SETH’S PICK :: CAPTAIN MARVEL #1:  The former Ms. Marvel has been enjoying a resurgence in recent years, and that can largely be attributed to the work of writer Kelly Sue DeConnick.  Her last Captain Marvel series was as much a character study as it was an entertaining super hero romp.  For this new relaunch, DeConnick is teaming with David Lopez, an artist who, though he might not be a household name, has well established himself as a reliable and gifted artist.  Now, I know there are some among you who are weary of the increasing number of relaunches or new #1 issues.  Recent weeks have proven, however, that it’s worth giving some of them a look.  The recent debuts of She Hulk, Wolverine and the X-men, Ms. Marvel, and Moon Knight have all acted as reminders that there are plenty of opportunities for genuinely fun new comics.  I’d also like to point out that DeConnick is writing at the top of her game at the moment.  Her Image series Pretty Deadly remains a category-defying series that is also well worth your patronage.  With DeConnick’s momentum and the looming probability that Captain Marvel might appear on the big screen, it’s a good time to catch up with the character.

SETH’S PICK :: MOON KNIGHT #1: Moon Knight has often been treated as a multiple-personality-laden Batman of sorts.  While the jumbled nature of the guy under the mask is intriguing, I’ve always been partial to the character’s horror elements.  With this new relaunch, the creative team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire seem poised to integrate both elements of the odd character for new readers.  Though you might not initially recognize the character’s new look (white business suit sans the cape), you’ll no doubt remember that Ellis does still occasionally write solid comics for Marvel.  The fantastic Nextwave series jumps to mind.  And it’s worth noting that Shalvey and Bellaire, though they’ve already made names for themselves in their respective areas of comic making, do seem to have an opportunity to take their storytelling to interesting new places with this character.  I should also mention that this book has been building advanced buzz in recent weeks.  Don’t be surprised if this one sells out quickly.

Bonus Pick: Muppets Omnibus: Over the years on this blog I’ve written at length about the genius of Roger Langridge.  While his Fred the Clown will always be my favorite, his work on the Muppets is downright joyous.  Aside from being genuinely funny throughout, Langridge’s art is impeccable.  This summer he’ll be returning to HeroesCon, so do yourself a favor and stop by his table to bask in the awe of his original art pages.  Like me, you’ll probably wind up spending your money on several of his incredible pages.  

SETH’S PICKS: This week I’m eschewing our regular Staff Pick formula of choosing a single book to spotlight in favor of picking three new books that should be on your radar.  First up is the debut trade paperback of FBP.  It features the interesting premise of science gone awry, which is brilliantly illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez and our own Rico Renzi.  It’s also hard not to mention the work of Nathan Fox, who expertly matches the tone and style of the interior art with his always inventive covers.  Even more than that, this first collection includes the title’s first seven issues for a mere $9.99!

Next up is Undertow #1.  Aside from being yet another new Image debut issue (speculators ahoy!), this aquatic based series features Atlantis as a superpower, and plenty of pulpy adventure elements, which have been a regular source of comics joy for me in recent years.

Finally, there’s the perfectly titled Loki: Ragnarok and Roll.  This new series from Boom Studios offers a twist to the story of Odin banishing trickster god Loki to Earth.  Rather than attempt conquest of the planet through violence and manipulation, in this series, Loki turns to the power of Rock and Roll.  Cover artist Alexis Ziritt is a beast of an illustrator whose work you’re bound to be knowing more of soon.  This favorite artist of the Heroes Con Drink and Draw is the perfect person to provide covers for this concept.

SETH’S PICK :: THE MERCENARY SEA #1: The past few years have been a new golden age of sorts if you happen to be a fan of classic adventure and pulp comics.  We’ve seen the return of The Rocketeer alongside quality new series like Half Past Danger and Black Beetle.  Image gets in on the fun this week with a new adventure series of their own called The Mercenary Sea.  Set in the late ’30s, the series focuses on a ragtag group of mercenaries working odd jobs around the South Seas in a U-boat stolen by their captain.  Against the backdrop of impending war, the series promises everything from spies and pirates, to old fashioned war elements.  Though I’m not all that familiar with the previous works of creators Kel Symons and Matthew Reynolds, the previews I’ve seen of this new book suggest it’s a book well worth your investment this week.

Bonus Pick of the Week:  Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells a Rat TPB.  This latest collection starring Mike Mignola’s pulp wonder features art contributions from the likes of Kevin Nowlan, Wilfredo Torres, and Tonci Zonjic.  Aside from being yet another reliably good story of pulpy goodness that we’ve come to expect from these creators, this is a rare book where the title alone (“Satan Smells a Rat”) is enough to warrant a look. 

SETH’S PICK :: DEADLY CLASS #1: You’ve undoubtedly heard one or more Heroes staffers extolling the recent virtues of writer Rick Remender.  With quality work on titles like Captain America, Uncanny Avengers, and Black Science, Remender is approaching that sought after balance between writing big mainstream super hero comics and critically acclaimed creator-owned titles.  This week Remender returns with yet another new creator owned series for Image: Deadly Class.  Produced in collaboration with artist Wesley Craig, this series set in the ’80s features disaffected high school students who happen to study at a school for world class assassins.  It’s all the angst of high school combined with the frenetic energy of an action movie.  With yet another promising new series (Low) coming from Image later this year, Remender continues to reiterate his place among the comic writing elite. 

