Each month I like to showcase a batch of new comics that you should be reading. I try and make it varied, mixing up creative ideas, genres and different storytelling to create a list that will have something that will appeal to everyone. This month we have children of the twilight, relaunched superheros, A ronin rabbit, Russian spies, a very grumpy cat and much more.
October is a HUGE month for bee comic book releases and it was difficult to get this list down to a mere fifteen choices. As a result, I’ve shaken up the formula ever so slightly to highlight some of the comics which missed the list but are also worth taking a look at.
Invincible Iron Man
Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by David Marquez. Published by Marvel Comics.
Tony Stark has a new armour, new supporting cast and new villains and a new creative team to make this one of the biggest Marvel Comics this year. Along with all these new additions one of the big focuses of this new Iron Man comic will be Tony finding out who his real biological parents are which will be a good tonal mix between all the superheroics. In the build-up to the release of this Marvel have been teasing that the first issue will end with a big shocking surprise. What will it be? I have no idea. You’ll have to read to find out.
If you’re a big fan of the Iron Man on the big screen but haven’t had a chance to check out the comics then this is a great place to start.
Read a preview for Invincible Iron Man #1
Invincible Iron Man #1 is available from October 7th.
I Hate Fairyland
Written and Art by Skottie Young. Published by Image Comics.
This is the tale of a six year old girl, Gert, who has been trapped in a fairy tale land for over 30 years. After that length of time a fairy tale land such as this can get a bit maddening, to the point where she hates it so much she is willing to hack and slash her way through this cute world. Expect plenty of gorey violence and an Skottie Young’s special brand of odd humour in his first creator owned series.
I Hate Fairyland is available from October 14th.
Lumberjanes: Beyond Bay Leaf
Written by Faith Erin Hicks. Art by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. Published by Boom! Box.
Beyond Bay Leaf is the first ever special in this fun comic series about friendship and kicking monsters’ butts at Summer Camp. In this particular tale a monster is running amok and the girls have gone out to stop them, but what if this monster has actually been framed? Can the girls find out who the real culprit is?
Don’t worry if you haven’t read Lumberjanes before this special is self contained and won’t require any prior reading beforehand.
Lumberjanes: Beyond Bay Leaf is available from October 14th.
Usagi Yojimbo #149
Written and art by Stan Sakai. Published by Dark Horse Comics.
The ronin rabbit, Usagi, has been hired to take a precious stone to a collector. In what sounds like an easy job becomes anything but when he has to run deal with a string of bandits along his path. This is a done-in-one story which should be full of some great samurai action and a bit of fun along the way.
Don’t worry by the fact this is issue #149 as Usagi Yojimbo is one of the most accessible comics around. This story won’t require any previous reading and any Japanese reference are explained as you go along.
Usagi Yojimbo #149 is available from October 21st.
Codename Baboushka: The Conclave Of Death
Written by Anthony Johnson. Art by Shari Chankhamma. Published by Image Comics.
Contessa is a lot of things in life: a rich socialite, heiress to a Russian noble line and a deadly assassin. But when she’s framed by the US Government to go on a mission that not even the CIA wants to be a part of will she be the same person by the end if it?
If you’re looking for a spy action fix before Spectre hits cinemas later this year this is the comic you should be reading.
Codename Baboushka: The Conclave Of Death #1 is available from October 7th.
Survivors’ Club
Written by Dale Halvorsen and Lauren Beukes. Art by Ryan Kelly. Published by Vertigo Comics.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the people who survive at the end of horror movies? They all go onto live normal lives and sometimes even meet up with each other online. But happens when the horrors they survived return to haunt them once again? Will they able to survive another round or are they destined to die?
Survivors’ Club is a comic book that fans of horror movies will definitely love.
Survivors’ Club is available from October 7th.
Twilight Children
Written by Gilbert Hernandez. Art by Darwyn Cooke. Published by Vertigo Comics.
Out of all of the new Vertigo series launched this month Twilight Children is the one that’s been talked about the most. That’s probably because this science fiction mystery is written by Gilbert Hernandez and skilfully drawn by Darwyn Cooke. based on the solicitations it looks like it will involve mysterious lights, aliens, conspiracy and more.
Twilight Children #1 is available from October 14th.
Art Ops
Written by Shaun Simon. Art by Mike Allred. Published by Vertigo Comics.
In the world of Art Ops famous works of life have come to life and escaped their frames. It’s up Reggie Riot and the Arts Operative team to track them down and return them to where they belong. In this debut issue the Mona Lisa has escaped and is running amok.
I’m extra excited for this series as Mike Allred is on art. He’s got a fantastic pop art style which really brings out crazy ideas like these so he’s the perfect match for a comic such as this.
Art Ops #1 is available from October 28th.
Back to the Future
Written by Bob Gale, John Barber and Erik Burnham. Art by Brent Schoonover and Dan Schoening. Published by IDW Publishing.
The much loved 80’s classic, Back to the Future, is back! In this new comic book anthology series we get a batch of adventures of Doc Brown and Marty McFly and all kinds of time travelling fun. As icing on the cake Bob Gale, one of the co-writer of the movies, will be involved in the comic book which should make fun extra excited.
Back to the Future #1 is available from October 7th.
Grumpy Cat
Written by Ben McCool, Royal McGraw, Elliott Serrano and Ben Fisher. Art by Steve Uy, Ken Haeser, Agnes Garbowska and Tavis Maiden. Published by Dynamite Entertainment.
The internet’s most famous cat is back, in comic book form. Join Grumpy Cat and her younger brother Pokey as they go on misadventures suitable for all ages. While the Grumpy Cat might not smile she will surely bring one to your face.
Grumpy Cat #1 is available from October 7th.
Batman & Robin Eternal
Written and art by various. Published by DC Comics.
Batman is back in the weekly format and this time along he’s bringing Robin with him. 5 years ago Batman and Dick Grayson (now former Robin) took down a disturbing human trafficking ring. Back in the present elements of this ring have begun to appear and again and this time effecting everyone aided Batman over the years. With Bruce Wayne currently away from being Batman these sidekicks, both current and former, will have to figure this one out on their own before everything gets out of hand.
Don’t worry if you didn’t read Batman Eternal as it won’t be required reading. The “Eternal” tag in the title refers more to the weekly nature of this comic instead of being a direct sequel.
Batman & Robin Eternal is available from October 7th.
Paper Girls
Written by Brian K Vaughan. Art by Cliff Chiang. Published by Image Comics.
Written by the guy who brought you Saga, Paper Girls is a 80’s tinged series starring a group of paper delivery girls who come across something that’s out of this world. Based on the description on the solicitations of “Stand By Me meets War of the Worlds” this new comic should feature a coming age story with plenty of science fiction.
Paper Girls #1 is available from October 7th.
Adventure Time Spooktacular Special 2015
Written and art by Hanna K. Published by Kaboom!
This “spooktacular” self-contained special starring Marceline is right in time for Halloween and will feature all kinds of spooky stuff in a way that only the Land of Ooo can offer. Better yet, this comic will be written by Hanna K, who is a storyboard artist on the Adventure Time animated series.
Adventure Time Spooktacular Special 2015 is available October 28th.
Amazing Spider-Man
Written by Dan Slott. Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli. Published by Marvel Comics.
Peter Parker has hit the big time with his own technology company that grown to a global scale. He now travels around the world as part of his business and brings Spider-Man along as his “bodyguard.” The only issue is that when you start earning the big bucks you begin to attract all kinds of trouble. Along with the global scale this relaunched Amazing Spider-Man will see Spidey with new enemies and gadgets at his disposal.
Read a preview of Amazing Spider-Man #1
Amazing Spider-Man #1 is available from October 7th.
Doctor Strange
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Chris Bachalo. Published by Marvel Comics.
When something odd happens in the Marvel Universe you call Doctor Strange, especially if magic is needed. But after using yeas worth of magic has finally taken its toll as every use of it has a cost. In this new series we will see Doctor Strange finally pay this cost and have him go through the some difficult challenges to make up for it.
If you’ve never read Doctor Strange before and are curious to find out more about him before the movie then this is the perfect place to jump on and start reading.
Doctor Strange #1 is available from October 7th.
Other Comics
October is jam packed full of awesome comics that it was difficult to make to whittle it down to simply 15 choices. Here’s some of the others that just missed the list.
- Invincible #124
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Cognetic
- Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
- Dead Vengeance
- Saints
- Black Magick
- Clean Room
- Supergirl #1 reprint
- Dean Kootz Frankenstein Storm Surge
- Fistful of Blood
- Assassin’s Creed
- Jughead
What Will You Be Reading This October?
Which of these cool looking comics will you be reading this month? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.
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