Every week, Comics! The Blog goes through the list of new releases and we tell you which comics to plug into your mind hole. Your mileage may vary.

ULTIMATE COMICS HAWKEYE #1 (Marvel Comics)

I started reading Ultimate Spider-Man on the internet - though to be fair, this was quite some time ago when I was still in high school. Marvel used to slap up 11 pages of various comics on a digital browser that pretty much anyone could access. On that browser were things like, uh… well, Ultimate Spider-Man, Wolverine: Origin, Brian Michael Bendis’ Elektra run and a few other things that I’m blanking on right now. Anyway, it was pretty rad and entirely legal, and it was how I got myself hip deep into the Ultimate universe.

Flash forward to today, and you’ve got a new beginning for the Ultimate line. Similarly, the entire line is being released digitally, albeit in a format that requires payment to enjoy. In a way it’s a nice mirror to the past, always sitting on the bleeding edge, with a handful of new talent, taking the reins to tell some brave, new stories. In this series, Jonathan Hickman provides a companion piece to his Ultimates series, focusing on this universes’ Hawkeye. Now I’ve never really been a huge fan of Hawkeye, now matter what version we’re talking about, but… come on. This is Jonathan Hickman we’re talking about here. Fantastic Four, Secret Warriors, The Nightly News, Red Wing, etc… the guy knows how to write. If you enjoyed last week’s Ultimates, you owe it to yourself to give this book a read. And if you didn’t read last week’s Ultimates - either because you didn’t buy a copy, or you kept your copy in the bag… I’m sorry, but we have to stop being friends.

Hey, don’t you frown, you silly clown, you brought this on yourself.

THE GOON #35 (Dark Horse Comics)

I would probably be happy if we just got some more Eric Powell goodness with this new issue of The Goon - but the man had to go and add the sensational writing talents of Evan Dorkin to the mix, making this some kind of mechanoid super book of earth shattering madness. Honestly, these two writer/artists are ridiculously talented, and both can swing from harsh, irreverent comedy to shit that’s absolutely deadly serious without so much as dropping a bead of sweat. Normal people can’t do that. They burst into flames from even trying as much, and they die screaming, wondering who, exactly, is going to cancel their date once they are just a pile of ash. Which is my own terrible way of telling you not to let these talents go to waste. Throw them money. That is all.

SECRET AVENGERS #16 (Marvel Comics)

So wait, Warren Ellis and Jamie McKelvie are telling a story starring the Secret Avengers??!??!? Well money, it sure was nice to know you.

ARCHIE HIGH SCHOOL CHRONICLES BOOK 2 (Archie Comics)

Is it wrong to say that this is the book that I’m most excited for this week? Is it?

Look, we all know there’s something else happening this week, but honestly, even the combined might of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee can’t turn my head away from my favourite Riverdale residents.

This volume is the second in a series that explores the lives of Archie and the gang as they existed during their Freshman Year. Basically, it’s like Batman Year One, but without as many hookers. Both this and the initial series were fantastic stories… and this one even ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, promising to delve into something else that’s very interesting indeed…

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 (DC Comics)

Look, do I have to tell you why you’re buying this? Do I really? Because if the files at my store are any indication, pretty much everyone is on board this crazy train. In fact, my store is holding a pretty big midnight opening later tonight where we’re going to use the increased traffic to raise money for breast cancer research. It’s going to be rad and a half, and man, it’s going to be really interesting to finally read all of these new books.

It all starts now I guess.

These are just five of the many great books being released this week! You can find the full list of comics being released here. If you have any other recommendations, let us know in the comments below.