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Preview: Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1

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Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

A new shark enters the fight—and this one’s a whale!

The Street Sharks’ best friend and trusted ally, Moby Lick, is in town on the heels of one of the Sharks’ worst enemies. Evil businessman and big-game poacher Malcolm Medusa III and his trusted saboteur henchman, Clammando, have broken out of prison at the same time a dinosaur was found alive in a deep ocean trench. They’re set on capturing the dinosaur and cloning it to seed the next generation of fossil fuels! But they’ll need a scientist to make it happen, and who better than their last cellmate, Dr. Paradigm? The Street Sharks will need all the help they can get to stop all three of their greatest enemies!

And in the backup story: With the lair all to himself, Bends invites a girl over for a dinner date. But when the Sharks are away, the Seaviates come out to play! Bends will be defenseless to stop them…or so he wants you to believe.

Street Sharks Annual 2026 #1

Mini Reviews: Death Fight Forever #1, he Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1, The Muppets Noir #1, Street Sharks #5, and Wonder Woman #30

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Wonder Woman #30

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

Death Fight Forever #1 (Image) – After an intoxicating flash forward, Andrew Maclean and Alexis Zirritt bring the world of old school beat ’em up arcade games to comics in Death Fight Forever #1. It’s a simple take out an evil guy in a creepy pyramid type of story, and both sides have tricks up their sleeves. Death Fight Forever is a visuals driven book focusing on the next sprayed on the side of tour van set piece. Maclean’s writing adds pitch black humor and brotherly love to the proceedings, and there’s some heart beneath badassery. But, yeah, this comic is like playing your favorite arcade game late at night with a little bit of a beer buzz. Overall: 8.5 Verdict: Buy

The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 (Mad Cave) – With a name like that, I had to check out Fred Kennedy and James Edward Clark‘s new series The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1. (TFHCM from here on out.) TFHCM #1 satirizes Reagan era America with big guns, lines of blow, and plenty of action, and the antagonist seems a lot like Trump too even though he’s technically a Pablo Escobar type. Clark’s approach to the visuals is VHS fever dream meets Reefer Madness meets Miami Vice with a side of those hyperactive toy ads, especially in his figure work. This is a book that definitely gets overstimulating at time, but it’s chock-full of so many jokes, wacky characters, and moments of pure badassery that it’s well worth your time and money. Overall: 8.0 Verdict: Buy

The Muppets Noir #1 (Dynamite) – Once again, Roger Langridge seamlessly brings the world of Muppets from TV puppets to comics in The Muppets Noir #1. His writing is clever, his visuals are absurd, and once Kermit gets hit by that brick and enters a dreamworld where he’s a private eye with a phobia of pies, he creates a fully realized world of mansions with singing pig statues, Gonzo doing stunts at the cabaret, Sam Eagle abusing his arrest powers, and more. The story really feels like Kermit casting a film noir with his fellow Muppets, and Roger Langridge has a ball with the language and casting. Plotwise, The Muppets Noir #1 is establishing and exploring, but there’s a bit of a curve ball in the last few pages. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #5 (Oni Press) – This marine pun and punching filled series wraps up in Street Sharks #5 as Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel pit the titular heroes against Dr. Paradigm once and for all at the ultimate 90s destination: the shopping mall. But beneath the quips and cool wrestling moves, this story (And honestly the series as a whole.) follows the throughline of the Street Sharks trying to be loved and not feared. Seriously, Dr. Paradigm is very good at blackmail, but maybe a Super-Adaptoid version of the Street Sharks was a step too far. I love that Williams and Medel cut away from the action to show the reaction of onlookers, including characters from previous issues. Street Sharks #5 is about muscular mutant sharks kicking mad scientist butt, but it’s also about a community defending itself against predatory capitalism and finding heroes in unlikely places. I seriously need some Street Sharks merch. Overall: 8.7 Verdict: Buy

Wonder Woman #30 (DC) – In the conclusion to her two part arc, Stephanie Williams shows her command over Wonder Woman’s robust supporting cast putting both their strengths and flaws on display as they battle Eris for Lizzie. She and Jeff Spokes make one hell of a team as insightful dialogue pairs with muscular action. Spokes’ colors also set the tone for each stage of the fight with Eris. It’s so cool to see Nubia, Philippus, Diana, Yara, Donna, and Cassie as three dimensional characters in just 40-odd pages as Williams and Jeff Spokes bring dense, old school type storytelling, but loses the old school attitude. Plus the text and visuals complement each other nicely, and Spokes kicks ass at drawing powerful, loving women. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

Preview: Street Sharks #5

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Street Sharks #5

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

It’s all built up to this… the series finale!

In each of the previous issues, Dr. Paradigm, A.K.A. Dr. Piranoid, A.K.A. the fishiest mad scientist in Fission City, has subjected the Street Sharks and the city to an array of schemes. All the while, he’s been building… plotting… and now, the doctor’s most devastating creation will be unleashed upon the world! It’s the Street Sharks versus Dr. Paradigm’s “Perfect Predator”! Standing eight feet tall and made from the combined DNA of an octopus, a crab, and a great white shark, this is the scariest foe the Sharks have ever fought! If they lose, we may have to retitle this series…

Street Sharks #5

Mini Reviews: Absolute Batman: Ark M Special #1, Street Sharks #4, and The Twilight Zone #3

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Street Sharks #4

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

Absolute Batman Ark M Special #1 (DC) – Kind of a historical companion piece to Absolute Batman #15, Absolute Batman Ark M Special chronicles the transformation of Arkham Asylum into the grisly corporate, Absolute Joker-run nightmare that is Ark M. Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri riff off Amadeus Arkham journal entries that have popped up everywhere from comics to video games and create a generally uneasy feeling. I like that they make him a good man for his time, who is overwhelmed by the forces evil that have only intensified in the present day as evidenced in this issue’s epilogue. Ark M Special adds depth and context to Absolute Batman as a whole, and artists Joshua Hixson and Roman Stevens nail the period specific details while creating a throughline between the inmates of the 19th century and the foes Batman faces in the present day. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #4 (IDW Publishing) – A new burger restaurant opens up in the Street Sharks’ city, and it reminded me of when In N Out opened their first restaurant east of the Mississippi last month. However, Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel take the fast food addiction, culinary and marine puns, and of course, the wrassling and butt kicking action to the limit in Street Sharks #4. This book is chaotic, but it’s also breezy and nostalgic, perfect for a lunch break read. Like a Saturday morning cartoon, the Street Sharks always defeat the immediate threat, but Williams wisely keeps the stakes high by having public opinion be another antagonist in the book. Dr. Paradigm also gets a little more panel time, and boy, is this guy blatant evil as he gaslights the whole city. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy

The Twilight Zone #3 (IDW Publishing) – James Stokoe‘s art is exquisite as ever, especially in the violent fight scenes that pepper The Twilight Zone #3. But this comic’s story is just okay. It’s a commentary on how the greatness of human culture doesn’t last, but our junk and fast food will. However, it doesn’t go deeper beyond barbarian warriors chatting slogans as they die in battle. But, hey, it’s an excuse for Stokoe to draw cool stuff like dinosaurs knights with machine guns a la the cheat codes in Age of Empires: Age of Kings. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read

Preview: Street Sharks #4

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Street Sharks #4

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

There’s a new burger chain in Fission City, and no one is happier than the Street Sharks! But when the success of the new Mega Burgers threatens the Sharks’ favorite restaurant, Humongo Burger, that becomes a problem. And when their enhanced senses detect something fishy about Mega Burgers’ food, the Sharks know that Dr. Paradigm is involved. Could this be another ploy to turn the city’s populace into gene-slammed monsters? Probably!

Street Sharks #4

Mini Reviews: Ultimate Wolverine #12, Ultimate Spider-Man #23, Street Sharks #3, Circus Maximus #2, Absolute Batman #15

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Ultimate Wolverine #12

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

Ultimate Wolverine #12 (Marvel) – Ultimate Wolverine #12 is pure revenge. Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, and Bryan Valenza make it burn like a slug of whiskey to the back of your throat. With the whole supporting cast of the book killed off, Wolverine stands alone against Directorate X, its scientists, goons, and mutants and makes his presence known slash and swearing through this book’s runtime. After all the trauma and false hope he’s undergone, Ultimate Wolverine #12 hits with a powerful wave of catharsis with the Phoenix specimen playing a key role in the comic. (And probably in the future of the Ultimate Universe because talk about a big gun.) It feels good to watch Wolverine decapitate Sentinels and stab Colossus in the face while Moscow burns around him, and this comics ends up being one of the best in the series because of its focus on simple, effective brutality. Overall: 8.2 Verdict: Buy

