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It's a daunting task to pick up issue #600 of a comic book and know what is going on. Lucky for you, the new comic reader, there are many new series that you can pick up from issue #1 and if not that, the first trade paperback, or "graphic novel," in the series, which is usually a collection of the first few issues.

Crossing Midnight Vol. 1: Cut Here

Set in present-day Japan, Crossing Midnight, written by Mike Carey (X-Men, Lucifer) is the story of two siblings. Unbeknownst to the children, their father had accidentally pledged his daughter, Kai, into the service of the god of swords. Her family is put into jeopardy, and her brother, Toshi, must fight to save her and his parents with the help of a shadow-dragon and the goddess of needles. The god of swords, Aratsu, is a great villain (he's surrounded by a swarm of flying swords), and the horrific and fantastic characters like him make the story enjoyable.

The one thing that I wasn't a fan of was the art. There was a focus on characters but a lack of background detail to the point where there was usually a single color to walls or no background at all. However, this art worked very well during impact points. Overall, this book was a great introduction to what will hopefully continue to be a great series.

Rex Libris Vol. 1: I, Librarian

There are few librarians in popular culture today (other than Bookman from Seinfeld, that is). Rex Libris, published by Slave Labor Graphics and written/illustrated by James Turner, is a comic devoted to the secret world of librarians that puts Middleton Public librarian Rex Libris in adrenaline-pumping action to reacquire overdue books. These adventures are deliberately ironic and campy, which is the charm of the series. This first volume introduces Rex and pits him against demons, aliens and his boss, the Egyptian god Thoth. In a bit of unnecessary postmodern metafiction, Rex is also working to get his adventures published with a fictional publisher who claims, in the introduction, to have published the book. Confusing, no?

Drawn in black-and-white, I don't think the regular super hero crowd would like this series. But English majors, librarians and book lovers should check it out. And don't forget to return it to your local library on time ... or else!

The Hood: Blood From Stones HC

Marvel and DC are the best at alienating new readers with decades of back-story. But with any of their new series, readers can easily get on board. Brian K. Vaughan's (Y: The Last Man, Lost) Marvel miniseries follows criminal Parker Robbins who steals magical, gravity-defying boots and a cloak that renders him invisible when he holds his breath. New comics are a dime a dozen, but Vaughan is able to carry his stories with humorous and compelling dialogue.

I recommend this book for those looking to read a good story but also because The Hood will soon return in New Avengers #33, which follows his appearance in the Beyond! miniseries, also collected in hardcover.