Mini Reviews Archives - Graphic Policy

Category Archives: Mini Reviews

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

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Logan Dalton Leave a comment

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

Mini Reviews: Eternals 50th Anniversary Special, Deadpool: April Pool’s Day #1, Touched by a Demon #3

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Logan Dalton Leave a comment

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Eternals 50th Anniversary Special (Marvel) – A group of creators pay homage to the Eternals’ past, present, and future in The Eternals 50th Anniversary Special with mostly positive results. The comic leads off with a Captain America and Ikaris tale from Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan, Phil Noto, and Dale Eaglesham where they have a hot dog together and go down memory lane. Noto handles the present day, slice of life visuals, and his adeptness for body language captures the camaraderie between the two men out of time/Jack Kirby creations. In the flashback story, Eaglesham channels the King in a mad science, Nazi punching, and eye beam blasting punch-up. And what ties each period together is the humor from Parker and Sheridan’s script with Ikaris even getting in some dry one-liners. (I love that Cap calls him Ike!) The next story from former Marvel editor Ralph Macchio and one of my favorite current comic book artist Michael Cho puts the spotlight on Ransak, a Deviant, who is conventionally attractive and shunned by his peers. Cho’s powerful line art and Lee Loughridge’s dazzling colors make the angst that Ransak feels inside manifest physically through his gladiator fights, including one against an abusive figure from his fast and even his sparring against Eternal, Thena. Macchio’s writing has an old school lilt, but the violence and emotions keep the story moving, and Ransak is very to empathize with. Unfortunately, the last story from Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump and artist Domenico Carbone is the weakest. The concept of a lost Eternal who can move items from anywhere in the universe is super imaginative, but it’s an idea that needs more room to breathe instead of a short story at the end of a special. Also, Stump peppering the script with captions, dialogues, and extended metaphors in the middle of high powered fight scenes hinders the flow of the story. Carbone’s art is serviceable, but some of the page transitions are awkward. This story definitely needed another editorial, but hey, Patrick Stump’s involvement in the Eternals 50th Anniversary Special got me to read the book. Two strong stories and one stinker with potential is a decent batting average for an anthology, and I’m not even that big of an Eternals fan beyond the Kieron Gillen/Esad Ribic run. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Deadpool: April Pool’s Day #1 (Marvel) – In Deadpool: April Pool’s Day, Gail Simone, CF Villa, Robert Gill, and Ig Guara have crafted a comic that is both a laugh a minute and a Valentine to the old forgotten genre comics Marvel used to publish. Star Comics stans rejoice! Simone also gives Deadpool a solid heroic arc through the different “genre verse” shenanigans, and the one-shot ending team-up is super wholesome. I enjoy when Wade is written this way. Finally, I wonder if there are any Starr the Slayer comics on Marvel Unlimited. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Touched by a Demon #3 (Dark Horse) – Touched by a Demon #3 is easily the best issue of the Kristen Gudsnuk penned and drawn series. The case of the week is a riff on the old monkey’s paw, but the wishes aren’t cursed. However, it exposes their client as a toxic piece of shit and not the mild and meek office scapegoat Zuzu thought he was. The back half of the issue returns to theology, and Bifrons and Father Angelo continue to have searing chemistry while discussing Church Fathers and Antichrist. This comic is really a beautiful discussion of good, evil, and moral philosophy while being hilarious and having super cute art. It’s the full package and has one (literal) hell of a cliffhanger too. Overall: 9.5 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #2, Godzilla Infinity Roar #2

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Logan Dalton Leave a comment

