We have a plethora of new comics for you this week to coincide with this weekend’s New York Comic Con.  While some of our staff will be in attendance, the rest of us will still be in Charlotte to make sure you get your books.  With a week as large as this one, make sure you don’t forget to check the full listing on the new releases section of our site.

1) Richard Stark’s Parker: The Outfit HC

Writer/artist Darwyn Cooke returns with his second adaptation of Richard Stark’s classic noir character.  The first volume (Parker: the Hunter) provided some of Cooke’s most interesting work to date and went on to appear on numerous ‘best of the year’ lists.  With this being the second of several planned volumes, expect more of the same craftsmanship as Cooke continues to work on one of his dream projects.  Parker is noir at its most pure, and Cooke’s understanding and appreciation of the simplicity and directness of the form comes across in every page.  Sure to be one of this year’s top books, make sure you pick this one up early!

2) Uncanny X-force #1

Rick Remender and Jerome Opena begin their highly anticipated run on X-force this week.  Featuring fan favorite characters like Wolverine, Deadpool, and Psylocke, the new title brings the black ops mutants into conflict with Apocalypse.  The combination of these characters seems like a natural fit for Remender’s writing, and Opena’s previous work on characters like Moon Knight and the Punisher suggests he’ll bring a welcomed dose of grit to this darker X title.

3) Batman: Hidden Treasures

One of DC’s top offerings this week has to be this long lost story featuring art from the legendary Bernie Wrightson.  The Solomon Grundy focused story was written by Ron Marz and also features inks from Kevin Nowlan.  While the talents of Marz and Nowlan are noteworthy, the most attractive element of the book is the fact that each page is comprised of a single full panel from Wrightson.  Fans of the classic artist should enjoy this one, as should those who are interested in the prospect of reading a lost Batman story.

4) Palookaville HC vol 20

Genius Canadian cartoonist Seth finally brings his lauded Palookaville series back, this time in a hardcover format.  For those unfamiliar with this talented artist, check out some of his previous works like Wimbledon Green, George Sprott, or Clyde Fans.  This week’s new Palookaville volume includes a new chapter of the continuing Clyde Fans story, some of Seth’s first autobiographical comics in many volumes, and a sketchbook section.  Seth is a rare artist who has managed to combine a knowledge of comics history, humor, craftsmanship, and long form storytelling in a way that is both original and entertaining.  Don’t miss this one if  you want to see one of the industry’s top creators at the peak of his craft.

5) Klaws of the Panther #1

This new Marvel miniseries fills in the gap between Doomwar and the upcoming Black Panther: Man Without Fear as the new Black Panther, Shuri, faces the classic villain Klaw.  In an era when we’re seeing all types of character reworkings, the Black Panther has the potential to be one of the better ones.  Not only does the reckless Shuri have to bear the burden of the mantle of ‘Black Panther,’ but she has to protect her fellow Wakandans at a time when they’re more susceptible to outside forces than they may have ever been.

> Bonus picks of the week: SHIELD #4 and Ultimate Comics Thor #1, both from recent Heroes guest Jonathan Hickman, Brightest Day #11, Hellboy TP vol. 11, Baltimore: the Plague Ships # 3, Incorruptible #10, Disney Fairies HC, a new printing of James Jean’s Fables Covers HC, JSA All Stars #11, and Marvel’s new cosmic story begins with Chaos War #1.