With a few publishers taking breaks this week, June is off to a slow start for comic book world. That said there are still some major titles heading your way that you won’t want to miss out on. Todd McFarlane returns to Spawn, The 16th volume of The Walking Dead is coming, plus a bunch of promising new titles.

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.

Extermination #1

WRITTEN BY: Simon Spurrier
ART BY: Jeffrey Edwards
PUBLISHER: Boom!
PRICE: $1.00

The Low Down: “WE LOST. THEY WON. In the wake of an apocalyptic alien invasion, the world’s greatest super-heroes and deadliest super-villains must form an alliance to prevent their own extermination. Two arch-enemies, Nox, a driven hero, and Red Reaper, a ruthless villain, form a volatile partnership for the greater good. The enemy of your enemy is your friend — but will they be able to ultimately put aside their bitter past to prevent global genocide? What happens when all the battle lines are redrawn and foes become unlikely allies in a desperate war for the fate of the very planet — and the outcome of a species? Written by Simon Spurrier (X-CLUB, FEAR ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT, WOLVERINE: DANGEROUS GAMES), EXTERMINATION is a superhero survival story by an author that boldly explores the dark crevices of an entire genre.”

The Feast: When Boom! started teasing this series a few months back, we knew it was a big deal. “Extermination” issue #1 is already sold out (going back for a second printing) and it hasn’t even been released it. The series brings together the greatest heroes and villains of the world and they must band together to survive an alien apocalypse. The first issue is only a buck so there’s no reason not to pick this up.

Dial H #2

WRITTEN BY: China Mieville
ART BY: Mateus Santolouco
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Part two of the five-part opening story! As our hero learns to use the H DIAL, he begins to suspect there is something sinister at work.”

The Feast: “Dial H” is off to a great start. Issue #1 offered a perfect introduction into Mieville’s bizarre world and there is a lot of room for him to spread his wings in the comics issues. Although he claims it is not an all out horror book, looking at the cover tells us otherwise! The book follows the story of a down in the dumps average Joe who discovers a phone booth that grants him strange powers. It’s way different from the main superhero lineup at DC if you’re looking break from a Justice League.

Spawn #220

WRITTEN BY: Todd McFarlane
ART BY: Szymon Kudranski
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “TODD McFARLANE RETURNS TO SPAWN AS WRITER AND COVER ARTIST! Celebrate SPAWN’s 20th Anniversary with this special landmark release. Jim Downing has long been a man lost – confused by his missing past, hounded at every turn and manipulated by forces beyond his control. No longer. With his past finally coming into focus and a full understanding of the man he once was just out of reach, Jim embraces the full might of his horrific hell-born powers to piece together a mystery that has ties to the very core of the Spawn universe. Old enemies will return. New dangers will emerge. And events woven within the complex fabric of Spawn’s rich mythology will begin to coalesce. What happens from this point forward has been 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING!”

The Feast: For horror comic fans of the 90s, this is a dream come true. Twenty years after the inception of the character, the original creator and writer, the legendary, Todd McFarlane returns to his beastly baby with the #220th issue. Whether you’ve been into “Spawn” since it started twenty years ago, or you’ve never read a single page, this is a treat. The book continues to explore the newest incarnation of Spawn, but you can expect it to take a new approach to the costume.

The Walking Dead Vol. 16

WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ART BY: Charlie Adlard
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $14.99

The Low Down: “Rick discovers that there are communities of survivors nearby, and begins to explore a larger world. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #91-96.”

The Feast: If you’ve read the first 15 volumes, I doubt you need any coaxing. If you’re not reading it at all, for shame.

Witchblade Rebirth Vol. 1

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ART BY: Diego Bernard & Various
PUBLISHER: Image/Top Cow
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “SPECIAL LOW INTRODUCTORY PRICE! In the wake of Top Cow’s REBIRTH, Sara Pezzini has relocated from New York to Chicago and struggles to adapt to being a private detective. Pezzini quickly discovers that a change of scenery and occupation hasn’t changed one thing the Witchblade is still a magnet for the supernatural. Quickly drawn into a conflict between two mystical gangs, she must once again balance her responsibility as bearer of the Witchblade with her personal life. The new ongoing creative team of TIM SEELEY (HACK/SLASH, BLOODSTRIKE) and DIEGO BERNARD (The Man With No Name) burst onto the scene with a bold new direction for Top Cow’s flagship character. Featuring a cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (ARTIFACTS), a complete cover gallery alongside a host of bonus content and extras this entry-level priced collection is a must for anyone curious about Top Cow’s REBIRTH.”

