This Week In Comics October 8, 2025
My pull list plus preparing for Baltimore
With about a week to go I’m planning the Whimventure® to Baltimore and what I need and want to lug around the convention center. Fortunately my hotel is within a short walk probably through crime infested streets teaming with ICE vigilantes or National Guard troops from Indiana, because if antifa is anywhere, its going to be at a comic book convention 🙄 I just need a frog costume so I can be safe walking near them.
My Comics
This week I have tried to add a few things outside my normal stuff to prepare for Baltimore and the Ringo Awards. Like going to CXC I know I am woefully underprepared mentally but that’s OK. I’m planning on attending a panel by Ignition Press, a new publisher with some interesting titles. So I purchased what I could my LCS (Comic Carnival) to see if their session is the one I should attend or if I should attend Trivia with Mark Waid which occurs at the same time on Friday.
C.O.R.T. Children of the Round Table #2 DC Comics W: Tom Taylor A: Daniele Di Nicuolo Things get interesting as the kids all head home and are pursued by Mordred’s goons. I want to know Grandma’s story and finally the stick gets it moment to shine.
DC K.O. #1 DC Comics W: Scott Snyder A: Javier Fernández
Batman and Robin #26 DC Comics W: Phillip Kennedy Johnson A: Fico Ossio I really liked the cover. Batman and robin are trying to stop a murderer or at least figure out who he’s really after as he keeps killing anyone who gets in his way.
Nemesis Forever #2 Dark Horse Comics W: Mark Millar A: Matteo Scalera Mark Millar’s villain is still at it and in issue two the death toll rises.
The Future Is ****** #6 REKCAH! Comics W: Fred Van Lente A: Ennio Bufi Off to stop the board of Reign Security Systems- what could go wrong? Also a bit of Wheeler’s origin.
The Unchosen #4 Image Comics W: David Marquez A: Marissa Louise End of the first arc and we learn just how powerful words can be when spoken by the right person.
Action Comics #1091 DC Comics W: Mark Waid A: Skylar Patridge Superboy tries to figure out life and Captain Comet’s “help” and mentorship. Basically what is wrong with this guy?
Absolute Batman # 13 DC Comics W: Scott Snyder A: Nick Draglotta Selina meets up with Bruce and things get interesting… We finally hear it… those three little words… I AM Batman… Fine, he uses a contraction but we all know what he meant to say.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight A Leaguer for Justice #4 W: Andy Diggle andRob Williams A: Leandro Fernandez The fight with Zod is on and can the league stop him? He’s pretty tough and has a bit more experience.
Bullet Adventures #2 Altruist Comics W: Jordan Alaska with Randy Stone A: Nicolás Carrizo In the main story we learn about the heir to our super fast hero and his nemesis who likes things cold.
High Strangeness Book One: 1967 One Press W: Chris Condon and Daniel Noah A: Dave Chisholm
FML #1 Dark Horse Comics W: Kelly Sue Deconnick A: David López
Roots of Madness #1 Ignition Press W: Stephanie Williams A: Letizia Cadonici
Deluge #1 Ignition Press W: Cullen Bunn A: Marika Cresta
Voyeur #1 Ignition Press W: Leah Williams A: David Baldeón
DC K.O. #1 DC Comics W: Scott Snyder A: Javier Fernández I decided to pick up this first issue of the next big event at DC Comics. We basically get a bit of the background as to what has happened and how Darkseid has set himself up for victory. The only thing is our heroes have a plan, that ends up creating fights to determine who will rule the world or at least fight Darkseid in the end. The thing is… I’m just looking at this as another gimmick to reboot everything (again). I’m so tired of these crazy money grabs from publishers. Marvel does it (currently within the X-Men titles) and DC seems to push this button a lot. Sometimes they are well done, but as someone who has survived multiple secret wars, and an infinite number of crises. I even lasted through DC 52. At some point things will settle back to the status quo. I’m planning to just keep with the regular titles I normally read and if they cross over- sure, fine, whatever. 🙄
High Strangeness Book One: 1967 One Press W: Chris Condon and Daniel Noah A: Dave Chisholm Having spent too many hours delving into the world of aliens and cryptids. Ancient Astronaut Theorists say “Yes.” Heck, I’ve toured Point Pleasant, WV home of Mothman! I decided to try out this book and see what it is all about. I’m guessing, right now, that each book will cover different events with different characters so no reoccurring cast. This one dealt with a reporter trying to learn more about a UFO encounter and Men in Black. The event happens in the fictitious town of Grainwake, Indiana (I believe it’s near Hawkins, Indiana, which is close to Eerie, Indiana). We follow a reporter from Chicago looking for a lost girl who had reported siting a UFO (for the younger generation - UAP) things don’t go the way he had planned. The end notes were interesting to read and gain a better understanding of High Strangeness. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” -Hamlet Act 1 Scene 5
FML #1 Dark Horse Comics W: Kelly Sue Deconnick A: David López This is up for a Ringo Award so I figured I should read it. It also seems to disappear off the shelf without being on many pull lists. As with most first issues (I feel like I have to repeat myself when it comes to first issues- it is introducing the characters the setting and some plot points with the hope that it can hook you into grabbing #2 what it comes out. As a retired school teacher I must say I found the school scenes hysterical. So crazy that they have a basis in reality - “our regular Monday active shooter drill has been postponed.” It looks like I have to decide if I want to catch up with the other five issues while waiting for the last two issues, or buy the trade when comes out next year. Tough call.
