Bane of Kings runs down the Top 20 Comics That You Should Be Looking Out For this week.

The second week of the month, like the first – is always a week that’s packed full of awesome comics, and June is no different. We’ve got a new issue of Brian Wood’s Star Wars, a triple outing for Scott Snyder in the form of Superman Unchained’s début, Batman #21 (which kickstarts the 11-issue epic Zero Year, and is a great place to begin), & a one-shot horror story from Vertigo, American Vampire: Road To Hell, which I’ve shelved under DC Comics. Image wise, we have The Manhattan Projects continue as well as another issue of The Walking Dead, and Marvel continue Jason Aaron’s epic Thor: God of Thunder series whilst Aaron gets stuck into some Hellfire Club in Wolverine and the X-Men. Oh, and fan of pulpy comics? Then you should give Chris Roberson’s The Shadow a chance.  You can check out what I should be picking up here, As well as explore the full list of comics that are created this week here. Now, with that out of the way – let’s begin:

DARK HORSE COMICS

Star Wars #6

Story: Brian Wood | Artist: Carlos D’Anda | Colourist: Gabe Eltaeb | Cover Artist: Rodolfo Migliari

When he and Chewbacca are cornered by Imperials, Han Solo resorts to an improvised plan—with the most dangerous results imaginable! Meanwhile, half a galaxy away, Princess Leia and Wedge Antilles prepare for certain death, unaware that Luke Skywalker has an improvisation of his own. And Darth Vader is watching . . .

DC COMICS

American Vampire: The Long Road To Hell (One Shot) 

Story: Scott Snyder & Rafael Albuquerque | Art: Rafael Albuquerque | Colourists: Dave McCaig | Letters: Jared K. Fletcher | Cover: Rafel Alburquerque

Fan-favorite character Travis Kidd—the vampire hunter who likes to “bite them back”—makes his return in this new AMERICAN VAMPIRE one-shot!

It’s a story burned deep into the American psyche: two young lovers, a stolen car and the open road. But these young lovers are newly turned vampires trying to fight the bloodsucking urge inside them. To make matters worse, they’ve got a pack of angry vampires on their tails—plus bad-ass vamp-killer Travis Kidd. He’s tracking the “Heartbreak Killers” across the heartland, but can he stop them before it all ends in tragedy?

This one-shot special sets the stage for the AMERICAN VAMPIRE relaunch later this year!

Batgirl #21

Story: Gail Simone | Art: Fernando Pasarin & Jonathan Glapion | Cover: Alex Garner

Batgirl’s chilling battle against the new Ventriloquist continues—but has Barbara gone too far? How can she carry on as Batgirl? What choices will she make, and how will her new, decidedly deadly admirer affect her decision?

Batman #21

Story: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV | Art: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, & Rafael Albuquerque | Colourists: FCO Plascencia & Dave McCaig | Letters: Nick Napolitano & Taylor Eposito | Cover: Greg Capullo & Mikel Janin

Witness The New 52 origin of The Dark Knight in BATMAN: ZERO YEAR!

Twists and turns are around every corner as Bruce Wayne takes the final steps toward his destiny!

And in the backup story, learn more about how different Gotham City was at this dangerous point in time.

Constantine #4

Story: Jeff Lemire & Ray Fawkes | Art by Renato Guedes | Cover by Juan Jose Ryp

It’s a typical day in the life of John Constantine: Thieving, lying, shagging and allying himself with a major enemy in order to fight a greater threat!

Green Lantern Corps #21

Story: Van Jensen, Robert Venditti | Art: Bernard Chang | Cover: Bernard Chang & Rags Morales

It’s nonstop action as the Green Lantern Corps faces attacks on Oa and Earth…and Guy Gardner is presented with a choice that could change the balance of power between the different Lantern Corps forever!

Nightwing #21

Story: Kyle Higgins | Art: Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund Colourist: Andrew Dalhouse |Letters: Carlos M. Mangual | Cover:  Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, & Andrew Dalhouse

Desperate to find a ghost from his past, Nightwing turns to The Prankster for help, unaware that they are both targets of The Mask Killer!

Superboy #21

Story: Justin Jordan | Art: RB Silva & Rob Lean | Cover: Ken Lashley

Krypto comes to the rescue as Superboy is on the trail of Dr. Psycho and the new, mysterious H.I.V.E that has infested Metropolis.

