This is not just any ordinary week in the comic book world, friends. Although last week officially marked the beginning of the DC New 52, this week they’ve got tons of brand new #1’s heading your way! These comics are selling out quicker than backstage passes to a Justin Bieber concert, so don’t miss out on the fun! Obviously there are loads of other comics coming out this week from other publishers, but in honor of such a milestone event, most of the books in this week’s COMICS TO FEAST ON are from DC’s New 52 lineup (this will likely be the case for most of September). Now I know you won’t be buying all 52 new series so let us know which books you can’t wait for!

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve got to limit our list of comics for the week somehow. Rather than focus on every major comic hitting the shelves I’ll narrow it down to ten books that stand out from the rest. Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, I’m here to help you decide which books to read. Read on for the skinny…

Action Comics #1

WRITTEN BY: Grant Morrison
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Rags Morales and Richard Bryant
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to the Man of Steel, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you the story of Superman, updated for the Modern Age! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe!”

The Feast: Telling you why to read any of the New 52 seems trite and pointless by now, especially a book like Action Comics, written by the rock star of comics, Grant Morrison. None of you should need to be told why this book is such a huge deal. But for those of you who don’t know, Morrison ranks up there with Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman in terms of creativity and ingenuity. His All-star Superman series utterly redefined Clark Kent, and he always finds a way to move things in a completely absurd direction. As with the original Action Comics in 1938, this relaunch will be one for the history books.

Animal Man #1

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Travel Foreman
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man–but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman.”

The Feast: Alongside Swamp Thing, Animal Man is the book I am most excited for as part of the DC reboot. Animal Man is an odd character whose over-the-top persona always made for a loveable and bizarre read. Since Morrison started messing around with the character years ago, he’s remained an iconic part of the DCU. Now, one of the biggest up and coming writers, Jeff Lemire, takes the reins to bring us a darker and more horrifying version of Animal Man. Animal Man has the power to, you guessed it, temporarily acquire the ability of any animal he chooses. Based on the preview, this is going to be a much more gore-filled life for Buddy Baker. Travel Foreman’s artwork is some of the most exceptional and stunning in the industry, just look at that cover! *drools*

Detective Comics #1

WRITTEN BY: Tony Daniel
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Tony Daniel
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “DC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/artist Tony S. Daniel! A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf–leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.”

The Feast: Well to be totally honest, we still have no idea why Dick isn’t Batman anymore, and I highly doubt that this will give us any clues (fan fiction time?). But wait, Batman is one character that DC boasts will have continuity all the way back to his childhood (aside from Barbara being able to walk again, err…). Tony Daniel, one of the bets Bat-writers in recent years, returns to the Dark Knight to give us the first book in the new Detective Comics series. As with Action Comics, this is not a book to pass up on.

Swamp Thing #1

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Yanick Paquette
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “One of the world’s most iconic characters has returned to the heart of the DC Universe, and every step he takes will shake the foundations of the Earth! Alec Holland has his life back, but the Green has plans for it. A monstrous evil is rising in the desert, and it’ll take a monster of another kind to defend life as we know it!”

The Feast: Where to begin? Scott Snyder is one of the busiest and biggest innovative writers at DC (as if you didn’t know), and now he’s conjuring up tales for one of the most infamous creatures. Snyder brings some humanity back to Swamp Thing as Alec Holland gets sucked into the “Green” once again. Anyone who hasn’t picked up Moore’s run on Swamp Thing should do so this week as well. Knowing Snyder’s work, he’s going to dig deep into the history of the character and figure out exactly how he got where he is today. The summary above says it best, “this book will shake the foundations of the Earth!”

House of Mystery #41

WRITTEN BY: Matthew Sturges
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Luca Rossi, Jose Marzan Jr. and Annie Wu
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Fig has defied the Conception and come face-to-face with her adversary, Lotus Blossom. Now, all will be resolved as two versions of reality collide, leaving a surprising result. What will the future hold for Fig, Lotus Blossom and Harry? Featuring Jordan Mayer’s directorial debut, “Mystery House,” illustrated by Annie Wu.”

