Tag Archives: richard starkings

DC Presents Superman features three first issues featuring Superman from throughout the decades

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DC Comics Presents: Superman, as it brings together three acclaimed stories by all-star writers and artists for a must-read collection starring the Man of Steel. Featuring “From Out the Green Dawn”, this issue delivers action, imagination, and classic Superman storytelling in one place. Readers will also get a deeper look at Superman’s changing legacy—how he stays rooted in truth and justice while evolving with every era. From Metropolis to Smallville and the dual life of Clark Kent, the collection highlights what makes Superman enduring across generations. It’s an ideal pick for longtime fans and newcomers looking for a strong introduction to Superman comics. Packed with standout stories and big themes, this edition celebrates why Superman remains a defining superhero.

Superman #1
Story: Joshua Williamson
Art: Jamal Campbell
Letterer: Ariana Maher

Superman/Batman #1
Story: Jeph Loeb
Art: Ed McGuinness
Ink: Dexter Vines
Color: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Richard Starkings

Man of Steel #1
Story: John Byrne
Art: John Byrne
Ink: Dick Giordano
Color: Tom Ziuko
Letterer: John Costanza

Get your copy.

Batman: Under the Red Hood makes for one thick DC Compact Comics edition

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A ghost from Batman’s past returns with a vengeance. The mysterious Red Hood is taking Gotham’s underworld by storm—and he knows all of Batman’s secrets.

Batman is confronted with a hidden face from the past—it’s the return of the vigilante Red Hood who appears to be Batman’s one-time partner Jason Todd, the same Jason Todd that died many years ago. But the Red Hood’s violent ways pit him against the Dark Knight in his hunt for the very person responsible for his death: The Joker.

Batman: Under the Red Hood – DC Compact Comics Edition collects the full original Red Hood saga from Batman #635–641, #645–650, and Batman Annual #25.

Story: Judd Winick, Jeph Loeb
Art: Doug Mahnke, Paul Lee, Shane Davis, Eric Battle, Jim Lee
Ink: Tom Nguyen, Cam Smith, Rodney Ramos, Wayne Faucher, Lary Stucker, Mark Morales, Scott Williams
Color: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Pat Brosseau, Rob Leigh, Phil Balsman, Ken Lopez, Nick J. Napolitano, Jared K. Fletcher, Travis Lanham, Richard Starkings

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Bookshop
Amazon

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth is Entertaining and full of Sadness

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Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth

The Lasso of Truth has been stolen, and the Caped Crusader and Amazon Princess race to ensure a safe return before it falls into the wrong hands. You won’t want to miss the aftermath of Batman: HUSH featuring the devious duo foolish enough to steal from Wonder Woman…The Joker and Harley Quinn! Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth is a fantastic self-contained story that leaves us longing for more of this superhero team-up.

Written by Jeph Loeb Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth takes place after Batman: HUSH, but that connection isn’t really needed to enjoy this self-contained issue. Loeb delivers a lot of action and nice twists, but there’s a sadness and tragedy underneath it all that truly shines.

The setup is rather simple, Wonder Woman has loaned the Lasso of Truth of Wayne Enterprises for an exhibition display. It’s stolen soon after which has Batman and Wonder Woman on an adventure to get it back. While the concept of these two getting the lasso back alone would be enough to entertain, Loeb uses the issue to explore the differences between the two. Wonder Woman is an ambassador full of love and compassion, willing to give herself to the world to show off how we can celebrate each other. Batman was born of tragedy, walled off from others, it’s difficult for him to trust, connect, and show off love to others.

Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth is about the two heroes figuring out each other while learning about each other. But, what’s special is Loeb’s abilities to highlight each character by comparing them. Batman’s sadness is enhanced by Diana’s love while Dian’s love is enhanced by Batman’s sadness.

The art by Jim Cheung is fantastic. There’s maybe a small panel here or there, but beyond that, the characters look amazing with dynamic moments that make the issue feel special and stand out. The color by Jay David Ramos helps with the look providing a Gotham that’s dark but still rather bright in a way. The color feels like dawn, a darkness broken up by a little light. Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith provide the colors and the group come together for a comic that’s beautiful to look at.

Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth is a wonderful issue that shows Batman and Wonder Woman coming together and getting to know each other. It also highlights the similarities but also stark differences between the two. The issue nails down the “origin” for each that has driven their mission. It’s a fantastic issue that’s worth picking up, even for those with little interest in the characters. It leaves us wanting more not just of this team-up but also this creative team.

Story: Jeph Loeb Art: Jim Cheung
Color: Jay David Ramos Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank is Preacher mixed with Punisher. Check out the Marvel Collection

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Frank Castle is a one-man army locked, loaded and ready to take down anyone in his way.

The Punisher makes his return by eliminating the ruthless Ma Gnucci’s crime family — pursued by the NYPD’s two-detective Punisher Task Force, crazed contract killer the Russian and super hero Daredevil…and emulated by three copycat killers who want to join forces with him. The over-the-top action builds toward a showdown in the apartment building Frank shares with his colorful fellow residents. Castle must survive to finish his vendetta, making sure his neighbors aren’t caught in the crossfire while evil is punished. With this series, writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon — together with inker Jimmy Palmiotti and iconic cover artist Tim Bradstreet — gave the Punisher a redefining fresh start that once more made him a force to be reckoned with!

COLLECTING: Punisher (2000) #1-12.

Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Steve Dillon
Ink: Jimmy Palmiottti
Color: Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Wes Abbott

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon
Zeus Comics

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Preview: Groupies TPB

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Groupies TPB

(W) Helen Mullane (A) Tula Lotay

Celebrated filmmaker Helen Mullane teams up with superstar artist Tula Lotay for sex, drugs, and rock and roll on the Sunset Strip!

On a wild night out at the Fox Club, the coolest, hottest, and wildest girls on (or off) the Strip meet the edgiest up-and-coming band in town, and sparks fly. The Moon Show’s stardom is about to rise as they celebrate getting signed to the legendary Asmodeus Records. As the story unfolds, the excited groupies head on tour with the band – living the dream – but their tuned-in and dropped-out idyll is about to unravel. Something dark is pulling the strings, and the girls are about to discover the true cost of rock and roll.

Groupies

Helen Mullane and Tula Lotay’s Groupies comes to print in February

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Time to Rock and Roll All Nite… and murder every day… After initially announced for release in November 2025, Mad Cave Studios turns up the volume this fall with Groupies, the lurid, slasher-tinted horror graphic novel from celebrated filmmaker and writer Helen Mullane and Eisner-winning artist Tula Lotay, with electrifying color from Dee Cunniffe and sharp, era-perfect lettering from Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith.  The collection will come to shops February 10, 2026.

Inspired by real-life interviews with teenage girls in 1970s fanzines, Groupies shatters the male gaze with a shifting point-of-view narrative that lets each girl tell her own story. 

On a wild night out at the Fox Club, the coolest, hottest, and wildest girls on (or off) the Strip meet the edgiest up-and-coming band in town, and sparks fly. The Moon Show’s stardom is about to rise as they celebrate getting signed to the legendary Asmodeus Records. As the story unfolds, the excited groupies head on tour with the band – living the dream – but their tuned-in and dropped-out idyll is about to unravel. Something dark is pulling the strings, and the girls are about to discover the true cost of rock and roll.

Groupies

Exclusive Preview: X-Men of Apocalypse #2

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X-Men of Apocalypse #2

(W) Jeph Loeb (A) Simone Di Meo (L) Richard Starkings
(CA) Simone Di Meo (VCA) Arthur Adams and Meghan Hetrick, Joe Madureira, Joshua “Sway” Swaby, Mark Brooks, Russell Dauterman, Stephen Platt and Marte Gracia

BACK TO WHERE IT BEGAN! The X-Men of Apocalypse have gone back to where it all began in their quest to restore their history! But before they can, it means mixing it up with the original X-Men!

X-Men of Apocalypse #2

Yuletide #3 wraps up the horror holiday celebration delivering a satisfying ending

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WHEN THEY SAY THE HOLIDAYS ARE HELL, THEY MEAN IT . . . LITERALLY! Creators George Northy (EC’s Shiver SuspenStories) and Rachele Aragno (Leonide the Vampyr) unleash their final gift: The joyously explosive, 40-page finale to the careering Christmas adventure that’s soon to become a holiday staple! For hundreds of years, the Yule Witch Perchta has been imprisoned in a sacred relic, but now, three teenagers have accidentally released her into an idyllic Pennsylvania town on the cusp of Christmas—and she is not alone! Accompanied by a menagerie of holiday horrors like the Yule Cat and Meri Lywd, Perchta has ravaged her way through town with two simple goals: power and REVENGE! As Perchta’s Yuletide beasts wreak havoc on the good citizens, a handful of the town’s smartest and most misunderstood youth, armed with the secrets of the past by one of the warrior elves of old, are the town’s only hope for saving Christmas—and the WORLD!

Story: George Northy
Art: Rachelle Aragaon
Color: Michelle Madsen
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Yuletide #2 continues the holiday fun with some action and humor and a little horror

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WILL THIS HOLIDAY BE OUR LAST?! Rising stars George Northy (EC’s Shiver SuspenStories) and Rachele Aragno (Leonide the Vampire) unleash the next epic chapter of this soon-to-be-classic Christmastime adventure in a double-sized, 40-page package! In the festive town of Christmas, PA, life is like a holiday feast all year round: decorations, lights, shopping, and all the trimmings! Until the facade is shattered by the accidental awakening of the sinister Christmas Witch—Perchta—who has an axe to grind against the world that imprisoned and forgot her! And she’s not alone! With the help of the vicious Yule Cat and the mischievous Yule Lads, the dark spirits of the winter holiday are set to wreak havoc on this otherwise idyllic town and beyond, and the only ones who can stop them are the group of misfit teens that accidentally released her in the first place—joined by the elven warrior Erligur, who’s battled these baddies before. This unlikely alliance of youthful heroes must stop Perchta and her brood from casting their darkness across the land!

Story: George Northy
Art: Rachelle Aragaon
Color: Michelle Madsen
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

X-Men of Apocalypse #1 Feels like a Jumbled Mess… like the X-Men’s Timeline

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X-Men of Apocalypse #1

The X-Men of Apocalypse are here in the Marvel Universe – and that’s a very bad thing for the Uncanny X-Men! X-Men of Apocalypse #1 pits the team against the Uncanny X-Men for a series that caters to the hardcore fans.

I’ve read a lot of X-Men and I couldn’t even tell you what the hell is up with the timelines in X-Men of Apocalypse. Written by Jeph Loeb, the series has a team of X-Men from the Age of Apocalypse traveling to the Age of Xavier… for some reason. In short, after the Age of Apocalypse was ended, that timeline never reverted. Now this AoA team of X-Men is traveling to revert it? It’s kind of hard to understand really what the point is and that’s just one of the issues of this series.

After an Alpha issue, X-Men of Apocalypse #1 hits the shelves almost two months exactly from that Alpha release. And, unless you were really excited and invested in that Alpha issue, this first issue adds very little to everything. The AoA X-Men team come across Nate Grey and battle it out with the usual trope that’s yawn inducing at this point and then go into a battle with the X-Men of that time period. And tropes are on the menu as the end teases more of the same with the second issue.

While the art pops, it’s a bit baffling why there’s any fighting at all and for once heroes just explain to the other heroes what they’re doing and why they’re present. It’s a story that feels pointless beyond cool art. And that includes the mission overall. They’re traveling to… erase their timeline which has already been erased? The motivations, and obvious cause of this anomaly, just feels rather odd in presentation and setup.

But, the art does pop. Simone Di Meo‘s art, especially the colors, look great and feel like a bit of an homage to the original series. Along with Richard Starkings on lettering, the characters and art looks solid with an almost Capcom vs. Marvel feel to the visuals and battles. But, it’s really the art that’s the draw, no pun intended. It’s action, fighting, and characters striking poses, for a story that’s overall thin.

X-Men of Apocalypse #1 is for the hardcore X-Men fans and really for the hardcore that long for the Age of Apocalypse. It’s a weird return to the world, especially with the “Age of Revelation” currently underway and with an ad for that storyline in this issue, it almost makes you think this is tied into that in some way. Who knows where this goes, but, like Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion, it feels like a mini-series whose end results will be more entertaining than what happens getting to them.

Story: Jeph Loeb Art: Simone Di Meo Letterer: Richard Starkings, Comicraft
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

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