Author Archives: Brett

Roman Muradov’s All the Living is hauntingly beautiful

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Waking up in Purgatory, a young woman is forced to take part in a lottery, which she wins. Unfortunately for her, since she has had enough of life, the prize is to return to the world of the living and continue her life from where she had left it, with one significant difference: this time, she can see and communicate with ghosts–her own included. Her dull, monotonous life carries on, though her profound solitude is now mitigated by the presence of the ghosts of the dead, most notably her own. She discovers that living with her ghost has its advantages, until this relationship suddenly turns into a spectral triangle…

By turns compassionate and cruel, All the Living is a quiet, melancholy story full of delicate details, and unexpected humor. It’s a slow and subtle meditation on loneliness, rendered in Muradov’s shifting style, full of finesse and sensuality. A parable — at the same time gentle, penetrating, and occasionally profane — that marks the return of a master of the modern graphic novel.

Story: Roman Muradov
Art: Roman Muradov

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

Fantagraphics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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DnDoggos: Spells Like Trouble kicks off a new adventure for our dice rolling dogs

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Magnus, Pickles, Tonka, and Zoey are ready to play! After leveling up, the doggos have new spells, new gear, new maps, and even a new friend: Toast the cat! But Maxilla’s spell has woken a slumbering giant, and the threatening rumbles are growing louder. Plus, their new friend Toast has an unusual type of magic that is causing all kinds of trouble for our heroes.

Will leveling up help the DnDoggos and Toast stop Maxilla before she causes even more trouble? Or will their own magic get the best of them?

Story: Scout Underhill
Art: Scout Underhill
Colors: Liana Sposto

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

Feiwel & Friends provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

South Beloit Journal is an interesting, personal, and honest journal done as comic strips

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“Over the winter of 2010-2011 I found myself at the lowest point of my life: Twice divorced, heartbroken, mentally insane, and living in poverty and isolation in a cold, grey cinderblock apartment in a small, gritty town in Northern Illinois… South Beloit. One of my projects at the time was illustrating a book about suicide, The Next Day, for the Canadian publisher Pop Sandbox. As I trimmed the pages to size, I found myself with ninety-one 2” x 6” scraps of Bristol board. They looked perfect for a comic strip, so I began drawing upon them one little diary comic per day. I tried not to censor myself (though sometimes I still did), but to just let the ink spill without preconception or prejudice. What follows are those comics. I hope you enjoy them more than I enjoyed making them!” — John Porcellino

Story: John Porcellino
Art: John Porcellino

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Uncivilized Books

Murder Drones #1 brings the popular series to comics

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Murder Drones #1

In the far future on the desolate exoplanet designated Copper 9, the humans are long gone but the robotic worker drones they created to mine the planet’s resources are still hard at work. Together, they have managed to forge their own makeshift society… or so they thought until a previously unknown kind of robot — the dreaded ‘Murder Drones’ — are activated by a long-forgotten human-scripted protocol to disassemble any worker that deviates from its original programming. But when a rebellious young worker drone named Uzi forms an unlikely alliance with two disassembly drones — Serial Designations N and V — can they, together, uncover the secrets of their origins… and stop the spread of the unsettling mechanical virus known as the Absolute Solver? Murder Drones #1 is an interesting start bringing the animated series to the comic page but might be for the uber fans.

There’s a lot I want to like about Murder Drones #1. The story about cute robots that were enemies, now friends, working together against a larger threat sounds like the type of story I’d fall for. With the cuteness of Astrobots, with the kinetic energy of manga and anime, and a nice underlying message, Murder Drones #1 feels like a property geared for my tastes. But, while I get what it’s going for, the dialogue of the comic feels a bit like “how do you do, fellow kids?” There was a point I had to stop to see if I was having a stroke while reading it, it felt so bizarre to me.

Set in a future where it’s just robots, humanity has wiped itself out, there’s a cringe feel to the comic for me, where it feels like adults trying to mimic how kids sound. With dialogue like “Ha Ha! Classic toxic masculinity, Chad! That’s never gonna end up problematic!” the comic to me comes off in a way I can’t enjoy. I’ve never seen the animated series, so no idea how well the comic reflects it, but as a new reader, there’s something off-putting with the dialogue. I like the underlying aspects and interactions, but it’s the words themselves where I’m left scratching my head. I’m sure it’s a generational thing, and robots using dialogue like this from a “dead” civilization is part of the point, but for me, it’s just something I have trouble getting past.

But, Liam Vickers and Wyatt Kennedy do craft an interesting debut. It has a lot I really do enjoy including the introduction to the world, and some aspects of the characters, particularly the relationship between a daughter and father. There’s some interesting commentary here and biting satire… if you can get past the dialogue itself.

The art by Jo Mi-Geyong is great. The comic pops with a look that feels like Astrobots but a glowing color palette. The character designs are cute and adorable, to a point you want figures of them, and the world works really well in telling the backstory. The action is great with a manga/anime feel about it all that really does pop on the page.

While I enjoyed the story and details of Murder Drones #1, there’s a point where I was pulled out and wondered if it was a generational thing I just wasn’t getting. I couldn’t tell if some of the dialogue was just flavor, serious, how kids talk, or how adults think kinds talk. While interesting, it was distracting as someone new to it all. Murder Drones #1 has a lot going for it and I’m sure it’ll find a fandom in comics that’ll love it but as someone new, it might be one you have to know the property to really get.

Story: Liam Vickers, Wyatt Kennedy Art: Jo Mi-Gyeong
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Kindle

Infernal Hulk #4 takes us into the Hulkscape teasing the battle to come

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Infernal Hulk #4

INTO THE HULKSCAPE As the Infernal Hulk’s Age of Monsters rages across the globe, the INCREDIBLE Hulk is effectively dead, his consciousness locked away in the brutal depths of the Hulkscape. But Hulk discovers he’s not alone… his previous alters are locked in with him, as well as the countless victims and vessels of ELDEST. Could one of the Hulks possess the key to taking back their stolen body? And could they have a way to communicate with their long-lost companion CHARLIE? Infernal Hulk #4 is an interesting chapter in the series but one that might leave new readers a little lost.

Infernal Hulk is a solid series so far. While it builds off of the previous Hulk series written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, it generally has been easy to dive in to for new readers. As long as you knew the basics you were fine and could follow along. Infernal Hulk #4 feels like the exception to that as it dives into a world called the Hulkscape where the Hulk remains as an evil god runs around in his body. While the concept, like the series overall, is pretty straightforward, there’s a lot of details here and some teases to the previous volume of the series that will likely go over the heads of those new to the series. While it’s generally easy to understand the concept, there’s just a lot that feels like is missed.

But still, even with a focus on a follow up to the previous volume, Infernal Hulk #4 is a solid issue with various Hulks battling it out in a strange world and teasing what might be the solution to this problem. But more importantly, the comic also teases the reaction to this new Hulk running around. So far, this Hulk has destroyed American armed forces, battled a giant in the ocean, and is clearly a threat. That’s beginning to be acknowledged teasing a major confrontation to come and wondering who or what might stop this new Hulk?

The art by Nic Klein continues to shine. With color by Klein and Matthew Wilson and lettering by Cory Petit, the series has a sickly glow about it perfectly capturing the otherworldly aspect of this Hulk and what’s going on. The Hulkscape is packed with detail that I’m sure long time readers will appreciate and the various Hulks look great. This is supposed to be a nightmare-like world and it comes off as such in every aspect. This is a series whose art is on point emphasizing its horror roots and helping to elevate the series as a whole.

Infernal Hulk #4 works really well as a piece of the puzzle. There’s small details and teases here that are sure to pay off as the series progresses. But, while it’s a needed chapter, it builds off of the previous volume in a way that new readers might feel lost. But, even with that, it’s an interesting issue that builds on an excellent series.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Nic Klein
Color: Nic Klein, Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Inglorious X-Force #2 allows the personalities of the team to shine as it builds upon its mystery

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Inglorious X-Force #2

HELL TO PAY… HELLVERINE must face demonic temptation…and it’s all part of CABLE’S secret agenda! PLUS: Meet the HIDDEN AGENT who’s been STALKING X-Force from the shadows. The mysteries deepen, and the action amplifies as the true mission comes into focus… Inglorious X-Force #2 drops the team into another battle but there’s more going on than just another mission.

X-Force has a special place in my heart when it comes to the X-Men. I remember getting that first issue with excitement and reading the series’ initial run for quite some time. I was young, and it all seemed exciting building off of the New Mutants. There’s been numerous teams over the years, with some takes really entertaining and some not so much. Tim Seeley is in the driver seat here as the writer for what has been an intriguing series so far.

