In this FREE Special Summer Preview issue we take a look at some of Caliber Comics upcoming titles. Covered within are preview pages, interviews, and more information with looks Squalor, Untouchables, Disciples, P.I. Jane, Salt, and Amongst the Stars. Plus a bonus story of the prelude leading into the Inferno graphic novel by Mike Carey (Lucifer) and Michael Gaydos (Jessica Jones); and the continuation of the History of Caliber from publisher Gary Reed.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This review is a collection of stories that aims to blend intriguing narratives with compelling visuals. Unfortunately, this installment falls short of expectations.

This preview allows for a diverse range of stories, each bringing its own unique flavor. However, this diversity seems to be a double-edged sword. While variety can be a strength, in this case, it results in a lack of cohesion. The stories feel disjointed, and there is little thematic or stylistic consistency to tie them together. This fragmentation makes it difficult for myself to become fully immersed in this preview.

Gary Reed, Mike Carey, and Jim Alexander are all seasoned writers with impressive credentials, yet their collaborative effort here does not reach the potential one might expect. Some stories suffer from underdeveloped plots, which have left me wanting more depth and complexity. Other narratives feel overly familiar, lacking the originality needed to captivate a seasoned audience. The character development is another weak point; many characters are not given enough space to evolve, leading to a lack of emotional engagement.

The artwork in this preview, often a saving grace in graphic novels, is inconsistent in this preview. While some panels are visually striking and well-executed, others fall flat, either due to lackluster coloring or awkward composition. This inconsistency further detracts from the overall reading experience. A strong visual narrative could have compensated for some of the storytelling shortcomings, but unfortunately, this is not the case here.

One of the main issues I had personally with this preview is its pacing. Several stories begin with promising premises but quickly fizzle out, either rushing to a conclusion or dragging without sufficient development. This uneven pacing disrupts the flow of the anthology, making it a challenge to stay engaged from one story to the next.

Despite these criticisms, there are moments of promise in this preview. Occasionally, a story will capture a glimpse of intrigue or an innovative idea that hints at what could have been a more successful execution. These glimpses, however, are too few and far between to elevate the overall impression of the work.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 2 / 5