So many comics, so little time. How is a discerning comic book reader to decide what is worthy of picking up this week? Easy — let our Pull List be your guide. With an epic cosmic war raging in the DC Universe, magical girl mayhem from Dark Horse, and adrenaline-pumping action from Oni Press, we’ve got a little something for everyone this week. Unless you don’t like Rick and Morty. In which case, get out.

Justice League #44

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jason Fabok
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh

“You’ve only come close before for one reason,” an evil, corrupted Superman snarls at Lex Luthor. “I held back.” With that, the Last Son of Krypton begins unleashing thunderous blows on his longtime rival. While this scene in Justice League #44 is awesome in its own right, it also feels like a metaphor for what writer Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok are doing in the book. Their work up to now has been very good, but with “Darkseid War”, the ongoing event series pitting Darkseid against the Anti-Monitor, it feels like the two are done holding back. This is some of the best Justice League in years, delivering a highly cinematic story with labyrinthine twists and turns and a sense of epic scale that is worthy of DC’s mightiest characters.

With issue #44, Johns continues to escalate this clash of the titans to a truly shocking conclusion that I won’t spoil here. Using a few sprawling double-page spreads, Jason Fabok ensures that the fight scenes pack a punch, delivering visceral and kinetic action as all hell breaks loose on the battlefield. Even quieter moments with the Metron-controlled Batman and Green Lantern have a larger-than-life quality, feeling like the eye of the storm as a superpowered hurricane rages all around them. Considering the amount of Parademons and Justice Leaguers doing battle around them, it is a welcome change of pace. Even amidst the chaos, Johns and Fabok find a way to spotlight every character, which is a difficult task with a cast as big as this.

If you aren’t already reading “The Darkseid War”, then I urge you to get up to speed. But don’t just hop on with issue #44 as the plot is getting increasingly dense with each issue — the ever-growing cast of characters splits into multiple factions. It’s worth your while, which means it’s worth hopping on at the beginning.

Zodiac Starforce #2

When issue #1 dropped last month, Zodiac Starforce was the most unexpectedly entertaining new book I encountered in a while. Its expert blend of Sailor Moon-style magical girl action with a Lumberjanes-ian comedic anarchy and well-defined characters made it a joy to read. The real test was whether or not the series could build upon the foundation it laid down in its debut and improve in issue #2. While it didn’t have the same thrill of discovery as issue #1, Zodiac Starforce has proven that it is too legit to quit. Emma’s sickness is worsening by the day and is actively sapping both her lifeforce and her will to live, giving the other girls more than a little cause for concern. However, it’s going to take their combined strength if they want to save the day from all manner of malevolent monsters that erupt from a portal that opens in their high school gymnasium. You know, standard high school stuff.

Though the pacing isn’t as on point as it was in the first issue, the story continues to expand at a steady clip. Kevin Panetta balances character development with the constantly growing supporting cast by delivering a healthy dose of celestial, monster-fighting action. Any narrative bumps in the road can be attributed to the fact that this is building towards a larger story. When a comic is as immediately engaging as Zodiac Starforce — thanks in no small part to Paulina Ganucheau’s eye-catching artwork — it’s worth seeing it through, or at least giving it time to grow before prematurely banishing it to the nether realm.

Rick and Morty #6

Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Zac Gorman
Artist: Andrew Maclean
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Letterer: Crank!

A lizard with a sniper rifle. Fascist soldiers share a tender moment over a love of poetry. A wolf in sheep’s clothing rips a man’s spine from his chest. What comic could contain all of these incredible moments? Rick and Morty #6, of course, which focuses in on Ball Fondlers, the ass-kicking action movie crew that was first seen in Rick and Morty season one’s excellent “Rixty Minutes”. The fan-favorite wrecking crew takes center stage this time around, invading some unnamed Central American/South American-style country to rescue an American senator from the military junta who has taken him captive. It’s as balls-to-the-walls crazy as one would expect and delivers a healthy dose of the ol’ ultraviolence. While Andrew Maclean’s art may be a little rough-hewn for some, it delivers the same improvisational feel as the original Ball Fondlers appearance on the show. Considering that Zac Gorman’s script feels like a perfect extension of the animated series, Rick and Morty #6 is a must-read for fans who need more Rickstaverse in their life.

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The Complete List

(via PreviewsWorld.com)

What’s on your pull list this week? Let us know in the comments below!

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Featured Image: DC Comics

Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. You can follow him on Twitter (@Osteoferocious).