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. Given the lack of new comics, expect this weekly update to begin featuring comics that we think you’ll enjoy while you can’t get anything new to read – only new to you.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Joe Hesh

Batman #92 (DC) Here it is! The long awaited return of main stream comics. Finally! This one does not disappoint. We open with a game of mental chess between Batman and yep you guessed it, The Riddler. Oh and did I mention Bats is in a deadly duel with Deathstroke? Couldn’t make the game too easy. So we have Batman playing crossword with Riddler using they entire Gotham City as a grid. Up and down and all that. Very cool as Batman seems to solve each clue with ease and unravel the Riddler more and more. Meanwhile Selena and Harley are trying to access an underground stronghold that doubles as a bank. The problem? The teller at the window is the Joker’s new partner: Punchline. Naturally Harley doesn’t take too kindly and they square off gal to gal. The rest of the issue is these two plot threads woven together and it makes for a pretty damn good entertaining time. However it’s the last page that will really change this course going forward and its a killer. I don’t know if I liked this so much more because we been new comic starved for months or it really was that good, but I can’t wait until next issue. The art by Gullam March was a bit off, but the story by James Tynion IV was right on. I cannot wait to see where this goes and you should pick it up. Score: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Logan

New Mutants #10 (Marvel)**- Ed Brisson and Flaviano’s New Mutants #10 is a really tale of two comics. On one hand, it’s a pretty straightforward team book with a team of mutants rescuing a young mutant from the fictional country of Carnelia, who isn’t really happy they’re interfering. On the other hand, Flaviano and colorist Carlos Lopez trip balls with their art as Armor uses her abilities to shield a small team from the nightmares surrounding them while Dani Moonstar keeps them on a telempathetic rope. It takes a while for this plan to formulate although Brisson throws in some interesting worldbuilding flashes like a creepy network of doxxers for mutants and Glob Herman being into the culinary arts. This comic definitely has a very middle chapter vibe and Brisson struggles to flesh out a larger cast of characters compared to Jonathan Hickman in a previous arc. Overall: 7.3 Verdict: Read

Excalibur #10 (Marvel)**– Tini Howard and Marcus To unleash Jamie Braddock in Excalibur #10 as he constantly uses his omega mutant abilities to warp reality and keep Excalibur on their toes. The sense of unreality is most evident in his use of nostalgia like when former Excalibur members show up to evacuate the team back to Krakoa even though we know that they are elsewhere/dead. To’s art is big and bold and matches the crazy plot developments that happen in the last third of the issue. The stakes are raised, reality is fucked, and costume changes are a thing while Howard continues to write these characters with spunk, personality, and flaws. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

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 (**).