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Category Archives: Reviews

Crownsville #4 goes in an unexpected direction in this deeply layered horror series

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Brett

Staring deeply into the mouth of madness, Detective Mike Simms must confront his family’s secret past to unlock the dreadful secrets which lie buried in the long-condemned halls of the abandoned Crownsville mental institution. The spirits of the past demand retribution for the sins visited upon them in their waking life, and only the souls of the living can offer peace to the torment of the damned . . . and they don’t care how they get it!

Can Mike and his partner unlock the secret to freeing these tormented spirits or will the halls of Crownsville once again run red with the blood of the innocent?

Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Elia Bonetti
Letterer: Marshall Dillon

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.

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

Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is a grown person’s superhero comic that nails the complex dynamics of relationships in 2026

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Logan Dalton

Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is the triumphant return of Babs Tarr to drawing interior comics art as well as a perfect use of the Black Label imprint to tell a more mature as in complex relationship dynamics and not gratuitous violence, language, and sex, although Harley Quinn does call Bruce Wayne a “fuckboy” in a memorable panel. (He’s not, though.) Tarr, writer Tini Howard, breakdown artist Xanthe Bouma, colorist Miquel Muerto, and seriously snazzy letterer Becca Carey bring anti-heroes/villains Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman together with do-gooder/rockstar/billionaire fiancée Black Canary to solve the murders of women in Gotham that the police have neglected.

Sirens: Love Hurts #1 is truly a girl’s girl comic. From the immaculate fits designed by Babs Tarr to the fact that this story features both a brunch and a night out, Sirens exudes fun despite its dark subject material. These are four very different women with a wide range of moral compasses and approaches to fighting crime, relationships, and just life in general, and the story flows from this rather than just “Oh, I guess it’s been a lot of talking, let’s have an action sequence.” There’s also a true sense of symmetry in Sirens’ storytelling, one the whole creative team contributes to, like a five-panel page with a four-panel grid, where each cast member lays out their boundaries for their working relationship. The expressiveness of Tarr’s character portraits, combined with Howard’s witty dialogue and Muerto’s flat background colors, establishes the dynamic before they go their separate heist/superhero ways.

This symmetry threads its way throughout Sirens #1, keeping narrative momentum while indulging in plenty of chaos. (Seriously, I’m obsessed with Tini Howard and Babs Tarr’s take on Harley Quinn in this book and need Ashnikko to dress up as her at one of her gigs.) After finding the murder victim Julie in a state that is more true crime horror than superhero, each Siren does their own research in a way that’s true to their character whether (In a relatable moment for yours truly.) it’s Poison Ivy using her university/grad school credentials, Harley Quinn finding Julie’s therapist file and address, Catwoman flirting with Batman, and Black Canary juggling life as a rock star and crime fighter back stage at the Light. These solo moments apart contribute to the moments of banter and fun when the team unites towards the back end of the comic and debuts yet another glorious set of outfits/costumes from Tarr. (Her reimagining of the Uma Thurman Poison Ivy costume in Batman and Robin as a disguise is truly iconic.)

Sirens : Love Hurts #1 is a grown person’s superhero comic that nails the complex dynamics of relationships in 2026. (Seriously, the poly dynamic between Harley and Ivy has never been this well-done or hilarious.) I love that there are multiple discussions of boundaries in different aspects of the story whether that’s in relation to the law of Gotham City or whatever Harley/Ivy, Dinah/Oliver, and Bruce/Selina and various other wild cards are. However, above all, this is a be hot, do crime, and fight injustice towards women comic with style for days thanks to the visuals of Babs Tarr and Miquel Muerto.

Story: Tini Howard Art: Babs Tarr Breakdowns: Xanthe Bouma
Colors: Miquel Muerto Letters: Becca Carey
Story: 9 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

C.O.R.T.: Children of the Round Table #6 is such a great ending to this story arc. We want more!

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Brett

They have trained. They have bonded. They have overcome challenges and learned great skills. Now, to rescue a loved one, the Children of the Round Table must face a powerful enemy head-on. Can they stop the power of Mordred? Or are they too young, too unprepared? Is it their destiny to fail? Also, will Kevin’s stick actually do anything?

Story: Tom Taylor
Art: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Colors: Rain Beredo
Letters: Wes Abbott

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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

Space Ghost Vol. 2 #8 wraps up the two issue arc delivering action and emotion

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Brett

LEGACY OF DESTRUCTION!

Trapped inside Contra Industries, Jan and Jace scramble to survive the Antimatter Man’s hostile takeover! As the rampaging villain works to rebuild the generator that originally transformed him into nigh-omnipotent negative energy, the Guardian of the Spaceways must construct a brand-new weapon to defeat the rogue scientist before he reaches critical mass. But when Jan and Jace discover the Antimatter Man’s true identity, will family bonds make the price of victory too much for Team Space Ghost to bear?

Story: David Pepose
Art: Jonathan Lau
Color: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Taylor Esposito

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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

Transformers #29 has some solid art for what is an extended fight issue that’s a lot of flash

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Brett

AUTOBOTS VS DECEPTICONS!

And only [SPOILER] can turn the tide…

Story: Robert Kirkman
Art: Dan Mora
Color: Sarah Stern
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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 kicks off a new chapter full of mystery

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brett

MOON KNIGHT: MISSING! Marc Spector has been many things – an Avenger, a Fist of Khonshu, a Karnak Cowboy and now… KIDNAPPED?! But by whom? And why?! Don’t they have any idea they’ve trapped MOON KNIGHT?! Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 delivers the start of a new chapter for the character and it’s an intriguing one.

Writer Jed MacKay continues his journey of Marc Spector and Moon Knight with a new series that delivers one hell of a mystery. Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 has Marc captured. We’re generally told by who but beyond wanting some information from him, we don’t really know why. It’s an issue of psychological torture as Marc’s tormentors overlook his rat in a maze and cage life. But, can psychological attacks break Moon Knight? That’s a big part of the discussion of the comic along with how he’d react to physical torture as well. While that might seem strange, it’s an excellent way to teach new readers about the character and the challenges he presents to villains.

Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 is an interesting comic. It’s a first issue of a new chapter but it continues the weaving tale MacKay has concocted for the hero. While you don’t have to know what has happened before, the issue’s ending will probably hit harder if you do. I’ve read a smattering of what MacKay has released so far and it’s solid, but having not kept up with it, I can’t say if the main villains play into anything that has come before. But, the way the issue is presented, it doesn’t really matter if they have.

The art by Devmalya Pramanik is fantastic. With Rachelle Rosenberg and lettering by Cory Petit, Marc’s plight feels hectic and chaotic and you can feel the mental beat down he’s experiencing. It’s a comic that relies heavily on psychological torture an it feels like the way the pages are laid out, the panel shapes that are chosen, all play into the labyrinth that holds Moon Knight within.

Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 kicks off an intriguing mystery. It’s one that’ll keep you guessing the specifics but delivers the general take on what you need to know. It’s a solid debut that’ll have readers coming back to find out more about this mystery and see the beatdown that’ll be coming in the second issue that’s teased at the end of the issue. The debut issue isn’t so much a reboot or starting point, but a new chapter in Moon Knight’s journey in the hand of writer Jed MacKay.

Story: Jed MacKay Art: Devmalya Pramanik
Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Eowulf: The Creature Connection continues the fun adventures and expands the world of the series

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brett

Eowulf Wegmund (descendant of legendary monster hunter Beowulf, of course) can’t wait to escape the suburbs―with their boring chores and rules―to start her new job at Vulcan’s Celestial Supply Shop on the lost island of Celestina. Her first assignment? Deliver the dreaded Helm of Balor to a movie studio and keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Guarding an all-powerful super-weapon from a few monsters-turned-actors should be a piece of cake. Right?

On her first day on the job, Eowulf stumbles on a dark conspiracy involving missing magical creatures. Now, Eowulf and her new monster friends must face an interdimensional evil-doer and stop a cosmic cataclysm!

Story: Mike Cavallaro
Art: Mike Cavallaro
Color: Sarah Buck

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

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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

Cyclops #1 Takes a Bit to Get to a Great Horror Concept

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brett

Scott Summers is a mutant who is always in near-total control of his powers and his emotions. But what happens when he’s separated from the X-Men, lost in a mountain wilderness without the visor that keeps his devastating powers in check? And will he be able to stay alive when Donald Pierce and his cyborgs, the Reavers, are hunting him? It’s a tale of the X-Men’s leader at his most savage core! Cyclops #1 kicks things off with a normal superhero beginning but ends things with the start of survival horror.

Written by Alex Paknadel, Cyclops has a great concept going for it. Cyclops losing his visor isn’t necessarily a new concept. But, the idea of him being alone in the woods and being hunted without it, does feel original and different. Cyclops #1 kicks things off with a typical X-Men comic. The team is on the offensive and after Cyclops heads out when summoned by someone from his past. But, on his way back he crashes in a forest and his visor is damaged. That last bit is interesting and what I came to see, which leads to the negative, it takes a long time to get to that bit.

Cyclops #1 is a lot of setup, and who knows how much is really needed. The battle in the beginning, his meeting a friend from the past, some feels superfluous and other bits feel like they’re just means to an end. No matter, if we can get the latter part of the comic for the rest of the series, we’re in for a treat.

Paknadel goes the underpinning horror route. There’s the idea of a blind person being hunted in a forest that’s scary enough. But, the comic’s use of the Reavers creates something more with body horror that adds to the vibe of the comic. While the Reavers’ inclusion is a bit convenient, it’s still a solid addition that creates an adversary that’s familiar and can be dangerous.

Part of the horror is in thanks to the art by Roge Antonio. With color by Fer Sifuentes-Sujo and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the comic begins to really shine visually when the Reavers are introduced. While it looks solid up to that point, the cyborg aspect creates visuals that are uneasy and the new group isn’t as clean polished as the Reavers of the past. It adds up to what feels like slasher horror with the undead killer stalking its prey.

Cyclops #1 is a good debut with a solid ending. It builds its rather calm, safe, and somewhat mundane aspects to all hell breaking loose nicely. It’s a simple concept that should be a lot of fun and deliver an X comic that stands out and feels unique from the bunch.

Story: Alex Paknadel Art: Roge Antonio
Color: Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Center Holds #1 Has a Lot Packed in to the First Issue

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brett

In a world where superheroes have become commonplace, heroes are required to join a union or else face serious financial liability for the damage caused during battles. Enter the Superheroes’ Union: A team-up of genius Scyber, psychic Lakshmi, the mysterious Keeper, and child prodigy Nekkotron, among others, as they battle villains and bureaucracy alike. And though the delicate balance of mitigating damage while saving lives is already tough enough, they’ve got their own worries with a constant stream of villains rising up to challenge them. The Center Holds #1 introduces a new superhero universe that shows a lot of potential.

Written by Larry Hama, The Center Holds #1 packs a lot in the first issue. There’s about a half-dozen characters introduced, a team, lots of dynamics, a new world, and some villains. That’s quite a lot. And the issue does a good job of doing it. Mixing action and some quieter moments, by the end of the debut, we get a good sense of the various characters and a lot of teases about them.

The Center Holds #1 is interesting as it keeps things rather broad. This isn’t a debut focused on one character, instead if delivers a little bit on a bunch and does so in a way that you leave wanting to find out more. Hama doesn’t make it clear exactly what’s going on with everyone, instead these heroes all have their quirks and secrets that leave you guessing and intrigued to find out more.

The world itself is interesting. While it’s similar to ours, there’s dynamics and details that make it feel futuristic in some ways and alien in others. It’s small details that flesh out what we can expect and builds a bit of a backstory too as we’re given clues as to where things stand currently.

The comic also marks the final work of M.D. “Doc” Bright. The art looks good with a style that’s a bit of a throwback in some ways. It feels a bit like early 00s or late 90s in some aspects but Bright’s style creates intriguing characters and does a great job of building mystery. The comic features colors by Josh Burcham and lettering by Janice Chiang. Together it looks good with some fun action.

The Center Holds #1 is an interesting debut that feels like a bit of a throwback in some ways and definitely matches Hama’s style we see in his current G.I. JOE run. The debut balances introductions and mystery and sets up a world that has dynamics that show off some potential. If you’re looking for an alternative superhero comic from the big two, this is one that’s worth checking out.

Story: Larry Hama Art: M.D. “Doc” Bright
Color: Josh Burcham Letterer: Janice Chiang
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Barbarian Behind Bars #1 Delivers a Solid Opening to an Intriguing Concept

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brett

Who is the mysterious, musclebound warrior who came to our world in a storm of magic and violence?! That’s what public defender Irene Chang wants to know. This guy came out of nowhere, doesn’t speak English, and now she’s supposed to help him beat a murder charge after he chopped some other weird dude’s head off with a magic axe in broad daylight? Of course, he may not live to go to trial, with all the enemies he’s making in prison. Good thing his cellmate grills a mean cheese sandwich. Barbarian Behind Bars #1 kicks off a concept where you wonder why it hasn’t been done before.

It’s no surprise that I’d enjoy Barbarian Behind Bars #1. Written by Elliott Kalan, art by Andrea Mutti, and lettering by Taylor Esposito, it’s the team behind Maniac of New York, a series published by Aftershock that I loved and hope we get more of. And honestly, Barbarian Behind Bars #1 feels like a series that would have been released by that publisher.

The concept is very simple. A warrior from another time and place is arrested after battling his evil foe in modern times. Now, the justice system has to figure out what to do with him and he needs to continue hist quest against evil. It’s so simple, it’s brilliant.

Kalan delivers a fantastic start focusing on each aspect of the comic and doing so in a way that makes it really intriguing. A defense attorney needs to figure out how to deal with her client who speaks a language no one knows. A justice system needs to figure out how to deal with a murder of an individual who doesn’t exist by a person who doesn’t exist. And the barbarian needs to keep fighting evil to save his world but he’s behind bars. The combo is a series that nails it at every step.

The art by Mutti is excellent. It’s not too surprising as we’ve seen over and over what to expect. The initial battle looks epic in scope, to the point I hope we see more in flashbacks. The frustration of so many feels very real as you can see it in their body language and faces. The guards feel sleezy just looking at them. It’s all fantastic visuals that balance the fantastical and the grounded.

Taylor Esposito deserves and extra mention for the language spoken by the Barbarian. While it’s translated, you almost want to take the time to decipher it yourself, something that’s a challenge by others in the comic.

I had high expectations for Barbarian Behind Bars #1 when I saw the creative team and heard the concept and they’ve exceeded the high bar set for the debut issue. Like their previous team-up, this is a debut that you should absolute check out.

Story: Elliott Kalan Art: Andrea Mutti Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Mad Cave Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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