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #2 (Mad Cave) – Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre (FHCM) #2 is more unfettered Cold War era violence, satire, and hilarity from writer Fred Kennedy and artist James Edward Clark. We get Agent Nebraska’s origin story and way more hippos and a little less Communist dictators than the first issue, but it’s amazing to watch Kennedy and Clark take down Amerikkkan copaganda down a ton of pegs. The B-movie vibe of FHCM keeps it from coming across as preachy, and characters like Bea, the commonsensical amusement park employee, balance out the wackier figures. This comic has lot of ideas and plot elements that make me smile and guffaw (Peanuts as socialist propaganda), and I’m definitely planning on returning to this drug and hippo infested amusement park on a monthly basis. P.S. The Nancy Reagan stand-in, after school special framing narrative continues to be ingenious. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla Infinity Roar #2 (Marvel) – Gerry Duggan, Ig Guara, and Javier Garron serve up bigger and more epic Kaiju brawls in Godzilla: Infinity Roar #2. The King of Monsters fights Ghidorah for the hell of it, but the real battle royale is Godzilla vs Galactus. Duggan handles the “logic” side of things while Garron and Guara serve up some memorable moments and reaction shots. I’m curious to see what gimmick the heroes cook up to get out of this one, or this battle might be endless. (Or until sales drop.) Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: Lobo #1, Batwoman #1, Sentry #1, Dead Teenagers #1, Super Creepshow #1, Wrestle Heist #4, Infernal Hulk #5

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Logan Dalton Leave a comment

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Lobo #1 (DC) – Almost in time for his big screen debut, Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu put together a comic that understands why the Main Man is such a fun character. Lobo #1 is equal parts satire and over-the-top violence with Corona going for a hard PG-13 version of the shenanigans that go on in Young’s indie comic, I Hate Fairyland. The code and origin story is intact (In a gorgeous double page spread), but the plot fits a society that is oversaturated with content so why not add bounty hunters to the docket. (Dog, who.) I love the jabs that Skottie Young and Jorge Corona take at Disney, Warner Brothers, and all the megacorps, but it’s because they have jester privilege. Most folks with an HBO Max/Paramount Plus/Disney Plus subscription are unlikely to read this comic. I’m very here for Lobo’s trying very hard not to sell out era, but of course, he does because late capitalism, and wow, I’m overintellectualizing this book. There are lots of funny one liners and excessive violence, and somewhere Simon Bisley is smiling at Corona and Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s over a bottle of Johnnie Walker. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Batwoman #1 (DC) – Kate Kane relives past trauma in a mental hospital in Greece in a gorgeously drawn comic that also feels like a retread of a book from 19-20 years ago. Much of the book’s page count is Greg Rucka and Dani retelling the story of the relationship between Kate and her deceased villainous twin sister Alice. It’s cool to see Dani’s take on some iconic layouts and panels from JH Williams, but her and Matt Hollingsworth’s work resonates more in the present day scenes as Kate struggles with her past guilt and mental health. In the last few pages, Batwoman #1 does break new ground so I’ll give the next couple issues a shot especially since the book hasn’t looked this good since the Williams days. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Sentry #1 (Marvel) – Paul Jenkins is back writing Sentry, and he and artist Christian Rosado really put the titular character through the wringer. Seriously, Watchdog is involved, super creepy Void stuff, and it feels like Bob Reynolds’ story is progressing for the first time time in years. Jenkins just *gets* Sentry’s voice and thoughts, and his insightful captions pair well with Rosado and Matt Milla’s epic-meets-psychologically disconcerting art style. We don’t know how much damage the Void has done, and that’s a frightening thing for this story and the Marvel Universe as a whole. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy

Dead Teenagers #1 (Oni Press) – Dead Teenagers #1 is a clever, nostalgic postmodern sci-fi slasher from Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Caitlin Yarsky. True to its title, it’s about a diverse group of teens trying to escape the worst life of their night. Each scenario riffs on fictional tropes, and Doyle and Yarsky revel in the references and especially the 90s fashion. This first issue also gives a nice handle on the key cast of characters before the status quo shifting twist. I thought I knew what this book was about, but I don’t and I love Dead Teenagers more for it. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Super Creepshow #1 (Image) – In Super Creepshow #1, two of mainstream comics’ finest writers, Kieron Gillen and Ryan North, get to put their own sick and twisted spin on the superhero genre with artists Rossi Gifford and Derek Charm. Up first is Gillen and Gifford’s body horror twist on Spider-Man, The Creep. The hormones and gore are turned up to 11, and the female of species is deadlier than the male. I love the Sam Raimi energy of this 10-pager. The second story “Speed Freak” from North and Charm shows the frightening consequences of super speed with bullied Ron going from ersatz Flash to cosmic menace haunting his town and the only girl who was nice to him. Derek Charm’s Archie-style art especially works for the horror bits as Ron’s body breaks and bends with the the copyright friendly Speed force. Clever superhero and horror from some of the best talents in the industry means that Super Creepshow is a no brainer to pick up this week. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Sentry #1 (Marvel) – The Sentry is back and Paul Jenkins is back at the helm with artist Christian Rosado and Matt Milla. The debut issue brings up the interesting dynamic of superheroes who do so much damage and destruction while also trying to do good. What’s the balance? It’s an intriguing concept that uses the Sentry to examine the concept of modern superheroes. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

