For this week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for October 25, I’m happy to report that I read some truly excellent new #1 comics. I don’t want to play favorites here — and I’ll have more details about each below — but IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, and new kid Dstlry all launched great new books. You can find them below, along with my usual set of recommendations … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for October 25, 2023
Dark Spaces – Dungeon #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Andworld Design
A family moves from the rustle and bustle of the Big Apple to upstate New York. However, their father’s dream of a quiet rural life are shattered when he discovers a dungeon underneath their land filled with torture devices, weapons, and a threatening message on the wall that reads, “TELL NO ONE.”Paranoia sets in rapidly as the father realizes anyone in his new hometown could be the dungeon master. Whom can he trust? And how will he keep this secret from his family while keeping them safe?
Why It’s Cool: This is legitimately one of the darkest and scariest new horror concepts I’ve consumed in I don’t know how long. It’s absolutely chilling and deeply scary. The main character is great, too, and Hayden Sherman (colored here by Patricio Delpeche) continues their rise into one of the best artists in all of comics. Don’t miss this book. It’s seriously phenomenal.
Price: $4.99
Giant Robot Hellboy #1
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Duncan Fegredo
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clem Robins
Hellboy is kidnapped and hooked up to a massive mecha-Hellboy for a mission on a mysterious, faraway island, but the island might just put up a fight of its own. Inspired by Mignola’s viral-hit pencil drawings from Mike Mignola: The Quarantine Sketchbook, Giant Robot Hellboy gets his own story in this 3-part miniseries from Mignola and longtime Hellboy artist Duncan Fegredo!
Why It’s Cool: Speaking of seriously phenomenal comics, this week also brings us Giant Robot Hellboy #1, which is somehow even more excellent than the title makes it sound. This is a truly excellent comic book, with the potential to be your new favorite Hellboy story. The idea is unimpeachable, the designs are stunning, and the storytelling is spot on. Buy this book.
Price: $3.99
Gone #1
Creator: Jock
Publisher: DSTLRY, Media Inc.
On an impoverished and distant planet, where menial workers scratch out a living resupplying starships, the best place to be is GONE…and that’s exactly where 13-year-old ABI wants to be.
Along with her street-tough friends, Abi stows away on a colossal luxury space-liner for a chance at a better life. Unbeknownst to her, some of her “friends” are not who they seem. Abi suddenly finds herself branded a saboteur as she desperately struggles to evade the ship’s deadly crew and to stay alive!
Why It’s Cool: Jock doesn’t stunning work here creating an entirely new sci-fi world from scratch…and then imbuing it with dramatic political intrigue and great characters. This is DSTLRY’s first proper full-length release, and it’s a strong one. It’s also over-sized and gorgeous, making it an easy addition to the Top Comics to Buy for October 25.
Price: $8.99
Ribbon Queen #4
Writer: Garth Ennis
Pencils: Jacen Burrow
Inks: Guillermo Ortego
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: Rob Steen
Publisher: AWA Studios
Detective Sun learns how the Ribbon Queen was released into the world by Bella, the murder victim at the center of a series of bizarre crimes who got up and walked out of the morgue the night before. Plus, another supernatural entity has arrived on the scene and targeted Detective Sun’s friend and colleague. Is he there to stop the Ribbon Queen – or does he have his own twisted agenda?
Why It’s Cool: With this issue, one of the gnarliest books in all of comics has now reached its halfway point, and as such, the story is doling out some of the answers we’ve wanted from the start — namely who is shredding all these dudes and how. This is as unflinching of a comic as it gets, a gritty horror cops story about power abuse and misogyny. It’s as complex as it is brutal, and I can’t look away. I mean, just look at that cover.
Price: $3.99
Wonder Woman #2
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
AN ARMY OF ONE! Now a wanted fugitive, Wonder Woman readies herself for battle against Commander Steel and his soldiers, her former love Steve Trevor being one of them! What could this face-off mean for her position in the world of heroes? Will it further her quest for the truth about the rogue Amazon or end in bloodshed? Find out as this demigoddess takes on an entire army! Plus, the prelude to Amazons Attack!
Why It’s Cool: After a first issue that absolutely floored me, guess what? This is also absolutely floored me. Tom King, Daniel Sampere, and co. are doing fantastic work with this new run through two issues. Can’t wait to see where it goes, because so far, both chapters have felt like an event.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
Action Comics #1058- Batman – The Brave and The Bold #6
- Black Hammer – The End #3
- Conan The Barbarian #4
- Detective Comics #1075
- The Flash #2
- Green Arrow #5
- Ice Cream Man #37
- Lonesome Hunters – The Wolf Child #4
- Money Shot Comes Again #5
- Rare Flavours #2
- The Schlub #3
- Uncanny Spider-Man #2
- Unstoppable Doom Patrol #7
- Void Rivals #5
New #1s and One-Shots
- Alan Scott – The Green Lantern #1
- Amazons Attack #1
- Captain Marvel #1
- Drive Like Hell #1
- Edenwood #1
- Hallow’s Eve – The Big Night #1 (one-shot)
- Marvel Zombies – Black, White, & Blood #1
- My Little Pony – Best of Applejack #1 (one-shot)
- Paladin of Axes #1 (one-shot)
- Slow Burn #1
- Universal Monsters – Dracula #1
- Wrong Earth – We Could Be Heroes #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Astro City Metrobook Vol. 4 TP
- Black Hammer – Library Edition Vol. 3 HC
- Dead Seas TP
- Diaries of War HC
- Harrower TP
- Human Target Book 1 TP
- Moonshine Complete Collection HC
- Nice House On The Lake – The Deluxe Edition HC
- Parker Girls Omnibus HC
- Thor by Jason Aaron Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
- Time Under Tension GN
- Turtle Bread GN
- Two Graves Vol. 1 – Wish You Were Here TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
