Comics Guide for comics shipping Oct. 2, 2023

NOTE: Go HERE for Full List.

TOP 5 PUBLISHERS

MARVEL COMICS

Marvel's First Family fights the Dinosaur Avengers in FANTASTIC FOUR #12. No, I'm not making that up.
"Fall of X" continues in IMMORTAL X-MEN #16, X-FORCE #45 and X-MEN #27.
"Dark Droids" continues in STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #39 and STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #39.
The three-part "Strange Academy" crossover concludes in STRANGE ACADEMY: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1.
This week marks the first this year where the annuals aren't tied into the "Contest of Chaos" event. We've got two standalone one-shots: ALIEN ANNUAL #1 and GHOST RIDER ANNUAL #1
"The High Republic" takes place across multiple platforms, and I have not been following it. I'll wait for the movie and/or TV show for STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC — SHADOWS OF STARLIGHT #1.

G.O.D.S. #1

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE-POWERS-THAT-BE MEET THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS?

Marvel’s pantheon of cosmic entities have faithful servants that walk among us as members of two opposing factions: the powerful mystics of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and the brilliant scientific minds of THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS. For eons, they’ve clashed and schemed with all of reality hanging in the balance until they formed a fragile pact. Now, a mysterious rogue agent by the name of Cubisk Core has shattered that uneasy peace, and this secret war will come out of the shadows for the first time in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles. These characters exist outside the fight between heroes and villains and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. All week long, the major players of G.O.D.S. have been spotlighted in special teasers and concept art: Wyn, servant of The-Powers-That-Be; Aiko Maki, Ninety-Seventh Centivar of The-Natural-Order-of-Things; Dimitri, chained apprentice The-Powers-That-Be; Mia, a magic girl caught between The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-of-Things; and Cubisk Core; a Proto-Mage with an insidious agenda. See them all together in Noto’s cover and learn about key terms in the G.O.D.S. mythos with a new encyclopedia teaser image! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

“Except for Doctor Strange (who’s in the first few issues), and some cameos by Marvel regulars, nothing I say here is going to help anyone understand these concepts and characters because they’re new. And the book is kind of out there,” Hickman told ComicBook.com in an exclusive interview. “The good news is that the first issue is 55 pages long, and by the end of that issue, you’ll have a solid idea of what the book is all about.”

In this once-in-a-generation title, Hickman and Schiti have boldly reimagined the cosmic entities including Chaos, Eternity, Infinity, the Living Tribunal, Oblivion, and Order. For the first time in Marvel Comics history, readers will see these primal concepts manifest as ordinary people in order to navigate the world and interact firsthand with humanity. Despite their more down-to-earth appearances, their gravitas and power remain as they scheme, clash, and strike deals, all part of a complex system that keeps the universe in balance. But that system is more fragile than anyone would care to admit, and there’s some among them who desire nothing more but to see it shatter!

Check out the first of Schiti’s new designs, a street-level human design for the living embodiment of that balance, the In-Betweener, alongside its respective original appearance by creator Jim Starlin.

“One of the things we wanted to do was to take the universal abstracts and do a more street-level version of the character,” Hickman explained in a special G.O.D.S. retailer conference last week. “That’s the idea behind Valerio’s redesigns. Valerio tweaked the massive god-like aspect of each of these celestial abstracts and then he also made a version of the character that is a more mundane version. So I guess in Marvel Universe terms, there’s the Peter Parker version of all these character and then there’s the Spider-Man version of all these characters now. And it’s a very effective storytelling mechanism. It works very well in the way that we’re using it. My belief is that it will make these characters more useable and more frequently appearing in other Marvel books as well.”

"We already saw the Marvel gods a lot of times in the past, no surprises here. Or are there?” Schiti teased. “Maybe we saw what they wanted us to see, what our human brains can contain and understand without going insane so maybe there are different, weirder and scarier forms? And if they can change shape and size, what’s stopping them from walking among us, hiding in the crowd, using a human form?”

The infinite détente between THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground.

This ENORMOUS EXTRA-SIZED first issue features DOCTOR STRANGE, who, while not boring at all, is easily the most boring person in the book.

Marvel's been pushing the heck out of this book. Given the success of Jonathan Hickman's Avengers and X-Men, I can see why they'd have confidence in this new idea. And, supposedly, he brought this proposal with him when he pitched House of X/Powers of X, and both got approved but this one had to wait.
So here it is at last. I can't say I'm excited about another layer of characters between the likes of the Asgardians and the Cosmic Powers, especially ones that have supposedly existed forever and we just weren't aware of them. It seems to me that Odin, Silver Surfer, Captain "Cosmic Awareness" Mar-Vell, Thanos and his Infinity Gauntlet, God Doom, Red Skull with the Cosmic Cube, Adam Warlock, etc., would have been well aware of them and would have mentioned them by now. Perhaps it will be explained, but I never bought into Hush and Tyler Stone for that very reason. (They were characters who were, respectively, Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark's best friends, that somehow had gone unmentioned through the many decades of Batman and Iron Man comics. What was obvious to me as a reader was that when the plot required a best friend where there wasn't one to serve as the "mystery" villain, we were served Frater ex Machina. Seeing the little man behind the curtain like that always yanks me out of the story.)
But I'll try to keep an open mind. What I see below seems derivative, but Hickman takes big swings so where it goes will likely surprise me.
Here's a PREVIEW.

