This week, there are a couple notables

Nothing to say here, so let's look at the list:

New comics this week (Wednesday, 4/22/09):

Astonishing X-Men #29

Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi's run on this title is still coming out, although who knows if anybody remembers anything about it.  I think it has something to do with parallel universes?

Azrael Deaths Dark Knight #2

I haven't read this, and I don't know if I ever will unless I see it in a bargain bin, but it's your place to go for Frazier Irving art right now.  Is this the last issue, or are there more coming?  Does anyone really care that much?

Ex Machina #41

I really do want to get caught up on this series.  When is the next collection coming out?

Hellblazer #254

Hey, how has the Milligan run on the creepy old uncle of the Vertigo family been?  One day, when I read a bunch of Hellblazer and feel like I can finally understand it, I'll get to this, and hopefully I won't be disappointed.

I Am Legion #3

Nury/Cassaday, with more of the Nazi undead.  I think this marks the beginning of previously-unreleased (in the US) material.  I do want to read this, but I'll probably wait and buy the collected version.

Ignition City #2

Didn't the first issue of this only just come out a week or two ago?  I may eventually end up buying this series, since I'm hooked on Warren Ellis, but it does sound a bit like something plugged together from his book of standard plots and characters.  Still, I don't think I can stay away...

Immortal Iron Fist #25

This issue, which is apparently the penultimate chapter in the current storyline, sees Danny Rand face off against the very first Iron Fist, and then try to make an escape from his otherdimensional prison.  What I've read of this has been pretty darn good.

Jack of Fables #33

I think I failed to mention it, but the most recent issue of Fables kicked off the "Great Fables Crossover".  And here's part two.  I have no idea how this story is going to be collected, but hopefully it will all go into one volume, rather than having three separate books.  Also, I hope it doesn't suck.

Kick-Ass #6

I thought this might be the last issue of Mark Millar's creator-owned thing, but apparently not.  It does appear to focus on the little girl assassin who has shown up at some point.  I should have a review up at Comics Bulletin tomorrow, so watch for that.

No Hero #5

More Warren Ellis.  This is probably one that I'll pick up in trade, unless I forget.  I've heard very little about it since the first issue (#0) came out, so who knows if it's good.  I did like the concept though.

Tales Designed To Thrizzle #5

Michael Kupperman!  This comic is funny.

Viking #1

Ooh, here's the new semi-indy comic to check out; it's from Image, and it's by Ivan Brandon, with art by Nic Klein.  It's about exactly what the title says.  I really like the sample art I've seen, so I definitely want to take a look inside, at the very least.  Here's an interview with some preview pages at CBR, and I dug this Newsarama article where Klein demonstrated his step-by-step art process.

Ashley Wood's Art Of Metal Gear Solid TP

I really don't care about the Metal Gear Solid games, having barely played any of them, but I usually take notice whenever Ashley Wood's name is on something.  This appears to be an artbook focusing on Wood's contributions to the comic series adaptation of the game.  That's a bit too removed from much of anything for me to actually buy, but I would flip through it if I saw it on a shelf.

Best Of Simon And Kirby HC

I think this already came out, but it's still worth mentioning.  Early Joe Simon/Jack Kirby stories!  That's pretty awesome; I do want to get more familiar with their collaborative material, since most of the Kirby that I've read has been from Fantastic Four onward.  

Bun Field TP

I think this is another book that's out already, but it's one I've heard about here and there, and I wouldn't mind checking it out at some point.  It's a sort of surreal, dreamy story by Finnish creator Amanda Vahamaki, and it's supposed to be pretty good.  Here's a review by J. Caleb Mozzocco.

Chicken With Plums TP

And heck, this book has been out for years, but I haven't read it.  It's one of Marjane Satrapi's non-Persepolis books, and since I liked those, and the movie adaptation, I would also like to read this one.  This new paperback edition looks like my chance; to the library!

Classwar Series 1 Collected Edition HC

If it wasn't for Tucker Stone, I probably wouldn't even have noticed this book, which collects an early-2000s Authority-esque superhero series by Rob Williams, Trevor Hairsine, and Travel Foreman.  His review of the book in his Comixology column definitely made it sound worth a look, so I will do so, if I get the chance.

Freakangels Vol. 2

Whoa, even more Warren Ellis!  When his comics come out, they do it all at once, don't they?  This is the second collection of his webcomic with Paul Duffield, but I still recommend reading it for free rather than paying for it.

Jellaby GN Vol 2 Jellaby in the City

Kean Soo's kids' series looks pretty nice, so this second volume is probably one to get.  I should read the first one first though.  Here's Caleb Mozzocco's review of the first volume, if you want to know more about the series.

Mess Of Everything TP

This graphic novel by Miss Lasko-Gross appears to be a sort of sequel to her semiautobiographical first book, Escape From Special, with the new installment dealing with her high school years.  The art looks great; you can read a preview at Act-I-Vate.  And you can also see a slideshow at Fantagraphics' site.

Scalped Vol 4 The Gravel In Your Guts TPB

Why have I not read this series yet?  I keep hearing good things about it, and I keep wanting to get to it, but I still haven't.  And now I'm farther behind.  One of these days...

Stonecutter HC

This adaptation of a Chinese folk tale sports some art by Jon J. Muth, so it will certainly look very nice.  It apparently was only previously available in a very limited edition, so now non-rich people get to look at it.

Tick Big Blue Destiny Complete Works TP

I do like the Tick, what I've read of it, although most of my experience is probably from the cartoon show.  This appears to collect every Tick comic; 320 pages for $30.  Sounds like fun.

Crayon Shinchan Vol 8 TP CMX Edition

More horrible childhood hijinx.  Funny stuff, from what I've seen of it.

Manga Guide To Databases TP

Another volume in No Starch Press' line of edu-manga books.  I previously reviewed The Manga Guide to Statistics, and here's another similar one.  Sure to be fun, right?  Right?  Eh, maybe not so much, but it will probably involve a cute, clueless girl being guided by a smitten nerd.  If that (along with learning) sounds like your sort of thing, by all means, seek it out.

Naoki Urasawas 20th Century Boys Vol 2 TP

I just finished the first volume of this series (review coming soon, I hope), and it was really good.  So here's the second, ready for me to seek it out.  I just can't get enough Naoki Urasawa.

Real Vol 4 GN

And here's another mangaka that I can't get enough of: Takehiko Inoue.  I thought the first three volumes of this wheelchair basketball series were really, really good, so I've got no reason to think this one will be otherwise.

Shojo Beat Vol 5 #5 May 2009

I also just finished this issue, and if all goes as expected, I'll have posted a review by the time you read this.  I'm always happy to read more of my precious girly Japanese comics.

Vagabond VIZBIG Edition Vol 3 TP

And here's more Takehiko Inoue.  I still need to re-read the first VIZBIG volume of this samurai series, and then maybe I can try to get caught up.  We'll see how that goes.

-----

Is that it?  I think so.  We'll see if I get to anything else this week, but maybe not.  But don't worry; I'm not going anywhere.