Jon Rivera and Michael Avon Oeming weave a tale of economic insecurity and Mr. Freeze trying to steal a rose from a Gotham museum that was the last thing she saw before getting sick. Oeming’s style fits the art deco vibes of Gotham, and I love the parallels he and Rivera draw between the main couple in the story and Victor and Nora. Your interest in Lex and the City’s fourth story might depend on how much nostalgia you have for the 1970s lineup of the Teen Titans, but Serg Acuna draws gorgeous men (Especially Aqualad, or whatever codename Garth is going by these days.) and Charles Skaggs writes some fun banter between old friends. Continuing with the Robin-ish theme, Brendan Hay and Stephen Byrne‘s hilarious story is about Tim Drake preparing Damian Wayne for his first date and also acts as a love letter to Gotham City. Hay nails Damian’s dry, blunt sense of humor, and his plot showcases the unique bond between the Bat-family with guest stars galore. Sabrina Futch and ML Sanapo flip things over to the villainous side of thing with Riddler trying to figure out why he can’t get a date. There is tons of silly humor (Especially when the Joker is involved.) and chaotic sequences, but this story also ends up being a love letter to Gotham City. Sometimes your passion isn’t another person, but the city you live in and also riddles. In Lex and City‘s penultimate story, Raven is trying really hard to understand Valentine’s Day for Beast Boy (Yay Notes App checklist!), but of course, hijinks ensue courtesy of Trigon. I loved how colorful Marissa Louise‘s palette was in this one with love triumphing against demon dads and exes. Unfortunately, Lex and City wraps up with its weakest story: a mired in the past tale of Hawkman trying to recapture his memories with the Golden Age Hawkgirl, Shiera Hall. Howard Porter‘s aggressive art works for the character, but the story feels like more of a Wikipedia entry than a love story. All in all, 7 out of 8 stories isn’t a bad hit rate, and this comic is worth picking up for fans of slice of life superhero stories as well as Gotham City aficionados. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Ripperland #1 (Dark Horse) – A straight-laced American FBI agent teams up with a, let’s say, very retro English detective in Ripperland #1 from the American and English writer duo of Steve Orlando and John Harris Dunning with art by Alessandro Oliveri and Francesca Vivaldi. Orlando and Dunning drop us into this weird, retrofuturistic world leading up to the murder and then explain the backstory of a 22nd century England that is an American protectorate that acts as a kind of a retro Victorian theme park for American tourists. It’s silly, satirical fun with a bit of a gory edge. Oliveri channels D’Israeli’s work in his art, and this is something that wouldn’t be out of place in a prog of 2000 AD. Ripperland is an sex and violence-filled delight for Anglophiles. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 (IDW) – Mikey, Raph, Leo, and Donnie are all back together in NYC, but it’s not a happy family reunion. Jason Aaron and new series artist Juan Ferrerya use ninja turtle ass kicking and martial arts metaphors to weave a tale of a dysfunctional family in a dysfunctional world. As the series has progressed, TMNT (2024)’s nigh-dystopian take on New York City has started to mirror the current United States with public servants (Fire fighters in this comic!) serving the fascist state instead of the common good and persecuting marginalized folks. However, despite this, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles don’t band together and are overcome by their differences and recent experiences shown in the first four issues. Ferreyra brings drama and sense of agility to the fight sequences while also including plenty of close-ups to show how this group has torn apart. TMNT #6 is a culmination to the classic franchise’s return to its dark, gritty roots with a contemporary twist and a visuals-first focus. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy