After a lag of a few weeks, “Naruto Nation” finally hits comic shops as Viz releases three volumes of the smash-hit series.

Don’t get too comfortable, though, because the same thing will happen next month. And the month after that. And the month after that.

But Naruto isn’t the only big release. This week also sees the much-heralded Tekkon Kinkreet omnibus edition, the return of John Ostrander to Suicide Squad, and the 100th issue of Daredevil.

For a rundown of the other titles Chris Mautner and I think are worth special mention, just keep reading.

As always, let us know your choices in the comments below.

Kevin’s pick of the week: Suicide Squad #1

So as not to duplicate Chris’ pick, I’m going with my second choice. Many fans of a certain age speak with reverence about John Ostrander’s late-’80s Suicide Squad, which recast several of DC’s B-list (and below) villains as covert government operatives sent on dangerous missions. (If they succeeded, they could receive a full pardon. If they tried to escape, an explosive bracelet would be detonated and, well …) It’s a great concept — very Dirty Dozen – but I have to confess to not following that series. I read the Legends miniseries in which the new team was introduced, and I bought an issue or two of Suicide Squad, but that’s it. I’ll blame it on unreliable newsstand distribution and the rickety spinner tack at Taylor’s Market. This eight-issue miniseries feels like a trial balloon for an ongoing title, and an attempt kick-start the superhero-espionage subgenre that DC seems to like.

Chris’ pick of the week: Tekkon Kinkreet

Quite possibly one of the most eagerly anticipated manga publishing events of the year (with the obvious exception of “Naruto Nation,” duh), Viz has collected Taiyo Matsumoto’s critically acclaimed classic about two young street ruffians and fantastic, gritty urban world they live in into once oversized volume, complete with color pages, wraparound cover and small fold out poster. There’s even an interview up front with the director of the anime adaptation, Michael Arias. It’s a lovely looking book and I can’t wait to start plowing through it and see what all the fuss has been about.

Groo 25th Anniversary Special

Chris: “The champion of cheese dip” is back with some all-new tales celebrating his silver anniversary. The news that Aragones is going to be taking over The Spirit was one of the more intriguing bits of info from last weekend’s Baltimore con, and whetted my appetite for more of his work. So it’s good this is out this week.

Hellboy, Vol. 7: The Troll Witch & Others trade paperback

Kevin: Although I already own the four Dark House Book of … anthologies and the Makoma miniseries from which this Hellboy collection draws most of content, I’m sorely tempted to plunk down the $20 just for the promise of a previously unpublished story by Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell.

Mutts Bookends

Chris: Yesh!

Confessions of a Blabbermouth

Kevin: Mike Carey’s Re-Gifters definitely has been the high point of DC’s new Minx imprint of graphic novels for teen girls. That alone is enough to convince me to check out Confessions of a Blabbermouth, Carey’s collaboration with daughter Louise and artist Aaron Alexovich (Serenity Rose).

JLA Wedding Special

Kevin: Dwayne McDuffie writes fun superhero comics, but I just can’t get interested in a wedding “event.” Besides, what kind of bachelorette party is it when many of the guests are dressed skimpier than the guy jumping out of the cake?

Wonder Girl #1 ( of 6 )

Kevin: Between the events of 52 — the Cult of Conner — and Teen Titans #50 — trying to put the moves on Robin — Cassie Sandsmark has taken a turn for the creepy. But if anyone can salvage her, it’s J. Torres, who has a knack for writing off-beat stories and believable teen-age characters. Unfortunately, like most everything else in the DC Universe, this miniseries seems tied into “The Death of the New Gods.”

Casanova #9

Chris: Expect lots of time travel, the Matt Fraction way. Which reminds me. Congratulations to Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick on the birth of their baby boy.

Daredevil #100

Kevin: The star-studded 100th issue pairs Ed Brubaker with regular penciler Michael Lark, plus John Romita Sr., Gene Colan, Lee Bermejo, Alex Maleev and Mark Djurdjevic. Really, what more do you need to know?

Marvel Illustrated: Man in the Iron Mask #3

Chris: That’s Tony Stark, right?

Sorry, but somebody had to make that joke.