DC COMICS

"Gotham War" continues in BATMAN #138. I'm sure I've mentioned this already, but I'd sure like to see some Batman comics where Batman fights some actual villains, instead of his friends.
Do I want DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD HC? It collects the Black Label miniseries where ... well, Sgt. Rock fights zombies. I think I want it. Anybody got a recommendation?
Same thing here. Do I want DC HORROR PRESENTS: SOUL PLUMBER TP? It's also a Black Label collection. I somehow missed the HC, but I can probably still get it. Recommendations?
DETECTIVE COMICS #141 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints the first Riddler appearance.
I can't think of two Bat-characters I'm less interested in than the stars of GHOST-MAKER/CLOWNHUNTER BY JAMES TYNION IV TP.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA GOLD EDITION #1 collects Justice Society of America #1-3. I'm tradewaiting, but this would be a nice appetizer for those who can't wait.
NEW GOLDEN AGE SPECIAL EDITION #1 reprints New Golden Age #1 with previews.
POWER GIRL RETURNS TP collects stories from Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1, Action Comics #1051-1053 and Power Girl Special #1. The Special just came out last week! But I'm glad to see this, as I'd like to see PeeGee become a player.
SUPERMAN: THE HARVESTS OF YOUTH TP is a PRH young adult graphic novel that follows high school Clark, Lana and Pete as they deal with the death of a classmate. My guess, from the oblique description, is that the dead kid is a suicide, likely because he was gay in a conservative small town. I could be wrong, though.
ZATANNA & THE RIPPER VOL. 1 TP collects a PRH young adult Webtoon series, where Zatanna is trapped in the past — specifically Whitechapel, London, in 1888, the year of Jack the Ripper's worst outrages. John Constantine is also there, somehow, although you'd expect Joanna Constantine or some other ancestor. Still, it's Zatanna in fishnets, so it caught my attention. Never fails!

DC'S GHOULS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN #1 (ONE-SHOT)

Story: Ellen Tremiti, John Arcudi, Greg Burnham, Soman Chainani, Adam F. Goldberg & Hans Rodionoff, Christopher Sean & Laneya, Alex Galer, others | Art: Tyler Crook, Shawn McManus, Javier Rodriguez, Pablo M. Collar, Danny Earls, Dexter Soy, others | Cover: Alvaro Martinez Bueno | $9.99

SKIN-CRAWLING STORIES OF THE DC GHOUL-IVERSE!

Superman imprisoned by an unfriendly ghost! Man-Bat versus a werewolf! Mary Marvel and Dr. Psycho crashing a Halloween frat party! Plus: the Question faces horrific crimes of fashion; Robotman wrestles a ghostly glitch; Crush helps Lobo find the perfect costume; and Nightwing and Red Hood spend a frightful night in Bludhaven, co-written by Christopher Sean, the voice of Nightwing from the Gotham Knights video game! The chills will last longer than your candy corn!

This looks fun.

IMAGE COMICS

PARASOCIAL GN features a fading TV star who is kidnapped by an obsessive fan at a convention. Sounds a little bit like Misery, but from the description I'm guessing the kidnapee is as much Kathy Bates as the kidnapper. Here's a PREVIEW.
Matt Kindt and Jeff Lemire, who apparently never sleep, have written this story about the Detective, who is assigned the case when a God is murdered, in COSMIC DETECTIVE GN. Here's the Kickstarter PREVIEW.
This week's THE WALKING DEAD DELUXE #1 NEWSPRINT EDITION (ONE-SHOT) feels like gouging.

TRANSFORMERS #1

Story/Art: Daniel Warren Johnson | Cover: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer | Variants: Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer, Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer, Ryan Ottley, Cliff Chiang, Francis Manapul, Ian Bertram | $4.99

Today Skybound, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed an impressive lineup of variant covers and a first look at interior pages of Daniel Warren Johnson’s hugely anticipated Transformers #1. The second series in the recently launched Energon Universe, Transformers will debut on shelves in comic book shops beginning Oct. 4, 2023.

Transformers #1 begins an all-new era for the iconic Transformers franchise from Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). 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. Humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime.

The recently announced rosters of Autobots and Decepticons headlining the first story arc of the all-new Transformers series include Autobots Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee and Wheeljack and Decepticons Starscream, Rumble, Skywarp, Laserbeak and Soundwave.

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.

"Discover THE TRANSFORMERS like you've never seen them before!" Actually, they still look like big, clunky toys to me. But a lot of people grew up with Transformers, and love them with the heat of a thousand suns, and I respect that.
Here's a PREVIEW.

HEART ATTACK OGN

Story/creator Shawn Kittelsen | Artist/creator Eric Zawadzki | Colors: Mike Spicer | $19.99

Acclaimed writer SHAWN KITTELSEN (Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat 11) and artist ERIC ZAWADZKI (House of El) present a new graphic novel collecting HEART ATTACK #1-6 and featuring six all-new chapters concluding their epic story.

Gene therapy has saved Americans from disease, only to give birth to Variants: people with powers so unique, the government denies their human rights.

But a new rebellion begins when Charlie North and Jill Kearney learn their instant attraction unlocks powers of mass destruction and forces them to question how far they should go to topple the system!

“Heart Attack began 10 years ago as a story about young lovers fighting for equal rights in a post-pandemic future. But with every year since 2013, that future became disturbingly present, from videos of police killings to mass protests to authoritarian politicians, to a real pandemic in 2020,” said Shawn Kittelsen. “To cap things off, I survived an actual heart attack in 2022. So I feel an urgency to tell this story, and I’m grateful to be here with Eric. Not just to hold up a mirror to the problems of today, but to imagine a way forward for tomorrow. This book is about fighting injustice with the best weapons we have, truth and love.”

“I am beyond thrilled to have the never-before-seen entire 12-chapter story of Heart Attack presented in one big collection,” said Eric Zawadzki. “Everyone on the team put their all into this project and I couldn't be more excited to share this epic love story with the world.”

"I can’t wait for readers to be able to get their hands on the complete collection of Heart Attack,” said Amanda LaFranco, editor, Skybound, “And for us to be able to dive back into this world and conclude Charlie and Jill’s story, filled with heartbreak, passion, and ultimately love. The themes in Heart Attack are still as prescient as ever, and Shawn and Eric have been able to weave a tale that’s both immensely exciting and thought-provoking all at once.”

“Come for the immersive visual storytelling, stay for a take on dystopia that puts romance and humanity at its center” — Comics Bookcase

“A politically charged, current events driven homage to both the X-Men and the real-life struggle of minorities in America” — Comic-Watch

Skybound is partnering with Fuji TV to adapt Heart Attack to series. According to the press release, after Fuji airs the show in Japan, Skybound will distribute worldwide. (I did not know Skybound could do that.)
If it isn't clear, Heart Attack was a 12-issue series, but only six issues ran in print. This GN includes the missing issues.

FIRST PREVIEW

SECOND PREVIEW

THIRD PREVIEW

DARK HORSE

BREATHERS GN

Story/Art: Justin Madson | $29.99

IT’S ALIVE! and Dark Horse Books collaborate once again to collect Breathers, the popular dystopian series where humanity clings to life on a planet without fresh air. Created, written and illustrated by Justin Madson, the nine-issue series will now be collected for the first time.

Follow the lives of a small cast of survivors as they struggle to keep going in a world where the air is fatal. A detective battles not only the deadly air, but his own demons; a lost pair of siblings question the supposed apocalypse; a mother and daughter fight tooth and nail to stay together; and a salesman peddles breathing masks, trying to do some good to make up for the sins of his past. They are all survivors — they are all Breathers.

On the reprinting of Breathers, Justin Madson said, “Long before the word 'pandemic' became a part of our daily conversation, I started work on Breathers, a story set in a world where the air was deadly to breathe, so everyone had to wear gas masks when they went outside. Wearing these 'breathers' was an accepted part of life since, really, there was no other option. It seemed like a bit of a far-fetched idea at the time, but, as recent years have shown, I was not too far off. I am thrilled to be working with IT'S ALIVE! and Dark Horse to bring my dystopian tale, Breathers, to a wider audience."

Praise for Breathers:

"… an indie comics masterpiece, a story that is prescient but not preachy, full but not flashy." — Monkeys Fighting Robots

“Breathers was a pleasant surprise to find on the shelf, and I think if you are looking for something different, this might be it.” — Pastrami Nation

“I LOVED Breathers by Justin Madson. The art was fantastic, and I loved the stories inside.” — Wandering Nerd Girl

The art looks very Jeff Lemire-esque. Not my favorite flavor of art.
In the '70s it was fashionable for comics sci-fi to be dystopian and depressing. Looks like we're going that route again.
Here's a PREVIEW.

THE MIDNITE SHOW #1 (OF 4)

Art/Cover: Brian Hurtt | Variants: Dan Brereton, Francesco Francavilla | Dark Horse | $3.99

Supernatural horror fans can scream with glee as Dark Horse Comics presents an entirely new taste of terror in The Midnite Show. The four-issue series reunites the creators of The Sixth Gun, Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt, and Bill Crabtree. Joined by letterer Jim Campbell (The Great British Bump-Off), they tell the tale of a cursed movie production and the horror fans caught in the creepy creature crossover dead set on bringing their nightmares to life.

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.

