Mini Reviews: Umbrella Academy Plan B #5, Archie #2, Alien vs X-Men #2, Hello Kitty #3, Big Shakedown #2, Satanic Panic #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
Umbrella Academy Plan B #5 (Dark Horse) – At this point, Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba are throwing a flurry of story darts on the board, and some of them actually stick in Umbrella Academy Plan B #5. This book succeeds in the quiet moments like Vanya being tempted by the white violin again, or Allison using her Rumor abilities to empower her daughter. The stuff with multiple dimensions, aliens, and a bloated ensemble cast doesn’t work so much, but it’s par for the Umbrella Academy course. Ba and Dave Stewart get to indulge in some hazy cosmic jive thanks to the Sparrow Academy’s spaceship being stolen, and the ensuing showdown should be interesting. Maybe, this is a series that will read better in collected form without the long gaps between issues. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read
Archie #2 (Oni Press) – Ben H. Winters, Fabio Moon, and Jason Wordie execute a nigh-perfect slice of life story, moral and all in Archie #2 from an opening triptych layout from Moon to a last sweet moment of possible redemption. Honestly, Archie stories are at their finest when he’s utterly hapless and not an apex of perfection, and that is exactly what Archie #2. Also, Winters and Moon nudge the fourth wall just slightly hinting at a future where these eternal teens are not so eternal. In addition to the main story, we get a delightfully weird/noir-ish Jughead strip, a look at the various domiciles of Riverdale, a gorgeous Veronica pinup, and even a maze activity. The Archie/Oni partnership continues to go swimmingly. Overall: 9.0 Verdict: Buy
Alien vs X-Men #2 (Marvel) – Now this is what you call a crossover! Kieron Gillen and Gerardo Borges go beyond xenomorphs vs mutants and throw in a whole bag of tricks featuring time travel, face huggers, power absorption, and much more. Several scenes include a strict grid layout and smart plans from leaders like Beast and Professor X, but of course, it all goes splat. The Brood backup from Chris Claremont and David Messina is just plain weird, but we get a peek into the mental world of the xenomorphs. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy
Hello Kitty and Friends: Hello World #3 (IDW) – Even more items go missing in the third issue of Hello Kitty from Mariko Tamaki and Cody Lemieux. I love that this comic’s layouts look like a scrap book or the snapshots that its protagonist takes. Also, Tuxedo Sam’s anxiety is relatable, and I love how dapper he is. This issue feels a bit like padding, but it’s still cute and charming. Overall: 7.8 Verdict: Buy
Big Shakedown #2 (Dark Horse) – Big Shakedown gets seedier and seedier in its 2nd installment as Ester chases a lead with the pornographers, and Tim Seeley, Jordan Blum, and Scott Koblish give us more glimpses at her tragic past. Ester is a messy character, and she acts through sex and violence. The latter especially gets brought to life through the power of Koblish’s pencils as she pummels her way through the Beverly Hills sinkholes. But The Big Shakedown #2 isn’t all action digging into Ester’s psyche and ethics and giving us someone to connect with as well as a completing mystery. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy
Satanic Panic #1 (Mad Cave) – Satanic Panic was just the gruesome comic book treat I needed for Halloweek. Matt Miner, Clay McCormack, and Oliver Mertz tell a story of othered outcasts fighting piece of shit jocks, but with several devilish twist and turns. Protagonist Naz is a total badass, and I want to be them when I grow up. Satanic Panic has creepy 80s B-movie vibes, but with better politics. It doesn’t skimp on the blood, gore, and punk rock though. Overall: 8.6 Verdict: Buy