Spider-Man Fairy Tales #4 ( of 4 )

Kevin: I’m surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed C.B. Cebulski’s retelling of fairy and folk tales using elements of the Spider-Man mythos. It doesn’t sound like it would work, but somehow it does — so much that I’m looking forward to his upcoming Avengers miniseries. In this final issue, Cebulski and artist Nick Dragotta reinterpret Cinderella.

Castle Waiting Vol. II #8

Chris: A new issue of CW is always cause for joy. Though I do confess I hope the story starts picking up a little bit now.

Cherry Juice, Vol. 1

Kevin: Haruka Fukushima’s romance about bickering step-siblings who start to fall for each other is a bit overdone, with an overdose of sexual tension, and certainly not to everyone’s tastes. (Fukushima writes that the story is inspired, in part, by her “fantasies about how nice it would be to have a hot younger brother.”) But the art is wonderful, and the pages filled with plenty of bishonen and “bishojo.”

Demon Flowers, Vol. 1

Kevin: I’m still not sure what to make of Mizuki Hakase’s horror tale. The backstory about demons who are determined to wipe out the mixed offspring of gods and humans seems half-formed, but the relationship that develops between the demon assassin Ushitora and the two children he adopts has definite potential.

Dr. Slump, Vol. 13

Chris: I’m way behind on this manga series (I know, it’s a running theme with me) but i wanted to point it out, as it really is a delightful and delightfully funny comic that captures the spirit of those classic Warner Bros. cartoons. I’d say it would be perfect for kids if it weren’t for all the poop and sex jokes.

I Keee You Collection of Overheards

Chris: An anthology title focusing on odd conversations overheard in public areas. Contributors include Allison Cole, Diana Tamblyn, Nick Bertozzi, Martin Cendreda, Jeffrey Brown and Brian Ralph, who provides the cover.

I Luv Halloween, Vol. 3

Kevin: It’s been a long time coming, but I have a feeling that the third volume of Benjamin Roman and Keith Giffen’s twisted global manga will be worth the wait. You can read a preview here.

Miriam #1

Chris: Rich Tommaso chronicles a friendship between a boy and girl over a period of about twenty years, in this new three-issue series from Alternative Comics. Tommaso’s work has been steadily improving since his debut with Clover Honey over 10 years ago and previews suggest this may be his best comic yet. See a sample here.

Naruto, Vol. 16
Naruto, Vol. 17
Naruto, Vol. 18

Kevin: Although the latest volumes of Masashi Kishimoto’s international hit appeared in bookstores at the end of August, they’re only now making their way into comic shops. The vanguard of Viz Media’s “Naruto Nation” campaign, they pave the way for an invasion that continues at the rate of three volumes a month through the end of the year. If you don’t know who Naruto is, well, you’ve probably been living the life of a hermit. Chris Mautner described the franchise as “Harry Potter with throwing stars,” which pretty much summarizes the phenomenon.

The Arrival

Chris: Ooooooo. This is a wordless children’s book by Shaun Tan that has generated an enormous amount of rave reviews. I’ve been very curious about this book since I first heard about it, so if it comes to my store, I’ll probably pick it up. You can see some sample pages here.

Welcome to the NHK, Vol. 4

Chris: Making vicious fun of nerds and their creepy, pathetic interests since 2006. Well, at least here in America anyway.

Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian hardcover

Chris: This children’s novel is worth noting mainly because it has lots of illustrations by Ellen Forney. Also, it’s by Sherman Alexie.

Here’s the full list of comics shipping this week:

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL070053 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #129 (MR) $2.99
JUL070030 BPRD KILLING GROUND #2 (OF 5) $2.99
MAY070036 CRIMINAL MACABRE TWO RED EYES TP $12.95
JUN070022 FEAR AGENT LAST GOODBYE #3 $2.99
JUN070031 GROO 25TH ANNIV SPECIAL $5.99
JUN070019 HELLBOY VOL 7 THE TROLL WITCH & OTHERS TP $17.95
FEB070104 MUTTS BOOKENDS $115.00
FEB070099 PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOL 7 TP (MR) $9.95
JUL070049 STAR WARS LEGACY #16 $2.99
JUL070050 STAR WARS REBELLION #10 $2.99

