Author Archives: Logan Dalton

Wiccan and Hulkling: Raid of Ultron #1 uses the utterly insane family background of Teddy Altman and Billy Kaplan to tell some heartstrings pulling stories

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Wiccan and Hulkling: Raid of Ultron #1

Even if they’re open and welcoming towards your gender and sexual identity, family gatherings can be difficult even during the best times. Especially if “grandpa” is a killer robot, and hubby is descended from two warring extraterrestrial races. Wiccan and Hulkling: Raid of Ultron #1 uses the utterly insane family background of Teddy Altman and Billy Kaplan to tell some heartstrings pulling stories about family and romantic relationships that happen to feature magic, robots, and lots and lots of punching. Wiccan solo series writer Wyatt Kennedy and artist Stephen Byrne handle the frame story “Family Matters” that introduces the comic’s kooky cast of characters at Wiccan and Hulkling’s anniversary party. They set up the conflict and seal it with a kiss, integrating seamlessly into the three short stories.

After the Ultrons attack, each of the party guests and hosts is thrown into portals that are different short stories written and drawn by a talented group of LGBTQ+ comics creators. Up first is Wiccan and Speed are trapped in Billy and Teddy’s favorite wind-down, sadly-on-hiatus reality TV show in “Mixed Signals” by Tegan Quin, Luciano Vecchio, and Brittany Peer. The stressful setting allows Wiccan to talk about the issues in his marriage with Speed and the ever-present Ultron, who has hacked Billy’s smart watch because, of course, he would. This story satirizes “smart” and optimization culture, where we can have physical items and feedback about mental health at the press of a button, but we’re not open about how we’re feeling. Quin writes zippy banter for Wiccan and Speed, definitely leaning into the gentle sibling ribbing, and Vecchio and Peer go big, loud, and high tech with their line art and colors. The comfort TV show setting makes everything a little bit more surreal, but there’s plenty of blasting, punching, and of course, speed lines. “Mixed Signals” gets this comic started off right with a shot of adrenaline and a chaser of reflection.

The sibling relationship through-line continues in “En Garde” by Zoe Tunnell and Rachael Stott, which features a duel between Hulkling, Phyla-Vell, and Ultron, plus a lot of relationship talk with a telepathic assist from Phyla’s partner, Moondragon. The contrast between Ultron being in their own little world and taunting the heroes while Billy and Phyla have a serious conversation about communication and complacency in relationships is the height of comedy. While slashing, flipping, and flying, this story’s protagonists burn through some important topics like being at different life stages than one’s friends or giving your partner space while still speaking about your needs. There’s also some great sibling bonding between Hulkling and Phyla-Vell as they seamlessly hack and slash their way through this story. Stott brings a real muscularity to her figure work that makes the combat feel like a real battle and not just cartoons jumping and blasting. It pairs nicely with Tunnell’s humorous and honest script. (I need a follow-up story where Wiccan and Hulkling and Phyla-Vell and Moondragon go to brunch.)

Vision and his daughter Viv star in the third Raid of Ultron short story, the cheekily named “Machine Learning,” where they face off against Ultron and his daughter Ultronica, who is basically robot Cher Horowitz. Josh Trujillo, Bradley Clayton, and Fabi Marques shift the dynamic from sibling to father/daughter. The emotional heart of this story is the difficulty of knowing when to introduce your parent to your partner, as Viv feels a little awkward bringing her new girlfriend to Wiccan and Hulkling’s party. This heartfelt emotion is counterbalanced by the hilarity of their opponents, who are pop culture tropes of father/daughter interactions turned up to eleven. Also, the Sanctum Sanctorum makes for a visually interesting environment and creates a natural contrast between science and magic. Vision and Viv definitely aren’t on their home turf. However, it’s nice to have yet another story in this comic that’s both introspective and action-packed. Marques’ bright, brash color palette truly ties everything together and gives both the fighting and conversations a heightened feel.

Wiccan and Hulkling: Raid of Ultron uses the superhero soap opera backdrop of the Marvel Universe to tell fiercely queer stories with big action and even bigger feelings. Also, as an added bonus and fitting the family theme of the comic, there’s an interview with Tegan and Sara discussing their sibling dynamic, relationship, and history with comic books, making this book a delight for both fans of LGBTQ+ comics creators and musicians.