SETH’S PICK :: BLACK WIDOW #1:  There are several new Marvel reboots/relaunches coming up in the next few months, and I’m anticipating a good number of them.  We’ll see Felipe Smith and Tradd Moore starting a brand new car-driving Ghost Rider, Jason Latour teaming with Mahmud Asrar on Wolverine and the X-men, Kelly Sue DeConnick returning to Captain Marvel, and Mike Allred on Silver Surfer.  Add to that list this week’s Black Widow #1 by Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto.  Edmondson has a knack for collaborating with exceptional artists, and he’s done it again here.  Who doesn’t want to see Phil Noto illustrate a Black Widow series?  Start the year on a good note with this comic, and don’t forget about those other upcoming debut issues hitting the shelves soon.  

SETH’S PICK :: PRETTY DEADLY #3: It’s the end of the year, so I can finally say it: Image produced my favorite monthly comics in 2013.  What I appreciate the most is that their creators can, by and large, keep to themselves and tell the stories they want without having to allot time to company wide shenanigans (crossovers and events, I’m looking at you).  The results are books like Hickman and Dragotta’s East of West, Dingess and Roberts’ Manifest Destiny, Brubaker and Epting’s Velvet, and Remender and Scalera’s Black Science (issue two is also out this week!) – all exciting comics that warrant your monthly attention.

Then there’s Pretty Deadly, the incredible new supernatural western series from Kelly Sue DeConnick, Emma Rios, and Jordie Bellaire.  This series shouldn’t be celebrated just because all of the book’s talented creators happen to be female.  We should celebrate this book because it represents the creators’ best work of their careers.  It’s also, more importantly, a riveting and layered comic book experience.  DeConnick’s writing, which I’ve long been a fan of, is lyrical without being overwrought, poetic without being overly expository, and soulful in its delivery.  Rios’ art is full of fragility and fright.  She captures the vulnerability of  small animals with the same confidence as she does the horrific rage of the daughter of Death himself.  Bellaire, who may well be 2013’s most prolific colorist, doesn’t merely match the tone of the writing and art, but stretches her palette more here than you may have seen in her other works.  It’s early enough in this series to be able to pick up the first two issues at cover price, and I’d encourage you to seek them out.  This is a fine comic book, and one I hope you’ll pick up before the end of the year. 

SETH’S PICK :: MANIFEST DESTINY #2: It recently dawned on me that Image Comics is currently producing the monthly comics I’m most excited about.  Between East of West, Pretty Deadly and Black Science, there are plenty of interesting new titles from the company.  Add to that list Chris Dingess and Matthew Roberts‘ Manifest Destiny.  This is one of those seemingly obvious concepts that writers everywhere are kicking themselves for not thinking of first.  It’s a new take on Lewis and Clark exploring the vast acreage obtained in the Louisiana Purchase.  While rooted in history, this series diverges from it by pitting the legendary explorers against an array of monsters and beasts that defy imagination (think buffalo centaurs).  In case you missed the sold out first issue, there’s also a second printing available this week.  In other words, here’s a perfect opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a very promising new series. 

SETH’S PICK :: BLACK SCIENCE #1:  If you missed Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera’s run on Secret Avengers, you should treat yourself go back and read it.  It was full of imaginative comic craft, and  felt unique among the other Marvel comic it stood beside.  As memorable as that run was, I wondered what kind of comic these guys would create if they had complete control over it.  That question is finally answered this week in the form of their new series Black Science.  Conceptually, it’s a sprawling science fiction epic featuring rogue anarchist scientists who break the barriers of reality and find themselves amid an endless amount of alien worlds.  This is the kind of big concept Remender seems to relish, but is made all the more interesting by the bombastic art of Scalera.  It’s been a while since there was so much early buzz surrounding a new creator owned sci fi series.  This book seems primed to not only live up to its hype, but very likely surpass it. 

SETH’S PICK :: HIP HOP FAMILY TREE GN: Astute readers of the Heroes Blog will remember that I interviewed cartoonist Ed Piskor about this very book back in May.  If you missed it the first time, you can find that HERE.  As I noted in that interview, I’m not a huge fan of Hip Hop, nor do I have a great deal knowledge of its rich history.  I am, however, a fan of great cartooning, and of the possibilities that exist when combining the seemingly disparate arts of comics and music.  Having finally seen the book in person, I can tell you that I haven’t encountered another musical chronicle quite like it in the realm of comics.  The strength of the book isn’t merely represented by Piskor’s authoritative knowledge of the music’s history, but in how his art puts you right in the middle of the lives of the artists who were breaking new musical ground.   Whether you’re a fan of Hip Hop or just curious about its varied history, this first of a several volume series from Piskor is a comic deserving of your time, money, and enthusiasm.  This is honestly one of the most significant new graphic novels I’ve seen this year.  Give it a look and I’m sure you’ll agree with me.