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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Kneel Before Todd!

Todd McFarlane has some unfinished business with the hero who defines unfinished business.

SPAWN #220 –
story TODD MCFARLANE 
art SZYMON KUDRANSKI
cover a TODD McFARLANE
cover b TODD McFARLANE SAVAGE DRAGON #1 HOMAGE
cover c TODD McFARLANE YOUNGBLOOD #1 HOMAGE

JUNE 6 /
40 PAGES / FC
$3.99

TODD McFARLANE RETURNS TO SPAWN AS WRITER AND COVER ARTIST!

Celebrate SPAWN’s 20th Anniversary with this special landmark release.

Jim Downing has long been a man lost – confused by his missing past, hounded
at every turn and manipulated by forces beyond his control.

No longer.

With his past finally coming into focus and a full understanding of the man he once was just out of reach, Jim embraces the full might of his horrific hell-born powers to piece together a mystery that has ties to the very core of the Spawn universe.

Old enemies will return. New dangers will emerge. And events woven within the complex fabric of Spawn’s rich mythology will begin to coalesce.

What happens from this point forward has been 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING!

Planetoid in Orbit at Image!

We loved Planetoid #1 when it was a Graphicly exclusive. Now we’re even more excited to see it heralded as a “gem of the month” by Image Comics’ June solicits. Ken Garing is a name to watch.

PLANETOID #1
story / art / cover KEN GARING

JUNE 13
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Silas, an ex-soldier turned space pirate, finds himself stranded on a mysterious planet in alien territory. As he explores the long-abandoned industrial ruins of the planet’s surface he will have to fend off rogue mechanical creatures, roving cyborg militias, and a hostile alien military with a bounty on his head. Silas will have to rely on resourcefulness and bare-bones survival tactics in order to stay alive and ultimately unlock the secrets of a planet where survival is a luxury and escape an impossibility.

Creator Owned Comics, Monthly

Steve Niles and Jimmy Palmiotti were so serious about the benefits of creator owned comic, they’re launching a new anthology magazine with original stories, interviews, all kinds of stuff. Plus? The Phil Noto factor.

CREATOR OWNED HEROES#1
story STEVE NILES, JIMMY PALMIOTTI & JUSTIN GRAY
art / cover  PHIL NOTO & KEVIN MELLON

JUNE 6
40 PAGES / FC / M
$3.99

“AMERICAN MUSCLE,” Part One
by STEVE NILES & KEVIN MELLON
The world ended a long time ago. How it happened exactly and what exists in the wasteland have always been a mystery. Now Chloe, Gil and a gang of rebels have escaped the last human stronghold and are blazing across Post-Apocalypse America in search of paradise.

“TRIGGERGIRL 6,” Part One
by JIMMY PALMIOTTI, JUSTIN GRAY & PHIL NOTO
In this sci-fi thriller, the sixth in a series of genetically modified assassins born in a secret laboratory sets her sights on the ultimate target. But what happens when the perfect killing machine takes a personal interest in her target only to uncover a conspiracy that may change the fate of the entire human race?

PLUS! An interview with NEIL GAIMAN! Triggergirl cosplay! Con photos! And original articles all celebrating the creator-owned spirit of independence!

Chew on That

Did you skip that flash forward issue in 2011? Were you waiting to see where it fit in chronologically? Right here. Same story, but loaded with extras.

CHEW #27
story JOHN LAYMAN
art & cover ROB GUILLORY

JUNE 20
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

“Space Cakes,” Part Two
Remember last year when CHEW shocked, confounded and enraged the entire comic book industry and indeed the entire world by printing an issue out of sequence? Here’s that issue all over again, in order and in context, and now jam-packed with extras and supplemental material so you’ll feel just fine about handing us 299 pennies all over again!

Take the Leap

At first, leaping sounded safer than leaping. But death still…abounds.

GRIM LEAPER #2 (of 4)
story KURTIS J. WIEBE
art & cover ALUISIO SANTOS

JUNE 20
32 PAGES / FC/M
$3.50

Lou Collins: Serial Leaper. Lou desperately tries to find Ella, the woman with an identical curse, before his next horrific death. But, there’s malevolence waiting in the darkness, something that wants to kill Lou before he even gets the chance. Something alive.

Get Depressed. You’ll Be Glad You Did.

I recently mainlined all the available issues of this terrific little soap and I’m very glad I did. If Scott Pilgrim is relationship comics on Red Bull, Li’l Depressed Boy is relationship comics on Tylenol PM. Great stuff. More mellow than melodramatic.

THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY #14
story S. STEVEN STRUBLE
art SINA GRACE
cover CHYNNA CLUGSTON-FLORES

JUNE 27
32 PAGES / FC / T
$2.99

“WOKE UP CLIPPED”
With everything going well in the Li’l Depressed Boy’s life, the world finds a way to rain on his parade. Featuring a cover by the super ginchy BLUE MONDAY creator, CHYNNA CLUGSTON-FLORES.

You Don’t Have to be a Rocket Scientist…

Say it ain’t so, Al…

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK PITARRA & CRIS PETER

JUNE 13
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“THE ROSE BRIDGE”
The Life and Death of Albert Einstein.

The blockbuster FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE series continues in THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4: THE ROSE BRIDGE!

Meanwhile, in the Future…

Between now and then we’ll see the tremendous Farel Dalrymple step in as guest artist for this phenomenal series. But seeing Brandon Graham as both writer and artist, at least for an issue, is even more exciting. Don’t forget to pick up the new collection of his King City comics.

PROPHET #26
story / art / cover BRANDON GRAHAM

JUNE 27
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Jaxson must find a way to warn John Prophet of the newly awakened Earth Empire.

Sexy!

Is this gonna be like that S&M issue from Y: The Last Man? All signs point to yes. But this time, it’s sure to be even more weird.

Damn that cat freaks me out.

SAGA #4
story BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
art / cover  FIONA STAPLES

JUNE 20
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99

Welcome to SEXTILLION, a distant planet where even your darkest fantasies become reality.  See why everyone’s talking about this hit new ongoing adventure from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and FIONA STAPLES!

It’s Gonna Take More than Happy Thoughts to Get Out of This One…

Lost Boys never say die!

PETER PANZERFAUST #5
story KURTIS J. WIEBE
art & cover TYLER JENKINS

JUNE 13
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.50

“THE GREAT ESCAPE,” Conclusion
Paris isn’t safe. The plan failed. A journey that began with promise comes crumbling down when the Nazi’s take the capital and France plunges into occupation. With nowhere to run, the Lost Boys make their final stand.

Omaha on the Bleeding Edge

Oodles of military secrets, all collected in one convenient softcover volume.

THE ACTIVITY, VOL. 1 TP
story NATHAN EDMONDSON
art / cover MITCH GERADS

JUNE 6
136 PAGES / FC / T+
$12.99

The evolution of global conflict necessitates the evolution of warfare to rise and meet the call.

The United States’ latest, most advanced and most secret special operations group is hidden inside the INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY.  They are tasked with fixing botched operations, wielding bleeding-edge tech and planning and executing lethal action in the utmost secrecy.

Collects THE ACTIVITY #1-5

For the full list of Image Comics Solicitations for June, head over to Comic Book Resources.