Inglorious X-Force #2 has the team together and another mission they have to undertake. What’s interesting so far about Seeley’s take isn’t the mystery of who the next traitor is, that’s been done before, but the focus on each character and what makes them work.

With an initial sequence of Boom Boom commenting on a video from the new MLF and a fight between Arhcangel and Hellverine, we get the sense this is a team that’s full of personality and attitude, much of which is going to clash and create excitement. But Seeley give us a bit more. Through their mission involving a cult, we get to see the focus on just a handful of characters. By the end of the issue, it’s clear what Cable is doing in assessing each member and figuring out who he can trust, but also what really makes them heroes. Ms. Marvel being the outlier of the group creates an interesting dynamic of a bunch of killers and the one person who sticks to their principles, something Cable seems to appreciate. It’s small details like this that make the comic stand out. Add in something more going on, for instance what Domino is doing, and the series has a lot of moving parts that’ll leave readers guessing.

The art by Michael Sta. Maria is good. With color by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and lettering by Joe Caramagna the comic is an interesting one with the usual big guns, pouches, and mutant powers, but going up against what is an undead horde. There’s something visually that makes it all interesting and feels like something a bit different than the usual battles.

Inglorious X-Force #2 has a lot going on for it with what feels like a few mysteries going on at once. Add in some intriguing personalities and dynamics within the team, mixed in with some fun dialogue, and you have a comic that feels like earlier years of X-Force. It hits the nostalgia while also delivering something a little different.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Michael Sta. Maria
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Wrestle Heist #3 adds more absurd humor as well as motivation

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Wrestle Heist #3

If our heroes survive the trap set for them by crooked promoter Buddy Hansen and if they can survive each other they turn their attention to the greatest heist in Wrestling History! Is there team complete? Are they prepared? Will there be a training montage? You better believe there will be! Does this issue curiously make this series an evergreen Thanksgiving season classic? Curiously it does, indeed! Wrestle Heist #3 is another fantastic issue that expands the heist plan while adding more motivation.

Kyle Starks has delivered a fantastic series so far and Wrestle Heist #3 is a great example of how and why this series works so well. On its surface, the story is a simple heist story, though a bit exaggerated in so many ways. But, not all that below the surface is some biting commentary about the wrestling industry and its underlying issues and outright abuses.

The second issue left some of the team in a hardcore match to free up one of their members to participate in their planned heist, but from there, it’s the addition of a new team member as well as discussion as to why they’re all doing what they plan on doing. With a lot of risk, the comic up to this point has delivered a fairly simple reason for everyone’s actions but Wrestle Heist #3 adds some depth to it. While enjoy Thanksgiving, our band of wannabe thieves discuss the abuses they’ve experienced and know about within the industry and perpetrated by their target. There’s thinly discussed real world issues and individuals and the group touches upon racism, sexism, abuse, drug abuse, homophobia, sexual predators, and more.

While all of that might seem weighty as topics, Starks delivers it all with a sincere take but at the same time small additions that take the tension and seriousness out of it all. One group members loves the drugs, a solution to so many problems in their mind. Another reveals they’re gay and while the revelation starts of sincere, it goes off in a direction of horror and humor. It’s the sort of delivery Starks brings to the comic over and over, just when you think it might go off in a serious direction, it does something to cut the tension and gets readers to laugh.

The art is fantastic as always with an over the top style to it that helps add to the humor of it all and Vlad Popov‘s colors help make it all pop. The visual delivery of lines just add to the enjoyment of the comic and at times it’s the punchline to whatever joke Starks has set up to be delivered.

Wrestle Heist #3 continues what’s both a love letter to the wrestling industry but as biting commentary and observation about it as well. You don’t need to be a fan of sports entertainment to enjoy it but those that are will find a layer that’ll get you to think and experience it on another level.

Story: Kyle Starks Art: Kyle Starks Color: Vlad Popov
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Atomic Mass Games reveals Marvel: Crisis Protocol Alliances Night of the Goblin

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In an expansion of the tabletop miniature game Marvel: Crisis Protocol, Atomic Mass Games has revealed Marvel: Crisis Protocol Alliances Night of the Goblin.

The board game has you initially taking on the role of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Black Cat, and Ghost Spider in a beat-em-up board game battling Green Goblin and his minions. In it, you’ll play through leveling up your characters until you take on the final boss.

