When October rolls around, will Marvel have an assortment of spooky comics for Halloween season? Well, we’ve got the return of “Marvel Zombies,” an entirely different plague called “Contagion,” and a new “Ghost Rider” comic. But we’ve also got a lot, and I mean a lot of new “X-Men” and “Spider-Man” comics, plus a wide assortment of new #1 issues, so this list has a lot of runner-ups that simply didn’t get included due to the sheer quantity of similar comics. With that in mind, let’s see what Marvel has in store for the most spooktacular time of the year.
10. Welcome, to the World of Tomorrow!
Molecule Man has been through quite a lot in the events surrounding “Secret Wars.” Then he got atomized, which is a little appropriate given his name. But given the vast amount of power at his command, who better to put him back together than The Maker, AKA Evil Reed Richards?
Literally anyone, that’s who, so it’ll be fun to see how the Future Foundation tries to stop him.
Future Foundation #3
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Illustrated by Will Robson & Paco Diaz
Cover by Carlos Pacheco
Variant cover by Lee Garbett• RAINBOWS AND REECE’S PIECES!
• Owen Reece — a.k.a. Molecule Man — once helped reshape the entire multiverse. Now his body is scattered across the cosmos — and the Future Foundation is out to put him back together. But they’re not the only ones. It’s a race across space as the Maker sets his sights on pieces of Reece! And with a prison security system out to murder them all, the Future Foundation is already behind the mark. But the Foundation has a secret weapon. Find out at last who Julie Power set out to rescue from that intergalactic prison — and why the Maker should be very, very afraid.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
9. Past the Edge
In spite of articles floating around about Into the Spider-Verse not earning as much as other Spider-Man movies, it was still an incredible film. It looks like Marvel is capitalizing on that with another spidery team-up, featuring the comic versions of the movie’s cast, plus a few others. I’m particularly excited to see Spider-Ma’am in action. The fact that they’re highlighting Spider-sonas from fans is pretty neat as well, and a good nod to the fandom.
Spider-Verse #1
Written by Jed Mackay
Illustrated by Juan Frigeri, Arthur Adams, Stuart Immonen, Stacey Lee, and more
Cover by Wendell Dalit
Variant covers by Patrick Brow, John Tyler Christopher, and Arthur Adams• Miles Morales finally feels like he GETS this Spider-Man stuff… and then falls through a portal!
• But isn’t the WEB OF LIFE & DESTINY destroyed? Maybe not, True Believer. But who spun this new web?
• Regardless, Miles finds himself at the center of a multiversal adventure that will feature a who’s who of creators and characters as the series spins forward!
• And with a main cover by INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE character designer WENDELL DALIT!!!
• And each issue features #SPIDERSONAS from some of the biggest Spidey fans and comic creators both!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. What is Dead May Never Die
“Immortal Hulk” has been one of the darkest, most horrifying, but also most compelling comics to come out of Marvel as of late. This issue promises to show us something different, something so big it takes twice the normal amount of pages. However this post-universe Worldbreaker may go, it certainly sounds exciting.
Continued belowImmortal Hulk #25
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by German Garcia with Joe Bennett
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Joe Bennett, Ed McGuinness, Ron Lim, Andrea Sorrentino, Gene Colan, Ruby Nebres, and Alex Ross• GROUNDBREAKING DOUBLE-SIZED ISSUE!
• You’ve never read a Hulk comic like this before. You’ve never read a Marvel comic like this before.
• The heat death of our universe has come and gone. The Hulk is finally dead. Now, billions of years later, the Ninth Cosmos cowers…
• …before the BREAKER OF WORLDS.
• 56 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
7. Doomed, I Say!
Going back to more “Fantastic Four” characters who’ve been through a lot, let’s take a look at our good friend and occasional god, Doctor Doom. It sounds as though this comic is going to drag him to rock bottom so we can see him claw his way back up, and given the sheer force of personality that is Doom, it will certainly be a thrilling ride. Villain protagonists are often fun to follow, especially one with as much story and character to him as Victor Von Doom.
Doctor Doom #1
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Illustrated by Salvador Larroca
Cover by Aco
Variant covers by Mike Deodato Jr., Cliff Chiang, Arthur Adams, and Simone Bianchi• THE CRACK OF DOOM!
• From Christopher Cantwell (HALT AND CATCH FIRE, SHE COULD FLY) comes a new monthly ongoing series…
• Victor Von Doom – scientist, sorcerer, disfigured face, twisted soul – has been spending much of his time warning against a trillion-dollar global effort to create the first “artificial” black hole. Wrestling with visions of an entirely different life…a better future…DOCTOR DOOM finds himself at a crossroads. (what is he questioning?)
• A catastrophic act of terrorism kills thousands, and the prime suspect is… DOOM? Victor will have to push his unexplained thoughts aside and focus on remaining alive as the title of “Most Wanted Man” is thrust upon him….
• Left with no homeland, no armies, no allies, indeed, nothing at all, will the reign of Doctor Doom come to an abrupt halt?
• 48 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
6. Penultimate of the Unbeatable
There’s a lot left vague about this issue. An ultimate nemesis, some shocking twists, and a character’s return, not to mention Tony Stark fighting in nothing but his underoos. Whatever these may be, it’s almost time to say goodbye to one of the best comics Marvel has to offer, and… nope, I’m still not ready. One more issue to go…
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #49
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Cover by Erica Henderson• IT’S THE PENULTIMATE ISSUE OF SQUIRREL GIRL!
• It’s also the ULTIMATE issue of Squirrel Girl, at least until the next and last one comes out.
• Wait, I’m getting word that’s what “penultimate” means – okay, nevermind.