The Feast: Sadly, this is the second to last issue of what has been a wonderfully twisted series. House of Mystery is like Alice in Wonderland on acid. Scratch that, Alice is already on acid. House of Mystery is like Alice in Wonderland dipped into a vat of every drug you could think of, brought out to dry under a lamp of mindfuck, and then packaged in a nice little post-modern theory box. It’s one of the most original books out there, and it’s sad to see it go.

Moon Knight #5

WRITTEN BY: Brian Michael Bendis
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Alex Maleev
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The new kingpin of L.A. has brought the fight to Moon Knight’s front door and now Marc Spector is going to return the favor. ?Moon Knight unleashes hell on the L.A. underworld in his race to uncover the kingpin’s secret identity!! From the Eisner award-winning team that brought you DAREDEVIL and SCARLET.”

The Feast: It’s not all DC this week! Okay, much all of this list is comprised of DC books, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great comics from other publishers…They are just getting overshadowed. Bendis’ Moon Knight kills it, simple as that. Marc Spector is a nutcase who thinks he’s superhero, or three. It’s hard to tell whether he’s completely bat-shit insane, or if there’s actually is some sort of conspiracy surrounding him. Bendis nails this one, fabricating a beautifully twisted story that really brings out reality of being a psychopath in a world full of superheroes.

Batgirl #1

WRITTEN BY: Gail Simone
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Ardian Syaf
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl–and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!”

The Feast: Wait, what. Babs can walk again? And She’s Batgirl? But who the heck is going to help all the Bat-heroes out with computer hacking and covert intel? All questions we hope will be answered this week in Gail Simone’s new Batgirl ongoing. What’s most intriguing about this book is that one of the most respected women in the comics industry gets a chance to bring back one of the most esteemed female characters in comics. Simone has a certain knack for bringing “lesser” characters to life and putting them in a new perspective for fans to ogle at. I expect this Batgirl comic to be one of the most astounding of the new batch from DC. This has the potential to be a deadly female duo.

Punisher #3

WRITTEN BY: Greg Rucka
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Marco Checchetto
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Award winning novelist GREG RUCKA continues his violent and visionary return to Marvel. Even 10,000 feet above New York, no one escapes the Punisher. As Frank trails the criminal underbelly of the city, he encounters the deadly, mob created villain: THE VULTURE for a brutal battle against death and gravity. Meanwhile as NYPD detectives get closer to understanding Frank Castle’s new relationship, one of New York’s finest is struggling keep his own Punisher association untraceable.”

The Feast: It may be a little early to say, but it seems that Rucka’s got another hit on his hands. Though you’re not going to see heads exploding out the frames like in Punisher MAX, this is definitely not a book for children because it depicts the darkness and lonesomeness of Frank Castle. Rucka’s Punisher isn’t a friend to the mob (The Punisher has never been), but he’s also not in cahoots with the police. Castle is a man on the fringe, simply trying to fight for what he believes is right in a world full of wrong. Plus, the detectives are pretty much Morgan Freeman and Brad Bitt from Se7en, so it’s always a good laugh.

Sweet Tooth #25

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Jeff Lemire
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Vertigo’s weird and wonderful antlered-epic reaches issue #25 as new revelations about Walter Fish and Project Evergreen push Jepperd over the edge. When his violent actions finally ostracize him from the rest of the group, he’s forced to leave The Dam. But Jepperd won’t go quietly – and he won’t go without Gus.”

The Feast: Sweet Tooth is a heartwarming and touching book, yet there is a distinct sense of gloom filtering throughout the series that really makes it so remarkable. The series follows a little boy with antlers on his head, Gus, who is just trying to survive after the apocalypse with his group of friends. With a high price on his beautiful antler head, this simple country “boy” is in way over his head. Lemire brings the goods every arc, never failing to bring out the pervasive beauty in a dark world.