For the first time ever, this column is going up after I bought my comics for the week. That’s right. The Pull continues on, crisis be damned! And Diamond allowed shops to sell comics on Tuesday, which works out well for me. And at the top we have the first title in the history of the column that I wrote in as book of the week, sight unseen. I know everything I need to know about this book and its assured greatness.

Book of the Week: Wicked Things #1

Lottie Grote is the greatest character in the history of fiction.

That idea has continued from Scary Go Round to Bad Machinery to Giant Days, even if that’s not how it goes for Lottie’s life chronologically. And now, she’s back as the straight up lead, in a new title from the Greek God of David Harper Comics John Allison and artist Max Sarin, who are going to give us the gold, some mysteries, and some LITTLE CLAIREEEEEEE!!!

Am I excited for this comic? Yes. Does it matter what it’s about to me? No. It’s Lottie Grote, John Allison, and Max Sarin. That is all I need in this world right now. Pure joy in 20 or so pages, hopefully Lottie saying “GOR” at least once, and something to take my mind off of things. This is a treasure, not a comic book. Act accordingly.

Note: I read this comic after I tackled this write-up. It was great, just as I expected. More on this later.

“You’re coming with me”: The for sure buys and recommendations of the week

BANG! #2: Wilfred Torres art and Matt Kindt writing makes this an easy sell, but the first issue was much closer to MIND MGMT territory than I expected. In a good way!

Batman Universe HC: I have long been desirous of reading this series, as a fun Bendis Batman story with sweet, sweet Nick Derington art colored by Dave Stewart is very up my alley. I will find out if I was right this week!

DCeased Unkillables #2: DCeased had no right to be as good as it was. This spin-off series that tells the same story from the view of the villains shouldn’t be as good as it is either. And yet its first issue was fantastic. More, please.

Guardians of the Galaxy #3: I am really, really enjoying this series so far. Al Ewing and Juann Cabal with the Guardians has been as good as I hoped for.

Money Shot TP: A pure recommendation play, I’m here because others have told me to be. That said, Vault produces nice books. I like that!

Plunge #2: Have I mentioned I like Stuart Immonen’s art a whole lot? Well, this story started out even better than I hoped, both for Immonen’s exceedingly great art and the fantastic concept Joe Hill brew up. Plus, it took place in Anchorage, Alaska! Yes!

Runaways #31: Dark times are coming, but I am certain they will be delightful no less with this creative team.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #9: Time for A+ insanity of the highest order! One of my big losses of not having ECCC as I didn’t get a chance to peruse Steve Lieber’s varying Dex-Starr starring original pages. Alas!

Valkyrie: Jane Foster #9: Just a fun throwback of a series. This is a fun one, and it hasn’t dropped off with Torunn Grønbekk.

Would buy, but I’m a dirty, rotten trade waiter

• Ascender #10
• Bitter Root #7
• Something is Killing the Children #6