1) DeadpoolMAX #4

It’s a little strange to start the spotlight with a character as overly proliferated as Deadpool.  While I’m the first to admit that the character has had too many books in publication in recent years, DeadpoolMAX is one that stands out and should be remembered.  That’s largely due to the creative team of David Lapham and Kyle Baker.  Lapham, who has ably written gritty characters like Batman and the assorted cast members from his Stray Bullets book, teams well with the great artwork of Baker.  It’s also nice to see Baker getting back to cartooning after several more digitally crafted comics.  This week’s issue continues the popular miniseries that has wide appeal for fans of the characters as well as the talented creators working on the title.

2) Young Justice #0

If the new Batman: The Brave and the Bold comic is any indication, this should prove to be another successful tie in with DC’s entertaining animated catalog.  The other real selling point of this particular book is Mike Norton‘s illustrations.  He did some solid work on the Billy Batson: Shazam title, and should be a natural fit illustrating characters like Superboy, Robin, and Aqualad.

3) Wolverine #5

The final issue of the ‘Wolverine Goes to Hell’ story arc hits stands this week courtesy of Jason Aaron and Renato Guedes.  I’ve written at length about how Aaron’s approach to Wolverine is one of the truest to the character we’ve seen in a good while.  If Aaron’s writing doesn’t pull you to the book, consider the fact that this arc alone features appearances from Alpha Flight’s popular Puck as well as Wolverine’s father.  Also, I’d be remiss not to mention that this issue features yet another back up story from Aaron and local creators Jason Latour and Heroes’ own Rico Renzi.  Some of you might remember their Silver Samurai contribution to Wolverine #1, which was well received among fans and critics.  Their work in this issue also acts as a conclusion to all the backup stories in the first arc.  The Aaron/Latour/Renzi story alone should warrant a look from you in your shopping this week.

4) Invincible Iron Man #500

Heroes alum Matt Fraction and artist Salvador Larroca usher in the return to Iron Man’s original numbering in this week’s anniversary issue.  Along with the regular creators are contributions from the likes of artists likes of Kano and Nathan Fox.  With Fraction heading up Marvel’s next big event Fear Itself, it’s a safe bet that Iron Man will play some role in the story.  So why not jump onto the Iron Man title with this special anniversary issue?

5) Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40

Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty offer up the final issue of Buffy season 8.  The Buffy comic has long been a popular follow up to the television series, and is novel in its use of the comic medium as the setting of what would’ve been the next season of the show.  Not only has Buffy maintained and grown its substantial fanbase, but its sales have been strong enough to warrant the upcoming season 9 comic series.

> Bonus Picks of the Week: Amazing Spider-man #652, Boys #50, Legion of Super Heroes #9, Scarlet #4, B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs HC vol. 1, and Darkwing Duck #8.