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
Escape #7 (Image) – Shaw makes his attack on the enemy Titan weapon in the fireworks-filled Escape #7. Daniel Acuna visually captures the horrors of a fire fight while Rick Remender‘s captions expose all of Shaw’s fears and doubts as he undertakes what is essentially a suicide mission. This could easily be the final issue of the series, but Escape isn’t just interested in the dog faction winning the war, but also how they treat the folks that have been oppressed by the bats. The use of anthropomorphic animals allows Remender and Acuna to go under the surface of the “last good war” and look at the real pain and trauma that it caused as this series continues. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy
Exploit #3 (Mad Cave) – Exploit #3 is quite the twisty techno-thriller ride from Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emiliana Pinna. Leong and Hudson uncover some cards about the assassination of Saxon and the identities of Dade and Mr. Ipsum while still keeping the story grounded in the romantic relationship between Kirby and Lenox that reaches a rough spot as they’re both fugitives from both the government and tech bros. There’s one chase sequence from Pinna and colorist Rebecca Good that is particularly exciting using a map-like double page spread and inset panels. Exploit #3 plunges right into the morally grey area, and I’ve never been more excited to read the next issue. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy
Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1 (Dark Horse) – Connor Goldsmith and Josh Cornillon take aim at cancel culture, wellness culture, and vitality with a heavy helping of body horror in Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1. Seriously, this comic is like if David Cronenberg directed Hacks. Cornillon’s visuals are capital “d” disgusting, but there’s a dreamy quality to his work as well, especially when Mimi thinks about her old lover. All in all, this is a unique and engaging debut from Goldsmith and Josh Cornillon that knows likable characters are overrated. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy
Swamp Thing 1989 #2 (DC) – It’s such a blessing to get the proper conclusion to Rick Veitch’s Swamp Thing run, and this installment is even timier and wimeyer than the previous issue’s Biblical beauty. Swamp Thing continues to be flung back in the depths of time, and it’s looking more and more hopeless that he’ll be reunited with Abby. Veitch and artist Tom Mandrake continue the Jesus parallels by having Abby giving birth to their daughter in a stable in Houma while Swamp Thing’s journey gets more cosmic and trippy. This issue also has guest stars galore like John Constantine, Jim Corrigan, Anthro, and the heroic Shining Knight as well as a more nefarious figure to fill the void in the Green. Swamp Thing 1989 #2 lacks the tragic beauty of the Camelot and crucifixion issues, but does capture the bonkers creative of the late 1980s era while not abandoning the all-important Swamp Thing/Abby relationship. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy
