1) Batman and Robin #15

Always one of DC’s top offerings, this week we’ll see the last issue of the Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving storyline.  With Bruce Wayne’s imminent return, pick up this one to see Morrison’s dynamic duo one last time before the other Bat comes back.  The Batman family of titles are easily the best corner of the DC universe, and always worth a look.  With a new creative team starting after the next issue (and Morrison moving on to Batman, Inc.), make sure you see how he wraps up his memorable run on this title.

2) Carnage #1

Several customers have been asking about this one, so here’s your notice that it’s finally here this week.  For those who thought Carnage was finally killed off, Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain bring the sadistic Spider-villain back to once again terrorize the Marvel Universe.  Wells has worked on some of the better Amazing Spider-man storylines in the past few months (particularly the recent Lizard story with Chris Bachalo) and Crain has worked on gruesome characters like Ghost Rider, Venom, and Carnage in the past, so he’s a  natural fit for this series.

3) X’ed Out

The first new graphic novel from Black Hole creator Charles Burns, this one is interesting because it contains all new material that has never been serialized.  Black Hole is one of those books most comic fans should make an effort to read at some point in their lives.  With elements of horror and social commentary, it’s a classic deserving a place on your shelves.  This new book apparently draws some inspiration from Herge and Tintin, but with a focus less on linear storytelling.  As the first of three volumes planned for this story, make sure you jump onto this book on the ground floor.  It’s guaranteed to be a unique and worthwhile reading experience.

4) Kick-Ass 2 #1

Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. aim to capitalize on the success of their first Kick-Ass series and the ensuing film with this sequel.  Though I’m sure it’ll sell great on it’s own, it’s worth mentioning just to remind some of you that it’s being released this week.  Expect more of the same ultra-violence this time around as Millar and Romita, Jr. continue their exploration of real world costumed vigilantes.  Whether or not you like Millar’s work, you’ve got to hand it to the guy for knowing what his audience wants and continuing to deliver it to them with each new title.

5) Icons DC and Wildstorm art of Jim Lee HC

The top offering of the week for modern comic art aficionados has to be this career-spanning hardcover from Titan Books.  Not only does it include everything from sketches, interior work, and cover art, but also a never before seen Legion of Super Heroes story from Jim Lee and Paul Levitz.  For $39.95 you get nearly 300 pages of material and over 500 examples of Lee’s art all in one fancy hardcover.  This is the latest in a string of of quality comic and art books from Titan in recent years that includes the Simon and Kirby Library and the recent Art of Drew Struzan collection.  Congratulations are also in order to our friend (and HeroesCon stalwart) Steve Saffel for his editing contributions to the Icons book.

> Bonus picks of the week: Astro City: The Dark Age HC vol. 2, Darkwing Duck #5, Justice League of America #50, Daredevil #511, DC Universe Legacies #6, and the timely Night of the Living Dead #1.  As always, our full listing of this week’s new releases is available under the New Releases tab on our site.  Enjoy your comics!