Without really thinking about it, I managed to compile a list of Top Comics to Buy for September 16 that’s about as gritty as five comics can get, with all of them featuring murder of some kind. Clearly, I am already in a Halloween state of mind, but hey, these book are good!
Also, if you like my weekly comics recommendations, I JUST LAUNCHED A NEW KICKSTARTER, it’s called Death of Comics Bookcase, Vol. 2, and it’s a 48-page sci-fi/adventure comic written by me with art by Nick Cagnetti, John P. Golden, Jeremy Hyler, and Ryan Lee, among others, plus covers by Jesse Lonergan and Fell Hound. Get more info here!
Top Comics to Buy for September 16
End of Life #8
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics – Vertigo
Eddie’s nightmare with Neils and Rumplemindt is almost at its end, but he’s got a bigger problem with Little Cock, the revenge-seeking partner of Menagerie hitman and Wrongdog super-fan Big Cock. But with Eddie and Little Cock both held captive, can the two actually work together to escape?
Why It’s Cool: This series just continues to be such an excellent blending of crime/action with humor, with both writer Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh bringing their comic sensibilities to the series. It’s also taking its time doing some nice character development that has me invested in the fates of several characters I absolutely hated at the start, and that’s no easy feat.
Price: $3.99
Exquisite Corpses – Fox Mask Killer #1
Writer: Che Grayson
Artist: Adam Gorham
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics – Tiny Onion
Among killers-for-hire, there are a select few feared even among other assassins. The enigmatic Fox Mask Killer is at the top of that list. But now she wants the one thing even she can’t have — she wants out. And the only person who can offer her an opportunity to get away from her old life may be the devil herself…
Why It’s Cool: There are so many great characters in the Exquisite Corpses world, but among the most striking (and mysterious) is the Fox Mask Killer, making it no surprise that this is the second one to get a spinoff. And making that spinoff extra exciting is the top-tier creative team of Grayson, Gorham, Bellaire, and Carey. If you’re an Exquisite Corpses fan like I am, you definitely want to pick this one up.
Price: $4.99
Killer Influences #3
Writer: Joey Esposito
Artist: Valeria Burzo
Colorist: Inaki Azpiazu
Letterer: Alex Ray
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Melvin and Kylie have gone from tepid allies to full-blown enemies. As Melvin hunts Kylie down to make her his next victim, she’ll have to use all of her knowledge about serial killers, and everything she’s learned about Melvin, in order to stop him. But is she willing to sacrifice all the clout, followers, and social media infrastructure she’s built up? Would she rather die an icon than live life as a known grifter? And even if she can stop Melvin from killing her, can she ever fully make things go back to normal, or have too many people noticed her work?
Why It’s Cool: I’ve loved every issue of this series so far, and it all comes to a bloody, satisfying end this week. One of the many things I really appreciated about this one was its total lack of hesitation to do terrible things to its characters. Well done.
Price: $4.99
Nightwing #142
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: David Lapham
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Publisher: DC Comics
When Gotham is struck by a terraforming disaster, the downwind city of Blüdhaven falls victim to unanticipated side effects. After a truck full of TNT is stolen from a Blüdhaven construction yard, Nightwing learns it’s headed toward Gotham as a form of righteous vengeance for everything the city has done to Blüdhaven … and only he might be fast enough to stop it before things get explosive.
Why It’s Cool: One of my favorite superhero comics of the moment gets tangled up in the ongoing Bad Seeds event, and manages to keep up its momentum as it does. While I instantly missed Denys Cowan on this book, I was thrilled to see David Lapham’s work in his stead.
Price: $4.99
The Patron #2
Writer: Christian Ward
Artist: John J. Pearson
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Ignition Press
Against orders, Detective Tabitha Stone has been quietly following the string of suspicious deaths that have rattled the fine arts world. News of Matty’s opening night overdose spurs her to follow the cross-country lead — and not a moment too soon, as Lucy’s grief unearths new questions about Matty’s past. Meanwhile, Mr. Cherish and Clyde get violent in their search for the source of the threatening package at their doorstep.
Why It’s Cool: This is the other novel murder comic on this week’s list, and it’s a great one, crossing over a crime story with the world of fine art, complete with plenty of bloody twists.
Price: $4.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
Absolute Green Arrow #5- Arcadia #8
- Avengers Armageddon #4
- Babs – The Black Road South #5
- Batwoman #7
- Daredevil #7
- G.I. Joe #26
- Monstress #64
- The Patron #2
- Superman Unlimited #17
- Wonder Woman #37
New #1s and One-Shots
Absolute Cassandra Cain – The Shadow’s Hand #1 (one-shot)- Big Shakedown #1
- Creepshow Vol. 5 #1
- DNX #1
- Dungeons & Dragons – Ravenloft #1
- Exquisite Corpses – Fox Mask Killer #1
- Hellraiser – Resurrections – The Deep Gospel #1 (one-shot)
- Joe Kubert – 100 Years – A Life in Covers #1 (one-shot)
- Marvel Mangaverse Arcane Avengers #1 (one-shot)
- Ofiusa #1
- Space Ghost vs The Herculoids #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Absolute Power Omnibus HC- Ace of Hearts – Lessons in Love From an Asexual Girl GN
- Age of Video Games – A Graphic History of Gaming GN
- All-New Spider-Gwen Ghost-Spider TP
- Amazing Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection Vol 15 Spider-Island TP
- Batgirl of Burnside TP (DC Compact Comics Edition)
- Batman – Gargoyle of Gotham – The Deluxe Edition HC
- Batman H2SH HC
- Batman – Killing Time TP
- Briar Vol 3 Nights Terror TP
- DC/Marve – The Cosmic Kiss Caper & Other Stories HC/TP
- The Dissidents – Autocrats, Vigilantes, Communists, and Cartoonists HC
- Flood That Did Come TP
- Hot Blood Vol 2 The Valley of Kings TP
- Identical HC
- Into the Unbeing – Library Edition HC
- Invincible Universe Battle Beast Vol. 2 The Emissary TP
- Jane American HC/TP
- John of the Night TP
- Kill All Immortals II TP
- Marvel / DC – The Dead of Knight & Other Stories HC/TP
- Murder School HC
- Peaceful Remission HC
Penguin Classics Marvel Collection Mighty Thor TP- The Plot Complete Series TP Compact Edition
- Power Rangers Prime Vol 4 TP
- Return to Sleepy Hollow TP
- Scarlet Traces Vol 4 TP
- Scorched Vol 7 TP
- Sgt Rock by Joe Kubert Deluxe Edition HC
- Skull Cat Vol 2 Skull Cat and the Vampires Amulet TP
- Spider-Man By Chip Zdarsky Omnibus HC
- Stranger Things Library Edition Vol 5 HC
- Street Sharks Jawsome Justice TP
- Supergirl Vol 2 Hometown Horrors TP
- Tomb Raider Sacred Artifacts TP
- Unwritten Compendium 2 TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
