Wow, it’s hard to believe I’m already writing about June books!  Not only does June bring lots of great new books, it brings us HeroesCon June 22-24.  Advance passes are still available for the 30th HeroesCon at a bargain price of $30 for three full days of comic awesomeness, plus cool incentives.  The guest list is growing every week and I can’t wait to greet all of you from the Information Booth and maybe sell you a t-shirt or three.   Now to the books!

Before Watchmen: The highly debated prequel to Alan Moore’s comic classic Watchmen debuts this month with first issues of Minutemen, Silk Spectre, Comedian, and Nite Owl.  While controversial, it’s hard to argue that DC hasn’t assembled a team of great talent to tackle such a monumental task.  The Minutemen cover by Darwyn Cooke and the Silk Spectre cover by Amanda Conner are both extremely beautiful.  It will be interesting to see where these characters are taken in the years before their appearances in the classic story.  Don’t forget, Amanda will be at HeroesCon with even more of her lovely art. (pages 74-77)

Infernal Man-Thing #1: Marvel is also reaching into the past this month with the first issue of a three part series by the late, great Steve Gerber and Kevin Nowlan. This new series brings readers Gerber’s lost Man-Thing story, which is brought to life by Nowlan’s amazing art.  The first issue also includes a cover by Art Adams, no ads and bonus content. (page 43 Marvel Previews)

Sergio Aragones’ Groo the Wanderer: Artist’s Edition: There have been several great Artist’s editions over the past few months.  June brings another must-have for any art fan, as Groo finally gets his own place in IDW’s Artist’s Edition series.  Even better, you can meet Sergio himself at HeroesCon and finally answer the question: Is his moustache as amazing in person as it is in pictures? (page 155)

Dark Horse Presents #13 : This month’s Dark Horse Presents brings readers a reboot of Ghost by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Noto.  For those unfamiliar, Ghost follows departed reporter, Elisa Cameron, in her afterlife as she seeks knowledge as to her death.  The lovely Ms. Cameron battles various demons and works with other paranormal women.  Issue #13 also includes contributions from other HeroesCon guests: Steve Niles, John Arcudi, Francesco Francavilla, and Geof Darrow. We’re excited to have all these talented creators joining us at this year’s HeroesCon! (page 35)

American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #1:  Vertigo digs deeper into the American Vampire universe with a new mini-series placed in postwar Europe and focused on a vampire hunting agency, the Vassals of the Morning Star.  The story spotlights the life of Agent Felicia Book, who has stepped away from the hunt to raise her son,  but is asked to return to the Vassals to assist in tracking the most powerful vampire of all time.  In addition to writing from regular series creator Scott Snyder, this mini-series features art from Dustin Nguyen.  HeroesCon is a great chance to meet writer Scott Snyder, who is making his first trip to our show. (page 138)

Creator Owned Heroes #1: The first 40 page issue of Creator Owned Heroes includes two stories. Steve Niles teams with Kevin Mellon on American Muscle. Part one is set in Post-Apocalypse America following a gang of rebels as the explore the wasteland left behind in the wake of the end of the world.  Jimmy Palmiotti teams with Justin Gray and Phil Noto on Triggergirl 6 a sci-fi story about a the sixth member in a series of genetically modified assassins bred in a secret lab.  The twist is the latest assassin pays special attention to her target which leads her to uncover a conspiracy that has the potential to affect all of the human race.  Kevin and Jimmy will also be guests at HeroesCon! (page 186-189)

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century #3:  From Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill, the latest League series concludes in London 2009, with the magical child whose birth was foretold in prior centuries, grown and ready to claim his frightening birthright while the world sits at the edge of a Holy War.  With the League absent, only an asylum patient who claims to have all the answers seems to stand in his way.  (p.318)

Bonus Picks: Dave Stevens: Stories & Covers: This beautiful hardcover collects all of Stevens’ non-Rocketeer comic work. (page 152), Liberty Meadows Sunday Collection Book 1 Hardcover (page 196) Iron: Or, The War After (page 239), Everybody Loves Tank Girl #1 (page 318) , The Massive (page 30-31 ), Fatale Vol 1 TP (page 195) and Ultimate Spider-men #1 (Marvel Previews page 19).

Are you starting to notice a theme? There’s a lot of great books out in June and many of those wonderful creators will be at HeroesCon this year.  HeroesCon is a great opportunity to meet them.  There’s a lot of chances for quality interaction between fans and creators from Artists Alley and panels to the Art stage.  Get your previews order in to the store the store by April 18 and get yourself to HeroesCon, June 22-24.  We hope to see you there!