DC COMICS

JUL070295 100 BULLETS #85 (RES) (MR) $2.99
JUL070216 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9 $2.99
JUL070257 BATMAN STRIKES #37 $2.25
JUN070223 BATMAN STRIKES DUTY CALLS TP $12.99
JUL070191 BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #2 (OF 6) $2.99
JUL070189 BOOSTER GOLD #2 $2.99
JUL070190 BOOSTER GOLD VAR ED #2 $2.99
JUL070260 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #17 $2.25
JUN070258 CONFESSIONS OF A BLABBERMOUTH $9.99
JUL070181 COUNTDOWN 33 $2.99
JUL070186 COUNTDOWN SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER WILDSTORM #1 $2.99
JUL070300 DMZ #23 (MR) $2.99
JUN070236 EMMA VOL 5 $9.99
JUN070177 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COMICBOOK HEROES VOL 3 SUPERMAN $19.99
JUL070303 FABLES #65 (MR) $2.99
JUL070290 FRIDAY THE 13TH SUMMER VACATION #1 (OF 2) (MR) $2.99
JUN070237 FROM EROICA WITH LOVE VOL 10 $9.99
JUL070280 GEN 13 #12 $2.99
JUL070203 GREEN LANTERN #23 $2.99
JUL078080 GREEN LANTERN SINESTRO CORPS SPECIAL 4TH PTG #1 $4.99
JUN070197 ION VOL 2 THE DYING FLAME TP $14.99
JUN070271 JACK OF FABLES #14 (MR) $2.99
JUL070233 JLA CLASSIFIED #42 $2.99
JUL070195 JLA WEDDING SPECIAL #1 $3.99
FEB070369 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 ARMORED BATMAN AF PI
FEB070368 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 ARMORED GREEN LANTERN AF PI
FEB070366 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 EVEN PACK INNER PI
FEB070365 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 EVEN PACK MASTER PI
FEB070367 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 HAWKGIRL AF PI
FEB070370 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 SCARECROW AF PI
FEB070372 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 WEIGHTED INNER PI
FEB070371 JUSTICE LEAGUE SER 6 WEIGHTED MASTER PI
JUL070230 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #9 $2.99
JUL070231 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA VAR ED #9 $2.99
JUL070265 MAD CLASSICS #18 $4.99
JUN070252 NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET TP (MR) $14.99
JUN070216 SHOWCASE PRESENTS BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS VOL 1 TP $16.99
JUL070288 STORMWATCH PHD #11 $2.99
JUL070202 SUICIDE SQUAD RAISE THE FLAG #1 ( OF 8 ) $2.99
JUL070222 SUPERMAN #667 $2.99
MAY070149 SUPERMAN DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN OMNIBUS HC $75.00
APR070212 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #8 (OF 12) $2.99
JUL070308 UN-MEN #2 (MR) $2.99
JUL070285 WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY #10 $2.99
JUL070200 WONDER GIRL #1 (OF 6) $2.99

IMAGE COMICS

APR071862 AGE OF BRONZE #26 $3.50
JUN071908 BAD PLANET #3 (OF 6) (RES) (MR) $3.99
JUL071945 CASANOVA #9 (MR) $1.99
JUL071934 NIGHTLY NEWS VOL 1 TP $16.99
APR071873 NOBLE CAUSES #31 $3.50
JUL071927 PARADE WITH FIREWORKS #1 (OF 2) $3.50
JUN071921 SPAWN GODSLAYER #4 $2.99
JUN071924 WALKING DEAD #42 (MR) $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