The Infernal Hulk #5 (Marvel) – Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Kev Walker, ink by Cam Smith, and color by Matthew Wilson, The Infernal Hulk #5 is an interesting one that feels a little out of left field, but feels like a key chapter in building toward whatever comes next. It’s a massive battle with heroes standing witness and key ramifications. The series has been a fantastic mix of traditional superhero comics but deeply infused with horror. The art and colors add to the vibe of the overall comic, making this a series that shouldn’t be missed. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Wrestle Heist #4 (Image Comics) – Kyle Starks‘ style, with colors by Vlad Popov, is on full display here with a gonzo issue where things go so right and so wrong at the same time as the heist begins. We learn far more about the evil promoter in a series that brings the fact and fiction together for a world we want to see more of. This is one you can appreciate at the surface level though those with wrestling knowledge will love it more. The backmatter is absolutely fantastic as always. Another great issue in a series that’s a hell of a lot of fun. Overall: 8.25 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Alias: Red Band #1, Die Loaded #5, Bleeding Hearts #2, Sirens: Love Hurts #2

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Logan Dalton Leave a comment

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Alias: Red Band #1 (Marvel) – Sam Humphries and Gerardo Borges‘ Alias: Red Band #1 is like the warm embrace of an old friend. It all starts with the visuals as Borges channels Michael Gaydos in his faded out, noir approach with the assistance of colorist Arthur Hesli. His double page layouts where conversations become fights that look like the newspaper columns of the paparazzi photographer that has it out for “the mayor’s wife” aka Jessica Jones. Alias definitely lives up to its “red band” billing with a grisly murder almost on page one, but the conflict is through debates between following the law and doing what’s right and trusting your gut not fisticuffs. A particularly heated argument between Luke Cage and Jessica particularly shows the powerless of power. Alias: Red Band #1 definitely doesn’t have any new tricks, but it brings the aesthetic of Alias to the current Marvel Universe where Jessica, Luke, and engaging third lead Typhoid Mary are worlds away from who they were in 2001. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #5 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans expand the world of Die in this consequential, reveal-filled installment of the series. Sophie is still the POV character, but Chuck’s gaming-obsessed daughter Violet takes center stage as the new Master. Die Loaded #5 heads back into the trauma side of Die with Violet dealing with her father’s death through a gorgeous, yet dark island fantasy world. Also, Sophie continues to improve at Die’s mechanics with a side of her maternality as she tries to collect the party and go home. But this is hindered by the aforementioned complex trauma and bleed of Violet, who quickly becomes one of Die Loaded‘s most compelling characters. Throw in a mystery reveal, an Ursula K. LeGuin riff on par with the Tolkien one in Die, and some splendid colors, character designs, and high energy layouts from Hans, and I’m even more hooked on this series. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Bleeding Hearts #2 (Vertigo) – Mmm, I love how Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian structure the sophomore issue of Bleeding Hearts. Our lovable zombie protagonist Poke appears in the beginning and the end and has a key moment. However, Bleeding Hearts #2 zeroes in on the potential victims from the end of the previous issue: a mother and her precious daughter named Rabbit. It lays out the difficulty of surviving in this zombified world with unrelenting narration from the mom, who focuses all her energy to giving Rabbit as normal a childhood as possible, including a stuffed animal. However, there are some super disturbing scenes, and Morian captures the trauma seared in Rabbit’s eyes. There’s an old school Frank Miller/John Romita Jr. quality to his figure work that lends the visuals darkness, but also unwavering humanity. By the time Bleeding Hearts #2 wrapped up, I cared deeply about three individuals in this comic and hope against hope for a bond of survival between them. Kudos to Camp and Stipan Morian doing something a little different and switching POVs to give a fuller picture of what this series could be. For old school Vertigo heads, this has Invisibles “Best Man Fall” energy, but with a happier ending. Overall: 9.3 Verdict: Buy

