Were you thinking to yourself, “Man alive! I have so much expendable income, but nowhere to spend it. Whatever will I do?” Well, even if you weren’t, you’re in the right place, because we’ve got a heaping helping of brand new comic books on this week’s pull list, including an outsized Bat-stravaganza, a super-powered WWII mini-series, and the return of the baddest mama in the Marvel Universe. It’s not Christmas in March; it’s Comic Book Day, and this is the Pull List.

Top Picks

Batman #29 | DC Comics | Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

Since Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo burst on to the scene with their now seminal “Court of Owls” arc, their run on Batman has been nigh unassailable, and their work on “Zero Year” is no exception. We’ve seen young, untested Batman before, but there’s a strangely compelling quality to Snyder’s portrayal of the Dark Knight during his formative years. The “Dark City” chapter of Batman’s past places him in a rare position indeed, one in which he’s been outsmarted by Edward Nygma. Expertly capturing the frenetic chaos and elemental madness of an incoming superstorm, Capullo’s artwork lends a foreboding quality to the whole outsized issue, which gives every moment, every decision that Batman makes, every punch thrown an underlying sense of tension and high stakes that make the book a gripping experience from start to finish. I could wax on about this book all day, but truth be told, you’d be better served by just picking up a copy for yourself and seeing what all the hype is about.

Captain Marvel #1 | Marvel Comics | Kelly Sue DeConnick, David Lopez, Lee Loughridge, VC’s Joe Caramagna

Between She-Hulk, Black Widow, and this week’s Captain Marvel #1, Marvel is hitting some pretty major home runs when it comes to well-written, beautifully drawn, and genuinely engaging books starring strong female leads. While this has been the subject of countless think pieces – which, in and of itself, may be indicative of a larger problem – the fact of the matter is that, regardless of the protagonist’s gender, these are just solid comics, period. Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about what a wonderfully plotted issue #1 this is. By giving us a taste of the intergalactic adventures ahead and a flashback sequence that perfectly maps out how Carol Danvers found herself running from secret police in an otherworldly bazaar, Kelly Sue DeConnick has masterfully told us all that we need to know and made sure that we’re on board for everything to come.

Carol Danvers is, by all accounts, a strong woman. Quite literally, she has super strength, but she also displays a resilience of character and a capacity for compassion that show she’s more human than her tough-as-nails exterior might suggest. Despite her incredible abilities and experience saving the world, she’s restless. You know how sometimes you’re hungry for something, but you can’t just nail down what exactly that is? It’s a maddening craving, and that’s what Carol Danvers has. Outward appearances would suggest that everything’s fine — she’s a superhero, she lives in the Statue of Liberty (!), and she has a healthy romantic relationship with a co-worker. Yet, that craving, that feeling of insatiable emptiness gnaws away at her from the inside out, giving the book a poignant, wistful quality that contrasts nicely with DeConnick’s snappy dialogue.

Equally praise-worthy is David Lopez’s artwork, which offers up a level of photorealism that avoids the Uncanny Valley, taking us on a high-flying thrill ride through alien vistas, soaring through the sky, and even to something as mundane as a birthday party, all the while managing to keep things cinematic and pleasing to the eye. This style of artwork, which manages to blend the realistic with the hyper-stylized comic book-y aesthetic, is really doing it for me right now, and makes Captain Marvel an even bigger joy to read than it already is. So, go on down to your local comic book store and pick this up post-haste — Captain’s orders.

