Welcome to the New Number Ones!
Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this week. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.
We have an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.
This is a very big week for new number ones, especially because it is the second week of the month. I will chalk that up to having a lot of debuts immediately in advance of New York Comic Con which happens later this week.
We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, IDW Entertainment, Titan Books, Archie Comics, Ahoy Comics, and Boom! Studios.
One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #NCBD is Wednesday.
We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.
New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions
New Series This Week
Army of Darkness Forever #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Tony Fleecs
Art by Nick Dragotta, Arthur Suydam, & Justin Greenwood
Cover Art by Francesco Mattina
After it debuted in 1993, the classic Sam Raimi film Army of Darkness quickly became the most beloved movie of the popular Evil Dead franchise. And with the launch of their Army of Darkness comics in 2005, Dynamite set a new standard for the indefatigable Ash Williams’s adventures in any medium! Now, after nearly three decades of Ash-tastic action, Dynamite is upping the ante with the ultimate AOD comic book series: Army of Darkness… FOREVER!
Picking up immediately after the events of Army of Darkness (the Director’s Cut, natch), Ash chainsaws his way through the Techno Army of Darkness in 2093 and defends the sacred aisles of the S-Mart in 1993! (What? How!?) Meanwhile, in the distant past, his lady love Sheila fights off a rising evil at Castle Kandar!
Written and illustrated by comics heavyweights TONY FLEECS and JUSTIN GREENWOOD, Army of Darkness Forever features incredible covers by some of the medium’s greatest masters of horror, including series writer/mastermind TONY FLEECS, artist NICK DRAGOTTA (East of West), the zombie king himself, ARTHUR SUYDAM, and master painter FRANCESCO MATTINA!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Fans of this franchise should be excited that it is in the capable hands of Tony Fleecs and Justin Greenwood. This looks really good.
Batman: City of Madness #1
DC Comics
Written by Christian Ward
Art by Ward
Cover Art by Ward
VISIONARY CREATOR CHRISTIAN WARD UNLEASHES A COSMIC-HORROR EPIC, FEATURING THE COURT OF OWLS!
Buried deep beneath Gotham City there exists another Gotham. This Gotham Below is a living nightmare, populated by twisted mirrors of our Gotham’s denizens, fueled by the fear and hatred flowing down from above. For decades, the doorway between the cities has been sealed and heavily guarded by the Court of Owls. But now the door swings wide, and the twisted version of the Dark Knight has escaped…to trap and train a Robin of his own. Batman must form an uneasy alliance with the Court and its deadly allies to stop him—and to hold back the wave of twisted super-villains, nightmarish versions of his own nemeses, each one worse than the last, that’s spilling into his streets! Visionary writer-artist Christian Ward unleashes his cosmic-horror take on Batman’s world, in a tribute to disturbing Dark Knight classics like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Gothic! You’ll never look at Batman’s villains the same way again…you simply won’t have the stomach for it!
Release Date: October 10, 2023
PCS NOTES: Christian Ward is a master, and this looks insanely good.
Capwolf & The Howling Commandos #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Carlos Magno & Espen Grundetjern
Cover Art by Ryan Brown
When Captain America is transformed into a werewolf on the front lines of World War II, he’ll need the help of the Howling Commandos to take down a band of Nazi cultists who intend to use supernatural forces to turn the tide of battle. But can Cap control the skeptical, jaded Commandos when he can barely control himself?
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Who doesn’t love some werewolf Captain America for the Halloween season?
Destiny Gate #1
Image Comics / Top Cow
Written by Ryan Cady
Art by Christian DiBari & Simon Gough
Cover Art by DiBari & Gough
MINISERIES PREMIERE
Writer RYAN CADY and artist CHRISTIAN DiBARI present…
Life, for the most part, is the product of the decisions you make. For some, a “wrong” decision or two (or more) leads to a crossroads on the other side of the Destiny Gate. Do you fight for a chance to survive and to start anew, or do you succumb to your inner demons and end it all for you and, worse, yours?
In this opening tale, we meet Mitchell Slate at the height of the Great Depression. Down on his luck and heading home to a disappointed and desperate family, Mitchell’s train ride veers off the rails and transforms into a macabre and darkly fantastical journey into his own fragile soul.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: We are interested in getting into this story.
A Haunted Girl #1
Image Comics
Written by Ethan Sacks & Naomi Sacks
Art by Marco Lorenzana
Cover Art by Joe Quesada & Richard Isanove
MINISERIES PREMIERE
Cleo, an adopted 16-year-old Japanese-American whose depression drove her to near-suicide, is trying unsuccessfully to reintegrate back into her old life. But her struggles are just beginning as she encounters an increasingly terrifying succession of ghosts. Is she losing her grip on reality…or is the explanation much worse?
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks spooky and fascinating. We are in.
Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) #1
Image Comics
Written by Brian Buccellato
Art by Stephano Simeone
Cover Art by Simeone
SERIES PREMIERE
RUBEN KWAN is a 50-year-old firefighter who’s been afraid of fire his whole life. Instead of running into burning buildings, he pushes papers, living in the shadow of his father-who died a hero on the job. After 25 years in the LAFD, he’s firmly in the middle of an unremarkable life…until his new wife gets pregnant and a random act of courage reveals that Ruben is FIREPROOF!
New York Times-bestselling writer BRIAN BUCCELLATO teams up with star artist STEFANO SIMEONE to tell the totally relatable (sometimes cringey) story of a middle-aged dad who’s about to find out that his new powers have major strings attached.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: The premise is something that Buccellato would excellently translate into this medium and having gotten an early copy of this, we can tell you, “It is good stuff.”
Nights #1
Image Comics
Written by Wyatt Kennedy
Art by Luigi Formisano & Francesco Segala
Cover Art by Formisano & Segala
It’s 2003, Supernatural creatures casually exist amongst humans, and America is made up of 31 states. Vince Okonma has lost his parents, moved in with his secret mercenary cousin, his video game-making roommate, and befriends “the greatest vampire who’s ever lived.” And that’s just the first 20 pages. Welcome to Florida, youth is wasted on the young…
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks captivating. I look forward to succumbing to this story.
Operation Sunshine #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Marcus Parks & Henry Zebrowski
Art by David Rubin
Cover Art by Rubin
From the New York Times-bestselling hosts of the hit The Last Podcast on the Left and Black Hammer’s David Rubin comes this all-new humorous, horror, and action-packed comic book series that’s Near Dark meets Ocean’s Eleven. A group of young, alienated vampires known as “bugs” plot to steal a magical object from ancient monstrous vampires to turn themselves back to human. Along the way they uncover a sprawling monster underground, a top-secret plot run by the elder creatures, elite militant vampire slayers, and madness beyond imagining blocking their path to humanity.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1
DC Comics
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Riley Rossmo & Ivan Plascencia
Cover Art by Rossmo & Plascencia
THE GOLDEN AGE SANDMAN RETURNS IN A NEW NOIR MYSTERY! No one escapes the Sandman’s dark dreams, not even Wesley Dodds himself. After years of testing and experimentation, Wesley perfected his sleep gas as the optimal weapon to fight crime without causing undue harm. But when his journal detailing all his failed and far more deadly formulas is stolen, the Sandman must hunt down the thief and the people in the shadows pulling the strings before the contents of the journal are released!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Really excited to see this creative team’s take on this classic character.
New One-Shots and Specials
Captain Marvel: Asault on Eden #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Anthony Oliveira
Art by Eleonora Carlini & Ruth Redmond
Cover Art by Carlos Gomez & Bryan Valenza
CAPTAIN MARVEL SOLDIERS UP TO SAVE THE KREE HOMEWORLD! The Kree home planet of Hala has become a paradise under the rule of Emperor Hulkling. But when Sentries launch an attack on civilians and start stealing children, Earth’s Mightiest Hero must intervene! Half Kree, half human and all warrior, Carol Danvers swoops in for an action-packed special just in time for The Marvels on the silver screen!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES:
Cereal: Sweet Darkness TP
Ahoy Comics
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Peter Snejbjerg
Cover Art by Snejbjerg
What We Do In the Shadows meets “Monster Squad” in this dark, distinctly adult—and lovingly funny—take on an earlier generation’s beloved monsters. The Marquis de Cocoa, recently transformed into a vampire, braves the agony of sunrise to throw his famous breakfast parties, where he plays his deadly games with such oddly familiar characters as the Quaker, Beau Berrie, and The Brute. Featuring lush, evocative art by Peter Snejbjerg (Starman), this volume collects every chapter from AHOY’s Edgar Allan Poe anthologies, plus an all-new three-part conclusion.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Yeah. Do not sleep on this book. It is sure to be scrumptiallicious.
Chilling Adventures Presents… Welcome to Riverdale #1
Archie Comics
Written by Amy Chase
Art by Liana Kangas & Ellie Wright
Cover Art by Kangas
When Ginger Snapp finds herself in the town of Riverdale, a town she’s fanatically read about growing up, she’s amazed by how wholesome and welcoming it truly is. But she can’t help but shake the uncanny valley-feeling she has with every new person she meets. How can everyone be THIS nice? And could the kindness drive someone to the brink of madness, if it hasn’t already? Explore toxic positivity gone horror in this one-shot that’s equal parts Pleasantville and The Stepford Wives.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: I am addicted to the Chilling Adventures books and excited to see this creative team take a swing at it.
Doctor Who: Once Upon a Time Lord HC
Titan Books
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Christopher Jones & Matthew Dow Smith
Cover Art by Jones
Eisner Award-Winner Dan Slott’s Doctor Who Comics debut sees Martha Jones spin three sensational yarns about the Tenth Doctor in order to survive!
An epic story that sees companion Martha Jones captured by the insatiable Pyromeths, and her only hope for survival is to keep them distracted with sensational untold tales of the Tenth Doctor facing off against his greatest foes– both classic and new!
Witness the incredible adventures of the Tenth Doctor like never-before! You’ll be on the edge of your Tardis as she recounts three unbelievable tales of The Doctor facing off against his deadliest foes!
Bursting straight out of the long-running hit television series, this Doctor Who collection continues the time-travelling tales of the Doctor and friends.
Buy it, read it, then travel back in time to read it for the first time all over again…!
Features a bonus story starring the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Dan Slott writing Dr. Who comics sounds like a good idea to me.
Marvel Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
Marvel Comics
Written by Various
Art by Various
Cover Art by Richard Howell
Long before the internet, True Believers of the 1980s got the inside scoop on Marvel’s upcoming projects in the pages of MARVEL AGE! Now, the first three years’ worth of this fan-favorite promotional magazine are reprinted in full — a veritable treasure trove of big-name interviews, previews of the major titles of 1982-1985, behind-the-scenes features, rare house ads, stunning covers and, of course, the classic cartoons of the legendary Fred Hembeck! All this, plus an exclusive in-universe Annual story covering the length and breadth of the Marvel Universe! Get ready for a nostalgic — and insightful — trip down memory lane to the Marvel Bullpen of the 1980s! MARVEL AGE was the official Marvel news magazine of its day, and old news can still be good news!
Collecting MARVEL AGE #1-34 and ANNUAL #1.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: This is a giant chunk of nostalgia for fans of a certain age and most importantly for Adam R. Phillips.
Space Usagi: Yokai Hunter #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Stan Sakai
Art by Sakai & Emi Fujii
Cover Art by Sakai & Fujii
Fans of legendary swordsman and wanderer Usagi Yojimbo have enjoyed countless tales told of his exciting adventures-tales told over hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Someone in the far future enjoys another classic adventure featuring the rabbit ronin, and Stan Sakai’s Space Usagi universe returns with a unique, new story.
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Samurai rabbit in space is the kind of fun comic that we live for.
The Superior Spider-Man Returns #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Art by Ryan Stegman, Mark Bagley, Humberto Ramos, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Victor Olazaba, John Dell, J.P. Meyer, & Edgardo Delgado
Cover Art by Stegman, Mayer, & Delgado
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN WEB-SLINGS AGAIN! The spider-team that redefined the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN returns to celebrate the TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the most monumental and shocking Spidey story in a generation! DAN SLOTT. RYAN STEGMAN. MARK BAGLEY. GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI. HUMBERTO RAMOS. Peter Parker. Doc Ock. Together again for a Spider-Man story SUPERIOR to all others!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Dan Slott shows up a second time in this section. This time with a return to his fan-favorite take on Otto Octavius.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures – Halloween Special #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Erik Burnham
Art by Dan Schoening & Sarah Myer
Cover Art by Jack Lawrence
As Halloween approaches, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must face their fears when a powerful and mysterious being challenges them to prove their mettle in a nightmarish test of bravery. Meanwhile, Shredder has an otherworldly encounter of his own when he summons an ancient spirit to gain a greater understanding of the powerful weapon he seeks to reforge… only to discover that some forces are beyond even his control. Don’t miss this double-sized, spooky special of Saturday Morning Adventures!
Release Date: October 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Halloween Turtles for Everyone.