“I’ve been calling this book ‘popcorn horror.’ It’s a book that’s full of chills and thrills. Our heroes are in terrible danger,” said series writer, Cullen Bunn. “The monsters they are facing are terrifying. But this story is also a lot of fun! A horror romp with action, humor, heart, and a lot of bloodshed. These monsters mean bloody business!”

Readers get a front row seat to the kind of grindhouse gothic horror that you’d hope would stay firmly in the imagination, as the would-be victims struggle to survive in a world where the dangerous, infamous monsters of the silver screen have found their way into real life. Fans of The Sixth Gun, Harrow County, and Manor Black will enjoy a story that’s the most fun you can have while terrified.

“Brian and I didn’t just throw a group of random monsters together for this book. We created a detailed history for them, a detailed history of Midnite Studios. In many ways, we’ve created a new horror universe within a horror universe!” said Bunn

Praise for The Sixth Gun and Manor Black:

“This may sound like simple stuff on paper, but choreographing the scenes together like this takes a lot of work. It pays off in spades though. With very few pauses for establishing shots to show spatial relationships between characters, the energy remains high from scene to scene. The pacing is fantastic.” — Multiversity Comics

“If you are looking to jump into the world of The Sixth Gun or are looking for a supernatural Western, look no further: this book is fun, mysterious, and dangerous.” — AIPT

“As a horror nerd who eats, sleeps, and breathes the genre, the subtlety of building dread while infusing it with magic is right up my alley and an example of how strong the series starts. In Manor Black #1, we get broad brushstrokes of the characters to come, and I want to know so much more. Since this issue is a number one, it does its job. Manor Black #1 has laid the building blocks for a dark world that I’m excited to fall into.” — But Why Tho ?

Here's a PREVIEW.

IDW PUBLISHING

Artist's Edition alert! WALTER SIMONSON FANTASTIC FOUR ARTIST'S EDITION ships this week.
Comic-strip collectors alert! FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE COMPLETE LIBRARY VOL 7 HC ships this week.
COOKING WITH MONSTERS FEASTIARY TRICK OR READ 2023 (BUNDLE OF 20) looks like a Halloween giveaway.
DARK SPACES: HALLOWEEN TRICK OR READ 2023 (BUNDLE OF 20) looks like a Halloween giveaway.

STAR TREK: HOLOWEEN #1

Story: Christopher Sequeira | Art: Joe Eisma | Cover: Francesco Francavilla | $3.99

Acclaimed writer Chris Sequeira (Justice League Adventures) and Eisner-nominated artist Joe Eisma (Morning Glories) are bringing horror to the holodeck in a new four-issue miniseries! After enduring an anxiety-ridden passage through a solar storm, Captain Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise take to celebrating Halloween to reset the mood. But while the Earth holiday involves sweet treats and other festivities, they soon learn that fear is in season when crew members begin to go missing one by one.

I swear, why hasn't Starfleet figured out it needs to rip out every holodeck on every starship yesterday? They're bloody dangerous!
I guess holodecks make for good Halloween stories, anyway.
It's a big Trek week at IDW, with STAR TREK: DEFIANT #8, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS — SCORPIUS RUN #2 and STAR TREK: YEAR FIVE VOL 1 DELUXE EDITION also shipping.

