MAJOR SPOILERS STAFF PICKS FOR JUNE 27, 2012

Though we were busy meeting new friends, and old fans at Nerdtacular 2012, that didn’t stop us from combing through the list of new comics coming out this week, and giving you a list of ten books you should read this week.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Publisher: Marvel Comics
SOLICITATION: It’s up to Spider-Man to wrangle the reptilian rage of one of his greatest foes! Spider-Man is stuck between two monsters when Morbius the Living Vampire attempts to cure the Lizard and restore Curt Connors.

ROB: We still have Dan Slott, so this is still good. With Ends of the Earth finished and the Lizard set to make his mandatory movie time appearance we should get a more down to earth Spidey tale over the next couple issues, so enjoy.

STEPHEN: Now that Ends of the Earth is finished, we can get to the story everyone has been dying to read – a Lizard story (see Marvel and Sony have a new Spider-Man movie coming out that features the Lizard, so the comic book must reflect the movie for the millions of people who will be rushing to the comic shop to buy the Amazing Spider-Man). At least it has Dan Slott on board, so that is something, and since he’s sucked me into the ASM universe, this spider has me wrapped in his web of wonder.

ZACH: Ends of the Earth has come to a close over the last two weeks and now it’s time to move onto Peter’s next epic adventure. If you follow Dan Slott of Twitter then you know he has big plans in the future, including a story that will apparently piss the readers off. Looking forward to that!

ATOMIC ROBO: FLYING SHE DEVILS OF THE PACIFIC #1
Writer: Bryan Clevinger
Artist: Scott Wegner
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
SOLICITATION: This series was intended to be Volume 2. And then Volume 3. Then Volumes 4 through 6. But it was too big and too crazy. We weren’t ready to make it. Maybe we still aren’t, but we got tired of running from it.

STEPHEN: Is there any doubt in your mind that you should be picking up anything and everything that features Atomic Robo? Pick this book up! Pick this book up! Pick this book up!

ZACH: Thanks to a comiXology sale I’m getting caught up on every story about the Tesla fighting machine, so to make sure I never fall behind again I will pick this up. Not sure if I’ll read this Wednesday or wait to finish the previous volumes, but I do know that it will be both hilarious and well done.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #10
Writer: Gregg Hurwitz
Artist: David Finch
Publisher: DC Comics
SOLICITATION: Kicking off a major story pitting BATMAN against the most deadly version of the SCARECROW he’s ever seen! This isn’t about fear…it’s about TERROR!

JIMMY: Gregg Hurwitz has taken over writing duties on what was the worst Bat-title, and I expect it to rapidly vault into my second or third favorite Bat-title on the stands. Hurwitz knocked it out of the park on Penguin: Pain and Prejudice, a series I originally was buying for Szymon Kudranski’s art, but I fell in love with Hurwitz’ writing in the process. Definitely pick this up–it’ll be a great jumping on point and a turning point for this title.

BATMAN INCORPORATED #2
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham
Publisher: DC Comics
SOLICITATION: This is the story of a man and a woman fighting over the heart and soul of their child. Unfortunately for the world, the man is BATMAN, the woman is TALIA AL GHUL, and the child is DAMIAN.

JIMMY: I gave the first issue of this series a full 5 star rating; Grant Morrison’s writing was great as per usual, but what really blew me out of the water was Chris Burnham’s art. I expect this series to quickly become my favorite book that DC is putting out, and highly recommend, though you may want to pick up issue #1 first.

BEFORE WATCHMEN: NITE OWL #1
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski, Len Wein
Artist: Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert
Publisher: DC Comics
SOLICITATION: “The hero known to the public only as Nite Owl announced his retirement today.”

Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS!

MATTHEW: At this point, it’s a waiting game for an issue of Before Watchmen that I don’t enjoy. I don’t know that I WANT them to fall, but they’re pleasantly 3 for 3 on this series, which makes me wonder if every issue will be a strong one.

