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.
We are now into the third week of October and the number of Halloween themed anthologies is increasing with the same proliferation speed of Jack O’ Lanterns on doorsteps.
We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, IDW Entertainment, Ablaze, and Archie Comics.
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
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Patrick Horvath
Art by Horvath
Cover Art by Horvath
Don’t. Murder. The locals.
This is small-town serial killer, upstanding citizen, and adorable brown bear Samantha Strong’s cardinal rule. After all, there’s a sea of perfectly ripe potential victims in the big city just beyond the forest, and when you’ve worked as hard as Sam to build a cozy life and a thriving business in a community surrounded by friendly fellow animal folk, warm décor, and the aroma of cedar trees and freshly baked apple pie…the last thing you want is to disturb the peace.
So you can imagine her indignation when one of Woodbrook’s own meets a grisly, mysterious demise—and you wouldn’t blame her for doing anything it takes to hunt down her rival before the town self-destructs and Sheriff Patterson starts (literally) barking up the wrong tree.
Live, laugh, shed blood. “Dexter” meets Richard Scarry’s Busy Town in writer-artist Patrick Horvath’s twisted debut of BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks deliciously fun.
Hack / Slash: Back to School #1
Image Comics
Written by Zoe Thorogood
Art by Thorogood
Cover Art by Thorogood
MINISERIES PREMIERE HACK/SLASH returns with an untold tale and critically acclaimed cartoonist ZOE THOROGOOD at the bloody helm! Slasher hunter Cassie Hack is only just getting used to her man-monster partner, Vlad, when she’s drawn into a new case involving a murderous bunny mascot, dead kids, and an entire squad of maladjusted teenage serial-killer hunters! A completely new chapter in the beloved, long-running series that’s perfect for new readers and old fans alike, just in time for Halloween.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Zoe Thorogood writing and drawing Cassie Hack? Sign me up!!
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #1
DC Comics
Written by Brian Buccellato
Art by Christian Duce & Luis Guerrero
Cover Art by Drew Johnson & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
The cataclysmic crossover event of the year is here as the DC Universe clashes with Legendary’s Monsterverse in Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong. Clark Kent is enjoying a night off with a very important dinner planned with his girlfriend, Lois Lane, when the entire city shudders under the weight of the monstrous Godzilla, who emerges from the bay! What started as a routine clash between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom takes a dangerous turn when the wall between worlds is breached…with Godzilla, Kong, and the Monsterverse emerging on DC’s Earth! What ensues will be a brawl of unprecedented scale and destruction from acclaimed writer Brian Buccellato and bestselling artist Christian Duce!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: A Monster Mash-up just in time for Halloween!!!
Jay Garrick: The Flash #1
DC Comics
Written by Jeremy Adams
Art by Diego Olortegui & Luis Guerrero
Cover Art by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern
JAY AND HIS LONG-LOST DAUGHTER RACE SIDE BY SIDE IN THE PRESENT DAY!
Spinning out of the events of Stargirl: The Lost Children and Justice Society of America, Jay Garrick is reunited with his long-lost daughter, Judy. After being pulled from the timeline, Judy returns to a world where she and her dad aren’t the only ones that ride the lightning, but is there enough space for her in Jay and Joan’s life? And can they keep up with their teenage daughter and make up for lost time?
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: I am all for more Jay Garrick stories and think this creative team will do a good job at it.
The Man From Maybe #1
Oni Press
Written by Jordan Thomas
Art by Shaky Kane
Cover Art by Kane
In the dry and dead future that’s coming soon, all life belongs to Oppenheimer-obsessed billionaire Harvard Denny and his corporate scavengers from Smile, Inc., who pillage the wastelands in search of atomic contraband.
As the race to acquire the a crashed spacecraft’s cargo begins, our fate will be decided by a masked bandit and the cold iron of his laser rifle. He knows no name, no home, no surrender-only the whispered hush of those in need who dare call him . . . THE MAN FROM MAYBE!
Give yourself over to an upside-down world where all mutants eat lead and all dinosaurs speak truth in the DOUBLE-SIZED, 48-PAGE debut of a postmodern, post apocalyptic epic of Western-infused action from rising star Jordan Thomas and psychedelic warlord Shaky Kane as the Man From Maybe sets his sights on THE CRATE OF DEATH!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This solicitation is very interesting. Definitely worth a try.
The Sensational She-Hulk #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Andres Genolet & Dee Cunniffe
Cover Art by Jen Bartel
THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK IS BACK! Jen Walters is dusting off her adjective and kicking off a new era! The best hero slash lawyer in the Marvel Universe is going to remind you why she’s so SENSATIONAL, going up against her deadliest challenge yet! PLUS: MARVEL STUDIOS SHE-HULK series writer Jessica Gao makes hers Marvel in a short story with the Jade Giant!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This absolutely goes on the pull list
Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Saladin Ahmed
Art by Juan Ferreyra
Cover Art by Ferreyra
After a fight with Spider-Cide, Spider-Man gets taken on the most frightening ride of his life as he finds himself in the most terrifying haunted house possible. Who took Peter’s powers? Who took Peter’s friends and family? Who stands the best chance at taking Spider-Man down permanently?!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Spooky Spidey for the spooky season.
Subgenre #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Wilfredo Torres & Bill Crabtree
Cover Art by Torres
A man is living two lives. He is a private detective in a dystopian cyberpunk future trying to solve a triple murder. But when he falls asleep… he wakes up as a wandering adventurer in a barbaric fantasy world where magic exists. Is he two separate people? Or is he a third person that has undergone a psychotic split? He jumps back and forth from sword-wielding barbarian to jaded private eye trying to solve the brutal crime. But the bigger question is, can he merge these realities without losing himself?
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This feels like another Matt Kindt success story.
