After a week’s abscence, Milo aka “Bane of Kings”, returns to look at the top five must read comics from this NCBD – hitting shelves tomorrow, featuring books from Valiant, DC, Image and Marvel Comics.

First of all, I’m going to apologize for not covering this feature last week, with things getting a bit hectic at my end with some computer problems. Hopefully however, the fact that you’ll get this article a day early this week should make up things. But without further ado, let’s get stuck into comics. Here are the full list of releases hitting shelves tomorrow, with these books being on my pull. We’re covering books from a wide variety of publishers, but remember to let us know what you’re picking up in the comments below!

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (of 4)

Story: Robert Venditti | Art: Doug Braithwaite | Publisher: Valiant Comics | Price: $3.99

This summer, Earth will be the greatest hunt of all when VALIANT FIRST unleashes the first issue of 2014’s must-read crossover event – ARMOR HUNTERS – from superstar creators Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Flash) and Doug Braithwaite (Unity)! A relentless and surgical strike team from the farthest reaches of space – sworn to exterminate the X-O Manowar armor and all like it – have found finally their final target. They will hunt. They will trap. They will kill. And they will rid the universe of the X-O Manowar’s incalculable destructive power.

WHY? Valiant are a publisher with a near-100% positive rate within recent months for me, and if you want some excellent superhero comics from somebody who isn’t Marvel or DC then they’re probably going to be your best bet. Robert Venditti has handled Unity very well so hopefully Armour Hunters should be an amazing read.

CONSTANTINE #15

Story: Ray Fawkes | Art: Aco | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $2.99

John Constantine witnesses the horrifying reach of magic when he meets the world’s wealthiest mage – a woman who’s been draining all the good luck out of her home city of Hong Kong and benefiting from the suffering of millions!

WHY? Yes, Constantine may be not quite as good as Hellblazer, the Vertigo title that preceded it. But Ray Fawkes’ take on the Master of the Dark Arts has been very promising so far, given what I’ve seen from it – and hopefully it should continue to be a lot of fun. Plus, if you want an idea as to how Matt Ryan will portray Constantine in the TV series, then this could be worth checking out. Also, how awesome does that cover from Juan Ferreyra look?

INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #1

Story: Dan Didio | Art: Keith Giffen | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $2.99

Four of the best students from New Genesis arrive on Earth to study and aid in the advancement of humanity – but they soon discover a darker purpose to their mission: a threat so great that it may bring the multiverse itself to its knees! The only thing that stands between them and total destruction is the mysterious entity known as the Infinity Man! Don’t miss the start of this new series by Dan DiDio and Keith Giffen, the team that brought you the over-the-top adventures of O.M.A.C.!

WHY? Dan DiDo may not have the best track record with fans but one thing that his O.M.A.C. run (that was unfortunately cancelled) was widely considered to be was fun, and hopefully Infinity Man and the Forever People will follow that same route. It should be a nice break from the normal superhero comics that DC put out – so provided it stays clear from any mega events (the line-wide Future’s End oneshots being the exception), Infinity Man and the Forever People has the potential to be a lot of fun indeed.

MANIFEST DESTINY #7

Story: Chris Dingess | Art: Matthew Roberts | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $2.99

NEW STORY ARC! Lewis, Clark and the surviving members of their expedition continue westward, only to learn there is nowhere to run on the river…

WHY? Manifest Destiny is one of the most fun comics coming out from Image in recent years, and Volume 1, currently available to buy, is well worth picking up alongside this new issue which kickstarts a new story arc. The adventures of the Lewis and Clark expedition come with added fantasy elements and the end result is always fun, and like most Image titles, Manifest Destiny is a hit – and something that you won’t want to miss.

SECRET AVENGERS #4

Story: Ales Kot | Art: Michael Walsh | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

“INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT”

• The Fury reappears inside the Kowloon Walled City — which is deep inside the Chinese territory. Who you gonna call?
•  No-one, but Nick Fury, Hawkeye and a bunch of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents come anyway. Problems? You bet. The Kowloon gangs want The Fury as well.
• On the Helicarrier, someone dies. The ground is not steady. Things escalate.

WHY? Ales Kot is a talented writer and his Secret Avengers book has been receiving some good praise so far, so I thought it might be a good time to jump on board this book, and with some of my favourite Marvel characters involved, this book should be a great read. Hopefully it’ll be a good jumping on point, and for all of you who have been following Secret Avengers so far, what do you think? Would you recommend it?