A series that cites a “special medical consultant” in the opening credits is bound to have some interesting stuff in it. Of course, the accompanying art above and on the facing page of exposed brains (one in a splaying skull; the other more of a science book model) helps set the mood of the book immediate as well.

If you want a case in point of why comics on the iPad (or a similar device) will never replace good old paper, point people to Viking: The Long Cold Fire, by Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein. Holy jeez, this hardbound, oversized book is beautiful.

I’m not crazy about the cover dress on The Night Owls, the trade compilation derived from a title running on DC’s Zuda online project. After all, one of the coolest things about The Night Owls is the sort of olde timey feel of it, and the garish orange and full color, oversized renditions of the characters are an eyesore that’s not doing the very good content any favors.

Sir Edward Grey is a handy man to have around when something weird is going down. Known as “Witchfinder” to some, owing to one of his earliest adventures (reprinted at the end of this volume), Sir Edward is a paranormal investor in London during the late 1800s.

Talk about a pleasant surprise. Spawn: Origins Collection Book 1 reprints Spawn issues 1-12, which started publishing in 1992. It was one of the opening salvos from Image Comics, and boy was it popular.

The debut issue of Geoff Johns’ new Flash series draws most of its dramatic energy from a murder case that the resurrected Bary Allen must solve. Under the cover of having been in witness protection, he returns to the Central City Police Department’s crime lab. No sooner than he does, a mysterious man drops dead in the street wearing a Mirror Master uniform. The relaunched Silver Age hero finally feels fresh for once, and Adventure Comics artist Francis Manapul keeps the art as obliging as Johns’ dialogue. Even Allen’s romantic relationship with Iris gets a fresh coat of paint.

Matt Wagner’s ongoing “study of the nature of aggression,” or Grendel, celebrates its 28th birthday this year, so it seems appropriate to see 2007’s Behold the Devil in a snazzy hardcover. Wagner is thankfully going through his archives and re-releasing some old tales, but Behold the Devil is the Eisner-nominated writer/artist’s first Grendel series in over 10 years.

The Book of Grickle is a collection of comic stories from Graham Annable, who has a background in animation for TV, video games, and film (including working as a storyboard artist on Coraline).

The Creeper is an insane character to draw. He contains the fluidity of Ditko’s most famous creation, Spider-Man, The Joker’s manacial glee, and a Clark Kent-like day job.