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Mini Reviews: The Fury of Firestorm #1, Sirens: Love Hurts #3, Die Loaded #6

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Sirens: Love Hurts #3

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

The Fury of Firestorm #1 (DC) – I don’t really know a lot about Firestorm beyond his/their appearances in the CW superhero shows, but Jeff Lemire is a solid writer and DC is kind of on a roll right now so I gave Fury of Firestorm #1 a shot. And I’m glad I did! Lemire, Rafael De LaTorre, and Marcelo Maiolo tap into Firestorm’s almost godlike power set to show the horrific nature of what would happen if he ever broke bad. Structured like the Hebrew Bible’s Genesis 1, the opening scene shows Firestorm devastating a small town in Colorado, and the rest of the comic picks up the pieces and establishes the herculean task that Ronnie Raymond’s girlfriend Firehawk face in stopping him. Fury of Firestorm also has two distinct visual styles: an almost brush and ink chilling rural horror style and a nostalgic early Bronze Age superhero style with Maiolo’s palette carrying the tone shift. I’m here for this almost True Detective take on superheroes that isn’t ashamed of the bright and shiny part of superheroes, which is par for the course for Jeff Lemire, who’s written both Gideon Falls and JSA. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Sirens: Love Hurts #3 (DC/Black Label) – Tini Howard, Babs Tarr, and Miquel Muerto chronicle a key turning point in the Gotham City Sirens’ relationship as Dinah Lance truly becomes friends with Selina, Harley, and Poison Ivy. There’s still zodiac-themed femicide galore, but they seem like actual friends (Sometimes with benefits) and not just unlikely teammates. Howard and Tarr showcase this growth during a gorgeously messy New Year’s Eve/bachelorette party scene with some fierce fits and even bigger pitfalls. This comic really has it all: a dark mystery, fun friendship/romance vibes, and Babs Tarr continuing to fire on all cylinders visual. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #6 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans wrap up Die Loaded’s first arc by assembling the full party and then blowing shit up. There’s a Tolkien riff, but it’s pure plot. Instead the emotional crux of the issue is a couple heart-to-hearts between Chuck and Angela’s kids and especially Sophie and Matt’s dead. Die Loaded loses the fantasy trappings and goes full exploration of family dynamics and grief in some of Gillen’s most vulnerable writing. It’s beautiful, but the series needs to continue. I love Die Loaded’s diverse and chaotic cast and look forward to seeing how they react as the “game” actually begins. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Alias: Red Band #1, Die Loaded #5, Bleeding Hearts #2, Sirens: Love Hurts #2

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Bleeding Hearts #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

Alias: Red Band #1 (Marvel) – Sam Humphries and Gerardo Borges‘ Alias: Red Band #1 is like the warm embrace of an old friend. It all starts with the visuals as Borges channels Michael Gaydos in his faded out, noir approach with the assistance of colorist Arthur Hesli. His double page layouts where conversations become fights that look like the newspaper columns of the paparazzi photographer that has it out for “the mayor’s wife” aka Jessica Jones. Alias definitely lives up to its “red band” billing with a grisly murder almost on page one, but the conflict is through debates between following the law and doing what’s right and trusting your gut not fisticuffs. A particularly heated argument between Luke Cage and Jessica particularly shows the powerless of power. Alias: Red Band #1 definitely doesn’t have any new tricks, but it brings the aesthetic of Alias to the current Marvel Universe where Jessica, Luke, and engaging third lead Typhoid Mary are worlds away from who they were in 2001. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #5 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans expand the world of Die in this consequential, reveal-filled installment of the series. Sophie is still the POV character, but Chuck’s gaming-obsessed daughter Violet takes center stage as the new Master. Die Loaded #5 heads back into the trauma side of Die with Violet dealing with her father’s death through a gorgeous, yet dark island fantasy world. Also, Sophie continues to improve at Die’s mechanics with a side of her maternality as she tries to collect the party and go home. But this is hindered by the aforementioned complex trauma and bleed of Violet, who quickly becomes one of Die Loaded‘s most compelling characters. Throw in a mystery reveal, an Ursula K. LeGuin riff on par with the Tolkien one in Die, and some splendid colors, character designs, and high energy layouts from Hans, and I’m even more hooked on this series. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Bleeding Hearts #2 (Vertigo) – Mmm, I love how Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian structure the sophomore issue of Bleeding Hearts. Our lovable zombie protagonist Poke appears in the beginning and the end and has a key moment. However, Bleeding Hearts #2 zeroes in on the potential victims from the end of the previous issue: a mother and her precious daughter named Rabbit. It lays out the difficulty of surviving in this zombified world with unrelenting narration from the mom, who focuses all her energy to giving Rabbit as normal a childhood as possible, including a stuffed animal. However, there are some super disturbing scenes, and Morian captures the trauma seared in Rabbit’s eyes. There’s an old school Frank Miller/John Romita Jr. quality to his figure work that lends the visuals darkness, but also unwavering humanity. By the time Bleeding Hearts #2 wrapped up, I cared deeply about three individuals in this comic and hope against hope for a bond of survival between them. Kudos to Camp and Stipan Morian doing something a little different and switching POVs to give a fuller picture of what this series could be. For old school Vertigo heads, this has Invisibles “Best Man Fall” energy, but with a happier ending. Overall: 9.3 Verdict: Buy

Sirens: Love Hurts #2 (DC/Black Label) – Sirens: Love Hurts continues to be one of the most fun current comics as Black Canary, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy encounter a red herring and uncover more evidence about Gotham’s newest killer of women. Tini Howard‘s script is laugh out loud funny (I’m not over “dick dizzy”), and Babs Tarr brings some fierce fits and even fiercer facial expression accentuated by Miquel Muerto’s dynamic color palette. I love seeing how comfortable Dinah is with her new villain/anti-hero friends especially compared with the boredom of pre-wedding activities. (I could read a whole comic where Dick Grayson plays a wedding planner though.) Astrology ends up playing a key role in the plot, but let’s say Sirens: Love Hurts brings more of a girl’s girl approach to the zodiac killer than David Fincher and company. Overall: 9.1 Verdict: Buy

Gert goes on a Line-Wide Rampage in I Hate Fairyland Team-Up Variant Bloodbath Covers this April

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When Spawn team-up variants were announced, Gert was annoyed. When Youngblood team-ups were unveiled, Gert began sharpening her axe. And when Invincible team-up variants were revealed, Gert screeched: “I HATE TEAM-UPS!” Image Comics is all-in on Skottie Young’s I Hate Fairyland this April in celebration of the milestone #50 issue and warns fans of a highly deranged Gert, and her Fairyland pals, taking Image covers hostage all month long.

In addition to the characters’ cameo appearances on the covers of some of Image’s hottest ongoing series, the title logos on each book will be redesigned to mirror the instantly recognizable I Hate Fairyland look.

Created by Skottie Young, I Hate Fairyland #1 debuted in October 2015. The series has sold out and gone back-to-print multiple times and received mass critical acclaim. It remains one of the most popular, bestselling ongoing Image series to date.

I Hate Fairyland characters will appear on the covers of:

On sale Wednesday, April 8:

  • Blood & Thunder #12 Cover E I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by EJ Su – Lunar Code 0226IM8011
  • D’orc #3 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Brett Bean – Lunar Code 0226IM8016 
  • D’orc #3 Cover D I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW by Brett Bean – Lunar Code 0226IM8017 
  • Die Loaded #6 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by David Lafuente – Lunar Code 0226IM8014
  • Die Loaded #6 Cover D I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW David Lafuente – Lunar Code 0226IM8015
  • Spawn #374 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Brett Booth – Lunar Code 0226IM8030

On sale Wednesday, April 15:

  • Fireborn #1 Cover N I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Patrick Mulholland – Lunar Code 0226IM8021
  • Fireborn #1 Cover O I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW by Patrick Mulholland – Lunar Code 0226IM8022
  • Invincible Universe Battle Beast #8 Cover G I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Ryan Ottley – Lunar Code 0226IM8023
  • Lost Fantasy #9 Cover G I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Vanessa Cardinali – Lunar Code 0226IM8025 
  • Lost Fantasy #9 Cover H I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW by Vanessa Cardinali – Lunar Code 0226IM8026
  • Narco #2 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Daniel Hillyard – Lunar Code 0226IM8029
  • Witchblade (2024) #20 Cover D I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Giuseppe Cafaro – Lunar Code 0226IM8032

On sale Wednesday, April 22:

  • Invincible Universe Capes #6 Cover F I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Mark Englert – Lunar Code 0226IM8024
  • Youngblood #100 Cover M I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Rob Liefeld – Lunar Code 0226IM8035
  • Corpse Knight #1 Cover I I Hate Fairyland Team-Up – Lunar Code 0226IM8012
  • Darkness Vs Angelus Cover F I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Pat Boutin – Lunar Code 0226IM8013

On sale Wednesday, April 29:

  • Feral #22 Cover D I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Tony Fleecs – Lunar Code 0226IM8018
  • Feral #22 Cover E I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW by Tony Fleecs – Lunar Code 0226IM8019
  • Final Boss Masked Vigilante (one-shot) Cover H I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Tyler Kirkham – Lunar Code 0226IM8020
  • White Sky #3 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by J.P. Mavinga – Lunar Code 0226IM8031
  • Wrestle Heist #5 Cover B I Hate Fairyland Team-Up by Kyle Starks – Lunar Code 0226IM8033
  • Wrestle Heist #5 Cover C I Hate Fairyland Team-Up NSFW by Kyle Starks – Lunar Code 0226IM8034

Mini Reviews: Spider-Man Noir #5, Die Loaded #4, Bleeding Hearts #1, The Crown: A Tale of Hell #1, Star Wars: Jar Jar #1

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Star Wars: Jar Jar #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

Spider-Man Noir #5 (Marvel) – Erik Larsen, Andrea Broccardo, and Rachelle Rosenberg mix a little bit of Clone saga and a Spider-Man “No More” with a lot of Nazi punching and the pulpy action that is Spider-Man Noir’s signature in the final issue of this miniseries. This could very well be the *last* Spider-Man Noir story as Larsen and Broccardo show the cost that Peter Parker’s alter ego has taken on both his relationships and life in general as he’s caught in the crossfire between Nazis and old school American gangsters. I love the level of maturity that Erik Larsen writes Peter and Gwen’s relationship with as she struggles with the father who she worshiped and idolized being a Nazi. Maybe, Peter Parker will live a relatively quiet life as a 1930s P.I., but a final panel leaves the door open for more masked man adventures. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #4 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans introduce a new party member in Die Loaded #4. It’s Chuck’s son, Callum, who is a Fool like his father and probably a bigger one with access to the right wing landscapes of online gaming and anime porn as Sophie resignedly observes. Sophie must balance trying to put Callum in his place and getting the quest started and realizing that one day her son, Stuart, will be a teenager and hopefully won’t be like this misogynist. It’s really fun watching Sophie grow into the role of Godbinder and interface with the world of Die while Gillen and Hans take potshots at Chosen One tropes and Gen Z. There’s a frosted glass flashback that particularly shows her growth as a leader as the new quest begins. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy

Bleeding Hearts #1 (DC/Vertigo) – Vertigo is back with a bang thanks to the reunion of 20th Century Men‘s Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian on the tale of sensitive, ethical zombie Poke in a world that is very much the opposite. Usually, mindless cannon fodder, Camp and Morian humanize the living dead while not giving them the Warm Bodies relationship and much of this issue is dedicated to world-building and a worm’s eye view of zombie society, how their names are constructed, and different cliques and relationships. Fititng the tone of the story, Morian and colorist Matt Hollingsworth’s visuals are gruesome, yet lovable like its protagonist Poke, who is easy to latch onto in a very deep, tortured everyzombie way. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

The Crown: A Tale of Hell #1 (Dark Horse) – Brother writers Mike and Todd Mignola and artist Warwick Johnson-Cadwell craft a tale of sibling rivalry and literally hellish political wrangling centuries before Hellboy’s birth. It’s a rare peek at the twisted destiny Hellboy was born into and rejected to become a hero. I love how Johnson-Cadwell draws his figures like chess pieces on a board while still imbuing them with a physicality that drives home their arguments about who is worthy to wear the titular crown. However, The Crown #1 isn’t all bitching and moaning, but has some juicy twists towards the end. Let’s say Hellboy had more siblings than two. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Star Wars: Jar Jar #1 (Marvel) – Jar Jar Binks (and Beq) actor Ahmed Best, Marc Guggenheim and artists Kieran McKeown, Laura Braga, and Mike Atiyeh complete the Jar Jar redemption in this engaging and socially relevant one-shot. Best and Guggenheim use the metaphor of the mining planet Urubai and the caste of the Unseen to draw attention to the plight of exploited workers like cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s all filtered through a pulpy lens, but it’s in the same vein as the Andor television show or the Rebel Alliance being a stand-in for South Vietnam’s National Liberation Front. There’s definitely some silly moments, and Ahmed Best and Marc Guggenheim have Jar Jar’s speaking patterns down to a tee, but it’s offset by showcasing him as a complex figure whose innocence was preyed upon by powerful interests. It’s cool to see Jar Jar, Beq, and Mira Bridger push back against the moment in Episode II that made Jar Jar such a despised character. Also, a cameo from badass bounty hunter Aura Sing doesn’t hurt either. Even if your opinions about Jar Jar Binks have stayed static since 1999, this is the comic to change your mind. Overall: 9.7 Verdict: Buy

