Category Archives: Reviews

Bulls of Beacon Hill #4 mixes action and emotion

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A successful career as a surgeon, a supportive and loving boyfriend, and an overload of hype on his rumored run for Boston City Council. But there’s one problem – it’s all held up by a lie. For years, Chris has been hiding in plain sight, desperate not to be connected to his father, Orin Paige, one of Boston’s most notorious gangsters.

Story: Steve Orlando
Art: Andy MacDonald
Color: Lorenzo Scaramella
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

Get your copy in comic shops! 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

AfterShock Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Silence #1 kicks off an intriguing magical adventure

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In this extraordinary Rock’n’Roll/Mythology mashup, Johanna Jones returns to her hometown of Anthem, a down-on-its-luck shipping town, to discover the ship her father sailed on has gone missing. She ends up aboard a yellow submarine named the Heart of Gold, headed directly into Hades’ Hexagon to find the missing crew, accompanied by her childhood best friend, a rich young addict, and a punk legend.

Story: Devin Kraft
Art: Devin Kraft

Get your copy in comic shops! 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
Literati Press

Literati Press 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

Local Man #3 ups the mystery and body count

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Local Man #3

The hero formerly known as Crossjack is on the hunt for a murderer, a trail that leads him directly to a self-help guru who was once his sworn enemy: the villain known as Frightside. Now, the “Local Man” must find out what she knows before his high school sweetheart’s cop husband throws him in a cell. Meanwhile, in the past, Crossjack and Neon battle demons and angels (both real and psychological) at the end of the world. Local Man #3 continues a hell of a series that delivers even more mystery to the murder(s).

Written by Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley, Local Man #3 continues one hell of a series. While the first two issues really focused on who Crossjack is, Local Man #3 pivots a bit focusing more on the murder of his former nemesis. Crossjack is on a mission to solve the case and suspects are added and removed in the issue. There’s something solid in the series teasing a tie to the past while keeping things focused on the present. The flip book nature of it all does an excellent job of fleshing out the world and mystery. In this case, we get to see a big battle and find out more about Crossjack and Neon’s past relationship. It’s some interesting info that gives motive for an individual to set up Crossjack for the murder of Hodag.

But what’s also nice is a bit of a grounded aspect to the series. Crossjack means well but this issue has him dogged a little at his incompetence. Hodag, though a villain, is shown in a way that makes you feel sorry for what happened to him. And, we get a new character whose shady past is clear but also comes off as rather… human. The series has done a great job of grounding these godlike people.

The art continues to be great as well with the modern “Farmington” aspect featuring art by Fleecs and color by Brad Simpson and the “Third Gen” retro art handled by Seeley with color by Felipe Sobriero. The comic does an excellent job of delivering two distinct styles and looks but the same character, just from two different time periods. The retro story does an excellent job of nailing down the style of the past. It’s an amazing balance between the two that works so well toghether.

Local Man #3 continues a fantastic series that’ll leave readers guessing as to what will happen next and who’s behind the murder. And thankfully, we’re not just getting that but a tease of battles from yesteryear. Altogether, it delivers a series and world we want more of.

Story: Tony Fleecs, Tim Seeley Art: Tony Fleecs, Tim Seeley
Color: Brad Simpson, Felipe Sobriero
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.3 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

By The Horns: Dark Earth #8 really advances the plot in the series

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By The Horns: Dark Earth #8

The blight continues to spread across Solothus in By The Horns: Dark Earth #8 as the Augernaut repairs near completion and Yun Ma’s plan for the continent begins to take shape. Across the ocean in Awahakan, Shanora Zeland her companions stir up trouble while searching for a way to catch up to Elodie.

I’ve found I don’t read as many comics as I used to these days, and yet despite my waning interest (or lack of time, which ultimately leads me to prioritize other things), I am always excited to read the next offering from Markisan Naso, Jason Muhr and Steve Canon, the writer, artist/letterer and colourist of By The Horns: Dark Earth.

Whereas the last issue was effectively an illustrated journal, By The Horns: Dark Earth #8 reads as an anthology with how Naso spends a few pages on each of the story threads that have been running throughout the issue. Given that the comic focuses on four different sets of characters in four specific chunks of the book, you would think that there wouldn’t be a lot of story progression. You could be forgiven for thinking that – if you were unfamiliar with the creative team. Naso and Muhr are experts of their craft and can wrench your heart, make you care about a villain and expose hypocrisy in fewer pages than your average comic.

By The Horns: Dark Earth #7 was a message of support, and By The Horns: Dark Earth #8 is a comic about choice. It is a reminder that you might not be able to choose your circumstances, but you can almost always control how you react to them (I’m not taking credit for those words – that’s the ethos of Justin Scarred’s Quest for Positivity, and I felt it very apt to repeat here given the story we’re talking about). Naso explores within this book how your choices, and especially a dedication to vengeance, can lead you to places you don’t want to be.

Because the comic features four different threads, Muhr and Canon have the task of helping the reader easily differentiate between the locations. While there’s a location update on two of the story thread changes (though you don’t really need the name of the new location to discern that the setting has changed, such is the clarity of the art), the other is met by a very distinct single panel introduction.

By The Horns: Dark Earth #8 really advances the plot in the series, building from the emotional weight of the previous issue with several quick chunks of story. One of my favourite things about this series is the variety that the creative team offer from comic to comic, and they don’t disappoint here.

Story: Markisan Naso Art/Lettering: Jason Muhr Colors: Steve Canon
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review. Alex also purchased a physical copy of all comics referenced within the review.

Purchase: Scout Comics – Zeus Comics

Alien #1 builds the tension in a new beginning

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Alien #1

Scientist Batya Zahn will do just about anything to get her family off the icy moon where they’ve been conducting research on water conservation. But there’s more than glacial springs to find in this forgotten corner of the galaxy. When they discover an extraordinary organism buried in the ice, it won’t take long for tensions to heat up. What is hidden in the snow comes forth in the thaw-and no one will be welcoming this spring. Alien #1 is a slow and tense build for the chaos we know will eventually happen.

Written by Declan Shalvey, Alien #1 doesn’t attempt to break the mold at all. It’s a simple story building towards the xenomorph attack we know is coming. But, even knowing what’s to come, the issue delivers a pace that adds little on top of little to deliver a solid and tight opening.

Explorers/miners discovering some ancient horror isn’t anything new. It’s a plot that has been done over and over again. Alien #1 is basically that as a trio are on a planet looking at the ice and figuring out if there’s useful water. Below that ice is an unknown amount of xenomorphs waiting to be woken up with a thawing. It feels like there’s an underlying warning there about global warming and the dangers that wait us as the world heats up, but even without going into that, the issue paces everything out nicely adding layers to the shitshow that is to come. Corporate buyouts, family tension, corporate stooges, it’s all there in what will likely be a classic horror story with a scifi spin.

The art by Andrea Broccardo is solid. With color by Tríona Farrell and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic has a cold look to it. You can feel the cold air and ice just looking at the pages which plays off of the white and gray of the world. What’s presented is great in the design as it feels like a setting that’s both scientific and lived in. There’s something rather practical about what we see and it fits nicely with the aesthetic that has been set up for the world of Alien.

Alien #1 doesn’t brake any ground but does break the ice (bad joke, we know). What it does is a solid build up slowly adding to the tension for what we know is coming. It’s classic in a lot of ways and it should be interesting to see if it keeps that up or if there’s twists and turns to come.

Story: Declan Shalvey Art: Andrea Broccardo
Color: Tríona Farrell Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.3 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Action Comics #1054 shows the heart of Superman

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Action Comics #1054

As Superman and Natasha Irons race to save Steel from the newly transformed Metallo, the Super-Twins are lost–and alone–against the nightmarish threat of the Necrohive! How will Lois and the House of El find them? There’s something rather quaint and relaxing about Action Comics #1054. While the comic is full of action, it also is very positive getting to the heart of what makes Superman super.

Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Action Comics #1054 has the Necrohive and Metallo causing terror and the people of Gotham not quite sure as to what to do. Some of the sentiment has turned against Superman and his family, a play off of the b xenophobic as well as general distrust of people doing actual good in our real world.

Metallo, much like today’s zombie online sheep, is being manipulated by someone else, driving the chatter against Superman no matter how clear he is in the right. And Johnson has Superman confronting Metallo in a solid fight that is full of eye-popping visuals and excitement. But, most importantly, Johnson has Superman stay true to himself. In spite of Metallo’s negativity and being convinced Superman will murder him, Superman reaches out his hand to help his foe. No matter how beat down he has been and the destruction Metallo has wrought, Superman remains true to himself in even helping his enemy. He’s the ultimate good doer. There’s an interesting reflection on the vitriol thrown at so many online and their willingness to turn the other cheek and attempt to still do good. Superman remains his positive self.

The art by Mazy Raynor, with color by Matt Herms, and lettering by Dave Sharpe looks great. There’s something about this series so far that has remained steady delivering a colorful, cheery look, no matter how brutal fights might get or how down moments might be. The look has matched the attitude of the comic. There’s some great visuals and the fight between Superman and Metallo looks solid.

Dan Jurgens continues to write and draw “Home Again” taking place some time ago in a “lost tale.” Jurgens is joined by Norm Rapmund with color by Elizabeth Breitweiser, and lettering by Rob Leigh. The story involves an alien princess trying to find Superman and instead finding Jon. It’s been entertaining though this chapter feels a bit predictable towards the end.

A new story also begins in “Steel Forged” which focuses on John Henry Irons. Written by Dorado Quick with art by Yasmín Flores Montañez, color by Brad Anderson, and lettering by Dave Sharpe the comic is a good one introducing John and beginning to set him apart from Superman. It adds a little depth to what I remember of his introduction way back in the “Reign of the Supermen” storyline. Where it goes should be interesting and feels like a nice way to spotlight more of the Super family.

Overall, there’s something rather nice in Action Comics #1054. The comic doesn’t have the doom and gloom of so much of what has been put out there and instead delivers the uplifting tale you’d hope from Superman. It has the action without the dark cloud hanging over everything. It’s been a while since I’ve really been into Superman and DC is delivering a monthly dose of positivity that’ll keep me coming back for more.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Dan Jurgens, Dorado Quick
Art: Mazy Raynor, Dan Jurgens, Yasmín Flores Montañez
Color: Matt Herms, Elizabeth Breitweiser, Brad Anderson
Ink: Norm Rapmund Letterer: Dave Sharpe, Rob Leigh
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

W0rldtr33 #1 is an interesting look at the impact of technology

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W0rldtr33 #1

W0rldtr33 #1 is an intriguing debut. Part horror. Part social commentary. Part mystery. It feels like a comic that’s supposed to both disturb and get readers thinking. In 1999, Gabriel and his friends discovered the Undernet, a secret architecture to the Internet. They charted their exploration on a message board called W0RLDTR33. Then they lost control. Someone broke into W0RLDTR33—someone who welcomed the violent hold the Undernet had on them. At great personal cost, Gabriel and the others thought they sealed the Undernet away for good. They were wrong. And now they will know the meaning of PH34R.

Written by James Tynion IV, W0rldtr33 #1 is teases a lot but answers little. Presumably due to some online viral thing, a young man has gone on a murder spree. A young naked woman is on a mission as well for… something. And a group of individuals are afraid something has escaped, most likely whatever drove the young man to murder. All of those plotlines come together for an opening that feels like a comic that has something to say.

W0rldtr33 #1 comes at an interesting time. The act of livestreaming horrific acts as they’re committed has become more common, often caught well after the heinous act has begun. The internet is clearly a tool to manipulate and control individuals driving them to those heinous acts. W0rldtr33 feels like it’s at the center of that but with a throwback to the tech films of the 90s and early 00s. We don’t know a ton of what’s going on, but it’s weird, and we want to find out more.

The art by Fernando Blanco has a glitch style to it with color by Jordie Bellaire and lettering by Aditya Bidikar. The look of the comic feels like it fits a grittiness of the early part of today’s technology. The issue is packed with panels with pages packed with a dozen, a television viewing of the horrible events. Small details tease what has happened, never giving too much away and leaving readers wanting to find out more.

W0rldtr33 #1 is an interesting start of a comic, exploring today’s issues with social media and technology as a whole while also delivering straight horror. While it’s not clear as to exactly what’s going on, the debut ends with unexpected shocks that leave even more questions out there. It’s another mystery from Tynion that’ll leave readers guessing what happens next.

Story: James Tynion IV Art: Fernando Blanco
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Invincible Iron Man #5 builds new threats for both Iron Man and Mutants

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Invincible Iron Man #5

I’ve written before on my personal Tumblr how Invincible Iron Man by Gerry Duggan and Juan Frigeri opened to a somewhat rocky start. However, the last couple of issues have only improved in quality. Invincible Iron Man #5 continues that trend with flying colors. Tony Stark has lost his company to his new mutant-hating nemesis, Feilong. With his back against the wall, he goes to the enemy of his enemy, asking for the aid of Krakoa’s one and only Emma Frost! 

The cover of Invincible Iron Man #5 prominently features Emma Frost, but that’s a bit misleading (as covers often are). Emma does feature in the issue, but her page time, while sweet, is brief. That’s not the only reason X fans might want to check out the issue though. Feilong debuted in Duggan’s X-Men series and has ties to the anti-mutant organization Orchis. The issue continues to build the threat of Feilong in interesting and compelling ways while also laying seeds for the upcoming X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023.

A complaint I had with the last issue was the fight between Tony and Feilong. The fight felt pretty one-sided. For a new threat, Feilong got rocked by Tony. It failed to set him up as a good physical threat to Tony. Luckily in this issue, it’s rectified. The action sets Feilong up as much more of a threat not only physically but in terms of mechanical power as well!

Frigeri’s art aided by colorist Bryan Valenza and letterer Joe Caramagna continues to shine when the action hits. One of the best parts of the art is how it depicts the mechanic structure of Stark technology. There is a tactile sense from the images on display that elevates the scenes. The art isn’t out of this world but it shines where it counts. 

Invincible Iron Man continues to walk a fine line of working as a standalone book while also being part of a larger story Duggan is telling across his books. The issue does a good job filling in readers on the relevant events from X-Men and it never feels like you need to have read the book, but it certainly improves both if you have.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Juan Frigeri
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Sins of Sinister: Dominion wraps up the nightmare while setting up Fall of X

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Sins of Sinister: Dominion

A thousand years of hell and damnation comes to end with the loudest scream in history and for the truly guilty, there is no escape. Can the future change the present, or will we just make all the same mistakes again? Either way, the present will have to live with the future’s sins. Sins of Sinister: Dominion wraps up the recent X-Men event and also sets up the upcoming “Fall of X” storyline.

Written by Kieron Gillen, Sins of Sinister: Dominion is an interesting issue in that it packs in a hell of a lot and does it in a way that doesn’t feel like things are cut short. Gillen does a solid job of not just delivering action in the future but also the impact in the present while also setting up the next storyline. This isn’t an issue that simply “blinks” at the end allowing other comics to deal with the fallout, a lot happens here. That’s both good and bad.

Much like the event as a whole, Sins of Sinister: Dominion feels a bit like it’s missing some key points and information, like a record skipping a bit. Ideas are tossed into the issue with little explanation and much like the rest of the event too. You just roll with the flow of it all, accepting what’s in front of you and taking things as they are. New characters are introduced, sure to be popular with readers, and major status-quo changes happen too. But, what’s truly nice is it isn’t a clean ending. Sinister’s machinations have an impact in the present and things aren’t “fixed” neatly. It’s all rather dirty a nice change in some ways from past events. Sinister has screwed over some key characters with his manipulation leaving their future in the unknown and in question. There’s no neat and clean ending here.

The art by Paco Medina and Lucas Werneck is nice. With color by Bryan Valenza and lettering by Clayton Cowles the art is packed with a lot of action. But, there’s also a clear difference between the two styles, one I like and one not as much. It’s a small distraction that was noticeable and some of the art just isn’t as strong as other points. But, there’s a sense of flair and style that has weaved its way through all of Sins of Sinister and this is no exception.

Sins of Sinister: Dominion wraps things up well but like the event itself feels like it needed more space to do so. Overall, the event was an interesting one skipping through time over three series bookended by two issues. It delivered pieces of the overall story, forcing readers to put the dots together. The finale doesn’t totally do that but definitely could have benefited from fleshing some aspects out a bit more than it does. If nothing else, it sets up what’s next to come, and that might be more interesting than the event itself.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Paco Medina, Lucas Werneck
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.15 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Green Arrow #1 kicks off with potential

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Green Arrow #1

The Emerald Archer is lost, and it will take Oliver Queen’s whole family to find him! But dangerous forces are determined to keep them apart at any cost! Green Arrow #1 spins out of Dark Crisis and thankfully you don’t need to read that event to pick up this comic. Unfortunately, you might need to know some Green Arrow history to really enjoy it.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Oliver Queen is missing… again. Whisked away to an unknown location, team Green Arrow is left back on Earth to help save the day and also try to figure out where Oliver is. Roy Harper, Connor Hawke, and Dinah Lance are picking up the slack while Green Arrow is off on an alien world.

Williamson does a decent job of catching readers up on who everyone is and what has happened. For those that don’t know Green Arrow, his history, what recently happened, or any other character, the comic acts as a nice primer. But, later on it throws in some reveals that feel a bit forced and at the same time make all the drama feel a bit more convoluted. It isn’t just the trio of individuals close to Oliver that are focused on, a fourth person comes to the table and with it moves Oliver’s part of the story forward but also feels like it’s just thrown in there. It’s a bit much overall but also has a sense of just rolling with it.

What stands out is the attitude and overall vibe of the comic. The art by Sean Izaakse with color by Romulo Fajardo Jr., and lettering by Troy Peteri has a whimsical fun aspect that matches the “voice” of the comic. There’s a pop sense to it all and the comic feels like it doesn’t take itself too seriously, instead delivering an almost pop adventure. It’s all a bit exaggerated and a little silly but the comic’s visuals and story feels like it knows this. There’s some solid panels and the art does a fantastic job of balancing the current action and flashbacks in its own style.

Green Arrow #1 is good and fun in a popcorn sort of way. It’s a story that feels like it’s made for comics with such an over the top history and current situation. There’s a pop sense about it, with a little bit of a feel like it’s a throwback to old school serials in its concept and in some ways its execution as well. While the debut doesn’t quite nail it in execution, it does deliver a fun read that’ll entice you to come back for more.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Sean Izaakse
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.65 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

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