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
Godzilla vs Hulk (Marvel) – Godzilla vs Hulk is a kaiju smashing good time from Gerry Duggan, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Daniele Orlandini, and Federico Blee. The book channels the energy of both anti-Hulk and Godzilla organizations from various comics and movies to craft a new take on the Thunderbolts and also build a relationship between the Hulk and Godzilla. I love how Duggan writes the Gamma Giant as not too smart, but not too dumb and with a great sense of humor. Godzilla vs Hulk is set in the 1980s, and there’s definitely an old school Herb Trimp-esque Bronze Age vibe to the art and storytelling style. I still think Godzilla vs FF is my favorite of the one-shots so far, but this crossover continues to be great fun. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy
Summer of Superman Special #1 (DC) – Writers Mark Waid, Dan Slott, and Joshua Williamson and artist extraordinaire Jorge Jimenez jam on a time-spanning one-shot that sets up upcoming Superman storylines. (There is an edgy as hell epilogue from Williamson and artist Dan Mora.) However, Summer of Superman Special actually tells a complete story about the relationship between Superman and Lana Lang, who is getting married to John Henry Irons back in Smallville. The strongest, sweetest part of the comic is the Superboy flashback story from Waid who nails Clark’s adolescence awkwardness as well as his great power and history with the Legion of Superheroes. In the second chapter, Slott is definitely feeling his way with these characters and brings in a heavy handed climate change story. (He and the other writers aren’t helped by having the issue’s villains be a non-entity beyond an opportunity for double page punching spreads.) The third chapter ties together the Lana wedding and the clash of superpowers and found/blood family. (Wow, apparently every Superman supporting character except for his parents have super abilities now.) Williamson sets up an uneasy status quo and a dark battle to come building on some threads from the DC All-In Special. Summer of Superman Special isn’t an all-time classic by any means, but it does a great job catching up lapsed readers on the Superman status quo and is a showcase for Jorge Jimenez’s powerful art and Mark Waid’s love of these characters. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy
DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #2 – The 2nd installment of Ian Flynn, Adam Bryce Thomas, and Matt Herms‘ intercompany crossover suffers from a slight case of sequelitis with many pages going into the expositional nitty gritty of Darkseid’s plan to take over Sonic’s universe. There’s lots of monologuing to balance out the colorful visuals and peppy banter Flynn writes for Sonic and Flash. (I need more Amy/Wonder Woman ; they have a cute connection.) However, even though it takes a meandering path, DC x Sonic #2 gets the job done by raising the stakes and delivering on iconic moments like Sonic outrunning an omega sanction. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read
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