Tag Archives: pine and merrimac

Preview: Pine & Merrimac

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Pine & Merrimac

(W) Kyle Starks (A/CA) Fran Galan
In Shops: Dec 11, 2024
SRP: $19.99

On the corner of Pine and Merrimac sits an unremarkable town… with one horrifying secret.

After a lifetime of losing pieces of herself in every horrific case, former homicide detective Linnea Kent is starting fresh. Alongside her husband, Parker, a former MMA fighter and the brawn to her brains, she’s opened up a quiet little detective agency, far from the city noise. The simple cases this small town with seemingly humble people has to offer are exactly what she was looking for, but there’s more to the quaint place than Linnea could have possibly imagined, and something truly sinister pulling the strings…

When they receive a promising lead for a case, they go on an ill-advised, undercover operation to a curious nearby island, and kickstart a mystery that will not only reveal spellbinding secrets… but put them both in deadly peril.

Eisner Award-nominated scribe Kyle Starks (I Hate This Place) is joined by fan-favorite artist Fran Galán (The Amazing Spider-Man) for an unexpected detective tale perfect for readers of Reckless and The Department of Truth! Collects Pine & Merrimac #1-5.

Pine & Merrimac

A Mystery Runs Deep in Your First Look at Pine and Merrimac #4

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Pine and Merrimac #4 from Eisner-award nominated writer Kyle Starks, fan-favorite artist and co-creator Fran Galán, and letterer Pat Brosseau. A new detective tale continues in comic stores on April 24, 2024.

Linnea and Parker decide to see if the cult is really what it seems to be–and see things that can never be unseen as a result. While they make a desperate attempt to find help, it may be no good, as it’s clear this all runs deeper than they possibly could have guessed!

Pine and Merrimac #4 features covers by series artist Fran Galán, Chris Schweizer, and Ariel Olivetti.

Pine and Merrimac #4

Mini Reviews: Kneel Before ThunderCats in Pine and Madripoor!? It all makes sense inside!

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ThunderCats #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

ThunderCats #1 (Dynamite) – Drew Moss‘ art has some of the Saturday morning cartoon dynamism especially in the fight sequences, but Declan Shalvey‘s script and characterization has the feel of action figures in the toy box getting slung around. This comic doesn’t transcend its 80s toy commercial roots and is filled with cliches, one note villains, and the laziest of cliffhangers. Overall: 5.0 Verdict: Pass

Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – After the imperialistic fervor of the opening installment, Kneel Before Zod #2 feels like one of those Game of Thrones episodes where old guys stand around and move pieces on the board. However, Ursa gets some strong character development punctuated by a double page spread of a backhand slap from Dan McDaid. In the second half of the comic, she’s Lady MacBeth in Kryptonian garb, and the conflict between her and Zod is immensely more interesting than the upcoming war between the Khunds and New Kandorian. Joe Casey writes her in a fierce, biting manner while let the plot wheels spin a little bit, and a potential key supporting character is sent off to another title. There’s less realpolitik and more mustache swirling in Kneel Before Zod #2, but Zod still comes across as Dick Cheney with superpowers, especially in the opening torture scene. I still love how McDaid draws technology and fight scenes, but this issue definitely is a slight dip in quality while still having potential for something engaging. Overall: 6.9 Verdict: Read (I purchased a copy)

Brett

Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1 (Marvel) – Chris Claremont returns to Wolverine with this retro tale that has the mutant killing machine teaming up with some other heroes in Madripoor. The comic has a bit of a throwback feel to it and there’s more than enough references to other events as to when this takes place to put it in continuity but unless you’re really nostalgic, the comic is amusing but not really engaging. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read

Pine and Merrimac #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The dynamic between the two leads is what really makes this series entertaining as they explore the mysterious island where there’s clearly illegal things going on. It’s all a little over the top in events, but that’s the type of story this is. Teasing of political corruption, secret cults, lots of guns, this is popcorn action, just enjoy the ride. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (IDW Publishing) – With paranoia and fear gripping the town, Sam has ideas as to who the serial killer is and begins the investigation. It leads down a rabbit hole that’s… really weird and very sad. Also, anyone else noticing these animals are eating other animals? What’s up with that!? If you’re into stories like Silence of the Lambs, don’t miss this! Overall: 8.25 Verdict: Buy

Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – I have to agree with Logan above. The issue is a step back and leans heavy into the drama between Zod and Ursa, showing maybe Ursa is the more brutal of the two? It has potential but we’ll have to wait and see if that pans out. Overall: 6.95 Verdict: Read

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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U & I #1

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.

