Faith Returns #2 (of 2)
(W) Jody Houser (CA) Fernando Baldo
In Shops: Jun 19, 2024
SRP: $4.99
Faith is ensnared in a web of deceit and conspiracy, framed by a mysterious and malevolent group known as the Faithless. Accused of crimes she did not commit, our heroine must navigate a treacherous path to clear her tarnished name and expose the truth hidden in the shadows. Final issue.
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
Faith Returns #1 (Valiant/Alien Books) – I haven’t read Valiant in a minute, but this was a fun comic from Jody Houser and Aleta Vidal as fangirl/pop culture journalist (In this economy!)/force field wielding superhero Faith must clear her name after her worst enemies framed her as a villain in a previous series. Faith Returns #1 brings in Archer and Armstrong as guest stars, and there’s a jaunty, road movie feel to the comic as they try to track down the baddies and end up in Sin City. Vidal brings the bright colors and action, and there’s some humor in the comic too like a magic-themed villain performing at a crusty motel instead of the Vegas Strip or how no one uses Faith’s actual superhero name, Zephyr. Houser does a good job of showing how Faith’s superhero/science fiction fandom help her process the world around her even though the sci-fi cursing can be a little much at times. Just say “fuck”, girl. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy
Ain’t No Grave #1 (Image) – Ain’t No Grave is a Western with a literally killer premise and even more beautiful art from Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu. The book follows a female gunslinger-turned-family woman named Ryder who is diagnosed with a terminal condition and must go on an arduous journey to cure it somehow. Like a fever dream, the book flashes between past and present with Beaulieu’s palette ranging from John Ford-esque vistas to ghostly pale. The extended length allows for a lot of establishing shots for Corona and also lays the emotional bedrock of the series which Ryder’s relationship with her partner Darius and daughter. I love the subtle changes in body language when Ryder is being a mom, and when she’s back in badass mode. Ain’t No Grave reminds me a lot of one of my favorite, Westerns, but with more of a supernatural bent and is an engaging slow burn of a read. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Ain’t No Grave #1 (Image Comics) – Skottie Young and Jorge Corona teaming for a Western/fantasy? Yeah, we’re down for this.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #6 (IDW Publishing) – Great art and great concept of taking cute art and mixing it with the serial killer genre have resulted in a hell of a series.
Blood Hunters #1/Dracula: Blood Hunt #1 (Marvel) – Blood Hunt’s debut issue was fantastic and hooked us on Marvel’s summer event involving vampires finally making their move to take over the Earth.
The Boy Wonder #1 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – Juni Ba makes his mark on Damian Wayne!
Crocodile Black #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A murder during the pandemic, the first issue is an intriguing one setting up a mystery as to what exactly is going on.
Deadweights #2 (Ahoy Comics) – The story about henchmen trying to find their way got us intrigued with the first issue and we want to see where this comedic take goes.
The Deviant #5 (Image Comics) – The series has been fantastic with a Silence of the Lambs vibe that we have no idea where it’s going.
The Devil That Wears My Face #6 (Mad Cave Studios) – Face/Off meets The Exorcist and it has been awesome with every issue. We have no idea how it’s going to conclude and we’re excited to find out.
Energon Universe Special #1 (Skybound) – Released on Free Comic Book Day, the comic gets new covers and if you didn’t grab a copy and reading the Energon Universe comics, this is one you can’t miss!
Faith Returns #1 (Alien Books/Valiant) – We’re excited to see what Faith’s return is all about! Such a great character and we’re hoping for some classic fun.
Mugshots #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – The kidnapping of a young woman sets in motion a chain of events that will set con artists, gangsters, killers and corrupt police on a collision course. Sounds like the type of film we’d sit down to watch and enjoy.
The One Hand #4 (Image Comics) – A great mystery involving a serial killer. If you like that genre, this is one you can’t miss!
Transformers #8 (Skybound) – The second arc has been solid so far and this issue is packed with drama, action, and surprises. It takes some classic concepts and brings them into this new take on the classic Transformers!
The Valiants #1 (Alien Books/Valiant) – There’s a big event coming in the Valiant Universe and we’re diving in to check it all out!
Get ready for the ultimate showdown in the comic book event of the summer! The RESURGENCE of the Valiant Universe! Alien Books has announced that this September, Resurgence of the Valiant Universe #1 comes to comic shops.
Prepare for heart-stopping action, breathtaking battles, and unexpected twists as our heroes face their greatest challenge yet. Lives will be changed, destinies rewritten, and the very essence of heroism will be put to the test in Resurgence!
Valiant’s mightiest heroes face a threat like never before in a gripping miniseries that will redefine the entire Valiant Universe.
Meet Doctor Silk: to some, a nefarious terrorist obsessed with power and immortality; to others, a visionary scientist capable of guiding humanity to its next evolutionary leap. But when Doctor Silk forges an unlikely alliance, he gains the means to reshape the very fabric of the Valiant Universe itself, unleashing a threat of unprecedented magnitude. Sinister forces conspire to unravel the universe, and every hero must band together to confront this existential menace. Or must they?
As public perception begins to tilt in Silk’s favor, the heroes of Earth find themselves facing a pivotal the fate of existence hangs in the balance, and confrontation between the Heroes will be inevitable.
Lives will be changed, destinies rewritten, and the very essence of heroism will be put to the test in RESURGENCE!
Starting in May 2024, the Road to the Resurgence of the Valiant Universe begins!
FAITH RETURNS #1 (of 2)
By Jody Houser & Aleta Vidal.
Covers by Luca Erbetta & Aleta Vidal. 32 pages. In Shops: May 2024. SRP: $4.99
X-O MANOWAR: Invictus #1 (of 4)
By Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad & Fernando Heinz Furukawa.
Covers by German Peralta & Toby Willsmer. 32 pages. In Shops: May 2024. SRP: $4.99
NINJAK vs ROKU #1 (of 4)
By AJ Ampadu & Emiliano Correa.
Covers by Luca Erbetta & Toby Willsmer. 32 pages. In Shops: June 2024. SRP: $4.99
BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED: Reloaded #3 (of 4)
By Mauro Mantella & Rodrigo Rocha.
Cover Al Barrionuevo. 32 pages. In Shops: May 2024. SRP: $4.99
RAI: The Book Of The Darque #1 (of 2)
By Dan Abnett & Emilio Utrera.
Covers by Toby Willsmer & Diego Giribaldi. 32 pages. In Shops: May 2024. SRP: $4.99
Eternal Warriors: Last Ride of the Immortal #1 (of 2)
By Fred Van Lente & Alvaro Papagiani.
Covers by Fer Baldo & Agustin Alessio. 32 pages. In Shops: July 2024. SRP: $4.99
THE VALIANTS #1 (of 4)
By Ryan Cady & Al Barrionuevo. Covers by Agustin Alessio & Nico Di Mattia. 32 pages. In Shops: Ma 2024. SRP: $4.99
