In this regular column, we collect the one-shot books, special anthologies, and original graphic novels that are being released this month. In November, there are quite a few that caught our attention. You can check out our regular New Number Ones column for the month here.
There is an alphabetical list of these special books below by release date, and don’t forget to check for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about these comics.
There are books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Humanoids, Inc., AfterShock Comics, and AWA Studios.
Crossgen Tales #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Barbara Randall Kesel, Ron Marz, & Mark Waid
Art by Butch Guice, Greg Land, Ben Lai, & Brandon Peterson
Cover Art by Paco Medina
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
Surprising tales from a universe of fantasy, folklore and science fiction! The debut issues of four of the signature titles from the 21st century’s most innovative imprint—and some of the biggest names in comics—offer a window into other worlds! In RUSE (2001) #1, Detective Simon Archer and his assistant Emma Bishop face magic and mystery on the Victorianesque planet Arcadia! In MYSTIC (2000) #1, meet sisters Genevieve and Giselle—one is a sorceress, one is a socialite, but their destinies are about to be transformed! In SIGIL (2000) #1, a planetary union is locked in a centuries-long war with the starfaring Saurians! And in SOJOURN (2001) #1, the archer Arwyn and her allies fight for survival in the shadow of the undead dictator Mordath! But who are the Sigil-Bearers who unite these four stories?
Release Date: November 2, 2022
PCS NOTES: This is a reprint collection but if you are a fan of Crossgen or brand new to the concept of this imprint, this is a great place to get aquainted.
The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson, & Roger Stern
Art by Jurgens, Butch Guice, Tom Grummett, Lee Weeks, John Bogdanove, Bill Sienkiewicz, Clay Mann, Brett Breeding, Walter Simonson, Gabriel Rodriguez, Fabio Moon, Jamal Campbell
Cover Art by Jurgens & Breeding
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
THE LIFE OF SUPERMAN / STANDING GUARD / TIME / ABOVE AND BEYOND
30 years ago, the unthinkable happened. The Man of Steel died. After sacrificing himself to stop the unstoppable global threat, Doomsday, Metropolis and the rest of the DC Universe mourned the loss of their greatest hero. To mark this monumental moment in comics, DC has reunited the complete creative team behind the original event for four brand-new stories. Led by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding, the special kicks off with a new Superman story and villain…DOOMBREAKER! Followed by a series of short stories revisiting some of Superman’s greatest allies and exclusive pinups done by some of comics’ greatest artistic talent including LEE WEEKS, GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, and WALTER SIMONSON.
Release Date: November 8, 2022
PCS NOTES: The event that helped to define comics in the 90s is remembered in this special issue with legendary creators contributing new content.
It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth
Image Comics
Written by Zoe Thorogood
Art by Thorogood
Cover Art by Thorogood
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
Cartoonist ZOE THOROGOOD records six months of her own life as it falls apart in a desperate attempt to put it back together again in the only way she knows how. IT’S LONELY AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH is an intimate metanarrative that looks into the life of a selfish artist who must create for her own survival.
A poignant, slice-of-life-style story perfect for fans of Adrian Tomine’s The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist.
Release Date: November 9, 2022
PCS NOTES: As soon as I heard about this OGN, I was excited for it. I can’t believe it is almost here. Zoe Thorogood is a fantastic cartoonist.
The New Golden Age #1
DC Comics
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jerry Ordway, Steve Lieber, & Diego Olortegui
Cover Art by Mikel Janín
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
From the Justice Society of America to the Legion of Super-Heroes, The New Golden Age will unlock DC’s epic and secret-ridden history of heroism, launching a new group of titles set firmly in the DC Universe. From the 1940s to the 3040s, heroes take on the great evils of their time. But in the aftermath of Flashpoint Beyond, those heroes and villains will have their lives turned upside down. DC’s future…and its past…will never be the same again. But how are Mime and Marionette connected to this? Why are Rip Hunter and the Time Masters the most unlikable heroes in the DC Universe? And who or what is…Nostalgia? Don’t miss the start of the strangest mystery to have ever plagued the DC Universe.
Release Date: November 8, 2022
PCS NOTES: I am not sure what Geoff Johns is up to, but I think I might like it. This book should lead into the Justice Society of America book that launches later in the month. Check out our regular New Number Ones for the details.
Soldier Stories #1
Image Comics
Written by Rev. William J. Bellamy, Jalysa Conway, & Brian Anthony
Art by Megan Ferrell Burke, Annapaola Martello, Arturo Lauria, Cecilia La Valvo, & Jonathan Bivens
Cover Art by Billy Tucci
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
SOLDIER STORIES features four compelling tales of military conflict, all written by veterans who served. These first-person accounts of real-life warfare have been reimagined across a variety of genres from sci-fi to horror to personal memoir all written by veterans who served from the Vietnam era to Afghanistan. What’s it like to wait out a chemical attack? How does it feel to abandon your allies? In a world of push-button warfare, has killing gotten too easy? How do you go on when the war is over but the struggle is not? These are personal stories, compelling stories, stories that will haunt and surprise you. Because every soldier has a story.
Release Date: November 9, 2022
PCS NOTES: Just in time for Veterans Day this special looks to be full of poignant stories.
Blade: Vampire Nation #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Mico Suayan
Cover Art by Valerio Giangiordano
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
A deep dive into Dracula’s new kingdom as established in AVENGERS. Starring BLADE, the sheriff of Vampire Nation! An assassination threatens to unravel the fledgling country and spread chaos throughout the world. But is getting rid of a nation full of bloodsuckers really all that bad of an idea? Blade himself isn’t too sure…
Release Date: November 16, 2022
PCS NOTES: Mark Russell has a busy month in November, but this might be the most surprising title he is writing. Despite that, I am here for some Sheriff Daywalker.
Foulness in the Walls #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Rodrigo Zayas
Cover Art by Sami Kivela
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
A Horror Prestige Format One-Shock from the mind of Cullen Bunn!
After a tragic loss, George hopes to rebuild his life. He moves to a new house. He gets a new job. He starts dating the girl of his dreams. Sometimes, though, guilt can be as malevolent as an evil spirit. Sometimes, ghosts follow you. Something is rotting in the walls of George’s new house. Something hungry.
Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Rodrigo Zayas, comes a story of loss, rot and hunger.
Release Date: November 16, 2022
PCS NOTES: A horror book written by Cullen Bunn, you say? Why, yes! I would love some of that, please.
Kepler
Dark Horse Comics
Written by David Duchovny & Phillip Sevy
Art by Phillip Sevy
Cover Art by Sevy
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
When the Benadem, benevolent space gods, return to KEPLER, a planet where homosapiens went extinct and other hominid species thrived, their arrival threatens to plunge the world into chaos. West, a 16-year-old Neanderthal girl, is thrust into the conflict and is the only hope to prevent extinction. Her efforts, unique because of her mixed hominid heritage, not only change her life, but also reveal the merciless ambition and identity of the gods themselves.
Release Date: November 16, 2022
PCS NOTES: You saw that right. David Duchovny teaming up with Phillip Sevy to create a sci-fi comic book. Sounds good to me.
Psychoverse
Humanoids, Inc.
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Yanick Paquette
Cover Art by Paquette
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
Prepare to enter…the Psychovesre! In a shocking and explosive prequel to the legendary and best-selling saga, The Incal which is soon to be a major motion picture from Academy Award-winning director Taika Waititi.
The world of the Incal, the Matterverse, is full of strange technology, astonishing worlds, and extraordinary creations. But where do these things come from? Why, the Psychoverse, of course–a reality of infinite possibility where everything that can be exists…that is, until it is dreamed up in the Matterverse, at which point it is then pulled from one reality into the other. Tired of having their wondrous creations stolen by the Matterverse, agents of the Psychoverse breach the barrier between realities to reclaim their stolen property by force, which means the destruction and reclamation of nearly the entire universe! It is up to John DiFool, the Metabaron, Kill Wolfhead, and more to stop the destruction of their entire reality! If only any of them knew the most powerful, primordial forces in either universe was sitting just within their grasp…the Luminous Incal!
Release Date: November 15, 2022
PCS NOTES: What a fantastic creative team?! Mark Russell told us a little bit about it when we had him on the SquadCast, but this book looks like it is going to be amazing.
Star Wars: Revelations #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Salvador Larroca, Pere Perez, Emma Kubert, Paul Fry, Justin Mason, Guru-eFX, Wayne Faucher, Dono Sanchez Almara
Cover Art by Phil Noto
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
THE CAN’T-MISS STAR WARS ISSUE OF THE YEAR! After WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS came CRIMSON REIGN…now in the midst of HIDDEN EMPIRE, Qi’ra has shaken the galactic landscape to its core! …But what lies beyond for the Rebellion? For the Empire? What role do the bounty hunters play? And what is happening to Doctor Aphra? Witness the next step in the legacy of heroes and scoundrels in the galaxy far, far away as Marc Guggenheim is joined by a ragtag team of artists to bring you an explosive tale you won’t soon forget! The path to the future of STAR WARS starts here!
Release Date: November 23, 2022
PCS NOTES: This looks like something fans of Star Wars comics won’t want to miss. This special has an amazing array of artists collaborating with Marc Guggenheim for this story.
Climate Crisis Chronicles
AWA / Upshot Studios
Written by Ethan Sacks
Art by Dalibor Talajic & Lee Loughridge
Cover Art by Dalibor Talajic
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
An illustrated feature of ten stories chronicling life on the frontlines of the global climate crisis from the team that brought you Covid Chronicles, journalist Ethan Sacks and illustrator Dalibor Talajic. From a firefighter battling seasonal forest fires in California to a human rights activist picking up the pieces after a pair of devastating hurricanes in Honduras, Climate Crisis Chronicles puts a human face on the most urgent issue of our age.
Release Date: November 30, 2022
PCS NOTES: We are interested in checking out this book. This is an important topic and translating it into the comic medium is a wonderful way to raise awareness and ask questions.
DC’s Grifter Got Run Over by a Reindeer #1
DC Comics
Written by John Layman, Derek Fridolfs, Max Bemis, Dave Wielgosz, Cavan Scott, Scott Bryan Wilson, Michael Conrad, & Stephanie Williams
Art by David Lapham, P.J. Holden, Christopher Mitten, Fico Ossio, Skylar Patridge, Pablo M. Collar, Juan Doe, Dustin Nguyen, & Carlos D’Anda
Cover Art by Carlos D’Anda
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED DOG / LAST CHRISTMAS / EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS / HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS / NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT / MEMORIES AND FORFEITS / DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? / GRIFTER GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER
Ho-ho-ho my gosh, it’s time to deck the halls with holly…er, Harley Quinn, Batman, and more of your favorite DC superstars! Who made it to the Nice List? Hawkman? Black Canary? Is that Animal Man on the naughty list? And how did Grifter find himself in the targeting sights of those pesky reindeer! Get one for you and an extra for a loved one’s stocking (yule be glad you did!) in this holiday song celebration!
Release Date: November 29, 2022
PCS NOTES: Oh My Goodness! I guess it is about time to get the tinsel and tree out. This is very diverse and unique set of creative talent that has been brought together for this book.
Fragmentation
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Beni Lobel & Chris Sotomayor
Cover Art by Lobel
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
When pieces of history from some of the world’s most traumatic and horrible events start appearing as fragments of time invading our world, it threatens all of human existence. One family discovers that their personal tragedy is at the center of everything, making them the only people who can help put an end to the Fragmentations.
Release Date: November 30, 2022
PCS NOTES: This is the third Marc Guggenheim book on this list, but it might just be the one I am looking forward to the most.
John Stewart: The Emerald Knight #1
DC Comics
Written by Geoffrey Thorne
Art by Marco Santucci
Cover Art by Mateus Manhanini
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
John Stewart has been trapped in the dark sectors for months with the rest of his Green Lantern comrades. With the power of the Godstorm at his disposal, John’s using everything he can to take down Esak, the mad New God, and bring his fellow Corpsmen home. John will need to become something new to win the war against Esak: he’ll need to become the Emerald Knight!
Release Date: November 29, 2022
PCS NOTES: John is in good hands with this creative team.
Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Mark Waid, Marv Wolfman, Sina Grace, & Alex Segura
Art by Clayton Henry, Dean Haspiel, Jackson Herbert, & Max Raynor
Cover Art by Dan Mora
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
Kal-El has returned from his long sojourn to Warworld, but what ramifications does this hold for the broader DC Universe In this special issue, we’ll spotlight Kal-El’s reunion with the Dark Knight, Jimmy Olsen, the Justice League, and… Lex Luthor?! Plus: witness the never-before-revealed look at the moments leading to Superman’s abduction by Pariah in the Dark Crisis event! The march toward Action Comics #1050 continues in this essential special volume!
Release Date: November 29, 2022
PCS NOTES: In terms of overarching storytelling, this seems to be a good thing to do, but I am not gonna lie. I cannot wait to see DEAN HASPIEL’s work in this book.
Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson, Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, Brandon Choi, Brett Booth, & J. Scott Campbell
Art by Booth, Campbell, Jim Lee, & Bryan Hitch
Cover Art by Lee
ONE-SHOT SPECIAL
In 1992 Jim Lee changed the course of comics history with the founding of WildStorm Productions, which would revolutionize the business and launch the careers of so many top creators. 30 years later the impact of the imprint, character and creators is felt to this day! In honor of this legacy comes a 100-page giant that pays homage to the past…and looks toward the future! Part of this mammoth special will be reprinting–for the first time in periodical form!– short stories from the acclaimed WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years hardcover, including stories by Jim Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Brett Booth, Dustin Nguyen and more…and also included will be new stories featuring WildStorm characters in the DC Core line, charting their future in the DC Universe.
Release Date: November 29, 2022
PCS NOTES: Thirty years ago was a busy time for comics. Looks like this is fine book as well.