DEFENDERS BY MATT FRACTION TP VOL 01
Writer: Matt Fraction
Publisher: Marvel Comics
SOLICITATION: The last line of defense against the forces of the unknown! Spinning out of the stunning ending of FEAR ITSELF, the final member of the Worthy is on a global rampage, and everyone’s favorite Marvel misfits must band together to solve a mysterious conspiracy deep at the heart of the Marvel Universe! What is the secret of Wundagore Mountain? Matt Fraction (FEAR ITSELF, THE MIGHTY THOR, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) reteams with UNCANNY X-MEN cohort Terry Dodson (SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN) to relaunch Marvel’s mightiest non-team: the all-new, all-different, all-dynamic Defenders! Collecting DEFENDERS (2012) #1-6, and material from FEAR ITSELF #7 and POINT ONE.

ROB: Matthew says this is good. When it comes to comics his word is usually one to trust, especially when he likes something. Besides, this book has a great lineup and isn’t connected to most of the other major hullabaloo going on, I’m giving it a chance, as should you.

GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #10
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artist: Tyler Kirkham, Batt
Publisher: DC Comics
SOLICITATION: • Part two of “THE FALL OF THE BLUE LANTERNS”!

• The NEW GUARDIANS reunite!

• Why is every CORPS coming apart at the seams? One word: LARFLEEZE!

ROB: Kyle is second on my list of Green Lanterns (Guy being first) and this book has done a great job of pushing him in a new direction. Add to that the addition of an interesting team dynamic and some great characters I wasn’t expecting we get a book definitely worth picking up.

HIT GIRL #1
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: John Romita Jr., Tom Palmer
Publisher: Marvel Comics
SOLICITATION: Hit-Girl spins off into her own blood-soaked series by the sales-busting creative team of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. This story takes place between Kick-Ass volumes 1 and 2 as Mindy McCready tries to settle into life as a regular school-girl, but wants nothing more to be dispensing hot justice to the scum of New York City. Her mother and step-father think she’s doing her homework, but in reality she’s taken Kick-Ass on as her sidekick and training him up to punch, shoot and stab… just like Daddy would have wanted. A limited edition variant by Leandro Fernandez will be released for this issue.

MATTHEW: I’m torn after having seen the movie as to whether Hit-Girl is an amazing new character archetype, or a one-note shock. I’m hoping that this limited series will settle the score once and for all.

MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4
Writer:Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Pitarra and Cris Peter
Publisher: Image Comics
SOLICITATION: “THE ROSE BRIDGE”
The Life and Death of Albert Einstein.

The blockbuster FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE series continues in THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4: THE ROSE BRIDGE!

JIMMY: If you haven’t been reading Manhattan Projects and are interested in alternate history / weird, Vertigo-esque titles about scientists, go order the first three issues of Manhattan Projects. This title is exceedingly bizarre, but in all the best ways, and I am highly anticipating issue #4.

STEPHEN: This book is such a mind-f**K on so many levels, I find my head spinning with the implications after each and every issue. AI FDR, Einstein in a locked room, and Richard Feynman observing it all is so interesting, that is may just end up being my favorite series for 2012! This is a book to pick up this week, for sure.

ZACH: Jonathan Hickman has hit on his hands with this crazy take on the history of the team tasked to create the first nuclear bomb. Now that the bomb has been dropped I imagine the zaniness will be taken up another notch. Everyone should be reading this.

STAR TREK TNG/DOCTOR WHO ASSIMILATION² #2
Writer: Scott and David Tipton
Artist: J.K. Woodward
Publisher: IDW Publishing
SOLICITATION: Picking up where #1 left off, the Borg and the Cybermen have struck a most unholy alliance, prompting Captain Picard and the Enterprise crew to team up with the Doctor and his Companions in a race to avert devastation on a cosmic scale.

MATTHEW: The first issue was interesting, and this kind of crossover is an exercise in what all they can wedge in there. Issue #1 was nicely handled, and I hope that #2 doesn’t suck. I also want to know if the promises of other Doctors and other Captains as seen on the solicitation covers is going to come true.

ROBOT OVERLORD: With two books earning the Major Spoilers Staff Pick of the Week, you know there are some good comics on this list. What will you pick up, and what will you pass on this week?