As I write this, the Summer heat is sweltering. But it’ll be nice and cool when these comics come out! In fact, spooky season will include a few nicely thematic comics to enjoy, so let’s cut to the chase and see what Marvel has in store for us for October.
10. Let’s Get Spooky!
Let’s kick things off with a Halloween special! Yes, we have heroes from all the creepiest, kookiest, mysterious, and spookiest parts of the Marvel universe appearing in this issue, so you can get into the Halloween mood. Moon Knight, Elsa Bloodstone, and more, all at the hands of skilled writers and artists. Sounds like a good comic for October to me.
Crypt of Shadows #1
Written by Chris Cooper, Al Ewing, Danny Lore, Rebecca Roanhorse, Adam Warren, and more
Illustrated by Karen S. Darboe, Geoff Shaw, Adam Warren, and more
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
Variant covers by Ryan Stegman, Ryan Brown, and Logan Lubera•The heroes of the Marvel Universe spend most of their time in the bright sun, flying high above it all… but every once in a while, they venture into the darkness that lurks in the hidden corners of the world. There lurk the creatures, the monsters, the vampires… the ones who prey on innocence and goodness. Join us, and some of your favorite heroes, for tales of fangs, claws and silent, stalking swamp creatures to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve!
9. How Many Republics Have There Been?
The Star Wars movies have had a distinct visual style about them described as “used future,” which has helped make the movies so iconic and recognizable. But what about the future before it was so used? A new “High Republic” comic is taking us even further back in time than the comics have before, but still taking us to familiar locals. So let’s delve further into the history of the Star Wars galaxy (as far, far away as it might be) and see what awaits.
Star Wars: The High Republic #1
Written by Cavan Scott
Illustrated by Ario Anindito
Cover by Ario Anindito
Variant covers by Jan Duursema, Mike Mckone, and Phil Noto• A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS FOR STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC!
• One hundred and fifty years before the fall of Starlight, another beacon burns bright in the galaxy, a beacon of faith and spirituality. Jedha. The Pilgrim Moon. The Kyber Heart. But tensions are rising in the holy city and dark days are to come.
• Jedi Vildar Mac, a Jedi safe and secure in who he is and what he could be, arrives as Jedha’s fragile peace begins to crumble.. But a nightmare awaits… a nameless terror that will become the stuff of legend…
8. Will the Shield Yield?
“Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty” has been off to an incredible start, with a compelling look at Captain America’s life while building a mystery around the symbol and the shield. Now we’re getting answers, and according to this solicitation, it’s going to change a whole lot for Cap. So let’s get ready to see what secrets await, because with a build up like this, I can’t wait to see the payoff.
Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
Illustrated by Carmen Carnero
Cover by Carmen Carnero
Variant covers by Paci Medina and NETEASE• The Outer Circle’s most recent defector leads Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes to the Outer Circle’s headquarters – and to the answers Steve seeks about the origins of his shield. But Bucky already has his answers and is looking for solutions. Will decades of friendship be enough to outmaneuver an enemy who calls himself the Revolution?
• The world of Captain America is rocked in this can’t-miss issue that will have ramifications for years to come!
7. T-Rex Starbrand. ‘Nuff Said.
There’s a tyrannosaurus rex Starbrand.
Do I really need to say anything else?
Okay, so the Avengers have been traveling through time, meeting past versions of legacy characters. And yes, that’s pretty awesome. But they don’t all have to be human, as demonstrated by – and I cannot emphasize this enough – a t-rex Starbrand.
Continued belowThis isn’t like a Spider-Man dinosaur in the Spider-Verse. This isn’t a “What if?” this is a canonical dinosaur precursor to an Avenger.
Yes, that alone is enough to earn a spot on this list.
Avengers #61
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Ivan Fiorelli
Cover by Javier Garrón
Variant cover by Humberto Ramos• HISTORY’S MIGHTIEST UNTOLD SECRETS!
• If the Avengers hope to survive being lost in time, they’ll need the help of some of history’s greatest heroes, from the Thor of the Viking Age to the T. Rex Starbrand at the dawn of time, plus all the forgotten Avengers of bygone eras whose stories can finally be told.
6. In the Name of the Moon
Have you been reading “Moon Knight” by Jed MacKay? If not, you ought to, because it’s good stuff. Now we’re getting an Annual issue, taking us back to his roots, as he first appeared in 1975’s “Werewolf by Night.” Yep, it’s Moon Knight versus a werewolf, and given the quality of the comic so far, that’s all we need.
Moon Knight Annual #1
Written by Jed MacKay
Illustrated by Federico Sabbatini
Cover by Nic Klein
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz• WEREWOLF BY MOON KNIGHT!
• In the Darkhold, there is a prophecy of how a god might die. Jack Russell, more familiar with that cursed tome than most, would like very much to kill a god and save his people, the people bound in servitude to the moon. But to fulfill that prophecy requires the blood of the Fist of Khonshu, and Moon Knight doesn’t bleed easily.
5. Great Variety
Jessica Jones has been having a rough time lately, dealing with different dimension versions of her popping up all over the place. So where did they come from? What do they mean? Well, it all comes to a close here. So if you, like me, have been enjoying Gail Simone’s take on Jessica Jones and her multiversal variants, you’re going to want to see how it all ends.
The Variants #5 (of 5)
Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by Phil Noto
Cover by Phil Noto
Variant cover by NETEASE• In this heart-stopping conclusion, Jessica discovers who is actually BEHIND the appearance of the VARIANTS who have been ruining her life…but it may be too late to stop them from destroying the Multiverse!
4. What Can a Spider Do, Anyways?
All the Spider-Verse comics have been leading up to this. It doesn’t need to call itself “amazing,” or “spectacular,” or even “superior.” We all know what “Spider-Man” means. The current comics have Peter Parker in a pretty tough spot in his life, and it’s about to get rougher, but any time the Spider-Verse gets involved, you know it’s gonna be crazy. So this isn’t one for a fan of the wall-crawler to miss.
Spider-Man #1
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Mark Bagley
Cover by Mark Bagley
Variant covers by Skottie Young, Arthur Adams, Steve Ditko, John Tyler Christopher, Benga, Ryan Stegman, Frank Miller, and Humberto Ramos• “The End of the Spider-Verse” is here!
• Morlun is back and he is not alone. Allied with one of the most powerful beings known to the Spider-Verse, the scariest Spider-Villain of all time is making his biggest play and no Spider is safe. Especially not the Chosen Spider himself, Peter Parker. With Peter working for Norman Osborn and using a glider… does he have it coming? Spidey’s 60th Anniversary is no joke as two of the most legendary Spider-Creators are working together on Spidey for the first time and you know it’s going to be one for the record books!
3. Forever.
Things are shaking up in Wakanda, with T’Challa out and democracy in (as rough of a start as it may be off to). So what’s Wakanda like with its new status quo? It’s time to find out, as we take a trip to catch up with all the “Black Panther” supporting cast and see the history of all the mantle-bearers. Sounds pretty awesome to me (and if it gets people hyped for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever all the better, I suppose).
Continued belowWakanda #1 (of 5)
Written by Stephanie Williams and Evan Narcisse
Illustrated by Paco Medina and Natacha Bustos
Cover by Marteus Manhanini
Variant covers by Nic Klein, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, NETEASE, and Tom Reilley• THE BLACK PANTHER IS NO LONGER WELCOME IN WAKANDA!
• Who is this proud nation without its king? This exciting new miniseries answers that question as each issue spotlights a different fan-favorite Wakandan character. First up: Shuri proves that being without the Black Panther doesn’t mean Wakanda is without heroes to protect it – and that there is a reason she too once wielded the power. Plus, part one of the “History of the Black Panthers” backup story, providing for the first time anywhere a definitive overview of every Wakandan who has ever held the mantle of the Black Panther!
2. Lest Ye Be Judged
Judgment Day is at an end. Given the start the comic was off to, I can only imagine how it’s going to conclude. We have heroes fighting, mass destruction, deaths and rebirths, and heroes across the Marvel universe are being put to the ultimate test, all under the amazing writing of Kieron Gillen and Valerio Schiti.
In fact, why would the conclusion to an event created by two of the greatest talents Marvel has to offer even come in at number 2? What could possibly take #1 over that, short of a long-awaited return of a character with a complex and crazy history, written by legendary creators?
A.X.E.: Judgment Day #6 (of 6)
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Valerio Schiti
Cover by Mark Brooks
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Ashley Witter, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Valerio Giangiordano, Adi Granov, and Mark Brooks• The apocalyptic finale of the event of the year. It’s not that nothing will be the same again – it’s that unless heroes can find a new way to be heroes, everything will be nothing forever.
1. It’s a Miracle?
Oh.
Well, that answers my last question.
Yes, Miracleman is back, and boy is that a long story! (I can’t explain the full history here, so go look it up, because it’s a doozy.) But Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham are returning to The Silver Age, while everyone from Jason Aaron to Peach Momoko get to contribute to the return of Miracleman. It’s been set up and building up for a while, now we finally get to see it come to fruition, and with the team behind it, this is one to not be missed.
Miracleman #0
Written by Neil Gaiman, Jason Aaron, Mike Carey, Ty Templeton, Peach Momoko, and more
Illustrated by Mark Buckingham, Leinil Francis Yu, Ty Templeton, Peack Momoko, and more
Cover by Alan Davis
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Terry Dodson, and Skottie Young• Forty years ago, Miracleman’s modern era began and changed the world of comics as we know it. Now, on the cusp of a new era of Miracleman, we celebrate all things Kimota with a who’s who of the best talent in the industry! Plus, Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham set up this issue and their return to MIRACLEMAN: THE SILVER AGE!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