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (IDW Publishing) – If you like serial killer stories, this is one to not be missed. Every issue has been amazing.

Gone #2 (DSTLRY) – Jock’s series has been interesting sci-fi about a stowaway on a spaceship and being caught between two warring factions.

The One Hand #1 (Image Comics) – Neo Novena detective Ari Nasser is about to retire with an enviable record, until a brutal murder occurs, bearing all the hallmarks of the “One Hand Killer”… which should be impossible, since Ari already put him away not once, but twice in the years before.

Pine and Merrimac #2 (BOOM! Studios) – Interesting private eye series, there’s some intriguing political intrigue involved in it all.

Thundercats #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – The classic series is reborn in this new comic that has a hell of an order. This is a hot debut to not be missed!

Traveling the Mars #10 (Ablaze) – One of the best series on the shelf right now.

U & I #1 (AWA Studios) – The next chapter in the saga of the Resistance Universe focuses on an unlikely love story.

Ultimate Black Panther #1 (Marvel) – Already sold out, the second series of the new Ultimate Universe is here with a familiar but new take on Black Panther!

An Unexpected Enigma in Your First Look at Pine and Merrimac #2

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Pine and Merrimac #2 from Eisner-award nominated writer Kyle Starks, fan-favorite artist and co-creator Fran Galán and letterer Pat Brosseau. A new detective tale arrives in comic stores on February 7, 2024.

Linnea and Parker are settling into their new lives as small town detectives, but dark omens are forming on the horizon of this sleepy nook of the world. Their most promising lead unexpectedly evaporates, forcing the duo to embark on an ill-advised, undercover trip to Senator Island, where they discover a new clue to a mystery that’s bigger than anything they could have imagined. Just what have they gotten themselves into?

Pine and Merrimac #2 features main and variant covers by Fran Galán, and variant covers by Rebeca Puebla, and Tula Lotay.

Pine and Merrimac #2

Around the Tubes

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Pine & Merrimac #1

The weekend is almost here! What geeky things are you all doing? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Book Riot – Kitchen Warriors; or, Which Superheroes Are Most Likely to Help with the Dishes – Matter Eater Lad… he eats matter, so can easily take care of the dishes by eating everything.

Reviews

The Beat – Arcade Kings Vol. 1
The Beat – Get Schooled Vol. 1
CBR – Kneel Before Zod #1
CBR – Pine and Merrimac #1

Pine and Merrimac #1 sells out and returns with a second printing

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BOOM! Studios has announced that Pine and Merrimac #1 from Eisner-award nominated writer Kyle Starks, renowned artist and co-creator Fran Galán and letterer Pat Brosseau, has sold out at the distributor level!

In Jamesport, on the corner of Pine and Merrimac sits a small, unassuming detective agency.

Former homicide detective, Linnea Kent–along with her husband, an ex-professional MMA fighter and the unofficial brawn to her brains–puts her former life behind her and moves far away from the violence and death of her job in the big city to open up a quiet little detective agency in a quiet little town.

At first, the simple cases this nook of the world has to offer were exactly what she was looking for. But there’s more to the quaint hamlet than Linnea could have possibly imagined, and something truly sinister pulling the strings…

In response to the overwhelming support from retailers and fans, BOOM! Studios has announced Pine and Merrimac #1 Second Printing (NOV237591), featuring cover art by series artist and co-creator Fran Galán, available in stores January 24, 2024.

