Rogue is a hero. But when her bare touch can steal someone’s memories, their powers, even their life—she feels monstrous. Yet no part of her feels more dangerous than the part that wants. Remy is a born thief. Even if he’s turned a new leaf as Gambit, when he sees Rogue’s walls, he wants to slip behind them. If she only trusted herself the way he does, he’d gladly lay every bit of his power at her feet.

When Remy has a sinking feeling that New Orleans needs him, it’s time to finally go home. He’s just afraid of how much has changed; how much he has changed. What if returning as some big-league hero isn’t what his friends and family need? But he’s not alone—Rogue is at his side. As their easy friendship simmers with temptation, can they gamble with getting closer?

And there’s no time to waste. In the wake of a devastating hurricane, bloodsuckers are lapping at the wounds of New Orleans, buying up the city in pieces and unleashing a threat even older than corporate greed: vampires. As Rogue and Remy uncover the sinister plot threatening the lifeblood of his hometown, they’ll unearth their own issues they can’t keep running from. It’s easy to be the hero, but it can be much harder to let yourself be saved.

For two people who could destroy everything they touch, love is a dangerous thing.

I have always been fascinated with how Rogue could have a serious romantic relationship with anyone, including Gambit, with the inability to touch them. I know it’s possible to have romance without touching, but just seemed so far fetched in the pages of a Marvel comic. Bou-Montes and Iyengar have convinced me. A romantic relationship that not only features the touchy-feeling side, but also the trials and tribulations that come along with having feelings for someone special.

What might have seem to be a story that would only feature Rogue, Gambit and a few miscellaneous characters actually starred more well-known heroes and villains than I expected. Rogue x Gambit was a true X-Men story. Not just a love story however. Bottom line, it’s a story of X-Men heroes fighting for what’s right and how it hits home for Remy. Bou-Montes and Iyengar weave together a story of love, family, home, and vampires. A great mashup of stories that works well together.

In addition to the story feeling like an X-Men tale, the authors here did a fantastic job setting this story deep in New Orleans where we as the reader feel immersed in the strong culture of Remy’s hometown and the love, care, and attention those who live there feel. It’s deep in their roots and when someone comes in and tries to stir the pot, those residents will have to fight back, this time with Gambit and Rogue at the top.

What stories such as Rogue x Gambit have the ability to do more in novel format opposed to comics is explore the characters on a much deeper level. We truly get to see the ups and downs of our titular characters relationship and how it grows throughout. This happens in front of our eyes, all while having to try and protect New Orleans and its people from evil doers. It can be hard enough to be in a loving relationship, let alone while always having to try and save the day.

Rogue x Gambit is much more than just an X-Men love story, and that’s what made it work so well. Louangie Bou-Montes and Aabria Iyengar have crafted a story that truly balances romance, action, and the importance of family and home while telling a compelling X-Men tale. Rogue x Gambit is a story where sometimes the greatest battle isn’t against the villains, but allowing yourself to love and be loved.

Rogue x Gambit hits bookstores everywhere on February 9, 2027 from Random House Worlds/Marvel. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Rogue x Gambit from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

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Old foes back from the dead! Mysteries around every corner! And a bloodthirsty Carnage just barely kept contained! It’s a recipe for Spider-Woman’s darkest adventure yet.

Although Jessica Drew has not been my favorite comic character in recent years, Carnage is closer to that. For those who don’t know, this story spins out of Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity where the Carnage symbiote bonds with Spider-Woman preventing it from killing. So with the charismatic symbiote a part of this story made it a bit easier to pick it up and dive in. Watters lays a great foundation for a story I am eager to continue reading. Drew has this violence boiling up inside her while trying to investigate attacks on crime families in her city. The blend of investigation, a touch of horror, and a suspenseful vibe is what made flipping through this story sit well with me.

Watters brings a sense of humanity to Drew’s character as she fights back the symbiote, which is obviously not going as well as she had hoped, and continues to attempt to fight for what’s right. We get a much more violent and volatile Spider-Woman than we have seen in the Marvel Universe, something I am here for all day long.

What can be difficult for some newer readers, or at least those who don’t read every Marvel story, is trying to jump into a story without a ton of background. Spider-Woman is crafted in a way that makes it super accessible with only needing a few tidbits, such as knowing who Jessica Drew and Carnage is, and by the end of this first issue another connection to Carnage. This allows anyone who wants to get into a new arc without the fuss of reading a bunch before the ease of jumping into a stellar new series.

Broccardo balances the action and superhero elements with the horrors that come along with a Carnage tale. Drew’s interactions with the symbiote in the mirror are beautiful and terrifying at the same time. There is a grittiness to the visuals that this horror reader loved, but also fits squarely in the greater Marvel Universe. This goes the same for Mattia Iacono‘s colors, as they are just what this story needed.

Spider-Woman is a dark and suspenseful tale that I never thought I would be this excited to read. Writer Dan Watters and artist Andrea Broccardo deliver a story where the superhero action and horrors of Carnage blend seamlessly. Spider-Woman is a brutally entertaining story that made this reader a much bigger fan of Jessica Drew.

Spider-Woman #1 hit local comic shops on November 4, 2026 from Marvel Comics.

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While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing November 4, 2026.

Archie in Hell #1

Writer: Patrick Horvath
Artist: Tyler Crook
Publisher: Oni Press

TO BE SAVED… HE MUST BE DAMNED! In the bloodstained tradition of AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, something wicked this way comes to Riverdale in an infernal new ongoing series from multiple Eisner Award winner Patrick Horvath (Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees) and Russ Manning Award winner Tyler Crook (Out of Alcatraz, Harrow County)!

They say that every small town has a secret. Well, in the case of Riverdale, it’s one heck of a humdinger: An ancient order of cultists has infiltrated its townspeople, bent on using human sacrifice to usher a demon lord into our mortal plane. And they’ve finally identified the final target they need to bring a century’s worth of planning to fruition: hometown football champion and all-around good guy Archie Andrews. But this secret cabal never dreamed that actual witches walk Riverdale’s streets… and when cult and coven clash in the final stages of Archie’s secret-ritual sacrifice, the consequences will be cosmic… and young Archie Andrews will find himself damned to something far worse than Hell’s inner circle.

Unstuck from time and space. Bound to a terrible curse. Late for school. Things are about to go from bad to downright diabolical as Horvath and Crook unleash the most malevolently merciless Archie Comics tale ever told… and, truly, you’ll never, ever expect what happens next.

Archie in Hell is a wildly fun, wickedly gruesome trip to Riverdale that proves once again that Archie and horror are a match made in hell. Writer Patrick Horvath and artist Tyler Crook bring their horror expertise to the pages of an Archie story, delivering new story that is somehow lighthearted and terrifying at the same time. Archie in Hell is the odd one out in the first three new Oni Press Archie titles, but also the most fun. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Spider-Woman #1

Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrea Broccardo
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Spider-Woman’s 50th Anniversary celebration continues in this new series. Old foes back from the dead! Mysteries around every corner! And a bloodthirsty Carnage just barely kept contained! It’s a recipe for Spider-Woman’s darkest adventure yet. Don’t miss this electrifying first issue!

Dungeons & Dragons #1

Writer: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Publisher: Dark Horse

A draconic apocalypse approaches the Forgotten Realms, and it has one name on its lips: MORDENKAINEN. Now, stripped of his magic but never out of the fight, the most powerful wizard in all reality will need the help of Faerûn’s most legendary heroes to restore the balance.

Creative hivemind Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly team with artist Ibraim Roberson for a brand-new ongoing epic that will shake the world(s) of Dungeons & Dragons!

Corpse Knight TP

Writer: Michael Chaves
Artist: Matthew Roberts
Publisher: Image Comics

A FANTASTICAL HORROR STORY ABOUT HOW FAR FAMILY WILL GO TO PROTECT EACH OTHER.

As war ravages France, a young girl named Foy lives in relative peace with her father… until tragedy strikes. As Foy struggles to fend for herself, she’s granted a miracle — her father returns from the dead to protect her.

Now, they embark on a sacred quest, confronting murderers, wild animals, wandering armies, and black magic plaguing the countryside. As Foy comes face to face with the dark side of miracles and the secrets of the Corpse Knight, she must question if the man by her side has always been a monster…

Acclaimed storytellers Michael Chaves (The Conjuring franchise) and Matthew Roberts (Universal Monsters: Creature from The Black Lagoon Lives!) present a haunting new horror series where family is family, whether they’re alive or undead…

Corpse Knight #1 surprised me in the best possible way. It’s a grim, emotional, and visually striking premiere that blends a ton of heart and horror, doing so with confidence. Michael Chaves proves he understands what it takes to craft a great comic, even if this is his first go-around. He lets the story breathe while Matthew Roberts and Rico Renzi’s artwork heightens each page with haunting and unforgettable imagery. Corpse Knight balances brutal horror with real emotional weight, making it a must-read story. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review of the first issue

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The first batch starts with The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s; Daredevil: Born Again; and Doctor Strange: A Decade of Dark Magic hit bookstores this November 2025 from Paul Cornell, Chris Ryall, and Stuart Moore respectively.

The second round begins in May 2026 with The Ultimates followed by Wolverine: Weapon X on June 11, Spider-Man: Miles Morales on June 25, and Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business & Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga on October 15.

The third set of books drop in 2027 with Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain on December 17, Three Deaths That Shocked Comics: Killing Jean Grey, Elektra, and Mar-Vell on April 15, 2027, Misty Knight: Iconic and Bionic on May 13, 2027, and Uncanny X-Men: The Chris Claremont Era on June 10, 2027.

We were lucky enough to read advance copies or listen to advance audiobooks of these entries. If you choose the latter, be sure to check the accompanying pdfs to get the full experience.

Marvel Age of Comics: The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s

Paul Cornell kicks things off with a look back to The Mighty Avengers historic decade of the 1970s.

The team that defined a generation-and reshaped a universe. The Avengers was the comic book of the 1970s. From Civil Rights to the Women’s Liberation Movement, battles for the soul of America became battles between super heroes.

Writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby co-created the all-star group of six super heroes in September 1963. From there, just three main writers chronicled Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in that most turbulent of decades: Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, and Jim Shooter, each with differing approaches. The Avengers quickly became the pivot around which the Marvel Universe turned. To look back through its issues is to get a crash course in ’70s pop culture.

Illustrated with full-color art from this legendary run, Cornell’s entry in the Marvel Age of Comics series explores how the Mighty Avengers became icons during a time of immense change and upheaval.

It was wonderful to look through the lens of Cornell’s deep dive into the 1970s era Avengers and the connections played to the turbulent times of the decade. While it was a great way to deeper my love for the Avengers and Marvel Comics. There was A LOT packed into the 120 page book. The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s was fact upon fact, upon fact over 10 years and multiple writer/artist combinations. This length of period in a short time felt a bit overwhelming. While I still enjoyed the content within, this entry was my least favorite of the first three books.

Marvel Age of Comics: The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s hit bookstores everywhere on November 11, 2025 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Cary Hite, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: The Mighty Avengers vs. the 1970s from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Daredevil: Born Again

Next up, Chris Ryall focuses in on one of the best Daredevil runs in history with a look at Daredevil: Born Again.

What happens when a hero loses everything? In Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli‘s Daredevil: Born Again, the comic’s titular hero has his life destroyed after his most menacing enemy learns his real identity. His attempts to rebuild his life and sanity result in one of the most gripping and impactful super hero storylines of all time.

Released in 1986, the storyline is an extraordinary exploration of what happens when a hero’s identity is revealed, and his personal life completely annihilated. We see Daredevil reduced to the lowest depths in the character’s history, but we also follow his painstaking path toward redemption.

This entry in Marvel Age of Comics explores Daredevil: Born Again‘s gorgeous and unique artwork, the lasting impact of its story and art, and how it forever changed the ways super hero characters and their secret identities have functioned.

Unlike the first entry, Ryall’s book revolving around Daredevil: Born Again was something special. I believe the shorter period of time and slightly longer book allowed for the information to be consumed a bit easier. The focus on one main character and one series allowed for a bit more breathing room. Like the other entries, this one also featured great imagery, illustrations, and samples of the story arc to give more context.

Whether you are big fan of Daredevil, the Born Again arc, or just want to learn more about the characters and those who created the storylines, Ryall’s entry into the Marvel Age of Comics is a great place to be.

Marvel Age of Comics: Daredevil: Born Again hit bookstores everywhere on November 11, 2025 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Seth Podowitz, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Daredevil: Born Again from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Strange: A Decade of Dark Magic

Lastly, in the first entries into the Marvel Age of Comics, Stuart Moore deep dives into Doctor Strange.

Enter a world where reality bends, and magic reigns supreme. From psychedelic dimensions to counterculture cool, Doctor Strange was unlike anything else in comics. One of Marvel’s most fascinating early characters, he began at the hands of co-creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and his ethereal voyages through other dimensions made him an iconic figure in 1960s culture.

From his first appearance in 1963, Strange captivated a wide range of readers. Over his first ten years, a succession of writers and artists-including Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, Gardner F. Fox, P. Craig Russell, Marie Severin, and notably Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner-expanded on Ditko’s original mind-bending concepts.

This entry in the Marvel Age of Comics explores Strange’s changing roles as a mystic, super hero, and leader of a chaotic team called the Defenders, and the rise of his popularity, in parallel with the counterculture of the 1960s.

While there are a bunch of unique characters in the Marvel Universe, there is none quite like Doctor Strange. This is why Moore’s deep dive into the early years this character is so important.

Doctor Strange has never really been one of my favorite characters in the Marvel Universe, but that is why this book was a lot of fun to read. Learning more about someone you are little less knowledgeable about is always fun in my book. Moore gives us just enough information as to not overwhelm us along the way.

Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Strange: A Decade of Dark Magic hit bookstores everywhere on November 11, 2025 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Jason Lasky, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Strange: A Decade of Dark Magic from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: The Ultimates

The second round of books begins with Marvel Age of Comics: The Ultimates as Ted Adams gives us more on the way this title shaped the Marvel Universe.

Writer Mark Millar, with artists Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, and Paul Neary, reimagined the classic characters that made up Marvel’s premiere super hero team, the Avengers. Looking at them through a modern, post-9/11 lens, the creators treated the characters as super soldiers who reported to the US government.

Illustrated with full-color art, Adam’s entry in The Marvel Age of Comics takes readers through Marvel of the ’90s: the Marvel Knights imprint, the creation of the Ultimate universe with Spider-Man and the X-Men, and finally the Ultimates themselves. With its unique blend of grounded realism and over-the-top action, The Ultimates ensured that comic books and pop culture would never be the same.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks when recommending new comic readers a Marvel series to read is how the new reader might have little context to go on when jumping in. Having no history with these characters makes understanding the new series a bit of a challenge. I commend Marvel to taking this and making a new universe where anyone can dive into a world where everyone is learning about these alternate versions of classic characters together.

Even better is having an author such as Adams breakdown the creation of the Ultimate Universe and the amazing team The Ultimates. Adams gives us insight to the origins of the universe, what made the team so special and how it changed comics going forward. While not required reading for those new the Ultimate Universe, it is for those who want know every detail about the comics and so much more.

Adams goes behind the panels and discusses the creators who made the Ultimate Universe and The Ultimates something special. Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Paul Neary, and many more! These creators took the task at hand and made something that stood out in comics and still has many years later.

Marvel Age of Comics: The Ultimates is a love letter to such a pivotal era in comics as well as useful guide for those who want more from this version of Marvel. Ted Adams brings together the creative risks, cultural context, and discusses the creators who made it special in a way that’s engaging without ever feeling overwhelming.

Marvel Age of Comics: The Ultimates hits bookstores everywhere on May 14, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Mack Sanderson, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: The Ultimates from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Wolverine: Weapon X

As I read through these new Marvel Age of Comics, some are gaining a bunch of information about characters I have knowledge about and are just glad to learn more, while others such as Marvel Age of Comics: Wolverine: Weapon X is one I know of the character and was dying to learn more. Jim Rugg dives deep into the original Marvel Comics Presents Weapon X storyline and how it changed the face of Wolverine, but also altered Marvel Comics moving forward.

Naked, bloody, and screaming in pain – this is the Wolverine that faced readers in the story arc Weapon X. This was more than just the tale of how Wolverine got his adamantium skeleton and claws. Legendary creator Barry Windsor-Smith challenged fans’ expectations of super hero stories and created Marvel’s most brutal and beautiful comic.

In 1991, when Weapon X was first published, Wolverine was one of Marvel’s most popular super heroes. For Weapon X, creator Windsor-Smith reimagined the super hero origin story as a cyberpunk horror story. A shadowy organization abducts Wolverine in order to create “the ultimate killing machine,” and we are plunged into a story of basic, animalistic survival. As Wolverine endures more and more trauma, the lines between reality and consciousness disappear.

Illustrated with full-color art from this legendary storyline, Rugg’s entry in the Marvel Age of Comics takes a deep-dive into one of Marvel’s most experimental and singular comics, and what many consider to be the definitive Wolverine story.

These books are great for those who know nearly nothing of these Marvel Comics characters or storylines, but also an amazing additional read for those who have been longtime fans and know most of the ins and outs. This is due to the writers, Rugg in this case, breaking down the original material in a way that gives you all you need to know before adding the details that make these books so amazing.

Rugg also dives head first into the iconic creator of Weapon X, Windsor-Smith, who single handedly wrote, penciled, inked, colored, and lettered this story in 1991. This, as many might know, is mostly unheard of in big-two comics where timelines are tight and need all hands on deck to meet these deadlines. Windsor-Smith held nothing back when crafting Weapon X, crafting some of the most violent and relentless storytelling in Marvel history. Wolverine has become one of Marvel’s most famous characters and this is at least in some part due to the work Windsor-Smith did on Weapon X.

Marvel Age of Comics: Wolverine: Weapon X is more than a simple companion story to the legendary story, it’s a passionate and insightful celebration of one Marvel’s boldest stories ever told. Jim Rugg Wonderfull breaks down what made Barry Windsor-Smith’s Weapon X such a pivotal moment in comics in a way that is rewarding to longtime fans as well as newcomers to the tale.

Marvel Age of Comics: Wolverine: Weapon X hits bookstores everywhere on June 11, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Alexander Cendese, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Wolverine: Weapon X from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Spider-Man: Miles Morales

These Marvel Age of Comics are an amazing way to learn so much about your favorite characters, story arcs, or periods of time, but also a great way to learn about the people behind the stories we read. Marvel Age of Comics: Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a wonderful example of this with Ytasha L. Womack at the helm.

First introduced in 2011 by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli, Miles Morales reconceived Spider-Man as African American and Latinx, and his debut marked a new direction in the saga of a beloved character.

Miles Morales as Spider-Man is a coming-of-age tale of a smart, affable teen coming into his power. From his reluctance to becoming a super hero to his desire to help others, to the rocky balance between his school life and super hero responsibilities, Miles is always at the precipice of making tough decisions-choices whose consequences are as weighted in his personal life as they often are for the survival of the world.

Illustrated with full-color art, Womack’s entry in the Marvel Age of Comics looks at the hugely successful reimagining of one of the most popular super hero characters of all time.

Womack isn’t someone who had a comic book in their hand from birth, or even someone who writes superhero stories on the regular. Ytasha is more like most of the readers of these books, someone who found a passion in reading comics and is sharing their experience with not only comics in general but the impact of such a character as Miles Morales.

This book is an examination of the introduction of not only a new character, but one that changed the face of Marvel Comics as well as a socially impactful character that was perfectly executed on the pages of comics. Miles Morales brings new struggles, new perspectives, and new abilities to the classic Spider-Man character in ways that most other Ultimate Characters weren’t able to accomplish.

Womack does a fantastic job telling us who Miles Morales is, how he was originally created, and how his story compares to other classic literature in ways that surprised me. After six of these new books, I felt things might get repetitive, but I was wrong. Each discusses an important part of Marvel Comics from the perspective of so many great voices.

Marvel Age of Comics: Spider-Man: Miles Morales is really more than just a book about the fan-favorite Spider-man character, but a thoughtful exploration of of how Miles Morales reshaped Marvel Comics and brought in a whole new generation of comic readers. Ytasha L. Womack brings passion and insight to this book and continues to push this series forward.

Marvel Age of Comics: Spider-Man: Miles Morales hits bookstores everywhere on June 25, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook, narrated by Xenia Willacey, is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Spider-Man: Miles Morales from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business

Legendary industry professional Paul Levitz gives us a unique look at one of Marvel‘s some of most impactful years in Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business, a unique and amazing addition to the Marvel Age of Comics series.

Starting in 1968 when three classic Marvel anthologies were split into separate titles for Iron Man, Captain America, Sub-Mariner, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel began an explosive arc of growth which culminated in becoming America’s largest comics publisher in 1972.

Marvel Explodes tells the story year-by-year, exploring this decisive period from a creative standpoint – the expanded mythology, the new titles, and the writers and artists who would join to fuel the explosion – as well as a business the key transitions, including new distributor, owners, and opportunities.

I have read my fair share of books based around the history and lore of Marvel Comics, but Levitz comes at this addition to the Marvel Age of Comics series with a fresh and unique perspective, making it stand out from the crowd. First off, the book is shorter than most history of the company, but it goes beyond the its succinct storytelling into a view of the history that only a few people can tell. Levitz takes on this book coming from a legendary career as a DC Executive, comics editor, and writer.

What makes Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business a bit different than most entries into the Marvel Age of Comics series so far, is the broad range of history it covers. Not an entire history of Marvel Comics, but one that spans nearly a decade and covers all shapes and sizes of Marvel Comics. Each other entry has a bit more of a tight focus, making this one a bit different. Not to mention, Levitz is somewhat of an outsider when it comes to Marvel as he was an Executive and editor at DC Comics, allowing for a unique point-of-view.

Levitz dives into some of the creative decisions that needed to be made to get Marvel to where it is now, and some of the lucky breaks they got along the way. It’s not an overly in-depth story, but one that tells what needs to be said, focusing more of the comics themselves and those creators and not the personalities that came along with the work.

Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business may not be the most exhaustive history of Marvel ever written, but that’s what makes it such an enjoyable addition to the Marvel Age of Comics series. Paul Levitz puts together a concise and insightful look at one of Marvel Comics most transformative decades through someone who industry experience with a unique perspective.

Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business hits bookstores everywhere on October 15, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga

The Marvel Comics Special Event is something we expect up to a few times per year nowadays, but there was a time where it wasn’t the norm. The Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars event lasted 12 issue starting in May 1984 as the first-ever line-wide crossover and it wasn’t even for the comics per se, but to help sell toys. Tom Mason goes through the event and the last impressions in Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga.

In 1984, Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter brought Marvel’s heroes and villains together for an epic battle that became the template for comic book crossovers and impacted Marvel’s storylines for decades, including major changes to the Spider-Man mythos and the introduction of a new villain.

Within the 12-part storyline, characters who had never met before would find themselves thrown together to achieve a common goal. They formed shaky alliances. There were tremendous power struggles. Teams within teams would form. Relationships would be tested, and both heroes and villains would never be the same. Neither would the Marvel Universe.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga is now the eighth book in the Marvel Age of Comics series from Bloomsbury Academic I have had the privilege of reading. Each author has their own way of diving into the history of Marvel comics and while I have absolutely loved some, others I have just simply enjoyed the time living within the Marvel Universe. This book tends to lean closer to the latter.

Mason does a truly fantastic job explaining the events of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, which is stellar for those who have never read the 12-issue arc or at least it’s been awhile since you cracked open your floppies or the collected edition. This allowed me to feel immersed into the story once again, this time in a new and fresh way. What made this entry into the Marvel Age of Comics series not one of my favorites was that we got mostly a retelling of the overall story and only snippets of the inside baseball of what took place behind the scenes.

Yes, Mason does do a great job setting up the real reason behind the series in the first place, a deal to sell toys surrounding the special event, but as he goes over every issue in the series, there is mostly just breaking down the actual events on page and less about the inner workings that I had hoped would be there. We get a few quotes or fun facts about each issue at the end of a chapter, but nothing hooked me into wanting to know more, just wanting to relive the overall event.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga was a great trip down memory lane, reliving the experience of reading the event that kicked-off Marvel’s history of epic crossovers. Tom Mason does a fantastic job breaking down each issue in the 12-issue arc with a few fun facts and details to add to the overall history. The biggest impact this entry into the Marvel Age of Comics series did for me was pushing me to read the original comics over again and even jump into the novelization of the story by Alexander Irvine.

Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga hits bookstores everywhere on October 15, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars: The Epic 1980s Saga from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain

You can’t read a Marvel comic these days without Doctor Doom showing up. Yes, that is due to the fact a very expensive feature film with the Marvel villain’s name in the title and the synergy Marvel is attempting to drive readers during this time. However, it is also because Doctor Doom is one of the most iconic and longest standing antagonists in the history of Marvel Comics. Bryan Stratton dives into the character of Doom and the history surrounding his creation and the growth and destruction caused by him over the many years of Marvel Comics with Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain.

Genius. Monarch. Sorcerer. God. Since the birth of the Marvel Universe, Doctor Doom has left scars across it as indelible as the ones he hides beneath his cold iron mask.

Victor von Doom is one of Marvel’s most popular villains, having menaced just about every Marvel hero since 1962. He’s a dark sorcerer who fights the devil every Midsummer’s Eve for his mother’s soul, as well as a mad scientist with an inexhaustible supply of robot duplicates and the coolest time machine ever invented.

This entry in Marvel Age of Comics chronicles why this fascinating fiend has remained a compelling character for seven decades and counting, from his first appearance in Fantastic Four #5 to his conquest of the Marvel Universe in One World Under Doom.

When it comes to the tell-all story of a Marvel Character, there are few with the credits to do such a thing than Stratton. The creator and co-host of the Marvel by the Month podcast, which covers the history of Marvel Comics – and the events that shaped them – one month at a time, has a history of tell Marvel history. Therefor, when it comes to Doctor Doom, Victor von Doom, and the villain created many years ago, Stratton does a bang-up job crafting a story that tells the narrative from inception to nearly present day.

Doom is one of the characters with a rich and varying history. He has been a regular genius, a god, a leader, and even a sorcerer. With his different roles over many decades it can be hard to keep things straight. While I have mentioned in previous reviews of the Bloomsbury Marvel Age of Comics books that sometimes I need less of a blow-by-blow of the history of one character, I would be wrong with this one. Stratton brought me up-to-speed with the ins and outs of Von Doom, just in time for the feature film, allowing me to digest a ton of history in only a few pages.

Stratton crafts the tale where I was not bored, or overwhelmed, with wonderful pacing and just the right amount on information. The relevance of each moment and how it connects to the broader universe and repercussions in both the fictional Marvel universe as well as the all-to-real printing industry of comics.

Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain made catching up with the most iconic Marvel villain extremely easy and prepared me for the Doomsday event this December. Author Bryan Stratton lays the foundation, builds the story, and nails the history of Doctor Doom in a way that was easy to read and taught me so much.

Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain hits bookstores everywhere on December 17, 2026 from Bloomsbury Academic. The audiobook is available via Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Marvel Age of Comics: Doctor Doom: The Making of Marvel’s Greatest Villain from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

The post Marvel Age of Comics: A Compact Journey Through Marvel’s Legacy appeared first on Capes and Tights.

This week on the Capes and Tights Podcast, Justin Soderberg welcomes comic writers Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly to the program to discuss Star Trek: The Last Starship, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, Dungeons & Dragons, and more!

Lanzing and Kelly, also known as Hivemind, are an Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling writing duo known for their work that spans across television, comics, novels, podcasts, and feature films. In comics, you may have read stories they have scribed for Star Trek, Star Trek: Year Five, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Guardians of the Galaxy, NYX, Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, Batman Beyond: Neo-Year, One Bad Day: Clayface, Gotham City Garage, Joyride, and more!

More recently the writing duo has been hard at work on Star Trek: The Last Starship, which had it’s first volume drop in trade paperback on September 8, 2026 from IDW Publishing, as well as the IDW Dark title You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive hitting shelves in October 14, and Dungeons & Dragons at Dark Horse coming November 4.

#303: Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly – Star Trek: The Last Starship

The post #303: Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly – Star Trek: The Last Starship, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive appeared first on Capes and Tights.

Lanzing and Kelly, also known as Hivemind, are an Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling writing duo known for their work that spans across television, comics, novels, podcasts, and feature films. In comics, you may have read stories they have scribed for Star Trek, Star Trek: Year Five, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Guardians of the Galaxy, NYX, Thunderbolts: Doomstrike, Batman Beyond: Neo-Year, One Bad Day: Clayface, Gotham City Garage, Joyride, and more!

More recently the writing duo has been hard at work on Star Trek: The Last Starship, which had it’s first volume drop in trade paperback on September 8, 2026 from IDW Publishing, as well as the IDW Dark title You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive hitting shelves in October 14, and Dungeons & Dragons at Dark Horse coming November 4.

Star Trek (IDW)

Deep Space Nine captain Benjamin Sisko returns in a new ongoing series featuring fan-favorite characters from across the Star Trek universe. Now available as a softcover with a new cover!

Stardate 2378: A bold new era of Star Trek begins! Three years ago, Benjamin Sisko made a courageous sacrifice that left him trapped in the dimension of the mysterious Prophets; now he’s returned to his home universe — with powerful, godlike abilities. But his omnipotence is failing when he needs it most. Someone is killing the gods, and Sisko and the motley crew of the U.S.S. Theseus will have to travel to the deepest parts of space to stop them.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (Marvel)

When Arnim Zola launches a catastrophic attack on New York City, he meets his match — in two Captain Americas! But a shocking secret about Steve Rogers’ iconic shield will change the way he views the 20th century he came from — and how he chooses to fight in the 21st! Steve follows a trail of coded bread crumbs to Germany in pursuit of an elusive organization making bold and deadly moves, while Bucky Barnes’ own investigation leads him to the high rollers tables in Madripoor. Thousands of miles apart with no backup, will Steve and Bucky find what they’re looking for, or are they both in over their heads? Featuring the shocking return of the Dryad herself: Peggy Carter!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Joyride (BOOM!)

Steal a spaceship and leave Earth behind. A simple plan made much more complicated by the fascist World Government Alliance that has put the planet on lockdown underneath an artificial sky. Still, that won’t stop Uma Akkolyte, her best friend Dewydd, and their would-be-captor Catrin from embarking on a joyride unlike any other! Joyride is a gleeful mix of the thrill of exploration, the importance of friendship, and the fight against authoritarianism, with a cast of wild and gripping characters, human and alien alike!

Gotham City Garage (DC)

When an act of mercy pits Kara against Luthor’s forces and even her own sister, Barbara Gordon, she flees into the “freescape,” a desert fought over by motorcycle clubs, chief among them the Gotham City Garage. These tougher-than-tough women–among them unexpected versions of Harley Quinn, Catwoman and more–quickly learn that Kara is more than she appears, even before she demonstrates superpowers that reveal her to be more than human! They may even embrace Kara as one of their own, but only if she lives long enough!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Star Trek: The Last Starship (IDW)

A Galaxy Shattered. A Legend Reborn. A New Frontier Begins. After the cataclysmic Burn brings warp travel to a standstill and shatters centuries of unity, the dream of the United Federation of Planets collapses almost overnight. Worlds are cut off. Civilizations tumble. Chaos fills the void where hope once thrived.

Out of this cosmic wreckage rises an unlikely beacon: the U.S.S. Omega a lone vessel crewed by survivors navigating a lawless, uncharted Galaxy nearly 300 years after the fall. With no Federation to guide them, they must carve out a path through the ruins — facing warlords, scavengers, and the raw unknown.

But they are not alone.

In a desperate act, the remnants of Starfleet strike a dangerous bargain with one of their oldest enemies… in order to resurrect Captain James T. Kirk. Thrust into a future where everything he fought for has crumbled, Kirk must confront a Galaxy in twilight — and decide whether he can become the symbol it needs one last time.

A sweeping epic of legacy, identity, and frontier survival, Star Trek: The Last Starship Vol. 1 launches a bold new era of Trek storytelling — where the final frontier is wilder, stranger, and more perilous than ever before. The mission isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

NYX (Marvel)

This isn’t a book about X-Men. This is a book about mutants living past the end of their world and into a new beginning. This is Ms. Marvel embracing her mutant life in the neon streets of the Lower East Side. This is Anole trying to keep his head above water. This is Wolverine in the shadows of Bushwick, protecting her own. This is Prodigy writing history as it happens — and Sophie Cuckoo finding her own way. But the news reports are bleak. The streets feel dangerous. There’s something lurking underground. Evil coming from every direction. Nevertheless, they’re determined to make it. This is mutant community. This is mutant pride. This is NYX!

Outsiders (DC)

Batman protects Gotham City from evil. Batman Inc. protects the rest of the known world. But what of the unknown world? What of the ancient evils in hidden tombs and forgotten tragedies from a magic-and-mad-science fueled super-heroic century?

Using his fortune, Luke Fox launches a new organization dedicated to shining light into the world’s darkest corners. His first recruit: Kate Kane, the Batwoman—who will re-embrace her military background to protect Luke’s dream and encounter every bit of strangeness the DCU has to offer.

And just wait until you meet the Third Man…or learn what universe-shattering secret they’ve discovered buried under Antarctica.

Batman Beyond: Neo-Year (DC)

Bruce Wayne has died, and it’s left Terry McGuiness on his own taking on the mantle of Batman. Left with limited resources, Terry must face a new state-of-the-art A.I. that has emerged in a Neo-Gotham that has no faith in Batman. Even with all of that, Terry will have to face off against his old adversary, The Jokerz, and look to Barbara Gordon for support. Without Bruce in his ear, can Terry McGuiness become the protector that Neo-Gotham needs?

Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel)

One year ago, the Guardians of the Galaxy were torn apart — their optimistic future shattered by the betrayal of one of their own. Now they ride the space lanes of a lawless corner of the galaxy, trying to outrun their tragedy. Can they forgive the failures of their past? Or will they fade into the dark, eternally unforgiven? Caught in the middle of a civil war, those who were once Guardians face a battle that was lost from the start. Because they’re about to find themselves face-to-face with their old ally Groot — and he’s not the friend they remember! Where Groot goes, Rocket won’t be far behind — but he’s not happy to see the Guardians! Where has he been all this time? What’s happened to him? And can the team ever recover?

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

The Principles of Necromancy (Magma)

While brave knights and dangerous monsters wage endless war, business is booming for Dr. Jakob Eyes, a traveling physician whose arcane remedies are the closest thing to magic the world knows. These gruesome miracles are only stepping stones for Dr. Eyes’ ultimate ungodly goal: to overcome death itself.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (DC)

Children are going missing and being swallowed by the city’s old bones. Batman Beyond will have to go underground, led by a mysterious splicer named Kyle the Catboi, to find the children and confront the city’s buried sins.

What happened to the green of the city? What happened to magic? And what villains never left old Gotham?

Thunderbolts: Doomstrike (Marvel)

Doom took over the world — and Bucky Barnes helped him do it. To atone for his unwitting role in Doom’s triumph, Bucky assembles a team with one goal: burn it all down. But when Bucky’s saboteurs — including Black Widow and Songbird — launch a no-holds-barred campaign to tear Doom’s Empire apart, the newfound emperor of Earth decides to prove that revolution ends in blood. Ghost Rider ’44, Sharon Carter, U.S.Agent and the Midnight Angels join the action — but standing in the way of the Thunderbolts are…the Thunderbolts?! Who will win in the battle of new vs. old? And just what does Doom have planned if he can get his hands on Bucky?

Green Arrow (DC)

The Emerald Archer’s world will be forever changed with a mystery six months in the making as the box that could destroy the Justice League is opened! But first Ollie will have to keep villains at bay, including Count Vertigo and Parasite! Is he throwing himself into the hero game because of a death wish? Not if Black Canary has anything to say about it.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Kang the Conqueror (Marvel)

The time traveler called Kang the Conqueror has led many lives across many eras. He has been a pharaoh, a villain and a warlord of the spaceways – even, on rare occasions, a hero. Across all timelines, one fact seemed absolute: Time means nothing to Kang. But the truth about the Conqueror is much more complex! Kang is caught in an endless cycle of creation and destruction, dictated by time and previously unseen by any but the Conqueror himself. A cycle that, once revealed, could finally explain the enigma that is Kang.

It begins and ends with an old and broken Kang sending his younger self down a dark path. But is there any hope that he can change the tragic fate of his great love, Ravonna Renslayer, and find his way to a better future?

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive (IDW)

Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life.

Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets.

Until the night of their graduation.

When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life — and finds something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.

Because this place isn’t a sanctuary.

It’s a cage.

And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Dungeons & Dragons (Dark Horse)

A draconic apocalypse approaches the Forgotten Realms, and it has one name on its lips: MORDENKAINEN. Now, stripped of his magic but never out of the fight, the most powerful wizard in all reality will need the help of Faerûn’s most legendary heroes to restore the balance.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

The post 16 Dazzling Comics by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly You Should Read appeared first on Capes and Tights.

While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing October 14, 2026.

Coffin Girls #1

Writer: Joseph Schmalke, Megan Hutchison
Artist: Joseph Schmalke, Megan Hutchison
Publisher: Midnight Factory Press

New Orleans, 1732. Three women arrive against their will. The city has no idea what it has brought in.

Coffin Girls is a paranormal Gothic series set in colonial New Orleans — a world built on stolen labor, on the bodies of women, on flesh bought and sold. Three women bound by circumstance and a reawakened ancient evil, are about to unleash a nightmare the likes of which the city has never seen.

Presented as a stunning flipbook in black, white, and pink. Side A is written and illustrated by Joseph Schmalke (Seven Years In Darkness, We Don’t Kill Spiders, Murder Hobo). Side B is written and illustrated by Megan Hutchison (Hello Darkness, Rockstars, Archie Comics: Judgement Day).

You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive #1

Writer: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
Artist: Heather Vaughan
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark

Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life.

Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets.

Until the night of their graduation.

When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life — and finds something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.

Because this place isn’t a sanctuary.

It’s a cage.

And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.

From Eisner-nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, this paranoia-laced, socially conscious horror mystery will leave you questioning reality… and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream its residents were expecting.

Hammer Head #1

Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Damian Couceiro
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

For 20 years, Jules has been hiding from her past. As the only survivor of the Hammer Head killing-spree, she carries the guilt and trauma of having watched as everyone she loved was brutally murdered. Every couple of years, Hammer Head rises from the dead to continue his reign of terror anew, and with each repeated massacre, Jules falls deeper into the warm embrace of her own dark coping mechanisms. When she’s thrown into prison with no trial and no hope, Jules finds herself part of a dark ritual built to force her back into the past that she’s spent her life trying to escape.

Co-creators, writer Ed Brisson (Predator, Old Man Logan, Ghost Rider) and artist Damian Couceiro (Wolverine & Kitty Pryde, X-Force, Old Man Logan) team up once again to bring you the ultimate horror throwback.

Venom #1

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Tommaso Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Eddie Brock and Venom are reunited — and it feels so good! After years apart, once again THEY ARE VENOM, and Eddie is not going to let this opportunity go to waste. He is determined to be the ultimate host for the symbiote and be the hero he knows he can be… and he’s not going to let any other super heroes say otherwise! Writer Charles Soule (Daredevil, Star Wars) and artist Tommaso Bianchi (Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger, Thunderbolts) bond together to bring us this story of two becoming one!

The post FEATURED 4: Coffin Girls #1, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive #1, and October 14 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

A young Peter Parker is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, Peter embraces his grotesque new form to stop them.

Marvel is not new to the alternate universe side of things with many different takes on various characters over the years, especially when it comes to the iconic Spider-Man. Outside of universes such as Marvel Zombies, I don’t recall many that drift even close to the horror genre, but with Marvel’s new Midnight series of comics, Peter Parker is in for his darkest and most terrifying tale to date. The bonus is, there is also an X-Men and Fantastic Four series as well.

With my vast reading of horror stories, it is really a genre that has been able to blend itself with many other genres while still feeling like horror. Recently more horror-romance novels have been well crafted and there is always the combining of horror and science-fiction or the amazing horror-holiday mashup. But you don’t see horror and the world of superheroes come together that often, which is just another reason why this Midnight series is something that should at least catch your eye.

The simple idea of a radioactive spider biting a teenager to give said teenager superhuman powers is honestly terrifying on even the simplest levels. So, Johnson had a foundation to build off of that was not all that removed from the terrors that can take place in a horror comic. However, Johnson takes this frightening origin story and shifts it a bit to give us something that is even more horrifying and ultimately its own new origin that takes Spider-Man in a direction we have yet to see.

Johnson does a fantastic job setting the foundation for Peter Parker’s story, all while building tension and an underlying sense of dread you’d come to expect from a horror comic. This is not your bubbly friendly neighborhood Spider-Man style of story but one that deals with darker issues and will make you want to read with the lights on.

This new take on the classic Spider-Man origin wouldn’t be as impactful without the incredible illustrations by ScieTronc. The artist brings us into the world of the dark and dreary with gruesome and grotesque imagery that is not something you’d normally see in a web-slinging story. But it’s not just there for impact’s sake, it has a deeper meaning and reflects where this story is ultimately headed. The imagery is intense when needed, and just the right amount. The colors by Neeraj Menon are dark and brooding adding even more depth to the story at hand.

Even as a fan of the Ultimate Universe, both the original take and the most recent iteration, I feel this new adventure for Marvel comics is something truly special. Yes, it could be that two of my favorite genres are coming together and gets me giddy at just the thought, but truthfully its the idea of Marvel taking a big swing to hopefully capture our attention and tell some terrifying stories with their iconic roster of characters.

This debut issue of Midnight Spider-Man is just the beginning of what we can expect from Peter Parker and the horrifying side of Marvel Comics, but sets the tone and lays the foundation of what we are going to see moving forward. Things are darker in the world of Marvel and that is a good thing.

Midnight Spider-Man is an unsettling start to the darker side of the Marvel Universe in all the right ways. Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist ScieTronc deliver on a fantastically gruesome and grotesque, tension-filled story that gives us a new look at Peter Parker and the origins of Spider-Man in a new and horrifying Marvel Universe.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 hit local comic shops on October 7, 2026 from Marvel Comics.

Midnight Spider-Man #1 Preview

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While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing October 7, 2026.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Halloween Special #1

Writer: Patrick Horvath, Jared Cullum, Che Grayson, James Tynion IV, Tony Fleecs
Artist: Patrick Horvath, Jared Cullum, Tyler Boss, Dave Wachter, Matt Emmons
Publisher: IDW Publishing / IDW Dark

Patrick Horvath joins forces with James Tynion IV, Tony Fleecs, Dave Wachter, Che Grayson, Jared Cullum, Tyler Boss, and more for an original one-shot set in the world of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees!

Years have passed since Samantha Strong left Woodbrook, but her legend has only grown. Now that the cat is out of the bag, more and more horrific murders have been tied back to her. Some are her doing… others mere folklore… but all absolutely gripping stories featuring everyone’s favorite cuddly serial killer. Gather around the campfire on Halloween night with some of the best creators working today and listen as the citizens of Woodbrook spill the beans on Samantha Strong’s most terrifying deeds.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Halloween Special somehow adds to the fact that this overall series is one of the greatest comics to be created in recent years, if not ever. Patrick Horvath’s unique concept is expanded upon by some of comics top-tier creators bridging the gap between story arcs in a nearly-perfect Halloween Special. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Halloween Special is a must-read comic, one of 2026’s best single issues. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Star Trek: Holo-ween II #1

Writer: Alex Segura
Artist: Bailie Rosenlund
Publisher: IDW Publishing

A Halloween mystery unfolds on Deep Space 9!

On the eve of a high-stakes diplomatic summit, Deep Space 9 is thrown into chaos by a sudden communications blackout and a string of deeply unsettling incidents. With senior leadership called away, Worf, Dax, Odo, and Bashir must hold the station together as tensions rise among visiting dignitaries.

Then, a distressed starship arrives with explosive claims — and one member of the DS9 crew stands accused of murder. As suspicion spreads and paranoia takes hold, a creeping sense of dread settles over the Promenade. And somewhere inside the station’s holosuites, something has gone terrifyingly wrong…

Star Trek: Holo-ween II is a wonderfully creepy trip to Deep Space 9 that delivers just the right about of Star Trek thrills this Halloween season. Writer Alex Segura and illustrator Bailie Rosenlund craft a story that weaves a terrifying locked-station mystery into the Star Trek universe in a way that seems fitting. Star Trek: Holo-ween II is the perfect miniseries to read this Halloween, with each issue dropping weekly October 7-28, 2026. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Midnight #1’s (we know, it’s cheating)

AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DISTURBING UNIVERSE BEGINS HERE!