JUL072142 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #12 $2.99
JUL072157 CIVIL WAR CHRONICLES #3 $4.99
JUN072143 DAREDEVIL #100 $3.99
JUN072144 DAREDEVIL WRAPAROUND #100 $3.99
JUL072244 ESSENTIAL PUNISHER VOL 2 TP $16.99
JUL072154 FANTASTIC FIVE #5 (OF 5) $2.99
JUL072159 GHOST RIDER #15 $2.99
JUN072163 HEROES FOR HIRE #13 $2.99
JUN072179 LONERS #5 (OF 6) $2.99
JUL072173 MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #3 $2.99
JUL072133 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED MAN IN THE IRON MASK #3 (OF 6) $2.99
JUL072223 MARVEL ZOMBIES ARMY OF DARKNESS HC $19.99
JUN072171 MOON KNIGHT #12 CWI $2.99
JUL072179 NEW AVENGERS #34 $2.99
JUL072183 NEW AVENGERS TRANSFORMERS #3 (OF 4) $2.99
JUL072146 NOVA #6 $2.99
JUL072186 PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #11 $2.99
JUN072134 SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES #4 (OF 4) $2.99
JUL072192 THOR #3 $2.99
JUN078193 THOR 2ND PTG COIPEL WRAPAROUND VAR #2 $2.99
JUN072126 ULTIMATE POWER #7 (OF 9) $2.99
JUL072136 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #113 $2.99
JUL072230 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL 18 ULTIMATE KNIGHTS TP $15.99
JUL072138 ULTIMATE X-MEN #86 $2.99
JUL072237 WOLVERINE CLASSIC VOL 5 TP $14.99
JUN078044 WORLD WAR HULK 2ND PTG JRJR VAR #1 (OF 5) $3.99
JUL072196 X-FACTOR #23 $2.99
JUL072199 X-MEN EMPEROR VULCAN #1 (OF 5) $2.99

WIZARD

JUN073149 CAPTAIN AMERICA #27 CGC 9.8 ED PI
JUN073151 CW FALLEN SON DEATH CAP IRON MAN #1 CASSADAY CGC 9.8 CVR PI
JUL073173 TOYFARE HAN SOLO ANIMATED MAQUETTE CVR #123 $4.99