Superman Unchained #1

When thirteen satellites fall from the sky in one day, the logical suspect is Lex Luthor—even though he’s still locked up in prison! But a stranger question remains: If Superman didn’t stop the last satellite from falling, who did? There’s a mystery hidden where even Superman can’t see it—Can The Man of Steel drag a decades-old secret into the light?

Don’t miss the debut of this red-hot new series from two of comics’ brightest superstars: SCOTT SNYDER and JIM LEE!

This debut issue also includes a bonus two-sided, tipped-in poster measuring 11.6875” x 18.875” that is part of the reading experience and can be easily removed for display!

World’s Finest #13

Story: Paul Levitz | Art: Robson Rocha & Wayne Faucher | Cover: Emanuela Lupacchino

As DeSaad’s Hellhound hunts Power Girl and Huntress, the duo must struggle with how far underground they’ll have to go before they can turn the tide and take the fight back to the man who’s been impersonating the missing Mr. Terrific.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

The Shadow #14

Story: Chris Roberson | Art: Giovanni Timpano | Cover: Alex Ross, Jason Shawn Alexander, Tim Bradstreet, & Francesco Francavilla

The Shadow is on the hunt for a serial murderer in the darkened streets of New York. But what is the connection between these killings and the shining woman known only as “The Light”?

Meanwhile, a nun named Sister Esclarmonde, a newcomer to the city, tries to ease the suffering of the sick and dying at a local hospital. But does she know more about the unfolding mysteries than she will admit?

IMAGE COMICS

The Manhattan Projects #12

Story: Jonathan Hickman| Art: Nick Pitarra

“THE FERMI PARADOX”

Learn the secret history of Enrico Fermi and, more importantly, “if someone is out there” why we haven’t “found them yet.”

The thrilling FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE series continues in THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #12: THE FERMI PARADOX!

The Walking Dead #111

Story: Robert Kirkman | Art: Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn

Lucille is going to be so jealous.

MARVEL COMICS

Avengers Assemble #16

Story: Kelly Sue DeConnick | Art: Matteo Buffagni | Colourists: Jordie Bellaire & Matthew Wilson | Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Joe Quinones

• THE ENEMY WITHIN: PART 2 OF 5

• Who wants YOU for dinner? The Brood!

• Spider Woman & Captain Marvel declare war on the Magnetron! (Who?)

• Hawkeye has a bright idea!

Deadpool #11

Story: Brian Posehn & Gerry Duggan | Art: Mike Hawthorne | Colourists: Val Staples | Letters: Joe Sabino | Cover: Tradd Moore, Edgar Delgado, Amanda Conner, & Dave Johnson.

• Concluding the 2nd arc of MARVEL NOW! Deadpool!

• Can Wade trust hell to keep their side of his contract?

• Will all of Deadpool’s new friends end up dead because of him?

• Are turkey sandwiches better than ham?

• 2 of these 3 questions will be answered!

Guardians of the Galaxy #3

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Steve McNiven | Cover: Steve McNiven, Leinil Francis Yu, & Ed McGuinness

• THE BIGGEST NEW BOOK OF THE YEAR CONTINUES!

• As the Guardians first story wraps up, the mysteries leading to the next great Marvel event become clearer.

Thor: God of Thunder #9

Story: Jason Aaron |Art: Esad Ribic | Colourist: Ive Svorcina | Cover: Esad Ribic & Julian Totino Tedesco

• GODBOMB, Part Three of Five

• Three Thors, side by side at last, united in battle!

• But will even that be enough, as Gorr the God Butcher’s grand plan nears completion and his powers grow beyond anything we’ve seen before…?

Wolverine #4

Story: Paul Cornell | Art: Alan Davis & Mark Farmer | Colourist: Matt Hollingsworth | Cover: Alan Davis & Pascal Campion

• The conclusion of Hunting Season!

• New York City is under biological attack. Can Wolverine save it before it’s too late?

• Guest starring Nick Fury!

Wolverine and the X-Men #31

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Nick Bradshaw & Walden Wong | Colours: Laura Martin | Letters: Joe Caramagna | Cover: Nick Bradshaw & Ryan Stegman

• HELLFIRE SAGA, PART 1!

• Welcome to the Hellfire Academy, there’s little chance you’ll survive the experience.

• The most villainous school you’ve ever seen has its grand opening. With teachers like Mystique, Sauron, Mojo, Wendigo and Master Pandemonium there’s no limit to the terrible things you’ll learn.

• Can Wolverine and the X-Men find the school before their kidnapped students are turned into villains?