This week’s a spicy one, as it features the hottest title in direct market comics and the launch of what should be the biggest original debut of the year. So, let’s look at all that and more in this week’s edition of The Pull, where I highlight my buys, recommendations, and curiosities from the week of comics.

Comic of the Week: Exquisite Corpses #1

I’ve read this already — multiple times, actually — and it’s everything you could want and more. It’s as big as they make it seem, but wonderfully, it’s also as small as it needs to be to connect with readers emotionally. Writer James Tynion IV and artist Michael Walsh have built something special here with the rest of the Corpse Crew, and I’ll be very interested to see how this series develops as it moves along.

Trade/Graphic Novel of the Week: Marriage Toxin Vol. 6

My favorite unhinged manga series about a poison master looking for love and his con artist life coach continues here, and it remains something that’s quite unlike everything else I’m reading in the very best of ways. Come for the wild ideas, stay for Mizuki Yoda’s exceptional art.

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

Absolute Batman #8: The first issue of this two part arc from Scott Snyder and Marcos Martín was a gem, and the shift in approach they’ve taken in the Absolute Universe’s Mr. Freeze is awesome. This comic continues to be an absolute blast, and elite at finding guest artists that fit the book and main artist. I mean, how good does a book have to be if Marcos Martín is your guest artist?!

Supergirl #1: I’ve read the first issue of this run, and it’s a breath of fresh air from Sophie Campbell and Tamra Bonvillain. I’m so impressed by what they’ve created here with this throwback of a book, and it’s gorgeous to boot. DC keeps killing it here.

Transformers #20: The end is nigh for Daniel Warren Johnson’s run, and with a slew of apparent first appearances here, it seems like he’s going out hot. Plus: Jorge Corona back!

w0rldtr33 #14: It’s weird to call a James Tynion IV-written book underrated, but I kind of feel like w0rldtr33 is underrated? I’m a big fan.

Zdarsky Comic News #11: I’ve already gotten this one — ten of them, actually! — because I have an ad in this issue, so I can assure you that ZCN stays awesome here. It’s such a delight.