Mini Reviews: Hellraiser Resurrections: The Deep Gospel #1, Die Loaded #9, Absolute Green Arrow #5, Talespin #2
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
Hellraiser Resurrections: The Deep Gospel #1 (BOOM! Studios) – I’ll preface this review, but I’m saying I’m not super knowledgeable about the Hellraiser franchise except for the original film and the 2022 remake. However, Tini Howard and Jenna Cha offer an exquisite maternal heroine’s journey for the female Cenobite who is cast down by the Engineer and claws her way up to the top through her own gumption and knowledge of the rules of this complex society. I relished in her tough love interactions with the neophyte cenobites, and Cha and Brad Simpson offer twisted visions of underworlds, blood, and twisted flesh. I was definitely lost in some places, but I have a new badass character to follow and enjoy and want to check out some of the other one-shots in the series. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy
Die Loaded #9 (Image Comics) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans basically do Treasure Island, but make it horror in Die Loaded #9. It’s cool watching Sophie come into her own maneuvering through the complex world of Die with three Fallen in tow plus a crew of easily suggestible embryonic adventurers. Isabelle plays a key role in this issue and makes the first volume of the series seem even creepier with Hans getting (literally) Lovecraftian with her art style. With debts, compromises, and unruly children, Die Loaded is far from a fantasy, but Gillen and Stephanie Hans offer a glimpse of one towards this issue’s conclusion. This is definitely the drowning in the deep ocean/trapped in the dark woods stage of the story. Overall: 8.3 Verdict: Buy
Absolute Green Arrow #5 (DC) – Flashbacks grapple with Oliver Queen’s moral code and legacy while in the current day, the Green Arrow Killer and Dinah Lance must escape Hector Hammond’s clutches in Absolute Green Arrow #5. Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque continue to make the billionaire class their punching bag in this gritty superhero book, which has added a body horror aspect thanks to the appearance of Solomon Grundy. Musk, Thiel, Epstein, and wannabe/failed immortal Bryan Johnson are all in Absolute Green Arrow’s crosshairs while it’s still a solid mystery story about Dinah trying to make her way in a corrupt world. The action is literally explosive in this installment with harsh flat colors from Marcelo Maiolo capturing the pain Green Arrow and Dinah feel as they fight for their lives. Finally, this issue is full of perfectly timed reveals that shift the series’ focus. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy
Disney Talespin #2 (Dynamite) – Talespin #2 is a little cheesier than the first installment with a plethora of jam puns, but Amanda Deibert and Carlo Lauro continue to put Baloo and Kit for the wringer as they lose a delivery job to a “flashier” replacement. The comic pits style vs substance, and sadly substance doesn’t pay the bills as Baloo’s wife again has a discussion about him selling the Sea Duck. This story sets up the Khan Corporation as an important player in the series as well as more opportunities for Lauro to showcase his skill at drawing fancy flying. But it’s less charming than issue one and more like one of those cartoon episodes you’d skip or throw on in the background. Overall: 6.8 Verdict: Pass