The Royals: Masters of War #2 | Vertigo | Rob Williams, Simon Coleby, JD Mettler, and Wes Abbott

Going into The Royals: Masters of War #2, I was more than a little nervous that the book wouldn’t live up to how inventive and exhilarating the first issue was. The Downton Abbey-meets-Saving Private Ryan mini-series, thankfully, does not disappoint in its second issue, as the action shifts from England to America following Prince Henry taking to the skies to put a stop to the German bombing raids over London. Greeted by adoring American crowds, the royals make their way to rendezvous with President Roosevelt, a brave but restrained man who is morally opposed to the war but unwilling to commit America’s full might to the war effort. Instead, Roosevelt offers up their version of the Royals, a paltry group of costumed covert agents that pale in comparison to the powers granted by royal blood. All in all, issue #2 manages to heighten the stakes while introducing dangerous new players to the global stage on which this superpowered slugfest version of World War II is playing out. Between the drunkenness, incestuous undertones, and bloodshed, Williams’ narrative is well-paced and carefully structured, doling out just enough “oh shit” moments and plot twists to keep you wanting just one more page, and Coleby’s art once again offers up a visual feast, dancing between quieter introspective moments and explosive tableaus of all-out war. I, for one, welcome our new Masters, and I think you will too.

Pull List
DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT130050 47 RONIN HC $19.99
JAN140126 ABE SAPIEN #11 $3.50
JAN140137 BEASTS OF BURDEN HUNTERS GATHERERS ONE SHOT $3.50
AUG130115 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS X-MEN #6 MAGNETO $49.95
NOV130070 DRIFTERS TP VOL 03 (MR) $12.99
OCT130036 GHOST #2 $2.99
OCT130077 INTRON DEPOT TP VOL 05 BATTALION (MR) $44.99
JAN140138 NOSFERATU WARS ONE SHOT $3.99
JAN140177 STAR WARS #15 2013 ONGOING $2.99
JAN140178 STAR WARS #6 LUCAS DRAFT $3.99
JAN140145 X #11 (MR) $2.99

DC COMICS

JAN140375 ASTRO CITY #10 $3.99
JAN140297 BATGIRL #29 $2.99
JAN140290 BATMAN #29 (ZERO YEAR) $4.99
JAN140292 BATMAN #29 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) $5.99
JAN140363 BATMAN LIL GOTHAM #12 $2.99
OCT130247 BATMAN UNWRAPPED BY ANDY KUBERT DELUXE ED HC $34.99
JAN140370 COFFIN HILL #6 (MR) $2.99
JAN140256 CONSTANTINE #12 (EVIL) $2.99
JAN140381 FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #8 (MR) $2.99
JAN140314 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #29 $2.99
JAN148030 GREEN LANTERN RED LANTERNS #28 2ND PTG $2.99
JAN140267 JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #4 $2.99
JAN140246 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13 (EVIL) $3.99
JAN140248 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13 COMBO PACK (EVIL) $4.99
NOV130226 JUSTICE LEAGUE TRINITY WAR HC (N52) $29.99
JAN140332 LEGENDS DARK KNIGHT 100 PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR #2 $9.99
DEC130345 LUCIFER TP VOL 03 (MR) $29.99
JAN140306 NIGHTWING #29 $2.99
JAN140384 ROYALS MASTERS OF WAR #2 (MR) $2.99
JAN140364 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #43 $2.99
JAN140335 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 ALIEN #4 $3.99
JAN140288 SUPERBOY #29 $2.99
JAN140276 SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #6 $3.99
JAN140278 SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #6 COMBO PACK $4.99
NOV130234 WONDER WOMAN HC VOL 04 WAR (N52) $22.99
DEC130308 WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 03 IRON (N52) $16.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

OCT130308 DC COMICS COVER GIRLS HUNTRESS STATUE $99.95
OCT130306 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS JOHNNY QUICK & ATOMICA AF $24.95
OCT130307 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS OWLMAN AF $24.95
OCT130309 SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL STATUE BY ROCAFORT $79.95

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC130477 AIRBOY ARCHIVE TP VOL 01 $29.99
JAN140514 CITY THE MIND IN THE MACHINE #2 $3.99
JAN140499 DEADWORLD RESTORATION #4 $3.99
JAN140408 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO 1982 #1 100 PENNY PRESS ED $1.00
NOV130358 GI JOE COMPLETE COLL HC VOL 04 $49.99
JAN140512 INDESTRUCTIBLE #4 $3.99
JAN140490 JUDGE DREDD #17 $3.99
JAN140483 MONSTER & MADMAN #1 $3.99
JAN140452 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER #3 $3.99
JAN140457 POWERPUFF GIRLS #7 $3.99
JAN140471 STAR TREK ONGOING #31 $3.99
JAN140479 THE CROW PESTILENCE #1 $3.99
JAN140465 TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 2 #5 $3.99
JAN140467 TMNT ONGOING #32 $3.99
JAN140413 TRANSFORMERS 1984 #1 100 PENNY PRESS ED $1.00
JAN140414 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #27 DARK CYBERTRON PART 10 $3.99
JAN140438 X-FILES CONSPIRACY CROW #1 $3.99
JAN140441 X-FILES SEASON 10 #10 $3.99
JAN140526 ZOMBIE WAR COMPLETE $6.99

IMAGE COMICS

NOV130501 EAST OF WEST #10 $3.50
JAN140586 EGOS #3 $2.99
JAN140551 END TIMES OF BRAM & BEN TP (MR) $12.99
OCT130604 INVINCIBLE #109 $2.99
JAN148061 MANIFEST DESTINY #4 2ND PTG $2.99
JAN140601 MANIFEST DESTINY #5 $2.99
JAN148060 MERCENARY SEA #1 2ND PTG $2.99
JAN140602 MERCENARY SEA #2 $2.99
JAN140605 MINIMUM WAGE #3 (MR) $3.50
JAN140617 SPAWN #241 $2.99
JAN140528 STRAY BULLETS #41 (MR) $3.50
JAN140529 STRAY BULLETS THE KILLERS #1 (MR) $3.50
JAN140530 STRAY BULLETS UBER ALLES ED TP (MR) $59.99
JAN140623 WALKING DEAD #123 (MR) $2.99
NOV130534 WITCHBLADE #173 $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

NOV130542 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 AF PI

MARVEL COMICS

JAN140817 ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #1 POSTER $8.99
DEC138406 ALL NEW INVADERS #1 2ND PTG SINGH VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC138407 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #2 2ND PTG ANKA VAR ANMN $3.99
JAN140776 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #4 $3.99
DEC138408 ALL NEW X-MEN #22.NOW 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR ANMN $3.99
JAN140715 ALL NEW X-MEN #24 ANMN $3.99
DEC130778 ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 02 HERE TO STAY $19.99
DEC138468 AMAZING X-MEN #2 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC138469 AMAZING X-MEN #3 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC130791 AVENGERS TP BOOK 02 ABSOLUTE VISION $39.99
JAN140692 AVENGERS UNDERCOVER #1 ANMN $2.99
DEC138409 AVENGERS WORLD #2 2ND PTG YOON VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC138410 BLACK WIDOW #2 2ND PTG NOTO VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC138470 BLACK WIDOW #3 2ND PTG NOTO VAR ANMN $3.99
JAN140768 BLACK WIDOW #4 $3.99
JAN140669 CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 ANMN $3.99
JAN140816 CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 BY LOPEZ POSTER $8.99
JAN140815 DAREDEVIL #1 75TH ANNIV BY ROSS POSTER $8.99
JAN140814 DAREDEVIL #1 BY SAMNEE POSTER $8.99
DEC130786 DAREDEVIL TP DARK NIGHTS $19.99
JAN140654 DEADPOOL #25.NOW ANMN $2.99
JAN140725 FANTASTIC FOUR #2 ANMN $3.99
DEC130781 FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 03 DOOMED $24.99
SEP130802 FF TP VOL 02 FAMILY FREAKOUT NOW $24.99
DEC138474 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #11.NOW 2ND PTG PICHELLI VAR ANMN $3.99
DEC130741 HAWKEYE #17 $2.99
JAN140762 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #6 SYU $2.99
DEC130766 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE DIGEST TP VOL 01 $9.99
DEC130763 MARVELS CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST AVENGER SCREENPLAY TP $16.99
DEC130762 MARVELS CAPTAIN AMERICA TP WINTER SOLDIER PRELUDE $14.99
JAN140752 MIGHTY AVENGERS #8 $3.99
DEC138471 NIGHT OF LIVING DEADPOOL #2 2ND PTG SHAW VAR $3.99
JAN140758 REVOLUTIONARY WAR MOTORMOUTH #1 $3.99
JAN140679 SECRET AVENGERS #1 ANMN $3.99
DEC130732 SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #9 $2.99
DEC138472 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #25 2ND PTG RAMOS VAR $4.99
DEC138473 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #26 2ND PTG STEGMAN VAR $3.99
JAN140720 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #29 ANMN $3.99
DEC130773 THOR GOD OF THUNDER PREM HC VOL 03 ACCURSED $24.99
JAN140729 WOLVERINE #3 ANMN $3.99
DEC130775 WOLVERINE TP VOL 02 KILLABLE $19.99
JAN140731 X-FORCE #2 ANMN $3.99
JAN140773 X-MEN LEGACY #300 $4.99

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL131243 ACG COLL WORKS ADV INTO UNKNOWN HC VOL 06 $47.99
AUG131420 ACG COLL WORKS FORBIDDEN WORLDS HC VOL 05 $47.99
JAN141247 ALL STAR GN $13.99
NOV131227 AMAZING AGENT LUNA OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $16.99
JAN141399 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 17 $9.99
DEC130855 ARCHIE #653 REG CVR $2.99
JAN141232 ATTACK ON TITAN BEFORE THE FALL GN VOL 01 $10.99
JAN141233 ATTACK ON TITAN JUNIOR HIGH GN VOL 01 $16.99
NOV131162 BAD MACHINERY GN VOL 02 CASE O/T GOOD BOY $19.99
JAN141370 BLOODSHOT & HARD CORPS #20 PULLBOX MOLINA $3.99
JAN141369 BLOODSHOT & HARD CORPS #20 REG LAROSA $3.99
DEC131265 BODIE TROLL TP $9.95
JAN148063 BUNKER #1 2ND PTG $3.99
DEC131248 CASEBOOK OF BRYANT & MAY HC SOHO DEVIL SLIPCASE ED $39.99
JAN141328 CHRONOS COMMANDOS HC $19.99
JAN141006 CITY IN THE DESERT HC VOL 02 SERPENT CROWN (MR) $24.99
JAN140903 CROSSED HC VOL 08 (MR) $27.99
JAN140902 CROSSED TP VOL 08 (MR) $19.99
DEC131121 DEADLOCK GN VOL 01 (MR) $12.95
NOV131237 DEATH SENTENCE #6 $3.99
JAN141169 DF LEGENDERRY #1 STEAMPUNK ADV LTD B&W LINE ART ED $30.00
DEC131191 DUMBEST IDEA EVER HC GN $24.99
DEC130812 EHMM THEORY TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99
JAN140889 FATHOM KIANI VOL 3 #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR A $3.99
JAN140890 FATHOM KIANI VOL 3 #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR B $3.99
DEC130848 FOX #5 REG CVR $2.99
MAR130795 FREE MARS GN VOL 02 ASHES TO ASHES (MR) $7.99
JAN141400 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3IN1 ED TP VOL 07 $14.99
JAN140957 GAME OF THRONES HC GN VOL 03 (MR) $25.00
JUL131063 GARTH ENNIS RED TEAM #7 (MR) $4.99
JAN141454 GFT ASCENSION #2 A CVR MALSUNI $3.99
JAN141455 GFT ASCENSION #2 B CVR ERIC J $3.99
JAN141456 GFT ASCENSION #2 C CVR CAFARO $3.99
JAN141427 GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS #1 A CVR SPAY $2.99
JAN141428 GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS #1 B CVR LAISO $2.99
JAN141429 GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS #1 C CVR KROME $2.99
JAN141430 GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS #1 D CVR CAPPROTTI $2.99
JAN141463 GFT WONDERLAND TP VOL 04 $15.99
NOV130756 GOLD DIGGER #208 $3.99
JAN141136 GRIMM WARLOCK #4 $3.99
DEC131279 HAGANAI I HAVE NO FRIENDS GN VOL 06 (MR) $12.99
DEC131249 HARVEY HORRORS CHAMBER OF CHILLS SOFTIE BOXED SET $109.99
AUG131421 HARVEY HORRORS CHAMBER OF CHILLS SOFTIE TP VOL 05 $24.99
DEC130847 HOWARD LOVECRAFT & KINGDOM OF MADNESS $14.95
DEC130964 ILLUSTRATED BRITISH CLASSICS TP LOST WORLDS & HOLMES $28.99
NOV131238 IT CAME HC $19.99
JAN140974 LIBERATOR EARTH CRISIS #1 (MR) $3.99
JAN141066 MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 $3.99
JAN141076 MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER #1 BLANK AUTHENTIX CVR $3.99
JAN141237 MY LITTLE MONSTER GN VOL 01 $10.99
JAN141037 PEANUTS TP VOL 03 $13.99
DEC130828 PEARLS BEFORE SWINE TP PEARLS FALLS FAST $18.99
JAN141383 RANMA 1/2 2IN1 TP VOL 01 $14.99
JAN141034 REGULAR SHOW SKIPS #5 MAIN CVRS $3.99
JAN140992 RETURNING #1 $3.99
JAN140989 REVELATIONS #3 (MR) $3.99
JAN140997 ROBOCOP LAST STAND #8 (MR) $3.99
DEC131252 ROY THOMAS PRESENTS PLANET COMICS SLIPCASE UNSGN ED $64.99
DEC131282 SENRAN KAGURA SKIRTING SHADOWS GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99
JAN141241 SHERLOCK BONES GN VOL 04 $10.99
JAN141250 SILK ROAD TO RUIN GN $19.99
JAN148004 SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 #1 B&W STEAMPUNK DAVILA CVR $3.99
JAN141085 SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 #1 HAESER CVR $3.99
JAN141084 SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 #1 ROSS CVR $3.99
JAN148003 SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN SEASON 6 #1 STEAMPUNK DAVILA CVR (NET $3.99
JAN141278 SMURFS GN VOL 17 LAZY SMURF $5.99
JAN141279 SMURFS HC VOL 17 LAZY SMURF $10.99
DEC130870 SONIC UNIVERSE #61 REG CVR $2.99
JAN141000 SONS OF ANARCHY #7 (MR) $3.99
JAN140980 SPONGEBOB COMICS #30 $2.99
NOV130768 STEAMPUNK ORIGINALS GN VOL 02 $14.95
NOV130761 STEAMPUNK RED RIDING HOOD ONE SHOT $3.99
DEC131164 STRANGER THAN LIFE GN CARTOONS COMICS 1970 – 2013 $35.00
DEC131212 TALES OF OSCAR WILDE COMPLETE HC SET VOL 1-5 $79.99
DEC130888 TRISH OUT OF WATER #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR A $3.99
DEC130889 TRISH OUT OF WATER #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR B $3.99
DEC138455 TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #1 2ND PTG $3.99
DEC130937 UBER #10 (MR) $3.99
DEC130939 UBER #10 PROPAGANDA POSTER CVR (MR) $3.99
DEC130938 UBER #10 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
JAN141353 UNITY #5 PULLBOX ALLEN $3.99
JAN141352 UNITY #5 PULLBOX BERNARD $3.99
JAN141350 UNITY #5 PULLBOX SUAYAN $3.99
JAN141351 UNITY #5 PULLBOX TAN $3.99
JAN141349 UNITY #5 REG CRAIN $3.99
JAN141356 UNITY TP VOL 01 TO KILL A KING $14.99
JAN141204 YOUNG ROMANCE BEST SIMON & KIRBY COMICS HC VOL 02 $29.99
DEC130809 ZOMBIE TRAMP VOL 2 #3 MAIN COVERS (MR) $2.99
DEC130810 ZOMBIE TRAMP VOL 2 #3 RISQUE COVER (MR) $3.99
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What’s on your pull list this week? Sound off in the comments below.