Something spooky is afoot in this week’s Top Comics to Buy for October 4. Several spooky things, in fact. Three of my five top recommendations are horror books, and it might have been more if not for major books from Transformers and DC Comics this week. You can find my exact suggestions below, along with the usual set of lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for October 4, 2023
Abbott 1979 #1
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Artist: Sami Kivela
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: BOOM! Studioes
On the eve of the 1980s and the Reagan Administration, Detroit is burdened with an oppressive darkness-both political and supernatural.
Dejected and tough tabloid reporter Elena Abbott, who previously defeated the occult forces responsible for her husband’s death, must dig herself out from rock bottom if she’s going to save Detroit from the Umbra, one last time…
Why It’s Cool: The final chapter in a trilogy of stories about Elena Abbott, a journalist who gets tangled up in the occult in Detroit, finds our protagonist in a rough spot on the verge of the 1980s. And while things might look dark (and extra creepy this time out) for our hero, the result is a fantastic comic.
Price: $4.99
The Devil That Wears My Face #1
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Alex Cormack
Letterer: Justin Birch
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
The year is 1740, and the Vatican is in turmoil. Grappling with a profound crisis of faith, outcast exorcist Father Franco Vieri is dispatched on a mission of grave importance – to rescue a Spanish nobleman from the clutches of the sadistic demon known as Legion. But when the exorcism goes tragically wrong, Vieri finds himself trapped in a stranger’s body… and learns what horrors lie ahead when the Devil wears his face.
Why It’s Cool: Two things that always seem to work in horror — and horror adjacent tales — are stories that go heavily about the Catholic Church, and stories with swapped identities. This book goes hard with the both, and the results are chilling, making it an easy addition to this spooky season top comics to buy for October 4.
Price: $4.99
Midnite Show #1
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Brian Hurtt
Colorist: Bill Crabtree
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Basil Saxon is a legend among horror fans. Over fifty years ago, he vanished during a freak accident on the set of the film that would have been his masterpiece. The cursed film-God of Monsters-was never completed and has never been seen. But when a film festival shows footage from the long-lost movie, classic horror monsters manifest to wreak havoc and terror on the unsuspecting populace. A ragtag group of misfits must band together to stop the most famous creatures of all time and send them back to the realm of celluloid nightmares.
Why It’s Cool: There’s a growing number of comics that focus on the concept of a famed horror film that’s lost and rediscovered, spurring the supernatural among any who watch it (or try to remake it). And you know what? I go for that concept every damn time. This week’s Midnite Show #1 is no exception.
Price: $3.99
Peacemaker Tries Hard #6
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label
Peacemaker took on Deathstroke (kinda), Chemo, even the War Wheel, and can now confidently call himself a hero. But with all the death and destruction in his wake, was it all worth it? More importantly, is anyone going to come to his birthday party?
Why It’s Cool: Mostly because this finale issue is just more of the same from what has been an excellent book. This series has been a hilarious delight, one that takes the sense of the humor from the well-done Peacemaker television show and combines it with the sensibilities of Steve Pugh and Kyle Starks, two of the funniest creators in all of comics.
Price: $4.99
Transformers #1
Writer/Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies-the Decepticons.
As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
Why It’s Cool: First and foremost, this comic gets one of the most interesting creators in comics — Daniel Warren Johnson — to deliver his vision for a long-running IP, and it’s a vision that’s stylish and action-packed. Past that, this book is also part of the ongoing launch for a new shared universe between Transformers, G.I. Joe, and the original creation, Void Rivals, every last bit of which has felt epic and grandiose so far.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
Batman #138- Birds of Prey #2
- Black Panther #5
- Blue Beetle #2
- Captain Marvel – Dark Tempest #4
- Enfield Gang Massacre #3
- Fantastic Four #12
- Fire & Ice – Welcome to Smallville #2
- Ghostlore #5
- Poison Ivy #15
- Red Goblin #9
- The Sacrificers #3
- SHAZAM! #4
- The Sickness #2
- Sins of the Salton Sea #5
New #1s and One-Shots
- Alice Cooper #1
- Alien Vol. 3 Annual #1
- DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 (one-shot)
- Ghost Rider Vol. 9 Annual #1
- G.O.D.S. #1
- Justice Society of America – Gold Edition #1 (one-shot)
- New Golden Age – Special Edition #1 (one-shot)
- Ranger Academy #1
- Star Trek – Holo-Ween #1
- Strange Academy – Amazing Spider-Man #1 (one-shot)
- Vampirella Dead Flowers #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Batman (2020) Vol. 4 – The Cowardly Lot TP
- Batman Wayne Family Adventures Vol. 2 TP
- The Beatles – Yellow Submarine HC (Insight Edition)
- Best of 2000 AD Vol. 4 TP
- BPRD Omnibus Vol. 7 TP
- Clementine Book 2 GN
- Cosmic Detective TP
- DCesed The Deluxe Edition HC
- EC Archives Weird Fantasy Vol. 2 TP
- Eerie Archives Vol. 1 TP
- Fantasy Sports Vol. 1 Court of Souls TP
- Ghostlore Vol. 1 TP Discover Now Edition
- Heart Attack TP
- Lore Olympus Vol. 5 HC
- Misty – 45 Years of Fear HC
- Monica HC
- My Brilliant Friend HC
- Parasocial HC
- Phantom Road Vol. 1 TP
- Superman – The Harvests of Youth TP
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Compendium Vol. 2 HC
- Tower Vol. 1 TP
- Vixen NYC Vol. 2 TP
- We Only Find Them When They’re Dead Deluxe Edition HC Slipcase
- Where Monsters Lie TP
- White Savoir TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