The Feast: Top Cow jumped on board the whole universe “reboot” thing a few months back, and this collects the first chapter in Tim Seeley’s take on “Witchblade”. After Ron Marz’ lengthy run on the book, the “Hack/Slash” scribe had some big shoes to fill. What did he bring? Sex, lots of sex, action, and violence. So far Seeley has done a good job of leading the character on a new path, and for only $10, it’s worth it.

Harbinger #1

WRITTEN BY: Joshua D. M. Dysart
ART BY: Khari Evans
PUBLISHER: Valiant
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Teenager Peter Stenchek si out of work, on the skids, and — unbeknownest to him — a psionic-powered “harbinger” with the potential to reshape the course of human history. Toyo Harada is a wealthy business magnate, a respecte philanthropist, and the most powerful harbinger of all — or so he thought. As they forge an uneasy alliance, with Harada offer Peter a chance for redemption — or attempt to induct him into a secret network of conspiracy, subversion, and control? Peter is about to discover that he’s not alone in the world and, soon, the generation who has nothing will take on the man who has everything.”

The Feast: This marks the second book of Valliant’s rebirth project, and if it lives up to the hype, it will help to drive the publisher back into the ranks with the big boys. The series doesn’t sound like anything special, in fact it sounds like an average modern superhero book, but we’re hoping Dysart will surprise us to deliver something fresh. A new publisher means new rules and we’d like to see them bring something new to the genre.

X-O Manowar #2

WRITTEN BY: Robert Venditti
ART BY: Cary Nord
PUBLISHER: Valiant
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Held captive by the alien species known as the Vine, Aric of Dacia must survive the brutal pens of a massive ship is he has any chance to return to Rome to free his family. Joining forces with the other prisoners, he devises a scheme to get hsi hangs on the only weapon that can free him: the X-O Manowar armor! He’ll need every ounce of his Vigigoth courage and warrior’s training, but all his efforts may be in vain, because the armor’s history holds a dark secret, one that could be Aric’s undoing!”

The Feast: Venditti and Nord killed it with the first issue of “X-O Manowar”. It was a solid primer to the universe they plan to build upon in the coming years. Valliant proved they are serious about their return, and we’re happy to see them producing quality titles. The book is Halo meets Conan, which sounds strange but makes for a great combo.

Infestation 2 Vol. 1

WRITTEN BY: Duane Swierczynski and Chris Ryall
ART BY: Alan Robinson
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $17.99

The Low Down: “The endless zombie hordes of INFESTATION are defeated… but now a greater threat looms in INFESTATION 2! The balance of magic has been tipped allowing the nightmares of H.P. Lovecraft, the ELDER GODS, to break through their cosmic prison and attack all known realities in the IDW universe!”

The Feast: Aside from the Big Two, you rarely see publishers opt for major crossover events. Who thought we would ever see “Transformers”, “GI Joe”, and “Star Trek” team up in a Lovecraft inspired tale of destruction? It’s a wild idea, it’s full of fun, and IDW pulled it off.

Hack/Slash #16

WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan
ART BY: Daniel Leister
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “’THE GOOD SON,’ Part One Guest writer, JUSTIN JORDAN (THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE) brings his strange talent for gore and horror to Hack/Slash! Vlad and Cassie must travel back to Chicago in search of Vlad’s elusive mutant family to find a cure. If Vlad’s disease doesn’t kill him, his aunt, cousin and grandpa just might!”

The Feast: This is Justin Jordan’s first issue as guest writer on “Hack/Slash” and we have high expectations for his run on the series. You can expect crazy mystery, loads of blood, and new take on Cassie Hack that should be refreshing above all else.

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1

WRITTEN BY: Darwyn Cooke and Len Wein
ART BY: Darwyn Cooke
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “’Little did we know that poor boy would lead to the end of us all.’ Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.”

The Feast: Whether you agree with the ethics of DC or not, you can’t deny this release is a huge deal in the comics industry. Cooke is a wonderful creator and it will be interesting to see his take on Moore’s world. Perhaps more interesting will be to see how much this book sells.