The Longbox Short-List - Week of February 4, 2015

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

Spawn #250 – Over the last few months, I’ve become a huge Spawn fan.  I know, I know…REAL LATE TO THE PARTY.  Issue 250 marks some dramatic changes to the series, including the return of Al Simmons (Al Simmons basically killed himself back in issue 185 and the series has been about his replacement).  Issue 250 will also be the first issue of Spawn to be available digitally!  This is a huge relief.  I’ve had to drive all over the place for the last few issues.  Lack of a local comic shop, plus a fairly niche title.  Not a good combination.

Guardians Of The Galaxy And X-Men Black Vortex Alpha #1 – Legendary Star-Lord has been pretty inconsistent since its launch, but I have been interested in this Black Vortex crossover.  It’s going to flit through a number of odd titles over the next few months (including Cyclops and Captain Marvel), but I will definitely be checking it out.  I love space stories and big sweeping crossovers.

Postal #1 – I’m not going to lie…I completely forgot what this book was about.  I know the solicit looking real interesting several months ago, so I added it to my pull list, but I actually had to check the solicits to see why:  “The townsfolk of Eden, Wyoming wake up to the first official murder the town has seen in 25 years. Their reaction to this isn’t normal, and there’s a reason for that. Eden operates as a haven for fugitive criminals who remain here while new identities, often including facial reconstruction, are created for them. There is zero tolerance for any illegal activity that might draw attention to the town and an “official murder” is the last thing they want. A single, tight-knit family runs Eden with the youngest oddball son Mark Shiffron overseeing the postal branch, the only means of shipping in or out of the city. THE FBI has repeatedly been foiled trying to insert an undercover here; they see Mark as the weak link to exploit. This murder gives them a new opportunity.”   Okay…that does sound awesome.  Definitely count me in!

Star Wars #2 -  Really enjoyed the first issue here.  If nothing else, this book is worth checking out just for John Cassaday’s terrific art.  Star Wars has NEVER looked this good in a comic book.

Ms Marvel #11 – I’ve loved this book since day one!  Ms. Marvel’s battle with the Inventor seems to be winding down, so I’m really curious where the book goes from here.  We haven’t heard much about what’s going to happen to Marvel’s many “new” books once Secret Wars throws a huge monkey wrench into the Marvel universe as we know it.  I am going to be real disappointed if we don’t have Ms Marvel in the new Marvel Universe. 

Imperium #1 – I have to say, I’m a little tired of the constant “relaunches” of Harbinger.  It’s become a very difficult book to follow.  And without the Renegades, I’m not 100% sure it’s worth the effort.  It’s fun to see the bad guys “win,” but that’s not what I loved about Harbinger.  I will still give this book a fair try though.

Saga #25 – Saga is back from its regularly scheduled hiatus!  BKV and Fiona Staples are creating a real masterpiece here.   I actually am glad they put in these hiatuses to ensure that Staples can do the art on each issue.  That consistency has gone a long way towards ensuring this book is always among the best comics I read.

Marvel's Ant-Man Prelude #1 – Even though the Ant-Man movie has had massive changes during its production, I am still pretty curious how it will turn out.  For the most part, I’ve avoided the comic tie-ins to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but I will probably be checking this one out, purely out of curiosity. 

Mega Man #45 – Last issue, Dr Wily betrayed Mega Man and Dr Light (real shocker there) setting up the continuation of an arc loosely based on Mega Man 3.  The last arc which showed how the Mega Man 3 villains looked at Mega Man was really well done.  I do sometimes think this comic drags stories out, but it’s still very entertaining and a great read for any fans of the video games.

Ant-Man #2 – Two books with Ant-Man this week?  I’m not even a fan of the character, but I love Nick Spencer and the first issue of this series showed some huge potential.  Definitely has my attention for now.