New One-Shots and Specials
Crypt of Shadows #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Al Ewing, Cavan Scott, Declan Shalvey, Sarah Gailey, & Steve Orlando
Art by Alex Lins & Dev Pramanik
Cover Art by Leinil Francis Yu & Jesus Arbutov
ONE- SHOT
REOPENING THE CRYPT! Once more, as All Hallows’ Eve draws nigh, the dust-covered slab that seals shut the crypt, blocking out the sun and casting it forever in shadow, has creaked open to let the darkness loose to prey on the Marvel Universe! Be they mercenary or mage, guided by law or by rage, our heroes will face their terror, and they’d best pray their spines are sturdy enough for the job…or the crypt they find may well be their own!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Marvel enters the Halloween special extravaganza party.
Fear the Funhouse Presents… Toybox of Terror #1
Archie Comics
Written by Danielle Paige, Michael Northrop, & Timmy Heague
Art by Tango, Ryan Jampole, Ryan Caskey, & Ellie Wright
Cover Art by Caskey
ONE- SHOT
In Riverdale, even the toys are terrifying in this anthology one-shot set in the universe of last year’s successful Fear the Funhouse comic. Three tales of dolls, robots, and puppets gone awry all thanks to the work of a shadowy toymaker and a young girl intent on revenge, in the vein of the widely successful M3GAN movie and Child’s Play franchise.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: There is no such thing as too many spooky comics.
Gargoyles Halloween Special #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Greg Weisman
Art by Bonesso Diego
Cover Art by Matteo Lolli
ONE- SHOT
It’s young Gnash’s first Halloween in Manhattan, and you’re invited to come along as he heads out to find friends on the one night of the year when Gargoyles can roam the city unbothered! Unfortunately, he’s about to run afoul of the masked Quarrymen, who are out to hunt down any Gargoyle foolish enough to brave the streets on All Hallow’s Eve. That means Brooklyn, Katana, Lexington, Broadway, Angela, and even Goliath are in real danger! Will they survive this cruel trick, or become a treat for the marauding Quarrymen? Find out in October with this all-new 40-page special featuring a 28-page main story written by Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN!
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks like a fun one-shot in an entertaining universe.
Hans Vogel Is Dead Vol. 1 TP
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Sierra Barnes
Art by Barnes
Cover Art by Barnes
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
There are some acts that can never truly be forgiven.
It’s the height of WWII, and the Nazi forces are driving through Europe. Decorated German fighter pilot Hans Vogel follows orders and doesn’t ask questions. It’s worked out well for him…so far. But when his plane is shot down in the middle of an air raid over London, he is dead before he hits the ground. And that’s only the beginning of his problems.
Sierra Barnes weaves a rich anti-fascist fairytale about the importance of recognizing past wrongs, even (especially) when it’s easier not to.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: We are really looking forward this OGN.
Headless Horseman: Halloween Annual #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by David Dastmalchian & Angela Slatter
Art by Tyler Crook, Lukas Ketner, Phillip Sevy, Olivia Stephens, & Valeria Burzo
Cover Art by Lukas Ketner
ONE- SHOT
Boils, ghouls, vampires, monsters, and creatures of all kinds, welcome. Take a seat, go on, fill the aisles, relax your fangs, and sit with us for a while. Join us in a macabre and magical journey through all the haunts and spooks that keep you up at night for here we revel in the darkness and present to you a chilling, nay petrifying experience as the Headless Horseman presents a collection of five terrifying tales to warm up your cold soul. Hurry up now, you won’t want to keep them waiting…
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: What a great group of creators sharing spooky stories?!
Richard Stark’s Parker: The Complete Collection TP
IDW Publishing
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Cooke
Cover Art by Cooke
COLLECTED EDITION
The groundbreaking and multiple award-winning graphic novels by Darwyn Cooke, collected in their entirety for the first time in one softcover volume.
Collecting the four Parker graphic novels (The Score, The Outfit, The Score, and Slayground) as well as two shorts (“The Man with the Getaway Face” and “The Seventh”). These stories encompass all Darwyn Cooke’s sequential stories of Parker.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: This collection is a must have and will be a fine holiday gift for that fan of crime noir.
Project Monarch TP
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Michael Avon Oeming
Art by Victor Santos
Cover Art by Santos
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
Legendary film director Stanley Bowman has been indoctrinated into a Faustian deal that has ruined his life.
He faked the moon landing, manipulated viral celebrity meltdowns, and filmed dozens of conspiracies to serve the goals of the Illuminati. But his loyalty gets called into question when he is forced to create an occult film so powerful the public will fall under complete control. Only his adopted child-star assassins can save him, his family, and expose the truth.
Project Monarch was a real C.I.A. operation and here Eisner award-winning creator Michael Avon Oeming (Powers) and Victor Santos (Polar) team up for this action satire original graphic novel pitted in the world of conspiracy theory. If you believe in nothing, they can get you to believe anything.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: We are pretty pumped up about this new OGN.
Tolkien: Lighting Up the Darkness HC
Ablaze Comics
Written by Willy Durafflourg
Art by Giancarlo Caracuzzo
Cover Art by Caracuzzo
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
For fans of The Hobbit & Lord of The Rings looking to learn more about the genius behind their favorite epics. JRR Tolkien was not always the old Oxford professor pipe in the mouth, refining his extraordinary work. In 1915, at age 23, he leaves for the front with his high school friends, whom he loves like brothers. They take part in the Battle of the Somme, which ultimately kills 450,000 people. The horror of war will brand his relationships to friendship, love, and creation. This graphic novel explores the youth of the author of The Lord of the Rings and his traumatic experience of the battlefields of the First World War, which will forge the imagination of his literary work.
Release Date: October 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Again, this will probably make a great read as well as a gift for fans of LOTR.
