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.

Logan

House of X #1 (Marvel) Jonathan Hickman’s back at Marvel with big ideas cobbled together from the Grant Morrison, Fraction/Gillen, and even some of Mark Millar’s Ultimate X-Men and Alan Davis’ work at the end of the 1990s. But his biggest influence seems to be the nation of Israel circa 1948, which makes it even more intriguing that Holocaust survivor, Magneto, gets the lion’s share of the action and speech-ifying. In House of X #1, Hickman and artists Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia have created a wide-ranging sandbox of concepts and organizations that have the potential to revitalize the X-Men line of comics. The mutant vs human struggle isn’t (For the most part.) through the usual fisticuffs, but through espionage, diplomacy, corporate restructuring, and yes, the problem of our age: healthcare. House of X #1 did its job in hooking me into sampling more of Hickman and company’s world. It even had some excellent grace notes like Hickman’s design pages that filled out backstory and exposition in a visually interesting way, and his writing of Cyclops as an ultracompetent, unapologetic badass. The panel composition where he stares down Reed Richards will be stuck in my mind for a bit and is, in a sense, Hickman throwing down the gauntlet at of his old characters/runs. Overall: 9 Verdict: Buy

Dark Red #5 (Aftershock) Dark Red #5 marks the end of Tim Seeley and Corin Howell’s first arc in their vampire epic meets satire of states that vote red, wear red MAGA hats, and yes, bleed red in a gory, action-packed issue. Throughout the storyline, Seeley and Howell have done a fantastic job of fleshing out the backstory of protagonist, Chip Ipswich, a WWII veteran turned kinda good guy vampire/convenience worker. He gets to give a big speech to a bunch of Nazi redneck vampires about how their leader, like Hitler, saw them as cannon fodder to create a new world order and used their white supremacy and insecurities to gain power and cause havoc. And then Howell illustrates a fun one page spread of him biting, wounding, and killing various Nazi vampires. Where the story struggles is its structure as Seeley sets up a romance between Chip and a Native American woman named Evie, who becomes a vampire in the issue, but then he immediately separates them after their big moment. The next arc will focus on her in Chicago and Chip in the small town, and honestly, Chip’s letters have less emotional resonance than the touches and glances they share thanks to Howell’s art. But it’s nice to see a story where a character actually tries to change their rural, hateful settings instead of running away so kudos for that. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy

Joe Ryan

House of X #1 (Marvel) – Wow. What a first issue. Hickman on story, Larraz on art and Marte Garcia on colors give me everything I wanted on this book and so much more. I have been a massive X-Men since I began reading comics, and while this is very different, it is very good. Hickman is a master at high level event stories and setting up all kinds of dimension and time threads while keeping the overall plot moving forward. His Avengers run, FF, and Secret Wars are some of my favorite modern Marvel stories. This is a heck of a first issue. Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

History of the Marvel Universe #1 (Marvel) – I think Waid did a great job the story (which is really a Marvel history lesson). Rodriguez and Lopez also did a fantastic job showing all of the characters Marvel has had over the years. This is a fantastic book for any new or old Marvel fan. It is a lot of fun to go through and see all of the characters and depth this universe has. At times I felt like I was looking at some of Kirby’s own work with the art, and that made me smile. Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Valkyrie #1 (Marvel) – I was excited when I saw Ewing and Arron were writing this book together. I really enjoyed Jane Foster’s run as Thor and love what Aaron does on the book and Ewing on most of his work. I thought the issue was a solid first issue, but I wanted a bit more from it. I do think they felt the need to summarize some things for new readers, so I think that took away from some of the story that we get by the end. The set up was solid and I am excited to see what happens going forward. The art by Cafu and Aburtov was great with bright colors and great panel work. Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Buy

Guardians of the Galaxy #7 (Marvel) – Donny Cates loves to torture his characters. There were parts of this issue that made me uncomfortable, and at multiple moments I thought he was going to do some shocking things (even for him). I won’t spoil if he did or didn’t do those things. The art by Cory Smith and colors by David Curiel did a great job showing the action and big set piece moments. There are times when this comic felt like a horror title, and for that, I really enjoyed it. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Batman: Curse of the White Knight #1 (DC) – I really enjoyed the first run of the White Knight elseworlds tale by Sean Murphy, and this issue only made me enjoy it even more. You should get the first White Knight book in trade so you know what happened, or at least get a summary online, because going into this will confuse you. The art is fantastic, and the story is mostly different enough from the same old Batman/Joker dynamic we’ve seen for ages. I love the ending and the set up to what is to come should be crazy and fun. Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Shean

Sword Master #1 (Marvel) – In what I see as a lead up to Shang Chi’s big screen reveal, we meet a character that is part of his universe. We meet Lin Lie whose father and brother has gone missing thanks to a gang of grave robbers. As he seeks the truth from them, he uncovers even more mysteries connected to their disappearance. By issue’s end, Shang Chi makes his entrance, looking for the sword and so does an unlikely and powerful threat. Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Valkyrie Jane Foster #1 (Marvel) – In a rather introspective debut issue, we fet a conflicted titular hero. As she stops a gang of supervillains, one of them dies by mysterious causes. Meanwhile, at her day job, it seems as though her focus is split,leaving her supervisor and coworkers to doubt in her abilities. By issue’s end, in a quest for answers, she goes back to the Asgardian Halls of the Dead, where a powerless villain who has somehow wielded magic is behind all the chaos. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Age of Conan: Belit #5 (Marvel) – In what is a spectacular finale, we finally get a hero that can stand toe to toe with Conan, as we find a woman hell bent on conquering the world by sea and invasion. As this issue feels like they kept the best for lastas compared to the rest of the series, this is the level they should have been operating thr whole time. I can’t quite recommend the series on this issue alone but if you want a strong narrative, this is it. By issue’s and series end, the reader will gladly follow Belit anywhere she leads. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Borrow

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 (**).

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.

Joe Hesh

Batman #75 (DC Comics) ** This is it. The big story that Tom King has been building to since Batman #1 and what we’ve determined is… he likes Bane. He likes him a LOT. Now I’m a big Bane fan too and love the original Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan version but I feel like we’ve seen everything to do with Bane and what he can offer but i was wrong. This issue opens up with the two most unlikely detectives of all time with Joker and Riddler. Riddler works for me as he was a PI in Paul Dini’s Detective run and the Joker? Well it’s just batshit and I love it. Couple it in with Hugo Strange as Commissioner and you have an opening to a badass elseworlds tale right? Wrong. This is all canon. It’s all happening. The gist is Thomas Wayne survived the fight with Bruce in the pit last issue and not only survived, but he won. Which is very cool because Thomas is a great dark Batman. So basically what we get here is Bane runs Gotham completely now, which the title is City of Bane so yeah. It works so well as the bad guys are now self imposed “good guys” doing Batman’s job and doing it well. There are a lot of great touches such as the Ventriloquist being the Alfred to Thomas’ Batman and him surgically taking down Two Face. Really really cool stuff. The art is crisp as per usge from Tony Daniel as he thrives on a Batman title. So the first issue gives us a lot of questions but a lot to look forward to. This certainly feels all new. I can’t wait to see more and where the hell is Damian and Gordon here? Hopefully all those questions get answered next Bat Time. Overall: Fantastic opening and very intriguing premise. Great art and moves along strikingly. Score: 9 Verdict: Buy

Elana

War Scrolls #2 (Marvel) Yes it’s late but I finally got my hands on # War Scrolls issue with Anthony Oliveira, Nick Robles, and Cris Peter’s story “My Drag Brunch with Loki”. It’s one of the top two back-up stories of 2019. So happy to see these voices in Marvel making art about morality, symbolism, family, what friends owe each other & of course drag queens, all rooted in canon. Featuring a drag brunch from people who’d know. Dante’s Inferno (because of course Anthony) and Billy and Teddy actually styled like gay men (because of course Nick Robles). More comics about LGBTQ characters by LGBTQ creators. We do it best. The rest of the issue is good too. I hadn’t read the series thus far and it still all made sense thanks to strong writing and a good In Last Issue page. Verdict: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Jughead’s Time Police 1 & 2 (Archie)Unlike every other reader of American Comics I didn’t read Archie comics as a kid. Since the relaunch I’ve dipped my toes in and out of various titles. Seeing Sina Grace’s name as writer on this series piqued my interest. What would this acclaimed newish queer voice in comics bring to the newish queer-er Archie world? Derek Charm’s art combines the classic Archie look with a modern aesthetic. It reminds me of a less zany Ericka Henderson and more zany Elsa Charretier. Regardless it’s fun, funny and pretty. The comic’s Many jokes earth their chuckles. Pop culture references are written by someone who knows what’s up, and the twist was something I did not guess and that I’m excited to read more about next month. It’s a fun comic. 

