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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This’d Be the Signal to Clap Your Hands

It’s the start of a very blue Christmas for Nick Sax, courtesy of Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson. Sometimes the most exciting holiday gifts (and comics projects) are those you had no idea you wanted.

HAPPY! #1 (of 4) – GEM OF THE MONTH
story GRANT MORRISON
art / cover DARICK ROBERTSON

SEPTEMBER 26
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

Meet NICK SAX – a corrupt, intoxicated ex-cop turned hit-man, adrift in a stinking twilight world of casual murder, soulless sex, eczema and betrayal.

With a hit gone wrong, a bullet in his side, the cops and the mob on his tail, and a monstrous child killer in a Santa suit on the loose, Nick and his world will be changed forever this Christmas.

By a tiny blue horse called Happy…

Can we get a…

Hell Yeah for new jumping on points! This September, tet Ben Day take you–and his many enemies–back to school.

HELL YEAH #6
story JOE KEATINGE
art / cover  ANDRE SZYMANOWICZ

SEPTEMBER 12
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

“EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS RIGHT,” Part One
A new beginning. A new world. A new Ben Day.

 Flaxans in flux!

War ends in a cluster-Flaxan! Looks like a major turning point for everyone in the Invincible universe and the start of a new emotional cold war.

INVINCIBLE #96
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art RYAN OTTLEY & CORY WALKER
cover RYAN OTTLEY, CORY WALKER & JOHN RAUCH

SEPTEMBER 19
32 PAGES / FC/ T+
$2.99

The Flaxan invasion comes to a horrible, violent end. Robot and Monster Girl will never be the same again as their secrets are revealed. The new Invincible has gotten a taste for what his new role will require. Meanwhile, back at home… Mark Grayson is growing stronger.

Iceland or Bust!

Speaking of. The Cold War gets a little chillier as the world brightest (and darkest) minds converge in Iceland!

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #7
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK PITARRA & JORDIE BELLAIRE

SEPTEMBER 19
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“ABOVE AND BEYOND”
At a top Secret meeting in Iceland, the Americans and Russians have a
world-shattering encounter with the Science tyrants of the Manhattan Projects.

The thrilling FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE series continues in THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS#7: ABOVE AND BEYOND!

There’s Something About It Girl

Oh, It Girl…

IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #2
story JAMIE S. RICH
art MIKE NORTON
cover MICHAEL & LAURA ALLRED
variant cover DARWYN COOKE

SEPTEMBER 12
32 PAGES / FC / E
$2.99

“DARK STREETS, SNAP CITY,” Part Two
It Girl comes crashing down to Earth. Can she figure out where she’s landed before the shadowy figure following behind catches up with her? Also, see what the Skunk’s old gang gets up to when left to their own devices! Joins us for world-bending new adventures starring Michael Allred’s Atomics!

 

 A Runaways Reunion!

 

New Adrian Alphona art is always a reason to celebrate. Pairing that with one of 2012’s most compelling murder mysteries is even more reason to stuff three Wahingtons into a T-shirt cannon and level it at your LCS counter.

MIND THE GAP #5
story JIM McCANN
art Rodin Esquejo & Adrian Alphona
cover A RODIN ESQUEJO
cover B JO CHEN

SEPTEMBER 19
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

An arrest made! A secret past revealed! Life-altering events set in motion! And a HOLY $%!! last page that will leave you breathless as the first arc ends and the stage set for the next chapter.

For this mind bending, jaw dropping tale, series artist RODIN ESQUEJO is joined by very special guests – the Runaways art team, including a cover from JO CHEN! The red-hot new series reaches scorching temperatures as it continues to sell out. You DO NOT want to miss this issue!

 

Meanwhile, in the future…

The uninitiated might be frustrated with just how vague the solicit text is for this next issue of Prophet, but then you’d be missing the weird for the strange. Every consecutive issue has emerged as a wild new jaunt in the far-flung future, replete with game-changing physics. We suggest you just strap yourself in and let Brandon Graham and his merry band of artists take you for a tour of their increasingly inventive vision of tomorrow.

PROPHET #29
story BRANDON GRAHAM, SIMON ROY & GIANNIS MILONOGIANNIS
art GIANNIS MILONOGIANNIS
cover FIL BARLOW

SEPTEMBER 26
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Prophet goes looking for an old friend and finds an alien mystery.

Agent Orange

Not a bad time to tag along with Sara Pezzini as she settles into her role as Chicago’s premiere occult investigator.

WITCHBLADE #161
story TIM SEELEY
art DIEGO BERNARD & FRED BENES
cover A JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
cover B DIEGO BERNARD & FRED BENES

SEPTEMBER 12
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

“APPARITIONS”
Private detective Sara Pezzini’s recent exploits have had an unintended, but not all together negative side effect – she’s now actually getting paid to investigate paid supernatural cases! However she may make an enemy of another one of Chicago’s supernatural agents in the process. Meanwhile, all around her forces move in a much larger, sinister symphony…

Would You Mind Layering the Butter?  

LDB takes a gig at movie theater, but is the new romance that ensues a perk or an occupational hazard?

THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY, VOL. 4 TP
story S. STEVEN STRUBLE
art & cover SINA GRACE

SEPTEMBER 26
112 PAGES / FC / T
$12.99

“LOVE IS A PLACE”
As he settles into a groove with his new job, the Li’l Depressed Boy embarks on a relationship he must keep secret from his co-workers. But secrets rarely stay hidden, do they?

Collects THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY #13-16

 

Adjacent to Annihilation! Close to Ceasing-to-Be! Understudy to the Bleedin’ Choir Invisible!

Come for the skunk coiffure. Stay for the blistering saga of crime and punishment.

NEAR DEATH, VOL. 2 TP
story JAY FAERBER
art SIMONE GUGLIELMINI
cover  FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

SEPTEMBER 12
136 PAGES / FC / T+
$14.99

In this second collection of the series BRIAN K. VAUGHAN calls “a killer crime book with a very sharp hook,” former hitman Markham has relocated to Los Angeles, where he continues his efforts to balance the scales by saving people instead of killing them. But try as he might, Markham can’t outrun his dark past.

If you like THIEF OF THIEVES and FATALE, you’ll love NEAR DEATH.

Collects NEAR DEATH #6-11

 

For the complete list of Image Comics heading your way this September, hit CBR.