After a brief hiatus we are officially back with another week chalk full of stellar comics coming your way. As we venture into the wonderful realm they call summer, you can expect to see a lot of new series hitting the shops, while others will see their end. This week in May ushers in a new chapter in the “Hell on Earth” BPRD event, The Devil’s Engine, the third issue of BKV’s Saga, the massive 28 Days Later sale at Comixology, and plenty more.

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve all got to limit our reading list somehow. We present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up. If I’ve missed something you’re stoked about or if you’ve got any questions, list it in the comments.

28 Days Later Sale On Comixology

WRITTEN BY: Michael Alan Nelson
ART BY: Various
PUBLISHER: BOOM!
PRICE: Omnibus: $19.99, Single Issues: $0.99

The Low Down: “Collects the complete 28 Days Later, issues 1-24! There is no escape from the horrific world of 28 DAYS LATER, the graphic novel series that plunges readers back into the fray of a world overrun with the Infected! Selena and her new comrades struggle against the infected, the American presence in the UK… and themselves. Selena is a survivor but even she must give pause when the mission has her breaking into the land she fought so hard to get out of.”

The Feast: The “28 Days Later” comic series follows Selena and her adventures in the apocalyptic world, and it begins by bridging the gap between the first and second film. But it’s so much more than a simple movie companion piece. The series sprawls out to become an incredible story of its own rite, adding to the “28 Days Later” universe. While I normally stick to print releases, Comixology is having a massive sale on the series and you can purchase it in its entirety for only 20 bucks.

Saga #3

WRITTEN BY: Brian K. Vaughan
ART BY: Fiona Staples
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “BKV’s and FIONA STAPLES’ controversial epic continues! Stranded on a mystical alien world, new parents Marko and Alana encounter their greatest fear.”

The Feast: Brian K. Vaughan’s got the Midas touch. His previous epics, “Y the Last Man” and “Ex Machina”, have cemented themselves as staples in the comics industry, and he’s doing it all over again with “Saga”. Only three issues in, it’s easy to tell that BKV has another astonishing series underway. If you’ve never had the pleasure of following a BKV story in monthly installments, don’t miss your chance, pick this up ASAP. The sci-fi elements are reminiscent of Philip K. Dick, and the narrative is experimental as can be. The world is vast, but it’s only just beginning, so jump in before it’s too late!

Hardcore #1

WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ART BY: Brian Stelfreeze
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “From the creative minds of Image partners Robert Kirkman & Marc Silvestri! Once the hard core is shot into the back of your neck, an assassin’s brain waves can be transmitted into your body–circumventing your brain functions–taking complete control of your body. When assassins use this technology–your killer can be anyone; your barber, your neighbor or your wife. They are the best assassins in the world–but what happens when one of their own turns against them? Who can you trust when your enemy can change his appearance as easy as someone changes a shirt?”

The Feast: Kirkman seems to get whatever he wants these days, following the success of The Walking Dead TV Series. “Hardcore” is a book that was due for release a few years ago, but never saw the light of day. Now, it’s coming to comic shops, and most people have never even heard of it. You’d think a new Kirkman book would be promoted to shit, but this one has been sitting on the back burner. Bottom line: “Hardcore” is a Kirkman book, it’s probably going to be good.

Valen The Outcast #6

WRITTEN BY: Michael Alan Nelson
ART BY: Matteo Scalera
PUBLISHER: BOOM!
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “After surviving a harrowing journey across the treacherous Silent Sea, Valen Brand and his companions have finally reached Wraithendal, the kingdom of Korrus Null. But before Valen can exact revenge, he must first face off against the necromancer’s favorite new pet – his undead bride, Darleanna Brand!”

The Feast: If there’s one book that’s surprised us this year, it’s BOOM! Studios’ “Valen The Outcast”. “Valen” snuck up on us, seemingly from out of the blue, and it’s quickly become one of the most entertaining titles out there. Part dark fantasy, part horror, and part adventure, Nelson knows how to mix things up in the melting pot, and his special concoction leaves us drooling for more month in and month out. BOOM! has stepped up their game recently, and “Valen” shines among the best they have to offer.

B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth: Devil’s Engine #1

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART BY: Tyler Crook
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “Caught between bat-faced monsters, a devastating earthquake, and the mad science experiments of Zinco, Devon and Fenix form an uneasy alliance in order to get to safety!”

The Feast: The darkest hour is upon us in the BPRD event, “Hell On Earth”, and this week sees yet another new mini-series, “The Devil’s Engine”. Hell On Earth event is an absolutely massive set of concurrent mini-series all leading up to something big later this year. The best part of the event is that, unlike some of the other major publishers, you don’t have to break your wallet to know what’s going on. Expect plenty of monsters, disasters, and oddities in “The Devil’s Engine”.