• In this issue: Squirrel Girl faces off against her arch nemesis, with just some friends and a dressed-only-in-his-underwear Tony Stark at her side. Can she win??
• See, normally you’d say “yes, of course she can, it’s right there in the title” but this is our second-last issue! ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!
• INCLUDING SHOCKING TWISTS!!
• Please enjoy the several (SEVERAL) shocking twists in this issue, including the (already established as shocking) return of a beloved character!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Fantastic Design
“X-Men: Grand Design” was a major undertaking, attempting to condense and summarize a series with a huge history behind it in just three comics. Now Tom Scioli is attempting to do the same with Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four, in only two issues. Can he pull it off? If so, it will be an amazing jumping on point for new readers to help them catch up on everything important about the long-running comic.
Fantastic Four: Grand Design #1
Written by Tom Scioli
Illustrated by Tom Scioli
Cover by Tom Scioli
Variant covers by Ed Piskor and Tom Scioli• Because you demanded it! The bestselling GRAND DESIGN franchise continues with Marvel’s First Family! Brought to you by critically-acclaimed cartoonist TOM SCIOLI (GODLAND, TRANSFORMERS VS. GI JOE) in the sole-authorship tradition made famous by ED PISKOR’S X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN trilogy! Join the Watcher and witness how it all began… Plus appearances by your faves: Doctor Doom! Black Panther! Namor! Galactus! Mole Man! The Inhumans!
• 48 PGS./Rated T …$5.99
4. Let’s Ride!
Three Ghost Riders, including the Cosmic Ghost Rider, racing through hell. ‘Nuff said.
…
Okay, I have just been informed that I need to say a little more, even though I personally feel that concept alone properly explains why the comic is deserving of a spot on this list. So here’s the thing: Jason Aaron’s “Avengers” run has been taking characters to new but entirely natural places, including a well-needed look at the Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider and the baggage that comes with his role. Given how all the different Ghost Riders have been coming together for this, it’s bound to be an exciting ride. Pun intended.
Continued belowAvengers #25
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Cover by Stefano Caselli
Variant covers by Alex Ross and Jay Anacleto• GONE TO HELL! CHALLENGE OF THE GHOST RIDERS CONCLUDES!
• The Avengers go to hell to join the wild race for the soul of Robbie Reyes, who’s desperate to learn the truth once and for all about what sort of Ghost Rider he’s become. But those sorts of answers always come with a dreadful cost. Especially when Mephisto is involved.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Face it, Tiger…
Can we all take a moment to give Mary Jane some well-deserved credit? Because she’s been a key supporting player for more than a few Marvel heroes, and she’s managed to get through it all. Fans cheered when she and Peter Parker got back together, and the ongoing “Spider-Man” comics have given us a good look at how she deals with being a superhero’s girlfriend, but she also deserves some time to be her own protagonist. That’s what we’re getting now, with a solo run for one of Marvel’s most iconic women.
The Amazing Mary Jane
Written by Leah Williams
Illustrated by Carlos Gomez
Cover by Humberto Ramos
Variant covers by Artgerm, Humberto Ramos, Gerald Parel, and Carlos Gomez• SPINNING RIGHT OUT OF THE PAGES OF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!
• “YOU JUST HIT THE JACKPOT!” ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES!
• The web-head’s favorite redhead (and yours!) is taking a chance on her dreams. But if you’ve read ASM #25, you’ll know MYSTERIO is behind Mary Jane’s big shot, and someone worse is behind him! What’s real and what’s illusion, what’s illusion and what’s Hollywood phoniness? This fall, Leah Williams (AGE OF X-MEN: EXTREMISTS; GIANT MAN) and Carlos Gomez (UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL, Red Sonja) bring you all this intrigue plus more action, glamor, grit, and – we’ll say it – sass than anyone’s previously dared fit! Face it: you don’t wanna miss this!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
2.X, X, Baby
There are a lot of X-Men #1 issues coming out. “X-Men,” “Excalibur,” “Marauders,” and more – any one of them could have taken this spot on the list, because they all sounds so exciting. We have plenty of new team combinations and directions to take the characters in, but where better to start than with the “X-Men” team? We have the whole Summers family, plus Wolverine and Jean, as it spins out of the “House of X” and “Powers of X” comics. Whatever direction Marvel has planned for the X-comics, I’m very interested to see where it goes.
X-Men #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
Variant covers by Artgerm, Mark Bagley, Marco Checchetto, Russell Dauterman, Jonathan Hickman, Mark Brooks, and Leinil Francis Yu• DAWN OF X!
• The X-Men find themselves in a whole new world of possibility… and things have never been better! Jonathan Hickman (HOUSE OF X, POWERS OF X, SECRET WARS) and superstar artist Leinil Yu (NEW AVENGERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA) reveal the saga of Cyclops and his hand-picked squad of mutant powerhouses!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
1. Open House
Speaking of “House of X” and “Powers of X,” those comics come to a thrilling conclusion in October as well. There’s been a lot of speculation about what the first issues signal, so this is where we see it all pay off. Questions will be answered, and Jonathan Hickman’s plans for the X-Men will be put into motion.
Suffice to say, it’s a good month to be an X-Men fan.
House of X #6
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Pepe Larraz
Cover by Pepe Larraz
Variant covers by Sara Pichelli, Mike Huddleston, Iban Coello, Javier Garron, John Tyler Christopher, Skottie Young, and Pepe Larraz• THE INEVITABLE FUTURE.
• The revolutionary tale of Mutantkind’s rise comes to a conclusion that will lay the groundwork of the X-Men’s stories for years to come! Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman (AVENGERS, FANTASTIC FOUR, SECRET WARS) and Marvel Young Gun artist Pepe Larraz (EXTERMINATION, AVENGERS) wrap the series that changes everything!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
