Tag Archives: Comics

Exclusive Preview: Black Panther #5

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Black Panther #5

(W) Eve L. Ewing (A) Chris Allen
(CA) Taurin Clarke (VCA) Christopher Allen, Ernanda Souza
Rated T+
In Shops: Oct 04, 2023
SRP: $3.99

THE MYSTERY OF THE GRAY WOLF!
After Black Panther’s battle with Deathlok, tensions are high in Birnin T’Chaka as strife between the ruling crime families threatens to escalate into a full-fledged gang war. Can T’Challa restore peace in the city before it’s too late? And what of the whispers of this evil spirit, Kivu’Ma? Who is the Gray Wolf that curses Wakanda?

Black Panther #5

Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #2 feels like classic X-Men meets Ms. Marvel

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Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #2

Ms. Marvel’s mission makes her a target for Orchis, but they have no idea they’re looking for a completely normal teenage girl in their summer science program. Thankfully, Iron Man and Emma Frost are able to stop by and show Kamala how to fly under the radar! Sort of. Kind of. Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #2 feels like a nice mix of classic Ms. Marvel with a classic X-Men spin.

Written by Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada, Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #2 has a high alert going on as Ms. Marvel’s presence is known and Orchis is on the lookout. What’s solid about Vellani and Pirzada’s story is the focus on Kamala being caught so off guard by all of this.

The duo does an excellent job of showing how uneasy she is in her new role. She’s caught between so many worlds, taking the classic X-Men theme to new levels it feels like and doing it well. You get a sense of her struggling and trying to figure out what’s right and what’s to do.

There’s also this intriguing aspect of Kamala and her dreams. It creates a bit more to the story and the mystery and this issue shows, it’ll play a pretty integral part of what’s to come. Before, it felt like it was part of Kamala’s trauma but what’s presented makes it seem like that and more.

The art by Carlos Gómez and Adam Gorham is solid. With color by Erick Arciniega and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the comic’s look feels like a mix like previous Ms. Marvel series and some of the more recent X-Men comics. What’s also nice is that even though the story can feel dark at times, the art reflects a bit of sunshine and hope and doesn’t linger on gloomy visuals. It feels like a comic that Ms. Marvel herself would enjoy and appreciate (if that makes sense).

Yes, Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #2 continues a rather controversial new status-quo for the character. But, the comic is actually good! It feels like a natural progression and Kamala struggles with this new reality like many readers are. The comic also takes what could easily be a rather downer of a comic and story and puts the usual Ms. Marvel spin on it with a dash of humor and hope. Overall, a pleasant surprise that captures the youthful and kinetically fun nature of the character.

Story: Iman Vellani, Sabir Pirzada Art: Carlos Gómez, Adam Gorham
Color: Erick Arciniega Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Ultimate Invasion #4 is a rushed clunker of a finale

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Ultimate Invasion #4

War breaks out as timelines and universes collide! Iron Man must choose between the lesser of two evils – the Maker or Kang. But what secret does Iron Man know about the men behind the masks? And at the end of it all, the world outside your window will be forever changed! Ultimate Invasion #4 wraps up this miniseries delivering the end to this chapter and the beginning of so much more.

The “Ultimate Universe” has been hinted at and danced around for quite some time since its teased destruction. In Ultimate Invasion, writer Jonathan Hickman has been building the foundation for its official return and a clear relaunch of that line. Unfortunately, at only four issues, Ultimate Invasion has felt rushed giving us a surface level introduction to the world.

The finale has Howard Stark deciding what to do about the Maker and getting to know the mysterious masked man next to him. There’s a lot teased, hinted at, and danced around, with decisions made to get things rolling and wrap up this chapter of the story. And, as a big event, it sort of works. But, like a summer popcorn movie, this is one to not really think too much about. It relies on visuals and blockbuster moments instead of the more interesting nuanced themes that make you think that Hickman is known for and excels at. It teases so much and so many interesting things but relies heavily on its visuals to distract from its thin delivery.

Unfortunately, the art by Bryan Hitch is just distracting. With ink by Andrew Currie, color by Alex Sinclair, and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the visuals are bombastic and blockbuster but without much that’s interesting. The use of the same characters over and over feels like the goal is to just fill up spreads as opposed to deliver an interesting narrative through visuals. I didn’t find myself drawn to anything in particular but enjoyed the art from a high level view. Hitch’s art in general is hit and miss for me and in this case it’s a general miss.

The draw of Ultimate Invasion #4 is its setup of a new Ultimate Universe. It does that and does that pretty well. But, the issue, and series as a whole, rushes through explanation and background of key characters and moments delivering a reading experience that feels like the Cliff’s Notes version of a series rather than laying a strong foundation and groundwork. Add in a cover price of $8.99 and it’s hard to really recommend the single issue. This is an event as a whole that might be better as a collection.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Bryan Hitch
Ink: Andrew Currie Color: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.85 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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40 MEN AND 12 RIFLES GN

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

40 Men and 12 Rifles (Arsenal Pulp Press) – an expansive, gripping graphic novel set in Indochina in the year leading up to 1954, when the French-held garrison at Dien Bien Phu fell after a four-month battle, leading to the end of the first Indochina war between French forces and Ho Chi Minh’s nationalist rebels.

Ancient Enemies #6 (Frank Miller Presents) – The series has been the standout from the new publisher and we want to know how it all ends… and see if there’s more to come!

