This week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for October 23 is, simply put, absurd. I don’t keep track of such things, but I heavily suspect this was the hardest week I’ve had to pair down the new releases to five recommendations. I could have easily done a second list of five, with books like Iron Man #1, Superman #19, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3, and more being very tough to cut. But cuts had to be made, and so I did. You can find my top five choices below, along with the usual release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for October 23
Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics
Without the island paradise…without the sisterhood that shaped her…without a mission of peace…what’s left is the Absolute Amazon!
Why It’s Cool: I’m writing a full review of this book for our DC Round-Up column tomorrow, but I think, in brief, this first issue is cool because artist Hayden Sherman finally gets to do their big star turn on a high-profile book. Sherman has been leveling up with each project they draw for a while now (did any of you all read Dark Spaces: Dungeon? it was amazing…), and now they get to show-off their work on a gigantic stage. The results are epic. If you like interesting page layouts and striking comics art, this one is a must read.
Price: $4.99
Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre #1
Writer/Artist/Letterer: Tom Scioli
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Godzilla takes on his greatest foe yet-The Great Gatsby! The year is 1922. Mysterious man of luxury Jay Gatsby throws lavish parties from his palatial Long Island estate, all in hopes of attracting the attention of his love, Daisy Buchanan. But his affair is interrupted as his party attracts the one thing more dangerous than love: Godzilla. Now, Gatsby has no choice but to turn his undying will away from his love of Daisy and onto revenge against the monster who destroyed his home. Green lights will be broken. Boats will beat back ceaselessly against the current.
Why It’s Cool: I don’t even know where to start. This book is a major contender for comic of the year. The first of three over-sized issues, it’s smart and pulpy and fast-moving. It quotes F. Scott Fitzgerald on one page and (SPOILER) introduces Cyborg Jules Verne on another. It’s a well-told story that knows in the end, fun is the name of the game. I loved it.
Price: $6.99
Hello Darkness #4
Creators: Shawn Patrick Boyd, Michael W. Conrad, Garth Ennis, Elijah Henry, John J. Pearson, Becky Cloonan, Jason Wordie, Lola Bonato, Tamra Bonvillain, Chloe Brailsford, Robert Hack, Taylor Esposito, and Pat Brosseau
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
In the next issue of this groundbreaking horror anthology featuring the top creators in the industry at their absolute darkest, Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan unveil part 4 of The War, where two couples fight for survival in New York, but it’s not just the world around them crumbling, as the long night stretches on.
Why It’s Cool: This is a strong anthology comic from start to finish, but what elevates it above the excellent set of comics out this week is the incredibly scary and disturbing ongoing story being told by Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau. Titled The War it’s one of the most grounded horror comics you’ll read all year, feeling so true that it reaches a level of disturbing that will have you thinking about it regularly between issues. Truly, don’t miss it.
Price: $5.99
Paranoid Gardens #4
Writers: Gerard Way and Shaun Simon
Artist: Chris Weston
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Loo breaks protocols during her probation at the Gardens as many of the residents begin to fall ill including the building itself. While her healing powers seem to help patch up things for now it may not be enough to stop the forces outside the Gardens looking to destroy.
Why It’s Cool: This is one of those excellent comics where no panel is wasted. Everything is just so spot-on and intriguing here, and it has been from the story’s start. I won’t spoil it, but this issue pulls the high concept back just enough, ending on a beat that will recontextualize everything that came before it in a very poignant way. I’ve been clear about it in this space a few times, but I’m loving this book.
Price: $4.99
Power Fantasy #3
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
On July 16, 1945 the world changed forever. Santa Valentina was born. There was also the Trinity test, but that’s not as important. As the world hangs in the balance, we explore the life and times of the girl who fell… skipped… to Earth. Also: check out that cow!
Why It’s Cool: Welp. This book did it again. As with the first issue, I thought I had it figured out…and it landed a third act punch (last page punch, to be specific) that elevated the ideas and the plot to levels I did not see coming. This issue was so good, that I eagerly devoured an info graphic (I don’t usually do more than skim those), for any additional material about these characters and this world. I know it’s just three issues, but this is the best original superhero comic book I’ve read in some time.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
Babs #3- Dead Eyes – The Empty Frames #2
- Grommets #5
- John Constantine, Hellblazer – Dead in America #10
- The Moon Is Following Us #2
- Superman #19
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3
- Tin Can Society #2
- Universal Monsters – Frankenstein #3
- Zatanna – Bring Down the House #5
New #1s and One-Shots
- Alien Romulus #1 (one-shot)
- Animal Pound – Pen & Ink #1 (one-shot)
- DC Horror Presents #1
- The Feeding #1
- Green Lantern Dark #1
- Hack / Slash – Body Bags #1
- Headless Horseman Halloween Annual 2024 #1 (one-shot)
- Horizon Experiment – The Sacred Damned #1 (one-shot)
- Iron Man #1
- Nullhunter #1
- Powerpuff Girls – Halloween Special #1 (one-shot)
- Space Usagi – White Star Rising #1
- Voices In My Head #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Adventures of Superman – Jon Kent TP- Blood Hunt TP
- Count Crowley Vol. 3, Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter TP
- Den Vol. 4, Dreams and Alarums HC
- Dracula Vol. 1, The Impaler GN
- Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine TP
- Invasive TP
- John Constantine, Hellblazer by Jamie Delano Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
- Marvel Masterworks – Man-Thing Vol. 1 HC
- Medusa GN
- My Time Machine – A Graphic Novel HC
- Scary Godmother – This Was Your Childhood Compendium TP
- Shrink, Story of a Fat Girl GN
- Star Trek – Lower Decks – Warp Your Own Way TP
- Superman – House of Braniac TP
- Universal Monsters – Creature From the Black Lagoon Lives HC
- Zawa and the Belly of the Beast TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