Ignition Press - I’m really pulling for new blood in comics and Ignition Press is starting off with some great creative teams and a number of unique titles. I’m not into the horror genre much, but weird and strange is right up my alley. I’ve currently read whatever my LCS has in stock- yes, I buy them. I don’t read them and put them back on the rack. I’m weird, I actually work when I’m at the store not sit around and read comics yelling “Welcome!” when the door opens without even lifting my head to see who it is. There’s a lot to do to keep things organized and the shop in order, at least when I’m there I don’t have time to sit down.
These are all first issues so as with most, we are taking some time to set up the way the world works, introducing characters, setting up a few plot points… you know the deal.
I already wrote up Murder Podcast which has an interesting premise and while a bit on the gory side (for an all ages reader like myself) I’m curious as to how it will play out. I see it becoming more of a mystery trying to find out who produces a podcast that causes people to kill, and then how can they be stopped.
A little criminal activity seems to be happening in Voyeur… the first issue focuses on a guy running security at a resort who happens to also be a fine art thief. He’s obsessed with a guest who happens to be his next victim… but things don’t turn out as he hoped (or maybe they do😉). It reminds me a bit of Thief of Thieves, but it’s been a long time since I read that series.
Roots of Madness tells the story of a generational healer. An Alchemist who uses her family recipe book to help cure people. There’s a bit of magic in that book, if only she could unlock it. She is given the chance by the end of the first issue, so we shall see what happens.
Flooding at a women’s correctional facility and monsters don’t mix too well, or at least that’s what we are finding out in Deluge. Creature wise it’s giving me a Manifest Destiny vibe. Of course the questions start popping up in my head- Did the rain start as a result of something else? Where did the monsters come from? I’m initially thinking the prison was built on cursed land or ancient burial grounds.
They are currently also releasing ashcan comics of their titles to hook readers. I’ve picked a couple up, but would prefer to work on reviewing full titles even though they are first issues so there is only so much I can say.
Will I continue with these and the other upcoming series? I don’t know. I see Voyeur and Roots of Madness more following the genres I like, but I’m probably going to give each title at least another issue before deciding anything. The hard part is not knowing how many issues these will go or how long Ignition Press will last. There are so many titles I started that stopped without warning because the publisher ceased to publish or the writer or artist left for what they thought were better projects. I’ll learn more at their panel next week.
Next week I work on Monday & Wednesday then I’m off to Baltimore Comic Con while Sue heads to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. The boys will have someone watching them, so don’t worry, we don’r neglect our cats. As I said in last post, I’m looking forward to the Con. I’ll try to figure out how leveling works at a Comic Con, like I did for GenCon. I know it will have something to do with getting sketches from artists and maybe commissions. Along with not repeating the same line to every artist in artist alley. I’m not sure with the economy the way it is how much I can support the artists and creators but I’ll definitely have to decide before I leave since I’ll want some cash to make things easier when buying things. As I said, I’m working through what I want to bring to have signed. Fortunately I’m not into things like getting comics graded or Certificates of Authenticity so that’s a cost I won’t worry about. I’ll try to post a bit on Bluesky and maybe something here, but knowing how things can be, I’m not promising anything.
FML is one of my favorite titles of the year and they published my letter (accidentally as Ryan Van Horn, lol, but a win's a win!). Just read Deluge # 1 last night and really dug it.