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
Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 (Marvel) – Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 centers around the friendship/frenemyships of Ben Grimm with art from some of comics’ most interesting storytellers. The anthology’s first story “Flight or Flight” from Dan Slott, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente reminds readers that Ben Grimm has both brains and brawn. Complementing Martin’s retro stylings nicely, Slott weaves together vignettes from Grimm’s past showing his struggles academically and physically when he transforms and can’t maneuver flight controls like he used to. I love the focus on the friendship between him and Reed Richards, and overall how this story focuses on a side of the blue eyed Thing that doesn’t get as much love in most stories. The theme of friendship continues in Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz, Brett Breeding, and Rachelle Rosenberg‘s “Another Round” where Sandman and Ben Grimm bro out and rescue some out-of-work Latino miners, who are scavenging for materials they can sell. Artwise, Frenz still packs one hell of a wallop beginning on page one where Sandman hits Grimm with Thor’s hammer made out of sand. However, the story is all heart as the Thing and Sandman work together and find out how doing good feels. Also, there’s lots of fun banter about beer, sandwiches, and roasts of Sandman’s former teammates, the Frightful Four. The final story from “Universal Appeal” is pure Chip Zdarsky and Allreds wackiness as Johnny Storm accepts a “Sexiest Being in the Universe” award, and Ben Grimm tags along. There’s a fun fluidity to the visuals, and Zdarsky mines a lot of comedy out of the Thing/Torch repartee, but a little stranger. Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 is another fun installment in a great series that lets readers dip into evergreen adventures of Marvel’s First Family while you’re catching up on Ryan North’s Fantastic Four run like this writer. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy
Exquisite Corpses #3 (Image) – Pornsak Pichetshote, James Tynion IV, Valentine De Landro, and Michael Walsh wisely hone in on one of the serial killers, Virginia’s Nurse Pete as he causes havoc in the town’s hospital. I’m still getting to know this book’s sprawling cast of characters, but the creators do a good job of squeezing in human moments like 2 EMTS having a heart to heart or two young people trying to make a connection on the dance floor between the behind the scenes maneuvering and carnage. Colorist Jordie Bellaire and letterer Becca Carey are the two underrated MVPs of this issue providing blood and sound while the inhabitants of Oak Valley run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy
Discover more from Graphic Policy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Source: Graphic Policy