Story: Wyatt Kennedy, Zoe Tunnell, Tegan Quin, Josh Trujillo
Art: Stephen Byrne, Rachael Stott, Luciano Vecchio, Bradley Clayton 
Colors: Brittany Peer, Fabi Marques Letters: Ariana Maher
Story: 8.6 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.7 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #4 delivers a rip roaring, line snorting conclusion

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Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #4

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre (FHCM from here on out.) comes to a rip roaring, line snorting conclusion in its fourth issue. Seriously, I could read 44+ more Fred Kennedy penned, James Edward Clark drawn, and Becka Kinzie colored issues of the adventures of the Laser Drug Force fighting various random illegal substance-connected enemies, but I’ll settle for one hilarious, basically hour long animated length animated yarn for now. FHCM #4 channels night soap operas, violent 80s action schlock, Saturday morning cartoons, and just a touch of war cinema (Think Hawkeye, not Private Ryan.) to craft an epic conclusion. Kennedy and Clark throw everything but the kitchen sink at this story, and it all sticks.

Whereas the previous issues of FHCM had things like backstories, political intrigue, and even a look into the inner workings of Walt Disney World’s coked and disco ducked up theme park cousin, this comic is predominantly action with a slight twist that wouldn’t be out of place in a Steven Seagal film with an eco-friendly Ted Turner/Jane Fonda-approved twist. There are so many chases, even more gunplay, and one-liners galore. For such a silly series, Fred Kennedy gives each cast member their own sense of humor and voice from Miquel’s old school action hero charm to Agent Nebraska’s G.I. Jane crash-outs (Her origin issue is my favorite of the series.) and the cheesy earnestness of Bea, who stands up for worker rights and the Jungle Cruise style puns even while all her co-workers are senselessly gunned down around her.

And, then, there’s the literal Big Bad, Mr. Discau, who is a corpulent stand-in for every Global South dictator that the United States has propped up over the past century with plenty of Donald Trump and Walt Disney too. All he cares is making money off cocaine and controlled substances, but he’s also a disco diva who wants to make a show out of it while his bikini-clad minions are more straight to the point, Baywatch outfits aside. He openly confesses his wrongdoings in front of God, the strung-out-on-cocaine hippopotamuses, and the U.S. government, but old fashioned revenge is what takes him down. It’s so cathartic to see him get perforated after being an annoying piece of shit for four straight issues even though his amusement park and evil plans are comedy gold, especially when contrasted with Bea just trying to do her job and pay rent. Kennedy wisely winds down the evulz and monologuing and gives an epic showdown worthy of this book’s reputation.

Clark and Kinzie’s work on the visual aspects of FHCM truly make it great. Her day-glo palette and his over-the-top art style make this book a proper fever dream like some weird show on a channel that you rarely watch at 2 AM and can never find again. (This is also what makes the First Lady Laser VHS framing narrative work so well too.) There’s so much big hair, big punches, buckets of blood, sound effects, speed lines, and every cartoonist’s trick thrown into the mix in the service of telling the origin of a task force that makes ICE and the DEA look like pathetic losers. Sorry, none of y’all have hair and swagger like Miquel or karate kick action like the real Midwest princess (With apologies to Chappell Roan.) Agent Nebraska. I think classic action figure ads (Thank you Ronald Reagan and deregulation.) are also a major element of FHCM’s DNA crafting outlandish scenarios no reasonable suburb dwelling child could dream up. (It was a sad day when I learned that unfortunately the Buzz Lightyear toy couldn’t fly and didn’t include matches or explosives.) However, after their crazy antics, First Lady Laser puts them back in the toy box for some more adventures and propaganda just like the blurry photographs of the actual toys the hyperactive commercials were selling.

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre is a bat shit crazy story that could only exist in the world of creator-owned comics. Fred Kennedy, James Edward Clark, and Becka Kinzie turn the script, art, colors, and letters up to eleven and tell a story that lives up to its incredibly memorable name, premise, and cover art. It’s the rare grindhouse movie that actually lives up to the sordid pleasures promised by its poster and is freaking hilarious too. Now, pretty please, I need a “Hippo Harder”, “Cocaine 2: Electric Boogaloo”, or a sequel with a much more clever title.

Story: Fred Kennedy Art/Letters: James Edward Clark Colors: Becka Kinzie
Story: 9.2 Art: 8.8 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Mad Cave Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Mini Reviews: Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1, Of the Earth #1, Odin #1, Sirens Love Hurts #4, Umbrella Academy Plan B #4, Absolute Green Arrow #1

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Absolute Green Arrow #1

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

Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1 (Marvel) – Chris Condon and Stefano Caselli try their darndest (The Spot always looks cool visually), but Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1 can’t beat the clunkiness of a cash-in on the new Ultimate Universe’s success. Honestly, the pieced together name of the title is the perfect metaphor for the first issue itself which throws together Earth-6160 death cultists, Miles Morales and the origin boxes, and a new crop of heroes. It’s lots of plates spinning of a first issue, and most of the characters except for Jersey City’s new “Wonder Man” seem pretty generic, but maybe they’ll grow on us. There just isn’t throughline between the Annihilus stuff and the new heroes except for they have to have someone to punch eventually. Sadly, the once promising Ultimate U ended pretty abruptly (Deniz Camp and company continue to do good work on Ultimates though.), and this is more of the same. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

Of the Earth #1 (Image) – Of the Earth #1 is pure, pitch black Texas crude atmospheric horror noir from Chris Condon, newcomer Andrew Ehrich, Charlie Adlard, and Pip Martin. Condon and Ehrich use in-universe books and oil company memos to give the comic a true crime vibe while Adlard and Martin lay on the creepy visuals while giving this first chapter a slow burn. Protagonist Tabby is beyond a fish out of water in the aptly named Solitude, Texas where she’s trying to reconnect with family after some time. An extended scene with a dead dog, rental car, and a Duel-esque pickup truck shows that she’s a little too nice and compassionate for this neck of the woods and hints at the horrors to come while being a study of suspense in miniature. I’m here for fossil fuel cryptids, and this unique genre hybrid of a comic centered around a resource that starts wars. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Odin #1 (Image) – Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion, Letizia Cadonici, and Jordie Bellaire draw on the real life evil of white supremacy to create a horrifying, psychedelic comic. What starts as undercover journalist Adela infiltrating a Gen Z Nazi/Odinist group goes so wrong as the severe nine panel grids and analytic captions become something more primal and darkly poetic. Let’s just say that crazy stuff happens in the back half of this comic. I love how Cadonici and Bellaire depict the bleak barren nature of the camp site before upending with big red swatches and a loose drawing style. Adela has literally bitten off more than she can chew, and I’m invested in this twisted rabbit hole although the subject matter hits very close to home. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Sirens Love Hurts #4 (DC/Black Label) – Tini Howard, Babs Tarr, and Miquel Muerto stick the landing in this feminomenon of a series. It’s so cool to see how Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Black Canary, and Catwoman’s relationship has progressed through the four issues of Sirens Love Hurts culminating in one hell of a beat ’em up against the freaky Big Bad, Horoscope. Howard and Tarr tie up the romantic subplots nicely too with some real talk between Batman and Catwoman and Harley and Ivy. (I love how she writes Batman!) And, of course, the fits are fierce, and the colors from Muerto are immaculate. I could read so many more adventures with this group of friends and creative team lineup. Overall: 9.8 Verdict: Buy

Umbrella Academy Plan B #4 (Dark Horse) – After a bit of a hiatus, Umbrella Academy Plan B is starting to round into zany shape. Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba introduce some mysterious new characters like Jennifer while also fleshing out some old trieds and trues like Klaus, Allison, and Five. The book works when it’s about a dysfunctional family or resisting fascism not so much when it’s about parallel timelines and random one-off supporting characters. There’s even a plot point stripped straight from volume 2. However, Ba and Dave Stewart continue to make this book like gorgeously bonkers, and Way has his moments too like Allison reflecting on her life in the supervillain prison Hotel Oblivion. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Absolute Green Arrow #1 (DC) – Luigi Mangione meets Jason Voorhees in Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo’s riveting, all-too-timely take on Green Arrow. Absolute Green Arrow #1 picks up after the events of Absolute Evil with Hector Hammond hiring Dinah Lance and Malcolm Merlyn to investigate the murders of former business partners Oliver Queen and Jubal Slade. Slade is a rapist and pedophile too, and Queen was trying to do the right thing so it complicates Dinah’s relationship to her job. Pichetshote makes her very sympathetic: someone who hates the rich, but takes gigs from them to help cover her father’s healthcare. She’s the perfect entry point to this dark world that’s enhanced by the grit and power of Albuquerque and Maiolo’s visuals. This is the kind of superhero comic I need in 2026 and yet another strong launch for the Absolute line. Overall: 10 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1, Civil War Unmasked #1, DC x Sonic: The Metal Legion #1, If Destruction Be Our Lot #1

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Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1

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

Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 (DC) – This is a really fun one-shot about the GL Corps’ best/worst member from Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Laura Braga, and Vasco Georgiev. It’s also a bit of a Fight Club riff and a call to action for men to check on each other’s mental health. In addition to this, it’s just a damn fine space mystery featuring the buddy cop team of Gardner and John Stewart with jabs at AI and the surveillance state. I feel like this template might be better for the HBO Lanterns than whatever “grounded” take they’re doing. Duggan definitely portrays Guy Gardner in a three dimensional, but this comic is fun too. So many gorillas! Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Civil War Unmasked #1 (Marvel) – Christos Gage and Edgar Salazar add depth to Tony Stark’s decision to support the Superhuman Registration Act in Civil War Unmasked #1. The action centers around Stark trying to recruit the X-Men to the pro-reg side and then going on a time travel adventure with Bishop. It’s an utter fascist hellscape and legitimately on the table if the SHRA fails. The action is just okay even though Salazar draws some slick battle suits, but the moral and philosophical underpinnings make this one worth checking out. Also, it made me sympathize with Tony Stark more. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

DC x Sonic: The Metal Legion #1 (DC) – Ian Flynn and Adam Bryce Thomas run it back in the very fun DC x Sonic sequel The Metal Legion. I love how they build on the relationships from the previous crossover with Silver jawing with Guy Gardner, Shadow picking up detective skills from Batman and Robin, and Amy slaying with the Amazons to name a few. Also, Thomas’ anime influences make this comic even more adorable especially when Supergirl visits Sonic’s world. It looks like this is gonna be a classic good vs evil, Saturday morning cartoon throwdown with no less emphasis on multiversal mumbo jumbo. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 (Image) – AI Abraham Lincoln is the character find of 2026 in Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Elijah Rosenberg, and Andy MacDonald’s If Destruction Be Our Lot #1. IDBOL #1 offers up a slightly understated and at times humorous vision of a world without humanity where if you screw up, you get eaten by a bigger robot. There’s lots of musings about one’s purpose in life, but also exciting chase scenes featuring visual flourishes from MacDonald and Francesco Segala. Let’s just driving a futuristic bus is very difficult for someone who last drew breath in 1865. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Exploit #2, Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1, Justice League Intergalactic Special #1

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Street Sharks Annual 2026

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

Exploit #2 (Mad Cave) – The stakes get even higher, and the boundaries between the real and online world blur even more in Exploit #2. Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emilia Pinna center the issue’s story on the publication of Riot’s last article: an exposè of billionaire Saxon selling state secrets. The publication of the article and the fallout has big consequences for its author Kirby and her partner Lenox. This is a tension-building thriller territory complete with cathartic moments and an air of mystery where I literally don’t trust anyone except Kirby and Lenox’s grandma. With the recent events at the WHCD, this comic feels even timelier, and visually, Pinna nails the overwhelming nature of social media as well as the more traditional suspense elements. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1 (IDW) – I really enjoyed Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel‘s Street Sharks miniseries, and they return for more mutated shark DNA fun in this annual. The comic actually focuses on 2 of the Street Sharks’ allies, the traveling orca conservationist Moby Lick and their tech guy Bends, who goes on a first date in the backup story from Jordan Morris and Margeaux Pepoy. Both stories include a Street Sharks/Seaviates throwdown complete with sick wrestling moves and one-liners, but Williams adds a cool anti-corporate, pro-conservation angle as the Street Sharks and Moby Lick team up to protect a rare prehistoric creature called a Tanystropheus. It was cool learning about this extinct reptile and watching my favorite shark bros kick butt and throw back some burgers. The Bends story from Morris and Pepoy is pure romcom fun. Bends has great chemistry with his date, Dex, and it’s fun to see him in the field fighting the Seaviates instead of just being the guy in the chair. Plus any guy who uses Pleistocene era ingredients in his ramen is a keeper. Pepoy’s art style is cute too with an Archie meets Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic that flows well with Medel’s visuals. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Justice League Intergalactic Special #1 (DC) – First off, I applaud Jadzia Axelrod, Nicole Maines, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and DC editorial for telling a story centered around trans characters that isn’t a coming out, but a badass, emotional space adventure. (It’s fucked up what happened to Gretchen Felker-Martin though.) Galaxy is an up and coming member of Justice League Unlimited while Dreamer runs with the more morally questionable Secret Six. However, they end up on an epic mission with Star Sapphire, Green Arrow for some reason, Adam Strange, and the adorable Argus to investigate some missing Green Lanterns and the manipulative Witch King, who is taking over a planet of clairvoyants. There is plenty of colorful action and creative uses of Galaxy and Dreamer’s abilities, but Axelrod and Maines use the setting to explore the rift in these women’s friendship as well as the darkness and trauma of their pasts that they deal with in completely opposite ways. Superpowers as a metaphor for big feelings gets me every time, and I live for the GL Corps being called “space pigs”. JL Intergalactic Special works as a double-fisted standalone adventure as well as a foretaste of the upcoming JL: Dream Girls event. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Barbarian Behind Bars #3 and Florida Hippo Cocaine Massacre #3

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Florida Hippo Cocaine Massacre #3

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

Barbarian Behind Bars #3 (Mad Cave) – Elliott Kalan and Andrea Mutti’s Barbarian Behind Bars is a dark and gritty fish out of water story. You can feel the protagonist’s powers shrink and blows rain down with fury through the visuals. However, it’s just another chosen one story and there aren’t any characters to latch onto. Just empty archetype and big, bad action. Overall:6.0 Verdict: Pass

Florida Hippo Cocaine Massacre #3 (Mad Cave) – Florida Hippo Cocaine Massacre (FHCM) #3 has the most hippos and most cocaine of any issue in this series so far courtesy of Fred Kennedy and James Clark. Clark and flatter Becca Kenzie go full disco inferno with the art as a team of government agents get closer and closer to stopping one of the biggest drug shipments in American history. The anti-capitalist and billionaire satire continues to be spot-on, but doesn’t detract from FHCM #3’s clever silliness. There’s a Bill Watterson homage here that made laugh out loud. It’s a shame this series concludes next issue, but will definitely revisiting for all the visual gags and funny dialogue I missed the first time around. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Spider-Man/Superman #1 explores what makes Spidey and the Man of Steel tick as well as their roles in their respective universes

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Spider-Man/Superman #1

For the fourth time in the past year, the shared universes of Marvel and DC collide in Spider-Man/Superman #1. Most of the stories focus on the differences and parallels between the two flagship characters of these comic publishers, but there are plenty of sidetracks focusing on love interests, underrated supporting characters and multiversal variants, and even friends and allies like Thor, Wonder Woman, and the ever loving blue eyed Thing to name just a few.

Decades removed from his edgelord days penning Identity Crisis, writer Brad Meltzer keeps things wholesome with Spider-Man/Superman #1’s lead story “Our Kryptonite”. Pepe Larraz and Matthew Wilson handle the art duties and bring the character acting and rock ’em, sock ’em action befitting of the Marvel and DC universe’s most upstanding superheroes. Meltzer and Larraz aren’t afraid of a good homage like Spider-Man holding up a very large amount of what turns out to be Venom goo while Superman struggles with Kryptonite poisoning. (Kudos to Wilson for using some intense greens!) But “Our Kryptonite” isn’t content to play the greatest hits of Supes and Spidey ; it’s concerned with why someone risks their life to be a hero. The combined pressure of Green Goblin, Lex Luthor, a Venom symbiote, and kryptonite allow for vulnerability and eventually triumphant poses captured by Pepe Larraz. But the real best part of this story is the interactions between Aunt May and the Kents in the epilogue as they find common ground because they raised two uncommon men and share a love of apple cobbler. Cheesy banter and all, “Our Kryptonite” is the kind of story that reminds me of why I loved superheroes in the first place, and the final panel dedication to Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko is well-earned.

In Spider-Man/Superman #1’s second story, “Metropolis Marvels”, Dan Slott, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente turn back the clock almost a century for a two-fisted tale of Spider-Man Noir and Golden Age Superman. Martin’s visual storytelling is uncanny from the Will Eisner-esque title panel to his ability to slow down the flight of a speeding bullet across the course of a page. Plus there’s a couple Superman doing Spider-Man things and vice versa for good measure. I was also really impressed with how Slott writes 1930s Superman as a rough and tumble social crusader that still has a moral code and is extremely straight-laced in his civilian identity as Clark Kent. He has a feel for the moralizing staccato of those ancient comics, and I would honestly be into him writing a Superman comic set in this era.

After the Golden Age heights of “Metropolis Marvels”, Spider-Man/Superman plummets straight back to Earth in Joe Kelly, Humberto Ramos, and Edgar Delgado’s “Sweethearts”, which is just Gwen Stacy and Lana Lang monologuing at each other about Peter Parker and Clark Kent. I understand wanting to include the current Amazing Spider-Man writer, who also wrote one of the best 21st-century Superman stories, as well as an iconic Spider-Man and teen hero artist. However, two middle-aged men writing teenage girls is a poor fit, especially with hackneyed dialogue about feminism and mud wrestling. The rest of the story is firmly out of the gutter, but it’s just blocks of dialogue over splash pages of Superboy and Spider-Man fighting each other’s villains. It’s a sermon, not a fun comic, until some cute, awkward banter offers a glimpse of what this story could have been.

People who put “Moderate” as their political views on dating apps will love Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Brad Anderson’s “Identity War”. It’s Johns’ abbreviated take on a Marvel/DC crossover featuring some cool Hulk art from Frank and his usual favorites like Stargirl, Green Lantern, the Legion of the Superheroes, and I guess, Superman. The story uses a genre predicated around people punching each other to talk about the importance to listening to other perspectives, which is totally valid, but look out the window in 2026, and you’re realize we’re far beyond that naive early Barack Obama-era optimism when Geoff Johns was the hottest writer in the game. So, yeah, we’ve got ourselves another sermon, but it’s cool to see Gary Frank and Anderson draw all those heroes and villains punching each other.