Pine and Merrimac #1 Second Printing

Around the Tubes

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Fall of the House of X #1

It was new comic book day yesterday! What’d you all get? What’d you like? Dislike? Sound off in the comments below. While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web to start the day.

ICv2 – What’s Ahead for the Comics Business in 2024? – What are your predictions?

Reviews

CBR – Action Comics 2023 Annual
Comicbook – Fall of the House of X #1
The Beat – Hirano and Kagiura Vol. 4
Comicbook – Pine & Merrimac #1

Pine & Merrimac #1 has its moments but is a pretty basic detective story

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Pine & Merrimac #1

On the corner of Pine and Merrimac sits a small, unassuming town… Just a simple place, simple people, and one horrifying secret that could change everything… Pine & Merrimac #1 kicks off a detective story that shows a lot of potential but delivers a pretty standard story.

Written by Kyle Starks, Pine & Merrimac #1 is an interesting start. The detective, Linnea Kent, is a former homicide detective turned small town private investigator. She’s joined by her husband, a former professional MMA fighter. The draw of the comic is their relationship and banter which is charming enough, I’d love to see it on the television screen.

Kent is haunted by her past. Her sister was kidnapped when they were young and her body was later found. While she mostly focuses on other work, she’s drawn to a case of a young girl who is kidnapped and looks a lot like her sister. Of course that’s going to lead to some big sinister conspiracy as they dive deeper into what’s behind this, and we assume Linnea’s sister’s kidnapping.

Starks puts the detectives through the motion as they look at cameras and things feel like they come a bit too easy as to where to go next. There’s no real obstacles here and that creates a rather boring start. But, it stands out due to Linnea and her husband who’s personalities pop from the page and makes you want to see what they do next.

The art by Fran Galán is good. With lettering by Pat Brosseau, the comic’s art style matches its leads in that it’s charming with a bit of brutality about it. The key moments Starks sets up are good delivering a good dose of humor and showing off what makes the leads stand out.

Pine & Merrimac #1 is a fine start. It doesn’t deviate too much from the detective formula and entertains enough with its characters. Overall, it’s one that feels like it might be better read as a whole than the individual issues as they’re released. Pine & Merrimac #1 entertains but it doesn’t quite excite.

Story: Kyle Starks Art: Fran Galán Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Pine and Merrimac #1

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.

Beware the Planet of the Apes #1 (Marvel) – Cornelius and Zira must trust a human named Nova to find their missing nephew Lucius.

Conan the Barbarian #6 (Titan Comics) – The new Conan series has been excellent with solid storytelling and great art. This issue kicks off a new arc and should be a solid spot to dive in.

Fall of the House of X #1 (Marvel) – Krakoa has been broken and the current phase of the X-Men begins to wind down with this series.

Kaiju No. 8 Vol. 9 (VIZ Media) – The series has been a solid twist on the monster/kaiju genre full of twists and solid action.

Kneel Before Zod #1 (DC Comics) – General Zod now has a planet to rule. What happens next?

Maple Terrace #3 (Uncivilized Comics) – Noah Van Sciver’s biographical comic has been intriguing and a curtain pulled back on the Van Sciver family growing up.

Marvel Meow #1 (Marvel) – The all-ages webcomics that have come to print has been really cute so far and we expect more of that.

Miguel O’Hara: Spider-Man 2099 #1 (Marvel) – Spider-Man 2099 and Blade 2099 team up to take on Marvel Zombie 2099.

Ministry of Compliance #2 (IDW Publishing) – John Ridley spins conspiracies of an alien race who has been manipulating Earth and those in charge of that have no been cut off from their bosses.

Pine and Merrimac #1 (BOOM! Studios) – On the corner of Pine and Merrimac sits a small, unassuming town… Just a simple place, simple people, and one horrifying secret that could change everything…

Unnatural Order #2 (Vault Comics) – The first issue was part of Vault’s new distribution test of giving it away for free. The ending was rather intriguing and enough for us to come back to see what’s next.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 (Marvel) – Moon Knight is dead! What’s next?

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