Each and every week, I, “Not at SDCC!” Henchman 21 and “Ditto!” Empress Eve read a lot of comics. Seriously you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. I mean, it is possible”¦ theoretically. Naturally, we look forward to some more than others. I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of our pull lists, grab some comics, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of July 8, 2015. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

Yes, it’s that time of year again, time for the biggest comics convention in America, even if the show has moved beyond being just about comics. But it’s okay, all comic conventions have moved past comics to one degree or another. Sorry, got off track there. It’s San Diego week, which means there are a lot of new series and big hardcovers out this week to entice buyers at the show and even those of us not at the show. In fact, it’s better for those of us not going to SDCC, because we don’t have to wait in line and then figure out how to lug all this stuff back in our luggage. So rejoice at the ease with which you can buy your comics, for it is truly a good week to celebrate comics. And celebrate we shall on this week’s The GoD List!

The Wicked + The Divine #11
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie
Colors by Matthew Wilson
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover by Fiona Staples
Image Comics
Release Date: June 3, 2015
Cover Price: $3.50

Well, well, well. It appears that others besides myself have taken a shine to this comic series. While this is technically a review of The Wicked + The Divine #11, I wanted to alert you to some other news that has recently made a few headlines. It appears that this little Eisner nominated comic has been optioned by Universal Television to become a television series through Matt Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick’s production company Milkfed Criminal Masterminds. So there! But seriously, how cool is it to see a new comic series get recognition right from the start? Keep reading to find out what makes this comic so notable.

First off, if you are only a sometime reader of this series, I may drop a hint or two as to things that transpired in past issues. In order to speak to events in this current installment, it’s inevitable that I reference the last ten issues. So, in advance: I’m sorry.

Mystery Society, Vol. 1
Created by Steve Niles and Ashley Wood
Written by Steve Niles
Artwork by Fiona Staples, Andrew Ritchie
Letters by Robbie Robbins, Chris Mowry, Shawn Lee
Cover by Fiona Staples
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 2, 2013
Cover Price: $27.99

Volume 1 of Mystery Society takes you on a journey around the world in 160 pages. Nick and Anastasia Hammond, er…I mean Mystery (they had their name legally changed), are the leaders of the newly formed Society and are hell bent on righting wrongs and pretty much just saving the world. Of course, they have their faults. You can’t look that good and have that much money without some issues, right?

Nick is a bit overconfident, not to mention a tad impulsive. These two attributes tend to get him in trouble from time to time. Luckily he’s actually a pretty good superhero, especially when you add his wife, Anastasia, to the mix. She’s far more level headed and meticulous about the plans they make when setting out to solve a problem. The coolest thing about these two is their backstory. They inherited a bunch of money but before that they owned a bookstore (awesome, right?). And it was during those early years that they decided that, if given a chance, they would spend their time helping people. Add in some cool hideouts and gadgets and that is how the Mystery Society was conceived.

Saga #13
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrated by Fiona Staples
Lettered and designed by Fonografiks
Covers by Fiona Staples
Image Comics
Release Date: August 14, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

It’s difficult to imagine a better return to creator-owned comics than Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) has had with Saga, the science-fiction/fantasy series described as a cross between Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Heavy on subtext, but just as rich in characters, world building, adult themes, and surrealistic humor, justifiably impressed everyone who picked up the first issue or the first trade. Not surprisingly, Saga received Eisner nominations for Best New Series, Best Continuing Series, and Best Writer just last month. It won all three awards. What Saga isn’t, however, is a series that can be picked up and read at random. Readers would have to go online for a recap and even if they did, their reading experience would be limited to only a superficial understanding and appreciation of what Vaughan and Fiona Staples have managed to accomplish with Saga.

Vaughan was (and is) nothing if not ambitious, setting Saga against a long-running interstellar war between two planets, Landfall and Landfall’s moon, Wreath. Vaughan based the appearance of Landfall and Wreath’s respective inhabitants on Judeo-Christian iconography, a fancy way of saying Landfall’s inhabitants, of which Saga’s female protagonist, Alana, is a member, resemble angels (they have wings and can fly), while the Wreath’s inhabitants, including Alana’s lover, Marko, resemble demons or devils (they have horns and antlers and wield magic). Alana and Marko initially met under inauspicious circumstances: She was his jailer, but over the course of twelve hours, they connected and fled.

Red Sonja #1
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Walter Geovani
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Nicola Scott, Amanda Conner, Fiona Staples, Jenny Frison, Colleen Doran and Stephanie Buscema
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: July 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #1 is many things. And there’s many things it’s not. I had been tremendously skeptical that after reading hundreds of Red Sonja stories that I wouldn’t be able to be shocked, surprised, or delighted in any way with a new series. But, I’m happy to report that you proved me 100 percent wrong!

When Gail Simone was announced as writer of a new Red Sonja series a few months ago, fandom took note. There heads spun. And, many people smiled. Well, let me assure you that you have every reason to smile! This is a fantastic comic, plain and simple.