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

Aliens vs. Avengers #4 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic, and Ive Svorcina‘s Aliens vs. Avengers miniseries concludes in bleak, operatic fashion with a pitched battle between the remaining superheroes and Wakandan empire soldiers and the Sinister/xenomorphs. With the universe dying/concluded, the fighting is truly no holds barred, and there’s plenty of creative kills and heroic sacrifices. Ribic is known for his widescreen, epic work, but he showcases his gift for motion in a sequence where Wolverine, Armor, and Emma Frost try to take out Emma Frost. But Aliens vs. Avengers #4 isn’t just fisticuffs, and it features some classic Hickman philosophical underpinnings about life in a universe whose creators hate it. (Seriously, best use of the Engineers from Prometheus ever.) Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

You Never Heard of Me #5 (Dark Horse) – Oh boy, this was a tear jerker. Iolanda Zanfardino and Elisa Romboli conclude the saga of Will, the boy with powers of foresight that he didn’t want, with a beautiful, earned happy ending as he grows closer to both his family and new friends. Zanfardino is so good at writing intimate, poignant conversations with Romboli’s expressive visuals making them that more expressive like Charlie connecting with her dad, who gives her the courage to ask the girl she likes out. The comic made me cry, but it also gave me a lot of good feelings as well especially in some of the visions of the future which get their own gold-tinged color palette. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Emma Frost: The White Queen #1 (Marvel) – In Emma Frost: The White Queen #1, Amy Chu, Andrea DiVito, and Antonio Fabela turn the clock to the bad old days when Frost was a villain and not an X-Man. Until a Chris Claremont/John Byrne X-Men lineup teleport in to rescue an Argentine anti-fascist mutant, this comic is a delicious look at how Frost manipulates so-called powerful men with her right hand woman Noor. After that, it turns into a standard issue throwback X-Men comic, but Di Vito makes the nostalgia look good with fastball specials plus a Wolverine/Hellfire Club rematch with a twist. This series isn’t essential, but could potentially be a solid intermediate step between Emma Frost the White Queen and Emma Frost the superhero. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Godzilla vs. Avengers #1 (Marvel) – Godzilla vs. Avengers #1 is definitely the weakest of the Godzilla vs Marvel one-shots as David Walker, George Jeanty, Karl Story, and Frank D’Armata overindulge in 2000s nostalgia in a talky, yet substance-less issue. Yeah, most of this comic is the New Avengers bantering to an exasperated Maria Hill about a battle versus Godzilla in Astoria, Oregon guest starring Fin Fang Foom and Jet Jaguar. (I do love the ongoing joke about how Jet Jaguar neither resembles a Jet nor a Jaguar.) A little Bendis talk is fun, but this is just overload especially when we get a 24 panel page speculating on Fin Fang Foom’s gender identity. Probably Godzilla vs. Avengers‘ biggest weakness is there no real throughline or connection between the kaiju and Marvel material. It’s just a generic superhero battle with quips on quips, and every character sounds the same except Captain America. Overall: 5.7 Verdict: Pass

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 (DC) – Ryan North and Mike Norton turn in a story of Krypto’s younger days and journey to Earth filled with heart and humanity. I love how they center the narrative around Krypto with Kal-El only playing an ancillary role although Jor-El and Lara-Zor-El’s anxiety about Krypton kickstart the plot, especially its first half. Norton’s background drawing Battleplug comes in handy as his take on Krypto is expressive and shows a wide range of emotions, especially during the comic’s several silent sequences. The back half of Krypto #1 is relatable to anyone who has felt lost and alone in a strange land. This series could end up being the *definitive* Krypto story and look forward to seeing how the protagonist interacts with his unexpected ally introduced on the final page cliffhanger. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Exquisite Corpses #2 (Image) – Exquisite Corpses #1 was so epic in concept and execution that it’s normal that Exquisite Corpses #2 has a little bit of a sophomore slump. However, James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh, Mariana Ignazzi, and Jordie Bellaire have fun with a little sexy killer versus creepy killer as well as showing hopeless it is for the townsfolk of Oak Valley. There’s plenty of gore and creative kills as Pretty Boy and the Congregation team up. There’s big Texas Chainsaw Massacre vs Interview with a Vampire vibes (Even though Pretty Boy is of the living.) with a charming, good looking killer matching skills with a disgusting, cultish one. However, Exquisite Corpses continues to make the ordinary folks of Oak Valley the most sympathetic figures even as they’re led as lambs for the slaughter. Maybe, at least, some of them will survive. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy