Brace your wallets for impact, because this week’s Comic Book Day haul is a doozy! Marvel mastermind Jonathan Hickman’s evil plans are finally coming to fruition in Infinity #1, Jeff Lemire and Geoff Johns continue to rend the DCU asunder as the Justice Leagues three wage a righteous “Trinity War”, and Robert Kirkman continues to hammer home his point that the scariest part of the zombie apocalypse is those of us who are left alive. Read on and prepare to continually freak out at the scope of this week’s pull list, because it’s the stuff of which comic book readers’ dreams are made.

Top Picks

Infinity #1 | Jonathan Hickman, Jim Cheung, and Mark Morales

You may want to put down a pillow or something, because after this 64 page super-sized first issue, your jaw is going to hit the floor. For years now, Jonathan Hickman has been slowly laying the groundwork for his Marvel Universe-spanning epic that unites the Cosmic and Earth-based sides of the Marvel coin, laying hints and breadcrumbs in Avengers and New Avengers. The Mad Titan himself, Thanos, is back, and he’s out for blood. From the Illuminati to the Inhumans to the Builders and beyond, no one is safe from Hickman’s narrative scope. Jim Cheung and Mark Morales offer up some truly breathtaking panels, alternating from the still serenity of a cityscape to the kinetic, visceral violence of transdimensional assassin Outrider trying to escape from the Inhuman kingdom of Attilan.

For a first issue that has to cover an awful lot of ground, Hickman keeps the pace moving faster than a Quinjet, leaping from chapter to chapter and leaving us breathless but craving more in the process. This feels like a real event about to unfold, and one that we certainly don’t want to miss. Whatever you do, don’t let Infinity #1 escape your orbit.

Justice League of America #7 | Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire, Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamy

There’s a time and a place for smaller, more thoughtful indie books, but there’s also a time and a place for huge crossover events, and that time is right now! The mystery surrounding Pandora’s Box heats up as the three Justice Leagues of the DCU continue to try to solve the mystery of why Superman killed Doctor Light, who’s behind the villainous Secret Society, and how to use Pandora’s Box to save the day. Unfortunately, tensions are running high, as the three teams begin to realize they weren’t quite on the same page, truths about Kahndaq come out, and both mythical and metahuman shit prepares to hit the fan. Johns and Lemire are doing an excellent job at dangling the carrot enough to keep us on our toes and trying to solve this mystery, and Mahnke and Alamy continue to hit it out of the park, especially in their larger panels where they pack in a plethora of heroes. So far, this has been one of the best summers on record for massive event books and “Trinity War” is definitely at the top of my must-read list.

The Walking Dead #113 | Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard

As much as I love The Walking Dead television show, it pales in comparison to the way the comic can continually punch you in the gut, drain the blood from your face, and outright shock you. Plus, Andrea is a stone cold badass in the comics and continues to kick more ass than is legal in most states. While Negan may seem like another version of the Governor, he is closer to a sociopathic, murderous Peter Parker or Billy Butcher from The Boys in terms of how he balances his fits and bursts of abject violence with a constant stream of morbidly witter banter. It creates an incredible sense of tension that cannot be achieved with just threats and violence alone; it’s what makes a villain like the Joker so brutally effective. This is all a joke to Negan, and he’s the one laughing, because he’s got the post-apocalypse figured out. Rick and the survivors are in dire straits after their ambush was then in turn ambushed by Negan’s brigade of hidden commandos, and now Negan has a hard on for breaking Rick. Killing him would be too easy – Negan has to make a point. This is the grisliest version of Seven Samurai that I’ve ever seen, and it’s only a matter of time before these blood-soaked seeds bloom into “All Out War.” And I, for one, cannot wait.

Pull List

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR130044 BPRD HELL ON EARTH TP VOL 06 RETURN O/T MASTER $19.99
JUN130037 BREATH OF BONES A TALE O/T GOLEM #3 $3.99
JUN130022 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #24 NOTO CVR $2.99
APR130050 EX SANGUINE TP $17.99
JUN130008 HALO INITIATION #1 MAIN CVR $3.99
APR130034 MIKE NORTONS BATTLEPUG HC VOL 02 $14.99
JUN130055 RESIDENT ALIEN SUICIDE BLONDE #0 $3.99
JUN130014 STAR WARS #8 2013 ONGOING $2.99
JUN130052 TRUE LIVES O/T FABULOUS KILLJOYS #3 $3.99
JUN130041 X #4 (MR) $2.99