Midnight X-Men #1

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Matteo Della Fonte
Publisher: Marvel Comics

The clock strikes midnight, and it’s the dark dawn of a new era. The shadows of New York City are stalked by vampires and the mutant empyres. The sword of Damocles hangs over the peace between these two species and the factions within them. An outright war is brewing and the unturned will be caught in the crossfire.

Blockbuster comic book writer Jonathan Hickman returns to the X-Men with a hunger for blood as this new world of terror reimagines the heroes of the Marvel Universe!

Midnight Fantastic Four #1

Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Kev Walker
Publisher: Marvel Comics

First steps into darkness! An obsessive scientist delves into the secrets of the universe perhaps best left unknown to humankind, leaving himself and three others warped in strange and horrifying ways.What horrible secrets lie in the new dimensions they have discovered? And can humanity survive the discovery?

From the twisted minds of Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, Punisher) and Kev Walker (Infernal Hulk, Doctor Strange) comes a tale of existential dread and secrets best kept…

Midnight Spider-Man #1

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: ScieTronc
Publisher: Marvel Comics

A young Peter Parker is transformed into a hideous spider hybrid by the ruthless Oscorp Corporation in their pursuit for eternal life. When Oscorp begins to use the secrets unlocked by his mutation to create more human-animal hybrids, Peter embraces his grotesque new form to stop them.

If Destruction Be Our Lot Vol. 1 TP

Writer: Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Elijah Rosenberg
Artist: Andy MacDonald
Publisher: Image Comics

When humans disappears and robots flourish, one robot dares to go beyond the walls to find the humans who might still be alive in the sci-fi adventure of the year, where WALL-E meets Fallout.

Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us. The robots that once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abraham Lincoln. Abe is haunted by the thought that there must be something more out there — that somewhere, human beings might still exist. After nearly getting killed, he’s determined to wander the Earth until he finds them… or gets recycled trying. Join him on an epic quest to learn who lives beyond the walls, why no one ever comes back, and what it means to be truly alive.

Artist Andy MacDonald (Wonder Woman, Doctor Strange), and writers Mark Elijah Rosenberg (Approaching The Unknown, Year Million) and Matthew Rosenberg (We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) bring you an ongoing story about finding purpose, holding onto hope, and really lonely robots.

Writing duo Matthew Rosenberg & Mark Elijah Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald find humanity in a cold and robotic future where humans are seemingly long gone in If Destruction Be Our Lot. A science-fiction adventure where a lonely robot Abraham Lincoln searches for a new purpose in a post-apocalyptic world that is fighting back. With unanswered questions abound, this first volume is a must-read, but makes you want so much more…in a good way. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

The post FEATURED 4: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Halloween Special #1, Star Trek: Holo-ween II #1, and October 7 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.

While we are not the official voice of your decision, we want to help guide you in the right direction for comics releasing September 30, 2026.

The Amazing Venom #1

Writer: Jordan Morris
Artist: Luke Ross, Julius Ohta
Publisher: Marvel

When last we left the red-and-blue be-symbioted Fred Myers — formerly BOOMERANG, now COMEBACK — he was trying to keep his life uncomplicated. The last thing he wanted was to get caught up in the symbiote nonsense of Hela and Knull’s war over Earth… but the best laid plans of saps and symbiotes often go awry. Now, in the fallout, Fred and his symbiote, Passenger, find themselves on a mission way, way, WAY more complicated than your average Venorang can handle!

Hillbilly: The Treason of Twelve-Toe Maggie #1

Writer: Eric Powell
Artist: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse

There are many tales of Rondel the wandering Hillbilly, this is but one. Some years after the great witch war, Rondel, in order to save an old friend, finds himself in an uncomfortable situation—in the service of his former captor, Twelve-Toe Maggie. Will he break the magical tie that binds him to the twelve-toed witch or will the wielder of the Devil’s Cleaver be at her service forever?

The Lawrence Brothers: Detective Agency HC

Writer: The Lawrence Brothers, Berkowitz Brothers, Brian Yuran
Artist: Sean Von Gorman, Dario Formisani
Publisher: Z2 Comics

This is a project that has been 15 years in the making!

The Lawrence Brothers (Joey, Matt and Andrew) have toyed around with their own take on the Hardy Boys by creating a detective agency with a Hollywood twist This darkly funny graphic novel reimagines them as reluctant heroes battling a conspiracy that’s warping the very fabric of fame Set against the surreal backdrop of a corrupted Hollywood, The Lawrence Brothers: Detective Agency is a satirical fever dream about identity, memory, and the absurdity of pop culture.

Think Scooby Doo meets Barry meets Bojack Horseman, except instead of searching for criminals they are searching for lost child stars with cameos from some of your favorite actors from the 90s!

The Lawrence Brothers: Detective Agency is not a story I had on my bingo card for 2026, but damn am I glad I read it. The Lawrence Brothers, Berkowitz Brothers, Brian Yuran, Sean Von Gorman, and Dario Formisan deliver an absurd, funny, dark, and enjoyable story that was part nostalgic and part mystery with The Lawrence Brothers: Detective Agency. Now, what mystery is next for Joey, Matthew, and Andrew to solve. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Batman: Detective Comics by Ram V Omnibus HC

Writer: Ram V
Artist: Various
Publisher: X

Ram V’s Batman magnum opus in collected in one massive omnibus volume!

For years, Batman has instilled fear into criminals by posing as a demonic creature of the night. But as the Dark Knight begins to question his own mortality—and as seemingly real demons start appearing in Gotham—he must also ask himself if there has in fact been an actual dark entity living in him all along.

From Eisner Award-winning author Ram V, along with Simon Spurrier, Dan Watters, Rafael Albuquerque, Hayden Sherman, Stefano Raffaele, and many others, comes a dark opera told in three acts pitting Batman against some of his most terrifying foes, the mysterious Orgham family, and his own inner nature.

This all-in-one volume collects the entire Gotham Nocturne storyline with the interconnecting backup tales from Detective Comics #1062-1089 and Detective Comics 2022 Annual #1, plus bonus stories from Batman Secret Files #1, DC’s Crimes of Passion #1, and Strange Love Adventures #1.

This edition also includes a new introduction by Ram V, afterwords by Simon Spurrier and Dan Watters, and a gallery of behind-the-scenes artwork.

The post FEATURED 4: The Amazing Venom #1, The Lawrence Brothers: Detective Agency, and September 30 Comics appeared first on Capes and Tights.