With this week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for September 13, it is readily apparent that scary season has arrived. The excellent Creepshow anthology series returns for a second volume, while one of my personal favorite horror books, Dark Ride, delivers yet another excellent issue. So, fun (and scary) times. As always, you can find my five recommendations plus the usual lists below…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for September 13, 2023
Creepshow, Vol. 2 #1
Writers: Garth Ennis and Phil Hester
Artists: Becky Cloonan, Phil Hester, and Eric Gapstur
Colorists: Lee Loughridge and Mike Spicer
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
In the debut issue, master of the macabre GARTH ENNIS (Preacher, The Boys) and superstar creator BECKY CLOONAN (Wonder Woman) team up for the very first time to deliver a disturbing tale of the unborn! Then, freaky PHIL HESTER (Gotham City: Year One) tells the story of a grieving son who bends the laws of nature to see his mother one last time this can’t end well!
Why It’s Cool: The first volume of this Creepshow anthology series was excellent, featuring great creators and just setting them free to do whatever kind of creepy horror they felt inclined to explore. This first issue of the second volume picks up right where the first one left off. Both stories are great, and an excellent way to mark the (unofficial?) start of scary season.
Price: $3.99
Dark Ride #8
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
The showdown between Halloween and Sam is here!
The winner will control the future of the Dante family…and Devil Land!
Why It’s Cool: Dark Ride has been one of the best and most fun new horror comics in years, and that continues here with the finale for the book’s second arc. Combining a horror-themed amusement part, deep family drama, and keen spooky ideas, this book just continues to be one of my absolute favorites, and I can’t say enough good things about it.
Price: $3.99
The Enfield Gang Massacre #2
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Color Assistant: Pip Martin
Publisher: Image Comics
Accused of murder and hunted by a Texas Ranger, the Enfield Gang attempts to escape.
Why It’s Cool: Man, as usual this book (a spinoff of That Texas Blood) just keeps getting better, delivering the aftermath of the gruesome events from the inaugural issue. Now, this book might not be a strictly horror series, but it’s got some bloody stuff here that makes it at least horror adjacent. Either way, I highly recommend it. It’s just a great addition to the already-excellent work this creative team was already doing with That Texas Blood.
Price: $3.99
Saint John #1
Writers: Dan Schkade & Brennan Wagner
Artist: Dan Schkade
Colorist: Brennan Wagner
Letterer: Frank Cvetkovic
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cynical Manhattan writer Tori Slate travels to Portland, Oregon, to track down the enigmatic Saint John-a masked man who roams the city doing good deeds for strangers, appearing at random and vanishing without a trace. Who is he? Why does he do it? And what is his seemingly supernatural connection to the City of Roses? Tori aims to put these questions to the man himself… unaware that the answers will change her life forever.
Why It’s Cool: Apparently this comic is part of a partnership with a clothing brand (which is a thing I learned just now while pulling the solicit text for the above field), but I thought it was just a fun, grounded superhero book, one that goes to great lengths to steep itself in a real city, that being Portland, Oregon. The attention to detail really makes this one, as does the absolutely fantastic artwork and visual storytelling.
Price: $4.99
You’ve Been Cancelled #4
Writer: Curt Pires
Artist: Kevin Castaniero
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Letterer: Micah Myers
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Roland Endo and his ragtag team mount their assault on the nearly impenetrable Cancelled Headquarters to put an end to the corrupt and dangerous Cancelled program once and for all. The comic book event of the year reaches its show-stopping conclusion!
Why It’s Cool: This book has been a fun and breezy entertaining banger, but at its end here, I think the art team of Kevin Castaniero and Jason Wordie really deserve their flowers. The book feels so hard-hitting, surprising, and electric with the way the action moves. It’s great stuff, and an easy choice for the Top Comics to Buy for September 13 list.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
Captain Marvel – Dark Tempest #3- Children of the Vault #2
- The Cull #2
- Danger Street #9
- House of Slaughter #17
- Incredible Hulk #4
- The Madness #2
- Mech Cadets #2
- Murder Inc. – Jagger Rose #5
- Project Riese #2
- Red Goblin #8
- Sins of the Salton Sea #4
- Superman Lost #6
- Venom #25
- Waller Vs. WildStorm #3
- World’s Finest Teen Titans #3
New #1s and One-Shots
Alligator Loki #1- The Alternatives – From The World of Minor Threats #1
- Avengers Inc. #1
- Batman and Robin #1
- Coda, Vol. 2 #1
- Daredevil #1
- Darkwing Duck – Negaduck #1
- Kill More #1
- Sonic The Hedgehog’s 900th Adventure #1 (one-shot)
- Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #0 (one-shot)
- Star Trek: Picard’s Academy #1
- Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi #1 (one-shot)
- Venom Annual #1
- Werewolf By Night #1 (one-shot)
Trade Collections and New Graphic Novels
Almighty TP- Batman & The Joker Deadly Duo Deluxe Edition HC
- Black Cloak Vol. 1 TP
- Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 TP
- The Forged Vol. 1 TP
- Giant Days, Library Edition Vol. 2 HC
- GCPD – The Blue Wall HC
- Godzilla by James Stokoe Deluxe Edition HC
- I Am Stan: A Graphic Biography of The Legendary Stan Lee HC
- Torrent Vol. 1 TP
- Totem HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