Logan

Blade Runner 2019 #1 (Titan)** After the bloated, yet beautiful mythology of Blade Runner 2049, writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson and artist Andres Guinaldo return to its film noir roots as mysterious Los Angeles blade runner Ash looks for the missing child and wife of a corporate magnate, who have mysteries all of their own. There is definitely an Euro-comic influence to Guinaldo’s visuals with boxy panels as Ash searches the rain drenched streets of L.A. for leads for her case occasionally punctuated by a gorgeous, thickly inked splash page of this alternate present world. Green and Johnson also give us a pretty good idea of Ash’s personality and vulnerabilities even if the narration is overbearing at times. Obviously, this comic isn’t as good as the classic film, but it’s a compelling side story for fans of the franchise like myself, who want to explore more of the nooks and crannies of this rich vision of the future. Having Syd Mead, who did the concept art for both Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, be the cover artist is a nice treat too. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read

Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 (DC) This was such a fun, zippy read that the final page was unexpected. Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber create comedy gold in Jimmy Olsen #1 beginning with a fantastic satire of New Amsterdam/New York and the birth of America in general, finding some slapstick along the way, and finishing it up with a side of deadpan reaction shots and panels. Along the way, they reinvent Superman’s inexplicable BFF for the Buzzfeed era with some hilarious moments like Perry White realizing that Jimmy’s “viral” shenanigans are the only reason people click on articles from the Daily Planet and the grudging respect he gets from Planet publisher/crime kingpin Ms. Leone. Fraction and Lieber structure the comic like a series of short vignettes that are high energy, joke packed, and easy to follow. This breezy, free wheeling feel makes Jimmy Olsen #1 one of my favorite debuts of 2019, and I can’t wait to see where Fraction and Lieber take Superman’s pal next. Overall: 9.3 Verdict: Buy

Loki #1 (Marvel) After the events of War of the Realms, Loki is now the king of Jotunheim, and Daniel Kibblesmith and Oscar Bazaldua show what he does with his newfound kingdom, namely, delegate, come up with solutions straight out of the Hebrew Bible, and of course, piss off Thor. Bazaldua nails the half-mocking, half-serious tone of the first page which is a recap of Loki’s recent history while also roasting his new status quo. This flow throughout the first issue, which has funny moments and little adventures, but doesn’t find its focus until Kibblesmith via Thor lays some connective tissue to Kieron Gillen’s excellent work on Journey into Mystery. It introduces some much needed consequences to the story without getting rid of the jokes that are mostly Loki trying to be good, but ending up trickster-y. Honestly, this comic is worth reading for the snowman sidekick alone. Disney should take notes for the next Frozen installment. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Shean

Ghost Panther Annual #1 (Marvel) In a world of Mashups this is a story that will bewilder and spellbind. As we Johnny Blaze or T’ Challa in the midst of being killed by Bushman The Hunter, but as we soon find out his powers are immense, making his escape and inevitable defeat of said villain, a mere turn. As the Defenders gather, Captain Peace a cross between Captain Nova and Captain Marvel, brings their attention to the Martian Invasion, Ghost Panther assumes the difficult task of hiding the Time Diamond. By issue’s end,the Defenders get an unexpected surprise by another superhero team from another Universe. Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Star Wars Age of Rebellion: Captain Phasma #1 (Marvel) In a story surrounding one do the Star Wars Universe’s most mysterious characters, we get a tale that shows what is really beneath that armor. As we find Phasma leading a battalion where casualties are far too regular. A brave Stormtrooper stands up to her which Phasma admires and makes her, second in command. By issue’s end, we find out that Phasma truly believes that Stormtroopers are mere necessary casualties, as no one is above the mission.Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Wolverine Vs Blade Special #1 (Marvel) – I will keep this one sweet and short. GO BUY NOW!!! The art by Wilkins alone is rather impressive with shades of influence from Alex Ross and Jim Lee. If that is not your cup of tea, than the story of a vampire cult turning mutants into vampires which both Wolverine and Blade with the help of Doctor Strange must find and destroy. Overall: 10 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 (**).