Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #125
(W) Sophie Campbell (A) Pablo Tunica (CA) Sophie Campbell
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The Turles come face-to-face with a territorial group – the Punk Frogs! Will Mutant Town crumbke when the two sides collide? Meanwhile, a new villain emerges AND the return of the Triceratons! A new era of TMNT starts here!
Transformers #39
(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Anna Malkova (CA) Alex Milne
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99
The rescue continues! Chromia has led a team deep into Decepticon controlled Iacon to rescue a captive Autobot, but how will they get out and back to Crystal City? Meanwhile, Cyclonus’s reunion with Provoke takes a new turn as a long-held secret is revealed!
A son returns home to his parents after serving in the military to get sucked into a deadly family feud. Search for Hu #5 wraps up the series with an action packed issue that reveals who was behind the hit.
Story: Jon Tsuei, Steve Orlando
Art: Rubine
Color: DC Alonso
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Get your copy now! 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.
comiXology
Kindle
Zeus Comics
TFAW
AfterShock Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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The true story of two Russian agents as they defect to the United States. Almost American #4 takes us further into the silliness and frustration of the process highlighting some of the issues that arise and what needs to be done.
Story: Ron Marz
Art: Marco Castiello, Beni Lobel
Color: Juancho!
Letterer: Rus Wooton
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
comiXology
Zeus Comics
TFAW
AfterShock Comics 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
The elevator pitch for Wyatt Kennedy and Luana Vecchio’s Bolero goes something like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Locke & Key. If that doesn’t sell a comic, what does? But to lay claim to that comparison means setting expectations sky high. Fortunately, the comic more than lives up to the stories it namedrops.
Bolero #1 follows Devyn “Dagger” Dagny, a tattoo artist that gets her heart very, very broken—shattered, even—by Natasha, the person that Devyn will go through a whole multiverse to either get back with or forget.
By multiverses I mean literal multiverses. Devyn is given the opportunity to travel precisely 53 universes using a mother key, given to her by a very curious and cuddly creature, that allows her to move between them. A set of rules comes with the mother key, all which are basically set up to be broken later on. These range from not speaking to the being that offers the key to not traveling beyond the number of universes agreed upon.
Kennedy, who scripts the story, takes most of the first issue to lock the emotional hooks in place for Devyn’ multiversal journey, in which she’ll experience the different possibilities and forms her relationship with Natasha could take. The jumps in time, space, and bodies the comic promises is in short supply in this first entry, but the premise is well put together and shows no signs of letting up on the emotions-shattering rollercoaster ride Kennedy hopes to take us on in future issues.
Vecchio’s art possesses a dream-like quality to it that lends itself perfectly to the type of universe-hopping experience Bolero is aiming for. Characters move across the comics page with a floaty sense of rhythm that imbues the storytelling with a kind of musicality to it that makes everything come together beautifully. Moments of bliss are magical, whereas moments of pain feel like someone is prodding inside you with a cold and indiscriminate medical apparatus without anesthesia. Vecchio’s work is quite simply a marvel to behold in Bolero.
The art is given an extra bump in the magic department with a similarly dreamy and light approach to the lettering, made possible by Brandon Graham. Dialogues unspool like memories one plays over and over again in their mind after a particularly bad breakup. Graham takes the concept and applies it with a careful use of hazy lines and unstable word balloons that capture the raw emotions that hang over every word. It’s a highlight of the book and it shows deep consideration for the vision of the story.
Bolero #1 is a primer on love, pain, and loss that prepares readers for a deeply intimate and rough story that is sure to connect on many levels. It’s a world of possibilities I can’t wait to dive into, no matter how hard things will most definitely get for Devyn and Natasha as they go through 53 variations of their doomed relationship.
Story: Wyatt Kennedy Art: Luana Vecchio Lettering: Brandon Graham
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy along with a box of Kleenex and a bucket of ice cream.
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Pre-order: comiXology – TFAW
Moon Knight has a brand new villain he must deal with, Zodiac. But who is Zodiac? Moon Knight would like to know and no one’s making it easy for him. Moon Knight #7 is an entertaining issue as Moon Knight takes a trip through the criminal underworld in an attempt to get answers.
Written by Jed MacKay, Moon Knight #7 is an entertaining and at times humorous trip through Marvel’s criminal underworld as Moon Knight attempts to get answers. His methods are a bit extreme at times but there’s such absurdity to how it’s all presented that it’s hard to not laugh.
What’s really great is MacKay takes us into Marc’s thought process as he attempts to find the answers he’s looking for. We get a sense of how his mind works and his logic process as he attempts to figure out exactly who Zodiac is. It’s really interesting and gives a good sense as to who Marc is as a person. While he’s often portrayed as… “off”, there’s actually a lot of thought and logic put into his decisions and actions.
Joining Moon Knight on his mission is Tigra who has a mission of her own… but for who? We find out in this issue and there’s no doubt it’ll all lead up to more conflict at some point and further strain relationships.
The art by Federico Sabbatini is fantastic delivering a style that plays off the story’s humor. The situations are absurd at times and it’s the subtle reactions from the characters that often deliver the punchlines of the moment. Sabbatini is joined by Rachelle Rosenberg on color and lettering by Cory Petit. The style is light in numerous ways, moving away from the rather dark opening arc of the series. It still fits the character but there’s much more of humorous aspect to it all and it’s done in a way that doesn’t feel as ominous as some of these first six comics were. It’s weirdly fun as Moon Knight tortures and beats the crap out of individuals to find the answers he wants.
Moon Knight #7 is a solid issue with a great sense of style about it. It delivers action, humor, and mystery in a combination that makes it really fun. It’s a concept we’ve seen many times before but it’s done in such a way it’s hard to not sit back and just enjoy the ride.
Story: Jed MacKay Art: Federico Sabbatini
Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
I first read this book around Halloween last year which was probably the first treat I’ve received around that date in…. oh far longer than I care to think about. Although if I’m honest I only went trick or treating the once when I was around 14 because it wasn’t a thing that we did in my home town (which was in England, where Halloween wasn’t celebrated the same way as it is in the US and Canada twenty odd years ago – it may still not be as big a deal, but I haven’t lived there in fifteen years so I don’t honestly know). Regardless, when I read the early version of Valiant’s Shadowman #5, I was pretty damn excited.
Shadowman #5 kicks off the Deadside War, something we’ve seen writer and horror extraordinaire Cullen Bunn build toward over the previous four issues of Shadowman. What I found interesting, and kinda cool, was how Bunn used the dialogue between Alyssa and Jack to gently remind readers of the events in previous issues as it has been some time between the fourth and fifth issues (at least three months given that I read a rough version of this back in October and forgot to review it).
Of course, being an early version, the colouring work of Jordie Bellaire hadn’t been applied to the pages, so I didn’t get to see the finished product until this week. It was a long wait, I won’t lie, but it was well worth it.
The comic, written by Bunn, with art by Pedro Andreo and colors by Jordie Bellaire, is by far and wide the best thing Valiant has published in a while, but it’s also among the very best of comics that are coming out right now. For my money (and despite getting review copies, I’m still buying this) Shadowman tops everything being published right now. It’s hard for me to overstate how much I love this book, and even harder to stay away from too much hyperbolic wording, but flipping through this book will give you an idea. Andreo’s art in this comic is breathtaking, and while no small part of that is because of Bellaire, Andreo gives the colourist a great base to build from as she plays with layers of subtle colouring and shades to pull your eyes across the page.
I’m also super happy that Cullen Bunn is back; his approach with Shadowman’s character has been remarkably enjoyable. Despite this being a fifth issue, you’re still able to pick it up and enjoy the story even with only minor knowledge as to who the character is because of how Bunn frames the story within the comic. There’s a little bit of politicking involved, a bit of action, and a good chunk of intrigue. More than anything, however, is the sense that there’s a little more than we see going on. It’s almost uneasy, and it works to keep you paying attention.
If you’ve never read a Shadowman comic, then this is a better place than most to start what has been one of Valiant’s better series in recent years. Shadowman #5 is simply amazing in every way. There’s not much else to be said.
Story: Cullen Bunn Art: Pedro Andreo
Colors: Jordie Bellaire Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 9.7 Art: 10 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy
Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
With a television series coming soon, She-Hulk returns with her own comic series and its debut issue, She-Hulk #1. I haven’t kept up with the character in a while but have enjoyed her recent solo series. To catch folks up, Jennifer Walters is a bit of a mess. She’s had all of these superhero roles but with all of them currently over, she’s left picking up the pieces of her life. That means starting work all over again. Attempting to get an apartment with little to no money. As I said, she’s a mess and in a bad spot.
Rainbow Rowell nails the first issue with a focus on the fact Jennifer isn’t where she thought she’d be in life. And, it’s really relatable. I’m in my early 40s and often think about how I’m not where I thought I’d be in my career. Like Jennifer, I’m in many ways starting over as part of the “Great Resignation”, jettisoning the previous 20 years of work for a slightly different direction. Whether Rowell had all of this in mind when writing She-Hulk #1 or not, it’s a comic that captures some of the current zeitgeist and definitely the “crisis” I know far too many people are going through. It’s a comic that will resonate with a certain segment of the population.
While all of the above might sound depressing, it’s not. Rowell does an amazing job of infusing the issue with a lot of humor as She-Hulk has to deal with a new job but also old enemies in Titania, who is also trying to figure out her role in life. There’s just something that’s so relatable between the two of them despite it being so fantastical. It’s hard to not laugh when Jennifer must think about destroying her only suit when she’s about to do battle and her opponent offering to help her out with some clothes. It takes superhero tropes and concepts and brings a level of absurd about them with a smidge of grounding truth to it all as well.
