Category Archives: Reviews

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 kicks off an intriguing mystery

Posted on by
The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1

In the wake of Absolute Power, the Justice League Unlimited has created a haven for all heroes–but can they keep it secure? Enter Renee Montoya, reeling from an abrupt end to her time in Gotham and looking for a place to hang her hat. But the Trinity didn’t bring her up to the Watchtower to relax–there’s a dark threat bubbling underneath the surface, and only the Question and her ad hoc support team stand a chance of figuring out who the problem is before it’s too late. The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 is a solid start to a series that’s very new reader friendly.

I love a good mystery. Noir, crime, detective, those types of stories usually suck me in if done well and keep me guessing as to where they’re going. There’s some excellent ones when it comes to comics, so to get me to really be interested, the comic needs to really nail its various aspects. The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 does exactly that providing a debut issue that sets up an intriguing mystery but also lays out the current DC status quo.

Written by Alex Segura, The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 has Renee Montoya heading to space taking up residence in the Justice League’s Watchtower. Something is amiss with teases that something or someone is attempting an attack of some type. What exactly is going on is teased but the debut issue sets things up well… really well.

New readers can dive into The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 without any issue. Segura has done a fantastic job of creating a first issue that is both an introduction for all readers but also steeped into the current status quo. The Question is taken on a tour as the mystery is laid out. Something is going on at the station but no one is quite sure what exactly. We’re introduced to the main characters while Segura also fills in Renee’s backstory. By the end, the mystery is even more complex but readers will leave understanding what has come before and what lays ahead.

What’s really intriguing about The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 is that it’s a crime/noir/detective story (complete with murder) but it isn’t dark and gloomy. Much of that has to do with the art of Cian Tormey, color by Romulo Fajardo Jr., and lettering by Willie Schubert. The comic looks more like a typical superhero comic (not a bad thing) than a detective/noir story. There isn’t a dark and ominous tone to it. Instead we get some beautiful art, some of which will get you to pause. The visuals do an amazing job of pulling back to show the awe of what Renee is experiencing and then focus in as she learns the ropes. The pages are packed with characters making the new Watchtower feel active and used but not overwhelming or playing “spot the character in the background.”

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 is a solid debut issue that blends a good mystery with superheroes ending in a murder mystery. It doesn’t fall into traps of that DC superhero murder mystery from years ago, instead keeping things a bit brighter as well as focusing in on Renee herself and how she’s taking in the experience. It may involve superheroes on a space station hovering over Earth, but the comic delivers a grounded, familiar, and entertaining story that’s easy to dive in to.

Story: Alex Segura Art: Cian Tormey
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Willie Schubert
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Batman and Robin: Year One #2 answers some long asked questions

Posted on by
Batman and Robin: Year One #2

Dick Grayson is struggling to adjust to his new life as Bruce Wayne’s ward, with both Bruce’s rules and Batman’s training making his life difficult. But Dick is happy to remind Bruce that turnabout is fair play. Gotham’s newest crime boss, the General, continues to vie with Two-Face for control–but could an alliance benefit both of them and spell trouble for Batman and Robin? Batman and Robin: Year One #2 is another fantastic issue that evokes the classics.

Written by Mark Waid Batman and Robin: Year One #2 is another home run of an issue that delivers action, humor, and heart with a look that’s as crisp as the storytelling. Waid dives further into the early relationship between the dynamic duo, this time focusing a bit more on Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. It also addresses a major talking point for years, isn’t it a bit odd for Wayne to be adopting these kids? Are they safe? How involved is Wayne? Through a reporter, we get questions asked and answers given about the oddity that is this unusual family. From Alfred’s role to how hands on Bruce is, the issue checks off the questions Gothamites would have, and so have readers for years. With it, we also get to see the seriousness of Bruce versus Dick’s playful behavior, extending the dynamic the two have when battling crime.

And we get to see some of that two as Dick trains with Bruce and Alfred we also see that his plan of attack and solution to problems is quite different than what Bruce would do as Batman. Waid emphasizes how similar as well as how different these two are. They both are “born” out of tragedy but the impact on their demeanor as well as how they approach life is totally different.

The art by Chris Samnee continues to amaze. With color by Samnee and Giovanna Niro and lettering by Samnee and Clayton Cowles, the comic is Samnee’s amazing style but also a little blend of what has come before. The comic feels like some of the other modern Batman classic like The Long Halloween. Part of that is due to the colors taken which gives a bit darker/muted look but at the same time not a “dark” look (if that makes sense). But, where Samnee’s art really shines is how the visuals emphasize the brightness that is Dick Grayson. Small details of him being a kid, like sticking out a tongue, the body language, the facial expressions, it all adds up to a kid who exudes a positive and bright feeling around him. It sticks out compared to the rather dour Bruce/Batman.

Batman and Robin: Year One #2 is another fantastic issue that continues to help cement this series as a modern classic. Two issues in and it feels like this is one that’ll be talked about and suggested as a “great Batman read” for years to come. Here’s hoping it can keep up the high quality for all of the issues to come.

Story: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee Writer: Mark Waid Art: Chris Samnee
Color: Giovanna Niro Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Chris Samnee
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Killer Shark in Another World Vol. 2 continues the silly fun and god we love it!

Posted on by

Shiromi only ever wanted someone to acknowledge her… But even after slaying the demon general Apapanelle alongside her unintended familiar, Sharkiller, nobody’s ever said “Great job!” Maybe it’s because she accidentally destroyed that village. Or that time her shark ate the adventurers she was trying to save. Or perhaps it’s got to do with the fact that everyone she ever meets ends up in the jaws of a shark from a terrible Hollywood B movie. But surely they’ll forgive her if she takes down another demon general! Right?

Story: Kuboken
Art: Kuboken
Translation: Zihan Gao
Letterer: Mike Rickaby

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

The classic story The Long Halloween comes to Fanhome’s “The Legend of Batman” subscription service

Posted on by

Fanhome has launched The Legends of Batman, an expansive series of hardcover graphic novels featuring the greatest adventures of DC’s legendary Caped Crusader.

This incredible series of stories brings Batman’s life story together in an epic full-color collection.

The Legends of Batman Collection includes the best and most essential Batman adventures by legendary creative teams. The collection forms an expansive overall narrative that begins with Batman’s origin in Year Zero and culminates in Batman Year 100.

The Fanhome The Legends of Batman collection delivers a two part story in the classic: The Long Halloween.

Collecting: The Long Halloween #1-6

Subscribe

Story: Jeph Loeb
Art: Tim Sale
Ink: Tim Sale
Color: Gregory Wright, Dave Stewart

Fanhome provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 delivers THAT moment and the color does add a bit more shock

Posted on by

The Walking Dead returns in full color with extras! The Walking Dead Deluxe takes us back to the beginning with each issue now featuring full color. There are also extras of what might have been with notes as part of “The Cutting Room Floor.”

The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 is as shocking as when we first read it.

What’s it like to revisit this modern classic? How does it change all these years later… and in color? Find out!

Story: Robert Kirkman
Art: Charlie Adlard
Color: Dave McCaig
Letterer: Rus Wooton

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

One For Sorrow #1 mixes a bunch of genres for an interesting debut that has you wanting more

Posted on by

London, 1900. The capital hums with the energy of the new era, but something darker lurks beneath the surface. A monstrous figure stalks the city’s criminal underworld at night, leaving a trail of bloody corpses in its wake. Rumors about the mysterious killer spread like wildfire. It’s a demon. A phantom. An angel of vengeance.

Nothing can kill it. Nothing can stop it. And once it picks a new target, well, he better have a coffin picked out, because he’s already dead.

Story: Jamie McKelvie
Art: Jamie McKelvie
Color: Jamie McKelvie, Courtney Vokey
Letterer: Ariana Maher

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Third Eye Comics

G.I. JOE #1 kicks off an action packed next chapter for the Energon Universe

Posted on by

Conrad Hauser, Codename DUKE, has assembled a special force known as G.I. Joe to battle the rising power of the mysterious COBRA in the aftermath of the Autobots and Decepticons’ arrival on Earth. But the enigmatic Cobra Commander has unleashed the power of Energon like never before! It’s all been building to this… G.I. JOE #1!

Story: Joshua Williamson
Art: Tom Reilly
Color: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

TFAW
Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Absolute Batman #2 delivers a brutal battle against the Party Animals

Posted on by

A two word descriptor in the midst of Alfred Pennyworth’s narrative captions describes Absolute Batman #2, and they are “Batman AF”.

Story: Scott Snyder
Art: Nick Dragotta
Colors: Frank Martin
Letters: Clayton Cowles

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

TFAW
Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Time Waits #2 has some surprises but generally delivers turn off your brain action fun

Posted on by

Wyatt won’t stop until he’s had his revenge, no matter how many lives are lost in the pursuit. Who cares about anyone in the past? Blue and Grace have held off their attackers-for now-but the full militarized force at Wyatt’s disposal are more thug than soldier, and redefine relentless.

Story: Chip Zdarsky, David Brothers
Art: Marcus To, Marvin Sianipar
Color: Matt Wilson
Letterer: Ariana Maher

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Third Eye Comics

Mini Reviews: Toxic Avenger, NYX, The Domain, and Black Lightning

Posted on by
NYX #5

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

Toxic Avenger #2 (Ahoy) – Matt Bors and Fred Harper continue to satirize the brain rot of 2024 United States in the second installment of their Toxic Avenger reboot. Toxie has an opportunity to liaison with the company doing the cover up of the toxic waste train accident, but he picks integrity over money and, of course, it backfires. Along the way, Bors and Harper flesh out the bully characters of Pluto and Bryce who are struggling with body dysmorphia as they’ve gone from the “ideal male body” to mutants. It all culminates in a big kaiju type fight (Toxie is an Ultraman fan!) with hilarious visual background jokes from Fred Harper. If you like B-movies and are afraid of what’s going on the world right now, the Toxic Avenger comic is worth a read. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

NYX #5 (Marvel) – Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Francesco Mortarino, Elisabetta D’Amico, and Raul Angulo wrap up the first arc of NYX with a glimpse at a better world where redemption is possible and marginalized folks can win victories at the ballot box. I guess, having a powerful psychic like Sophie Cuckoo helps. But, in all seriousness, Lanzing and Kelly use Sophie’s POV to show how found families can be more supportive than blood ones. (The Stepford Cuckoos in this case.) In this issue, Sophie breaks away from the five-in-one and helps her new BFF Ms. Marvel rally for mutant rights in a literally political plotline, and I love seeing her thought process through the captions as well as the emotional journey she goes on. The first arc of NYX is a melting pot of street-level and mutant Marvel comics with a diverse cast of characters dealing with real life issues through stylized metaphors. Finally, I love the flair of Mortarino and D’Amico’s visuals, it’s 90 Generation X comics filtered through 2010s manga, especially in the little humorous moments like Wolverine sniffing Sophie to make sure she’s telling the truth. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

The Domain #5 (Image) – The Domain #5 is a big, splashy action-packed finale to this miniseries. I love the opening flashback from Chip Zdarsky and Rachel Stott that re-establishes the wielders of The Domain as friends and underdogs as they battle Domain Prime, space pirates, and the US army. Stott’s skill with facial expression comes in handy when she and Zdarsky cut away from the battle to show how freaked out Dez and Liz are in the face of creatures that have killed in cold blood. However, this is an optimistic end to The Domain that still leaves the door for future adventures as they transition from the superhero to the science fiction genre. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Black Lightning #1 (DC) – I love the dynamic between Jefferson Pierce and his daughters Anissa and Jennifer, who are the superheroes Thunder and Lightning in Black Lightning #1 as well as him taking a teaching role and working with new metahumans. Also, Fico Ossio and Ulisses Areola bring a Bronze Age semi-realist art style with modern digital color visual that’s kind of pleasing. However, Ossio and writer Brandon Thomas don’t provide Black Lightning #1 with a threat or real hook, which is an issue for a first issue. A lot of the issue is recapping things which happened in the Absolute Power crossover albeit from the Pierces’ POV as well as Lightning struggling with her abilities. But, sadly, there’s nothing compelling me to pick up issue 2 except for the characters which I already have a positive relationship with from other comics and the Black Lightning TV show. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass

« Older Entries Recent Entries »