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

AVENGERS: ENDLESS WARTIME (Hardcover) (Marvel Comics)

Oh hey dudes, did you know that there’s a new original graphic novel written by industry luminary Warren Ellis? And that it’s got really gorgeous art by Mike McKone, Jason Keith and Rain Beredo? How are you not buying Avengers: Endless Wartime already?

It’s not usually that simple, but really, Warren Ellis books are, for many people, things that sell themselves; he’s made his name on inventive takes on concepts that many think to be staid, and there are few better playgrounds for that than superhero comics and one of the most iconic superhero teams of all time. The previews and solicits for Endless Wartime are purposely vague, but it’s not out of line to expect a combination of incisive humour, well-researched details and smart twists on familiar concepts. When you add in McKone‘s attentive draftsmanship and strong use of layout to create mood, it seems like a slam dunk. No two Ellis books are alike, but with an Ellis/McKone collaboration, you know you’re in line for something smart, exciting and very unique.

BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE #2 (DC Comics)

Similarly, Batman: Black and White is a book that you might not know the exact details of before you read it, because its concept is basically, “These awesome people telling whatever Batman stories they want,” but damn, if that concept doesn’t sound appealing all by itself. Mark Chiarello‘s baby is, ultimately, a wide open look at how amazing and versatile the idea of Batman is.

So if you didn’t get Issue #1, don’t worry, because none of that matters. There’s no continuity here. All that matters is that you open the cover and see cool comics by Rafael Albuquerque, Jeff Lemire, J.G. Jones, Dave Bullock and more! Dang, if that doesn’t sound good.

GRINDHOUSE: DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Well, you know how in our 100th Um, Actually, when asked by Kelly Sue DeConnick about a grindhouse parallel in comics, I waxed rhapsodic about BlueWater productions as the true spiritual successor to grindhouse? Well, that doesn’t mean that Dark Horse’s new series, Grindhouse: Doors Open at Midnight, isn’t still something that I am going to read the heck out of.

At its core, Alex De Campi‘s anthology series of short stories is a celebration of the bizarre sleaze and imagination of the old grindhouse theatres, if with admittedly more artistry involved. I mean, the first issue alone has art by Chris Peterson and Nolan Woodard, and together, the book’s team give a full dose of gore, lust and gaudy, saturated colours, all in the celebration of “Bee Vixens From Mars,” where a one-eyed, high-haired deputy has to save the men of her town from sexy bee aliens. That’s just quality right there, you can take that to the BANK.

MARA #6 (Image Comics)

It took a bit longer than we thought to get here, but oh boy… Mara #6 is out today! Brian Wood, Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire‘s miniseries about a pro athlete with developing superpowers has consistently amped up the concept and excitement in each issue. When last we saw Mara Prince, her previously cool, impassive demeanor gave way to anger and frustration, as she prepared to to something drastic. You know, the whole destruction of the human race and all. That old chestnut.

What makes Mara so special is that its creators have done such a wonderful job creating and depicting the book’s world; Wood provides the script details and dialogue and Doyle and Bellaire have consistently blown me away with their use of contrasting size and really remarkable colour palettes to show how oppressive it feels to an increasingly alien Mara. The emotional crux of the series has been Mara’s detachment and isolation from her own race, and it’s been fantastically represented by the art of the book, which always underscores the dynamics of power at play. I have no idea what will happen in the final issue - maybe Mara will actually destroy mankind, who knows - but it will assuredly be a visually brilliant, deeply-realized climax.

THE OCCULTIST #1 (Dark Horse)

Tim Seeley and Mike Norton are no strangers to working with each other - you are reading Revival, aren’t you? - and their seemingly easy collaboration and in-sync processes have a consistently high quality. That track record is one reason why it’s so easy to recommend their latest collaboration, The Occultist. Revival is a largely realistic take on a fantastical, horrific concept, and it takes its emotional gravity from its relatable, well-realized characters. Someone in that town could be us, well, if we were trapped in a town where the dead kept coming back to life and it wasn’t all that great. The Occultist looks to be taking a different approach, with a bombastic sense of humour and pulpy sensibility. It’s hard to not crack a grin when the Occultist narrates his own Silver Age-esque origin story and introduction only to be met with an eye roll from his companion. It reminds me a lot of Hack and Slash, that same air of fun and winks except with a Spectre-esque superhero as well as a Buffy-esque teen vigilante.

This book looks fun. This book looks like a celebration of genre. This book looks hard to miss.

These are some 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.