Despite the trendy-ish slang name, “Ghosting” is an old-fashioned science and magic team-up as Steel tries out some new tech while fighting the Hobgoblin with the help of guest star, Thor. (Of course, they touch hammers.) Louise Simonson, Todd Nauck, and Rachelle Rosenberg infuse this story with plenty of fun banter, superpowers, and page-shattering action. There’s a lot of detail and power in Nauck’s art, giving it a nostalgic feel. Also, it’s nice to see Steel get a “W” by himself without the Man of Steel assisting. Stephanie Phillips and Phil Noto go more contemporary in Spider-Man/Superman‘s 6th story: a team-up between Ghost Spider and Supergirl against Livewire. The story is a meta-commentary on how more recently created or reinvented characters get sidelined and stay static. Ghost Spider and Supergirl have been drawn and written by iconic creators and even gotten some big screen time, but sometimes they feel like another Spider- or Super-person. However, in the space of a few action-packed pages, Phillips and Noto remind me of what badasses they are while being a little stubborn and plant the seeds of a friendship that I wouldn’t mind seeing develop. (Sophie Campbell would slay on the art!)

Next, “The One Thing…” reunites Miles Morales co-creators Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli for a conversation and team-up between Spider-Man and Superman. Seriously, this story genuinely has good advice set against a background of masks, capes, and a world-ending magic meets science crisis. (Shout out to the psychedelic color palette from Federico Blee). Bendis has a strong handle on both characters’ voices building a rapport between them before imparting wisdom that could apply to anyone. Too bad the comic cuts off before we get to see them punch out Brainiac and Dormammu.

If “The One Thing” was simple, beautiful character work, then “The Wondrous and Worthy” is epic moments, intricate world building, and yes, touching emotion from the iconic Thor team of Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, and Matthew Wilson. First, this story successfully combines the world of Asgard, the Fourth World, and a touch of the Venom symbiotes and Amazons to set up the ultimate fight. But it resonates because of the bond between Wonder Woman and Jane Foster Thor. With Odinson off being unworthy like in that part of the Aaron run, she is the defender of Earth against Darkseid and acquits herself nicely despite anxious thought bubbles and her cancer diagnosis. In a pivotal scene, Jane offers her hammer to Diana after a speech full of admiration, but then Diana plays an Uno reverse card and praises Jane’s heroism leading to a team up for the ages. This might be my favorite story in Spider-Man/Superman, but I kind of hate that they keep cutting off the story’s endings before the big battles. I’m definitely more of a fan of Jason Aaron’s vision of a Marvel/DC crossover than Geoff Johns’, especially since it flows out of such a great Thor run and bridges two of Jack Kirby’s finest creations: Marvel’s Asgard and the Fourth World.

Spider-Man/Superman wraps with a simple three page conversation between its two leads penned by Jeph Loeb with art by Jim Cheung and Jay David Ramos. It’s a solid little short that cements the mentor/young hero throughline of Superman and Spider-Man that has threaded its way through this one-shot. Superman gives Spider-Man great advice about dealing with grief, loss, and guilt, and there’s a little humorous fanboying at the end. It’s kind of a perfect way to end a pretty good series of crossover stories and put a smile on my face. It’s interesting that Marvel still sees Spider-Man as a youthful hero even though he’s been married and had children in the “Renew Your Vows” and Hickman Ultimate Spider-Man run. If Spider-Man represents my inner anxious, yet brave and sarcastic child, then Superman is the kind of person I would turn to when I need a “real adult” to talk to.

Spider-Man/Superman #1 has a couple of stinkers, but overall, it’s a decade-spanning homage to heroism from a diverse group of creators that explores what makes Spidey and the Man of Steel tick as well as their roles in their respective universes. My three favorites were the Dan Slott/Marcos Martin Spider-Man Noir/Golden Age Superman story, Jason Aaron/Russell Dauterman Thor/Wonder Woman crossover extravaganza, and the Brian Bendis/Sara Pichelli Miles Morales and Superman heart-to-heart, and I was also impressed by the main Brad Meltzer and Pepe Larraz story that balanced blockbuster action and heartfelt moments, which are why these characters are still so dear to me.