Conan the Barbarian #3 (Titan Comics) – An fun an entertaining take on Conan the Barbarian that old fans will love and new readers can dive right in. Great story and great art.

Creed: Next Round #4 (BOOM! Studios) – The next chapter in the Creed story wraps up here! We’re excited to see how it ends and hope we see more.

Darkwing Duck #9 (Dynamite Entertainment) – We’re fans of the classic animated series and every issue of this series feels like returning to old friends.

Fist of the North Star Vol. 10 (VIZ Media) – We’re expecting more of the same over the top martial arts action in an apocalyptic world.

The Flash #1 (DC Comics) – A new team and a new direction focused on Wally West and the Flash family. There’s a lot of groundwork laid here for what has potential as an interesting direction.

Immortal Thor #2 (Marvel) – The first issue featured some pretty big changes and direction for Thor and we’re intrigued to see what the second brings.

Invincible Iron Man #10 (Marvel) – We’re still skeptical over the whole Tony and Emma wedding but we’re also suckers for events like this.

The Penguin #2 (DC Comics) – Such a fantastic second issue which is impressive since the first was so good too. It’s tragic in so many ways with solid tension throughout.

Sainted Love #1 (Vault Comics) – Get hurled across time and encounter famous queer people throughout history and fight back against all who would see their names and love erased!

Stuff of Nightmares: Red Murder #1 (BOOM! Studios) – New R.L. Stine that features a real ax murderer eerily paralleling a hatch-wielding killer from a comic.

Ultimate Invasion #4 (Marvel) – The miniseries overall has been blah but we want to see what’s next.

Void Rivals #4 (Skybound/Image Comics) – How will the series tie into the Energon Universe further? This issue is a big one! Expect a sellout!

WildC.A.T.s #11 (DC Comics) – Pure dysfunction and great action. The comic continues to deliver.

Marvel launches a Giant-Sized Celebration for 50 years of Giant-Sized Storytelling!

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Throughout Marvel’s historic Bronze Age of the 1970s, there were tales so titanic, adventures so grand, and battles so larger than life that they could only be told in special Giant-Size comics! Now, 50 years later, Giant-Size is back and more pivotal than ever! Throughout 2024, Marvel will celebrate the milestone anniversary of the first Giant-Size comic with all-new spectacular one-shots featuring your favorite heroes, starting with January’s Giant-Size Spider-Man #1.

Before crossover events became the norm, True Believers knew that Giant-Size issues were home to Marvel’s most earth-shattering developments! During its original run, the pages of Giant-Size included legendary Marvel moments like the groundbreaking debut of the all-new, all-different X-Men, the wedding of Vision and Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man’s run-in with Dracula, and the first appearances of Multiple Man, Lilith, Korvac, and Tigra! Ever since then, when fans see Giant-Size on a comic, they know they were in for an epic ride, and these newGiant-Size one-shots will pack the same punch! These new installments will also include backup reprints of key stories, giving readers a gigantic dose of Marvel brilliance, past and present!

First up, Miles Morales: Spider-Man scribe Cody Ziglar and artist Iban Coello spin a showdown between the next generation’s Spider-Man and Venom in Giant-Size Spider-Man #1! Dylan Brock has a bone…or a brain…to pick with Miles Morales in a Giant-Size Spidey story that can’t be missed! Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 will also reprint Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #22 by Spidey-legends Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli that features the epic conclusion of Miles’ first battle with Ultimate Venom!

And that’s not all! In December, Marvel proudly re-presents the very first Giant-Size title ever, Giant-Size Super-Stars #1, in a special facsimile edition. Experience one of the all-time great Marvel comic books from industry legends Gerry Conway and Rich Buckler, in its original form, ads and all! The Thing and the Hulk have one of the most powerhouse rivalries in the entire Marvel Universe – and in 1974, it spilled out of the pages of both of their own books into a double-length slobberknocker! And like all the best bouts, this one takes place in the ring at Madison Square Garden – with the Fantastic Four watching on! In the green corner, it’s Bruce Banner’s incredible alter ego! In the orange corner, it’s bashful Benjamin J. Grimm! But there’s a twist to this fight that you won’t believe – and the formidable warrior Thundra is on hand to tag in! Will it be Clobberin’ Time for the Hulk? Or will the ever-lovin’ Thing get smashed?

Check out superstar artist Bryan Hitch’s cover for Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 below and stay tuned for more giant-sized announcements in the months ahead!

Weekly Preview! Always Matt and a whole lot more!

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There are a lot of comics coming out every week to be covered. Check out some of what we’ll be reviewing and this is only the beginning!

This week’s reviews include:

  • Always Matt: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard (Abrams Comicarts)

Not shown:

  • Ancient Enemies #6 (Frank Miller Presents)
  • Fist of the North Star Vol. 10 (VIZ Media)
  • Miracleman: The Silver Age #6 (Marvel)
  • Void Rivals #4 (Skybound)

Abrams Comicarts provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Preview: Ultimate Invasion #4 (of 4)

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Ultimate Invasion #4 (of 4)

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Bryan Hitch
Rated T+
In Shops: Sep 27, 2023
SRP: $8.99

THE END…OR THE BEGINNING? War breaks out as timelines and universes collide! Iron Man must choose between the lesser of two evils – the Maker or Kang. But what secret does Iron Man know about the men behind the masks? And at the end of it all, the world outside your window will be forever changed! Don’t miss this giant-sized, action-packed conclusion – or is it only the beginning…?

Ultimate Invasion #4 (of 4)
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