Comic Corner Roundup: April
Comic Corner Roundup is a bi-monthly segment that compiles mini-reviews of comics, graphic novels, and manga that I’ve read recently. Here are my reviews for March which includes magical girls, a intergalactic adventure, and fandom culture.
Luna Express by Campbell Whyte (Published February 2026)
Celeste was always told that she could grow up to do anything she dreamed of, but she didn’t exactly dream of being a delivery biker for her parents’ bakery, Luna Express. Life is so much more exciting at night: when the stars come out, so do her magical powers of super-strength and speed! Those gifts haven’t made her destiny any clearer, though… until Celeste and her friends are targeted by a series of strange, supernatural attacks throughout their hometown of Perth. Now this reluctant team must battle land-sharks, roller-skating disco mushrooms, mind-bending art exhibitions, and their own personal drama, while trying to unravel the unsettling mystery that connects them and their city.
Review: This may be a situation of its me, not the book, but I definitely couldn’t connect with the story. I did appreciate the concept of a magical girl story that is wacky and doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, I think the problem with the story is that it’s a bit too busy and feels disjointed in many parts. It seemed like the characters and plot were all over the place. If the story was more concise, I think I would have enjoyed this story more.
The artwork for Luna Express really stood out to me because of its style. It reminded me of, Roz Chast’s artwork who is cartoonist known for her illustrations in The New Yorker since 1978. It gives that story a whimsical and fantastical feel that its going for. I think the story needs more monsters & more exploration of the characters as they feel one-dimensional to me. Great concept, but poor execution.
Final Verdict:
Kloud 9 (Book 1): The Star Soldier by Dominic Bustamante and AJ O. Mason (Publishing July 2026)
In this YA sci-fi original graphic novel, teenager Kal is an Earthling without much purpose in life. Cosmot’urr Col Al’neyr, or Cosmo for short, is an alien struggling to find his place in the galaxy. Sparks fly when the two meet—but when Cosmo’s past catches up with him, Kal is forced to make a choice: remain on Earth, or follow his crush into the great unknown. Easy choice, right? Now they just have to navigate the dangers of outer space, a megalomaniac pseudo-parent, and their growing feelings for each other. Yeah. It’s complicated. Kloud 9 begins as a slice-of-life love story with fish-out-of-water humor before expanding into full-on space opera, packing every page with thrilling action and charming romance.
Review: Kloud 9 is an intergalactic love story that takes readers on a journey through the stars. What awaits you in this story is a self-discovery story about finding your place in the world and working on healing through the past. The story is fast-paced and balances action-scenes with tender moments of blooming romance between Kal and Cosmo. Though both come from different plants they find they have much in common with each other. I enjoyed reading their journeys of growth and finding their own self-worth within. It’s a reminder to us all that we all have the power to find our inner strength.
I like the colors and detailed artwork in this story that provided a very immersive reading experience. I found myself in the main characters shoes and loved exploring all of the worlds within the story. The fantasy elements and plot were done very well, and even with the story’s HEA formatting, I didn’t find any dull moments while reading. This story will speak to fans of Sci-fi and Fantasy tales that want more of a cozier read that will leave you with fuzzy feelings once finished.
Final Verdict:
Mary Sue Vol.1 by Meghan Fitzmartin, Illustrated by Lisa Sterle (Publishing August 2026)
Cassie has a thriving online life writing vampire fanfic of her favorite show, but when her secret identity is exposed at school, things go from awkward to atypical—especially when Jessica, her hot vampire original character, steps out of the story and into the real world.
Review: Mary Sue is a love letter to fandom culture, fan fiction, and the online community. From the first pages of reading the story I was transported back to my teen years of Tumblr scolling and reading fan’s alternate universe stories. I appreciated that the title and concept of the story along pays homage to Mary Sue, a type of fictional character (usually a young woman) who is portrayed as free of weaknesses or character flaws. It also goes a bit into the history of the women in fan culture and a desire to craft stories where we are seen as the heroine rather than just a side character.
There are plenty of Easter eggs laced within this first installment of the miniseries of pop culture and occurrences in fan spaces. I loved the tongue-in-cheek humor that pokes fun at the sometimes cringe stories that are created with such heart and how writing them allows us to be connected to each other. I love the vibrant colors used in the artwork to make this story pop off the pages and the character designs are fun to look at as well. It’s a lighthearted story with themes of self-discovery and plenty of twists to add a mysterious flair.
Final Verdict:
What comics, graphic novels or manga have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations, feel free to share those as well.
FTC Disclaimer: These books were sent to me by Top Shelf Productions and BOOM! Studios in exchange for a fair and honest review.
