It’s one of two new comic book days! What are you excited for? Sound off in the comments below. While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Book Riot – 8 Comics and Graphic Novels to Read if you Need a Lighthearted Pick-Me-Up – What would you suggest?
Reviews
CBR – Blood of the Virgin
CBR – Demon Wars: Scarlet Sin #1
Collected Editions – The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 2
CBR – X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #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.
Alfie
X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 (Marvel) – I was originally planning on writing a full review of X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 by Si Spurrier and Phil Noto but frankly I don’t think there is enough to this 35-page comic to give me the material for a longer review. It’s not a bad comic, but the whole affair does feel rushed and done with little enthusiasm. If the book itself isn’t excited, why should the reader be? The art is fine, It’s some of Noto’s less exciting works. It fails to deliver on certain aspects of the story where another artist may have been a better fit. X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 reads like a necessary epilogue to the overstuffed Legion Of X that exists solely to set the groundwork for the next chapter of Nightcrawler’s story. Hopefully, that next chapter is more self-excited than this somewhat flat epilogue. Overall: 6.7 Verdict: Read
Brett
FCBD 2023: Avengers/X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Free Comic Book Day has turned into an opportunity for comic publishers to promote what’s coming next in hopes of getting readers excited and coming back for more. This years’ Avengers/X-Men release from Marvel attempts to do that teasing the upcoming “Fall of X” storyline and the mysterious G.O.D.S. In the issue, we get the opening salvo of the false flag operation to turn the world against Krakoa. Overall, the concept is good and interesting but there’s so much that leaves me scratching my head. The stolen Captain Krakoa suit, the attack on Captain America by Orchis, it’s all a little too obvious and easy to refute. There’s just too much surveillance and ways to refute the operation, especially the attack on Captain America. But, it has me intrigued. The latter story is just too little and relies and knowledge of who the character is at the end to really care what is teased. While I’m sure the upcoming series will be good, what’s teased is void of anything to make me want to read it. Overall: 7.75 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)
FCBD 2023: Spider-Man/Venom #1 (Marvel) – I honestly remember so little about reading this the day after which is not a good sign at all. Spider-Man fights a monkey and we find out who’s behind it and then there’s some history of symbiotes as well. The former is entertaining enough and the latter has something there but again, had to go look at the comic again to remember any of that. The art though is great and worth checking this out alone. Overall: 7.0. Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)
FCBD 2023: Fishflies (Image Comics) – A new comic from Jeff Lemire has me scratching my head and grossed out. There seems to be a lot of bugs and dead bodies in this one and I have no idea what any of it is about beyond just making me skeeved. But, it’s Jeff Lemire and his art is always great and stories pan out in the end. While the issue didn’t tell me a lot, I’m still looking forward to whatever he has cooking in the future. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Buy (it is free after all)
FCBD 2023: Dawn of DC Knight Terrors (DC Comics) – DC teases their Knight Terrors event which has something to do with dreams and some villain who’s out for revenge. The issue focuses on Damian and the things that haunt him and the dream within a dream within a dream is a great one-shot that teases what’s to come. Overall, there is a good nightmare aspect to it and the art is fantastic with amazing page layouts, but I still generally have no idea what’s to come. But, between the issue and the concept art in the back, the issue has me more excited for what’s to come. Overall: 8.0 Verdict Buy (it is free after all)
Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!
Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).
A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 feels more like a finale to the storylines that were as opposed to really setting up the much anticipated “Fall of X.”
With Sins of Sinister wrapped up, the X line of comics is in a weird spot as they must not only deal with the fallout of that event but also go back to previous plotlines as well as moved forward to the next storyline, “Fall of X.” It’s all a lot to pack in and X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1, written by Si Spurrier, seems to have that unenviable task of attempting. The short version is, Nightcrawler has been captured as part of a plan by Orchis to build up negativity towards Krakoa. They’ve manipulated mutants to attack, creating a situation where the public and governments may turn agains the mutant nation. Legion and his allies want to get Nightcrawler back, stop the bad guys… and they have to deal with the fallout of an alternate reality that only Mother Righteous can remember.
Much of the comic is dealt with deals and planning, catching readers up with what’s going on in a voice that feels like a fantasy. It’s all a bit jumbled and odd, bouncing around in focus and hinting at what’s to come. It also wraps things up rather nicely with numerous plots just wiping away a lot of potential and interesting things to explore in one fell swoop. It’s all a little odd in that a lot of what’s explored could have just been dropped with little to no impact to the story and world, an example being Banshee’s entire plotline. It serves little in this comic and its ending would indicate little going forward. It makes for a comic that at times feels like filler and other times rushed to get things wrapped up nicely before the next story can begin. And that next story is danced around over and over in ways that become eye-rolling, especially since much has been spoiled. It’s like when the hero says the name of the movie with a wink to the audience.
The art by Phil Noto is good. With lettering by Clayton Cowles and design by Tom Muller and Jay Bowen in the end the visual enjoyment will come depending on if you like Noto’s style. I myself go back and forth with it and while some works here there’s other moments that don’t for me. It’s completely subjective and your taste will vary. There are some panels that are fantastic, particularly Mother Righteous’ battle with Nimrod but overall there’s something that feels like it’s missing for me.
X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 isn’t bad and as a finale to close the books on previous storylines, it does a decent job. But, that seems to be all it does and some of that with a wave of a hand. Coming after an event like Sins of Sinister too, it all feels like an odd timing of release. Those who got hooked from that even will be lost by it all. This is one for those who have been reading these series up to this point only, new readers will want to stay away.
Story: Si Spurrier Art: Phil Noto
Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.75 Recommendation: Pass
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1
(W) Si Spurrier (A/CA) Phil Noto
Rated T+
In Shops: May 03, 2023
SRP: $4.99
A BATTLE OF THE TITANS OF THE X-UNIVERSE!
A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. But Nightcrawler is not himself… and Legion’s allies aren’t all they seem to be either. Mutant monsters roam the Earth… Banshee, broken once again, dreams of lost vengeance… Mother Righteous, her role in SINS OF SINISTER unrevealed, takes another stab at universal control…
Si Spurrier and Phil Noto usher in new status quos for some of your favorite X-Men in this can’t-miss one-shot!
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.
Animal Castle Vol. 2 #1 (Ablaze) – A really interesting new take on the classic book Animal Farm.
Astrobots #1 (Massive/Whatnot) – The art for this looks amazing and is about machine lifeforms called Astrobots who scout worlds for humanity and one world where a society of them is rising and humankind is not included in their plans.
Carnage Reigns Alpha #1/Cult of Carnage: Misery #1/Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (Marvel) – There’s a lot going on the fans of Marvel’s Spider-Man corner of their universe. There’s more multiverse action to enjoy and Carnage faces off against Miles Morales!
Hairball #2 (Dark Horse) – As the young girl’s black cat continues to plague her family with horror and tragedy, she decides she must take matters into her own hands to put an end to the feline’s evil ways. The first issue was some impressive an unnerving horror.
History of Japan in Manga (Tuttle Publishing) – The History of Japan in Manga tells the action-packed saga of Japan from its misty origins up to the present day.
Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story (Black Dog & Leventhal) – Julia Wertz chronicles her haphazard attempts at sobriety and the relentlessly challenging, surprisingly funny, and occasionally absurd cycle of addiction and recovery.
Lamentation #1 (Oni Press) – New horror from Cullen Bunn, Hillary Jenkins, and Simon Bowland? Yes please!
Monomyth #1 (Mad Cave Studios) – Magic is all but extinct. When the last ailing wizard casts a final desperate spell to summon the descendants of ancient bloodlines to a school for magic now in disrepair…those chosen ones find a horror of the likes they’ve never experienced. The concept sounds great.
Parker Girls #7 (Abstract Studios) – Every issue has been a great mix of humor and action.
Peacemaker: Tries Hard #1 (DC Comics) – Peacemaker is asked to help steal the world’s most valuable and dangerous DNA!
Shazam #1 (DC Comics) – Mark Waid and Dan Mora taking on Shazam!. Nuff said.
Starsigns #1 (Image Comics) – The constellations of the zodiac fall to earth, granting twelve ordinary people from very different walks of life the superhuman powers of the Starsigns. The concept sounds interesting with a astrology meets X-Men/Heroes spin.
Survival #1 (Dark Horse) – A plane crash leads to a creature bringing ancient terror to the Alaska wilderness.
Where Monsters Lie #4 (Dark Horse) – The series has been fantastic with a mix of a lot of laughs and over-the-top violence.
X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1 (Marvel) – A series of one-shots kick off with this one seeing Legion taking on Nimrod and more moves from Mother Righteous.
X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1
(W) Si Spurrier (A/CA) Phil Noto
Rated T+
In Shops: May 03, 2023
SRP: $4.99
A BATTLE OF THE TITANS OF THE X-UNIVERSE!
A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. But Nightcrawler is not himself… and Legion’s allies aren’t all they seem to be either. Mutant monsters roam the Earth… Banshee, broken once again, dreams of lost vengeance… Mother Righteous, her role in SINS OF SINISTER unrevealed, takes another stab at universal control…
Si Spurrier and Phil Noto usher in new status quos for some of your favorite X-Men in this can’t-miss one-shot!
Mutantkind’s next evolution is on the horizon. “Fall of X” will be an overarching storyline impacting every X-Men title and the Marvel Universe as we know it. “Fall of X” represents a crucial chapter of the Krakoa era, which began in Jonathan Hickman’s seminal House of X and Powers of X. The current age of X-Men has been so revolutionary that the question on every fan’s mind has been, “Can Krakoa last forever?” “Fall of X” will answer that question and many more but first, four key one-shots will set the stage for what’s to come. Starting in May, these Before the Fall titles will tie up long-simmering plotlines, reintroduce major players, and put all the pieces in place for the dramatic events of the third annual Hellfire Gala. In addition to being the official start of “Fall of X”, this year’s Hellfire Gala will also reveal the outcome of this year’s X-Men Vote, which fans can participate in starting tomorrow.
Witness a battle between two titans of the X-Universe in X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1, written by Si Spurrier and drawn by Phil Noto. A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. But Nightcrawler is not himself… and Legion’s allies aren’t all they seem to be either.
It’s the long-awaited return of Apocalypse in X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Luca Pizzari. Not seen since the shocking ending of X of Swords, Apocalypse and his family have battled for survival in the harsh land of Amenth. Do they rule over this twisted world or do its demonic inhabitants rule them? And how has Apocalypse felt about the choices the Quiet Council has made in his absence? Featuring a cover by Pepe Larraz.
It’s a mutant mystery for the ages in X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1, written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Valentina Pinti. A deadly mutant attacks an innocent small town but nothing is what it seems. Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Bishop are tasked with a routine mission but as they dig deeper, they uncover a hidden truth that will send shockwaves through mutantkind. It features a cover by David Baldeón.
And four Sinisters plot their next move in X-Men: Before the Fall – Sinister Four #1, written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Paco Medina. In the aftermath of Sins of Sinister, all four Sinisters have been unmasked. They’ve gotten a taste of universal control but their true plans for mutantkind are just beginning… With a cover by Lucas Werneck.
Check out all four covers now!
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