Tag Archives: exploit

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Universe Finale #1, Swamp Thing 1989 #3, Summer of Supergirl Special #1, Exploit #4

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Summer of Supergirl Special #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

Ultimate Universe Finale #1 (Marvel) – I wasn’t a fan of the timey wimey BS that was Ultimate Endgame #5, but Ultimate Universe Finale #1 is a better conclusion to Earth-6160 as well as bittersweet glance of what could have been. Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto give Peter Parker a taste of his own medicine when May starts becoming a superhero capturing the domestic dynamic that made Ultimate Spider-Man refreshing. Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli turn in a powerful coda to T’challa’s heroic journey and widely focus on his relationship with Storm. The Peach Momoko Ultimate X-Men and Deniz Camp Ultimates stories are the most tantalizing offering an exciting new status quo and a new Big Bad for Earth-6160. Finally, Chris Condon and Alessandro Capuccio’s is just a simple birthday hangout between Logan and Victor after issues and issues of violence. It feels like the conclusion this series deserved instead of chasing Magik through mazes. All in all, this comic reminded me of the good ol’ days of the Ultimate Universe, and maybe editorial will catch a hint and bring it back in a more comprehensive way than Ultimate Impact Reborn. Overall: 8 Verdict: Buy

Swamp Thing 1989 #3 (DC/Black Label) – The DC Universe-spanning tapestry that Rick Veitch and Tom Mandrake are weaving comes into clearer view in Swamp Thing 1989 #3. It’s a truly a cosmic gumbo featuring cameos from John Constantine, Nergal, Darkseid, Anthro, and more all invested in Swamp Thing’s narrative of birth and rebirth, life and death. And then you’ve got Arcane doing the opposite number, and giving Mandrake and colorist Tristh Mulvihill an opportunity to indulge in their grisly child. But the heart of the story continues to be Swamp Thing’s battle to be with Abby and their unborn child, and that’s what keeps me coming back to each installment. Even after he’s factory reset by the Source, this is his first and last thought, and he’ll try to make it back to his loved ones. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy

Summer of Supergirl Special #1 (DC) – Just in time for her new movie, the Summer of Supergirl Special #1 is a delightful entry into the world of the Last Daughter of Krypton for fans old and new. The lead story from Sophie Campbell and Belen Ortega pits Supergirl against Lobo with a side of Krypto and the fittingly named Dawg. Opening with a court case, this story is freaking hilarious and also heartwarming as Lobo and his daughter Crush adjust to life in Midvale. (The mac n cheese sandwiches help a lot.) The modern Supergirl feels like a mix of rebel and wholesome, and Campbell gets that which is why she is the current writer and sometimes artist on the ongoing title. This story made me want to catch up on the Supergirl and Lobo comics while acting as a full meal in its own right. Next up is a Mary Marvel/Supergirl backup from Gail Simone and Emma Kubert where they fight a power-negating robot, but mostly bond as fellow adoptees and young female superheroes who are often in the shadow of their male counterparts. Kubert’s art fuses old school superhero art with contemporary techniques and brings some big feelings. The final story is for all the continuity cops out there courtesy of who else but Mark Waid and the chameleon-like Cian Tormey, who does a Supergirl Eras tour slicker than the billionaire with the big record sales and even bigger carbon footprint. The story is a recontextualizing of 60+ years of sometimes insane stories into a sales pitch for why Supergirl is awesome and should have her own movie and comic. And the Crisis on Infinite Earths and Woman of Tomorrow callbacks are pure beauty. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Exploit #4 (Mad Cave) – The ripped from the headlines/anti-billionaire/agitprop thriller series wraps up with a stylish, trollish extended heist issue from Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emiliana Pinna. Pinna and colorist Rebecca Good make everything smooth and sleek thanks to the foundation of characterization laid in previous issues. It’s cathartic watching tech bros get their comeuppance, and the ending is pretty sweet/full circle with just a touch of bitterness to set up a potential sequel. Exploit is both a love letter to good tech journalism and a suspenseful story with badass queer leads. It’s the perfect way to wrap up Pride Month. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy

Mini Reviews: Escape #7, Exploit #3, Did You Hear About Mimi Green #1, Swamp Thing 1989 #2

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Exploit #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

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

Preview: Exploit #3

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Exploit #3

(W) Tim Leong (A) Laura Hudson

Did you know that during the Cold War, a sabotaged Soviet oil pipeline blew up, and the detonation was so large you could see it from space? That’s what people say. Regardless, a new challenger approaches as the next Datum CEO claims the throne, and immediately uses it to transform fear into delicious oppression. PLUS: The Origin Story of Mr. Ipsum, an infamous ‘80s hacker who had root on the city power grid while your parents were learning to program a VCR. Tune in on the appropriate Wednesday for death memes, go bags, and the coldest war stories this side of Siberia. The largest non-nuclear explosion ever. That’s what they say.

