Never read a graphic novel before? Haven’t read a comic book in years?

Here’s some brand new stuff coming out this week that I think is worth a look-see for someone with little to no history with comics. That means you should be able to pick any of these up cold without having read anything else. So take a look and see if something doesn’t grab your fancy. If so, follow the publisher links or Amazon.com links to buy yourself a copy. Or, head to your local friendly comic book shop.

Disclaimer: While it may seem like it, I do not live in the future. For the most part, I have not read these yet, so I can’t vouch for their quality. But, from what I’ve heard and seen, odds are good they just might appeal to you.

Dragonero – $19.95
By Luca Enoch, Stefano Vietti & Giuseppe Matteoni
296 pages; published by Dark Horse Comics; available at Amazon.com

Beyond the civilized lands of Erondàr, the Stone Towers are crumbling. The great monoliths are falling one after another under the wild thrusts of an evil force. The Ancient Prohibition that binds the Abominables inside their dark world is soon to be broken.

Alben the Wizard knows what must be done. He will send for Myrva, a young follower of the powerful Technocrats; he will choose Ecuba, the fighting nun, to protect him; and he will call back Ian Aranill, a former Empire officer — followed by Gmor the Orc, his loyal friend — to use his scouting experience.

Together they will face the Painers, the evil beings who still live in the barren Dragonlands. Can Ian prevail against the last, horrible threat they will be facing?

* Dragonero is a brand-new stand-alone graphic novel in the spirit of Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Some straight-up fantasy with a lush illustrative art style. Should be a good fix for anyone feverishly waiting for the release of the Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit to hit the big screen in 2012. Preview three pages here.

Red – $14.99
By Warren Ellis & Cully Hamner
128 pages; published by DC Comics’ WildStorm; available at Amazon.com

Warren Ellis’s fast-paced tale of intrigue and revenge is back in a new edition collecting the 3-issue miniseries under a new cover by Cully Hamner that also includes the script to issue #1 and never-before-seen developmental art by Hamner!

As a C.I.A. operative, Paul Moses’s unique talent for killing took him around the world, from one hotspot to another, carrying out the deadly orders of his superiors. And when he retired, he wanted to put his bloody past behind him. But when a new administration takes over the White House, the powers that be decide that Moses knows too much, forcing him back into the game against the agency that trained him.

Here’s some straight-up spy-thriller action. This was originally released in 2003 and was recently optioned as a big Hollywood movie, with Bruce Willis rumored as the lead. Here’s a 7-page preview in PDF.

Douglas Fredericks and the House of They – $17.99
By Joe Kelly & Ben Roman
80 pages; published by Image Comics; available at Powell’s Books

Douglas Fredericks is a kid on a mission. His parents’ 15th wedding anniversary is just around the corner and he wants to create an extra-special present for them. However, his wild attempts at unique gifts are all shut down by his friends and neighbors, concerned that Douglas’ wild ideas go against what THEY say. But who are THEY? Why do THEY make the rules? And why does everyone listen to THEY?

And a straight-up children’s book. Here’s a 6-page preview. Looks delightfully odd and charming.

That’s it for this week. Not a lot of new and accessible stuff this time around but that’s comics for you. Let me know if I missed anything.