Ultimate Spider-Man #23 (Marvel) – All the plot threads that Jonathan Hickman has been building in two years of this title collide in Ultimate Spider-Man #23, but Spidey’s tenacious heart still beats beneath the noise. Facial expressions have been Marco Chechetto and David Messina‘s calling card throughout the comic, and they do a lot of the heavy lifting as Peter Parker goes into action to save his son from the Kingpin’s tower while he’s trying to take down the Kingpin per Otto Octavius’ instructions. I live for the side eye that Peter’s daughter May gives Doc Ock. There are about 4-5 plotlines going in this series, but Hickman uses the classic throughline of the hero’s choice contrasting Harry Osborn and Peter Parker. This mirroring of Spider and Goblin is a great callback to the Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley Ultimate Spider-Man as well as the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films, but Ultimate Spider-Man #23 makes an original recipe out of some tasty ingredients. Overall: 9.2 Verdict: Buy

Street Sharks #3 (IDW Publishing) – Stephanie Williams, Ariel Medel, and Valenatina Pinto show that the Street Sharks are more brain than brawn (But they have good hearts!) in the third episode of this series. Fitting for this time of the year, the plot is college football related as the Street Sharks blending in with the shark costume-sporting fans of Fission University. It’s so wholesome to watch the Sharks interact and be complimented by their fellow students, and Jab even gets to help a young girl be reunited with her mother in a sequence that establishes him a truly selfless hero. Of course, there’s the over the top fight scenes, and Williams escalates the series’ overarching plot big time. Street Sharks continues to be an updated Saturday morning cartoon delight. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Circus Maximus #2 (Mad Cave) – Mark Sable, Giorgio Pontrelli, and Emilio Lecce‘s Circus Maximus #2 has a really cool concept, but far too many fragmented sub plots to be a hit as an ancient Roman crime thriller. The main premise of a class warfare-driven heist right under the nose of Emperor Nero and his Praetorian Guard because everyone is watching a chariot race (Featuring the getaway driver as a participant.) at Hippodrome is very compelling, especially as Sable connects the caper to the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. However, there are a lot of moving parts, and some storytelling issues in transitions between scenes like when the aforementioned getaway driver becomes a gladiator. Also, a lot of the time, it feels like Mark Sable and Pontrelli glommed on a few concepts from Roman every day life and zeroed in on those at the expense of the big picture. Hopefully, the story improves, but the foundation of the thriller is definitely wobbly. Overall: 6.0 Verdict: Pass

Absolute Batman #15 (DC) – Scott Snyder, Jock, and Frank Martin do the nigh-impossible and put a fresh, frightening spin on the Clown Prince of Crime in Absolute Batman #15. The story is framed by Alfred telling a fish story about a family called the Grimms, but each version gets darker and more nefarious until the big double page reveal of a baddie that could easily be the Absolute Batman’s arch-nemesis. I love how Snyder and Jock root the Absolute Joker in history, capitalism, and even the history of the entertainment industry as a primal, immortal source of pure evil. Also, in the deepest knife twist of all, he’s very similar to the main DC Universe’s Bruce Wayne. Because billionaires are the real supervillains. Overall: 10 Verdict: Buy

Preview: Street Sharks #3

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Street Sharks #3

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

It’s Spirit Week at Fission University! Get ready for a week of pep rallies, alumni meetups, carnival rides, and… another villainous scheme!

The Street Sharks discover a plot by Dr. Paradigm to gene-slam the football players and cheerleaders, making them into an army of athletic, subservient monsters! In order to stop Dr. Paradigm, the Sharks will need to go undercover during Spirit Week and save Fission City’s student population! But how do four giant talking sharks go undercover among crowds of human students? Well… you’re never going to believe what the school’s mascot is.

Street Sharks #3

Preview: Street Sharks #2

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Street Sharks #2

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

The fin-kicking adventures continue! Dr. Paradigm is hiding out somewhere in Fission City! The Street Sharks may have stopped the mad scientist and his Seaviate goons, but they couldn’t capture him. Even with their arch-nemesis at large, they’ll have to stop their search when a new big-top circus mysteriously appears in the waterfront district. To the public, it seems like a regular, fun-loving circus. But the Sharks are hearing rumors about strange noises around the circus at night! Surely, this couldn’t possibly be connected to Dr. Paradigm’s latest schemes… right?!

Street Sharks #2

Street Sharks #1 is pure joy and entertainment, escape from the outside world comic

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Street Sharks #1

Stephanie Williams, Ariel Medel, and Valentina Pinto bring back the 1990s cartoon Street Sharks for a new generation and medium in a power-packed launch issue. This comic is a love letter to cheesy catchphrases, wrestling holds, wanton destruction, and sibling love. It definitely mines some of the same things as the more, let’s just say, respected X-Men and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchises, but Street Sharks takes these ideas of kicking mutant criminal butt and helping a world that hates and fears you to 11. I think a lot of that is that walking, talking sharks are genuinely more terrifying than sexy humans (Or blue furries) and turtles.

Williams and Medel pace out Street Sharks #1 like an episode of a Saturday morning: a killer and no filler. There’s minimal backstory and talking sequences and plenty of Fission City-spanning mayhem. However, Ripster, Slammu, Streex, and Jab aren’t one-dimensional, and their fights against the villainous Seaviates brings out their personalities, interests, and relationships to the forefront. For example, Streex and Jab use an old trick they used to get out of their dad’s bear hug holds to get out of a tight situation. This establishes rapport and chemistry better than a long monologue about their origins.

As mentioned earlier, Street Sharks is mostly fighting, but it succeeds thanks to an onslaught of color from Pinto and creative layout choices from Ariel Medel beginning with a whirling dervish of a double page spread of the Street Sharks fighting the Seaviates before telling the comic’s story. Medel is great a simulating motion in this first salvo and understands the assignment with plenty of exaggerated character designs, expressions, and gestures. There’s more biting, punching, spearing, and creative uses of predatory fish abilities than a UFC fight in the Georgia Aquarium, and the variety in the enemies’ look and abilities keeps the battles fresh and not frozen. (Fish puns are so fun, guys!)

I love that Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel show the Street Sharks straddling a line between traditional heroes and anti-heroes as they save a kid, but also obliterate Fission City in the process. They really need a Master Splinter for marine life in their lives, but science grad students Bends and Lena will do for now. In fact, these 2 brainiacs are the tenacious intellectualism to the over-the-top violence of the Sharks, and it’s cool to see a Black female scientist play such a pivotal role in the story without the plot making a big deal about it. Not every scientist has to be a nerdy white dude.

Street Sharks #1 is all about fun, action, and family and doesn’t get steeped in trying to deconstruct or be overly clever with the original property. The title evokes violent anthropomorphic marine animals wreaking havoc in an urban landscape, and Wiliams and Medel deliver this while having a relatable family dynamic and building to a bigger throwdown between the Sharks and Seaviates led by the eugenicist Dr. Paradigm. I never saw an episode of Street Sharks, but this is definitely how I expected an episode to play out from the clips and memes from the Internet. (Apparently, the show is available on the world’s greatest streaming service, Tubi.) This is my pure joy and entertainment, escape from the outside world comic, and I can’t wait to see more cool fighting moves and one-liners in upcoming issues.

Story: Stephanie Williams Art: Ariel Medel
Color: Valentina Pinto Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Street Sharks #1

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Street Sharks #1

(W) Stephanie Williams (A) Ariel Medel

THE FIRST OF FIVE JAWSOME ISSUES!

The first Street Sharks comic in more than 20 years brings you extreme stories and a fintastic time! But don’t call it a comeback: They’ve been waiting for everyone ELSE to get ready for more jawsome adventures!

The four Bolton Brothers were happy playing sports and meeting babes. But when a run-in with a mad scientist turned them into giant sharks, they only got COOLER!

Kick some serious fin with Ripster, the great white head of the pack; Streex, the rollerblading ladies’ man (er, ladies’ SHARK); Jab, the hammerhead who loooves using his noggin; and Big Slammu, the whale shark with the whale-sized muscles, on their newest adventure! They’ll need all the help they can get to stop their arch nemesis, Dr. Piranoid, from developing… THE PERFECT PREDATOR! Little do they know, it’s already too late to stop the grossest monster they’ve ever fought from being born!

Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons, My Little Pony) and Ariel Medel (TMNT vs. Street Fighter) bring you the most righteous shark tale you’ve ever read!

Street Sharks #1
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