Preview: DIE: Loaded #4

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DIE: Loaded #4

(W) Kieron Gillen (A) Stephanie Hans

Some people take their roleplaying parties seriously. Conversely, some people just want to parrrrttttaaaaaeeee! Let’s see what happens when our serious business is disrupted by someone who really doesn’t care at all.

DIE: Loaded #4

Mini Reviews: Babs: The Black Road South #1, Ultimates #20, Die Loaded #3, Knull #1, and more!

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Babs: The Black Road South #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

Babs: The Black Road South #1 (Ahoy! Comics) – Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrow continue to take the piss out of the fantasy/barbarian/metal bikini genre in Babs: The Black Road South #1. The banter between the titular character, her companion Izzy, and her talking sword are this book’s comedic foundation on which so many shenanigans can be built. Seriously, there’s a five page sequence where Izzy and Babs rap about Red Sonja’s virginity. It’s fun to see high fantasy and wild karaoke meet, but Babs: The Black Road South isn’t all sunshine and rainbows using the protagonist’s financial insecurity and incompetency to fuel the plot. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Ultimates #20 (Marvel) – Deniz Camp and Phil Noto unravel the backstory of Earth-6160 Vision and Nick Fury and let the good guys get some licks in in another rip-roaring issue of Ultimates. Most of the narration is done from Vision’s POV, and I love that it is in keyword format like the world’s most powerful search engine. Ultimates #20 is pure payoff showing that the seeds of resistance against the Maker’s fascism have been on the board for decades. On a nerdy level, there are a lot of fun cameos and guest stars as the fight between HAND and the Ultimates in Detroit turns into an all hands on deck situation. Ultimate Endgame is an epic war crossover arc so it’s nice to have titles like Ultimates take some of the storytelling load off and flesh out the players, both old and new. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #3 (Image) – Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans continue to make side characters protagonists in Die Loaded #3 with the appearance of Sol’s mom, Margaret, who becomes the party’s Dictator. Her life has been so tragic with her son going missing and acting distant, and of course, all her rage is directed towards the world of Die in a powerful series of panel. But she’s also a teacher, and Gillen and Hans turn what could be a one-note nag into yet another mother figure for Molly and an ally in their journey. Also, it cool, yet sad to see Sophie start to learn the world of Die as there are costs for her abilities. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Brett

Avengers #34 (Marvel) – A big anniversary issue that continues the story that began with this series’ relaunch. Jed MacKay and Farid Karami deliver an epic showdown with Kang that’s interesting but not exciting. Having not read most of this series, the details of the story are lost and what’s shown doesn’t intrigue me enough to go back. A back-up story featuring Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley is a bit easier to dive in to and features Bendis’ signature humor. Overall, for such a momentous issue, it fails to deliver a real celebration. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Knull #1 (Marvel) – Something is building with Knull at the center again, so it’s interesting to dive in and catch up with what’s going on. Al Ewing and Tom Waltz deliver an issue that catches readers up but kicks off the next chapter in an interesting way. Juanan Ramirez‘s art is interesting and entertaining. The issue does a solid balance of introducing new readers to the character but also delivers something new for long time fans of the character. Overall Rating: 7.75 Verdict: Read

