The Longbox Short-List - Week of June 22, 2016

Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week.   Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that.  Let's get to it!

Comics shipping this week

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS ADAPTATION #1 – Most of the time, I talk about comics that I am looking forward to, but I also try to cover any books that come out that give me something to talk about. I am not sure why you would release this book now. It’s 6 months after the movie came out. And it has a $5 cover price (so $25 for the entire mini-series). I have loved Marvel’s Star Wars books, but this seems like bad marketing. Why not release this much closer to when the movie was in theaters? Hell, even when the DVD came out a few months ago to try and capitalize. Real poor judgement here…

WONDER WOMAN #1 – I like a lot of Rucka’s work, but I thought his take on Wonder Woman in Rebirth was particularly strong. Wonder Woman has discovered that a lot of what she believes are carefully constructed lies and is determined to find the truth. I have never been a huge Wonder Woman fan, but I am definitely picking up this run.

GWENPOOL #3 – One of the most surprising new books of the year. I picked up the first issue basically on a dare from my Front Lines writing partner, Matt Graham, and was shocked to discover one of Marvel’s most unique and entertaining books. And issue 2 is even better! This book deserves your attention!

DIVINITY II #3 – While I liked the first issue of Divinity I, I thought the series wandered a bit off track. Divinity II has been a much strong entry. I can’t help but think of Doctor Mirage. First series was okay, but it really took a second mini-series to feel like the series reached it’s full potential. 

DOCTOR STRANGE #9 – Last Days of Magic has been a real strong story arc. Typically I am able to suspend my disbelief, knowing that at the end of an arc, everything will probably work out. But Jason Aaron has done a great job making me totally invested here. This is one bleak scenario Doctor Strange and company find themselves in, and I’m real excited to see how it can possibly come to a “happy” ending. At this point, I might be satisfied if even one or two characters make it out alive…

JUSTICE LEAGUE #52 – Last week’s Justice League #51 was an excellent story set in the early days of the League foreshadowing that Dick Grayson may some day end up leading the Justice League. A few months back, I said that considering how late Justice League was running, and that the solicits for 51 and 52 were real generic, they might want to consider just ending the series at 50 to clear the stage for Rebirth. But like I said, I loved issue 51, so hopefully 52 will continue to prove me wrong.

ROBIN SON OF BATMAN #13 and TEEN TITANS #21 – A tale of two very different last issues. Despite my long time love of the Titans line, TEEN TITANS has had a real hard time finding a strong creative direction throughout New-52. It’s already been relaunched once, and Rebirth seems to promise a whole new team and direction. In a lot of ways, this is a mercy killing…. And then you have ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN. I had a hard time liking Damien at first, but he became a real stand out character in New-52. I loved Batman and Robin, and Robin Son of Batman is always one of my favorite series. I am kind of bummed out that Damien won’t have a solo book during Rebirth, but at least he should have a strong role in TEEN TITANS and SUPER SONS.