The Longbox Short-List - Week of September 9, 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! 

Comics shipping this week

JOURNEY TO STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS: SHATTERED EMPIRE #1 - There was a lot of new Star Wars toys and books this week, including 5 novels leading into the new movie. I've been reading AFTERMATH the last few days, and I liked it so much I will probably do a review for it. This comic series is another part of the answer to "What happened between RETURN OF THE JEDI and THE FORCE AWAKENS?" Marvel has done a great job with their new Star Wars comics. I will admit, I am still a little concerned about having to forget everything I knew from the older Star Wars novels, but I have not been this hyped for SECRET WARS in a while.

VAMPIRELLA ARCHIVES - VOL. 12 - I never really read many classic horror comics. Recently, I have gotten into Vampirella thanks to the great work Nancy Collins has done on Dynamite's current series. On a whime, I picked up the first Vampirella Archives. I enjoyed it so much, I went right out and bought the other 10 volumes. I will definitely pick up this one too.

JON SABLE, FREELANCE OMNIBUS, Vol. 1 - This was already an expensive week, and then I saw this on the new release list. I love Mike Grell, and Jon Sable might be his masterpiece. I even like his work on Job Sable more than Green Arrow anad Warlord, and that's saying a lot. My biggest wish in comics is that Grell gets around to doing more Jon Sable.

SECRET WARS - What? We're not done yet?? Damn you, Marvel! I am looking forward to PLANET HULK, SECRET WARS 2099, CIVIL WAR, A-FORCE, and GIANT SIZE LITTLE MARVEL.

ACTION COMICS #44 - Now that we finally know what led to Superman's identity going public and his power going wonky, I feel a lot more comfortable with TRUTH. Unfortunately, I have been hearing rumors that DC might be cutting this story short to restore Superman back to status quo. I hope that is just BS. TRUTH has been some of the best Superman stories I've read in a long time.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #24 - Something about this crossover has been bugging me since it started, and I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then it finally occurred to me, Superman and Bat-Gordan not trusting each other just doesn't make sense. I find it hard to believe that Batman never told either of them that they could trust the other. It seems like a huge stretch, even if all three characters are pretty different because of New 52.

SAVIOR #6 - This series has flown under the radar, but has been a real good read. It is a very cool take on superhero mythology. It kind of reminds me of something you would expect to see in ASTRO CITY, but with a lot of unique twists A nice surprise and worth checking out.

BLOODSTRIKE #2 - I will admit, I am annoyed we got another Extreme Comics reboot. I was really enjoying the last BLOODSTRIKE series. That said, I did like the first issue of this relaunch. BRIGADE and BLOODSTRIKE were some of my favorite comics back in the day, and Liefeld has done a good job bringing them back. Though I still want to know what happened top the last relaunch...are these books going to vanish suddenly too?

SWORDS OF SORROW #5 - All the pieces have been coming together here real well to set up the final confrontation between our heroes and Prince Charming. SWORDS OF SORROW has been great, and I can't wait to see how it wraps up over these last two issues.

BATMAN #44 - Last issue we found out Bruce Wayne is back, but with no memories of being Batman. I really wonder where this story is going to go from here. I am also really interested in finding out what the reveal in BATMAN BEYOND means (that Gordon's armor is actually the original Batman Beyond armor). Hopefully, we will get some answers.

NINJAK #7 - I though NINJAK got off to a slow start, but it's finally hitting its stride. Ninjak's quest to take down the Shadow Seven has worked real well and turned this book around.