Story: Brad Meltzer, Dan Slott, Joe Kelly, Geoff Johns, Louise Simonson,
Stephanie Phillips, Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Jeph Loeb
Art: Pepe Larraz, Marcos Martin, Humberto Ramos, Gary Frank,
Todd Nauck, Phil Noto, Sara Pichelli, Russell Dauterman, Jim Cheung 
Colors: Matthew Wilson, Muntsa Vicente, Edgar Delgado, Brad Anderson,
Rachelle Rosenberg, Federico Blee, Jay David Ramos
Letters: Clayton Cowles, Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Mini Reviews: Inglorious X-Force #4, Super Creepshow #2, Batwoman #2, Lobo #2

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Lobo #2

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

Inglorious X-Force #4 (Marvel) – Inglorious X-Force is a fun, kick-ass 90s throwback of a comic, especially with Philip Tan taking over art duties. He and writer Tim Seeley throw in a million concepts and lore references, but still have time for genuine bonding and emotions between the team of Cable, Boom Boom, Archangel, Akihiro, and Ms Marvel. I live for the Warren/Tabby/Akihiro love triangle. Inglorious X-Force #4 isn’t essential reading and is more Simonson/Liefeld New Mutants than Ellis/Immonen Nextwave, but finds its footing by the time the final page rolls around. This team is a good hang for sure, but lacking in the bad guy department until that cliffhanger. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Super Creepshow #2 (Image) – Super Creepshow is another solid installment of this superhero/horror anthology featuring a story that will make you lose your lunch, and the return of the legendary Marv Wolfman to writing vampire hunters. Gerry Duggan, Scott Buoncristiano, and Mike Spicer lead off the comic with the disgusting “The Creepshow Two-In-One”. A standard issue Midwest superhero parody (I’m here for the Keg ; I wonder if he likes PBR.) turns into body horror comedy, and Buoncristiano pulls the limits of a “Mature” rating while Duggan pokes at fragile masculinity. This one definitely isn’t for the squeamish. Up next is Wolfman, Michele Rubini, and Miquel Muerto spinning a tale of violent vampires and fraught friendships in “Be Careful What You Wish For”. Wolfman hasn’t lost a step in this kind of story giving it personal (Pun intended) stakes and letting Rubini draw some savage, very unsexy bloodsuckers. This team could write one hell of a Blade series, but an action-packed story of kill or be killed is the next best thing. If you like your superheroes a little sick and twisted, then Super Creepshow is the comic for you. Overall 8.1 Verdict Buy

Batwoman #2 (DC) – The second issue of Batwoman is another case of strong visuals from Dani and Matt Hollingsworth, but below average writing from Greg Rucka. Seriously, this feels like reheated nachos from Elegy with a splash of tzatziki sauce. Rucka and Dani do attempt to raise the stakes with the appearance of Jake Kane, but his fate and Batwoman’s subsequent crash out feels rushed and unearned. It’s a reveal or a sake of a reveal not something honest and true to the character. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Lobo #2 (DC) – The fun and a a network minimum amount of “frags” keep flying in Lobo #2 from Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu. This issue shows the day-to-day of Lobo as reality TV star, and it’s about as pretty as the truly terrible costume the network makes the Main Man wear. Lobo vs AI network suit is the battle royale we need in the age of layoffs, focus groups, and algorithms. Lobo #2 even pulls off a crossover/guest star moment with a delightful caricature of a famous, but not too famous DC hero. I can’t wait to see what comes out of Lobo’s mouth next or his latest fit. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: The Fury of Firestorm #1, Sirens: Love Hurts #3, Die Loaded #6

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Sirens: Love Hurts #3

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

The Fury of Firestorm #1 (DC) – I don’t really know a lot about Firestorm beyond his/their appearances in the CW superhero shows, but Jeff Lemire is a solid writer and DC is kind of on a roll right now so I gave Fury of Firestorm #1 a shot. And I’m glad I did! Lemire, Rafael De LaTorre, and Marcelo Maiolo tap into Firestorm’s almost godlike power set to show the horrific nature of what would happen if he ever broke bad. Structured like the Hebrew Bible’s Genesis 1, the opening scene shows Firestorm devastating a small town in Colorado, and the rest of the comic picks up the pieces and establishes the herculean task that Ronnie Raymond’s girlfriend Firehawk face in stopping him. Fury of Firestorm also has two distinct visual styles: an almost brush and ink chilling rural horror style and a nostalgic early Bronze Age superhero style with Maiolo’s palette carrying the tone shift. I’m here for this almost True Detective take on superheroes that isn’t ashamed of the bright and shiny part of superheroes, which is par for the course for Jeff Lemire, who’s written both Gideon Falls and JSA. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Sirens: Love Hurts #3 (DC/Black Label) – Tini Howard, Babs Tarr, and Miquel Muerto chronicle a key turning point in the Gotham City Sirens’ relationship as Dinah Lance truly becomes friends with Selina, Harley, and Poison Ivy. There’s still zodiac-themed femicide galore, but they seem like actual friends (Sometimes with benefits) and not just unlikely teammates. Howard and Tarr showcase this growth during a gorgeously messy New Year’s Eve/bachelorette party scene with some fierce fits and even bigger pitfalls. This comic really has it all: a dark mystery, fun friendship/romance vibes, and Babs Tarr continuing to fire on all cylinders visual. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #6 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans wrap up Die Loaded’s first arc by assembling the full party and then blowing shit up. There’s a Tolkien riff, but it’s pure plot. Instead the emotional crux of the issue is a couple heart-to-hearts between Chuck and Angela’s kids and especially Sophie and Matt’s dead. Die Loaded loses the fantasy trappings and goes full exploration of family dynamics and grief in some of Gillen’s most vulnerable writing. It’s beautiful, but the series needs to continue. I love Die Loaded’s diverse and chaotic cast and look forward to seeing how they react as the “game” actually begins. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre Presents: Romeo & Juliet and Godzilla #1 deepens the tragedy of the love story while also throwing in slapstick humor on a colossal scale

