Category Archives: Mini Reviews

Mini Reviews: Babs: The Black Road South #1, Ultimates #20, Die Loaded #3, Knull #1, and more!

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Babs: The Black Road South #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

Babs: The Black Road South #1 (Ahoy! Comics) – Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrow continue to take the piss out of the fantasy/barbarian/metal bikini genre in Babs: The Black Road South #1. The banter between the titular character, her companion Izzy, and her talking sword are this book’s comedic foundation on which so many shenanigans can be built. Seriously, there’s a five page sequence where Izzy and Babs rap about Red Sonja’s virginity. It’s fun to see high fantasy and wild karaoke meet, but Babs: The Black Road South isn’t all sunshine and rainbows using the protagonist’s financial insecurity and incompetency to fuel the plot. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Ultimates #20 (Marvel) – Deniz Camp and Phil Noto unravel the backstory of Earth-6160 Vision and Nick Fury and let the good guys get some licks in in another rip-roaring issue of Ultimates. Most of the narration is done from Vision’s POV, and I love that it is in keyword format like the world’s most powerful search engine. Ultimates #20 is pure payoff showing that the seeds of resistance against the Maker’s fascism have been on the board for decades. On a nerdy level, there are a lot of fun cameos and guest stars as the fight between HAND and the Ultimates in Detroit turns into an all hands on deck situation. Ultimate Endgame is an epic war crossover arc so it’s nice to have titles like Ultimates take some of the storytelling load off and flesh out the players, both old and new. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #3 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans continue to make side characters protagonists in Die Loaded #3 with the appearance of Sol’s mom, Margaret, who becomes the party’s Dictator. Her life has been so tragic with her son going missing and acting distant, and of course, all her rage is directed towards the world of Die in a powerful series of panel. But she’s also a teacher, and Gillen and Hans turn what could be a one-note nag into yet another mother figure for Molly and an ally in their journey. Also, it cool, yet sad to see Sophie start to learn the world of Die as there are costs for her abilities. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Avengers #34 (Marvel) – A big anniversary issue that continues the story that began with this series’ relaunch. Jed MacKay and Farid Karami deliver an epic showdown with Kang that’s interesting but not exciting. Having not read most of this series, the details of the story are lost and what’s shown doesn’t intrigue me enough to go back. A back-up story featuring Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley is a bit easier to dive in to and features Bendis’ signature humor. Overall, for such a momentous issue, it fails to deliver a real celebration. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Knull #1 (Marvel) – Something is building with Knull at the center again, so it’s interesting to dive in and catch up with what’s going on. Al Ewing and Tom Waltz deliver an issue that catches readers up but kicks off the next chapter in an interesting way. Juanan Ramirez‘s art is interesting and entertaining. The issue does a solid balance of introducing new readers to the character but also delivers something new for long time fans of the character. Overall Rating: 7.75 Verdict: Read

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14 (IDW Publishing) – The new creative team of Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II have been delivering a feel that mixes the recent relaunch but a bit more of the classic Turtles too. A new villain has been an intriguing addition but the brothers back together feels right, down to their sniping at each other. The comic has a good mystery to it along with action and so far has been a nice continuation from the previous run that was phenomenal. Overall Rating: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts #1 (Dark Horse) – It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Tomb Raider comic but it felt like one to check out. Written by Casey Gilly with art by Antonio Di Caprio, the issue is interesting in setting up where Lara Croft is in life and frames the re-introduction in an interesting way, using a television interview. Overall, it has its moments but like recent live action attempts, doesn’t really excite. Overall Rating: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Uncanny X-Men #22 (Marvel) – The X-Men are currently in their “Shadows of Tomorrow” phase and it’s an interesting one as only a few characters know what was going on. So, this series dives right back into things, so not so much a jumping on point but a continuation. Writer Gail Simone does give us an entertaining one-shot in some ways and you can enjoy it without knowing all of the backstory. The art by David Marquez is great as always. The issue is good, though caters to current readers not new ones hoping to hop on, but that’s more an issue with the previous event “Age of Revelation” and how it tied into various series more than anything else. Still, it’s an issue you can enjoy even if you’ve haven’t been reading this series or really have never read an X-Men comic. Overall Rating: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Absolute Batman: Ark M Special #1, Street Sharks #4, and The Twilight Zone #3

