Tag Archives: Comics

A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 Brings the Popular Film Franchise to Comics

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A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1

The world ended in a hush. The creatures came for the cities first. But in Pearl, Iowa—a tiny island town on the Mississippi—the mayor and townsfolk believe that’s someone else’s problem. Cut off from the chaos of the coasts, they think they can ride out the storm. But fire chief Lonnie Fry knows better. The creatures that hunt by sound are coming west, and unless the people of Pearl take drastic action, silence won’t save them—it’ll bury them. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is based on the film franchise, but you don’t need to watch the films to enjoy the comics.

Written by Phil Hester, A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is a nice start to the popular horror franchise that keeps things focused. I’ve never seen any of the films, but it’s a debut that is accessible by anyone and really relevant to today’s world.

Hester introduces us to a small town, rather isolated from the world. And with that isolation comes a disbelief about what they’re witnessing on television, in the news, and warnings from others. They don’t believe there’s creatures on their way, a denial of the clear evidence before them. Hester delivers an allegory from modern times of a conservatism that’s built on false beliefs and denial of reality. This is a town set up for success and survival and refuse to do what’s necessary because it means they’d need to sacrifice something or be inconvenienced. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is our modern politics in a nutshell.

Hester provides the page layout with Ryan Kelly‘s pencils and inks delivering an issue that focuses in on the small town quality of it all but also the storm to come. With color by Lee Loughridge and lettering by Nathan Widick, the comic delivers a solid story of what is primarily adults yelling at each other. It’s a debate that you know will end badly and the art has a sadness to it, you can hate those who are clearly wrong, but the art also adds in a chance to pity them.

A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 is a welcoming debut that those new to the franchise can dive in and enjoy. It can be enjoyed on the surface level or appreciated for its deeper examination of how a minority, who are so wrong, can be the death of us all.

Story: Phil Hester Art: Phil Hester, Ryan Kelly
Color: Lee Loughrdige Letterer: Nathan Widick
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.85 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 Delivers Tense Political Horror

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The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1

First, it was America…now, England. It’s 5:00 a.m. at 10 Downing Street. The prime minister gets a call that bolts him upright out of bed: The royal family has been lost at sea. Parliament and Buckingham Palace explode with action in the aftermath. Some suspect the prince and his wife, the princess, were attacked. Others whisper their tragedy was the result of a long-standing family curse…Either way, playboy and recovering addict Theo Belmont is next in line to the throne. Can he step up to the role? Or will he be consumed by his demons? The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 is a tense debut full of emotion and mystery.

Written by Hannah Rose May, The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 is a fantastic debut that’ll keep you guessing as to what’s going on. At its surface level, the story involves the mysterious disappearance and fallout of some of the royal family. Did they vanish due to a curse or was another nation involved? That alone could drive a series, with a focus on an investigation and the political impact of the event. But, May dives deeper focusing on the next in line to the throne and a past that haunts him.

The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 explores trauma and addiction as Theo Belmont fights to stay sober while also clearly uneasy about his royal lineage. But, the crown that weighs is forced upon him as he’s declared the next in line for the throne and struggles with his addiction that has afflicted other family members. It’s a story of ghosts that haunt but ones of addiction and family trauma.

The comic delivers a perfectly moody look with the art of Kelsey Ramsay. With color by Heather Breckel and lettering by Jodie Troutman, the comic has a haunted style that perfectly captures its ominous feel. I can’t say anything as far as the details of the royals and England, but the comic nails a haunting feel and the visuals add to the tension that builds throughout the issue. The art is perfect for the overall vibe, adding to every emotional moment.

The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 is the type of comic you can enjoy on the surface level or dive deeper in to. It’s a solid debut that’ll suck readers in, leaving them guessing as to where this could go. It’s a fantastic debut that delivers a haunting read as the weather warms up.

Story: Hannah Rose May Art: Kelsey Ramsay
Color: Heather Breckel Letterer: Jodie Troutman
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog #85

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Sonic the Hedgehog #85

(W) Ian Flynn (A) Evan Stanley

In their quest to find Metal Sonic, the now-trapped Sonic, Belle, Motobud, and Sage discover that someone has used stolen Dr. Eggman tech to take control of creatures. During their search, Sonic becomes trapped in a cryptic illusion, leaving Sage and Belle to work together to fend off the controlled Metal Sonic. Will these three creations of Dr. Eggman be able to find common ground? Or will these relationships explode?

Sonic the Hedgehog #85

Preview: Star Trek: Lower Decks #17

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Star Trek: Lower Decks #17

(W) Tim Sheridan (A) Vernon Smith

Captain Freeman and Mariner take the fight straight to the skies in the stolen U.S.S. Illinois, charging headlong into an old-school showdown against a mysterious wave of space invaders surrounding Laapoonia! Somewhere in the chaos, Boimler and his away team may be trapped — if they’re even still alive. But as the missing Laapeerians’ fate grows more uncertain and Starfleet closes in on its rogue crew, the clock is ticking faster than a falling pixel.

Can the Lower Deckers outmaneuver both their enemies and their own command before it’s game over?

Find out in this month’s explosive issue of Star Trek: Lower Decks!