DC COMICS

JUN130290 ASTRO CITY #3 $3.99
JUN130210 BATGIRL #23 $2.99
JUN130199 BATMAN #23 $3.99
JUN130202 BATMAN #23 COMBO PACK $4.99
JUN130250 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #17 $3.99
JUN130279 BATMAN LIL GOTHAM #5 $2.99
JUN130162 CONSTANTINE #6 $2.99
JUN130234 DEMON KNIGHTS #23 $2.99
MAY130253 DJANGO UNCHAINED #6 (MR) $4.99
APR130222 FLASH HC VOL 02 ROGUES REVOLUTION (N52) $24.99
MAY130224 FLASH TP VOL 01 MOVE FORWARD (N52) $16.99
JUN130221 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #23 $2.99
JUN130146 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7 (TRINITY) $3.99
JUN130149 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7 COMBO PACK (TRINITY) $4.99
JUN130167 KATANA #7 $2.99
JUN130216 NIGHTWING #23 $2.99
MAY130230 NIGHTWING OLD FRIENDS NEW ENEMIES TP $14.99
MAY130262 RIGHT STATE TP (MR) $16.99
JUN130255 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #16 $3.99
MAY130214 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 TP VOL 02 DETECTIVE $14.99
JUN130239 SUICIDE SQUAD #23 $2.99
JUN130191 SUPERBOY #23 $2.99
JUN130229 THRESHOLD #8 $3.99
JUN130175 WORLDS FINEST #15 $2.99

IDW PUBLISHING

JUN130409 100 PENNY PRESS STAR TREK #1 $1.00
JUN130412 AMELIA COLE AND THE UNKNOWN WORLD GN $19.99
JUN130362 DOCTOR WHO VOL 3 #12 $3.99
JUN130334 DOOMSDAY.1 #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130384 GI JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS #6 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130388 GI JOE TP VOL 01 HOMEFRONT $19.99
JUN130331 HALF PAST DANGER #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130354 KISS SOLO TP $17.99
APR130307 MARK SCHULTZ XENOZOIC TALES ARTIST ED HC PI
JUN130377 MY LITTLE PONY COVER GALLERY #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130361 MY LITTLE PONY DIGEST TP VOL 01 $6.99
JUN130405 STAR TREK ONGOING #24 [DIG/P+] $3.99
JUN130322 THUNDER AGENTS #1 [DIG] $3.99
JUN130325 THUNDER AGENTS CLASSICS TP VOL 01 $29.99
APR130335 TRANSFORMERS 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION HC $49.99
JUN130394 TRANSFORMERS DARK PRELUDE TP $19.99
MAY138198 WILD BLUE YONDER #1 2ND PTG $3.99
MAY138224 X-FILES SEASON 10 #1 2ND PTG $3.99
JUN130342 X-FILES SEASON 10 #3 [DIG/P+] $3.99
APR130416 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS DIPLOMACY PROSE SC $19.99

IMAGE COMICS

APR130527 ARTIFACTS #25 LONDON SUPER COMIC CON EXC $10.00
JUN138041 EAST OF WEST #4 2ND PTG $3.50
MAY130552 EAST OF WEST #5 [DIG] $3.50
JUN130471 FRANK CHO WOMEN DRAWINGS & ILLUSTRATIONS TP VOL 02 (MR) $14.99
JUN138032 GHOSTED #1 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
JUN130543 GHOSTED #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130544 GREAT PACIFIC #9 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130481 INVINCIBLE COMPENDIUM TP VOL 02 $64.99
APR130547 LOST VEGAS #4 CVR A LEE [DIG] $3.50
APR130548 LOST VEGAS #4 CVR B SALAS [DIG] $3.50
APR130553 MIND THE GAP #12 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99
APR130554 MIND THE GAP #12 CVR B GAYDOS $2.99
JUN130487 ONE TRICK RIP OFF DEEP CUTS TP $19.99
JUN130555 PETER PANZERFAUST #13 [DIG] $3.50
JUN130454 SAGA #13 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAY130433 SAVAGE DRAGON #190 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
JUN130562 SPAWN #234 [DIG] $2.99
JUN130569 WALKING DEAD #113 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

MAY130736 ALPHA TP BIG TIME $16.99
JUN130663 ASTONISHING X-MEN #65 $3.99
JUN130596 AVENGERS ARENA #13 $2.99
MAY130721 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TP SCIENCE BROS NOW $16.99
JUN130656 DEADPOOL #14 $2.99
MAY138362 DEXTER #1 2ND PTG DEL MUNDO VAR $3.99
MAY130742 DR STRANGE AND DR DOOM TP TRIUMPH AND TORMENT $16.99
MAY130746 ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 09 $19.99
JUN130630 FANTASTIC FOUR #11 $2.99
JUN130625 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #8 $3.99
MAY130725 FEARLESS DEFENDERS TP VOL 01 DOOM MAIDENS NOW $15.99
MAY130733 FIRST X-MEN TP $19.99
JUN130572 INFINITY #1 $4.99
JUN130637 MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #17 $2.99
JUN130609 SCARLET SPIDER #20 $2.99
MAY130612 SECRET AVENGERS #7 NOW $3.99
JUN130608 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #2 NOW $3.99
JUN130622 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #11 $3.99
JUN130604 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #30 $3.99
JUN130655 UNCANNY X-FORCE #10 $3.99
JUN130642 UNCANNY X-MEN #10 $3.99
JUN130650 WOLVERINE #8 $3.99
JUN130648 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #34 $3.99
MAY130729 WOLVERINE TP VOL 01 HUNTING SEASON NOW $17.99
MAR130728 X-FORCE PREM HC PHALANX COVENANT $39.99
JUN130700 X-MEN BATTLE OF ATOM BY ARTHUR ADAMS POSTER $8.99