Eerie Archives Vol. 10 HC

WRITTEN BY: Various
ART BY: Various
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $49.99

The Low Down: “Collecting issues #47 to #51 of Warren Publishing’s legendary anthology, this volume contains seminal work from Warren luminaries and fan-favorite creators like Doug Moench, Steve Skeates, Esteban Maroto, Tom Sutton, Al Milgrom, Jaime Brocal, Bill DuBay, Paul Neary, and more! Complete with vintage ads, all original text pieces, the debut of the Eerie’s Delights feature, and reproductions of Sanjulian’s legendary painted covers, this is one series that just keeps getting better and better! As a special bonus treat, this volume also reprints two horror-themed, cutout game spreads (complete with rules) created by Bill DuBay and reprinted in color! New Foreword by Batton Lash!”

The Feast: For fans of classic horror comics, it doesn’t get much better than this: a massive collected edition of some of the best “Eerie” tales ever told, in a nice hard cover format. For those of you less versed in classic horror, this is a stellar anthology full of creepy tales from some of the most iconic names in the business. If you want to know where it all began, and you’ve got some extra bucks to spend this week, it’s worth the coin.

The Shadow #2

WRITTEN BY: Garth Ennis
ART BY: Aaron Campbell
PUBLISHER: Dynamite
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane fly west on Pan Am’s fabulous China Clipper- but the golden age of air travel might just mean fiery death above the clouds for our heroes. In Shanghai, Major Tateo Kondo of Japanese military intelligence puts his own plans in motion, while his American counterparts struggle to catch up. The Shadow battles aerial assassins and worse, in part two of the six-part The Fire Of Creation.”

The Feast: The premiere issue of Dynamite’s “The Shadow” was about as Garth Ennis-y as a Garth Ennis book can be. Ennis made sure to set the tone for the series right off the bat, delivering a gritty pulpy tale full of ultra violence. While it strays slightly from the original version of the character, it’s a perfect re-appropriation for a modern age, and it will entice a whole new readership. It’s only two issues deep, so there’s still time to get on the train before it pulls away.

Dancer #1

WRITTEN BY: Nathan Edmonson
ART BY: Nic Klein
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “’OUVERTURE’ Retired assassin Alan Fisher and his ballerina companion must escape a ruthless sniper who stalks them through the streets of Milan. To survive and protect the love of his life, Alan will unravel the tapestry of the past he’s kept hidden and discover the killer’s impossible identity. From the writer of WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? and the artist of VIKING comes a spy thriller with a 21st Century twist.”

The Feast: People in comics have a strange fancy for juxtaposing characters who seem to be complete opposites (Cloak and Dagger, Skullkickers, Sin City). Image Comics’ “Dancer” plays on this notion with a deadly team comprised of an assassin and a ballerina as they attempt to escape those who want them dead. If you can stomach another #1 issue, “Dancer” looks to be a promising spy tale with a dash of wacky.

Saucer Country #3

WRITTEN BY: Paul Cornell
ART BY: Ryan Kelly
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Hypno-regression therapy, cutting edge aviation technology, and an abduction by rabbits! Things are getting really strange on the campaign trail in New Mexico, and Governor Alvarado is beginning to wonder: Has everyone in this state been “abducted by aliens”? The book we like to call “The West Wing meets The X-Files” ramps up as we meet the enemy and get a look into their big, black eyes…”

The Feast: Five years ago you would have been hard pressed to find a mainstream alien conspiracy comic. Now, the genre is in growing popularity, and you can bet your behind that you’ll be seeing more and more in the coming years. Don’t get sucked into the knock offs and rehashing, dive into the real deal with Paul Cornell’s “Saucer Country”. It’s shaping up to be one of the best alien conspiracy stories since The X-Files, and we can’t wait to see where the team takes it.

Mondo #2

WRITTEN BY: Ted McKeever
ART BY: Ted McKeever
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $4.99

The Low Down: “What’s considered normal on Venice Beach is totally outrageous everywhere else. So when the radioactively-mutated MONDO shows battling a hoard of mutated chickens, a gang of tattooed babies and a giant monster from the ocean’s depths, all amidst the Mayor’s dredging up the beach shoreline in search of a legendary Ferris wheel, you’ve got the making of an all-out gargantuan battle the likes the balmy town has never seen before!”

The Feast: If you have a taste for the surreal, “Mondo” is the comic for you. It follows Mondo, a radioactive super powered dude fighting some of the most peculiar, most grotesque villains imaginable. Bizzaro fiction is not nearly as prominent as it should be, and “Mondo” is a showcase of how titillating the genre can be.