Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 13/2/2016
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.
Alex
Bigfoot: Sword Of The Earthman #3 (Action Lab) There’s a very interesting aspect to this comic; Bigfoot hasn’t said a word in three issues, and his silence is perfectly negated by the narration of his companion who’s name escapes me right now. This has been a solid series so far, with Bigfoot being stranded on Mars, this feels like a brilliant mix of Starship Troopers, John Carter: Warlord Of Mars and Conan all wrapped up in a glossy comic book story. It’s actually pretty damn good. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read
Batman #49 (DC Comics)* Holy fucking shit. If, like me, you’ve not been a fan of the Robot Bunny Batman, then this issue will have you pumping the ceiling with joy. It’s a brilliantly well done comic that doesn’t feel like Bruce becoming Batman again is a dues ex machina. There’s been a legitimate build up for this moment for bloody months, that came together for me with this issue in an almost montage like moment. Mr H eloquently captures what I love about the characterization in this issue below, and Batman #49 is the issue that cements Scott Snyder as one of the best Batman writers of the past decade, giving us a 50 odd issue run that we’ll be talking about for years. Overall: 9.75 Recommendation: Buy
Brett
Captain Canuck #6 (Chapter House Comics) – Wrapping up the first story arc, the comic is an ok ending that wraps up the action nicely and sets us up for what’s to come. As a piece of the arc it’s a solid comic, but on it’s own it’s a bit weaker than previous comics. Still, lots of fun to read. Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Dark & Bloody #1 (Vertigo) – An interesting start to what seems like a horror comic. Not quite sure where it’s going, if it’s just a weird horror story or a southern gothic story, we’ll see. But, it has me wanting to check out the next issue. It definitely has the creepy vibe down. Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read
Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #2 (DC Comics) – The second issue continues what feels like a giant action sci-fi film. So far, I’m digging it, and though there’s a lot of action here, it also moves the bigger story along introducing you to this new alien world. Overall: 7.8 Recommendation: Read
Legend of Wonder Woman #2 (DC Comics) – Hells yes. This is the Wonder Woman comic I’ve been waiting for. This is so good. Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy
Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #49 (IDW Publishing) – A good finale to the current arc. I’d have liked it all to have been a straight up horror story, but it does some solid work on the various characters. Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read
Black Science #20 (Image Comics) – Just fun science fiction. Turn your brain off and go with the ride. Never disappointing. Overall: 7.8 Recommendation: Read
Descender #10 (Image Comics) – One of the best science fiction comics on the market. Amazing story, even more amazing art. Beautiful to look at and fun to read. Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
Deus Ex #1 (Titan Comics) – A good first issue that from what I remember catches the world from the video game series pretty well. It’s not deep but sets up a cyberpunk-ish comic that should fill a nice niche. Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read
Interceptor #2 (Heavy Metal Magazine) – The first issue caught me off guard and the second issue continues the excellence. Funny, fun, it’s a solid mix of the Heavy Metal vibe along with “western” comics. Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
James Bond #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – The individual issues aren’t bad, but I feel like this’ll be a better read as a trade. Overall: 7.1 Recommendation: Read
Letter 44 #23 (Oni Press) – I seriously have no idea where this series is going and I can’t wait to find out. Overall: 7.9 Recommendation: Read
Second Sight #1 (Aftershock Comics)* – The first issue is good, but doesn’t blow me away. My issue is I feel like we’ve seen this story before as well as its protagonist. Maybe it’ll set itself apart down the road. Overall: 7.3 Recommendation: Read
Street Fighter Unlimited #3 (Udon Entertainment) – The comic is a lot of fun. I’m not the biggest Street Fighter fan, but these comics capture the video game series really well and give us some awesome action. A must get if you’re a fan of the video game. Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Read
Mr H
Batman #49 (DC Comics)*: The moment we’ve all been waiting for. We knew Bruce was coming back to the cowl it was never a matter of it, it was always when. Snyder has another win this issue, as I think it’s his absolute best one yet. It delves into the Batman legacy as well as probable futures. What really stands out for me is how well Snyder gets the relationship between Alfred and Bruce. He’s not Bruce’s butler, he’s his father. Alfred doesn’t want to lose his son again. Bruce has finally got the peaceful life he’s always wanted but for Gotham to survive, he must allow Batman to return. Now I won’t spoil here as its too good, but the return method is well thought out and true to the character. Julie Madison even plays a big part. With 50 around the corner Snyder has his day numbered on the title but his impact may have crafted the best Batman run EVER. No Capullo this issue but it doesn’t suffer one bit. Yannick Paquette does a terrific job on the art chores. I cannot find any fault with this issue at all. Overall: 10/10 Recommendation: Buy this book.
Ryan C
Hip-Hop Family Tree #7 (Fantagraphics)*: Ed Piskor’s cultural history/odyssey finally takes a look at the nascent hip-hop scene on the West Coast, while out east the Beastie Boys, among other future luminaries, enter the fray with their first stumbling steps out of the gate. As always, truth is stranger — and better — than fiction, I’m not even a hip-hop fan but I wouldn’t dream of missing an issue of this fantastically-written, superbly-illustrated series. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy.
Shaft: Imitation Of Life #1 (Image)**: David F. Walker returns to the character he rejuvenated — and to the street of New York — with the first of four sure-to-be-spectacular parts. John Shaft wraps up one particularly brutal case, takes some much-needed time off, and the jumps back in to handle a missing persons case that nobody else would have the balls to touch. And he picks up a gay Latino sidekick by the end? As always , Walker adds new depth and dimension to the character without compromising an ounce of bad-ass, while new artist Dietrich Smith picks up admirably from Bilquis Evely. Overall: 9/10. Recommendation: Buy.
Low #11 (Image)** : Good to see Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini dive back into things — literally — after a bit of a break between issues/arcs, but the “keep hope alive” message is starting to veer into tiresome mantra territory, and echoes the “newfound optimism” philosophical outlook of “Black Science” a bit too closely at this point. Story and art are still good, but decidedly less spectacular than the ultra-high standard we’ve become used to on this series. Intrigued to see how he plans to rotate issues between Stel and her kids, and next issue promises some spectacular stuff as we finally see the surface of , well, Waterworld, so let’s hope this just represents a temporary lull before the visual and verbal fireworks show commences in full swing. Overall: 6. Recommendation: Read.
Injection #7 (Image)**: Continuing with the arc begun last issue, our new inhumanly-smart (or maybe that’s just inhuman) private eye protagonist follows the supply chain of the “long pig” he was nearly serves last issue and nonchalantly antagonizes the police while he’s at it. Warren Elli’s script is razor-sharp and Declan Shalvey’s art is enough to make a grown-up cry with its understated precision and elegance. This is a book that doesn’t see to know how not to keep getting better and better every month. Overall: 8. Recommendation: Buy.
Shean
House of Montresor#1 (Red Stylo): Jang and Strutz have written the captivating sequel to Edgar Allen Poe’s Cask of Amontillado , dad wonders into some seriously interesting territory.Imagine that one episode of Twilight Zone where the heirs are fighting over inheritance commingled with Crimson Peak. The script by Enrica Jang, is moody , mysterious, gothic and all types of creepy. The art By Jasob Strutz is beautiful.Overall, strong execution by two masters.Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab TPB (Action Lab): I always wondered what would happen if the Michael Mann masterpiece ” Collateral “, was a TV show, as this book answers that but with a supernatural twist. The Reader joins Cyrus as he navigates his personal life , avoids thugs , run ins with supernatural creatures were trying find peace for his haunted rider. In what would be a normally dark story ,there are a great many funny scenes.The story by David Dwonch proves an interesting twist to both slice of life genre and the supernatural genre. The art by Anna Lencioni, is vibrant and full of heart.Overall, fun when you least expect it. Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Read
Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write.
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 (**).
