This week’s spotlight focuses on new releases that are a bit more eclectic than ones previewed in previous weeks.  That said, there are some interesting mainstream titles on sale as well so be sure to check our full listing of this week’s new releases to see what might interest you.  Here are some of my picks for titles to look out for:

1) Fractured Fables HC

This new all-ages anthology comes to us courtesy of Image Comics and features a diverse set of contributors including Jill Thompson, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, and Scott Morse.  With each creator offering their interpretation of classic fairy tales, this one should appeal to kids and adult fans who are familiar with some of the artists more mature efforts.  If you saw the Free Comic Book Day preview title, you know this is going to be a fun book.

2) The Sixth Gun #1 and #2

From Oni Press and creators Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt comes the first two issues of a title they debuted at this year’s Free Comic Book Day.  One of the event’s highest regarded offerings, this title has been steadily adding to its buzz in recent months.  With a story set during the Civil War and incorporating supernatural elements, there is something here for fans of both history and horror.  And if you missed the Free Comic Book Day issue, it is reprinted in issue #1, while issue #2 continues the ongoing series.

3) Astonishing Spider-man/Wolverine #2

Another title featuring Spider-man and Wolverine?  Don’t let the fact that these characters appear in numerous books deter you from giving this series a shot.  Jason Aaron has proven in recent years that he writes costumed characters as well as he does the inhabitants of his gritty and consistently brilliant series Scalped.  Adam Kubert is no stranger to illustrating Marvel characters, and has done some good work since returning from his tenure at DC.  What’s most significant about this title to me is that Aaron and Kubert don’t just throw the two characters together without reason.   After years of running into each other in comics, the relationship between these two very different kinds of heroes is explored to good measure and perhaps in greater detail than we’ve previously seen.

4) Strange Science Fantasy #1

When he’s not busy working for Pixar writer/artist Scott Morse crafts beautiful comics.  If you stopped by the Adhouse booth at Heroes Con this year you may have seen Morse cranking out amazing paintings for lucky fans.  His new series is an anthology of sorts, created with a tip of the hat to popular superhero, sci-fi, and fantasy anthologies of the ’60’s.  Online previews of the title make it evident that Morse had a lot of fun creating this book.  And when this new world is inhabited with characters named ‘Shogunaut’ and ‘The Headlight,’  you can see that Morse’s enjoyment in making this book is contagious.

5) Mystery Society #2

This creation of Steve Niles and Ashley Wood is living up to its deserved hype.  Issue one featured one of the protagonists breaking into Area 51, and the re-introduction of Niles’ character the Secret Skull.  With elements of sci-fi, espionage, horror and of course the titular mystery, this book should not only appeal to fans of earlier works from Niles and Wood but  fans of superheros as well.  Artist Fiona Staples proved with issue one that her style works well with Niles’ writing.  She also provided the art for the recent Northlanders #29, which gives you some indication of her range.  I should also mention that we still have copies of Mystery Society #1 available, including the retailer exclusives from around the country that we debuted at Heroes Con.