The second Wednesday in June is rather bountiful. DC Comics is winding up for the next big event, while Marvel is starting to wrap things up for a lot of books and plot lines to make way for new development. From DC Comics, we get a deeper look into the mysterious and malicious organization threatening the DC Pantheon and the Dark Multiverse Batmen are still causing quite the fuss.

Marvel Comics sees the dark forces who have it out against everyone’s favorite Webhead band together, Earth’s Mightiest Avenger deals with his monsters (both literally and figuratively), and the herald of Galactus finds himself on a new adventure in the debut issue of a gorgeously illustrated new miniseries. And over in a Galaxy Far, Far Away we catch with with the Dark Sith Lord hunting Rebel Scum the only way he knows how: with violence. Lots and lots of violence.

6 The Batman Who Laughs #6

By: Scott Snyder, Jock, David Baron, and Sal Cipriano

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The Batman Who Laughs #6, the penultimate chapter of completely bonkers miniseries by Scott Snyder and Jock, goes for broke. This issue unleashes the titular Dark Multiverse character on the heroes of Gotham, setting the stage for the final showdown.

With Batman on the ropes and succumbing to his lesser angels, Jim Gordon and his son (who is known for his homicidal tendencies) may be the last line of defense to save the heart of the city. This issue is wild in terms of action and certain characters (no spoilers) dipping into the surplus Batman weaponry to protect themselves against the dark versions of the Caped Crusader. This series is a blast and is the best offering from Scott Snyder DC Comics is currently publishing.

5 Event Leviathan #1

By: Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, and Josua Reed

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The mysterious shadow organization Leviathan is no joke. As the pieces of their master plan start to move across the board, they leave a trail of destruction in their wake that threatens to leave the DC Universe changed forever. Event Leviathan #1 picks up the plot threads laid out in the pages of Adventure Comics and Leviathan Rising #1.

The destruction of a facility run by the research group A.R.G.U.S. has Batman, Lois Lane, and a few other surprise characters helping to unravel the true nature of Leviathan. This issue is fantastic if for no other reason than seeing the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, who produced one of the greatest runs of Daredevil in comic history, reunite for another story mired in mystery and intrigue.

4 The Amazing Spider-Man #23

By: Nick Spencer, Ryan Ottley, Cliff Rathburn, Nathan Fairbairn, and VC's Joe Caramagna

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How many comics on the newsstand begin with a man storming off from a funeral only to subsequently strip naked to punch a whole slew of taxidermied animals in a lavish office to blow off some steam? Well, at least one that we know of, and it happens to be The Amazing Spider-Men #23 by Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley.

This current run of The Amazing Spider-Man has really been gaining some traction and this issue keeps things exciting even if it's just for the epilogue to the “Hunted" story. Bonds are reconnected and new, deadly alliances are made. In fact, there is a whole heap of moving and shaking taking place for an issue that touts itself as something of a coda. This issue is worth checking out for just that cover, which will most likely be remembered as a classic in decades to come.

3 The Immortal Hulk #19

By: Ale Ewing, Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, Belardino Brabo, Paul Mounts, Rachelle Rosenberg, VC's Cory Petit, and Alex Ross

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The Immortal Hulk #19 has introduced the most horrifying and disgusting version of Abomination ever committed to the page, and it is awesome. This series continues to be the best horror title pretending to be a superhero comic book on the shelf.

Writer Al Ewing and artists Joe Bennett take things into the realm of full blown monster mayhem this issue, and while it isn’t necessarily for the weak of heart (or stomach for that matter), there isn’t anything else quite like it. The Immortal Hulk #19 is a prime example of a legacy comic remembering its roots while looking to a wholly original future.

2 Silver Surfer Black #1

By: Donny Cates, Tradd Moore, Dave Stewart, and VC's Clayton Cowles

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Norrin Radd hasn’t had the most charmed life. Having given up his own agency to save everything he held dear to become Galactus’ herald hasn’t exactly give the Silver Surfer a cushy lifestyle or true peace of mind. Running parallel to (and eventually after) the events of Guardians of the Galaxy #1, Radd finds himself pulled through a black hole into an unfamiliar realm in Silver Surfer Black #1.

This debut issue of a five-issue miniseries is simply stunning. Donny Cates (Venom, Guardians of the Galaxy) turns out a solid script, which is co-plotted by the brilliant artist Tradd Moore (The New World, All-New Ghost Rider) who give this issue his all in terms of breathtaking aesthetics.

1 Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #5

By: Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum, Geraldo Borges, Marcio Menyz, VC's Joe Caramagna, and Greg Smallwood

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The amazing cover by Greg Smallwood that’s wrapped around this issue is worth the price of admission alone, but the hallucinogenic chase that takes up the bulk of what’s underneath will keep you engaged. Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum has done a solid job giving us small insights to how characters in the periphery are affected by the monster that is Darth Vader.

Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #5 ends this run with a chase through a lush planet filled with psychotropic vegetation. And it turns out the only thing more frightening than being chased by Vader is being chased by Vader while under the influence of a mind-bending substance. This realization is conveyed beautifully by trippy interior art by Geraldo Borges.

NEXT: The Ultimate Batman Gift Guide

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