Even ignoring all the big-budget superhero movies and engrossing TV adaptations in the pipeline, 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for the comic book industry. There are plenty of promising new projects slated to hit stores this year, from major superhero crossovers to intensely personal graphic novels and everything in between.

New Star Wars Comics

Cry Havoc

Old Man Logan

More Earth One Graphic Novels

Dan Clowes' Patience

ROM and the Micronauts at IDW

The Return of Heavy Metal

Black Panther

Circuit Breaker

DC's #50 Issues

We've assembled a list of 22 new comics we're excited to read in 2016. All of these are projects that have either been announced or we expect to see drop at some point in the next few months.Marvel hasn't announced anything regarding new Star Wars comics beyond the series they're currently publishing, but it's a safe bet there are more books in the works. With The Force Awakens out, we're hoping Marvel now has the green light to explore the period after Return of the Jedi and start filling in that massive blank canvas in the Star Wars timeline. Plus, ever since the Expanded Universe was wiped away there are no in-continuity Star Wars stories covering the time before The Phantom Menace. That's a lot of ground to cover.At the very least, we can probably look forward to more character-specific mini-series like Princess Leia and Lando. Maybe even another ongoing series that will run alongside the core Star Wars and Darth Vader. The possibilities are practically endless.If you haven't already, check out our list of 9 Force Awakens spinoff comics we want to see from Marvel There are always plenty of promising comics in the works from Image. That's kind of their thing. But the first new Image series to keep an eye on this year is Cry Havoc, a comic that almost defies description. It's part horror story (think American Vampire with werewolves), part relationship drama and part military action tale. Plus it unfolds over three time periods simultaneously. If that sounds confusing, know that the first issue does an excellent job of easing readers into the story.Concept aside, this book has a very promising creative team in writer Si Spurrier and artist Ryan Kelly. Spurrier's distinctive sense of humor and knack for characterization combine with Kelly's vibrant characters for a book that blends these many genres and influences together into one captivating package. If you're still not sold, check out our recent interview with Spurrier The original Wolverine might be dead still, but there's an older, crankier Wolverine who's made a new home in the Marvel Universe. This new ongoing series picks up where the Secret Wars tie-in left off last year and explores how Old Man Logan adjusts to no longer living in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by insane supervillains. Having seen the worst life has to throw his way, this Wolverine is determined to make sure his new home doesn't suffer the same fate.That sounds like a pretty great premise for a new Wolverine comic. The real draw, however, is seeing writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino reunite. The two weaved superhero magic on their Green Arrow run, and hopefully they can make a similar impact on Wolverine.DC's line of new reader-friendly graphic novels is getting even bigger in 2016 with at least two more books on the way. First, Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette are finally delivering their long-awaited Wonder Woman: Earth One. This book is supposed to take the Amazon warrior back to her Golden Age roots. Wonder Woman can be a tough character to crack, but we certainly have faith in Morrison to put a fresh spin on an old favorite.We're also looking forward to the third volume of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's Batman: Earth One. The previous two books offered a fascinating glimpse at a rookie Batman still learning the ropes of being a superhero. With Catwoman entering the picture and a dramatically different version of Two-Face being born in Vol. 2, the latest sequel is shaping up to be the best yet.It's been a while since Ghost World creator Dan Clowes has released a new graphic novel. That drought finally comes to an end in March with the release of Patience. This new project certainly looks to be a departure from Clowes' past work, with publisher Fantagraphics billing it as "an indescribable psychedelic science-fiction love story." That sounds like the perfect opportunity for Clowes to push himself artistically while still telling the sort of emotionally charged, personal story he does so well.The problem with creating comics based on licensed properties is that once the license dries up, those characters are off the table. That's been the problem for fans of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight and Micronauts comics from the '80s. But there's new cause for celebration, as both franchises are now migrating to IDW Publishing this year. Writer Cullen Bunn and artist David Baldeon will be tackling Micronauts, while writers Chris Ryall and Christos Gage and artists David Messina and Paolo Villanelli are charged with re-imagining ROM.We'll be interested to see how much these two franchises change in the shift from Marvel to IDW (particularly ROM), but at least we can rest easy knowing these characters will finally be receiving the attention they deserve again. Look for the first taste of the new ROM as part of IDW's FCBD special in May.Heavy Metal Magazine doesn't quite have the luster it did during the '70s and '80s, when it was the go-to placed for creative and adult-oriented alternative comics. That may change this year thanks to Heavy Metal's new Editor-in-Chief, Grant Morrison. Perhaps you've heard of him?Morrison will be serving as EIC for one year starting with April's Heavy Metal #280. It's not an honorary position, either, as Morrison will be heavily involved in crafting each issue. He'll even be writing some new stories for the book. We can't think of a better way to revive an ailing brand, and we'll be keeping a close eye on Heavy Metal throughout 2016.Black Panther has starred in several ongoing series over the years, to varying degrees of critical and commercial success. But with the King of Wakanda set to make his Hollywood debut this spring, the time is now for Marvel to put the character back in the spotlight.They certainly assembled an interesting creative team for this new series. Writer/journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates has a very strong and unique voice, one that seems perfect for such a complex hero. And given how much he's impressed us with his art on the horror series Day Men, we're eager to see Brian Stelfreeze bring Wakanda and its people to life.That won't be an easy process. Jonathan Hickman has put Black Panther and his kingdom through the wringer in recent years. The time has come for Wakanda to rebuild and reassert its place in the Marvel Universe.Kyle Baker is easily one of the most versatile artists in the comics industry. Case in point, his latest project (a a collaboration with writer Kevin McCarthy) is heavily inspired by Japanese manga in general and the work of Osamu Tezuka in particular. It takes place in a world where robots helped Japan win World War IV, but now one robotic superheroine is forced to protect her country and destroy them all. Assuming she can find it within herself to side with humanity over robot-kind.It's a promising concept made even better by Baker's dynamic artwork. And after first being teased in 2014, Circuit Breaker will finally be launching in March.March is going to be a huge month for DC in more ways than one. Not only is Batman v Superman hitting theaters, but a number of ongoing DC books will be hitting the issue #50 milestone. You can bet the publisher will be using the occasion to put a spotlight on these comics and shake up the status quo.We don't know much about what's coming in March. However, we do know that Batman #50 will serve as the grand finale to "Superheavy" and mark the return of Bruce Wayne as Batman (in a brand new costume, no less). Likewise, Superman #50 will wrap up the current status quo as Supes regains his full powers and apparently comes face-to-face with his pre-New 52 self. Look for many of DC's core titles to undergo big changes as DC takes advantage of the Hollywood spotlight and kicks off a new era for their comic book universe. Will there be another "DC You"-style relaunch? We'll find out soon enough.