Aggretsuko: Out to Lunch #1
(W) Josh Trujillo (A) Abigail Starling, Andrew Dalhouse, Crank!
When Aggretsuko and her coworkers go on a company retreat to Tokyo Video Joy Place, a theme park run by an American movie studio, Aggretsuko is overwhelmed by repeated messages to “follow her dreams.”
But what are Aggretsuko’s dreams? And how can she make them a reality?
Aggretsuko: Out of Office #3
(W) Brenda Hickey (A) Brenda Hickey, Crank!
Tsunoda sees the “oni” spirit in the woods and raises the alarm within the resort, causing a confrontation between an exhausted Retsuko and the rest of the resort staff.
Meanwhile, Gori, Haida, and Fenneko are on their way to the resort, expecting to find a super-relaxed Retsuko. Little do they know…
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. Given the lack of new comics, expect this weekly update to begin featuring comics that we think you’ll enjoy while you can’t get anything new to read – only new to you.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.
Logan
Aggretsuko #3 (Oni Press) – In Aggretsuko #3, a staff member (Fittingly named Karen.) from the company’s Canada office visits Retsuko’s job in Japan to see why their employees scored so low on a moral survey and to increase “workflow synergy”. Writer/artist Brenda Hickey expertly satirizes corporate speak, sticky notes, and outside consultants who babysit you all day so that you get no work done. However, as the story progresses, Hickey fleshes out the character of Karen and finds out that she and Retsuko have a lot in common, and she takes some of her feedback to not jump down everyone’s throats. This comic is cathartic for anyone who has had a terrible boss that has made them to do tasks unrelated to their job, and Hickey’s art has a great energy that fits into the show’s aesthetic. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy
Youth #4 (Comixology Originals) – Curt Pires, Alex Diotto, and Dee Cuniffe’s Youth wraps up with a bit of a bang and a bit of a whimper. Even though he’s a Nick Fury expy, Youth #4 shows how much a badass Thunder is as he survives being gutted by one of the posthumans and returns to wreak vengeance. This fits in with Diotto and Cunniffe’s visceral approach to superpowers with abilities having intense bodily effects on both their users and recipients. Probably, the best part of this comic is showing how River and Frank met and a conversation that shows that they really care about each other. There’s a bit of symbolism to one of the character’s names. The bad part of this comic is that the story and final battle feels rushed, and I feel like I don’t know the characters beyond River and Frank. Pires quickly adds powers to wrap up the story/set up the new one and superhero cliches like a secret hideout instead of subverting them. Frank does get some funny lines roasting his friends’ attempts at starting a super-team. It really seems like a story device to extend the run of the comic/upcoming Amazon Prime TV show instead of something organic and naturalistic. Overall: 6.8 Verdict: Read
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 (**).
Oni Press has found success with a day-one sellout of the debut issue of Sanrio’s Aggretsuko!
Aggretsuko #1 reunites Daniel Barnes and D.J. Kirkland, the team behind the widely acclaimed graphic novel, The Black Mage. bringing Kirkland’s colorful anime-influenced style to Aggretsuko, the hit Netflix show in production for season three. Aggretsuko stars Retsuko the Red Panda, a young office worker stuck in a thankless job, whose only stress release is singing heavy metal at the local karaoke joint. With the help of her friends, can she ever find the job satisfaction she craves – – not to mention adventure, the approval of her mother, and even… love?! These comics explore all these issues and more, with each issue brought to life by a revolving team of today’s top talent!
Oni Press is going back to print with a brand-new cover by D.J. Kirkland, available for order now to arrive in stores alongside the second issue on March 11. Orders are due from retailers on both the #1 reprint on Monday February 17.
Kidrobot heads to San Diego Comic Con 2019 (July 18th – 21st) at Booth #2846 with limited edition exclusives for Aggretsuko, Godzilla, SpongeBob SquarePants, and a Chia Pet Dunny.
Kidrobot will make all figures available for pre-sale on May 22-24. Limited quantities for each figure will release at 10am MST on each day. All figures will also be available for purchase on the show floor at San Diego Comic Con Kidrobot Booth #2846, while supplies last. Pre-sale orders are guaranteed, but will ship after SDCC.
Kidrobot x AggretsukoTM Rage 6″ Vinyl Art Figure – Red Glow In The Dark
AggretsukoTM serves up her signature rage in red glow-in-the-dark vinyl with the new San Diego Comic Con Exclusive vinyl art figure from Kidrobot and Sanrio! Geared up for the upcoming Season 2 on Netflix, AggretsukoTM herself will be at Kidrobot booth #2846 for photo ops with fans! More info on photo op tickets coming soon.
Limited to 500 pieces, $40 each.
Kidrobot Mecha Godzilla 8″ Vinyl Art Figure – Chrome Electroplated
Just in time for the upcoming Godzilla: King of the Monsters film, Kidrobot brings your favorite destroyer of cities to vinyl with a fully chrome 8″ Godzilla figure. The character design is a throwback to the original mecha monster first introduced in the 1974 filmGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. The robotic doppelgänger and arch-enemy of our beloved Godzilla crashes into homes in very limited quantities.
Limited to 500 pieces, $100 each.
Kidrobot SpongeBob 20th Anniversary 8″ Art Figure – Rainbow
Honoring the iconic sponge’s 20th Anniversary, Kidrobot brings an all-new collectible SpongeBob to the scene with a clear shell that reveals a real (yes, real) sponge inside. The clear shell features a semi-translucent rainbow design. SpongeBob SquarePants kicks off his 20th Anniversary at San Diego Comic Con 2019 and the Kidrobot SDCC exclusive figure brings the sponge to life in ways never seen before.
Limited to 300 pieces, $50 each.
Kidrobot Buzzkill Chia Pet Dunny by Kronk
Following the success of the sell-out Chia Dunny from SDCC 2018, Kidrobot reveals the second Chia Dunny featuring artist Kronk.
When you enter sloth mode and partake in your medicinal glaucoma prescription, there is a defining moment in the preceding purple haze where you consider your life and your choices. It’s in this smoky epiphany of sensibility that the well-meaning Buzzkill joins the circle. A genie that appears from a well-hit bong, this Dunny stands at 4-inches tall. Buzzkill is guardian spirit of weird trips and contemplative highs, here to liven up your Dunny collection in a way only Chia can.
Limited to 200 pieces, $40 each.