Star Trek: Lower Decks #17

Preview: TMNT: Journeys #7

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TMNT: Journeys #7

(W) Peter Laird (A) Jim Lawson

The Utroms use their immense technology to help a sick April O’Neil and… glimpse a world of super-powered Ninja Turtles?! Meanwhile, Master Splinter makes peace with Shadow’s boyfriend, Jay, and shares their family history… all before a dramatic family secret for another TMNT character comes to light. Drama and revelations lie ahead for our heroes and their allies!

TMNT: Journeys #7

Preview: Godzilla vs. America: Portland

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Godzilla vs. America: Portland

(W) Colleen Coover, Mark Russell, Caitlin Yarsky (A) Cat Farris, Eryk Donovan

Godzilla continues its USA sight-smashing tour! Next stop: Portland. Specifically, Portland, Oregon! (You’re safe, Maine… for now.) Rising out of the fog of the Pacific Northwest, Godzilla is about to turn Stumptown into Stomptown. Oregon? More like Ore-gone. Rip City? More like… actually, that one already works.

Join a star-studded cast of Portland-based comic book creators, including Mark Russell (Superman: Space Age, Fantastic Four: Life Story), Caitlin Yarsky (Black Hammer: Reborn, Wonder Woman), and many more!

You’re going to be less concerned with keeping Portland weird and more worried about keeping Portland standing when Godzilla comes to visit.

Godzilla vs. America: Portland

Preview: The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1

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The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1

(W) Hannah Rose May (A) Kelsey Ramsay

From Hannah Rose May (The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Rogues’ Gallery) and Kelsey Ramsay (Moon Dogs, Godzilla: Heist) comes the next installment in the dark series that dared to possess a nation. First, it was America… now, England.

It’s 5:00 a.m. at 10 Downing Street. The prime minister gets a call that bolts him upright out of bed: The royal family has been lost at sea. Parliament and Buckingham Palace explode with action in the aftermath. Some suspect the prince and his wife, the princess, were attacked. Others whisper their tragedy was the result of a long-standing family curse…

Either way, playboy and recovering addict Theo Belmont is next in line to the throne. Can he step up to the role? Or will he be consumed by his demons?

The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1

Preview: A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1

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A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1

(W) Phil Hester (A) Phil Hester, Ryan Kelly

The world ended in a hush.

The creatures came for the cities first. But in Pearl, Iowa — a tiny island town on the Mississippi — the mayor and townsfolk believe that’s someone else’s problem. Cut off from the chaos of the coasts, they think they can ride out the storm. But fire chief Lonnie Fry knows better. The creatures that hunt by sound are coming west, and unless the people of Pearl take drastic action, silence won’t save them — it’ll bury them.

From legendary creators Phil Hester (Green Arrow, Swamp Thing) and Ryan Kelly (Lucifer, Local) comes the first-ever A Quiet Place comic series — an untold chapter of fear, family, and sacrifice set in the terrifying world of the blockbuster films.

A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1

Mini Reviews: Touched by a Demon #2, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1, Exploit #1

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Exploit #1

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

Touched by a Demon #2 (Dark Horse) – Touched by a Demon continues to be a charming, darkly humorous series from cartoon Kristen Gudsnuk. This book excels at both the macro and micro levels of storytelling. I live for the background gags and the distinction in character designs between demons and humans, but Gudsnuk also does a good job of letting Bifrons and Zuzu struggle and fail yet somehow find growth in an organic way. This is a comic that’s very silly and yet also deals with serious subjects like abuse in an empathetic way. It also has numerous smart things to say about theology and free will in an even handed way. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1 (IDW Publishing) – Sonic Racing Crossworlds #1 is a tie-in comic to a new Sonic racing game of the same title. (That’s a fun development.) However, it feels a lot like when you were younger, and an older friend or sibling would unplug your controller so that you won’t really playing. Crossworlds #1 has bright colors, anarchic action, and even some snappy one-liners from Iasmin Omar Ata. (I love how they write the Shadow/Jet rivalry.) However, with so many characters, plot threads, and utter randomness, the book ends up having no flow on a big picture level. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Exploit #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – Co-written by former Wired, Verge, and Comics Alliance journalist Laura Hudson, Exploit #1 is a high adrenaline valentine to the fourth estate, especially the tech side. Hudson, Tim Leong, and Emiliana Pinna craft an intriguing and relatable lead in Kirby, who is 34 years and interning at one of the last tech magazines that isn’t under the thrall of billionaires and AI. I love her enthusiasm and thirst for truth and making a difference even if she isn’t in the typical intern age bracket. She’s not naive and idealist ; she just has nothing left to lose. Before introducing the thriller elements, Hudson, Leong, and Pinna go full day in the life of an up and coming journalist with snappy dialogue, bright colors from Rebecca Good, and zippy panel-to-panel transitions. Exploit #1 is a comic about a conflict that is near and dear to my heart while also being a compelling and entertaining read. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #6 wraps things up with a very unexpected ending

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The series finale of the critically acclaimed cozy-horror smash hit! Samantha Strong has made her choice…and Woodbrook will never be the same. The events of the previous issue are so incredibly wild that we actually can’t type anything else here without it being a major spoiler. But you won’t want to miss the conclusion.

Story: Patrick Horvath
Art: Patrick Horvath
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

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.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

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