The cover for July's XOMBI #5 by Frazer Irving

The first issue of John Rozum and Frazer Irving’s XOMBI arrived to a lot of great reviews from the comics press. What did the critics have to say about XOMBI #1?

Here’s a sampling...

"I haven't read a book this intriguingly and engagingly weird since I first dropped into Grant Morrison's THE INVISIBLES."

-Ain't It Cool News

“We're getting into Grant Morrison-esque avant-garde weirdness here, and somehow, the nanite-injected, super-powered, and immortal David Kim is the calm epicenter at the eye of this weirdness, and the reader's doorway into the world. I love it."

-Newsarama

“The team-up of John Rozum and Frazer Irving, for this book, makes it a must read. It's a refreshing break from all the super-hero books swarming the shelves, and it will captivate you from the get-go.”

-Comic Vine

“The story that Rozum has begun to craft is intriguing, and should engage readers old and new alike ... Everything has a sense of the surreal, and Irving's knack for creating disturbing facial imagery is put to great use.”

-IGN

"Irving can draw the dark and gloomy, but more importantly the crazy and fantastic. So when a Rustling Husk shows up out of nowhere, it's creepy and surprising, and his depiction of Mr. Hyde is gruesome. But at the same time, Irving's people are rooted firmly in reality, looking remarkably life-like. I think that's a perfect touch for "Xombi," since it makes the nastiness rising up around them feel that much more dangerous."

-Comic Book Resources

"Xombi is away to the races with a first issue that's gorgeous, gripping and something different to everything else in my weekly stack."

-iFanboy

"Rozum does a great job at reintroducing the character to both new and old audiences, and Irving’s artwork is amazing ... a great starting point."

-Platform Nation

"I’m going to recommend picking up Xombi #1. The groundwork is firmly in place for an adventure and some solid storytelling. I believe wrier John Rozum and artist Frazer Irving will take us readers on a great ride."

-ScienceFiction.com

"We could have a real winner on our hands."

-Comics Bulletin

It’s not too late to jump on board – XOMBI #2 hits stands later this month.

We have an extra treat for Frazer Irving fans here: his variant cover to BATMAN INC. #6, on sale in May!

That was some big news on Monday, eh?

And with big news comes big reaction, with a number of outlets picking up on the fact that JMS will be writing SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN in July and commenting on his excellent essay, posted later in the day Monday.

Bryan Young, writing at THE HUFFINGTON POST, summed things up nicely: "I can't wait to see what he'll do." Same here, Bryan.

In addition to THE HUFFINGTON POST, the news got placement at a number of outlets, including AOL’s COMICS ALLIANCE blog, TIME’s TECHLAND, IGN, io9, NEWSARAMA, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, iFANBOY, ICv2, ROBOT 6, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS and BLOG@NEWSARAMA.

Monday's winding down, and while there are still four more work days looming, let's take a glance at some of the notable bits in the press from the last few days:

• Over at EW.com's shiny new book blog, SHELF LIFE, Ken Tucker talks up the first issue of BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN, calling the issue this week's "smartest, grisliest mainstream comic book."

• AIN'T IT COOL NEWS reviews the first issue of ADVENTURE COMICS, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul, succinctly summing up the issue: "This is the good stuff."

• Speaking of ADVENTURE COMICS #1, THE ONION AV CLUB reviews the issue, along with the first issue of DOOM PATROL. Both debut issues nabbed a "B+" rating.

• NEWSARAMA's posted their latest 20 Questions and 1 Answer with Dan DiDio, which is well worth reading if you're looking for a few newsbits. Two words for you: BATMAN BEYOND?

Here's hoping everyone had a relaxing weekend. In case you weren't chained in front of your computer, here are a few of the things you may have missed while enjoying two days or rest.

• AIN'T IT COOL NEWS unveiled an exclusive first look at BATMAN AND ROBIN #1, by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Keep your eyes peeled for a few more sneak peeks at the first issue in the coming days.

• Pete Tomasi talks to NEWSARAMA about the road to BLACKEST NIGHT. The site also talks to writer Keith Giffen about the newly-announced MAGOG series, and to the supremely talented J.H. Williams about Batwoman's upcoming stint in DETECTIVE COMICS.

• COMIC BOOK RESOURCES' Jeff Renaud chats up artist Mark Bagley to discuss the conclusion of TRINITY, while the folks io9 explain why TRINITY is a 'metaphysical epic done right.

• Remember that time back in March, where BATMAN Group Editor Michael Marts talked to IGN about his very neat photo board, featuring key characters heading into BATTLE FOR THE COWL? Well, now that the major event is over, the board has changed, which means Marts once again drops hints as to where your favorite characters are going, in a chat with IGN's Dan Phillips.

• And last, but certainly not least, THE NEW YORK TIMES unveiled their Graphic Novel Bestseller list for the week of May 23. Of note: SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON, BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, BATMAN R.I.P., JOKER and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS all made the list.