Mini Reviews: Dungeons and Dimwits, Something is Killing the Children, and Grommets!
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
Dungeons and Dimwits #1 (Dren Productions) – This is a comic by James Mascia and Kodaris about a group of kids who get sucked into the world of Dungeons and Dragons. There are some silly jokes about the player characters fighting enemies way above their level, but the visuals are amateurish with kind of chibi style characters with one single, intense facial expression. Also, not all the jokes land in 2024, especially ones about a cast member always wanting to play a female character, ending up as one, and that being “Ew gross”. I love a good fantasy comedy series, but this doesn’t get the job done despite an insane cliffhanger. Overall: 5.0 Verdict: Pass
Something is Killing the Children #38 (BOOM! Studios) – This arc of Something is Killing the Children, “Road Stories”, has featured standalone stories from Erica Slaughter’s past, and issue 38 is no exception. Erica is passed out in a kid’s treehouse for most of the issue, and James Tynion and Werther Dell’Edera create suspense by keeping you in the dark if the monster is still around. SiKtC #38 provides an outsider’s view on Erica and her work with a few creepy moments from the plush she carries around. The last third of the issue start to show that she’s beginning to care about the people who she saves from monsters instead of getting the job done like when she helps even out the kids’ older sister’s hair after they made a mess of it with scissors. “Road Stories” has definitely been a “breather arc” after the intense New Mexico storyline, but SiKtC continues to be a solid, character driven horror book. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy
Grommets #2 (Image) – From the first page of a bedroom plastered with punk rock and Marvel Comics posters, Rick Remender, Brian Posehn, and Brett Parson continue to bathe in (occasionally gory) nostalgia in Grommets #2. Rick and Brian skate or die throughout Sacramento, actually meet some girls, and savor some Imperial phase Taco Bell. (Pre-Chihuahua/Enchirito era.) in the latest installment of this slice of life series. The scripting and dialogue feels like two buddies hanging out and trying to bust each other’s chops with Rick and Brian not being at a stage in their friendship where they can bare their souls about the deeper things in life. (Plus they’re teenage boys living in Reagan’s America.) The Jens (Badass female skaters) are a great addition to the supporting cast, especially Jen 2, who is ACAB personified. Grommets #2 is funny, scary, and even triumphant once Rick gets more confident at skating and continues to nail how epic every day as a kid used to feel. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

