Inglorious X-Force #7
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
TEAMWORK MAKES THE NIGHTMARES WORK! CABLE and co. pay the price for a risky move against the MUTANT LIBERATION FRONT, while DOMINO’s unlucky memory loss sends her on a new mission. But could these two clues share more than meets the eye?
Inglorious X-Force #6
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
(C) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) R. B. Silva and David Curiel (VCA) ACO, Gerardo Sandoval and Erick Arciniega, Luciano Vecchio, Bjorn Barends
THE MUTANT LIBERATION FRONT! CABLE, ARCHANGEL, MS. MARVEL, BOOM-BOOM and HELLVERINE bring the fight to the MUTANT LIBERATION FRONT. The new face of the MLF is KALI… but it’s their deep-seated plans that will put X-FORCE on the back foot!
Inglorious X-Force #5
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
THE HORSEMAN OF DEATH! Cable has cleared one X-Force member of murder and suspects another. But when a fight against the Nasty Boys goes south, the truth stands revealed – and it may just put X-Force six feet under!
Marvel’s Pride Variant Covers return in June. This year’s collection consists of five stunning covers of LGBTQIA+ Marvel characters drawn by Luciano Vecchio in his signature character spotlight variant cover style.
Here are the five characters featured this year:
Get a look at the covers and don’t miss out when they come to shelves this June!
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
Inglorious X-Force #4 (Marvel) – Inglorious X-Force is a fun, kick-ass 90s throwback of a comic, especially with Philip Tan taking over art duties. He and writer Tim Seeley throw in a million concepts and lore references, but still have time for genuine bonding and emotions between the team of Cable, Boom Boom, Archangel, Akihiro, and Ms Marvel. I live for the Warren/Tabby/Akihiro love triangle. Inglorious X-Force #4 isn’t essential reading and is more Simonson/Liefeld New Mutants than Ellis/Immonen Nextwave, but finds its footing by the time the final page rolls around. This team is a good hang for sure, but lacking in the bad guy department until that cliffhanger. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read
Super Creepshow #2 (Image) – Super Creepshow is another solid installment of this superhero/horror anthology featuring a story that will make you lose your lunch, and the return of the legendary Marv Wolfman to writing vampire hunters. Gerry Duggan, Scott Buoncristiano, and Mike Spicer lead off the comic with the disgusting “The Creepshow Two-In-One”. A standard issue Midwest superhero parody (I’m here for the Keg ; I wonder if he likes PBR.) turns into body horror comedy, and Buoncristiano pulls the limits of a “Mature” rating while Duggan pokes at fragile masculinity. This one definitely isn’t for the squeamish. Up next is Wolfman, Michele Rubini, and Miquel Muerto spinning a tale of violent vampires and fraught friendships in “Be Careful What You Wish For”. Wolfman hasn’t lost a step in this kind of story giving it personal (Pun intended) stakes and letting Rubini draw some savage, very unsexy bloodsuckers. This team could write one hell of a Blade series, but an action-packed story of kill or be killed is the next best thing. If you like your superheroes a little sick and twisted, then Super Creepshow is the comic for you. Overall 8.1 Verdict Buy
Batwoman #2 (DC) – The second issue of Batwoman is another case of strong visuals from Dani and Matt Hollingsworth, but below average writing from Greg Rucka. Seriously, this feels like reheated nachos from Elegy with a splash of tzatziki sauce. Rucka and Dani do attempt to raise the stakes with the appearance of Jake Kane, but his fate and Batwoman’s subsequent crash out feels rushed and unearned. It’s a reveal or a sake of a reveal not something honest and true to the character. Overall: 5.8 Verdict: Pass
Lobo #2 (DC) – The fun and a a network minimum amount of “frags” keep flying in Lobo #2 from Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu. This issue shows the day-to-day of Lobo as reality TV star, and it’s about as pretty as the truly terrible costume the network makes the Main Man wear. Lobo vs AI network suit is the battle royale we need in the age of layoffs, focus groups, and algorithms. Lobo #2 even pulls off a crossover/guest star moment with a delightful caricature of a famous, but not too famous DC hero. I can’t wait to see what comes out of Lobo’s mouth next or his latest fit. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy
Inglorious X-Force #4
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Philip Tan
ANGEL OF DEATH! CABLE assembled his team to prevent an assassination…but has he brought down his own? The secret of ARCHANGEL changes everything, as does the revelation of the MYSTERY MUTANT ASSAILANT trailing our hero!
