Welcome to Graphic Policy’s Indie Comics Roundup where we take a look at a handful of indie comics and try to work out just how accessible they are for new readers. Where possible we’ll also be providing  recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in, assuming we’ve read any part of the story thus far.

Each comic will receive a both a rating of Friendly or Unfriendly as well as a score out of ten. The former is based upon how easy it was for new readers to pick the issues up; expect miniseries or first issues to be rated as friendly by default. For second or third issues, more consideration regarding the comic’s accessibility will be given for the specific issue being read rather than the series overall, but if reading a back issue will help, then that will be mentioned. The score out of ten is Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale, which is there to help you pick between issues if you only want to check out one or two.

We’d rather feature comics from smaller publishers, but from time to time you may notice an Image, Dark Horse or Dynamite book here. Ultimately it depends on what catches our eye, but we’ll always aim to spotlight lesser known comics.

All comics were provided for review purposes unless otherwise noted.

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The Last Paper Route #2 (Decent Comics) Having read the first issue quite some time ago (which I had picked up at a convention), I’m relatively unfamiliar with the comic. Thankfully, it’s easy to pick up what’s happening in a comic that reads like a classic 80’s action movie. It’s cheesy, over the top and far from subtle read, but The Last Paper Route is very enjoyable. You’ll love this if you want to escape for a few minutes (plus there’s a bonus or two in the last ten pages that ramp up the value for money). A Friendly second issue that is well worth looking up. 7.8

Sea Of Thieves #2 (Titan) Pirates hunting for treasure is the easiest way to sum this up, and assuming you’ve seen Pirates Of The Caribbean  then you’ll be familiar with the madcap craziness on offer here. Although the comic can be read by those who missed the first issue, expect to just go with the flow before you get the gist of what’s going on. Technically a Friendly comic, and it’s not half bad. 6.8

This Is A Taco An illustrated book more than a comic,and some would say it’s a book for kids upon first flicking through it, and they’d not be too wrong. Obviously a Friendly book, this was a very quick and beautifully illustrated read for all ages about a squirrel named Taco. 7.0

Supermansion #1 (Titan Comics) Another Titan published comic, Supermansion is a Friendly yet utterly stupid comic. Hovering the line between funny and offensive, this superhero piss-take isn’t a comic for kids, and depending on your humour preferences it may not be for you. I’m not sure if the comic is trying to cross the line because it thinks its funny, or it is trying to be funny and is accidentally crossing the line. Either way this isn’t anything I’ll be rushing to read again.