1) Fear Itself #1

Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen spearhead Marvel’s new company wide event which has already been building positive early buzz.  The story brings together Asgardian threats with Earth-based villains like Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull, resulting in the Marvel heroes having to face their deepest fears.  Fraction and Immonen have done much to earn industry respect with their previous works, and the first issue reads and looks like they’re putting a lot of energy into this series.

2) Madman New Giant Size Super Ginchy Special One Shot

There are lots of reasons to check this one out this week.  First off, it’s a 64 page comic for $5.99.  Couple that with the fact that Madman creator Mike Allred provides the main story, while creators Emi Lenox, Tonci Zonjic, and Matt Kindt each provide their own backup story. And to top it all off, in the great tradition of Madman pin-ups past, this one shot features art from creators like Gilbert Hernandez, Dave Sim, Darwyn Cooke, Daniel Krall (right) and others!

3)  Aaron and Ahmed HC

This new Vertigo original hardcover focuses on an American Doctor who loses his fiancee in 9/11 and decides to become a Guantanamo Bay interrogator.  There his encounters with a prisoner lead him to examine several things about his own life and beliefs.  This relevant story comes to you from novelist and multiple fellowship winner Jay Cantor and James Romberger, artist behind the recent Vertigo Crime book The Bronx Kill.

4) Blue Estate #1

This book takes the interesting concept of having four  talented artists working on the same book, but does so in a seamless manner.  Written by Andrew Osbourne (based on a story from Viktor Kalvachev and Kosta Yanev), and illustrated by Kalvachev, Toby Cypress, Nathan Fox, and Robert Valley, this comic appears to be a riff on classic crime noir tales, but twists the genre into new forms.  For instance, there is a femme fatale, but the private investigator is an overweight nerd.  The real success of this book is that you forget you’re looking at the work of multiple artists.  Pick this one up if you get a chance as you’ll be impressed by both story and art.

5) Avengers: the Children’s Crusade #5

Allen Heinberg and Jimmy Cheung continue their Avengers tale this week.  Some might not like the fact that it’s 0n a bi-monthy publishing schedule, but Cheung’s work is well worth the wait.  In addition to the Young Avengers, the Avengers, and Scarlet Witch, this issue features what looks like the return of Ant Man and Jack of Hearts.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Marvel’s Herc #1, Fables TP vol. 15, Superman/Batman Annual #5 (part of the Doomsday crossover), and Justice League of America 80 Page Giant 2011.