This week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 9 is, to date, the spookiest set of books of the year. This makes sense. In my opinion, spooky season starts as soon as Labor Day ends, and that’s where we’re at. But what that means is that we get good straightforward horror — see Hellraiser — mixed with gothic or horror-leaning titles. It’s nice too after a summer mostly dominated by superheroes (mostly).
And hey! If you like my weekly comics picks, consider checking out my own brand-new comic, which is hitting Kickstarter next week, and features art by Nick Cagnetti as well as covers by Fell Hound and Jesse Lonergan! Go here and click NOTIFY ME ON LAUNCH to get an email when we’re live … thanks!
Top Comics to Buy for September 9, 2026
The Folk of Dooney Hollow #1
Writer: Jeremy Haun
Artist: Alex Lins
Colorist: Trish Mulvihill
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: Ignition Press
Deep in the Ozark Mountains lies the village of Dooney Hollow, hidden away from modern society for over a century. Its existence is only spoken of around campfires, in hushed tones, by people who don’t necessarily believe. Those who stumble upon Dooney Hollow never return to prove that it’s real, because dark forces lurk in the woods just outside the town gate.
Kerri is a young graduate student who goes to the Ozarks to get a feel for the land and its people — and its local legends. Little does she know how close to these legends she will get, as a chance encounter in the forest leads her to ceremonial grounds and the terrifying monster that keeps the citizens of Dooney Hollow living in fear.
Why It’s Cool: If you take this first issue along with the Cold Open ashcan (which you absolutely should, if your shop has both), it’s such an intriguing horror-mystery setup. I also think this creative team is just stacked. What it adds up to is yet another impressive first issue from newcomer Ignition Press, one of the industry leaders right now in interesting original series.
Price: $4.99
Forever Home #1
Writer: CJ Ward
Artist: Sami Kivela
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Oni Press
Famed scientist Henry D’mour tried to save the world. He failed. But, in a desperate bid to save himself, his wife, and their two children, he constructed THE FOREVER HOME — an ark of luxury and ultramodern convenience insulated from the agony of the planet’s death throes outside its walls… and even time itself. Inside THE FOREVER HOME, only 20 minutes pass for every year on the outside… allowing the D’mour family to slowly enact their plans for a new world as their automated environment and robotic companions keep them safe. Safe on the inside. Always inside. Until a childish misstep accidentally breaks THE FOREVER HOME’s barrier… and what’s outside decides it wants back in…
Why It’s Cool: This is post-apocalyptic bottle horror of the purest sense, one that mingles elements like environmental catastrophe, end days marauders, and family dynamics into a dark sci-fi tour de force that will have you reading this book as fast as you can before wondering when the next issue will be out. Oh, and the title is a darkly funny play on real estate speak.
Price: $4.99
Hellraiser – Resurrections – The Onanistic Ritual #1
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Gavin Mitchell
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
The Chatterer bares his teeth for a brand new mission. His goal? To reclaim his rightful place as the right hand of the Hell Priest himself!
Meet Mark, the young man obsessed with looksmaxxing, a toxic practice to become the ultimate alpha male in today’s world. When he watches a vintage snuff film seemingly showing The Chatterer’s violent creation, Mark becomes obsessed with summoning The Chatterer as an avenging demon against those he feels wronged him.
But we all know the thing about deals with the devil…
Why It’s Cool: This book is the second of five new standalone Hellraiser one-shots, and it brings back the (very creepy) Cenobite, The Chatterer. Moreover, it’s an absolutely searing piece of social commentary about how some young men are conducting themselves (online and off, but mostly on) these days. This one is not for the faint. It’s edgy (in a smart way), disturbing, and relentlessly transgressive. I loved it.
Price: $4.99
Karman Blade #1
Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest
Artist: Ian Bertram
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image Comics
A young man on the outskirts of a dying world is chosen by a blade forged of stars to slay the despotic deity, Kalu, and free the water he hoards in his Kingdom. Yet before the boy can begin his journey, he must first face the demons in his own life, and answer the Karman Blade’s call — “Are thou he, who taketh me in hand? Are thou he… who shall slay a God?”
Why It’s Cool: One of the best and most interesting creative teams in monthly comics is back with something that feels like both an evolution of their past work as well as a bold leap into new territory.The Karman Blade #1 is one of the most intriguing first issue comics I’ve read in a good while, with Ian Bertram and Matt Hollingsworth’s fascinating aesthetic, Darcy Van Poelgeest’s increasingly-poetic captioning and deeply literary approach to character / narrative, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s uncanny ability as a letterer to pair all of his choices with the story in a way that both suits and elevates it. Simply put, this is a must-read.
Price: $3.99
Of the Earth #5
Writers: Chris Condon and Andrew Ehrich
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Colorist: Pip Martin
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image Comics
Thomas Morton confronts Gramma as Tabby finds herself face-to-face with the terrifying creature that has been haunting the Winters Ranch.
Why It’s Cool: This comic is a strong reminder that Charlie Adlard is one of the best action-horror cartoonists of all time, and we’ve been lucky to have him doing his thing for a while now. This book has been an interesting, character-driven story from the start, and this week’s chapter (not to say too much) is a really entertaining, fast-paced climactic set piece.
Price: $3.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
2000AD Prog #2497- Batman & Robin – Year One – Dynamic Duos #2
- Batman – Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #1
- Clayface Celebrity Dirt #3
- Fixation #1
- Fury of Firestorm #6
- Iron Man #9
- Nano #2
- Neighborhood Watch #5
- Odin #4
New #1s and One-Shots
Batman – Bad Seeds – Gotham Central #1- Challenges of Doom Spider-Man #1 (one-shot)
- Fixation #1
- The Folk of Dooney Hollow #1
- The Forever Home #1
- Hellraiser – Resurrections – The Onanistic Ritual #1
- The Karman Blade #1
- Marvel Gold ’76 #1 (one-shot)
- Marvel Mangaverse Iron Knight #1 (one-shot)
- Six of Us #1
- Spawn ’77 #1
- Star Trek 60th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)
- Star Trek Deviations Evermore #1 (one-shot)
- Star Wars – The Book of Boba Fett #1
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Coastal Chaos #1
- Tank Girl In Blue Helmet #1
- Thundercats Cheetara #1
- Vampire Survivors #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Absolute Batman Vol 3 HC/TP- Avatar – The Last Airbender – Jet Rebels and Rhinos TP
- Barbarian Behind Bars TP
- Castle Swimmer Vol 4 HC/TP
- Cold Hard Cash Vol 1 A Martha Chainey Escapade TP
- Conan The Barbarian The Original Comics Omnibus Vol 8 HC
- Dick Tracy Deluxe Edition Vol 3 HC
- Doctor Strange Endless Nightmare – A Graphic Novel HC
- Dune House Corrino Vol 1 TP
- EC Comics Treasury of Terror Vol 1 TP
- The End 2099 TP
- Forevr TP
- Lost Sunday TP
Major Taylor – The World’s Fastest Man HC- Marvel Black White & Blood And Guts TP
- Marvel Dimensions A Graphic Novel HC
- MPH Library Edition HC
- The New Titans Omnibus Vol 1 HC
- No Place TP
- Queen of the Cosmos Comix Trilogy HC
- Romo The WolfBoy TP
- Star Trek The Last Starship Vol 1 TP
- Star Wars – Poe Dameron Omnibus HC
- Super Creepshow TP
- Ultimates Epic Collection Vol 2 Gods and Monsters TP
- w0rldtr33 Vol 4 TP
- Wayward Compendium TP
- Who Needs Donuts HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
