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

Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppe of Horrors (Archie) – This gruesome Archie horror one-shot peers into the secret, disgusting things that go on at Riverdale’s one and only restaurant/late night food spot. It’s anchored by an ever-escalating frame story of two teens forced to clean the shop after they skip out on their check by Amy Chase and Federico Sabbatini and discover new monstrosities in the nooks and crannies of this retro diner. The first story by Ryan Cady and Chris Panda has Sandman “24 Hours” vibes as Kevin Keller learns who he’ll be serving at the Pop’s night shift. Panda’s art is quirky, yet freaky, and he puts a new spin on zombies that’s different from the previous Archie zombie takes while also taking the “customer is always right” to its logical conclusion. Actually, the whole comic is wonderfully vindictive for anyone who’s worked a customer-facing job, especially food service, as it has to get old to watch Jughead put burger after burger on his tab. The final story in the one-shot by Jordan Morris and Liana Kangas has Eyes Wide Shut meets Soylent Green energy, and it’s darkly humorous to see Pop’s turned into a cannibalistic, fine dining establishment with Betty Cooper running around trying to set everything to rights. All in all, Pop’s Chock’Lit Shoppes of Horror continues to show that there is a rich vein of horror, anxiety, satire, and yes, humor to be mined from these classic all-American characters. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel) – After being dead, Stephen Strange is back. I have no clue how and it really doesn’t matter in this new volume of the series. We’re given the general gist of where things stand as Strange sees a new role for him in the Marvel Universe. While he’s still there to protect Earth from magical threats, he’s also there to help his fellow heroes. Think of it as a magical private investigator. That allows readers to enjoy some quick hits as we see Stephen having to solve rather fun and funny issues his fellow heroes run into. It’s all cute and interesting but it’s the appetizer to the main course. Magical beings are making Earth their home and in one case there’s been a murder. Who did it? Well that’s kind of the point of at least the first arc of the series. The art is pretty solid and fits a horror with a wink and a nod take of the series. There’s a back-up story featuring Wong who is now part of WAND, a magical SHIELD. That too is also clearly leading to something but unlike the main story, the art feels a bit off. Wong just looks weird to me. Overall, it’s a debut issue that’s fun but also doesn’t quite excite me to go all in. I’ll check out the second issue to see where the murder mystery goes but it feels like a story we’ve seen elsewhere mixed with a comic that entertains but doesn’t hook you. Overall: 7.4 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 (**).