Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: Die Loaded #7

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Die Loaded #7

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

Die Loaded #7 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans use TTRPG, fantasy, and even fandom tropes to explore to deep human feelings about things like motherhood after IVF and living with dementia in Die Loaded #7. After the chaos of the previous arc, Sophie and Tommy have started taking over the role of team “parents” and more importantly voices of reason. Throughout the issue, they navigate ethical struggles and hard choices connected to their past lives in the “real world”.

Hans brings a grave line and dark palette to these glimpses in contrast with the more stylized horror fantasy vibes of most of the series. However, Die Loaded #7 isn’t all doom and gloom ; I got a chuckle from Die’s denizens cosplaying as human IT workers/Linux evangelists.

Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Killer Influences #1, Beast of Boriken #1, The Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I. Alive #1

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Beast of Boriken #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

Killer Influences #1 (IDW Publishing) – Joey Esposito and Valerie Burzo serve up a satirical look at the true crime genre in Killer Influences #1. This isn’t a “catch a killer” story, but more of a psychological narrative with podcaster/journalist Kylie joining forces with local serial killer Melvin to boost both their profiles. No one is likable, but the book is great commentary on the exploitation of mass murderers on pop culture as well as the banality of middle America. The cast of Killer Influences have really money and family issues which grounds the story when it gets more macabre. And speaking of macabre, Burzo has a great visual storytelling rhythm going from sleepy smoke stacks to a dead body that will haunt my dreams tonight. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Beast of Boriken #1 (Dark Horse) – In Beast of Boriken #1, Julio Anta, Daniel Irizarri, and Patricio Delpeche tell a ripped-from-the-headlines horror story about the resilience of Puerto Ricans against hurricanes and Western developers. This first issue fleshes out the Flores family and their Paul brother-esque adversary Simon Hunt. And, of course, there’s the titular Beast who gets Delpeche’s darkest colors and Irizarri’s most dynamic line work. Beast of Boriken #1 welcomes you into this sad, yet cathartic world full of activism, a fighting spirit, and a serious badass monster. Justin Jordan and Tony Akins’ black and white backup “Seven Gates” is a different kind of atmospheric horror rooted in urban legends and a crush gone haywire. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

The Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I. Alive #1 (Dark Horse) – Geof Darrow’s laconic Shaolin Cowboy is back for a new miniseries set in a heightened version of our current right wing hellscape. The satire is broad, but there’s something cathartic about a king fu master kicking the literal shit out of some racists or taking a beat before refusing a MAGA hat and wearing a good Ol’ Stetson. Staying AI Alive has the pitch black humor and detailed art that Darrow is known for, and that’s the appeal with the initial plot being a little thin. I love the talking animals though. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Universe Finale #1, Swamp Thing 1989 #3, Summer of Supergirl Special #1, Exploit #4

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Summer of Supergirl Special #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

Ultimate Universe Finale #1 (Marvel) – I wasn’t a fan of the timey wimey BS that was Ultimate Endgame #5, but Ultimate Universe Finale #1 is a better conclusion to Earth-6160 as well as bittersweet glance of what could have been. Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto give Peter Parker a taste of his own medicine when May starts becoming a superhero capturing the domestic dynamic that made Ultimate Spider-Man refreshing. Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli turn in a powerful coda to T’challa’s heroic journey and widely focus on his relationship with Storm. The Peach Momoko Ultimate X-Men and Deniz Camp Ultimates stories are the most tantalizing offering an exciting new status quo and a new Big Bad for Earth-6160. Finally, Chris Condon and Alessandro Capuccio’s is just a simple birthday hangout between Logan and Victor after issues and issues of violence. It feels like the conclusion this series deserved instead of chasing Magik through mazes. All in all, this comic reminded me of the good ol’ days of the Ultimate Universe, and maybe editorial will catch a hint and bring it back in a more comprehensive way than Ultimate Impact Reborn. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Swamp Thing 1989 #3 (DC/Black Label) – The DC Universe-spanning tapestry that Rick Veitch and Tom Mandrake are weaving comes into clearer view in Swamp Thing 1989 #3. It’s a truly a cosmic gumbo featuring cameos from John Constantine, Nergal, Darkseid, Anthro, and more all invested in Swamp Thing’s narrative of birth and rebirth, life and death. And then you’ve got Arcane doing the opposite number, and giving Mandrake and colorist Tristh Mulvihill an opportunity to indulge in their grisly child. But the heart of the story continues to be Swamp Thing’s battle to be with Abby and their unborn child, and that’s what keeps me coming back to each installment. Even after he’s factory reset by the Source, this is his first and last thought, and he’ll try to make it back to his loved ones. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Summer of Supergirl Special #1 (DC) – Just in time for her new movie, the Summer of Supergirl Special #1 is a delightful entry into the world of the Last Daughter of Krypton for fans old and new. The lead story from Sophie Campbell and Belen Ortega pits Supergirl against Lobo with a side of Krypto and the fittingly named Dawg. Opening with a court case, this story is freaking hilarious and also heartwarming as Lobo and his daughter Crush adjust to life in Midvale. (The mac n cheese sandwiches help a lot.) The modern Supergirl feels like a mix of rebel and wholesome, and Campbell gets that which is why she is the current writer and sometimes artist on the ongoing title. This story made me want to catch up on the Supergirl and Lobo comics while acting as a full meal in its own right. Next up is a Mary Marvel/Supergirl backup from Gail Simone and Emma Kubert where they fight a power-negating robot, but mostly bond as fellow adoptees and young female superheroes who are often in the shadow of their male counterparts. Kubert’s art fuses old school superhero art with contemporary techniques and brings some big feelings. The final story is for all the continuity cops out there courtesy of who else but Mark Waid and the chameleon-like Cian Tormey, who does a Supergirl Eras tour slicker than the billionaire with the big record sales and even bigger carbon footprint. The story is a recontextualizing of 60+ years of sometimes insane stories into a sales pitch for why Supergirl is awesome and should have her own movie and comic. And the Crisis on Infinite Earths and Woman of Tomorrow callbacks are pure beauty. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Exploit #4 (Mad Cave) – The ripped from the headlines/anti-billionaire/agitprop thriller series wraps up with a stylish, trollish extended heist issue from Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emiliana Pinna. Pinna and colorist Rebecca Good make everything smooth and sleek thanks to the foundation of characterization laid in previous issues. It’s cathartic watching tech bros get their comeuppance, and the ending is pretty sweet/full circle with just a touch of bitterness to set up a potential sequel. Exploit is both a love letter to good tech journalism and a suspenseful story with badass queer leads. It’s the perfect way to wrap up Pride Month. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: If Destruction Be Our Lot #2, Justice League: Dream Girls #3, Absolute Green Arrow #2, Concrete: Stars Over Sand #1

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Cover of the comic 'Concrete: Stars Over Sand' by Paul Chadwick, featuring a stone-like figure standing on a sandy landscape, looking down at his hands with a cosmic background.

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

If Destruction Be Our Lot #2 (Image) – Detained for having “issues” with their programming and potentially spotting a human, Abraham Lincoln and Speed go through quite the series of pitfalls, explosions, and torture bots in If Destruction Be Our Lot #2 from the Rosenbergs, Andy MacDonald, and Francesco Segala. IDBOL #2 exposes the dark underbelly of this robots only world and has big Toy Story 3 energy. Through witty banter and thrilling chase sequences, the Rosenbergs and MacDonald cement the bond between Lincoln and Speed with an assist from an old friend, Skinny. Lincoln is hilarious, but there’s a deep sadness to this protagonist too like when he says he doesn’t remember after his assassination. Even though the cast is (currently) just robots, IDBOL #2 continues to be a shining example of pro-human sci-fi. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Justice League: Dream Girls #3 (DC) – Dreamer’s struggle with the Key gets mighty personal, and Galaxy practices self-advocacy big time in the penultimate installment of Justice League Dream Girls. Nicole Maines, Jadzia Axelrod, and Stein & Brandt use the majority of the comic to show Galaxy reach her breaking point pleading for why she should be on the Justice League. Most of her “mistakes” involve aliens and mind control, but this ends up being for a metaphor for how transgender women have to be absolutely perfect at whatever endeavor they’re a part of or they’re cast aside. The interaction between Galaxy and the 1st transgender superhero Coagula is an utterly iconic mentoring and banter moment and truly empowers Galaxy to speak up for herself and Dreamer. It’s also a lovely homage to Coagula’s co-creator, the late Rachel Pollack. It’s also so damn relatable that Galaxy is overwhelmed by all the screens around her: a true superhero vulnerability for 2026. The Dreamer scenes drawn by Jan Bazaldua and Rosi Kampe are less homage and more a vision of a cozy slice of life existence with both artists straddling the line between beauty and horror. Also, Stein & Brandt should seriously be the regular artists on Justice League with their knack for group shots with feeling. The backup this time is an adorable Harley and Ivy story from G. Willow Wilson and Maria Llovet that understands both the chaos and tender love of their romance. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Green Arrow #2 (DC) – Working for evil billionaire Hector Hammond, Dinah Lance and Malcolm Merlyn continue to look into the Green Arrow Killer. This is while Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo put new spins on classic GA supporting characters and turn in some of the best social commentary in superhero comics. One of the suspects is Mia Dearden, who opens up when Dinah spars with her in some gritty Albuquerque grids. Each punch landed and line of dialogue shows how hard it is to not be caught up with evil corporations and billionaires. Absolute Green Arrow #2 digs into the moral dilemmas and psychological trauma Dinah faces through killer layouts from Rafael Albuquerque and powerful colors from Maiolo. An unhinged, line crossing third act only ups the ante for the series. Overall: 9.5 Verdict: Buy

Concrete: Stars Over Sand #1 (Dark Horse) – This was the first Concrete comic I’ve ever read, and at times, I definitely felt like I came into a movie that was already halfway over with a web of relationships, backstories, and themes already baked in. But, then, I basked in Paul Chadwick’s immersive visuals of Concrete and his friends enjoying the Great Sand Dunes National Park before trouble strikes. This is such a thoughtful and meditative comic that when the pace picks up towards the end, it’s jarring and truly frightening like a tidal wave on a peaceful beach. But definitely count me as a new believer in this indie comics icon and in Paul Chadwick’s poetic writing and naturalistic art. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Godzilla’s Odyssey #1, Justice League: Dream Girls #2, Skate Ali #1, Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past #1

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Justice League Dream Girls #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

Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past #1 (Marvel) – Stoners and superheroes collide in the cheesy, yet charming Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past #1 from Kevin Smith, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Roberto Poggi, Erick Arciniega, and Marco Menyz. Not all the jokes land, but you can really tell that Smith is like a kid with all the toys in the box having his creations interact with all the Marvel hitters and ending up in one hell of a battle against Dr. Doom and a host of other baddies. The ending is especially sweet building off the honest emotions of Clerks 3 with a Marvel/New Jersey twist. There are so many iconic moments for Marvel/View Askewniverse fans (That’s a big Venn Diagram), and Camuncoli brings a blockbuster sheen to the art without being afraid to get funny. Kevin Smith has truly been killing it with these intercompany crossovers recently. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Skate Ali #1 (Dark Horse) – Sam Humphries and Natacha Bustos tell a timely tale of finding community in an age of isolation and authoritarianism in Skate Ali #1. In post-apocalyptic L.A., skating is illegal, but it’s the only thing that keeps protagonist Ali happy and sane. Bustos’ art and colors capture the joy Ali has from riding her board as well as the pitfalls and more surreal elements when she runs into the Warriors-like skate clans. Skate Ali #1 is all about the feeling of giving a shit about something while the world crumbles and is a heightened version of finding joy in subculture while not neglecting the cliqueishness of these space. Also, Ali’s dad made my cry and her nurse’s advice to her after her big skating accident cracked me up. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Justice League: Dream Girls #2 (DC) – JL Dream Girls #2 is another exciting and vulnerable chapter of this Pride Month event penned by Dreamer and Galaxy creators Nicole Maines and Jadzia Axelrod with art from Brandt and Stein, Vincent Cecil, Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, Stephen Sadowski, and Joe Quinones. Dreamer and Galaxy continue their tour through alternate realities while their friends try to support them, and the Justice League and GL Corps passes judgment on them. Brandt & Stein’s skill with facial expressions work well for the interpersonal conflict of the frame story, and the guest artists shine on homages to the Hard Travelin’ Heroes eras of Green Lantern and Green Arrow, an Old West riff, and Dreamer and Galaxy playing the roles of John Constantine and Zatanna. But underneath these flourishes, JL: Dream Girls #2 boils down to Dreamer fighting a hard fight against herself and having issues even letting her friends in. Maines and Axelrod explore both her identity as a trans woman and a superhero and refreshingly don’t give any easy answers while creating some new conflict for Galaxy in the “real world”. Also, JL: Dream Girls #2 features a kind of holodeck story starring Jo Mullein where Steven Underwood, Morgan Hampton, and comics legend Alitha Martinez use ballroom culture and Spike Lee-influenced ring constructs to show her struggling with memories of “the one who got away”. This internal conflict is compounded by all the different Lantern Corps members staying on Oa, but you don’t need to be current on the GL books to get something out of this memorable character study. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla’s Odyssey #1 (IDW) – In Godzilla’s Odyssey #1, Frank Tieri and Ilias Kyriazis re-cast the titular monster as an agent of Zeus helping Odysseus return home from Ithaca. The comic is a speed-adaptation of the epic poem with Kaiju standing in for various monsters from the myths. There’s a lot of emphasis on the gods making an Odysseus his plaything, and Kyriazis’ designs for them are excellent from muscular Zeus to sensible Athena and angry Poseidon, who ends up being the butt of many jokes. I would honestly read a whole book of Greek myths drawn by Ilias Kyriazis. The comic hits most of the highlights of the poem, but it feels truncated in places. But, hey, there’s no place like home. Godzilla is a more malevolent figure in the Tom Scioli backup in which Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham join forces to fight him. The art is creative, but the story runs out of steam in the end. However, the lead story is a wonderful primer for the upcoming Odyssey film although I’m sure the Greek gods and Godzilla himself will have much less screen time. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: X-Men ‘97 Season 2 #1, Justice League: Dream Girls #1, The Deadman #1

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Justice League: Dream Girls A DC Pride Event #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

X-Men ‘97 Season 2 #1 (Marvel) – Steve Foxe and Salva Espin’s tie-in comic is tasty snack to hold you over until X-Men ‘97 returns. With the X-Men scattered to different time periods, there’s a void in the mutant world, and X-Factor, Akkaba cultists, the Brotherhood, and young mutants like Jubilee and Sunspot are trying to fill it. This feels like reading a random X-issue from the mid-90s in the best way. The best parts are definitely Jubilee and Sunspot making pop culture quips and dealing with discrimination while trying to help fellow mutants. Most of the main cast isn’t in this because they’re “dead”, but Season 2 #1 has a big villain on deck especially for a tie-in book. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Justice League: Dream Girls #1 (DC) – Dreamer and Galaxy fight their way through some visually interesting dream worlds in this Pride Month treated scripted by their co-creators, Nicole Maines and Jadzia Axelrod. The art team is spectacular too with Nicola Scott drawing a vision of Dreamer as Wonder Woman, J. bone channeling Batman: The Animated Series for a Gotham library caper, and the expressive Brandt & Stein handling the real world. (I love how they draw Star Sapphire’s eye roll.) JL Dream Girls #1 is a buffet of queerness, strong characterization, and superhero/sci-fi lore. And for dessert, there’s a Greg Rucka and Claire Roe backup story where Batwoman falls for an anti-data center activist. Poor Kate is always unlucky in love, but at least there’s Claire Roe’s muscular visuals. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