MORE COMICS

BOOM's ABBOTT: 1979 #1 (OF 5) starts the last volume of a trilogy about Detroit tabloid reporter (and magician?) Elena Abbott, who battles the bad-guy magicians organization Umbra. I didn't read the first two volumes, but perhaps you did. Here's MORE.
Penguin Classics' ALL OF MARVELS gets the softcover treatment this week. This feels like a book I should read. But what stops me is that it also feels like a book I should have written. Here's an EXCERPT.
Archie's ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #344 and ARCHIE'S HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT) are both Halloween themed, and feature guest stars of note. In Archie Jumbo Digest, the first story stars the Mighty Crusaders and the Superteens, while the second story features The Web at the Lodge Halloween Party. In Halloween Spectacular, Sabrina bails Archie and Jughead out of a battle with monsters.
Insight Editions' THE BEATLES’ YELLOW SUBMARINE HC looks like the same one Titan published in 2018 in a box set, only without all the extra goodies (a plastic Yellow Submarine, badges, lobby cards, etc.). If you didn't get it then, here's a second chance. Here's a PREVIEW.
Ablaze's CENTAURS GN is written and drawn by a manga artist, set in a feudal Japan where intelligent centaurs exist and are enslaved for the "Wars Between States." Not all of the centaurs are enslaved, however, and the free ones plan to free their kin. Here's a PREVIEW.
In Mad Cave's THE DEVIL WEARS MY FACE #1, a 1740 exorcism goes wrong, and the exorcist ends up inside the body of a possessed Spanish nobleman ... with a demon named Legion in charge. What an unusual premise! Here's a PREVIEW.
It's been a long wait, but I'm sure DUNE DELUXE COLLECTED EDITION VOL. 2: MUAD'DIB GN will be worth it.
George R.R. Martin gets two adatpations this week, VOYAGING VOL 1: PLAGUE STAR GN and GEORGE R.R. MARTIN PRESENTS: WILD CARDS — SINS OF THE FATHER GN.
Ablaze's GET SCHOOLED VOL. 1 GN is another collected Webtoon, a manga following a martial artist sent to tame a school in the near-future where student violence and bullying are out of control. A revenge fantasy for those of us who were bullied, I imagine. Here's a PREVIEW.
The Persephone/Hades story gets yet another adaptation in Random House Worlds' LORE OLYMPUS VOL. 5 GN, this one with a modern spin. The cover makes me think of 1960s rom-coms like Pillow Talk and The Apartment.
Scout's MOM BREAKS THE INTERNET #1 is apparently not the same M.O.M. created by Emilia Clarke. This one organizes tech-savvy mothers "with a radical plan to force the world to change."
Europa Editions' MY BRILLIANT FRIEND GN is an adaptation of a novel that has already been adapted into an HBO show. I had no idea the show existed, but now I may check it out.
Drawn & Quarterly has two critically acclaimed GNs by Japanese masters this week, MY PICTURE DIARY HC and NEJISHIKI HC. Both are for Mature Readers.
I expect a lot of purple ink in NBM's PRINCE IN COMICS HC. Here's a PREVIEW.
Vertical's RIVER’S EDGE GN is a 1993 manga adaptation by Kyoko Okazaki of the 1986 movie by Tim Hunter.
Marvel's STEPHEN KING'S DARK TOWER: BEGINNINGS OMNIBUS GN adaptation is reprinted by an outfit named Gallery.
BOOM's RANGER ACADEMY #1 follows a character through the school where Power Rangers are made. Here's MORE.
A Wave Blue World's TOWER VOL 1 TP seems very Hunger Games-y, if you like that sort of thing. Here's a PREVIEW
Dynamite's VAMPIRELLA MAGAZINE #1 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints Vampi's first issue, from Warren Magazines.

ALICE COOPER VOL. 2 #1 (OF 5)

Legendary rock acts are finding themselves attacked by demonic forces. The police investigate, but there's little to nothing they can do to stop the problem.

At the same time, Alice Cooper has a new album out and is in the midst of a promotional tour. It's great to see all his fans again, but there's a disturbing trend happening in every city — more and more of his audience appear to be undead! Complicating matters, when he goes to bed at night he ventures into the Nightmare Place. When he awakens, he's in another city standing before a throng of fans, where he meets the Archangel Gabriel.

Gabriel tells him there's a great music club called Burning Meat where the souls of legendary musicians hang out, watching the headliner — Lucifer — play his own personal style of rock music to the raucous applause of the demons in attendance. Now, Lucifer wants to take the show to Earth and the only thing stopping him is ... Alice freakin' Cooper!

Composed and arranged by writer RODNEY BARNES and artist EDU MENNA, this power anthem of an issue has its amps turned up to 11 with a trio of amazing covers from JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER (Rodney Barnes's collaborator on Killadelphia), the incredible STUART SAYGER, and master of horror ANDREW MANGUM — all capped off with a classic photo cover of the man himself: Alice Cooper!

Dynamite provided this interview:

GET READY TO ROCK! RODNEY BARNES INTRODUCES … ALICE COOPER!

Rodney, to kick things off, what is your own history with Alice Cooper's music (and antics)? Are you a longtime fan or did you dive deep into the catalog and hits later in life or for this project? Do you have favorite albums or tracks?

I became aware of Alice’s music when I was a kid. He used to come on a lot of talk shows and such and was a prominent figure on the radio stations my mom listened to. She bought a lot of Alice’s albums and I listened. “School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen,” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy” stand out as tracks I dug. I was also attracted to his look and stage presence.

This story opens up with some crazy stuff going down. Legendary rock acts are being attacked by demonic forces. Alice Cooper is starting to notice some of his own fans happen to be … undead. Can you tell us what exactly is happening? Without spoiling much of course!

LOL, that’s tough! Let’s just say that the forces of evil are looking for a different entry point to dealing with the forces of light. The conflict is driven by envy on the musical front, but there’s something more insidious beneath it all.

It's going to be quite the “Battle of the Bands” here, as Alice Cooper will find himself up against a very unique rival for the ears and eyes of rock diehards — emphasis on “die” when it's Lucifer himself playing in the mysterious “Burning Meat” club. How does the godfather of shock rock stack up against the guitar licks and vocals of the devil himself?

Great question. Making music is primarily a human endeavor. So, in this instance, the devil’s power doesn’t hold as much weight. It all comes down to whether the bad guy has the musical chops or not.

