Milo, aka “Bane of Kings”, runs down the Top 5 Must Read comics This NCBD from a variety of publishers.

The extra week of the month normally means that DC put out Annuals, and they have not dissapointed here with some awesome selections. As well as The Flash Annual #3 which is highlighted here, there’s also Green Lantern: New Guardians Annual #2 by Justin Jordan and Gail Simone’s Batgirl Annual #1. Across the park it’s business as usual for Marvel, with their main event being the return of Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #1, which is probably going to be a crucial series to follow for fans of Peter Parker now that he’s back just in time for the new movie to hit the states. You can find the list of new releases here as usual, and what’s on my pull here. Without further ado, let’s get on with the show.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

Story: Dan Slott | Art: Humberto Ramos  | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $5.99

The Greatest Super Hero of All Time RETURNS! The world may have changed since Spidey’s been gone, but so has Peter Parker. This is a man with a second chance at life, and he’s not wasting a moment of it. Same Parker Luck, new Parker attitude. Putting the ‘friendly’ back in the neighborhood, the ‘hero’ back into ‘super hero,’ and the ‘amazing’ back into ‘Spider-Man!’ Also returning: The recharged and reenergized ELECTRO!

WHY? Peter Parker is back. Whilst my first introduction to Spidey ongoing comics rather than the trades borrowed from the local library may have been SSM, I’m looking forward to seeing Peter back in the costume and hopefully Slott will make it interesting to see how he can fix up that mess that Doc Ock had left on Peter’s life. Superior has been one of the best Marvel ongoings, so hopefully even though it’s Peter and not Otto, Slott can keep the fine form.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: SIX #1 (of 5)

Story: JT Krul | Art: Igor Vitorino | Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment | Price: $3.99

Don’t miss this exciting chapter in Battlestar Galactica lore as the early origins of Number Six are explored. In developing the next generation of Cylons, getting the models to look human was the easy part. But acting human is another story. Witness the evolution of Number Six as she learns live, to love, and to hate.

WHY? Battlestar Galactica (2003) is my favourite series and even though I’m only towards the end of Season 2 I’m a sucker for any origin stories and this should be right up my street as well as hopefully spoiler-free. Six is an awesome character in an awesome cast so hopefully JT Krul can do her justice.

THE FLASH ANNUAL #3

Story: Robert Venditti | Art: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $4.99

The start of a major new arc for the Fastest Man Alive! In the future, The Flash is a broken man. His powers have failed him time and again at great cost to him and the city he has sworn to protect. Now he’s coming back to 2014 to stop the one event that destroyed his life. Meanwhile, in the present, Barry Allen must contend with thieves trying to capitalize on the devastation of FOREVER EVIL. It’s a tale of two timelines that ushers in one of DC’s most storied characters – featuring The New 52 debut of WALLY WEST!

WHY? I picked up The Flash #30 last week with a new creative team on a bit of a whim and enjoyed what I saw there – with a good look at events Post Forever Evil and the effects on Central City. This issue looks to kickstart a whole new arc though, which features the debut of fan-favourite Wally West in the New 52.

STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST #1 (of 4)

Story: Matt Kindt | Art: Marco Castiello | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Price: $3.50

A young Rebel meets one of the Alliance’s best for his first mission. But the young man’s hero worship is crushed by the reality of Han Solo. A botched escape, a ship that doesn’t work-could it be that Solo is just a lucky bumbler whose luck has run out?

WHY? I’ve been looking forward to this SW mini ever since it was announced and I’ve had a pretty solid experience with Matt Kindt so this should be great, looking like a ‘fish out of water’ situation as a new Rebel Alliance member meets Han Solo, discovering that he doesn’t meet expectations. Can’t wait.

SOUTHERN BASTARDS #1

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Jason Luter | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $3.50

Welcome to Craw County, Alabama, home of Boss BBQ, the state champion Runnin’ Rebs football team…and more bastards than you’ve ever seen. When you’re an angry old man like Earl Tubb, the only way to survive a place like this…is to carry a really big stick. From the acclaimed team of JASON AARON and JASON LATOUR, the same bastards who brought you Scalped and Wolverine: Japan’s Most Wanted, comes a southern fried crime series that’s like the Dukes of Hazzard meets the Coen Brothers…on meth.

WHY? Jason Aaron is usually known for his Marvel work but Southern Bastards looks like it could be a cool, weird series that is certainly worth checking out. At only $3.50 it’s one of the cheaper items this week and with an excellent track record from Image’s previous recent #1s – think Lazarus, Black Science (also out today), and more and you’re going down the right track.