The Deadman #1 (DC) – In The Deadman #1, W. Maxwell Prince, Martin Morazzo, and Chris O’Halloran both streamline and make Boston Brand an infinitely more interesting character with plenty of gallows humor and and a warm hug of humanity. This comic captures folks at their most vulnerable moments: right before their passing, and Deadman acts as a kind of wisecracking midwife to make sure their souls’ get to the other side. But souls can be used to gain power as well, which sets up the series’ central conflict. Deadman’s foe is Bryan Johnson, but if he had an unquenchable appetite for old Hellblazer comics and didn’t get the point of the first issue of Sandman. The Deadman #1 is a refreshingly original spin on a great B-list character, and the Prince and Morazzo ouevre continues to be an insta-buy for me. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Escape #7, Exploit #3, Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1, Swamp Thing 1989 #2

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Exploit #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

Escape #7 (Image) – Shaw makes his attack on the enemy Titan weapon in the fireworks-filled Escape #7. Daniel Acuna visually captures the horrors of a fire fight while Rick Remender‘s captions expose all of Shaw’s fears and doubts as he undertakes what is essentially a suicide mission. This could easily be the final issue of the series, but Escape isn’t just interested in the dog faction winning the war, but also how they treat the folks that have been oppressed by the bats. The use of anthropomorphic animals allows Remender and Acuna to go under the surface of the “last good war” and look at the real pain and trauma that it caused as this series continues. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Exploit #3 (Mad Cave) – Exploit #3 is quite the twisty techno-thriller ride from Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emiliana Pinna. Leong and Hudson uncover some cards about the assassination of Saxon and the identities of Dade and Mr. Ipsum while still keeping the story grounded in the romantic relationship between Kirby and Lenox that reaches a rough spot as they’re both fugitives from both the government and tech bros. There’s one chase sequence from Pinna and colorist Rebecca Good that is particularly exciting using a map-like double page spread and inset panels. Exploit #3 plunges right into the morally grey area, and I’ve never been more excited to read the next issue. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1 (Dark Horse) – Connor Goldsmith and Josh Cornillon take aim at cancel culture, wellness culture, and vitality with a heavy helping of body horror in Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1. Seriously, this comic is like if David Cronenberg directed Hacks. Cornillon’s visuals are capital “d” disgusting, but there’s a dreamy quality to his work as well, especially when Mimi thinks about her old lover. All in all, this is a unique and engaging debut from Goldsmith and Josh Cornillon that knows likable characters are overrated. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Swamp Thing 1989 #2 (DC) – It’s such a blessing to get the proper conclusion to Rick Veitch’s Swamp Thing run, and this installment is even timier and wimeyer than the previous issue’s Biblical beauty. Swamp Thing continues to be flung back in the depths of time, and it’s looking more and more hopeless that he’ll be reunited with Abby. Veitch and artist Tom Mandrake continue the Jesus parallels by having Abby giving birth to their daughter in a stable in Houma while Swamp Thing’s journey gets more cosmic and trippy. This issue also has guest stars galore like John Constantine, Jim Corrigan, Anthro, and the heroic Shining Knight as well as a more nefarious figure to fill the void in the Green. Swamp Thing 1989 #2 lacks the tragic beauty of the Camelot and crucifixion issues, but does capture the bonkers creative of the late 1980s era while not abandoning the all-important Swamp Thing/Abby relationship. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

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

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