Inglorious X-Force #3
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
BOOM-BOOM BOMBSHELL! BOOM-BOOM is one of CABLE’S most trusted allies… or is she? A mission into a secret safe house reveals a startling seed of doubt… but can X-FORCE close in on their killer… before their own assassin catches up with them?
HELL TO PAY… HELLVERINE must face demonic temptation…and it’s all part of CABLE’S secret agenda! PLUS: Meet the HIDDEN AGENT who’s been STALKING X-Force from the shadows. The mysteries deepen, and the action amplifies as the true mission comes into focus… Inglorious X-Force #2 drops the team into another battle but there’s more going on than just another mission.
X-Force has a special place in my heart when it comes to the X-Men. I remember getting that first issue with excitement and reading the series’ initial run for quite some time. I was young, and it all seemed exciting building off of the New Mutants. There’s been numerous teams over the years, with some takes really entertaining and some not so much. Tim Seeley is in the driver seat here as the writer for what has been an intriguing series so far.
Inglorious X-Force #2 has the team together and another mission they have to undertake. What’s interesting so far about Seeley’s take isn’t the mystery of who the next traitor is, that’s been done before, but the focus on each character and what makes them work.
With an initial sequence of Boom Boom commenting on a video from the new MLF and a fight between Arhcangel and Hellverine, we get the sense this is a team that’s full of personality and attitude, much of which is going to clash and create excitement. But Seeley give us a bit more. Through their mission involving a cult, we get to see the focus on just a handful of characters. By the end of the issue, it’s clear what Cable is doing in assessing each member and figuring out who he can trust, but also what really makes them heroes. Ms. Marvel being the outlier of the group creates an interesting dynamic of a bunch of killers and the one person who sticks to their principles, something Cable seems to appreciate. It’s small details like this that make the comic stand out. Add in something more going on, for instance what Domino is doing, and the series has a lot of moving parts that’ll leave readers guessing.
The art by Michael Sta. Maria is good. With color by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and lettering by Joe Caramagna the comic is an interesting one with the usual big guns, pouches, and mutant powers, but going up against what is an undead horde. There’s something visually that makes it all interesting and feels like something a bit different than the usual battles.
Inglorious X-Force #2 has a lot going on for it with what feels like a few mysteries going on at once. Add in some intriguing personalities and dynamics within the team, mixed in with some fun dialogue, and you have a comic that feels like earlier years of X-Force. It hits the nostalgia while also delivering something a little different.
Story: Tim Seeley Art: Michael Sta. Maria
Color: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Inglorious X-Force #2
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
HELL TO PAY… HELLVERINE must face demonic temptation… and it’s all part of CABLE’S secret agenda! PLUS: Meet the HIDDEN AGENT who’s been STALKING X-Force from the shadows. The mysteries deepen, and the action amplifies as the true mission comes into focus…
“Shadows of Tomorrow,” a new era of X-Men storytelling, is now officially underway with exciting new arcs of X-MEN, UNCANNY X-MEN and WOLVERINE, new ongoing launches like GENERATION X-23, INGLORIOUS X-FORCE, WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL, and X-MEN UNITED, and exciting limited series like CYCLOPS, MAGIK & COLOSSUS, MOONSTAR, ROGUE, and STORM: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT. Fans can glimpse ahead at what comes next as the “Shadows of Tomorrow” era comes to an end and the road to the next mutant milestone begins with the reveal of issues coming in May.
Read on to learn more!
CYCLOPS #4 (OF 5)
Written by ALEX PAKNADEL
Art by ROGÊ ANTÔNIO
Cover by FEDERICO VICENTINI
On Sale 5/6
AN EYE FOR AN EYE!
When Cyclops loses Mei to Pierce, he captures one of his prized Reavers as revenge! How will Cyclops use his new hostage to his advantage? And will Mei escape the clutches of Pierce’s Reaver army?!
GENERATION X-23 #4
Written by JODY HOUSER
Art by MARCO RENNA
Cover by PARTHA PRATIM SARKAR
On Sale 5/27
X-23 ON THE HUNT!
Laura Kinney is through playing nice. The Facility has her friends, and they have her sister. And not a damn thing on Earth will stand between her and their safety. They want “X-23, the perfect killer”? Oh, they’ve got it! SNIKT!
INGLORIOUS X-FORCE #5
Written by TIM SEELEY
Art by PHILIP TAN & MICHAEL STA. MARIA
Cover by R.B. SILVA
On Sale 5/20
THE HORSEMAN OF DEATH!
Cable has cleared one X-Force member of murder and suspects another. But when a fight against the Nasty Boys goes south, the truth stands revealed – and it may just put X-Force six feet under!
MAGIK & COLOSSUS #4 (OF 5)
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by GERMÁN PERALTA
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
On Sale 5/13
A SIBLING RIVALRY!
Magik and Colossus meet the great witch Baba Yaga, and she is not happy to see them! With their relationship out of step, will the Rasputins be able to hold her off? Or will Baba Yaga damage the siblings’ future beyond repair?
MOONSTAR #3 (OF 5)
Written by ASHLEY ALLEN
Art by EDOARDO AUDINO
Cover by GERMÁN PERALTA
On Sale 5/20
TRAPPED IN MEMORIES!
The cursed sword Dáinsleif plans to take every bit of Moonstar, from heart to soul. As the sentient sword combs through Dani’s memories, what secrets will it unlock? And will Dani wake up before it’s too late?!
ROGUE #5 (OF 5)
Written by ERICA SCHULTZ
Art by LUIGI ZAGARIA
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
On Sale 5/20
FORGIVEN, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
Now that Rogue knows the truth about her past, will she ever be forgiven for the pain she caused? Could she ever forgive herself?
STORM: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST MUTANT #4 (OF 5)
Written by MUREWA AYODELE
Art by FEDERICA MANCIN
Cover by R.B. SILVA
On Sale 5/6
FURAHA, STORM’S DAUGHTER, ARRIVES!
UNCANNY X-MEN #28
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and Cover by LUCIANO VECCHIO
On Sale 5/13
INMATE X REVEALED!
Our wildest UNCANNY story yet continues! A mysterious turn of events brings the New Mutants to the Uncanny X-Men, and the Outliers are nowhere to be found! All this plus the secret of Graymalkin Prison’s INMATE X revealed at last! Who is this incredibly lethal mutant powerhouse, and what does it mean for mutantkind?
WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL #4
Written by BENJAMIN PERCY
Art and Cover by GEOFF SHAW
On Sale 5/6
MOB LIFE!
The gangster Hammerhead has cottoned on to Deadpool’s secret. But Wade can’t be bought… No wait, that’s not right. Wade can totally be bought. That’s his whole deal as a mercenary… OH, Hammerhead has the ’Pool by the floats, that’s what it is, and whatever choice he makes, someone close to him will wind up DEAD!
WOLVERINE #20
Written by SALADIN AHMED
Art by MARTÍN CÓCCOLO
Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
On Sale 5/13
SAVAGE CHAMPION!
The shocking events of last issue culminate in a showdown over a century in the making. Who or what are the SAVAGE CHAMPIONS? Sharpen your claws for the fight of WOLVERINE’s life…and a twist that’ll have ramifications for Wolverine books going forward!
X-MEN #29
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by NETHO DIAZ
On Sale 5/6
DANGER ROOM: PART FOUR!
Rest in peace, X-Men! The Danger Room’s victory seems all but assured with the X-Men scattered, broken and beaten. But the X-Men have been thought dead and buried before…and always have they risen from the graves their enemies put them in.
X-MEN #30
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by NETHO DIAZ
On Sale 5/27
DANGER ROOM: PART FIVE!
The X-Men have weathered everything the Danger Room has thrown at them – and now it’s time to turn the tables. To me, my X-Men.
X-MEN UNITED #3
Written by EVE L. EWING
Art by TIAGO PALMA
Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
On Sale 5/20
Since a field squad of Melee, Jitter and Laura Kinney accompanied Captain America on a covert mission to right a wrong from his past, nothing has gone as planned, and the squad meets their match with a mutant foe who might not ever let them get home. Meanwhile, a shadow descends over Graymatter Lane… And the Beast and Magneto have an explosive difference of opinion!
X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE OMEGA #1
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art and Cover by SIMONE DI MEO
On Sale 5/6
SECRETS REVEALED! BETRAYALS. DEATHS. AND A SHOCK ENDING THAT WILL HAVE X-MEN FANS TALKING FOR YEARS!