There is a whole cast of incredible artists who will be contributing to this project in various ways. Edu Menna is up at bat to tackle the interiors, and his style has graced many great stories of horror and rock and roll vibes. Then we have your frequent close collaborator from Killadelphia, Jason Shawn Alexander. Andrew Mangum drew the passion of fans from some brilliant Evil Ernie covers that definitely channel the rock spirit. Last but certainly not least is Stuart Sayger, a fan-favorite for his KISS covers through us. How proud are you of the wider team coming together for Alice Cooper's new story?

It’s an incredible honor to be working with such great talent. It certainly pushed me to go deeper story wise to give the group a tale that was worthy of their talents. That said, this entire project has been a true joy. One I hope the fans will enjoy.

FUNG GI #1

Story/Art: J.M. Ringuet | Scout | $4.99

High adventure in an epic world of humanoid mushrooms inspired by kung fu and samurai tales.

The planet Mykko, devoid of animals but populated by sentient bipedal mushrooms: the FUNG GI. An epic fantasy World like Feudal Japan and Ancient China, with fungi samurai, martial art mushroom fighters and wandering monks.

We follow Uril Barius, a resolute young female Fung Gi of the Cantha Clan, in her quest to unravel the mystery of her downfall. Her companions - wandering swordsman Basan Natta, as brooding as he is deadly, sagacious Dochiin, and wisecracking giant Kurya Sumu — are guided by their own desire for redemption in their travels through strange and perilous landscapes.

“Getting FUNG GI published by Scout Comics is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have been carrying this world inside my brain for years and to be trusted to put it on paper by such an innovative and active team is a privilege. Without Scout’s guidance, dedication and insight this book would not have become a reality.” — J.M. Ringuet

I guess if you can have samurai rabbits, you can have samurai mushrooms.

LET ME OUT TP

Story: Emmett Nahil | Art/Cover: George Williams | Oni Press | Mature | $19.99

Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey award-winning publisher of comic books and graphic novels, is proud to announce the forthcoming debut of LET ME OUT – a riveting queer horror story from Massachusetts-based writer Emmett Nahil (Leatherwood) and British illustrator George Williams (Croc and Roll). Set in the suburbs of New Jersey in 1979, Let Me Out deals with the early onset of "satanic panic" as religious fervor and conservatism sweeps their community and the nation. The graphic novel will be released on October 3, 2023, just in time for Halloween.

Let Me Out is a tribute to queer cinema and vintage revenge-exploitation films. When a corpse is discovered in the woods, a group of queer and trans misfits are falsely accused by the local police of devil worship and murder. With few options and no one to turn to, they decide that the best way to get revenge might just be to embrace the devil after all.

“Let Me Out turns classic horror tropes on their head, while showcasing how marginalized people are sacrificed on the altars of power,” says writer Emmett Nahil, a narrative designer and game developer making his graphic novel debut. “This is a story about what happens when a group of queer and trans friends are given the supernatural means to fight back. It is also about found family and the joy one finds in one’s friends, even amidst seemingly inescapable darkness.”

“Mitch Sahadi and his friends are bunch a queer misfits stuck within the gates of small town life,” said George Williams, a trans comic artist and colorist from the North West of England. “Let Me Out was such a blast to work on, and I hope new readers love Mitch and the gang and all the freaky chaos that ensues.”

“Emmett Nahil and George Williams have created a riveting, timely tale of terror,” said Oni Press Editor-in-Chief Sierra Hahn. “It’s a stunning, supernatural graphic novel debut that will appeal to fans of classic revenge flicks and horror movies like Carrie and The Craft.”

Oni sent me this press release, so here ya go.

MISTY: 45 YEARS OF FEAR HC

Story: Shirley Bellwood, Pat Mills, Malcolm Shaw, Julia Round, Chloe Maveal, Clare Napier | Art: John Armstrong, Jaume Rumeu, Mario Capaldi | Art/Cover: Jordi Badia Romero | Rebellion / 2000AD | $52.99

In 1978 British comics were changed forever with the release of Misty, the classic cult horror comic for girls. Masterminded by Pat Mills, the original editor of 2000 AD, and called "the most peculiar, imaginative and challenging work in British comics" by The New Statesman, this weekly comic featured the best comics talent working on haunting, terrifying tales. From high '70s glamour to chilling stories that have haunted readers for decades, this Essential Collection curates the creepiest, campest Misty serials and short stories alongside critical essays, in a volume perfect for readers old and new.

I'm really trying to cut back on books, but this one looks like it needs to be on my shelf next to all those ones about American pre-Code horror comics.

MONICA HC

Story/Art: Daniel Clowes | Fantagraphics | 106 pages | $30.00

Fantagraphics is honored to announce the Fall 2023 release of Monica, the first original graphic novel by Daniel Clowes (Ghost World, Patience) in more than half a decade. Monica is the most personal and ambitious book of his storied career.

Monica is a series of short, interconnected narratives that tell the life story — actually, stories — of its titular character. Clowes calls upon a lifetime of observation and artistic inspiration to create his most complex and sophisticated graphic novel yet. Rich visual detail, masterful graphic storytelling, and a novelist’s attention to the vernacular rhythm of language and dialogue combine with a plot full of surprising twists to create a multilayered masterpiece of the form that alludes to many of the genres that have defined the medium — war, romance, horror, crime, the supernatural, etc. — but in a mysterious, uncategorizable, and quintessentially Clowesian way that rewards multiple readings.