Rogê Antônio’s art is fantastic. With Rico Renzi on color and Joe Caramagna on lettering, the comic’s visuals and lettering perfectly captures the down on her luck nature of the comic. The opening page is a perfect example of this. Jennifer is lost in her head thinking through her situation. Her body language reads as someone slightly beaten down. It’s a mix of that sort of focus along with just humorous moments that combine for a comic that takes you on a fun visual ride.
She-Hulk #1 is a fantastic debut that has such a focus and awareness of the character. I presents a superhero that is easy to relate to, especially if you’re getting up there in age. It’s my favorite debut so far this year.
Story: Rainbow Rowell Art: Rogê Antônio
Color: Rico Renzi Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Devil’s Reign has been solid so far. The event sees Wilson Fisk’s plans all coming together as he uses his power as Mayor of New York to try to reign in Marvel’s superheroes. There’s a little bit of Dark Reign mixed with the Superhero Registration Act but all updated to reflect today’s political reality. But, even better, the tie-ins for the event have been really good as well. It feels rare that event tie-ins have been the quality that they’ve been so far. Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 is an entertaining read and one that shines the spotlight on just one aspect of Fisk’s plan.
Written by Clay McLeod Chapman, Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 focuses on a new team of Thunderbolts who work alongside the NYPD to maintain law and order. Of course the team is beyond dysfunction comprising of Taskmaster, Rhino, Whiplash, Electro, and Agony. It’s a varied mix of personalities and issues with an end result you know is only going to wind up with a meltdown of the team. Chapman focuses in on that dysfunction. Not only the team’s dynamic with each other but their brutal justice as well. They might hold up law and order but they’re murdering to do so. They also have no problem fighting each other as well as those that break the law.
The fact Chapman focuses on the initial villains as comical terrorists attacking a ball for its excess instead of using the money to help feed families. It plays up the comical aspects of the comic though delivers villains that feel a bit goofy and easy targets. But, they’re not really the point, it’s the death and destruction the Thunderbolts bring to resolve the issue that is.
The art is by Manuel Garcia and it’s good. Generally it plays up the over-the-top nature of the story. My gripe is Rhino who never quite looks right and at times feels flat in the visuals. Everyone else is great, just his character feels very off in almost every scene. Garcia is joined by a bunch of inkers Lorenzo Ruggiero, Scott Hanna, Livesay, Andy Owens, and Victor Nava. Dono Sánchez-Almara and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo handle the color while Joe Sabino is on lettering. The art is generally good and tries to play up the comedy of it all instead of focusing on the gore.
Devil’s Reign: Villains for Hire #1 is an entertaining addition to an event that has been solid. It plays out as expected and hits the beats that are expected. It, so far, hasn’t broken any new ground but it does deliver enough entertaining moments to make it a worthy read.
Story: Clay McLeod Chapman Art: Manuel Garcia
Ink: Lorenzo Ruggiero, Scott Hanna, Livesay, Andy Owens, Victor Nava
Color: Dono Sánchez-Almara, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest Spider-Man fan. It’s not a character I read a lot of comics of. I’d hope into arcs every so often but never regularly reading the series. I missed the controversial “Clone Saga” and thus Ben Reilly wasn’t a character I really knew beyond the initial hatred. With “Beyond”, I’ve gotten to know the character a bit more as he’s taken center stage again. Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 builds off of that renewed interest taking us back to those early years in a story focused on Reilly as he attempts to figure out what he should do next.
Not being familiar with the history, I’m sure there’s a lot I miss with Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1. But, even not knowing a lot, it’s a hell of a comic that’s fun and enjoyable with a nice emotional punch to it. Taking us back to when Ben was the one true Spider-Man, the comic does a smart job of catching readers up to what the status was at this point in comics. But, it also moves things along at a brisk pace. The focus is Ben as a person as he struggles with his history and his role as Spider-Man. Is he the clone? Is he the real Peter? What should he do? Reilly delivers a hero who is the very definition of unsure of himself. He literally does not know who he is on multiple levels. It’s an interesting focus that can be dissected in so many different ways.
J.M. DeMatteis delivers so much more than that though. We get the setup of the villain to come, a killer who murders on the first date but also a battle with a villain. The battle feels very “classic Spider-Man” despite it being a “new” version of the character. He uses his fists and so much more to stop the villain and it delivers an emotional punch. It emphasizes this is a bit of a different Spider-Man in some ways and that DeMatteis is going to take us on a journey that explores Reilly as a person.
The art by David Baldeón is solid with a look that feels like an updated take on that classic era. With color by Israel Silva and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the art really delivers home to emotional swings DeMatteis goes for in the issue. From anger to sadness, and everything in between, it’s an issue that you really need to focus as much on Reilly’s body language as to what’s also being written in the dialogue and thought bubbles. It’s a fantastic combo and deliver.
Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 is a solid issue. It feels a bit like Ben Reilly has had some redemption since his debut so many decades ago and this is a prime example of how well the character can be used. There’s a lot to mine and this series feels like it might be the final bit of vindication that his creation so long ago might have been a hell of a thing after all.
Story: J.M. DeMatteis Art: David Baldeón
Color: Israel Silva Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
