Batman Rebirth #1 - $2.99
Written by Tom King & Scott Snyder & Drawn by Mikel Janin | DC
This Rebirth special helps wrap up one era of Batman's career and usher in a new one, as outgoing writer Scott Snyder and incoming writer Tom King join forces. This issue explores the relationship between the rejuvenated Dark Knight and his newest protege, Duke Thomas, as the two contend with a dramatically revamped version of a classic Bat-villain. The result is a surreal, exciting romp through Gotham that makes the most of a very talented creative team. If you weren't excited about the future of the Batman franchise before, you will be after reading this comic.
Casanova: Acedia #5 - $3.99
Written by Matt Fraction & Michael Chabon & Drawn by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba | Image
Matt Fraction, Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon's Casanova will always have a special place in our hearts, and we're excited to see the series returning this week. This latest story arc bucks the usual trend of relaunching with a new #1 and a new subtitle, instead picking up where the creative team last left off with Acedeia #4. But with super-spy extraordinaire Casanova Quinn dealing with amnesia, this issue might just be the ideal jumping-on point for new readers.
Hellboy in Hell #10 - $2.99
Written & Drawn by Mike Mignola | Dark Horse
Ideally, we were hoping that an ongoing Hellboy series written and drawn by Mike Mignola would have lasted longer than 10 issues. But whatever Hellboy in Hell lacked in quantity or timeliness, it more than made up for in quality. This issue will wrap up the sad, strange saga of Hellboy's journey through the underworld. And based on Mignola's comments about taking a break from comics, this may be the last Hellboy take he draws for quite a while. We're going to savor this one.
Green Lanterns Rebirth #1 - $2.99
Written by Sam Humphries & Geoff Johns & Drawn By Ethan Van Sciver & Ed Benes | DCThe Green Lantern franchise is undergoing a major shakeup thanks to DC Rebirth. This Rebirth issue kicks off a new series that will focus on rookie Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz as they settle into their roles as the new Lanterns of Sector 2814. It's like the ultimate buddy cop tale. And like Batman Rebirth, this issue features a bit of old and new, creatively. Not only is Sam Humphries making his DC debut with this issue, he's being joined by Geoff Johns (who, as you might be aware, knows a thing or two about the GL franchise).
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu Omnibus Vol. 1 HC - $125.00
Written & Drawn by Various | Marvel
The '70s were a time when Marvel branched out from traditional superhero fare and explored other genres like horror and martial arts. When it comes to the latter, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better or more influential series of stories than those featuring martial arts whiz Shang-Chi. And now, at long last, those old tales are finally being reprinted for modern audiences. This hardcover is the first of four massive tomes exploring Shang-Chi's quest to rid the world of his father's evil.
Civil War II #1 - $5.99
Written by Brian Michael Bendis & Drawn by David Marquez | Marvel
Ten years after launching the original Civil War, Marvel is back with a sequel. But don't expect a simple retread of the original conflict (or the latest Captain America movie). This time, Marvel's heroes are warring over the emergence of a new Inhuman with the ability to predict the future. Should that power be used to prevent potential disasters before they happen, even if it means punishing the guilty before they actually commit a crime? That's the question that drives a wedge right through the Avengers, with Captain Marvel and Iron Man becoming figureheads in this physical and ideological war.
Marvel's last big summer event, Secret Wars, turned out to be one of the biggest and most satisfying superhero epics in years. We're hoping Civil War II can work some more of that magic. At least writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez have a proven track record on books like Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man and Invincible Iron Man.
Control #1 - $3.99
Written by Andy Diggle & Angela Cruickshank & Drawn by Andrea Mutti | Dynamite
Fans of gritty crime dramas and political thrillers will want to pay attention to Dynamite's latest mini-series, which merges both genres into one intriguing whole. Control stars an unlucky cop in Washington DC who becomes embroiled in a major political scandal and must unravel a criminal conspiracy in order to preserve her career. Between the talented creative team and a concept that promises to put a lofty, socially conscious spin on the crime genre, we're very intrigued by this new series.
Superman Rebirth #1 - $2.99
Written by Pete Tomasi & Drawn by Doug Mahnke | DC
Perhaps no DC franchise has been more fundamentally changed by DC Rebirth than Superman. In the wake of the "Final Days of Superman" crossover, the New 52 Superman is dead and his pre-Flashpoint counterpart is reluctantly emerging from hiding to take up the mantle once again. Can this switch-over help the franchise recapture what it's been missing for the last few years? if this issue is any indication, the answer is yes. Pete Tomasi knows his way around Superman by now, and the fact that this man of Steel has a wife and son to protect only makes his journey that much more unpredictable and exciting.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink #1 - $3.99
Written by Brenden Fletcher & Kelly Thompson & Drawn by Daniele Di | Boom
Boom Studios has been doing a great job with the Power Rangers license so far, so why not commission a spinoff? This issue kicks off a new six-issue mini-series focused squarely on Kimberly Hart. The idea of a solo Power Ranger adventure is exciting enough on its own, but the fact that it's co-written by Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl) and Kelly Thompson (Jem and the Holograms) is all the more reason to give this spinoff project a look.
Strange Attractors #1 - $3.99
Written by Charles Soule & Drawn by Greg Scott | Boom
For many adults, balancing a checkbook is about the most math they're willing to let into their life. But under the right hand, even advanced concepts like chaos theory can be fascinating when presented by the right storyteller. Case in point - Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. Strange Attractors is another story that scratches that itch. This mini-series (a reprint of the original graphic novel published at Archaia) follows a mathematician named Dr. Brownfield who discovers that his sick mentor has been using Chaos Theory to make a series of small adjustments to prevent total societal collapse. Can Brownfield learn to follow in his footsteps?
When Strange Attractors was first published, Charles Soule was still a rising star in the comic book world. Now that he's cemented his status as one of the bright new stars of the industry, what better time to give this earlier story a look?
Prez: The First Teenage President TPB - $24.99
Written & Drawn by Various | DC
DC has promised that a second volume of Mark Russell and Ben Caldwell's Prez revamp is on the way. While you wait, why not check out the stories that inspired that clever political satire? This trade paperback gathers the original, short-lived Prez series, along with Sandman #54, Vertigo Visions: Prez #1 and various other stories featuring teenage President-turned-adult recluse Prez Rickard. Much of this material has never been collected before. Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.