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

APR131243 A1 #3 $3.99
JUN130925 ADVENTURE TIME CANDY CAPERS #2 $3.99
JUN131332 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #12 REG LUPACCHINO $3.99
MAY130808 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #30 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY131172 BAD BREAK HC (MR) $29.95
MAY131048 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #3 (MR) $3.99
JUN130761 BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS TP VOL 03 $9.99
MAY131264 BLUE MORNING GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99
JUN131170 BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENTURY #1 CHAYKIN CVR $3.99
NOV120886 CHARISMAGIC DEATH PRINCESS #3 CVR A RANDOLPH $3.99
NOV120887 CHARISMAGIC DEATH PRINCESS #3 CVR B LOPEZ $3.99
NOV120888 CHARISMAGIC DEATH PRINCESS #3 CVR C MHAN PI
APR131244 CHRONOS COMMANDOS DAWN PATROL #2 $3.99
JUN131055 DAMSELS MERMAIDS #4 $3.99
MAY138392 DAY MEN #1 (2ND PTG) $3.99
MAY130943 DEATHMATCH #8 MAIN COVERS [DIG] $3.99
APR131049 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS #5 (MR) $3.99
APR131117 DF NEMESIS #1 EXC CVR $5.00
APR131101 DF RED TEAM #1 EMERALD CITY EXC $19.99
MAY131338 DOROHEDORO GN VOL 10 (MR) $12.99
MAY131265 EMBRACING LOVE 2 IN 1 GN VOL 01 (MR) $16.99
MAY131336 EXCEL SAGA TP VOL 26 $9.99
MAY130765 FUBAR BY THE SWORD #1 $2.99
JUN130907 GARFIELD PET FORCE SPECIAL #1 [DIG] $4.99
JUN131394 GFT DEMONS UNSEEN #3 A CVR MALSUNI $3.99
JUN131395 GFT DEMONS UNSEEN #3 B CVR LILLY $3.99
JUN131396 GFT DEMONS UNSEEN #3 C CVR PEKAR $3.99
MAY131388 GFT JUNGLE BOOK TP VOL 02 LAST O/T SPECIES $15.99
MAY131375 GFT WONDERLAND #13 A CVR FRANCHESCO $2.99
MAY131376 GFT WONDERLAND #13 B CVR MALSUNI $2.99
MAY131377 GFT WONDERLAND #13 C CVR SALGADO $2.99
MAY130786 GOB O GOBS 4 PACK $9.99
APR130780 GOLD DIGGER #202 $3.99
MAY130758 GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 13 CENTAUR CHRONICLES (MR) $34.95
JUN131036 GRIMM #4 $3.99
JUN131327 HARBINGER #15 PULLBOX HAIRSINE $3.99
JUN131326 HARBINGER #15 REG KITSON $3.99
JUN130914 HEROBEAR & THE KID INHERITANCE #1 [DIG] $3.99
MAY131325 INU YASHA VIZBIG ED GN VOL 16 $17.99
APR131246 IT CAME #1 $3.99
MAY131343 ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 09 $9.99
JUN131346 KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA GN VOL 04 $12.95
FEB130690 LAST ZOMBIE #3 THE END [DIG] $3.99
JUN131196 LITTLE PRINCE GN VOL 10 PLANET OF TRAINIACS $7.95
MAY131324 MAGI GN VOL 01 $9.99
JUN131298 MARCH GN BOOK 01 [DIG] $14.95
MAY131337 NEON GENESIS EVANGELION 3IN1 ED TP VOL 04 $19.99
JUN131294 OTTOS BACKWARDS DAY HC $12.95
JUN131295 PATRICK EATS HIS PEAS & OTHER STORIES HC $12.95
JUN130958 RED SONJA #2 JENNY FRISON $3.99
JUN130984 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #2 CASSADAY CVR $3.99
JUN130985 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #2 EXC SUBSCRIPTION $3.99
JUN130983 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #2 ROSS CVR $3.99
JUN130896 SIX GUN GORILLA #3 [DIG] $3.99
JUN130881 SPONGEBOB COMICS #23 $2.99
JUN130735 STEAMPUNK CORSAIRS #1 $3.99
JUN130899 SUPURBIA ONGOING #10 [DIG] $3.99
MAY131335 TIGER & BUNNY COMIC ANTHOLOGY GN VOL 01 $12.99
JUN131879 TRAVELIN WITH MR TOAST & FRIENDS SC $10.00
JUN130966 VAMPIRELLA SOUTHERN GOTHIC #1 $3.99
JUN130967 VAMPIRELLA SOUTHERN GOTHIC #1 EXC PHOTO SUBSCRIPTION $3.99
JUN131188 WALLFLOWER GN VOL 31 $10.99
JUN131222 WATSON AND HOLMES #2 $2.99
MAY131173 WHAT IS ABOVE HC (MR) $79.95

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