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
Spider-Punk: Arms Race #2 (Marvel) – I’m having a lot of fun with the sequel to Cody Ziglar and Justin Mason‘s ass-kicking and anti-fascist af Spider-Punk series. Arms Race #2 puts the onus on the mini’s villain, Doc Ock, who goes on anti-capitalist rants and is generally menacing. There’s a lot of the anarchism of Heath Ledger’s Joker in his characterization coupled with a desire to be “superior”. On the good guy side, the banter between the Spider-band continues to be fun, and the addition of the Wakandans adds some tension, multiculturalism, and cooler technology. But the highlight of the series continues to be the action scenes with gorgeous double page spreads, powerful poses, and splashy colors from Morry Hollowell. Never has a beatdown of the Rhino looked so epic, and Ziglar and Mason make good use of the Spider-band’s unique power sets with Mattea Murdock’s Daredevil getting the big finishing move in this issue. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy
Sam and Twitch Case Files #1 (Image) – Sam and Twitch Case Files #1 is a cliche-ridden police procedural from Todd McFarlane, Jon Goff, Szymon Kudranski, and FCO Plascencia. The opening and closing feature unique layouts, eye-catching imagery, and true intrigue, but is dragged down by the police brutality-filled middle section as well as the biggest cop story cliche. (Being suspended and then immediately hopping on a case.) Sam’s blustering viciousness doesn’t really hold up in 2024, and Twitch is really just a wet blanket until the last couple pages. In addition to this, the dialogue is cringeworthy in some spots like McFarlane and Goff trying to capture some banter between young people with random Mario Kart-related insults. Also, Tom Orzechowski is one of the lettering greats, but the lack of speech bubbles makes following the speaking order more difficult and hurts the flow of the story in some spots. If you really need a Sam and Twitch fix, you’re better off picking up the old Bendis/Maleev issues from the 1990s. At least, the dialogue will be better. Overall: 5.5 Verdict: Pass
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