This Top Comics to Buy for October 18 list is a mighty one, with this week feeling extra loaded with new releases. This, of course, is super great timing for right after NYCC, during which I had bad wi-fi and was unable to get started on any reading. But I digress; you are (probably) not here for whining. So let’s stop doing that and get to this week’s recommendations…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for October 18
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #1
Writer/Artist: Patrick Horvath
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Don’t. Murder. The locals. This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm décor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace. So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise-and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree. Live, laugh, shed blood.
Why It’s Cool: This book really puts the scary in Richard Scarry. Sorry. Had to do it. But in all seriousness, this comic is essentially a take on Scary’s classic children’s books, Busy Town, just with a serial killer at the center of it. And it plays its premise entirely straight, taking it all deathly serious (look NYCC took a lot out of me) for great results.
Price: $3.99
The Forged #5
Writers: Greg Rucka & Eric Trautmann
Artist: Mike Henderson
Colorist: Nolan Woodard
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: Image Comics
Vic attends a quiet, intimate breakfast with the Eternal Empress where absolutely no violence occurs, while the rest of the team similarly engage in genteel R&R. And if you believe that, we’ve got a planet to sell you, barely used, mineral rights intact.
Why It’s Cool: I’m really into this book generally (increasingly so during this excellent second arc, where the action has slowed down a bit to reveal more of what’s happening), but what makes this issue such a standout to me is the coloring. What Nolan Woodard does with this issue is nothing short of spectacular, giving this book a unique sci-fi pallette that really elevates the entire comic.
Price: $6.99
Hack / Slash – Back To School #1
Writer/Artist/Letterer: Zoe Thorogood
Publisher: Image Comics
Slasher hunter Cassie Hack is only just getting used to her man-monster partner, Vlad, when she’s drawn into a new case involving a murderous bunny mascot, dead kids, and an entire squad of maladjusted teenage serial-killer hunters!
A completely new chapter in the beloved, long-running series that’s perfect for new readers and old fans alike, just in time for Halloween.
Why It’s Cool: Zoe Thorogood is such a perfect fit for this franchise, bringing a frenetic storytelling approach and deep characterization. So much so that I think this book works equally well as a continuation as it does as a jumping on point for anyone who’s never read other Hack / Slash.
Price: $3.99
Rumpus Room #2
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colorist: Ive Svorcina
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: AWA Studios
Detective Hernandez is trapped in billionaire Bob Schrunk’s basement prison known as the “Rumpus Room” – and while she’s stuck there, she’s going to get to know her fellow inmates and learn how they had wronged Schrunk and earned their fate. Meanwhile, Schrunk is losing control of his tech company and must consolidate his position with the board of directors. Plus, what’s the secret of the billionaire’s collection of bizarre art?
Why It’s Cool: Rumpus Room is one of my favorite books this year, and — surprise surprise — things don’t get better for the people trapped in the titular rumpus room in this second issue. The tension continues to ratchet up as this book explores more of its excellent premise.
Price: $3.99
Tales of Syzpense #3
Les Mort 13 Creators: T.P. Louise and Ashley Wood
Dreamweaver Creators: Chris Ryall and Nelson Daniel, with letterer Ian Chalgren
Groom Lake: Grey Skies Above Creators: Chris Ryall and Nelson Daniel, with letterer Shawn Lee
Publisher: Image Comics – Syzergy
“This split-book supernova burns bright! In “”Les Mort 13,”” Part Three, the living Tarot extends its influence over Southport!
Then, the new Dreamweaver not only hates her codename, she’s resentful of the powers thrust upon her, too…even more so when the former DW’s past returns to haunt them both.”
Why It’s Cool: We get more of the same from what so far has been an outstanding anthology series, just this month we get a third bonus story throw in. This book is just an absolute treat, and it makes me wish there were more of these kinds of periodical anthology series in the comics market.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
The Alternates #2- Avengers Inc. #2
- Batman/Superman – World’s Finest #20
- Bone Orchard Mythos – Tenement #5
- Coda #2
- Crusader #2
- Dark Spaces – Good Deeds #5
- Green Lantern – War Journal #2
- Harley Quinn – Black, White, Redder #4
- Hexagon Bridge #2
- Incredible Hulk #5
- Junior Baker – The Righteous Faker #2
- Sandman Universe – Nightmare Country – The Glass House #5
- Superman #7
- Swan Songs #4
New #1s and One-Shots
- BRZRKR Pen & Ink #1
- Crypt of Shadows #1 (one-shot)
- Cyberpunk 2077 XOXO #1
- Fear The Funhouse – Toybox of Terror #1 (one-shot)
- Gargoyles – Halloween Special #1 (one-shot)
- Headless Horseman Halloween Annual #1 (one-shot)
- Jay Garrick – The Flash #1
- Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong #1
- Man From Maybe #1
- My Little Pony – Black White & Blue #1 (one-shot)
- Sensational She-Hulk #1
- Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #1
- Subgenre #1
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Best of Bebop & Rocksteady #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Air Book 4 – A History of the Future TP Dark Horse Edition- Chromatic Fantasy GN
- Creepy Archives Vol. 3 TP
- Dune: House of Harkonnen Vol. 1 HC
- Dune – The Graphic Novel Book 2 – Muad Dib Deluxe Collectors Edition HC
- Hellboy & The BPRD – Secret of Chesbro House & Others TP
- Hip Hop Family Tree Omnibus
- Incal – Kill Wolfhead HC
- Monarch TP
- The Night Eaters Vol. 2: Her Little Reapers HC Regular Edition
- Project Monarch TP
- Richard Stark’s Parker – The Complete Collection by Darwyn Cooke
- The Super Hero’s Journey
- Wasted Space Cosmic Collection HC
- Watership Down HC
- We Are Not Strangers HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
