Category Archives: Reviews

Olivia Sullivan’s Oracles has great art and feels like a mix of graphic novel and poetry

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Overwhelmed by the weight of everyday life, our narrator leaves the familiar and steps into the wild unknown.

From forests to deserts, oceans to mountains, each landscape reveals hidden truths that reshape their understanding of grief, healing, and who they are becoming. As they travel, sage creatures, whispering mushrooms that glow with memory, and churning whirlpools guide them through moments of fear, wonder, and quiet reflection. The journey becomes a deeper reckoning with loss―and a search for meaning in what remains.

With evocative artwork and lyrical, contemplative prose, this graphic novel charts a path from uncertainty to connection, and from being lost to finally being found.

Story: Olivia Sullivan
Art: Olivia Sullivan

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

Avery Hill Publishing 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

Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Part of Doom! expands the world and has us excited for more

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Brian Reyes always felt a bit different―even before growing a unicorn horn, discovering a talking muffin, and swallowing the ruler of the Underworld to save his BFF. So when he receives a mysterious invitation for a Unicorn-Only Sleepover, Brian wonders if these fellow magical creatures might help him make sense of his increasingly odd world. Held in an enchanted castle in the clouds, not everything at this glitzy, glamorous party is as it seems, and Brian will have to fend off increasing social anxiety, ignore the negative feelings in his gut, and stay true to himself if he’s going to survive the night!

With a wave of his magic pen, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems―you know, things like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe.

Story: Dave Roman
Art: Dave Roman
Color: Heather Mann

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

First Second 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

Captain America #11 Delivers Some Awe as Armageddon Looms

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Captain America #11

Steve puts aside his mission to protect Victor Von Doom’s ultimate weapon from both the U.S. and Latveria, which puts him on a dangerous collision course with RED HULK’S ALL-NEW, ALL-HULK strike team! But there are some wars not even Captain America can win… Captain America #11 delivers the sparks that feel like they really kick off the upcoming event, “Armageddon.”

With a major event that sounds like it’ll shake things up coming, I wanted to check out Captain America, one of the key series leading up to whatever’s happening. This issue sounded like it’s a key one as it focuses on whatever “ultimate weapon” Doom has left behind. Add in a confrontation between Captain America and the Red Hulk, the issue felt like it might be important. I can’t quite speak to that, but I can say it’s exciting, even if you haven’t kept up with what’s going on.

For those who grabbed Marvel’s “Comic Giveaway Day” release, you have a sense of what’s coming in “Armageddon.” Red Hulk has taken on the task to bring peace to the world and does so through tyranny, much like Doom recently did. There seems to be more to it, but we know who the villain likely is. The concept seems interesting, though also a bit of a retread of the recent “One World Under Doom.”

Written by Chip Zdarsky, Captain America #11 is part of the lead up to all of that with Captain America attempting to bring some order to the fractured Latveria but Red Hulk in this issue makes his move. The issue is packed with surprises and moments that feel like they’re tailor made for the big screen. And that’s what stands out in this comic, it feels like the moment just before all hell breaks loose and then the initial chaos of disaster.

Zdarsky does an excellent job of keeping things off kilter as Steve must figure out what to do about a clone of Doctor Doom that’s a kid and whatever mysterious package he has. Red Hulk sees a threat in this young Victor Von Doom, and we the readers are given a spin on “would you kill Hitler as a child to prevent what he does as an adult?”. But, this scenario is different as it’s a clone and not guaranteed to grow up to be the tyrant Doom was. Steve sees that while Red Hulk doesn’t showing a direct split in how they each view the world.

But, where the issue stands out is that disaster aspect. All hell breaks loose as the Red Hulk and his troops attack to bring order and take control of Latveria. It’s a moment of shock and awe with Steve doing what he can to protect the innocent and heroes coming in to do what they can to save the day. The moments stack up visually with many leaving you lingering on the page.

That’s due to the art of Valerio Schiti who gives us summer popcorn visuals. Schiti is joined by Romulo Fajardo Jr. on color and Joe Caramagna on letters. The trio come together to nail the art and give us epic moments. Red Hulk and his team descending on Latveria looks great. A certain hero coming in to save Steve nails the moment with the lettering emphasizing it all and really delivering the “fuck yeah” to a simple panel. It all looks great with a slightly ominous feel to it all but making sure to really emphasize and deliver the action.

Captain America #11 is a solid issue that’ll have you wanting to go back and check out Zdarsky’s run from the first issue. If this is what we can expect in the upcoming event, I’m here for it and where that ending leaves us, I want to find out what happens next. This is fun popcorn comics that deliver on the action, the awe, and the excitement.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Valerio Schiti
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letters: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.15 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Destination Kill #1 is Future Pop Action Rooted in Today’s Ills

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Destination Kill #1

The year is 2125, and the all-powerful corporation Overcon uses its robot workers to pour our drinks and dispense our meds, all while rebuilding London’s Central City into a hyper-modern megalopolis bolted together in its own image. But as Overcon prepares to celebrate the first year of its Paradise Loop—a superfast transatlantic train that connects the Central City to New York in under 60 minutes—an unwieldy army of displaced human workers floods the streets with weapons, plotting an attack at the anniversary gala. Enter: Gina Serene, a stressed-out, pill-popping police detective in desperate need of a vacation and her ex-partner turned P.I., Lance Wingman—who are now the only thing standing between Overcon’s skyscraper-sized fist and the worker uprising that threatens to bring Britain’s capital crashing down around them. Destination Kill #1 takes us to the future for a story rooted in today’s economic and political climate.

Written by Joe Palmer, Destination Kill #1 is an interesting debut with a style about it that would feel right at home with something like 2000 AD or Heavy Metal. Set in the future, a corporation has taken over major cities and rebuilt them with robots. Those robots seemingly have displaced human workers who are fighting back against the corporate overlords. While we haven’t quite gotten to full scale assaults, the series feels like it’s rooted in the unease of today. Technology, particularly AI, is displacing workers adding to an already shaky economic reality.

At the center of the comic is a police detective, Gina Serene, who wants a vacation but gets dragged into the current conflict. There’s a rather interesting aspect to the comic with the center being a police officer, a position and job that today is met with skepticism and full of abuse. Serene does come off as a likely clean but flawed cop in a department where something is off. The police go overboard in their reactions and the response to the current rise of the workers feels odd overall. It creates suspicion but also lifts Serene up as a character we might be able to generally trust.

Palmer also provides the art the lettering and joined on color by Folasade Olaseni. The style of the comic has a bit like Simon Bisley’s work on Lobo and would fit neatly into 2000 AD or Heavy Metal like the general story. There’s something chaotic about the art that fits so well in a society that itself is melting down. The designs are intriguing in that the comic looks very futuristic but it doesn’t distract as well. There’s a lot of detail and work to give you an idea of the world but it’s done to help shape the world as opposed to really drive home the story itself.

Destination Kill #1 is a nice debut that’s entertaining and shows off a lot of potential. It has a rather kinetic and frenetic feel to it all as the story itself spins into chaos. It’s a solid read for those that enjoy futuristic stories with something to say about our current world, luckily it also entertains with madcap action.

Story: Joe Palmer Art: Joe Palmer
Color: Folasade Olaseni Letters: Joe Palmer
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1 returns us to THAT time, but did we need to go back?

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The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1

Revisit one of the most transformative periods of Spider-Man history with some of the creators who made it happen! Spider-Man discovers one of the most valuable items the Kingpin, aka Wilson Fisk possesses – THE LEXICON. This directory of the Kingpin’s criminal enterprise could destroy the criminal landscape of New York City, and that’s Spider-Man’s goal when he takes it. But Fisk isn’t the only person who wants the Lexicon… Mr. Negative would love his competitor’s secret information, but so would Frank Castle, A.K.A. THE PUNISHER. Taking the Lexicon sure seemed like a good idea to make the city safer, but it’s painted the biggest target ever on Spider-Man’s back! The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1 is the latest series that takes us back to a key time in a character’s history adding to it with an in-continuity tale.

Spider-Man is a character that I dip in and out of when it comes to the various series. He’s not a character whose adventures I’ve read for a long time, the exception being Dan Slott‘s Superior Spider-Man run. So, seeing Slott take on one of the more controversial periods for the character left me intrigued. I enjoy his writing and have liked his previous work for the character. But, while The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1 has its moments, overall it doesn’t feel like anything vital that had to be told.

The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1 isn’t bad, but it feels like the type of miniseries put together specifically to tie into something else going on, in this case the upcoming film Spider-Man: Brand New Day which also features the Punisher who is in this comic as well. The cynical part of me says that’s the driver of this series, as opposed to really adding to Spider-Man’s history in an interesting way that impacts the character today or something really original, it had to be done.

“Brand New Day” was a storyline post “Civil War” that had Spider-Man striking a bargain where everyone forgot who he was and it dealt with that aftermath. We see that in this comic with so many feeling like they remember Spider-Man unmasking but not who was under it. It does its best to catch readers up on what is a rather complicated storyline. Mephisto isn’t mentioned at all to keep it all simpler and reflect Peter’s memories of how things went down.

There is some aspects that are interesting in the comic though. The idea of Spider-Man having this book of crime and using to to break up major operations is actually an intriguing idea. Spider-Man working with the police to do so and leaving the criminals to the justice system while the Punisher would rather have a more permanent solution is also interesting. But, the comic feels like there’s little point to its setting in the timeline so far. It could happen at any point, for the most part, it being “Brand New Day” doesn’t feel like it’s mandatory other than tying into the upcoming film in another way.

The art by Marcus To is pretty good. He’s joined by Alex Sinclair on color and Joe Caramagna on lettering. Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente provide some art going over the rather complicated history. Visually, the comic looks good with some decent action. The art is crisp but lacks a certain flair to it that we’ve seen in other Spider-Man comics. Like the story itself, it’s fine but doesn’t really stand out as anything truly special.

The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #1 isn’t a bad debut and for those that really dig the time period or character it could work. But, it feels like its primary focus is giving those who see the upcoming movie a comic they might be drawn to. In that case again, it’s not something that will likely hook those readers to come back or seek something else out. Overall, it’s a perfectly fine read that’s also rather forgettable, like Peter’s identity.

Story: Dan Slott Art: Marcus To, Marcos Martin, Muntsa Vicente
Color: Alex Sinclair Letters: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Hidden Springs #1 delivers a spin on ET with a giant Kaiju and Retirement Community

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Hidden Springs #1

While on a retirement community field trip, a group of ageing ex-Hollywood stars encounter a baby KAIJU on the run from military agents. Bonding quickly with the creature, the cantankerous cadre of former celebrities have to somehow get the kaiju to safety—before it causes the end of the world! Hidden Springs #1 is an intriguing debut that delivers some interesting characters and solid laughs.

Written by Rob Williams, Hidden Springs #1 is an interesting debut with what feels like a mix of influences. People taking care of an alien creature has an ET vibe to it. The fact that they’re from a retirement community has us thinking about Batteries Not Included. Mixed together, it’s a debut that shows a lot of potential for the story but it’s the characters that really have us intrigued and interested.

The debut issue focuses a lot on its cast of characters as they go for a hike in the woods. Each character through the comic is given a lot of depth so we not only have a good sense of who they are but their history and what they might bring to the story. But it also brings together slight sniping and conflict as their personalities clash a bit. There’s a lot of history danced around and teased showing these are people who have been around each other for a long time. It’s that sort of detail that creates a reading experience that feels lived in.

The art by Nil Vendrell is entertaining. With color by Berta Sastre and lettering by Simon Bowland, the comic’s look has a bit of comedic style to it that takes Williams’ dialogue and makes it funny. This could easily be characters who are just sniping at each other and not getting along, but the art shifts the tone a bit, instead packing some laughs to it all.

Hidden Springs #1 has bones that feel like it’s something we’ve seen before, a group protecting an alien from the government, but it’s the characters that makes it stand out with jokes poking fun at its cast but also giving us characters to care about and laugh with. It’s a fun start that takes a familiar concept but delivers a bit of a different spin on it.

Story: Rob Williams Art: Nil Vendrell
Color: Berta Sastre Letters: Simon Bowland
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is a Solid Debut That Features a Familiar Concept but Does it So Well

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Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1

Framed. Outlawed. Hunted. The extralegal activities of Gotham’s vigilantes have never been more dangerous. After Barbara Gordon is arrested for aiding the Bat-Family, she is shipped off to Supermax, GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage’s pet-project prison for all who oppose him. She will find herself alone, surrounded by dangerous criminals and equally dangerous guards, in a place where nothing is what it seems. The true danger is just beginning… Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 takes Barbara… to jail!