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Street Sharks #4

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

Absolute Batman Ark M Special #1 (DC) – Kind of a historical companion piece to Absolute Batman #15, Absolute Batman Ark M Special chronicles the transformation of Arkham Asylum into the grisly corporate, Absolute Joker-run nightmare that is Ark M. Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri riff off Amadeus Arkham journal entries that have popped up everywhere from comics to video games and create a generally uneasy feeling. I like that they make him a good man for his time, who is overwhelmed by the forces evil that have only intensified in the present day as evidenced in this issue’s epilogue. Ark M Special adds depth and context to Absolute Batman as a whole, and artists Joshua Hixson and Roman Stevens nail the period specific details while creating a throughline between the inmates of the 19th century and the foes Batman faces in the present day. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #4 (IDW Publishing) – A new burger restaurant opens up in the Street Sharks’ city, and it reminded me of when In N Out opened their first restaurant east of the Mississippi last month. However, Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel take the fast food addiction, culinary and marine puns, and of course, the wrassling and butt kicking action to the limit in Street Sharks #4. This book is chaotic, but it’s also breezy and nostalgic, perfect for a lunch break read. Like a Saturday morning cartoon, the Street Sharks always defeat the immediate threat, but Williams wisely keeps the stakes high by having public opinion be another antagonist in the book. Dr. Paradigm also gets a little more panel time, and boy, is this guy blatant evil as he gaslights the whole city. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

The Twilight Zone #3 (IDW Publishing) – James Stokoe‘s art is exquisite as ever, especially in the violent fight scenes that pepper The Twilight Zone #3. But this comic’s story is just okay. It’s a commentary on how the greatness of human culture doesn’t last, but our junk and fast food will. However, it doesn’t go deeper beyond barbarian warriors chatting slogans as they die in battle. But, hey, it’s an excuse for Stokoe to draw cool stuff like dinosaurs knights with machine guns a la the cheat codes in Age of Empires: Age of Kings. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: The Ultimates #19 and Ultimate Endgame #1

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Ultimate Endgame #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

Ultimates #19 (Marvel) – Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri‘s Ultimates #19 is the character-driven companion to the fireworks of Ultimate Endgame #1. This issue zeroes on The Wasp, her relationship with Hank Pym, and decision to join HAND as a traitor. It’s a bittersweet read and really shows how much Janet cares more Hank despite having to defer their dreams and make moral compromises. Camp is definitely inspired by Hank and Janet’s history in the mainstream Marvel Universe, but adds psychological depth. Finally, Ultimates #19 isn’t just talking heads and longing looks, but Frigeri also shows how much of a badass is in an exciting sequence where she zips through the HAND’s soldiers. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate Endgame #1 (Marvel) – Ultimate Endgame #1 is a decent start to the Earth-6160 concluding event. It really doesn’t get any better than the opening sequence where Deniz Camp and Jonas Scharf has The Maker kill all the Eternals in 1963 with Scharf’s art a twisted mirror of Jack Kirby’s work. All the rest is just setup and getting the main cast of characters under the Dome wrapping up with a half-hearted twist. This might seem like I strongly disliked this issue, but kudos to Camp for making Spider-Man the heart of the comic. I enjoyed his banter with Iron Lad, his last touching moment with his family, and of course, his one-liners/dad jokes as we get really Jonathan Hickman with it. Also, the artist choice was a stroke of genius with Terry and Rachel Dodson handling the more traditional superhero moments, and Scharf drawing the more sci-fi stuff influenced by Kirby as well as 2000 AD/Marvel UK. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Absolute Wonder Woman #15, American Caper #2, Event Horizon: Dark Descent #4

