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
Ultimate Universe: Two Years In (Marvel) – Ultimate Universe: Two Years In is a complex story about the Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy trying to fix the universe using the power of timey wimey things. Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel turn in a script oozing with ideas about the nature of humanity, hope, and if a better world can happen complete with talking dogs, nihilistic robots, cosmic surgery, and a truly unique take on Daredevil. This book is worth reading for the Ultimate Daredevil sequence alone which is fourth wall shattering comics storytelling at its finest from Camp, Paknadel, and Javier Pulido. Pulido’s vivid, flat colors are the cherry on top. It wavers under the weight of its own complexity sometimes, but Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel find the emotions at the core of this space and time-spanning story with Patrick Boutin and Phil Noto‘s facial expressions especially keeping me immersed in the story. Earth-6160 is full of ideas and interesting characters, and it’s sad it will conclude soon. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy
Ultimate X-Men #22 (Marvel) – This issue of Ultimate X-Men has massive Buffy season finale energy filtered through the unique stylings of Peach Momoko as the X-Men face off against the Shadow King aka Kageyama. I love Momoko’s re-characterization of the classic villain as a spurned teenage boy who wants to control the lead character, Hisako, and for her to be just as empty as him. She shows this through visuals with all kinds of logic-defying and fear-inducing shapes as Hisako’s armor and Kageyama’s shadows face off. But he is a lone terror, and she has the fierce backing of the X-Men to help her in this death-defying battle. The emotional core of this issue is totally mainly through the rise and fall of Peach Momoko’s art, and there’s a real sense of payoff in this book. I was down on this book’s plotting early on, but have really come to love it and am also craving fried chicken. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy
Hulk Smash Everything #1 (Marvel) – Hulk Smash Everything is another all killer, no filler action-packed comic book from Ryan North, Vincent Carratu, and Federico Blee. Calming and/or redirecting the Green Goliath’s anger is the driving force behind this comic, which is pure mayhem beginning with the initial assault on Dr. Strange. Carratu’s visuals capture the battle between finesse and brute strength using surrealist layouts for the scenes with Strange working his mojo and big ass splash pages for Hulk’s rampages. Pair it with a truly epic cliffhanger, and this is series that looks like it’ll be entertaining me into 2026! Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy
Giant Size Criminal #1 (Image) – Sticking up a talented poker player in a hotel room seems like an easy enough crime, but this is Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips‘ Criminal so things are not so easy. They spin a yarn of a stick-up gone wrong complete with drugs (Phillips’ palette comes in handy here.), sex workers, cartoons, and of course, daddy issues. Even if you haven’t read a single Criminal story (Guilty as charged, I think), this is a great entry to the world and filled with humor and violence too. In addition to the 36 page lead story, Giant-Size Criminals features some background information about the creation of Criminal, some funny strips about Brubaker and Phillips’ experiences with the upcoming TV adaptation, and the holy grail of all, a Criminal TTRPG created by Kieron Gillen himself that’s worth the price of the comic. Overall: 9.5 Verdict: Buy
Batman #4 (DC) – A villain who runs an “algorithm of crime” is the perfect Big Bad for 2025/2026, and Matt Fraction, Jorge Jimenez, and Tomeu Morey use Batman #4 to give us a tantalizing introduction to the Minotaur. The grid layouts paired with a precise monologue raise the stakes even higher in the first and final frames of the book while the bits in between show the utter chaos and hopelessness of Gotham. However, Fraction’s trademark witty humor shines in a sequence where Bruce Wayne flirts his way into some information. (His target wearing Krocs is an adorable detail.) Batman #4 is more a building block than a full meal or even a course on a tasting menu, but Jimenez’s slick visuals and a frightening, yet relatable villain make it worth a read. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy
