Is spooky season officially here?

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While sorting through new releases for this list of Top Comics to Buy for August 28, I found myself wondering — is spooky season officially here? I mean, I know I’m ready for it, but I think the market agrees with me, with marquee horror releases that range from Frankenstein to Alien to an ongoing scary anthology. You can find all my recommendations (spooky and otherwise) below, along with the usual lists … enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for August 28, 2024

Aliens Vs. Avengers #1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Esad Ribic
Colorist: Ive Svorcina
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
It’s all led to this: Xenomorphs reach Earth! The perfect organism meets a planet of superhumans. Who will be first to fall? Legendary collaborators Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribi? cut loose in this four-part epic unmissable for Marvel and Alien fans alike!
Why It’s Cool: The creative team behind arguably the biggest Marvel event of all-time (the 2015 Secret Wars) reunites for a high-octane, bleak as hell horror-laden comics crossover. It’s as grandiose as it sounds in this first issue. Don’t miss it.
Price: $7.99

Barbaric Vs. Deathstalker #1
Writers: Michael Moreci and Tim Seeley
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Vault Comics
Cursed barbarian versus warrior king! Axe versus sword! Owen versus Deathstalker! When an evil wizard summons the two most reluctant heroes of all time, they’ll have to square off. But a clash of steel alone may not decide the final victor.
Why It’s Cool: This crossover I’ve been anticipating since Vault first announced it was doing new Deathstalker comics arrives this week, and it does not disappoint. What a great mash-up of fantastic fantasy hijinks. Both these books are great, and now we’re getting an over-sized one-shot of the characters together.
Price: $5.99

Convert #1
Writer: John Arcudi
Artist: Savannah Finley
Colorist: Miguel Co
Letterer: Michael Heisler
Publisher: Image Comics
Science Officer Orrin Kutela finds himself stranded on a distant planet, starving and haunted by the ghosts of his dead crew. On the verge of death, he makes an astonishing discovery. Veteran writer John Arcudi (Rumble, B.P.R.D.) and illustrator Savanna Finley bring you a sci-fi/fantasy comic like no other.
Why It’s Cool: This is an understated and somber gem of a sci-fi shipwreck comic, one that is buoyed by spare but excellent writing, and a very impressive command of comics ambiance.
Price: $3.99

Hello Darkness #2
Creators: Azam Raharjo, Frederik Hornung, Wes Craig, Robert Hack, Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
The groundbreaking modern horror anthology continues with an unrivaled lineup of creative minds. Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan are joined by Wes Craig, Robert Hack, Azam Raharjo, and Frederik Hornung. Rahajo and Hornung both make their comics debut in this special “all cartoonists” issue.
Ennis and Cloonan continue “The War” with a second installment that ratchets up the nervous tension surrounding a world on the brink of nuclear war…
Wes Craig puts capitalist pigs in their place with “Apocalypse in Slow Motion”, Frederik Hornung explores the unexpected horrors of blind dates in “Stargazers”, and Azam Raharjo supplies straight nightmare fuel with “The Clown”.
Why It’s Cool: I’m absolutely floored by how disturbing this anthology series has been through two issues. There’s just terrifying imagery throughout, and then it’s all punctuated by an ongoing story from Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan that feels so real it will give you chills. If you want big, excellent comics scares this spooky season, look no further.
Price: $5.99

Universal Monsters – Frankenstein #1
Writer/Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Toni Marie Griffin
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
A modern-day horror visionary resurrects one of the most iconic monsters. Award-winning creator Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin) presents an electrifying new vision of the horror classic. Each issue of the limited series tells the shocking story behind one of the body parts used to create the unforgettable monster in the original film. In this first issue, Dr. Henry Frankenstein begins his unholy quest to create life by robbing the grave of a decorated police officer. But little does he know that the corpse has a son who is mourning a father-and that this young boy will forever change Frankenstein’s life.
Why It’s Cool: I think all of these Universal Monster comics have been very good, but this one to me is the standout so far. It fills in a new story around the edges of one of the foundational monster movies, and it does it in a really emotional way, with amazing art and perfect pacing. Of course, I’ve seen the original movie, but after this comic, I’m still dying to know what happens next.
Price: $4.99