Sirens: Love Hurts #2 (DC/Black Label) – Sirens: Love Hurts continues to be one of the most fun current comics as Black Canary, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy encounter a red herring and uncover more evidence about Gotham’s newest killer of women. Tini Howard‘s script is laugh out loud funny (I’m not over “dick dizzy”), and Babs Tarr brings some fierce fits and even fiercer facial expression accentuated by Miquel Muerto’s dynamic color palette. I love seeing how comfortable Dinah is with her new villain/anti-hero friends especially compared with the boredom of pre-wedding activities. (I could read a whole comic where Dick Grayson plays a wedding planner though.) Astrology ends up playing a key role in the plot, but let’s say Sirens: Love Hurts brings more of a girl’s girl approach to the zodiac killer than David Fincher and company. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Touched by a Demon #2, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1, Exploit #1

Posted on March 8, 2026 by Logan Dalton

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Touched by a Demon #2 (Dark Horse) – Touched by a Demon continues to be a charming, darkly humorous series from cartoon Kristen Gudsnuk. This book excels at both the macro and micro levels of storytelling. I live for the background gags and the distinction in character designs between demons and humans, but Gudsnuk also does a good job of letting Bifrons and Zuzu struggle and fail yet somehow find growth in an organic way. This is a comic that’s very silly and yet also deals with serious subjects like abuse in an empathetic way. It also has numerous smart things to say about theology and free will in an even handed way. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1 (IDW Publishing) – Sonic Racing Crossworlds #1 is a tie-in comic to a new Sonic racing game of the same title. (That’s a fun development.) However, it feels a lot like when you were younger, and an older friend or sibling would unplug your controller so that you won’t really playing. Crossworlds #1 has bright colors, anarchic action, and even some snappy one-liners from Iasmin Omar Ata. (I love how they write the Shadow/Jet rivalry.) However, with so many characters, plot threads, and utter randomness, the book ends up having no flow on a big picture level. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Exploit #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – Co-written by former Wired, Verge, and Comics Alliance journalist Laura Hudson, Exploit #1 is a high adrenaline valentine to the fourth estate, especially the tech side. Hudson, Tim Leong, and Emiliana Pinna craft an intriguing and relatable lead in Kirby, who is 34 years and interning at one of the last tech magazines that isn’t under the thrall of billionaires and AI. I love her enthusiasm and thirst for truth and making a difference even if she isn’t in the typical intern age bracket. She’s not naive and idealist ; she just has nothing left to lose. Before introducing the thriller elements, Hudson, Leong, and Pinna go full day in the life of an up and coming journalist with snappy dialogue, bright colors from Rebecca Good, and zippy panel-to-panel transitions. Exploit #1 is a comic about a conflict that is near and dear to my heart while also being a compelling and entertaining read. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Wiccan: The Witches’ Road #3, Escape #6, The Power Fantasy #16

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Logan Dalton

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Wiccan: The Witches’ Road #3 (Marvel) – Wiccan #3 is another middling issue of this series starring one of Marvel’s most iconic gay couples. I enjoyed the glimpses Wyatt Kennedy and Andy Pereira gave us of Billy Kaplan’s past as a kid in New York and his “first love”, but the comic is really text heavy. Also, I’m not super invested in the new Demiurge. Having Morgana Le Fay kind of be a sympathetic figure works for a while, but of course, she doesn’t end up that way. There are definitely fragments of a cool story, and any scene with Billy and Doll-Teddy are heartwarming, but I can’t recommend this series just yet. Overall: 6.7 Verdict: Pass

Escape #6 (Image) – In Escape #6, Rick Remender and Daniel Acuna‘s war story lives up to its title as Milton is nabbed by the Narenians and must make his way out. His interactions with the Narenian commander shows the contrast between his solid heroism and the Narenians’ evil as the baddie taunts him about his wife and tries to get a rise out of him by saying enemy saboteurs will seduce her. This conversation (Really, more of a monologue) makes the ensuing action even more explosive. I love how Remender and Acuna use tiny, quick panels to show Milton freeing himself from captivity and put his individual actions in the larger context of the war. I’m not exaggerating when I say that in the future, Escape will be considered one of the great war comics, and lot of it is Rick Remender’s personal connection to the material because his grandpa was a World War II vet. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

The Power Fantasy #16 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard show the true extent of the Superpowers’ destructive abilities in this mind-blowing issue of The Power Fantasy. This issue definitely feels like a finale, but I’m glad that it’s being continued with its new more cynical status quo. Wijingaard’s art is just flat out epic in this issue, especially a crimson-tinged double page splash that will be drilled into my brain for quite some time. The Power Fantasy #16 shows why the detente between the Superpowers is so important and digs into the frightening reality of being a human being in this world where you’re just a figure on a casualty list. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Death Fight Forever #1, he Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1, The Muppets Noir #1, Street Sharks #5, and Wonder Woman #30

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Logan Dalton

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Death Fight Forever #1 (Image) – After an intoxicating flash forward, Andrew Maclean and Alexis Zirritt bring the world of old school beat ’em up arcade games to comics in Death Fight Forever #1. It’s a simple take out an evil guy in a creepy pyramid type of story, and both sides have tricks up their sleeves. Death Fight Forever is a visuals driven book focusing on the next sprayed on the side of tour van set piece. Maclean’s writing adds pitch black humor and brotherly love to the proceedings, and there’s some heart beneath badassery. But, yeah, this comic is like playing your favorite arcade game late at night with a little bit of a beer buzz. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 (Mad Cave) – With a name like that, I had to check out Fred Kennedy and James Edward Clark‘s new series The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1. (TFHCM from here on out.) TFHCM #1 satirizes Reagan era America with big guns, lines of blow, and plenty of action, and the antagonist seems a lot like Trump too even though he’s technically a Pablo Escobar type. Clark’s approach to the visuals is VHS fever dream meets Reefer Madness meets Miami Vice with a side of those hyperactive toy ads, especially in his figure work. This is a book that definitely gets overstimulating at time, but it’s chock-full of so many jokes, wacky characters, and moments of pure badassery that it’s well worth your time and money. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

The Muppets Noir #1 (Dynamite) – Once again, Roger Langridge seamlessly brings the world of Muppets from TV puppets to comics in The Muppets Noir #1. His writing is clever, his visuals are absurd, and once Kermit gets hit by that brick and enters a dreamworld where he’s a private eye with a phobia of pies, he creates a fully realized world of mansions with singing pig statues, Gonzo doing stunts at the cabaret, Sam Eagle abusing his arrest powers, and more. The story really feels like Kermit casting a film noir with his fellow Muppets, and Roger Langridge has a ball with the language and casting. Plotwise, The Muppets Noir #1 is establishing and exploring, but there’s a bit of a curve ball in the last few pages. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #5 (Oni Press) – This marine pun and punching filled series wraps up in Street Sharks #5 as Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel pit the titular heroes against Dr. Paradigm once and for all at the ultimate 90s destination: the shopping mall. But beneath the quips and cool wrestling moves, this story (And honestly the series as a whole.) follows the throughline of the Street Sharks trying to be loved and not feared. Seriously, Dr. Paradigm is very good at blackmail, but maybe a Super-Adaptoid version of the Street Sharks was a step too far. I love that Williams and Medel cut away from the action to show the reaction of onlookers, including characters from previous issues. Street Sharks #5 is about muscular mutant sharks kicking mad scientist butt, but it’s also about a community defending itself against predatory capitalism and finding heroes in unlikely places. I seriously need some Street Sharks merch. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Wonder Woman #30 (DC) – In the conclusion to her two part arc, Stephanie Williams shows her command over Wonder Woman’s robust supporting cast putting both their strengths and flaws on display as they battle Eris for Lizzie. She and Jeff Spokes make one hell of a team as insightful dialogue pairs with muscular action. Spokes’ colors also set the tone for each stage of the fight with Eris. It’s so cool to see Nubia, Philippus, Diana, Yara, Donna, and Cassie as three dimensional characters in just 40-odd pages as Williams and Jeff Spokes bring dense, old school type storytelling, but loses the old school attitude. Plus the text and visuals complement each other nicely, and Spokes kicks ass at drawing powerful, loving women. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Spider-Man Noir #5, Die Loaded #4, Bleeding Hearts #1, The Crown: A Tale of Hell #1, Star Wars: Jar Jar #1

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Logan Dalton

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Spider-Man Noir #5 (Marvel) – Erik Larsen, Andrea Broccardo, and Rachelle Rosenberg mix a little bit of Clone saga and a Spider-Man “No More” with a lot of Nazi punching and the pulpy action that is Spider-Man Noir’s signature in the final issue of this miniseries. This could very well be the *last* Spider-Man Noir story as Larsen and Broccardo show the cost that Peter Parker’s alter ego has taken on both his relationships and life in general as he’s caught in the crossfire between Nazis and old school American gangsters. I love the level of maturity that Erik Larsen writes Peter and Gwen’s relationship with as she struggles with the father who she worshiped and idolized being a Nazi. Maybe, Peter Parker will live a relatively quiet life as a 1930s P.I., but a final panel leaves the door open for more masked man adventures. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #4 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans introduce a new party member in Die Loaded #4. It’s Chuck’s son, Callum, who is a Fool like his father and probably a bigger one with access to the right wing landscapes of online gaming and anime porn as Sophie resignedly observes. Sophie must balance trying to put Callum in his place and getting the quest started and realizing that one day her son, Stuart, will be a teenager and hopefully won’t be like this misogynist. It’s really fun watching Sophie grow into the role of Godbinder and interface with the world of Die while Gillen and Hans take potshots at Chosen One tropes and Gen Z. There’s a frosted glass flashback that particularly shows her growth as a leader as the new quest begins. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Bleeding Hearts #1 (DC/Vertigo) – Vertigo is back with a bang thanks to the reunion of 20th Century Men‘s Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian on the tale of sensitive, ethical zombie Poke in a world that is very much the opposite. Usually, mindless cannon fodder, Camp and Morian humanize the living dead while not giving them the Warm Bodies relationship and much of this issue is dedicated to world-building and a worm’s eye view of zombie society, how their names are constructed, and different cliques and relationships. Fititng the tone of the story, Morian and colorist Matt Hollingsworth’s visuals are gruesome, yet lovable like its protagonist Poke, who is easy to latch onto in a very deep, tortured everyzombie way. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

The Crown: A Tale of Hell #1 (Dark Horse) – Brother writers Mike and Todd Mignola and artist Warwick Johnson-Cadwell craft a tale of sibling rivalry and literally hellish political wrangling centuries before Hellboy’s birth. It’s a rare peek at the twisted destiny Hellboy was born into and rejected to become a hero. I love how Johnson-Cadwell draws his figures like chess pieces on a board while still imbuing them with a physicality that drives home their arguments about who is worthy to wear the titular crown. However, The Crown #1 isn’t all bitching and moaning, but has some juicy twists towards the end. Let’s say Hellboy had more siblings than two. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Star Wars: Jar Jar #1 (Marvel) – Jar Jar Binks (and Beq) actor Ahmed Best, Marc Guggenheim and artists Kieran McKeown, Laura Braga, and Mike Atiyeh complete the Jar Jar redemption in this engaging and socially relevant one-shot. Best and Guggenheim use the metaphor of the mining planet Urubai and the caste of the Unseen to draw attention to the plight of exploited workers like cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s all filtered through a pulpy lens, but it’s in the same vein as the Andor television show or the Rebel Alliance being a stand-in for South Vietnam’s National Liberation Front. There’s definitely some silly moments, and Ahmed Best and Marc Guggenheim have Jar Jar’s speaking patterns down to a tee, but it’s offset by showcasing him as a complex figure whose innocence was preyed upon by powerful interests. It’s cool to see Jar Jar, Beq, and Mira Bridger push back against the moment in Episode II that made Jar Jar such a despised character. Also, a cameo from badass bounty hunter Aura Sing doesn’t hurt either. Even if your opinions about Jar Jar Binks have stayed static since 1999, this is the comic to change your mind. Overall: 9.7 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Marian Heretic #4, Archie x Army of Darkness #1, Godzilla Infinity Roar #1, D’Orc #1, Batman #6

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Logan Dalton

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

Marian Heretic #4 (BOOM! Studios) – Shit hits the highest heavens in Marian Heretic #4 as the titular character drops the charade of fighting for the patriarchy and kicks ass for the mother goddess instead. Tini Howard and Joe Jaro skillfully juxtapose Marian’s past and present and unpack that her power doesn’t come from a blessed Communion wafer, but from her background as mixed martial artist. Caught up in a whirling dervish of blends of Christianity and old school paganism, Marian ends up being at the eye of the storm. All the gloves are off, the torture devices and firearms are out, and Howard and Jaro have set the stage for a spiritual battle royale. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Archie x Army of Darkness #1 (Dynamite) – I love Archie Comics (Especially the old house style!) and the Evil Dead so I’m kind of a biased mark for this kind of thing. Bill and Ben Galvan bring the carnage, splatter, and gore of Sam Raimi movies into wholesome, innocent Americana with a Deadite channeling Alien-meets-Temple of Doom by pulling Moose’s still-beating heart out of his jock body. But, unfortunately, Erik Burnham structures this story in a kind of jumbled together way. I appreciate the Archie working at S-Mart with Ash subplot, but it should have gone at the beginning or middle of the comic not the end. Maybe, this whole series would have worked bigger as a lengthy one-shot a la the excellentArchie/Jay and Silent Bob, but I’m still tuning in for the Archie/Ash banter and hopefully some lessons in chainsaw use. Overall: 6.6 Verdict: Read (If you’re a big Archie/Army of Darkness)/Pass (If not)

Godzilla Infinity Roar #1 (Marvel) – Godzilla Infinity Roar #1 is big, dumb, and full of fun. Gerry Duggan, Ig Guara, and Javier Garron set the King of Monsters and symbiote god Knull loose on the Marvel Universe causing a cosmic scale of destruction and freaking out the various intergalactic players. They just want to let them find their way to Earth and be done with it, but not if elements from the Avengers, FF, and Guardians of the Galaxy have their way. Cue an utterly pointless battle scene between the Guardians, Knull, and a being of an unfathomable. However, this scene of total filler is counterbalanced by ending setting up a battle that I’ve been waiting almost my whole life to see. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read

D’Orc #1 (Image) – Both political sides sucking is a relatable refrain, and Brett Bean explores it in fantasy comedy kind of way in D’Orc #1, which features plenty of violence, gore, puns, and supernatural elements. But the best scene is a simple six panel grid of both the light and dark sides finishing each others’ sentences and having the same conversation about our half dwarf/half orc protagonist as some kind of violent harbinger of doom. Even in this first issue, the d’orc has his own little arc going from creeping in the trees with his talking shield to using the talking shield for active violence. What is likely to follow is a silly, yet timely take on the fantasy genre from Bean and the dark Saturday morning cartoon palette of colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Batman #6 (DC Comics) – After last month’s single action sequence centric issue, Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez are back to the ratatat subplot/gadget heavy storytelling in Batman #6. Fraction seeds in lots of real world themes like AI as a substitute for companionship and police corruption while not neglecting the action. Jimenez and colorist Tomeu Morey really let Batman cut loose in a sequence versus the new and improved Monster Men. However, there is also room for moments with Bruce’s sons Tim Drake and Damian Wayne with this issue being a big milestone in Bruce and Tim’s relationship. I love for the awkward conversation that Bruce and Annika have at the beginning of the comic where he tries to explain why his son is Robin featuring some well-timed beat panels from Jorge Jimenez. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

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