OTHER PUBLISHERS
JUN073764 ANGEL SKIN GN $11.95
JUL073577 ARCHAIC #9 (NOTE PRICE) $3.50
JUN073907 AVATAR CINEMANGA VOL 6 GN (OF 6) $7.99
JUN073977 BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER VOL 9 TP $9.99
JUN073970 BEAUTY POP VOL 5 TP $8.99
MAY073120 BEST OF THE WEST #63 $6.95
JUL073286 BETTY #168 $2.25
JUN073955 BLACK CAT VOL 10 TP $7.99
JUL073510 BLOODRAYNE LYCAN REX ROBINSON CVR SGN $14.99
JUL073364 BLURRED VISION VOL 3 GN (MR) $14.95
MAY073353 BORDERLINE VOL 2 TP $19.99
JUN073545 CASTLE WAITING VOL II #8 $3.95
JUN073867 CHERRY JUICE VOL 1 GN (OF 4) $9.99
MAY073281 COVER GIRL #5 (OF 5) $3.99
MAY073287 CTHULHU TALES TAINTED ONE SHOT $6.99
JUN073863 DARK MOON DIARY VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99
JUN073865 DEMON FLOWERS VOL 1 GN (OF 4) (MR) $9.99
JUL073664 DESPERADOES BUFFALO DREAMS TP $17.99
JUN073956 DR SLUMP VOL 13 TP $7.99
JUL073478 DRAFTED #1 $3.50
JUL073509 E-MAN RECHARGED CLASSIC TRIBUTE CVR SGN $14.99
JUN073979 EXCEL SAGA VOL 16 TP $9.99
JUL073660 FALLEN ANGEL IDW #20 (MR) $3.99
JUN073866 FANTAMIR VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99
APR074092 FINAL DESTINATION SPRING BREAK #5 (OF 5) (RES) $3.99
JUL073555 FOURTH HORSEMAN #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
JUN073860 FRUITS BASKET FAN BOOK NEKO CAT GN $10.99
MAY073680 FURRLOUGH #174 $3.50
JUN073971 GENTLEMENS ALLIANCE VOL 3 TP $8.99
JUL073489 GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE #27 $3.50
JUN073966 GIN TAMA VOL 2 TP $7.99
APR074097 GRIMM FAIRY TALES SPECIAL PHOTO COVER COLL ED #1 (MR) $7.99
JUN073900 HIBIKIS MAGIC VOL 2 GN (OF 2) $9.99
MAY073408 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOL 1-6 TP SET $44.95
JUN073967 HUNTER X HUNTER VOL 16 TP $7.99
JUL073311 I KEEE YOU COLLECTION OF OVERHEARDS GN (MR) $7.95
JUN073874 I LUV HALLOWEEN VOL 3 GN (OF 3) (MR) $9.99
JUL073643 IDW FOCUS ON 30 DAYS OF NIGHT $2.99
JUL073357 INTERGALACTIC #3 $2.99
JUN073870 INVU VOL 4 GN (OF 4) $9.99
JUN073968 IS VOL 15 GN $7.99
JUL073900 JOHN WOOS SEVEN BROTHERS SERIES 2 #1 (MR) $2.99
JUL073291 JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #23 $2.49
JUN073903 KAMEN TANTEI VOL 4 GN (OF 4) $9.99
JUN073910 KILALA PRINCESS VOL 3 GN (OF 4) $5.99
JUN073969 KUROHIME VOL 1 TP $7.99
MAY073561 LEGEND OF GRIMJACK VOL 8 TP $24.99
MAY073338 LONE RANGER #8 $2.99
JUN073973 LOVE COM VOL 2 TP $8.99
JUL073540 LOVE IS LIKE A HURRICANE VOL 2 GN (A) $15.95
JUL073515 LUNAR LEGEND TSUKIHIME VOL 1-4 SET $29.95
APR073880 MAINTENANCE #5 (MR) $3.50
JUL073392 MATRIX COMICS VOL 1 TP (JUN035226) $21.95
MAR073663 MILK #59 (A) $3.50
JUN073198 MIRIAM #1 (MR) $4.95
JUN073958 NARUTO VOL 16 TP $7.95
JUN073959 NARUTO VOL 17 TP $7.95
JUN073960 NARUTO VOL 18 TP $7.95
JUL073902 NICOLAS CAGES VOODOO CHILD HICKMAN COVER #3 (MR) $2.99
JUL073901 NICOLAS CAGES VOODOO CHILD TEMPLESMITH COVER #3 (MR) $2.99
JUN073204 NIGHTMARES AND FAIRY TALES #20 (MR) $2.95
JUN073481 ORDINARY CRUSH VOL 1 GN $12.95
JUL073293 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #115 $3.69
JUN073901 PEARL PINK VOL 3 GN (OF 4) $9.99
JUL073730 PHANTOM GET BACK ON THAT HORSE PACK $14.95
JUN073875 PHANTOM VOL 3 GN (OF 5) $9.99
JUN073864 POISON CANDY VOL 1 GN (MR) $9.99
JUN073351 POTTERS FIELD #1 (OF 3) $3.99
JUN073963 PRINCE OF TENNIS VOL 21 GN $7.95
JUN073987 PROJECT ARMS VOL 17 TP $9.99
JUN073498 REAL FAKE PRINCESS VOL 1-5 GN SET $34.95
JUN073877 SAMURAI DEEPER KYO VOL 24 GN (OF 38) (MR) $9.99
JUN074005 SE7EN ENVY #6 (OF 7) (RES) (MR) $3.99
JUN073964 SHAMAN KING VOL 13 TP $7.95
JUN073974 SKIP BEAT VOL 8 TP $8.99
JUL073297 SONIC X #24 $2.25
JUN073876 STAR TREK MANGA VOL 2 GN $9.99
JUL073654 STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION THE SPACE BETWEEN TP (MAR07826) $19.99
JUN073892 TAKUMI KUN VOL 1 JUNE PRIDE GN (MR) $9.99
JUN073991 TEKKON KINKREET $29.95
JUL073798 THE ARRIVAL GN $19.99
JUN073451 THIRTEEN STEPS #1 (MR) $3.99
JUN073988 TOGARI VOL 2 TP $9.99
JUL073635 TRANSFORMERS BEST OF UK DINOBOTS #1 $3.99
JUN073201 WEIRDLY WORLD OF STRANGE EGGS GN $7.95
JUN073893 WELCOME TO THE NHK VOL 4 GN (OF 6) (MR) $9.99
JUN073965 WHISTLE VOL 17 TP $7.99
JUN073989 YAKITATE JAPAN VOL 7 TP $9.99
JUN073975 YUME KIRA DREAM SHOPPE TP $8.99
JUN073976 YURARA VOL 2 TP $8.99

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