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

Weapon X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Weapon X-Men #1 is an event tie-in, a late 90s throwback, and an A-list X-Force comic all in a fun-sized package from Joe Casey and ChrisCross. It’s Deadpool, Wolverine, Chamber (For some reason), Cable, and Thunderbird all thrown at a crazy situation in Latveria that ends up being not what it seems, and there are twists, bloodshed, surprises, and loads of fourth wall breaking. Not the heartiest meal, but it’ll remind you of the 90s with smoother pacing and better art. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Exceptional X-Men #6 (Marvel) – This is another solid issue of Eve Ewing, Carmen Carnero, and Nolan Woodard‘s Exceptional X-Men #6 as Bronze, Axo, and Melee get internships at Priti’s consulting company and meet a CEO who preys on young mutants’ insecurities. Whereas Bronze and Melee immediately are suspicious about Xenos’ Verate app asking for DNA information, Axo connects with him because they both have external mutations that can’t be hidden. Their interactions are sci-fi tinged masterclass in showing how young, idealistic people can be manipulated by exploitative corporations, and it’s sad to watch Axo demonstrate his empathy powers in front of Xenos. Carnero’s skill with facial expressions continues to be an asset for this book, which is more about conversations and debates than fisticuffs for now. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Godzilla: Heist #1 (IDW) – Van Jensen and Kelsey Ramsay combine gritty crime tropes and visuals with kaiju action and anti-imperialist themes to craft a comic that is probably more compelling than any summer blockbuster. Godzilla: Heist #1‘s premise is super high concept: what if Godzilla was a heist team member, but Jensen builds an interesting story around it. Most of that comes from protagonist, Jai, who is a young Indian-British man, who has a vendetta against the country that took credit for his mother’s work and a special scientific connection to Godzilla. It’s fun watching him work in conjunction with the big monster to execute his first solo heist, which puts him on the radar of a much bigger job shrouded in mystery. Godzilla: Heist crosses the worlds of street-level and epic scope stories and is one of the most entertaining comics I’ve read this year with some solid social commentary too. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

New Gods #3 (DC) – New Gods #3 establishes once and for all that Ram V and Evan Cagle are doing something additive with the Fourth World instead of just re-arranging pieces established by Kirby, Simonson, Evanier, Byrne (Ugh), or even Morrison. Most of the issue is a flashback sequence narrated by the Chronicler and skillfully by Riccardo Federici, which connects the new New God to the mythos of the previous Second and Third Worlds. There’s lots of new lore to unpack, but V and Federici wisely connect it to creation myths and the dawn of civilization and humanity. This adds depth and stakes to the present day story with Mister Miracle, Big Barda, and Liv being charming as always while the “new Darkseid” Karok Deen is a little one-dimensional. However, Cagle draws his conquests with a heavy metal fury. New Gods #3 continues to balance epic world-building with personal family drama and as someone who loves mythology, world religions, and anthropology, this might be the best issue of the series yet for V, Evan Cagle, Federici, and colorist Francesco Segala. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Howl #2 (Ahoy) – Things get more Invaders of Body Snatchers, but with mushrooms and in beatnik-era Greenwich Village in Alisa Kwitney and Mauricet‘s Howl #2. Kwitney’s dialogue for the pod-people manipulated male artists is hilarious like a cross between Coneheads and Allen Ginsberg, and I love how she continues to center the women who are actually putting in the work while they wander around aimlessly. Mauricet continues to nail the atmosphere of the 1950s village, but with more weird body horror vibes. Things are going to get very strange in this comic, and the satire of societal norms are on point. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

The Power Fantasy #6 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard kick off the second arc of The Power Fantasy with a nigh-literal bang exploring the implications of Jacky Magus joining the US president’s cabinet along with a new wild card figure. There’s a lot of passive aggressive maneuvering like in the first arc, but some real battle lines are drawn plus there’s some more info where these abilities come from. Plus Wijingaard’s art is slick, especially when the occult/counterculture elements come into play using exotic layouts and color palettes to show how distant the main characters of this series are from everyday humans. The Power Fantasy definitely is a slow burn series, but I’m enjoying learning more about the inner workings of this universe and the small, yet might moves across the proverbial game board. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy