The Longbox Short-List - Week of October 12, 2016

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Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 10/11/2016 - 09:14

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

Between the holiday and my birthday, I am way behind this week, so just some quick summaries…

REBORN #1 – Mark Millar has been pumping out great new series the last few years…and Reborn has Greg Capullo on art. Reborn is supposed to be a unique look at the afterlife. “Where do you go when you die? Not heaven or hell; somewhere else. Somewhere you have to fight to survive. Somewhere the people from the past are waiting for you-the good and the bad.” Not 100% sold on the premise, but will check it out on the strength of the creative team.

BRITANNIA #2 – I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the first issue…even after reading it, there were a ton of question marks about the direction of this series. But, I really enjoyed it, and I am definitely along for the ride.

GREAT LAKES AVENGERS #1 – While I don’t like Marvel always being so event driven, I do enjoy the many smaller, quirky titles that Marvel has been doing like Spider-Woman, Howard the Duck, Patsy Walker, Rocket Raccoon/Groot, and Gwenpool. Great Lakes Avengers seems very well suited to fit that mold. I've been a fan of the characters since Slott’s GLA series a few years ago. GWENPOOL #7 and HOWARD THE DUCK #11 (last issue, I think) are also coming out this week.

CLONE CONSPIRACY #1 – Dead No More has been surprisingly good. As a comic reader of the 90’s, I cringe when I see clones and Spider-Man in the same sentence, but there have been a lot of big ethical questions in this one. I also love that Slott continues to keep coming up with fresh twists on Spider-Man lore. He’s done several big events over the last few years, and they never disappoint.

DOOM PATROL #2 – The first issue of this Young Animals series was so bizarre, but I loved it. Another series that I have no idea where it’s going, but I can’t wait to find out!

DARTH VADER #25 – Sort of sad they are ending this series, but I guess there is only so much you can do with a Darth Vader ongoing. We got two great years, and you can’t ask for much more than that.