Being a comic fan can be tough. With so many publishers printing more and more books, canceling titles and starting new ones, it can be daunting when you head to the comic book shop on a Wednesday to know exactly what’s coming out.

The current system of presenting and ordering comics three months ahead of their release as set forth by the sole comics distributor, Diamond Comics, doesn’t make it any easier either. We’re not a fan of that system, we think it’s slowly strangling comics to death, but we realize it’s a harsh reality of how the industry works and we definitely don’t want you to miss out on any of the cool comics being published.

And so, as opposed to regurgitating the list of comics solicited in Previews each month, we present to you some of the highlights of things you probably won’t want to miss out on.

SPOILER WARNING – in order to get people to order comics, the publishers have a funny habit of revealing what’s happening in the books. If you don’t want anything at all to be spoiled, then you’ll probably want to skip this post and take your chances with your pre-orders and/or your shopping.

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Batman Gets Some Backup

“The Night of the Owls” descends upon Gotham in 2012, and it all starts in the pages of Batman and Detective Comics. Snyder is joined by James Tynion IV and American Vampire’s Rafael Albuquerque for his co-feature. Tony Daniel is joined by Penguin: Pain & Prejudice artist Szymon Kudranski.

BATMAN #8
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Backup story written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Backup story art by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
Variant cover by IAN CHURCHILL
1:200 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale APRIL 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Broken and beaten, Bruce Wayne has retreated from Gotham City – the city of Owls – to Wayne Manor. But no place is safe, because the Court is about to strike at the heart of city, and nothing will ever be the same. Be there for the start of the battle for Gotham City’s soul…and the prelude to “The Night of the Owls.”

And in the first chapter of a new backup story, learn the secret history of The Court of Owls – as well as the secrets of Gotham City and the Wayne family!

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #8
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
Backup story art by SZYMON KUDRANSKI
1:25 B&W Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale APRIL 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.
Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend, investigative journalist Charlotte Rivers, tries to protect a long-hidden secret even when her own life hangs in the balance. The Scarecrow is after knowledge only she possesses, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it from her. Can Batman uncover Charlotte’s secret past in time to save her future? With the clock ticking and a dose of newly designed fear gas in the air, Batman must first fight his own nightmare as all of Gotham City turns against him.

Plus, don’t miss the start of a new backup story written by Tony S. Daniel and illustrated by Szymon Kudranski (PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE)!
This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

 

The End is Just a Little Harder When Brought About By Friends

April sees the conclusion of several storylines in the first wave of new DCU titles, and for a few of them that also means the end of their series run. We’re particularly despondent over the cancellation of O.M.A.C., a surprising favorite amongst critics. That said, it’s frustrating to see any of these titles go so quickly.

Not that time heals all wounds. We’re pretty sad to see Northlanders go too, even after a robust 50 issue run.

One last thing. Even though these are all final issues, fair weather fans will still want to pick up Men of War #8, featuring a Frankenstein in WWII story by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt. Co-starring G.I. Robot! Talk about going out with a bang!

O.M.A.C. #8
Written by DAN DIDIO
Art and cover by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH
On sale APRIL 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
The end is here! It’s the battle we’ve all been waiting for: Checkmate vs. Brother Eye! Maxwell Lord leads an all-out counter attack against Brother Eye and O.M.A.C.! Don’t miss the shocking ending!

BLACKHAWKS #8
Written by MIKE COSTA
Art by CAFU and BIT
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
Mother Machine is back – and she’s striking at the team’s beating heart! The Blackhawks barely survived their last encounter with the woman of tomorrow. This time, the body count will be staggering! Will there be anyone left to pick up the pieces, or are the Blackhawks’ wings clipped for good?

MEN OF WAR #8
Written by JEFF LEMIRE and MATT KINDT
Art by TOM DERENICK
Cover by VIKTOR KALVACHEV
On sale APRIL 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+ • FINAL ISSUE
Frankenstein guest-stars! Frank walks through a rain of bombs over 1941 London before being dragged to the depths of the Pacific Ocean and onto the shores of Japan! Will he make it there in one piece so he can team up with G.I. Robot to defeat an Axis weapon that threatens to turn the tide of the war? Frankenstein’s success will hinge on the help of a four-armed super-spy assassin working in the shadows. It’s espionage and monster mayhem straight out of the pages of FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. in this weird tale of World War II!

 

HAWK AND DOVE #8
Written by ROB LIEFELD
Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD
On sale APRIL 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
Rob Liefeld writes and illustrates this intense issue as Hawk and Dove face down the mysterious Hunter! Secrets are revealed and lines are crossed in an epic you have to see to believe! The race is on as Dove battles the Hunter’s lethal poison and Hawk desperately seeks a cure! Could this be the end for Hawk and Dove?

 

STATIC SHOCK #8
Written by MARC BERNARDIN
Art by SCOTT McDANIEL and ANDY OWENS
Cover by KHARY RANDOLPH and LE BEAU UNDERWOOD
On sale APRIL 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
Static has faced some of the most merciless and deadly villains that both New York City and Dakota City have to offer, but now he finds himself face-to-face with a woman who holds his future in her hands and has the power to destroy it: the school psychologist! In one conversation that covers his new life in NYC and the life he left behind, we’ll get new insights into what makes Virgil Hawkins tick. And maybe Virgil hasn’t been as careful at hiding his secret identity as he thought.

 

NORTHLANDERS #50
Written by BRIAN WOOD
Art by DANIJEL ZEZELJ
Cover by MASSIMO CARNEVALE
On sale APRIL 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • Final issue • MATURE READERS
“The Icelandic Trilogy” concludes with “Waygone,” rounding off the epic, centuries-spanning tale of the Haukssons, Iceland’s notorious organized crime family, also bringing Brian Wood’s critically acclaimed series to an end.

The New DCU: Collected

On a happier note, April also brings the first batch of collected editions from the new 52. Detective Comics and Batwoman in hardcover and the rest in trade paperback.

BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 1 – FACES OF DEATH HC
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL, RYAN WINN and
SANDU FLOREA
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale JUNE 6 • 176 pg, FC, $22.99 US
As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics – The New 52 event, DETECTIVE COMICS is relaunched for the first time! With the first seven hard-hitting issues from acclaimed writer/artist Tony S. Daniel, Bruce Wayne returns as Batman – and sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with TV journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings. But time is running out as Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the secret of the dread Dollmaker!

 

BATWOMAN VOL. 1: HYDROLOGY HC
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art by J.H. WILLIAMS III and AMY REEDER
Cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale JUNE 13 • 160 pg, FC, $22.99 US
As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics – The New 52, Batwoman’s new series begins from the team of J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman with this title collecting issues #0-5!
Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her? These are some of the questions that will be answered in these spectacular stories!

 

CATWOMAN VOL. 1: THE GAME TP
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale MAY 16 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Collecting the first six issues of the DC Comics – The New 52 series! Meet Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. But this time, Selina steals from the wrong man, and now he’s got her. He wants his stuff back, he wants answers and he wants blood. Writer Judd Winick begins a new chapter for CATWOMAN – let’s hope she makes it out alive!

 

ANIMAL MAN VOL. 1: THE HUNT TP
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN, JEFF HUET and JOHN PAUL LEON
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale MAY 2 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
One of the breakout hits from DC Comics – The New 52! In these tales from issues #1-6 of the new series, Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? As these new abilities continue to terrify Buddy and his wife Ellen, things take a turn for the worse as Buddy and Maxine begin a journey into the heart of The Red. Don’t miss the amazing series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (The Immortal Iron Fist)!

 

GREEN ARROW VOL. 1: THE MIDAS TOUCH TP
Written by J.T. KRUL, KEITH GIFFEN and DAN JURGENS
Art by DAN JURGENS, GEORGE PEREZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
On sale MAY 30 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In this title collecting the first six issues of the DC Comics – The New 52 event, Oliver Queen is armed with cutting-edge weaponry and illegally gained intel (courtesy of his team at QCore)! As Green Arrow, he’s shooting first and asking questions later as he travels the world to bring outlaws to justice…and breaking every law there is in the process.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 1: THE SIGNAL MASTERS TP
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by AARON LOPRESTI, MATT RYAN and MARCO CASTIELLO
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
On sale MAY 9 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
In this title collecting the first six issues of the DC Comics – The New 52 series, the United Nations brings together Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red to form a new group called Justice League International! With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the JLI are charged with promoting unity and trust. But can they discover the mystery behind the giant alien Signalmen who are appearing all over the globe without killing each other first?

 

STORMWATCH VOL. 1: THE DARK SIDE TP
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA and AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
On sale MAY 23 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Stormwatch returns in this DC Comics – The New 52 title collecting the first six issues of the team’s new series! Jack Hawksmoor, Midnighter, Apollo, The Engineer and Martian Manhunter comprise a dangerous super human police force whose existence is kept secret from the world. This covert team of sci-fi super heroes must battle the Earth’s moon itself and find a way to hide its monstrous metamorphosis from the rest of the Earth! Featuring writing from Doctor Who and SUPERMAN: THE BLACK RING scribe Paul Cornell, and art from rising star Miguel Sepulveda.

 

LEGION LOST TP
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING • Art by OLIVIER COIPEL, PASCAL ALIXE and ANDY LANNING • Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
On sale MAY 30 • 296 pg, FC, $29.99 US
The Legion of Super-Heroes finds itself stranded in a distant galaxy, on the home planet of the vicious alien race known as the Progeny, in this new hardcover collecting the cult favorite 12-issue epic. While some of our heroes struggle to repair their damaged spaceship, the rest attempt to forge an alliance with the peaceful Kwai.

 

Eat. PREY. Love.

Sometimes you just need a little Strange. The mad doctor at the center of last year’s Batman: Arkham City game first set his sights on Bruce Wayne in Doug Moench’s “Prey” storyline in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. DC presents a new collection of that old chestnut as well as a new mini-series spinning out from the game.

 

BATMAN: PREY TP
Written by DOUG MOENCH • Art by PAUL GULACY, TERRY AUSTIN and JIMMY PALMIOTTI • Cover by PAUL GULACY and TERRY AUSTIN
On sale MAY 30 • 256 pg, FC, $24.99 US
From the pages of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #11-15 and 137-141! Batman must confront the sinister Dr. Hugo Strange, a man with a deadly secret who is determined to kill the Dark Knight. Who is the fearsome Night Scourge, and what is his link to the GCPD? And how does Catwoman fit into all this?

 

BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED #1
Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS
Based on a teleplay by MARLY HALPERN-GRASER
Story by MARLY HALPERN-GRASER, PAUL CROKER and SEFTON HILL
Art by MIKE MILLER
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
On sale APRIL 11 • 40 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Spinning directly out of the hit video game BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY, this new series explores the world behind the game in stories focusing on both heroes and villains and how their roles in ARKHAM CITY. A prequel to the game created with the developer, Rocksteady, this first issue features content previously available only as a digital released and explores the Catwoman/Two-Face rivalry and how it leads them into the clutches of Hugo Strange.

 

The Star(men), Aligned

Head back to Opal City. After four years in hardcover, the first Omnibus collection of Robinson and Harris’ legendary Starman series will now be available in trade paperback.

STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 TP
Written by JAMES ROBINSON • Art by TONY HARRIS, WADE VON GRAWBADGER and others • Cover by TONY HARRIS
On sale MAY 30 • 448 pg, FC, $29.99 US
The first volume of the series collecting the classic super hero series of the 1990s is now available in trade paperback. In these stories from issues #0-16 of the hit series, Jack Knight – antiques collector and dealer – inherits the name and powers of his father’s old Starman identity from his older brother, who has been assassinated.

No Reservations, But Definitely a Preorder

Anthony Bourdain has traveled around the globe and digested just about every variety of organism skittering about its surface. He’s written terrific nonfiction books about his travels, his addictions, and his rise to fame in the dining industry. He’s also published crime fiction and even scripted hours of television, including episodes of HBO’s Treme. Now he turns his attention to comics. Life does not suck.

 

 

GET JIRO! HC
Written by ANTHONY BOURDAIN and JOEL ROSE
Art and cover by LANGDON FOSS
On sale JUNE 27 • 160 pg, FC, $24.99 US • MATURE READERS
Don’t miss this original graphic novel from Anthony Bourdain, renowned chef, New York Times bestselling author (Kitchen Confidential, Medium Raw) and star of the Emmy-winning hit travel show No Reservations and the brand new series The Layover! Co-written with Joel Rose (LA PACIFICA, Kill Kill Faster Faster) this stylized send-up of food culture and society features spectacular detailed and dynamic art by Langdon Foss.

In a not-too-distant future of food obsessed L.A., where master chefs rule the town like crime lords and people literally kill for a seat at the best restaurant, Jiro, a renegade and ruthless sushi chef arrives in town with strong ideas of his own. It’s a bloody culinary war of epic proportions, and in the end, no chef may be left alive!

 

Mischief: Managed

Let’s be honest. There could be more mosquito-lookin’ dudes trying to kill each other on your desk.

MAD VINYL SPY VS. SPY 2-PACK

Espionage has never been this fun!

Coinciding with the celebration of Mad Magazine’s 60th Anniversary comes the legendary deadly duo, Spy vs Spy! The monochromatic mayhem these two terrifically sculpted 9” figures will cause is augmented by the deadly array of weapons included. It’s like the Cold War never ended!
$49.99 U S • On Sale May 23, 2012