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
Spider-Punk: Arms Race #4 (Marvel) – Arms Race #4 is a loud, flashy end to Spider-Punk’s second miniseries from Cody Ziglar, Justin Mason, and Morry Hollowell. The mini could have maybe used another issue to flesh out the villain, Earth-138’s Dr. Octavius, who is just a run of the mill baddie with cool tech, or the new Wakanda supporting characters, but makes up for it with pure action fun. Mason and Hollowell draw and color one hell of a mech battle, and Ziglar’s one-liners are straight out of an edgy Saturday morning cartoon. Compared to the badass action and political commentary of the original Spider-Punk, Arms Race is a little bit of a disappointment, but overall, I had fun with the series and this group of characters. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read
Ultimate Spider-Man #5 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman and David Messina go into what makes Harry Osborn tick in Ultimate Spider-Man, which is the series’ weakest issue, but connects the comic to the larger Ultimate Universe. The writing is especially Hickman-y and goes into great detail about how the Green Goblin armor works, but is offset by some menacing interactions with Kingpin and some more soul-searching with Peter Parker. Harry and Peter are truly brother heroes even if Mary Jane not knowing Peter’s secret, and Gwen Stacy knowing both of theirs will lead to trouble. After last issue, the interactions between Harry and Peter feel out of sequence, but Hickman and Messina make young Mr Osborn as complex as he’s been in years. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Read
Grommets #1 (Image) – Grommets is a chill, laidback book about 2 up and coming skaters named Rick and Brian in 1984 Sacramento from Rick Remender, Brian Posehn, and Brett Parson. (Seriously, it’s the most chill Remender book ever.) It does a great job of capturing what it’s like to be an utter loser and suck at everything, including the one thing you’re really passionate about. Like his work on Tank Girl, Parson brings a kind of MAD magazine attention to detail with his artwork, and the skating scenes are fluid and effortless with one notable exception. All in all, Grommets #1 is a humorous examination of the terrors of adolescence (The line from Rick’s dad “Find something you like to do other than comic books” really hit home.) and the euphoria of finally finding a close friend. Definitely a breezy, summer read. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy
