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

No One Escapes the Dialectic #1 (BOOM!) – Community activists clash with copyright friendly-ICE (SNO) in No One Escapes the Dialectic #1. Writer Spencer Ackerman’s background as a journalist shines in the worldbuilding around SNO and the activist group as well as his sense of humor with the activists taking handles from two of my favorite things, basketball players and animals. However, NOETD is pretty visual-first opening with a silent brawl sequence between a rank and file SNO soldier and an activist. Antonio Fuso and Brad Simpson expose the violence in this organization while Ackerman sets the conspiracy wheels rolling. This book hits very close to home, but it’s compelling and glad it’s not being suppressed. Overall: 9 Verdict: Buy

Archie in Hell #1 (Oni Press) – Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook reinvigorate Archie horror in Archie in Hell #1. This comic works because it’s just a typical Archie story with love triangles, friendships, and every day teenagehood. But there’s a death cult. Crook and colorist Francesco Segala switch up their styles for bright, every day Riverdale and dark, bloodstained cultist corridors. Seriously, there are some grisly panels in this book. However, Archie in Hell #1 is more than blood and gore channeling Dante’s Inferno not Green Inferno. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

The Demon #2 (DC) – James Harren and Dave Stewart’s The Demon continues to be an exquisite dark fantasy yarn. Etrigan battles his siblings in this issue, and there is real heft behind the fight choreography. This is while Harren sets up a quest story in the larger narrative. Etrigan is an unlikely hero, but he’s the one we’re stuck with: an outcast underdog fitting for these dark times. Also, this book’s take on Merlin is very cool and trippy. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Mad Science Division #1 (Ignition) – A coke-addled nepo baby is over his head in the aptly named Mad Science Division #1 from Dan Watters and Brian Level. This first issue introduces the cast of characters and loads of kooky situations. The POV character is definitely unlikable, but that makes the insane situations and messed up visuals from Level hit even harder. Of course, there’s a cure for cancer in this suspicious pharmaceutical company’s basement. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Shaolin Cowboy: Staying AI-Live #4 (Dark Horse) – The final issue in Geoff Darrow’s sundered from the headlines Shaolin Cowboy series is maximalism at its finest. It features an almost 20 page battle between the titular character and an AI-powered used panty machine and too many real and invented sodas to count. Sure, it’s satire, but it’s of the kick you in the balls and a dog pissing on MAGAts kind of variety. I could admire and laugh at Darrow’s pages all day. Overall: 9 Verdict: Buy