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Absolute Wonder Woman #15

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

Absolute Wonder Woman #15 (DC Comics) – The first Absolute Universe crossover is an intricately drawn, smartly plotted, Gothic masterpiece from Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and Jordie Bellaire. Thompson’s dialogue shows the contrast between Diana’s desire for community despite her dark origins and Batman’s taciturnity, and Sherman and Bellaire’s visuals marry dark magic with dark detective work. Despite having “Wonder Woman” on the cover, this feels like a Batman comic with a story centered around detective work while mysterious forces gather in the background. The bond between Bruce and Diana also feels organic, and I love how the Absolute book are slowly building connectivity between the books instead of just lumping them into one Crisis-level slugfest. I look forward to Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s take on this dark, dynamic duo as well as the upcoming year of more gorgeous art from Hayden Sherman, heavy metal color palettes from Jordie Bellaire, and supernaturally-tinged character arcs from Kelly Thompson. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Event Horizon: Dark Descent #4 (IDW Publishing) – Writer Christian Ward, artist Tristan Jones, colorist Pip Martin, and Letterer Alex Ray deliver more terror in this fourth issue. The series reveals what happened to the Event Horizon and we finally find out what led to the infamous message left in the film, “Libera Te Tutemet Ex Inferis.” The series has explored the torture and hell of the various crew, and this fourth issue focuses on John Kilpack, the captain of the ship. The King of Hell has tortured all of the other crew and here John is not just forced to watch his failure to protect his crew in the present but also the torture he experienced in the past. We see an abusive father and the ridicule and bullying of John because he’s gay. It’s an interesting issue that shifts things a bit in that John is an innocent compared to other members of the crew who have done terrible things, instead he was teased and abused growing up, which the King of Hell uses. The visuals continue the aesthetic of the series provided gore and terror as John has to decide what he needs to do to escape what he sees before him. It’s an interesting issue and key for fans of the film revealing the answer to a mystery of the series. Overall Rating: 7.95 Verdict: Buy

American Caper #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – Dan Houser, Lazlow, David Lapham, Chris Anderson, Lee Loughridge, and Nate Piekos continue to present a comic that skewers everything and there’s few to cheer on. The series has so far hit hot topic issues and exaggerated today’s politics and both left and right are in the crosshairs. American Caper #2 gives us more of bad people doing bad things as we learn a little more about motivations behind actions. It’s satire. It’s lampooning the world. Nothing is sacred. Everything is on the table. This is a comic where it’s ok to hate everyone and just sit back and enjoy the disaster unfolding for readers. Overall Rating: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Mini Reviews: The Power Fantasy #14, Wrestle Heist #1, Starship Godzilla #3

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The Power Fantasy #14

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 Power Fantasy #14 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard deal with the fallout of Etienne’s death in The Power Fantasy #14. The fragile detente of the Superpowers is barely holding on by a string, and each character has limited knowledge of the full situation, especially Eliza Hellbound, who though she speaks, but was actually Etienne. Wijingaard switches up his art style for her empty visions with swatches of red and black that are like a ticking time bomb. Another wild card is Masumi, who at least has her to fall back on, and Caspar Wijingaard does beautiful work on her frightening, abstract painting while using a more traditional style and grid format for her interactions with the real world. Bad shit has gone down in this series, and it seems like it’s only going to get worse as the characters choose between ethics and survival. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Wrestle Heist #1 (Image) – Kyle Starks brings his comedic timing and over-the-top art style to the world of pro wrestling in Wrestle Heist #1, which is actually a story about the working class vs “the man”. I’m not a big wrestling person, but it’s easy to find parallels between the events of Wrestle Heist and what actually happened to WWF/WWE wrestlers in the 1980s and 1990s. I love the camaraderie between former heel Sterling Steele who got beyond Montreal screwjobbed when he decides to leave for a new promotion and old head Grave Digger. They’re really easy to root for. This first issue is all set up and backstory, but Kyle Starks peppers in some interesting details about our lead characters and their potential nemeses that are sure to pay off down the road. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Starship Godzilla #3 (IDW Publishing) – Ayan goes rogue in the newest issue of Starship Godzilla from Chris Gooch and Oliver Ono. She takes up with some activists who are trying to liberate a kaiju from a life of slavery and death under a mining city. This is a good storytelling strategy because we get to see Ayan in a non-ship setting and also learn more about her moral focus. (Plus some sapphic flirting!) However, this comic isn’t all fighting the power with Gooch and Ono ramping up the crew of the Starship Godzilla to battle an even more massive threat. Starship Godzilla #3 sometimes gets lost in the noise, but there are always some sweet, memorable moments to get drawn back in like when Ayan gets her grandma’s favorite candy. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Wolverine #12, Ultimate Spider-Man #23, Street Sharks #3, Circus Maximus #2, Absolute Batman #15

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Ultimate Wolverine #12

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 Wolverine #12 (Marvel) – Ultimate Wolverine #12 is pure revenge. Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, and Bryan Valenza make it burn like a slug of whiskey to the back of your throat. With the whole supporting cast of the book killed off, Wolverine stands alone against Directorate X, its scientists, goons, and mutants and makes his presence known slash and swearing through this book’s runtime. After all the trauma and false hope he’s undergone, Ultimate Wolverine #12 hits with a powerful wave of catharsis with the Phoenix specimen playing a key role in the comic. (And probably in the future of the Ultimate Universe because talk about a big gun.) It feels good to watch Wolverine decapitate Sentinels and stab Colossus in the face while Moscow burns around him, and this comics ends up being one of the best in the series because of its focus on simple, effective brutality. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate Spider-Man #23 (Marvel) – All the plot threads that Jonathan Hickman has been building in two years of this title collide in Ultimate Spider-Man #23, but Spidey’s tenacious heart still beats beneath the noise. Facial expressions have been Marco Chechetto and David Messina‘s calling card throughout the comic, and they do a lot of the heavy lifting as Peter Parker goes into action to save his son from the Kingpin’s tower while he’s trying to take down the Kingpin per Otto Octavius’ instructions. I live for the side eye that Peter’s daughter May gives Doc Ock. There are about 4-5 plotlines going in this series, but Hickman uses the classic throughline of the hero’s choice contrasting Harry Osborn and Peter Parker. This mirroring of Spider and Goblin is a great callback to the Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley Ultimate Spider-Man as well as the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films, but Ultimate Spider-Man #23 makes an original recipe out of some tasty ingredients. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #3 (IDW Publishing) – Stephanie Williams, Ariel Medel, and Valenatina Pinto show that the Street Sharks are more brain than brawn (But they have good hearts!) in the third episode of this series. Fitting for this time of the year, the plot is college football related as the Street Sharks blending in with the shark costume-sporting fans of Fission University. It’s so wholesome to watch the Sharks interact and be complimented by their fellow students, and Jab even gets to help a young girl be reunited with her mother in a sequence that establishes him a truly selfless hero. Of course, there’s the over the top fight scenes, and Williams escalates the series’ overarching plot big time. Street Sharks continues to be an updated Saturday morning cartoon delight. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Circus Maximus #2 (Mad Cave) – Mark Sable, Giorgio Pontrelli, and Emilio Lecce‘s Circus Maximus #2 has a really cool concept, but far too many fragmented sub plots to be a hit as an ancient Roman crime thriller. The main premise of a class warfare-driven heist right under the nose of Emperor Nero and his Praetorian Guard because everyone is watching a chariot race (Featuring the getaway driver as a participant.) at Hippodrome is very compelling, especially as Sable connects the caper to the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. However, there are a lot of moving parts, and some storytelling issues in transitions between scenes like when the aforementioned getaway driver becomes a gladiator. Also, a lot of the time, it feels like Mark Sable and Pontrelli glommed on a few concepts from Roman every day life and zeroed in on those at the expense of the big picture. Hopefully, the story improves, but the foundation of the thriller is definitely wobbly. Overall: 6.0 Verdict: Pass

Absolute Batman #15 (DC) – Scott Snyder, Jock, and Frank Martin do the nigh-impossible and put a fresh, frightening spin on the Clown Prince of Crime in Absolute Batman #15. The story is framed by Alfred telling a fish story about a family called the Grimms, but each version gets darker and more nefarious until the big double page reveal of a baddie that could easily be the Absolute Batman’s arch-nemesis. I love how Snyder and Jock root the Absolute Joker in history, capitalism, and even the history of the entertainment industry as a primal, immortal source of pure evil. Also, in the deepest knife twist of all, he’s very similar to the main DC Universe’s Bruce Wayne. Because billionaires are the real supervillains. Overall: 10 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Universe: Two Years In, Ultimate X-Men #22, Hulk Smash Everything #1, Giant Size Criminal #1, Batman #4

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Hulk Smash Everything #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: Two Years In (Marvel) – Ultimate Universe: Two Years In is a complex story about the Ultimate Guardians of the Galaxy trying to fix the universe using the power of timey wimey things. Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel turn in a script oozing with ideas about the nature of humanity, hope, and if a better world can happen complete with talking dogs, nihilistic robots, cosmic surgery, and a truly unique take on Daredevil. This book is worth reading for the Ultimate Daredevil sequence alone which is fourth wall shattering comics storytelling at its finest from Camp, Paknadel, and Javier Pulido. Pulido’s vivid, flat colors are the cherry on top. It wavers under the weight of its own complexity sometimes, but Deniz Camp and Alex Paknadel find the emotions at the core of this space and time-spanning story with Patrick Boutin and Phil Noto‘s facial expressions especially keeping me immersed in the story. Earth-6160 is full of ideas and interesting characters, and it’s sad it will conclude soon. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate X-Men #22 (Marvel) – This issue of Ultimate X-Men has massive Buffy season finale energy filtered through the unique stylings of Peach Momoko as the X-Men face off against the Shadow King aka Kageyama. I love Momoko’s re-characterization of the classic villain as a spurned teenage boy who wants to control the lead character, Hisako, and for her to be just as empty as him. She shows this through visuals with all kinds of logic-defying and fear-inducing shapes as Hisako’s armor and Kageyama’s shadows face off. But he is a lone terror, and she has the fierce backing of the X-Men to help her in this death-defying battle. The emotional core of this issue is totally mainly through the rise and fall of Peach Momoko’s art, and there’s a real sense of payoff in this book. I was down on this book’s plotting early on, but have really come to love it and am also craving fried chicken. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Hulk Smash Everything #1 (Marvel) – Hulk Smash Everything is another all killer, no filler action-packed comic book from Ryan North, Vincent Carratu, and Federico Blee. Calming and/or redirecting the Green Goliath’s anger is the driving force behind this comic, which is pure mayhem beginning with the initial assault on Dr. Strange. Carratu’s visuals capture the battle between finesse and brute strength using surrealist layouts for the scenes with Strange working his mojo and big ass splash pages for Hulk’s rampages. Pair it with a truly epic cliffhanger, and this is series that looks like it’ll be entertaining me into 2026! Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Giant Size Criminal #1 (Image) – Sticking up a talented poker player in a hotel room seems like an easy enough crime, but this is Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips‘ Criminal so things are not so easy. They spin a yarn of a stick-up gone wrong complete with drugs (Phillips’ palette comes in handy here.), sex workers, cartoons, and of course, daddy issues. Even if you haven’t read a single Criminal story (Guilty as charged, I think), this is a great entry to the world and filled with humor and violence too. In addition to the 36 page lead story, Giant-Size Criminals features some background information about the creation of Criminal, some funny strips about Brubaker and Phillips’ experiences with the upcoming TV adaptation, and the holy grail of all, a Criminal TTRPG created by Kieron Gillen himself that’s worth the price of the comic. Overall: 9.5 Verdict: Buy

Batman #4 (DC) – A villain who runs an “algorithm of crime” is the perfect Big Bad for 2025/2026, and Matt Fraction, Jorge Jimenez, and Tomeu Morey use Batman #4 to give us a tantalizing introduction to the Minotaur. The grid layouts paired with a precise monologue raise the stakes even higher in the first and final frames of the book while the bits in between show the utter chaos and hopelessness of Gotham. However, Fraction’s trademark witty humor shines in a sequence where Bruce Wayne flirts his way into some information. (His target wearing Krocs is an adorable detail.) Batman #4 is more a building block than a full meal or even a course on a tasting menu, but Jimenez’s slick visuals and a frightening, yet relatable villain make it worth a read. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #14, Absolute Batman #14

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Absolute Batman #14

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

Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1 (DC Black Label) – Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia #1 (BGQA from here on out) is like Neapolitan ice cream for folks who like street level heroes and socially conscious storylines. Cartoonist Gabriel Hardman cooks up an old school conspiracy thriller featuring three heroes from all over the ideological spectrum. However, BGQA #1 isn’t just talks and lectures, and there is serious power and action to the visuals as Oliver Queen punches frat bros at gentrified dive bars or Batman does his stealth thing at a corporate retreat. Hardman’s characterization of Batman is actually similar to Superman in The Dark Knight Returns, and I’m curious to see how that unfolds as this series progresses. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Wonder Woman #14 (DC) – The two-parter about Diana fighting her dark double comes to a literally earth-shattering conclusion courtesy of Kelly Thompson, Matias Bergara, and Jordie Bellaire. Bergara is no mere fill-in artist, and he throws some beautiful, primal shapes with his layouts matching a conflicted color palette from Bellaire and painful narration from Thompson. And, on the bigger picture side of things, Absolute Wonder Woman #14 shows there is something askew and dark about the Absolute Universe, which makes heroes like Diana all the more needed. Kelly Thompson have built the foundation for a heroic, yet hellish take on the iconic superhero, and a crossover is additive to the narrative not a chore. And to wrap up, Absolute Zatanna and Jordie Bellaire’s glittering colors for her almost run away with the whole issue in a gnizilatnat esaet. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Absolute Batman #14 (DC) – The conclusion to the big Bane/Venom arc in Absolute Batman from Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin is everything I expected and more. Snyder structures the comic as a parallel story of the battle royale between Batman and Bane with an MMA match between Waylon Jones and Bibbo Bibbowski years earlier. Jones was supposed to go down early and take the money, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and the same with Batman. Dragotta puts his heavy metal heart on the page as Batman outmaneuvers a constantly growing and bloating Bane. (He could give Demi Moore’s character in The Substance a run for her money.) Alfred Pennyworth’s narrative keeps the fight linked to Batman’s arc, and the story ends up being about fighting in community against a soulless evil. On almost the 40th anniversary of The Dark Knight Returns, Batman, once again, has an epic fight against a larger than life opponent, and Nick Dragotta puts his own unique brand on the Caped Crusader just like Miller did in the 1980s. And Bane was just an amuse bouche for an even more formidable foe. Overall: 9.9 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Starship Godzilla #2, Final Boss #1, Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe #5

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Final Boss #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

Starship Godzilla #2 (IDW Publishing) – 2 issues in, and Chris Gooch and Oliver Ono have already thrown the crew of the S.S. Mechagodzilla into utter chaos. Their ship is busted, and they have a delivery to make to get paid so let’s go gambling, I guess. Gooch’s fast paced plotting and Ono’s graphomania capture the frenetic pace of a space port city. They also find some heart under the hustle in the interactions between first mate Ayan and her grandmother, who teaches her how to repair the ship while disaster rages. Plus Ono’s take on one of my favorite kaiju kicks things up a notch. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Final Boss #1 (Image) – Tyler Kirkham‘s Final Boss has that old school 90s image feel with brutal fight scenes and a focus on style over substance. Seriously, this book at its peak when it shuts the hells up and has protagonist Brazen Bull work over his gimp mask wearing opponent in the ring that starts like an MMA fight and turns into something out of Mortal Kombat. Kirkham, inker David Miller, and colorist Ifansyah Noor really put on a no holds barred show, and I love how Troy Peteri‘s word bubble/box placement shifts with the punches and other deadly moves. Overall: 7.6 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe #5 (Marvel) – Gerry Duggan, Javier Garron, Scientronc, and Jesus Aburtov don’t cop out and have the Marvel superheroes actually beat Godzilla in the conclusion to their five issue miniseries, but cement his place as an unstoppable force of nature. Fans of tokusatsu will revel in glee as Voltron, but make it Earth-616 duels with Magik’s Soulsword, Captain America’s shield, and all kinds of accoutrements. Most of the issue is dedicated to the battle royale, but Duggan, Garron, and Scietronc lay some track for an even more impactful sequel riffing on Marvel’s Illuminati without getting too heavy handed. Let’s just say that it doesn’t get any more epic than the last couple pages of this look. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Street Sharks #2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla #1, American Caper #1, Adventures of Lumen N #3

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Street Sharks #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

Street Sharks #2 (IDW Publishing) – Street Sharks #2 is another bowl of Saturday morning cartoon tastiness from Stephanie Williams, Ariel Medel, and Valentina Pinto. This issue is centered around a circus of animal hybrids who have been, let’s say, questionably enhanced by the mysterious Director. In the space of 20 pages, the Street Sharks save the day and wrap up the story in a stylish, action-packed bow. Williams’ script loves a good pun, and Medel continues to draw from professional wrestling to soup up the action sequences. There’s also an emotional connection between the Sharks and the circus and a continuing theme of how the media perceives the Sharks’ activities. This comic is a nostalgic, bonkers good time, and I wish it was an ongoing and not just a miniseries. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla #1 (IDW Publishing) – In the first issue of Tim Seeley, Fero Pe, and Luis Delgado‘s cross-property crossover, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fit together seamlessly with Godzilla and other Toho kaiju. They weld the backstory of the pre-corruption/schism Foot Clan to the threat of Godzilla to Japan and combine it with all kinds of funky mutagen science. This comic really does feel like using all the toys in the box moving at a rapid pace with plenty of action and fun banter. I love how Pe depicts the vast size and scale of the King of the Monsters compared to your usual human/turtle ninja and beneath the jokes and butt kicking, there’s a relevant theme of using tragedies to profit. So excited/scared for the Heroes in the Half-Shell to face King Ghidorah next issue. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

American Caper #1 (Dark Horse) – Co-written by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, American Caper #1 launches a pitch black crime comedy set in the heart of the American nightmare of land deals, lawyers, and families with something to hide. Houser is joined by co-writer Lazlow and a great art team of David Lapham, Chris Anderson, and Lee Loughridge that burnish its crime credentials. Lapham and Anderson don’t flatter anyone in their character designs, and Loughridge’s palette is Old West meets suburban sprawl fitting for a gentrified Wyoming town. The co-author of this comic has a nine figure net worth so the satire is definitely soft targets, but American Caper has a lurid charm to it like the Grand Theft Auto games. Overall: 7.8 Verdict: Buy

Adventures of Lumen N #3 (Dark Horse) – I hate to use this term, but Adventures of Lumen N #3 is a total filler issue. Writer James Robinson makes Aeon Nemo just a total mustache twirler of a Big Bad with no psychological depth although his writing fares better with the protagonist Lumen Nemo, who is reveling in her adventurous origins. The plot barely progresses, which is fine, but Robinson doesn’t flesh out any of the book’s relationships and characters except for reiterating things about Lumen. At least, Phil Hester and Marc Deeing make the Nautilus look cool with their angular art style. I guess a battle is going to happen in the next issue, but the series has taken quite a dip in quality. Drop this one and re-read Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen/Nemo books instead. Overall: 4.8 Verdict: Pass

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