Happy Halloween, Comic Shop Friends! It’s a fifth Wednesday, but don’t get scared by the smaller amount of comics, because there are some monstrously good titles to pick up!

We will have free comics and candy for all you trick-or-treaters on Friday, Halloween Day! If you missed the Trick or Read books this past weekend, stop by on the 31st!

MARVEL COMICS

Four new Age of Revelation tie-ins start this week!

Cloak and Dagger have always been bonded together, but the X-Virus doesn’t care about bonds or marriage vows. They’ve been changed, and they can no longer be together on the same plane at the same time, but new telepathic abilities still allow them to communicate. On the edge of the Revelation territories the couple is helping to evacuate humans as the X-Virus spreads. When the Fenris twins show up to sabotage the convoy, things take a dark turn. There may not be any survivors left for Cloak and Dagger to rescue as they track down the Von Struckers, and their plan is revealed. Written by Justina Ireland, with art by Lorenzo Tammetta.

A high-stakes extraction mission goes wrong. Because of a rogue opossum? Good thing Ms. Marvel, Bronze, and Rift can rewind and do it again and again until they get it right! Infiltrating a border zone to free a mutant prisoner, the team, along with Melee, has their reasons for rescuing Lyrebird, but Ms. Marvel hasn’t been fully transparent with the others. The Flotilla is now on the way to the Limbo Lands, but can they trust each other on this mission? Especially when there are secrets not yet revealed? Writer Eve L. Ewing and artist Francesco Mortarino introduce the Expatriate X-Men! With a Doop cameo!

The best horror book this week is Undeadpool! Wade Wilson hungers… The X-Virus has mutated him into a shambling zombie who craves mutant flesh! His mind is still there, his usual wit is there, but buried deep under his cravings. A group of newly powered teens make their way out of the Revelation territories, but they have no idea that they’re walking right into horror movie tropes! An abandoned summer camp seems like a good place to lay low for a bit, but Magni, Fantastica, Kid Man-Thing, and Fearless have no idea that the Merc with a mutated mouth is lurking in the shadows! Tim Seely and Carlos Magno have given us a great slasher zombie mashup! With Deadpool!

X years later the world still needs the Avengers, but Earth’s Mightiest are now hated and feared! Dani Moonstar leads a new team of Avengers, but with mutated abilities. Hawkeye, Vision, Water Widow, Shang-Chi, Variable Man, and Cannonball have learned to master their changes, but can they earn the trust of the humans left? Revelation has left them to protect the Earth,  including the Revelation Territories, and working alongside Choristers doesn’t look great when the X-Virus is spreading and hundreds of humans are dying. When something new rises from the ground and attacks mutants, the X-Vengers are forced into a greater divide between human and mutant. Written by Jason Loo, with art by Sergio Davila.

DC COMICS

The only book you need to pick up this week is the Absolute Batman Annual! But if you’re getting two books, grab the Superman Red and Blue 2025 Special too! Both are solid one-shots that give us a look at who these characters are at their core.

It’s Absolute Batman written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson! What more do you need?! I read this as soon as the order was unpacked, and it did not disappoint. We get to see some early days of Absolute Batman! Where does he get those wonderful toys? Find out here! The main story is the Daniel Warren Johnson one, and Bruce learns that his way may not always be the right way. It’s relevant, and violent, and action packed, and there are moments of young Bruce with his father that influence who he’s becoming. The second story, “Sanctuary” by James Harren and Dave Stewart, is a look into the early days of Black Mask’s party animals and a safe house that’s not-so-safe once Batman shows up. Finishing up with a two-pager, Meredith McClaren gives us some bat facts in “Let’s Learn About Bats!”

To put a cap on Superman’s monumental year, DC has a new Red and Blue one-shot special! Four shorts presented in Superman’s signature colors, and all of them are wonderful! First, Paul Dini and Mirka Andolfo send Superman on a quest to retrieve a “Priceless” Calid crystal as bail for Kara and Krypto. Their shenanigans have landed them in a Kyrus jail cell, but there’s something even more priceless than crystals for the cousins. Spoiler alert: it’s family. Too sweet. Next is the DC debut of Michael Walsh, writing and drawing “All the Time in the World”! A beautiful and touching tale of the daily life of Clark, Lois, and how Superman interacts with the people he helps. Then, there’s something “Out of the Ordinary” happening in a small town in Dan Abnett and Caitlin Yarsky’s story. A reporter for the local paper gets the interview of a lifetime when Superman sits down with her after a giant space robot attack, and he gives her a real exclusive! Last, Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey’s “Red Letter Days” lets Clark and Lois work together on a scoop, and shows a lovely side of their relationship.

SMALL PRESS COMICS

“Oh…my…god…zilla.” Godzilla continues his tour of the U.S.! This time he’s taking a trip to Kansas City! Four stories featuring Kansas City based comic creators, and everyone’s favorite kaiju! First, two graffiti artists “Make a Mark” in Buster Moody’s story. As they finish their newest work, Godzilla attacks! Skreeonk! Freddie F. Williams II issues a “Tornado Watch” as the city’s fabled ley lines and weather patterns go up against the King of the Monsters! Then, get some “Local Flavor” with Kyle Strahm and Jake Smith’s story of local small businesses working together to stop Godzilla! With one owner dead set on barbequing some kaiju meat, because the remnants of the famous K.C. sauce has become sentient! Finally, get “Lost In the Sauce” as Kyle Strahm continues the spicy rampage with Baldemar Rivas. A fledgling bbq cart owner’s business gets the boost it needs when her sister is stuck in the saucy new kaiju!

Soon to be a series on FX, The Beauty returns to comics with a brand-new volume! Written by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, with art by Ema Lupacchino, it’s the story of a new sexually transmitted disease, one that makes those who contract it become more beautiful versions of themselves. It also gives them a constant slight fever, but that’s the price people are willing to pay to be hot. Blending crime, horror, and action, this new series follows a thief on a dangerous job, a meteorologist with dropping ratings, and a duo of special agents specializing in Beauty related crimes. As society changes around them, and anti-Beauty groups and violence spread, these characters will find their lives converging in unexpected ways. This issue gives you all the information you need to start here, but if you want the full story, the trade paperback of the first volume is available!

Here’s a perfect Halloween read! Set right around the holiday, if you haven’t read Paper Girls, now is your chance to dive in at only $12.99! And there’s a spiffy shiny Direct Market Edition! In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls, Erin, KJ, Mac, and Tiffany, uncover the most important story of all time. Collecting issues #1-10, this new digest-sized collection celebrates the 10th anniversary of the beloved series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood.