Category Archives: Reviews

Review: Alpha Volume 4 Sanctions

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When I was growing up, morals in the movies and TV shows, were certainly not complicated.  They made clear distinctions of who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. Take TV shows like GI Joe, where there was no questioning that Destro and Cobra Commander were evil and Duke and Flint were good. They even made it clear with the ninjas, but wearing opposite colors, as Snake Eyes wore black and Storm Shadow wore white.

AS the audience became more intelligent, the movies and TV shows became more complicated in their dealings with morality. One of those movies which started to question the status quo, was Rambo: First Blood, which did not play out as an action thriller but more like a horror movie. A recent movie, brought back the questioning of those morals once again, in The Iceman, where Michael Shannon’s character, plays a contract killer, who lives a double life. Both characters remind me of the arch nemesis must face in the fourth and final volume of Alpha, Sanctions.

In this volume, Alpha and his partner must escort a high valued foreign official while in country, but little do any of them know, a retired killer, for the former KGB is in Washington DC. As sanctions take place, between both governments, bodies on both sides start to drop all over the Capital Beltway. Alpha starts digging into this retired bogeyman, and finds many unresolved problems, as he is starting to understand his motivation.  By book end, Alpha exposes a massive coverup, which puts everyone in check and leaves Alpha, the moral hero.

Overall, a great conclusion, to an enticing spy series, which leaves the reader, reaching for their old copy of their favorite Tom Clancy novel. The story by Youri Jigounov has all the flash and bang that makes these spy thrillers a must read. The art by Mythic is alluring. Altogether, a morality tale in a world filled with shadows that proves everyone must suffer a consequence.

Story: Youri Jigounov Art: Mythic
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 8/19

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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 short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.

Ryan C

shipwreck5Shipwreck #5 (Aftershock)** – The fifth issue of Warren Ellis and Phil Hester’s dimension-hopping odyssey is a similarly breezy read to the first four, but it certainly looks bleakly gorgeous and both the plot and characterization are beyond intriguing. The one big problem? This title comes out so infrequently, and reads so quickly, that I can’t justify picking it up in singles from a financial perspective. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Pass — but only for now; you’ll definitely want to buy this when it comes out in trade.

The Hard Place #1 (Image/12-Gauge)** – I’m a sucker for “ex-cons trying to stick to the straight and narrow” stories, and the first issue of Doug Wagner and Nic Rummel’s new mini-series promises to be a terrific addition to that genre. Rummel’s art is a bit rough around the edges but works nicely for this sort of material, and Wagner’s script has a nicely authentic “street-level” feel. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Plastic #5 (Image/12-Gauge)** – Speaking of Doug Wagner-scripted crime books, this one that he’s had going with Daniel Hillyard wraps up nicely, if a bit predictably, since our deranged protagonist and his sex-doll “girlfriend” were obviously doomed from the start. Still, it’s a good, if bizarre, read, gorgeously illustrated. Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read 

Underwinter #6 (Image)** – Ray Fawkes wraps up the first arc of this harrowing horror series with a gut-wrenching conclusion that seems to leave little to no path forward — so I’ll be curious to see where and how he picks things back up, because it could end here and feel like a fairly complete story. Frankly this is fairly devastating stuff, and while I admit that Fawkes’ art is an acquired taste, I think it fits his subject matter to a proverbial “T.” Good and grim, just how I like it. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Shean

generations thorGenerations: The Unworthy Thor and Mighty Thor #1 (Marvel) Two Thors walk into a room, Yada Yada Yada, what could be a joke of a story provides new revelations into the character we know own and the character we are still getting to know. In a convergence of time and space, Thor(Unworthy) and Thor(Mighty) are called to Egypt in a battle with Apocalypse who has amassed an army to fight our heroes.What Mighty Thor soon finds out that the Princeton Of Lies is behind this recent skirmish. By story’s end, the reader gets into the minds of both characters which reveals a secret of Odin.
Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe Again #4 (Marvel) We find Wade Wilson still being mind controlled by the Cabal Of villains but this time inhabiting the armor of Ultron.He ends up taking out just about all the Avengers and what us hilariously depicted, thr kid heroes of the Marvel Universe. Gwenpool ends up intervening realizing that the Tinkerer is the mastermind behind his current condition. By the end of the issue, Deadpool kills a few more heroes but finally breaks free of their control and his purpose has turned back on his oppressors. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

Review: Heathen Vol. 1

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It is very easy to understand why popular culture’s current obsession with Vikings is so viral. The show, Vikings, has a massive following and has introduced the world to more than a handful of Viking heroes not named Erik. Thor, in and his place in the MCU, has been more cemented as they have delved into Norse mythology. It has even inspired Neil Gaiman, who recently wrote his version of what he liked about the Nordic gods.

In American Gods, Mr. Wednesday plays a huge part in the show and the book, better known as Odin. In what is probably my favorite version of the Nordic gods, The Almighty Johnsons, they bring an updated version of these deities in a modern setting. The best stories when it comes this mythology, is those of normal beings mixing it up with ominous figures. This the tale that is being told, in Heathen Volume 1, which tells the story of Aydis.

The reader meets her as she wanders the countryside looking for food, as she is a Viking warrior who is an outcast because of her sexuality, when she meets an old friend and love interest, Liv, until she is interrupted, a god, Ruadan. She embarks on an odyssey to prove her bravery until a goddess, Frigga, the current commander of the Valkyries, tricks her into leading another goddess, Brynhilde, who used to command the Valkyries into the mortal world. She gets kidnapped by the Frigga, coincidentally is the goddess of love, who wants to recruit to the Valkyries but not before exacting her revenge on Odin. By book’s end, Brynhilde, is searching for Aydis with the help of an old friend as she starts her path to Odin.

Overall, an exciting and different story in a well-traveled subgenre intermingled with modern sensibilities. The story by Natasha Alterici is action packed, full of heart and wraps the reader with its prose. The art by Alterici is gorgeous. Altogether, a story we have not seen quite enough in fantasy epics that need to be told more often.

Story: Natasha Alterici Art: Natasha Alterici
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: War Mother #1

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Fred Van Lente serves up pure unadulterated fire in issue #1 of War Mother. This premiere issue has all the makings of an action packed, fun to follow tale of a post apocalyptic world and a female leader searching for a safe place for her people. The issue starts off with an intensity that carries through from beginning to end with both fierce action and sweet moments peppered in between. Stephen Segovia‘s art style is stylish yet simple making this issue visually appealing and propels the story forward with panels creating meaning and context without the need for words.

There’s usually a problem when male creators attempt to create a universe centered around a strong female, they either over sexualize her, make her strong because of unnecessary pain, or they make her dependent upon others for her agency. Van Lente doesn’t subject his heroine to that fate and Segovia’s art work doesn’t lend itself to the male gaze.

The creative team behind War Mother does its characters proud and creates a strong, feral and complex world in which there is a sense of equality and growth in a post apocalyptic universe. There is a female leader and while her male partner stays home with their adopted child as she goes out to find a new home for her people. Despite this non traditional role reversal there is no hint of either partner being subjugated, they are equals and both doing their part. Van Lente doesn’t make his lead character devious, man hating or unworthy nor does he emasculate her male partner, instead he shows a family functioning as it should with both partners taking on equal , interchangeable roles as care giver, protector and provider. It was a refreshing and realistic take on things that allows his character to not only be more relatable but, provide a hint of honesty and glimpse into what equality really looks like.

Overall, I found War Mother to be beautifully written and I was drawn intro into a new world order where men and women fight and raise families side by side in a broken world as the inhabitants try and find hope and retain what’s good in society. Despite the bleakness of the situation and the darkness of the cliff hanger in the final pages, we are given hope in a dark place and with everything going on in the real world, a glimpse into humanity and heroes surviving in a post apocalyptic society is beautiful and somewhat needed. Especially, if that society shows the idea that a woman can lead in a comic book universe without falling prey to sexualization and having her gender be deemed a weakness.

Story: Fred Van Lente Art: Stephen Segovia
Story: 9.4 Art: 8.9 Overall: 9.1 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review

Review: Year Long Summer

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The feeling of being attracted to another human being is unlike any other feeling in the world. As human beings meet new people just about every day, but how one perceives them is subjective. As your personal life, pretty much dictates how you would approach someone who you would otherwise be attracted to. This very notion, is all about choices.

Which makes long distance relationships a n even harder concept for most people to wrap their minds around. As those relationships that start where they are proximity and move apart, don’t tend to last, form the people I know who have tried it. Then are those who start off long distance, and usually those are the ones that last. In the Year Long Summer, Kelly Bastow, tells her own story of long distance relationships and the length she went for one such.

In the opening pages, the narrator/artists introduce herself to the reader, as you intimately get to know her and her different relationships, as she tells the reader, she will tell you about her first relationship and the one which she traveled half the world for. We get to know how she handles her visit with him, and she even gets into all the awkward air that usually populates whatever room you are in, when you are getting to know someone. What the reader finds out that she not only falls in love this man but also with the place where he dwells, Australia. By book’s end, you will feel for her as the breakup is cruel and cuts to your heart like a sharp blade.

Overall, a well told tale of love and ultimately loss that is both light hearted and heartfelt. The story by Bastow is intelligent, lovely, and true to life. The art by Bastow, is the perfect compliment to the story. Altogether, a story you will soon not forget and you will love to read again.

Story: Kelly Bastow Art: Kelly Bastow
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Filmish: A Graphic Journey Through Life

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People usually use the word “escapism” in the same sentence as movie or film. As most people go to the movies to escape from the realities of their everyday strife. As I remember growing up, going to the movies was a family event, something that was considered quality time.  I am old enough, to remember drive-ins, as when I lived in Trinidad, my family used to go to the local drive-in, and eat popcorn and hotdogs while watching a movie, with the speaker that you would put on your car door window.

When I moved back to New York, I was a teenager, and going to the movies was more about picking up girls. Eventually my love of movies, would become part of my life once again, once I joined the military. Now, I can practically connect a movie to a certain year or historical event, either way I am a full on cinephile. In Edward Ross’ Filmish: A Graphic Journey Through Life, he has a love for the medium as well, so much so, that he gives the reader a wealth of knowledge from its inception to its milestones.

Ross as a character within the book, narrating highlights in film to explain appoint. He breaks down simply how film operates a how one should observe this well-traveled medium of storytelling. Each chapter highlights elements of storytelling that can only be captured on celluloid, as the highlights that caught my attention were “Body” and “Power and Ideology.” By book’s end, you will never look at film the same way again much less the movies that are highlighted in this book.

Overall, an excellent book, which other writers would not have made as much fun as Ross does here. The story told by Ross, not only tells the story of film but the how we see film. The art by Ross, feels like Mondo art sometimes, which makes the sequential art even more beautiful. Altogether an excellent book for every movie fan, casual and serious.

Story: Edward Ross Art: Edward Ross
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: M.F.K.

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Your family pretty much informs your taste in things growing up, because either you go the total opposite or you get drawn to it. My maternal grandfather was a huge cinephile, as his love of movies trickled down to his children and on to us, grandchildren. This is something I even passed down to my daughters. One of his favorite genres, was the Western.

Me and my cousins watched all the classics with him starring Lee Van Cleef, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and countless other fil stars that would go on to work in many more genres. Looking back, it made me fall in love with that era as well. The one running story in most of these celluloid classics, were that of a stranger who wanders into a town, minding their own business, no wanting any trouble but finding it nonetheless. This is exactly the outline M.F.K. by Nilah Magruder plays in, but she subverts tropes and injects realism where western standards would have been used by lesser hands.

We are introduced to, a mysterious wanderer, named Abbie, who is on her way to scattering her mother’s ashes in a mountain region named Potter’s Spine in this western dystopia, where the government is broken, and wielding magic, is much like wielding a gun. She stops in a townlet for such rest, when she gets to known the town folk, and one after the other becomes enamored with each of them. So, when a gang of rogues, who are known as the Parasai. By book’s end, the gang has gone too far, Abbie, unveils she has power all her own, and injustice will not carry on any further.

Overall, a dystopian fable which definitely turns the genre on its head, as Magruder shows that levity ad heart can be included in a story where the world fails itself. The story by Magruder, is elaborate, genuine, and beautiful. The art by Magruder, is gorgeous sequential art with tips of the hat to anime and sprawling Western art pieces of the Old West. Altogether, a story which challenges norms of gender, race, body and most importantly, storytelling.

Story: Nilah Magruder Art: Nilah Magruder
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Hi-Fi Fight Club #1

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Carly Usdin pens a cheeky and interesting tale of a group of teenage female employees working in a record store with Hi-Fi Fight Club. The premiere issue sets up a story that serves up some serious Empire Records vibes. On its surface the story seems to be leading up to a teen movie style love story romp in a record store but, by the end of the introductory issue you discover that there’s more to there’s way more to the story. Usdin’ writing is complemented by an almost all female art team, the only male on the crew is the letterer which lends to an interesting female gaze.

Nina Vakueva penciling brings Usdin’s characters to life, there is a uniformity in the facial features and body types of the female characters in the issue and while the lead characters are well designed they’re somewhat interchangeable. Irene Flores ink work is sharp and Rebecca Nalty serves up some pretty pastels and punk colors making the story pop. Nalty gets bonus points for not making the resident goth look like a cliche.

I was hella excited when I read about the premise and became even more excited when I discovered the comic had an 80% female team. I’m happy to report the issue is pretty darn solid and I’m hoping that the few issues that I had with the first issue will be fixed in future ones. The writing is pretty solid, the premise is interesting and the comic world could use all the strong , bad ass female characters that it can get. Hi Fi adds a teen and superpowerless twist to things which is refreshing, it’s like it D.E.B.S. and Empire Records had a baby. The team of teen crime fighters/avenging Angels that Usdin created, is headquartered in the basement of the record store where all the girls work, is headed by a female team leader.

There’s loads to love about this new series but, I also found a couple of flaws. All of the female characters introductions are reduced to micro sentence descriptors one characters description left me with a bad taste in my mouth. The character Maggie’s descriptions is “Literally, the cutest” . While the other characters are a bit cliched and one noted, this one reduced a female character to a physical descriptor as if there was nothing else noteworthy about her. I realize that in the context of the narrator being a teenage girl with a crush on Maggie there would be some notice of her looks but, I’m sad that it came in the form of reducing her down to her physical features. I was more than a little disenchanted that the creative team was comprised of mostly women. I was also a bit put off by the lack of facial ethnic differences which, meant that the only person of color a lead had white woman dipped in chocolate syndrome. I know that there is more than one way that a person of color can look but, to have her look identical to every other character in the series rubbed me the wrong way especially when the artist gave the character braids. I also, wasn’t a fan of the fact that all of the women had the same body type to go along with their “perfect” faces. I had hoped that the artists would have taken the opportunity to give the characters their own unique looks and styles to showcase the myriad of looks that a woman can have.

Overall, I like the premise and I can see this comic going places. I just hope that they try to showcase more shapes, colors and sizes in the art work and that the story focuses on making the characters people who are more complex than microsentence descriptors. I look forward to seeing where the ladies go as they delve into their first case together with their newest addition Chris. The comic world needs a secret teen girl vigilante fight club and I hope that this evolves into the greatness implied in the issues final pages.

Story: Carly Usdin Art: Nina Vakueva, Irene Flores, Rebecca Nalty
Story: 8.2 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

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

Review Vampblade Vol. 4

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Comic fan, cosplayer, and shop manager Katie Carva continues her quest as Vampblade. Fighting invisible other-dimensional vampires straight from the 90s comics of her namesake, the blades push her to all new extremes! It’s all new next-level Vampblade adventures, shiny and chrome! Vampblade Vol. 4 collects the complete first story arc for the second season of the hit Danger Zone series

The fourth volume of Vampblade brings us more humorous violence, geek themed puns, and even a cameo from the king of cameos. It’s comes complete with vampire space dicks, a car chase in the Batmobile, all in the Windy City of Chicago.  What’s great is that the trade includes a brief summary of the first three volumes allowing new readers to easily jump on board. It’s a must have for fans of other characters who merge humor, violence and fourth wall breaking.

The art continues what I enjoyed about the first three volumes blending action and humor. The series even gives subtle nods to other Action Lab series, like Zombie Tramp.

Despite all of that, the strange end scene manages to steal the show gving us space dicks with a different look and an overhaul in color and appearance. It’s all about variety!

Story: Jason Martin Art: Marco Maccagni, Winston Young
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Action Labs Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

TV Review: The Tick (2016) S1E6 Rising

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the-tick-img-1200x1200Tick and Arthur try to use Ramses to prove that the Terror is alive and run into trouble. Miss Lint takes the advice of an old friend.

The Tick wraps up its first season with an episode that leaves things so open there’s no way this isn’t coming back in some way. It’s hard to review this episode without spiling a lot, but the Terror steals the show as Jackie Earl Haley has tons of fun and does/says things that are so over the top that there’s no way it’s not funny.

What’s interesting is that with just six episodes things are far from complete and it feels like that. It leaves an unsatisfying ending to it. While it’s a cliffhanger ending, it doesn’t feel like one for a season, instead more of a mid-season, and even then the six episodes are so short and so little accomplished the overall package doesn’t quite pull together here with the final few moments.

And that’s the thing that gets me about this episode and the “season.” With just six episodes (five new ones), the season feels too short and not much happens. Double the length would feel a bit more satisying in many ways and a lot more could be done as far as story and action. As is, this all still feels like a teaser of things to come. There’s lots of reveals and some great reveals, but this episode, like the season feels like it’s just a little bit to put it really over the top.

As is, the fundamentals are all here, there’s just a special spark that’s missing.

You can watch The Tick now on Amazon.

Overall Rating: 6.95

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