Six years in the making, Monica marks the creative apex of an artist whose generation of cartoonists has defined the literary graphic novel. A new book by Clowes is both cause for celebration among readers and a genuine literary event.

“Daniel Clowes had already created what might well be my favorite body of work in the medium's history,” explains Fantagraphics Vice President Eric Reynolds. “But Monica raises his own bar even higher, as both a writer of fiction and as a cartoonist. It's a masterpiece that is both utterly Clowes and unlike anything else I've ever read.”

Daniel Clowes is the legendary indie cartoonist whose comics have helped shape the modern literary landscape. His graphic novels have been translated into over 20 languages worldwide and have been adapted into film (he is an Academy Award nominated screenwriter for Ghost World), is the recipient of a PEN Award, and multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards. Retrospectives of his work have appeared at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Oakland Museum, and the Wexner Center in Columbus, OH. Fantagraphics has been publishing Daniel Clowes since 1985.

Monica is part of the Eightball series.

"Daniel Clowes is the rare cartoonist whose graphic novels become cultural events." — New York Magazine

"Daniel Clowes may be one of the most notable comic artists of our era, a pillar of the 1980s-'90s scene who's continued to do great work up to the present day." — NPR

"No cartoonist alive devotes as much effort as Daniel Clowes to mapping the differences between the way people see themselves and the way they really are." — The Guardian

"DAN CLOWES. American. A master. Perfect fusion of story and art. Clowes is an auteur. Period. A superb narrator." — Guillermo Del Toro

Daniel Clowes is pretty important in our little hobby.
Here's a PREVIEW.

VAMPIRELLA: DEAD FLOWERS #1

More than 50 years ago, legendary fantasy artist FRANK FRAZETTA ushered the now-iconic Vampirella onto the pop culture stage with his singular cover painting for Vampirella Magazine #1. Now, in 2023, SARA FRAZETTA brings her grandfather's legacy full circle as she takes the reins on a brand-new series starring Drakulon's Favorite Daughter!

When her age-old nemesis finally gives up the ghost, Vampirella is lured to his rural gothic estate of Rookhaven to hear the reading of his last will and testament. There, she meets the manor staff — the prurient assistant, the wild-eyed groundskeeper and his pensive young daughter, and the sinister and enigmatic Mr. Frey. Expecting a trap, Vampirella and her young companion are not disappointed — but they also get more than they bargained for in this thrilling adventure!

Written by SARA FRAZETTA and BOB FREEMAN and illustrated by ALBERTO LOCATELLI, this brand-new miniseries is steeped in gothic horror, complete with a sinister mansion, a mist-enshrouded graveyard and a bevy of witches, ghosts, werewolves and ancient Satanic magicks. And all of it is enclosed in an amazing assortment of covers from some of comics' greatest artists, including LUCIO PARRILLO, COLLETTE TURNER, ERGUN GUNDUZ, series artist ALBERTO LOCATELLI and Frazetta Girls' very own SARA FRAZETTA!

Dynamite provided this interview:

SARA FRAZETTA & BOB FREEMAN TALK NEW SERIES

Dynamite is having a bit of a Frazetta-connected renaissance, with the series Fire and Ice launching in August and now the Frazetta legacy with Vampirella continuing here. Your grandfather will forever be connected to the Daughter of Drakulon thanks to painting her first cover and being involved in her visual design. Now, over 50 years later, what’s it like picking up that torch yourself?

Sara: Oh, it’s such an honor for me to carry on the Frazetta legacy with Fire and Ice and Vampirella. My grandfather painted Vampirella’s first cover and had a hand in her visual design over 50 years ago. Now, being able to pick up that torch myself, in a small way of course, is entirely surreal. I’ve loved Vampirella since I was a little girl. I’m so thankful to Nick Barrucci and the rest of the team at Dynamite for making this happen.

You and Bob are crafting up a thrilling tale steeped in Gothic horror, perhaps not similar to some other typical Vampirella stories that emphasize a lot of action or almost a superhero-esque angle. What inspired this approach?

Sara: I adore classic tropes and spent countless hours watching classic films with my grandfather. The magic of those timeless stories has left a huge impact on me, shaping my artistic preferences. While I respect and appreciate the modern-day superhero genre, it’s not personally my cup of tea. When it came to our approach with Vampirella, Bob and I wanted to delve into the realm of gothic horror. I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity to work with such a magical, insanely talented human like Bob.

Bob: Jose Gonzalez’ Vampirella stories from the early '70s were a huge inspiration for me. I was a prolific reader as a child, and I fell into my mother’s gothic romances quite easily. I was obsessed with Dark Shadows and that era’s Vampirella was right at home there. As Sara and I discussed how we wanted to approach this project, we were both inspired by those classic tropes, and we knew we wanted to do something different, something special.

The title for this story, “Dead Flowers” is unique. Can you chime in on where it came from?

Sara: All Bob! He’s a poet.

Bob: It’s a recurrent theme throughout this series, life and death, beauty and ruin. It seemed a natural fit. Dead flowers represent fragility and the transition from life to death. What’s more Vampirella than that?

Bob, you style yourself an “Occult Detective” and you’ve dipped your toe in so many pursuits in the creative realm and beyond. What brought you to this team-up with Sara Frazetta and the one and only Vampirella?

Bob: Sara and I met through social media, and we just hit it off. She’s very passionate about her grandfather’s legacy, but more than that, she has a hunger to share her own voice, her own artistic creativity. We’ve been collaborating for several years now, and we really gel creatively. You should hear some of our phone conversations. We both get very excitable when we’re bouncing ideas off one another. The Vampirella project was a good fit for us. We were on the same page from day one, and there’s so much more story to tell. We hope that Dead Flowers is just the beginning.

Artist Alberto Locatelli is on board the team to depict this diverse mix of classic horror elements like witches, ghosts, werewolves, and much more. What is he bringing to the table with his style and how has the collaboration been so far?

Sara: Alberto brought this to the level we hoped for. He has an extraordinary talent and vision. His style perfectly combines elements of the old and the new, creating a unique synthesis that aligns with the atmosphere we hoped to convey. When Bob and I saw Alberto’s pages, we were over the moon! The collaboration with Alberto has been so seamless. So seamless, it’s as if he could *almost* read our minds.

Bob: Alberto’s art is stunning. It’s a beautiful synthesis of the old and the new. As pages started coming in, I was taken aback. He really captured the look, but also the feel Sara and I was going for. One of the hallmarks of Frank Frazetta’s art was his ability to evoke a sense of visceral movement, an underlying kinetic energy. It’s a rare gift. Alberto’s got it. He brings these horror tropes to life and has them leaping off the page.

50 years ago, another generation of the Frazetta family featured on the cover of a Vampirella issue #1. Now you’re here with your own series and a cover as well, Sara. What does it mean to not only write the series, but contribute a cover as well? You’re also joined by artists like Lucio Parrillo, Collette Turner, and Ergün Gündüz.

Sara: As a Frazetta, I grew up surrounded by art and storytelling, and to have the opportunity to continue that legacy with this publication is a huge honor. Being able to write the series with Bob gave me the chance to contribute my own creative vision and some personal anecdotes to this beloved character, while also paying homage to the work that has come before. Bob and I had a lot of fun in early discussions on where we wanted this to go. We had creative synchrony from the first phone call.

The opportunity to work with Dynamite on my own series and my own cover feels like something out of an alternate universe. I have to shout out Bob here on the cover. He understood the assignment and knocked it out of the park with his inking. It’s so awesome when you meet another creative person who elevates your creative expression. We have chemistry. We understand one another. It’s SO nice.

Collaborating with insanely talented artists like Lucio Parrillo, Collette Turner, and Ergün Gündüz is a privilege that I am incredibly grateful for. Every day, I am reminded of my grandfather’s legacy and the impact he had on the world of art. I feel humbled and blessed to have these experiences and opportunities because of him.

MORE PREVIEWS

CLEMENTINE BOOK TWO

DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3

ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #344

ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR 2023

Replies

Jeff of Earth-J September 30, 2023 at 12:53pm
DETECTIVE COMICS #141 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints the first Riddler appearance.

I love facsimile editions, but omnibus editions have ruined my taste (or rather my need) for them. :(

But a lot of people grew up with Transformers, and love them with the heat of a thousand suns, and I respect that.

There will soon be omnibus editions of both ROM Spaceknight and The Micronauts. I guess it's about "that time" (the time kids of that era are overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia for the comics and toys of their youth... and are now in a position t do something about it).

Heart Attack was a 12-issue series, but only six issues ran in print.

There's a ringing endorsement.
- Artist's Edition alert! WALTER SIMONSON FANTASTIC FOUR ARTIST'S EDITION ships this week.
- Comic-strip collectors alert! FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE COMPLETE LIBRARY VOL 7 HC ships this week.
Both of these shipped to my LCS last week. Unlike periodical comics, HC collections don't have a "shelf date" so my shop put them out.

Hmm... I see nothing that appeals to me this week. But I'll find something to buy... I always do. I have a lot of special orders pending. Maybe my Project: Cryptid #1 will ship.
Captain Comics October 2, 2023 at 11:41am

I think I'll get Sgt. Rock Fights the Army of the Dead and the UK book about English horror comics for girls. Maybe Soul Plumber. I keep swearing to cut down on books and then they keep putting out ones I want!
- Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) > Captain Comics October 2, 2023 at 11:56am
  
  The Sgt. Rock book is fun, especially if you like Risso's art!

This reply was deleted.