The game for 1-4 players is out Summer 2026 and features easy to assemble miniatures that are compatible with Marvel: Crisis Protocol making it an easy entry point into that game as well as a standalone board game.

The teaser video shows the ability to “mix and match characters and enemies from different alliances adventures to create an endless number of experiences” teasing the ability to use other miniatures from Marvel: Crisis Protocol. The video showed Wolverine, Captain America, Cyclops, Hawkeye, and more teasing combinations of teams to use along with the initial roster the game comes with.

The video ended with the tease of Marvel Crisis Protocol Alliances Attack of the Sentinels saying “to be continued in.” The Sentinels are getting a major push in the tabletop miniature game with an expanded faction and new releases revealed in November 2025.

Marvel: Crisis Protocol is a tabletop miniature game where you put together a team of characters to battle it out against an opponent. In it, you’re able to mix and match heroes and villains sticking to themed teams or building whatever you’d like. As it’s a tabletop miniature game, there’s a hobby aspect that comes with it as you put together figure model kits and paint them if you choose.

This new board game expands the line from just new miniature releases and potentially lowers the bar for entry as the sprues shown in the video look more push to fit making it easier to assemble for those new to that type of hobby as well as an introduction to miniature tabletop games in the form of a board game.

The Punisher #1 shakes things up just enough while also sticking to the basics

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The Punisher #1

As unflinching and uncompromising as ever, Frank Castle’s memory is damaged and he’s hunting for answers and criminals alike! He’ll get more than he bargained for of both when the notorious and bloodthirsty JIGSAW returns…with THE PUNISHER dead in his sights! The Punisher #1 is the return of Frank Castle to an ongoing series with a debut that sticks to the formula that works while giving something new.

When I was heavily collecting comics in the 90s, I bought up everything featuring the Punisher. The character felt a bit adult for my barely teen self, the R-rated comic I probably shouldn’t have been reading. So, I have a bit of a nostalgic spot for the character. That and the fact Benjamin Percy has taken on the writing duties for this new ongoing series made The Punisher #1 a comic I had to check out.

While the comic is a debut issue, it isn’t a clean one. Percy dips a bit into the recent Punisher: Red Band series, making it a recommended read to get completely caught up with what’s going on. But, with some details missing, the basic concept of the Punisher is simple. Frank is back out there killing criminals but now he has some memory trouble.

Percy’s writing takes on a noir-ish vibe to it with a lot of narration as Frank struggles to function. While the vigilante justice is quick and sporadic, Percy focuses in on the physical struggles the Punisher is having and it causing him to pass out. It creates an unpredictability for the character and takes him from being the unstoppable killing machine to a vulnerable man that you know will collapse at an inconvenient time endangering himself.

Percy too shakes things up with the first villain on the deck. While Jigsaw is a classic Punisher foe, this comic also changes things up for him, giving him a new focus and goal. It has potential to spill out from beyond this series, impacting other street level New York City characters and could be one of the more intriguing aspects to spin out of the series.

The art by José Luis Soares is solid. With ink by Oren Junior, color by Frank D’Armata, and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic looks solid. There’s a grittiness to the comic that matches its vigilante tone. The comic at times has a noir-ish/detective tone to the writing that the art reflects. You almost expect Frank in a trench coat and fedora at his desk as he has a spell and passes out. But, Soares and the team delivers far more with small details that emphasizes the physical struggle Frank faces. You can see by his body language the frustration at what’s happening to him.

The Punisher #1 feels like a new concept for the character who has struggled over the decades to deliver something new. From instrument of god to Frankenstein, the character has had change ups that haven’t often worked. But, The Punisher #1 does. It sticks to the basics while adding in a new obstacle for Frank to overcome and a new mystery to unfold. It has the DNA of the character and what fans can expect but makes sure to give us something a bit more to keep readers on their toes.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: José Luis Soares
Ink: Oren Junior Color: Frank D’Armata Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Blokees Build: Transformers Wheels C01 Roll Out! – Runabout

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Build your own Transformers fleet with the all-new Blokees Wheels series. Crafted with detailed design, innovative high-density materials, and tool-free assembly, each model makes customizing, playing, and displaying effortless. From rare 1/144 Titanium editions to opening cockpits and interchangeable standard parts, every vehicle brings your convoy to life.

Assemble your team—your fleet, your way. Roll out!

We open up our eleventh box and it’s Runabout!

Get yours!

Blokees
Entertainment Earth

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

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