Exploit #3

Mini Reviews: Exploit #2, Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1, Justice League Intergalactic Special #1

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Street Sharks Annual 2026

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

Exploit #2 (Mad Cave) – The stakes get even higher, and the boundaries between the real and online world blur even more in Exploit #2. Tim Leong, Laura Hudson, and Emilia Pinna center the issue’s story on the publication of Riot’s last article: an exposè of billionaire Saxon selling state secrets. The publication of the article and the fallout has big consequences for its author Kirby and her partner Lenox. This is a tension-building thriller territory complete with cathartic moments and an air of mystery where I literally don’t trust anyone except Kirby and Lenox’s grandma. With the recent events at the WHCD, this comic feels even timelier, and visually, Pinna nails the overwhelming nature of social media as well as the more traditional suspense elements. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1 (IDW) – I really enjoyed Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel‘s Street Sharks miniseries, and they return for more mutated shark DNA fun in this annual. The comic actually focuses on 2 of the Street Sharks’ allies, the traveling orca conservationist Moby Lick and their tech guy Bends, who goes on a first date in the backup story from Jordan Morris and Margeaux Pepoy. Both stories include a Street Sharks/Seaviates throwdown complete with sick wrestling moves and one-liners, but Williams adds a cool anti-corporate, pro-conservation angle as the Street Sharks and Moby Lick team up to protect a rare prehistoric creature called a Tanystropheus. It was cool learning about this extinct reptile and watching my favorite shark bros kick butt and throw back some burgers. The Bends story from Morris and Pepoy is pure romcom fun. Bends has great chemistry with his date, Dex, and it’s fun to see him in the field fighting the Seaviates instead of just being the guy in the chair. Plus any guy who uses Pleistocene era ingredients in his ramen is a keeper. Pepoy’s art style is cute too with an Archie meets Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic that flows well with Medel’s visuals. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Justice League Intergalactic Special #1 (DC) – First off, I applaud Jadzia Axelrod, Nicole Maines, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and DC editorial for telling a story centered around trans characters that isn’t a coming out, but a badass, emotional space adventure. (It’s fucked up what happened to Gretchen Felker-Martin though.) Galaxy is an up and coming member of Justice League Unlimited while Dreamer runs with the more morally questionable Secret Six. However, they end up on an epic mission with Star Sapphire, Green Arrow for some reason, Adam Strange, and the adorable Argus to investigate some missing Green Lanterns and the manipulative Witch King, who is taking over a planet of clairvoyants. There is plenty of colorful action and creative uses of Galaxy and Dreamer’s abilities, but Axelrod and Maines use the setting to explore the rift in these women’s friendship as well as the darkness and trauma of their pasts that they deal with in completely opposite ways. Superpowers as a metaphor for big feelings gets me every time, and I live for the GL Corps being called “space pigs”. JL Intergalactic Special works as a double-fisted standalone adventure as well as a foretaste of the upcoming JL: Dream Girls event. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Preview: Exploit #2

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Exploit #2

(W) Tim Leong, Laura Hudson (A) Emiliana Pinna

On the night RIOT prepares to publish its most dangerous story yet, celebration curdles into dread as unseen forces begin to move. A public reckoning, a viral backlash and a sudden eruption of chaos leave Kirby marked and exposed in ways she never expected. As fear closes in from every direction, escape becomes both urgent and impossible.

Exploit #2

Mini Reviews: Touched by a Demon #2, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1, Exploit #1

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Exploit #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

Touched by a Demon #2 (Dark Horse) – Touched by a Demon continues to be a charming, darkly humorous series from cartoon Kristen Gudsnuk. This book excels at both the macro and micro levels of storytelling. I live for the background gags and the distinction in character designs between demons and humans, but Gudsnuk also does a good job of letting Bifrons and Zuzu struggle and fail yet somehow find growth in an organic way. This is a comic that’s very silly and yet also deals with serious subjects like abuse in an empathetic way. It also has numerous smart things to say about theology and free will in an even handed way. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy

Sonic Racing: Crossworlds #1 (IDW Publishing) – Sonic Racing Crossworlds #1 is a tie-in comic to a new Sonic racing game of the same title. (That’s a fun development.) However, it feels a lot like when you were younger, and an older friend or sibling would unplug your controller so that you won’t really playing. Crossworlds #1 has bright colors, anarchic action, and even some snappy one-liners from Iasmin Omar Ata. (I love how they write the Shadow/Jet rivalry.) However, with so many characters, plot threads, and utter randomness, the book ends up having no flow on a big picture level. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass

Exploit #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – Co-written by former Wired, Verge, and Comics Alliance journalist Laura Hudson, Exploit #1 is a high adrenaline valentine to the fourth estate, especially the tech side. Hudson, Tim Leong, and Emiliana Pinna craft an intriguing and relatable lead in Kirby, who is 34 years and interning at one of the last tech magazines that isn’t under the thrall of billionaires and AI. I love her enthusiasm and thirst for truth and making a difference even if she isn’t in the typical intern age bracket. She’s not naive and idealist ; she just has nothing left to lose. Before introducing the thriller elements, Hudson, Leong, and Pinna go full day in the life of an up and coming journalist with snappy dialogue, bright colors from Rebecca Good, and zippy panel-to-panel transitions. Exploit #1 is a comic about a conflict that is near and dear to my heart while also being a compelling and entertaining read. Overall: 9.4 Verdict: Buy

Preview: Exploit #1

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Exploit #1

(W) Tim Leong, Laura Hudson
(A) Emiliana Pinna

A timely, biting satire with a pop-punk edge, Exploit has a lot to say about the state of the American tech oligarchy and the rise of global fascism.

Don’t bury the lede. Bury your enemies.

Kirby Kuo might be late to her true purpose in life–but no one would call the 30-something journalism intern out of time. When she uncovers a shocking secret about tech billionaire Cole Saxon, Kirby does what she has always wanted to do and publishes it. But the violence and vengeance that follows is like nothing she could have anticipated–pitting Kirby, her agoraphobic roommate, and the writing staff of the defunct magazine RIOT! to bring justice to a world where the rich get what they want without consequence.

Exploit is a timely, biting satire of the state of the American tech oligarchy with a pop-punk edge.

Exploit #1