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All-new, all-different Marvel picks

By Staff | Aug 31, 2015

As Marvel prepares to revamp its entire line of comics in October and November in the wake of “Secret Wars,” here’s a look at the “All-New, All-Different” titles I want to check out most.

“Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” and “Howard the Duck” are returning with new No. 1s and the same creative teams. Since I gushed so much about them last time – and Erin [our amazingly wonderful and generous editor. Ed.] only gives me 600 words – we’ll leave them out and make this a top eight list instead of top 10.

8. A-Force

I grabbed the first issue of this series featuring an all-female Avengers squad when it debuted as part of “Secret Wars,” partly in hopes I could one day read it with my daughter. It didn’t grab me, but I’m willing to give a roster featuring Dazzler, Nico Minoru, Medusa and She-Hulk another try. Written by G. Willow Wilson, art by Jorge Molina.

7. Extraordinary X-Men

Despite some creative bursts in recent years, I’ve suffered a bit of X-fatigue since Joss Whedon’s seminal “Astonishing X-Men” run. But I’m curious to see what longtime DC star Jeff Lemire has in store for this team of young Jean Grey, old Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, Magik, Iceman, Storm and Nightcrawler. Art by Humberto Ramos.

6. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

The title alone has to pique your interest. It pairs cult character Devil Dinosaur with pre-teen supergenius Luna Lafayette, who has Inhuman DNA and Kree technology. The book is supposed to be all-ages, a welcome change in the adult-skewing comics world. Written by Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare, art by Natacha Bustos.

5. Astonishing Ant-Man

Writer Nick Spencer returns to the adventures of Marvel’s newest movie star, with a promo image that places Ant-Man in the company of multiple minor villains. Spencer’s first story arc with the character was full of fun and heart, and I’d looking forward to what’s next. Art by Ramon Rosanas.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy

Writer Brian Michael Bendis stays on, but he’s replacing Star-Lord and Gamora with the X-Men’s Kitty Pryde and the Fantastic Four’s Thing. Having Ben Grimm on the team is the biggest draw for me, and seeing him alongside Groot and Rocket, who is “leading” the team, promises to be a lot of fun. Art by Valerio Schiti.

3. Ultimates

It would be hypocritical to complain about the volume of Avengers books since the three I’m most interested in fall in that category. This one appropriates the name of the Ultimate universe’s Avengers analogue and apparently will feature “Mighty Avengers” alums Blue Marvel and Spectrum facing the biggest threats out there alongside Captain Marvel, the Black Panther and Miss America Chavez. Written by “Mighty Avengers” scribe Al Ewing, art by Kenneth Rocafort.

2. New Avengers

One of the most intriguing aspects of the buildup to “Secret Wars” was the idea that Sunspot, who I’d considered an afterthought on the Avengers, was tasked with rebuilding the team. He’s combining that with the formerly evil A.I.M. corporation/nation-state in this title written by Ewing and featuring teammates Hawkeye, songbird, Hulkling, Wiccan and, yes, Squirrel Girl. Art by Gerardo Sandoval.

1. All-New, All-Different Avengers

You’ve got an intriguing mix of old and new Avengers with the new Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Vision, the formerly Ultimate Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Nova and Ms. Marvel. And there’s the idea of a lower budget team trying to embody the core Avengers values. But I’m most excited about writer Mark Waid. His “Daredevil” has been the best title to come out of Marvel in recent years, and I can’t wait to see him tackle Marvel’s flagship team.

Evan Bevins is the writer of the webcomic “Support Group,” www.supportgroupcomic.com.