It’s a big week with some big releases, with a title being a clear cut choice for the top spot. So, let’s get straight into it as we look at my buys, recommendations, and curiosities from the week of comics in the latest edition of The Pull.

Comic of the Week: DC All In Special #1

“It all starts here.”

That’s a common refrain in superhero comics, as titles like this one do what they can to build excitement in what’s next. While the solicit for this one-shot doesn’t say those words, they’re implied, as this begins the All In era for DC, its new Absolute Universe, and who knows what else. Those types of releases can be rather your mileage may vary, as some can be legitimately great and others can be immediately forgettable. I’m not sure what lies here, but the importance of this issue makes it a logical pick for this spot. But what makes it a lock is the art. As talented as Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson are, artists Daniel Sampere and in particular Wes Craig are the draw. Craig’s a superstar in my book, and the type of voice you rarely see in a comic like this. His presence establishes a very high floor, one that ensures if this beginning isn’t that inspiring overall, it at least has incredible art to rely on.

I’m expecting more than that, as the first two Absolute titles rock and this feels like something more for the publisher. But having a baseline of great art does a lot for me as a reader. Also: Shouts to DC for just making this $4.99. It could be so much more, as that has often been the trend in comics of late. But holding the line at $4.99 makes me feel like they truly believe in this release. We’ll see what they have in store for us this week.

Trade/Graphic Novel of the Week: This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story TP

I’ve read this book already, so let me just tell you this: writer Julio Anta, artist Jacoby Salcedo, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou killed it here. While it has superhero elements, this graphic novel is more of a Jaime Reyes story than a Blue Beetle one in a lot of ways, as it really focuses on Reyes, his family and friends, his homes of El Paso and America, and how certain folks respond to immigrants in their lives, community, and minds. It’s a personal story, but also a superhero one, and one with exceedingly good visuals thanks to Salcedo, Segala, and Otsmane-Elhaou. I was hopeful This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story would be a good one; instead it’s a great one.