The idea of Barbara Gordon going to jail, really a Supermax, is a concept that immediately catches my attention. It reminds me of a previous movie project that would have put a wrongly convicted Green Arrow in a supermax. That project didn’t happen, but thankfully this one has because it’s good, really good. Written by Mariko Tamaki, the issue bounces between Barbara’s initial experiences behind bars but also what lead up to it. Tamaki gives enough background for readers not familiar with the current Batman meta to still dive in an enjoy the comic.

The story has Barbara investigating not only the mysterious Supermax opened by Vandal Savage but also a series of murders within. Something doesn’t add up beyond the murders as the prison is stocked not just with villains but political rivals who aren’t physical threats and staffed with criminals. What’s the story? That’s the point of the comic.

There’s some small details that I’d have liked to been addressed, namely, who knows Barbara Gordon is Batgirl? Also, while she’s arrested for aiding Batman, will we find out more details on that? It’s very small issues for a debut issue that’s engaging in every way.

Tamaki is joined by Amancay Nahuelpan on the art, Tamra Bonvillain for color, and lettering by Ariana Maher. The visuals are solid as Barbara mixes her defiance and toughness with realizations that she might be over her head. The comic’s visuals keeps things focused on the challenges Gordon faces within the prison walls instead of playing “spot the villain within the walls.” The team also does an excellent job of dumping info using visuals in a way that’s interesting and engaging, giving enough information for new readers to understand but a little more for long time fans.

The team does a fantastic job of delivering an unease and tension with the visuals as you never know what to expect and where its coming from. There’s some solid fights that go up to that line where suspicions about Barbara and being Batgirl might be crossed (I’m assuming people don’t know). Overall, it’s a comic that has a bit of grittiness to it when it comes to the art, a perfect match of story and art.

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 is really well done with a story that’s familiar (innocent person goes behind bars for some reason) but just does it in a way that’s engaging and you want to read more. There’s a plan that feels very “Bat-family” and at the same time the normally very capable Barbara Gordon feels like she might be a bit over her head. I’m already wondering how things are put back in the bag when this is all over, but it’s a ride I’m all in for seeing where it goes.

Story: Mariko Tamaki Art: Amancay Nahuelpan
Color: Tamra Bonvillain Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Oni and Flux House’s Mind MGMT/Fort Psycho Special from Free Comic Book Day will get you excited

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Welcome to Mind MGMT: New & Improved! In the hands of our elite instructors, you will be schooled in the exotic arts of mental manipulation, information warfare, subliminal conditioning, and more. This comic book is part of your training, so read on to discover who we are, who we are fighting, and why our lives are no longer our own in this self-contained, educational introduction to the vast underground network we call Mind MGMT: New & Improved #1, as written and drawn by Matt Kindt. Fear not: The voices in your head can tell no lies!

In addition to your introduction the world of Mind MGMT: New & Improved, the Mind MGMT/Fort Psycho FCB 2026 Special contains an all-new, high-octane prelude to the events of Fort Psycho #1 – the extreme action action comic locking a strike team of highly trained covert operatives trapped on a secret island prison with no hope of escape, as they contend with secret betrayals, and the long-buried truth about the mission that brought them there.

Story: Matt Kindt
Art: Brian Hurtt
Color: Bill Crabtree
Letterer: Becca Carey

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook.

Amazing Spider-Man #1000/Queen in Black #1 Comic Giveaway Day 2026 teases what’s to come

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The road to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1000 takes a big turn here as fate bears down on Peter Parker! The Queen in Black has been coronated, and Mary Jane Watson as Venom is not ready for her! The Eldest has taken control of the Hulk, and what happens next will make every past Hulk battle look like a skirmish!

Story: Al Ewing, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Joe Kelly
Art: Iban Coello, Nic Klein, John Romita Jr.
Ink: Scott Hanna
Color: Marcio Menyz, GURU-eFX, Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit, Clayton Cowles, Joe Caramagna

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.

Amazon

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

Bad Kitty Gets a Job is out there and really funny

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Kitty wants the newest, coolest video game, Hyper Crazed Feral Alley Cat Mayhem 3. She wants it badly enough she’s considering the worst…getting a job. It will take dedication, a bit of trickery, and plenty of hi-jinks. Will Kitty be able to stay focused enough to get her video game, and maybe even get the job done?

Story: Nick Bruel
Art: Nick Bruel

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

Roaring Brook Press 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

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