The Fourth of July holiday means that American comic shops won’t get their books until Thursday … but if that’s the price of BBQ, fireworks and two days off, I can live with it.

This week sees a lot of new first issues (Atom, Beyond! the Virgin books, Death Jr.) as well as a couple of big trade releases (Pantheon’s Epileptic, Flight Vol. 3). While I head out to buy some sparklers, let’s hear from the rest of the gang on what they’re looking forward to …

Kevin Melrose’s Pick of the Week:

Death Jr. Vol. 2, #1 from Image Comics. I’m a big fan of Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin, How Loathsome, Polly & the Pirates), so I picked up the first Death Jr. series just for his art. After all, I wasn’t familiar with the video game on which it’s based. Luckily, I didn’t need to know anything about it. Greg Whitta and Naifeh have created a completely accessible, and unbelievably enjoyable, world for these characters completely detached from the console. I’ve been looking forward to the second volume for a while now, and I know I won’t be disappointed.

Shane Bailey’s Pick of the Week:

I can’t pick anything but Detective Comics #821, Paul Dini and J.H. Williams’ first issue of a sure to be spectacular run on the title. Especially since it looks like the first issue will bring Bruce Wayne back into the limelight after being pushed to the background by his Batman persona for so long. I have faith that Paul Dini will make Batman fans proud.

Tom Bondurant’s Pick of the Week:

For me it’s a tough choice between the last issue of The Thing (#8) and the first Paul Dini issue of Detective Comics (#821). Dan Slott’s been promising a wild Marvel Universe poker party for his series’ big farewell, and I should use the awesome influence of this feature to goose the book’s sales, so The Thing it is!

Lisa Fortuner’s Pick of the Week:

Well, Brave New World got me excited for the Atom. And of course Jonah Hex and Secret Six.

JK Parkin’s Pick of the Week:

The first two Flight books were phenomenal, and I have no doubt the third one will be as well. The book has actually been shipping over the last few weeks, and a preview is available over at the mothership. Go check it out.

What’s your pick of the week? Take a look at the Diamond shipping lists and let us know!

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