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14 (IDW Publishing) – The new creative team of Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II have been delivering a feel that mixes the recent relaunch but a bit more of the classic Turtles too. A new villain has been an intriguing addition but the brothers back together feels right, down to their sniping at each other. The comic has a good mystery to it along with action and so far has been a nice continuation from the previous run that was phenomenal. Overall Rating: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts #1 (Dark Horse) – It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Tomb Raider comic but it felt like one to check out. Written by Casey Gilly with art by Antonio Di Caprio, the issue is interesting in setting up where Lara Croft is in life and frames the re-introduction in an interesting way, using a television interview. Overall, it has its moments but like recent live action attempts, doesn’t really excite. Overall Rating: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Uncanny X-Men #22 (Marvel) – The X-Men are currently in their “Shadows of Tomorrow” phase and it’s an interesting one as only a few characters know what was going on. So, this series dives right back into things, so not so much a jumping on point but a continuation. Writer Gail Simone does give us an entertaining one-shot in some ways and you can enjoy it without knowing all of the backstory. The art by David Marquez is great as always. The issue is good, though caters to current readers not new ones hoping to hop on, but that’s more an issue with the previous event “Age of Revelation” and how it tied into various series more than anything else. Still, it’s an issue you can enjoy even if you’ve haven’t been reading this series or really have never read an X-Men comic. Overall Rating: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Die Loaded #2 taps into the primal emotions of rage and motherly love to keep the story grounded

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Die Loaded #2

High school/college/new job orientation is all very awkward, but very important to setting up your new personal status quo. (Also, you could also meet someone cool!) In the same vein, Die Loaded #2 is all about orienting Sophie and Molly to this strange, new game world. Kieron Gillen’s narration for Sophie serves a triple purpose of her trying to figure out the lay of the land, acting like a surrogate mother to Molly, and also digging into her relationship to the absent Dominic/Ash. She’s a great POV character for new readers, but brings depth and connective tissue to the events of Die. On the art side, Stephanie Hans continues to shine from the panel wobbling, whip cracking action of newly minted Rage Knight, Molly, to singular fantasy illustrations that dangle a tantalizing fantasy world inside, but don’t deliver. However, one iconic image can create a lifetime of imagination. (Honestly, me when I was eight with this Lord of the Rings poster.)

The dynamic of the characters in Die Loaded #2 is uneasy to say the least, and Gillen and Hans draw the conflict from their interactions with the ever-deepening horror fantasy world being just icing on the cake. Sophie is freaking out about Ash and their son Stuart on the other side while Molly feeds her anger with uncertainty and loads of angst from her Manchester art school where they are struggling to fit in as a working class person. Stephanie Hans’ intense art drives these feelings home with specters of art students grasping at Molly in a tornado of pink, blue, and watercolor. Molly is in their Foundations year so Hans strips down visual depiction to its basics before returning to her usual vivid, expressive fantasy style. Along the way, Sophie starts to grow into her heroic mama bear role adapting to a world that is foreign to her unlike the RPG aficionados of the previous volume. As someone who hasn’t played a lot of tabletop roleplaying games, I actually find Sophie’s narration refreshing and relatable.

One thing I’ve neglected to mention in this review is the mysterious (and face it, nefarious) presence of Isabelle from the previous series as someone giving helpful hints to Sophie and Molly like some kind of Navi from Legend of Zelda meets Mufasa figure. Clayton Cowles’ lettering for her is like light icing on a cake, but make it ethereal. She’s pure exposition, but gives you just enough to make it to the next checkpoint instead of exploring the real context of the situation that you’re in. There’s almost a verbal war in the way that Kieron Gillen writes Isabelle and Sophie as beauty brawls with a no-bullshit, we need to get the hell out of here attitude with a side of empathy. She’s the right kind of push the narrative needs in the early going while hinting at darkness to come.

Two issues in, and Gillen and Stephanie Hans have crafted two messy, yet endearing protagonists for this ominous journey in the world of RPGs. They also use the beautiful, yet dangerous world of art to explore how visual art can make life worth living, but also lead to sadness and despair, especially if you’re a young, struggling art student. Die Loaded #2 taps into the primal emotions of rage and motherly love to keep the story grounded while expanding this world that seems easy to escape, but we know from experience that’s not going to be the case.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Stephanie Hans Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

Image  Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: DIE: Loaded #2

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DIE: Loaded #2

(W) Kieron Gillen (A) Stephanie Hans

A party separated. Can they find each other? Can they find themselves? Can Kieron write solicits which sound intriguing without giving away the specifics of the story? The answers are “read to find out”, “read to find out”, and “you tell me”, respectively.

DIE: Loaded #2
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