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

Cul-De-Sac #1 (Bad Idea) – Mike Carey and Jonathan Wayshak team up on an interesting riff on the vampire genre that humanizes both the hunters and the monsters that they’re after. The stories focuses around a powerful vampire clan called the Necratil that can have children, live basically normal lives, and super scarily, drain the life out of their prey instead of sucking their blood. I love the normalcy with which the vampire kids are portrayed compared to the vampire hunters without taking away the air of menace. And on the art side, Wayshak has a little bit of that Richard Corben flair for any time someone is doing something monstrous and does a little classic newspaper cartoon style for the more mundane moments. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Captain America #2 (Marvel) – This issue of Captain America is all about exploring the nuances and tough choices facing and being Cap in the early 20th century. Chip Zdarsky and Valerio Schiti craft a parallel narrative with sand-swept flashbacks of Colton’s experiences in the War on Terror and his current mission with Steve Rogers in Latveria. The stories look at the pros and cons of American interventionism and also highlight Rogers’ naive idealism as well as his status as a living symbol and legend. It’s not a simple smash and grab mission for sure. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Ancestral Recall #1 (AHOY Comics) – Jordan Clark and Atagun Ilhan‘s Ancestral Recall lives up to the hype of its concept, which is an elderly painter named Melvin uses the power of Black history to help find his missing wife. I love how much of a curmudgeon Melvin is and his interactions with his neighbor-turned-sidekick Myran, who is the epitome of hospitality. On the visual side, Ihan uses the different historical figures that Melvin embodies to play with different styles like noir and swashbuckling adventure. (Also, did you know that Philip Marlowe was originally based on a Black man?) This comic is a robust argument against algorithm/AI culture and for re-connecting with one’s roots and neighbors. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy