There have been several occasions in recent years when a customer heard me talking about Hellboy (which is a frequent occurence) and asked: Where Do I Start?  The Hellboy shelf is chock full of choices, and for those who might only know of the character through the two films, it can be a daunting challenge to pick where to begin.  The obvious choice would be to start with volume 1: Seed of Destruction.  After all, this volume does present Hellboy’s origin and kicks off the big themes that persist throughout the story.  I would suggest that even though this is where it all starts, newcomers might be better served to start elsewhere.  Hellboy: Seed of Destruction, while essential to understanding the big picture of Hellboy, doesn’t quite feel as cohesive as later volumes.

This is partially due to the fact that it was scripted by John Byrne.  Byrne has rightly earned a place of respect for his huge body of work as both an artist and a writer, but Hellboy is Mike Mignola’s baby, and was much better served when he started writing it full time.  As Mignola’s confidence as a writer grew, so did the overall quality of the book.  While you’ll never hear me complain about the artwork, it’s also evident in later volumes that the quality consistently improved once Mignola got more comfortable with the character.

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SETH’S PICK :: ROCKETEER: CARGO OF DOOM #1: The best Rocketeer stories will always be ones by his creator, Dave Stevens.  I am, however, really pleased with not only both volumes of Rocketeer Adventures, but also this new four issue mini series from IDW.  Mark Waid is tasked with the writing duties, and he’s made a career out writing characters with a clear and respectful understanding of their place in comics history.  On Thor: The Mighty Avenger and Captain America and Bucky, artist Chris Samnee showed he could tackle innocent adventure stories and period pieces.  More than anything, IDW’s new Rocketeer stories remind us that even if we’ll never be able to see any new art from the late, great Dave Stevens, we can continue to celebrate his legacy with books like this.

The Creep #0 collects a story from John Arcudi and Jonathan Case that was serialized in three issues of Dark Horse Presents.  For those who don’t like spending $7.99 for a comic, this is a fine way of readings some of the serials for the more affordable price of $2.99.  The issue also acts as a lead in to the upcoming The Creep four issue mini series.  While Arcudi is mostly known for his work on B.P.R.D., The Creep has little in common with that world of monsters and supernatural activity.

In fact, it’s very much rooted in a normal, everyday world.  That said, the main character Oxel Karnhus does have a genetic condition called acromegaly, where the human growth hormone is produced in excess and can cause physical deformities.  Oxel looks a bit like he could’ve been an old Dick Tracy villain, but the twist in this story is that he’s the protagonist.  Not only is he our hero, but he’s a private investigator.  It’s a clever reversal of archetypes, but that’s not the most notable aspect of this book.

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SETH’S PICK :: GRENDEL OMNIBUS: HUNTER ROSE  VOL. 1 TP: Like The Rocketeer, Love and Rockets and HeroesCon, Matt Wagner’s Grendel is also celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year.  With its numerous incarnations and span of eras covered, Grendel can be a tough series to tackle.  This first omnibus offers everything you need to enter the world of the author-turned-criminal mastermind, Hunter Rose.  This volume collects Devil By The Deed, the entire Behold the Devil series, and Black, White, & Red, and Red, White, & Black, two excellent miniseries featuring artists like Mike Allred, Duncan Fegredo, Stan Sakai, Scott Morse, Jill Thompson, Ashley Wood, Cliff Chiang and more.  Plus, the volume collects 600 pages of material for only $24.99.  This sometimes experimental, often times violent look at a man’s descent into crime is well worth your time and money this week.

My love for the character of Hawkeye is well documented in the annals of the Heroes blog, so I won’t bore you with repetition.  I will, however, mention that I’m not usually the kind of reader who will buy up every comic bearing the character’s name.  Hawkeye’s solo comics have been all over the map in terms of quality.  Hearing the news about the latest ongoing series brought some youthful reminiscence about how I’ve enjoyed the character, but also some understandably cautious optimism.  This is, after all, a Hawkeye book.

SETH’S PICK :: HAWKEYE #1 : I catch a lot of grief from fellow staffers for my unabashed love for Hawkeye. Regardless of what you think of the character, it’s worth pointing out that this series marks the return of the Matt Fraction/David Aja creative team. Their Immortal Iron First series still stands up after a few years, and they should offer up a worthwhile take on the Avenging Archer.

Before getting to this week’s  new books we’d like to take a minute to let you know that next week we’ll be kicking off some new segments on the Heroes Blog.  Instead of our usual Spotlight on New Releases column, we’ll be featuring a weekly Staff Picks column where different Heroes staffers offer insight into what new books they’re individually excited about.  Also, expect more reviews, interviews and guest columnists over the next several months.  As always, the Heroes Blog will remain the first place to receive any updates about HeroesCon and any of our store events like the  Heroes Pop Swap, the Charlotte Mini Con and more.  If you have any thoughts or suggestions about what you’d like to see on the Heroes Blog, leave a comment below or drop an email to chief bloggers Rico or Seth.  Thanks for reading!

1) Groo the Wanderer Artist Edition HC

I’ve written at length about the glory that has been the previous Artist Editions.  This week you can enjoy full sized Groo pages just as the great Sergio Aragones crafted them.  These are always worth a look, and any of the earlier editions are worthy of finding a home in your library.  They offer a new way of enjoying some of comics’ classic stories, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the large scale of these books.

2) National Comics: Eternity #1

Tired of continuity-thick comics and crossovers?  DC offers up an alternative to those with this new series.  These are stand alone comics designed to be accessible to readers of any kind.  This issue by Jeff Lemire and Cully Hamner features a new take on Kid Eternity, with the character this time around splitting time between heroics and a job as a medical examiner.  It’s worth a look just because of the talented creators involved with this issue.

3) Underwater Welder GN

Jeff Lemire is undoubtedly a prolific creator.  Somewhere between writing Animal Man, Frankenstein, Justice League Dark and writing and illustrating Sweet Tooth, Lemire found time to write and illustrate a brand new graphic novel.  This one features some themes familiar to Lemire fans, namely loss, family and isolation.  There are some truly impressive pages in this book, and Lemire seems to have grown even more confident and capable in his visual art.  Heroes Blog contributer Heather got a chance to read an advanced copy, and you can check out her review of it right HERE.

4) Secret Avengers #29

Rick Remender is thankfully still on board this book, but joining him for this one is Matteo Scalera.  Some of you who attended this year’s HeroesCon might remember his excellent Loki piece created for the art auction.  Scalera’s a good fit to kick off this new story that features the covert Avengers facing off against a brand new Masters of Evil.  All this and yet another fine cover by Art Adams!

5) DC Super Pets Galore!

There are six different new Super Pets books hitting the shelves this week, and all of them are perfect for your young reader.  Some of the titles include Cat Crime Club, Night of the Scaredy Crows and Swamp Thing vs. Zombie Pets.  Also, it’s worth mentioning that all of these are illustrated by Art Baltazar, who many of you will remember as the artist of Tiny Titans and the new Superman Family Adventures.  It’s a great week to pick up some new comics for your kids!

> Bonus Picks of the Week: X-treme X-men #1, Daredevil by Mark Waid vol. 1 TP, Manhattan Projects #5, Hit Girl #2, Star Wars: Blood Ties: Boba Fett is Dead #4, Before Watchmen: Comedian #2, Batula HC, Avengers #28, Wolverine and the X-men #14 and Flannery O’Conner Cartoons HC.

Batman: Incorporated #3 was supposed to be released this week, but out of respect for the victims and families of the recent Colorado tragedy, DC has pushed the release date back one month to August 22.  We’ll have the books available for you then.

1) Blacksad: A Silent Hell HC

This is a book most of the staff has been clamoring for since it was announced.  Blacksad is essentially an anthropomorphic detecitve story that’s so well done you almost forget that the characters are animals.  This import from France is  full of Juanjo Guarnido’s lush watercolors which perfectly complement Juan Díaz Canales’ gritty story.  Factor in the fact that this volume takes place in 1950’s New Orleans, and you’ve got an even bigger reason to check out why so many people enjoy this beautiful book.

2) Captain Marvel #1

It’s always a good week when a strong female super hero gets a new title.  This one from Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy deals with the former Ms. Marvel’s new role as Captain Marvel.  She’s always been one of Marvel’s strongest and most interesting characters, and it should be fun to see DeConnick’s take on the next chapter of the always evolving Carol Danvers.

3) Jack Davis: Drawing American Pop Culture HC

You might not know the name Jack Davis, but you undoubtedly know his art.  As one of comics most versatile cartoonists, Davis has worked on everything from horror stories for EC Comics, to humor in Mad Magazine.  He’s also illustrated many memorable movie posters like The Bad News Bears, and provided politically-themed covers for Time Magazine.  And if you happen to have missed any of those, I’m sure you remember his advertising work like the Spalding campaign featuring Dr. J. and Rick Barry.  This is definitely the pick for art book of the week, and something all you art fans should add to your library.

4) Concrete: Three Uneasy Pieces one shot

This new one shot collects the three newest Concrete stories as they appeared in the recently relaunched Dark Horse Presents.  Paul Chadwick’s Concrete remains relevant because at its heart it examines humanity, and how the title character tries to hold on to his, even though his body is no longer a human’s.  This is a fine place to start if you’re looking to read a smart story that maintains many of the trappings of a super hero comic.

Bonus Picks of the Week: Avengers vs. X-men #8, Saga #5, Adventure Time #6, Infernal Man-Thing #2, Wonder Woman #11, Justice League #11, Kiss #2, Mars Attacks #2, Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2, Baltimore: Dr. Leskovar’s Remedy #2, and two new books featuring work from Charlotte’s own Jason Latour: art in Wolverine #309 and story in Untold Tales of PunisherMax #2.

It’s a big week for new releases, so let’s get right to the books!

1) Parker: The Score HC

It’s always worth mentioning a new project from Darwyn Cooke.  This third adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker books is sure to continue in the classic crime vein of the first two books, and it’s guaranteed to have incredible art from Cooke.  There’s really not much more I can say other than to remind Cooke fans about this one, and encourage crime fans who haven’t given the Parker books a try to finally pick this one up.

2) Walking Dead #100

This one makes the list for two reasons.  1) It’s already a huge selling title for shop regulars and those who stumbled onto it via the t.v. series.  2) It’s a milestone issue, so even more people will be looking to pick up a copy.  In other words, this is one of those books that’s bound to sell out, probably sooner than later.  Make sure you pick up your copy before they’re all gone.

3) Adventure Time Presents Marceline and the Scream Queens #1

Another surefire pick of the week, this one, like all Adventure Time comics, will definitely be one to remember.  The cool thing about this series is that it features some great cartoonists like Meredith Gran and Jen Wang, and covers by the likes of Ming Doyle, Chynna Clugston, Colleen Coover and Kate Beaton.

4) God and Science: Return of the Ti-Girls HC

Everybody knows Jaime Hernandez is one of the best when it comes to amazing cartooning and portraying realistic characters.  As a result of his genius work on the Maggie and Hopey stories, his superhero and science fiction stories sometimes get forgotten about.  This week’s new hardcover not only collects the entire Ti-Girls Adventures from Love and Rockets: New Stories, but features a brand new 30 page story, faux Ti-Girls covers, expanded scenes, an epilogue and more!

5) Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide vol. 42 SC/HC

We regularly get questions about when the newest volume of the Overstreet Price Guide will arrive, so we’re happy to say it’s this week!  This year features two covers, one being a beautiful rendition of Catwoman by Adam Hughes and the other being Joe Jusko’s painted interpretation  of a classic Avengers cover by John Buscema!

> Bonus Picks of the Week: AVX #4, Batman #11, Walt Disney Uncle Scrooge vol. 1 HC: Poor Old Man, Massive #2, Wolverine and the X-men #13, Crow #1, Avengers Assemble #5, Hellboy vol. 5 Library Edition, Uncanny X-force #27, Ant Man Season One HC, Swamp Thing #11, Before Watchmen: Minutemen #2, Avenging Spider-man #9, Conan the Barbarian #6, Batgirl vol. 1 HC, Chew: Secret Agent Poyo #1, Bloodshot #1 and Big John Buscema Comics and Drawings HC.

It’s rare for us to go to conventions and not walk away with cool new items to bring back to the store.  HeroesCon was no exception, and here are a few of the awesome books we picked up in case you missed these in your own travels.

1) Pterodactyl Hunters

This oversized offering from Brendan Leach and Top Shelf is really something to see.  Beautiful art on newsprint and a story featuring – you guessed it – big flying dinosaurs.  This one’s rightly getting some high praise.  Give it a look for yourself and you’ll see why.

2) Scott C. Books!

Awesome cartoonist/super friendly guy Scott C. had some great books at his booth this year. We were fortunate to pick up copies of his picture books Zombie in Love and East Dragon, West Dragon, along with Double Fine Action Comics vol. 1 and Amazing Everything, his wonderful art book.

3) Encore by Eric Canete

You may have seen this on Kickstarter, you may have heard fans raving about it, and now we’re happy to make this book available to our customers.  At a staggering 350 pages, this may well be the art book to end all art books.  Not only do you get a huge amount of art from the insanely talented Eric Canete, but you get chapter intros from the likes of Becky Cloonan, Rick Remender, Mark Chiarello and Dave Johnson.

4) Becky Cloonan minis!

If you loved her recent work on Conan the Barbarian or remember her Demo collaboration with Brian Wood, you owe it to yourself to check out Becky’s excellent minis Wolves and The Mire.  She’s a unique artist, and these books only solidify that fact.

5) Notebook Drawings by Jim Rugg

Jim Rugg’s a fantastic cartoonist.  Just pick up Afrodisiac again if you need a reminder.  This new book features Jim’s art as he prdouced them in wide ruled notebooks.  In addition to that novel approach, Jim produced these pieces using only ballpoint ink pens.  Just wait ’til you see what kind of incredible pieces he was able to conjure with such simple, everyday instruments.

Other books galore:  We also picked up a bunch of books from talented folks like Jeffrey Brown, Lilli Carre, Maris Wicks, Joe Quinones, Grant Reynolds and more.  They’ll all be available in the store starting this week, so give them a try and support some fine Indie books and creators.