At long last, October, the month of Halloween. And Marvel is bringing us a nice variety of spookiness, between a couple Halloween-themed issues and a wide variety of horror with the “Darkhold” tie-ins. So what are the top picks for October? Let’s take a look and see.
10. Can’t Keep a Symbiote Down
What’s next for Venom? Eddie Brock is basically the new god of the symbiotes, and is a benevolent god at that, so where can the story go next? I have no idea, but Al Ewing does, and that alone is enough to make me go “Okay, I’m in.” With “Immortal Hulk” under his belt, I have absolute faith in Ewing’s ability to make the new “Venom” series awesome.
Venom #1
Written by Al Ewing & Ram V
Illustrated by Bryan Hitch
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Todd Nauck, John Romite Jr., Inhyuk Lee, Elizabeth Torque, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Gabriele Dell’otto• AN EPIC NEW ERA FOR THE SINISTER SYMBIOTE STARTS HERE!
• Hot off the heels of VENOM #200 and EXTREME CARNAGE, we’re closing out 2021 with one of the most ambitious books in symbiote history – an all-new VENOM from some of comics’ greatest talents! Marvel mainstay AL EWING, who himself has just ended a character-redefining run on IMMORTAL HULK, is being joined by RAM V, a horror maestro all his own, to craft a mind-bending and gut-wrenching tale of symbiosis the likes of which the Marvel Universe has never seen! AS IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, they’ve been joined by industry legend BRYAN HITCH, who is leaving IT ALL ON THE PAGE!
• We haven’t led you astray yet, have we? So trust us when we tell you that you have NEVER seen a VENOM like this!
9. X-Men… Welcome to Trick or Treat!
Like I said, it’s October, and that means Halloween-themed issues. So “X-Men” deserves a spot on this list, thanks to Gerry Duggan’s excellent writing, Javier Pina’s always-impressive artwork, and just the idea of the X-Men facing off against the Headless Horseman. Duggan’s “X-Men” has been off to a great start, and I look forward to seeing what he has planned next. Happy Halloween, X-Men!
X-Men #4
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Javier Pina
Cover by Pepe Larraz
Variant covers by Declan Shalvey, Russell Dauterman, and Joe Jusko• HEADS UP!
• It’s Halloween and the X-Men have to face a horror born of neighboring town in Westchester… the Headless HORSEMAN?! And that’s not the only terror targeting them…
8. All Hail the Frog of Thunder!
This is an issue all about Throg.
‘Nuff said.
… I have just been informed that this is not “‘nuff said,” even though I personally believe that an issue focused on Throg is reason enough on its own. Well, Donny Cates has been on a roll with “Thor,” and now we get an issue focusing on the greatest of all Thors: the frog. Honestly, it’s just going to be good fun one way or another, and I am here for it.
Thor #18
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Pasqual Ferry
Cover by Olivier Coipel
Variant covers by Nic Klein and Joe Jusko• MEET ASGARD’S NEW MASTER OF SPIES – THROG!
• After the events of “Revelations,” Thor has a top secret mission that only one trusted ally can carry out: Throg, the Frog of Thunder! Guest artist Pasqual Ferry makes a return trip to Asgard for this unique tale of otherworldly espionage, one that will have a profound impact on the future of the Marvel Universe!
7. More Iron Than Man
Ryan North first earned my praise with “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl,” then again with “Power Pack” (especially the introduction of Wolvermean). But now he gets his chance with the horror genre, as he has a body horror story built around Iron Man. This is a new take, but one that’s incredibly intriguing, so with plenty of “Darkhold” tie-ins coming at us this month, this is the one that earns a spot on our list.
Continued belowThe Darkhold: Iron Man #1
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Guillermo Sanna
Cover by Valerio Giangiordano
Variant covers by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cian Tormey, and Josemaria Casanovas• Ryan North turns his talents to a brand-new genre! Called forth to face the dread god Chthon, Iron Man reads from the ancient ill-fated text the Darkhold…and it changes the course of his entire life. The armor that has saved him countless times is about to become a prison — one whose only escape is a fate worse than death. The brilliant comedic mind behind The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Dinosaur Comics brings you the body-horror tale of the century!!
6. Ben is Back
We’re actually getting multiple issues of “Amazing Spider-Man” this month, so let’s start by highlighting the one that kicks it off. It looks like Ben Reilly is back as Spider-Man, so something crazy must be going on with Peter. So let’s see what Zeb Wells has in store for the Spider family, and then quickly see what’s next the following week. It’s gonna be a good month for Spider-fans.
Amazing Spider-Man #75
Written by Zeb Wells
Illustrated by Patrick Gleason
Cover by Arthur Adams
Variant covers by Patrick Gleason, Ron Frenz, Ron Lim, Skottie Young, Inhyuk Lee, Alex Ogle, Steve Ditko, Inhyuk Lee, Joe Jusko, and Ibam Coello• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is back to thrice-monthly because this story is pure jet fuel. Ben Reilly has returned to NYC and has fully taken back the mantle of Spider-Man, but what does this mean for Peter Parker? The greatest team of web-writers has come together with the most epic arachnid-artists ever assembled to bring you a Spider-story that will shake up Spider-Man’s 59th year in ways you CANNOT PREDICT!
5. The Legend Begins
Black Panther is a fascinating character with an amazing history. Now we’re getting more comics delving into those, from his childhood to the time he debuted in “Fantastic Four.” All the while, Tochi Onyebuchi and Setor Fiadzigbey are giving us a new look at those stories from his perspective. It’s targeted towards younger readers, so this will be a great comic for middle schoolers as well as fans of all ages.
Black Panther Legends #1
Written by Tochi Onyebuchi
Illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey
Cover by Setor Fiadzigbey• Dive into the legend of the Black Panther in this new origin story by acclaimed author Tochi Onyebuchi and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Setor Fiadzigbey, perfect for middle grade readers!
• T’Challa and Hunter are brothers growing up in the idyllic royal palace of Wakanda. Theirs goes beyond the usual sibling rivalry, though – Hunter, although older, is adopted, and T’Challa is the true heir to the throne. Both brothers wrestle with fairness and the future, readying themselves for responsibility, when tragedy strikes and takes the choice from them.
• This new series, ideal for young fans and loyal readers alike, will explore the moments that make T’Challa who he is, from his adventurous upbringing to his walkabout as a teen where he meets the enchanting Ororo Munroe before she becomes the legendary Storm, to when he first invites the Fantastic Four into Wakanda! Son, Brother, Warrior, King – as each chapter unfolds, new pieces of T’Challa’s character will be revealed and the Black Panther will emerge.
4. ECHO… Echo… echo…
When the Phoenix returned in Jason Aaron’s “Avengers,” no one was quite sure who would be the new host. Well, the answer is: Maya Lopez, AKA Echo, and we’re not sure why or what she’s meant to do with those powers (especially since it’s been pretty mutant-centric up until now). So what’s next for Echo and the Phoenix? This is where we learn all that and more, so let’s see what’s in store.
Continued belowPhoenix Song: Echo #1
Written by Rebecca Roanhorse
Illustrated by Luca Maresca
Cover by Cory Smith
Variant covers by Oscar Vega, Leinil Francis Yu, Carmen Carnero, and Todd Nauck• STRAIGHT OUT OF HER TRANSFORMATION IN AVENGERS, ECHO GETS AN EXHILARATING SOLO SERIES FROM BESTSELLER REBECCA ROANHORSE!
• Against all odds, one of the most powerful entities in the Marvel Universe chose Maya Lopez, a deaf street fighter, as its new avatar. And the burning question on everyone’s minds is: WHY?! But Echo is the last person to answer. Still learning her new cosmic abilities — and struggling with the Phoenix’s overwhelming personality — Echo strikes out to return to her roots. But the reservation has even fewer answers. And where power goes, evil follows. Someone wants Echo to fail — and unleash a power only the greatest heroes in history have been able to control. Avengers artist Luca Maresca joins superstar writer Rebecca Roanhorse for a story that will light the universe on fire
3. We Didn’t Start the Fire
Ah, now this is a comic almost guaranteed to get certain people online complaining about “politics in comics.” Well, comics have always been political, and honestly, they can make some great stories. That’s just what I’m expecting from “Luke Cafe: City of Fire,” and it’s certainly an appropriate time for it. Ho Che Anderson is new to Marvel, but he’s a fine choice for this story, which is almost certain to be a major story arc for Luke Cage.
Luke Cage: City of Fire #1
Written by Ho Che Anderson
Illustrated by Farid Karami
Cover by Taurin Clarke
Variant covers by Khary Randolph, Todd Nauck, and Ho Che Anderson• AN ALL-TOO-RELEVANT STORY ROCKS THE MARVEL U!
• When a Black man is murdered by a police officer in New York City, Luke Cage is called to action. But what does a good man do when protecting the streets puts him at odds with his own people? A cadre of crooked cops named the Regulators are out to terrorize ordinary citizens, and with Daredevil determined to bring them down no matter the cost and Mayor Fisk equally determined to use them to tighten his grip on the city, it’s up to Cage to keep the city from completely going up in flames. Joined by an exciting lineup of artists (Farid Karami on #1, Ray-Anthony Height on #2 and Sean Damien Hill on #3), celebrated creator Ho Che Anderson (King: A Comics Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Scream Queen) makes his Marvel debut with an ambitious, hard-hitting story unlike any you’ve seen in the 616. Change is coming — and it starts here.
2. More Voices Make Marvel Better
“Marvel’s Voices” has highlighted a variety of creators and characters from a wide number of underrepresented groups, and each one has been great. So is it any surprise that it’s back on the list? This time, it’s highlighting Latino/Latina voices, including some fan-favorite characters and some fantastic writers and artists. If you haven’t been reading “Marvel’s Voices,” well, you have time to read the rest until this issue comes out, and you should.
Marvel’s Voices: Community (Comunidades) #1
Written by Daniel José Older, Karla Pacheco, Terry Blas, Juan Ponce, Leonardo Romero, and Edgar Delgado
Illustrated by Enid Balám, Vanesa del Rey, Adriana Melo, Lenoardo Romero, Nico Leon, and Alitha E. Martinez
Cover by Joe Quesada
Variant covers by George Pérez, Mateus Manhanini, Maria Wolf, Nabetse Zitro, Humberto Ramos, and Natacha Bustos• COME JOIN THE FESTIVITIES AS MARVEL CELEBRATES THE MIGHTY LATIN-X HEROES AND CREATORS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!
• Spider-Man! White Tiger! Ghost Rider! And so many more heroes get their moment in the sun as new and fan-favorite creators continue to expand the world outside your window in MARVEL’S VOICES: COMUNIDADES (Community)! Featuring an introduction by renowned scholar Frederick Luis Aldama! PLUS, an all-new hero takes the stage in a whirlwind adventure you won’t want to miss.
1. Over, But Still Immortal
“Immortal Hulk” has been an amazing, dark, and engaging (if sometimes horrifying) comic. Now it comes to an end. For 50 issues, Al Ewing and Joe Bennett have been creating a gripping tale that reshaped everything we know about the Hulk, if not the Marvel Universe as a whole. So, what awaits us at the end, behind the Green Door? Whatever it may be, it’ll be an ending to see.
Immortal Hulk #50
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Joe Bennett, Jen Bartel, Gary Frank, Sanford Greene, Bryan Hitch, Jack Kirby, Ed McGuinness, Mr Garcin, Carlos Pacheco, Ryan Stegman, Ron Lim, Joe Jusko, and Inhyuk Lee• THE GIANT-SIZED FINALE!
• Down in the Below-Place, the Hulk searches among the ghosts of the past for the answers to all his questions.
• The One Below All, the Green Door, Samuel Sterns, Jackie McGee and Bruce Banner. It’s all been leading here.
• This is the last issue of THE IMMORTAL HULK.
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
