Longshot (X-Men) (Spider-Man) Paperback
by Ann Nocenti  (Author), Arthur Adams (Illustrator), Whilce Portacio (Illustrator)

Meet Longshot. He's a man without a past who possesses an uncanny lucky streak...and he's on an existential quest through the Marvel Universe. But as Longshot deals with the quirkier aspects of American society, he must learn the secrets behind his enigmatic identity and accept his destiny as a hero. Along the way, he meets a crazed militiaman, demons from his mysterious otherworldly home, a daring stuntwoman named Ricochet Rita, ram-headed Quark, and Marvel heroes Spider-Man, She-Hulk and Dr. Strange. As Longshot digs deeper, he rediscovers more about himself - and must come to terms with his past along the way. Because only Longshot and his friends can stop the media-addled Mojo from taking over Earth and remaking it in his warped image.

Leather, looks, and luck - put 'em all together, they spell Longshot! The non-mutant X-Man's first trip to Earth is reprinted here in its entirety, introducing the scintillating Spiral and the murky madness that is Mojo, menaces that threaten the Marvel Universe to this day! Guest-starring Spider-Man, She-Hulk and Doctor Strange! Collects Longshot #1-6.

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Marvel Entertainment Group

In Longshot, Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams tried to create something brand new in the Marvel of the '80s. The story & characters come from two freshman creators excited to have their own series, honored to have the privilege to play in the Marvel sandbox, eager to contribute something truly worthwhile--and this is exactly what the story feels like.

For most creators, that kind of situation would result in a comic full of too many ideas crammed in with too many rookie mistakes, but not so with Nocenti & Adams. Longshot himself turns out to be a very original kind of superhero, as does the world he inhabits and the characters he encounters.

Adams, of course, went on to become one of the most influential comic artists of recent decades. While he was clearly still working out some kinks in this--his first major project--his art is still very skillful and has that same innate sense of fun (even when he's drawing truly horrific monsters) that continues to characterize his work to this day. There's just never any sense of him "phoning it in". His work always appears as if he is genuinely thrilled to draw it.

Nocenti had only scripted a few comics when she pitched Longshot, so this was her first big break, too. I had originally read this series back in '87 or '88, so I was pleased to find the writing more layered than I'd remembered. The story itself my not be groundbreaking, but Nocenti and Adams managed to do exactly what they set out to do: Introduce a brand new hero into the Marvel Universe that was truly original and exciting, sending readers' imaginations spinning.

Plus, he's got a kickass mullet. Gotta love that.

Wear to cover with fold to top right of cover.  Few spots on back cover.  Binding is tight and pages are white.   0-87135-568.  1st printing.

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