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Godzilla's Monsterpiece Theatre Presents Romeo And Juliet And Godzilla #1

In Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre Presents: Romeo & Juliet and Godzilla #1, Adam Tierney and Sean Peacock intensify the classic tragic melodrama of William Shakespeare’s doomed lovers with an old-fashioned kaiju attack on Renaissance Verona. With the exception of a gorgeous fantasy sequence and some fun genre riffs, Tierney’s plot (and language) doesn’t stray from the classic story. However, Godzilla stomping, Mothra flying, and Capulet’s medieval take on Mechagodzilla add an extra level of mayhem and dark, slapstick humor.

Adding Godzilla to the mix really shows how self-absorbed and infatuated Romeo and Juliet were with each other. While the monster destroys their town killing family and friends, they only have eyes for each other. (And by extension, so do Godzilla and Mothra.) Shakespeare’s beautiful speeches and soliloquies take the foreground while carnage reigns in the background. I cackled when Godzilla took out Juliet’s famous balcony with a blast of nuclear breath, even though it sets up Romeo as the romantic hero sweeping her up in his arms before their kiss. Also, the Capulet/Montague feud doesn’t go away while the town is being attacked, but it only gets (literally) hotter. Tybalt and Mercutio (Especially Harold Perrineau’s performance as him in Romeo + Juliet) are two of the best characters in the play, and Adam Tierney and Peacock give them time to be witty and combative. However, their deaths result from being caught in the crossfire between Mechagodzilla and Godzilla. The combination of Gothic visuals from Sean Peacock and ominous lettering from Brian Kolek, with the classic line “A plague on both your houses,” captures the comic’s overall tone very well: highbrow, yet not afraid to laugh at itself.

Yes, the themes of the irrationality of love and family feuds shine true in Romeo & Juliet and Godzilla. There’s even a gorgeously colored dream sequence where Romeo and Juliet find a happy ending under a stained glass window of Toho monsters that illustrates that this isn’t Verona’s first Kaiju rodeo, as well as the cyclical nature of war and conflict. It’s just also a plain cool piece of art from Peacock, and he adds depth and humor to Tierney and Shakespeare’s text. He has a Tom Scioli meets Classics Illustrated style that works for the tone of the book, even if some of the panel transitions can be muddled and confusing, like when Juliet takes this story’s take on the “poison”. But, overall, Sean Peacock brings a dynamic approach to layouts that draws parallels between Romeo/Juliet and Godzilla/Mothra. The way the action is staged feels like a stage play, too.

Even better than the lead story is the first chapter of Tom Scioli’s Robin Hood and Godzilla serial that will run as backups in all of the Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre Presents titles. The King of Monsters plays a background role in this story, with Scioli gleefully throwing himself into an all-swashbuckling, all-the-time adventure yarn with violence and hijinks that would make Errol Flynn smile. He uses page layouts to spring the trap that Robin Hood pulls off on the Sheriff of Nottingham and his goons, and honestly, this comic works out as a straight-up Robin Hood comic without the Godzilla bit. However, with his face poking out of the water, Godzilla represents menace and the escalation of stakes to come. Tom Scioli uses Godzilla’s presence in the book to put Robin Hood in the tradition of the chivalric romances because this hero finally has a kind of dragon to slay.

If you enjoyed Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre, Romeo and Juliet & Godzilla is much in the same vein, adapting the key moments and themes from the William Shakespeare play while adding some explosive giant monster action. Tierney and Peacock use the presence of Godzilla, Mothra, and Medieval Mechagodzilla to deepen the tragedy of the love story while also throwing in slapstick humor on a colossal scale and showing how self-involved Romeo and Juliet were, as well as the futility of their families’ feud.

Story: Adam Tierney, Tom Scioli
Art: Sean Peacock, Tom Scioli Letters: Brian Kolek
Story: 8.8 Art: 8.6 Overall: 8.7 Recommendation: Buy

IDW provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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